[Sex therapy is effective for erectile dysfunction].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sex therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED). METHODS: We recommended the sex therapy to ED patients and their partners (11 couples in all) in the outpatient department. Of the total number of volunteers, 2 males were accompanied by ejaculation disorder, another 2 with hyposexuality, and 1 female had vaginismus. The effect of the therapy was assessed and the problems with it analyzed by interviews with the subjects and the results of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Of the 11 pairs of volunteers, 5 quitted halfway and 1 discontinued at the therapists' decision. The 5 couples who accomplished the whole therapy felt more satisfied with their sexual life and general relationship, with improved scores on all the items of IIEF, particularly on erectile function (EF), with the only exception of sexual desire (SD). CONCLUSION: The sex therapy is effective not only for ED but also for other accompanying sexual dysfunctions, the sexual dysfunctions of the patients' partners and the improvement of the general relationship of the couples.

[Effects of IL-18 gene transfection on the proliferation in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo of mouse ovarian cancer cell line OVHM].

AIM: To investigate the effects of IL-18 gene transfection on proliferation, apoptosis and tumorigenesis of mouse ovarian cancer cell line OVHM. METHODS: OVHM were transfected with retrovirus encoding IL-18 gene (OVHM/IL-18). The wild OVHM and OVHM transfected with vector without IL-18 gene (OVHM/LXSN) were enrolled as the controls. The proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by MTT and FCM respectively. The nude mice were subcutaneously inoculated with the three different cells respectively. The observation of transplanted tumor's growth and calculation of tumorigenesis ratio was made. The expression of IL-18 mRNA in tumor tissues was detected by RT-PCR, and the apoptosis of tumor cell in tissue was analyzed by electron microscope and FCM. RESULTS: The three cells cultured in vitro showed no apoptotic peaks, and no differences in proliferation and cell cycle (All P>0.05). Following inoculation, the ratios of tumorigenesis were similar in all the three groups. But in OVHM/IL-18 group, the latent period of tumorigenesis was longer with slower tumor growth rate and positive expression of IL-18 mRNA in tumor tissue. It was also observed that in the tumor cells from nude mice inoculated by OVHM/IL-18, the cells in phase of G0/G1 increased with typical morphology of apoptosis, and those in S phase decreased with decreased proliferation index and increased apoptosis index (All P<0h01). CONCLUSION: Although IL-18 gene has no cytotoxic effects in vitro, its inhibiting effects on tumorigenesis of OVHM in vivo were exerted by interdicting cell cycle and accelerating apoptosis of tumor cells.

[Factors affecting clinical application of sex therapy for erectile dysfunction].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the factors that affect the clinical application of sex therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED). METHODS: Urological researchers recommended free sex therapy to ED patients and their partners in the outpatient department and studied the factors affecting the patients of Medicaid their partnersology, acceptance of sex therapy by interview and observation. RESULTS: Many patients refused sex therapy. Only 11 pairs of volunteers underwent it, of whom 5 pairs gave up halfway, 1 pair were stopped by the therapist due to the breakup of their marriage, and merely 5 pairs accomplished the whole course. Among the 5 pairs of quitters, 2 pairs thought of their problem as organic and turned to drug therapy, 1 pair withdrew because the patient's girlfriend broke up with him, 1 pair gave up because they lived in another city too far away from the clinic, and the other pair discontinued because they could not spare the time from their work. CONCLUSIONS: Many factors affect the clinical application of sex therapy for ED in China. Apart from the shortage of qualified professional sex therapists, some factors from the patients and their partners are at work, such as stress of work, lack of time, home location, education background, relationship between the patient and his partner, attitude to sex therapy, and so on.