The connection between type 2 diabetes and erectile dysfunction in Taiwanese aboriginal males.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing global epidemic, especially among aboriginal Taiwanese. This study aimed to identify the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED), markers of endothelial function, serum testosterone level and type 2 DM in aboriginal Taiwanese. Data were obtained from a baseline survey of 240 aboriginal adults. Their demographic data, presence of type 2 DM, markers of endothelial function, serum testosterone and ED status were assessed. The mean age of the samples was 51.62 ± 7.76 years. The International Index of Erectile Function-5 total score had a mean of 21.99 ± 2.34 and a median of 23; 134 participants had ED (55.8%). The results showed an increased risk of ED for participants with type 2 DM and lower serum testosterone level. Among the predictors of ED, type 2 DM, lower serum free testosterone and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were significantly independent factors. Interleukin-6 had a negative relationship with ED. The study results suggest there is a strong association between type 2 DM and erectile function among aboriginal Taiwanese that is similar to the general population. This study also supports the idea that type 2 DM, markers of endothelial function and serum testosterone may provide warning signs of ED and, at the same time, an opportunity for early intervention for aboriginal adult male.

Vitamin E attenuates crystal formation in rat kidneys: roles of renal tubular cell death and crystallization inhibitors.

We previously reported that oxidative stress and renal tubular damage occur in chronic hyperoxaluric rats. However, the in vivo responses of renal epithelial cells after vitamin E administration and their correlations with calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal formation have not been evaluated. Male Wistar rats received 0.75% ethylene glycol (EG) for 7, 21, or 42 days to induce CaOx deposition (EG group). Another group of EG-treated rats received 200 mg kg(-1) of vitamin E intraperitoneally (EG+E group) to evaluate its effect on hyperoxaluria. Urinary electrolytes and biochemistry and levels of lipid peroxides and enzymes were examined, together with serum vitamin E levels. Levels of the tubular markers, alpha and mu glutathione S-transferase, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), osteopontinin (OPN), and Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) were also measured, and TUNEL staining was performed to examine the viability of the tubular epithelium. There were no significant differences between the two age-matched controls either untreated or given vitamin E. Compared to untreated controls, tubular cell death was increased at all time points in EG rats with a gradual increase in CaOx crystals, whereas the number of PCNA-positive cells was only significantly increased on day 21. In EG+E rats, tubular cell death was decreased compared to the EG group, and cell proliferation was seen at all time points, while CaOx crystal deposition was decreased, but hyperoxaluria, urinary lipid peroxides, and enzymuria were unaffected. Vitamin E supplement prevented the loss of OPN and THP in renal tissues by EG and the reduction in their levels in the urine. The beneficial effect of vitamin E in reducing CaOx accumulation is due to attenuation of tubular cell death and enhancement of the defensive roles of OPN and THP.

Immunohistochemical analysis of epidermal growth factor receptor family members in stage I non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: To elucidate the relationship between the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor family members (ErbB-1, neu/ErbB-2, ErbB-3, and ErbB-4) and tumor recurrence. METHODS: We used immunohistochemistry to examine the expression of four epidermal growth factor receptor family members in 73 patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer. RESULTS: Using Cox univariate analysis, we determined that angiolymphatic tumor emboli and non-well-differentiated tumor cells were two significant conventional pathologic predictors of tumor recurrence, and that ErbB-1 and ErbB-3 were also significant predictors. Co-expression of ErbB-1+, -3+, or expression of three or more epidermal growth factor receptor family members had a significant effect on lung cancer recurrence. A stepwise multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis provided a predictive model for tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that in patients with a non-well-differentiated tumor, overexpression of ErbB-3 is a useful marker for predicting tumor recurrence. The present study also confirmed that ErbB-1 expression increased in proportion to the loss of tumor differentiation. The correlation between ErbB-3 and distant metastasis was good.

Assessment of similarity between dissolution profiles.

In vitro dissolution equivalence has been assessed through profile comparison between the test and reference formulations for postapproval changes. Functions of the absolute mean difference and average squared mean differences were two of the often-used criteria to evaluate distance or similarity between general profiles. The two functions and their method of moment estimators are studied in this paper as an application to similarity assessment of two dissolution profile. Due to the complexity of the distributions of these estimators, the confidence intervals obtained from the bootstrap method were used for testing the hypothesis of dissolution similarity. The size and power of two procedures are examined with a simulation study. A numerical example is used to illustrate the application of the procedures.

Distinct mechanisms of entry by envelope glycoproteins of Marburg and Ebola (Zaire) viruses.

Since the Marburg (MBG) and Ebola (EBO) viruses have sequence homology and cause similar diseases, we hypothesized that they associate with target cells by similar mechanisms. Pseudotype viruses prepared with a luciferase-containing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 backbone and packaged by the MBG virus or the Zaire subtype EBO virus glycoproteins (GP) mediated infection of a comparable wide range of mammalian cell types, and both were inhibited by ammonium chloride. In contrast, they exhibited differential sensitivities to treatment of target cells with tunicamycin, endoglycosidase H, or protease (pronase). Therefore, while they exhibit certain functional similarities, the MBG and EBO virus GP interact with target cells by distinct processes.

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Brassica campestris ssp. Parachinensis with synthetic Bacillus thuringiensis cry1Ab and cry1Ac genes.

An effective plant regeneration procedure and a gene transfer system via Agrobacterium tumefaciens were developed in Brassica campestris ssp. parachinensis. Hypocotyls from 5-day-old seedlings with 2 days pre-culture were infected with Agrobacterium strain MOG301 harboring a binary vector containing a synthetic Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) cry1Ab or cry1Ac gene with full codon-modification. After culture and selection on MS medium supplemented with 4.0 mg/l BAP, 2.0 mg/l NAA, 70 µM AgNO3 and 50 mg/l kanamycin, a number of kanamycin-resistant plantlets were regenerated. PCR and Southern blotting analysis were used to identify and characterize the transgenic plants with the integrated cry1Ab or cry1Ac gene. Western blotting analysis of the transgenic plants confirmed the expression of insecticidal proteins encoded by cry1Ab or cry1Ac. Subsequent bioassay with larvae of the Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, demonstrated that the transgenic plants were resistant to feeding damage.

Effects of norepinephrine on renal function in chronically hypoxic rats.

The sympathetic nervous system is activated in response to altitude hypoxia and activation of renal sympathetic nerves may cause vasoconstriction and fluid retention. However, renal excretion does not differ significantly between rats exposed to high altitude hypoxia and control rats. We hypothesize that renal response to norepinephrine (NE) is altered after chronic hypoxia. Female Wistar rats weighing 200 to 220 g were exposed to hypoxia in an altitude chamber (5,500 m, 380 torr) 15 hours/day for 4 weeks (HA, high altitude). Our findings showed that systemic infusion of NE (300 micrograms.kg-1.hr-1) produced less diuresis/natriuresis in HA rats that in sea level (SL) controls. With mechanical elevation of arterial blood pressure, both SL and HA rats showed no significant difference in their response to pressure diuresis. Direct intrarenal arterial NE (10 micrograms.kg-1.hr-1) administration reduced renal function more in HA rats than in SL rats. Intrarenal arterial administration of L-arginine (100 micrograms.kg-1.hr-1) did not alter the renal action of NE in HA rats. However, with intrarenal arterial infusion of phosphoramidon (100 micrograms.kg-1.hr-1), NE increased renal response in HA rats to almost the same level as that in SL rats. These results suggest that HA rats may have either an excess renal action of antidiuretic and antinatriuretic factors or an insufficient renal action of diuretic and natriuretic factors during NE administration.

Reduction in lipopolysaccharide-induced thrombocytopenia by triflavin in a rat model of septicemia.

BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia frequently occurs early in the course of Gram-negative bacterial infections. Triflavin, an Arg-Gly-Asp-containing disintegrin, has been suggested to interfere with the interaction of fibrinogen with the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex. The present study was undertaken to determine whether triflavin could prevent thrombocytopenia in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, 51Cr-labeled platelets were used to assess blood and tissue platelet accumulation after LPS challenge. The administration of LPS (4 mg/kg IV bolus) for 4 hours induced a reduction in radiolabeled platelets in blood and an obvious accumulation of platelets in liver. Triflavin (500 microg/kg) but not GRGDS (20 mg/kg) significantly prevented the alteration of radiolabeled platelet distribution in blood and liver when induced by LPS. Furthermore, triflavin but not GRGDS markedly suppressed the elevation in plasma thromboxane B2 concentration within the 4-hour period of LPS administration. In LPS-treated rats, the 5-hydroxytryptamine level was lower in the blood and higher in the liver compared with levels in normal saline-treated rats. Pretreatment with triflavin (500 microg/kg) significantly reversed the 5-hydroxytryptamine concentration in blood and liver of LPS-treated rats. In histological examinations and platelet adhesion assay, triflavin markedly inhibited the adhesion of platelets to subendothelial matrixes in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that triflavin effectively prevents thrombocytopenia, possibly through the following 2 mechanisms: (1) Triflavin markedly inhibits platelet aggregation, resulting in decreased thromboxane A2 formation. (2) It inhibits the adhesion of platelets to subendothelial matrixes, thereby leading to a reversal in the distribution of platelets in blood and liver in LPS-treated rats.

Emergency defibrillation performed by coronary nursing staff: A pilot report.

The time taken to initiate defibrillation is a key factor in determining survival after cardiac arrest; all first-responding medical or paramedical personnel are thus recommended to receive training in defibrillation skills. We have recently established a working programme that allows trained coronary care nurses to defibrillate in emergencies. Prospective data collected from 1 October 1996 to 31 January 1997 showed that a total of 11 witnessed episodes of ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia occurred in nine patients, and were defibrillated by nurses. All the defibrillations were started within 1 minute of cardiac arrest. In five patients, defibrillation was commenced before the arrival of the crash team of doctors; three of the five patients survived. There were no violations of the resuscitation protocol or complications relating to defibrillation. Through programmed training in advanced cardiac life-support, coronary care nurses are capable of providing safe and prompt defibrillation. The importance of training and re-certification is also stressed.

[Synthesis and antifungal activity of 1-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-substituted-2-propanols].

Twenty-three 1-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-substituted-2-propanols were synthesized and evaluated for antifungal activities in vitro. The synthetic methods of the intermediates are also reported. The compounds belong to two kinds: sulfones and sulfides. All of the compounds are new. The results of preliminary antifungal test showed that most of the sulfide derivatives exhibited potent activities against six kinds of common pathogenic fungi such as Microsporum lanosum, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium carrionii, and Saccharomyces torulopsis in vitro. Compounds IVe, f,i,j showed equal or more potent activities when compared with ketoconazole and were markedly superior to fluconazole. The sulfone derivatives showed lower antifungal activity.

Evidence through crossmating experiments of a species complex in Anopheles pseudopunctipennis sensu lato: a primary malaria vector of the American continent.

Crossmating experiments were conducted to determine if postmating reproductive barriers are involved in the maintenance of genetic divergence among populations of Anopheles pseudopunctipennis sensu lato, a primary malaria vector of the American continent. Reciprocal crosses were conducted between colony and wild strains from Mexico, Bolivia, and Peru. Hybridization experiments revealed unidirectional male/female hybrid sterility in crosses between Mexican females and South American males. The data presented provide the first evidence that genetic differences exist among geographic strains of An. pseudopunctipennis in neotropical America. There is a consistent pattern suggesting the presence of at least two allopatric sibling species. One species occurs in central Mexico, the other in the South American Andean Cordillera.

Characterization of Anopheles pseudopunctipennis sensu lato from three countries of neotropical America from variation in allozymes and ribosomal DNA.

Enzyme electrophoresis and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of Anopheles pseudopunctipennis sensu lato from nine isolated populations in neotropical America confirmed previous observations that it constitutes a species complex. Electrophoretic studies showed fixed differences at two enzyme loci, glycerol dehydrogenase (Gcd) and phosphoglucomutase (Pgm), suggesting limited or no gene flow between populations from Mexico and South America. In addition, analysis of genetic distance showed two distinctive clusters, one from Mexico and the other from South America, separated at a Nei's distance level of 0.13, a value consistent in magnitude with that of other anopheline sibling species. The RFLP analysis revealed the presence of a ribosomal DNA fragment in Mexican strains that was absent in strains from South America. Two species have been identified through these studies, one provisionally named An. pseudopunctipennis A, a species from central Mexico, and the other An. pseudopunctipennis B, for the species found in the interAndean valleys and Andean slopes in regions of Peru and Bolivia. This research provides information required to elucidate the status of the different species of the An. pseudopunctipennis complex as vectors of malaria in the Americas.

Genetic evidence of a species complex in Anopheles pseudopunctipennis sensu lato.

This preliminary report provides information concerning genetic variation in the vector mosquito Anopheles pseudopunctipennis sensu lato that could have malaria control implications. Because of inconsistencies in malaria transmission patterns within geographic zones inhabited by this vector, the possibility that it represents a species complex was investigated. Hybrid crossing studies, electrophoretic analysis of enzyme variation, and DNA restriction studies were carried out in mosquitoes captured in nine areas of Mexico, Bolivia, and Peru. The findings demonstrated the existence of a species complex believed to have resulted from allopatric speciation. This research points to a need for establishing the geographic distribution of the newly recognized species because of their potential influence on malaria control.

[Genetic evidence of a species complex in Anopheles pseudopunctipennis pseudopunctipennis]. / Evidencia genética de un complejo de especie en Anopheles pseudopunctipennis pseudopunctipennis.

In light of inconsistencies in the pattern of malaria transmission within geographical areas inhabited by Anopheles pseudopunctipennis pseudopunctipennis, a study was carried out to investigate the possibility that this vector constitutes a species complex. Hybrid crossing studies, electrophoretic analysis of enzyme loci, and DNA restriction analysis were conducted on mosquitoes captured at nine sites in Mexico, Bolivia, and Peru. The sterility of generations resulting from cross-mating of Mexican female mosquitoes and South American male mosquitoes; the results of electrophoretic analysis, which showed differences at two loci; and a genetic distance value of 0.13 confirmed the existence of a species complex, probably produced by allopatric speciation. It is concluded that the geographic distribution of this newly discovered species complex should be defined, in view of its potential effect on malaria control.

Isolation and identification of a new diuretic peptide from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta.

A 30-amino acid diuretic peptide was isolated from the corpora cardiaca-corpora allata complexes and, separately, from medial neurosecretory cells of the Sphingid moth, Manduca sexta. The peptide was found to have the following sequence, determined by automated Edman degradation and mass spectrometry: SFSVNPAVDILQHRYMEKV AQNNRNFLNRV-NH2. We have named the peptide Mas-DP II. The peptide was synthesized and shown to possess diuretic activity in decapitated moths. Mas-DP II is related by sequence homology to a 41-amino acid diuretic peptide identified previously from M. sexta, and it belongs to the family of corticotropin releasing factor-like peptides.

Multistage evaluation scale, differential threshold steps and equivalent sensation contours of respiratory flow-resistive load sensation.

This paper presents and discusses the methodology and results of studies on respiratory sensation by using a fuzzy set category judgement model and applying the concept of just noticeable difference (JND) step and equivalent sensation. A new kind of category scale, the multistage evaluation scale (MES), based on a fuzzy set category judgement model for quantifying respiratory sensory magnitude has been put forward and verified in 37 subjects. The perceived magnitude of added resistance estimated using MES could reflect properly the difference in sensory perception caused by added loads with equal intensity but applied to different phases of the breathing cycle. In addition, the psychophysical function obtained conforms to the Stevens' power law. On the contrary, the classical category scale does not possess some of these attributes. In 9 subjects, we determined that the sensory continuum corresponding to either inspiratory or expiratory added resistive load, ranging 10-500 mm H2O.1(-1).s, consisted of 6 or 7 JND steps. The sensory magnitude corresponding to each step was estimated by the MES. Relating the results of JND step measurements with that of magnitude estimation using MES, we could elucidate systematically the relationship between perceived magnitude and discrimination for respiratory sensation. In 13 subjects, the equivalent respiratory resistive load sensation contours of 2, 3 and 4 JND step above basal level, respectively, were obtained through experimentation and by quadratic polynomial approximation of experimental data. The results suggest that as regards the human tolerance to various added resistive loads the combined resistive load is the most tolerable among the three; the expiratory, the least. The equivalent sensation contour can be used to predict the changes in respiratory sensation determined by both the intensity of the total added load and the ratio of inspiratory versus expiratory load. In brief, we have proposed a new way to elucidate the physiological and psychophysical effects of various added resistive loads.

Effects of combined resistive loading on the respiratory pattern and the subject's perception.

The physiological and psychophysical effects of combined flow resistive loads were studied systematically by using the Multistage Evaluation Scale (MES), determining the number of Just Noticeable Difference (JND) steps, and constructing equivalent resistive-load-sensation contours. During combined resistive loading, the relative changes of inspiratory and expiratory peak flow rate (VImax/VEmax) were related to both the JND step number and the inspiratory versus expiratory resistance ratio (IR/ER). However, the ratio VImax/VEmax was related to the IR'/ER' ratio only. The subject's perception of combined loads differing both in intensity and IR/ER ratio could be well depicted by the equivalent resistive-load-sensation contours. Hence we could define a model for predicting the physiological and psychophysical effects of various resistive loading conditions.