Metabolic syndrome and risk for ED: a meta-analysis

There are many recent observational studies on metabolic syndrome (MS) and the risk for ED, and it is still inconclusive whether MS increases the risk for ED. This meta-analysis aims to detect a relationship between MS and ED. We identified eligible studies by searching PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library for articles published before August 2013. Adjusted relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using random-effects or fixed-effects models. A total of 10 studies involving 4092 participants were included in the meta-analysis. MS was associated with an increased incidence of ED (RR=1.60, 95% CI=1.27-2.02, P<0.001), with significant evidence of heterogeneity among these studies (P for heterogeneity <0.001, I(2)=92.9%). The subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of the results and no publication bias was detected. The present meta-analysis suggests that MS is significantly associated with the risk for ED. Large-scale and well-designed prospective studies are required to further investigate the association between MS and risk for ED.

Saline contrast sonohysterography and directed extraction, resection and biopsy of intrauterine pathology using a Uterine Explora Curette

OBJECTIVE

To assess the utility of an endometrial sampling device, the Uterine Explora Curette, with concomitant saline contrast sonohysterography (SCSH) for ultrasound-directed extraction, resection and biopsy of endometrial pathology.

METHODS

Use of the Uterine Explora Curette was prospectively evaluated in 20 women with either infertility (n = 14), recurrent miscarriage (n = 2) or peri-/postmenopausal bleeding (n = 4). Findings on SCSH were compared with those on pathological analysis.

RESULTS

In all 20 cases the Uterine Explora Curette was used successfully during SCSH to treat endometrial filling defects. The procedure was well tolerated, with an average time from start to finish of 10 (range, 2-23) min. It was without complications, and appeared to remove or biopsy adequately endometrial filling defects in most patients, obviating the need for hysteroscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

In properly selected patients, directed extraction, resection and biopsy using the Uterine Explora Curette during SCSH appears to be an effective and easy method for treating intrauterine pathology and provides a cost-effective alternative to operative hysteroscopy.

[Clinical study on combined treatment of shuizhi tuyuan powder and nifedipine in treating hypertension patients complicated with left ventricular hypertrophy]

Patients with essential hypertension complicated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) confirmed by ultrasonic cardiography were divided randomly into observation group and control group. Both groups were treated with nifedipine. Shuizhi Tuyuan Powder (SZTYP, consisted of Hirudo nipponia and Eupolyphaga sinensis) was given in addition to the observation group. The therapeutic course for the two groups were 6 months. Results showed that after one course of treatment, the myocardial weight index lowered from 136.8 +/- 7.5 g/m2 to 130.5 +/- 6.4 g/m2 in observation group, while in control group, it lowered from 136.7 +/- 7.4 g/m2 to 134.3 +/- 6.2 g/m2, the difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0.01). The symptoms were relieved in part of the patients with early stage of cerebrovascular disease treated with SZTYP. The results suggested that SZTYP combined with nifedipine has active curative effect on essential hypertension patients complicated by LVH and part patients in early stage of cerebrovascular disease.

Increased expression of a 68-kDa protein in the corpus cavernosum of some men with erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) may be caused by abnormalities of intracavernous penile structures. In order to investigate whether specific proteins could be identified that might be related to ED, the composition of structural proteins in cavernous tissues of patients with ED was compared to that of normal cavernous tissues by gel electrophoresis. Increased expression of a 68-kDa nonionic detergent extraction-resistant protein was demonstrated in tissues of more than half of the patients with vasculogenic ED, whereas only one out of nine normal cavernous tissues showed the same phenomenon. Increased expression was not related to a specific type of vascular insufficiency, aging, or diabetic constituency. Histochemical and immunochemical studies revealed that the increased amount of the 68-kDa protein is not merely the result of a surplus of nervous, smooth muscle, or elastic tissues. Furthermore, antibodies specific for 68-kDa neurofilament and 62- to 67.5-kDa tropoelastin did not recognize the 68-kDa protein on Western blots. The possibility that the 68-kDa protein may help us understand the etiology of certain cases of erectile dysfunction is discussed.

[Effects of leech and ground beetle powder on hemorheology and blood lipid of ischemic stroke]

In order to improve blood supply for the brain, restore the functions of the cerebral cells and the limbs, and increas the curative rate, the leech (Hirudo nipponica and ground beetle Eupolyphage sinensis), powder (LGBP) to the patients according to the principle of promoting the blood circulation to remove the stasis was administered, and the clinical observation and experimental study was conducted. Its effects were compared with those of Western medicines. The results showed that after medication of LGBP, the blood flow of brain significantly increased, the hypoxia was improved, blood viscosity and blood lipid were lowered and thrombosis was inhibited in vitro or in vivo. No toxic side-effects caused by LGBP was found.