Search

Trimix/Bimix (combination of papaverine, phentolamine and prostaglandin) have been used for intracavernosal injections (ICI) for many decades as a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). Intraurethral Bimix Gel (BMG) provides a stable, therapy with an easy, needle-free, non-refrigerated application, and an attractive alternative for the treatment of ED. This needle-free option for Bimix is an important addition in sexual medicine, as patients require alternatives for ED care. [Extracted from the article]

GnRH-I and its receptor (GnRHR-I) have previously been demonstrated and shown to be biologically active in the immune system, notably within peripheral lymphocytes. Recently however, a second form of GnRH (GnRH-II) has been described in the human. The functions of both these neuropeptides in PMBCs have not been understood yet. The present study was therefore designed to investigate the effects of GnRH-I and/or GnRH-II on human PMBC proliferation in males. Secondly, the effects of GnRH-I and GnRH-II on IL-2 dependent lymphocyte proliferation were examined. Finally, we analysed the role of GnRH-I and GnRH-II in IL-2R γ-chain expression. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained from six male healthy volunteers (Mean age 27·75 ± 1·5). Non-radioactive cell proliferation assay was used for proliferation studies and we used quantitative real-time RT-PCR to examine the role of GnRH-I and GnRH-II on IL-2R γ-chain expression in PMBCs. Treatment of PMBCs with GnRH-I (10−9 M and 10−5 M) and with interleukin-2 (IL-2) (50 U/ml) resulted in a significant increase in cell proliferation compared with the untreated control. PMBCs cotreated with IL-2 and GnRH-I demonstrated higher proliferative responses than IL-2 treatment alone, the enhancement of GnRH-I on IL-2 response being significant only at GnRH-I concentration of 10−5 M. Co-incubation of IL-2+ GnRH 10−5 M with a GnRH antagonist (Cetrorelix; 10−6 M) significantly decreased the proliferation. GnRH-II did not affect the proliferation of PMBCs alone, and did not alter the proliferative response to IL-2. The proliferative responses to GnRH-I (alone and with IL-2) were significantly attenuated by GnRH-II coincubation (each in equal molar concentrations; 10−9 M to 10−5 M). It was found that GnRH-I increased the expression of IL-2Rγ mRNA in a dose dependent manner, with a significant increase of percentage 162·3 ± 14 of control at 10−5 M. In contrast, IL-2Rγ expression was significantly decreased in all concentrations of GnRH-II (10−9 M to10−5 M), and the maximum decrease was detected at 10−5 M, with percentage 37·7 ± 6·6 of control. All these findings strongly suggest that regulation of IL-2R expression may therefore be an important target for GnRH-I and GnRH-II in PMBCs in males. In summary, present study clearly demonstrates the differential effects of GnRH-I and GnRH-II on PMBC proliferation, IL-2 proliferative response, and IL-2Rγ expression in PMBCs in males. To our knowledge, our observations provide the first evidence for the interactions of these local neuropeptides at lymphocyte level. Further experimental data in human are warranted to explore the clinical implications of these data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intracavernosal Trimix/Bimix injections (ICI) and Intraurethral Bimix Gel (BMG) have been used for many years for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). A combination of PDE5-I with a low dose, needle-free, intraurethral gel may be more attractive than a difficult to stabilize, refrigeration required, needle to the penis for the treatment of ED. [Extracted from the article]

OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to determine whether depressive symptoms among older persons systematically vary across urban neighborhoods such that experiencing more symptoms is associated with low socioeconomic status (SES), high concentrations of ethnic minorities, low residential stability and low proportion aged 65 years and older. METHODS: Survey data are from the Study of Assets and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD), a 1993 U.S. national probability sample of noninstitutionalized persons born in 1923 or earlier (i.e. people aged 70 or older). Neighborhood data are from the 1990 Census at the tract level. Hierarchical linear regression is used to estimate multilevel models. RESULT: The average number of depressive symptoms varies across Census tracts independent of individual-level characteristics. Symptoms are not significantly associated with neighborhood SES, ethnic composition, or age structure when individual-level characteristics are controlled statistically. However, net of individual-level characteristics, symptoms are positively associated with neighborhood residential stability, pointing to a complex meaning of residential stability for the older population. DISCUSSION: This study shows that apparent neighborhood-level socioeconomic effects on depressive symptoms among urban-dwelling older adults are largely if not entirely compositional in nature. Further, residential stability in the urban neighborhood may not be emotionally beneficial to its aged residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]