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The aim of this study was to assess the effect of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, DA-8159, on erectile function throughout the quantitative analysis of vascular endothelial cell, smooth muscle (SM), TGF-ß1 expression in rat corpus cavernosum and measurement of intracavernous pressure (ICP) in diabetic rats. DA-8159 (0, 5, 10, 20?mg/kg) was administered orally once a day to diabetic rats. After 8 weeks, immunohistochemistry and computerized image analysis were performed to quantify the percent area within the Corpora Cavernosa occupied by the endothelial cells, SM cells and fibrotic tissues. ICP/mean arterial pressure (MAP) was also measured by electrostimulation of the cavernous nerve. Diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in the SM and endothelial cell content, and an increase in the TGF-ß1 expression level within the cavernosa areas compared to the normal rats. The mean cavernous SM, endothelial cell content and TGF-ß1 expression level were 9.7±0.7, 4.5±0.7 and 17.9±2.1%, respectively. DA-8159 prevented reduction of SM (12.3±0.4%(5?mg/kg), 13.8±0.4%(20?mg/kg)) and endothelial cell content (5.6±0.5%(5?mg/kg), 6.3±0.6%(20?mg/kg)). Immunoreactivity of TGF-ß1 and intracorporal fibrosis were also significantly lower in DA-8159-treated groups (11.8±1.2%(5?mg/kg), 9.5±1.1%(20?mg/kg)). Electrostimulation of the cavernous nerve induced significant increase in maximum ICP (62.2±13.6?mmHg in 10?mg/kg vs 37.5±17.5?mmHg in diabetic group) and area under the curve of the ratio of ICP/MAP (8891.09±1957 in 10?mg/kg vs 6315.87±2272 in diabetic group). These results suggest that subchronic treatment of DA-8159 can prevent the development of erectile dysfunction (ED), and provides a rationale for the use of DA-8159 as treatment of diabetic ED.International Journal of Impotence Research (2005) 17, 134-141. doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3901295 Published online 2 December 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine patients (seven females, two males) with chronic watery diarrhea and nonspecific colonic mucosal inflammation followed for 1-5 yr are presented. Eight were diagnosed as having collagenous colitis on the basis of marked thickening of the subepithelial collagen layer in at least one set of biopsies. The thickness of the collagen table varied with time in all eight cases. When thickening was minimal, morphological features were indistinguishable from microscopic colitis, signifying that, in most cases, collagenous colitis and microscopic colitis are part of the same spectrum of colonic mucosal response. One of the eight patients had documented collagenous colitis and gluten-associated enteropathy for 12 yr. The colitis and duodenal histology improved synchronously when a gluten-free diet and corticosteroids were administered. The ninth patient had microscopic colitis and enteropathy which did not respond to gluten withdrawal. This patient never exhibited thickening of subepithelial collagen in repeated biopsies over 5 yr, suggesting that an entity of microscopic colitis may exist independent of collagenous colitis. Duodenal mucosal biopsies showed normal histology in four other patients with collagenous colitis. The histological variability of collagenization and inflammation during the course of collagenous colitis and microscopic colitis and the clinical feature of watery diarrhea suggest that these two entities be grouped together as the watery diarrhea-colitis syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intra-granular Acicular Ferrite (IAF), as one of the most well-known desirable microstructure of ferrite with a chaotic crystallographic orientation, can not only refine the microstructure and retard the propagation of cleavage crack but also provide excellent combination of strength and toughness in steel. The effect of adding cerium on microstructure and controlling proper cerium-based inclusions in order to improve properties in low-carbon commercial steel (SS400) were investigated. The type of inclusions can be controlled by changing S/O ratio and Ce content. Without Ce modification, MnS is a dominate inclusion. After adding Ce, the stable inclusion phases change from AlCeO3 to Ce2O2S. The optimum amount of cerium, 0.0235 wt.%, lead in proper grain refinement and formation of cerium oxide, oxy-sulfide and sulfide inclusions. Having a high amount of cerium results in increasing the number of inclusions significantly as a result it cannot be effective enough and the inclusions will act like barriers for others. It is found that the inclusions with a size of about 4∼7 μm can serve as heterogeneous nucleation sites for AF formation. Thermodynamic calculations have been applied to predict the inclusion formation in this molten steel as well, which show a good agreement with experimental one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the plasma cleaning of carbon species for silicon homoepitaxial growth. Effect of cleaning temperature on the interfacial carbon concentration; Role of surface temperature in removing surface carbon from silicon substrate; Suggestion that the carbon removal in room temperature in-situ cleaning process would be a chemical etching process.

Examines the low temperature growth of homoepitaxial layer on silicon substrate. Use of low temperature in-situ cleaning to reduce the interfacial contaminants; Oxygen concentration at the interface; Measurement of the thickness of the silicon epitaxial layers.

A correction to the article "The effect of PDE5 inhibition on the erectile function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats" that was published in a previous issue of this periodical.