Administration of daily 5 mg tadalafil improves endothelial function in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Introduction: Tadalafil is a promising phosphodiesterase (PDE) 5 inhibitor prescribed for erectile dysfunction (ED). Daily low dose (5?mg) of tadalafil has also been used for the treatment of male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). PDE5 inhibitors induce relaxation of smooth muscle cells in the urethra, prostate, bladder neck, and blood vessels. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of tadalafil on vessels endothelial function, in patients with male LUTS symptoms associated with BPH.

Methods: The Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved this clinical study and informed consents had been obtained from 81 BPH patients.

The following male LUTS parameters: international prostate symptom score (IPSS), overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), voiding volume, max and mean voiding flow on voiding flowmetry examination and post-voiding residual urine (RU) were compared at 0, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after a daily dose of 5?mg tadalafil.

In addition, erectile function was evaluated by the sexual health inventory for men (SHIM) score and vessels endothelial function and peripheral neuropathy were assessed by the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), ankle brachial index (ABI), and vibration perception threshold (VPT) at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment.

Results: The mean age of 81 patients was 66.4?±?11.4 years old. Their prostate size was 30.2?±?22.1?ml.

Male LUTS parameters including IPSS, OABSS, and RU showed significant improvement from 1 to 12 months after tadalafil administration. Max and mean voiding flow was significantly increased at 6 months after tadalafil treatment.

The SHIM score showed significant improvement after 3 months. Whilst, the results of baPWV also showed significant improvement from 3 to 12 months. ABI was also significantly improved at 6 months. However, there was no change in the VPT at any time point.

Conclusions: Tadalafil is effective for both male LUTS and ED. It is also shown that tadalafil improves baPWV, which we can conclude that higher vessels elasticity has been obtained. This major finding of this study shows that tadalafil has the potency to improve vessels endothelial dysfunction in patients with BPH.     

The Relationships Between Sense of Belonging to a Community GLB Youth Group; School,Teacher, and Peer Connectedness; and Depressive Symptoms: Testing of a Path Model

Research indicates belonging to a gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) support group is indirectly associated with fewer depressive symptoms, via higher levels of sense of belonging to the general community. The current study extended this research by testing a path model to determine whether school, teacher, and peer connectedness are influenced by sense of belonging to a community GLB youth group. A sample of 82 Australian GLB adolescents aged 14 to 18 years who currently attend high school completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Psychological Subscale of the Sense of Belonging Instrument, and the Social Questionnaire for Secondary Students. Results indicated very good model fit. Higher levels of belonging to a community GLB youth group were associated with higher levels of school, teacher, and peer connectedness, but only peer connectedness was directly associated with depressive symptoms. Higher levels of school and teacher connectedness were associated with higher levels of peer connectedness. Interventions aimed at increasing belonging to a community GLB youth group may have indirect benefits for the mental health of GLB adolescents, via higher levels of school, teacher, and peer connectedness.     

Body esteem and self-esteem in middle-aged women

The aims of the study were (a) to identify predictors of body esteem and (b) to expand on previous research by examining the link between global self-esteem and body esteem in a community-based sample of women in midlife. We found that body esteem in midlife women was predicted by body mass index (BMI), optimism, self-esteem, and menopausal symptoms. Although BMI was the main predictor of body esteem in middle-aged women, global self-esteem was more strongly related to feelings about appearance and physical condition than feelings about body size.     

The efficacy and safety of short-acting testosterone ointment (Glowmin) for late-onset hypogonadism in accordance with testosterone circadian rhythm

Introduction: It is well known that there is a reduction of circadian rhythm in blood testosterone levels with aging. Our previous report revealed that 3?mg of short-acting testosterone ointment (Glowmin: GL) elevated serum testosterone levels to within the physiological range for 4–6?h. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical efficacy and safety of GL used topically once every morning, to enhance the circadian rhythm of testosterone, for late-onset hypogonadism (LOH).

Methods: A total of 61 LOH patients received 3?mg of GL topically once a day in the morning on scrotal skin for 24 weeks. The clinical efficacy of GL was evaluated by the aging males symptoms (AMS) scale, and blood sampling tests were measured before and after GL treatment.

Results: Mean patients age was 55.3?±?9.2 years old. Total AMS scores at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after GL treatments significantly decreased. The results of sub-analysis of AMS, including psychological, physical, and sexual factors also significantly improved after GL treatments. No severe adverse reactions or abnormal laboratory data were reported.

Conclusions: This study shows that TRT for LOH with once daily GL treatment supports testosterone circadian rhythm and should be considered to be an effective and safe therapy for LOH.     

自我他者化：边地影像的诗学过渡与平等悖论

“边地影像”是边疆少数民族民众纪录自身的非虚构创作。在朗西埃“可感性的分配”美学理论视野下，边地影像体现了题材选择的一视同仁和人性的解放，以平等维度的引入开拓了其艺术与政治价值。透过“自我他者化”的艺术操作，它改变边地的可感性的分配秩序。“客位视角”到“主位视角”和“参与拍摄”到“独立创作”的过渡所释放的乡野表达，成为评测其诗学力量的关键质素。同时，围绕“差异性”展开的影像再现常常导向“微小差异的自恋”,并在言语的过度中营造了某种“圣化构想”，进而使其差异政治悖论性地生成了新的可感性不平等。     

基于“木偶文化”融合的幼儿园美育环境创设策略——以泉州市刺桐幼儿园为例

以泉州市刺桐幼儿园为例,将木偶特色文化融合于幼儿园美育环境创设之中,对幼儿进行审美教育并增强其对传统文化的了解,并指出幼儿园美育环境创设可以采取以下四个行动策略:整体规划,创设“偶意”环境;挖掘内涵,营造“偶情”环境;丰富感受,搭架“偶动”环境;释放潜能,共创“偶育”环境。     

流转在艺术空间的听觉：中国古典“听泉”审美意象及其景观建构

中国古代文人对泉的审美体验经历了从形、色到声响的衍变,“听泉”日益成为一种日常生活中的休闲体验方式。听与心灵相联系,“听泉”在古文人的情感投射与不断吟咏中转变为富含闲逸之情的审美意象,并形成“夜间闻泉”与“隔物听泉”两种审美范式。“听泉”由诗歌蔓延至绘画与园林,在诗歌、绘画与园林艺术空间不断流转往复,完成诗意景观的审美建构,成为文人追求闲情逸趣与诗意生活的美学符号。“听泉”意象的形成及其休闲审美内涵,展现了古代文人的听觉审美情趣,同时也丰富了中国传统听觉审美文化。     

蒙古族风格交响乐作品中的审美观

蒙古族风格交响乐作品,是作曲家在长期写作实践中创作出的一系列以蒙古族文化内涵为表现内容,以蒙古族风格的民歌、器乐曲旋律或自创的带有蒙古族风格的旋律作为作品主题并贯穿发展的交响乐作品。这些作品所表达的是作曲家眼中的蒙古族历史、英雄、自然风貌、民俗风情等一切涉及蒙古族文化所包含的内容,表现的是蒙古族的精神、性格和气质,传达的是蒙古族的崇高审美理想,是蒙古民族的感情、特有文化和审美方式的升华。     

青海回族"花儿"的爱情观赏析

作为口承语言民俗文化重要组成部分的“花儿”是青海各个地区的回族人民共同创造、共同享用的一种精神、生活文化 ,也是他们喜怒哀乐、爱情观、审美价值观等的真情表白。它具有深厚的艺术性 ,广泛的群众基础。本文试图通过对青海回族“花儿”的描述 ,对他们的爱情观作一粗浅的表述 ,以期为今后的“花儿”研究奉献微薄的力量     

论"花儿"的基本主题与特色

本文认为"花儿"的基本主题与特色主要表现在三个方面作为比物与兴象的历史文化传统;作为歌咏青春少年的人生主题;作为高亢与哀婉的审美文化特征.