Objective To study the effect ofRunfei Zhisou Pills (RZP) on cell apoptosis in rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its mechanism.Methods Totally 32 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,1-month RZP group,and 3-month RZP group.Rats in 1-month and 3-month RZP group,received RZP of 0.9 g/kg once daily for 1 and 3 months respectively,and rats in control and model groups received water with equal volume for 1 month.The rat COPD model was established using tobacco smoke combined with intratracheal instillation of LPS.Morphological changes of lung tissue in COPD rats were observed with HE staining under light microscope.The VEGF levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by ELISA.The VEGF and VEGFR2 protein expression in lung tissues was measured by Western blotting.Cell apoptosis in lung tissues was detected with TUNEL method,and apoptosis index (AI) was counted.Results Compared with control group,the pathological changes of lung tissue in model group were obvious,the AI significantly increased,VEGF in BALF and VEGF and VEGFR2 in lung tissue decreased significantly.Compared with model group,morphological improvement of lung tissue was obvious,the AI significantly decreased,and VEGF in BALF,VEGF and VEGFR2 in lung tissue increased significantly in 1-month and 3-month RZP groups.Conclusion RZP can inhibit cell apoptosis of COPD,and the mechanism may be related with up-regulation of VEGF and VEGFR2.

Objective To evaluate the clinical feasibility of laparoscopic cool-tip radiofrequency ablation (LCRFA)for renal cell carcinoma. Methods Twelve selected cases of primary renal, ceil carcinoma underwent LCRFA. Of them, 4 cases of left renal carcinomas, 7 cases had right renal carci-nomas and 1 case had bilateral renal carcinomas. The maximum diameter of the tumors was 2.1-8. 5 era. Eleven cases were T, No M0 and the other one was T2 N0 M0. Results The mean operation time was 92±24 min, and the mean blood loss was 50±29 ml. None of the cases need blood transfusion post-operation. No laparoscopic operative complications were observed. Six weeks after operation, complete ablation was achieved in 12 lesions and partial ablation in 1, with a complete ablation rate of 92.3%(12/13). There was no statistic change of Hb. ESR. SCr and GFR after operations (P>0.05). Ten cases underwent CT examination 3 months after the treatment ,9 cases showed complete necrosis of tumor,1 case showed partial necrosis. No recurrence was found. All of the 12 cases remained sur-vived during the follow-up for 1-16 months(median,7.8 months). Conelusions LCRFA for renal cell carcinoma is an accurate and effective intervention with a low incidence of complications, and is more accurate than ultrasound-guided pereutaneous radiofrequency ablation.

Objective To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of normotensive pheochromocytomas ( NP) . Methods This retrospective study included 97 patients with a pathological diagnosis of pheochromocytoma at the Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School during January 2004 to December 2013. All available clinical, biochemical, and radiological records were reviewed in these patients who were then categorized into hypertensive pheochromocytomas (HP) (n=64) and NP (n=33) groups. 97 cases of Adrenal Gland Scale Score of pheochromocytoma were examined, including tissue microscopic pathology assessment, ki67 and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase ( PNMT ) immunohistochemistry and catecholamine type. Biochemical examinations of 95 subjects with primary hypertension ( PH) were recorded for comparative study. Results The patients with NP showed lower proportion of clinical triad than HP, inapparent metabolic disorders, and lower urinary catecholamine levels than HP, but showed higher results than primary hypertension. The weight of tumor was positively correlated with 24 hour urinary norepinephrine level in patients with HP(Y=1. 376+0. 653X,R2=0. 118, P=0. 028), but not in patients with NP;and the size or diameter of the tumor was negatively correlated with PNMT immunohistochemistry in patients with NP(Y=0. 940-0. 356X, R2=0. 494, P=0. 005), but not in patients with HP, indicating that NP may be misdiagnosed clinically. Conclusion Patients with NP have distinct clinical, biochemical, and pathological phenotypes; the phenotypic changes are closely related with the expression levels of catecholamine pathway products during the occurrence and development of the tumors.

Objective To assess perineural invasion in prostate needle biopsy ( PNIb) on patholog-ical staging , progression of prostate cancer . Methods This retrospective study recruited clinical data of 316 prostate cancer patients with mean age of 69 years from Jan.2006 to Mar.2013.The mean PSA before biopsy was 15.7μg/L.All patients underwent CT or MRI and radionuclide bone scan and had not been found local tumor invasion or distant metastasis .Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate needle biopsy was performed to all candidates , and the preoperative diagnosis was localized prostate cancer .All patients were treated by laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP).In this study, differences of Gleason score in prostatectomy speci-men, positive surgical margin (PSM), capsular invasion, seminal vesical invasion were analyzed between two groups:group A:patients with PNIb;group B:patients with no PNIb.We also studied the concordance of PNI distribution in PNIb and perineural invasion in prostatectomy specimen ( PNIp). Results The overall rate of PNIb was 32.5%.Difference of Gleason score ≤6 (16 in group A, 92 in group B), Gleason score=7 (46 in group A, 87 in group B), Gleason score ≥8 (41 in group A, 34 in group B) was statisti-cally significant (P<0.05).Of these two groups, differences in PSM (75 in group A, 43 in group B), cap-sular invasion (47 in group A, 36 in group B), and seminal vesical invasion (32 in group A, 23 in group B) were of statistical significant (P<0.05).At the multivariable logistic regression analysis , PNIb was inde-pendent predictor of PSM , capsular invasion, seminal vesicle invasion ( OR=11.358, OR=1.785, OR=2.364, P<0.05).All 22 patients with bilateral PNIb had bilateral PNIp .Of 81 patients with unilateral PNIb,55 had bilateral PNIp .The difference of distribution between PNIb and PNIp was of statistical signifi-cant (P<0.001). Conclusions PNIb is useful for evaluating the progression of prostate cancer .

Objective To evaluate the safety and short-term efficacy of transrectal ultrasound-guided transperineal cryosurgical ablation(TRUSCSA) for localized prostate cancer. Methods The data of 26 patients who were diagnosed with clinically localized prostate cancer (T_(1a)N_0M_0 - T_(2x)N_0M_0) by biopsy were reviewed. The data of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, clinical stage and Gleason score were collected. The Gleason score of all cases was ≤7; among them 6 cases were 2 - 4 and 20 cases were 5 - 7. The average pretreatment value of PSA was 11. 9 ng/ml (4. 7 - 19. 2 ng/ml). All the patients were treated with TRUSCSA, with a dual freeze-thaw cycle by using ultrathin 17-gauge cryoneedles. Immediate and delayed morbidities were evaluated. The PSA level was obtained every 3 months for the first 2 years and then every 6 months thereafter, and failure was defined as the inability to reach a nadir of 0. 5 ng/ml or less. All patients were strongly encouraged to undergo routine biopsies despite a stable PSA level. Results The operative time was (102±32)min. The postoperative hospital stay was (6±2)d. After withdrawal of the catheter, 22 cases had good continence) 4 had temporary incontinence for 3 - 7 d. Before operation 9 cases had normal sex life, and among them 5 cases had erectile dysfunction after operation. No one developed urinary retention or urethro-rectal fistula. The follow-up ranged from 6 to 30 months (mean 22). The PSA level at the last follow up visit was less than 0. 5 ng/ml in 23 patients (88%) and 0. 5 ng/ml or more in 3(12%). Postoperative biopsies were taken in 20 cases and the results were negative at the 6th month. Conclusions Transrectal ultrasound-guided percutaneous cryosurgical ablation for clinically localized prostate cancer could be effective and safe. Additional studies with longer follow-up are necessary to determine the sustained efficacy of this procedure.

Objective To present the technique and short-term results of retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation for small renal tumors. Methods Ten selected patients cases with 11 renal tumors were included in present study. There were 3 cases of left renal tumor, 6 cases of right renal tumor and 1 case of bilateral renal tumors. Tumors were located at the upper pole (2), middle (6), or lower pole (3). All tumors were located distant from the collecting system, without evidence of metastatic disease. Mean tumor size was 2. 8 cm (range: 1.5-4.0). All the patients were managed with a double freeze-thaw cycle of retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation. The preoperative Hb was (137± 21)g/L, ESR was (27±12)mm/1 h, SCr was (92±41)μmol/L, GFR was (42±10)ml/min.All the patients were taken routine biopsies. Results Cryoablation was technically successful in all 10 patients (11 tumors). The mean time of the operations was (101 ± 31) min, and the mean blood loss was (42±21) ml. None of the cases received blood transfusion post-operation. No operative complication was seen. The postoperative hospital stay was (4±2) d. The postoperative Hb was (129 ±18)g/L,ESR was (31±14)mm/1 h,SCr was (95±39)μmol/L,GFR was (40±11)ml/min. There was no statistic change of Hb, ESR, SCr and ECT-GFR after operations(P＞0. 05). The biopsy results revealed that 8 tumors were renal clear cell carcinomas, and 2 tumors were papillary renal cell carcinomas, and 1 tumor was renal angiomyolipoma. All the patients had a minimum follow-up of 6 months (mean 16, range 6 to 21). Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at 1, 3, and 6 months identified the punched-out, nonenhancing, spontaneously resorbing, renal cryolesions. Follow-up biopsie of the cryoablated tumor site was negative in the only patient who have undergone the biopsy. No evidence of local or port-site recurrence was found, and no metastatic disease. ConclusionsRetroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation for small renal tumors could be an accurate and effective intervention with a relatively low incidence of complications. Critical long-term data regarding laparoscopic renal cryoablation are awaited.

Objective To evaluate the clinical feasibility of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for renal cell carcinoma in functional solitary kidney. Methods Five selected cases of primary renal cell carcinoma in a functional solitary kidney were retrospective analyzed. Three cases of left renal cell carcinoma and 2 cases of right renal cell carcinoma were diagnosed by B ultrasound and CT scanning. The maximum diameter of the tumors were 3.0- 6.0 cm. Three cases of which were T1a N0 M0 and the others Were T1bN0M0. All patients were followed up with enhanced-CT and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. Results The mean time of the operation was 100.0+28.5 min, and the mean blood loss was 95.0±30.5 ml. No patients accepted blood transfusion post-operation. All patients after operation had fever (38.2±0. 7 ℃ ). All the lesions were completely ablated on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. There was no statistic change of hemoglobin, serum creatinine (SCr), ECT-GFR and creatinine clearance after operation (P>0.05). All of the 5 cases survived. No recurrence were found by enhanced-CT and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and SCr was retaining in the normal level during follow-ups (median, 11.5 months). Conclusion Radiofrequency ablation for renal cell carcinoma in a functional solitary kidney could be a treatment choice with a relatively low incidence of complications.

Objective To evallhte factors affecting blood loss during mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy using ureteroscope and pneumatic intracorporeal lithotripsy(MPCNL). Methods 1156MPCNL procedures in 885 patients from July 2002 to October 2006 were reviewed. Various patientrelated and intraoperative factors were assessed for association with total blood loss using multivariate regression analysis. ResuIts The average hemoglobin drop was(14.2+8.3)g/L.The overall blood transfusion rate was 1.5%. Approximately 0.6%of patients required angiography embolization to control intractable bleeding. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the occurrence ot operative complications(6=0.496,P＜0.001),size of the tract(b=0.405,P＜0.001),mature nephrostomy tract(6=0.377,P＜0.001),multiple tracts(6=0.326,P=0.005),size of stone(b=0.210,P=0.015),operative time(6=0.139,P=0.027),renal parenehymal thickness(b=0.128,P=0.035),prior stone intervention(b=-0.121,P=0.038),diabetes(b=0.110,P=0.051),and bacteriuria(b=-0.095,P=0.058)were significant predictors of blood loss.Factors such as age,sex,side,obesity,hypertension,renal function,operating surgeon,anaesthesia,calix of puncture,number of attempts to successful puncture,urine from puncture needle may not affect the blood loss. Concluslons Maneuvers that may reduce blood loss include reducing the operative time,decreasing the occurrence of intraoperative complications, reducing the tract size and tract number, and staging the procedure.Staging the procedure of MPCNL is a judicious decision in case of a large stone burden,intraoperative complications,multiple-tract,lager tract or diabetes.