Objective To study the influence of different anticoagulant tube of blood for blood plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) . Methods Six healthy subjects were selected, then the fasting venous blood samples were collected with EDTA-2k tube,sodium citrate tube and lithium heparin tube, respectively. The blood samples were kept under different conditions. The concentrations of tHcy were determined by quantitative HPLC method and the data were analyzed using SPSS17.0 software. Results Under the conditions of 4℃placed for 2 h, 4 h, 7 h, and- 20 ℃ placed for 1 d, 3 d, 5 d after separating plasma, the concentrations of plasma tHcy in different anticoagulant tubes were no statistical difference. In addition, after placing the whole blood at 4℃for 2 h, 4 h, 7 h, the concentrations of plasma tHcy of separated plasma in different anticoagulant tubes were no statistical differences. Conclusion There are no significant differences in determination of the concentration of plasma tHcy when using EDTA-2k tube,sodium citrate tube and lithium heparin tube sampling blood.

Objective To study the therapeutical effect of γ-aminobutyric acid on monocrotaline(MCT )induced pulmonary hy-pertension rats ,and to elucidate the expression of VEGF and MMP-9 .Methods Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups :a normal control group(control group) ,a MCT-induced pulmonary hypertension group(model control group) ,and anγ-ami-nobutyric acid treatment group(treatment group) .The mean right ventricular pressure(mRVP)were detected ,the right ventricular hypertrophy index(RVHI)were measured ,WT% and WA% were evaluated ,and the expression of VEGF mRNA in the lung tissue and MMP-9 were detected wtih FQ-PCR and immunohistochemical staining method respectively .Results mRVP ,RVHl ,WT% , WA% and the expression of MMP-9 and VEGF mRNA of treatment group were lower than those in the model control group(P<0 .05) ,but higher than the control group(P<0 .05) .Conclusion GABA has a therapeutic effect on pulmonary hypertension rats through regulating the expression of VEGF mRNA and MMP-9 protein .

Objective:To explore management experience for post-adolescent postoperative urethral stricture of hypospadias in a single center.Methods:The clinical data of 71 cases of postoperative urethral stricture of post-adolescent hypospadias from January 2015 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The average age was 27.7(12-65) years. The mean duration of urethral stricture was 33.4(1-240) months. The number of prior surgeries was 2.5(1-9). There were 32 cases of ectopic urethral orifice, including 22 on penile, 8 on scrotum and 2 on perineum. There were 17 cases of urethral stricture with penile curvature, 11 with urethra-cutaneous fistula, 9 with urethral diverticulum, 11 with urethral calculus and 25 with urethral infection. Ten patients kept suprapubic tubes; 61 patients were able to urinate on their own, but suffered from dysuria and weak steam. The average maximum uroflow rate of 71 cases was 4.7(0-11.2) ml/s. The primary urethral reconstruction procedures were performed on 33 cases, included 11 penile or scrotal septum flap urethroplasty, 2 urethral diverticulum wall flap urethroplasty, 12 oral mucosal urethroplasty and 8 urethrotomy. Thirty-three cases underwent two-staged surgery. For patients with penile curvature greater than 30 degrees, the penis was straightened with a urethrotomy in first stage. Besides, the dorsal skin of penis or oral mucosal graft were transferred to the ventral side of the penis to the preset urethral plate. In second-stage, Denis Brown urethroplasty was performed on 23 patients, tubularized incised plate (Snodgrass) urethroplasty on 6, and oral mucosa inlay urethral plate (Snodgraft) urethroplasty on 4. In 5 cases, preplacing of oral mucosa was done in the second stage with a third-staged urethroplasty. Penile curvature was relieved by ventral scar resection with the folding the dorsal tunica albuginea of corpus cavernosum when necessary.Results:The mean follow-up time was 30.5(4-59) months. Sixty-one patients got satisfying postoperative urination, with an average maximum uroflow rate of 22.7 ml/s (15.8-37.2 ml/s). Restenosis occurred in 10 cases, and urethral fistula in 7 cases. Re-stricture patients underwent urethrotomy in 5 cases, augmented urethroplasty with flap in 4 cases, and urethroplasty with oral mucosal graft in 1 case. Among the 7 patients with urethral fistula, 5 were cured by one fistula repair, and 1 cured by second repair; the rest one was left untreated. 2 patients still had penile curvature after operation.Conclusions:It is difficult to manage post-adolescent postoperative urethral stricture of hypospadias, especially for patients with residual penile curvature greater than 30 degrees and lack of penile skin. Performing correction of the curvature and reconstruction of the urethral plate in first stage and Denis Brown urethroplasty or Snodgrass urethroplasty in second or third stage could achieve good results.

ObjectiveTo improve the recognition of lichen sclerosus (LS) involving the anterior urethral strictures and to investigate the outcome of urethroplasty using free mucosal grafts for the treatment of urethral strictures caused by LS. MethodsFrom January 2007 to December 2010,36 patients with anterior urethral strictures caused by LS were treated using oral mucosal grafts or colonic urethroplasty.The mean age was 41 years (range,27 -75) and the mean anterior urethral stricture length was 11.5 cm (range,5.0 -20.0 cm).Of the 36 patients,27 patients underwent dorsal lingual mucosal graft or combined buccal mucosal graft urethrography.Eight patients underwent colonic mucosal urethrography according to the length and seriousness of urethral strictures,and the remaining patient underwent anterior urethral split.Biopsies were taken from the glans,urethral meatus and urethra before urethroplasty. ResultsThe urethral silicone stent was removed 21 d post-operatively and all the patients voided well.An epithelial-stromal lesion characterized by hyperkeratosis,thinned epithelium and diffuse perivascular lymphocyte infiltrate was seen upon histological examination of the biopsied areas.The mean follow-up was 22 ( range,6 - 50) months post-operatively.Meatal stenosis developed in 2 patients undergoing oral mucosas urethroplasty and 1 patient with colonic urethroplasty,the patients voided very well after re-operation.The other patients voided well and the urinary peak flow rates ranged from 17.2 to 47.0 mL/s ( mean,23.4). ConclusionsFree mucosal grafts urethroplasty can obtain good results for the treatment of urethral strictures caused by LS.But there is a risk of recurrence of urethral stricture and closing follow-up is required,especially for meatal stenosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the long-term outcome of urethral reconstruction using colonic mucosa grafts for the treatment of long-segment,complex urethral strictures and to identify clinical factors that impact long-term outcomes. MethodsForty-six patients underwent colonic mucosal graft urethroplasty from October 2000 to September 2009 were retrospectively reviewed.The mean age was 39 years ( range,17 -70).The patients underwent an average of 2.7 prior unsuccessful repairs and the mean length of urethral strictures was 15.2 cm (range,10.0 to 20.0).The voiding status of all patients was evaluated postoperatively.Some of the paitents underwent uroflowmetry.urethrography and urethroscopy.Successful repair was defined as voiding well with urinary peak flow greater than 15 ml/s without the need for any post-operative procedures,such as dilatation. ResultsUrethral reconstruction was done with colonic mucosa grafts 11.0 -21.0 cm long (mean 15.4).One patient was lost to follow-up.Mean follow-up in the remaining cases was 62 months ( range 20 - 120 ).Complications related to urethroplasty developed in four patients (8.9％).Of these patients,meatal stenosis developed in three patients at 3,8 and 24 months respectively.Anastomotic site stricture occurred at the neourethra and proximal urethra in one patient at 29 months.In another two patients,recurrent strictures unrelated to urethroplasty were found. ConclusionsColonic mucosa graft urethroplasty could be an effective technique for the treatment of complex urethral strictures or panurethral strictures.The factors that impact long-term outcomes are meatal stenosis and stenosis at the anastomosis.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of using combined lingual mucosa and buccal mucosa onlay grafts or foreskin flap urethroptasty for the treatment of long or multi-seg-ment urethral strictures. Methods Seven patients with long and 4 cases with multi segment urethral strictures(range 10 to 15 cm,mean 12)underwent substitution urethroplasty using combined lingual mucosa and buccal mucosa onlay grafts or foreskin flap urethroplasty.The patients'age ranged 24 to 56,mean 32 and the course of disease was from 6 to 96 months.Of the 11 patients 7 underwent com-bined lingual mucosa and buccal mucosa grafts urethroptasty,4 patients underwent combined lingual mucosa graft and foreskin flap Urethroplasty. Results The patients were followed up 5-1 2(mean 10)months postoperatively. Meatal stenosis developed 3 months postoperatively in 1 patient who un-derwent combined lingual mucosa and foreskin flap urethroplasty.The patient could void well after re-operation.The other patients could void well and the peak flow rate ranged from 2 1 to 3 6 ml/s(mean 26.8 ml/s). Conclusions Combined lingual mucosa and buccal mucosa onlay grafts or foreskin flap substitution urethroplasty may have the advantage of easier harvest,less trauma.It could be a good U- rethral substitution technique for the treatment of long or multi-segment urethral stricture.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of using small intestinal submucosa (SIS) graft for the repair of anterior urethral strictures. Methods From June 2009 to August 2010, 18 men (mean age, 38 yrs) with anterior urethral strictures underwent urethroplasty using a four-layer SIS as an onlay patch graft. SIS was used to augment the urethral caliber at the stricture site. The mean stricture length was 4.6 cm (range 3.5 to 7 cm). The pre-operative mean maximal flow rate was 3.8 ml/s (range 1.5 to 5.5 ml/s). The required SIS grafts (4 to 7.5 cm long and 2 cm wide) were positioned into the urethrotomy defect and were spread-fixed to the corpora cavernosa using 5-0 polyglactin interrupted sutures. Two apices of the graft were sutured to the proximal and distal apices of the urethrotomy with 5-0 polyglactin interrupted stitches. The margins of the opened urethra were sutured to the SIS patch with 5-0 polyglactin running sutures. Results The mean follow-up period was 10 mon. (range 6-18 mon.). No postoperative complication, such as infection or rejection related to the use of heterologous graft material was observed. Seventeen patients voided well postoperatively with the mean peak urine flow of 25.4 ml/s (14-44 ml/s). Cystoscopy revealed that at four weeks and six weeks, the SIS graft was well distinguishable from the normal surrounding tissue; and at 16 weeks, the urothelium was regenerated and the biomaterial was not distinguishable from the normal surrounding tissue. The squamosal epithelium was seen in the histological examination of the grafts. The remaining one patient with failed hypospadias developed a slight urethral narrowing at five months post-operatively and needed sound dilatations. Conclusions SIS matrix appears to be a safe and effective reconstructive material in selected urethral reconstructions.

Objective To evaluate the long-term efficacy of using penile skin flaps for urethroplasty in the treatment of anterior urethral strictures.Methods Between Jan 2006 and Dec 2012,138 patients with anterior urethral stricture were treated by using penile skin flaps for urethroplasty.The mean age was 38 years (range,7-82 year).The etiology of stricture included trauma in 78 cases,iatrogenicity in 41 cases,infection in 17 cases,unknown reason in 2 cases.The penile urethral stricture was found in 110 cases and the bulbourethral stricture was found in 28 cases.The mean length of anterior urethral stricture was 6.5 cm (range 3-14 cm).Among them,the length of urethral stricture was more than 10 cm in 48 patients.Basing on location,length of stricture and condition of penile skin,different penile skin flaps were chosen,including vertical pedicle skin flap,pedicle circular flap,L-flap,Q-flap.Three different techniques were used for urethroplasty,such as lateral patch flap urethroplasty (group1,n=80),dorsal and ventral inlaid flap urethroplasty (group 2,n =42) and tubularized flap urethroplasty (group 3,n =16).Results 4 patients were lost during follow-up.The mean duration of follow-up in the remaining 134 patients was 39 months (range,8-84 months).Complications developed in 29 of 134 patients (21.6％),including strictures recurrence in 17 (group 1,n =12,group 2,n=2 and group 3,n =3),urethrocutaneous fistulas in 7 (group 1,n =5,group 2,n=1 and group 3,n =1) and urethral diverticulum in 5 (group1,n =4,and group 3,n =1).105 cases voided well and the urinary peak flows ranged from 13-49 ml/s (mean 25 ml/s),The overall success rate was 78.4％ (105/134).Conclusions Penile skin is thinner,rich in blood supply and easy to be manipulated,which is one of the excellent materials for the urethral reconstruction.Q-flap or L-flap urethroplasty is an effective technique for the treatment of long-segment urethral strictrues (≥ 10 cm).

Objective To investigate the feasibility of urethral reconstruction by using stretched electrospun silk fibroin matrices.Methods Stretched electrospun silk fibroin matrix was prepared,and the structure of the material was assessed by electron microscopy.Canine urothelial cells were isolated,expanded and seeded onto the material for 1 week to obtain a tissue-engineered graft.The tissue-engineered graft was assessed using HE staining and electron microscopy scanning.A dorsal urethral mucosa defect was created in 9 female beagle dogs.In the experimental group,tissue-engineered mucosa was used to repair urethral mucosa defects in 6 dogs.No substitute was used in the 3 dogs of the control group.Retrograde urethrography was performed at 1,2 and 6 months after grafting.The urethral grafts were analyzed grossly and histologically.Results Electron microscopy scanning revealed that the material had a 3 dimensional porous structure.Urothelial cells grew on the material and showed good biocompatibility with the stretched silk fibroin matrices.Canines implanted with tissue-engineered mucosa voided without difficulty.Retrograde urethrography revealed no signs of stricture,and histological staining showed gradual epithelial cell development and stratified epithelial layers at 1,2 and 6 months.The canines in the control group showed difficulty in voiding.Retrograde urethrography showed urethral stricture,and histological staining showed that no or only one layer of epithelial cells developed.A severe inflammatory reaction was also observed in the control group.Conclusion Stretched electrospun silk fibroin matrices have good biocompatibility with urothelial cells,and could be a potential material for urethral reconstruction.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of using oral mucosal grafts (buccal mucosa and lingual mucosa) for urethroplasty in the treatment of anterior urethral strictures. Methods Between Jan 2001 and Dec 2010,255 patients with urethral strictures (length ranging from 3 cm to 18 cm,mean 6 cm)underwent one-stage onlay oral mucosal grafts urethroplasty.Two different techniques were used for urethral reconstruction.The first technique involved tubularized dorsal lingual mucosa graft (LMG) augmentation of urethral plate ; the second technique used dorsal patch graft urethroplasty.Of the 255 patients,49 patients with long-segment urethral strictures ( ≥ 8 cm) underwent dual buccal mucosal graft ( BMG),dual LMG,combined LMG and BMG or long-strip LMG urethroplasty. ResultsThe patients were followed up for 8 -120 months postoperatively ( mean 37 months).Of the 255 cases,230 cases voided well and the urinary peak flows ranged from 16 to 51 ml/s (mean 26 ml/s).The overall success rate was 90.2％.Seventeen cases developed a recurrence of urethral stricture.Among these patients,15 underwent BMG urethroplasty again and 2 underwent direct vision internal urethrotomy,after which the patients voided well.Eight cases presented with urethrocutaneous fistula,these patients underwent a second operation,after which,the urethrocutaneous fistulas were cured. Conclusions The buccal mucosa and lingual mucosa are excellent sources of graft materials for the repair of anterior urethral strictures.Combined two oral mucosal grafts substitution urethroplasty is an effective technique for the treatment of long-segment urethral strictures.