Objective To evaluate transureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy for the treatment of ureteral stones. Methods Transureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy was undertaken for 302 cases of ureteral stones,185 male patients and 117 female with and average age of 42.There were 68 upper ureteral stones,106 middle and 128 lower ureteral stones.The transverse diameter of the stones was 5～12 mm and the vertical length 6～24 mm. Results Successful lithotripsy was achieved on one session in 264 cases ( 87.4%),with the stone completely expelled in 4～6 weeks.Complication occurred in 20,14 of which being ureteral perforation.Conservative treatment was adopted in 8 and open surgery in 6,9 of which have been followed up for 3～10 months without ureteral stricture.4 cases complicated by urinary infection. Conclusions Transureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy is an effective means of treating ureteral stones.

Objective To investigate the relationships of nuclear factor кB (NF-кB) activation with protein kinase B (Akt) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) during amyloid-β (Aβ) (25-35) -induced apoptosis in pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) of rats. Methods Apoptosis in PC12 cells was induced by A(25-35). The activities of Akt, GSK-3β and NF-кB were analyzed in this process. The Akt and GSK-3β pathways were blocked by their specific inhibitors, respectively, and the relationships of Akt and, GSK-3β with NF-кB during Aβ(25-35)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells were determined. Results Aβ(25-35) induced apoptosis was in a dose-dependent manner. With 0, 5, 10, 20 μmol/L and 40 μmol/L Aβ(25-35) treaing for 48 h, the apoptosis rates of PC12 cells were (3. 01 ± 0.03)%, (3.08 ±0.03)%, (25.32 ± 0.76)%, ( 42.88 ± 0.60 )% and ( 60.85 ± 2.39 )% , respectively. Compared to control, both Akt and GSK-3β were suppressed during apoptosis, at meantime NF-кB was activated. The inhibited Akt activity by wortmannin leaded to decreased NF-кB activatity and increased GSK-3β activatity. Suppression of GSK-3β with its specific inhibitor LiCl caused the decreased activation of NF-кB too, but it had no significant influence on Akt activity. Conclusions These results suggest that both Akt and GSK-3β are upstream regulators of NF-кB. They co-regulate the activation of NF-кB during Aβ(25-35)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. This study contributes to the theoretical base for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD) , and provides a new idea to AD prevention and therapy.

AIM: To establish the method for determination of gentiopicrin, palmatine hydrochloride and berberine hydrochloride in Ertong Ⅱ Oral Liquid (Cortex Phellodendri, Radix Gentianae, Rhizoma Anemarrhenae, etc.) by RP HPLC. METHODS: The column was a Diamonsil TM C 18 column (250mm?4.6mm, 5?m); the mobile phase was CH 3CN H 3PO 4 C 6H 15 N H 2O; The ultraviolet detection was set at 270nm; the flow rate was 1mL?min -1 . RESULTS: The linear ranges of gentiopicrin, palmatine hydrochloride and berberine hydrochloride were 72.8～728?g?mL -1 ( r=0.9998 ), 7.55～75.5?g?mL -1 ( r=0.9998 ), 12.45～124.5?g?mL -1 ( r = 0.9999 ), respectively. The average recoveries ( n =6) of gentiopicrin, palmatine hydrochloride and berberine hydrochloride were 98.17%, 98.78%, 98.60%; RSD were 1.60%, 1.35%, 1.25%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The method is accurate, reproducible and highly selective, thus suitable for quality control of Er Tong Ⅱ Oral Liqual.