Objective To evaluate Ho:YAG laser in the treatment of superficial bladder tumors. Methods 30 patients with superficial bladder tumors underwent endoscopic holmium laser resection with postoperative intravesical instillation therapy.There were 25 male patients and 5 famale with an average age of 54.The growth has been single in 15 and multiple in 15.The diameter of the tumor was 0.2～3.5 cm with the pathology grade G 1～G 2 and clinical stage T 1～T 2. Results The procedure has been successful in all and cold cup biopsies of the tumor base and incisal margin were negative.The mean resection time was 18 minutes,the mean volume of bleeding was less than 15 ml and no intraoperative bladder perforation or secondary hemorrhage occurred.All patients have been followed up for 3 to 14 months with a mean of 7.5 months.One patient (3%) had out-of-field recurrence. Conclusions Ho:YAG laser resection of bladder tumor (HoLRBt) provides an useful clinical therapeutic method that has the advantages of precise resection,simple technique,as well as no serious intraoperative or delayed complications.

Objective To highlight diagnosis and treatment of primary fibroepithelial polyp of ureter. Methods 7 cases of primary fibroepithelial polyp of ureter treated from May of 1990 to July of 2002 were analyzed retrospectively.Among them ,18～56 age of year,and right side in 5 cases,left in 2 cases.The foci are in upper,middle and lower part 2,3,2 cases respectively.The diagnosis was all ascertained on pathological studies. Results Hematuria and flank pain are the usual presentation.Preoperative image will reveal the lesion but the diagnosis of fibroepithelial polyp cannot be made by radiographic means alone.Surgical intervention was undertaken in all 7 cases.The initial case has undergone unnecessary nephroureterectomy as misdiagnosis of carcinoma of ureter.Surgical exploration and polypectomy was performed in 4 cases and polypectomy with holimlaser under ureteroscopy in 2 cases.The therapeutic results were satisfactory without relapse in 3 months～11 years follow up. Conclusions The diagnosis may be established with intravenous urogram and retrograde pyelography and surgical exploration may be performed when necessary.With the advent of ureteroscopy, a new minimally invasive approach to fibroepithelial polyp of ureter was introduced.

Objective To report the experience on the ureteroscopic treatment of ureteral fibro-epithlial polyp by Holmium:YAG laser resection.Methods Of five cases,the polyp was located in the upper 1 third of the ureter in 2 cases,and in middle 1 third or ureter in 2 cases,in lower 1 third of ureter in 1 case.The length of the polyps ranged from 3 to 16 cm.Three patients presented with flank pain,4 with hematuria and 1 with hydronephrosis.Five patients underwent rigid ureteroscopic treat-ment.TUR was performed in the 2 polyp cases with prolapsing from the ureteral orifice.A Holmium:YAG laser was used to resect ureteral polyps.At the end of the procedure,a 7 F double-J ureteral stent was placed and indwelling for 6- 8 weeks.Results All operations were successfully done.The pathologic diagnosis were fibroepithelial polyp.Histologically,the polyps were composed of a central fibrovascular core surrounded by hyperplastic benign urothelium.The stroma of polyp consis-ted of fibrous connective tissue with minimal cellular infiltration,and occasional epithelial cell nests were seen.The average length of hospital stay was 3 d (range 2 to 5).The mean follow-up was 24 months (range 3 to 51),and all patients remained no recurrence.One patient developed a ureteral stricture 3 months after the treatment,and relieved by endoscopic incision by Holmium:YAG laser.Conclusion Endoscopic management of ureteral fibroepithelial polyps could be a treatment modality with minimal morbidity and good treatment results.

Objective To examine the effects of a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ ligand troglitazone on the proliferation and differentiation of HepG2 cells. Methods After the pretreatment of HepG2 cells with troglitazone, MTT and flow cytometry were used to analyze the proliferation and cell cycle of HepG2 cells, respectively. Immunocytochemistry, bromocresol green dye-binding method and chemiluminessence immunosorbent assay was used to determine E-cadherin, albumin and AFP, respectively. The expression of cyclin D1 and c-myc protein were detected by Western blot. Results Troglitazone inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner and arrested HepG2 ceils at the G0>/G1> phase. After pretreated with troglitazone, HepG2 cells showed E-cadherin expression, a decreased expression of cyclin D1 and c-myc protein, a reduction of AFP level and a dramatic increase of albumin level. Conclusions Troglitazone inhibits proliferation and induces differentiation of HepG2 cells, the mechanism of which might be attributable to the down-regulation of cyclin D1 and c-myc expression.

Objective To observe and compare the clinical efficacies between electroacupuncture and warm needling in treating low back pain.Method Seventy-eight eligible low back pain patients were randomized into group A of 28 cases, group B of 26 cases, and group C of 24 cases. Group A was intervened by electroacupuncture, group B was by warm needling, and group C was by medication. The short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores (JOA), and Oswestry Disability Index were observed before and after treatment, and the therapeutic efficacies were compared.Result In group A, the McGill item scores [Sensory Pain Rating Index (S-PRI), Affective Pain Rating Index (A-PRI)] respectively after 1-week and 2-week treatment as well as in the 1-month and 3-month follow-up were significantly different from that before treatment (P<0.01,P<0.05). In group B and C, the McGill item scores after 2-week treatment and in the 1-month and 3-month follow-up were significantly different from that before treatment in the same group (P<0.01,P<0.05). The JOA and Oswestry scores were significantly changed respectively after 1-week and 2-week treatment and in the 1-month and 3-month follow-up in the three groups compared with that before treatment (P<0.05,P<0.01). After 1-week and 2-week treatment and in the 1-month and 3-month follow-up, the JOA and Oswestry scores in group A were significantly different from that in group C (P<0.05,P<0.01). In the 1-month and 3-month follow-up, the JOA scores in group B were significantly different from that in group C (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 85.7% in group A and 73.1% in group B, both significantly higher than 58.3% in group C (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture and warm needling both can produce a significant efficacy in treating low back pain, but warm needling acts comparatively slowly and is less safe.

BACKGROUNDOveractive bladder (OAB) is a series of symptoms with high prevalence in elderly people. This study was conducted using the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) to evaluate the efficacy of solifenacin succinate for the treatment of OAB.

METHODSThis was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm, 12-week study that enrolled 241 OAB patients. The patients received 5-10 mg/day solifenacin. Changes in OABSS, symptoms from voiding diary, perception of bladder condition (PPBC) score, international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated at weeks 0, 4, and 12. The relationship between OABSS and PPBC score or parameters of voiding diary was also evaluated.

RESULTSAt baseline, the mean OABSS for all patients was 9.41 ± 2.40, and was reduced significantly at week 12 (-3.76 points; 61.21%, P < 0.0001). The OABSS subscore, PPBC score, IPSS, and QOL were also significantly reduced during the study (P < 0.0001). The overall incidence of adverse events was 19.91% (44 cases). The gastrointestinal system was the most commonly affected (11.31%). Around 5.88% of the cases had adverse events related to the genitourinary system. There was a strong correlation between OABSS and urinary symptoms that was recorded in the 3-day voiding dairy.

CONCLUSIONSWe showed that solifenacin was clinically effective for relieving OAB symptoms, considering the balance between efficacy, patients' well-being, and tolerability. OABSS integrates four OAB symptoms into a single score and can be a useful tool for research and clinical practice.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscarinic Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Quinuclidines ; therapeutic use ; Solifenacin Succinate ; Tetrahydroisoquinolines ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; drug therapy