Diamond-like carbon(DLC)films age characterized by hish wear resistance,low friction coefficients and chemical inertness,and thus hish-corrosion resistance.The properties of DLC can further be modified by incorporating other elements in the films,such as N,F,AS,and so on,to adjust them for specific applications.These properties make the films good candidates as biocompatible coatings for biomedical devices and implants.The review gives an overview of the biomedical chagacteristics of diamond-like carbon films and their potential apphcafions.

Objective To report the modified surgical technique currently used for the construction of an orthotopic ileal neobladder.So as to improve the vesical function of urinary storage and urination after total cystectomy. Methods Radical cystectomy and ileal neobladder with double “U” shape were performed in 20 patients with transitional cell carcinoma. After the detubularized ileal segment approximately 40 cm in length was arranged in a U configuration,the two medial borders of the U-shaped open segment were oversewn with a single layer seromuscular continuous 2-0 polyglycolic acid suture.The bottom of the U was folded over between the two ends of the U.Thus a spherical pouch, the neobladder, was fashioned. During that period, the neobladder anastomosed to the urethra.The ureters were implanted according to the improved stitching method. Results The operative time to form a neobladder was (90?15)min.Follow-up turned out that no perioperative or early postoperative mortality was observed, and no severe early complications occurred. The mean postoperative follow-up time was 25 (range,6 to 48) months.All the 20 cases achieved excellent continence except for 6 cases with temporary incontinence at night.Dysuria occurred in 1 case,and hydronephrosis on the left was found in 1 case.Six months later, the mean bladder capacity was 340 ml (range,250 to 450 ml). Conclusions The construction of an ileal neobladder using a smaller part of ileum that has been completely detubularized and fashioned by double U shape is easy and agreeable to perform.This mode of operation has low complication rates, achieves adequate capacity at low pressure, and provides satisfactory continence rates.

Objective To investigate the etiology,clinical presentation,diagnosis and treatment of inverted papilloma of the ureter. Methods The clinical data of 3 cases (all males,age range from 61 to 67 years) of inverted papilloma of the ureter were analysed retrospectively.All of 3 cases were diagnosed intraoperatively with the frozen section.Of them 1 case underwent segmental excision of the papilloma at ureter;1,nephrectomy plus subtotal ureterectomy;and 1,orthotopic excision of the papilloma. Results Postoperative pathology of the 3 cases confirmed the diagnosis of inverted papilloma of the ureter.No recurrence and metastasis were found postoperatively during a follow-up of 4.5,17 and 46 months in the 3 cases respectively. Conclusions Inverted papilloma of the ureter is a rare benign tumor with a good prognosis.Endoscopy and biopsy are the most important diagnostic procedures.Excising the local lesion and retaining the renal function is the preferred therapeutic choice.

Objective To establish a rat model of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) and investigate the histopathological characteristics of CNP in rat. Methods The prostate tissues of 4 male SD rats were taken out under aseptic condition,and prostate tissue homogenate supernate (PTHS) was made.Another 20 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and CNP group with 10 rats each.Each rat of group CNP was immunized with 1.0 ml PTHS (20 mg/ml) emulsified by isopyknic Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) intradermally in the multiple points,and simultaneously immunized with 0.5 ml pertussisdiphtheria-tetanus (PDT) vaccine intraperitoneally on 0 and 30th day.Each rat of control group was injected with equivalent normal saline in the same way.Rats from each group were sacrificed 45 days after immunization,and the prostates were harvested under aseptic condition.Prostatic tissues were examined macropathologically and histologically for degree of inflammation.Another 80 CNP rats were established after confirming success of the modeling.They were divided into high-dose androgen group (H),medial-dose androgen group (M),low-dose androgen group (L) and control group (C) with 20 in each.Rats of group H,M and L were injected with different concentrations of testosterone propionate ( 1,2,4 mg/ml).Rats of group C were injected with sterilized peanut oil.O.5 ml was applied through subcutaneous injection every other day.Each group was equally divided into 4 subgroups,in which the durations of medication were 1,2,4 and 6 weeks,respectively.After the expiration of the injection,animals from each subgroup were sacrificed and the macropathological and histological features of the prostatic tissues were examined as above. Results Macroscopic features of prostate tissues of group CNP at the 45th day were serious congestion and edema,adhesion with surrounding tissues,aneretic prostate capsule and so on.Histologically,the prostatic tissues were characterized by lymphoid tissue proliferation and chronic inflammatory cell infiltration in the stromal connective tissue around the acini or ducts.The rats of control group showed no inflammatory manifestations as above.After injection of testosterone propionate,the inflammatory degree of the CNP rats was lessen in varying degrees.For example,the destructive glands and stroma appeared repair and regeneration,the lymphoid tissue proliferation was alleviated,and the locations,ranges and amount of chronic inflammatory cell infiltration were also decreased.Furthermore,the relief of inflammatory degree had a positive correlation with the concentration and duration of testosterone propionate.The degree of inflammation in group C scarcely changed. Finally,the histopathological characteristics of CNP in rat model were summarized according to the results of histopathology,including inflammation locations,ranges and grades.Inflammation locations:①inflammation in the glands referred to the inflammatory cell infiltration in the ductal epithelium,alveolar epithelial and (or)glandular cavity; ②inflammation in the periglandular tissues referred to the inflammatory cell infiltration in the stroma and around the glandulartube; ③inflammation in the stroma referred to the inflammatory cell infiltration in the stroma without the glandulartube.Inflammation-rangeg:①focal inflammation indicates that the area of inflammatory cell infiltration was less than 10％ ; ②multifocal inflammation indicates that the area of inflammatory cell infiltration ranged from 10％ to 50％ ; ③diffuse inflammation indicates that the area of inflammatory cell infiltration was more than 50％.Inflammation grades:①grade Ⅰ meant that scattered inflammatory cells were in the specific area,cell count 1 - 10/HP; ②grade Ⅱ meant that inflammatory cell assembled without glandular epithelial tissue destruction or lymphoid nodule/follicle formation,cell count l1 -20/HP; ③grade Ⅲ meant that inflammatory cell assembled with part of glandular epithelial tissue destruction or lymphoid nodule/follicle formation,cell count ＞ 20/HP; ④grade Ⅳ meant that inflammatory cell assembled with a mass of glandular epithelial tissue destruction or lymphoid nodule/follicle formation,cell count full field of vision/HP. Conclusions The CNP rat model can be established by immunized with syngeneic PTHS plus FCA and PDT.The histopathological characteristics of CNP in rat can be evaluated according to the locations,ranges and grades of inflammation,which serve for further research of pathogenesis and treatment of this disease.

Objective To assess the feasibility and efficacy of robot-assisted laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (RALSP) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with large prostate.Methods From January 2014 to July 2015,16 patients with large prostate (≥80 ml) were treated by RALSP.The average patient's age was 69 years.The prostate volume was (98.3 ± 12.9) ml,preoperative residual urine was (78.0 ± 24.8) ml,the average IPSS was (22.9 ± 5.9),the average QOL was (4.8 ±1.5) and the average Qmax was (8.9 ± 3.7) ml/s,respectively.All patients agreed to accept RASP.The pre-operative and three months post-operative IPSS,QOL,residual urine and Qmax were compared and analyzed.Results All 16 patients underwent the surgeries uneventfully.The average operation time was (92.5 ± 15.5) minutes,the estimated blood loss was (125.5 ±25.5) ml,drainage time was (4.6 ±0.8)days,catheterization time was (7.9 ± 1.2) days and postoperative hospital stay was (5.1 ± 1.1) days.Three months after surgery,patient's IPSS was (11.8 ± 3.1),QOL was (1.6 ± 0.9),the average residual urine was (12.3 ± 2.6) ml and Qmax was (29.4 ± 11.6) ml/s,respectively.All the parameters significantly improved compared with the preoperative data (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Robot-assisted laparoscopic simple prostatectomy is a safe and effective method for the treatment of BPH patients with prostate volume larger than 80 ml.

Objective To investigate the expression of six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate (STEAP) in prostate cancer and its relationship with prostate specific antigen (PSA).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of 65 consecutive patients verified for prostate canc-er by prostate biopsy or post-operational pathological examination.The clinical stage was classified ac-cording to TNM system and the pathological grade was classified according to Gleason score.STEAP expression in 65 prostate cancer samples (T1 9,T2 14,T3 17,T4 25;high differentiation 37,moder-ate differentiation 12 and low differentiation 16) was studied by using STEAP monoclonal antibody (Santa Cruz Biotech,USA) and SP immunohistochemical staining.Positive staining gray values were introduced to describe the intensity of STEAP expression.STEAP expression level was analyzed with respect to stage,grade,serum total PSA and free/total PSA (f/t PSA) ratio respectively.Results The serum total PSA concentration and f/t PSA ratio in all cases was (27.65±8.34) ng/ml and 0.15～0.04 respectively.STEAP was positively stained in 63 patients (T1 7,T2 14,T3 17,T4 25; high differentiation 37,moderate differentiation 11 and low differentiation 15).The mean STEAP-positive staining gray values in stage T1,T2,T3 and T4 of prostate cancer were 26.8%,45.6%,62.3% and 76.5%,respectively and in high,moderate and low differentiation group were 71.2%,52.8%,and 34.4% respectively.The positive staining gray values of STEAP expression was posi-tively correlated to the clinical stage of cancer and negatively correlated to the Gleason score and the ratio of f/t PSA (P<0.01,respectively).There was no significant relationship between STEAP ex-pression and serum total PSA concentration (P>0.05).Conclusion STEAP expression may act as one of new markers to the invasion degree and pathological grade of prostate cancer.

Objective To discuss the treatment experience of adrenocorticotropic hormone independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH).Methods The clinical data of 24 cases of AIMAH from August 1972 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.The cases included 10 males and 14 females with a mean age of 43 (range 26 to 59) years.16 patients presented with typical Cushing syndrome (CS) and 8 patients had weight gain, hypertension or diabetes mellitus without any sign of CS.The circadian rhythm of serum cortisol was abnormal.Low and high dose dexamethasone suppression tests failed to suppress cortisol secretion.The preoperative CT scan showed bilateral enlargement of the adrenal glands with multiple macmnodules.14 patients underwent open surgery, including 5 cases of unilateral adrenalectomy, 6 cases of adrenalectomy combined with contralateral subtotal adrenalectomy and 3 cases of bilateral adrenalectomy simuhaneously.6 patients underwent conventional laparoscopic adrenalectomy,including 2 cases of unilateral adrenalectomy, 2 cases of adrenalectomy combined with contralateral subtotal adrenalectomy and 2 cases of bilateral adrenalectomy.4 patients underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy.Results The postoperative pathological examination showed that all patients had bilateral adrenal macronodular or adenomatoid hyperplasia.During the mean follow-up of 68 months (range 3 to 192 months), the clinical symptoms of CS disappeared after surgery in all cases.7 patients who received unilateral adrenalectomy had urinary free cortisol and serum cortisol within normal ranges and no further enlargement of the contralateral gland was noticed.Among the 3 patients who received bilateral adrenalectomy simultaneously, 1 case died of adrenal crisis on the seventh day post-operation.The remaining 2 cases presented with adrenal insufficiency but returned to normal after glucocorticoid replacement therapy.Nelson's syndrome was not observed in other patients.Conclusions The use of bilateral adrenalectomy to treat AIMAH may involve risk.Unilateral adrenalectomy is recommended for an alternative treatment for AIMAH.Controlateral adrenalectomy with lifelong corticosteroid replacement or contralateral subtotal adrenalectomy may be performed if the symptoms have not improved or recurred after unilateral adrenalectomy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnosis and treatment of adrenocorticotropin-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH). MethodsThe clinical data of 14 cases of AIMAH from August 1972 to July 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.The cases included 5 males and 9 females with a mean age of 45 (range 26 to 58 ) years.Ten patients demonstrated typical Cushing's syndrome (CS) and 4 patients presented with weight gain,hypertension or diabetes mellitus without any signs of CS.The circadian rhythm of serum cortisol was abnormal.Low and high dose dexamethasone suppression tests failed to suppress cortisol secretion.CT scan showed bilateral enlargement of the adrenal glands with multiple macronodules.All patients underwent open surgery,including 5 cases of unilateral adrenalectomy,6 cases of adrenalectomy combined with contralateral subtotal adrenalectomy and 3 cases of bilateral adrenalectomy.ResultsIt was established by pathological examination that all patients had bilateral adrenal macronodular or adenomatoid hyperplasia.During the mean follow-up of 69 months (range 12 to 120 months),the clinical symptoms of CS disappeared after surgery in all cases.The 5 patients who received unilateral adrenalectomy had urinary free cortisol and serum cortisol within normal ranges and no further enlargement of the contralateral gland was noticed.Among the 3 patients who received bilateral adrenalectomy,1 case died of adrenal crisis on day seven post-operation.The remaining 2 cases presented with adrenal insufficiency but returned to normal after glucocorticoid replacement therapy.Nelson's syndrome was not observed in the other patients.ConclusionsAIMAH has unique endocrinological and pathological features,presenting as an independent etiology of CS.Unilateral adrenalectomy appears to be an effective and safe alternative treatment for AIMAH and long-term remission can be achieved.Bilateral adrenalectomy or unilateral adrenalectomy combined with contralateral subtotal adrenalectomy may be performed if the symptoms have not improved or recurred after unilateral adrenalectomy.

be diagnosed by imaging examination before operation.The ALT patients with large or symptomatic adrenal lipomatous lesions or preoperatively diagnosed teratoma should be given surgical treatment.

Objective To report and analyze the renal function improvement in a case with ad-vanced bilateral renal cell carcinoma after targeted therapy. Methods The patient was a 60-year-old man who complained of lower back pain for 1 month. Ultrasound and CT scan detected bilateral renal masses, left lesion was 11.0 cm×9.4 cm×8.5 cm, and the right one was 3.5 cm×4.3 cm×4.1 cm. X-ray examination showed metastatic lesions in liver and lower right lung. GFR was 20.39 ml/min of left kidney, 25.40 ml/min of right kidney. The renal biopsy confirmed renal clear cell carcinoma. Sorafenib was administrated 400 mg twice or once daily for 12 weeks. Results After the targeted therapy, the decreased bilateral kidney tumor sizes were identified by CT scan. There was liquid nec-rosis in the tumor, and no new metastatic lesion detected. The kidney function was improved as well. The total GFR increased to 71.38 ml/min. Left kidney GFR increased to 31.57 ml/min, right kidney GFR increased to 39.81 ml/min, respectively. Conclusion Targeted therapy could improve renal function in advanced renal cell carcinoma cases by controlling tumor development.