Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Humans ; Immunity ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo observe the long-term apparent and structural change of the neo-urethra inner wall reconstructed with different kinds of tissue. To compare the difference between normal and reconstructed urethra for urethra reconstruction with more appropriate materials.

METHODSThe neo-urethra inner wall was observed during operation, through urography and urethroscope. The tissue section of neo-urethra inner wall was observed through light microscope and electron microscope.

RESULTSWith unchanged structure, the appearance of neo-urethra reconstructed with skin or mucosa could be close to normal urethra after a long time. Neo-urethra made of buccal mucosa possesses some of the most important basic structures for normal urethral microenvironment to form. The structure of neo-urethra made of bladder could be close to normal urethra after a long time.

CONCLUSIONSBuccal and bladder mucosa may be a better material than skin for urethra reconstruction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Biocompatible Materials ; Child ; Female ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; surgery ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; Tissue Engineering ; Tissue Transplantation ; methods ; Urethra ; surgery ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the effects of rebuilding stove and health education on preventing coal-burning fluorosis and arsenic poisoning in Shaanxi in 2005.Methods According to "Scheme of Impmving Stove in Preventing Coal-burning Fluorosis and Arsenic Poisoning of Shaanxi in 2005",the initial meeting was convened,while liability contracts were signed,leading and technical guiding groups were established,professional training was carried out.On the basis of the epidemiologic data,stoves were improved in 7 chosen counties in Ankang and Hanzhong City where the health education in several modalities was carried out.The project was checked and accepted when the work was completed.Thirty children in fourth grade were randomly selected in one primary school of each county.Fifleen adults aged 16 years old were chosen randomly in each village in each country.They were asked to answer the questionnaire about the health knowledge.Results There were 955 322 stoves improved in 7 countries in Ankang and Hanzhong City accounting for rebuilding stove was 100%(95 322/95 314).The awareness rates of health knowledge were 88%(444/508)in the adults and 100%(210/210)in children.Conclusions The government mangement leadership,the cooperation between the related departments, the participation of residents and the assufance of fund are the essentials in long lasting control of endemic diseases.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the face and content validation of the virtual reality transurethral resection of the prostate simulator (TURPSim(TM)).

METHODSThe 60 urology doctor aged 26 - 50 years old all over the country were enrolled for virtual reality training of TURP from September 2010 to June 2011. Participants classified as experts (more than 50 procedures performed) and novices (50 or fewer procedures performed) performed TURPs on TURPSim(TM) involving resection of 25 - 80 g prostate. They completed questionnaires regarding utility for residency training, realism and overall score of the TURPSim(TM). Performances of two groups were evaluated after 2-day training.

RESULTSwere recorded and analyzed.

RESULTSMean utility for residency training, realism and overall score were (8.8 ± 1.1) and (8.5 ± 1.4), (8.0 ± 1.2) and (8.4 ± 1.1), (8.7 ± 0.9) and (8.6 ± 0.8) in experts and novices respectively. There was no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). Spearman's correlation coefficients analysis showed an significant positive correlation between utility for residency training and realism (r = 0.625, P = 0.000), utility for residency training and overall score (r = 0.691, P = 0.000) in experts, utility for residency training and realism (r = 0.702, P = 0.000), utility for residency training and overall score (r = 0.664, P = 0.001) in novices. Prostate resection rate (87.3% ± 7.7%), bleeding control rate (94.4% ± 6.6%) and safety (95.2% ± 5.5%) in novices increased after training (t = -3.689, -2.274, -2.507, all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe face and content validation of transurethral resection of the prostate simulator is good, virtual reality training of TURP may improve the skills necessary to perform TURP. Transurethral resection of the prostate simulator can be used to train urology residents.

Adult ; Computer Simulation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; education ; methods ; Urology ; education ; methods

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on hypothalamic insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods Sixty Wistar rats were randomized to a normal group (15 rats) and an observation group (45 rats). In the observation group, a rat model of T2DM was made by high-energy diet induction. After the model was successfully made 8 weeks later, the observation group was randomized to model making, treatment and blocker groups, 15 rats each. The treatment group received electroacupuncture and the blocker group, electroacupuncture plus intraventricular perfusion of phosphatidylinositol 3-hydroxyl kinase (PI3K) blocker. After 8 weeks of treatment, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was measured using a glucometer, fasting insulin (Fins) was determined by ELISA, insulin resistance index (IRI) was calculated and IRS-1 expression was examined by SABC immunohistochemistry assay in every group of rats. Results FPG and Fins increased significantly (both P<0.01) and IRI and IRS-1 expression decreased significantly (P<0.01) in the model making group compared with the normal group. FPG and Fins decreased significantly (both P<0.01) and IRI and IRS-1 expression increased significantly (P<0.01) in the treatment group compared with the model making group. FPG and Fins decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01) and IRI and IRS-1 expression increased significantly (P<0.01) in the treatment group compared with the blocker group. Conclusion Electroacupuncture can improve FPG, Fins and insulin sensitivity by regulating hypothalamic IRS-1 expression in T2DM rats.

OBJECTIVETo search for a new method for urethra reconstruction using autologous buccal mucosal graft while lacking of local skin.

METHODSSince 1998, a total of 25 patients with complex hypospadias have been treated using buccal mucosal grafts for urethral reconstruction. The reconstructed urethra was anastomosed with the meatus half year later.

RESULTSAll the reconstructed urethra survived without contracture or stricture except one infection, which healed with no adverse consequence.

CONCLUSIONThe key points for operation success is rich capillary network, thick epidermis and thin lamina propria of the buccal mucosa. Buccal mucosa is an excellent tissue for urethral reconstruction.

Capillaries ; anatomy & histology ; Contracture ; Epidermis ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; surgery ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; anatomy & histology ; transplantation ; Mucous Membrane ; Urethra ; surgery ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male ; methods

BACKGROUNDDisease recurrence is a main challenge in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There is no generally accepted method for preventing recurrence of HCC after resection.

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of a traditional herbal medicine (THM) regimen and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in preventing recurrence in post-resection patients with small HCC.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONSThis is a multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled study, which was undertaken in five centers of China. A total of 379 patients who met the eligibility criteria and underwent randomization were enrolled in this trial. One hundred and eighty-eight patients were assigned to the THM group and received Cinobufacini injection and Jiedu Granule, and the other 191 patients were assigned to the TACE group and received one single course of TACE.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESPrimary outcome measures were the annual recurrence rate and the time to recurrence. Incidence of adverse events was regarded as the secondary outcome measure.

RESULTSAmong the 364 patients who were included in the intention-to-treat analysis, 67 patients of the THM group and 87 of the TACE group had recurrence, with a hazard ratio of 0.695 (P = 0.048). Median recurrence-free survival of the patients in the THM and TACE groups was 46.89 and 34.49 months, respectively. Recurrence rates at 1, 2 and 3 years were 17.7%, 33.0% and 43.5% for the THM group, and 28.8%, 42.5% and 54.0% for the TACE group, respectively (P = 0.026). Multivariate analysis indicated that the THM regimen had a big advantage for prolonging the recurrence-free survival. Adverse events were mild and abnormality of laboratory indices of the two groups were similar.

CONCLUSIONIn comparison with TACE therapy, the THM regimen was associated with diminished risk of recurrence of small-sized HCC after resection, with comparable adverse events. TRIAL REGISTRTION IDENTIFIER: This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the identifier ChiCTR-TRC-07000033.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; pathology ; prevention & control ; surgery ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; prevention & control ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore possible molecular mechanism of hypospadias and relationship of the mutation of SRD5A2 gene to hypospadias.

METHODS96 blood samples from the patients with hypospadias were obtained and DNA was extracted from blood leukocytes. Polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing were performed to analyze the coding regions of SRD5A2 gene.

RESULTS8 mutations were detected from 14 cases, including 5 missense mutations, 1 synonymous mutation, 1 nonsense mutation and 1 frameshift mutation. The mutations are in 1st, 4th and 5th exon. Gln6stop, His232His, Phe234Leu and frameshift mutations are novel.

CONCLUSIONSExon 4 is a hot spot region of mutation within SRD5A2 gene, and about 10 percent of hypospadiac patients complicated with SRD5A2 dysfunction or deficiency.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Donors ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; genetics ; Infant ; Male ; Mutation ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of miR-9 in B lymphocytes, B cell lymphoma and classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL) cell lines and its significance.

METHODSCD19(+) B lymphocytes were sorted from normal lymph node by magnetic beads. Total cellular micro-RNA was extracted from cHL cell line L428, B cell lymphoma cell lines Ly1 and Ly10 (diffuse large B cell lymphoma), Raji cells (Burkitt's lymphoma) and CD19(+) B lymphocytes, respectively. These micro-RNAs were separately transformed into cDNA by reverse transcription. The expression levels of miR-9 were measured by fluorescence quantitative PCR. In situ hybridization was used to detect the expression of miR-9 in cell lines.

RESULTSThe expression of miR-9 was high in L428 cells (104.44 ± 1.61), and low in cell lines of B cell lymphoma (Ly1: 2.17 ± 0.38; Ly10: 1 ± 0.015; Raji: 2.65 ± 0.89), and extremely low in CD19(+) B lymphocytes (0.0026 ± 0.00040). Compared with that in the other cell lines, the expression of miR-9 in L428 cells was statistically significant (P < 0.05). miR-9 localized in the cytoplasm diffusely and strongly in L428, but scattered and slightly with some prominent distribution around the nuclear membranes in Ly1 and Ly10, and only weakly in Raji.

CONCLUSIONSmiR-9 highly expressed in cHL cell line and might be a molecular marker for diagnosis and treatment of cHL.

B-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Lineage ; Hodgkin Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDTubulointerstitial renal fibrosis is the common end point of progressive kidney diseases, and tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation (TEMT) plays a key role in the progress of tubulointerstitial renal fibrosis. Anaphylatoxin C3a and C5a are identified as novel profibrotic factors in renal disease and as potential new therapeutic targets. The aim of this study was to investigate whether C3a, C5a can regulate TEMT by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β)/connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) signaling pathway and the effects of C3a and C5a receptor antagonists (C3aRA and C5aRA) on C3a- and C5a-induced TEMT.

METHODSHK-2 cells were divided into C3a and C5a groups which were subdivided into four subgroups: control group, 10 ng/ml TGF-β1 group, 50 nmol/L C3a group, 50 nmol/L C3a plus 1 µmol/L C3aRA group; control group, 10 ng/ml TGF-β1 group, 50 nmol/L C5a group, 50 nmol/L C5a plus 2.5 µmol/L C5aRA group. TGF-β1 receptor antagonist (TGF-β1RA) 10 µg/ml was used to investigate the mechanism of C3a- and C5a-induced TEMT. Electron microscopy was used to observe the morphological changes. Immunocytochemistry staining, real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expressions of a smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), E-cadherin, Col-I, C3a receptor (C3aR), C5aR, CTGF and TGF-β1.

RESULTSHK-2 cells cultured with C3a and C5a for 72 hours exhibited strong staining of α-SMA, lost the positive staining of E-cadherin, and showed a slightly spindle-like shape and loss of microvilli on the cell surface. The expressions of α-SMA, E-cadherin, Col-I, C3aR, C5aR, TGF-β1 and CTGF in C3a- and C5a-treated groups were higher than normal control group (P < 0.05). C3aRA and C5aRA inhibited the expressions of α-SMA, Col-I, C3aR, C5aR, and up-regulated the expression of E-cadherin (P < 0.05). TGF-β1 and CTGF mRNA expressions induced by C3a and C5a were partly blocked by TGF-β1RA (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONC3a and C5a can induce TEMT via the up-regulations of C3aR and C5aR mRNA and the activation of TGF-β1/CTGF signaling pathway in vitro.

Blotting, Western ; Cadherins ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; drug effects ; Complement C3a ; pharmacology ; Complement C5a ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Myofibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction