Objective To evaluate clinical effects of the transurethral ureteroscopic lithotripsy(URL) and minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy(MPCNL) in the management of upper ureteral stones.Methods Clinical data of 258 patients diagnosed as having upper ureteral calculi from January 2001 to December 2004 in this hospital were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were given either URL(225 patients) or MPCNL(33 patients).Results Of the URL,the stone-free rate on one session was 73.8%(166/225) and the failure rate was 26.2%(59/225).The causes for the failure included stone movement to the renal pelvic in 42 patients(18.7%,42/225),unsuccessful manipulation in 14 patients(6.2%,14/225),and conversions to open surgery because of ureteral perforation in 1 patient and ureteral rupture in 2 patients(1.3%,3/225).Of the MPCNL,the stone-free rate on one session was 100%(33/33).Conclusions The application of URL can be interfered with ureteral stricture and twist that are secondary to incarcerated ureteral stones.High stone-free rate,low incidence of complications,and satisfactory reliability can be expected using MPCNL,especially in patients with impacted ureteral calculi accompanied with secondary affection at the same side.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of downregulation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) core gene (HBcAg) expression by RNA interference and magnetic nanoparticles on both HBV DNA replication and expression in vitro. Methods HepG2 2.2.15 cells were transfected with U6 promoter plasmids coding for small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting HBV core gene using magnetic nanoparticles. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to assess the mRNA and protein expression HBV core antigen. Real-time PCR was used to evaluate the suppression efficiency of HBV-DNA replication and expression; and radioimmunoassay was used for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), core antigen (HBcAg), and e antigen (HBeAg) detection. Results We successfully constructed nanoparticles with siRNA plasmid targeting HBV core antigen; HBcAg mRNA and HBV core antigen protein levels were significantly reduced in the transfected cells. HBV-DNA downregulation was estimated at 4-5 logs and the HBsAg and HBeAg levels were also reduced compared with the controls. Conclusion Downregulation of HBV core gene using RNAi technology and magnetic nanoparticles can potentially be used as a therapeutic strategy for Hepatitis B.

Objective:To explore the effects and mechanism of Salvianolic acid B(SalB)on Parkinson's disease(PD).Methods:Forty-eight C57BL/6 male mice were randomly separated into control group(control)withoutdrugs,model group(MPTP)with intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrah-ydropyridine(MPTP),SalB control group with intraperitoneal injection of SalB,and SalB treatment group(MPTP+SalB).Construction of PD mouse model by intraperitoneal injection of MPTP,and treatment with intraperitoneal injection of SalB.Pole climbing test was applied to assess behavior differences.The time of first black stool excretion and water content of feces were measured to evaluate intestinal dysfunctions.The number of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)positive cells in substantia nigra and the level of Toll like receptor 4(TLR4)in colon were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.The pathological changes of colonic mucosa were observed by HE staining.The levels of calprotectin(CP)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in colon were determined by ELISA.Western blot was used to determine the level of TH in midbrain,the protein level of TH,tight junction protein(ZO-1),and protein level of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathways which express in colon.Results:Com-pared with the Control group,the climbing time,T-turn time and the first black stool excretion time in MPTP group increased while the fecal water content and the number of TH positive cells in substantia nigra were decreased.Accompanied by TLR4 positive cells in colon,pathological injury score of colonic mucosa,levels of CP and TNF-α in colon increased,expression of TH in midbrain and expression of ZO-1 in colon decreased.Expressions of TLR4,MyD88,Nuclear NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 in colon increased.Com-pared with MPTP group,SalB treatment shortened the climbing time,T-turn time and the first black stool excretion time in SalB treat-ment group,increased the fecal water content and the number of TH positive cells in substantia nigra,lowered TLR4 positive cells in colon,enhanced expression of TH in midbrain and colon,reduced the pathological injury score of colonic mucosa,significantly decreased levels of CP and TNF-α in colon,enhanced expression of ZO-1 in colon,inhibited expressions of TLR4,MyD88,Nuclear NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 in colon.Conclusion:SalB can protect the nerves and intestines and alleviate the intestinal inflamma-tion of PD mice,which may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signal pathway.