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.

In order to investigate the effect of T-bet on malignant cells, we selected SGC-7901, a kind of human gastric carcinoma cell line, and used gene clone technique and adeno-associated virus (AAV) packing technology, thus obtaining a recombinant rAAV-eGFP-T-bet and T-bet gene-transfected SGC-7901 cells. Then the function of T-bet gene-infected SGC-7901 cells was researched by detecting the levels of IFN-gamma and T-bet production. The results showed: (1) It was verified that rAAV-T-bet's packing was completed; (2) After SGC-7901 cells was transfected by rAAV-eGFP-T-bet, a green fluorescence was found in about 30%-40% SGC-7901s, and the gene of 1670 bp (T-bet) and 388 bp (IFN-gamma) were generated from SGC-7901s cells; (3) The proteins of IFN-gamma and T-bet secreted by SGC-7901 cells were also detected. These reveal that SGC-7901 cell is efficiently infected by rAAV encoding T-bet, which can induce transfected cells to secret IFN-gamma. It may be useful in the researches on cancer immune therapy of transfecting T-bet gene.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective To evaluate clinical efficacy and safety of ABO-incompatible (ABOi) living-related kidney transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 23 recipients undergoing ABOi living-related kidney transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. According to the initial blood group antibody titers in the recipients before surgery, different individualized pretreatment regimens were adopted, including oral intake of immunosuppressive drugs plus rituximab, or oral intake of immunosuppressive drugs plus plasma exchange and/or double filtration plasmapheresis plus rituximab. The blood group antibody titers before and after pretreatment, before and after kidney transplantation, and perioperative renal function and related complications were monitored. Renal allograft function and related complications were observed during postoperative follow-up. Results Among 23 recipients undergoing ABOi living-related kidney transplantation, except for one case presenting with hyperacute rejection during operation, the serum creatinine levels of the remaining 22 recipients were restored normal. Perioperative complications included lymphatic fistula in 4 cases, 1 case of urinary fistula, 1 case of perirenal hematoma complicated with T cell-mediated rejection, 6 cases of urinary system infection, 1 case of acute tubular necrosis, 1 case of acute pancreatitis, 1 case of blood group antibody titer rebound, and 1 case of primary disease recurrence, and all of these complications were cured after corresponding treatment. During postoperative follow-up, the graft and recipient survival rates of 22 recipients were 100%, and renal allograft function was normal. The blood group antibody titer were all ≤1:8 during follow-up. Complications during follow-up included 2 cases of severe lung infection, 1 case of antibody-mediated rejection, 2 cases of primary disease recurrence, 1 case of lymphocyst, 1 case of urinary system infection, 1 case of herpes zoster, 1 case of BK viruria and 2 cases of abnormal blood glucose levels. Conclusions ABOi living-related kidney transplantation may be safely performed by selecting individualized pretreatment regimens according to antibody titers by different blood groups. However, high-dose rituximab or combined use of rabbit anti-human thymocyte immunoglobulin may cause severe infectious complications in highly sensitized recipients.