Abscess ; therapy ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Neck ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Xinfeng Capsule (XFC) on ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients' symptoms and signs, serum immunoglobulin levels, peripheral blood lymphocyte autophagy protein, autophagy gene, and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSTotally 59 AS patients were assigned to the treatment group (39 cases) and the control group (20 cases) according to random digit table. Patients in the treatment group received XFC, 0.5 g each pill, three pills each time, 3 times per day, while those in the control group received sulfasalazine (SASP), 0.25 g per tablet, 4 tablets each time, twice per day. Three months consisted of one therapeutic course. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) were statistically calculated. Serum immunoglobulins (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA , SIgA, and IgM) were detected using ELISA. Changes of Beclin1, LC3-II, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were detected using Western blot. Serum autophagy related genes such as Atg1, Atg5, Atg12, Atg13, and Atg17 were detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The correlation between immunoglobulin subtypes and autophagy gene in AS patients using Spearman correlation.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment, BASDAI, IgG1, lgG3, and IgA decreased (P < 0.01); PI3K, Akt, and mTOR protein expressions decreased (P < 0.01); ATG1, ATG12, ATG13, and ATG17 mRNA expressions decreased, ATG5 mRNA expression increased (P < 0.01) in the treatment group. But BASDAI, IgG1, and IgA levels decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); PI3K, Akt, and mTOR protein expressions decreased (P < 0.05); ATG1 and ATG13 mRNA expressions decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the control group. Compared with the control group, BASDAI, IgG1, and IgA levels decreased (P < 0.05); PI3K, Akt, mTOR protein expressions decreased (P < 0.01); ATG12 and ATG17 mRNA expression decreased, ATG5 mRNA expression increased (P < 0.01) in the XFC group. Correlation analysis showed AS patients' IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgA, SIgA, IgM had negative correlation with ATG17; IgG4 and ATG17 were positively correlated (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONXFC could elevate clinical efficacy of AS patients and enhance their autophagy, which might be achieved by acting on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal, affecting autophagy gene and autophagy protein expression, taking part in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of lymphocyte B, and strengthen humoral immunity.

Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Beclin-1 ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; drug therapy ; Sulfasalazine ; therapeutic use ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo detect serum levels of MMP-9 and VEGF in patients with bladder cancer.

METHODSSerum levels of MMP-9 and VEGF in 58 patients with bladder cancer and 45 healthy controls were measured by sandwich-ELISA.

RESULTSSerum levels of MMP-9 and VEGF (737.12 micro g/L and 1148.88 ng/L) were significantly higher in the cancer patients than those of controls (423.51 micro g/L and 846.96 ng/L, P < 0.01). The serum levels were associated with tumor stage and grade. In patients with invasive cancer, the levels were significantly higher than those of superficial cancer (P < 0.01). Patients with distant metastasis had significantly higher levels of MMP-9 and VEGF than those with localized invasion (P < 0.01). But there was no significant difference between patients with superficial cancer and controls. Patients with G(3) tumors had significantly higher levels of MMP-9 and VEGF than those of patients with G(1) and G(2) tumors (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSElevated MMP-9 and VEGF levels are associated with a high stage and grade of bladder cancer and they may serve as markers of tumor progression in the future.

Aged ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the expression and significance of 16S rDNA in prostatic secretions (EPS) of chronic prostatitis.

METHODS16S rDNA was detected in EPS of 116 patients with chronic prostatitis by PCR.

RESULTS16S rDNA were positively expressed in all 29 cases of II type chronic bacterial prostatitis and 71 out of 87 cases of III type chronic prostatitis (82%). The positive rates were 94% (45/48) and 67% (26/39) in lIIA and IIIB chronic prostatitis respectively. There was a statistical difference in 16S rDNA positive rate between IIIA and IlB chronic prostatitis (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONDetection of 16s rDNA may be a useful index for the diagnosis and classification of chronic prostatitis.

Adult ; Bacterial Infections ; complications ; diagnosis ; Bodily Secretions ; chemistry ; Chronic Disease ; DNA, Ribosomal ; analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prostate ; secretion ; Prostatitis ; classification ; diagnosis ; microbiology

To explore a new lyophilized preservation methods for human platelets, platelets were pre-treated with aldehyde, human albumin or trehalose was added to the system of condensed cooling as protectant to stabilize the structure of platelets. The optimal resuspending buffer was also selected in the study. The morphological changes of platelets were observed by using electron microscopy after lyophilization, and the expression of membrane proteins on platelets was detected also after lyophilization. The results indicated that the recovery rate of platelets treated with aldehyde was generally more than 60%. Aggregative ability was reduced a little than the platelet untreated. 5% of human albumin had an advantage over 40 mmol/L of trehalose in respect of the preservation effect. In the way of keeping aggregative ability, PPP was obviously better than PBS. The results of electron microscopy displayed that organelles including mitochondria and excreted granules could be observed distinctly. Whereas, expression of membrane proteins of platelet treated with aldehyde was evidently dropped as compared with those of the fresh platelet. In conclusion, aldehyde as a novel protective agent, has excellent effects on lyophilization of platelets and is worthy to be further studied.
Albumins ; pharmacology ; Aldehydes ; pharmacology ; Blood Platelets ; cytology ; drug effects ; Blood Preservation ; methods ; Freeze Drying ; Humans ; Reproducibility of Results ; Trehalose ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of Sanhuangyinchi Fang drug serum (SF) against hydrogen peroxide-mediated DNA oxidative damage in LO2 cells.

METHODSThe LO2 cells were randomly divided into the control group, H(2)O(2) group, SF groups (5%, 10%, and 15%) and vitE group. The morphological features of the treated LO2 cells were observed under inverted microscope. The viability of the treated cells was assessed with CCK-8 method, and the activity of SOD, CAT and GSH-PX were detected biochemically. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, the content of 8-OHdG, and DNA damage of the cells were evaluated by flow cytometry, ELISA, and Comet assay, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with H(2)O(2) group, the cells in SF groups (10% and 15%) and vitE group showed higher cell survival rate (P<0.05) and higher SOD, CAT, GSH-PX (P<0.05) and ROS scavenging activities (P<0.01) with markedly decreases the content of 8-OHdG (P<0.01) and reduced tailing ratio, tail length, tail moment and Olive tail moment (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSF drug serum, especially at the concentration of 15%, can protect LO2 cells from H(2)O(2)-mediated DNA oxidative damage.

Cell Line ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; Deoxyguanosine ; analogs & derivatives ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; toxicity ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Reactive Oxygen Species

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate modified cystectomy with preservation of erectile and ejaculatory functions in men with nonmalignant bladder disease.

METHODSSeven cases with average age of 27 years presented with bladder disease necessitating cystectomy, including 2 cases of tuberculous contractile bladder, 1 case of extensive polypoid cystitis glandularis, 4 cases of late stage of neurogenic bladder. All patients wished to maintain erectile and ejaculatory functions after the operation. We performed a modified simple cystectomy with preservation of the vasa deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate and neurovascular bundles, as well as construction of an Indiana pouch or ileal neobladder.

RESULTSAverage operative time was 5 h 45 min without perioperative complications in this group. Follow-up ranged from 9 to 60 months. Erectile and ejaculatory functions were normal in all cases. All patients remained completely continent and no dysuria in neobladder, and there was no difficulty in inserting catheter to empty pouch. Upper urinary tract was in good condition 3 and 24 months after operation.

CONCLUSIONSModified cystectomy with preservation of the vasa deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate and neurovascular bundles is an effective and reliable option for the patients who wish to maintain their fertility and erectile function after surgery.

Adult ; Cystectomy ; methods ; Ejaculation ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; physiology ; Urinary Bladder Diseases ; surgery

Squamous cell papilloma is a kind of benign tumor from mucosa stratified squamous epithelium, which usually occurs in cheek, palate, lip and tongue. In this paper, a case of squamous cell papilloma occurred in interdental papilla was reported, and its pathogenesis, clinic features and treatment were discussed.
Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Gingiva ; Humans ; Papilloma ; Tongue

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in bladder transitional cell carcinoma tissues, and understand its clinical significance.

METHODSReversal transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess the expression of COX-2 mRNA in 52 cases of bladder transitional cell carcinoma tissues and 17 cases of normal bladder tissues far from neoplasm; Western blot was used to assess the expression of COX-2 protein in 49 cases of bladder cancerous tissues and 17 cases of normal tissues.

RESULTSPositive expression of COX-2 mRNA was detected in 83% (43/52) of bladder cancer tissues and in 29% (5/17) of normal tissues by RT-PCR and there was significant difference in expression of COX-2 mRNA between cancer tissues and normal tissues. Western blot analysis showed that expression of COX-2 protein was correlation with the stage and grade of cancer.

CONCLUSIONCOX-2 is overexpressed in bladder transitional cell carcinoma. COX-2 maybe play a certain role in carcinogenesis and progression of bladder cancer and turn into a useful target of chemoprevention of bladder cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; enzymology ; pathology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Urinary Bladder ; enzymology ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology

Objective Mutated inbred animal model is introduced to the practical course of genetic diagnosis in the hope that medical students are able to apply what they have learned to clinical cases, based on a deep understanding of principle and technology on gene mutation detection. Methods We integrated DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, agarose gel electrophoresis, and gel imaging analysis into a comprehensive experiment and arranged 4-year-programme undergraduates majoring in preclinical medical sciences to conduct it with the purpose of investigating the internal relations between phenotype and genotype in a hairless Uncv mouse model. Subsequently, the questionnaire aimed at evaluating learning effect on the part of students was handed out and their feedbacks were analyzed. Results More than 90% of respondents are satisfied with the general learning effect. Especially, 98. 7% of students support the enhancing effect of the new teaching mode on their research skills and 96% consider the practical course helpful to their problem-solving ability. Conclusions The introduction of mutated inbred animal model to the practical system of molecular diagnostics proves beneficial to boost students' learning effect and scientific research quality. Our practice also provokes thoughts on the further utilization of animal models in teaching system of medical sciences.