OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safty of photoselective vaporization of prostate (PVP) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with obstruction within 5 years.

METHODSFrom December 2004 to December 2009, there were 782 cases have been except for neurogenic bladder dysfunction and prostate cancer, who received PVP surgical treatment of BPH. The surgical conditions and postoperative follow-up data were recorded and the follow-up cut-off time for surgery after 5 years.

RESULTSA total of 782 patients with BPH who underwent PVP were included in this retrospective study. The operation in 740 cases was successfully completed at one time. But in other 42 cases, the twice operation was performed. The mean operation time was (85 ± 38) minutes, and the mean energy delivery was (355 ± 124) kJ. The mean catheterization and postoperative hospitalization time was (2.3 ± 1.7) days and (5.2 ± 2.6) days, respectively. No severe intraoperative complications were observed. The mean follow-up was (44.1 ± 19.3) months. The shortest follow-up was 6 months. The longest follow-up was 5 years. Complete follow-up data were available for 398 of the 782 patients. Of the 398 patients followed up for 5 years, the mean international prostate symptom score after 5 years was 12.8 ± 6.9, quality of life score was 2.2 ± 1.6, maximal flow rate was (14.5 ± 2.4) ml/s, and residual urine volume was 58 ml (M50). The retreatment rate because of BPH was 2.3% (9/398). Urethral stricture and bladder neck contracture were observed in 1.5% and 0.5% of the patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSPVP has demonstrated remarkably consistent results for objective and subjective voiding parameters. Its late complication is rare and retreatment rate is low.

Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo introduce the newly found gene TIP30/CC3 into a hepatoma cell line PLC/PRF/5 and select the stable expression clones. The growth and cell cycles were studied with the clones stably expressing TIP30/CC3 or anti-TIP30/CC3, and the effects of TIP30/CC3 gene on hepatoma cells were analyzed.

METHODSThe internal expression of TIP30/CC3 protein was detected with Western blot, then TIP30/CC3 or anti-TIP30/CC3 cDNA was subcloned into a constitutive vector pcDNA3 followed by transfection into PLC/PRF/5. Stable expression clones were selected. The cell growth curve was made and cell cycles detected using flow cytometry. To confirm the results in vitro, stable-expressing cells were implanted subcutaneously into nude mice and time of tumor formation recorded and tumor volume measured.

RESULTSPLC-anti-TIP30 grew faster than the others. Three days after transfection, live cells of PLC-anti-TIP30 were 14.0*10(4), in comparison with the control PLC-DNA3 and PLC/PRF/5, the differences were statistically significant. Live cells of PLC-TIP30 were 4.9*10(4), significantly less than the two control groups. Six days after transfection, live cells of PLC-anti-TIP30 were 25.0*10(4), significantly more than the controls PLC-DNA3 and PLC/PRF/5. Live cells of PLC-TIP30 were 12.4*10(4), significantly less than the two control groups. Cell cycle analysis showed that PLC-anti-TIP30 proliferated faster, 22.4% cells were in G0/G1 (gap) phases and 58.6% cells in S (DNA synthesis) phase. The growth of the PLC-anti-TIP30 cell was retarded and many cells were arrested from G1 to S phases. Cells in G0/G1 and S phase were 44.2% and 33.3% respectively. Furthermore, the average time of tumor formation was shorter in anti-TIP30 group and longer in TIP30/CC3 group, and times were 6.0 d (with control groups) and 15.6 d (with control groups) respectively. Tumors in the nude mice grew faster in PLC-anti-TIP30 group and slower in PLC-TIP30 group.

CONCLUSIONTumor suppressor gene TIP30/CC3 can inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells and interfere in its cell cycles. It can be used as a valuable tool for hepatoma biotherapy including gene therapy.

Acetyltransferases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Transcription Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

This study was aimed to investigate the change of expression and activity of protein phosphatases type 2A (PP2A) during the apoptosis of NB4 and MR2 cells induced by Arsenic trioxide (ATO). NB4 and MR2 cells were incubated with Okadaic acid (OKA) (0.5 nmol/L), ATO (0.5 - 2.0 micromol/L), and the combination of OKA and ATO at the same doses as in the single-agent treatment respectively. Then the proliferation of NB4 and MR2 cells was determined by MTT assay, the morphologic changes of cells were evaluated by Wright's staining, the apoptosis rates were detected by flow cytometry. At last, the activities of PP2A were evaluated by the serine/threonine phosphatase assay system, and the levels of PP2A subunits were detected by Western blot analysis. The results showed that ATO inhibited proliferation of NB4 and MR2 cells, and the inhibition rates of ATO on the two cells significantly increased after the addition of OKA. OKA could augment the apoptosis of NB4 and MR2 cells induced by ATO. During the apoptosis of NB4 and MR2 cells, the activity of PP2A decreased with increasing concentration of ATO, and OKA augmented the inhibitory effect of ATO on the activity. The level of PP2A structural subunit (PP2A-A) decreased during ATO-induced apoptosis of NB4 and MR2 cells, that expressions of B and C subunits of PP2A were relatively unaltered. It is concluded that the activity of PP2A decreases with increasing concentration of ATO during the apoptosis of NB4 and MR2 cells, and the decrease of the activity of PP2A maybe is related to the repression of expression of PP2A -A subunit; the inhibition of the activity of PP2A can promote the ATO induced apoptosis of NB4 and MRL cells.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Protein Phosphatase 2 ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the value of diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)in cognitive impairment of patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods Diffusion tensor images were obtained from 30 volunteers who underwent clinical MR imaging and were found to have no abnormalities on conventional MR images and 30 patients who were clinically diagnosed cerebral infarction and were found to have infarction lesions on conventional MR images.Color-coded FA images and three-dimensional color-coded tensor images were reconstructed.For volunteers,average apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)and fractional anisotropy(FA)were measured in some main white matter structures of peripheral white matter, basal ganglia,and cerebral peduncle,etc.For infarction patients,ADC and FA were measured and compared between infarction lesions and corresponding contralateral normal regions.Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine correlation with cognitive impairment.Results In infarction patients group, FA and ADC of lesions unrecovered declined.Change in ADC and FA had positive correlation with cognitive impairment of patients with acute cerebral infarction.Conclusion DTI has positive correlation with cognitive impairment of patients with acute cerebral infarction.

The aim of this study was to investigate the activation ability of CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG ODN) 2216 on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) from leukemia patients in remission and the killing effect of activated PBMNCs on K562 cells. PBMNCs obtained from leukemia patients in remission were incubated with CpG ODN 2216. In control group, PBMNCs were incubated with normal saline (NS). The concentrations of cytokines (IFN-gamma, interleukin-12, interleukin-4, interleukin-10) in culture supernatant of PBMNCs from leukemia patients in remission were analyzed by using ELISA kits. The percentages of Th1, Tc1, Th2, Tc2 cells and killed K562 cells were detected by flow cytometry. The results showed that as compared with control group, CpG ODN 2216 induced higher concentrations production of IFN-gamma, IL-12 in supernatant (p < 0.01). There were no differences in IL-4, IL-10 in supernatant as compared with control group (p > 0.05). The percentages of Th1 and Tc1 cells increased significantly after culture with CpG ODN 2216 as compared with control group (p < 0.05). There was no difference between the percentages of Th2 and Tc2 cells in stimulated group and control group. The killing effect of PBMNCs on K562 cells was significantly different between the stimulated group and control group (p < 0.05). It is concluded that CpG ODNs 2216 can induce strong Th1-like immune activation, with the secretion of type-I cytokine and activation of strong CD8(+) T-cell responses. PBMNCs activated by CpG ODNs can more strongly kill k562 cells in vitro.
Adult ; Aged ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-12 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; K562 Cells ; Leukemia ; immunology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; pharmacology ; Th1 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; Young Adult

This study was aimed to investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of gambogic acid (GA) on K562 cell line and its mechanism. The K562 cells were treated with GA at different concentrations and times, the inhibition rates were detected by MTT assay. Apoptosis induced by GA was assayed by Annexin-V/PI doubling staining. The influence of GA on cell cycle was studied by propidium iodide method. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by JC assay. The levels of caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9 activated by fluorescein in living K562 cells were measured by caspGLOW(TM) fluorescein staining kit. The results showed that after incubation with GA, K562 cell proliferation was dramatically inhibited in concentration- and time-dependent manners. K562/A02 cells need higher GA concentration (> 2 microg/ml) to show antiproliferative effect, compared with that of K562 cells (> 0.5 microg/ml). Apoptosis could be induced by GA but the influence on cell cycle was not significant. GA could decrease the mitochondrial membrane potential and increase the activated caspase 3, caspase 8, caspase 9 positive cell levels by 2.19%, -1.95%, 34.01% in 24 hr and 60.4%, 71.3%, 77.7% in 48 hr respectively. It is concluded that the GA can significantly inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells without influence on cell cycles. The GA triggers K562 cell apoptosis through both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Xanthones ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture on rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSIn a randomized and controlled trial, sixty-three cases with RA were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture group (n = 32) and a simple acupuncture group (n = 31). Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zusanli (ST 36) were selected by coordination method combined whole and local acupoints. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at the local acupoints near painful joints, continuous wave, retaining needle for 30 minutes, and then electroacupuncture at Back-shu acupoints, retaining needle for 15 minutes, and the simple acupuncture group was treated with the same acupoints selection and acupuncture manipulation without electroacupuncture apparatus. They were all treated once every other day for 20 days as one course. After 3 courses, changes of interleukins in peripheral blood and joint fluid of patients were observed.

RESULTSBoth of electroacupuncture and simple acupuncture had significant effect on IL-1, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 in peripheral blood and joint fluid of patients with RA ( P < 0.01, P < 0.05). But after electroacupuncture, the absolute value and improvement value of decreasing IL-1 in peripheral blood and joint fluid were super than those of simple acupuncture (all P < 0.05), and of IL-4 in joint fluid was super than that after simple acupuncture (P < 0.05), and of IL-6 and the absolute value of decreasing IL-10 were almost the same after both treatment (all P > 0.05), and after electroacupuncture, the improvement value of IL-10 in peripheral blood and joint fluid were super than those after simple acupuncture (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture can effectively decrease the proinflammatory cytokine of IL-1 and IL-6 and increase the inhibition cytokine of IL-4 and IL-10 and improve the internal environment of occurrence and progression of RA.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; blood ; immunology ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; blood ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Interleukins ; blood ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Synovial Fluid ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in peripheral blood and joint synovia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to verify the clinical efficacy of EA.

METHODSAdopting randomized controlled principle, the 63 RA patients enrolled were assigned to two groups, the 32 patients in the EA group were treated with EA, and the 31 patients in the simple needling (SN) group treated with simple needling. According to the integral-local combining method, the acupoints were selected mainly from yang-meridian and local Ashi points (pain-point). EA or SN was applied every other day, 10 times as a course, and each patient received a total of 3 courses of treatment.

RESULTSBlood and synovial levels of TNF-α and VEGF were reduced significantly after treatment in both groups. The lowering (absolute value and difference value) of TNF-α as well as the absolute value of VEGF, either in blood or in synovia, were similar in the two groups (P>0.05); but the lowering of VEGF after treatment was more significant in the EA group than that in the SN group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA could effectively lower the contents of TNF-α and VEGF in peripheral blood and joint synovia to improve the internal environment for genesis and development of RA, so as to enhance the clinical therapeutic effectiveness.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; blood ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Joints ; pathology ; Male ; Synovial Fluid ; metabolism ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in preoperative T-staging of gastric cancer.

METHODSA sulfur hexafluoride-filled microbubble ultrasound contrast agent and a continuous real-time imaging technique of contrast pulse sequencing were used. Normal gastric wall was examined by CEUS in 8 healthy volunteers and the results were compared with the findings on multislice computed tomography. Sixty-two patients with gastric cancer proved by biopsies who received preoperative CEUS examination were involved in this study, and the CEUS result was compared with postoperative pathological findings.

RESULTSThe normal gastric wall presented a one-layer structure in the portal venous phase and a three-layer structure in the arterial and equilibrium phase including a slightly hyper-enhanced inner layer, a hypo-enhanced intermediate layer, and a markedly hyper-enhanced outer layer, which corresponded histologically to the mucosal, submucosal, and muscular-serosal layer, respectively. The accuracy of transabdominal ultrasonography and CEUS in determining the T stage of gastric cancer was 72.9% and 88.1% respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (chi(2)=4.37, P=0.036).

CONCLUSIONSCEUS shows the normal gastric wall as a one- or a three-layer structure, which provides a theory base for CEUS in preoperative T-staging of gastric cancer. CEUS is a useful diagnostic method for preoperative T-staging of gastric cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Contrast Media ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; methods ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Sulfur Hexafluoride ; Ultrasonography ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the actions of electroacupuncture (EA) and the warming needle moxibustion on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) of kidney deficiency and marrow insufficiency pattern/syndrome and compare the clinical effects between these two therapies.

METHODSSeventy-four cases of KOA were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture (EA) group and a warming needle moxibustion (WNM) group, 37 cases in each one. The acupoints were Dubi (ST 35), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. In EA group, electric stimulation was given, 5 Hz, continuous wave. In the WNM group, warm needling technique was applied, 2 moxa cones on each acupoint in each time, three treatments a week. Totally, 4 weeks of treatment were required. The indicaices such as WOMAC score, illness severity index and systematic efficacy were adopted to evaluate the efficacy before treatment, 1 session and 2 sessions after treatment separately.

RESULTSThe treatment in either group achieved the effectiveness. The cured and markedly effective rate was 64.7% (22/34) in EA group and was 40.0% (14/35) in WNM group, presenting statistically significant difference in comparison (P < 0.05). But the total effective rate did not indicate significance (P > 0.05). In EA group, the releasing effect of joint pain was obvious (P < 0.01). In the WNM group, the treatment was more advantageous at relieving joint stiffness (P < 0.01). There was no difference in the mean curative time between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture and the warming needle moxibustion have their own advantages in the treatment of KOA of kidney deficiency and marrow insufficiency pattern/syndrome. Electroacupuncture is advantageous at analgesia and the warming needle moxibustion is at relieving joint stiffness. The total efficacy of electroacupuncture is superior to that of the warming needle moxibustion.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow ; physiopathology ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome