OBJECTIVETo evaluate the correlation of neutral alpha-glucosidase in seminal plasma with the location of epididymal obstruction in azoospermia men.

METHODSWe detected neutral alpha-glucosidase activity in the seminal plasma of 59 men with obstructive azoospermia followed by determining the location of epididymal obstruction by scrotal exploratory surgery. Then we analyzed the correlation between neutral alpha-glucosidase and the location of epididymal obstructive azoospermia.

RESULTSAmong the total number of patients, there were 25 cases of bilateral cauda epididymal obstruction, 15 bilateral corpus, 12 bilateral caput, 4 unilateral caput-opposite cauda, and 3 unilateral corpus-opposite cauda. The neutral alpha-glucosidase levels in the seminal plasma of bilateral cauda, corpus and capus epididymal obstructions were (4.1 +/- 1.9), (13.8 +/- 4.4) and (46.8 +/- 19.3) mU per ejaculate, respectively, with statistically significant differences among the three groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNeutral alpha-glucosidase activity is significantly correlated with the location of epididymal obstruction in azoospermia men, which helps to locate epididymal obstruction, evaluate surgical prognosis and reduce the time of scrotal exploratory surgery.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; enzymology ; pathology ; Epididymis ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Semen ; enzymology ; alpha-Glucosidases ; metabolism

Objective To investigate whether elevated pre-procedural C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations may be relevant to early outcome in patients undergoing PCI.Method 100 consecutive patients undergoing pereutaneuous coronary intervention (PCI) were included in our study.Peripheral blood samples for CRP and IL-6 testing were withdrawn before PCI.Acute vascular complications resulted from PCI were determined by subsequently coronary angiography.The early coronary events during hospitalization were clinically followed.Results Thirty patients developed acute vessel occlusion,and another one developed subacute coronary thrombosis at 2 days after PCI.Increased levels of CRP correlated well with the occurrence of vascular complications as regards the significant difference existing amongⅠvsⅢandⅠvsⅣquartile groups,P

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Rapamycin (RPM) on angiogenesis and tumor progression in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) implantation mice.

METHODSTumor tissues of HCC were implanted into the liver of nude mice. Then, nude mice were treated with RPM and cyclosporine A (CsA). Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Immunohistochemical stain and image analysis were used to detect the protein expression of VEGF and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and microvessel density (MVD) was counted by endothelial cells immunostained by anti-CD34 antibody. The concentration of VEGF in the peripheral blood was detected by ELISA.

RESULTS(1) The tumor weights were (372 +/- 35) mg, (769 +/- 39) mg and (751 +/- 42) mg in RPM, CsA and control group respectively. The tumor weight was significantly decreased in RPM group and no difference in CsA group compared with control group. (2) The expression of VEGF mRNA, VEGF and PCNA protein in tumor tissues and concentration of VEGF in the peripheral blood were remarkably down-regulated in RPM group compared with control group (P < 0.05) and were not remarkably different in CsA group from in control (P > 0.05).(3) Comparing with the control, the tumor MVD was remarkably decreased in RPM group (P < 0.05), and no difference in CsA group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRPM can inhibit angiogenesis and tumor progression of HCC by down-regulated the gene and protein expression of VEGF and inhibited the growth of tumor.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; drug therapy ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Sirolimus ; pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

BACKGROUNDMostly because of the limited number and proliferative ability of the transplanted hepatocytes, hepatocyte transplantation offers only temporary support to the hepatic function with rather poor functional replacement of the damaged liver parenchyma. This study aimed to observe the therapeutic effect of human thioredoxin (hTrx) gene-modified hepatocytes on experimental acute liver failure in rats.

METHODShTrx cDNA was obtained by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from human osteosarcoma 143 (TK-) cells to construct the recombinant retrovirus vector pLEGFP/hTrx, which was packaged into PA317 cells to collect the recombinant retrovirus containing hTrx gene. After titration and characterization, the recombinant retrovirus was applied to primary cultured rat hepatocyte for infection to generate hTrx gene-modified rat hepatocytes, whose viability and antioxidative capacity were examined by immunohistochemistry and MTT assay, respectively. In a Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model of acute liver failure, the modified hepatocytes were injected into the spleen, and the hepatic function and survival rate of the recipient rats were evaluated at different time points after the transplantation.

RESULTSNIH3T3 cells infected by the recombinant retrovirus were capable of expressing bioactive hTrx in the form of fusion proteins. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated normal function of the hTrx gene-modified hepatocytes, which possessed strong antioxidative capacity as shown by MTT assay. Transplantation of the modified hepatocytes in rats with acute liver failure resulted in significantly lowered serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin (TBIL) levels (P < 0.05). The hepatocytes exhibited long-term survival and efficient proliferation after transplantation. Fourteen days after the operation, the rat models receiving hTrx gene-modified hepatocytes had significantly higher survival rate than those without the transplantation.

CONCLUSIONhTrx gene-modified hepatocyte transplantation can effectively alleviate acute liver failure in rats.

Animals ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; transplantation ; Humans ; Liver Failure, Acute ; therapy ; Mice ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Thioredoxins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of sirolimus (SRL) on the growth of transplanted human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in nude mice.

METHODSHepG2 cells were Implanted into the liver of nude mice. The implanted mice were then treated with SRL and tacrolimus (FK506). The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was detected by immunohistology, microvessel density (MVD) was counted by immunostaining with anti-CD34 antibody for endothelial cells. Tumor apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay.

RESULTSThe tumor weight was (352+/-38) mg, (683+/-53) mg and (675+/-45) mg in SRL, FK506 and control group respectively. The tumor weight was significantly decreased in SRL group (P < 0.01), and there was no difference between FK506 group and control group. The expression of VEGF and PCNA protein was remarkably down-regulated in SRL group compared to control group (P < 0.05), and it was not significantly different between FK506 group and control group (P > 0.05). Compared to the control group, MVD was significanly decreased in SRL group, and the apoptosis index of tumor cell was significantly higher in SRL group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSRL inhibits transplanted HCC tumor growth by reducing tumor angiogenesis, inhibiting tumor proliferation and inducing tumor apoptosis.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver ; blood supply ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; prevention & control ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Sirolimus ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Tacrolimus ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

The therapeutic effect of sustained intravitreal injectable voriconazole microspheres (VCZ-MS) on an experimental endophthalmitis of Aspergillus fumigatus was investigated. VCZ-MS was prepared successfully and its physico-chemical property was also evaluated. Right eyes of albino rabbits were infected with an intravitreal injection of 1 000 CFU x mL(-1) of susceptible Aspergillus fumigatus. All fungal endophthalmitis models were randomly divided into five groups 48 hours later: Group A is control group with no treatment; in group B, vitrectomy was performed combined with intravitreal 3 times injections of 100 microg x 0.1 mL(-1) voriconazole every other day. In group C, D and E, vitrectomy was performed combined with intravitreal injection of 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg and 1.5 mg VCZ-MS respectively. The treatment effect was assessed by slit lamp and indirect ophthalmoscope funduscopy examination, using clinical grading system of inflammation in the anterior chamber and the vitreous opacity. The optical microscopy revealed that microspheres obtained from the experiment design were opaque, discrete and spherical particles with smooth surfaces. The drug content and encapsulation efficiency of microspheres were 29.94% and 73.5%, respectively. Endophthalmitis occurred in all eyes of group A, and rapidly developed to panophthalmitis. The inflammation grade of group B, C, D or E was lower than that of group A (P < 0.05). The grade of vitreous opacity in group C, D, E is lower than group B (P < 0.05). Two eyes in group C developed to panophthalmitis. But in group D and E, all eyes whose inflammation was controlled had no recurrence with vitreous clear. Histopathological examination showed normal structures in the cured eyes, while most uncured eyes were atrophic and with eyeball destroyed. So, it can be safely concluded that the curative effect of intravitreal VCZ-MS is significantly better than that of routine intraocular injection of voriconazole. The optimal dose is the one containing 1.0 mg voriconazole.
Animals ; Antifungal Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Aspergillosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Endophthalmitis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; pathology ; Eye ; microbiology ; pathology ; Female ; Intravitreal Injections ; Lactic Acid ; Male ; Microspheres ; Polyglycolic Acid ; Pyrimidines ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Triazoles ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Voriconazole

OBJECTIVETo assess the effects of laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in the treatment of stage I nonseminomatous testicular cancer.

METHODSFrom January 2001 to May 2002, laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was performed on 9 patients with stage I nonseminomatous testicular cancer.

RESULTSThe procedure was successful in all patients. The mean operation time was 260 minutes. None of the patients required blood transfusion and had major complications intraoperatively or postoperatively. The average period of hospitalization after the operation was 5.5 days. With a mean following-up of 9 months, retroperitoneal recurrence was not seen.

CONCLUSIONSLaparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is feasible for stage I nonseminomatous testicular cancer and its procedure is safe, effective and minimally invasive.

Adult ; Follow-Up Studies ; Germinoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Male ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Testicular Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Adult ; Female ; Histiocytosis, Sinus ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Skull ; pathology

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of endoscopic laser lithotripsy (LL) and endoscopic pneumatic lithotripsy (PL) for ureteral stones. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 415 patients with ureteral calculi treated with endoscopic laser lithotripsy (n = 214 ) and pnumatic lithotripsy (n = 201 ). RESULTS: The overall successful fragmentation rate of all ureteral stones in a single session of the LL group was higher than that of the PL group (95% vs. 69%, P < 0.01). The average stonefree time of the LL group was shorter than that of the PL group (18 days vs. 31 days, P < 0.01). No complications such as perforation during the operation were observed in the LL group whereas 3 perforations occurred in the PL group. CONCLUSION LL has its advantage over PL in its better clinical effect for the stone fragmentation and low complication rate and is an effective and safe treatment for ureteral stones.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Holmium ; Humans ; Lithotripsy, Laser ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Ureteral Calculi ; therapy ; Ureteroscopy

BACKGROUNDThe use of transanastomotic stents for Roux-en-Y hepatojejunostomy (RYHJ) in liver transplantation (LT) remains controversial. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the role of transanastomotic stent for RYHJ in LT.

METHODSRYHJ for biliary reconstruction in LT was performed in 52 patients. Twenty-five patients had bile duct reconstruction by RYHJ with transanastomotic stents (S group), while 27 patients underwent the same procedure without transanastomotic stents (non-S group). The two groups were compared in terms of post-LT biliary complications and survival.

RESULTSThe incidences of bile leakage, anastomotic stricture, non-anastomotic stricture, biliary sludge/lithiasis and biliary infection were 12% (3/25), 9.5% (2/21), 23.5% (4/17), 11.8% (2/17), and 24% (6/25), respectively in the S group, and 0, 0, 20.0% (5/25), 10.0% (2/20), and 16.7% (4/24), respectively in the non-S group. One and three year survival rates were 48.0% (12/25) and 34.0% (8/23), respectively, in the S group and 57.7% (15/26) and 38.9% (7/18), respectively, in the non-S group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the incidence of various biliary complications and survival (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe routine use of transanastomotic stents is not necessary for RYHJ for biliary reconstruction in LT.

Adult ; Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome