Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 ; Female ; Genome, Human ; Humans ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; methods ; Phyllodes Tumor ; genetics ; pathology

Objective To investigate the effects of ketamine on neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activity and carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand of nNOS (CAPON) expression in the prefrontal lobe of mentally depressed rats.Methods Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 2.5-3.0 months,weighing 210-260 g,were used in the study.Menial depression was induced by exposing the rats to chronic unpredictable mild stress.Twenty-four animals in which mental depression was successfully induced were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =12 each):mental depression group (group D) and ketamine group (group K).Another 12 rats were chosen and served as control group (group C).Group K received intraperitoneal ketamine 10 mg/kg once a day for 7 consecutive days,while groups C and D received intraperitoneal normal saline 10 ml/kg instead of ketamine.Sucrose preference test and open field test were performed before administration and at 1 day after the end of administration.The total distance,number of rearing and sucrose preference percentage (SPP) were recorded.The rats were sacrificed 1 day after the last test for determination of the expression of nNOS and CAPON protein (using immuno-histochemistry)and mRNA (by RT-PCR) in the prefrontal lobe.Results Compared with group C,the total distance was shortened,the number of rearing and SPP were significantly decreased,the expression of nNOS protein and mRNA was up-regulated and the expression of CAPON protein and mRNA was down-regulated in groups D and K (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group D,the total distance was prolonged,the number of rearing and SPP were significantly increased,the expression of nNOS and mRNA was down-regulated and the expression of CAPON protein and mRNA was up-regulated in group K (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Ketamine can improve the depressive state through promoting the expression of CAPON and inhibiting nNOS activity in the prefrontal lobe of mentally depressed rats.

BACKGROUNDThe non-hemodynamic effects of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) in the delay of progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the influence of irbesartan on the urinary excretion of cytokines in patients with CKD.

METHODSIn this randomized perspective clinical trial, different doses of irbesartan (150 mg/d and 300 mg/d) were given to two groups of patients in a cross-over design. Blood pressure (BP), creatinine clearance (Ccr) and 24-hour proteinuria were examined. Urinary excretion of cytokines was determined by human inflammatory cytokine antibody array. A two-fold change in spot intensity was considered significant.

RESULTSUrinary excretion of cytokines (granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin 1β (IL-1b), IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-11, IL-15 and macrophage inflammatory protein 1d (MIP-1d)) in group B (irbesartan 300 mg/d) was significantly decreased in comparison to group A (irbesartan 150 mg/d) after 8-week treatment. In group A, 8 weeks of treatment induced a two- to nine-fold reduction in urinary cytokine levels (GCSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-1a, IL-11, IL-12p40, MCP-2, MIP-1a), while increasing the dosage to 300 mg/d further decreased the excretion of GCSF, GM-CSF, IL-12p40, MCP-2 and MIP-1a by week 18. There was no significant difference in BP or Ccr between the two groups. However, 24-hour proteinuria was significantly reduced in both groups, and in group A the reduction was dose dependent.

CONCLUSIONIrbesartan offers additional renoprotection in a dose-dependent manner by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines excretion in the urine of CKD patients.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; therapeutic use ; Biphenyl Compounds ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Chronic Disease ; Creatinine ; metabolism ; Cross-Over Studies ; Cytokines ; urine ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Prospective Studies ; Tetrazoles ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use

UNLABELLEDTo study the method for dose calculation and beam weight optimization of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

METHODSThe IMRT dose calculation model based on two-dimensional convolution was constructed, the program of dose calculation and beam weight optimization with genetic algorithm was written with Visual c#.Net, and the optimization results were analyzed.

RESULTSGenetic algorithm optimization of beam weights can produce highly conformal dose distributions within a clinically acceptable computation time.

CONCLUSIONGenetic algorithm is valid and efficient in IMRT beam weight optimization, which may facilitate IMRT treatment planning.

Algorithms ; Humans ; Models, Statistical ; Models, Theoretical ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; methods ; standards

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible role of STAT3 and p38 in the carcinogenesis of sporadic colorectal tubular adenoma.

METHODSThe expression of STAT3 and p38 at protein level was studied in 107 sporadic colorectal tubular adenomas with different dysplasia (SCTA-D) or with cancerous changes (SCTA-Ca) by immunohistochemical staining method, meanwhile the expression of STAT3 at mRNA level was detected by in situ hybridization.

RESULTSImmunohistochemical staining results showed that the positive expression rate of STAT3 and p38 was 12.0%, 59.0%, 91.7% and 8.0%, 47.0%, 91.7% in normal colorectal mucosa (NCM), SCTA-D and SCTA-Ca, respectively, with a statistically significant difference of STAT3 and p38 expression among the SCTA-D, SCTA-Ca and NCM (P < 0.05). The expression of STAT3 and p38 was positively correlated with the degree of dysplasia from mild to severe SCTA-D (P < 0.05). In situ hybridization results showed that the positive expression rate of STAT3 at mRNA level in NCM, SCTA-D and SCTA-Ca was 8.00%, 51.8% and 100.0%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference among these either (P < 0.05). The positive expression of STAT3 at mRNA level was not only positively correlated with the degree of dysplasia (P < 0.05), but also with the expression of p38 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTAT3 and p38 may be involved in the carcinogenesis of sporadic colorectal tubular adenoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adenoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; metabolism ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Precancerous Conditions ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThe Ala499Val (C > T) and Lys939Gln (A > C) of the XPC gene are two potentially functional nonsynonymous polymorphisms, which affect the rate of DNA repair and might change XPC production and activity. This study aimed to explore the distribution of these two polymorphisms in the Chinese Han population and their relationship with male infertility.

METHODSWe genotyped the two polymorphisms of the XPC gene by the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in 318 infertile patients and 228 fertile male controls, detected the frequency of the alleles, and analyzed both the individual and the joint contribution of the two polymorphisms to male infertility.

RESULTSFor the Ala499Val (C > T) polymorphism, the frequencies of the CC, CT, and TT genotypes were significantly different in distribution between the patients and the controls (P = 0.020). Males with the TT genotype had a lower risk of male infertility than those with the CC genotype (adjusted OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.23-0.88), and even lower than those with both CC and CT genotypes (adjusted OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.22-0.71). The Lys939Gln (A > C) polymorphism was not related with male infertility. The combined genotype analysis showed that the individuals with 1-4 risk alleles had a significantly higher risk of male infertility (adjusted OR = 2.75, 95% CI = 1.50-5.04) than those with 0 risk allele.

CONCLUSIONThe Ala499Val (C > T) polymorphism of the XPC gene is correlated with male infertility and may be a potential genetic risk factor for male infertility in the Chinese Han population.

Adult ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA Repair ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; China ; epidemiology ; Educational Status ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the technique and clinical outcomes of modified transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

METHODSA total of 105 patients received the operation with age ranging from 51 to 73 years from January 2008 to June 2010. Mean level of serum prostate specific antigen was 13.6 µg/L and mean prostatic volume was 45 ml. Pathological studies of biopsy confirmed the prostate carcinoma with Gleason score 6-8. Radionuclide bone scan revealed no metastasis. Based on previously retroperitoneal radical prostatectomy, modified technique was applied involving surgical approach, bladder neck dissection and vesicourethral anastomosis.

RESULTSMean operative time was 93 min (65 - 150 min). Intraoperative blood loss was 115 ml (50 - 400 ml). No complication of bowl injury occurred. Positive surgical margin was present in 24 patients. Normal continence were seen in 64 patients after catheter removed. Recovery of incontinence within 3 months was seen in 33 patients and 3 to 12 months in 5 patients respectively. Three patients with incontinence were still in the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSTransperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy provides large working space and clear anatomic exposure. Higher efficiency and lower complication rate are obtained through modified laparoscopic technique involving seminal vesicle isolation, bladder neck dissection and vesicourethral anastomosis.

Abdominal Cavity ; surgery ; Aged ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatectomy ; methods ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cholecystitis ; complications ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; etiology ; physiopathology

Objective To evaluate the technique and efficacy of retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Methods From June 2002 to December 2009, 113 cases of renal tumor received retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. The age ranged from 26 to 73 years. The tumor located in left side in 51 cases and right side in 62 cases with the mean diameter of 3.7 cm(1.2-6.3cm). During the procedure, the renal artery was separated and then clamped with bulldog. The renal parenchymal was incised with cold endoscissor and the tumor was totally removed. Pelvicalyceal repairing and parenchymal hemostasis were then performed. Renal defect closure was achieved with running suture or horizontal mattress suture. Results All the procedures were completed successfully.There was no open conversion. The mean operation time was 85 min(60- 125 min), the mean warm ischemic time was 24 min(19-43 min). The pathology studies revealed 87 cases of clear cell carcinoma, 9 cases of papillary renal cell carcinoma, 7 cases of chromophobe cell carcinoma, 6 cases of perivascular epithelioid renal cell tumor and 4 cases of renal oncocytoma. The surgical margin was negative in all cases. There was no complication of urine leakage. Gross hematuria occurred in 2 cases.During 3-41 months of following up, there was no recurrence. Conclusion Retroperitoneal laparo-scopic partial nephrectomy is safe and effective for the treatment of renal tumor, which becomes an alternative treatment to open procedure.