OBJECTIVETo compare the safety and efficacy of RevoLix 120 W 2 µm continuous-wave (cw) laser enucleation of the prostate with transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). And to evaluate clinical value of 120 W 2 µm cw laser enucleation.

METHODSAll 168 patients with BPH underwent 2 µm cw laser enucleation (n = 88) or TURP (n = 80) between January 2010 and January 2011. The operative time, drop in hemoglobin, drop in serum sodium, indwelling catheterization time and operative complications were recorded. International prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), urinary peak flow rate (Qmax) and post-voiding residual urine (PVR) were also compared.

RESULTSThe mean operative time was slightly longer in the 2 µm laser group ((63.2 ± 21.6) min) than the TURP group ((59.4 ± 18.6) min) (P > 0.05). Transfusions were not necessary in 2 µm laser group. Catheter indwelling time were (1.8 ± 0.6) days vs. (3.5 ± 2.6) days in 2 µm laser group than in TURP group (t = 3.912, P < 0.05). All cases were followed up for 3 - 12 months, the IPSS, QOL, Qmax and PVR were 6.1 ± 2.0, 4.4 ± 1.6, (18.8 ± 4.8) ml/s and (21.6 ± 16.5) ml in the 2 µm laser group, and were 6.3 ± 2.4, 1.9 ± 1.1, (18.4 ± 4.2) ml/s, (23.2 ± 14.6) ml in TURP group respectively. All the markers were improved significantly compared with that of preoperative in both groups (t = 12.453 - 26.213, P < 0.01), but no statistical differences could be found between the two groups. Perioperative complications were less in the 2 µm laser group.

CONCLUSIONSThe 120 W 2 µm cw laser enucleation is an novel excellent treatment for BPH as well as TURP, and has the advantage of significantly less blood loss, shorter hospitalization, shorter catheter indwelling time and rapid recovery after surgery.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Electrosurgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety profile of febuxostat and allopurinol in patients with hyperuricemia and gout.Methods A total of 90 patients with hyperuricemia and gout were randomly divided into three groups:treatment group A,treatment group B and control group.There were 30 patients in each group.The control group was given oral allopurinol tablets 300 mg tid.The treatment group A was given oral administration of febuxostat tablets 35 mg qd,while the treatment group B was given oral administration of febuxostat tablets 70 mg qd.All groups were treated for 24 weeks.The clinical efficacy and the incidence of adverse drug reactions were compared among the three groups,and serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and uric acid were compared at baseline,12 weeks and 24 weeks of treatment.Results After treatment,the total effective rates were 56.67％ (17 cases/30 cases),66.67％ (20 cases/30 cases) and 46.67％ (14 cases/30 cases) in the treatment group A,the treatment group B and the control group,the difference was statistically significant (P ＜0.05);After 12 weeks of treatment,serum sICAM-1 in the treatment group A and treatment group B were (445.76 ± 135.85),(421.28 ± 122.25) and (493.39 ± 121.27) ng · mL-1;After 24 weeks,serum sICAM-1 of the treatment group A,the treatment group B and the control group were (387.71 ±126.75),(360.85 ± 125.50) and (441.45 ± 122.48) ng · mL-1;After 12 weeks of treatment,uric acid levels in the treatment group A and treatment group B were (445.57 ± 135.50),(460.60 ± 140.45) and (515.20 ± 142.15) ng · mL-1;After 24 weeks,uric acid levels of the treatment group A,the treatment group B and the control group were (425.10 ± 126.28),(410.10 ± 130.38) and (478.80 ± 164.72) ng · mL-1,the difference was statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05);Statistically significant differences were found among the three groups before and after treatment (all P ＜ 0.05).There were no obvious adverse drug reactions in the two treatment groups and the control group.Conclusion Febuxostat can reduce the levels of serum slCAM-1 and uric acid in patients with hyperuricemia and gout,achieving better clinical efficacy than allopurinol

Representative pioneer tree root systems in the subtropical area of South China were examined with regard to their structure, underground stratification and biomass distribution. Excavation of skeleton roots and observation of fine roots of seven species including the Euphorbiaceae, Theaceae, Melastomataceae, Lauraceae and Fagaceae families was carried out. The results showed that: (1) Pioneer tree roots in the first stage of natural succession were of two types, one characterized by taproot system with bulky plagiotropic branches; the other characterized by flat root system with several tabular roots. The late mesophilous tree roots were characterized by one obvious taproot and tactic braches roots up and down. Shrub species roots were characterized by heart fibrous root type featured both by horizontally and transversally growing branches. Root shapes varied in different dominant species at different stages of succession. (2) Roots of the different species varied in the external features-color, periderm and structure of freshly cut slash. (3) In a set of successional stages the biomass of tree roots increased linearly with the age of growth. During monsoon, the total root biomass amounted to 115.70 t/ha in the evergreen broad-leaved forest; 50.61 t/ha in needle and broad-leaved mixed forest dominated by coniferous forest; and 64.20 t/ha in broad-and needle-leaved mixed forest dominated by broad-leaved heliophytes, and are comparable to the underground biomass observed in similar tropical forests. This is the first report about roots characteristics of forest in the lower sub-tropical area of Dinghushan, Guangdong, China.
Biomass ; China ; Magnoliopsida ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; Time Factors ; Trees ; growth & development ; Tropical Climate

OBJECTIVETo assess the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the follow-up of patients with hepatocellular carcinomas treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and to compare it with that of computed tomography (CT).

METHODSFrom December 2009 to September 2011, 40 patients (47 hepatocellular carcinomas) were treated with RFA after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and underwent MRI and CT for follow-up. RFA margins were assessed on a five-point scale with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were evaluated.

RESULTSThe interobserver agreement rate for MRI was significantly higher (Kappa=0.935) than for CT (Kappa=0.714; P < 0.05). The scores of 1 and 5 points for MRI, which confirms the presence or absence of residual tumor, accounted for 89.4% (84/94), while for CT accounting for only 31.9% (30/94). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of MRI was significantly higher than that of CT (P < 0.05), as were the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of detection rate (mean, 100%, 96.4%, 76.9%, 100%, and 96.8% for MRI, respectively, vs. 30.0%, 57.1%, 10.3%, 87.7%, and 63.8% for CT).

CONCLUSIONMRI is superior to CT in assessing the RFA margins in terms of the diagnostic accuracy and detection rate .

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm, Residual ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of serum total calcium (Ca) and inorganic phosphate (P) levels during children growth and related factors.

METHODSUsing a stratified-multi-steps-cluster sampling method, we selected 2,342 healthy children aged 10-18 years from urban and suburban areas of Beijing from September 2001 to December 2001 to test the levels of serum Ca and P. Their meal status was also surveyed to analyse the correlation of the leves of serum Ca and P with sex, age, height, weight, and diet on statistic basis.

RESULTSThe Ca levels of Beijing children were (2.39 +/- 0.12) mmol/L, which had a positive correlation with age, height, and weight (P < 0.01). The Ca levels of female children were somewhat higher than those of male [male, (2.38 +/- 0.12) mmol/L; female, (2.39 +/- 0.12) mmol/L; P < 0.05]. The Ca levels of urban children were significantly higher than those of suburban children [urban, (2.40 +/- 0.13) mmol/L; suburban, (2.37 +/- 0.10) mmol/L; P < 0.001]. The P levels of Beijing children were (1.39 +/- 0.18) mmol/L, which had a negative correlation with age, height, and weight (P < 0.01). The P levels of male children were significantly higher than those of female [male, (1.43 +/- 0.18) mmol/L; female, (1.36 +/- 0.17) mmol/L; P < 0.001]. The P levels of urban children were significant higher than those of suburban children [urban, (1.41 +/- 0.19) mmol/L; suburban, (1.38 +/- 0.16) mmol/L; P < 0.001]. The Ca levels of Beijing children had a negative correlation with P levels (r=-0.141, P < 0.01). [Ca] x [P] (mmol/L) of Beijing children were 3.32 +/- 0.44. The value of [Ca] x [P] reached peak by 3.45 +/- 0.46 when Beijing children were of 13-14 years old, and then the value declined with increasing age.

CONCLUSIONThe levels of serum Ca and P correlates with sex, age, growth, and diet. The level of serum Ca goes up while P goes down during the children growth.

Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Calcium ; blood ; Child ; Child Development ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphorus ; blood ; Reference Values ; Sampling Studies ; Sex Factors ; Urban Health

OBJECTIVETo establish human hepatocellular carcinoma multidrug-resistance cell line (HepG2/ADM) and to determine the effect of low-frequency pulse ultrasound (US) on MDR cells and investigate its mechanism.

METHODSUsing gradual increase of adriamycin (ADM) concentrations in culture, an adriamycin-resistant human hepatocellular carcinoma cell sub line (HepG2/ADM) was established in vitro. HepG2/ADM cells were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group (HepG2/ADM only), the group ADM by 1.0 mug/ml adriamycin for 1 h, the group US by low-frequency pulse ultrasound for 10 min, and the group US by low-frequency pulse ultrasound and treated with adriamycin simultaneously at same time. A sonication at a frequency of 0.8 MHz, was delivered with an intensity level of 0.5W/cm2, with continuous exposure of 10 min was applied. The ability of US to induce the apoptosis of MDR was evaluated by analyses of fluorescence microscopy, DNA fragmentation assay and flow cytometry assay.

RESULTSHepG2/Adm was resistant to many anti-tumor agents, and its IC50 of ADM was 26 times higher than that of parent cell line HepG2. Significant over expressions of P-gp, MRP, LRP and GSTs were detected. HepG2/ADM cells radiated by US had the typical characteristics of apoptosis. Compared with the control group (HepG2/ADM, 3.47%); the apoptosis rates were higher in US (12.23%). The therapeutic alliance of US with ADM for MDR cells, have a significant change in the ratio of apoptosis (18.81%, t=1.46 to 5.36, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONHepG2/ADM could have the biological characteristics of human multidrug-resistance cell line. The US sonication of 0.8 MHz could induce apoptosis of HepG2/ADM cell in vitro, and could act synergistically with Adriamycin.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Fragmentation ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Ultrasonics

OBJECTIVETo assess the health safety of copper, steel and plastic water pipes by field water quality investigations.

METHODSFour consumers were randomly selected for each type of water pipes. Two consumers of every type of the water pipes had used the water pipes for more than 1 year and the other 2 consumers had used the water pipes for less than 3 months. The terminal volume of tap water in copper and steel water pipes should be not less than 0.1 liter, whereas that in plastic water pipes should be not less than 1 liter.

RESULTSThe mean values of the experimental results in the second field water quality investigation of the copper and steel water pipes met the Sanitary Standards for Drinking Water Quality. The items of water sample of the plastic water pipes met the requirements of the Sanitary Standards for Drinking Water Quality.

CONCLUSIONCopper, steel, and plastic pipes can be used as drinking water pipes.

China ; Copper ; analysis ; Humans ; Manufactured Materials ; standards ; Materials Testing ; Plastics ; analysis ; Public Health ; Quality Control ; Steel ; analysis ; Water ; chemistry ; Water Pollutants ; analysis ; Water Supply ; standards

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy difference between acupoint sticking therapy and the combined therapy of retention-enema and millimeter-wave radiation in the treatment of type III prostatitis syndrome.

METHODSSeventy-two cases were randomized into an acupoint sticking therapy group (group A, 36 cases) and an enema group (group B, 36 cases). The acupoint sticking therapy with Xiongbai Qianlie powder was applied to Ciliao (BL 32), Zhongji (CV 3), Guanyuan (CV 4), Huiyin (CV 1) and Changqiang (GV 1) in group A. The retention-enema with Ruyi Jinhuang powder plus millimeter-wave radiation at the prostatic region was used in group B. Eight treatments made one session. Totally, 2 sessions of treatment were required. The score of the symptoms of chronic prostatitis (NIH-CPSI) and the efficacy were observed.

RESULTSOf 36 cases in group A, 5 cases were dropped off, 13 cases remarkably effective, 17 cases effective and 1 case failed; the total effective rate was 96.8% (30/31). Of 36 cases in group B, 7 cases were dropped off, 7 cases remarkably effective, 17 cases effective and 5 cases failed; the total effective rate was 82.7% (24/29). The efficacy in group A was much better (P < 0.05). After the treatment, the score of NIH-CPSI was reduced obviously in either group (both P < 0.01). The result in group A was much better than group B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint sticking therapy with Xiongbai Qianlie San achieves a good efficacy on type III prostatitis syndrome and its efficacy is superior to the retention-enema plus millimeter-wave radiation therapy.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

AIM:To investigate the role of SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis in pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion.METHODS:The mRNA expression of CXCR4 in 4 pancreatic cancer cell lines was detected by RT-qPCR.The migration and invasion abilities of PANC-1 cells with the axis activated by exogenous SDF-1αor inhibited by CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 were detected by Transwell assays.The cell viability was measured by MTS assay.The protein expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) -related molecules in the cells treated with exogenous SDF-1αor AMD3100 was determined by Western blot.RESULTS:All of the 4 pancreatic cancer cell lines expressed CXCR4 mRNA, while the PANC-1 cell line expressed the most.Exogenous SDF-1αpromoted the migration and invasion abilities of PANC-1 cells, which was inhibited by AMD3100.The PANC-1 cells treated with exogenous SDF-1αfor 72 h grew faster, while SDF-1αcombined with AMD3100 made little significance to the viability of PANC-1 cells.Exogenous SDF-1αinduced EMT of PANC-1 cells by up-regulating the expression of SNAIL and TWIST, and AMD3100 reversed this effect.CONCLUSION:SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis enhances the migration and invasion abilities of pancreatic cancer cells through inducing EMT.

Circular RNA(circRNA)is a type of noncoding RNA with tissue specificity and high stabil-ity, which forms a closed continuous loop and is abundantly expressed in tissue cells. According to re-cent research, the regulatory function of circRNA elucidating in the occurrence and development of dis-ease shows a potential for diagnosing clinical disease and revealing disease mechanism. This paper re-views the biological characteristics, analysis methods of circRNA and its research progress in clinical ap-plication as biomarker, and outlooks its application in the field of forensic medicine.