To study the determination method of cholesterol in human serum by Coulometric titration. METHODS: The titration was carried out in an electrolytic solution containing 1 mol.L-1 potassium bromide and glacial acetic acid (1∶3). Bromine was electrogenerated at the anode and cholesterol reacted with bromine with a value of reactional electrons (n) as 2. RESULTS: The ranges of recovery for 0.115 mg to 0.459 mg of cholesterol were from 93.9% to 105%, and the average recovery was 100.3%. The relative standard deviation in all applied analysis was less than 1.5%. The accuracy of the method was also assessed in comparison with the results obtained by the enzymatic method used clinically. CONCLUSION: The method proposed is simple, rapid and accurate, and is suitable for the determination of cholesterol in human serum samples.

To explore the role of Fas,FasL in pathogenesis of prostatic cancer (Pca), expression of Fas and FasL in 49 cases of Pca, 22 cases of BPH and 14 cases of normal prostate(NP) was detected by immunohistochemical SP method. The results were as follows: ①Fas, FasL were expressed in all the examined tissues; ②The expression of Fas was strongest in BPH specimens and weekest in Pca tissues ( P 0 05);④The expression of Fas in 17 cases of androgen dependent Pca tissues was more marked than that in 9 cases of androgen independent Pca tissues( P

Objective: In acute pancreatitis, traditional treatment insists fasting on purpose to avoid activation of proteolytic enzymes and pancreatic enzyme secretion. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of early oral feeding as compared to traditional fasting in patients with mild acute pancreatitis.Methods: Seventy-two patients were randomized to the two treatment groups, fasting or early oral feeding. The inclusion criteria were pancreas amylase≥3times above normal, onset of abdominal pain within 48h, acute physiological and chronic health evaluation-II score<8 and C-reactive protein(CRP)<150 mg/L. Measures were amylase, systemic inflammatory response, length of hospital stay. Results: The groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, etiology, APACHE II, time from onset of pain and amylase at admission. No significant differences were seen between the groups concerning levels of amylase, CRP, leukocytes, abdominal pain or number of gastrointestinal symptoms. The length of hospital stay time was significantly shorter in the oral feeding group (13 vs. 17 days; P<0.05).Conclusion: Early oral feeding would not exacerbate disease process. The differences between treatment groups for amylase or systemic inflammatory response were not obvious. In mild acute pancreatitis, early oral feeding was feasible and safe and may accelerate recovery.

Objective To clone the gene of arginine kinase (AK) from Periplaneta americana, produce its recombinant protein and investigate its allergenicity. Method The cDNA of AK was cloned using specific primers from the total RNA of P. americana. The cloned gene was inserted into pMD18-T vector and digested by BamHI and HindⅢ. The cDNA was sequenced and subcloned into pET-28a expression vector. The cloned AK cDNA gene was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) by IPTG induction. The recombinant AK (rAK) was purified by metal (Ni2+) chelating affinity chromatography. Its allergenicity was examined by both Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result The cloned cDNA ORF sequence (Accession no. EU429466) contained 1 068 bp and encoded 365 amino acids. Its sequence homology with the published one (Accession no. AY563004) was 99.9% at nucleotide level. The allergen rAK was highly expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) as a soluble protein mainly with the molecular weight of about Mr 45 000 under induction of IPTG and purified by 6-His-tag purification system. Both in the non-denaturalization and denaturalization conditions, the recombinant allergen was identified as its affinity to IgE antibodies from the cockroach-allergic patient sera by Western blotting and ELISA. Conclusion The recombinant cockroach arginine kinase has been obtained with proper allergenicity.

Background: Hypoalbuminemia adversely affects the clinical outcomes of various cancers. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prognostic value of hypoalbuminemia 3–5 weeks after treatment in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who received sorafenib or sunitinib as first-line treatment. Methods: In this single-center, retrospective study, we assessed the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall sur-vival (OS) of 184 mRCC patients who received first-line sorafenib or sunitinib treatment. PFS and OS were compared between patients with post-treatment hypoalbuminemia (post-treatment albumin level <36.4 g/L) and those with normal post-treatment albumin level (albumin level ≥36.4 g/L). The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)risk model stratified mRCC patients into three risk categories. Prognostic values of all patient characteristics including MSKCC risk category were determined by using univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. Prognostic value was further determined using the Harrell concordance index and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: The median PFS and OS of the 184 patients were 11 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 9–12 months) and 23 months (95% CI 19–33 months), respectively. Patients with post-treatment hypoalbuminemia had significantly shorter median PFS (6 months [95% CI 5–7 months]) and OS (11 months [95% CI 9–15 months]) than patients who had normal post-treatment albumin levels (PFS: 12 months [95% CI 11–16 months], P < 0.001; OS: 31 months [95% CI 24–42 months], P < 0.001), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that post-treatment hypoalbuminemia was an independent predictor of PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.113; 95% CI 1.390–3.212; P < 0.001) and OS (HR, 2.388; 95% CI 1.591–3.585; P < 0.001). Post-treatment hypoalbuminemia could also be combined with the MSKCC risk category for better prediction about OS. The model that included post-treatment hypoalbuminemia and MSKCC risk category improved the predictive accuracy for PFS and OS (c-index: 0.68 and 0.73, respectively) compared with the basic MSKCC risk model (c-index: 0.67 and 0.70, respectively). The prognostic values for PFS and OS of the integrated MSKCC risk model involving post-treatment hypoalbuminemia were significantly more accurate than the basic MSKCC risk model using likelihood ratio analysis (both P < 0.001). Conclusions: Post-treatment hypoalbuminemia can be considered an independent prognostic factor for patients with mRCC who undergo first-line treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Additionally, integrating post-treatment serum albumin level into the basic MSKCC risk model can improve the accuracy of this model in predicting patient overall survival and progression-free survival.

Objective To observe the long-term effect of surgical treatment in infertile varicocele patients. Methods 180 infertile patients with varicocele accepted modified Palomo operation (retroperitoneal high ligation of internal spermatic cord vein) from 2004 to 2007, and the long-term effect of thesurgery were analyzed retrospectively, such as semen parameters and spouse pregnancy. Results The operations were performed successfully in 180 cases, and semen parameters improved significantly after the surgery (Ps ＜ 0. 05 ).Among all patients, 10 cases had spouse pregnancy within 3 months after operation;47 cases had spouse pregnancy from 3 to 6 months after operation; 25 cases had spouse pregnancy from 6 to 12 months after operation;13 cases had spouse pregnancy from 12 to 24 months after operation. The fertility rate was 52. 8% (95/180) in total. Conclusion Surgical treatment of infertile male patients with varicocele has good long-term effects, made it the first choice in these patients.

Objective To evaluate the short-term curative effect and the safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) therapy by using microspheres and lipiodol for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods A total of 87 patients with pathologically proved HCC were randomly divided into the study group (n=44,using embospheres of 100-300 μm in diameter together with lipiodol) and the control group (n=43,using gelfoam particles of 350-560 μm in diameter together with lipiodol).Postopertaive biochemical (liver function and AFP) findings and imaging (CT and/or MRI) manifestations were recorded,and the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were analyzed.Results TACE was performed in all 87 patients.After the treatment,both the disease benefit rate and the postoperative reduction in AFP level in the study group were remarkably better than those in the control group (P＜0.05),but postoperative liver function indexes were not significantly different from the preoperative ones (P＞0.05).The average number of interventional therapy within the follow-up period of 6 months in the study group was smaller than that in the control group (P＜0.05).No statistically significant differences in 6-,12-and 18-month survival rates existed between the two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion In treating HCC,TACE by combination use of microspheres and lipiodol is safe,its short-term curative effect is more obvious than TACE by combination use of gelfoam particles and lipiodol,and it can reduce the times of interventional procedure.Before TACE,careful planning of the pre-treatment of hepatic artery-portal vein fistula and the superselective catheterization with micro catheter should be taken into consideration.

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical feature of severe hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in pediatric patients, and to observe the hemodynamic changes in those with acute pulmonary edema.Methods A prospective observation study was conducted. Thirty-five severe HFMD pediatric patients with acute pulmonary edema admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and Department of Pediatric of First People's Hospital of Foshan from May 2008 to September 2014 were enrolled. The clinical features were thoroughly investigated. Hemodynamic data were monitored by pulse-indicated continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) in 5 cases, and the changes in PiCCO parameters were observed at ICU admission (0 hour), and 24, 48, 96 hours after treatment.Results Thirty-five patients who met the diagnostic standard of severe HFMD were enrolled, including 22 male and 13 female, aged from 7 months to 4 years. Six patients were younger than 1 year, 13 1-2 years, 12 2-3 years, and 4 patients 3-4 years old. The most common time of occurrence of pulmonary edema was 3-4 days after the onset of the disease. Fever and central nervous system symptoms were found in all the patients, and examination of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) revealed non-bacterial inflammatory changes. PiCCO results showed a tendency of lowering of heart rate (HR), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), and extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) after the treatment, and the values obtained at 96 hours were significantly lower than those at 0 hour [HR (bpm): 119.0±14.7 vs. 200.8±19.7, SVRI (kPa·s·L-1·m-2):148.9±14.6 vs. 209.6±58.7, EVLWI (mL/kg): 10.5±1.9 vs. 34.8±10.8,P< 0.05 orP< 0.01], global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI) was also gradually decreased without significant differences among all the time points, together with a tendency of increase in stroke volume index (SI) and cardiac index (CI). The values of the parameters at 96 hours were significantly higher than those at 0 hour [SI (mL/m2): 38.5±6.5 vs. 17.4±2.8, CI (mL·s-1·m-2): 75.0±8.0 vs. 55.5±8.5, bothP< 0.01]. Left atrium was found to be enlarged, and left ventricular systolic function decreased in two patients by cardiac ultrasonic. Four out of 35 patients died, and functional disability of extremities was found in 1 patient. Other patients were cured and discharged without any sequelae.Conclusions Severe HFMD complicated by acute pulmonary edema is a perilous condition in children, accompanied commonly by pathologic changes in central nervous system and systolic dysfunction of left ventricle. According to the results with PiCCO monitoring, HFMD patients suffering from acute pulmonary edema may be of cardiac origin in addition to neurogenic origin.

Objective: To compare the efifcacy and safety of sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) and everolimus-eluting stent (EES) for treating the patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). Methods: A total of 400 NSTE-ACS patients treated in Jining Medical College Hospital from 2013-09 to 2014-09 were studied. According to different stents, the patients were divided into 2 groups: SES group,n=220 and EES group,n=180. A prospective follow-up study was conducted for 1.5 years to compare the incidence rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The patients were further stratiifed by GRACE scores as Low risk group (score<109), Medium risk group (score 109-140) and High risk group (score>140). MACE free survival was studied by Kaplan-Meier curve and analyzed by Long-rank test, predictive value of GRACE for 1.5 year MACE incidence rate was examined. Results: There were 355/400 (89%) patients completed (16.7 ± 5.7) months of follow-up study including 205 in SES group and 150 in EES group. MACE occurrence rates were similar between SES group and EES group (16.10% vs 18.0%), P>0.05. By GRACE score stratiifcation, MACE rates in High risk SES group were higher than High risk EES group (48.00%vs 16.00%),P<0.05; while they were similar between Medium risk groups (14.49% vs 28.00%) and Low risk groups (9.11% vs 12.86%), allP>0.05. ROC curve indicated that the predictive value of GRACE score for 1.5 year MACE incidence was for AUC=0.762, 95% CI (1.026-1.050),P<0.001. Conclusion: Implanting of EES would be more beneifcial for NSTE-ACS patients with high GRACE risk; GRACE score has the better predictive value for their long-term prognosis.

Objective To investigate the epididymal sperm ultrastructure after vasectomy. Methods During the operation of vasovasostomy (38 cases, test group) and vasectomy (13 cases,control group,group A) the proximal vas deferens fluids were collected.The epididymal sperm morphology in the proximal vas deferens fluids was observed using optical and electronic microscopes.Data were analyzed by SPSS program. Results The data from group A showed that there was no significant difference between left and right side in the percentage of normal sperm morphology.The results from both optical and electronic microscopes showed that there was a significant difference in the percentage of normal sperm morphology (a),abnormal sperm head (b),sperm with neck defect (c) and sperm with tail defect (d) between group A and group B(5 years after vasectomy). (electronic microscopes:(a):(40.28?11.53)% vs (16.80?7.93)%,(6.29? 4.57 )%,( 4.63? 5.06 )%; (b):(35.00?14.18)% vs (59.05?14.44)%,(63.43?15.23)%,(82.05? 16.71 )%;(c):(20.83? 6.40 )% vs (13.60?6.78)%,( 14.71? 6.82)%,(9.00?7.18)%;(d):(3.89?4.44)% vs (10.55?11.73)%,(15.57?9.81)%,(4.32?7.65)%. optical microscopes:(a):(49.12?20.55)% vs (19.95?15.42)%,(10.00?9.50)%,(5.84?9.63)%; (b):(35.00?14.55)% vs (22.55?16.24)%,(14.71?15.78)%,(10.68?18.65)%; (d):(15.80?9.55)% vs (57.50?24.74)%,(75.29?23.90)%,(78.21?30.33)%.There existed multi-cell organ and multi-form abnormalities in the inner structures of sperm heads,necks and tails. Conclusions The epididymal sperm defect (including head, neck and tail) after vasectomy was demonstrated in the inner cell organs.The longer after vasectomy, the higher percentage of sperm with abnormality was found.