OBJECTIVETo search for an effective method of reducing intraoperative blood loss in radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP).

METHODSWe performed RRP for 100 patients with prostate cancer, 50 (group A) with the Walsh or Poor method for handling the dorsal venous complex (DVC), and the other 50 (group B) through the following three additional procedures for hemostasis: first placing a #7 prophylactic suture in the distal position of DVC, then ligating the vascular bundle of the prostatic apex with continuous 4-0 Vicryl sutures, and lastly placing a 4-0 absorbable suture followed by freeing the neurovascular bundle (NVB) or freeing NVB before suturing the remained levator ani myofascia and the deep layer of Denovilliers' fascia above the rectal serosa with 4-0 Vicryl. We assessed the effects of the three hemostatic methods in RRP by comparing the volumes of intraoperative blood loss and transfusion, operation time and perioperative levels of hemoglobin.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences between groups A and B in age, PSA, Gleason score, clinical stage, prostate volume, operation time and perioperative hemoglobin levels (P>0.05). The volumes of intraoperative blood loss and transfusion were markedly higher in group A ([1103.00 +/- 528.03] ml and [482.00 +/- 364.60] ml) than in B ([528.00 +/- 258.96] ml and [140.00 +/- 266.28] ml) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIntraoperative blood loss in RRP could be significantly decreased by placing a prophylactic hemostatic suture in the distal position of DVC, continuous suture of the vascular bundle of the prostatic apex after cutting off the urethra, and placing a fine absorbable suture above NVB or continuous suture of the remained levator ani mony fascia and the deep layer of Denovilliers'fascia above the rectal serosa with absorbable sutures after freeing NVB.

Aged ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; prevention & control ; Hemostatic Techniques ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatectomy ; methods ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the potential markers of colorectal cancer metastasis and the influence of 5-FU on differentially expressed proteins by using proteomic technology, and to elucidate the mechanism of colorectal cancer metastasis.

METHODSHuman colorectal carcinoma cell lines of different metastatic potential, Lovo and SW480 were conventionally cultured, and the protein was extracted. 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 5-FU to these two cell lines was measured by MTT assay. Proteins of these two cell lines after intervention by 5-FU at IC(50) were extracted, then 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis was conducted for the proteins. The differential protein spots were examined by mass spectrometry and analyzed by bioinformatics. Difference of expressed proteins in two cell lines before and after the intervention of 5-FU was validated by Western blot and immunofluorescence.

RESULTSEleven differentially expressed proteins were identified by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. The hnRNP K protein and PDI were selected to be examined by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Results revealed that the expression of hnRNP K in Lovo was higher than that in SW480, while the expression of PDI was lower in Lovo. After intervention by 5-FU at IC(50), the expression of hnRNP K in Lovo decreased more as compared to SW480, while the expression of PDI in SW480 increased more as compared to Lovo.

CONCLUSIONThere are significant differences in expression of hnRNP K and PDI proteins between Lovo and SW480 cell lines, and the proteins alter regularly after 5-FU intervention.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fluorouracil ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Proteomics

BACKGROUNDImproving the success rate of ureteroscopic lithotripsy for proximal ureteral stones is the hot issue in this field. Here we reported our experience on the treatment of proximal ureteral stones.

METHODSFrom 2005 to 2010, 187 consecutive patients with proximal ureteral stones who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy were enrolled. The initial 52 patients treated by semi-rigid ureteroscope alone were classified as group 1. The subsequent 135 patients treated by semi-rigid ureteroscope with the aid of stone basket and flexible ureteroscope were classified as group 2.

RESULTSIn group 1, the overall stone-free rate was 67.3%. By a single procedure of ureteroscopic lithotripsy using a semi-rigid instrument, patients with ureteral stones below the 4th lumbar vertebra level achieved 91.7% stone-free rate, which was only 50% in patients with stones above the 4th lumbar vertebra level. Conversion to open surgery occurred in two patients since ureteral perforation was observed. In group 2, the stone-free rate achieved 93.2% with the aid of an N-Trap basket, which was significantly higher than that of patients without the aid of the basket (51.6%). Flexible ureteroscope was subsequently used in patients with fragment migration, thus making the overall success rate in group 2 increases to 97.0%.

CONCLUSIONSUreteroscopic lithotripsy is a safe and efficacious treatment for proximal ureteral stones. A single procedure of ureteroscopic lithotripsy using semi-rigid ureteroscope could achieve a satisfactory stone-free rate in patients with proximal ureteral stones below the 4th lumbar vertebra level. However, patients with ureteral stones above the 4th lumbar vertebra level experienced higher stone-migration rate, which would decrease the success rate. Fortunately, the stone-free state could possibly be achieved with the aid of an N-trap basket and flexible ureteroscope.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Lithotripsy, Laser ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Ureteral Calculi ; therapy ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Kanglaite injection combined with emcitabine injection and tegafur-gimeracil-oteracil potassium capsule in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer(PC).Methods A total of 45 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were randomly divided into treatment group (n =23) and control group (n =22).The control group was given gemcitabine (1000 mg · m2,iv gtt,at day 1 and day 8) and tegafur-gimeracil-oteracil potassium capsule (1.25 m2 ≤ body surface area ＜ 1.5 m2,40 mg,bid;body surface area≥ 1.5 m2,50 mg,bid,day 1-day 14).The treatment group was treated with Kanglaite (20 g,qd,day 1-day 14) on the basis of control group.Both groups were treated for more than 4 cycles.The clinical benefit rate (CBR),overall survival (OS) and the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were evaluated between the two groups.Results The CBR of treatment group and control group were 78.26％ (18 cases/23 cases) and 50.00％ (11 cases/22 cases) respectively,with significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).The median OS of treatment group and control group were 6.67 months and 5.60 months,respectively,with significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).The ADRs in the treatment group and control group were bone marrow depression,fatigue,gastrointestinal reaction,abnormal liver and kidney function and skin reaction,and there was no significant difference in the incidence of ADRs reactions between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Kanglaite combined gemcitabine and tegafur-gimeracil-oteracil potassium is effective and safe in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer,with a longer OS,a higher incidence of clinical benefit and less ADRs.

OBJECTIVETo provide the basal data for the breeding and cultivation of Platycodon grandiflorum.

METHODThe field investigation and pollination by bagging were carried out. TTC(2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride) solution was used to test the pollen vigor.

RESULTThe stigma life-span of P. grandiflorum was about 9 days, however the optimal time for pollination is 4-6 days after the petals opening, with the stigma was splitting lightly or significantly. When the petals opened, the anther began scattering pollen, and finished in the same day. The pollen vigor was about 81.4% at the beginning, and decreases to 27.6% three days later. The pollen vigor still remains 64.4% three days later, when the flower was kept in the desiccant. The natural fructification rate of self-flower-pollination was 4.8%. The fructification rate and compatible index was about 62.7% and 54.6, respectively, when the self-plant-pollination performed by hand. They decreased to 12.8% and 6.5 when the pollination was implemented during the flowering period.

CONCLUSIONLow fructification percentage of self-flower-pollination attributes to the difference of maturing period of pistil and stamen, as well as the short pollen life-span of P. grandiflorum. The compatibility of self-plant-pollination is high during flowering period when pollination performed by hand. The life-span of the pollen can be prolonged significantly when keeping in the dry environment.

Flowers ; physiology ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; physiology ; Platycodon ; growth & development ; physiology ; Pollen ; physiology ; Reproduction ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of fluoride on lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and apoptosis in human embryo hepatocyte L-02 cells.

METHODSLipid peroxide (LPO) level, reduced glutathione (GSH) content, DNA damage, apoptosis, and cell cycle analysis were measured after in vitro cultured L-02 cells were exposed to sodium fluoride at different doses (40 microg/mL, 80 microg/mL, and 160 microg/mL) for 24 hours.

RESULTSFluoride caused an increase of LPO levels and a decrease of GSH content in L-02 cells. There appeared to be an obvious dose-effect relationship between the fluoride concentration and the observed changes. Fluoride also caused DNA damage and apoptosis and increased the cell number in S phase of cell cycle in the cells tested. There was a statistically significant difference in DNA damage and apoptosis when comparing the high dose of fluoride treated cells with the low dose of fluoride treated cells.

CONCLUSIONFluoride can cause lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and apoptosis in the L-02 cell experimental model and there is a significant positive correlation between fluoride concentration and these pathological changes.

Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Comet Assay ; DNA ; drug effects ; DNA Damage ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Glutathione ; analysis ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Lipid Peroxides ; analysis ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; embryology ; pathology ; Proteins ; analysis ; Sodium Fluoride ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo prepare and identify monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Helicobacter pylori (Hp).

METHODSBALB/c mice were immunized with the supernatant and precipitation of cultured Hp after ultrasonication and mAbs were obtained by means of hybridoma technique. The resultant mAbs was evaluated for subtype, titer, affinity, and further identified with Lpp20, HspA, urease A, CagA, urease B, and catalase prepared by recombinant expression.

RESULTSTotally 34 hybridoma cell lines were established which secreted specific mAbs, including 31 against the supernatant and 3 against the precipitation of Hp, and the prepared mAbs showed specific reaction against Lpp20 (3 strains), HspA (2 strains), urease A (4 strains), CagA (1 strain), urease B (5 strains), and catalase (2 strains) antigens, respectively. The mAbs was all identified as immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and theirs titer in the culture supernatant and ascites was 1:16 to 1:32 and 1:32000 to 1:64000 respectively with affinity constants (K(aff)) ranging from 1 x 10(-10) to 5.2 x 10(-12) mol/L.

CONCLUSIONThe mAbs specially against Hp have been obtained, which may facilitate further study of detection and vaccine development of Hp.

Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; Female ; Helicobacter pylori ; immunology ; Humans ; Hybridomas ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Objective To analyze the results of application on China Infectious Diseases Automated-alert and Response System(CIDARS)and for further improving the system. Methods Amount of signal, proportion of signal responded, time to signal response, manner of signal verification and the outcome of each signal in CIDARS were descriptively analyzed from July 1,2008to June 30, 2010. Results A total of 533 829 signals were generated nationwide on 28 kinds of infectious diseases in the system. 97.13% of the signals had been responded and the median time to response was 1.1 hours. Among them, 2472 signals were generated by the fixed-value detection method which involved 9 kinds of diseases after the preliminary verification, field investigation and laboratory tests. 2202 signals were excluded, and finally 246 cholera cases, 15 plague cases and 9H5N1 cases as well as 39 outbreaks of cholera were confirmed. 531 357 signals were generated by the other method - the 'moving percentile method' which involved 19 kinds of diseases. The average amount of signal per county per week was 1.65, with 6603 signals(1.24%)preliminarily verified as suspected outbreaks and 1594 outbreaks were finally confirmed by further field investigation. For diseases in CIDARS, the proportion of signals related to suspected outbreaks to all triggered signals showed a positive correlation with the proportion of cases related to outbreaks of all the reported cases (r=0.963, P＜0.01). Conclusion The signals of CIDARS were responded timely, and the signal could act as a clue for potential outbreaks, which helped enhancing the ability on outbreaks detection for local public health departments.

Objective To analyze the pilot results of both temporal and temporal-spatial models in outbreaks detection in China Infectious Diseases Automated-alert and Response System (CIDARS)to further improve the system. Methods The amount of signal, sensitivity, false alarm rate and time to detection regarding these two models of CIDARS, were analyzed from December 6,2009 to December 5,2010 in 221 pilot counties of 20 provinces. Results The sensitivity of these two models was equal(both 98.15%). However, when comparing to the temporal model, the temporal-spatial model had a 59.86% reduction on the signals(15 702)while the false alarm rate of the temporal-spatial model(0.73%)was lower than the temporal model(1.79%), and the time to detection of the temporal-spatial model(0 day)was also 1 day shorter than the temporal model.Conclusion Comparing to the temporal model, the temporal-spatial model of CIDARS seemed to be better performed on outbreak detection.

Background: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a highly desmoplastic tumor with poor prognosis even after curative resection. We investigated the associations between the composition of the ICC stroma and immune cell infiltration and aimed to develop a stromal-immune signature to predict prognosis in surgically treated ICC. Patients and methods: We recruited 359 ICC patients and performed immunohistochemistry to detect α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), CD3, CD4, CD8, Foxp3, CD68, and CD66b. Aniline was used to stain collagen deposition. Survival analyses were performed to detect prognostic values of these markers. Recursive partitioning for a discrete-time survival tree was applied to define a stromal-immune signature with distinct prognostic value. We delineated an integrated stromal-immune signature based on immune cell subpopulations and stromal composition to distinguish subgroups with different recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) time. Results: We defined four major patterns of ICC stroma composition according to the distributions of α-SMA and collagen: dormant (α-SMAlow/collagenhigh), fibrogenic (α-SMAhigh/collagenhigh), inert (α-SMAlow/collagenlow), and fibrolytic (α-SMAhigh/collagenlow). The stroma types were characterized by distinct patterns of infiltration by immune cells. We divided patients into six classes. Class I, characterized by high CD8 expression and dormant stroma, displayed the longest RFS and OS, whereas Class VI, characterized by low CD8 expression and high CD66b expression, displayed the shortest RFS and OS. The integrated stromal-immune signature was consolidated in a validation cohort. Conclusion We developed and validated a stromal-immune signature to predict prognosis in surgically treated ICC. These findings provide new insights into the stromal-immune response to ICC.