Objective To evaluate the technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of retroperitoneal and transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy for nonfunctional kidney with giant hydronephrosis. Methods The clinical data of retroperitoneal group (26 patients) and transperitoneal group (23 patients) who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy for nonfunctional kidney with giant hydronephrosis were analyzed retrospectively. Compared with operating time,kidney size, blood loss, postoperative intestinal function recovery time, postoperative hospital stay and operative efficacy of the two groups. Results All the operations were performed successfully. Operating time,kidney size and blood loss were not significantly different between two groups(P＞ 0.05). While in retroperitoneal group, postoperative intestinal function recovery time and postoperative hospital stay were significantly reduced than those in transperitoneal group [( 18.0 ± 1.2)h vs. (48.0 ±2.0) h, (5.5± 1.6) d vs. (7.5 ± 1.6) d](P＜0.05). All patients were followed up 1 -3months,no abnormal. Conclusions The retroperitoneal and transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy for nonfunctional kidney with giant hydronephrosis can be performed efficiently and effectively. Retroperitoneal laparoscopic is better than transperitoneal laparoscopic on postoperative recovery aspects.

AIM:To investigate the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) among people aged 50 years and above in Funing county,Jiangsu province.METHODS:Survey research.Random cluster sampling was used in selecting individuals aged ≥ 50 years in 30 clusters in Funing county.Proportions were compared by using the x2 test and the means compared by using the ttest.Logistic regression was used to detect possible factors of ARMD such as age and gender.RESULTS:A total of 6145 persons aged 50 years were enumerated and 5947 (96.78％) participants were received visual acuity test and eye examination.The prevalence of ARMD was 7.53％,with a total of 448 individuals (633 eyes).The prevalence of blindness and visual impairment for presenting visual acuity were 4.13％ and 11.96％,respectively.The prevalence of blindness and visual impairment for presenting visual acuity were 4.45％ and 7.79％,respectively.Older were significant risk factors of ARMD (OR=1.01,P=0.04).CONCLUSION:The prevalence of ARMD was higher among people aged 50 years and above in Funing county,Jiangsu province.ARMD is one of the leading cause of visual impairment.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) on the expression of costimulatory molecules in acute leukemia cells and its mechanism.

METHODSThe expression of CD86 and CD80 was examined on the surfaces of NB4, HL-60, Kasumi-1, U937 and Jurkat cells by flow cytometric analysis after treated by SB or not. Allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction was used to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of cells treated by SB. Activated NF-kappaB was measured with an NF-kappaB assay kit.

RESULTSUp-regulation of CD86 and CD80 at various levels was observed on these leukemia cells treated by SB. The ratio of CD86 expressing cell in NB4 cells treated by 0.5 mmol/L SB was 36.8 times higher than that in control. Up-regulation of NF-kappaB was similar to that of CD86. Allogeneic lymphocyte proliferation was strongly stimulated by the SB treated cells.

CONCLUSIONSB can improve the expression of CD86 in acute leukemia cells. NF-kappaB was an important transcription factor involved in the up-regulation of CD86.

B7-1 Antigen ; biosynthesis ; B7-2 Antigen ; biosynthesis ; Butyrates ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Leukemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of activation of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) by ethanol on the expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the kidney of diabetic rats.

METHODSEightheen healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 6): normal control group, diabetes group and ethanol + diabetes group. After 8 weeks, 24 h urine samples from rats were collected to detect urinary protein content. The kidney was isolated and the ratio of kidney weight/body weight (index of kidney weight) was detected. The levels of fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin serum urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were measured. Morphological changes of renal tissue were observed by optical microscope. The protein expressions of ALDH2 and JNK in renal tissue were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control rats, the levels of fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, serum urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and the index of kidney weight were increased markedly in diabetic rats. The expression of ALDH2 protein was decreased, while p-JNK, JNK protein expressions and the ratio of p-JNK/JNK were increased. The morphological observation was shown that the amount of glomerular mesangial matrix were increased, basement membrane were thickened and capillary lumen were narrowed. However,in ethanol + diabetes group, renal function was improved and the damage of renal structure was attenuated. The expression of ALDH2 protein was increased, while p-JNK, JNK and the ratio of p-JNK/JNK were decreased.

CONCLUSIONEnhanced ALDH2 expression can protect kidney in diabetic rats, which may be relevant with inhibitting the activity of JNK pathway.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; physiology ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial ; Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; enzymology ; Ethanol ; pharmacology ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Kidney ; enzymology ; Male ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; metabolism ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo discuss the diagnosis and surgical treatment of carotid body tumour.

METHODSThirty-eight cases (41 carotid body tumours) admitted from 1983 to 2002 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSAll patients were examined by ultrasound and angiography routinely before operation. The diagnostic coincidence rates of ultrasound and angiography are 95% and 98% respectively. Thirty-eight tumours were resected successfully. Twelve patients underwent external carotid artery severed, internal carotid artery repaired and tumour resected operation. Eleven patients underwent external carotid artery severed and tumour resection. Eight patients underwent tumour simple resected operation. Six patients underwent external carotid artery severed and internal carotid artery reconstruction. One patient underwent tumour resection, while common, external, and internal carotid artery were partially resected.

CONCLUSIONSFor suspected carotid body tumour patients, ultrasound and angiography reconstruction of carotid artery should be applied routinely before operation. The early stage and one stage tumour resected operation as well as internal carotid artery reconstruction are the key factors of decreasing operative complication rate.

Adult ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Carotid Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Carotid Body Tumor ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Vascular Surgical Procedures ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of early stage liver diffuse lesions.

METHODSDiethylnitrosamine (DEN) was used to induce liver lesions in rats. Sequential DWI studies were performed on the livers from 1 to 14 weeks after DEN was administered through drinking water. Comparing studies with a blank control group was set and pathohistological examinations of the livers were performed.

RESULTSNo obvious routine MRI morphological change was found in either group during this period, but DWI demonstrated heterogeneous changes in the test group at the cirrhosis stage. There was no significant alteration of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value in the control group during this period (P > 0.05). The ADC values of the test group began to decline from the fifth week. Until the tenth week, the ADC value of the test group decreased drastically and when b = 300 s/mm2 statistic, the results showed an obvious difference between the two groups. There were also differences between the ADC values at the 10th, the 9th and the 1st weeks of the test group (P < 0.05). When b = 600 s/mm2 and 1000 s/mm2, significant differences were found after the sixth week between the two groups (P < 0.01). The main pathohistological liver change in the test group during the 1 to 4 week period after DEN was administered was swelling of hepatocytes; during the 5 to 8 week period it was fibrous tissues hyperplasia, and in the 9 to 14 week period it was cirrhotic nodule formation.

CONCLUSIONMR functional DWI could detect liver diffuse lesions earlier than conventional MR imaging. Measurement of ADC value may be of use in early diagnosis of liver diffuse diseases and for monitoring the changes of the lesions.

Animals ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; Diethylnitrosamine ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Liver Diseases ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUNDThe diagnosis of diffuse hepatic lesions in early stage is a tough task at any time for clinical conventional imaging. Magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (MR DWI) can detect the changes of tissue structure at molecular level. This study was designed to determine the value of DWI in the diagnosis of diffuse liver lesions in early stage.

METHODSDiffuse liver lesions were induced by diethylnitrosamine in 42 rats of test group. Fourteen rats in control group were fed with pure water. Dynamic changes of MR DWI were observed every week in both groups during the early stage of diffuse liver lesions (1 to 12 weeks after drug administration in the test group). Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of liver parenchyma in different stages and pathologic changes were analyzed.

RESULTSThe process of diffuse hepatic lesions in the test group was classified into three stages according to pathological changes, namely hepatitis, hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. No obvious morphological changes were shown by conventional imaging in both groups during this stage. But MR DWI demonstrated heterogeneous signal changes in early stage of hepatic cirrhosis in the test group. No significant change of ADC values was found in the control group between different weeks (P > 0.05). The ADC values of the test group declined from the fifth week, and after the tenth week the ADC values were significantly different between the test and control groups at gradient factor (b) value 300 sec/mm(2) (P < 0.05). At b value 600 and 1000 sec/mm(2), significant difference was seen between the two groups from the sixth week onward. The range of ADC value of the groups was (1.7 - 0.9) +/- (0.40 - 0.04) mm(2)/sec (b = 600) and (1.38 - 0.75) +/- (0.07 - 0.35) mm(2)/sec (b = 1000), respectively. Dominant pathological changes included swelled hepatocytes within 1 to 4 weeks after the administration of diethylnitrosamine in the test group, hyperplasia of fibrous tissues in 5 - 8 weeks and formation of cirrhotic nodules in 9 - 12 weeks.

CONCLUSIONSMR functional DWI could detect diffuse liver lesions earlier than conventional morphological imaging. ADC value as a marker for early diagnosis of diffuse liver lesions could also be used to inspect changes of the lesions.

Animals ; Diffusion ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Liver Diseases ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To investigate the levels and significance of Th17 cells and regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral blood of children with allergic rhinitis during pollen and non-pollen seasons.Methods Thirteen children with hay fever, 10 children with house dust mite(HDM)-allergic asthma and 10 healthy children were recruited into this study.Percentages of Th17 and Treg cells were detected by flow cytometry.Levels of IL-17, IL-10 and TGF-β in cell culture supernatants were measured by ELISA.Results (1) The percentages of Th17 cells in children with allergic rhinitis [(3.4±2.4)%] were significantly higher than those in HDM-allergic asthmatics [(2.1±1.6)%] and those in healthy children [(0.5±0.3)%] during pollen season (both P<0.05).The levels of Treg cells in allergic rhinitis group [(2.1±1.3)%] and in HDM-allergic asthma group [(3.6±1.9)%] were significantly lower than those in healthy control group [(5.5±2.8)%] (both P<0.05).The levels of Th17 cells [(3.0±1.9)% vs (3.4±2.4)%, P<0.05] and ratios of Th17/Treg cells [(1.4±1.0)% vs (1.7±1.5)%, P<0.05] in children with allergic rhinitis were significantly decreased during non-pollen season as compared with those during pollen season, but the levels of Treg cells were up-regulated [(2.4±1.6)% vs (2.1±1.3)%, P<0.05].(2) Correlation analysis revealed that the ratios of Th17/Treg cells were positively correlated with the concentrations of FeNO (fractional concentration of exhaled NO) (r=0.321, P<0.05) and the counts of circulating eosinophils (r=0.198, P<0.05) in children with allergic rhinitis during pollen season.Conclusion The imbalanced Th17 and Treg cells in children with allergic rhinitis during pollen season might play a vital role in the regulation of allergic airway inflammation.

Background The transplantation of limbal epithelial cells cultivated on amniotic membrane is a newly developed treatment for limbal stem cell deficiency. The purpose of our study was to investigate the biological characteristics of limbal epithelial cells and evaluate the effect of transplantation of cultivated human limbal epithelial cells on ocular surface reconstruction in limbal stem cell deficiency rat model. Methods Human limbal cells were isolated and cultivated in vitro. Cytokertins 3, 12, and 19 (K3, K12 and K19) and p63 were detected by immunofluorescent staining or RT-PCR. BrdU labelling test was used to identify the slow cycling cells in the cultures. Limbal stem cell deficiency was established in rat cornea by alkali burn. Two weeks after injury, the rats received transplants of human limbal stem cells cultivated on amniotic membrane carrier. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by slit lamp observation, Hemotoxin and Eosin (HE) staining and immunofluorescent staining.Results On day 7 in primary culture, p63 and K19 were strongly expressed by most cells but only a few cells expressed K3. On days 14 and 21, p63 and K19 were still expressed by a majority of cells, but the expressive intensity of p63 decreased in a number of cells, while the proportion of K3 positive cells increased slightly and some cells coexpressed p63 and K3. RT-PCR showed that gene expression of both p63 and K12 were positive in cultivated limbal cells, but in mature superficial epithelial cells, only K12 was detected. BrdU labelling test showed that most cells were labelled with BrdU after 7 days' labelling and BrdU label retaining cells were observed after chasing for 21 days with BrdU free medium. For in vivo test, slit lamp observation, HE staining and immunofluorescent staining showed that the rats receiving transplant of human limbal stem cells cultivated on amniotic membrane grew reconstructed corneas with intact epithelium, improved transparency and slight or no neovascularization. A majority of epithelial cells of the reconstructed cornea were positive to antihuman nuclear antibody and cells expressing K3 were found mainly in superfacial epithelium.Conclusions Limbal stem cells can be cultivated in vitro: the cells are characterized by high proliferation and slow cycling and identified as p63/K19 positive and K3/K12 negative. During culture, some stem cells can proliferate and differentiate into mature cornea epithelial cells. Amniotic membrane is a suitable carrier for limbal stem cells. Transplantation of human limbal stem cells cultivated on amniotic membrane can functionally reconstruct rat cornea with limbal stem cell deficiency.

Mitochondria are very complex dual membrane organelles in eukaryotic cells. Under physiological conditions, the regeneration and degradation of mitochondria are balanced. When the components of the proteins, lipids and DNA in the organelles are damaged, the steady state of the mitochondria is maintained by means of division, fusion, autophagy and the like, so as to maintain the integrity of the mitochondrial structure and function, which is commonly referred to as a "mitochondrial mass control". Mitochondrial-derived vesicle (MDV) is a newly discovered pathway of mitochondrial quality control, which plays an important role in the early stage of cell stress and helps maintain the stability of mitochondrial function. In this paper, the discovery of MDV, the transport pathway, the choice of goods and the physiological effects on cells are reviewed.