Objective To explore the clinical value of different transcatheter arterial embolization methods for renal carcino-ma before radical nephrectomy.Methods The related data of 43 patients with renal carcinoma who were confirmed by surgical pa-thology were retrospectively analyzed.Renal artery,renal capsular artery and adrenal artery of lesion side kidney were super-selec-tive embolized before surgery was set as group A,while Lesion side renal artery embolized was set as group B.Direct surgical radical nephrectomy was set as group C.The related data of operation time,ease or complexity of operation,intraoperative blood loss,suc-cess rate of lesion resection and postoperative survival rate were analyzed and compared in the three groups with statistical meth-ods.Results There were significant differences among the three groups in the average operation time,ease or complexity of opera-tion,intraoperative blood loss,success rate of lesion resection and postoperative survival rate (P < 0.01 ).There were significant differences between group A and B about all indexes except success rate of lesion resection(P <0.01).Conclusion The cases with additional transcatheter arterial embolization before radical nephrectomy improved obviously,especially in the cases who underwent completely embolization of lesion side renal artery and renal capsular artery.

Objective To study the impact of physical stimulus on periosteal chondroplasia with an in- tention of reconstructing cartilage tissue that has a biomechanical function and can be created either entirely in vivo or in vitro and subsequently implanted into the patient.Methods A series of biomechanical test methods were designed in order to investigate the mechanical properties of engineered cartilage under a variety of mechanical stress stimulations.The periosteal explants were harvested from proximal medial tibias of New Zealand rabbits and secured onto poly-?-caprolactone(PCL)scaffolds.The composites(periosteum/PCL)were suspended in the spinner flask bioreactor and the spinner flask was located on the stirring machine.The stem cells were stimulated by fluid shear stress under magnetic bar stirring.Results In gross observation,the thickness and length of neo-cartilage with shear force stimulation were significantly greater than those without shear force.The direction of elongation was parallel with fluid flow direction,regardless of composite orientation.Secondary,two different zones based on various cell morphology and distribution were clearly observed.The thickness of the superficial zone was greater in samples exposed to high shear force compared with low shear force.The superficial zone protein and lubricant were found in the engineered cartilage under shear stress stimulation.Conclusion The results reveal that shear stress can not only influence proliferation and differentiation of stem cells,but also change chondrocyte morphology and increase extracellular matrix production.

Objective:To compare the effectiveness of fire needle versus Western medicine in the treatment of herpes zoster. Methods:Randomized controlled trials comparing fire needle with Western medicine in the treatment of herpes zoster were identified using 8 databases. A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results:Eight trials involving 569 patients were included in this meta-analysis, and the results showed that fire needle was superior to Western medicine comparing the effective rate [risk ratio (RR)=1.13, 95％ confidence interval (CI): 1.06 to 1.20;P=0.0002], the visual analog scale (VAS) score [mean difference(MD)=–7.95, 95％ CI: –10.71 to –5.20;P<0.00001], time of pain disappearance (MD=–7.61, 95％CI: –9.38 to –5.84;P<0.00001), time of blister-stop (MD=–1.34, 95％CI: –1.51 to –1.18;P<0.00001), time of crusted scab (MD=–2.92, 95％CI: –3.62 to –2.23;P<0.00001), and time of scab off (MD=–4.64, 95％CI: –5.83 to –3.46;P<0.00001). In addition, a significantly lower incidence of postherpetic neuralgia was found in the fire needle group in 30 d (RR=0.23, 95％CI: 0.11 to 0.51;P=0.0002) and 60 d (RR=0.33, 95％CI: 0.12 to 0.91; P=0.03) after treatment. Conclusion:Fire needle has a favorable effect in increasing the effective rate, relieving pain, recovering skin lesions and decreasing incidence of postherpetic neuralgia in the treatment of herpes zoster. However, considering the limitations in this study, the findings should be interpreted cautiously.

AIMTo search for potential anti-atherosclerosis drugs with vascular relaxation activity, a series of agonists of endothelial targets were designed and synthesized.

METHODSCoupling N-methyl-1,2, 3,6-tetrahydrapyridine ring system with 3,4-dibenzenesulfonyl-1,2,5-oxadiazole-2-oxide through esterification or amidation, a series of arecoline derivatives containing NO donors were designed and synthesised.

RESULTSA novel series of compounds structurally related to arecoline have been prepared, the proposed structures of eighteen new compounds were established by IR, 1H NMR, MS spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The effects of the target compounds on the vasodilation activity were tested in the isolated preparation of mice thoratic aorta.

CONCLUSIONThis preliminary pharmacological tests showed that the candidates have good vasodilation activities and were worthy to be intensively studied.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; drug effects ; Arecoline ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Nitric Oxide Donors ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Vasodilation ; drug effects ; Vasodilator Agents ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the changes of plasma somatostatin(SS) and its correlation with cellular immune function in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE).Methods Fifty cases of HIE were collected to detect the SS and T lymphocyte subsets,IL-2,sIL-2R as well as IL-6 levels by radioimmunoassay,APAAP and doule antibody sandwith ELISA methods.Results The SS and sIL-2R levels in patients with HIE were significantly higher(P

Objective To analyze the value of MRI in the diagnosis of giant cell tumor of tendon sheath(GCTTS). MethodsThe MR images of 21 GCTTS cases including 3 cases of recurrences were retrospectively evaluated.All were confirmed giant cell tumor of tendon sheath by surgery and pathology.All the patiens were examined by MRI,and 19 received contrast enhanced MRI.The characteristics of MRI presentations were explored.Results Of the 21 cases,17 were in diffuse form and 4 in localized form.On T1WI,the signal intensities of the giant cell tumor of tendon sheath almost equalled to those of skeletal muscle in 18 cases and were slightly lower than those of skeletal muscle in 3 cases.On T2WI,the signal intensities tended to range between those of skeletal muscle and fat in 7 cases,almost equalled to those of skeletal muscle in 12 cases,and were slightly lower than those of skeletal muscle in 2 cases.Of the 19 cases with gadolinium-enhanced images,17 showed inhomogeneous enhancement and 2 homogeneous enhancement,and all were observed with a fat suppression sequence on T1WI. Conclusion MRI is able to depict the characteristic internal signal of giant cell tumor of tendon sheath,which is a valuable for diagnosis,treatment and follow-up.

Objective To improve the level of early detection and treatment of pyonephrosis. Methods This study included 41 cases(17 men and 24 women;mean age,49 years)of pyonephrosis.A variety of examinations,including urinary analysis,blood analysis,kidney nuclear medicine scan,ultrasonog- raphy,intravenous urography(IVU),and CT were used for the early diagnosis of pyonephrosis.Pereutaneous nephrostomy(PCN)drainage was done for the interim management of pyonephrosis,then phase 2 operation was performed in 28 cases.The double-J tube was placed in ureter by ureteroscope for drainage,and then phase 2 operation was done in 2 cases.Emergency operation was done in 10 cases.The remaining 1 case un- derwent ESWL after anti-infective therapy.Results Definite diagnosis of pyonephrosis before operation was made by invasive examinations in 31 cases(75.6%),and by percutaneous drainage in 4 cases;the other 6 cases were detected during operation.Only 6 cases(14.6%)underwent nephrectomy;the other 35 cases (85.4%)underwent kidney-sparing operation.Follow-up of 3 months to 9 years was available in 37 cases. No nephrectomy was needed in 33 cases with spared kidney.Serum creatinine was normal in the 4 cases un- dergoing nephrectomy.Conclusions The key to the treatment of pyonephrosis by kidney-sparing surgery is early diagnosis,timely drainage and relief of obstruction.Ultrasonography plays an important role in the early diagnosis of pyonephrosis,and CT has a high sensibility in the diagnosis.Pereutaneons nephrolithotomy (PCNL)secondary to drainage through pereutaneous nephrostomy was beneficial to the patients with kidney stones or upper ureter stones.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) in mouse prostate cells and explore the putative role of EGF in prostatic hyperplasia.

METHODSSixty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into two EGF groups and one control group (n=20) and subjected to subcutaneous injection of 1 and 2 microg/day EGF and distilled water, respectively, for 28 consecutive days. The cellular expression of ER and AR in the prostate of mice in different groups was evaluated by flow cytometry.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the positivity rate of ER and its expression level were significantly increased in the mouse prostate after EGF treatment (P<0.01), and the ER expression level was significantly higher in mouse with 2 microg/day EGF treatment than in those treated with 2 microg/day EGF (P<0.01). AR positivity rate and expression level also increased significantly in comparison with the control group (P<0.05), but no significant variation was found between 1 microg/day and 2 microg/day EGF groups.

CONCLUSIONEGF can increase the cellular expression of ER and AR in mice prostate and may play a role in the pathogenesis of prostatic hyperplasia.

Animals ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Male ; Mice ; Prostate ; cytology ; metabolism ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Receptors, Androgen ; biosynthesis ; Receptors, Estrogen ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnosis and therapy of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).

METHODS11 hospitalized cases were reviewed retrospectively in PUMC Hospital during January 1984-July 2001.

RESULTSAll 11 cases were suffered from severe active lupus with PTE. The SLE-DAI (SLE-disease active index) was 21.9 +/- 4.9. 7 cases had first onset of progressive Raynaud phenomenon. Anti-RNP antibody was positive in 73% of the cases. Echocardiogram revealed medium-severe pulmonary hypertension. When PTE was found, while 6 cases had started with smaller to medium dose of prednisone treatment, which was 20-30 mg/d, and other 4 cases received no prednisone. Only 1 received large dose of prednisone and immunosuppressor. Large dosage of prednisone, immunosuppressor with or without anticoagulant were given to those 6 and 4 patients after final diagnosis, respectively. 6 of 7 cases showed relieved Raynaud phenomenon while 4 cases hemoptysis were disappeared, echocardiogram had confirmed that pulmonary artery pressure decreased in 4 cases. [(31.7 +/- 12.4) mmHg]. 5 cases survived, 3 were dead and 3 failed to be followed up.

CONCLUSIONSPatients of SLE with PTE are liable to be misdiagnosed or missed-diagnosed, The risk factors are active-SLE, progressive Raynaud phenomenon, and symptoms of thromboembolism, positive anti-RNP antibody and mild-medium pulmonary artery hypertension. Combined therapy of present available measures like large dose of prednisone, immunosuppressors and anticoagulant are highly recommended.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Male ; Pulmonary Embolism ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial disease in which inflammation plays a central role.This study aimed to investigate the association of inflammatory markers such as the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR),the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score with in-hospital mortality of elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in an attempt to explore the prognostic value of these indices for elderly AMI patients.One thousand consecutive CAD patients were divided into two groups based on age 60.The laboratory and clinical characteristics were assessed retrospectively by reviewing the medical records.The NLR and GRACE score were calculated.In the elderly (≥60 years),patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) had significantly higher NLR than did those with unstable angina (UA) and stable angina pectoris (SAP) (P＜0.01).The NLR was considerably elevated in older AMI patients compared with their younger counterparts (＜60 years) (P＜0.05).In elderly AMI patients,the NLR was considerably higher in the high-risk group than in both the low-risk and medium-risk groups based on the GRACE score (P＜0.05 and P＜0.01,respectively),and the NLR was positively correlated with the GRACE score (r=0.322,P＜0.001).Either the NLR level or the GRACE score was significantly higher in the death group than in the surviving group (P＜0.05).By curve receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis,the optimal cut-off levels of 9.41 for NLR and 174 for GRACE score predicted in-hospital death [ROC area under the curve (AUC) 0.771 and 0.787,respectively,P＜0.001].It was concluded that an elevated NLR is a potential predictor of in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with AMI.