Acute Kidney Injury ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Biomarkers ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; diagnosis

Objective To evaluate the effect of transurethral feedback microwave thermotherapy with the ProstaLund CoreTherm Device (PLFT) in benign prostate hyperplasia ( BPH ) patients with high risk factors 24 months after treatment.MethodsSixty-two BPH cases with high risk factors of aged ≥ 80or complicating severe conditions of no less than one organ or system,were treated with PLFT under urethral local anesthesia.The average pre-treatment prostate volume,international prostate symptom score (IPSS),quality of life score (QOL) and maximal urinary flow (Qmax) were 62.03 ml,23.19,4.58 and 4.33 ml/s,respectively.The changes of prostate volume,IPSS,QOL and Qmax at 3 months,12 months and 24 months after treatment were analyzed.ResultsAll patients tolerated well of PLFT performed in common therapy room except lightly bleeding,minor infection and temporary incontinence.There was no severe surgical adverse event.After 3 months,the prostate volume reduced to 43.85 ml,IPSS decreased to 11.63,QOL decreased to 2.44,Qmax rose up to 11.44 ml/s； The average values were 45.10 ml,12.23,2.61 and 10.91ml/s at 12 months after treatment.The corresponding values were 45.80 ml,12.37,2.66 and 10.82 ml/s,respectively at 24 months after treatment.Compared with pre-treatment,all the parameters showed significant improvement ( P ＜ 0.01 ).ConclusionsPLFT is one of the effective and safe treatment options for BPH patients with high risk factors.It can be safely used on day-surgery patients.The best effect appears at 3 months after treatment.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; Anastomotic Leak/surgery* ; Drainage ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Suction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the whole sequence of SLC26A4 gene among 1552 deaf students from 21 regions of China with SLC26A4 hot spot mutation IVS7-2A > G and analyze the epidemiological state of enlarged-vestibular-aqueduct-syndrome (EVAS) related hearing loss in China.

METHODSDNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 1552 students from deaf and dumb school of 21 regions in China. The nationality of the 1552 cases covers Han (1290 cases), Uigur (69 cases), Hui (37 cases), Mongolia (31 cases), Yi, Zhuang, Bai, Miao and other 13 nationalities (125 cases). Firstly, all subjects were analyzed for the hot spot mutation IVS7-2A > G by direct sequencing. Those carrying a single heterozygous IVS7-2A > G were given further analyzed for the probable second mutation in other exons except exon7 and exon8 of SLC26A4. One hundred and fifty cases with normal hearing were in the control group.

RESULTSThe sequencing results revealed 197 cases carrying IVS7-2A > G, of whom 83 carrying IVS7-2A > G homozygous mutation, 114 carrying IVS7-2A > G heterozygous mutation. Of the 114 cases with heterozygous IVS7-2A > G, 78 cases were found to have another mutation and 36 cases were found no other mutation in SLC26A4. Of the 1552 cases, the percentage of cases carrying homozygous IVS7-2A > G and compound heterozygous mutations was 10.37% (161/1552). Of the 78 cases with SLC26A4 compound heterozygous mutations, the mutations except IVS7-2A > G were found mainly in exon 19, 10, 17, 15, 11 + 12, 14 and 3. Twenty-one novel SLC26A4 mutations were found. In the control group, there were only 3 cases carrying heterozygous IVS7-2A > G, and no other mutation in SLC26A4 was found.

CONCLUSIONSSLC26A4 mutations account for at least 10% of EVAS related hereditary hearing loss in China. It's of great importance to screen SLC26A4 gene for making aetiological diagnosis for deafness. The discovery of novel variants of SLC26A4 gene makes the mutational and polymorphic spectrum more plentiful in Chinese population. We also provide preliminary evidence for the hot spot areas of SLC26A4.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Vestibular Aqueduct

OBJECTIVETo study the effects and mechanism of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) of low concentration on dynamic changes of intracellular free calcium contents ([Ca2+]i) in cultural rat liver oval cells (WB-F344 cells).

METHODSUsing Fluo-3/Am as fluorescent indicator of [Ca2+]i and it was measured by laser scanning confocal microscope system.

RESULTSThe results showed that: (1) A rapid transient spiking of [Ca2+]i occurred after the stimulation of H2O2 of low concentration (800 nmol/L). (2) The [Ca2+]i increase was abolished by pretreated with catalase (CAT) or by incubated in D-Hank's solution containing EGTA, the chelate of extracellular Ca2+. (3) The [Ca2+]i increase was not inhibited by pretreated nifedipine, Ca2+ channel blocker, but was abolished by pretreated with anthracere-9-cardoxylic acid (A9C), the Cl-channel blocker and which also blocked calcium activated non-selective cation channel (CAN).

CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that the increase of [Ca2+]i induced by H2O2 of low concentration may be due to the influx of extracellular Ca2+ through CAN.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; Ion Channels ; drug effects ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo observe the histopathological features, nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) and IKB expressions as well as calcium deposition of atherosclerosis plaques (AS) in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) knockout mice (ApoE(-/-), LDLR(-/-)fed high-fat diet.

METHODSEight C57BL/6J mice fed with normal diet were used as control, 32 ApoE(-/-) mice and LDLR(-/-) mice were divided into normal diet and high-fat diet groups (n = 8 each). After 4 months, aorta was collected for morphologic (HE, Oil Red O, Von Kossa) and immunohistochemistry (nuclear factor-κB, IKB, macrophage surface molecule-3, α-smooth action protein) analysis.

RESULTSDegree of AS in ApoE(-/-) and LDLR(-/-) mice fed with high-fat diet were significantly severer than those fed with normal diet and AS was more significant in ApoE(-/-) mice than in LDLR(-/-) mice. NFκB and IKB expressions in high-fat diet group were significantly higher than the normal diet group (P < 0.05). Double-labeling of NFκB revealed dominant expression in smooth muscle cells. Calcium deposition was significantly more in ApoE(-/-) mice fed with high-fat diet than mice fed with normal diet (P < 0.05) and was similar in LDLR(-/-) mice fed with high and normal diet (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHigh-fat diet contributes to the formation of AS plagues in ApoE(-/-) and LDLR(-/-) mice joined by upregulated NFκB and IKB expressions and calcium deposition.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; metabolism ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Female ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, LDL ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic diversity of HIV-1 nef genes from a patient with AIDS dementia complex(ADC) , so as to research the amino acid variability and the pathogenesis of ADC.

METHODSThe nef gene was amplified with PCR from genomic DNA which was extracted from spleen and different brain tissues(basal ganglia, frontal gray matter, meninges, temporal lobe)of a patient who died of ADC. PCR products were cloned into the pMD19-T vector, after transformation and selection by ampicillin and blue/white spotting. Five of positive clones were sequenced and confirmed with BLAST. HIV-1 nef sequences were processed with BioEdit and MEGA4 to do Neighbor-Joining tree, p-Distances, and values of ds/dn.

RESULTSThe samples were all identified as HIV-1 B and genetic variation exists in HIV-1 nef gene isolated from different tissues compared with HXB2. In addition,part of the changes were different between periphery and brain.

CONCLUSIONVariations exist in the HIV-1 nef gene extracted from the ADC patient and the variations from peripheral and central nerve tissues were different,these variations may change the function of Nef,and it needs more research.

AIDS Dementia Complex ; virology ; Adult ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Genetic Variation ; HIV Infections ; virology ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Qingre Quyu Granule (清热祛瘀颗粒, QRQYG) on stabilizing vulnerable plaques in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) deficient mice.

METHODSSeventy-two male ApoE deficient mice were given a high-fat diet from 6 weeks of age. At the 16th week, all the mice were randomized into 3 groups: the QRQYG group, the simvastatin group, and the control group. Sixteen weeks after administration of 0.9 g/kg QRQYG, 3 mg/kg simvastatin or 10 mg/kg sodium chloride per day to the respective groups, the animals were euthanized. The pathological morphologic changes in the vulnerable plaques were evaluated, the matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) expression was measured by immunohistofluorescence, the soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) was determined by ELISA, the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) subunit p65 was measured by quantitative RT-PCR, and, finally, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) was determined by the immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSThe plaque cross-sectional area in the brachiocephalic artery (23.7%, P<0.01), the lipid core of the plaque (43.1%±3.1%), and the number of buried fibrotic caps of the plaque were significantly decreased in the QRQYG group compared to the control group (both P<0.01); furthermore, the thickness of the fibrotic cap of the plaque increased and the intra-plaque hemorrhage of the plaque decreased. The serum soluble ICAM-1 (27.1±5.1 μg/mL), the protein expression of MMP-9 and TSP-1 and the p65 mRNA expression increased in the QRQYG group in comparison with the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONQRQYG could stabilize the vulnerable plaque through inhibition of the inflammatory response.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Atherosclerosis ; pathology ; Brachiocephalic Trunk ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Simvastatin ; pharmacology ; Sodium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Thrombospondin 1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the diagnosis and treatment of a second primary malignant tumor induced by previous radiotherapy.

METHODSFrom March 1970 to March 1997, 108 nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients who developed a second primary malignant tumor induced by radiotherapy were treated. There were squamous carcinoma 43 (39.8%), sarcoma 26 (24.1%), malignant fibrous histiocytoma 14 (13.0%), adenoid cystic carcinoma 12 (11.1%), thyroid papillary adenocarcinoma 8 (7.4%) and malignant melanoma 5 (4.6%). Fifty patients underwent operation, 32 received radiotherapy, 18 received chemotherapy and 8 received operation combined with chemotherapy.

RESULTSThe 3- and 5-year tumor-free survival rates were 64.0% and 36.0% in the operation group. They were 34.4% and 18.8% in the radiotherapy group.

CONCLUSIONSurgery, if not contra-indicated, is the first choice for the second primary malignant tumor induced by radiotherapy. Aggressive treatment for these patients is, hence, indicated clinically.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced ; diagnosis ; mortality ; therapy ; Neoplasms, Second Primary ; diagnosis ; mortality ; therapy ; Radiotherapy ; adverse effects ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate the function of VEGF pathway in promoting angiogenesis with Xuefu Zhuyu Tang (XFZYT).

METHODSerum pharmacology technique was adopted to treat endothelial cells ECV304 with XFZYD containing serum and blank serum with concentrations of 1.25%, 2.5% and 5%. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, boyden chamber migration assay and in vitro vessel formation assay were used to test endothelial cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis capacities. ELISA, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were used to detect secretion and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2).

RESULTXFZYT-CS with a concentration of 1.25% only affected angiogenesis capacity in vitro. XFZYT-CS with a concentration of 2. 5% promoted cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis capacities and significantly increased VEGF level and VEGF/VEGFR2 expressions. XFZYT-CS with a concentration of 5% only up-regulated intracellular VEGF expression and thereby improving endothelial cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis.

CONCLUSIONXFZYT can induce endothelial cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis by up-regulating VEGF-VEGFR2 pathway, which partially proves its angiogenesis effects.

Animals ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism