Adult ; Aged ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; Liver Circulation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in the treatment of patients with solitary kidney stones. METHODS: The clinical data of 22 patients with solitary kidney stones treated with PCNL in Peking University People's Hospital from September 2008 to June 2014, with the follow-up data of more than 5 years were analyzed retrospectively. Perioperative indicators, postoperative stone free rate (SFR) and incidence of complications were recorded. Ultrasonography was used to evaluate the long-term stones recurrence rate. Serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were used to assess the long-term renal function. RESULTS: In this group of 22 patients, the average age was (50.3±11.8) years, with 10 cases of anatomic solitary kidneys, 12 functional solitary kidneys, and the median stone diameter was 1.65 (1.1-3.9) cm. All the patients had multiple stones, including 7 cases of staghorn stones. The median pre-operative serum creatinine was 104.5 (60.0-460.0) μmol/L, and the mean eGFR was (60.3±29.4) mL/min, showing no statistically significant difference compared with that before surgery. The mean operative time was (88.2±42.0) min, and there were 11 cases of single-channel and double-channel PCNL. The median serum creatinine on the first day after surgery was 102.0 (63.0-364.0) μmol/L, and the mean eGFR was (58.0±25.1) mL/min. The mean postoperative hospital stay was (8.7±5.2) days. In this group, 5 patients (22.7%) presented short-term complications, among which 4 patients presented postoperative infection and massive hemorrhage at the same time, which improved after conservative treatment, and 1 patient presented pleural injury and improved after closed thoracic drainage. Two patients (9.1%) developed long-term complications, and ureteral stricture occurred 3 months after operation, which improved after balloon dilatation. The median follow-up time was 6.2 (4.7-11.1) years. The median serum creatinine at the last follow-up was 104.0 (72.4-377.0) μmol/L, and the mean eGFR was (60.1±23.7) mL/min, showing no statistically significant difference compared with that before surgery. Renal function decreased in 6 patients (27.3%). Initial and final SFR were 72.7% and 100%, respectively. During the 6.2-year follow-up, 9 patients (40.9%) experienced recurrence of kidney stone. After stone recurrence, 13 lithotomy surgeries were performed, and the SFR by the latest follow-up was 63.6%. CONCLUSION This study had the longest follow-up time for patients with solitary kidney stones after PCNL reported at home and abroad. Ultrasound-guided standard PCNL was safe and effective in the treatment of solitary kidney stones. Long-term follow-up results showed that the recurrence rate of kidney stones was still high, but the long-term renal function was stable after operation, and some patients showed mild renal function decline.
Adult ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; Middle Aged ; Nephrolithotomy, Percutaneous ; Retrospective Studies ; Solitary Kidney/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

To further explore the mechanism of congenital pyrimidine 5'-nuleotidase I (P5'N-I) deficiency, on the basis of purification of the protein, the molecular weight and amino acid composition were analysed by mass-spectrograph and amino-acid analyzer, microsequencing and bioinformation analysis of P5'N-I were performed after it was hydrolysed by trypsin. The results showed that three fractions were found in the purified P5'N-I and their molecular weights were 26,952.9, 55,476 and 110,938, respectively. The sequence from one of the peptide fragments was I-E-G-P-T-I-R-Q-I-E. The homologous sequence was not found after comparision with the ten-amino-acid sequence in GenBank by blast procedure. Amino acid analysis indicated that P5'N-I was composed of 18 amino acids at least, and 243 amino acid residues. In conclusion, the enzyme might be an allosteric enzyme, there might be homologous dimer or tetramer in physiological status of normal human erythrocyte, the microsequence could be designed as the probe for fishing the genes of interest. The composition of amino acid might be an important information in determination of its protein primary structure.
5'-Nucleotidase ; blood ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Amino Acids ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Erythrocytes ; enzymology ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Weight ; Peptide Fragments ; chemistry ; Sequence Analysis, Protein

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether hyperthermia can enhance the killing effect of 5- fluorocytosine (5- FC) on human colorectal carcinoma cell lines SW480 transfected with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) tissue- specific cytosine deaminase (CD) gene in vitro,and study its mechanism.

METHODSHuman colorectal carcinoma cell lines SW480 transfected with G1CEACDNa were cultured. The proliferated colonies were treated with the combined therapy of 5-FC and hyperthermia at a temperature of 43 degrees C for 30 min. After eight days, MTT was used to calculate the cellular survival rate,to analyze the killing effect of 5-FC combined with hyperthermia on SW480 cells transfected with CD gene. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the cellular cycle and transmission electron microscope was used to observe the morphologic changes of SW480 cells after thermochemotherapy.

RESULTSHyperthermia combined with 5-FC had an enhanced killing effect on SW480-CEACD cells than 5-FC alone (P< 0.05, t =2.403, n=9). Flow cytometry revealed that the proportion of S stage cell increased in the group treated with hyperthermia and 5- FC (P< 0.001, t =7.158, n=6). Transmission electron microscope showed apoptosis after thermo- chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONSHyperthermia can improve the anti- tumor effect of 5- FC on human colorectal carcinoma cell lines SW480 transfected with CD gene, and the cells were blocked at S stage of cellular cycle and apoptosis was induced following thermochemotherapy.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cytosine Deaminase ; genetics ; Flucytosine ; pharmacology ; Genes, Transgenic, Suicide ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Hot Temperature ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo explore the morphologic, immunophenotypic, cytogenetic and clinical features of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients with dicentric (9; 20) (p11 - 13; q11).

METHODSChromosome specimens of bone marrow cells were prepared by direct method and/or short-time culture. Karyo-typing was performed by R-banding technique. Dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed using both chromosome 9 classical satellite probe and chromosome 20 alpha-satellite probe in one patient.

RESULTSThe two ALL patients were positive for CD10 and HLA-DR, showing of B cell origin. Both patients had dicentric (9; 20): case 1 was 45, XY, der (9) t (9; 20) (p11; q11), -20[20]; case 2 was 45, XX, der (9) t (9; 20) (p13; q11), t (9; 22) (q34; q11), -20[10]/46, idem, +8[16]/47, idem, +8, +21[14]. Mutual translocation between chromosomes 9 and 20 of the dicentric chromosome was confirmed by FISH in one patient.

CONCLUSIONSDicentric (9; 20) (p11 - 13; q11) is a rare recurring chromosome abnormality associated with ALL. Because of the subtle nature of the translocation, FISH is essential for the detection of this abnormality.

Adult ; Base Sequence ; Chromosome Banding ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 20 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; pathology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Translocation, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Sini decoction (SND) in preventing vascular restenosis and protecting against oxidative stress after rabbit iliac artery balloon injury.

METHODSTwenty-four male New Zealand albino rabbits were equally randomized into control group, model group and SND group. Rabbits in the control group were fed with common forage, and those in the model and SND groups with high-fat diet. Two weeks later, the iliac arteries of the rabbits in the latter two groups were subjected to balloon injury. Four weeks after the operation, the rabbits were killed and the vascular structure was observed by scanning electron microscope and optical microscope, with the serum cholesterol level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level determined.

RESULTSScanning electron microscopy showed that the endothelial cell lining in the iliac artery of the control and SND group remain regular, but the arteries in the model group presented with desquamated and exposure of the collagen fibril beneath the endothelium. Optical microscope revealed narrowed vascular lumen, thicken intima and numerous arteriosclerotic plaques in the model group in comparison with the control group, whereas the vascular lumen and intima thickness remained basically normal in SND group. The levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride were decreased with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased in SND group, which was not observed in the model group. The serum SOD activity was higher in the control group than in the model and SND groups, but SND group had higher serum SOD activity than the model group. The serum MDA level was lower in the control group than in the other two groups, but SND group had lower MDA level than the model group.

CONCLUSIONSND can alleviate intimal hyperplasia and vascular stenosis in injured rabbit iliac artery, possibly in relation to increased SOD activity and decreased lipid peroxidation as a result of SND treatment.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Constriction, Pathologic ; blood ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Iliac Artery ; drug effects ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Triglycerides ; blood

BACKGROUNDTrichophyton rubrum represents the most common infectious fungus responsible for dermatophytosis in human, but the mechanism involved is still not completely understood. An appropriate model constructed to simulate host infection is the prerequisite to study the pathogenesis of dermatophytosis caused by T. rubrum. In this study, we intended to develop a new T. rubrum infection model in vitro, using the three-dimensional reconstructed epidermis - EpiSkin ®, and to pave the way for further investigation of the mechanisms involved in T. rubrum infection.

METHODSThe reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) was infected by inoculating low-dose (400 conidia) and high-dose (4000 conidia) T. rubrum conidia to optimize the infection dose. During the various periods after infection, the samples were processed for pathological examination and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation.

RESULTSThe histological analysis of RHE revealed a fully differentiated epidermis with a functional stratum corneum, which was analogous to the normal human epidermis. The results of hematoxylin and eosin staining and the periodic acid-Schiff staining showed that the infection dose of 400 conidia was in accord with the pathological characteristics of host dermatophytosis caused by T. rubrum. SEM observations further exhibited the process of T. rubrum infection in an intuitionistic way.

CONCLUSIONSWe established the T. rubrum infection model on RHE in vitro successfully. It is a promising model for further investigation of the mechanisms involved in T. rubrum infection.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Epidermis ; microbiology ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; cytology ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; Trichophyton ; pathogenicity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the level of the patients perceived control of asthma (PCA) in South China and analyze the risk factors contributing to inadequate PCA.

METHODSA total of 150 asthmatic out-patients consisting of 86 males and 64 females aged 19-65 (38.6∓11.7) years were enrolled in this investigation. The patients were asked to complete questionnaires of the demographic data, perceived control of asthma (PCAQ-6) scales, asthma control test (ACT) scales and Standard asthma-specific quality of life [AQLQ(S)] scale. The data of spirometric measurements, blood cell count and induced sputum cell count were also collected.

RESULTSAll the 150 asthmatic out-patients recruited completed the questionnaires and examinations. The PCAQ-6 scores ranged from 10 to 26 (18.75∓3.42) in these patients (18.6∓3.28 in male and 18.95∓3.6 in female patients), significantly lower than those reported in other countries (P<1). PCA was positively correlated to the level of asthma control (r(p)=0.377, P=0.000) and AQLQ(S) scores (r(p)=0.675, P=0.000). Multiple linear regression showed that PCA was positively correlated to FEV1% and blood neutrophil counts, and inversely to asthma duration.

CONCLUSIONThe level of the PCA appears inadequate in South China. The PCA can affect the level of asthma control and asthma-specific quality of life. The factors contributing to inadequate PCA include primarily asthma duration, lung function and blood neutrophil counts.

Adult ; Aged ; Asthma ; blood ; prevention & control ; psychology ; China ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neutrophils ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of irbesartan for heart protection and on heart nitric oxide (NO) system in diabetic rats.

METHODSThirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three equal groups, namely control group, diabetes group and irbesartan group. Streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg) was injected to the abdomen to induce diabetes in the rats. After treatment for 12 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and the urine volume, body weight, ratio of heart to body weight, plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured. NO levels in the serum and myocardium were determined. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression was determined by immunohistochemistry, and iNOS mRNA detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSUrine volume, ratio of heart to body weight, plasma glucose, HbA1C, NO levels in the urine, blood and myocardium in diabetic and irbesartan rats were significantly greater than those of normal controls (P<0.05). The ratio of heart to body weight and NO levels of urine, serum and heart tissue in rats of irbesartan group were significantly decreased as compared with those of diabetes rats (P<0.05). Myocardium iNOS mRNA and protein expression decreased significantly in irbesartan group, but not in diabetes group.

CONCLUSIONSThe abnormality in NO and iNOS mRNA expression might be related to diabetic cardiomyopathy. Irbesartan can decrease iNOS mRNA and protein expressions and reduce NO levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Biphenyl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; enzymology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; metabolism ; urine ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: To compare the predictive value of Ees/Ea in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension based on right cardiac catheterization and cardiac magnetic resonance examination. METHODS: A total of 50 pulmonary arterial hypertension patients confirmed by right heart catheterization were retrospectively reviewed and followed up 2 years. The relationship between the baseline clinical data and survival prognosis of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension were analyzed. The predictive value of baseline Ees/Ea for prognosis in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension were compared. RESULTS: The Ees/Ea calculated by volume method was significantly correlated with the prognosis of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension(OR =0.082, 95%CI 0.009-0.814, P=0.032). The two-year survival rate of group Ees/Ea>0.67 was significantly higher than that of Ees/Ea≤0.67(86.7% vs. 50%, P=0.003). Conclution Ees/Ea calculated by volume method is an independent influence factor of the survival prognosis of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. When Ees/Ea≤0.67, the patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension is more likely to deteriorate.