OBJECTIVETo investigate the cell-killing effect of adenovirus-mediated TK-ganciclovir (GCV) gene therapy in combination with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) against murine bladder carcinoma cells in vitro.

METHODSMurine bladder carcinoma MB49 cells were transfected with the adenoviral vector containing TK gene and green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene. The transfection efficiency was observed and the TK gene expression in the transfected cells was detected by RT-PCR. The survival rate of MB49 cells in response to TNF-alpha treatment and that of the TK gene-transfected cells after treatment with GCV and GCV+TNF-alpha were determined by MTT assay. The apoptosis of the cells after the treatments was analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTSIn cells transfected with TK gene, the cell inhibition rate increased gradually with the increment of GCV and TNF-alpha concentration. GCV in combination with TNF-alpha resulted in significantly increased killing efficiency of the cells as compared with GCV or TNF-alpha treatment alone, and the effect of the combined treatment was enhanced as the TNF-alpha concentration increased. GCV treatment (50 microg/ml) alone produced a cell killing rate of (24.39-/+1.10)%, and when combined with 5 microg/ml TNF-alpha, the rate was increased to (40.05-/+0.97) %, and further to (65.47-/+0.67) % when TNF-alpha concentration increased to 20 microg/ml. Flow cytometry revealed obvious apoptosis of the cells 8 h after treatments with TK/GCV, TNF-alpha, or TK/GCV+TNF-alpha, and the combined treatment resulted in the highest cell apoptotic rate.

CONCLUSIONTK/GCV in combination with TNF-alpha can enhance the effect of suicide gene therapy against murine bladder carcinoma cells and effectively induce apoptosis of the cells.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Ganciclovir ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Thymidine Kinase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the toxic effects of the CD-TK fusion gene systems against prostate carcinoma cell line RM-1 for assessing the value of suicidal gene therapy for prostate carcinoma.

METHODSCD-TK fusion gene and green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene were transfected into RM-1 cells through adenovirus vectors. RT-PCR was used to demonstrate successful transfection and transcription of the suicidal genes. The toxic effects of 5-FC and GCV used alone or in combination on the transfected cells were observed by MTT assay, with the non-transfected RM-1 cells serving as control.

RESULTSCytotoxic activity of CD/5-FC and TK/GCV systems against RM-1 cells was observed, and combined treatment with the two drugs resulted in significantly lowered survival of CD-TK-expressing cells (P<0.05). After exposure to 5-FC and GCV for 72 h, the survival rate of the transfected cells decreased to 71.56% and 47.27%, respectively, and their combined use resulted in a survival rate as low as 18.46%.

CONCLUSIONCD-TK fusion double suicidal gene system can produce significantly stronger toxic effect against RM-1 cells in vitro than either of suicidal genes.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cytosine Deaminase ; pharmacology ; Genes, Transgenic, Suicide ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; therapy ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Thymidine Kinase ; pharmacology ; Transfection

To tie in with extension and application of The Name and Location of Acupoints (GB 12346-2006), the present paper introduces the difference between The Name and Location of Acupoints (GB 12346-2006) and Location of Points (GB 12346-90), and expounds the changes of standard name, body position and term of direction when locating the acupoint and stylistic rules, and introduces the revision of concrete contents which include setting of primary standard acupoints, regulation of bone-length measurement, regulation of the nomenclature of some meridians and meridian acupoints, the location of some meridian acupoints and regulation of some acupoints, some main problems which needed to be further studied are also explores.
Acupuncture Points ; China ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Meridians ; Names

OBJECTIVEThe research tended to approach applying of adjustable appliance in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

METHODS30 OSAHS patients (24 males and 6 females) participated in the adjustable group, with a mean age of (49.9 +/- 9.9) years old. AHI was (33.1 +/- 22.7) per hour. The control group consisted of 30 OSAHS patients wearing ordinary mandibular advancing appliance in the corresponding period, with age, weight and AHI at the same level. Monoblind way was designed to obtain and analyze the therapy differences. Differences in changes of upper airway, mandible and hyoid bone were also analyzed among the doctor-experience position, final adjusted position and original position.

RESULTSAHI decreased by 85.5% in the adjustable appliance group. The change in AHI was greater significantly (P = 0.025) in the adjustable group than in the control group. In the final adjusted position, the amount of mandibular advancement was (5.8 +/- 1.4) mm [(71 +/- 26)% of the maximum range of protrusion] and that of bite opening (the distance between upper and lower incisor edges) was (4.6 +/- 1.1) mm.

CONCLUSIONSThe adjustable appliance had shown better therapy effect in OSAHS patients. The final adjusted position provided useful information on determining mandibular position using other appliances.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandibular Advancement ; instrumentation ; Middle Aged ; Single-Blind Method ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo analyze 3D digitized image of the adult penis, providing morphological data for plastic plerosis of the adult penis diagnosis and the surgery planning.

METHODS200 adult penis were measured at the length and perimeter of the resting state and erection, and the relation among the erectile angle and length, perimeter were analyzed by the Angel Digital Image Studio software.

RESULTSPenis increase with the age and stature growing. But the length increases in not the same ratio with the stature . With the erectile angle increasing, penile hardness is becoming strong, but penile volume do not marked change.

CONCLUSIONSThe digitized model of the penis and adjacent structure offer unique insights into the complex penis anatomy, providing morphological data for preoperative design and postoperative effective evaluation of the penile plastic plerosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penis ; anatomy & histology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo separate and identify human testicular embryonal carcinoma proteomics using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry.

METHODSImmobilized pH gradient two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to separate the total proteins of the samples. After silver staining, PDQuest 7.30 image analysis software was applied to analyze the 2-DE images. Three of the proteins highly expressed in human testicular embryonal carcinoma were identified by matrix-assisted laser adsorption/ionization-time of flight-tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS/MS).

RESULTS2-DE effectively screened the differentially expressed proteins in the carcinoma tissues. Three proteins highly expressed in the carcinoma were successfully identified.

CONCLUSIONThe proteins of human testicular embryonal carcinoma can be effectively separated and analyzed using 2-DE and mass spectrometry. Proteomic analysis offers a new means for further study of this carcinoma.

Adult ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Embryonal ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Spectrometry ; Proteomics ; methods ; Testicular Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of low-dose oral tadalafil on self-esteem, confidence and sexual relationship in ED patients.

METHODSWe treated 17 ED patients with oral tadalafil at the low dose of 5 mg once daily for 12 weeks, and used the paired t test to compare their scores on The Self-Esteem and Relationship Questionnaire (SEAR) and IIEF-5 and the results of nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) obtained by nocturnal electrobioimpedance volumetric assessment (NEVA) before and after the medication.

RESULTSThe scores on SEAR and IIEF-5 were significantly increased (P < 0.01) and NPT markedly improved (P < 0.05) after tadalafil treatment as compared with the baseline.

CONCLUSIONLow-dose oral tadalafil once daily can significantly improve the self-esteem, confidence, sexual relationship satisfaction and NPT of ED patients.

Adult ; Carbolines ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Self Concept ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tadalafil ; Vasodilator Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVEThe ratio of psychological to organic ED changes with aging. This study aimed to analyze the results of nocturnal electrobioimpedance volumetric assessment (NEVA) for ED patients of different age groups and their significance in the diagnosis of ED.

METHODSA total of 83 ED patients were divided into 4 age groups (< or = 29 yr, 30 -39 yr, 40 -49 yr and > or = 50 yr) and detected for nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) by NEVA.

RESULTSThirty-four of the cases were diagnosed as organic ED, and the other 49 as psychological ED. With the increase of age, the former was increased from 30.3% in the < or = 29 yr group to 60.0% in the > or = 50 yr group, while the latter decreased from 69.7% to 40.0%.

CONCLUSIONThe percentage of organic ED tends to grow with the increase of age, while that of psychological ED is just the opposite.

Adult ; Aging ; Electric Impedance ; Erectile Dysfunction ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection

OBJECTIVETo investigate a novel immunotherapy through immobilization of streptavidin-tagged hTNF-alpha on the biotinylated mucosal surface of the bladder wall for bladder cancer treatment in mice.

METHODSA total of 120 female C57BL/6j mice were randomized into 5 equal groups, namely blank control, PBS, soluble hTNF-alpha, SA-GFP, and SA-hTNF-alpha treatment groups. Twenty-four hours after establishment of a mouse model of orthotopic superficial bladder cancer, SA-hTNF-alpha fusion protein was immobilized on the biotinylated mucosal surface of the bladder wall, which was repeated every 4 days for a total of 6 sessions. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the retention time of SA-hTNF-alpha fusion protein in the biotinylated mouse bladder mucosa and the distribution of CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocytes in the mucosa and tumor tissues, with the tumor growth and mouse survival also observed. The cytotoxiciy of the tumor-specific lymphocytes was evaluated. The mice responding well to the treatment were re-challenged by MB49 and monitored for survival.

RESULTSSA-hTNF-alpha could be efficiently and stably immobilized on the bladder mucosal surface for as long as 7 days. On day 60 after MB49 implantation, 18 out of 22 SA- hTNF-alpha-treated mice survived, with 9 appearing tumor-free, but all the mice in PBS control group died. Five out of 9 tumor-free mice in SA-hTNF-alpha group showed resistance to a re-challenge with intravesical MB49. The numbers of CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocytes were significantly greater in SA-hTNF-alpha group than in the other groups (P<0.05). The cytotoxicity of the tumor-specific lymphocytes was significantly stronger in SA-hTNF-alpha group than in the other groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSA-hTNF-alpha immobilized on the biotinylated mucosal surface of the bladder wall can significantly inhibit the tumor growth and promote the survival of the mice bearing orthotopic superficial bladder cancer.

Administration, Intravesical ; Animals ; Biotinylation ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; immunology ; therapy ; Female ; Immobilized Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Immunotherapy ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; metabolism ; therapeutic use ; Streptavidin ; metabolism ; therapeutic use ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; therapeutic use ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; immunology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo report our data of patients with clinical stage T(1-3)N(1-2)M(0) renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and explore the biological behavior of this malignancy.

METHODSA total of 531 patients with no distant metastatic RCC underwent open radical nephrectomy at our institution between 1988 and 2008, among whom 42 patients with histological nodal metastases had successful surgical tumor resection. The clinical data and outcomes of the 42 patients were analyzed.

RESULTSOf those 42 patients, 19.0% had T1, 21.4% had T2, and 59.5% had T3 stage tumors; 42.9% had N1 and 57.1% had N2 stage tumors. Tumor recurred in 30 (71.4%) patients after the surgery, and death occurred in 26 (61.9%) cases at the last follow-up; among the recurrent cases, 83.3% (25/30) had multiple metastases at the initial recurrence. The median cancer-specific survival (CSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was 23 and 11 months in these cases, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that Fuhrman grade (P=0.005), N stage (P=0.014) and T stage (P=0.037) were the independent predictors of CSS; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) (P=0.002), tumor size (P=0.007), Fuhrman grade (P=0.009) and N stage (P=0.019) were the independent predictors of DFS.

CONCLUSIONPatients with T(1-3)N(1-2)M(0) RCC have poor prognosis. N stage is an independent predictor of both CSS and DFS, suggesting that extended lymph node dissection should be performed when suspicious enlarged nodal disease is found during surgery.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Lymph Node Excision ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Young Adult