OBJECTIVETo improve the method for monitoring sleep state and respiratory rhythm of SD rats, providing a solution for rats' chewing on the wires, signal loss and instability problems in the animal model of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS).

METHODSWe improved monitoring electrodes of both electrocorticogram (ECoG) and electromyogram (EMG), signal circuit and animal operation.

RESULTSOperation time was shortened and wound exposure time was reduced, which made it easier for postoperative recovery. The ECoG and EMG signals were more stable with sharp image, and signal circuit lines had better conductivity and material durability, achieving continuous monitoring for a long time and high success rate. We could precisely distinguish the sleep wake state and the sleep apnea events in rats according to these signals.

CONCLUSIONThe improved method is more reliable and practical to test the small animal model of SAS, and is more easily to operate and the signals are more stable.

Animals ; Electroencephalography ; methods ; Electromyography ; methods ; Models, Animal ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; methods ; Rats ; Respiration ; Sleep ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of miRNA-101 on the expression of the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EXH2) in human androgen-independent prostated cancer LNCaP cells.

METHODSWe divided LNCaP cells into a blank control, a negative control, and a miRNA-l01 transfection group, constructed the vector by transfecting synthetic miRNA-101 mimics into the LNCaP cells, and evaluated the efficiency of transfection by fluorescence microscopy. Then we determined the expression level of EZH2 mRNA by qRT-PCR in the three groups of cells and that of the EZH2 protein in the negative control and transfection groups by Western blot.

RESULTSGreen fluorescence signals were observed in over 70% of the LNCaP cells in the transfection group after 24 hours of transfection. At 72 hours, the expression of miRNA-101 was significantly upregulated in the transfected cells (P < 0.01), that of EZH2 mRNA was remarkably lower in the transfection group (0.01 ± 0.10) than in the blank control (0.95 ± 0.40) and negative control (0.86 ± 0.30) groups (both P < 0.01), and that of the EZH2 protein was increased in the negative control but decreased in the transfection group with the extension of culture time.

CONCLUSIONmiRNA-101, with its inhibitory effect on the expression of EZH2 in LNCaP cells, is a potential biotherapeutic for prostate cancer.

Androgens ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; physiology ; Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Transfection

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of double-J catheter in treatment of renal tuberculosis(TB)and in rescuing the structure and function of the kidney.Methods:Thirty-four patients with renal TB(22 combined with single side hydronephrosis)were divided into 2 groups randomly.Group A were treated with antituberculous therapy and group B with antituberculous therapy combined with pre-treatment with double-J catheter.All 34 patients were followed up for 3 months and were re-examined.Results:The results of B ultrasound,intravenous urogram(IVU),CT and isotope nephrogram were comparable between the 2 groups before treatment,and the results were significantly different between the two groups after 3 months'drug treatment(P

Objective To observe the change of stanniocalcin 1 (STC1) and calcium content in brain of coal-burning-borne fluorosis rats,and to explore the role of STC1 in brain injury of coal-burning-borne fluorosis.Methods Twenty four male SD rats were randomly divided into control,low,medium,and high fluoride groups according to body mass.Control group was fed conventional rat chow(fluorinated 1.3 mg/kg),and low,medium and high fluoride groups fed with fluorinated feed(20.0,40.0,60.0 mg/kg).All rats were given distilled water and feed ad libitum.One hundred and eighty days after modeling,STC1 protein and gene expression in the brain tissue of rats were detected using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR and calcium content of brain tissue was detected.Results The cell positive rates of STC1 in low,medium,high fluoride groups [(48.10 + 2.11)％,(54.90 ± 1.73)％,(79.30 ± 3.71)％] were significantly higher than that of the control group[(24.70 + 3.53)％,all P ＜ 0.05],the cell positive rate of high fluoride group was significantly higher than that of the low and medium fluoride groups (all P ＜ 0.05).The STC1 mRNA expression of low,medium and high fluoride groups (0.58 ± 0.09,0.85 ± 0.17,1.75 ± 0.04) were significantly higher than that in the control group(0.37 ± 0.12,all P＜ 0.05),the STC1 mRNA expressions of high fluoride group was significantly higher than that of the low and medium fluoride groups (all P ＜ 0.05).The brain cortex calcium ion concentrations of low,medium and high fluoride groups[(138.62 + 4.19),(167.43 + 6.57),(189.45 + 3.72)nmol/L] were significantly higher than that in the control group [(101.47 + 9.46)nmol/L,all P ＜ 0.05],the brain cortex calcium ion concentrations of high fluoride group was significantly higher than that of the low and medium fluoride groups(all P ＜ 0.05),and the medium fluoride groups was higher than the low groups (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion STC 1 may be involved in brain damage of coal-burning-borne fluorosis rats through regulating calcium balance.

Traditional Chinese ancient prescriptions have been used for treatment of liver cancer for a long history and the scientific and rational compatibility is a great wealth for modern research and development (R&D) of new drugs. The research and development of new drugs are often accompanied with a large investment, a long cycle and a high risk, especially for the anti-tumor drugs R&D which are facing more risks and lower successful rate. In this research, the regularity of compatibility of drugs was analyzed from 124 anti-hepatoma ancient prescriptions by computer program. The results can offer help to the R&D of anti-hepatoma new drugs and reduce the risk of drug screening. In addition, we surveyed 22 companies in this field from six provinces such as Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and so on and obtained 240 risk assessment questionaires. Then we used qualitative analysis method to interpret the greatest impacts for the risks in the process of R&D, production and sales of anti-hepatoma new drugs. The study provides a basis for anti-liver cancer drugs R&D researchers, who can take effective measures to reduce the R&D risks and improve successful rate.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; history ; China ; Drug Discovery ; history ; Drug Incompatibility ; Drug Prescriptions ; history ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; history ; therapeutic use ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; history ; Research ; history

Animals ; GAP-43 Protein ; metabolism ; Ganglia, Spinal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Nerve Block ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sciatic Nerve ; drug effects ; injuries ; Tetrodotoxin ; pharmacology

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)gene susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)by familial studies.Methods PCR-based re- striction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP)was applied to genotype single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) G261T of the ACE gene.A total of 119 patients with SLE from 119 families were recruited.In addition,316 family members of these patients were also genotyped.A family-based association study was carried out to ex- plore the association between gene polymorphism and SLE.We studied the SNP encoding non-synonymous substitution in the ACE gene with respect to genetic susceptibility to SLE.Results Among 119 SLE patients. the frequency of ACEG261TG,T alleles was 44.8%.55.2% respectively,the frequency of ACEG261T GG,GT and TT genotypes was 13.9%,62.0%,24.1% respectively,Univariate(single-marker)family-based association test(FBAT)demonstrated that variant alleles at the SNP,rs4303,exon 5 of ACE gene were significantly asso- ciated with genetic susceptibility to SLE in Additive Model(Z=2.877,P=0.004),Dominant Model(Z=2.557, P=0.011).Recessive Model(Z=2.202,P=0.028).Transmission-disequilibrium test(TDT)and sib transmission -disequilibrium test(STDT)showed an excess of the allele of T from heterozygous parents to affected offspring or higher frequency of the allele of T in the patients than their normal siblings(X~2=11.66,P=0.001).Conclu- sion Our findings suggest that the ACE gene may he the susceptible gene to SLE in Chinese population,and the individuals carrying ACE-261T allele is significantly associated with susceptibility to SLE.

A bacterial strain DN25, effective on cyanide-degradation, was isolated from contaminated soil and identified as Alcaligenes sp. on the basis of phenotype analysis and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. It showed great tolerance to the cyanide, which can grow in the medium containing 500mg CN -/L. The suitable condition for the cell growth and boitransformation was pH8.0 and 30oC and the transformation rate for 500mg CN - /L could achieve 99% in 10 h. It has also been found that the screened strain had the ability of K 4Fe(CN) 6 transformation with 96% of transformation rate at 12 h for the concentration of 500 mg CN /L.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the 5-year follow-up to 2 micron continuous wave laser vaporesection for the treatment of patients with low urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and evaluate the safety and clinical effects of the treatment.

METHODSFrom October 2006 to September 2007, 236 cases with low urinary tract symptom secondary to BPH were treated transurethrally under epidural or general anesthesia using the 70 Watt 2 micron laser system. Vaporesection of the prostate was performed with the traditional "U" or the "dividing" method. The 210 cases who met the inclusion criteria in this study were selected for further observation. Baseline and perioperative data were recorded and evaluated in resection time, transfusion rate, catheter-time, improvements in maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), international prostate symptom scores (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), and post voiding residual volume (PVR).

RESULTSOut of the 210 cases, 179 cases were followed up to 5 years finally. All the surgical procedures were successfully conducted under epidural or general anesthesia. Mean operation time was (80 ± 22) minutes, and mean retrieved prostatic tissue was (24.9 ± 4.2) g. Resected prostatic tissues could be easily flashed out of the bladder. There were no significant differences in serum sodium concentrations and hemoglobin levels before and after the surgery. Mean catheter time and hospital stay was (114 ± 35) hours and (5.7 ± 1.9) days respectively. Only one postoperative secondary hemorrhage was found and treated with blood transfusion. During the 5-year follow-up, Qmax increased from (8.6 ± 3.5) ml/s preoperatively to (23.6 ± 4.2) ml/s by the end of the follow-up (P < 0.01), IPSS and QoL-Score improved from 25.3 ± 5.2 and 4.1 ± 1.3 to 6.1 ± 3.0 and 1.4 ± 0.8 respectively (P < 0.01), and PVR decreased from (248 ± 89) ml to (15 ± 13) ml. The 3 patients developed urinary incontinence and recovered 3 months later through functional exercises with the help of acupuncture. Five patients were found to have urethral stricture 3 months after the surgery and recovered with the treatment of urethral dilatation (3 cases) or internal urethrotomy (2 cases) respectively.

CONCLUSIONSTransurethral vaporesection of prostate using the 2 micron continuous wave laser system is a safe and effective treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia with obvious improvements in subjective and objective voiding parameters, which were evident at 3 months after the surgery and were sustained throughout the 5-year long-term follow-up.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; methods

OBJECTIVESTo observe the vaporesection efficiency of the 2 micron laser to the prostatic gland in benign prostatic hyperplasia, and investigate the method of estimating the amount of the vaporesected prostatic tissues during transurethral vaporesection of the prostate using the 2 micron laser system in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

METHODSTotal 9 fresh prostatic gland specimens were obtained from patients with BPH under open surgical procedures, and vaporesected under a simulated transurethral environment with the 2 micron laser system immediately after weighted. Energies and time consumptions were noted, collections of vaporesected tissue specimens and the remnants of the prostatic glands were weighted after the procedures. The ratios of the vaporized tissues and the collected tissues to the whole vaporesected tissues were calculated respectively. The vaporesection efficiency of the 2 micron laser to the prostatic tissues was also calculated.

RESULTSAmong the total lost tissues, about (65.6 +/- 1.5) percent of which were that of vaporized, and nearly (34.5 +/- 1.5) percent were resected. Linear correlation between the weight of collected prostatic tissue(x) and the weight of prostatic gland specimens(y) could be defined as a formula of [y = 3.245x - 6.475 (t = 15.097, P = 0.000)].

CONCLUSIONThe amounts of the whole prostatic tissues removed by the 2 micron laser could be calculated from the collected resected prostatic specimens under a simulated transurethral surgical procedure.

Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Laser Therapy ; methods ; Lasers ; Male ; Prostate ; surgery ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; methods