Objective To investigate the role of NF-kB in radiation-induced apoptosis ot human non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cells and the mechanism involved.Methods Three human non-Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines,Namalwa,Ramos,and Raji cells were divided into control,IR and IR + QNZ ( 10nmol/L) groups,respectively.Annexin-V kit was used to determine cell apoptosis. Protein expression levels of Survivin,Bax,Bcl-2 and cleaved Caspase-3 were evaluated by Western blot.Survivin mRNA was quantified by real-time PCR.Results Inhibition of NF-kB by QNZ pretreatment significantly enhanced X-ray induced apoptosis in human NHL cells in a dose-dependent manner (t =2.93 - 12.52,P ＜ 0.05).At the same time,QNZ significantly reversed the expression levels of Survivin protein and mRNA that were upregulated by radiation(t =3.29 - 16.72,P ＜ 0.05).QNZ also increased the levels of Caspase-3 and proapoptotic protein Bax,but reduced anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression level and hence the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax.Conclusions Inhibition of NF-kB could enhance radiation-induced cell apoptosis in human NHL cells through down-regulating Survivin expression and decreasing Bcl-2/Bax ratio.

Objective To evaluate the risk factors of urethral recurrences following radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and to discuss the treatment options. Methods Clinical data of 278 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer were analyzed retrospectively. Urethral recurrences were observed in 24 patients. Risk factors of recurrence were evaluated by Cox's multifactor regression model. Results None of the 6 patients undergoing selective prophylactic urethrectomy died;10 of the 24 patients with urethral recurrence died of tumor metastasis.Multiple factor analysis suggested that prostate involvement,bladder neck involvement,trigone tumor,multiple tumor and carcinoma in situ were the high risk factors,and their relative risk coefficients were 1.573,1.532,1.360, 1.337 and 1.213,respectively. Conclusions Simultaneous urethrectomy following radical cystectomy should be performed for patients with high risk factors (prostate involvement, bladder neck involvement, trigone tumor,multiple tumor and carcinoma in situ) of urethral recurrence,while patients without risk factors are eligible candidates for reconstruction of the urinary tract after cystectomy by an orthotopic neobladder.

Objective To investigate the sequence variations of mitochondrial D-loop region in chronic glomerular nephritis patients and family members and their possible associations with chronic glomerular nephritis.Methods 20 patients with chronic glomerular nephritis and 48 unaffected pedigree members,as well as 122 cases of normal control were recruited.mtDNA extracted from peripheral blood were examined by PCR-based assay for D-loop sequence variations,followed by sequencing analysis.Results Compared with the normal control and standard sequence,a total of 61 sequence variants were detected,among these,three high variations were found,and the base variation rate of patients with chronic glomerular nephritis(CGN)and unaffected pedigree members(UAPM)(0.88%,0.72%)significantly increased compared with the control group(0.61%).The distibutional difference of base variation rate in the experimental groups were significantly higher than those in the control group(x2=21.220,7.964,all P<0.05).Especially in microsatellite variation in D310 region,the mutation frequency and base variation rate in patients with CGN were 100.00% and 30.00%,respectively,which of UAPM were 81.30% and 17.95%,respectively,while those in the normal control group were 53.30% and 6.05%,respectively.Among them,the patients with CGN compared with the control group had statistically significant differences(x2=15.610,150.047,all P<0.05).Likewise,UAPM also had statistically significant difference compared with the control group(x2=11.347,66.188,all P<0.05).Conclusion D-Loop of mitochondrial genome mutations may be related to the development of chronic glomerular nephritis.

Objective To test the in vitro activity of azithromycin against recent clinical isolates of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis, and combined activity of azithromycin with moxifloxacin, rifampicin, doxycycline and minocyline. Methods When more than 90% McCoy cells were infected, the 41 strains tested were collected to investigate minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 5 antimicrobials alone. Checkerboard array was used to calculate the fractional inhibitory concentrations(FICs) and then detected the interactions among the various combinations. Results In vitro, synergism or additivity effect of 51.22%,53.66% and 58.54% strains was found in azithromycin-moxifloxacin, azithromycin-doxycycline and asithromycin-rifampicin combinations, respectively. No difference was observed in all of the combinations ( P ＞0.05). However, antagonism effect of 90.24% strains was observed in azithromycin-minocyline combination. Conclusion This study indicates that the combination of azithromycin with moxifloxacin, doxycycline or rifampicin is more effective against Chlamydia trachomatis than individual antimicrobials. Therefore, these antimicrobials combinations might be recommended against Chlamydia trachomatis recurrent or persisitent infection. However, the combination of azithromycin with minocyline exhibited a markedly antagonism activity against Chlamydia trachomatis. Combined sensitivity test to a certain extent can compensate for some shortcomings of individual susceptibility test.

Objective To analyze the clinical features and summarize diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy for ureteropelvic junction obstruction(UPJO). Methods Two hundred and twenty-two patients with UPJO were treated from 2000 to 2008,including 155 males and 67 females:the age rangeed from 13 to 75 and mean age was 29 years.One hundred and seventy-three cases presented with back pain;19 cases with urine infection;12 cases with abdomen bump;7 cases with macroscopic hematuria;11 cases found by B-ultrasound examine.Etiological factors included 185 patients of ureteropelvic junction stenosis;18 cases of high location of the junction;19 cases which were diagnosed UPJO due to benign oppression,including fiber cords and peculiar vessels.A total of 222 cases of surgical procedures were conducted,of them Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty was conducted for 191 cases,fiber cords and peculiar vessels were relieved for 19,nephrectomy for 12 cases because of nonfunction. Results One hundred and ninety-one cases who underwent Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty were all succeeded with operation.They were followed up for 6 months to 8years with a mean of 38 months.B-ultrasound and IVU showed that hydronephrosis was obviously relieved.The clinical symptoms disappeared in all cases.The levels of serum creatinine of 7 cases who had higher ereatinine recovered. Conclusion Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty could be a good choice and effective method for the treatment of UPJO.

Objective To test the in vitro susceptibility to macrolides of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) isolates, screen resistant Ct strains, and to explore resistance mechanism at the molecular level. Methods A total of 42 Ct strains were isolated from cervical or urethral swab samples and propagated in McCoy cells until the infection rate reached more than 90%. Then, susceptibility test was performed to evaluate the activity of three macrolides. Reverse transcription PCR and PCR were used to amplify two macrolide-resistance related genes, i.e., 23S rRNA gene and L4 gene, respectively in 2 erythromycin-resistant Ct strains and 4 erythromycin-sensitive strains followed by direct sequencing. Results The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) varied from 0.5 to 2 mg/L for erythromycin, 0.008 to 0.032 mg/L for clarithromycin, 0.125 to 0.5 mg/Lfor azithromycin. Erythromycin resistance was found in 2 isolates with the MIC value being 2 mg/L. Two mutations, C2452A and T2611A/C (Escherichia coli numbering) in the 23S rRNA gene, were detected in the resistant strains only, while the other 2 mutations, Pro113Leu and Pro156 Ala in L4 gene, were observed in all the tested strains. Conclusions Erythromycin-resistant Ct strains have emerged in clinical settings. The low-level erythromycin resistance may be associated with C2452A and T261 1C mutations in the 23S rRNA gene, whereas the point mutations in L4 gene is unlikely related to erythromycin resistance.

Objective To test the in vitro acitivity of azithromycin, minocyline, moxifloxacin, doxycycline and rifampicin alone or in combination against three standard strains of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis,i.e. D-UW-5/Cx, E-UW-5/Cx and G-UW-5/Cx. Methods Three standard strains of C. trachomatis were inoculated into McCoy cells, and used to susceptibility testing after more than 90% McCoy cells were infected.Microdilution method was applied to determine the activity of the 5 antimicrobial agents alone, and checkerboard array to determine that in combination. Results The in vitro minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs)were 0.25 mg/L for azithromycin, 0.06 mg/L for moxifloxacin, 0.063 - 0.25 mg/L for doxycycline, 0.032 -0.064 mg/L for minocyline, 0.008 mg/L for rifampicin. And, the fractional inhibitory concentration index was constantly 0.75 for the combination of azithromycin with moxifloxacin, doxycycline and rifampicin, 2.5, 2.83and 4 for the combination of minocyline with azithromycin, moxilloxacin and rifampicin, respectively. Conclusions As far as the activity against C. trachomatis is concerned, there is a synergism for the combination of azithromycin with moxifloxacin, doxycycline and rifampicin, but antagonism for the combination of minocyline with azithromycin, moxifloxacin and rifampicin.

Objective　To study the value of renal CT scan in evaluating split renal function.Methods　147 patients undergone CT scan from June 2009 to June 2011 were involved in this study.There were 73 cases of obstructive hydronephrosis and 74 cases of renal tumors.66 patients were males and 81 were females with a mean age of 53 years ( range 17 - 87 years).GFR detected by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used as the reference of split renal function.The kidneys were divided into 3 groups according to the GFR:normal renal function (113 cases,GFR ≥ 34 ml/min),mildly impaired renal function (66 cases,GFR:20 -34 ml/min) and severely impaired renal function (41 cases,GFR ＜20 ml/min).One-way ANOVA and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between the results of CT scan and split renal functions.　Results　There were significant differences in the cortical thickness among the normal renal function,mildly impaired renal function and severely impaired renal function groups.The cortical thicknesses were (0.62 ±0.11) cm,(0.45 ±0.10) cm and (0.26 ±0.07) cm,respectively (P ＜ 0.01 ).The renal cortical thickness was strongly correlated with GFR (r =0.806,P ＜0.01 ).There were significant differences in the enhancement during the cortical phase among the 3 groups,which were (162.1 ±25.3) HU,(121.6 ±21.0) HU and (63.5 ±20.0) HU,respectively (P＜0.01).The enhancement during the cortical phase was strongly correlated with the GFR (r =0.851,P ＜ 0.01 ).The enhancement during the parenchymal phase and excretory phase was moderately correlated with the GFR ( r =0.467 and r =0.451,P ＜ 0.01 ).　Conclusions　The renal cortical tbickness and the enhancement during the cortical phase detected by CT scan might be useful for the clinical evaluation of split renal function.

Objective To optimize the concentration of polyethylene glycol (PEG) for the growth of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) reference strains D-UW-5/Cx and E-UW-5/Cx,and to evaluate the effects of PEG on the sensitivity of Ct to 4 common antibiotics.Methods After the inoculation of Ct standard strains (D-UW-5/Cx and E-UW-5/Cx) into McCoy cell monolayer,different concentrations of PEG were added into the culture medium followed by centrifugation.After 2 hours of incubation at 37 ℃,the inoculum was removed and a complete culture medium containing 1 μg/mL cycloheximide was added followed by another 48-hour culture.Subsequently,the culture was fixed and subjected to iodine staining for the calculation of Ct inclusions and optimization of PEG for the growth of Ct.Some Ct standard strains were used to infect McCoy cells,with PEG (0.7％,wt/vol) added to the culture medium after inoculation and before centrifugation process,and when the infection rate reached higher than 90％,a microdilution method was utilized to evaluate the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4 antibiotics,including azithromycin,minocyline,moxifloxacin and doxycycline.Thirty-one clinical specimens,which had been confirmed to be positive for Ct serovar D or E strain,were inoculated into McCoy cell monolayer for the passage of Ct with or without the presence of 0.7％ PEG.Results The optimal concentration of PEG was 0.7％ for the growth of Ct,and this concentration of PEG could increase the number of inclusion bodies of Ct serovar E by 3.44 folds,and that of Ct serovar D by 3.56 folds.In vitro,the MICs of the 4 antibiotics were consistent between PEG-treated and untreated Ct reference strains.Moreover,PEG notably increased the quantity of inclusion bodies of Ct serovar E or D from clinical specimens after passages.Conclusions PEG (0.7％) can enhance the growth of Ct serovar D and E,but has no obvious influence on antimicrobial susceptibility of Ct.

ObjectiveTo detect the changes of heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) during the subcultures of standard and clinical strains of Chlamydia trachomatis(Ct),and to determine if the absence of chlamydial inclusions is associated with the persistent infection of Ct.MethodsA total of 40 Ct strains isolated by cell culture from patients were included in this study and classified into 2 groups according to whether inclusions appeared after initial culture.Reverse transcription PCR was conducted to quantify the levels of HSP60 in specimens containing Ct after 1-4 subcuhures.Chi-squared test was performed to analyze the relationship between the levels of HSP60 and treatment outcomes of patients.ResultsThe levels of HSP60 in clinical specimens containing Ct serovar E were significantly higher in subcultures prior to the appearance of inclusions than in subcultures with the appearance of inclusions(P ＜ 0.05).The ratio of HSP60:16S rRNA mRNA expression after the first,second,third,fourth passage was 0.38 ± 0.06,0.39 ± 0.03,0.38 ± 0.04 and 0.39 ±0.03 respectively in 18 specimens with inclusions appearing after the initial culture,1.18 ± 0.10,0.28 ± 0.06,0.30 ± 0.03 and 0.29 ± 0.05 respectively in 12 specimens with inclusions appearing after the second culture,1.20 ± 0.04,1.20 ± 0.04,0.28 ± 0.04 and 0.28 ± 0.05 in 10 specimens with inclusions appearing after the third culture.Whether inclusions appeared after the initial culture was associated with the treatment outcome of patients.Inclusions were undetected after the initial culture in 16 of 20 specimens from patients with poor response to treatment,but observed in 14 of 20 specimens from patients who tested negative for Ct after one course of treatment.Conclusions It is implicated that no inclusions form after the initial culture in 80％ of specimens from patients experiencing treatment failure.The Ct strains whose inclusions do not form after passages may be in a persistent state,and the expression of HSP60 is high in these strains.Specimens should be subjected to at least 3 blind passages to avoid missed diagnosis of Ct infection.