Agmatine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Analgesia ; methods ; Animals ; Injections, Spinal ; Male ; Morphine ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary renal cell carcinoma.

METHODSClinical data of 11 patients with hereditary renal cell carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively. Eight patients were male and 3 were female, age ranged from 32 to 67 (mean: age 48 years). Four cases were bilateral renal cell carcinoma, and 4 were multiple renal cell carcinoma. Two cases were diagnosed as Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, 6 as familial clear cell renal cell cancer, and 3 as hereditary papillary renal carcinoma.

RESULTSTen patients performed nephron-sparing surgery and/or radical nephrectomy and 1 had no operation. The patients were followed up from 12 to 114 months. Tumor recurrence was observed in 4 patients, 1 patient died of tumor metastasis, and 2 died of other causes. Four patients survived free of tumor.

CONCLUSIONSHereditary renal carcinoma appears in the youth, and it is predominantly multiple and bilateral. Nephron-sparing surgery is the standard method of treatment for the patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; diagnosis ; genetics ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the late results of using posterior restoration and three-column fixation to treat lumbar spondylolisthesis.

METHODSOne hundred and eighty-four patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis were collected from March 1999 to May 2007, they were treated by posterior restoration and fixation with single nail-grooved tail steel plate and fixed with cage (WDFC). Among these cases, 87 cases were fixed with one WDFC, 97 cases were used two WDFCs.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 8 to 69 months(averaged 23 months). According to Nakai standard, the results was excellent in 142 cases, good in 34, fair in 8, the excellent and good rates were 95.6%. Seventy-nine vertebraes with I degree spondylolisthesis were reduced after surgery. Eighty-seven vertebraes with II degree spondylolisthesis were reduced except 9 with I degree spondylolisthesis left. Twenty-one with III degree spondylolisthesis were reduced except 5 with I degree spondylolisthesis left; In 2 with IV degree spondylolisthesis, one with I degree spondylolisthesis left and the other with II degree spondylolisthesis left. The follow-up results showed that there was no statistical significance in the height of intervertebral space between preoperation and post-operation, and no recurrence was observed and no single nail-grooved tail steel plate and WDFC were loose or crashed.

CONCLUSIONPosterior restoration and three-column fixation is a positive modus operandi to treat lumbar spondylolisthesis,which can reduce excellently,keep the height of intervertebral space and stabilization of segment, obtain high rate of fusion, and cut down complication.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; Spondylolisthesis ; surgery

Objective To explore the association of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1 (PPARGC1) Gly482Ser with apolipoprotein E (ApoE) variations in longevity (aged above 90 yrs) Hans in Guangxi Yongfu and to explore the potential association between the variations and metabolic traits.Methods Based on our survey in Guangxi Yongfu in 2008-2011,212 elderly cases (aged 90～105 years) were included as longevity group and 207 cases without longevity history were included as control group.By household survey,we collected the longevity related parameters,blood glucose,blood lipid,blood pressure and other related metabolic traits.Peripheral blood was collected to extract DNA,the gene variations of Gly482Ser and ApoE were genotyped,and the database with genome and traits information were set up.By univariate analysis and multivariate genetic statistical analysis,the association between the variations and longevity and metabolic traits was assessed.Results Compared with the control group,the levels of fasting blood glucose,total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein were lower in the longevity group.Gly482Ser was genotyped in all samples and fully fulfilled the Hardy Weinberg equilibrium.After the Bonferroni correction,recessive model failed to find association between GG genotype and longevity.Stratified analyses by ApoEε4 allele revealed that,in the subgroup with no ApoEε4,PPARGC-1 GG genotype was positively associated with longevity in the recessive model,even after Bonferroni correction (OR =1.72,P＜0.05).In addition,longevity group with Gly482Ser GG genotype seemed to have relativelower fasting blood glucose (P ＜ 0.05) and higher high density lipoprotein levels (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Longevity Hans in Guangxi Yongfu preserve better metabolic state compared with the control group.GG genotype of Gly482Ser in PPARGC-1 is positively associated with longevity,which depends on not carrying the risk allele of ApoE ε4.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pretreatment effects of Rhodiola rosea (R. rosea) extract on cognitive dysfunction, oxidative stress in hippocampus and hippocampal neuron injury in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODSMale Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with R. rosea extract at doses of 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 g/kg for 3 weeks, followed by bilateral intracerebroventricular injection with streptozotocin (1.5 mg/kg) on days 1 and 3. Behavioral alterations were monitored after 2 weeks from the lesion using Morris water maze task. Three weeks after the lesion, the rats were sacrificed for measuring the malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione reductase (GR) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in hippocampus and histopathology of hippocampal neurons.

RESULTSThe MDA level was significantly increased while the GR and GSH levels were significantly decreased with striking impairments in spatial learning and memory and severe damage to hippocampal neurons in the model rat induced by intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin. These abnormalities were significantly improved by pretreatment with R. rosea extract (3.0 g/kg).

CONCLUSIONR. rosea extract can protect rats against cognitive deficits, neuronal injury and oxidative stress induced by intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin, and may be used as a potential agent in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.

Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Cell Count ; Cognition Disorders ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; pathology ; Injections, Intraventricular ; Male ; Neurons ; drug effects ; pathology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhodiola ; metabolism ; Streptozocin ; administration & dosage ; Swimming ; physiology

Objective To investigate the effect of Xinmailong injection on patients with heart failure after emergency PCI and its effect on cardiac function. Methods 80 patients with heart failure after PCI in our hospital from December2015 to December 2016 were enrolled. All patients were divided into Xinmailong treatment group and conventional treatment group according to the random number table method, with 40 cases in each group. After emergency PCI, both groups were given conventional anti-platelet aggregation therapy, oral statin lipid-lowering drugs, ACEI, β-receptor antagonists, nitrates, etc. The Xinmailong treatment group was given 0.9％ sodium chloride injection 100 mL+Xinmailong injection 6 m L (ivgtt, 2 times/d). And the conventional treatment group was given 0.9％ sodium chloride injection 100 mL (ivgtt, 2 times/day). The two groups were treated continuously for 4 weeks. The clinical efficacy after treatment, as well as the changes of serum NT-proBNP levels before and after 1 week and 1 month of treatment, the LVEF and LVEDd before and after treatment of the two groups. Results The total effective rate of the patients in Xinmailong treatment group was 95.00％, which was significantly higher than that of the conventional treatment group, and the difference was significant (P<0.05). After treatment, serum NT-proBNP levels in the Xinmailong treatment group were significantly lower than those in the conventional treatment group at 1 week and 1 month after treatment, respectively, and the difference was significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the LVEF of the Xinmailong treatment group was significantly higher than that of the conventional treatment group, and the LVEDd of the Xinmailong treatment group was significantly lower than that of the conventional treatment group, and the difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Xinmailong injection on the basis of routine treatment has exact curative effect on patients with heart failure after emergency PCI, which can significantly improve the heart function and improve the prognosis of patients. It is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of low-dose thyroxin in elderly patients with refractory heart failure (RHF) and euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS).

METHODSFifty-four elderly patients with RHF and ESS were randomized into conventional treatment group (n=32) and L-thyroxine group with additional oral L-thyroxine at the daily dose of 6.25-25 microg (n=22). The changes in the plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptides (BNP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and cardiac function (NYHA level) of the two groups were compared after 1 month of treatment.

RESULTSFive patients receiving conventional treatment died due to severe arrhythmia during the treatment, and in the other 27 patients, the levels of plasma BNP, LVEF, and cardiac function showed no significant improvements after 1 month of treatment (P>0.01). In L-thyroxine group, no death or severe arrhythmia occurred, and the levels of plasma BNP, LVEF, and cardiac function were significantly improved after the treatment (P<0.01). No thyrotoxicosis occurred during the administration of L-thyroxine in the latter group.

CONCLUSIONLow-dose L-thyroxine in addition to the conventional treatments may enhance the therapeutic effect in elderly patients with RHF and ESS.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chronic Disease ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Euthyroid Sick Syndromes ; complications ; drug therapy ; Female ; Heart Failure ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thyroxine ; administration & dosage

Objective To explore the efficacy of the single versus combination drug therapies for benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) combined with overactive bladder(OAB).Methods A total of 471 outpatients with BPH and OAB meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria were enrolled in this prospective cohort study from March 2012 to October 2015.Patients were divided into two groups:(1) the single alpha-blocker treatment group (prostate volume ＜ 30 ml),and (2) the 5 alpha reductase inhibitors(5-ARIs) plus alpha-blocker combination treatment group(prostate volume ≥ 30 ml).The 318 patients were treated with alpha blockers for 4 weeks,and then received a continuing alpha-blocker treatment for 8 weeks if IPSS score changes were less than 30％ (i.e.single alpha-blocker treatment group).And 153 patients were treated with 5-ARIs for 12 weeks,then received 5-ARIs plus alpha-blocker combination treatment for another 4 weeks(a total of 16 weeks)if IPSS score changes were less than 30 ％ (i.e.combination treatment group).The improvements of post-voiding residual(PVR),PV,maximum urinary flow rate(Qmax),international prostate symptom score(IPSS),overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS),quality of life (QOL),urine storage period symptom score (USPSS) and voiding symptom score(VSS)were compared between the two groups.Results The values of IPSS,OABSS,QOL,USPSS and VSS index in the two groups were improved after treatment as compared with pre-treatment(all P≤0.05).Patients in combination treatment group had little improvement in PVR and Qmax after treatment.The OAB symptom remission rates of BPH patients with OAB in single alpha-blocker treatment group were 70.5％ (206/292)and 78.6％ (165/210)after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment respectively.The OAB symptoms remission rates of BPH patients with OAB in combination treatment group were 54.5 ％ (64/122) and 67.1％ (53/79) after 12 and 16 weeks of treatment respectively.Conclusions Both single alpha-blocker treatment and alpha-blocker plus 5ARIs combination treatment,which identification was based on prostate volume,have good effects on BPH patients with OAB.The single alpha-blocker treatment can improve PVR and Qmax,and the alpha-blockers plus 5ARIs combination treatment can improve the prostate volume in BPH patients with OAB.

OBJECTIVETo study the etiology and clinical significance of axial symptoms after posterior operative procedures for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

METHODSFrom February 2005 to February 2010, 76 patients with OPLL treated were retrospectively experienced. There were 34 male and 42 female with average of 52.1 years (range from 37 to 74 years), the average duration of the disease was 32.1 months (range from 11 to 56 months). Nineteen patients underwent traditional laminectomy in group A, 33 patients received open-door laminoplasty in group B and 24 patients underwent lateral mass screw fixation in group C. All patients underwent X-ray examination pre- and post operative, computed tomography were used for diagnosis of OPLL, the recovery rate was calculated using pre- and postoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores for each patient. Pre- and postoperative cervical curvature index and axial symptoms were measured and compared. χ(2) test and SNK test were used as statistical methods.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 14 - 35 months, average (21 ± 5) months. Loss of cervical curvature index was 4.2% ± 1.7% in group A, 2.9% ± 2.2% in group B and 2.3% ± 1.9% in group C. The difference was significant in loss of cervical curvature indice between group A and B (q = 2.94, P < 0.01), group A and C (q = 4.23, P < 0.01). The average JOA recovery rate was 58.3% for group A, 64.3% for group B and 66.7% for group C. There was no significant difference in JOA recovery rate among the three groups (P > 0.05). The rate of early evident axial symptoms was 7/19 in group A, 30.3% in group B and 33.3% in group C and the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The incidence of late evident axial symptoms was 5/19 in group A, 12.1% in group B and 8.3% in group C, the difference was not significant between group B and C (χ(2) = 13.762, P < 0.01), but of statistical difference between group A and B(χ(2) = 6.368, P < 0.01), group A and C (χ(2) = 11.481, P < 0.01). No kyphotic deformity in the group A, no "Close Door" phenomenon in group B and no internal failure in group C.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of early axial symptoms are of no significant difference among the three groups, but late axial symptoms are higher in the laminectomy than other groups, which may be associated with loss of cervical lordosis.

Adult ; Decompression, Surgical ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo construct a short hairpin (sh)RNA targeting the gene encoding the MDM2 oncoprotein in order to investigate its role in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its potential for use as a gene therapy strategy to inhibit HCC growth in vivo.

METHODSSmall interfering (si)RNAs were designed targeting the MDM2 gene (siMDM2-1 and siMDM2-2) and unrelated sequences (negative control) and cloned into the expression plasmid pGCSilencer-U6-neo-GFP. A HCC mouse model was established by subcutaneous inoculation of HepG2 cells (2 x 10(6) in 0.2 ml) into 20 nude mice. The inoculated mice were divided into four equal groups for tumor-localized injections of saline, negative control siRNA plasmid, siMDM2-1 plasmid, and siMDM2-2 plasmid. Tumor growth was observed daily (by caliper measurement) for one month, when mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The tumor mass was resected for analysis of tumor inhibition rate (% = [(average tumor weight of control group - average tumor weight of treatment group) / average tumor weight of control group x 100]) and effects on MDM2 and p53 mRNA and protein expression (by reverse transcription- PCR and western blotting, both normalized to beta-actin). Significance of between-group differences was assessed by one-way ANOVA or LSD test; pairwise comparisons were made by the Chi-squared test.

RESULTSsiMDM2-1 and siMDM2-2 suppressed the xenografted tumor growth remarkably (60.6% and 54.6% inhibition rates, respectively), significantly reduced the expression ofMDM2 gene (62.8% and 61.6%) and protein (60.7% and 59.5%), and significantly increased p53 gene (47.1% and 45.6%) and protein (45.9% and 44.3%) (all, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONshRNA-mediated silencing of the MDM2 gene effectively inhibits HCC tumorigenesis of subcutaneously xenografted HepG2 cells in nude mice, and the mechanism may involve p53.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Proliferation ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Plasmids ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays