Objective To review the safety and efficacy of upper-pole access percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Methods From May 2008 to May 2010,237 cases ( 135 males and 102 females with mean age of 42 yrs) of renal or proximal ureteral calculi treated with upper-pole access PCNL were reviewed.The indications included calculus larger than 1.5 cm or impacted proximal ureteral calculi in 94 cases,calculus≥2 cm or impacted renal pelvic calculi in 26 cases,staghorn or multiple calculi in 68 cases,complex lower calyx calculi in 13 cases,upper calyx calculi not amenable to ESWL or URS in 12 cases,calculi within upper calyx diverticulum in 3 cases,combined UPJ obstruction or upper ureteral stenosis in 8 cases,morbidly obese patients in 3 cases,calculi within horseshoe kidneys in 6 cases,calculi within transplanted kidneys or ureters in 4 cases.Of the 237 cases,175 tracts (73.8％) were above the 12th rib,46were above the 11th rib,12 were below the 12th rib,4 were in the lower abdomen for renal transplant patients. Results The overall stone clearance rate with upper-pole access PCNL monotherapy was 74.3％.Additional punctures were required in 55 cases and combined ESWL in 6 cases.Total stone clearance rate at 3 months after operation was 88.2％.16 patients (6.8％) had a pleural injury.Thoracentesis was required in 8 patients,closed thoracic drainage in 5 patients,conservative treatment in 3 patients.After nephrostomy tube removed,pleural irritation symptom appeared in 12 cases (5.1％) who required symptomatic treatment.No patient had injury to the lung or other viscera.Significant bleeding requiring blood transfusion was olserved in 5 patients,while selective renal arterial embolization was required in 2 cases. Conclusions Upper-pole access offers optimal visibility,convenience for the movement of rigid nephroscope and high stone-free rate.It should be attempted in selected cages of upper ureteral calculi and complex renal calculi.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of bladder hydrodistention for the treatment of ketamine-associated bladder dysfunction.Methods Six patients were required to withdraw the ketamine and treated with bladder hydrodistention therapy and sodium hyaluronate irrigation,and medicine to pretect liver and kidney was also used.Results The biopsies of 6 cases demonstrated the cystitis through biopsy.Lower urinary tract symptoms such as urgency,thamuria and odynuria were significantly relieved after bladder installation within 30 days.The O'Leary-Sant ICSI scores and the ICPI scores reduced to 3.5 ± 1.6,2.8 ± 1.5 respectively.The functional bladder capacities increased to an anverage of (180 ± 28)ml,.2-3 times of nocturia,Qmax (14.4 ± 4.3) ml/s.All cases were followed up for 4 to 18 months.Symptoms disappeared or were significantly relieved in all patients.Conclusion Contracture of bladder might be the main presentation of ketamine-associated bladder dysfunction.Intravesical hydrodistention therapy and sodium hyaluronate irrigation could be the safe and effective therapy in the treatment of katamine-associated dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE To explore a novel pH-sensitive fluorescent probe for in vivo tumor imaging. METHODS Zn5 were obtained in 140℃ after mixed with MeOH, water, Zn(NO3)2 · 6H2O, H4L and trimethylamine. The fluorescence spectra of Zn5 with the same concentration in different pH aqueous solutions were detected. And the stability of Zn5 was investigated by time dependent fluorescence emission spectra of Zn5 in BSA aqueous solution and 5.0% serum solution. Then, the cytotoxicity of Zn5 was detected by MTT assays. To clarify whether a similar fluorescence response occurs in biological organisms, HeLa cells were pretreated with probe Zn5 (0.5 μmol·L- 1) and fluorescence imaging were collected for targeting lysosomes in living cells because of lysosomes' acidic microenvironment. The A375 tumor-bearing mice were used to assess the imaging ability of Zn5 in vivo. Mouse tumor xenografts were established by injection of A375 cells with 2×106 cells per flank. Probe (1 μg·g-1) was administered to mice by injection. Images were obtained using IVIS Spectrum CT Imaging System. RESULTS There is a 11-fold intensity increasing as the pH values changing from 8 to 2. The almost unchanged emission intensities suggest Zn5 is stable in both BSA and serum. Zn5 has negligible cytotoxicity for HeLa, 293T and CHO-K1 cells. Zn5 can selectively display lysosomes in living cells. Both the 2D and 3D images in vivo distinguish the tumor from other tissues with good fluorescence contrast. CONCLUSION The high chemical stability, emission in the Vis/NIR range, pH sensitivity, a pKa located in the tumor pH range, and low toxicity make Zn5 is suitable for application as a pH- sensitive fluorescent probe for bio-imaging.

To study the effect of the combined administration of different doses of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma on the proliferation of DFMO-treated intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) and p53, p21 mRNA and protein expressions, in order to define the molecular basis for the effect of the combined administration of different doses of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma on the cell proliferation. The effect of the drugs on the cell division rate and cell cycle of IEC-6 cells was detected by FCM. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze the effect of the drugs on mRNA of p2l and p53 related to IEC-6 proliferation. Western blot was used to analyze the effect of the drugs on p2l and p53 protein expressions of IEC-6 cells. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma could increase p53, p21 mRNA and proteins expression in DFMO-treated IEC-6 cells. The combined administration of different ratios of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma could significantly down-regulate Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma's effect on p53, p21 mRNA and proteins expression in DFMO-treated IEC-6 cells and promote the proliferation of IEC-6 cells. The combined administration of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma could down-regulate Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma's effect on DFMO-treated intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6).
Animals ; Atractylodes ; chemistry ; Cell Line ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Intestines ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore method of recombinant gene lentivirus containing LIM mineralization protein-1 (LMP-1) in transfecting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC), and to observe the effect of gene LMP-1 on proliferation effect and expression of BMSC.

METHODSSix clean SD rats aged 4 weeks were selected, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were extracted under sterile conditions and cultured to the third generation, then divided into three groups:control group (the third generation of BMSC), lentiviral vector transfection group (PGC-FU-GFP and Polybrene were injected into the third generation of BMSC) and recombinant gene transfection group (PGC-FU-LMP-1-GFP and Polybrene transfection were injected into the third generation of BMSC). After 48 hours' transfection, fluorescent expression were detected under immuno-fluorescence microscopy; lentiviral transfection efficiency were detected by flow cytometry; effect of lentiviral transfection on BMSC were evaluated by MTT; gene expression of transfected cells were determined by Western Blot.

RESULTS1) The third generation of BMSC was cultured successfully,and transfected with MOI:100. After 48 hours, green fluorescent expression were detected and transfection efficiency was 67% under immuno-fluorescence microscopy; 2) Compared to control group, there were no statistical differences between control group and other two groups; 3) Western blot teast showed that 72KDa specific band was observed in recombinant gene transfection group and its size was similar to LMP-1 fusion protein (50 kDa+28 kDa=78 kDa).

CONCLUSIONThere is no effect of recombinant gene lentivirus containing LIM on BMSC, and can effectively influence the expression of LMP-1.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; LIM Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; virology ; Osteoporosis ; genetics ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIDS caused by HIV-1, is a major threat to human being. An anti-HIV formulation from Chinese herbs, so called "Qu Du Zeng Ning", have been recently developed. In this work, the pharmacodynamics of the formulation in vitro was studied. The results showed that Qu Du Zeng Ning inhibit the replication of HIV-1 efficiently in all cell-based assay, with IC50 at 105.2, 70.7, 77.4 microg mL(-1), separately. A significant synergy between the formulation and zidovudine (AZT) was observed, and it also showed a potent activity against HIV-1 drug-resistant mutant.
Anti-HIV Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; virology ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; HIV Protease Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; HIV-1 ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Scutellaria ; chemistry ; Virus Replication ; drug effects ; Zidovudine ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in patients with medicament-like dermatitis by trichloroethylene (DMLT).

METHODSUsing radioimmunoassay methods, serum TNF-alpha, EGF were measured in 39 patients with DMLT and in 20 controls.

RESULTSThe levels of serum TNF-alpha, EGF in patients with DMLT [(0.278 +/- 0.092) ng/L, (6.71 +/- 2.28) microg/L, respectively] were significantly higher than those of the controls [(0.128 +/- 0.029) ng/L, (4.31 +/- 1.13) microg/L respectively, P<0.05, P<0.01].

CONCLUSIONThe increased levels of serum TNF-alpha, EGF in patients with DMLT may be related to the following causes: (1) Trichloroethylene and its metabolite may irritate the macrophagocyte and monocyte in human body to release TNF-alpha into blood stream; (2) Severe damage of epithelial tissue in patients with DMLT may promote more EGF synthesis to accelerate the regeneration and repair of epithelial tissue.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Drug Eruptions ; blood ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; analysis ; Trichloroethylene ; toxicity ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo find an effective therapy for periarthritis of shoulder.

METHODSSixty cases were divided into two groups, 30 cases in each group. They were treated by acupuncture at pain point combined with moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and routine acupuncture, respectively. Pain of the shoulder and movement functions of shoulder joints were used as indexes of therapeutic effects and their therapeutic effects were compared.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 96.7% in the treatment group and 90.0% in the routine group with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05); the cured rate in the two groups were 46.7% and 20.0% respectively with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in improvement of movement function of shoulder joints and alleviation of pain (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at pain points combined with moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) in increase of the cured rate and alleviation of pain, and improvement of movement function of shoulder joints is better than the routine acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of periarthritis of shoulder.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Pain ; Periarthritis ; therapy ; Shoulder

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression and clinical significance of Semaphorin4D (Sema4D) mRNA in peripheral blood lymphocyte, Sema4D on platelet surface, soluble Sema4D (sSema4D) in plasma in patients with cerebral infarction.

METHODSTaking 299 patients with cerebral infarction as the case group while 195 healthy adults as the control group. The mRNA expression of Sema4D was detected by Real-time PCR, and Sema4D expression on platelet by flow cytometry, sSema4D by ELISA. Then, the expression of Sema4D on platelet surface and the concentration of sSema4D in plasma of the 195 selected patients following 2 weeks' treatment were tested.

RESULTSThe expression of Sema4D mRNA significantly increased in the case group \[(2.23, 2.66)×10(4) IU/ml\] than in the control group \[(0.49, 0.53)×10(4)IU/ml\] (P < 0.01). The level of Sema4D on platelet surface in the case group (191.62 ± 46.56) significantly decreased than in the control group (303.33 ± 112.66) (P < 0.01). But the concentration of sSema4D in plasma in the case group \[(1.34 ± 0.56) µg/L\] was obviously higher than in the control group \[(0.61 ± 0.31) µg/L\] (P < 0.01). The expression of Sema4D on platelet was obviously relevant with the concentration of sSema4D in plasma in the case group with the correlation coefficient as 0.328 (P < 0.01). The expression of Sema4D on platelet obviously peaked up following 2 weeks' routine therapy in the case group, which was close to that in the control group. Meanwhile the concentration of sSema4D in plasma was downward corrected to the normal in the case group.

CONCLUSIONThe increased expressions and plasma levels, and reduced expressions on platelet of Sema4D in acute period, which returned to normal 2 weeks after treatment in the case group may be related to the occurrence of acute cerebral infarction, reflecting the development process of cerebral infarction.

Aged ; Antigens, CD ; blood ; metabolism ; Blood Platelets ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Cerebral Infarction ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Semaphorins ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of occupational medicamentosa-like dermatitis (OMDT) induced by trichloroethylene (TCE) and some immunity indexes in workers occupationally exposed to TCE.

METHODSThe blood samples from 8 cases with medicamentosa-like dermatitis in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th weeks after admitting to hospital were examined for liver function, immunoglobulin and some complement indexes. Thirty nine workers occupationally exposed to TCE were investigated for urinary TCE and some immuno-complement indexes. The TCE concentrations of air in workplaces were monitored.

RESULTSC3d-CIC and C3 of patients before admission were (92.86 ± 44.80) mg/L and 0.91 ± 0.19 mg/L, respectively. C3d-CIC and C3 of patients before discharge were (52.41 ± 17.75) mg/L and (1.14 ± 0.22) mg/L, respectively. There were significant differences between admission and discharge (P < 0.05). The average TCE concentration in 4 workplaces was (351.96 ± 36.72) mg/m(3), which was higher than the occupational exposure limits (OELs). The number of workers exposed to the TCE concentration-time weighted and TCA in urine over OELs were 28.21% and 56.41% of total subjects, respectively. The serum IgG and CIC levels of patients before discharge were (10.03 ± 1.21) mg/L and 103.50 ± 29.17 mU/L, which were significantly lower than those (17.21 ± 1.85) mg/L and (227.46 ± 111.67) mU/L of patients before admission (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe type II and III hypersensitivity may be associated with OMDT and the organ injure induced by TCE.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Complement System Proteins ; immunology ; Dermatitis, Occupational ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Trichloroethylene ; toxicity ; Young Adult