Background and purpose:It was reported that many microRNAs (miRNAs) have close relation with carcinomas. miR-31 (microRNA-31) shows abnormal change in numerous cancers. China is one of the most high-risk areas of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of miR-31 in ESCC, and analyze the relationship of its expression with clinicopathological features and prognosis. Methods:The expression of miR-31 in KYSE410, EC1 and EC9706 cell lines, as well as 81 cases of ESCC tissues and adjacent normal esophageal tissues were detected by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The result was combined with clinical and follow-up data and statistical analysis was conducted. Results: MiR-31 was up-expression in 3 cell lines and 75.31% of the ESCC tissues. miR-31 up-expression was positively related to severer lymph node metastasis (P=0.043), deeper invasion of tumors (P=0.002) and advanced pathological stage (P=0.027). There was no relationship of miR-31 with other clinicopathological features (P>0.05). Furthermore, high expression of miR-31 was associated with poor progression-free survival (PFS) in 81 ESCC patients by Kaplan-Meier analysis (P=0.014) and by multivariate Cox analysis (P=0.021). Conclusion:Our results identiifed miR-31 may be a new diagnostic criteria and prognostic biomarker for ESCC.

Objective To analyse the operation technique and therapeutic effect of "inserting" uretero-intestinal anastomosis in orthotopic bladder substitution.Methods Thirty-eight patients undergoing orthotopic bladder substitution operations were followed up,and the way of uretero-intestinal anastomosis in all Datients was the "inserting"uretero-intestinal anastomosis.The therapeutic effect was observed by radiation,cystoscopy,pathologic biopsy and blood test.Results The average follow-up time was(3 1.65±14.14)montll8.and the stricture rate was 4%(3/75),but no vesicoureteric reflux was found.The rate of leakage was 0.Nipples were formed at the site of anastomosis under the view of cystoscope,and among the 7 patients whose nipples were taken to be examined by histology,2 cases were intestinal epithelium which were taken at the base of nipple8.while the others were transitional epithelium which were taken at the top of nipples.The renal function of all patients was normal (Cr 54-135 μmol/L,BUN 3.2-9.4 mmol/L).Conclusion "Inserting"uretem-intestinal anastomosis is an ideal antireflux uretero-intestinal anastomosis method.

Objective To investigate the value of electronic rectosigmoidoscopy in health examinations.Methods Based on retrospective analysis of 30 250 patients who received electronic rectosigmoidoscopy in the Physical Examination Center of our hospital from May 2010 to Dec.2013,the incidence of anal disease and sigmoid colon disease were analyzed.Results The highest detection rate of common diseases was hemorrhoids,followed by proctopolyps,hypertrophy of anal papilla,proctitis,anal fissure,melanosis coli and colonic tumor.The detectable rate of them were 55.57％ (16 810/30 250),10.57％ (3 196/30 250),5.03％ (1 523/30 250),0.69％ (210/30 250),0.54％ (162/30 250),0.29％ (87/30 250),0.09％ (28/30 250),0.04％ (13/30 250),0.02％ (6/30 250).Conclusion Electronic colonoscopy for colorectal polyps,rectal cancer,colon melanosis and proctitis detection rate was significantly higher than the anus digital rectal examination,the difference is statistically significant,and it also has merits of simplicity,noninvasiveness and rapidity.

OBJECTIVETo explore the impacts of denervation on the morphology and the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) of prostate of the adolescent rats.

METHODSAdolescent male SD rats were randomly divided into group A and group B. The right pelvic ganglion denervation was performed in group B with the help of surgical microscope, and group A received a sham operation. Five weeks later, the ventral prostates were obtained for morphologic observation, apoptosis detection and the evaluation of nNOS expression.

RESULTSA 30.8% reduction of right ventral prostate (RVP) fresh weight was found in group B. After denervation, histological features showed an overall decrease in the numbers of cells and cell height, and apoptosis indexes (AI) was significantly higher than that in group A (P <0.01), while the expression of nNOS decreased apparently (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe study indicates that denervation can cause apoptosis of the prostatic, and affect the prostate growth of the adolescent rat. During this process, nNOS plays an important role in the regulation of apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Denervation ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; biosynthesis ; Prostate ; cytology ; innervation ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sexual Maturation

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of mitomycin (MMC) intravesical chemotherapy for superficial bladder carcinoma by in vitro chemosensitivity using histoculture drug response assay (HDRA).Methods Forty-one cases of superficial bladder transitional cell carcinoma(TCC) were obtained,including 30 males and 11 females with mean age of 55 years.Of them,10 cases were Ta and 31 were T1 according to TNM stage system (UICC 2002) while 9 cases were G1,22 were G2 and 10 were G3 (WHO1973).All cases had no chemotherapy history before operation and were operated to retain bladder.Tumor specimens were cultured by three-dimensional histoculture.HDRA with im-proved MTT assay was utilized for chemosenstivity test of MMC with 1 g/L concentration and 2 hours exposure.Growth inhibition rate (GI) exceeding 70% was defined as high-sensitive while less than 50% GI was defined as insensitive,others were moderate-sensitive.All cases were performed standard intravesical chemotherapy with MMC 40 mg plus 40 mt saline.Every case was followed up every 3 months.The patients were followed up for 5 years or untill recurrence.Results The MMC chem-osensitivity was different among 41 patients.Thirteen cases were insensitive including 1 of Ta,12 of T1 (P=0.009) and 1 of G1,7 of G2,5 of G3(P=0.101).Total recurrence rate was 39%(16/41) af-ter 3 to 5 years follow-up.There were 1 of Ta,15 of T1 (P=0.059) and 10 of G2 6 of G3 (P=0.016).Insensitive group recurrence rate was 77% (10/13) while sensitive group was 21% (6/28,P= 0.004).Patients in sensitive group showed a longer median time(49.2 months) than patients in insen-sitive group (16.5 months,P<0.001) according to Kaplan-Meier analysis with Log-rank test.The MMC chemosensitivity was independent prognostic factor examed by Cox regression analysis (P= 0.008).There was a 78% correlation rate of chemosensitivity by HDRA to clinical effect of MMC in-travesical chemotherapy.Conclusion HDRA could evaluate MMC intravesical chemotherapy for su-perficial bladder TCC,improve therapeutic effect and lower tumor recurrence rate.

BackgroundHuman retinal gliocytes play an important role in proliferative diseases,which are the basis of in vitro studies.Researchers have cultured human retinal gliocytes in the past.In our study,we found that the cells we cultured presented a unique shape different from those by other researchers.ObjectiveThis study was to design to produce a new culture and purification method for retinal gliocyte in vitro.Methods Retinal tissue was isolated from human eyeballs and digested using the two-step digestion method (2％ pancreatin and 0.133％collagenase Ⅵ) to harvest the retinal glio cytes.The cells were collected and cultured in endothelial cell-targeted nutrient culture containing 10％ fetal calf serum and supplemented with β-endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) and sodium heparin,and the culture dishes were coated with fibronectin(FN) to promote the attachment of retinal gliocyte.During the culturing process,the gliocytes were identified by the observation of morphological characteristic and regular histological examination.The identification of the cells also was performed by immunochemistry targeting glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP),Vimentin,neuron specific enolase ( NSE ),S-100,CD34,and Ⅷ factor.Results Retinal gliocytes were isolated successfully from the human retina by the two-step digestion method.Primary cultured cells attached after 72 hours and achieved confluency between day 9 and 10 that were aligned petaliform in shape.Regular histological examination after H&E staining showed blue cell nuclei and light red cytoplasm.The target cells presented with strong responses for GFAP and Vimentin and no response for NSE,S-100,CD34 and Ⅷ factor.ConclusionsLarge amount of purified human retinal gliocytes can be obtained by two-step digestion and cultured in endothelial cells-targeted culture medium supplemented with β-ECGF and sodium heparin in plates coated with FN.The cultured cells expressed markers for retinal gliocytes.However,specific features of these cells remain to be further elucidated.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of urokinase on renal interstitial inflammation and fibrosis in rats with chronic cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced nephropathy.

METHODSMale SD rats were fed on low salt diet (0.05% sodium) for 7 days and randomized into 4 groups for treatment with CsA, CsA+continuous low-dose uPA (U2), intermittent CsA+ high-dose uPA (U6) or vehicle (control group). In the former 3 groups, the rats were subjected to daily intragastric administration of CsA (25 mg/kg) for 4 weeks to establish CsA-induced chronic nephropathy model, and those in U2 and U6 groups were given uPA at 2000 U/kg daily or at 6000 U/kg every 3 days, respectively. Four weeks after the treatment, the renal function and 24-h proteinuria were assessed, and Masson staining was used for examining fibrin deposition. Semi-quantitative immunohistochemical staining was employed for evaluation of ED-1-positive cells, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta 1).

RESULTSFour weeks after the treatment, the CsA-treated rats showed significantly elevated serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and increased urine proteins. Continuous administration of low-dose uPA resulted in significantly reduced Scr, BUN and 24-h urine protein excretion, while intermittent high-dose uPA treatment did not produce such changes. CsA increased fibrin deposition, total number of macrophages in renal interstitium and TGF-beta1 expression in the renal tissue, which were significantly reduced in U2 group (P<0.05) but not in U6 group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONContinuous administration of low-dose uPA may reduce interstitial fibrin deposition and alleviate renal interstitial inflammation in rats with chronic CsA nephropathy, possibly by reducing the number of macrophages and TGF-beta1 expression in the renal tissue.

Animals ; Chronic Disease ; Cyclosporine ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Nephritis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; biosynthesis ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the rationality and feasibility of primary closure of the common bile duct after choledochotomy for common bile duct calculi.

METHODSFrom January 1990 to June 2001, 386 patients with the evidence of stones in the common bile duct underwent choledochotomy. Among them, 215 received primary closure of the common bile duct (group A) and 171 T-tube drainage (group B). The patients with emergency operations were excluded. Intraoperative choledochoscopy or cholangiography was routinely performed to rule out the possibility of retained stones. The duct was meticulously stitched using 0/3 to 0/5 absorbent sutures for primary closure. A T-tube was placed in the subhepatic space in the patients of both groups.

RESULTSPostoperative bile leakage was seen in 9 patients of group A and in 5 of group B, respectively (P > 0.05), and no reoperations were necessary. After surgery, the average time and volume of transfusion was 4.9 days and 9.1 liters in group A, versus 7.3 days and 12.8 liters in group B (P < 0.01). The patients in group B had a longer postoperative hospital stay than the those in group A (average 17.6:10.0 days, P < 0.01). T-tube removal resulted in bile peritonitis in 5 patients at day 16, 17, 19, 21 and 22 after surgery in group B, and 3 patients required repeated surgery.

CONCLUSIONSPrimary closure of the common bile duct after choledochotomy is safe, effective, and inexpensive in selected patients with common bile duct calculi, and should be regarded as an alternative procedure.

Adult ; Aged ; Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Choledocholithiasis ; surgery ; Common Bile Duct ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of miRNA-106a gene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its association with clinicopathological features and prognosis of ESCC patients.

METHODSReal-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to determine the expression of miRNA-106a gene in esophageal cancer tissue and corresponding normal mucosa of 81 cases. Immunohistochemical technique was applied to detect the expression of p53, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), DNA topoisomerase II (Topo II) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP). The association of miRNA-106a expression with clinicopathological features, expression of related proteins, and prognosis of the patients was analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the 81 cases, under-expression of miRNA-106a gene was found in 48 cases (59.3%), normal expression in 22 cases (27.2%), and overexpression in 11 cases (13.6%). The expression of miRNA-106 gene was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis, pathological stage, and nerve invasion (all P < 0.05), significantly associated with expression of p53 (P = 0.006), and not significantly associated with expressions of HER-2, Topo II and MRP proteins (all P > 0.05). The expression of miRNA-106a gene was also significantly associated with progression-free survival (PFS, P = 0.032), but not significantly with overall survival (OS, P = 0.486). The results of Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that the PFS of ESCC patients was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.029), but not correlated with the age, gender, tumor length, T stage, degree of differentiation, nerve invasion, and miRNA-106a expression (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, the miRNA-106a gene is under-expressed, with tumor suppressor function, and may be regarded as a biological marker to assess the prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; metabolism ; Disease-Free Survival ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of urokinase on renal interstitial fibrosis and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in the kidney of rats with chronic cyclosporine A nephropathy.

METHODSMale Sprague-Dawley rats on low-salt diet were randomly divided into control (VH), CsA-treated (CsA), CsA+2000 U/kg.day uPA (CsA+U2) and CsA+6000 U.kg.3 days (CsA+U6) groups. The rats were given CsA intragastrically for 4 weeks to prepare CsA-induced chronic nephropathy model. Masson staining was used to examine fibrin deposition. Western blotting and reversal transcription polymerase chain reaction were employed to evaluate urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and TGF-beta1 protein and gene expressions, respectively.

RESULTSCsA can increase fibrin deposition and the expression of TGF-beta1 in the renal tissue, which were significantly reduced after uPA treatment (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONContinuous low-dose uPA treatment can reduce renal interstitial fibrosis in rats possibly in association with its inhibitory effect on TGF-beta1 expression.

Animals ; Cyclosporine ; Fibrosis ; prevention & control ; Kidney ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use