BACKGROUNDMycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus) can cause a variety of human infections, involving the lung, skin and soft tissues, and is generally believed to be acquired from environmental sources. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular diversity and antibiotic susceptibility of M. abscessus isolates as the basis for strategies to improve control and management of infection.

METHODSSeventy M. abscessus isolates from patients attending the Guangzhou Thoracic Hospital were identified from 2003 to 2005 by biochemical tests, gas chromatography, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction analysis (PRA) of heat shock protein gene hsp65, and sequencing of the quinolone resistance determining regions (QRDRs) of gyrA. Susceptibilities to six antibiotics were determined by micro-broth dilution. Isolates were genotyped using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis.

RESULTSMost isolates (63/70; 90%) were susceptible to amikacin but rates of susceptibility to other antibiotics varied from moderate, clarithromycin (60%) and imipenem (43%), to low for ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin (3%), and 87% of isolates had intermediate susceptibility to cefoxitin. RAPD analysis showed that the 70 clinical isolates displayed 69 unique RAPD patterns.

CONCLUSIONSThe high genetic diversity of isolates suggests that they are not transmitted from person to person but, presumably, are acquired independently from environmental sources. M. abscessus isolates displayed variable levels of susceptibility to all antibiotics tested, other than amikacin, indicating a need for routine susceptibility testing to guide treatment.

Amikacin ; pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Cefoxitin ; pharmacology ; China ; Chromatography, Gas ; Ciprofloxacin ; pharmacology ; Clarithromycin ; pharmacology ; Imipenem ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mycobacterium ; drug effects ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique

AIMTo study the effects of hyperthermia on brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) and middle latency response (MLR) in rats.

METHODSBAEP and MLR were recorded at the skull surface of rats. The body temperature of anesthetized rats increased gradually with a physical method and was detected by a digital thermometer inserted into the rectum. The peak latency (PL), interpeak latency (IPL), wave amplitude and the critical body temperature at which BAEP and MLR completely lost had been observed.

RESULTSAll PL and I - II, I - III and I -IV IPL of BAEP shortened more and more as the body temperature increased step by step from 37 degrees C to 41.5 degrees C. But all PL and I - II and I -IV IPL did not shortened further and prolonged a little contrary as the body temperature at 42 degrees C and over 42 degrees C. All PL and P1-P3 and P2-P3 IPL of MLR also shortened as the body temperature increased from 37 degrees C to 43 degrees C. The wave amplitudes of BAEP and MLR decreased as the body temperature increased, especially as the body temperature over 42 degrees C. BAEP and MLR lost completely and synchronously at the body temperature (43.1 +/- 0.5) degrees C, which was not reversed as the body temperature returning to normal by cooling.

CONCLUSIONThere were obvious effects of hyperthermia on both BAEP and MLR in rats, and irreversible impairments appeared at a critical body temperature.

Animals ; Body Temperature ; Brain Stem ; physiology ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; physiology ; Fever ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reaction Time ; physiology

BACKGROUNDBladder recurrent disease is still a challenge in the treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). This controlled study aims to investigate the efficacy of early clipping of the distal ureter prior to nephroureterectomy (NU) to prevent bladder recurrence after UTUC.

METHODSPatients with clinical diagnosis of UTUC were subjected to open trans-peritoneal NU and were randomly divided into two groups. One group received modified NU: clipping the distal ureter prior to NU; while the other group underwent traditional standard NU. Subsequent bladder recurrence was the primary endpoint.

RESULTSFrom January 2007 to December 2009, 85 eligible cases were enrolled in this study. Modified NU and standard NU were performed on 42 and 43 patients, respectively. Operation time ((215.73 ± 21.26) minutes vs. (220.19 ± 15.35) minutes), blood loss ((105.15 ± 11.32) ml vs. (110.12 ± 9.07) ml), transfusion event (11.20% vs. 9.78%), and the in-patient time (10.0 days vs 9.5 days) were not significant between the two groups. After a median follow-up of 28 months (5 - 60), six (14.3%) cases who received modified NU had bladder recurrence, which was significantly lower compared with 15 (34.9%) patients from the group that underwent standard NU (P = 0.026). In univariate and multivariate analysis, tumor grade (HR 4.33, 95%CI 2.66 - 6.30, P = 0.01) and operation type (HR 2.35, 95%CI 1.53 - 3.48, P = 0.041) were independent risk factors for subsequent bladder recurrence after UTUC.

CONCLUSIONSClipping the distal ureter at the beginning of NU significantly reduces bladder recurrence after UTUC. It is reasonable to conclude that clipping the distal portion of ureter trans-peritoneal is an effective surgical procedure for the treatment of UTUC.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; prevention & control ; Nephrectomy ; methods ; Ureter ; surgery ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVESThis study is to monitor the survival of E. coli O157:H7 in the aquatic microcosm from Han River and explore the feasibility of fluorescence staining, heterotrophic plate count and ELISA in detection of viable but nonculturable E. coli O157:H7.

METHODSE. coli O157:H7 were added into aquatic microcosm from Han River and cultured with low temperature and oligo-nutrition. Then the survival of E. coli O157:H7 were real-time monitored by acridine orange direct count (AODC), direct viable count (DVC)-CTC staining, DVC-nalidixic acid (NA) staining, heterotrophic plate count (HPC) and ELISA.

RESULTSE. coli O157:H7 can be converted to a viable but nonculturable state in the aquatic microcosm from Han River 58 days after cultured at 4°C with oligo-nutrition. The amount of viable E. coli O157:H7 was measured as 1.2 × 10(5) CFU/ml by DVC-CTC and 9.0 × 10(4) CFU/ml by DVC-NA, whereas the amount of culturable bacterial determined by HPC is 0. The amounts of bacteria determined by ELISA are basically stable within 58 days around 10(6) CFU/ml.

CONCLUSIONE. coli O157:H7 can be converted into a viable but nonculturable state in Han River water at 4°C with oligo-nutrition, and ELISA combined with fluorescence staining and heterotrophic plate count can be used in quantitative detection of the viable but nonculturable E. coli O157:H7.

Colony Count, Microbial ; Culture Media ; Escherichia coli O157 ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Microbial Viability ; Rivers ; microbiology ; Water Microbiology

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEPatients with clinical stage I seminoma accounts for 70%-80% of patients with this disease. This study was to analyze the relationship between different therapeutic methods and the prognosis of this disease.

METHODSThe data of all patients with clinical Stage I seminoma treated by multi-disciplinary approach from 1999 to 2008 in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were analyzed. The patients were divided into 3 groups based on the treatment they received after orchiectomy: 30 patients treated with chemotherapy, 8 with radiotherapy, and 20 under surveillance. The prognosis of different treatment groups was evaluated.

RESULTSAmong the 58 patients with stage I seminoma, 57 were followed up successfully. The median follow-up time was 50 months (range, 8-115 months). No relapse or metastasis was seen in the chemotherapy group. One patient relapsed in the radiotherapy group. Four patients had metastasis of retroperitoneal lymph node in the surveillance group. The disease-free survival was higher in the chemotherapy group than that in the surveillance group (P=0.005). There was no significant difference in the relapse-free survival between the surveillance group and the radiotherapy group (P=0.364).

CONCLUSIONSChemotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for patients with Stage-1 seminoma after radical orchidectomy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bleomycin ; therapeutic use ; Cisplatin ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Etoposide ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Orchiectomy ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Seminoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Testicular Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of Saw Palmetto Extract Capsules in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSWe conducted a multi-centered open clinical study on 165 BPH patients treated with Saw Palmetto Extract Capsules at a dose of 160 mg qd for 12 weeks. At the baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks of medication, we compared the International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS), prostate volume, postvoid residual urine volume, urinary flow rate, quality of life scores (QOL), and adverse events between the two groups of patients.

RESULTSCompared with the baseline, both IPSS and QOL were improved after 6 weeks of medication, and at 12 weeks, significant improvement was found in IPSS, QOL, urinary flow rate, and postvoid residual urine. Mild stomachache occurred in 1 case, which necessitated no treatment.

CONCLUSIONSaw Palmetto Extract Capsules were safe and effective for the treatment of BPH.

Capsules ; Humans ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and effect of nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) in treatment of T1a and T1b renal cell carcinoma.

METHODSRetrospective analyzed the clinical data of 101 patients with T1 renal cell carcinoma underwent NSS from November 1999 to December 2009.Including 79 male and 22 female with the mean age of 52.3 years (ranged 28 to 79 years). Based on tumor pathologic diameter, 101 patients were divided into T1a group with 62 patient and T1b group with 39 cases. Demographic, intraoperative, postoperative and follow-up data were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTSThe operation were performed successfully in all the 101 cases. The mean operation time was (151 ± 80) min in group T1a and (158 ± 50) min in group T1b with no statistical difference (P = 0.32). The mean blood loss was (322 ± 596) ml in group T1a and (308 ± 239) ml in group T1b (P = 0.45). Postoperative follow-up ranged from 8 to 102 months with a mean of 38.4 months. One patient in T1b group died of distant metastasis 36 months after operation. Others were no tumor recurred.

CONCLUSIONNephron-sparing surgery is safe and effective for the treatment of T1a and T1b renal cell carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Cystectomy ; Humans ; Infusions, Intra-Arterial ; Male ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Pelvic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; surgery

This study aimed to identify the differentially expressed genes after silencing of β-catenin in multiple myeloma transduced with β-catenin shRNA. The DNA microarray dataset GSE17385 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus, including 3 samples of MM1.S (human multiple myeloma cell lines) cells transduced with control shRNA and 3 samples of MM1.S cells transduced with β-catenin shRNA. Then the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened by using Limma. Their underlying functions were analyzed by employing Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses. Moreover, DEGs annotation was conducted based on the databases of tumor associated genes, tumor suppressed genes and the transcriptional regulation from patterns to profiles. Furthermore, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) relationship was obtained from STRING and the protein-protein interaction network and the functional modules were visualized by Cytoscape. Then, the pathway enrichment for the DEGs in the functional module was performed. A total of 301 DEGs, including 124 up-regulated and 117 down-regulated DEGs, were screened. Functional enrichment showed that CCNB1 and CDK1 were significantly related to the function of cell proliferation. FOS and JUN were related to innate immune response-activating signal transduction. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that CCNB1 and CDK1 were most significantly enriched in the pathway of cell cycle. Besides, FOS and JUN were significantly enriched in the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. FOXM1 was identified as a transcription factor. Moreover, there existed interactions among CCNB1, FOXM1 and CDK1 in PPI network. The expression of FOS, JUN, CCNB1, FOXM1 and CDK1 may be affected by β-catenin in multiple myeloma.
CDC2 Protein Kinase ; Cyclin B1 ; genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases ; genetics ; Forkhead Box Protein M1 ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; methods ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; genetics ; Oncogene Proteins v-fos ; genetics ; Protein Interaction Maps ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; genetics ; beta Catenin ; genetics

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the oncologic outcomes of surveillance, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) and primary chemotherapy in patients with clinical stage Ia nonseminomatous germ cell testicular tumors (CS Ia NSGCT) and to analyze risk factors for relapse.

METHODSPatients with CS Ia NSGCT were retrospectively reviewed. Totally 72 patients were enrolled and grouped according to three different treatment after orchiectomy, among them 33 cases in surveillance group, 24 cases in RPLND group and 15 cases in primary chemotherapy group. Disease progressive free survival and disease specific survival were compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox regression analysis was used to confirm variables those were associated with disease progression.

RESULTSAll 72 patients were followed-up at mean 62 months (12 - 175 months), 6 patients had evidence of relapse. Both the 5-year disease specific survival and 5-year overall survival rate were 100%. For surveillance, chemotherapy and RPLND, cumulative 5-year PFS rates were 84.0%, 93.3% and 100%, respectively. Relapse rate was higher in surveillance group than in RPLND group (17.8% vs. 0, χ² = 3.99, P = 0.04). Patients with the history of cryptorchidism also have higher relapse rate than without (37.5% vs. 4.7%, χ² = 10.02, P = 0.01). In the surveillance cohort, relapse rates were significantly higher in patients with a predominant component of embryonal carcinoma (3/6 vs. 7.4%, χ² = 6.93, P = 0.04) and for those over 13 years of age (23.1% vs. 5.3%, χ² = 4.33, P = 0.04). On multivariate analysis, treatment mode of patients (OR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.06-0.36, P = 0.03) and patients with a history of cryptorchidism (OR = 25.3, 95% CI: 6.57-78.42, P = 0.04) were independent predictors of relapse.

CONCLUSIONSSurveillance, RPLND and adjuvant chemotherapy could be reliable strategies in compliant stage Ia nonseminoma patients and achieve satisfactory overall survival. Relapse rate is relatively higher for patients with surveillance. Those who are older or have a history of cryptorchidism experience a higher risk of relapse.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; therapy ; Orchiectomy ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; Testicular Neoplasms ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult