BACKGROUND: Since 2019, a novel coronavirus named 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has emerged worldwide. Apart from fever and respiratory complications, acute kidney injury has been observed in a few patients with coronavirus disease 2019. Furthermore, according to recent findings, the virus has been detected in urine. Angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) has been proposed to serve as the receptor for the entry of 2019-nCoV, which is the same as that for the severe acute respiratory syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the possible cause of kidney damage and the potential route of 2019-nCoV infection in the urinary system. METHODS: We used both published kidney and bladder cell atlas data and new independent kidney single-cell RNA sequencing data generated in-house to evaluate ACE2 gene expression in all cell types in healthy kidneys and bladders. The Pearson correlation coefficients between ACE2 and all other genes were first generated. Then, genes with r values larger than 0.1 and P values smaller than 0.01 were deemed significant co-expression genes with ACE2. RESULTS: Our results showed the enriched expression of ACE2 in all subtypes of proximal tubule (PT) cells of the kidney. ACE2 expression was found in 5.12%, 5.80%, and 14.38% of the proximal convoluted tubule cells, PT cells, and proximal straight tubule cells, respectively, in three published kidney cell atlas datasets. In addition, ACE2 expression was also confirmed in 12.05%, 6.80%, and 10.20% of cells of the proximal convoluted tubule, PT, and proximal straight tubule, respectively, in our own two healthy kidney samples. For the analysis of public data from three bladder samples, ACE2 expression was low but detectable in bladder epithelial cells. Only 0.25% and 1.28% of intermediate cells and umbrella cells, respectively, had ACE2 expression. CONCLUSION This study has provided bioinformatics evidence of the potential route of 2019-nCoV infection in the urinary system.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/metabolism* ; COVID-19 ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Kidney/metabolism* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Urinary Bladder/metabolism*

China ; Humans ; Otolaryngology

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experiences and outcomes of 108 robot-assisted laparoscopic upper urinary tract reconstruction surgeries conducted by a single surgeon. METHODS: We consecutively and retrospectively reviewed 108 patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic upper urinary tract reconstruction surgeries by a single surgeon from November 2018 to January 2020. The patient demographics, perioperative variables, postoperative complications and follow-up data were recorded. Fifty-three modified dismembered pyeloplasties (MDP), 11 spiral flap pyeloplasties (SFP), 11 ure-teroureterostomies (UUT), 4 lingual mucosal onlay graft ureteroplasties (LMU), 5 appendiceal onlay flap ureteroplasties (AU), 11 ureteral reimplantations (UR), 6 Boari flap-Psoas hitch surgeries (BPS) and 7 ileal ureter replacements (IUR) were enrolled finally. The success was defined as the improvement in subjective pain levels, and the improvement in the degree of hydronephrosis at ultrasound. RESULTS: All the surgeries were successfully completed without open or laparoscopic conversion. The median operative time was 141 min (range: 74-368 min), median blood loss was 20 mL (range: 10-350 mL) and median hospital stay was 4 d (range: 3-19 d) in MDP group, with the success rate of 94.3%. The median operative time was 159 min (range: 110-222 min), median blood loss was 50 mL (range: 20-150 mL) and median hospital stay was 5 d (range: 3-8 d) in SFP group, with the success rate of 100%. The median operative time was 126 min (range: 76-160 d), median blood loss was 20 mL (range: 10-50 mL) and median hospital stay was 5 d (range: 4-9 d) in UUT group, with the success rate of 100%. The median operative time was 204 min (range: 154-250 min), median blood loss was 30 mL (range: 10-100 mL) and median hospital stay was 6 d (range: 4-7 d) in LMU group, with the success rate of 100%. The median operative time was 164 min (range: 135-211 min), median blood loss was 75 mL (range: 50-200 mL) and median hospital stay was 8.5 d (range: 6-12 d) in AU group, with the success rate of 100%. The median operative time was 149 min (range: 100-218 min), median blood loss was 20 mL (range: 10-50 mL) and median hospital stay was 7 d (range: 5-10 d) in UR group, with the success rate of 90.9%. The median operative time was 166 min (range: 137-205 min), median blood loss was 45 mL (range: 20-100 mL) and median hospital stay was 5 d (range: 4-41 d) in BPS group, with the success rate of 83.3%. The median operative time was 270 min (range: 227-335 min), median blood loss was 100 mL (range: 10-100 mL) and median hospital stay was 7 d (range: 5-26 d) in IUR group, with the success rate of 85.7%. CONCLUSIONS The surgeon performed and modified numerous complicated upper urinary tract reconstruction surgeries by the robotic platform, which facilitated the development of the standardized upper urinary tract reconstruction surgical technique.
Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Retrospective Studies ; Robotic Surgical Procedures ; Surgeons ; Treatment Outcome ; Ureter

Purpose To investigate the effects and mechanism of 17β-estradiol on the apoptosis and inflammation of renal tubular cells in rats with renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods All the female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized and randomly divided into four groups: Control group, Sham group, I/R group and estrogen plus I/R (E2 + I/R) group (n = 8). Right kidney of the rat was excised and artery of the left kidney was blockaded for 45 min.24 h after the reperfusion, we collected the blood and nephridial tissue of each group. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure the expression level of BUN and Cr in blood. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes and the degree of inflammatory reaction of the ischemia/reperfusion injury kidney. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method was used to detect the apoptosis of renal tubular cells. The expression levels of Cleaved-Caspase-3 protein were measured by Western blot, while the numbers of CD4+ T lymphocyte infiltration in each group were tested by immunofluorescence (IF). Results Compared with the Sham group, expression level of BUN, Cr and Cleaved-Caspase-3 in I/R group significantly increased (P＜0.05) as well as the number of apoptotic cells (P＜0.05). In the meantime, inflammatory reaction significantly aggravated (P＜0.05) and the number of CD4 + T lymphocytes increased remarkably (P＜0.05). However, expression level of BUN, Cr and Gleaved-Caspase-3 in E2 + I/R group decreased significantly (P＜0.05) and the pathological damage in the kidney was alleviated (P＜0.05) compared with I/R group, furthermore, the number of apoptotic cells decreased (P＜0.05) compared with I/R group. The inflammatory reaction significantly blunted (P＜0.05) and the infiltration of CD4 + T lymphocytes decreased remarkably (P＜0.05) compared with I/R group. Conclusion Estrogen can inhibit the expression of Cleaved-Caspase-3 in renal tissue during ischemia/reperfusion injury and reduce the apoptosis of renal tubular cells. It can also reduce the infiltration of CD4 + T lymphocytes, thus playing a protective role on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of agonistic CD40 monoclonal antibody on the colon cancer cells (HCT116) proliferation in vitro.Methods The DCs (dendritic cells) loaded with tumor cells (HCT116) antigens were activated by different methods.According to the activation method,the cells were divided into three groups:agonistic CD40 monoclonal antibody group,blank control group and TNF-α positive control group.The cells were cultured for 7 days,and the expression rates of CD80,CD83,CD86 and HLA-DR on DC surface in each group were detected by flow cytometry.The concentration of cytokine IL-12(p70) in DCs culture supernatant was determined by ELISA kit.The proliferation activity of the T lymphocytes was evaluated by MTT (methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium).Then the inhibition rate of colon cancer HCT116 cells proliferation,which induced by the tumor-specific effector T lymphocytes,was assayed.Results Compared with the blank control group,the agonistic CD40 monoclonal antibody group had a significantly higher expression rates of CD80,CD83,CD86 and HLA-DR on DC surface (P＜0.05).The concentration of IL-12 in the supernatant of DC was also much higher in the agonistic CD40 monoclonal antibody group (P＜0.05,(716.80±53.43) pg/ml vs.(405.51 ±12.17) pg/ml).The DCs activated by CD40 monoclonal antibody had stronger ability to stimulate proliferation of T lymphocytes (P＜0.05,the stimulation index was (2.006 2±0.438 3) to (1.365 0±0.209 8)).The tumor-specific CTLs induced by DCs in the agonistic CD40 monoclonal antibody group had stronger ability to inhibit colon cancer HCT116 cells (P＜0.05,the inhibition rate was (66.08±0.41)％ vs.(46.60± 1.10)％).However,there was no statistical significance between the agonistic CD40 monoclonal antibody group and the TNF-α positive control group (P＞0.05).Conclusion Agonistic CD40 monoclonal antibody in vitro can promote activation and mature of DCs,then the activated DCs can induce the production of tumor-specific CTL,which can significantly inhibit the proliferation of colon cancer HCT116 cells.

Objective:This study aims to compare the difference in the expression levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), vascular endotheli-al growth factor (VEGF), and the clinicopathological features among gastric carcinoma patients with and without hyperlipidemia and to assess whether hyperlipidemia promotes gastric carcinoma progression. Methods:We analyzed the PGE2 and VEGF serum levels and the VEGF expression in gastric carcinoma tissues in 102 gastric carcinoma patients. The PGE2 and VEGF serum levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the VEGF expression in gastric carcinoma tissues was detected by SABC immunohistochemi-cal staining. Results:Among the 102 gastric carcinoma patients, 49 patients had hyperlipidemia, and 53 did not have the condition. The PGE2 and VEGF expressions in the serum and the VEGF expression in gastric carcinoma tissues were higher in hyperlipidemic pa-tients than in those without hyperlipidemia (P<0.05). The degrees of differentiation, depths of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and TNM staging in the two groups also showed statistical differences (P<0.05). Conclusion:Hyperlipidemia possibly contributes to the pro-gression of gastric carcinoma by upregulating the PGE2 and VEGF expressions.

OBJECTIVETo establish an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass (UPLC-TQ-MS) for determination of four terpene lactones.

METHODChromatographic separation was carried out on a ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.7 microm) with isocratic elution of 70% methanol at a flow rate of 0.4 mL x min(-1), the column temperature was set at 30 degrees C; Waters Xevo TQ worked in multiple reaction monitoring mode.

RESULTAll calibration curves were linear (r > 0.990 3) over the tested ranges. The average recoveries ranged from 98.83% to 103.9% with RSD value below 3.0%. The contents of total terpene lactones in Ginkgo biloba leaves were significantly different in different ages. The contents in the leaves of young ginkgo tree were higher than that in old tree.

CONCLUSIONThe method was simple and fast with high precision, sensitivity and repeatability, which can be used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of terpene lactones in G. biloba leaves.

Calibration ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Lactones ; analysis ; Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results ; Terpenes ; analysis ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVE To supervise the environmental fungal load and species distribution in transplantation department and intensive care unit of the Southwest Hospital,and to analyze the relationship with season,temperature,humidity,ventilation and personnel activities.METHODS Data from Dec 2005 to Jan 2006 were collected from liver transplantation department(LTD),cerebral surgery intensive care unit(CSICU) and central intensive care unit(CICU).Air,surfaces and tap water were sampled twice a month at each department.RESULTS The air fungal load was 123.63 CFU/m3,139.90 CFU/m3,7 CFU/m3 and 217.71 CFU/m3 at LTD,CSICU,CICU and outdoor,respectively.The five most prevalent fungi collected from air and surface were Penicillium spp,Cladosporium spp,Alternaria spp,Aspergillus spp and Saccharomyces spp in turn.The five most prevalent fungi collected from water were Saccharomyces spp,Candida spp,Aspergillus spp,Penicillium spp and Rhodotorula spp in turn.The fungal load in LTD was positively correlated with the average temperature and the average humidity;the fungal load in CSICU was correlated with the average temperature and the average humidity,but the correlation between air fungal load and personnel activities wasn′t observed.CONCLUSIONS It demonstrated the fungi are found in the environment of the hospital including air,surface and water.The air fungal load varies throughout the year.The crest-time is May to June and September to October.Air fungal load is lower in winter and higher in summer and autumn.The correlation between air fungal load and temperature and humidity is observed.

Objective To explore the possible relationship between environmental contamination by Aspergillus and invasive aspergillosis.Methods From November 2005 to October 2006,samples were collected from the environment (air in corridors,air in wards,surfaces and tap water) twice a month,and from patients (nose,pharynx and sputum) at a liver transplantation department (LTD),neurologic surgery intensive care unit (NSICU) and central intensive care unit (CICU) in our hospital,and subjected to fungal culture.The Aspergillus density was determined in these environments.The isolates of Aspergillus flavus were genotyped by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay to investigate the origin of infection.Results The mean aspergillus density was 12,10.75,0 and 20 cfu/m~3 at LTD,NSICU,CICU and corridors respectively.The five most prevalent species of aspergillus in these environments in decreasing order were Aspergillus flavus,Aspergillus fumigatus,Aspergillus niger,Aspergillus versicolor and Aspergillus clavatus.RAPD demonstrated that the genotypes ofA.flavus isolated from two patients were identical to those of the environmental strains in NSICU.The A.flavus genotypes from 3 patients in CICU were all different from those of the environment strains in CICU,but the genotypes were identical from two of the three patients.Conclusions Aspergillus contamination of different degree does exist at LTD,NSICU and CICU. The genotypes of A.flavus are identical from patients and environment in NSICU,suggesting that the clinical infection may originate from hospital environment.