Objective:To compare the efficacy of ultrasound combined with endoscopy and ultrasound combined with X-ray guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy(PCNL) in the treatment of complex renal calculi.Methods:The clinical data of 119 patients with complex kidney stones treated by ultrasound combined with endoscopy or ultrasound combined with X-ray guided PCNL in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from March 2019 to February 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. According to different guidance methods, they were divided into ultrasound combined with endoscopic guidance group and ultrasound combined with X-ray guidance group.There was no significant difference in age [(53.9±14.2) years vs. (55.6±13.5) years], gender (male/female: 38/21 vs. 30/30), body mass index [(25.0±3.7) kg/m 2 vs. (24.8±3.8)kg/m 2], stone location (left/right: 34/25 vs. 31/29), maximum diameter of renal stones [(31.9±8.3)mm vs. (33.9±13.5)mm], kidney stones maximum cross-sectional area [(601.5±242.5)mm 2 vs. (632.6±278.9)mm 2], number of renal calices involved (3.5±0.9 vs. 3.6±1.3), S. T.O.N.E. scores (9.4±1.0 vs. 9.7±1.4), Guy's grade(Ⅲ/Ⅳ: 45/14 vs. 41/19), preoperative hemoglobin [(125.2±21.5)g/L vs. (125.6±18.4)g/L], serum creatinine[(89.1±33.8) μmol/L vs. (81.9±27.1) μmol/L], urinary tract infection (43/59 vs. 47/60)and positive urinary bacterial culture (12/59 vs.11/60) between the two groups(all P>0.05). The patients in the ultrasound combined with endoscopic guidance group were placed in the modified prone split-leg position. Flexible ureteroscope retrograde into the renal pelvis, combined with ultrasound to determine the best puncture calices. The channels were established and stones were removed under the guidance of ultrasound and endoscopy. In the ultrasound combined with X-ray guidance group, the F5 ureteral catheter was placed retrogradely into the operative side ureter under the lithotomy position. Then the patient changed to prone position and the target calices were punctured under the guidance of ultrasound and X-ray. Through anterograde or retrograde injection of contrast medium, the puncture position was determined to enter in the center of the calicean dome, and the channel establishment process and stone removal are monitored. The operative results and postoperative data were recorded. Results:The average operation time in the ultrasound combined with endoscopic guidance group was significantly shorter than that in the ultrasound combined with X-ray guidance group [(90.2 ± 34.5) min vs. (129.4 ± 43.0) min, P < 0.001]. There was no significant difference in the success rates of initial channel establishment [94.0% (63/67) vs. 87.7% (107/122), P = 0.167], the time of single channel establishment [(7.7 ± 1.9) min vs. (7.7 ± 1.4) min, P =0.765], serum creatinine on the first day after operation[ (89.3±33.6) μmol/L vs. (82.9±27.0) μmol/L, P=0.257] and postoperative hospital stay[(5.3±1.6) d vs.(5.4±1.7) d, P=0.883]. In contrast, patients in ultrasound combined with X-ray guidance group had higher stone free rate [93.3% (56/60) vs. 81.4% (48/59), P=0.049] and lower reoperation rate [3.3% (2/60) vs. 15.3% (9/59), P=0.025]. The mean hemoglobin decrease value of ultrasound combined with endoscopic guidance group was significantly lower than ultrasound combined with X-ray guidance group on the first day after operation [(8.7±6.3) g/L vs. (16.8±6.9) g/L, P<0.001]. The complication rate of ultrasound combined with endoscopic guidance group was significantly lower than that of ultrasound combined with X-ray guidance group [5.1% (3/59) vs. 16.7% (10/60), P = 0.043]. Conclusions:Ultrasound combined with endoscopic guidance PCNL does not need to change body position during operation and has fewer puncture channels, thus saving operation time and reducing complications. It is more suitable for patients with isolated kidney or easy bleeding. Ultrasound combined with X-ray guidance is conducive to the establishment of multi-channel, the stone clearance rate is high and the reoperation rate is low, which is suitable for patients with good health and more renal calices involved with stones.

Microenvironmental biophysical factors play a fundamental role in controlling cell behaviors including cell morphology, proliferation, adhesion and differentiation, and even determining the cell fate. Cells are able to actively sense the surrounding mechanical microenvironment and change their cellular morphology to adapt to it. Although cell morphological changes have been considered to be the first and most important step in the interaction between cells and their mechanical microenvironment, their regulatory network is not completely clear. In the current study, we generated silicon-based elastomer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates with stiff (15:1, PDMS elastomer vs. curing agent) and soft (45:1) stiffnesses, which showed the Young's moduli of ~450 kPa and 46 kPa, respectively, and elucidated a new path in cytoskeleton re-organization in chondrocytes in response to changed substrate stiffnesses by characterizing the axis shift from the secreted extracellular protein laminin β1, focal adhesion complex protein FAK to microfilament bundling. We first showed the cellular cytoskeleton changes in chondrocytes by characterizing the cell spreading area and cellular synapses. We then found the changes of secreted extracellular linkage protein, laminin β1, and focal adhesion complex protein, FAK, in chondrocytes in response to different substrate stiffnesses. These two proteins were shown to be directly interacted by Co-IP and colocalization. We next showed that impact of FAK on the cytoskeleton organization by showing the changes of microfilament bundles and found the potential intermediate regulators. Taking together, this modulation axis of laminin β1-FAK-microfilament could enlarge our understanding about the interdependence among mechanosensing, mechanotransduction, and cytoskeleton re-organization.
Cell Adhesion ; Chondrocytes ; Cytoskeleton/metabolism* ; Elastomers/metabolism* ; Laminin/metabolism* ; Mechanotransduction, Cellular

Gap junction (GJ) has been indicated to have an intimate correlation with adhesion junction. However, the direct interaction between them partially remains elusive. In the current study, we aimed to elucidate the role of N-cadherin, one of the core components in adhesion junction, in mediating connexin 43, one of the functional constituents in gap junction, via transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) induction in osteoblasts. We first elucidated the expressions of N-cadherin induced by TGF-β1 and also confirmed the upregulation of Cx43, and the enhancement of functional gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) triggered by TGF-β1 in both primary osteoblasts and MC3T3 cell line. Colocalization analysis and Co-IP experimentation showed that N-cadherin interacts with Cx43 at the site of cell-cell contact. Knockdown of N-cadherin by siRNA interference decreased the Cx43 expression and abolished the promoting effect of TGF-β1 on Cx43. Functional GJICs in living primary osteoblasts and MC3T3 cell line were also reduced. TGF-β1-induced increase in N-cadherin and Cx43 was via Smad3 activation, whereas knockdown of Smad3 signaling by using siRNA decreased the expressions of both N-cadherin and Cx43. Overall, these data indicate the direct interactions between N-cadherin and Cx43, and reveal the intervention of adhesion junction in functional gap junction in living osteoblasts.
Cadherins ; Cell Communication ; Connexin 43 ; Osteoblasts ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Objective:To discuss the feasibility and clinical efficacy of laparoscopic ureteroplasty with buccal mucosa graft for ureteral stricture.Methods:The clinical data of 10 patients with ureteral stricture admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from July 2018 to November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 7 males, 3 females, 5 cases on each side, with an average age of (47.9±7.8)years. All patients had a history of operation related to ureteral calculi. The median value of preoperative serum creatinine was 71(68~610)μmol/L. The status of hydronephrosis and ureteral stricture was evaluated by ultrasonography, CTU and ureteral retrograde angiography.The separation of the renal pelvis on the affected side was (3.1±0.7)cm.There were 7 cases of upper segment stenosis, 2 cases of middle segment stenosis, and 1 case of multiple stenosis. The length of ureteral stenosis was (3.2±0.7)cm. Laparoscopic buccal mucosa ureteroplasty was performed in all 10 cases under general anesthesia. After the stricture ureter segment was separated during the operation, the ureteral stenosis segment was longitudinally cut. According to the stenosis, the buccal mucosa with a length of 3.0-4.5 cm and a width of 1.0-1.5 cm was cut. Buccal mucosa grafts were harvested and placed in the ureter as an anterior onlay with omental wrapping.Results:Ureteral repair was performed laparoscopically in all cases, with no conversion to open and no serious complications. The operative time was (199.2±27.4)min, the blood loss was (101.5±54.7)ml, the median postoperative indwelling time of the drainage tube was 4.5(3.0-7.0)d, and the postoperative hospital stay was (7.9±1.9)days. The patients had clear pronunciation and barrier-free eating one week after the operation.The double J tube was removed one to two months after surgery. The patients were followed up for (11.3±4.2)months after the operation. Follow-up patients underwent imaging and other examinations, which showed significant improvement in hydronephrosis on the affected side, and the median value of renal pelvis separation on the affected side was 1.8(0-2.2)cm. The median value of serum creatinine was 82(66~235)μmol/L. The serum creatinine in 2 patients with renal insufficiency decreased significantly after operation.Conclusions:Laparoscopic buccal mucosa graft ureteroplasty could be a safe and feasible option for the treatment of ureteral stricture with less trauma and rapid recovery. The results of the initial experience are encouraging.

The biophysical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) dictate tissue-specific cell behaviour. In the skeleton system, bone shows the potential to adapt its architecture and contexture to environmental rigidity via the bone remodelling process, which involves chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes and even peripheral bone marrow-derived stem/stromal cells (BMSCs). In the current study, we generated stiff (~1 014 ± 56) kPa, Young's modulus) and soft (~46 ± 11) kPa silicon-based elastomer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates by mixing curing agent into oligomeric base at 1:5 and 1:45 ratios, respectively, and investigated the influence of substrate stiffness on the cell behaviours by characterizing cell spreading area, cell cytoskeleton and cell adhesion capacity. The results showed that the cell spreading areas of chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes and BMSCs were all reduced in the soft substrate relative to those in the stiff substrate. F-actin staining confirmed that the cytoskeleton was also changed in the soft group compared to that in the stiff group. Vinculin in focal adhesion plaques was significantly decreased in response to soft substrate compared to stiff substrate. This study establishes the potential correlation between microenvironmental mechanics and the skeletal system, and the results regarding changes in cell spreading area, cytoskeleton and cell adhesion further indicate the important role of biomechanics in the cell-matrix interaction.
Actins ; Cell Adhesion ; Elastic Modulus ; Focal Adhesions ; physiology ; Humans ; Vinculin ; analysis ; metabolism

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic combined simultaneous surgery in the modified prone split-leg position for complex renal calculi with ipsilateral ureteral calculi. Methods: The clinical data of 56 cases patients with simultaneous renal and ureteral stones admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2016 to March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. A retrospective analysis was performed on 56 cases of patients with simultaneous renal and ureteral stones who received surgical treatment between January 2016 and March 2019. According to different surgical methods, 56 cases were divided into the modified prone split-leg position group (observation group) and the traditional pre-lithotomy position followed by prone position group (control group). In observation group, the average age of 11 males and 17 females was (54.1±10.2)years. The mean body mass index was (23.8±2.9) kg/m². The location of stones were left in 14 cases and right in 14 cases. The average kidney involvement calyces number was 2.4±0.7.The mean kidney stones maximum cross-sectional area was (870.9±157.7)m². According to the Guy′s classification system, there were 3 cases of grade Ⅰ, 11 case of grade Ⅱ and 14 case of grade Ⅲ in the observation group. The kidney stones S. T.O.N.E scores was 8.7±1.3 and ureteral calculi S. T.O.N.E scores were 13.1± 1.6.In the control group, the average age was (57.0±8.3)years old. The mean body mass index was (24.4±2.9)kg/m². The average kidney involvement calyces number was 2.1±0.7 and the mean kidney stones maximum cross-sectional area was (808.8±189.6)mm². To the kidney stones Guy′s classification, there were 5 cases of grade Ⅰ, 15 case of grade Ⅱ, 7 case of grade Ⅲ and 1case of grade Ⅳ in the control group. The kidney stones S. T.O.N.E scores were 8.5±0.6 and the ureteral calculi S. T.O.N.E scores were 12.4±1.7. The operation time, calculus clearance rate, postoperative hospitalization days, reoperation rate and severity of complications of Clavien-Dindo were statistically compared between the two groups. Results: The study found that the average operation time in the observation group was significantly shorter than that in the control group [(77.8±27.3)min vs.(94.4±22.8)min](P<0.05). In the observation group, 23 patients had complete removal of renal and ureteral calculi, and 3 patients need reoperation. While in the control group, 16 patients had complete removal and 10 patients had reoperation. There were significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). According to the complication severity of Clavien-Dindo, there were 4 cases of grade Ⅰ and 1 case of grade Ⅱ in the observation group, 4 cases of grade Ⅰ, 2 case of grade Ⅱ and 2 case of grade Ⅲ in the control group. There were no serious complications of grade Ⅳ and Ⅴ in both groups (P>0.05). In observation group, one case accepted the DSA embolization therapy due to the severe bleeding. One case accepted the puncture drainage due to the perinephric effusion. There was no difference in average postoperative hospital stay between the two groups [(6.5±1.2)d vs.(7.0±2.1)d, P>0.05]. Conclusions It is safe and feasible to treat complex renal calculi with ipsilateral ureteral calculi by endoscopic combined simultaneous surgery in the modified prone split-leg position. One position can solve many problems simultaneously, which can significantly reduce the operation time, increase the stone free rates, reduce the reoperation rate and improve the effectiveness of the operation.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and security of Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in treating interstitial cystitis /bladder pain syndrome,and also the effect of different site injection.Methods Sixty-nine consecutive BPS/IC patients from October 2011 to February 2016 were divided into three groups randomly,including control group (group A) and treatment group (group B and group C).There were 5 males and 64 females,with age from 23 to 66 years old (average 44.5 years old).Twentythree patients (1 male and 22 females,aged from 23 to 69 years old,with mean age of 44.6 years old) in control group (group A) underwent hydrodistention.Twenty-four patients (2 males and 22 females,aged from 27 to 65 years old,with mean age of 42.8 years old) in group B underwent BTX-A detrusor combined triangle injection plus hydrodistention.Twenty-two patients (2 males and 20 females,aged from 30 to 68 years old,with mean age of 44.3 years old) in group C underwent BTX-A triangle injection alone plus hydrodistention.The parameters such as daytime frequency,nocturia,visual analogue scale/score (VAS),functional cystemetric volume (FCV),post-void residual volume (PVR),QOL score,maximal bladder capacity (MBC),interstitial cystitis symtom index (ICSI),interstitial cystitisproblem index (ICPI),Qmax,and Hamilton anxiey scale (HAMA) score between pre-treatment and 1,3,6 and 9 months after therapy in the three groups were compared.Results There were no serious complications observed in the three groups.All parameters 1 month after therapy were obviously superior to that of pretreatment.The efficacy in control group decreased significantly 3 months after treatment except nocturia (3.0 vs.5.0),daytime frequency(7.0 vs.14.0)and Q (14.0 ml/s vs.13.0 ml/s).However,all parameters in research groups except PVR were still obviously superior to pretherapy.The parameters except Q and nocturia in group B had statistically significant difference from contemporaneous group A (all P ＜ 0.05).However,the parameters except Q nocturia and somatic anxiety score in group C had statistically significant difference from contemporaneous group A (all P ＜ 0.05).VAS (2.0 vs.3.0) and somatic anxiety score (6.0 vs.10.0) in group B were superior to group C (all P ＜ 0.05).When it came to 6 months after therapy,urinary frequence and urgency and pain symptoms were the same to pretherapy and all parameters had no statistically significant difference between pretherapy and after therapy in group A(all P ＞ 0.05).But all parameters except PVR in research group was still superior to pretherapy.the parameters except PVR,Q and QOL in group B had statistically significant difference from contemporaneous group A (all P ＜ 0.05).However,The parameters except PVR,Q MBC,ICSI and QOL in group C had statistically significant difference from contemporaneous group A (all P ＜ 0.05).Meanwhile,efficacy in group B was better than group C in term of ICPI (6.0 vs.8.0) and somatic anxiety score (7.0 vs.10.0) (all P ＜ 0.05).The efficacy decreased significantly 9 months after treatment in both group B and C,with no statistically significant difference compared with that of pretreatment.ICSI(10.0 vs.13.0),ICPI(9.0 vs.13.0),QOL(5.0 vs.6.0)in group B,and QOL(5.0 vs.6.0)in group C had statistically significant difference compared with the contemporary parameters in group A.ICSI(10.0 vs.12.0),MBC(285.0 ml vs.237.5 ml) in group B was better than that in group C (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Symptoms in IC/BPS patients can be alleviated significantly by detrusor BTX-A injection plus hydrodistention.Quality of life can be improved remarkably and HAMA scores can be reduced significantly after treatment.Thus,it's an effective therapeutic mnethod for IC/BPS,and detrusor combined triangle injection can provide a better effect than single triangle injection.

Purpose To investigate the serum prostate specific antigen( PSA)feature of high grade prostatic intraepithe1ia1 neop1asia ( HGPIN)patients,and the association of the number of cores positive for HGPIN on initia1 biopsy and the risk of cancer deve1opment in second biopsy. Methods 492 cases of patients with suspicious prostate cancer were schedu1ed for transrecta1 u1trasound prostatic biopsy with an 8-core temp1ate. In the first biopsy,186 cases of patients with PCa,34 cases of patients with iso1ated HGPIN( on1y one core invo1ved with HGPIN)and 13 cases of patients with extensive HGPIN( two or more cores invo1ved with HGPIN),64 cases of pa-tients with LGPIN,195 cases of patients with BPH. The va1ues of PSA were ana1yzed and compared within these groups. In patients with extensive HGPIN or iso1ated HGPIN we proposed a repeat 8-core biopsy after 6 months independent of serum PSA 1eve1. The same measure was app1ied for patients diagnosed as LGPIN or BPH in the first biopsy with accompanying increase or persistent e1evation of serum PSA 1eve1. The incidence of PCa was ana1yzed and compared within these groups. Results The serum PSA 1eve1s were no sig-nificant1y different between LGPIN and BPH(P>0. 05),between iso1ated HGPIN and LGPIN(P>0. 05),and between iso1ated HG-PIN and BPH(P>0. 05). The serum PSA 1eve1s were significant1y different between extensive HGPIN and LGPIN(P<0. 05),be-tween extensive HGPIN and BPH(P<0. 05),and between extensive HGPIN and iso1ated HGPIN(P<0. 05). In the second biopsy, the incidence of PCa in patients with extensive HGPIN was 38. 48%,that in patients with iso1ated HGPIN was 9. 68%,that in patients with LGPIN was 12. 50%,and that in patients with BPH was 12. 20%. Conclusions The features of PSA in patients with iso1ated HGPIN are simi1ar to BPH,PSA 1eve1 in patients with extensive HGPIN were between PCa and BPH,and patients with extensive HG-PIN have a higher incidence of PCa in second biopsy than iso1ated HGPIN and BPH.

Objective To evaluate the effect of combination therapy of tolterodine and tamsulosin in improving symptoms in patients with indwelling double-J ureteral stents.Methods A total of 96 patients underwent placement of a double-J ureteral stent after retrograde ureteroscopy for urinary stone disease,which were prospectively randomized ( random numbers table) into two groups.The tamsulosin group ( n =48) was administered tamsulosin 0.2 mg once daily,the combination group (n =48) was administcred tamsulosin 0.2 mg once daily and tolterodine 2 mg twice daily.All the patients completed a validated Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ),the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS),the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) one day before he placement and 4 weeks after stent placement of stent.Results The mean urinary symptom index score (25.4 ± 4.0 vs 15.3 ± 2.9,P ＜ 0.0001 ),the mean pain index score (15.0 ±2.6 vs10.3 ±2.1,P ＜0.0001),the mean general health index score (15.4 ±2.2 vs 11.0±1.5,P＜0.0001),the work performance index score (13.0±2.2vs9.7±1.9,P＜0.0001),the sex index score (3.6 ± 1.1 vs 2.2 ± 0.9,P ＜0.0001 ) improved significantly in combination group than those in tamsulosin group.There was a statistically significant difference between tamsulosin group and combination group in the IPSS score ( 12.8 ± 2.0 vs 9.2 ± 1.7,P ＜ 0.0001 ) and OABSS score ( 6.7 ± 1.4 vs 4.2 ± 1.4,P ＜ 0.0001 ) at the 4 weekfollow-up.Conclusions Indwelling ureteral stents have a significant impact on health related quality of life.It is effective for improving symptoms in patients with indwelling double-J ureteral stents by combination therapy with tolterodine and tamsulosin.

Objective To elucidate the spectrum of lipid peaks in 1H-MRS of skeletal muscle and it's interpretation,to investigate the utility of 1H-MRS in evaluating intramyecellular lipid (IMCL).Methods 1H-MRS was acquired in vivo on tibialis anterior muscle (TA) and soleus muscle (S) on 5 healthy volunteers.The spectrum of the lipid peak between 0.80 and 1.80 ppm was observed with different angle between the long axis of the calf and B0.Ex vivo phantom was an cluster of capillary tubers filled with soybean oil and fat emulsion,simulating the extramyecellular lipid (EMCL) and IMCL,respectively.The spectra of the lipid peaks were compared using different angles between the phantom and Bo field.Results The lipid spectrum split to 3 to 4 peaks between 0.80 and 1.80 ppm on calf muscles,with 0.20 to 0.30 ppm interval between each neighbouring peak.The methylene peak of EMCL shifted to the right when the angle between long axis of the calf and B0 increased.The phantom could simulate the spectrum of 1H-MRS of the muscle,presenting two peaks with 0.20 to 0.30 ppm chemical shift difference between 0.80 and 1.80 ppm.They are methyl triglyceride and methylene,representing IMCL and EMCL,respectively.The peak splitting could be attributed to the high ordered muscle fibers and their chemical shift difference between inta-and extra-cellular distribution.The interval of IMCL and EMCL peaks attenuated when the angle between the muscle fiber and B0 increased from 0 to the magic angle(54.7°).Conclusion On 1H- MRS spectrum,the peak of the EMCL and IMCL splits.This indicated that 1H-MRS is an applicable method to detect IMCL noninvasively.TA is an optimizing muscle for 1H-MRS study.