干扰素对膀胱肿瘤细胞膜TNFR表达的影响

目的：探讨用干扰素治疗膀胱肿瘤时对膀胱肿瘤细胞膜肿瘤坏死因子受体（ＴＮＦＲ）表达的影响。方法：用放射配基结合分析法检测α和γ干扰素分别作用于膀胱癌ＢＩＵ－８７细胞前后细胞膜ＴＮＦＲ的变化。结果：膀胱肿瘤细胞膜存在的ＴＮＦＲ，受体的特异性结合量与干扰素深度和作用时间关系密切；γ干扰素对受体表达的影响大于α干扰素。结论：干扰素可以使膀胱肿瘤细胞膜ＴＮＦＲ的表达增加，从而使免疫治疗后高表达的ＴＮＦ可以与     

慢性肾小球肾炎患者尿液TNFR1检测的临床意义

目的探讨慢性肾小球肾炎患者尿液肿瘤坏死因子a特异性的膜受体1（TNFR1）在评价。肾脏损伤程度中的价值以及对。肾功能损害的预测价值。方法选择在我院经病理检查确诊的原发性慢性肾小球肾炎患者50例,另选择20名健康体检者为对照组。检测2组24h尿蛋白定量,血清和尿液的肌酐浓度,计算肌酐清除率。酶联免疫法（ELISA）检测尿液TNFR1浓度。所有研究对象随访2年,每6个月1次,随访时检测肾功能。结果不同病理类型的慢性。肾小球肾炎患者尿液TN—FR1浓度均较对照组升高（P〈0．05）;病情恶化者肌酐清除率低于病情稳定患者（P〈0．05）,尿液TNFRI浓度高于病情稳定者（P〈0．05）,2组24h尿蛋白定量无明显差异（P〉O．05）;尿液TNFRl浓度与肌酐清除率呈负相关（P〈0．05）,与24h尿蛋白定量呈正相关（P〈0．05）;年龄、24h尿蛋白定量和尿液TNFR1浓度是基线肌酐清除率的影响因素（P〈0．05）;尿液TNFRl浓度是病情恶化者肌酐清除率下降的独立影响因素（P〈0．05）。结论尿液TNFRl浓度可以评价和预测慢性肾小球肾炎患者肾功能损害。     

Experimental research and surgery: why, how, and when?

Experimental research faces two great problems: the significant reduction of public funding and the firm opposition of the public opinion. The law forbids the use of large animals, so that it is possible to use small animals only, which require microsurgical techniques. However, even a skillful surgeon does not know how to perform microsurgery and has to begin a long and tiring training to master techniques. We think that experimental surgery should play a role because it tests the validity and safety of new surgical techniques and allows special pathophysiological aspects to be studied. Furthermore experimental surgery could represent an essential stage in the training of young surgeons. We should find a balance between observance of the law and respect of the animals and, on the other hand, the role of experimental surgery because we should not forget that its most important aim is the improvement of the health of the humankind.     

Family, patients, and organ and tissue donation: who decides?

OBJECTIVE: To identify who is responsible for the decision to donate organs and tissues from a deceased donor. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed with 69 family members of deceased donors, identified by the Organ Procurement Organization. RESULTS: The decision of the family regarding the request for donation took place after they had enough time to reflect on the matter (81.8%). The decision was made by the family (43.5%), by both family and donor (76.8%), by the family with previous knowledge about their deceased relative's wish (63.2%), or only by the donor (11.6%). There was familial conflict after the decision in about 7.2% of donations; 63.2% of the families were aware of their deceased relative's wish, and 90.5% were aware that their relative's wish helped them make the decision. Women were most frequently responsible for the decision to donate (55%). CONCLUSION: The donation process is experienced by all the family, regardless of who signs the consent form. At times, it is precisely the discussion about what is conflicting that will enable the familial decision. The donor's autonomy alone was shown to be a poor indicator, as the ones who decide about the donation are the family. This, therefore, legitimizes the alteration made to Law No. 9,434/97, which gives family members the responsibility for the decision about organ and tissue donation from their deceased relatives.     

Cardio-renal-axis--physiology,pathophysiology, and clinical relevance?

It has been known for years that variations in atrial stretch and intrathoracic blood volume may affect kidney function. Interestingly, little information on this topic can be found in the recent literature of critical care medicine and anesthesiology. Hence, this review focuses on the role of low pressure cardiopulmonary and arterial baroreceptors in the regulation of kidney function and the neuro-endocrine mechanisms behind the so-called "cardio-renal axis". The physiological mechanisms presented in this review may have clinical impact with regard to strategies for the prevention and treatment of acute renal failure and question the usefulness of diuretics to improve kidney function during several shock states.     

Retinoid and TGF-β Families: Crosstalk in Development, Neoplasia, Immunity, and Tissue Repair

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) isoforms are profibrotic cytokines, par excellence, and have complex multifunctional effects on many systems, depending on the biologic setting. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that also have diverse effects in development, physiology, and disease. The interactions between these classes of molecules are, not surprisingly, highly complex and are dependent on the tissue, cellular, and molecular settings.     

Defining laboratory reference values and decision limits＇ populations,intervals, and interpretations

This article provides a brief overview of various approaches that may be utilized for the analysis of human semen test results. Reference intervals are the most widely used tool for the interpretation of clinical laboratory results. Reference interval development has classically relied on concepts elaborated by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry Expert Panel on Reference Values during the 1980s. These guidelines involve obtaining and classifying samples from a healthy population of at least 120 individuals and then identifying the outermost 5% of observations to use in defining limits for two-sided or one-sided reference intervals. More recently, decision limits based on epidemiological outcome analysis have also been introduced to aid in test interpretation. The reference population must be carefully defined on the basis of the intended clinical use of the underlying test. To determine appropriate reference intervals for use in male fertility assessment, a reference population of men with documented time to pregnancy of 〈 12 months would be most suitable. However, for epidemiological assessment of semen testing results, a reference population made up ofunselected healthy men would be preferred. Although reference and decision limits derived for individual semen analysis test results will undoubtedly be the interpretational tools of choice in the near future, in the long term, multivariate methods for the interpretation of semen analysis alone or in combination with information from the female partner seem to represent better means for assessing the likelihood of achieving a successful pregnancy in a subfertile couple.     

Pestalotiopsis—morphology, phylogeny, biochemistry and diversity

The genus Pestalotiopsis has received considerable attention in recent years, not only because of its role as a plant pathogen but also as a commonly isolated endophyte which has been shown to produce a wide range of chemically novel diverse metabolites. Classification in the genus has been previously based on morphology, with conidial characters being considered as important in distinguishing species and closely related genera. In this review, Pestalotia, Pestalotiopsis and some related genera are evaluated; it is concluded that the large number of described species has resulted from introductions based on host association. We suspect that many of these are probably not good biological species. Recent molecular data have shown that conidial characters can be used to distinguish taxa; however, host association and geographical location is less informative. The taxonomy of the genera complex remains confused. There are only a few type cultures and, therefore, it is impossible to use gene sequences in GenBank to clarify species names reliably. It has not even been established whether Pestalotia and Pestalotiopsis are distinct genera, as no isolates of the type species of Pestalotia have been sequenced, and they are morphologically somewhat similar. When selected GenBank ITS accessions of Pestalotiopsis clavispora, P. disseminata, P. microspora, P. neglecta, P. photiniae, P. theae, P. virgatula and P. vismiae are aligned, most species cluster throughout any phylogram generated. Since there appears to be no living type strain for any of these species, it is unwise to use GenBank sequences to represent any of these names. Type cultures and sequences are available for the recently described species P. hainanensis, P. jesteri, P. kunmingensis and P. pallidotheae. It is clear that the important species in Pestalotia and Pestalotiopsis need to be epitypified so that we can begin to understand the genus/genera. There are numerous reports in the literature that various species produce taxol, while others produce newly discovered compounds with medicinal potential and still others cause disease. The names assigned to these novel compound-producing taxa lack an accurate taxonomic basis, since the taxonomy of the genus is markedly confused. Until the important species have been epitypified with living strains that have been sequenced and deposited in public databases, researchers should refrain from providing the exact name of species.     

Prosthetic urology:past,present,and future

The global population is collectively getting older,and age is directly correlated with erectile dysfunction(ED).With the advent of effective oral agents and wide availability of the Internet,a larger portion of the population is becoming aware of the different treatment options for men with ED.     

Pathophysiology,diagnosis, and treatment of methylmalonic aciduria—recent advances and new challenges

Classical methylmalonic aciduria is a relatively rare inborn error of branched-chain amino acid metabolism, occurring in 1:50,000 to 1:80,000 newborns. Three decades after its recognition, major progress has been made in survival and prevention of neurological sequelae in affected children, if the diagnosis is made early and treatment and follow-up care are meticulous. Therapy consists of a specially formulated protein diet, carnitine supplementation, and vigorous emergency treatment during intercurrent illnesses aimed at preventing the development of catabolism. Recently the clinician has been challenged by partially unexpected long-term complications. These include chronic neurological symptoms, specifically an extrapyramidal movement disorder caused by progressive destruction of the basal ganglia, which are similar to those observed in other organic acid disorders, such as propionic aciduria or glutaric aciduria type I. Unexpected and unique is the development of chronic renal failure in a major subset of patients. As the pathophysiological basis of renal failure is still obscure, no causative treatment is available and hemodialysis may become necessary. Experience with transplantation of liver, kidney, or kidney and liver is very limited and allows as yet no conclusions. Interdisciplinary research efforts in this field should reveal new pathophysiological links and hopefully provide additional therapeutic approaches.