High glucose increases inducible NO production in cultured rat mesangial cells. Possible role in fibronectin production.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Increased nitric oxide (NO) generation and action have been suggested to be associated with glomerular hyperfiltration and increased vascular permeability early in diabetes. However, previous studies have primarily focused on the constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) pathway present in endothelial cells, and the role of the inducible NOS (iNOS) pathway in diabetic nephropathy has remained unclear. This study examined whether high glucose modulates NO synthesis by the iNOS pathway in rat mesangial cells. In addition, the effect of inhibition of the iNOS pathway on fibronectin production was determined to examine the role of the iNOS pathway in high glucose-induced extracellular expansion by mesangial cells. METHODS: NO synthesis by the iNOS pathway was evaluated by nitrite and iNOS mRNA and protein productions. The effects of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor and aldose reductase inhibitor on the iNOS mRNA expression and aminoguanidine, a relatively specific inhibitor of the iNOS on fibronectin protein production were examined. RESULTS: High 30 mM glucose concentration led to significant increases in nitrite production of rat mesangial cells upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) compared with control 5.6 mM glucose concentration. Mesangial iNOS mRNA expression and protein production also increased significantly in response to high glucose. The addition of calphostin C, a PKC inhibitor, and 6-bromo-1,3-dioxo-1H-benz[d,e]isoquinoline-2(3H)-acetic acid, an aldose reductase inhibitor, significantly suppressed the enhancement of iNOS mRNA expression in high glucose concentration. High glucose also significantly increased fibronectin protein production of mesangial cells upon stimulation with LPS plus IFN-gamma compared to control glucose. Aminoguanidine reversed this high glucose-induced fibronectin production at dose inhibiting iNOS mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that high glucose enhances cytokine-induced NO production by rat mesangial cells, and that the activation of PKC and aldose reductase pathway may play a role in this enhancement. In addition, high glucose-induced NO production by the iNOS pathway may promote extracellular matrix accumulation by mesangial cells under certain condition.     

Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade ameliorates tubulointerstitial injury induced by chronic potassium deficiency

BACKGROUND: Chronic potassium (K+) deficiency, one of the well-known causes of renal tubulointerstitial injury, is associated with an alteration in vasoactive mediators including persistent generation of renal cortical angiotensin (Ang) II despite the suppression of plasma Ang II, and suppression of urinary nitrite/nitrate excretion. We tested the hypothesis that K+-deficiency-induced renal tubulointerstitial injury could be mediated by Ang II or a reduction in nitric oxide. METHODS: Rats were fed a K+-deficient diet (0.01% K+) alone, or with either losartan or l-arginine (L-Arg) in drinking water. Control rats were fed with a normal K+ diet (0.36% K+). At the end of 10 weeks, kidneys were excised and renal injury was evaluated. RESULTS: Serum K+ was similarly depressed in all three groups receiving the K+-deficient diet. Rats on the K+-deficient diet alone developed renal hypertrophy and tubulointerstitial fibrosis with an increase in tubular osteopontin expression, macrophage infiltration and type III collagen deposition. Administration of losartan significantly reduced renal hypertrophy and prevented tubulointerstitial injury in the cortex, although some medullary injury occurred. In contrast, administration of L-Arg did not attenuate tubulointerstitial injury in the cortex, despite a complete recovery of urinary nitrate excretion. Mild but significant improvement of tubular osteopontin expression and macrophage infiltration were observed in the medulla of L-Arg-treated hypokalemic rats. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that hypokalemic renal injury is mediated, at least in part, by Ang II via the Ang II type 1 receptor, with a lesser contribution mediated by a reduction in nitric oxide. Losartan may be beneficial in preventing hypokalemic tubulointerstitial injury.     

双原发肺癌外科治疗的疗效分析

目的 探讨双原发肺癌的外科治疗结局和长期生存率.方法 对1999年1月至2009年6月收治的98例双原发肺癌患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析.同时双原发肺癌患者共72例,其中男性54例,女性18例;发病中位年龄66岁.异时双原发肺癌患者26例,其中男性20例,女性6例;第一原发癌发病中位年龄59.5岁,第二原发癌发病中位年龄66岁.同时双原发肺癌患者72例,144个肿瘤病灶,手术方式包括肺叶切除9例,双肺叶切除14例,全肺切除6例,肺叶切除并楔形切除33例,双楔形切除9例,双肺叶切除并楔形切除1例;异时双原发肺癌患者26例,52个肿瘤病灶,手术方式包括肺叶切除31次,双肺叶切除1次,楔形切除10次,全肺切除8次.结果 全组患者术后30 d病死率为0,术后并发症发生率为13.3%.全组患者从术后开始随访至2009年12月,随访率＞90%.全组患者从发现第一原发癌开始计算,其5年生存率为66.4%.异时第一原发肺癌和同时双原发肺癌的5年生存率差异有统计学意义(96.2%比43.0%,P=0.000).异时第二原发肺癌和同时双原发肺癌的5年生存率差异无统计学意义(45.9%比43.0%,P=0.634).结论 外科手术治疗双原发肺癌是合理的,能使患者获得较高的长期生存预期.     

海昆肾喜胶囊对慢性肾脏病患者血清胱抑素C的影响

目的 观察海昆肾喜胶囊对慢性肾脏病患者血清胱抑素C的影响.方法 20例明确诊断慢性肾脏病患者,在基础治疗上给予海昆肾喜胶囊每天6粒口服,于治疗前和治疗后8周分别检测血清胱抑素C、尿素氮、肌酐的变化.结果 海昆肾喜胶囊可明显降低慢性肾脏病患者的血清胱抑素C水平(P < 0.05);治疗前、后血清胱抑素C、血肌酐比较差异具有统计学意义(P < 0.05).结论 海昆肾喜胶囊可改善早期慢性肾脏病患者的肾功能,早期应用海昆肾喜胶囊有利于延缓慢性肾脏病的进展,具有一定临床意义.     

ICU护理工作量相关因素调查分析

目的探讨ICU护理工作量的影响因素,为护理管理者合理安排护理人力提供实证依据。方法采用护理活动评估量表对ICU 120例患者的护理工作量进行测评,对不同特征患者及不同班次的护理工作量进行比较分析。结果患者预后、是否手术及科室来源对ICU护理工作量有显著影响,白班护理工作量显著大于夜班(P0.05,P0.01)。结论死亡、非手术、内科患者及白班护理工作量相对较大,应针对上述特征调配ICU护理人力资源。     

痤疮患者外周血CD14~＋单核细胞TLR2的表达及其与IL-8和TNF-α的相关性

目的：研究痤疮患者外周血CD14＋单核细胞Toll样受体2（Toll-like receptor 2,TLR2）的表达及其与IL-8、TNF-α浓度的相关性,初步探讨TLR2在痤疮发病中的作用。方法：应用流式细胞术检测50例痤疮患者和20例正常人外周血CD14＋单核细胞TLR2的表达,并采用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测血清IL-8、TNF-α的浓度。结果：痤疮患者外周血中单核细胞TLR2的表达、血清IL-8、TNF-α浓度较正常人对照组明显增高（P〈0.01）,TLR2的表达与血清IL-8、TNF-α浓度变化呈正相关（P〈0.01）。结论：TLR2及其介导的天然免疫应答在痤疮发病机制中起重要作用,其机制可能是通过上调TLR2的表达促使炎症因子产生和分泌而介导痤疮的发病。     

Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy: experience of 300 cases

Background

We report on patients selected for minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) over a 3-year period and evaluate the feasibility and effects of this procedure.

Methods

Between March 2005 and August 2008, 300 patients (36 male, 264 female; mean age = 54.6 years) underwent MIVAT using a single central incision with an average length of 2 cm (range = 1.5–3 cm), about 2 cm above the sternal notch. Small conventional retractors and dissectors, ultrasonic scalpel, 5-mm laparoscope, and a video screen were the instruments used.

Results

General anesthesia was used in 295 patients and regional block anesthesia in 5. MIVAT was performed successfully in 280 patients (93.3%). Conversion to open thyroidectomy with a 4-cm-long incision was required to achieve selective lymphadenectomy in 18 patients after frozen sections demonstrated differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Only two patients with benign thyroid nodules were converted because of large volume or massive hemorrhage from the upper pole vessels. Mean operative time was 35 min (range = 20–70 min) for unilateral lobectomy and 58 min (35–90 min) for bilateral thyroidectomy. No patients had wound infections, postoperative bleeding that required reoperation, permanent hypoparathyroidism, or bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. However, permanent unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy appeared in five cases (1.7%), transient unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in seven (2.3%), superior laryngeal nerve injury in five (1.7%), transient hypocalcemia in nine (3.0%), and mild skin burn from the ultrasonic scalpel in five (1.7%). Postoperative pain was minimal and better cosmetic results were obtained than conventional open thyroidectomy. Postoperative stay was shorter than with conventional open thyroidectomy.

Conclusions

MIVAT appears to be safe and feasible in patients with benign thyroid nodules, with minimal injury and excellent cosmetic results. Furthermore, after properly lengthening the skin incision, MIVAT can be used for patients with large benign thyroid nodules or even early–stage differentiated thyroid carcinoma.     

Prostate calculi in cancer and BPH in a cohort of Korean men：presence of calculi did not correlate with cancer risk

Prostatic calculi are common and are associated with inflammation of the prostate. Recently,it has been suggested that this inflammation may be associated with prostate carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between prostatic calculi and prostate cancer （PCa） in prostate biopsy specimens. We retrospectively analyzed 417 consecutive patients who underwent transrectal ultrasonography （TRUS） and prostate biopsies between January 2005 and January 2008. Based on the biopsy findings,patients were divided into benign prostatic hyperplasia and PCa groups. TRUS was used to detect prostatic calculi and to measure prostate volume.The correlations between PCa risk and age,serum total PSA levels,prostate volume,and prostatic calculi were analyzed. Patient age and PSA,as well as the frequency of prostatic calculi in the biopsy specimens,differed significantly between both the groups （P〈0.05）. In the PCa group,the Gleason scores （GSs） were higher in patients with prostatic calculi than in patients without prostatic calculi （P = 0.023）. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis,we found that patient age,serum total PSA and prostate volume were risk factors for PCa （P = 0.001）,but that the presence of prostatic calculi was not associated with an increased risk of PCa （P = 0.13）. In conclusion,although the presence of prostatic calculi was not shown to be a risk factor for PCa,prostatic calculi were more common in patients with PCa and were associated with a higher GS among these men.     

The biochemical efficacy of primary cryoablation combined with prolonged total androgen suppression compared with radiotherapy on high-risk prostate cancer： a 3-year pilot study

To gain beneficial effects in the management of high-risk prostate cancer, an integrated approach that combines local therapy and androgen deprivation therapy （ADT） was used. We compared biochemical responses between primary cryosurgical ablation of the prostate （CSAP） combined with prolonged ADT and radiation combined with ADT, which is the established modality in high-risk disease. A total of 33 high-risk patients received CSAP combined with ADT for 3 months before and up to 24 months after treatment. This patient group was matched with another 33 patients who had undergone three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy （3D-CRT） with the same protocol for ADT. Biochemical recurrence （BCR） was assessed by the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology （ASTRO） definition, the Phoenix definition and a prostate-specific antigen （PSA） cutoff of 0.5 ng mL^-1. Median follow-up was 61.0 ± 11.9 months for the CSAP ＋ ADT group and 86.0±15.8 months for the 3D-CRT ＋ ADT group. In the CSAP group, major complications including rectourethral fistula and incontinence were not noted. In the CSAP ＋ ADT group, 57.0% had BCR using the ASTRO definition, 21.2% using the Phoenix definition and 54.5% using a PSA cutoff of 0.5 ng mL^-1. In the 3D-CRT ＋ ADT group, 54.5%, 21.2% and 54.5% had BCR using the ASTRO, Phoenix and PSA definition, respectively. In the CSAP ＋ ADT group, the BCR-free survival （BRFS） was 54 ± 10 months using the ASTRO definition, 65 ± 5 months using the Phoenix definition and 51 ± 4 months using a PSA cutoff of 0.5 ng mL-1. In the 3D-CRT ＋ ADT group, the BRFS was 68 ± 12, 93 ± 19 and 70 ± 18 months using the ASTRO, Phoenix and PSA definition, respectively. By the log-rank test, the BRFS values for each group were not statistically different. This intermediate-term result indicated that primary CSAP combined with prolonged ADT offers a parallel biochemical response compared with radiotherapy in high-risk prostate cancer.     

右径小切口房间隔缺损封堵术21例临床分析

目的探讨右径小切口房间隔缺损封堵术的方法与疗效。方法回顾性分析我院2004年7月至2005年5月收治的21例房间隔缺损患者,男性8例,女性13例,年龄1～70岁,中位年龄21岁。房间隔缺损直径8～40mm。全麻下右胸骨旁第4肋间行2～3cm切口,在经食管或胸壁超声引导下,经右心房通过单鞘管置入房间隔缺损封堵器。结果全组21例无手术死亡,使用的封堵器型号为14～46mm,均封堵满意,无残余分流,未影响心脏瓣膜功能。无封堵失败改行体外循环手术者。术中未输血,术后未发生封堵器移位或脱落等严重并发症,术后3～5d出院。复查无残余分流,无严重并发症,效果满意。结论右径小切口封堵房间隔缺损安全、创伤小,有一定推广价值。