Cerivastatin inhibits fetal calf serunvinduced DNA synthesis in cultured rat mesangial cells

SUMMARY: Inhibition of mevalonate synthesis by several statins has been shown to suppress DNA synthesis in glomerular mesangial cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of a new statin, cerivastatin, on fetal calf serum (FCS)-induced DNA synthesis of cultured rat mesangial cells. Cultured rat mesangial cells were stimulated by 10% FCS in the presence or absence of cerivastatin and mevalonate. 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation was used to assess DNA synthesis. the present study showed that 10% FCS caused marked stimulation of DNA synthesis in the mesangial cells. Cerivastatin inhibited FCS-stimulated BrdU incorporation in a dose-dependent manner. IC₅₀ was approximately 1 umol/L. Exogenous mevalonate, farnesyl pyrophosphate and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate significantly prevented the inhibitory effect of cerivastatin on DNA replication. It appears that cerivastatin, by inhibiting the synthesis of mevalonate, may suppress DNA synthesis in the mesangial cells.     

Novel technique for correcting penile curvature with severe hypospadias; Ventral lengthening with tunica vaginalis flap patching

The adequate correction of penile curvature is essential for successful hypospadias surgery. We describe a novel technique to correct severe penile curvature with a tunica vaginalis flap on the penile ventrum. We applied a tunica vaginalis flap to lengthen the ventral aspect of the tunica albuginea in two boys with significant curvature and proximal hypospadias. Tunica vaginalis flap patching to the ventral aspect of the penis is safe and technically feasible. If penile curvature is severe or the penis is small in hypospadiac patients, lengthening the ventral aspect using a tunica vaginalis flap is likely to expand instead of dorsal plication or ventral graft.     

Chromophobe cell renal carcinoma with acquired cystic disease of the kidney in a long-term hemodialysis patient

We report a rare case of chromophobe cell renal carcinoma found in a 52-year-old female who had received hemodialysis therapy for 13 years. She was diagnosed as having a left renal tumor 7.5 cm in diameter with acquired cystic disease of the kidney (ACDK) by ultrasonographic examination during periodical systemic screening. As abdominal computed tomography scanning and enhanced color Doppler ultrasonography suspected that the hypervascular tumor was renal cell carcinoma, she underwent translumbar nephrectomy in July 2000. The histopathological diagnosis was chromophobe cell carcinoma with pT2 and grade 2 malignancy. Chromophobe cell carcinoma is uncommon among renal tumors with ACDK found in long-term hemodialysis patients.     

Role of ureteroscopic biopsy in the management of upper urinary tract malignancy

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study presented here was to examine the accuracy of ureteroscopic biopsy in the diagnosis of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and whether nephron-sparing management (holmium YAG laser, transurethral resection or partial ureterectomy) is possible or not based on pathological diagnosis. METHODS: Forty consecutive patients underwent ureteroscopic biopsy with the use of 3-Fr cold cup forceps. Pathological diagnosis of the biopsy sample and grade or stage of surgically resected tumors were compared. In patients with grade 1 or 2 TCC diagnosed by ureteroscopic biopsy, the disease-free and survival rates determined whether nephron-sparing management was performed or not. RESULTS: There were no major complications associated with ureteroscopic biopsy. The pathological grading of the biopsy specimen was almost the same as that of the surgically resected specimen. Eighty five percent of grade 2 or 3 TCC showed muscle invasive disease. There were no significant differences in the disease-free and survival rates between the nephroureterectomy and the nephron-sparing management groups, except for grade 3 or pT3 tumors. CONCLUSION: Ureteroscopic biopsy is safe and accurate if sufficient tissue sample is obtained. Ureteroscopic biopsy should be performed in patients who require nephron-sparing management. Nephroureterectomy can be avoided if the tumor is confirmed as low-grade.     

Splenogonadal fusion: Case report and review of published works

Splenogonadal fusion is a rare congenital anomaly. We report herein a case of splenogonadal fusion associated with contra lateral testicular aplasia, and review the etiology, pathogenesis and management of this rare disease. As far as we know, this is the first reported case of splenogonadal fusion associated with testicular aplasia.     

Interactions of Endotoxin with Cortisol and Acute Phase Proteins in Septic Shock Neonates

ABSTRACT. CRP, α1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin were studied in 13 septic shock neonates. Endotoxin was recovered from eight infants. Serum Cortisol concentration from infants with en-dotoxemia (917 ± 596 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that from infants without en-dotoxemia (398 ± 239 ng/ml). Serum Cortisol correlated well with immature neutrophil counts denned as the unit "band/neutrophil". Increased Cortisol level and immature neutrophil counts preceded the elevation of CRP, α1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin in four extremely premature neonates. We conclude that positive interactions between endotoxin, Cortisol and acute phase protein synthesis are present in the initial period of infection, and delayed acute phase protein synthesis is suspected in extremely premature neonates.     

基于报告基因的雌激素受体β亚型激动剂细胞筛选模型的建立

目的建立基于报告基因和雌激素受体β(estrogen receptor β，ERβ)亚型信号通路的药物筛选模型，以期发现ERβ亚型激动剂。方法构建带有雌激素应答序列(estrogen responsive element，ERE)靶序列和报告基因的诱导性表达载体pTAL-ERE-SEAP，并将其转入人胚肾(HEK293)细胞中，筛选报告基因分泌型碱性磷酸酶(secreted alkaline phosphatase，SEAP)表达受雌二醇(17β-estradiol，E₂)诱导的阳性克隆。选取相关核受体配体进行模型的特异性考察，同时考察模型的稳定性及时效量效关系，以及免疫细胞化学染色鉴定转染后ERβ的表达情况。利用此模型对本实验室样品库中的2 622个化合物进行筛选。结果转染pTAL-ERE-SEAP的HEK293细胞中，SEAP报告基因的表达受E₂的诱导并呈剂量与时间依赖关系，E₂对阳性克隆细胞无增殖作用，本模型的Z′因子值为0.7，免疫细胞化学染色结果表明，转染后ERβ表达、地塞米松以及其他配体的诱导表达率低。结论利用此模型通过测定SEAP报告基因的诱导表达水平可筛选ERβ亚型激动剂。     

Adrenoleukodystrophy indicated by abnormal electroencephalography

An 8 year old boy with adrenoleukodystrophy and his asymptomatic brother, both with abnormal electro-encephalography as the initial sign of adrenoleukodystrophy, are reported. After suffering from aseptic meningitis caused by Echo virus 30, the first case was suspected of having a complication of meningitis because of persistent abnormal electro-encephalography (i.e. slow wave bursts in the occipital region). This patient was finally diagnosed as having adrenoleukodystrophy because of the increased level of very long chain saturated fatty acids, and typical occipital lesions demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Dietary therapy was tried, but the course was progressive. The brother's electroencephalography was also abnormal and so was diagnosed as having asymptomatic adrenoleukodystrophy because of an increased level of very long chain saturated fatty acids, although brain magnetic resonance imaging was normal. Abnormal electro-encephalography can therefore be an initial sign of adrenoleukodystrophy even if magnetic resonance imaging shows no abnormality in the brain.