Evaluation of thymosin β4 in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transformation in urothelial carcinoma

ObjectivesTo study the underlying alteration in the expression of epithelial markers involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and elucidate the potential mechanism(s) for Tβ4-induced EMT-like phenotypic changes in bladder cancer cells.Materials and methodsAll tissue samples in this study were obtained from clinical patients of the Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, and were confirmed by surgery and pathology. Of these, normal bladder tissues (control), primary urothelial carcinoma of different grades (Stage pTa, Stage pT3), bladder paracancerous tissues, accompanied with 2 bladder cancer cell lines (BIU-87 and T24), were divided into 6 groups. Quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical study of adhesion molecules Tβ4, ILK, E-cadherin, and β-catenin involved in EMT were carried out. A lentiviral gene transferring vector containing the RNA polymerase III-dependent U6 promoter to express short hairpin RNA (shRNA) directed against Tβ4 was also applied. In the present study, all agents were evaluated using commercial kits.ResultsA strong correlation between the expression levels of Tβ4, ILK, E-cadherin, and β-catenin was found in the bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) patients. In the BIU-87 and T24 bladder cancer cells overexpressing Tβ4, which were accompanied by a loss of E-cadherin as well as a cytosolic accumulation of β-catenin, up-regulation of ILK was also revealed. The inhibition of the Tβ4 expression with lentiviral shRNA vector could raise EMT-like phenotypic changes, significantly depressed motility, and subsequent invasiveness of bladder cancer cells.ConclusionsOur results imply that the Tβ4 is likely to play a crucial role in EMT progression, and that inhibition of the Tβ4 expression or interactions with other genes should be novel therapeutic targets for bladder cancers with high invasive and metastatic potential.     

Prostatic calculi influence the antimicrobial efficacy in men with chronic bacterial prostatitis

We studied the efficacy of culture-specific antibiotic therapy for chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) patients with or without prostatic calculi. This study included 101 patients (21–62 years old) who met the consensus criteria for CBP (National Institutes of Health category II). According to the results of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), all patients were divided into two groups: Group 1, CBP with prostatic calculi, n=39; Group 2, CBP without prostatic calculi, n=62. All patients received optimal antimicrobial therapy for 4 weeks and followed up for a minimum of 3 months (range: 3–8 months). In addition to expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) and urine culture, all patients were asked to complete the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and the subjective global assessment (SGA). The microbiological eradication rate at the end of treatment were 32/39 (82.1%) and 54/62 (87.1%), while the rates for continued eradication at the end of study were 17/39 (43.6%) and 45/62 (72.6%) in Group 1 and Group 2 (P<0.01), respectively. We observed a decrease in the total NIH-CPSI score median values from 24 to 19 in Group 1 and from 24 to 11 in Group 2. The pain subscore (P<0.01), urinary sunscore (P<0.05) and quality of life (QoL; P<0.05) as well as the total NIH-CPSI score (P<0.01) were significantly improved after antimicrobial treatment in Group 2 compared to Group 1. Response, defined as a decrease of the NIH-CPSI total score by at least 50%, was seen in Group 1 versus Group 2 in 38.5% and 58.1% (P<0.01), respectively. Our results showed that prostatic calculi influence the antimicrobial efficacy in men with CBP. There was a noticeable decrease in the cure rate of CBP patients with prostatic calculi due to relapse after antimicrobial therapy.     

完全腹腔镜脾切除断流术治疗肝硬化门静脉高压症

目的 探讨完全腹腔镜下巨脾切除联合贲门周围血管离断术治疗肝硬化门静脉高压症的可行性、有效性和安全性.方法 对26例患者行巨脾切除联合贲门周围血管离断术,其中16例行完全腹腔镜下二级脾蒂离断法脾切除联合贲门周围血管离断术,10例行传统开腹手术.比较两组的手术时间、术中出血量、术后并发症发生率、术后外周血血小板数值及术后住院时间等.结果 腹腔镜组成功完成手术12例,中转开腹4例.腹腔镜组与开腹组平均手术时间分别为(315±77) min和(291±31)min,两组相比差异无统计学意义,t=0.892,P=0.384;术中平均出血量分别为(409±216) ml和(980±402) ml,两组相比差异有统计学意义,t=4.105,P＜0.01;术后并发症发生率分别为17％和30％,两组相比差异无统计学意义,x2=0.064,P=0.525;术后平均住院时间分别为(10±3)d和(17±8)d,两组相比差异有统计学意义,t=2.539,P＜0.01.结论 完全腹腔镜下巨脾切除联合贲门周围血管离断术安全、可行、有效,具有出血少、痛苦小、术后住院时间短的优点,是一种值得推广的微创手术.     

A meta-analysis of total hip arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty outcomes for displaced femoral neck fractures

Background

Total hip arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty are used to treat displaced femoral neck fractures. However, the optimal treatment of these fractures remained controversial.

Objective

To assess the effects that compare total hip arthroplasty with hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of femoral neck fractures in the elderly.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE (January 1980 to 2010), EMBASE (January 1980 to 2010), and the Cochrane Library 2010; issue 1. Only prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compare total hip arthroplasty with hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of femoral neck fracture in the elderly were included. The analysis was performed with software RevMan5.0 from the Cochrane Collaboration.

Results

We identified seven relevant randomized controlled trials with a total of 828 participants. The meta-analysis showed relative risk of re-operation was 0.40 (95% CI?=?0.24–0.67, P?=?0.0004), the dislocation was 2.02 (95% CI?=?1.26–3.25, P?=?0.002), the mobility as functional outcome was 1.70 (95% CI?=?1.21–2.38, P?=?0.002). It was reported that the average operating room times and blood loss volumes in total hip arthroplasty were more than in hemiarthroplasty (P?Conclusions Total hip arthroplasty is associated with better functional outcome and lower reoperation rate than hemiarthroplasty in treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly patients.     

一期病灶清除联合后路椎弓根内固定治疗胸腰椎布鲁杆菌病性脊椎炎

目的探讨布鲁杆菌病性脊椎炎有效的外科治疗方法及临床效果。方法 2002年1月-2010年10月,对78例具有手术指征的胸腰椎布鲁杆菌病性脊椎炎患者采用一期病灶清除联合后路椎弓根内固定治疗。男42例,女36例;年龄24～65岁,平均45岁。病程8～29个月,平均12个月。2个椎体受累70例,3个椎体受累8例。均合并不同程度神经功能损伤。术后随访行疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)、神经功能Frankel分级、临床疗效评价以及X线片、MRI影像学观察。结果术后78例均获随访,随访时间12～30个月,平均26个月。无窦道形成及复发。术前及术后1、3、6、12个月VAS评分分别为(9.2±0.6)、(2.4±0.3)、(1.0±0.2)、(0.5±0.4)及0分,术后各时间点均较术前显著改善(P<0.05)。术后各时间点神经功能Frankel分级均较术前显著改善,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),其中C、D级改善最为显著。临床疗效评价:术后12个月内均无加重患者;随时间推移,改善及无变化患者逐渐转向痊愈,术后12个月改善率和痊愈率分别为100%和91.03%。影像学评价:术前及术后1、3、6、12个月影像学盲测评价指标评分分别为(0.17±0.03)、(4.11±0.09)、(4.68±0.04)、(4.92±0.08)及5分,术后各时间点均较术前显著改善(P<0.05)。结论一期病灶清除联合后路椎弓根内固定治疗胸腰椎布鲁杆菌病性脊椎炎,在解除疼痛、稳定脊柱、恢复神经功能及早期康复方面均有明显优势。     

微创经椎间孔椎体间融合联合单侧椎弓根螺钉固定术治疗椎间盘源性腰痛

目的探讨微创经椎间孔椎体间融合(transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion,TLIF)联合单侧椎弓根螺钉固定术(unilateral pedicle screw fixation,UPSF)治疗椎间盘源性腰痛(discogenic low back pain,DLBP)的临床疗效。方法 2006年3月-2009年7月,采取微创TLIF联合UPSF治疗57例单节段DLBP患者。其中男27例,女30例;年龄38～61岁,平均45.6岁。病程9个月～11年。病变节段L2、32例,L3、45例,L4、529例,L5、S121例。记录手术时间、切口长度、术中出血量、术后引流量、住院时间、植骨融合率及手术并发症。采用Oswestry功能障碍指数(ODI)及疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)评估临床疗效,并根据造影剂诱发一致性疼痛压力大小及椎间盘封闭敏感性高低对患者手术疗效进行分组比较。结果患者手术时间(84.6±37.4)min,切口长度(3.4±0.6)cm,术中出血量(132.5±23.2)mL,术后引流量(58.7±21.4)mL,住院时间(6.5±0.8)d。患者均获随访,随访时间2年2个月～5年4个月,平均3.2年。末次随访时ODI及VAS评分均较术前明显改善(P<0.05);ODI评分改善率获优27例,良22例,可6例,差2例,优良率为86.0%;均获得坚强椎间融合。末次随访时,造影剂注射低压力敏感组的ODI及VAS评分优于高压力敏感组(P<0.05);椎间盘封闭高敏感组的ODI及VAS评分优于低敏感组(P<0.05)。结论微创TLIF联合UPSF治疗DLBP手术创伤小,对腰椎后部结构破坏小,并发症少,疗效确切,但必须严格掌握手术适应证;造影剂注射低压力敏感或椎间盘封闭高敏感患者手术疗效较好。     

C4副神经移位重建斜方肌功能的实验研究

目的探讨以C4神经前支主干作为动力神经移位修复副神经重建大鼠斜方肌功能的可行性,为临床用于副神经缺损的动力性修复提供理论依据。方法取36只成年雄性SD大鼠,体重200～250 g;随机分为实验组与对照组(n=18)。实验组左侧行C4副神经移位重建术,对照组左侧行副神经切除术;两组右侧不做任何处理,作为正常对照。术后1、2、3个月实验组行复合肌肉动作电位(compound muscle action potential,CMAP)及肌肉功能检测,计算潜伏期延迟率、最大波幅恢复率及肌张力恢复率;取两组斜方肌行HE染色,计算肌细胞截面积恢复率;取实验组神经吻合口远端神经行甲苯胺蓝染色,计算吻合口远端有髓神经纤维恢复率。并于术后1、3个月取实验组斜方肌及神经行透射电镜观察。结果随时间延长,实验组斜方肌CMAP最大波幅逐渐增加,潜伏期缩短,肌张力逐步恢复;神经吻合口远端有髓纤维逐渐增加。至术后3个月肩、背斜方肌CMAP最大波幅恢复率为63.61%±9.29%、73.13%±11.85%,潜伏期延迟率为130.45%±37.27%、112.62%±19.57%,肌张力恢复率为77.27%±13.64%、82.47%±22.94%,有髓纤维通过率为82.55%±5.00%。随神经支配恢复,实验组肌细胞截面积亦逐渐增大,且各时间点与对照组比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术后1个月时斜方肌肌节排列紊乱,3个月时逐步趋于整齐。结论 C4副神经移位重建术可有效重建大鼠斜方肌的运动功能。     

Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in Chinese patients with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens

BackgroundGenetic testing of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance (CFTR) gene is currently performed in patients with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD). This study was conducted to investigate the role of mutations in the CFTR gene in CBAVD-dependent male infertility.Methods73 Chinese patients diagnosed with CBAVD were studied. The entire coding regions and splice sites of 27 exons of the CFTR gene were sequenced in 146 chromosomes from the 73 CBAVD patients. Screening was carried out using PCR, gel electrophoresis and DNA sequencing to identify novel variants of the entire coding regions and boundaries of the 27 exons.ResultsFive novel nonsynonymous mutations, three novel splice site mutations and one deletion were identified by sequencing. Apart from the novel variants, we also found 19 previously reported mutations and polymorphism sites. Thirty-four patients (46.57%) had the 5T variant (6 homozygous and 28 heterozygous) and in two of them it was not associated with any detectable mutation of the CFTR gene. All potential pathogenic mutations are not contained in the 1000 Genome Project database. In total, the present study identified 30 potential pathogenic variations in the CFTR gene, 9 of which had not previously been described.ConclusionsMost patients with CBAVD have mutations in the CFTR gene. A mild genotype with one or two mild or variable mutations was observed in all the patients. These findings improve our understanding of the distribution of CFTR alleles in CBAVD patients and will facilitate the development of more sensitive CFTR mutation screening.     

A comparative study on screw loosening in osteoporotic lumbar spine fusion between expandable and conventional pedicle screws

Introduction  

The aim of this study is to compare the rate of screw loosening and clinical outcomes of expandable pedicle screws (EPS) with those of conventional pedicle screws (CPS) in patients treated for spinal stenosis (SS) combined with osteoporosis.