Efficacy and safety of solifenacin plus tamsulosin oral controlled absorption system in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: a meta-analysis

We performed a meta-analysis to compare treatment with a combination of solifenacin plus tamsulosin oral controlled absorption system (TOCAS) with placebo or TOCAS monotherapy. The aim of the meta-analysis was to clarify the efficacy and safety of the combination treatments method for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). We searched for trials of men with LUTS that were randomized to combination treatment compared with TOCAS monotherapy or placebo. We pooled data from three placebo-controlled trials meeting inclusion criteria. Primary outcomes of interest included changes in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and urinary frequency. We also assessed postvoid residual, maximum urinary flow rate, incidence of urinary retention (UR), adverse events. Data were pooled using random or fixed effect models for continuous outcomes and the Mantel–Haenszel method to generate risk ratio. Reductions in IPSS storage subscore and total urgency and frequency score (TUFS) were observed with solifenacin 6 mg plus TOCAS compared with placebo (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Reductions in IPSS storage subscore and TUFS were observed with solifenacin 9 mg plus TOCAS compared with placebo (P = 0.003 and P = 0.0006, respectively). Reductions in TUFS was observed with solifenacin 6 mg plus TOCAS compared with TOCAS (P = 0.01). Both combination treatments were well tolerated, with low incidence of UR. Solifenacin 6 mg plus TOCAS significantly improved total IPSS, storage and voiding symptoms compared with placebo. Solifenacin 6 mg plus TOCAS also improved storage symptoms compared with TOCAS alone. There was no additional benefit of solifenacin 9 mg compared with 6 mg when used in combination with TOCAS.     

The causes and management of hip instability: An algorithmic approach

Instability or dislocation after total hip arthroplasty continues to be one of the most prevalent complications and modes of failure of this largely successful operation. The purpose of this article is to describe a systematic algorithm for evaluation and treatment of the unstable total hip arthroplasty as well as review current literature and controversies surrounding the dislocating total hip arthroplasty.     

断层解剖学分析在四肢软组织肉瘤手术计划中的应用

目的 探讨断层解剖学分析在软组织肉瘤外科边界设计中的作用。方法 2012年3月至2014年12月我科收治四肢软组织肉瘤患者10例,术前行0.625 mm薄层扫描MRI和/或CTA检查。逐层详细分析断层解剖结构,确定肿瘤累及间室、反应带区域,以间室结合广泛边缘切除为原则准确设计肿瘤切除的边界,手术严格按照设计边界进行。对术后标本观察反应带和边界厚度,做两个维度最小边界测量,病理学检查明确肿瘤性质,确认切除标本边缘是否存在肿瘤细胞。结果 ①术后肿瘤实体与术前断层解剖分析大小相比差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。②术后测量肿瘤外正常组织厚度,手术类型达到广泛切除或治愈性切除标准,与术前计划一致。肿瘤完整切除,术后手术切缘病理检查未发现肿瘤细胞浸润。③末次随访患者功能恢复良好,未见肿瘤复发。结论 逐层断层解剖分析为软组织肉瘤提供精确数字化外科边界,合理而精确切口设计,减少出血、创伤和肿瘤污染的可能性,有利于肿瘤切除时实现治愈性切除。规范断层解剖影像学检查和逐层断层解剖分析应该成为恶性软组织肉瘤切除术前设计必要步骤。     

Behavioral signs of pain and functional impairment in a mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a congenital disorder caused most often by dominant mutations in the COL1A1 or COL1A2 genes that encode the alpha chains of type I collagen. Severe forms of OI are associated with skeletal deformities and frequent fractures. Skeletal pain can occur acutely after fracture, but also arises chronically without preceding fractures. In this study we assessed OI-associated pain in the Col1a1Jrt/+ mouse, a recently developed model of severe dominant OI. Similar to severe OI in humans, this mouse has significant skeletal abnormalities and develops spontaneous fractures, joint dislocations and vertebral deformities. In this model, we investigated behavioral measures of pain and functional impairment. Significant hypersensitivity to mechanical, heat and cold stimuli, assessed by von Frey filaments, radiant heat paw withdrawal and the acetone tests, respectively, were observed in OI compared to control wildtype littermates. OI mice also displayed reduced motor activity in the running wheel and open field assays. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed no changes between OI and WT mice in innervation of the glabrous skin of the hindpaw or in expression of the pain-related neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related protein in sensory neurons. In contrast, increased sensitivity to mechanical and cold stimulation strongly correlated with the extent of skeletal deformities in OI mice. Thus, we demonstrated that the Col1a1Jrt/+ mouse model of severe OI has hypersensitivity to mechanical and thermal stimuli, consistent with a state of chronic pain.     

Frequency-specific Alterations of Large-scale Functional Brain Networks in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Background:

Previous studies have indicated that the cognitive deficits in patients with Alzheimer''s disease (AD) may be due to topological deteriorations of the brain network. However, whether the selection of a specific frequency band could impact the topological properties is still not clear. Our hypothesis is that the topological properties of AD patients are also frequency-specific.

Methods:

Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 10 right-handed moderate AD patients (mean age: 64.3 years; mean mini mental state examination [MMSE]: 18.0) and 10 age and gender-matched healthy controls (mean age: 63.6 years; mean MMSE: 28.2) were enrolled in this study. The global efficiency, the clustering coefficient (CC), the characteristic path length (CpL), and “small-world” property were calculated in a wide range of thresholds and averaged within each group, at three different frequency bands (0.01–0.06 Hz, 0.06–0.11 Hz, and 0.11–0.25 Hz).

Results:

At lower-frequency bands (0.01–0.06 Hz, 0.06–0.11 Hz), the global efficiency, the CC and the “small-world” properties of AD patients decreased compared to controls. While at higher-frequency bands (0.11–0.25 Hz), the CpL was much longer, and the “small-world” property was disrupted in AD, particularly at a higher threshold. The topological properties changed with different frequency bands, suggesting the existence of disrupted global and local functional organization associated with AD.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that the topological alterations of large-scale functional brain networks in AD patients are frequency dependent, thus providing fundamental support for optimal frequency selection in future related research.     

Na+/Ca2+ Exchanger 3 is Downregulated in the Hippocampus and Cerebrocortex of Rats with Hyperthermia-induced Convulsion

Background:

Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCX) plays a crucial role in pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsion. However, it is unclear whether NCX is critically involved in hyperthermia-induced convulsion. In this study, we examined the potential changes in NCX3 in the hippocampus and cerebrocortex of rats with hyperthermia-induced convulsion.

Methods:

Twenty-one Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to control group, convulsion-prone group and convulsion-resistant group (n = 7 in each group). Whole-cell patch-clamp method was used to record NCX currents. Both the Western blotting analysis and immunofluorescence labeling techniques were used to examine the expression of NCX3.

Results:

NCX currents were decreased in rats after febrile convulsion. Compared to the control group, NCX3 expression was decreased by about 40% and 50% in the hippocampus and cerebrocortex of convulsion-prone rats, respectively. Furthermore, the extent of reduction in NCX3 expression seemed to correlate with the number of seizures.

Conclusions:

There is a significant reduction in NCX3 expression in rats with febrile convulsions. Our findings also indicate a potential link between NCX3 expression, febrile convulsion in early childhood, and adult onset of epilepsy.     

高分级前列腺上皮内瘤和前列腺癌中Ezrin的表达及意义

目的探讨埃兹蛋白（Ezrin）在高分级前列腺上皮内瘤（HGPIN）及前列腺癌（CAP）中的表达及意义。方法采用免疫组化SP法检测44例CaP、12例HGPIN、20例前列腺增生（BPH）及10例正常前列腺（NP）组织中Ezrin的表达。结果31例（70．45％）CaP中Ezrin呈中等或强表达，12例HGPIN中Ezrin均呈弱或中等表达．20例BPH和10例NP中Ezrin没有或星弱表达。在CaP中。Gleason评分（GS）8～10分组的Ezrin表达明显高于7分组和5～6分组（P〈0．05），7分组Ezrin表达明显高于5～6分组（P〈0．05）。结论Ezrin的表达可能与CaP的发生有关，其对诊断HGPIN和判断CaP的转移及预后有重要意义。     

Correlation of expression of multidrug resistance protein and messenger RNA with ^99mTc-nethoxyisobutyl isonitrile（MIBI） imaging in poatients with hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To explore whether P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and other pumps, multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) and lung resistance protein (LRP), could affect tumor accumulation and efflux of 99mTc-MIBI in liver cancer. METHODS: Surgically treated 78 liver cancer patients were included in this study. Before surgery, 99mTc-MIBI SPECT was performed 15 min and 120 min after injection of 20 mCi 99mTc-MIBI, respectively. Early uptake, delayed uptake (L/Nd), and washout rate (L/Nwr) of 99mTc-MIBI were obtained. Expressions of Pgp, MRP and LRP were investigated with Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Messenger RNA (mRNA) level of Pgp, MRP and LRP was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: No 99mTc-MIBI uptakes in tumor lesions of 68 of 78 (87.2%) patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were found on 99mTc-MIBI SPECT. P-gp expression was observed in tumor tissues of the patients with no uptake of 99mTc-MIBI (P<0.017). No appreciable correlation was found between liver cancer 99mTc-MIBI images and expression of MRP or LRP on the level of protein or mRNA. CONCLUSION: 99mTc-MIBI SPECT is noninvasive, and useful in predicting the presence of MDR1 gene-encoded Pgp in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.