Can the lower urinary tract storage symptoms be completely resolved after plasmakinetic enucleation of the prostate?

The aim of this study was to determine whether the lower urinary tract storage symptoms of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) could be completely resolved after plasmakinetic enucleation of the prostate (PKEP) and the possible predictors of persistent symptoms. Two hundred and sixty-seven cases of BPO performed PKEP from July 2008 to June 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Five-year postoperative data were collected and compared with the preoperative data. According to the urodynamic results, the patients were divided into involuntary detrusor contraction (IDC) group (n = 95) and no IDC group (n = 172) preoperatively; the patients with IDC were divided into IDC-persistent group (n = 33) and IDC-resolved group (n = 62) after PKEP. The predictors of persistent IDC were analyzed. Compared with the preoperative data, the 5-year postoperative data showed that the IDC rate was lower (P = 0.000), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) was lower (P = 0.000), maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) was larger (P = 0.000), Prostate volume (PV) was smaller (P = 0.000), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was lower (P = 0.000). Compared with the no IDC group, the IDC group showed that the age was older (P = 0.016), MCC was smaller (P = 0.004), PSA was higher (P = 0.016), and Chronic Inflammation rate was higher (P = 0.004). Compared with IDC-resolved group after PKEP, IDC-persistent group showed that the age was older (P = 0.019), MCC was smaller (P = 0.000), PSA was higher (P = 0.013), and Chronic Inflammation rate was higher (P = 0.032). The present study shows that the storage symptoms are still needed to be focused on after PKEP. The advanced patient age, MCC, PSA, and chronic inflammation may be the important clinical predictors of persistent IDC.

2,2'-Anhydro-1-(3',5'-di-O-acetyl-ß-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil, a cyclouridine nucleoside with a C4'-endo furanosyl conformation.

2,2'-Anhydro-1-(3',5'-di-O-acetyl-ß-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil, C13H14N2O7, was obtained by refluxing 2',3'-O-(methoxymethylene)uridine in acetic anhydride. The structure exhibits a nearly perfect C4'-endo ((4)E) conformation. The best four-atom plane of the five-membered furanose ring is O-C-C-C, involving the C atoms of the fused five-membered oxazolidine ring, and the torsion angle is only -0.4 (2)°. The oxazolidine ring is essentially coplanar with the six-membered uracil ring [r.m.s. deviation = 0.012 (5) Šand dihedral angle = -3.2 (3)°]. The conformation at the exocyclic C-C bond is gauche-trans which is stabilized by various C-H...π and C-O...π interactions.

Orthotopic detaenial sigmoid neobladder after radical cystectomy: technical considerations, complications and functional outcomes.

PURPOSE: In recent years the orthotopic neobladder has gained increasing popularity in patients who undergo radical cystectomy. However, there are only a few reports of orthotopic neobladders reconstructed from the sigmoid without detubularization. We investigated the complications and functional outcomes of the orthotopic sigmoid neobladder reconstructed using our detaenial technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of the detaenial sigmoid neobladder in 210 consecutive patients who underwent radical cystectomy at our institution from January 2003 to March 2010. ANOVA was used to investigate urodynamic finding differentials with time. Univariable and multivariable analyses were done to determine factors influencing continence. RESULTS: Median followup was 48 months. Early complications (90 days or less) were observed in 65 patients (31%). Late complications (greater than 90 days) were observed in 45 patients (21.5%). Five-year daytime and nighttime complete continence rates were 74.6% and 57.1%, respectively. Younger age was the only independent factor associated with complete continence during the day (OR 2.342, 95% CI 1.803-3.041, p <0.001) and night (OR 1.193, 95% CI 1.087-1.310, p <0.001). Mean maximal capacity and post-void residual urine were 328.8 and 22.2 ml, respectively. The mean maximal flow rate was 18.5 ml per second. The mean end filling pressure, pressure at maximal capacity and maximal intravesical pressure were 35.8, 55 and 60.6 cm H2O, respectively. These parameters remained stable with time (each p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that detaenial sigmoid neobladder is a safe, feasible alternative for urinary diversion.

Influence of reproductive tract obstruction on expression of epididymal proteins and their restoration after patency.

Vasectomy is a simple and reliable method of male contraception. A growing number of men after vasectomy request vasectomy reversal due to various reasons. The pregnancy rate is lower than the patency rate after vasovasostomy and the pregnancy rate is time dependent. In this study, we evaluated the influence of reproductive tract obstruction on expression of epididymal proteins and their restoration after patency. Adult male Wistar rats were studied 30, 60 and 120 days after vasectomy, 30 days after vasovasostomy or after sham operations. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, mass-spectrometric technique, multidatabase search, Western blotting and real-time PCR were used to analyze the expression regulation of epididymal proteins. Total integrated intensity and total spot area of autoradiograms showed a consistent downward trend with time after obstruction, and this trend remained after patency. The intensity of the autoradiographic spots in three patency groups showed three trends: a downward trend, similar intensity and an upward trend compared with the correspondent obstruction group, respectively. Further verified experiments on human epididymis 2 (HE2), fertilization antigen-1 (FA-1), clusterin and PH20 demonstrated that compared with the correspondent obstruction group, the translation levels of HE2 and the mRNA transcription levels of HE2 showed an upward trend in patency groups, especially in the groups of obstruction for 60 days where the expression levels of HE2 were significantly upregulated after patency (P<0.05). Reproductive tract obstruction provokes a disregulation of gene expression in the epididymis and this disregulation remained after patency. Successful reversal may recover some proteins and the recovery is time dependent. Obstruction differentially alters mRNA transcription of different proteins and the content of proteins seemed to be easier to be influenced than the gene transcription.

[Percutaneous nephrolithotomy through the upper pole calix access for complicated renal calculi: report of 581 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the optimal approach of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for treatment of complicated renal calculi. METHODS: A total of 581 patients with complicated renal calculus were treated by PCNL through the upper pole calix access. Of the 581 patients, 55 had multiple upper pole calculi, 136 had staghorn stones, 145 had partial staghorn stones, and 245 had multiple renal calculi. RESULTS: PCNL through the upper pole calix access was completed successfully in all the cases. Of these patients, 90.3% (525/581) were stone-free after a single access, with a total stone-free rate of 94.6% (550/581). Thirty-five patients needed two accesses, 10 needed 3 accesses, 2 required 4 accesses, and 1 patients had 5 accesses. The operative time ranged from 30 to 150 min (mean 45 min). The successful rate of puncture was 100% without occurrence of severe injury of the pleura, intestine, peritoneum or other adjacent organs. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy through the upper pole calix access allows greater stone clearance rate due to its easy access into the intrarenal collecting system and can be an ideal approach for PCNL for complicated renal calculi.

[Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery for male pseudohermaphroditism: the initial report].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) for treatment of male pseudohermaphroditism. METHODS: A 17-year-old patient with male pseudohermaphroditism and a female social sex was admitted. According to the request by the patient and the relatives for a female gender, LESS vaginoplasty and cryptorchidectomy were performed using a single multilumen port inserted through a 2.5 cm incision below the umbilicus, followed by reconstruction of the perineal region by open surgery. RESULTS: The total operative time was 7 h, and the LESS procedure lasted for about 3.5 h. No other port incision was needed. The estimated intraoperative blood loss was 400 ml. No electrolyte or metabolic acid-base balance disorders were observed perioperatively. In the follow-up examination at 6 months after the operation, the reconstructed vagina healed smoothly without obvious contraction or fixation failure, and the perineal region showed good appearance. CONCLUSION: With minimal invasiveness, LESS surgery produces good cosmetic effect and allows rapid postoperative recovery, thus may become a promising alternative to the management of pseudohermaphroditism.

[Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery radical cystectomy with orthotopic taenia myectomy sigmoid neobladder: initial report].

OBJECTIVE: To report the first case and detailed techniques of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) radical cystectomy with orthotopic taenia myectomy sigmoid neobladder for organ-confined bladder cancer. METHODS: A 74-year-old man presented with gross hematuria for 2 months and biopsy revealed bladder cancer. LESS radical cystectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomies were performed using a single multilumen port inserted through a solitary 3.5 cm lower abdominal incision with conventional laparoscopic instruments. The taenia myectomy sigmoid pouch was then constructed by open procedure. RESULTS: The total operative time was 9.5 h, and the LESS procedure lasted for about 5.5 h. No other port incision was added. The final pathology revealed urothelial carcinoma. The estimated intraoperative blood loss was 600 ml with blood transfusion of 400 ml. The pelvic lymph nodes and the surgical margins of the ureters and urethra were all free of tumor invasion. No water electrolyte and metabolic acid-base balance disorders were observed perioperatively. The neobladder capacity was about 280 ml, with a residual urine volume of 10 ml and peak flow rate of 11.1 ml/s 3 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Although with a steep learning curve, LESS surgery can be a less invasive and promising alternative to muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma.

[Reversion transcriptional expression of DAPK in bladder cancer T24 cells 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the methylation status of the promoter of resion death associated protein kinase (DAPK) gene in bladder cancer cell (T24), and study the effect of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dc) on DAPK gene reactive expression in T24 and its inhibitory effect on T24. METHODS: The bladder cancer cell T24 was treated with different doses of 5-aza-dc. The inhibitory effect and apoptosis rate were detected by MTT and flow cytometry, and the changes of DAPK mRNA and protein expression and the methylation status of DAPK promoter were assessed by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and methylation specific PCR, respectively. RESULTS: The growth of bladder cancer cell was inhibited significantly and the maximal apoptosis rate detected by flow cytometry was (24.12-/+1.4)%. DAPK mRNA was not expressed in bladder cancer cell T24 in normal conditions. DAPK mRNA and protein re-expressed after 5-aza-dc (12.5 micromol/L) treatment in cell line T24 for 24 h, and DAPK promoter became unmethylated. CONCLUSIONS: The promoter methylation can be an important factor for silencing the expression of DAPK in bladder cancer cell. 5-aza-dc can inhibit the growth and induce apoptosis of bladder cancer cells through reversing unmethylation status of DAPK promoter.

Sulfonation of ordered mesoporous carbon supported Pd catalysts for formic acid electrooxidation.

A novel supporting material containing benzenesulfonic acid (BSA) groups and ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) was first prepared by in situ radical polymerization of 4-styrenesulfonate and isoamyl nitrite under ambient conditions. Then, Pd nanoparticles were deposited on as-produced OMCs (f-OMCs) by the NaBH(4) reduction method. The structure and nature of the resulting composites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption. The results show that BSA groups are created and the texture and surface chemistry are altered, whereas the ordered porous structure is maintained. The electrocatalytic properties of the Pd/f-OMCs catalysts for formic acid oxidation (HCOOH) have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry methods, and excellent electrocatalytic activity can be observed.

[Preparation of whole-kidney acellular matrix in rats by perfusion].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare rat whole-kidney acellular matrix (ACM) scaffolds using fluid perfusion method. METHODS: The kidneys with ureters and renal vessels were harvested from 12-week-old Wistar rats. Intravenous catheters were inserted through the renal arteries to establish channels for whole-kidney retrograde perfusion successively with heparinized PBS, 1% SDS, deionized water, 1% TritonX-100 and antibiotic-containing PBS under a pressure of 100 cmH2O. After decellularization, the scaffolds were observed under microscope with HE staining, scanning electron microscope, and fluorescence microscope with DAPI fluorescence staining. RESULTS: No cell residue was found in the scaffolds under microscope. Scanning electron microscope identified reticular structures consisting of basilar membrane and collagen without normal cellular structures in the scaffolds, and no strong fluorescence due to the binding of DAPI to the cell nuclei was observed under fluorescence microscope. CONCLUSION: Fluid perfusion is simple and reliable to prepare rat whole-kidney acellular matrix, which may serve as an ideal cell-free scaffold.

[Laparoscopic radical cystectomy and detenial sigmoid colon orthotopic neobladder reconstruction for bladder tumor in a 3-year-old boy].

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of laparoscopic radical cystectomy and detenial sigmoid colon orthotopic neobladder reconstruction for bladder tumor in a child. METHODS: A 3-year-old boy with bladder rhabdomyosarcoma underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy and detenial sigmoid colon orthotopic neobladder reconstruction. The bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy and cystectomy were performed laparoscopically, and removal of the mobilized specimens and urinary diversion operation were managed through enlarged abdomen incision. The urinary diversion procedure included construction of the detenial sigmoid pouch, bilateral stented antiflux implantation of the ureters in the pouch and orthotopic anastomosis of the neobladder with the urethra. RESULTS: The total operative time was 6 h, and the laparoscopic procedure lasted for about 3.5 h. The intraoperative blood loss was 50 ml, and 200 ml concentrated red blood cell transfusion was used for the safety of the patient. Six dissected lymph nodes in each pelvic side and the surgical margins of the ureter and urethra were all free of tumor invasion. Bowel peristalsis recovered 3 days after the operation, and the pelvic drainage and the neobladder drainage tubes were removed on day 7 and 14, respectively. The urethral catheter and ureteral stents were removed 25 days after the operation. The daytime urine control and micturition recovered 1 week after the operation. The neobladder capacity was about 110 ml, with residual urine volume of 10 ml and peak flow rate of 12 ml/s after 5 months. No perioperative complications occurred such as water-electrolyte and metabolic acid-base balance disorders, urinary leakage, reflux or bowel obstruction. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic radical cystectomy is minimally invasive, reduces intraoperative blood loss and allows rapid postoperative recovery, and can be a promising approach to management of bladder rhabdomyosarcoma in children.

Electrodeposited nickel hydroxide on nickel foam with ultrahigh capacitance.

Electrodeposited Ni(OH)(2) on nickel foam with porous and 3D nanostructures has ultrahigh capacitance in the potential range -0.05-0.45 V, and a maximum specific capacitance as high as 3152 F g(-1) can be achieved in 3% KOH solution at a charge/discharge current density of 4 A g(-1).

[Cytocompatibility of silk fibroin film with rabbit urinary bladder transitional epithelial cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To obtain large quantities of well differentiated urinary bladder transitional epithelial cells for used as the seed cells in bladder tissue engineering, and evaluate the cytocompatibility of silk fibroin film with the transitional cells in vitro to assess the possibility of tissue-engineered urinary organ construction. METHODS: The urinary bladder transitional epithelial cells were isolated from the bladders of New Zealand rabbits and cultured in vitro as the seed cells, whose morphology was observed and the specific protein (cytokeratin) expression identified by immunofluorescence assay. The cells were seeded in 96-well plates at 1 x 10(>4)/ml and incubated with silk fibroin film leaching solution or culture medium (negative control). MTT assay was performed to determine the cell proliferation rates of the wells and evaluate the cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility of the silk fibroin film. RESULTS: The isolated urinary bladder transitional epithelial cells reached confluence after 9-10 days of culture, which showed positive staining for immunocytochemistry with monoclonal antibody against cytokeratin. The absorbance of the cells culture in the presence of silk fibroin film leaching solution averaged 0.424-/+0.020, 0.996-/+0.118 and 1.285-/+0.048 after at 24, 72 and 120 h of cell culture, and that of the negative control group at the time points was 0.419-/+0.030, 1.105-/+0.098 and 1.228-/+0.052, respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Silk fibroin film has good cytocompatibility with rabbit urinary bladder transitional epithelial cells, and may serve as good scaffold material for urologic tissue engineering.

Environment-friendly determination of low concentration azobenzene beta-cyclodextrin-modified electrode.

OBJECTIVE: To study environment-friendly determination of azobenzene in trace amounts using beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD)-modified Au electrode. METHODS: beta-CD-modified Au electrode was fabricated with a two-step approach, and then a gold electrode modified with beta-CD was used to detect azobenzene by employing Osteryoung square wave voltammetry. RESULTS: The modified electrode could detect azobenzene, showing a good linearity between the electrochemical current and concentration. CONCLUSION: Although the electrochemical current is related with concentration, the detection limit is around 1.0 x 10(-10) mol/L. This study may provide a new environment-friendly approach for monitoring water quality.

[Application of silk fibroin film for repairing rabbit urethral defect].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of silk fibroin film for repairing urethral defect in rabbits. METHODS: Twenty-four male New Zealand rabbits were randomized into experimental group, control group I and control group II. In the experimental group, a urethral defect of 1.5 cm was induced in the 12 rabbits and repaired with silk fibroin film. The 6 rabbits in control group I without the surgically induced defect served as the sham operation group, and in control group II consisting of 6 rabbits the urethral defect of 1.5 cm was induced without repair. Histological observation and immunohistochemistry were conducted to examine the regenerative segments of the urethra at regular time points between 2 and 16 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: The 12 rabbits in the experimental group did not show signs of urethral stricture following the surgery. The implanted silk fibroin film for defect repair was degraded completely at 16 weeks and the defect was repaired with smooth urethral mucous membrane lining and orderly arranged smooth muscle cells. Immunohistochemistry identified the cells lining the defect area as the urethral epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: Silk fibroin film can promote the repair of urethral defect by inducing the growth of the urethral epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells.

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of chemically substituted LiMn2O4 prepared by a solution-based gel method.

Lithium manganese oxide, LiMn(2)O(4), and its substituted samples LiM(0.05)Mn(1.95)O(4) (M=Al, Co, and Zn) were first prepared by a cost-saving and effective new solution-based gel method using a mixture of acetate and ethanol as the chelating agent. The physical properties of the synthesized samples were investigated by thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electronic microscopy. The as-prepared powders were used as positive materials for a lithium-ion battery, whose charge/discharge properties and cycle performance were examined. The results revealed that all the substituted samples had better cycle performance than pure LiMn(2)O(4). Among these synthesized materials, the LiCo(0.05)Mn(1.95)O(4) sample had the best cycle performance. After 30 cycles, its capacity loss was only 3%. Therefore, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were employed to characterize the reactions of Li ion insertion into and extraction from LiCo(0.05)Mn(1.95)O(4) electrodes.

Enhancement of the electrochemical properties of LiMn2O4 through Al3+ and F- co-substitution.

The cathode-active materials LiMn2O4, LiAl0.1Mn1.9O4, and LiAl0.1Mn1.9O3.9F0.1 were synthesized by a microwave-assisted sol-gel method. The influence of different doping elements on the structural and electrochemical properties of the as-prepared samples was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electrochemical experiments. The results indicated that fluorine plays an important role in controlling the morphology, and the doped aluminum could enhance significantly the stability of spinel-type LiMn2O4. The initial discharge capacity of the Al3+ and F- co-substituted specimen reached 129.8 mA h/g and has a high capacity retention after 40 cycles. The outstanding electrochemical properties of LiAl0.1Mn1.9O3.9F0.1 make it a possible promising cathode material for lithium-ion batteries.

High dispersion and electrocatalytic properties of palladium nanoparticles on single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Palladium (Pd) nanoparticles were electrochemically dispersed on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by electroreduction of octahedral Pd(IV) complex formed on the SWNT surface. The structure and nature of the resulting Pd-SWNT composites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The electrocatalytic properties of the Pd/SWNT electrode for hydrazine oxidation have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry; high electrocatalytic activity of the Pd/SWNT electrode can be observed. This may be attributed to the high dispersion of palladium catalysts and the particular properties of SWNT supports. The results imply that the Pd-SWNT composite has good potential applications in fuel cells.

Effects of annealing temperature on magnetic property and structure of amorphous Co49Pt51 alloy nanowire arrays prepared by direct-current electrodeposition.

Co49Pt51 nanowire arrays with an average diameter of 35 nm and lengths up to several micrometers were grown in an ordered porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template using direct-current electrodeposition. The as-deposited samples were annealed at 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 degrees C, respectively. The temperature dependence of the magnetic property of the Co49Pt51 nanowire arrays associated with the microstructure was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and a vibrating sample magnetometer. Magnetic measurements show that the samples both as-prepared and annealed at low temperatures have excellent perpendicular anisotropy. The perpendicular coercivity (Hc(perpendicular)) of Co49Pt51 alloy nanowire arrays increases dramatically as the annealing temperature (T(A)) rises, reaches a maximum(Hc(perpendicular) = 2770 Oe) at 400 degrees C, and then decreases sharply as T(A) rises further. This phenomenon should be attributed to the special structure of the nanowire arrays/AAO, and the microstructure factors significantly change during the annealing process.

Preparation of novel nano-composite Ni(OH)2/USY material and its application for electrochemical capacitance storage.

A novel nano-composite material of Ni(OH)2/USY was prepared in our lab. This nanostructure creates electrochemical accessibility of electrolyte OH- ions to Ni(OH)2 thin layers and a fast diffusion rate within the redox phase.