Novel practical stereoselective synthesis of a bicyclic hydantoino-thiolactone as the key intermediate for production of (+)-biotin.

Bicyclic hydantoinothiolactone (1), as the key intermediate for production of (+)-biotin, has been efficiently and high-stereoselectively synthesized from the cheap starting material l-cystine via nine steps in 44% overall yield. In this new practical synthesis, there are two characteristic steps worthy of note. One step is TMSOTf-catalyzed efficient cyanation of (3S,7aR)-6-benzyl-5-oxo-3-phenyltetrahydro-1H,3H-imidazo[1,5-c]thiazol-7-yl acetate, the other step is DBU-catalyzed rapid isomerization of trans-isomer to cis-isomer of the bicyclic hydantoinothiolactone.

Identification and Validation of a Novel Prognosis Prediction Model in Adrenocortical Carcinoma by Integrative Bioinformatics Analysis, Statistics, and Machine Learning.

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy with poor prognosis. Thus, we aimed to establish a potential gene model for prognosis prediction of patients with ACC. First, weighted gene co-expression network (WGCNA) was constructed to screen two key modules (blue: P = 5e-05, R^2 = 0.65; red: P = 4e-06, R^2 = -0.71). Second, 93 survival-associated genes were identified. Third, 11 potential prognosis models were constructed, and two models were further selected. Survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), Cox regression analysis, and calibrate curve were performed to identify the best model with great prognostic value. Model 2 was further identified as the best model [training set: P < 0.0001; the area under curve (AUC) value was higher than in any other models showed]. We further explored the prognostic values of genes in the best model by analyzing their mutations and copy number variations (CNVs) and found that MKI67 altered the most (12%). CNVs of the 14 genes could significantly affect the relative mRNA expression levels and were associated with survival of ACC patients. Three independent analyses indicated that all the 14 genes were significantly associated with the prognosis of patients with ACC. Six hub genes were further analyzed by constructing a PPI network and validated by AUC and concordance index (C-index) calculation. In summary, we constructed and validated a prognostic multi-gene model and found six prognostic biomarkers, which may be useful for predicting the prognosis of ACC patients.

Crosstalk between the Akt/mTORC1 and NF-κB signaling pathways promotes hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension by increasing DPP4 expression in PASMCs.

Abnormal wound healing by pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) promotes vascular remodeling in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH). Increasing evidence shows that both the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) are involved in the development of HPH. In this study, we explored the crosstalk between mTORC1 and NF-κB in PASMCs cultured under hypoxic condition and in a rat model of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH). We showed that hypoxia promoted wound healing of PASMCs, which was dose-dependently blocked by the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin (5-20 nM). In PASMCs, hypoxia activated mTORC1, which in turn promoted the phosphorylation of NF-κB. Molecular docking revealed that mTOR interacted with IκB kinases (IKKs) and that was validated by immunoprecipitation. In vitro kinase assays and mass spectrometry demonstrated that mTOR phosphorylated IKKα and IKKß separately. Inhibition of mTORC1 decreased the level of phosphorylated IKKα/ß, thus reducing the phosphorylation and transcriptional activity of NF-κB. Bioinformatics study revealed that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) was a target gene of NF-κB; DPP4 inhibitor, sitagliptin (10-500 µM) effectively inhibited the abnormal wound healing of PASMCs under hypoxic condition. In the rat model of HPH, we showed that NF-κB activation (at 3 weeks) was preceded by mTOR signaling activation (after 1 or 2 weeks) in lungs, and administration of sitagliptin (1-5 mg/kg every day, ig) produced preventive effects against the development of HPH. In conclusion, hypoxia activates the crosstalk between mTORC1 and NF-κB, and increased DPP4 expression in PASMCs that leads to vascular remodeling. Sitagliptin, a DPP4 inhibitor, exerts preventive effect against HPH.

Differences in anti-inflammatory effects between two specifications of Scutellariae Radix in LPS-induced macrophages in vitro.

Scutellariae Radix (SR), the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, is used as an antipyretic drug and has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory activity. SR is divided into two specifications, "Ku Qin" (KQ) and "Zi Qin" (ZQ), for use against different symptoms (upper energizer heat or lower portion of the triple energizer), according to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, differences in the efficacies of these two specifications have not been determined. In the present study, we aimed to characterize the differences in the anti-inflammatory activities between KQ and ZQ and to explore how their differences are manifested in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages. Our results showed that, in RAW264.7 cells (a mouse macrophage cell line derived from ascites), KQ and ZQ displayed anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the release of nitric oxide (NO), inducible NOS (iNOS), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in a dose-dependent manner without distinction. In NR8383 cells (a rat alveolar macrophage cell line), KQ and ZQ displayed similar effects on NO, iNOS, and NF-κB as seen in RAW264.7 cells, but KQ showed a higher inhibition rate for NO and iNOS than that shown by ZQ at the same concentration. These results indicated that there were differences in efficacy between KQ and ZQ in treating lung inflammation. Our findings provided an experimental evidence supporting the different uses of KQ and ZQ in clinic, as noted in ancient herbal records.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy for the treatment in patients with kidney stones.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (UGPN) for the treatment in patients with kidney stones (KS). METHODS: We randomly assigned 86 patients with KS to a UGPN group or a control group, each group comprising 43 patients. Patients from the UGPN group underwent UGPN whereas those from control group underwent fluoroscopic-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (FGPN). The primary outcome included the stone-free rate. Secondary outcomes included complication rates, operative time, and length of hospitalization. RESULTS: UGPN did not show better efficacy than the FGPN procedure in decreasing stone-free rate (UGPN group 79.1% vs control group 69.8%, P = .45), operative time (UGPN group 108.4 ±â€Š31.7 minute vs control group 113.2 ±â€Š34.5 minute, P = .50), and length of hospitalization (UGPN group 2.7 ±â€Š1.3 days vs control group 3.1 ±â€Š1.5 days, P = .19). Additionally, no complications, except fever (UGPN group 4.7% vs control group 9.3%, P = .41) and hemoglobin slightly reduced (UGPN group 7.0% vs control group 11.6%, P = .46) were noted in patients from both groups in this study. CONCLUSIONS: To summarize, we demonstrated that both UGPN and FGPN techniques showed similar efficacy and complications when used for the management of KS.

Paenibacillus marchantiophytorum sp. nov., isolated from the liverwort Herbertus sendtneri.

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, motile, rod-shaped, endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain R55T, was isolated from the liverwort Herbertus sendtneri growing at Gawalong glacier, Tibet, and characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The major fatty acids of strain R55T were anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol were the predominant polar lipids and occurred along with two unidentified aminophospholipids, one unidentified phospholipid and one unidentified aminolipid. Strain R55T contained MK-7 as the dominant menaquinone and meso-diaminopimelic acid as the major diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 36.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain R55T was affiliated to species of the genus Paenibacillus, and was related most closely to Paenibacillus ferrarius CY1T (97.1 % similarity). However, the DNA-DNA relatedness between this strain and strain R55T was only 44.1 %. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, strain R55T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus marchantiophytorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R55T ( = CGMCC 1.15043T = DSM 29850T).

Massilia namucuonensis sp. nov., isolated from a soil sample.

A Gram-staining-negative, rod-shaped and non-spore-forming bacterium, designated strain 333-1-0411(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from Namucuo, Tibet Autonomous Region, China and characterized in a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. The major fatty acid components of strain 333-1-0411(T) were summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)ω7c and/or C(16 : 1)ω6c) and C(16 : 0); its major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. Q-8 was the dominant ubiquinone, and the G+C content of the genomic DNA was 66.7 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 333-1-0411(T) fell within the evolutionary radiation encompassed by the genus Massilia. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain 333-1-0411(T) and recognized species of the genus Massilia ranged from 95.4 % to 97.2 %, and the most closely related strains were Massilia flava Y9(T) (97.2 %) and Massilia albidiflava 45(T) (97.0 %). However, the DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain 333-1-0411(T) and M. flava Y9(T) and M. albidiflava 45(T) were 20.2 % and 27.2 %, respectively. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, strain 333-1-0411(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia namucuonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 333-1-0411(T) (= CGMCC 1.11014(T) = DSM 25159(T)).

Genome-wide identification and in silico analysis of poplar peptide deformylases.

Peptide deformylases (PDF) behave as monomeric metal cation hydrolases for the removal of the N-formyl group (Fo). This is an essential step in the N-terminal Met excision (NME) that occurs in these proteins from eukaryotic mitochondria or chloroplasts. Although PDFs have been identified and their structure and function have been characterized in several herbaceous species, it remains as yet unexplored in poplar. Here, we report on the first identification of two genes (PtrPDF1A and PtrPDF1B) respectively encoding two putative PDF polypeptides in Populus trichocarpa by genome-wide investigation. One of them (XP_002300047.1) encoded by PtrPDF1B (XM_002300011.1) was truncated, and then revised into a complete sequence based on its ESTs support with high confidence. We document that the two PDF1s of Populus are evolutionarily divergent, likely as a result of independent duplicated events. Furthermore, in silico simulations demonstrated that PtrPDF1A and PtrPDF1B should act as similar PDF catalytic activities to their corresponding PDF orthologs in Arabidopsis. This result would be value of for further assessment of their biological activities in poplar, and further experiments are now required to confirm them.

[Induction of cell cycle arrest in bladder cancer RT4 cells by capsaicin].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of capsaicin on the growth of bladder cancer RT4 cell and its potential mechanism. METHODS: Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry were employed to observe the effects of capsaicin (50, 100, 150, 200, 250 micromol/L) on cell growth, cell cycle and apoptosis. Capsaicin (0 micromol/L) was used as a control. The effects of mRNA and protein of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V 1 (TRPV1) on RT4 cells were tested by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence respectively. And the expressions of cell cycle protein P53, P21, CDK2 were detected by Western blot after the treatment of capsaicin. RESULTS: 100 micromol/L capsaicin significantly decreased the viability of RT4 cell [82.0% +/- 6.2% vs 100.0% +/- 12.4% (control), P = 0.036] while the cell viability was 7.8% +/- 2.9% at 250 micromol/L (P = 0.000). It was in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, capsaicin induced the cell cycle arrest of bladder cancer RT4 cells G(0)/G(1) phase in a dose-dependent way. The cell proportion of G(0)/G(1) phase in the control was 37.4% +/- 5.6%, however, it was 72.4% +/- 5.3% at 250 micromol/L (P = 0.000). It was showed that TRPV1 mRNA and protein were expressed in RT4 cells. After a 48-hour treatment with capsaicin, the expressions of P53 and P21 were up-regulated in contrary to the expression of CDK2. CONCLUSION: Capsaicin induces the cell cycle arrest of bladder cancer RT4 cells G(0)/G(1) phase and growth inhibition via TRPV1 receptor by modulating the expression of P53, P21 and CDK2.

Prenatal exposure to diaethylstilbestrol in the rat inhibits transabdominal testicular descent with involvement of the INSL3/LGR8 system and HOXA10.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal exposure to diaethylstilbestrol (DES) has been found to lead to intra-abdominal cryptorchidism, but the mechanism is still not completely clear. This study investigated the roles of the INSL3/LGR8 system and HOXA10 in DES-induced intra-abdominal cryptorchidism (DIIAC). The effect of DES on steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), that has been reported to control transcription of insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3), was also investigated. METHODS: Fifty pregnant female SD rats at embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5) were randomly assigned to five groups that received a subcutaneous injections of dimethyl sulfoxide (control), 2.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, or 20 mg/kg of DES. Male offspring were sacrificed at E19.5, and fetal mortality and the degree of transabdominal testicular ascent (DTA) were determined under a stereomicroscope. The mRNA expression of INSL3 and SF-1 in the testis and leucine rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptors 8 (LGR8) and homeobox-A10 (HOXA10) in the gubernaculum were determined by RT-PCR. The expression of INSL3 protein was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: Higher fetal mortality and DTA were induced by DES in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the expression of INSL3 and SF-1 mRNA were down-regulated in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01), as was INSL3 protein; HOXA10 in the 2.5 mg/kg group and LGR8 mRNA in the 2.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05); HOXA10 mRNA in groups C, D, and E decreased significantly and LGR8 mRNA levels in groups D and E increased significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: DES can inhibit transabdominal testicular descent in a dose-dependent manner via down-regulating the expression of INSL3, which is induced by down-regulating the expression of SF-1. HOXA10 may not be involved in DES induced intra-abdominal cryptorchidism at 2.5 mg/kg, but is involved at 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg. LGR8 may not be responsible for DES-induced transabdominal testicular maldescent.

Overexpression of CIRP may reduce testicular damage induced by cryptorchidism.

PURPOSE: To investigate the protective effect of overexpression of cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) on testicular damage induced by cryptorchidism. METHODS: Male BALB/c mice were made surgically cryptorchid and CIRP gene was transferred into the cryptorchid testis by in vivo electroporation. Seven or ten days after electroporation, the expression of CIRP, p53 and Fas mRNA and protein were analyzed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunoblotting, respectively. Meanwhile, Histopathological changes were observed by light microscope, and flow cytometry was used to detect testicular cell apoptosis. RESULTS: Testicular weights after transfection with pVAX1-CIRP or pVAX1 were 0.083+/-0.005 g and 0.065+/-0.004 g, respectively, on day 7(P < 0.05) and 0.078+/-0.004 g and 0.052+/-0.007 g, on day 10 (P < 0.05). Testicular cell apoptosis after transfection with pVAX1-CIRP or pVAX1 were 9.8+/-1.1 % and 20.7+/-1.3 %, respectively, on day 7 (P < 0.01) and 10.4+/-0.9 % and 27.5+/-1.2 %, on day 10 (P < 0.01). In addition, the expression of CIRP mRNA and protein in the testes transfected with pVAX1-CIRP were both increased (P < 0.05) at each indicated time point. Meanwhile, the expression of p53 was decreased on day 7 (P < 0.05) and Fas was decreased on day 10(P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of CIRP may reduce testicular damage induced by cryptorchidism by down-regulating the levels of p53 and Fas.

[Construction of adenovirus expressing siRNA against hTR and its anti-tumor activity in vitro].

AIM: To study the effect of the hTR-siRNA adenovirus on hTR mRNA gene silence, telomerase activity inhibition and anti-tumor in vitro. METHODS: RNAi adenovirus vector, Ad-hTR-siRNA, and negative control Ad-NT-siRNA were constructed by an improved ligation method. Different tumor cells and liver cell line, HL-7702, were infected with 100 MOI of the recombinant adenoviruses. TRAP-ELISA, Real-time PCR and FCM were used to analyze telomerase activity, hTR mRNA, apoptosis rate and hTERT protein expression. RESULTS: As compared with Ad-NT-siRNA, Ad-hTR-siRNA reduced both hTR mRNA levels (70.21%) and telomerase activity (58.87%) of HeLa cells significantly, increased apoptosis rate (29.7%). But the telomerase activity of HL-7702 and hTERT protein didn't show the tendency of decrease. CONCLUSION: It is supposed that the hTR-siRNA adenovirus could knockdown hTR gene specifically and suppress the tumor cell growth in vitro efficiently. Maybe this siRNA expressing recombinant adenovirus system could be a new method for cancer gene therapy.

[The genetic engineering animal models of retinoblastoma].

The article summarized the latest progress of retinoblastoma animal models using transgenetic engineering technology, and discussed the mechanism of Rb production. According to the the established animal models using current genetic engineering, the dysfunction of Rb1 gene is not the only gene in response to the development of Rb, multiple genes abnormal are required.

[Apoptosis of epididymal epithelium and the content of epididymal carnitine following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the apoptosis of epididymal epithelium and the change of epididymal carnitine following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: Group A (2-hr torsion), Group B (5-hr torsion) and a control group (0-hr torsion). The ipsilateral epididymides were collected for detecting the content of carnitine by DTNB technique and the apoptosis of epididymal epithelium by TUNEL technique. RESULTS: Twenty-four hours after the treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the apoptosis of epididymal epithelium and the content of epididymal carnitine between the 2-hr torsion/detorsion group and the control (P > 0.05). However, there was statistically significant difference in the apoptosis of epididymal epithelium and the content of epididymal carnitine between the 5-hr group and the control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Twenty-four hours after 2-hr testicular torsion/detorsion, the carnitine-concentrating function of the epididymis may remain normal and the apoptosis index of epididymal epithelium does not increase significantly, while one day after 5-hr testicular torsion/detorsion, the apoptosis index increases and the carnitine-concentrating function decreases.

Effects of epidermal growth factor on sperm content and motility of rats with surgically induced varicoceles.

AIM: To investigate the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the sperm content and motility of the varicocelized rats. METHODS: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. Experimental varicocele was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein in the varicocele, the varicocele repair, the varicocele with EGF and the varicocele repair with EGF groups, whereas the control group only received a sham induction of varicocele. Surgical repair of varicocele was performed 4 months later in the varicocele repair and varicocele repair with EGF groups. EGF administration was performed daily by s.c. injection in the varicocele with EGF and varicocele repair with EGF groups at the dose of 10 microg/(kg.day) from the next day of the second surgery. One month later, all animals were killed and bilateral cauda epididymal sperm counts and motility were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean sperm count and percentage of motile spermatozoa were significantly higher bilaterally in the varicocele with EGF group than in the varicocele group (P < 0.05). They were also significantly higher bilaterally in the varicocele repair with EGF group than in the varicocele repair and the varicocele with EGF groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EGF can improve bilateral epididymal sperm content and motility of the rat with surgically induced varicocele. The administration of EGF in combination with surgical repair is more effective than surgical repair or EGF administration alone. EGF might be useful for the treatment of infertility induced by varicocele.

[Expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the impairment of contralateral testes of unilateral cryptorchidism in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between germ cell apoptosis and expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in contralateral testes of experimental unilateral cryptorchid rats. METHODS: Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (namely cryptorchid group and control group), with 10 rats in each group. Cryptorchid animal model was established, and contralateral testes were captured 90 days later. The evidence of germ cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: In the contralateral testes of experimental unilateral cryptorchidism, apoptosis index of germ cell and Bax expression significantly increased compared with those in the control group, respectively (P < 0.01), while Bcl-2 expression and testis weight obviously decreased (P <0.01). The apoptotic cells were mostly pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. CONCLUSION: The germ cell apoptosis is highly correlated with expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in contralateral testes of experimental unilateral cryptorchidism. Bcl-2/Bax plays an important role in germ cell apoptosis.

The treatment of intrahepatic calculosis by applying helix hydro-jet lithotripsy under video choledochoscope: a report of 30 cases.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Intrahepatic lithiasis is a common disease in southeast Asia [Sheen-Chen and Chou, Acta Chir Scand 156:387-390, 1990], and a difficult problem of biliary surgery. There is no established method of treating patients with intrahepatic stones [Uchiyama et al., Arch Surg 137:149-533, 2002]. In recent years, resection of the affected liver lobe or segment is the best therapeutic option to completely remove the source of recurrent infection. The need for endoscopic treatment modalities is evident because hepatic resections are combined with a high morbidity and mortality rate [Andersson et al., HPB Surg 2:145-147, 1990; Adamek et al., Scand J Gastroenterol 34:1157-1161, 1999]. Hepatic resection only fit the cases in which the stones localized in one lobe or segment, while it doesn't fit the cases which have polystones in left and right biliary tract. Duodenoscope can only get the stones in the common bile duct and cannot deal with the intrahepatic lithiasis. The management of intrahepatic lithiasis can only be treated by intraoperative or postoperative choledochoscope. For big stones or compact stones, lithotripsy should be applied. But the laser lithotripsy and the electrohydraulic lithotripsy can cause serious complications such as perforation of bile duct. It needs a safer and more reliable treatment for intrahepatic lithiasis. The aim of our work is to study the lithotrity treatment of intrahepatic lithiasis by using helix hydro-jet under Video Choledochoscope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 31, 2003 to October 20, 2004, 30 intrahepatic stone patients were treated. Eighteen of them were women and 12 were men, with ages ranging from 35 to 80 years (mean, 58 years). According to B ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scan report, there were five cases of intrahepatic lithiasis and common bile duct stones, 25 cases of left and right hepatic duct stones, and one case with giant intrahepatic stone (1.5 x 1.5 x 1.2 cm). Intraoperative or postoperative choledochoscopic helix hydro-jet lithotripsy was applied through a video choledochoscope. For the patients to have the intraoperative choledochoscopic helix hydro-jet lithotripsy, they should be diagnosed correctly by B ultrasound or CT scan. The biliary tract reconstruction by spiral CT scan is as helpful as MRCP or ERCP for clinical diagnosis. For the patients to have the postoperative choledochoscopic helix hydro-jet lithotripsy, they should be diagnosed correctly by T-tube cholangiography and BUS and CT scan. All patients should be verified without stones remaining in the bile duct after lithotripsy by choledochoscopic examination and T-tube cholangiography, and should be examined by BUS again after 6 months to 1 year. We decide whether complications occurred by observation of symptoms and signs after choledochoscopy and lithotripsy. RESULTS: Seventy-five intrahepatic stones with diameter ranging from 0.6 to 1.5 cm were successfully fragmentized in 30 patients using of helix hydro-jet lithotripsy. These fragmentized stones mainly are bilirubin stones. The lithotripsy was carried for 45 times and the procedure needs 1-1.5 h. Helix hydro-jet lithotripsy are used in 16 cases during operation and 12 cases after operation; two cases during operation and after operation. Intrahepatic calculosis was cleaned out completely and verified by postoperative choledochoscope examination and postoperative T-tube cholangiography examination. No complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Helix hydro-jet lithotripsy under video choledochoscope is a safe and effective method for the removal of intrahepatic stone. No bile duct damnified and perforation was observed. The procedure is without pain and heat, and the pressure can be adjusted easily. The research provides a new way of using the helix hydro-jet, and a new way of curing the intrahepatic lithiasis.

Isolated hepatic perfusion: a regional therapy for liver cancer.

BACKGROUND: Many treatments have been proposed for non-resectable primary or secondary hepatic cancer but the results have been disappointing. Isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) was attempted five decades ago but it has been accepted recently after spectacular tumour responses were obtained by several phase I-II trials. DATA SOURCES: An English-language literature search using MEDLINE (2003), Index Medicus (2003) and bibliographic reviews of books and review articles. IHP and its history and recent clinical application. RESULTS: IHP offers unique pharmacokinetic advantages for locoregional chemotherapy and biotherapy. Surgical isolation of the liver and percutaneous techniques using balloon occlusion catheters are reliable and safe. They appear to have significant efficacy even in patients with advanced tumor burden or those with tumors refractory to other types of therapy. CONCLUSION: IHP which has been developed in recent years is becoming a promising strategy for the treatment of unresectable liver cancer.

[Expression of FasL in rat cryptorchidism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of FasL in rat cryptorchidism and its significance. METHODS: Twenty-four male SD rats (22-day old) were randomly divided into two groups: unilateral cryptorchid group (n = 12) and pseudo-operation group (n = 12). When the rats were 110-day old, blood samples were taken and the rats were killed for analysis. Immunohistochemical method (SP) was used to detect FasL expression in testes and ELISA method to detect serum antisperm antibody (AsAb). RESULTS: The positive FasL expression rates in cryptorchid and contralateral testes were significantly higher than those in pseudo-operation group (P < 0.001). The serum AsAb positive rates in the cryptorchid group and the pseudo-operation group were 41.7% and 0, respectively, with significant difference(P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: FasL expression upregulating in both testes of the unilateral cryptorchid rat may be a protective response of the testis to autoimmunity.

[Germ cell apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between germ cell apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in experimental torsed/detorsed testes of the adult male rats. METHODS: Thirty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into torsion group (n = 15) and control group (n = 15) randomly. Animals were submitted to unilateral 720 testicular torsion, then detorsion were done in two hours. Three days later, the evidence of germ cell apoptosis was detected by the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: In the torsed testes, the apoptosis index of germ cell and Bax expression significantly increased compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01) while Bcl-2 expression obviously decreased (P < 0.01). The apoptotic cells were mostly pechytene spermatocytes and round spermatides. CONCLUSIONS: The germ cell apoptosis is highly associated with expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in experimental testicular torsion. Bcl-2/Bax plays an important role in germ cell apoptosis.