Efficacy of doxycycline therapy for macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children at different periods.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae has increased considerably. Treatment in children has become challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of doxycycline therapy for macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children at different periods. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia hospitalized between May 2019 to August 2022. According to treatment, patients were divided into three groups: oral doxycycline treatment alone (DOX group), changed from intravenous azithromycin to oral doxycycline (ATD group), and intravenous azithromycin treatment alone (AZI group). ATD group cases were separated into two sub-groups: intravenous azithromycin treatment<3 days (ATD1 group) and ≥ 3 days (ATD2 group). Clinical symptoms were compared in each group and adjusted by Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. RESULTS: A total of 106 were recruited in this study. 17 (16%) were in DOX group, 58 (55%) in ATD group, and 31(29%) in AZI group. Compared with ATD group and AZI group, the DOX group showed shorter hospitalization duration and fever duration after treatment, while higher rate of chest radiographic improvement. After using PSM analysis, shorter days to hospitalization duration (P = 0.037) and to fever duration after treatment (P = 0.027) in DOX + ATD1 group than in ATD2 group was observed. A higher number of patients in the DOX + ATD1 group achieved defervescence within 72 h (P = 0.031), and fewer children received glucocorticoid adjuvant therapy (P = 0.002). No adverse reactions associated with doxycycline was observed during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Children receiving early oral doxycycline had a shorter duration of fever and hospitalization in macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae patients.

Prevalence and associated factors of HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men in Ningbo, China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: HIV testing and early linkage to care are critical for reducing the risk of HIV transmission. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a useful tool for increasing HIV testing frequency.This study aimed to investigate HIVST rates among men who have sex with men (MSM), the characteristics of MSM who had HIVST, and factors associated with HIVST uptake among MSM in Ningbo, China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to October 2019 in Ningbo,China. Participants were aged at least 18 years and having had sexual contact with men in the past year. Proportions were used for categorical variables. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) for characteristics associated with HIVST uptake was processed by multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among a sample of 699 MSM recruited, 38.2% had reported previous use of an HIV self-test kit. A greater proportion of HIVST users had a higher frequency of HIV testing (≥ 2 times: 70.0% versus 41.2%, p < 0.001) in the past 1 year. The odds of older age (30-39 years: AOR = 0.49, CI 0.32-0.76; more than 40 years: AOR = 0.07, CI 0.04-0.14, compared to 18-29 years), bisexual (AOR = 0.49, CI 0.29-0.84) were lower among HIVST users,and were higher among MSM who were higher education level (high school: AOR = 2.82, CI 1.70-4.69, compared to middle school or less), gay apps use (AOR = 1.86, CI 1.13-3.05), multiple male sex partners (AOR = 1.90, CI 1.29-2.80), frequency of male-male sexual contact ≥ 1 times per week (AOR = 1.86, CI 1.30-2.66), syphilis infection (AOR = 5.48, CI 2.53-11.88). CONCLUSIONS: Further HIVST education should be strengthened for school-aged children and teenagers, and free HIVST kits may be provided to high-risk MSM through gay apps and CBO to achieve the increased HIV testing frequency.

Potential Repressive Impact of microRNA-20a on Renal Tubular Damage in Diabetic Kidney Disease by Targeting C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 6.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 6 (CXCL6) is an important chemokine. We attempt in this investigation to explore its role and possible mechanism in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). METHODS: By intergrating GEO data, CXCL6 expression in DKD patients and normal controls was exhibited. miRWalk website and luciferase reporter assay were used to predict and verify the upstream miRNA of CXCL6. CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were performed to detect proliferation and apoptosis capacities. The levels of inflammatory key factors (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8) were measured using ELISA analysis. Expression of CXCL6, miR-20a, and JAK/STAT3 pathway-related markers were detected by qRT-PCR or western blot assays. RESULTS: CXCL6 was increased in DKD. miR-20a was identified as an upstream regulatory miRNA of CXCL6, and its expression was decreased in DKD and HG-treated HK-2 cells. miR-20a overexpression facilitated the proliferation of HG-treated HK-2 cells, whereas miR-20a depletion exhibited the opposite phenomenon. The levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 were increased by HG treatment in HK-2 cells. CXCL6 antagonized the promoting impacts of miR-20a mimics on HG-exposed HK-2 cell proliferation. The suppressive effect of miR-20a overexpression on apoptosis and inflammatory response of HG-induced HK-2 cell was rescued by CXCL6 enhancement. The protein expression of p-JAK and p-STAT3 were reduced by miR-20a mimic while facilitated by CXCL6 overexpression in HG-stimulated HK-2 cells. CONCLUSION: These consequences hinted that miR-20a might exert a repressive impact on DKD, possibly through targeting CXCL6 and mediating JAK/STAT3 pathway, which offer new targets for DKD treatment.

Retraction Note: Construction of Gpm6a/ReelinGFPCreERT2 by BAC recombination using a specific gene in hepatic mesothelial or stellate cells.

[This retracts the article on p. 224 in vol. 23, PMID: 28127196.].

Identification of a Combined RNA Prognostic Signature in Adenocarcinoma of the Lung.

BACKGROUND Adenocarcinoma of the lung is a type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Clinical outcome is associated with tumor grade, stage, and subtype. This study aimed to identify RNA expression profiles, including long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and mRNA, associated with clinical outcome in adenocarcinoma of the lung using bioinformatics data. MATERIAL AND METHODS The miRNA and mRNA expression profiles were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and lncRNA expression profiles were downloaded from The Atlas of Noncoding RNAs in Cancer (TANRIC) database. The independent dataset, the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) accession dataset, GSE81089, was used. RNA expression profiles were used to identify comprehensive prognostic RNA signatures based on patient survival time. RESULTS From 7,704 lncRNAs, 787 miRNAs, and 28,937 mRNAs of 449 patients, four joint RNA molecular signatures were identified, including RP11-909N17.2, RP11-14N7.2 (lncRNAs), MIR139 (miRNA), KLHDC8B (mRNA). The random forest (RF) classifier was used to test the prediction ability of patient survival risk and showed a good predictive accuracy of 71% and also showed a significant difference in overall survival (log-rank P=0.0002; HR, 3.54; 95% CI, 1.74-7.19). The combined RNA signature also showed good performance in the identification of patient survival in the validation and independent datasets. CONCLUSIONS This study identified four RNA sequences as a prognostic molecular signature in adenocarcinoma of the lung, which may also provide an increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of this malignancy.

Protective Effect of Ganshuang Granules () on Liver Cirrhosis by Suppressing Regulatory T Cells in Mouse Model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential antifibrotic mechanisms of Chinese medicine Ganshuang Granules (, GSG) and to provide clinical therapeutic evidence of its effects. METHODS: A cirrhotic mouse model was established by intraperitoneally injecting a mixture of CCl4 (40%) and oil (60%) at 0.2 mL per 100 g of body weight twice a week for 12 weeks. After 12-week modeling, GSG was intragastric administrated to the mice for 2 weeks, and the mice were divided into low-, medium- and high-dose groups at doses of 1, 2 and 4 g/(kg·day), respectively. Liver morphology changes were observed using Masson's trichrome staining and B-ultrasound. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in serum were detected using an automatic biochemistry analyzer. The expressions of desmin, smooth muscle actin (SMA) and Foxp3 in liver were detected by immunoflfluorescence. The regulatory T cell (Treg) frequency was determined through flflow cytometry analysis. Collagen-I, SMA, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß and transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) expression levels were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS: Masson's staining result showed fewer pseudolobule structures and fibrous connective tissue in the GSG-treatment groups than in the spontaneous recovery group. Ultrasonography showed that GSG treatment reduced the number of punctate hyperechoic lesions in mice cirrhotic livers. The serum ALT, AST, HA levels were significantly ameliorated by GSG treatment (ALT: F=8.104, P=0.000; AST: F=7.078, P=0.002; and HA: F=7.621, P=0.001). The expression levels of collagen-I and SMA in the cirrhotic livers were also attenuated by GSG treatment (collagen-I: F=3.938, P=0.011; SMA: F=4.115, P=0.009). Tregs, which were elevated in the fibrotic livers, were suppressed by GSG treatment (F=8.268, P=0.001). The expressions of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1ß increased, and TGF-ß levels decreased in the cirrhotic livers after GSG treatment (IL-6: F=5.457, P=0.004; TNF-α: F=6.023, P=0.002; IL-1ß: F=6.658, P=0.001; and TGF-ß1: F=11.239, P=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: GSG promoted the resolution/regression of cirrhosis and restored liver functions in part by suppressing Treg cell differentiation, which may be mediated by hepatic stellate cells.

The Development Evaluation of Economic Zones in China.

After the Chinese reform and opening up, the construction of economic zones, such as Special Economic Zones, Hi-tech Zones and Bonded Zones, has played an irreplaceable role in China's economic development. Currently, against the background of Chinese economic transition, research on development evaluation of economic zones has become popular and necessary. Similar research usually focuses on one specific field, and the methods that are used to evaluate it are simple. This research aims to analyse the development evaluation of zones by synthesis. A new hybrid multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) model that combines the DEMATEL technique and the DANP method is proposed. After establishing the evaluation criterion system and acquiring data, the influential weights of dimensions and criteria can be calculated, which will be a guide for forming measures of development. Shandong Peninsula Blue Economic Zone is used in the empirical case analysis. The results show that Transportation Conditions, Industrial Structure and Business Climate are the main influencing criteria and measures based on these criteria are proposed.

Construction of Gpm6a/ReelinGFPCreERT2 by BAC recombination using a specific gene in hepatic mesothelial or stellate cells.

AIM: To prepare a Gpm6a/ReelinGFPCreERT2 construct with a rapid and reliable strategy using a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). METHODS: Gpm6a and Reelin BACs were purified and transformed into SW102 E. coli by electroporation. The GFPCreERT2 fragment was prepared from a shuttle vector and transformed into SW102 E. coli carrying a BAC. Homologous recombination was induced in SW102 E. coli. Recombinant clones were screened and confirmed by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion. Recombinant clones were transformed into SW102 E. coli to remove the kanamycin unit. RESULTS: A complete BAC was successfully transformed into SW102 E. coli by electroporation because BAC purified from SW102 E. coli showed the same pattern as the original BAC with BamHI digestion. The GFPCreERT2 fragment was deemed to have been prepared successfully because we obtained the same size fragment as expected. Homologous recombination was induced, and GFPCreERT2 was deemed to have been inserted into the correct site of the BAC because we found the band change was the same as the expected pattern after restriction enzyme digestion. The kanamycin unit was deemed to have been removed successfully because we obtained different sizes of bands that were consistent with the results expected by PCR with different primers. CONCLUSION: The construct of Gpm6aGFPCreERT2 or ReelinGFPCreERT2 was prepared successfully, which will establish a foundation for tracing the hepatic stellate cell lineage and studying its function.

Identification of Aberrant Chromosomal Regions in Human Breast Cancer Using Gene Expression Data and Related Gene Information.

BACKGROUND: Chromosomal instability is a hallmark of cancer. Chromosomal imbalances, like amplifications and deletions, influence the transcriptional activity of genes. These imbalances affect not only the expression of genes in the aberrant chromosomal regions, but also that of related genes, and may be relevant to the cancer status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Here, we used the 7 publicly available microarray studies in breast cancer tissues and propose a general and unsupervised method by using the gene expression data and related gene information to systematically identify aberrant chromosomal regions. This method aimed to identify the chromosomal regions where the genes and their related genes both show consistent changes in the expression levels. Such patterns have been reported to be associated with the chromosomal aberrations and may be used in cancer diagnosis. RESULTS: We compared 488 tumor and 222 normal samples from 7 microarray-based human breast cancer studies and detected the amplifications of 8q11.21, 14q32.11, 4q21.23, 18q11.2, Xq28, and the deletions of 3p24.1, 10q23.2 (BSCG1), 20p11.21, 9q21.13, and 1q41, which may be involved in the novel mechanisms of tumorigenesis. In addition, several known pathogenic genes, transcription factors (TFs), and microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with breast cancer were found. CONCLUSIONS: This approach can be applied to other microarray studies, which provide a new and useful method for exploring chromosome structural variations in different types of diseases.

Autophagy in anti-apoptotic effect of augmenter of liver regeneration in HepG2 cells.

AIM: To investigate the role of autophagy in the anti-apoptotic effect of augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR). METHODS: Autophagy was induced through serum deprivation. An ALR-expressing plasmid was transfected into HepG2 cells, and autophagic flux was determined using fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy, Western blot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays. After ALR-expressing plasmid transfection, an autophagy inhibitor [3-methyladenine (3-MA)] was added to HepG2 cells, and apoptosis was observed using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Autophagy was activated in HepG2 cells, peaking at 24 h after serum deprivation. Microtubule-associated protein light chain three-II levels were higher in HepG2 cells treated with ALR than in control cells, fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy and qPCR studies showed the similar trend, and p62 levels showed the opposite trend, which indicated that ALR may play an important role in increasing autophagy flux. The numbers of apoptotic cells were substantially higher in HepG2 cells treated with both ALR and 3-MA than in cells treated with ALR alone. Therefore, the protective effect of ALR was significantly attenuated or abolished when autophagy was inhibited, indicating that the anti-apoptotic effect of ALR may be related to autophagy. CONCLUSION: ALR protects cells from apoptosis partly through increased autophagy in HepG2 cells and may be valuable as a new therapeutic treatment for liver disease.

Bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate causes deeper coagulation depth and less bleeding than monopolar transurethral prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hemostatic capability of mono- and bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate by comparing the perioperative blood loss with the coagulation depth achieved with mono- and bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate. METHODS: A total of 136 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia were randomized to undergo transurethral resection of the prostate using either a monopolar system (Karl Storz, Co., Tuttlingen, Germany) or a gyrus PlasmaKinetic bipolar system (Gyrus-ACMI Corporation, Maple Grove, MN). The operative time, resected tissue weight, decline in serum sodium and hemoglobin, postoperative bleeding, and the coagulation depth were compared. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in operative time, resected tissue weight, and capsular perforation. The decline in hemoglobin and serum sodium was 1.15 ± 0.53 g/dL and 4.57 ± 0.71 mmol/L in monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate group, respectively, whereas they fell only 0.71 ± 0.42 g/dL and 2.02 ± 0.53 mmol/L in the bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate group, respectively (P <.001). The rate of postoperative bleeding was significantly higher in the monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate group (P = .027). The coagulation depths with mono- and bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate were 127.56 ± 27.76 and 148.48 ± 31.64 µm, respectively (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate causes less intraoperative hemoglobin drop and postoperative bleeding than monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate, which may be associated with the deeper coagulation depth of bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: An early mediator predicting metabolic syndrome in obese children?

AIM: To investigate if non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an early mediator for prediction of metabolic syndrome, and if liver B-ultrasound can be used for its diagnosis. METHODS: We classified 861 obese children (6-16 years old) into three subgroups: group 0 (normal liver in ultrasound and normal transaminases); group 1 (fatty liver in ultrasound and normal transaminases); and group 2 (fatty liver in ultrasound and elevated transaminases). We measured the body mass index, waist and hip circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), whole-body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI), lipid profile and transaminases in all the participants. The risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MS) was assessed according to the degree of liver fatty infiltration based on the B-ultrasound examination. RESULTS: Among the 861 obese children, 587 (68.18%) were classified as having NAFLD, and 221 (25.67%) as having MS. The prevalence of MS in NAFLD children (groups 1 and 2) was 37.64% (221/587), which was much higher than that in non-NAFLD group (group 0, 12.04%) (P < 0.01). There were significantly higher incidences concerning every component of MS in group 2 compared with group 0 (P < 0.05). The incidence of NAFLD in MS patients was 84.61% (187/221), which was significantly higher than that of hypertension (57.46%, 127/221) and glucose metabolic anomalies (22.62%, 50/221), and almost equal to the prevalence of dyslipidemia (89.14%, 197/221). Based on the B-ultrasound scales, the presence of moderate and severe liver fatty infiltration carried a high risk of hypertension [odds ratio (OR): 2.18, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.27-3.75], dyslipidemia (OR: 7.99, 95% CI: 4.34-14.73), impaired fasting glucose (OR: 3.65, 95% CI: 1.04-12.85), and whole MS (OR: 3.77; 95% CI: 1.90-7.47, P < 0.01). The state of insulin resistance (calculated by HOMA-IR and WBISI) deteriorated as the degree of fatty infiltration increased. CONCLUSION: NAFLD is not only a liver disease, but also an early mediator that reflects metabolic disorder, and liver B-ultrasound can be a useful tool for MS screening.

[Metformin prevents non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats: role of phospholipase A2/lysophosphatidylcholine lipoapoptosis pathway in hepatocytes].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential preventive effects of metformin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and roles of phospholipase A2/lysophosphatidylcholine pathway in hepatocyte lipoapoptosis in a rat NAFLD model induced by high-fat diet. METHOD: Male SD rats (n = 36) were randomly divided into three groups with 12 rats in each and treated with different diet and drugs: group I: ordinary diet, group II: high-fat diet, group III: high-fat diet and metformin. Ten weeks later, the rats were sacrificed and their body weight and liver weight were obtained, serum lipid metabolic indexes, insulin resistance indexes and secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) levels and other parameters were measured. Phospholipase A2 mRNA expression levels were measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, the histological changes of liver tissue were analyzed. RESULT: Compared to ordinary diet group, the rat's liver weight (g) (16.92 ± 2.49 vs. 12.16 ± 0.82), hepatic exponent (0.034 ± 0.004 vs. 0.026 ± 0.002), serum alanine aminotransferase (U/L) (45.43 ± 9.73 vs. 29.42 ± 6.73), triglyceride (mmol/L) (1.22 ± 0.24 vs. 0.85 ± 0.19), cholesterol (mmol/L) (2.00 ± 0.37 vs. 1.49 ± 0.33), lipoprotein(a) (mmol/L) (743.86 ± 32.19 vs. 648.42 ± 78.87), low-density lipoprotein (mmol/L) (1.31 ± 0.35 vs. 0.65 ± 0.22), insulin (mmol/L) (22.16 ± 5.16 vs. 16.86 ± 5.35), insulin resistance index(5.10 ± 1.45 vs. 3.59 ± 0.99), free fatty acid (mEq/L) (0.57 ± 0.10 vs. 0.35 ± 0.07), sPLA2 [µmol/(min·ml)] (0.130 ± 0.016 vs. 0.098 ± 0.024), lysophosphatidylcholine (µmol/L) (707.26 ± 92.48 vs. 508.87 ± 96.50), leptin (pg/ml (80.08 ± 17.73 vs. 65.11 ± 14.09), liver triglyceride (mg/g) (13.57 ± 0.65 vs. 12.03 ± 1.14), cholesterol (mg/g) (2.19 ± 0.15 vs. 1.94 ± 0.12) (P < 0.05) were significantly increased in high-fat diet group. Moreover, degree of hepatic steatosis was significantly higher and sPLA2 mRNA expression was also significantly increased. Secondly, in comparison with high-fat diet group, early metformin treatment significantly reduced the rat's body weight (g) (394.40 ± 33.10 vs. 491.86 ± 26.45), liver weight (g) (13.24 ± 1.16 vs. 16.92 ± 2.49), serum alanine aminotransferase (U/L) (30.40 ± 4.50 vs. 45.43 ± 9.73), triglyceride (mmol/L) (0.75 ± 0.19 vs. 1.22 ± 0.24), cholesterol (mmol/L) (1.61 ± 0.38 vs. 2.00 ± 0.37), insulin (mmol/L) (16.96 ± 5.60 vs. 22.16 ± 5.16), insulin resistance index (3.75 ± 1.41 vs. 5.10 ± 1.45), sPLA2 [µmol/(min·ml)] (0.101 ± 0.009 vs. 0.130 ± 0.016), lysophosphatidylcholine (µmol/L) (549.92 ± 90.78 vs. 707.26 ± 92.48), liver triglyceride (mg/g) (11.23 ± 1.70 vs. 13.57 ± 0.65), cholesterol (mg/g) (1.97 ± 0.20 vs. 2.19 ± 0.15) (P < 0.05). Moreover, degree of hepatic steatosis was significantly lower and sPLA2 mRNA expression was also significantly decreased by metformin. Thirdly, when compared to ordinary diet group, metformin could also significantly increase hepatic exponent (0.034 ± 0.004 vs. 0.026 ± 0.002) and low-density lipoprotein level (mmol/L) (0.96 ± 0.34 vs. 0.65 ± 0.22) (P < 0.05). However, it had no impact on hepatic steatosis and sPLA2 expression (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was indicated that metformin has potent effects on improving lipid metabolism and insulin resistance in high-fat diet induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease rat model. The liver protective mechanisms of metformin in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease may be contributed to down-regulation of secretory phospholipase A2 mRNA expression, decrease in serum secretory phospholipase A2, lysophosphatidylcholine, lower inflammatory response and protect mitochondrial function.

Bacteriuria after bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate: risk factors and correlation with leukocyturia.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the risk factors of postoperative bacteriuria and the correlation with leukocyturia after bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). METHODS: A total of 121 noncatheterized patients with sterile preoperative urine undergoing bipolar TURP for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were entered into the prospective study. All patients received antibiotic prophylaxis with ceftriaxone. Two urine specimens of each patient, one for urinalysis (urinary leukocyte count) and one for urine culture, were collected on removal of the catheter, 1 and 4 weeks after surgery. The risk factors of postoperative bacteriuria and correlation with leukocyturia were investigated. RESULTS: The incidence of bacteriuria after bipolar TURP was 18.2% (22/121). Multivariate analysis documented 3 independent risk factors of postoperative bacteriuria: operating time >60 minutes (P = .014), duration of catheterization >3 days(P = .001), and disconnection of the closed urine drainage system (P <10(-3)). The mean leukocyte counts in urine were 405.3, 389.5, and 113.8/µL on removal of the catheter, 1 and 4 weeks after surgery, respectively. Of 363 urine specimens, the mean concentration of leukocytes with and without bacteriuria were 323.9 and 297.6/µL, respectively (P >.05). There was no significant correlation between bacteriuria and leukocyturia (>10 leukocytes/high power field (P >.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study have shown that the operating time, duration of catheterization, and disconnection of the closed urine drainage system may influence the occurrence of bacteriuria after bipolar TURP, and leukocyturia cannot reflect the possibility of postoperative bacteriuria.

[Expression and clinical significance of thymidine phosphorylase/platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor in renal cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression and clinical significance of thymidine phosphorylase/platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) in renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: The expression of PD-ECGF in 76 specimens of renal cell carcinoma from June 2002 to December 2006 was examined by EnVision immunohistochemistry. The correlation of the expression of PD-ECGF with the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in renal cell carcinoma patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 76 renal cell carcinoma patients, 41 patients had a high-level expression of PD-ECGF while another 35 patients a low-level expression. The expression of PD-ECGF was positively correlated with tumor stage and histological grade. The 5-year overall survival rate was significant lower in the patients with a high-level expression of PD-ECGF (60.98% vs 94.29%, P = 0.000). Univariate analysis showed that the characteristics with the prognostic significance for survival were tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, histological grade and the expression of PD-ECGF. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor stage, histological grade and the expression of PD-ECGF were independent prognostic factors (OR: 17.971, 9.702, 6.790, 95%CI: 3.010 - 107.290, 1.835 - 51.305, 1.156 - 39.894). CONCLUSION: The expression of PD-ECGF may play an important role in the development and invasion of renal cell carcinoma. An elevated level of PD-ECGF is probably correlated with the prognosis of renal cell carcinoma.

[Bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate versus monopolar transurethral prostatectomy: a pathological study in a canine model].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the postoperative depths of the coagulation zones and pathological changes between bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate with plasmakinetic energy (PKRP) and monopolar transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) in canines. METHODS: Twenty-five male dogs were randomly divided into a PKRP group (n = 12), a TURP group (n = 12) and a sham-operation control group (n = 1). The dogs were sacrificed, their prostates harvested at 0 week (immediately after surgery), 1 week, 2 weeks and 8 weeks postoperatively and sectioned for pathologic analysis and measurement of the coagulation zones. RESULTS: At 0, 1 and 2 weeks after the operation, the coagulation depths were (237.73 +/- 20.12) microm, (113.03 +/- 16.65) microm and (106.01 +/- 16.36) microm in the PKRP group, and (200.75 +/-19.34) microm, (129.46 +/- 17.81) microm and (116.04 +/- 25.67) microm in the TURP group (P < 0.01). At 8 weeks, the coagulation zones completely peeled off and the wounds were covered by regenerated urothelial in both of the groups. At 0, 1, 2 and 8 weeks, different inflammatory reactions were observed in the prostates of the PKRP and TURP groups, with some glandular lumens beneath the coagulation zones expanded and epithelia damaged. However, none of these phenomena occurred in the sham-operation control group. CONCLUSION: Pathologically, PKRP and TURP inflicted basically similar effects on the prostate of the canine. However, the coagulation zone was deeper intraoperatively and became thinner postoperatively with the former than with the latter, which suggests that PKRP causes less bleeding and less penetrative thermal damage than TURP.

Compound Pollen Protein Nutrient Increases Serum Albumin in Cirrhotic Rats.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition, especially protein-calorie malnutrition, is common in patients with liver cirrhosis. When in the status of malnutrition, the complications increase, liver function deteriorates, and the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis worsens. Hence, nutritional support and treatment is essential in patients with liver cirrhosis. Previous studies suggested that compound nutrition based on pollen can improve liver function, and can be a basic nutrient for patients with liver cirrhosis. However, the nutritional support based on pollen for malnutrition of cirrhotic patients needs to be further evaluated. In this study, we investigated the nutritional support of Noveliver, a new compound pollen protein nutrient, in the cirrhotic rats induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). METHODS: The cirrhotic rats induced by CCl4 were treated with Noveliver in different doses, and treated with a regular compound pollen nutrient, untreated cirrhotic rats and normal rats were used as controls. Serum albumin were measured before and after the nutritional treatment in each group. At the same time, liver function, cytokines and pathological changes were also determined. RESULTS: In the second week of nutritional treatment, the levels of serum albumin in normal control group, low dose noveliver group, high dose noveliver group, compound protein pollen group and spontaneous recovery group were 35.67 ± 1.42, 33.07 ± 1.27, 32.27 ± 1.50, 30.53 ± 0.25, 24.53 ± 3.56 (g/L), respectively, the differences among the groups were significant (F = 14.007, P = 0.000); The levels of serum albumin in low dose Noveliver group, high dose Noveliver group and the compound protein pollen group were higher than that in the spontaneous recovery group (P = 0.000, 0.001, 0.003, respectively). In the second week of nutritional treatment, the serum levels of HGF in normal control group, low dose Noveliver group, high dose Noveliver group, compound protein pollen group and spontaneous recovery group were 101.55 ± 0.87, 94.62 ± 8.80, 98.94 ± 3.68, 78.77 ± 21.79, 39.52 ± 14.03 (pg/ml), respectively, the differences among the groups were significant (F = 11.12, P = 0.002); the levels of HGF in low dose Noveliver group, high dose Noveliver group and the compound protein pollen group were higher than that in spontaneous recovery group (P = 0.001, 0.000, 0.005). Histological results showed that the fibrosis in spontaneous recovery group was severer than those in low dose Noveliver group, high dose Noveliver group and compound protein pollen group. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that the both the Noveliver and the compound pollen protein nutrient increase the serum albumin and ameliorate malnutrition in cirrhotic rats; the recovery of serum albumin might be related to the hepatic damage repair and liver regeneration.