[The expression and correlation analysis of TOX and inhibitory receptors on peripheral blood CD8+T cells in patients with aplastic anemia].

Objective: To investigate the expression levels of thymocyte selection related high mobility group proteins (TOX) and different inhibitory receptors in peripheral blood CD8+T cells of patients with aplastic anemia (AA), and to conduct correlation analysis. Methods: From September 2019 to November 2020, 27 AA patients in the Department of Hematology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University were retrospectively selected, including 21 males and 6 females, with a median age [M (Q1, Q3)] of 48 (30, 72) years. Thirty-three healthy controls, included 17 males and 16 females, with a median age of 46 (27, 69) years. The expression levels of TOX, programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1), T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), T-cell immune receptor with immunoglobulin (Ig) and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) domain (TIGIT), perforin and granzyme B in peripheral blood CD8+T cells from AA patients and healthy controls were detected by flow cytometry. The correlation between TOX expression levels and different inhibitory receptors was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. Results: The expression levels of TOX, PD-1, TIM-3, CTLA-4, TIGIT, perforin, and granzyme B in peripheral blood CD8+T cells of AA patients were 47.33%(41.47%, 56.61%), (30.61±12.37)%, (39.94±10.84)%, (6.21±3.40)%, (51.45±20.21)%, (71.32±22.46)%, and (52.39±23.99)%, respectively, which were higher than those of healthy controls 27.32%(21.64%, 46.96%), (21.29±10.01)%, (21.11±3.00)%, (1.31±0.34)% (30.80±13.40)%, (46.72±22.53)%, (21.75±16.43)% (all P<0.05). The expression level of TOX in CD8+T cells was positively correlated with the expression levels of PD-1, TIM-3, CTLA-4, TIGIT, perforin, and granzyme B (r=0.49, 0.65, 0.70, 0.54, 0.58, 0.48, all P<0.05). Conclusion: The expression levels of TOX and different inhibitory receptors on peripheral blood CD8+T cells in AA patients are higher than those in the healthy control group, and the expression levels of TOX and different inhibitory receptors are positively correlated.

[Study on the prognostic value of preoperative anti hepatitis B virus therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma complicated with microvascular tumor thrombus and establishment of survival prediction model].

Objective: To explored the effect of preoperative antiviral therapy on the prognosis of microvascular tumor thrombi patients, and to established a prognostic prediction model for these patients after radical resection of liver cancer. Methods: The clinicopathological and survival data of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with microvascular tumor thrombus who underwent radical resection in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015 were retrospectively collected. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival curve, and log-rank test was used to compare the prognosis of patients with and without antiviral treatment before operation. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to screen predictive factors. R software was used to make predictive nomogram, and discrimination and calibration degree were used to evaluate the prediction model. Results: Among all 153 patients, 22 were female and 131 were male, aged (51.3±11.7) years. The preoperative antiviral therapy significantly improved overall survival and recurrence-free survival (χ2=41.423, 54.389; both P<0.001). According to the results of multivariate and regression analysis, preoperative antiviral therapy (HR=0.301,95%CI:0.171-0.532,P<0.001), alpha fetoprotein (HR=1.226,95%CI:1.157-1.776,P=0.032) and tumor size (HR=1.008,95%CI:1.001-1.016,P=0.02) were important prognostic factors for overall survival. The area under curve value of 3-year survival prediction model was 0.749(95%CI: 0.712-0.782), and that of 5-year survival prediction model was 0.755(95%CI: 0.724-0.793), with good calibration. Conclusions: Preoperative anti hepatitis B virus(HBV) therapy can significantly improve the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma complicated with microvascular tumor thrombus, we develope the prediction models of 3-year and 5-year survival rate that can improve the reference for clinical work and benefit patients.

[Relationship of operation manner and postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma].

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) owns the high morbidity and mortality rates. Surgical resection is still the major pathway for the longer survival of HCC patients. Postoperative recurrence and metastasis have become the key impairment of prognosis of HCC patients. The relationship between tumor recurrence and surgical manner underwent by HCC patients is complicated and multiple factors are included. When the liver tumor was pressured during operation, tumor cells could be squeezed into blood flow via the broken vessels, which resulted in tumor metastasis. Besides, ischemia-reperfusion injury induced by Pringle maneuver during the liver blood blockade resulted in the immune destruction of liver and induced tumor recurrence.The destruction of physical barriers consisted of interstitial cells and normal liver cells was also a key factor for tumor recurrence. This paper summarizes the possible relationship between postoperative recurrence and surgical manner in HCC patients to provide the preventive suggestions for the postoperative recurrence of HCC patients.

[Angiopoietin-2 regulates vessels encapsulated by tumor clusters positive hepatocellular carcinoma nest-type metastasis via integrin α5ß1].

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanism of nest metastasis in blood vessels encapsulated by tumor clusters (VETC) positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A total of 72 paraffin embedded HCC tissue samples were collected. Immunohistochemistry staining with CD34 (vascular endothelial cell marker protein) was used to observe the morphological manifestations of VETC cancer nests in primary tumors, bile duct cancerous thrombi and portal vein cancerous thrombi, and to study the characteristics of hematogenous metastasis of VETC cancer nests. Bioinformatics was used to predict the key proteins closely related to VETC cancer nest formation. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of angiogenin-2 (Ang-2), integrin α5, Integrin ß1, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins in HCC. Transwell cell migration assay was used to detect the effect of Ang-2/integrin α5ß1 protein on the migration ability of endothelial cells and HCC cells. Western blotting was used to detect the effect of Ang-2/integrin α5ß1 protein on the activity of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) protein. Results: Of the collected HCC specimens, 27 cases (27/72) were VETC (+), including 3 cases with biliary duct cancerous thrombus, 5 cases with portal vein cancerous thrombus, and 3 cases with both biliary duct cancerous thrombus and portal vein cancerous thrombus. VETC (+) HCC could metastasize to portal vein, bile duct, and liver in the form of cancer nest, and the nests retain their intact structure. Ang-2, integrin α5 and integrin ß1 were overexpressed in tumor cells and endothelial cells of VETC (+) HCC nests, while COX-2 was only overexpressed in tumor cells of VETC (+) HCC nest. Ang-2 could promote the migration of HCC cell [(121±12) vs (186±11), P<0.01] and endothelial cells [(81±7) vs (163±14), P<0.01]. Integrin α5ß1 activation antagonist ATN-161 could significantly block the ability of Ang-2 to promote the migration of HCC cells [(185±10) vs (135±9), P<0.05] and endothelial cells [(156±14) vs (103±6), P<0.05]. ATN-161 could significantly block the phosphorylation of FAK in HCC and endothelial cells induced by Ang-2. Conclusions: VETC (+) HCC could metastasize as a whole in a nested form, and possesses a specific regulatory protein. Ang-2/α5ß1/FAK might be potential protein targets in the treatment of VETC (+) HCC nest-type metastasis.

[Healthy China Strategy and schistosomiasis control].

This paper summarizes the changes in the policy associated with schistosmiasis control in the new era, analyzes the background of Health China Strategy and its association with the current schistosomiasis control program in China, describes several schistosomiasis control models and proposes some suggestions responding to the challenges in current schistosomiasis control program of China, so as to provide insights into the development of the effective control strategy for schistosomiasis.

Using real-time sound touch elastography to monitor changes in transplant kidney elasticity.

AIM: To use sound touch elastography (STE) to assess the changes of renal cortex among different complications following renal transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 31 patients with renal dysfunction after renal transplantation underwent an ultrasound-guided biopsy for pathological examination with conventional and STE ultrasound. The maximum elastic modulus (Emax) was determined, and the biopsy specimen was evaluated for evidence of significant differences among four different complications: drug-induced renal damage, acute rejection, chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN), and BK virus (BKV) nephropathy. Receiver operator characteristics were used to compare the diagnostic efficacy of STE ultrasound according to the pathological results. RESULTS: The quantitative index Emax of the STE technique was statistically significant among the four different complications (p<0.05). The distribution of the magnitude of Emax in the renal cortex was BKV nephropathy > CAN > acute rejection > drug induced renal damage. The renal cortex Emax was statistically different for the severity of renal fibrosis and tubular atrophy (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Each of the four different complications of transplantation influenced the Emax of the renal cortex differently. Emax can be used to assess the severity of renal fibrosis and tubular atrophy.

[Research progress in the Hepatobiliary Surgery operation of hepatic hilar plate system].

An estimate of about 50% of new liver cancer cases worldwide occur in China every year.Surgical resection is still the major treatment choice for longer survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Blocking hepatic blood flow and reducing intraoperative bleeding ensure the success of the operation. Anatomic separation of hepatic hilar region is the precondition of hepatic inflow occlusion. The hepatic hilar plate system involves a thick layer of connective tissue covering the hepatic inflow ducts of hepatic hilar region. The descending part of hilar plate assists in reducing the anatomical difficulty of the hepatic hilar region. The "forth porta hepatis" that is hidden in the hepatic hilar plate system involves the accumulation area of "short hepatic portal veins" .The communicating branch vessels between the hepatic inflow vessels form the anatomical basis in reducing the indocyanine green fluorescence stain effect.The relatively fixed position of the hepatic portal plate is considered as a positioning marker for accurate liver resection. The intrahepatic Glisson sheath is connected with thick connective tissue of the hepatic portal panel system, and is regarded as the physical barrier in limiting the proliferation and hypertrophy of hepatocytes and continuation of hepatic portal panel system in the liver.This paper summarizes the anatomy and application of hepatic hilar plate system during hepatobiliary surgery.

Higher liver stiffness scores are associated with early kidney dysfunction in patients with histologically proven non-cirrhotic NAFLD.

AIM: The association between Liver fibrosis (LF), as assessed by either histology or Liver stiffness measurement (LSM), and the presence of Early kidney dysfunction (EKD) was investigated in this study, as was also the diagnostic performance of LSM for identifying the presence of EKD in patients with Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 214 adults with non-cirrhotic biopsy-proven NAFLD were recruited from two independent medical centres. Their histological stage of LF was quantified using Brunt's criteria. Vibration-controlled Transient elastography (TE), using M-probe (FibroScan®) ultrasound, was performed in 154 patients and defined as significant when LSM was≥8.0kPa. EKD was defined as the presence of microalbuminuria with an estimated glomerular filtration rate≥60mL/min/1.73 m2. Logistic regression modelling was used to estimate the likelihood of having EKD with NAFLD (LSM-EKD model). RESULTS: The prevalence of EKD was higher in patients with vs without LF on histology (22.14% vs 4.82%, respectively; P<0.001) and, similarly, EKD prevalence was higher in patients with LSM≥8.0kPa vs LSM<8.0kPa (23.81% vs 6.59%, respectively; P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve of the LSM-EKD model for identifying EKD was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.72-0.89). LF detected by either method was associated with EKD independently of established renal risk factors and potential confounders. CONCLUSION: LF was independently associated with EKD in patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD. Thus, TE-measured LSM, a widely used technique for quantifying LF, can accurately identify those patients with NAFLD who are at risk of having EKD.

LncRNA HAND2-AS1 inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of chronic myeloid leukemia cells by sponging with micRNA-1275.

OBJECTIVE: The long noncoding RNA (lnc) HAND2-AS1 is down-regulated and microRNA-1275 (miR-1275) is up-regulated in many types of cancers. However, their expressions and the relationship between HAND2-AS1 and miR-1275 in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) remain unknown and to be further investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Bone marrow samples from 30 CML patients and 10 healthy donors were collected; HAND2-AS1 and miR-1275 were detected by RT-PCR. The correlation between HAND2-AS1 and miR-1275 was analyzed. After lentiviral (LV) HAND2-AS1 and miR-1275 inhibitors were respectively transfected into KCL22 and K562 cells, the expressions of HAND2-AS1 and miR-1275 were detected by RT-PCR. MTT assay was performed to evaluate cell viability and mRNA and proteins levels of Bcl-2, Caspase-3, MMP-2, MMP-9 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot (WB). Luciferase reporter assay was performed to explore the binding site of HAND2-AS1 and miR-1275. RESULTS: Results showed that HAND2-AS1 was significantly downregulated than healthy control (p<0.05), and HAND2-AS1 expressions on stages of AP and BP were much lower than that of CP (p<0.05). The miR-1275 expression was significantly upregulated than healthy control (p<0.05), and the expressions in stages of accelerated phase (AP) and blast phase (BP) were much higher than that in the stage of chronic phase (CP) in CML (p<0.05). Furthermore, HAND2-AS1 was negatively correlated with miR-1275 in CML, but not in healthy control (p<0.05). After lentiviral HAND2-AS1 transfection, the HAND2-AS1 expression was significantly up-regulated while miR-1275 was significantly down-regulated (p<0.05). Then, the cell proliferation was inhibited after 72 h. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly down-regulated (p<0.05), while the expression of Caspase-3 was significantly up-regulated (p<0.05). Luciferase reporter assay showed that HAND2-AS1 was a target gene of miR-1275. And after treating with miR-1275 inhibitor, HAND2-AS1 was significantly upregulated (p<0.01) and cell proliferation was inhibited (p<0.01). Furthermore, the expressions of Bcl-2, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were significantly decreased, while Caspase-3 was significantly increased (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: HAND2-AS1 was downregulated and miR-1275 was upregulated in CML, and HAND2-AS1 inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of CML cells by sponging with microRNA-1275, which might be a novel therapeutic target for CML.

[Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy recognition of metabolic patterns in fecal extracts for early diagnosis of colorectal cancer].

Objective: To characterize the metabolic " fingerprint" of fecal extracts for diagnosis of early-stage colorectal cancer(CRC)using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1H-NMR)-based metabolomics coupled with pattern recognition. Methods: From January 2014 to December 2014, we collected fecal samples at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, from 25 patients with colorectal adenomas(CR-Ad), 20 with stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ CRC, and 32 healthy controls(HCs). The patients were diagnosed by histopathology. No subjects had any complicating diseases. HCs showed no abnormalities from blood tests, endoscopic examination, diagnostic imaging, and/or medical interviews. We excluded participants who used antibiotics, NSAIDS, statins, or probiotics within two months of study participation, and any patients who underwent chemotherapy or radiation treatments prior to surgery. We used orthogonal partial least-squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA)for pattern recognition(dimension reduction)on 1H-NMR processed data(1H frequency of 400.13 MHz), to find metabolic differences among CR-Ad, carcinoma and HC fecal samples; and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analysis to determine the diagnostic value of the fecal metabolic biomarkers. Results: Fecal samples were collected from 20 patients with Stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ CRC(11 M, 9 F, median age(52±13)years), 25 with CR-Ad(14 M, 11 F, median age(53 ± 11)years)and 32 HCs(15 M, 17 F, median age(53 ± 14)years). OPLS-DA clearly distinguished CR-Ad and stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ CRC from HC samples, based on their metabolomic profiles. Relative signal intensities in HCs were significantly lower than in the cancer patients for butyrate(HC: 23.0±6.0; CR-Ad: 18.0±5.0; CRC: 14.0±6.0; Z=-2.07, P=0.008), acetate(HC: 45.0±11.0; CR-Ad: 31.0±11.0; CRC: 24.0±8.0; Z=- 2.32, P=0.011), propionate(HC: 26.0 ± 7.0; CR-Ad: 22.0 ± 6.0; CRC: 19.0 ± 5.0; Z=- 2.43, P=0.032), glucose(HC: 37.0±7.0; CR-Ad: 31.0±7.0; CRC: 26.0±8.0; Z=-2.07, P=0.044)and glutamine(HC: 4.5±2.0; CR-Ad: 4.9 ± 1.0; CRC: 5.4 ± 1.0; Z=2.21, P=0.044). However, relative signal intensities in HCs were significantly higher than in patients for lactate(HC: 4.8±1.0; CR-Ad: 6.9±2.0; CRC: 4.8± 1.0; Z=2.02, P= 0.038), glutamate(HC: 3.2 ± 2.0; CR-Ad: 4.9 ± 1.0; CRC: 3.2 ± 2.0; Z=2.21, P=0.044)and succinate(HC: 12.0±2.0; CR-Ad: 15.0±3.0; CRC: 12.0± 2.0; Z=2.25, P=0.011). Among the potential biomarkers, acetate at 1.92 ppm, and succinate at 2.41 ppm displayed relatively high area under ROC, with sensitivity and specificity both >90%, to distinguish early-stage CRC patients from HCs. Conclusion: Fecal metabolic profiles distinguish of HCs from patients with CRC patients, even in the early stages(stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ), highlighting the potential of NMR-based fecal metabolomic fingerprinting as tools for early CRC diagnosis.

Latent transforming growth factor-ß binding proteins (LTBP-1 and LTBP-2) and gingiva keratinization.

OBJECTIVE: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) proteins are involved in epithelial keratinization. The major function of latent TGF-ß binding proteins (LTBPs) is modulating TGF-ß activity. However, whether LTBP-1 and LTBP-2 play roles in gingiva keratinization remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human keratinized gingiva and non-keratinized alveolar mucosa were processed for LTBP-1, LTBP-2, cytokeratin-1 (K1), cytokeratin-4 (K4), and TGF-ß immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Porcine heterotopically transplanted connective tissues and newly grown epithelia were harvested for IHC staining. The expression levels of LTBP-1 and LTBP-2 were compared between differentiated and undifferentiated human normal oral keratinocytes (hNOK). The expression of LTBP-1 and LTBP-2 was knocked down in a cell line (OEC-M1) to evaluate the effects on the expression of K1, K4, and involucrin (INV). RESULTS: In human and porcine specimens, LTBP-2 expression patterns distinguished keratinized and non-keratinized oral epithelia. Western blotting results showed that K1, LTBP-1, and INV proteins were upregulated in differentiated hNOK. In OEC-M1 cells, LTBP-2 knockdown resulted in upregulated the expression of K1 and INV and downregulated the expression of K4. LTBP-1 knockdown resulted in opposite effects. CONCLUSION: The expression patterns of LTBP-2 differ in keratinized gingiva and non-keratinized mucosa. LTBP-1 and LTBP-2 are involved in the keratinization of oral epithelium; however, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated.

Structural investigation of Ru/Pt nanocomposite films prepared by plasma-enhanced atomic layer depositions.

We have fabricated Ru and Pt nanocomposite films using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PE-ALD), and characterized their structure by means of analytical electron microscopy. Pt and Ru were deposited in Ar/O(2) plasma using trimethyl(methylcyclopentadienyl) platinum(IV) and bis(cyclopentadienyl)Ru(II) or bis(ethylcyclopentadienyl)Ru(II) as precursors, respectively. The resistivity of a Pt film deposited on a Si substrate at 300°C was 16.2µΩcm, and that of a Ru film was as low as 11µΩcm, showing the film to be metallic and not oxidized. It was revealed that the film prepared by successive PE-ALDs of Pt and Ru on a thin amorphous carbon substrate for electron microscopy analysis is a nanocomposite of Ru ribbons and PtRu (7:3) alloy ribbons with 2-3 nm in width. The Ru ribbon comprised small particles with poor crystallinity of the hcp A3 structure and the PtRu ribbon comprised crystallites with good crystallinity of the fcc Al structure. The atomic layer deposition would be one of potential techniques to produce Ru/Pt nanocomposites for fuel cell catalysts.

Serological comparison of antibodies to avian influenza viruses, subtypes H5N2, H6N1, H7N3 and H7N9 between poultry workers and non-poultry workers in Taiwan in 2012.

In Taiwan, avian influenza virus (AIV) subtypes H5N2, H6N1 and H7N3 have been identified in domestic poultry, and several strains of these subtypes have become endemic in poultry. To evaluate the potential of avian-to-human transmission due to occupational exposure, an exploratory analysis of AIV antibody status in poultry workers was conducted. We enrolled 670 poultry workers, including 335 live poultry vendors (LPVs), 335 poultry farmers (PFs), and 577 non-poultry workers (NPWs). Serum antibody titres against various subtypes of viruses were analysed and compared. The overall seropositivity rates in LPVs and PFs were 2·99% (10/335) and 1·79% (6/335), respectively, against H5N2; and 0·6% (2/335) and 1·19% (4/335), respectively, for H7N3 virus. Of NPWs, 0·35% (2/577) and 0·17% (1/577) were seropositive for H5N2 and H7N3, respectively. Geographical analysis revealed that poultry workers whose workplaces were near locations where H5N2 outbreaks in poultry have been reported face greater risks of being exposed to viruses that result in elevated H5N2 antibody titres. H6N1 antibodies were detected in only one PF, and no H7N9 antibodies were found in the study subjects. Subclinical infections caused by H5N2, H6N1 and H7N3 viruses were thus identified in poultry workers in Taiwan. Occupational exposure is associated with a high risk of AIV infection, and the seroprevalence of particular avian influenza strains in humans reflects the endemic strains in poultry in this region.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury in an aortic dissection patient.

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening emergency. Well-established risk factors include systemic hypertension, hereditary connective tissue diseases (Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), coarctation of the aorta, bicuspid aortic valve, aortitis, and arch hypoplasia. Ischemia of the viscera, the kidneys, the spinal cord, or the lower extremities due to malperfusion constitutes life-threatening complications that have to be considered in the treatment strategy.We report a rare case of symptomatic ischemia of the lower extremities due to aortic dissection. This case demonstrates that the treating physician needs to be vigilant for ischemia reperfusion injuries such as osteofascial compartment syndrome and acute renal failure in aortic dissection.

Initial experiences with laparoscopy and flexible ureteroscopy combination pyeloplasty in management of ectopic pelvic kidney with stone and ureter-pelvic junction obstruction.

To demonstrate the safety and efficacy of combine laparoscopy and flexible ureteroscopy to treat ectopic pelvic kidneys with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) and stones. 16 patients of ectopic pelvic kidneys with ureteropelvic junction obstruction and stones were treated with laparoscopy and flexible ureteroscopy (FURS). The operative time, required dose of tramadol, visual analog pain scale (VAPS), postoperative day, stone-free rates (SFRs), perioperative complications, and serum creatinine were evaluated. The SFRs were evaluated with noncontrasted renal computed tomography (CT). Intravenous pyelography (IVP) and CT scan were used to evaluate the UPJO. Stone-free status was defined as absence of stone fragments in kidney or the size of that is less than 3 mm. Operation time from 118 to 225 min, average time (171 ± 28) min; lithotomy time from 16 to 45 min, average time (32 ± 6) min. Average tramadol required at the first day postoperation was (118 ± 49.6) mg; at the second day was (78 ± 24.8) mg. VAPS score at 24 h (5.0 ± 0.7), VAPS score at 48 h (2.5 ± 0.8). Postoperative day (3.9 ± 0.6) days. Stone-free rate was 100%. Average serum creatinine was (88.7 ± 24.3) mol/L before surgery and (92.8 ± 21.6) mol/L after surgery. No major complication. No stone and obstruction recurrence in the follow-up of average 29.3 months. Combined FUR and LC is a good option for patient of ectopic pelvic kidney with renal stone and UPJO. From our initial experience, the SFRs and the effect of pyeloplasty are satisfactory and without major complication, the operative time is acceptable.

Quality of life of Chinese urologists: a cross-sectional study using WHOQOL-BREF.

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, Chinese hospital settings are under violent threats. The exact status of quality of life of Chinese doctors under these disastrous situations remains obscure. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life of Chinese urologists and analyse its potential affecting factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Beijing, China. PARTICIPANTS: Overall, 1000 participants from more than 30 areas of China, who participated in the 20th National Urology Conference in Beijing in 2013, were surveyed. The brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) Chinese version was used to assess the quality of life among these urologists. The relationship between quality of life and the affecting factors was analysed. RESULTS: Of the 1000 questionnaires, 856 were completed and returned, and 708 questionnaires were valid for analysis. Approximately 46% of the respondents came from provincial capitals, 54.2% of them felt stress from medical environment, while 76.0% felt stress from research work, and 85.3% from promotion. Cronbach's α coefficient of the instrument was 0.825, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure was 0.841, and P value of Bartlett's sphericity was <0.001. The results of binary logistic regression indicated gender, work years, and medical environment as potential affecting factors of quality of life only influenced one domain. In contrast, research work and promotion influenced three domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated that the WHOQOL-BREF may be a reliable and valid tool to assess quality of life of Chinese urologists. In China it is true that the deteriorative medical environment negatively affects medical practice according to previous studies, and policies are recommended to improve the situation. Nevertheless, we should not be too pessimistic about it, as in today's context research work and promotion may be the most extensive and significant affecting factors on doctors' quality of life.

A new subtype of crossed fused ectopia of the kidneys.

Crossed fused renal ectopia is a rare congenital anomaly; here, we report a new subtype of crossed fused renal ectopia associated with the retroiliac megaureter and thoracic scoliosis deformity. It is beyond the traditional classification of crossed fused renal ectopia. There are 2 kidneys in the left and hydronephrosis of the upper kidney, the right kidney crossed over and fused with the lower kidney of the left. It is never seen in previous reports. Recurrent infection was cured by resecting the hydronephrosis of the upper kidney and retroiliac megaureter.

Condensation of two-dimensional oxide-interfacial charges into one-dimensional electron chains by the misfit-dislocation strain field.

The success of semiconductor technology is largely ascribed to controlled impacts of strains and defects on the two-dimensional interfacial charges. Interfacial charges also appear in oxide heterojunctions such as LaAlO3/SrTiO3 and (Nd0.35Sr0.65)MnO3/SrTiO3. How the localized strain field of one-dimensional misfit dislocations, defects resulting from the intrinsic misfit strains, would affect the extended oxide-interfacial charges is intriguing and remains unresolved. Here we show the atomic-scale observation of one-dimensional electron chains formed in (Nd0.35Sr0.65)MnO3/SrTiO3 by the condensation of characteristic two-dimensional interfacial charges into the strain field of periodically arrayed misfit dislocations, using chemical mapping and quantification by scanning transmission electron microscopy. The strain-relaxed inter-dislocation regions are readily charge depleted, otherwise decorated by the pristine charges, and the corresponding total-energy calculations unravel the undocumented charge-reservoir role played by the dislocation-strain field. This two-dimensional-to-one-dimensional electronic condensation represents a novel electronic-inhomogeneity mechanism at oxide interfaces and could stimulate further studies of one-dimensional electron density in oxide heterostructures.

Triptolide inhibits the multidrug resistance in prostate cancer cells via the downregulation of MDR1 expression.

Triptolide (TPL) is a diterpenoid triepoxide derived from the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii and possesses anti-tumor activity against a range of cancer cells. However, the effect of TPL on prostate cancer cells and its potential to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR) have not been explored. Therefore, in this study we used prostate cancer cell line DU145 as the experimental model and established DU145/ADM cell line resistant to adriamycin (ADM). Our results showed that TPL inhibited the proliferation and induced the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of DU145 cells in a dose and time dependent manner. TPL decreased the levels of Cyclin D1 and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and increased the levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Fas and Bax. Furthermore, we found that TPL restored the sensitivity DU145/ADM cells to ADM in a dose dependent manner, and this was accompanied by the inhibition of MDR1 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence that TPL overcomes MDR in prostate cancer cells by downregulating MDR1 expression, and suggest that TPL is a promising agent for prostate cancer therapy, especially for chemoresistant prostate cancer.