Efficacy and safety of transurethral thulium laser enucleation versus robot-assisted prostatectomy for large-volume benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To compare perioperative outcomes between Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and robotic-assisted simple pasta-ectomy (RASP)for large-volume benign prostatic hyperplasia(> 80 ml). In August 2023, we undertook a comprehensive search of major global databases including PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar, focusing solely on articles written in English. Studies that were merely reviews or protocols without any specific published data were omitted. Furthermore, articles that comprised conference abstracts or content not pertinent to our subject of study were also disregarded. To calculate the inverse variances and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for categorical variables' mean differences, we employed the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel approach along with random-effects models. The findings were denoted in the form of odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs. A p-value less than 0.05 was deemed to indicate statistical significance. Our finalized meta-analysis incorporated six articles, including one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and five cohort studies. These studies accounted for a total of 1218 patients, 944 of whom underwent Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) and 274 who underwent Robotic-Assisted Simple Prostatectomy (RASP). The pooled analysis from these six papers demonstrated that compared to RASP, HoLEP had a shorter hospital stay, shorter catheterization duration, and a lower blood transfusion rate. Moreover, HoLEP patients exhibited a smaller reduction in postoperative hemoglobin levels. Statistically, there were no significant differences between the two procedures regarding operative time, postoperative PSA, the weight of prostate specimens, IPSS, Qmax, PVR, QoL, and postoperative complications. (HoLEP) and (RASP) are both effective and safe procedures for treating large-volume benign prostatic hyperplasia. HoLEP, with its benefits of shorter catheterization and hospitalization duration, lesser decline in postoperative hemoglobin, and reduced blood transfusion needs, stands as a preferred choice for treating extensive prostate enlargement. However, further validation through more high-quality clinical randomized trials is required.

Cardiovascular Adverse Events Associated With New-Generation Androgen Receptor Pathway Inhibitors (ARPI) for Prostate Cancer: A Disproportionality Analysis Based on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

BACKGROUND: The potential cardiovascular adverse events associated with new-generation androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPI) in the treatment of prostate cancer remain unclear. We aimed to assess the pharmacovigilance (PV), reporting rate, severity, and reaction outcomes of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) related to new-generation ARPI for prostate cancer reported to the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). METHODS: We analyzed reports of cardiovascular adverse events associated with drug therapy for prostate cancer submitted to FAERS between January 2014 and December 2022. Three primary new-generation ARPIs were identified: abiraterone acetate, enzalutamide, and apalutamide. Our primary composite endpoint was the PV of MACE caused by ARPIs in the treatment of prostate cancer, and the secondary endpoint was PV of other cardiovascular events. The software implemented was STATA 17.0 MP. RESULTS: A total of 278,031 suspected drug-adverse event pairs related to drug treatment in patients with prostate cancer were identified, of which 10,861 reports were cardiovascular events, including 5800 reports of MACE and 5061 reports of other cardiovascular events. The majority of these cardiovascular adverse event reports came from the United States (36.6%) and were mostly older men (age 76.0 ± 8.6 years). Compared with enzalutamide, the constituent ratio of MACE caused by abiraterone acetate and apalutamide was significantly increased, but the incidence of severe MACE decreased significantly. The PV signal regarding MACE was detected in abiraterone acetate and apalutamide but not in enzalutamide. CONCLUSION: Abiraterone acetate and apalutamide presumably are associated with a higher risk of MACE than enzalutamide in new-generation ARPI for prostate cancer. More extensive prospective studies and more extended follow-up periods need to confirm this further.

Perioperative, functional, and oncologic outcomes after ablation or partial nephrectomy for solitary renal tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative trials.

Objectives: The perioperative, functional, and oncological outcomes of patients with solitary small renal tumors (SRMs) treated with ablation (AT) or partial nephrectomy (PN) remain controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of these two surgical techniques. Methods: In April 2023, we conducted a literature search in several widely used databases worldwide, including PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. Review Manager was used to compare various parameters. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022377157). Results: Our final meta-analysis included 13 cohort studies with a total of 2,107 patients. Compared to partial nephrectomy (PN), ablation (AT) had shorter hospital stays (WMD -2.37 days, 95% CI -3.05 to -1.69; p < 0.00001), shorter operating times (WMD -57.06 min, 95% CI -88.92 to -25.19; p = 0.0004), less postoperative creatinine increases (WMD -0.17 mg/dL, 95% CI -0.29 to -0.05; p = 0.006), less postoperative glomerular filtration rate decreases (WMD -9.84 mL/min/1.73 m2, 95% CI -14.25 to -5.44; p < 0.0001), less postoperative new-onset chronic kidney disease (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.71; p = 0.005), and less intraoperative blood loss (WMD -285.92 ml, 95% CI -428.44 to -143.40; p < 0.0001). The transfusion rate was lower in the ablation group (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.51; p = 0.001). The risk of local recurrence was higher in the ablation group (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.27 to 6.89; p = 0.01), while the risk of distant metastasis was higher in the partial nephrectomy group (OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.28 to 6.18; p = 0.01). The intraoperative and postoperative complication rates were lower in the ablation group (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.62; p = 0.004 and OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.38; p < 0.00001, respectively). However, overall survival, postoperative dialysis rate, and tumor-specific survival were not different between the two groups. Conclusions: Our data suggest that ablation and partial nephrectomy are equally safe and effective in the treatment of small solitary kidney tumors and are better options for patients with poor preoperative physical condition or poor renal function.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes between dusting and fragmentation in retrograde intrarenal surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Comparing stone-free rates and associated outcome measures between two surgical modalities of lithotripsy fragmentation and removal or spontaneous passage of dust during retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). METHODS: In March 2023, we conducted a literature search in several widely used databases worldwide, including PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. We only considered English articles and excluded pediatric patients. Reviews and protocols without any published data were excluded. We also excluded articles with conference abstracts and irrelevant content. We used the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel method and random-effects models to assess inverse variances and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mean differences in categorical variables. The results were reported as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Our final meta-analysis included nine articles, comprising two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and seven cohort studies. The total number of patients included in these studies was 1326, and all studies used holmium laser lithotripsy. The pooled analysis of the dust and fragmentation groups showed that the fragmentation group had a higher stone-free rate (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.41 - 0.89; p = 0.01); the dust group had a shorter operative time (WMD - 11.6 min; 95% CI - 19.56 - -3.63; p = 0.004); and the dust group had a higher retreatment rate (OR 2.03; 95% CI 1.31 - 3.13; p = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of length of hospital stay, overall complications, or postoperative fever. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that both procedures could be safely and effectively used for upper ureteral and renal calculi lithotripsy, the dust group had potential advantages over the fragmentation group in terms of the operation time, and the fragmentation group had certain advantages in terms of stone-free rate and retreatment rate.

Erectile function, urinary continence and oncologic outcomes of neurovascular bundle sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for high-risk prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The nerve-sparing (NS) effect of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) on patients with a high-risk prostate cancer remains unclear. The objective of this study was to compare the urinary continence, erectile function and oncology outcomes of the nerve-sparing and non-nerve-sparing (NNS) group during RARP surgeries. Methods: We systematically searched databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science to identify relevant studies published in English up to December 2022. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used as a quality evaluation tool to evaluate the quality of the literature parameters involved, including urinary continence, erectile function and oncologic outcomes, which were compared using the Stata 15.1 software (StataSE, USA). Results: A total of 8 cohort studies involving 2499 patients were included. A meta-analysis of results showed that the NS group was beneficial to the recovery of urinary continence (RR 0.46, 95%CI 0.22, 0.96; p=0.045<0.05) and erectile function (RR 0.32, 95%CI 0.16, 0.63; p=0.001<0.05) 12 months after surgeries, which showed a better oncological outcome (RR 1.31, 95%CI 1.01, 1.69; p=0.01<0.05). Conclusions: The current study results indicate that intraoperative NS during RARP is beneficial to long-term postoperative functional recovery and tumor prognosis of patients with high-risk prostate cancers. Due to interstudy interferences, the results should be interpreted with caution. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42022384647.

Perioperative, functional, and oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy previous transurethral resection of prostate: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative trials.

The influence of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) on patients who have previously undergone transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) versus TURP-naive patients is still debatable. The present study aimed to compare perioperative, functional, and oncologic outcomes of RARP between TURP and Non-TURP groups. We systematically searched the databases such as Science, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library database to identify relevant studies published in English up to August 2022. Review Manager was used to compare various parameters. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022378126). Eight comparative trials with a total of 4186 participants were conducted. The TURP group had a longer operative time (WMD 22.22 min, 95% CI 8.48, 35.95; p = 0.002), a longer catheterization time (WMD 1.32 day, 95% CI 0.37, 2.26; p = 0.006), a higher estimated blood loss (WMD 23.86 mL, 95% CI 2.81, 44.90; p = 0.03), and higher bladder neck reconstruction rate (OR 8.02, 95% CI 3.07, 20.93; p < 0.0001). Moreover, the positive surgical margin (PSM) was higher in the TURP group (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.12, 1.98 p = 0.007). However, there was no difference between the two groups regarding the length of hospital stay, transfusion rates, nerve-sparing status, complication rates, long-term continence, potency rates and biochemical recurrence (BCR). Performing RARP on patients who have previously undergone TURP is a safe procedure. Furthermore, the current findings demonstrated that the TURP group had comparable oncologic and long-term functional outcomes to the Non-TURP group.

A colorimetric/fluorescence dual-channel probe for highly discriminating detection of cysteine.

In this work, a novel fluorescence (FL) probe for selective and sensitive detection of Cys with colorimetric and FL dual signal changes was reported. The probe was synthesized by two step of sulfonamide reaction coupling between a sulfonyl benzoxadiazole (SBD) dye and dansyl chloride linked with rigid piperazine group. The probe showed a specific off-on response to Cys in aqueous solution with nanomolar LOD, and without interference by a range of amino acids and several competing analytes. Upon addition of Cys, the probe will undergo sequential substitution and intramolecular rearrangement reactions, yielding a 4-amino SBD derivative, which results in generation of strong yellow fluorescence emission at 575 nm accompanied by a two-step red shift in the absorption spectral. Moreover, it can be used for imaging of endogenous Cys in living cells.

Inhibiting the CD38/cADPR pathway protected rats against sepsis associated brain injury.

BACKGROUND: The CD38/cADPR pathway has been found to play roles in various inflammatory conditions. However, whether CD38 plays a protective or detrimental effect in the central nervous system (CNS) is controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of CD38/cADPR pathway in sepsis associated brain injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were undergone cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or sham laparotomies. NAD+, cADPR and CD38 were measured in the hippocampus of septic rats at 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48h after CLP surgery. Rats were divided into the sham, CLP group, CLP+ CD38 expression lentivirus (CLP+ CD38 LV), CLP+ CD38 interference lentivirus (CLP+ CD38 Ri), CLP+ negative control lentivirus (CLP+NC) and the CLP+8-Br-cADPR groups. The Western blots of Bcl-2, Bax and iNOS, TUNEL assays, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assays, transmission electron microscope analysis were performed in the hippocampus of rats. RESULTS: NAD+, cADPR and CD38 levels increased significantly in the hippocampus of septic rats as early as 12-24h after CLP surgery. CD38 knockdown or blocking cADPR with 8-Br-cADPR significantly reduced apoptosis, MDA and SOD activity, iNOS expression and ultrastructural morphology damages in the hippocampus of septic rats. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found that the CD38/cADPR pathway was activated in sepsis associated brain injury. Blocking this pathway protected the hippocampus from apoptosis, oxidative stress and ultrastructural morphology damages in septic rats.

Hemin protects against oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced apoptosis activation via neuroglobin in SH-SY5Y cells.

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effect of hemin in oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-treated neurons. OGD-treated SH-SY5Y cells (human neuroblastoma cells) were used in the study. The cellular viability of SH-SY5Y cells was assessed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and the cell apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry analysis with Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide staining with or without hemin pretreatment. Cell viability and apoptotic activation were detected after hemin administration combined with neuroglobin (Nqb), thioredoxin-1, peroxiredoxin-2, or heme oxygenase-1 siRNA transient transfection. The release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and the interaction between Ngb and cytochrome c were examined with hemin pretreatment. Hemin had a neuroprotective effect in OGD-treated SH-SY5Y cells, which was mainly mediated by the upregulation of Ngb. Moreover, the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria was inhibited by hemin-induced Ngb expression through facilitating the interaction of Ngb with cytochrome c in mitochondria. The present findings provided new insights into the neuroprotective mechanisms of hemin. It was concluded that low-dose hemin pretreatment had a neuroprotective effect in OGD-treated SH-SY5Y cells, through inhibiting cell apoptosis. The neuroprotective effects of hemin following hypoxic-ischemic neuronal damage were mainly mediated by Ngb. One underlying mechanism was hemin-induced overexpression of mitochondrial Ngb, which inhibited endogenous apoptosis via the association with cytochrome c.

Effect of propane-2-sulfonic acid octadec-9-enyl-amide on the expression of adhesion molecules in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Oleoylethanolamide (OEA), an endogenous agonist of PPARα, has been reported to have anti-atherosclerotic properties. However, OEA can be enzymatically hydrolyzed to oleic acid and ethanolamine and, thus, is not expected to be orally active. In the present study, we designed and synthesized an OEA analog, propane-2-sulfonic acid octadec-9-enyl-amide (N15), which is resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of N15 on the expression of adhesion molecules in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The results showed that N15 inhibited TNFα-induced production of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and the adhesion of monocytes to TNFα-induced HUVECs. Furthermore, the protective effect of N15 on inflammation is dependent upon a PPAR-α/γ-mediated mechanism. In conclusion, N15 protects against TNFα-induced vascular endothelial inflammation. This anti-inflammatory effect of N15 is dependent on PPAR-α/γ dual targets.

[Anti-atherosclerosis role of N-oleoylethanolamine in CB2].

To observe a PPAR-alpha agonist effect of N-oleoylethanolamine (OEA) on CB2 (cannabinoid receptor 2), an anti-inflammatory receptor in vascular endothelial cell, healthy HUVECs and TNF-alpha induced HUVECs were used to establish a human vascular endothelial cell inflammatory model. Different doses of OEA (10, 50 and 100 micromol x L(-1)) had been given to HUVECs, cultured at 37 degrees C for 7 h and then collected the total protein and total mRNA. CB2 protein expression was detected by Western blotting and CB2 mRNA expression was assayed by real-time PCR. As the results shown, OEA (10 and 50 micromol x L(-1)) could induce the CB2 protein and mRNA expression, but not 100 micromol x L(-1). To detect if anti-inflammation effect of OEA is partly through CB2, CB2 inhibitor AM630 was used to inhibit HUVEC CB2 expression, then the VCAM-1 expression induced by TNF-alpha was detected, or THP-1 adhere to TNF-alpha induced HUVECs was examined. OEA (50 micromol x L(-1)) could inhibit TNF-alpha induced VCAM-1 expression and THP-1 adhere to HUVECs, these effects could be partly inhibited by a CB2 inhibitor AM630. The anti-inflammation effect of OEA is induced by PPAR-alpha and CB2, suggesting that CB2 signaling could be a target for anti-atherosclerosis, OEA have wide effect in anti-inflammation, it may have better therapeutic potential in anti-inflammation in HUVECs, thus achieving anti-atherosclerosis effect.

[Subtype and sequence analysis of gag gene of HIV-1 among men who have sex with men in Zhengzhou, Henan Province].

To investigate the subtype distribution of human immunodeficiency virus-1(HIV-1) infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, forty blood samples were collected from HIV-1 carriers, who acknowledged to have sex with men. The complete gag gene was amplified by RT-PCR and nested-PCR and sequenced. All sequences were edited by BioEdit and subtyped by genotyping software. Phylogenetic analysis of gag gene were then performed using the MEGA 3.1 software, the gene distances were calculated by Distance program. There were three different HIV-1 subtypes including B, CRF01-AE and CRF07-BC present among twenty four MSMs in Zhengzhou. Genotyping results showed that 33.33% (8/24) were B, 41.67% (10/24) were CRF01-AE and 25% (6/24) were CRF07-BC, and subtype CRF01-AE had become the most prevalent HIV-1 subtype in Zhengzhou, Henan province. In conclusion, recombinant HIV-1 strains are circulating in Henan province and the epidemiology is complicated.

[Protective effect of ginsenoside Re on isoproterenol-induced triggered ventricular arrhythmia in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-arrhythmic efficacy of ginsenoside Re (GSRe) and its protective effects against myocardial injuries in rabbits with isoproterenol-induced triggered ventricular arrhythmia (TVA). METHODS: TVA model was prepared by intravenous injections of isoproterenol at a constant speed of 5 mg/kg/min. When TVA appeared, rabbits were randomly injected with GSRe (5, 10 or 20 mg/kg), verapamil (0.4 mg/kg) or placebo. The duration of maintaining sinus rhythm was observed. Meanwhile, isoproterenol was continued to be injected at a constant speed of 5 mg/kg/min. After 1 hr of isoproterenol injection, the rabbits were sacrificed. Cardiac muscles in the cuspidate position of the left ventricle were sampled for optical microscopy and electron microscopy. RESULTS: GSRe and verapamil treatment restored sinus rhythm. The duration of sinus rhythm was 177.00+/- 5.66 s within 3 minutes in the verapamil treatment group and was 177.83+/- 5.31, 21.00+/- 2.83 and 4.50+/- 1.64 s, respectively, in the 20, 10 and 5 mg/kg GSRe treatment groups. Histopathologic examination demonstrated that GSRe treatment (20 and 10 mg/kg) alleviated myocardial injuries induced by TVA. CONCLUSIONS: GSRe has anti-arrhythmic efficacies and protective effects against myocardial injuries in rabbits with TVA. It may therefore be a possible therapy for TVA.

[Effects of respiratory syncytial virus upon expressions of mRNA and protein of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in human embryonic lung fibroblast cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) upon the expressions of mRNA and protein of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in human embryonic lung fibroblast cells. METHODS: The expressions of mRNA and protein of ICAM-1 were determined in human embryonic lung fibroblast cells after being infected by the LONG strain type A RSV and in normal fibroblast cells with real-time PCR and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The mRNA of ICAM-1 expression in human embryonic lung fibroblast cells was 2.51 times at 24 h post-infection as that in normal fibroblast cells (P < 0.05). The protein of ICAM-1 expression of RSV control group (1.25 +/- 0.09, 1.87 +/- 0.18, 4.78 +/- 0.52, 13.34 +/- 0.64, 1.58 +/- 0.37) were significantly higher than those of normal cell group (0.21 +/- 0.06, 0.30 +/- 0.06, 0.29 +/- 0.07, 0.35 +/- 0.17, 0.35 +/- 0.14) at 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post-infection (all P < 0.01). The protein of ICAM-1 expression of RSV control group achieved a peak value between 48 h and 72 h, and then it decreased significantly at 96 h. CONCLUSION: Lung fibroblast cell and ICAM-1 may play some roles in pathogenic mechanism of RSV viral pneumonia.

[Proliferation of T lymphocyte subsets in asthma patients in clinical remission and molecular mechanism thereof].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the rule of proliferation of T lymphocyte subsets in patients with clinical asthma remission and the molecular mechanism. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 15 asthmatic patients, 15 asthmatic patients in clinical remission, and 15 healthy control subjects, all sex-, and age-matched. CD(4)(+) T and CD(8)(+) T lymphocytes were isolated. Flow cytometry was used to examine the cell cycles of CD(4)(+) T and CD(8)(+) T lymphocytes. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression levels of cell cycle regulatory proteins (CCRPs), including cyclin D, cyclin E, and P27(kip1), PI3K, and STAT6. RESULTS: (1) The percentage of G(0)/G(1) phase of the CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes of the asthmatic patients was 82.00%, significantly lower than those of the asthmatic patients in clinical remission and healthy controls (92.50% and 99.00%, Z = 12.35, P < 0.01). The percentage of S phase of the CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes of the asthmatic patients was 18.00%, significantly higher than those of the asthmatic patients in clinical remission and healthy controls (6.10% and 0.20% respectively, Z = 8.05, P < 0.05). The percentage of G(2)/M phase of the CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes of the asthmatic patients was 2.80%, significantly higher than those of the asthmatic patients in clinical remission and healthy controls (0.40% and 0 respectively, Z = 9.16, P < 0.05). The S + G(2)/M phase of the CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes of the asthmatic patients was 18.00%, significantly higher than those of the asthmatic patients in clinical remission and healthy controls (7.50% and 0.20% respectively, Z = 12.80, P < 0.05). The distribution of G(0)/G(1) phase of CD(8)(+) T lymphocyte of the asthmatic patients was 44.60%, significantly lower than those of the asthmatic patients in clinical remission and healthy controls (95.90% and 100.00% respectively, Z = 21.60, P < 0.01). The distribution of S phase of CD(8)(+) T lymphocytes of the asthmatic patients was 51.70%, significantly lower than those of the asthmatic patients in clinical remission and healthy controls (0.80% and 0 respectively, Z = 25.22, P < 0.01). The distribution of S + G(2)/M phase of the CD(8)(+) T lymphocytes of the asthmatic patients was 55.40%, significantly higher than those of the asthmatic patients in clinical remission and healthy controls (4.10% and 0 respectively, Z = 21.52, P < 0.01). (2) The expression level of P27(kipl) of the CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes of the asthmatic patients was 13.20%, significant lower than those of the asthmatic patients in clinical remission and healthy controls (38.80% and 47.20% respectively, Z = 10.63, P < 0.01). The expression level of cyclin D of the CD(4)(+) T lymphocyte of the asthmatic patients was 35.00%, significant higher than those of the asthmatic patients in clinical remission and healthy controls (28.20% and 13.10% respectively, Z = 10.66, P < 0.01). The expression level of cyclin E of the CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes of the asthmatic patients was 7.90%, significant higher than those of the asthmatic patients in clinical remission and healthy controls (6.30% and 3.70% respectively, Z = 6.64%, P < 0.05). The expression level of P27(kipl) of the CD(8)(+) T lymphocyte of the asthmatic patients was 4.50%, significant lower than those of the asthmatic patients in clinical remission and healthy controls (33.80% and 46.30% respectively, Z = 9.30, P < 0.05). The expression level of cyclin D of the CD(8)(+) T lymphocyte of the asthmatic patients was 24.20%, not significant different from those of the asthmatic patients in clinical remission and healthy controls (26.10% and 32.20% respectively, Z = 0.09, P > 0.05). The expression level of cyclin E of the CD(8)(+) T lymphocyte of the asthmatic patients was 9.30%, significant higher than those of the asthmatic patients in clinical remission and healthy controls (5.60% and 3.50% respectively, Z = 4.91, P > 0.05). (3) The expression level of PI(3)K-110alpha of the CD(4)(+) T lymphocyte of the asthmatic patients was 7.60%, significant higher than those of the asthmatic patients in clinical remission and healthy controls (6.40% and 3.30% respectively, Z = 9.04, P < 0.05). The expression level of STST()6 of the CD(4)(+) T lymphocyte of the asthmatic patients was 8.20%, significant higher than those of the asthmatic patients in clinical remission and healthy controls (2.70% and 1.90% respectively, Z = 18.08, P > 0.01). The expression levels of PI(3)K-110alpha and STST(6) of the CD(8)(+) T lymphocytes of the asthmatic patients were not significant different from those of the asthmatic patients in clinical remission and healthy controls (Z = 4.91 and 5.70, both P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is excessive proliferation of CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes in the patients with clinical asthma remission, which may be related to the abnormal expression of CCRP (cyclin D, cyclin E, and P27(kip1)), PI(3)K, and STAT(6).

[The effect of phosphoinositide-3-kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 on the proliferation of T lymphocytes in bronchial asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI(3)K) and signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (STAT(6)) on the proliferation of CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) T lymphocytes in bronchial asthma. METHODS: CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) T lymphocytes of 15 asthmatic patients or 15 healthy control subjects were cultured in vitro from August of 2004 to February of 2005. The T lymphocytes of asthmatic patients were divided into four groups and stimulated with or without 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (LY294002) and IFN-gamma. The four groups included a control group (group A), the LY294002 group (group B), IFN-gamma group (group C) and LY294002 + IFN-gamma group (group D). The cell cycle phases and the expression of cell cycle proteins (P27kip1, Cyclin D, Cyclin E), PI(3)K and STAT(6) were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: (1) The percentage of G(0)/G(1) phase, the expression rate of P27kip1 in CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) T lymphocytes from asthmatic patients were 82.0%, 44.6%, 13.2%, 4.5%; and those from the control group were 99.0%, 100.0%, 47.2%, 46.3%, respectively; the difference was significant between the two groups (Z value were 3.54, 4.23, 3.09 and 2.51, all P < 0.05). The percentage of S phase, the expression rate of Cyclin E, PI(3)K and STAT(6) in CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) T lymphocytes from the asthmatic patients were 18.0%, 51.7%, 7.9%, 9.3%, 7.6%, 8.7%, 8.2%, 6.3%; and those from the control group were 0.2%, 0.0%, 3.7%, 3.5%, 3.3%, 3.4%, 1.9%, 2.4%, respectively; there were significant differences between the two groups (Z value were 2.88, 4.61, 1.95, 2.06, 2.51, 2.32, 4.38 and 2.22, all P < 0.05). (2) The percentage of G(0)/G(1) phase, S phase, the expression rate of Cyclin D, Cyclin E in CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes of B group were 95.6%, 1.9%, 13.3% and 3.1%; and those of A group were 82.0%, 18.0%, 35.0%, 7.9%; there were significant differences between the two groups (Z value were 2.04, 2.23, 2.78 and 1.99, all P < 0.05). The percentage of S phase, the expression rate of Cyclin E in CD(8)(+) T lymphocytes of B group were 1.0% and 4.1%; and those of A group were 51.7% and 9.3%; there were significant differences between the two groups (Z value were 3.06 and 2.56, all P < 0.05). The percentage of G(0)/G(1) phase, S phase, the expression rate of P27kip1 in CD(4)(+) T lymphocyte of C group were 94.0%, 1.5%, 46.1%; and those of A group were 82.0%, 18.0%, 13.2%; there were significant differences between the two groups (Z value were 2.17, 2.54 and 2.81, all P < 0.05). The percentage of S phase, the expression rate of P27kip1 in CD(8)(+) T lymphocyte of C group were 10.8% and 23.1%; and those of A group were 51.7% and 4.5%; there were significant differences between the two groups (Z value were 2.67 and 2.05, all P < 0.05). The percentage of G(0)/G(1) phase, S phase, the expression rate of P27kip1, Cyclin D in CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes of D group were 97.0%, 0.0%, 40.4%, 21.5%; and those of A group were 82.0%, 18.0%, 13.2%, 35.0%; there were significant differences between the two groups (Z value were 2.73, 2.79, 2.56 and 2.10, all P < 0.05). The percentage of S phase, the expression rate of P27kip1 in CD(8)(+) T lymphocytes of D group were 92.1% and 1.7%; and those of A group were 44.6% and 51.7%; there were significant differences between the two groups (Z were 2.22 and 3.12, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PI(3)K and STAT(6) may be new therapeutic targets for the treatment of asthma. Further studies are necessary to explore the relationship between PI(3)K and JAK1-STAT(6) signal pathway during the enhancement of CD(4)(+) T or CD(8)(+) T lymphocyte proliferation in bronchial asthma.

[Application of immunomagnetic screening strategy for separation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subpopulations of peripheral blood].

To evaluate the separation of T lymphocyte subsets by immunomagnetic beads and to find optimization of strategy for specific binding of antibody-coated beads to cells, two strategies to isolate enriched T lymphocyte subpopulation CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells from small volumes (< 5 ml) of peripheral blood by using immunomagnetic beads or complement cytotoxicity method were compared. The purity and activity of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells were measured by using flow cytometry, trypan-blue dye exclusion test, etc. The results showed that the yields of CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes by using immunomagnetic beads were (94.2 +/- 1.4)% and (93.8 +/- 3.0)% respectively, higher than those of control group and the group of using completement cytotoxicity method (P < 0.05). At the same time, the yields of CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes by using complement cytotoxicity method were (76.0 +/- 2.8)% and (77.0 +/- 3.0)% respectively, higher than those of unenriched group (P < 0.05). The trypan-blue dye exclusion test confirmed that there were no influences on activity of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells when immunomagnetic beads were used for separation of these cells from peripheral blood. It is concluded that the immunomagnetic bead method has a higher efficiency for separation of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells from peripheral blood than complement cytotoxic method, especially for small sample. This method has no influence on activity and proliferation of T lymphocyte subpopulations, and would be expected to establish conditions for research of biological characteristics of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in future.

[Thyroid autoantibodies in children with Turner's syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: Turner's syndrome (TS) is characterized by the absence of an X chromosome or the presence of a structurally abnormal X chromosome in a phenotypic female. It was recently reported that autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) was found in 38% of white patients with TS, and few studies in this aspect have been conducted in China. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of AIT among TS patients and risk factors for development of thyroid dysfunction in Chinese children with TS. METHODS: Serum antithyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), thyroperoxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroid function (T(3), T(4) and TSH) of 24 children with TS (mean age 12.9 +/- 2.4 years, range 4.8 - 16.8 years) were assessed. Their karyotype distribution was as follows: thirteen patients with 45, XO kayrotype, eight patients with structurally abnormal X chromosome, two with X mosaic kayrotype and one with 46, XX. Techniques including radioimmunoassy and elctro-chemiluminescence immunoassy were used in this study. All TS children were divided into two groups. Group one was thyroid autoantibodies (TAA)-positive group, the levels of TgAb and/or TPOAb in them were higher than the normal levels (TgAb < 30%, TPOAb < 20%), respectively, and the remaining patients were assigned into TAA-negative group. RESULTS: Seven of the 24 (29%) patients had higher levels of TgAb and TPOAb than the normal values (< 30% and < 20%). The level of serum TSH [6.1 (3.6-100.0) mU/L] in TAA-positive group was significantly higher than that [3.9 (1.7-7.9) mU/L] in TAA-negative group (P < 0.05). The frequency of hypothyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism in TAA-positive group (5/7) was higher than that in TAA-negative group (3/17) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The positive rate of serum TAA in children with TS was 29%. About 70% TS children with positive serum TAA developed hypothyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism. The results have provided the basis for regular follow-up assessment of thyroid autoantibodies and thyroid function in children with TS, and these measures are of importance for timely diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction and application of appropriate treatment.