Separating Daily 1 km PM2.5 Inorganic Chemical Composition in China since 2000 via Deep Learning Integrating Ground, Satellite, and Model Data.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) chemical composition has strong and diverse impacts on the planetary environment, climate, and health. These effects are still not well understood due to limited surface observations and uncertainties in chemical model simulations. We developed a four-dimensional spatiotemporal deep forest (4D-STDF) model to estimate daily PM2.5 chemical composition at a spatial resolution of 1 km in China since 2000 by integrating measurements of PM2.5 species from a high-density observation network, satellite PM2.5 retrievals, atmospheric reanalyses, and model simulations. Cross-validation results illustrate the reliability of sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3-), ammonium (NH4+), and chloride (Cl-) estimates, with high coefficients of determination (CV-R2) with ground-based observations of 0.74, 0.75, 0.71, and 0.66, and average root-mean-square errors (RMSE) of 6.0, 6.6, 4.3, and 2.3 µg/m3, respectively. The three components of secondary inorganic aerosols (SIAs) account for 21% (SO42-), 20% (NO3-), and 14% (NH4+) of the total PM2.5 mass in eastern China; we observed significant reductions in the mass of inorganic components by 40-43% between 2013 and 2020, slowing down since 2018. Comparatively, the ratio of SIA to PM2.5 increased by 7% across eastern China except in Beijing and nearby areas, accelerating in recent years. SO42- has been the dominant SIA component in eastern China, although it was surpassed by NO3- in some areas, e.g., Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region since 2016. SIA, accounting for nearly half (∼46%) of the PM2.5 mass, drove the explosive formation of winter haze episodes in the North China Plain. A sharp decline in SIA concentrations and an increase in SIA-to-PM2.5 ratios during the COVID-19 lockdown were also revealed, reflecting the enhanced atmospheric oxidation capacity and formation of secondary particles.

Small bowel obstruction caused by secondary jejunal tumor from renal cell carcinoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Secondary jejunal tumor from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is extremely rare in clinical practice and is easily missed and misdiagnosed because of the low incidence and atypical symptoms. CASE SUMMARY: A 38-year-old male patient was diagnosed pathologically with left RCC after radical nephrectomy in 2012. The patient then suffered multiple lung metastases 2 years later and was treated with oral sorafenib without progression for 6 years. In 2020, an emergency intestinal segmental resection due to intestinal obstruction was required, and postoperative pathology confirmed a jejunal secondary tumor from RCC. The patient had a smooth recovery following surgery. Three months after surgery, the patient was diagnosed with left adrenal metastasis, and subsequent sintilimab therapy has stabilized his condition. CONCLUSION: This report is written to remind urologists and pathologists of the potential for small intestinal secondary tumors when a patient with a history of RCC seeks treatment for digestive symptoms. Enteroscopy and abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography are essential means of examination, but severe cases require immediate surgical intervention despite the lack of a preoperative examination to distinguish tumor attributes.

DDD score for renal tumor: An intuitive and comprehensive anatomical scoring system to access the outcomes of retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To present a DDD scoring system in assessing the complexity and outcomes of retroperitoneoscopic nephron-sparing surgery for kidney tumor. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 232 patients who underwent retroperitoneoscopic nephron-sparing surgery between January 2013 and September 2017 for a renal tumor. Both the DDD score and RENAL score were used to classify the tumors. The DDD score consisted of the maximal tumor diameter inside the kidney, the maximal tumor depth into the medulla or collecting system and the minimal distance from the tumor to the main renal vessels. RESULTS: The DDD scoring systems were significantly associated with warm ischemia time (P = 0.007) and estimated blood loss (P = 0.017). There was an insignificant positive correlation between the DDD score and the operative time (P = 0.051). Meanwhile, the RENAL score had a significant correlation with the decreasing value of the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Patients with high or moderate DDD scores had a 13.6-fold or 8.4-fold risk of overall complications than those with low DDD scores, respectively (all P < 0.05). As for RENAL score, patients with moderate scores had a 2.9-fold risk of overall complications compared with patients in the low scores group (P = 0.004). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the DDD score had the greatest area under the curve for overall complications (area under the curve 0.625, P = 0.009), which was more than the RENAL score (area under the curve 0.620, P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The DDD score is an intuitive renal tumor scoring system that is more effective than the RENAL score in complexity assessment, and marginally better in prediction of the risk of overall complications of retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery.

[Ileal ureteric replacement for iatrogenic long segment ureteric injuries].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of ileal ureteric replacement in the treatment of iatrogenic long segment ureteric injuries. METHODS: The hospital records of 9 cases with iatrogenic long segment ureteric injuries during Aug. 2010 to Sept. 2014 treated with ileal ureteric replacement were retrospectively reviewed and followed-up postoperatively. The patients included 3 males and 6 females with a median age of 40 years. The length of injury segment was 13-25 cm (median 20 cm). The etiology of the iatrogenic injury was urological surgery (n=6), gynecological surgery (n=2) and general surgery (n=1), respectively. The ureter stent was removed in 1-2 month postoperatively in all the 9 cases. RESULTS: All the operations were successful. The operation time was 203-394 min, with the average of (278.1±68.8) min. The bleeding volume was 10-1 000 mL, with the median of 200 mL. The mean length of hospital stay was (16.8±7.5) days. Four minor complications (Grade I-II) developed, including 3 ileus (33.3%) and 1 proximal anastomotic leakage (11.1%). The median follow-up time was 11 months, serum creatinine decreased or remained stable in 8 patients (88.9%). Three patients (33.3%) developed mild hydronephrosis and short-time urinary tract infection was seen in 1 patient (11.1%). Metabolic acidosis was not detected during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Ileal ureteric replacement is a safe and effective method in patients with complex or difficult iatrogenic long segment ureteric injuries.

High-throughput sulfide sensing with colorimetric analysis of single Au-Ag core-shell nanoparticles.

We present a high-throughput strategy for sensitive detection of H2S by using individual spherical Au-Ag core-shell plasmonic nanoparticles (PNPs) as molecular probes. This method is based on quantification of color variation of the single PNPs resulting from formation of Ag2S on the particle surface. The spectral response range of the 51 nm PNP was specifically designed to match the most sensitive region of color cameras. A high density of immobilized PNPs and rapid color RGB (red/green/blue) analysis allow a large number of individual PNPs to be monitored simultaneously, leading to reliable quantification of color change of the PNPs. A linear logarithmic dependence on sulfide concentrations from 50 nM to 100 µM was demonstrated by using this colorimetric assay. By designing PNPs with various surface chemistries, similar strategies could be developed to detect other chemically or biologically important molecules.

Highly sensitive sulphide mapping in live cells by kinetic spectral analysis of single Au-Ag core-shell nanoparticles.

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is a gaseous signalling agent that has important regulatory roles in many biological systems but remains difficult to measure in living biological specimens. Here we introduce a new method for highly sensitive sulphide mapping in live cells via single-particle plasmonic spectral imaging that uses Au-Ag core-shell nanoparticles as probes. This strategy is based on Ag2S formation-induced spectral shifts of the nanoprobes, which is not only highly selective towards sulphide but also shows a linear logarithmic dependence on sulphide concentrations from 0.01 nM to 10 µM. A theoretical model was established that successfully explained the experimental observations, suggesting that the local sulphide concentration as well as its oscillations can be determined indirectly from kinetic measurements of the spectral shifts of the nanoprobes. We demonstrated for the first time the real-time mapping of local variations of sulphide levels in live cells with nM sensitivity.

[Complete transperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the surgical skills and clinical value of complete transperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. METHODS: We collected and analyzed the clinical data of 25 patients (14 renal pelvic carcinoma and 11 carcinoma of ulreter, right side 15 and left side 10) who underwent complete transperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for the upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT-UC) in Peking University First Hospital from May 2010 to April 2011. RESULTS: All the operations were successfully done by one surgeon with standard 4 or 5 trocars technique. The mean operative time was 150 min (120-180 min), the blood loss about 20-100 mL (mean 40 mL) and no severe complications observed. The postoperative hospital stay was 4-6 days with an average length of 5.5 days. The mean follow-up was 5.5 (1-11) months. One of 19 patients underwent trans urethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) for recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder tumor. CONCLUSION: Complete transperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is a minimally invasive, safe and effective way to treat UUT-UC. The patients recover soon and have a shorter length of stay.

[Comparison and clinical significance of different imageological methods in the detection of transitional carcinoma of upper urinary tract: analysis of 234 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic value of multislice CT urography (MSCTU) in patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of upper urinary tract by comparing other imageology methods used. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty four cases of transitional cell carcinoma of upper urinary tract, in which 82 cases were diagnosed pathologically with pelvic carcinoma and 152 cases with ureteral carcinoma, between June 2004 and September 2006 in our institute were enrolled in a retrospective study. Most of them underwent urological ultrasound, intravenous urogram (IVU), retrograde pyelography and MSCTU. We compared the positive rate (PR) and diagnostic rate (DR) of these methods used by chi-square test. RESULTS: Among the 234 cases, 215 patients underwent urologic ultrasound, in which 152 cases were detected to be abnormal, with the PR of 70.7%; Meanwhile, 58 cased were diagnosed by this examination, with the DR of 27.0%. IVU was performed in 193 patients and 132 cases were found to be abnormal, and the PR was 68.4%, 65 cases were diagnosed by IVU and the DR was 33.7%. And 132 patients underwent retrograde pyelography, by which 115 cases of lesion were detected, with the PR of 87.1%; In the meantime, 93 cases were diagnosed, with the DR of 70.5%. MSCTU was performed in 226 cases and 220 cases were found to be abnormal, and the PR was 97.3%; 214 cases were diagnosed by MSCTU, with the DR of 94.7%. The DR of detecting TCC of retrograde pyelography had statistically significant difference with that of ultrasound and IVU (P<0.001). As compared with retrograde pyelography, MSCTU had statistically significant superiority (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: To shorten the diagnosis time and mitigate the sufferings, patients with hematuria supposed to be TCC of upper urinary tract should be recommended to undergo MSCTU first.

[Effects of inhibiting nucleosomal binding protein 1 on proliferation of human prostate cancer cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of nucleosomal binding protein 1 (NSBP1) in the proliferation of human hormone-dependent prostate cancer cells by inhibiting its mRNA expression. METHODS: Four well-designed short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting NSBP1, including a negative control shRNA, were synthesized and inserted into the pSilencer 2.1-U6 neo plasmid. The pSilencer-81 plasmid was identified as the most efficient. The 4 recombinant plasmids, pSilencer-58, 81, 126, and Neg, were then transfected to human hormone-dependent prostate cancer cells of the line LNCaP, i.e., LNCap/81, LNCap/58, LNCap/126, and LNCap/Neg cells. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the inhibitory efficiency of different plasmids. MTT method was used to detect cell viability and flow cytometry was used to observe cell cycle distribution. RESULTS: Western blotting showed that the protein expression of NSBP1 in the LNCap/81 cells was lower by 85% compared to that in the LNCap/Neg cells. Compared with the control cells, the A values of the LNCap/81 cells 60, 84, 108, and 132 hours after transfection were all significantly lower than those of the LNCap/Neg cells (t = 4.501, 4.282, 5.229, and 4.759, all P < 0.05), showing that the cell viability was reduced. The proportions of cells in the G(2)M and S phases 60, 84, and 108 hours after transfection of the LNCap/81 cells were all significantly lower than those of the LNCap/Neg cells (t = 3.705, 3.887, and 8.220, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The suppressed expression of NSBP1 in prostate cancer cells mediated by shRNA inhibits cell proliferation significantly, which indicates that NSBP1 may play an important role in the proliferation of prostate cancer cells.

[Expression of nucleosomal binding protein 1 in normal prostate benign prostate hyperplasia, and prostate cancer and significance thereof].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of nucleosomal binding protein 1 (NSBP1) in normal prostate (NP), benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate cancer (PCa) and significance thereof. METHODS: Western blotting was used to detect the expression of NSBP1 in 10 specimens of NP from voluntary donors who died of accidents, and 15 specimens of PCa resected during operation. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the NSBP1 expression in 19 specimens of NP resected during complete cystectomy from patients with bladder carcinoma, and 26 specimens of BPH and 40 specimens of PCa, all resected during operation. RESULTS: Western blotting showed that the relative optical density (OD) of NSBP1 in the PCa tissue was 0.66 +/- 0.02, significantly higher than that of the NP tissue (0.26 +/- 0.03, t = 37.308, P < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry showed that the positive and weak positive rates of protein expression of NSBP1 in the PCa tissue was 80.0% (32/40), significantly higher than those of the NP tissue (36.8%, 7/19) and BPH (34.6%, 9/26) (t = -3.569 and t = -4.152, both P < 0.01). The NSBP1 expression level in the PCa tissue was not correlated with the pathological staging, grade, and serum prostate-specific antigen (P = 0.911, 0.666, and 0.779). CONCLUSION: Highly expressed in the PCa tissue, NSBP1 protein is may be involved in the carcinogenesis of PCa.

[Prediction of the stage of patients with prostate cancer by the combination of serum prostate specific antigen and Gleason score].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the method of predicting the stage of prostate cancer with serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and pathological grade. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-seven patients were studied retrospectively with prostate cancer diagnosed by systemic biopsy in our hospital. The rank correlation analysis, rank sum test and stepwise discriminant multivariate analysis were used to assess the correlation of serum PSA level, ratio of free PSA to total PSA (FPSA/TPSA ratio) with Gleason score (GS) and stage. RESULTS: Serum PSA level increased with GS for prostate cancer patients (r = 0.369, P < 0.001). With increasing stage, serum PSA level and GS increased (r = 0.398, 0.530, P < 0.001). Overall, FPSA/TPSA ratio was not correlated with stage (P > 0.70), but a significant negative correlation was demonstrated between them when serum PSA < or = 10 microg/L (r = -0.600, P < 0.05). When serum PSA > 20 microg/L, 67% - 87% patients with prostate cancer may be stage C or D. The equation using serum PSA and GS to predict the stage of patients with prostate cancer was: x = -3.488 + 0.041 x PSA + 0.428 x GS. CONCLUSIONS: Serum PSA level is positively correlated with GS for prostate cancer patients. Serum PSA level and GS are positively correlated with stage. A negative correlation between FPSA/TPSA ratio and stage is demonstrated when serum PSA < or = 10 microg/L. The combination of serum PSA and GS may predict the stage of patients with prostate cancer.

[Homologous dermal acellular matrix graft for urethral reconstruction in man (report of 16 cases)].

OBJECTIVE: To investigated the value of homologous dermal acellular matrix graft (AMG) for urethral reconstruction in man, and found an ideal replacement material to simplify the urethroplastic surgery. METHODS: 16 male patients, aged 18-46 (mean 26.5), with urethral diseases were treated with allograft of tissue engineering material AMG. The causes of urethroplasty were complex urethral stricture followed by pelvic fracture (13 cases), anterior urethral stricture (2 cases), hypospadia (1 case). During the operation, AMG was sutured to a tubular graft and replaced the defect urethra. A 18-22 Fr silicone catheter was inserted in the reconstructed urethra for 4-6 weeks. RESULTS: All 16 patients were voiding well after removing the catheter, urethrography reveal excellent caliber of the reconstructed urethra. Urethroscopic examination showed the graft urethra was covered by epithelial tissue and grew into the native tissue. But stenosis was developed in 3 patients postoperatively, 1 patients received transurethral incision, another 2 needed urethral sounding. The patients were followed-up for 12-72 months (mean 45.6), no rejection was observed, all patients voided normally except 4 cases needed urethral dilatation periodically. CONCLUSION: The homologous dermal acellular matrix graft may serve as an ideal replacement material for complex urethral stricture or defect, without concern of rejection.

[Treatment of simple renal cysts with small incision].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the operative characteristics and indications small incision for treating simple renal cysts. METHODS: 19 patients with simple renal cyst were treated by ablation with small incision from January. 1995 to September. 2001 at our institute. Surgical technique, curative effect and indications were analyzed. RESULTS: In the 19 patients the operative procedure took 34 +/- 15 min (20-80 min) on average and the mean hospitalization was 4.4 +/- 1.5 d (3-8 d). Neither complication nor recurrence occurred from 3 to 6 months during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Ablation with small incision is significantly advantageous for operation, recovery, short hospital stay, and lower cost. This operation is indicated for simple renal cyst in the lower, middle pole of the kidney.