Quantitative and comparative proteomics analysis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and adjacent noncancerous tissues by 2-D DIGE / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify specific protein markers for renal cell carcinoma detection and diagnosis, as well as develop new potential therapeutic targets of the disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We used two-dimensional difference in-gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) technique conjunction with mass spectrometry (MS) for the identification of significant differentially expressed proteins between 15cases of paired clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and adjacent normal renal tissues. The protein spots were considered as differentially expressed if a 1.5-fold altered expression level was observed (Student's t test, P value<0.05).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 27 differentially expressed protein spots, 26 proteins were successfully identified. 11 proteins up-regulated in renal cell carcinoma,15 proteins down-regulated. Among them Short/branched chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, mitochondrial (ACDSB), Aldose 1-epimerase (GALM), Peroxiredoxin-4 (PRDX4), Macrophage-capping protein (CAPG), Beta-defensin 107 (D107A), Microfibril-associated glycoprotein 4 (MFAP4) were first time screening as new differential expressed proteins by protomic study in renal cell carcinoma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>2-D DIGE is a useful technique for screening and analysis differential expressed proteins in renal cell carcinoma. These new differently expressed proteins may be useful for development new molecular markers for the tumor.</p>

Therapeutic effect of acupuncture combining standard swallowing training for post-stroke dysphagia: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combining standard swallowing training for patients with dysphagia after stroke. METHODS: A total of 105 consecutively admitted patients with post-stroke dysphagia in the Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine were included: 50 patients from the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation received standard swallowing training and acupuncture treatment (acupuncture group); 55 patients from the Department of Neurology received standard swallowing training only (control group). Participants in both groups received 5-day therapy per week for a 4-week period. The primary outcome measures included the scores of Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS) and the Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA); the secondary outcome measure was the Royal Brisbane Hospital Outcome Measure for Swallowing (RBHOMS), all of which were assessed before and after the 4-week treatment. RESULTS: A total of 98 subjects completed the study (45 in the acupuncture group and 53 in the control group). Significant differences were seen in VFSS, SSA and RBHOMS scores in each group after 4-week treatment as compared with before treatment (P<0.01). Comparison between the groups after 4-week treatment showed that the VFSS P=0.007) and SSA scores (P=0.000) were more significantly improved in the acupuncture group than the control group. However, there was no statistical difference (P=0.710) between the acupuncture and the control groups in RBHOMS scores. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture combined with the standard swallowing training was an effective therapy for post-stroke dysphagia, and acupuncture therapy is worth further investigation in the treatment of post-stroke dysphagia.

Effect of zibu shenjing fang (see text) on growth and development of the mouse with kidney-essence insufficiency and study on the mechanism.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of Zibu Shenjing Fang (see text) on growth and development of the mouse with insufficiency ofkidney-essence and the mechanism. METHODS: Total 50 mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a Jingui Shenqi Wan (see text) group, a Zibu Shenjing Fang high dose group and a Zibu Shenjing Fang low dose group, 10 mice in each group. The kidney-essence insufficiency mouse model was established by use of threat-injuring the kidney combined with over-fatigue. At the same time of modeling, the mice in the model group were intragastrically administrated with saline 20 mL x kg(-1) x d(-1), in the Jingui Shenqi Wan group with suspension of the Jingui Shenqi Wan 2.7 g x kg(-1) x d(-1), in the Zibu Shenjing Fang high dose group with Zibu Shenjing Fang 20 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) and in the Zibu Shenjing Fang low dose group with Zibu Shenjing Fang 10 g x kg(-1) x d(-1), for 21 consecutive days. The general state was observed, the body weight was weighted, and serum growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) contents were detected. RESULTS: Compared with model group, Zibu Shenjing Fang groups and Jingui Shenqi Wan group could improve manifestation of the mouse with kidney-essence insufficiency, increase body weight of the mouse and serum GH and IGF-1 contents, especially in the high dose group. CONCLUSION: Zibu Shenjing Fang gives play to the function of tonifying the kidney and replenishing essence through regulating GH and IGF-1 levels, so as to influence growth and development of the mouse.

Three minimally invasive approaches for treatment of ureteral calculi: a comparative analysis of 326 cases / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the therapeutic effect of 3 minimally invasive approaches for ureteral calculi removal and analyze their respective advantages and limitations.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was conducted in 326 patients receiving extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URL) or percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) for ureteral calculi. The clinical data including the stone-free rate and complications were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The stone free rate was 78.5% (146/186), 91.2 (93/102) and 100% (38/38) in the 3 groups, respectively. According to the stone size, the ESWL group were divided into 3 groups with stone sizes of 0.5-1.0 cm, 1.0-2.0 cm and beyond 2.0 cm, and the stone-free rates were 90.8% (89/98), 69.3% (52/75), and 30.8% (5/13), respectively, showing significant difference between them (P<0.01). In URL group, surgical failure occurred in 9 cases, including 3 cases with difficult entry of the ureter, 5 with stone displacement to the kidneys, and 1 with residual stones over 4 mm. In PCNL group, the percutaneous renal access was successfully established and immediate phase I lithotripsy was performed in all the patients without severe complications recorded during nephrolithotripsy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ESWL is the best option for cases with stone smaller than 10 mm. URL suits most of ureteral calculus cases, but successful entrance of the ureteroscope is a prerequisite and retrograde stone displacement is the primary reason for surgical failure. PCNL is effective in the management of complex upper ureteral stones, especially in cases of failed ESWL or ureteroscopy.</p>