Saikosaponin-d: A potential chemotherapeutics in castration resistant prostate cancer by suppressing cancer metastases and cancer stem cell phenotypes.

Androgen deprivation therapy is the gold standard regimen for advanced Prostate cancer (PCa) patients, nevertheless, patients eventually develop into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Currently only a few chemotherapeutics are available for CRPC. Therefore, it is critical for identifying a new drug. In this study, we will explore a new agent, Saikosaponin-d (SSd), for CRPC therapy based on its mechanism of action. DU145 and CWR22Rv1 cells representing CRPC were employed in this study. A series of cell, biochemical, and molecular biologic assays such as Immunofluorescence, Zymography, Sphere formation, Colony formation, and MTT were used. Finally, we find SSd can significantly inhibit the growth of PCa cells in both dose- and time-dependent and suppress the colony formation during a long-term drug administration, it also can inhibit their migration and invasion abilities, which was accompanied by reverse the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and suppress MMP2/9 expression as well as activities. Furthermore, SSd can suppress cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotypes such as self-renewal ability. Mechanistically, SSd blocks Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway by decreasing GSK3ß phosphorylation to affect EMT and CSC. These findings demonstrate the mechanism of anti-cancer activity of SSd in targeting EMT and CSC, suggesting SSd can be a potent agent for CRPC therapy.

Associations of dietary patterns with the risk of all-cause, CVD and stroke mortality: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

Considerable controversy exists regarding the associations of dietary patterns with the risk of all-cause, CVD and stroke mortality. Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted to elucidate the potential associations between dietary patterns and the risk of all-cause, CVD and stroke mortality. The PubMed database was searched for prospective cohort studies on the associations between dietary patterns and the risk of all-cause, CVD and stroke mortality published until February 2014. Random-effects models were used to calculate the summary relative risk estimates (SRRE) based on the highest v. the lowest category of dietary pattern scores. Stratified analyses were conducted based on sex, geographical region, follow-up duration, and adjustment/non-adjustment for energy intake. A total of thirteen prospective cohort studies involving 338 787 participants were included in the meta-analysis. There was evidence of inverse associations between the prudent/healthy dietary pattern and the risk of all-cause (SRRE = 0·76, 95% CI 0·68, 0·86) and CVD (SRRE = 0·81, 95% CI 0·75, 0·87) mortality and an absence of association between this dietary pattern and stroke mortality (SRRE = 0·89, 95% CI 0·77, 1·02). However, no significant associations were observed between the Western/unhealthy dietary pattern and the risk of all-cause (SRRE = 1·07, 95% CI 0·96, 1·20), CVD (SRRE = 0·99, 95% CI 0·91, 1·08) and stroke (SRRE = 0·94, 95% CI 0·81, 1·10) mortality. In conclusion, the findings provide evidence that greater adherence to a prudent/healthy dietary pattern is associated with a lower risk of all-cause and CVD mortality and not significantly associated with stroke mortality and that the Western/unhealthy dietary pattern is not associated with all-cause, CVD and stroke mortality. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.

Intravenous misplacement of nephrostomy tube following percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Three new cases and review of seven cases in the literature.

PURPOSE: We investigated the characteristics and management of patients with intravenous misplacement of a nephrostomy tube. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2007 and July 2013, 4148 patients with urolithiasis underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in our hospital. Intravenous misplacement of a nephrostomy tube occurred in two of these patients. Another patient with intravenous misplacement of a nephrostomy tube, who underwent PCNL in another hospital, was transferred to our hospital. The data of the three patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of intravenous misplacement of a nephrostomy tube following PCNL was 0.5% (2/4148) at our hospital. A solitary kidney was present in one of the three patients. The tip of tube was located into the inferior vena cava (IVC) in two patients and into the renal vein in one patient. All three patients were successfully managed with strict bed rest, intravenous antibiotics and one-step (one patient) or two-step (two patients) tube withdrawal under close monitoring. None of the patients underwent antithrombotic therapy. The original operations were performed successfully under close observation in two patients and changed to another operation in one patient. All patients were discharged uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of intravenous misplacement of a nephrostomy tube following PCNL is 0.5% at our hospital. Intravenous nephrostomy tube misplacement is an uncommon complication of PCNL. A solitary kidney may render patients susceptible to this complication. Most patients may be managed conservatively with strict bed rest, intravenous antibiotics and one-step or two-step tube withdrawal under close monitoring.

[Meta-analysis of dapoxetine on demand in the treatment of premature ejaculation].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of dapoxetine on demand for premature ejaculation and provide evidence for clinical decision-making. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, BIOSIS Previews, Cochrane Library, CNKI Database and Wanfang Database for literature on dapoxetine on demand for premature ejaculation. We performed meta-analysis on the identified publications and evaluated its therapeutic efficacy based on the intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT), patient-reported global impression of change (PGI), and composite PRO criteria for clinical benefit (CCCB). RESULTS: Four relevant studies were included involving 6 081 cases of premature ejaculation. Compared with the placebo controls, the patients treated with dapoxetine on demand showed significant improvement in IELT (WMD = 1.39, 95% CI [1.23, 1.55], P < 0.000 01), PGI (OR = 2.59, 95% CI [2.21, 3.04], P < 0. 000 01), and CCCB (OR = 2.59, 95% CI [1.98, 3.39], P < 0.000 01). There were significant differences between the 60 mg and 30 mg dapoxetine groups in IELT (WMD = 0.46, 95% CI [0.19, 0.74], P = 0.001 0) and PGI (OR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.06, 1.64], P = 0.01), but not in CCCB (OR = 1.39, 95% CI [0.90, 2.15], P = 0.13). CONCLUSION: Dapoxetine on demand can prolong IELT and improve PGI and CCCB, either at the dose of 60 mg or 30 mg, and has an even better efficacy in prolonging IELT and improving PGI at 60 mg.

[Circumcision anastomat in the treatment of phimosis and redundant prepuce in children].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experience in the application of circumcision anastomat in the treatment of phimosis and redundant prepuce in children. METHODS: A total of 551 children with phimosis or redundant prepuce were treated by circumcision from 2008 to 2010, 342 with circumcision anastomat and the other 209 by traditional circumcision. Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with traditional circumcision, circumcision with the anastomat showed the advantages of less operation time (P < 0.05), fewer complications, no need for dressing, and better cosmetic appearance, but it also exhibited the disadvantages of longer healing time (P < 0.05) and more obvious postoperative pain (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Circumcision with the anastomat and traditional circumcision for the treatment of phimosis and redundant prepuce in children each have their own advantages and disadvantages, but the former is more advantageous and more feasible clinically.

[Impact of asymptomatic prostatitis on semen quality].

OBJECTIVES: To study the impact of asymptomatic prostatitis on semen parameters. METHOD: Based on the count of WBC in EPS, we assigned 152 patients with asymptomatic (type IV) prostatitis to Groups A (WBC + to + +) and B (WBC + + + to + + + +), and included 68 normal healthy men controls in Group C. All the patients were examined for the volume, pH value and liquefaction time of the semen, sperm concentration, sperm survival rate, grade a sperm percentage, morphologically normal sperm percentage, WBC count, and accompanying inflammatory cytokines. RESULTS: The semen liquefaction time, grade a sperm percentage and morphologically normal sperm percentage were (24.5 +/- 5.2) min, 20.0 +/- 4.1 and 10.5 +/- 4.8 in Group A, (30.4 +/- 5.0) min, 10.0 +/- 3.8 and 7.5 +/- 4.2 in Group B, and (18.5 +/- 5.3) min, 32.3 +/- 4.5 and 17.8 +/- 3.6 in Group C, with statistically significant differences between A and B (P < 0.01). The pH value, semen volume, sperm survival rate and sperm concentration were 7.6 +/- 0.3, (3.0 +/- 1.1) ml, 56.0 +/- 6.0 and (65.9 +/- 11.3) x 10(6)/ml in Group A, 7.7 +/- 0.3, (2.8 +/- 1.2) ml, 52.3 +/- 6.3 and (62.5 +/- 10.3) x 10(6)/ml in Group B, and 7.5 +/- 0.2, (2.9 +/- 1.2) ml, 62.1.0 +/- 5.3 and (87.7 +/- 10.1) x 10(6)/ml in Group C, with no significant differences among the three groups (P > 0.05). The contents of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the semen were (58.64 +/- 30.82) pg/ml and (50.57 +/- 27.48) pg/ml in Group B, significantly increased as compared with (17.68 +/- 5.65) pg/ml and (23.50 +/- 4.80) pg/ml in Group C (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic prostatitis effects significant changes in the major parameters of the patient's semen quality.

Oncogenic potential of macrophage­capping protein in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Macrophage­capping protein (CapG) is a newly characterized oncogene involved in several types of cancer. However, the expression patterns and biological mechanisms of CapG in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) are unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the roles of CapG in the prognosis, proliferation and metastasis of ccRCC. In the present study, the expression of CapG was analyzed by western blotting in 24 paired ccRCC and adjacent normal tissue samples. Another 152 tissue samples from 152 patients with ccRCC were examined by immunohistochemistry. Compared with normal tissue, CapG expression was significantly increased in ccRCC tissue, and high CapG expression was associated with advanced tumor stage, histological grade, lymph node metastasis, and poor overall survival. Moreover, CapG was an independent predictor of survival. Lentivirus­mediated CapG knockdown significantly inhibited 786­O cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, and increased apoptosis in vitro. Microarray analysis indicated that RAC, CDC42 and ERK/MAPK signaling were disrupted by CapG knockdown in 786­O cells. In conclusion, the present findings indicate that CapG plays an oncogenic role in ccRCC and may represent a potential therapeutic target for this disease.

[Correlation of aging with psychological and organic ED: nocturnal electrobioimpedance volumetric assessment of 83 cases].

OBJECTIVE: The ratio of psychological to organic ED changes with aging. This study aimed to analyze the results of nocturnal electrobioimpedance volumetric assessment (NEVA) for ED patients of different age groups and their significance in the diagnosis of ED. METHODS: A total of 83 ED patients were divided into 4 age groups (< or = 29 yr, 30 -39 yr, 40 -49 yr and > or = 50 yr) and detected for nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) by NEVA. RESULTS: Thirty-four of the cases were diagnosed as organic ED, and the other 49 as psychological ED. With the increase of age, the former was increased from 30.3% in the < or = 29 yr group to 60.0% in the > or = 50 yr group, while the latter decreased from 69.7% to 40.0%. CONCLUSION: The percentage of organic ED tends to grow with the increase of age, while that of psychological ED is just the opposite.

[Efficacy of low-dose tadalafil on ED assessed by Self-Esteem and Relationship Questionnaire].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of low-dose oral tadalafil on self-esteem, confidence and sexual relationship in ED patients. METHODS: We treated 17 ED patients with oral tadalafil at the low dose of 5 mg once daily for 12 weeks, and used the paired t test to compare their scores on The Self-Esteem and Relationship Questionnaire (SEAR) and IIEF-5 and the results of nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) obtained by nocturnal electrobioimpedance volumetric assessment (NEVA) before and after the medication. RESULTS: The scores on SEAR and IIEF-5 were significantly increased (P < 0.01) and NPT markedly improved (P < 0.05) after tadalafil treatment as compared with the baseline. CONCLUSION: Low-dose oral tadalafil once daily can significantly improve the self-esteem, confidence, sexual relationship satisfaction and NPT of ED patients.

Reduced expression of programmed cell death 5 protein in tissue of human prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) in tissues of normal human prostate (NP), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate cancer (PCa) in order to assess the clinical role of PDCD5 in PCa. METHODS: PDCD5 expression was determined by EnVision immunohistochemical staining in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens obtained from 12 subjects with NP, 22 with BPH, and 22 with PCa. In addition, PCa cases were classified as low/middle-risk (Gleason sum < or = 7) and high-risk (Gleason sum >7) on the basis of Gleason grade. Positive expression rates and intensity of PDCD5 protein were observed under light microscope and analyzed with computer imaging technique. Expression of PDCD5 was compared among different prostatic tissues. RESULTS: The expression of PDCD5 was significantly lower in tissue of PCa than in tissues of NP and BPH (P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in PDCD5 expression between tissues of NP and BPH. In addition, the expression of PDCD5 was further downregulated with the increase of Gleason sum in PCa. CONCLUSIONS: By downregulating apoptosis, low PDCD5 expression may play an important role in the occurrence and development of PCa. PDCD5 is supposed to have a potential clinical value to be a new predictor of progression and target of gene therapy in PCa.

[Suprapubic puncture: preferable to transurethral catheterization for pressure-flow determination in BPH patients].

OBJECTIVE: To compare suprapubic puncture and transurethral catheterization for pressure-flow determination during voiding in BPH patients. METHODS: Both suprapubic puncture and transurethral catheterization were used for pressure-flow determinations during voiding in 23 BPH patients at the mean age of 69.3 years (range 57-77 years) and the related parameters were compared by t-test. RESULTS: Compared with transurethral catheterization, suprapubic puncture increased Qmax by 1.19 mn/s (P <0.05) and MMC by 66.61 ml (P <0.01) , and reduced the pressure of detrusor at Qmax (Pdet, Qmax) by 10.57 cmH2O (P < 0.05), URA by 11.39 cmH2O (P < 0.01) and AG by 12.94 (P < 0.01). Either according to the Schäfer diagram or with AG > 40 as the diagnostic standard, there were 16 (69.6%) cases of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in the suprapubic puncture group and 20 (87.0%) in the transurethral catheterization group. CONCLUSION: In pressure-flow determination during voiding, suprapubic puncture and transurethral catheterization each have its own advantages and disadvantages, but the former is preferred for BPH patients. As for other patients, it all depends on specific conditions.

[Effects of transurethral catheterization on uroflow rate in the pressure-flow study of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of transurethral catheterization on the uroflow rate in the pressure-flow study of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Thirty-nine men with BPH underwent free uroflowmetry and pressure-flow analysis respectively. With an 8 F urethral catheter, the standard pressure-flow variables such as the maximum flow rate, detrusor pressure at the maximum flow rate and so on were recorded. The free maximum flow rate and the maximum flow rate with transurethral catheterization were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The maximum voided volumes of the free uroflowmetry group and the pressure-flow study group were (209.23 +/- 56. 56) ml and (210.33 +/- 62.02) ml respectively (P > 0.05). The free maximum flow rate was (8.61 +/- 2.80) ml/s, and the maximum flow rate with transurethral catheterization-was (7.39 +/- 3.01) ml/s (P < 0.05). When the patients were divided into seven grades of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) according to the Schäfer nomogram, the free maximum flow rate and the maximum flow rate with transurethral catheterization with Grade 0-I of BOO were (12.56 +/- 1.57) ml/s and (10.95 +/- 2.51) ml/s, and those of Grade II were (9.35 +/- 0.76) ml/s and (8.41 +/- 1.23) ml/s respectively. For Grades III, IV and V-VI , the two maximum flow rates were (7.88 +/- 1.21) ml/s and (6.37 +/- 0.59) ml/s, (6.54 +/- 1.93) ml/s and (5.55 +/- 2.48) ml/s, and (6.01 +/- 2.10) ml/s and (4.84 +/- 2.89) ml/s, respectively, all with significant difference in between (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The 8 F urethral catheter has a significant effect on the maximum uroflow rate in the pressure-flow study and this effect is correlated with the grade of BOO.

[Quantitative and comparative proteomics analysis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and adjacent noncancerous tissues by 2-D DIGE].

OBJECTIVE: To identify specific protein markers for renal cell carcinoma detection and diagnosis, as well as develop new potential therapeutic targets of the disease. METHODS: 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). RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.

Pressure-flow studies in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a study comparing suprapubic and transurethral methods.

AIM: To compare the use of the suprapubic puncture method versus the transurethral method in pressure-flow studies in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: Twenty-three men with benign prostatic hyperplasia underwent both suprapubic and transurethral pressure-flow studies during a single session. Standard pressure-flow variables were recorded in all patients with both methods, enabling calculation of obstruction using commonly used grading systems, such as the urethral resistance algorithm, the Abrams-Griffith (AG) number and the Schaer linear nomogram. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the methods in the mean values of maximum flow rate (P < 0.05), detrusor pressure at the maximum flow (P < 0.01), urethral resistance algorithm (P < 0.01), AG number (P < 0.01) and maximum cystic capacity (P < 0.01). Of the men in the study, 10 (43.5%) remained in the same Schaer class with both methods and 18 (78.3%) in the same AG number area. Using the transurethral method, 12 (52.2%) men increased their Schaer class by one and 1 (4.3%) by two. There were also differences between the suprapubic and transurethral methods using the AG number: 4 (17.4%) men moved from a classification of equivocal to obstructed and 1 (4.3%) from unobstructed to equivocal. CONCLUSION: The differences between the techniques for measuring intravesical pressure alter the grading of obstruction determined by several of the commonly used classifications. An 8 F transurethral catheter significantly increases the likelihood of a diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction when compared with the suprapubic method.

[Correlation of serum calcium level with tumor size and stage of renal cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between serum calcium level and tumor size/ stage in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: Totally 173 RCC cases were divided into 3 groups according to their serum calcium level, namely low, normal and high level groups. SPSS10.0 software was used for statistical analysis of the tumor sizes/stages and their association with serum calcium level in the 3 groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Kruskal-Wallis H test revealed no significant difference in the tumor size between the 3 groups (X(2)=4.768, df=2, P=0.092), but Spearman correlation analysis suggested inverse correlation between serum calcium and tumor size (r=-0.166, P=0.029). Kruskal-Wallis H test also failed to suggest significant difference in the tumor stage between the 3 groups (X(2)=4.277, df=2, P=0.118), but serum calcium was found to be inversely correlated with the tumor stage (r=-0.157, P=0.039 by Spearman correlation analysis).

[Nephron-sparing surgery for small renal cell carcinoma: clinical analysis of 21 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effects of nephron-sparing surgery in patients with early-stage small renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: Nephron-sparing surgery was performed in 21 patients with renal cell carcinoma including 1 with solitary kidney, 3 with unilateral tumor and contralateral renal compromise, and 17 with unilateral tumor and normal contralateral kidney. The diameter of the tumors ranged from 1.5 to 6.0 cm, with a mean of 2.8 cm. The tumor diameter in 17 patients with normal contralateral kidney was less than 4 cm (mean 2.5 cm) and the average diameter in 4 patients with contralateral renal compromise was 4.2 cm. Sixteen cases were in stage T(1), 4 in stage T(2), and 1 in stage T(3). Of the 21 patients, 4 underwent tumor enucleation, 10 polar nephrectomy and 7 wedge resection. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for an average of 40.8 months (7 to 66 months). One patient suffered a right lung and mediastinum metastasis 3 years after the surgery later and 1 with chronic glomerulonephritis required dialysis 27 months after the operation. No surgical complication or local recurrence were found in other patients. CONCLUSION: As a safe and effective therapy for early-stage small renal cell carcinoma, nephron-sparing surgery can be considered as the gold-standard therapy for patients with lesions less than 4 cm in T(1) and T(2) stages of localized unilateral tumor with normal contralateral kidney.

[Expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor in human renal cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and their relationship. METHODS: The expression of HIF-1alphaand VEGF was examined in 42 patients with renal cell carcinoma by SABC methods of immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The positivity rate of HIF-1alpha was 57.1% in the RCC tissues, and there was no expression in the tissue adjacent to the tumor and normal tissues. The positivity rate of VEGF was 61.9% in the tumor tissues, with significant difference from the control tissues (P<0.05). The expression levels of HIF-1alpha and VEGF were significantly higher in metastatic RCC than in non-metastatic RCC (P<0.01) tissues, and there was a significant correlation between HIF-1alpha and VEGF expressions (Kappa=0.41, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: HIF-1alpha is highly expressed in renal cell carcinoma tissues in close correlation with VEGF. HIF-1alpha and VEGF may serve as important indicators to evaluate the biological behaviors of RCC such as metastasis and prognosis. HIF-1alpha is an important regulator of VEGF.

[Association of S100A4 mRNA expression with differentiation and metastasis of renal cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the association of S100A4 mRNA expression level with the differentiation and metastasis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: Tissue specimens were obtained from 31 patients undergoing surgery for renal cell carcinomas between May 2001 and May 2004. Reverse transcriptional PCR was performed for amplification of S100A4 mRNA (212 bp) from 31 RCC tissues and matched normal kidney tissues besides the tumor, and the differential S100A4 mRNA expression was analyzed for its association with the clinical manifestations of the patients. RESULTS: S100A4 mRNA expression was detected in all the RCC tissues and normal tissues adjacent to the carcinoma using fluorescence method, and in 29 cases, S100A4 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the RCC tissues than in the matched adjacent tissues. One case had high expressions in both tissues. Patients with poorly differentiated RCC had significantly higher S100A4 expression index than those with well differentiated RCC (7.94 vs 5.06, P<0.001), and patients with metastasis also had higher expression index (9.61 vs 5.53, P<0.001). No obvious difference was noted in the expression index between granular cell tumor and clear cell carcinoma (6.98 vs 6.02, P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: S100A4 may serve as a marker for assessing the progression of RCC and provide assistance for clinical therapeutic decisions. S100A4 mRNA expression is correlated to RCC differentiation and may facilitate prognostic evaluation of RCC. Differential expression of S100A4 mRNA is correlated to the metastasis of RCC.

[Application of self-controlled breathing technique in respiratory gating that triggers the shockwave for lithotripsy of urinary calculi].

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience with the application of respiratory gating technique in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). METHODS: According to the established criteria 424 patients with urinary calculi were included in this study to received ESWL. These patients were divided into three groups, in which different breathing techniques were used for ESWL: group A with free breathing, group B with basically normal breathing except for the breath-holding upon each shockwave triggering, and group C with controlled breathing acquired from preoperative training. All the patients were followed up from 3 to 6 months, during the period of which the effect of ESWL was observed and recorded for comparative appraisal of the therapeutic efficacy. RESULTS: The therapeutic effect significantly differed between the groups (P < 0.01), with the best effect recorded in group C (96.40%), followed by group A (83.87%) immediately before group B (86.67%), indicating that the essential difference occurred between group C and groups A and B, but not between the latter two groups. None of the patients developed serious short-term complications. CONCLUSION: The application of breathing technique in respiratory gating for ESWL is safe and effective without causing serious complications.

[Effects of androgen and estrogen on the expressions of basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor and smoothelin].

OBJECTIVE: To study effects of androgen and estrogen on the expressions of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor beta2 (TGFbeta2) in cultured human prostatic stromal cells. METHODS: Human prostatic stromal cells obtained from 11 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) were cultured and stimulated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol (E2). The expressions of bFGF and TGFbeta2 mRNA along with smoothelin mRNA were observed with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: DHT significantly upregulated bFGF expression, and E2 enhanced TGFbeta2 and smoothelin expressions. A positive correlation between expressions of TGFbeta2 and smoothelin was observed. CONCLUSION: DHT can induce bFGF expression and E2 promotes TGFbeta2 expression, and the transformation toward smooth muscle cells induced by E(2) may involve the action of TGFbeta2.