Background Seminal vesicle stones are one of the main causes of persistent hemospermia. Treatment requires removal of the stone, generally through open vesiculectomy. The purpose of this study was to apply a transuret...Background Seminal vesicle stones are one of the main causes of persistent hemospermia. Treatment requires removal of the stone, generally through open vesiculectomy. The purpose of this study was to apply a transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy for diagnosis and treatment of the seminal vesicle stones with an ureteroscope. We assessed whether this transurethral endoscopic technique is feasible and effective in the diagnosis and treatment of the seminal vesicle stones with intractable hemospermia. Methods Totally 12 patients with intractable hemospermia underwent transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy through the distal seminal tracts using a 7.3-French rigid ureteroscope. Age of patients ranged from 25 to 57 years (mean age (43.7±10.5) years). The patients' symptoms ranged in duration from 4 to 180 months (mean duration (47.8±45.3) months). All patients underwent transrectal ultrasonography, pelvic computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging before the operation. Positive imaging findings were observed in patients with seminal vesicle stones and dilated seminal vesicle size. A 7.3-French rigid ureteroscope entered the lumen of the verumontanum, and then the seminal vesicle under direct vision. Seminal vesicle stones were found unilaterally in 11 cases and bilaterally in one case. Results All 12 patients successfully underwent transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy. The seminal vesicle interior with single or multiple yellowish stones ranging from 1 to 5 mm in diameter was clearly visible. All the stones were easily fragmented and endoscopically removed using a grasper. The operative time was 30 to 120 minutes (mean (49±22) minutes). The mean follow-up period was (6.9±3.0) months (range 3-13 months). Symptoms of hemospermia disappeared after one month in 10 patients and after three months in two patients. Three patients with painful ejaculation could completely be relieved postoperation. There was also improvement in one patient with erectile dysfunction. There were no postoperative complications. Conclusions Transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy is safe and effective in the diagnosis and treatment of seminal vesicle stones. This endoscopic technique can be performed with minimal complications.展开更多
Background Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a part of the standard induction therapy of multiple myeloma (MM). This case-controlled clinical trial aimed to further evaluate the therapeutic effects of...Background Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a part of the standard induction therapy of multiple myeloma (MM). This case-controlled clinical trial aimed to further evaluate the therapeutic effects of ASCT as a consolidation therapy for MM and discuss factors influencing the prognosis.Methods Clinical data of 70 patients diagnosed as MM who received ASCT as a consolidation therapy in our hospital between October 1998 and August 2010 were analyzed retrospectively (ASCT group). Other 70 MM patients receiving routine chemotherapy without ASCT (non-ASCT group) during the same period were used as controls. Differences in the degree and duration of remission, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared to explore factors that may influence the prognosis.Results The median follow-up period was 38 months (range 1-128 months). The complete response (CR) rate of ASCT group increased from 27.1% (19/70) before ASCT to 51.4% (36/70) after ASCT. The median PFS of ASCT group was significantly higher than non-ASCT group (45 months vs. 25 months, P 〈0.001). The median OS of ASCT group was also significantly higher (55 months vs. 30 months, P=0.016). Single-factor analysis showed that International Staging System (ISS) stage, very good partial response (VGPR) or better outcome were significantly correlated with PFS and OS (P 〈0.001). Multi-factor analysis showed that whether or not VGPR or better outcome was achieved were independent factors influencing the disease prognosis.Conclusion Used as a consolidation therapy, ASCT can achieve better responses and higher OS and PFS of MM patients.展开更多
Background Efficient cell adhesion and proliferation is a central issue in cell-based tissue engineering, which offers great promise for repair of urethral defects or strictures. This study evaluated the adhesion and ...Background Efficient cell adhesion and proliferation is a central issue in cell-based tissue engineering, which offers great promise for repair of urethral defects or strictures. This study evaluated the adhesion and growth of rabbit uroepithelium on a surface-modified three-dimensional poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffold.Methods Urethral mucosa were harvested from male New Zealand rabbits and the urothelium were dissociated and then cultured. Immunocytochemistry on cultured uroepithelium for pancytokeratin and uroplakin Ⅱ and TE-7 confirmed pure populations. After in vitro proliferation, cells were seeded onto a surface-modified urethral scaffold with non-knitted filaments. The morphology and viability of the cells were examined by immunohistochemical and fluorescence staining.Inverted and scanning microscopes were used to document cell growth and adhesion.Results Three to five days after primary culture, the uroepithelial cells gradually became confluent, assuming a cobblestone pattern. The filaments of the urethral scaffold had excellent biocompatibility and allowed growth of the uroepithelium, without affecting viability. The uroepithelial cells adhered to and grew well on the scaffold. After 3-7 days,the cells grew vigorously and meshes of the scaffold were full of uroepitheliums.Conclusions The surface-modified urethral scaffold with non-knitted filaments allows the growth of uroepithelium and can serve as a carrier for the tissue engineering of urethra.展开更多
The present study was designed to investigate the anti-sepsis effects of physcion 8-O-β-glucopyranoside (POG) isolated from Rumex japonicas and explore its possible pharmacological mechanisms. POG was extracted from ...The present study was designed to investigate the anti-sepsis effects of physcion 8-O-β-glucopyranoside (POG) isolated from Rumex japonicas and explore its possible pharmacological mechanisms. POG was extracted from R. japonicas by bioactivity-guided isolation with the anti-sepsis agents. Survival analysis in septic mouse induced by LPS and heat-killed Escherichia coli were used to evaluate the protective effect of POG(40 mg·kg^(-1), i.p.) on sepsis. Cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS(100 ng·mL^(-1)) were determined by ELISA. In addition, the proteins expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 were determined by Western blotting assay. Our results demonstrated that POG(40 mg·kg^(-1), i.p.) possessed significant protective activity on the endotoxemic mice. The POG treatment(20, 40, and 80 μg·mL^(-1)) significantly decreased the TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 induced by LPS(P < 0.01) in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the TLR4 and TLR2 proteins were also down-regulated by POG at 20(P < 0.01), 40(P < 0.01), and 80 μg·mL^(-1)(P < 0.01). The present study demonstrated that the POG extracted from R. japonicas possessed significant anti-sepsis effect on endotoxemic mice, and can be developed as a novel drug for treating sepsis in the future.展开更多
In the western countries, circumcision has been .performed for a long time. However, because of religious and cultural differences, circumcision was rare in China before the 20th century. As a result, penile cancer, a...In the western countries, circumcision has been .performed for a long time. However, because of religious and cultural differences, circumcision was rare in China before the 20th century. As a result, penile cancer, accounting for 17% of all cancers, was more common.With the introduction of western medicine in the 1920s, especially after the establishment of urology as a separate department, gradually more circumcisions were carried out.展开更多
文摘Background Seminal vesicle stones are one of the main causes of persistent hemospermia. Treatment requires removal of the stone, generally through open vesiculectomy. The purpose of this study was to apply a transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy for diagnosis and treatment of the seminal vesicle stones with an ureteroscope. We assessed whether this transurethral endoscopic technique is feasible and effective in the diagnosis and treatment of the seminal vesicle stones with intractable hemospermia. Methods Totally 12 patients with intractable hemospermia underwent transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy through the distal seminal tracts using a 7.3-French rigid ureteroscope. Age of patients ranged from 25 to 57 years (mean age (43.7±10.5) years). The patients' symptoms ranged in duration from 4 to 180 months (mean duration (47.8±45.3) months). All patients underwent transrectal ultrasonography, pelvic computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging before the operation. Positive imaging findings were observed in patients with seminal vesicle stones and dilated seminal vesicle size. A 7.3-French rigid ureteroscope entered the lumen of the verumontanum, and then the seminal vesicle under direct vision. Seminal vesicle stones were found unilaterally in 11 cases and bilaterally in one case. Results All 12 patients successfully underwent transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy. The seminal vesicle interior with single or multiple yellowish stones ranging from 1 to 5 mm in diameter was clearly visible. All the stones were easily fragmented and endoscopically removed using a grasper. The operative time was 30 to 120 minutes (mean (49±22) minutes). The mean follow-up period was (6.9±3.0) months (range 3-13 months). Symptoms of hemospermia disappeared after one month in 10 patients and after three months in two patients. Three patients with painful ejaculation could completely be relieved postoperation. There was also improvement in one patient with erectile dysfunction. There were no postoperative complications. Conclusions Transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy is safe and effective in the diagnosis and treatment of seminal vesicle stones. This endoscopic technique can be performed with minimal complications.
基金The study was partly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81001050) and the Health Ministry Foundation for Clinical Sciences Development (Project 2010-2012).Acknowledgements: We thank Prof. CAO Yang (Department of Statistics, the Second Military Medical University) for the statistical work.
文摘Background Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a part of the standard induction therapy of multiple myeloma (MM). This case-controlled clinical trial aimed to further evaluate the therapeutic effects of ASCT as a consolidation therapy for MM and discuss factors influencing the prognosis.Methods Clinical data of 70 patients diagnosed as MM who received ASCT as a consolidation therapy in our hospital between October 1998 and August 2010 were analyzed retrospectively (ASCT group). Other 70 MM patients receiving routine chemotherapy without ASCT (non-ASCT group) during the same period were used as controls. Differences in the degree and duration of remission, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared to explore factors that may influence the prognosis.Results The median follow-up period was 38 months (range 1-128 months). The complete response (CR) rate of ASCT group increased from 27.1% (19/70) before ASCT to 51.4% (36/70) after ASCT. The median PFS of ASCT group was significantly higher than non-ASCT group (45 months vs. 25 months, P 〈0.001). The median OS of ASCT group was also significantly higher (55 months vs. 30 months, P=0.016). Single-factor analysis showed that International Staging System (ISS) stage, very good partial response (VGPR) or better outcome were significantly correlated with PFS and OS (P 〈0.001). Multi-factor analysis showed that whether or not VGPR or better outcome was achieved were independent factors influencing the disease prognosis.Conclusion Used as a consolidation therapy, ASCT can achieve better responses and higher OS and PFS of MM patients.
基金This work was supported by the grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81070555) and the Major Program of Clinical High and New Technology Research of Hospital.
文摘Background Efficient cell adhesion and proliferation is a central issue in cell-based tissue engineering, which offers great promise for repair of urethral defects or strictures. This study evaluated the adhesion and growth of rabbit uroepithelium on a surface-modified three-dimensional poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffold.Methods Urethral mucosa were harvested from male New Zealand rabbits and the urothelium were dissociated and then cultured. Immunocytochemistry on cultured uroepithelium for pancytokeratin and uroplakin Ⅱ and TE-7 confirmed pure populations. After in vitro proliferation, cells were seeded onto a surface-modified urethral scaffold with non-knitted filaments. The morphology and viability of the cells were examined by immunohistochemical and fluorescence staining.Inverted and scanning microscopes were used to document cell growth and adhesion.Results Three to five days after primary culture, the uroepithelial cells gradually became confluent, assuming a cobblestone pattern. The filaments of the urethral scaffold had excellent biocompatibility and allowed growth of the uroepithelium, without affecting viability. The uroepithelial cells adhered to and grew well on the scaffold. After 3-7 days,the cells grew vigorously and meshes of the scaffold were full of uroepitheliums.Conclusions The surface-modified urethral scaffold with non-knitted filaments allows the growth of uroepithelium and can serve as a carrier for the tissue engineering of urethra.
文摘The present study was designed to investigate the anti-sepsis effects of physcion 8-O-β-glucopyranoside (POG) isolated from Rumex japonicas and explore its possible pharmacological mechanisms. POG was extracted from R. japonicas by bioactivity-guided isolation with the anti-sepsis agents. Survival analysis in septic mouse induced by LPS and heat-killed Escherichia coli were used to evaluate the protective effect of POG(40 mg·kg^(-1), i.p.) on sepsis. Cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS(100 ng·mL^(-1)) were determined by ELISA. In addition, the proteins expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 were determined by Western blotting assay. Our results demonstrated that POG(40 mg·kg^(-1), i.p.) possessed significant protective activity on the endotoxemic mice. The POG treatment(20, 40, and 80 μg·mL^(-1)) significantly decreased the TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 induced by LPS(P < 0.01) in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the TLR4 and TLR2 proteins were also down-regulated by POG at 20(P < 0.01), 40(P < 0.01), and 80 μg·mL^(-1)(P < 0.01). The present study demonstrated that the POG extracted from R. japonicas possessed significant anti-sepsis effect on endotoxemic mice, and can be developed as a novel drug for treating sepsis in the future.
文摘In the western countries, circumcision has been .performed for a long time. However, because of religious and cultural differences, circumcision was rare in China before the 20th century. As a result, penile cancer, accounting for 17% of all cancers, was more common.With the introduction of western medicine in the 1920s, especially after the establishment of urology as a separate department, gradually more circumcisions were carried out.