Research progress of conversion therapy in colorectal cancer liver metastases / 中华胃肠外科杂志

The probability of developing liver metastases in patients with colorectal cancer is 40%-50%. Liver metastases remain an important adverse factor affecting long-term prognosis of colorectal cancer patients. Surgical resection of liver metastases is the only potentially curative treatment option. After comprehensive treatment, initially unresectable liver metastases might be converted to resectable tumors. This concept is known as conversion therapy. In this review, research status of conversion therapy in colorectal cancer liver metastases was summarized, providing updated concept of resectability, discussions on the assessment of tumor response and timing of operation, debates on the influence on tumor sidedness, and latest advancement in the treatment strategy of conversion therapy. Through analyzing existing problems, we hope to offer insights into possible progress in the future and provide references for the development of clinical practice.

Diagnosis and treatment of prostatic malignant mesenchymal tumors: Analysis of 20 cases / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of prostatic malignant mesenchymal tumors (PMMT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and follow-up data about 20 cases of PMMT and reviewed the literature relevant to the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the disease.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Based on the results of pathology and immunohistochemistry, the 20 PMMT cases included leiomyosarcoma (n = 7), rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 5), prostatic stromal sarcoma (n = 3), chondrosarcoma (n = 1), and undifferentiated PMMT (n = 4). Twelve of the patients were treated by radical prostatectomy (3 concurrently by sigmoid colostomy and 1 by cystostomy), 2 by pelvic tumor resection following arterial embolization, 1 by total pelvic exenteration, 1 by colostomy with pelvic lymph node biopsy, and 4 by conservative therapy because of metastasis to the lung, pelvis and bone. Of the 20 patients, 9 died of systemic metastasis within 3 months after treatment, 3 died at 6, 7, and 14 months, respectively, 3 survived with tumor for 5, 11, and 12 months, respectively, 2 survived without tumor for 12 and 24 months so far, all subjected to periodic chemotherapy postoperatively, and 3 lost to follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PMMT is a tumor of high malignancy and rapid progression, for which transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy remains the main diagnostic method. The clinical stage of the tumor is an important factor influencing its prognosis and the survival rate of the patients can be improved by early diagnosis and combined therapy dominated by radical prostatectomy.</p>

Expression of interleukin-2 in Candidal balanoposthitis and its clinical significance / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Candidal balanoposthitis (CB) is a common male genital infection. Autoimmune mechanisms may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CB. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is an important molecule in cell-mediated immunity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and one patients were diagnosed with CB using mycology culture in the dermatology and urology clinics in our hospital. Ninety-four healthy males were randomly selected as controls. We studied serum levels of IL-2 of patients with CB using ELISA and analyzed the correlations between serum IL-2 and clinical data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum IL-2 concentrations in CB patients were significantly lower than that in the control group ((7.80 ± 4.78) vs. (15.44 ± 7.90) ng/L; t = 2.27, P < 0.05). The incidence of CB in the low-level group was significantly higher than that in the high-level group (70% (71/101) vs. 36% (30/84), P < 0.05). Low levels of serum IL-2, comorbidity with other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and sexual partners with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) increased the risk of CB.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The pathogenesis of CB is a complex procedure that includes internal autoimmune factors.</p>

Renal subcapsular haematoma: an unusual complication of renal artery stenting / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

After successful renal artery angioplasty and stent placement, a patient in a fully anticoagulated state developed hypotension and flank pain. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed a large renal subcapsular haematoma which was successfully managed conservatively without embolotherapy and surgical intervention. To prevent hemorrhage after renal artery stenting, it is necessary to underscore the importance of reducing the contrast volume and pressure of angiography, controlling systemic blood pressure, and monitoring guide wire position at all times.

Construction of recombinant bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine secreting human interferon-alpha 2b / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a recombinant bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine (rBCG) secreting human interferon-alpha 2b (IFN alpha-2b).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>BCG Ag85B signal sequence and IFN alpha-2b gene were amplified from the genome of BCG and of human peripheral blood by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. IFN alpha-2b gene was cloned in E. coli-BCG shuttle-vector pMV261 to get pMV261-IFN alpha-2b. A new recombinant plasmid pMV261-IFN alpha-2b was constructed by inserting BCG Ag85B signal sequence into pMV261-Ag85B-IFN alpha-2b. Then, BCG was transformed with this recombinant plasmid by electroporation, and designated as rBCG-IFN alpha-2b. The DNA and protein expressions of IFN alpha-2b gene in rBCG were determined by PCR and Western blot respectively. Also the quantity of IFN alpha-2b protein secreted by rBCG in culture supernatants was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>By partial nucleotide sequencing, the DNA sequences of human IFN alpha-2b and BCG Ag85B were consistent with that in the Gene Bank, and were correctly inserted into the shuttle expression vector pMV261 to construct recombinant plasmid pMV261-Ag85B-IFN alpha-2b. BCG was successfully transformed with this recombinant plasmid by electroporation and the recombinant BCG (rBCG-IFN alpha-2b) was capable of synthesizing and secreting cytokine IFN alpha-2b. The concentration of IFN alpha-2b in culture supernatants was quantified by ELISA and calculated to be approximately 301.45 pg/ml.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Recombinant BCG secreting human IFN alpha-2b (rBCG-IFN alpha-2b) was constructed successfully and the specific IFN alpha-2b protein can be expressed highly and steadily by rBCG vaccine.</p>

Predictive factors for conversion of transurethral resection of the prostate to open prostatectomy / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the factors for the conversion of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) to open prostatectomy and to provide clinical evidence for surgical options.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 1997 to March 2005, we performed 1 086 TURP and made retrospective analyses of 11 risk factors concerning the demographics, clinical history, laboratory data, ultrasound results, and intraoperative complications of the patients. In addition, multivariate logistic regression was used to determine those variables predicting the conversion of TURP.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirty-nine (3.59%) of the TURP cases required conversion, mostly because of uncontrollable hemorrhage (71.79%). Multivariate analyses showed that a prostate volume > 85.2 ml (OR = 2.568, P < 0.01), intraoperative slit of capsula prostatic (OR = 1.916, P < 0.01) and a second midstream bladder specimen (VB2) white blood cell count of the urine > 13.5/HP (OR = 1.486, P < 0.01) predicted the conversion to open prostatectomy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients with a huge prostate and those with intraoperative slit of capsula prostatic undergoing TURP are more likely to be converted. And uncontrollable hemorrhage, huge prostate and poor endoscopic vision are the major reasons for the conversion.</p>

Preliminary study on androgen dependence of calcitonin gene-related peptide in rat penis / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>UNLABELLED</b>To study the androgen dependence of the neurotransmitter, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in rat penis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Group A (intact controls), Group B (castrated) and Group C (gavaged with finasteride 4.5 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)). Four and ten weeks later respectively, half of rats in each group were anaesthetized. Blood samples were taken for the measurement of serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by means of radioimmunoassay. Penile samples were harvested for the investigation of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP)-immunoreactive nerve fibers with immunohistochemistry. The computer-assisted imaging analysis system was applied to calculate the area proportion of the CGRP-positive nerve fibers (CGRP-PNF) in each group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1) Both 4 and 10 weeks later, testosterone and DHT levels in Group B decreased significantly compared with those in Group A, (P <0.05, P <0.01, respectively); DHT level in Group C was also significantly decreased in comparison with that in Group A for both 4- and 10- week animals (P <0.05); 2) There was no significant differences in area proportion of CGRP-PNF among Groups A, B and C 4 weeks after treatments (P >0.05); However, 10 weeks later, the proportion of CGRP-PNF in Groups B and C was significantly less than that in Group A (P <0.01); 3) The proportion of CGRP-PNF of 4-week animals in Groups B and C was significantly higher than that of 10-week animals (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of neurotransmitter, CGRP may depend on androgens, including testosterone and DHT in rat penis.</p>

Life-threatening meningitis resulting from transrectal prostate biopsy / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

After antibiotic prophylaxis with metronidazole and levofloxacin, a transrectal sextant biopsy was performed under the guide of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) for a 75-year-old suspicious patient with prostate adenocarcinoma. Although antibiotics were also given after this procedure, the patient still developed fever, anxious, agrypnia and headache. Blood cultures remained negative. Lumbar puncture was performed and was consistent with Escherichia coli bacterial meningitis.

Ultrastructural changes of penile tunica albuginea in diabetic rats / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To clarify the ultrastructural changes of penile tunica albuginea (TA) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Intraperitoneal injection of STZ was used to induce diabetes mellitus (DM) in 12 Sprague Dawley rats. Ten rats (age and weight-matched) were used as control. Blood samples from the tail snips of the rats were used for the determination of serum glucose levels with SureStep Plus Blood Meter. At week 4 and 10 after the injection, half of the rats in each group were sacrificed and penile samples were obtained from the middle third of the penile shaft for the examination of TA under scanning electron microscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the diabetic group, the serum glucose levels were higher (P<0.01 at both time points) and the TA were thinner (P<0.05) than those of the controls. In the control group, the fibers of TA were rich and arranged regularly and undulated, while in the diabetic group, the fibers were diminished, lost the undulations and were arranged irregularly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In rats, DM appeared to impair the penile TA ultrastructures and this impairment could contribute to diabetic erectile dysfunction in part by impairing the veno-occlusive function.</p>

Left renal vein transposition in treatment of the left renal vein nutcracker syndrome / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To improve the operative procedure of the left renal vein nutcracker syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two patients underwent transposition of the left renal vein in the treatment of the left renal vein nutcracker syndrome.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Renal ischemia, due to clamping of the renal artery, lasted 14 minutes and 13 minutes, respectively. The gross hematuria disappeared 1 day and 4 days respectively after surgery, and microhematuria ceased spontaneously 5 days and 7 days respectively after surgery. Transposition of the left renal vein effectively relieved the symptoms related to the left renal vein nutcracker syndrome. The patients had no recurrence of symptoms following up during 3 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transposition of the left renal vein is a safe and effective surgical approach in the treatment of the left renal vein nutcracker syndrome.</p>