The Association of Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score with Survival in Patients with Surgically Treated Renal Cell Carcinoma and Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

In recent years, Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score has become widely recognized as a novel index to evaluate the survival in urological neoplasms patients, especially with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the prognostic value of CONUT score in patients with RCC and UTUC. PubMed, Web of Science and Embase were searched for data on the association between CONUT score and RCC/UTUC prognosis up to July 29, 2021. Duplicates were excluded, and inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied to all abstracts. We sorted out relevant studies and extracted the risk ratios (RRs) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) for recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS). The relationship between gender and survival outcomes was analyzed using univariate cox regression. We analyzed seven studies including 5410 patients in the meta-analysis. A high CONUT score was associated with poor 5-year RFS (RR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.13-1.43, P = 0.0001), CSS (RR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.07-1.39, P = 0.003) and OS (RR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.10-1.41, P = 0.0005). As a result, the association between CONUT score and survival was statistically significant. In addition, gender was not related to survival outcomes. Our results show that the CONUT score is associated with RCC and UTUC outcomes and can serve as a readily available biomarker for managing this disease.

Multicenter Study of Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score as a Prognostic Factor in Patients With HIV-Related Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Objective: In recent years, the controlled nutritional status (CONUT) score has been widely recognized as a new indicator for assessing survival in patients with urological neoplasms, including renal, ureteral, and bladder cancer. However, the CONUT score has not been analyzed in patients with HIV-related urological neoplasms. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of the CONUT score in patients with HIV-related renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Methods: A total of 106 patients with HIV-related RCC were recruited from four hospitals between 2012 and 2021, and all included patients received radical nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy. The CONUT score was calculated by serum albumin, total lymphocyte counts, and total cholesterol concentrations. Patients with RCC were divided into two groups according to the optimal cutoff value of the CONUT score. Survival analysis of different CONUT groups was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method and a log rank test. A Cox proportional risk model was used to test for correlations between clinical variables and cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Clinical variables included age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, tumor grade, Fuhrman grade, histology, surgery, and CD4+ T lymphocyte count. Result: The median age was 51 years, with 93 males and 13 females. At a median follow-up of 41 months, 25 patients (23.6%) had died or had tumor recurrence and metastasis. The optimal cutoff value for the CONUT score was 3, and a lower CONUT score was associated with the Fuhrman grade (P=0.024). Patients with lower CONUT scores had better CSS (HR 0.197, 95% CI 0.077-0.502, P=0.001), OS (HR 0.177, 95% CI 0.070-0.446, P<0.001) and DFS (HR 0.176, 95% CI 0.070-0.444, P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that a low CONUT score was an independent predictor of CSS, OS and DFS (CSS: HR=0.225, 95% CI 0.067-0.749, P=0.015; OS: HR=0.201, 95% CI 0.061-0.661, P=0.008; DFS: HR=0.227, 95% CI 0.078-0.664, P=0.007). In addition, a low Fuhrman grade was an independent predictor of CSS (HR 0.192, 95% CI 0.045-0.810, P=0.025), OS (HR 0.203, 95% CI 0.049-0.842, P=0.028), and DFS (HR 0.180, 95% CI 0.048-0.669, P=0.010), while other factors, such as age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, tumor grade, histology, surgery, and CD4+ T lymphocyte count, were not associated with survival outcome. Conclusion: The CONUT score, an easily measurable immune-nutritional biomarker, may provide useful prognostic information in HIV-related RCC.

Research and Clinical Significance of the Differentially Expressed Genes TP63 and LMO4 in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Related Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

To study the differential gene expression and clinical significance in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals (HIVIIs) with penile squamous cell carcinoma. At our hospital from 2019 to 2020, we selected six samples of HIV-related penile squamous cell carcinoma for the experimental group and six samples of non-HIV-related penile squamous cell carcinoma for the control group. Transcriptome sequencing of sample mRNAs was performed by high-throughput sequencing. Differential gene expression analysis, differential Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and differential Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were carried out, and the reads per kilobase per million reads (RPKM) value was used as a measure of gene expression. A total of 2418 differentially expressed genes were obtained, of which 663 were upregulated and 1755 were downregulated (absolute value of logFC >1 and p value <.05). On the basis of the significance of the GO enrichment analysis, we found that the tumor protein p63 (TP63) gene was significantly upregulated and that the LIM domain only 4 (LMO4) gene was significantly downregulated in the experimental group compared with the control group. KEGG pathway analysis of the differentially expressed genes revealed that DNA replication was the most significant pathway associated with the upregulated genes and cell adhesion molecule (CAM) metabolism was the most significant pathway associated with the downregulated genes. The gene expression profiles of HIV-related penile squamous cell carcinoma and non-HIV-related penile squamous cell carcinoma are significantly different and involve significant GO enrichment and KEGG metabolic pathways, and this is very meaningful for the study of non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs). Differential expression of genes may be an important target for the prevention of penile squamous cell carcinoma in HIVIIs.

Human immunodeficiency virus-related renal cell carcinoma: a retrospective study of 19 cases.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate basic information, clinical findings, treatments for tumor, pathology, and outcomes of HIV-positive patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected 19 patients from 2012 to 2020 who are diagnosed with RCC with HIV-positive. A retrospective analysis was performed on their hospitalization course and tumor-related parameters, including basic information, clinical findings, HIV-associated data, pathology, treatments for tumor, and outcomes. RESULTS: In our study, patients were diagnosed with RCC at the median age of 51. Males took a great part (17 males, 89%) in all patients, while only 2 females were diagnosed. The median CD4+ T lymphocyte cell count was 462 cells/µl when diagnosed with RCC (range from 111 cells/µl to 1536 cells/µl). Eleven patients diagnosed with RCC and HIV infection at the same time, who may have high viral load and low CD4+ T lymphocyte cell count. Eight patients accepted a median HAART for 30 months (range from 11 months to 108 months) prior to diagnosis of RCC. All the patients performed operations successfully, and 4 of them performed partial nephrecotomy. Only 1 patient was identified with chromophobe cell carcinoma, 1 with partially clear cell and partially papillary carcinoma, and 17 with clear cell carcinoma. Two of the patients with Fuhrman grades 2-3 accepted cytokine therapy with IL-2 and IFN-α. Two patients died of lung metastasis 1 year and 6 months after surgery respectively, even though 1 patient accepted full dose targeted therapy (sorafenib) for 3 months, and one refused adjuvant therapy. The remaining 17 patients are still alive at a median follow-up of 34 months; however, 1 patient lives with lung and brain metastases at the last follow-up of 3 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: RCC patients with HIV-positive were similar to the general population in terms of clinical characters, treatment measures, and pathology. RCC patients with HIV-positive seemed like to obey the same clinical practice guideline as in the general population. The outcomes of HIV-positive patients with partial nephrectomy are not inferior to patients with radical nephrectomy. Furthermore, experience in targeted therapy and immunal therapy (PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors) needs to be learned.

Kidney transplant outcomes in HIV-positive patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplantation is now a viable alternative to dialysis in HIV-positive patients who achieve good immunovirological control with the currently available antiretroviral therapy regimens. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigate the published evidence of outcome and risk of kidney transplantation in HIV-positive patients following the PRISMA guidelines. METHODS: Searches of PubMed, the Cochrane Library and EMBASE identified 27 cohort studies and 1670 case series evaluating the survival of HIV-positive kidney transplant patients published between July 2003 and May 2018. The regimens for induction, maintenance therapy and highly active antiretroviral therapy, acute rejection, patient and graft survival, CD4 count and infectious complications were recorded. We evaluated the patient survival and graft survival at 1 and 3 years respectively, acute rejection rate and also other infectious complications by using a random-effects analysis. RESULTS: At 1 year, patient survival was 0.97 (95% CI 0.95; 0.98), graft survival was 0.91 (95% CI 0.88; 0.94), acute rejection was 0.33 (95% CI 0.28; 0.38), and infectious complications was 0.41 (95% CI 0.34; 0.50), and at 3 years, patient survival was 0.94 (95% CI 0.90; 0.97) and graft survival was 0.81 (95% CI 0.74; 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: With careful selection and evaluation, kidney transplantation can be performed with good outcomes in HIV-positive patients.

Use of intravoxel incoherent motion imaging to monitor a rat kidney chronic allograft damage model.

BACKGROUND: Chronic allograft damage (CAD) is the leading cause of long-term graft dysfunction. A noninvasive method that can diagnose CAD early and monitor its development is needed. METHODS: Kidneys from Fisher rats were transplanted into Lewis rats to establish a CAD model (n = 20). The control group underwent syngeneic kidney transplantation (n = 20). The serum creatinine of the rats was monitored. At 4, 12, and 20 weeks after modeling, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination was performed. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), pseudo diffusion coefficient (D*), true diffusion coefficient (D) and perfusion fraction (f) of the two groups were analyzed. Chronic allograft damage index (CADI) scoring was used to evaluate the transplanted kidney specimens. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of fibrosis markers in the transplanted kidney tissues and to analyze their correlations with all MRI parameters. RESULTS: The transplanted kidneys in the experimental group developed CAD changes before the appearance of elevated creatinine. The MRI parameters in the experimental group [ADC (1.460 ± 0.109 VS 2.095 ± 0.319, P < 0.001), D (1.435 ± 0.102 VS 1.969 ± 0.305, P < 0.001), and f (26.532 ± 2.136 VS 32.255 ± 4.013, P < 0.001)] decreased, and D* (20.950 ± 2.273 VS 21.415 ± 1.598, P = 0.131) was not significantly different from those in the control group. ADC, D and f were negatively correlated with the CADI and the α-SMA and vimentin expression levels. CONCLUSION: Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging could detect CAD earlier than creatinine and reflect the degree of fibrosis in grafts quantitatively.

Expression and Clinical Significance of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) and a Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Type 1 Motif 1 (ADAMTS1) in Post-Kidney-Transplant Bladder Tumors.

BACKGROUND To investigate the expression and clinical significance of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 1 (ADAMTS1) in post-kidney-transplant bladder tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 27 patients with new bladder tumors occurring after surgical kidney transplants (the experimental group) and 56 patients with conventional new bladder tumors (the control group) were included in this study. All the patients were confirmed to have transitional cell carcinomas by postoperative pathological examination. Fifteen pairs of new bladder tumor specimens (from each of the 2 groups) were selected and subjected to whole-genome oligonucleotide microarray screening to determine the differences in gene expression profiles and analysis using the biomolecule annotation system. Subsequently, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis were performed to determine and compare differences in the expression of TIMP-l and ADAMTS1 in the urothelial tumors of the 2 groups. RESULTS Analysis of co-differentially expressed genes showed 23 groups of pathways with significant differences (P<0.05) and included immunosuppression and tumor development and progression. TIMP-l expression was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group, whereas ADAMTS1 expression was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Significant differences in gene expression profiles were observed between patients with post-kidney transplant bladder tumors and those with conventional bladder tumors, and the expression of TIMP-1 and ADAMTS1 has important significance for the diagnosis of post-kidney-transplant bladder tumors.

CF3DODA-Me induces apoptosis, degrades Sp1, and blocks the transformation phase of the blebbishield emergency program.

Cancer stem cells are capable of undergoing cellular transformation after commencement of apoptosis through the blebbishield emergency program in a VEGF-VEGFR2-dependent manner. Development of therapeutics targeting the blebbishield emergency program would thus be important in cancer therapy. Specificity protein 1 (Sp1) orchestrates the transcription of both VEGF and VEGFR2; hence, Sp1 could act as a therapeutic target. Here, we demonstrate that CF3DODA-Me induced apoptosis, degraded Sp1, inhibited the expression of multiple drivers of the blebbishield emergency program such as VEGFR2, p70S6K, and N-Myc through activation of caspase-3, inhibited reactive oxygen species; and inhibited K-Ras activation to abolish transformation from blebbishields as well as transformation in soft agar. These findings confirm CF3DODA-Me as a potential therapeutic candidate that can induce apoptosis and block transformation from blebbishields.

Grating-type mid-infrared light absorber based on silicon carbide material.

A kind of grating-type mid-infrared light absorber based on silicon carbide (SiC) material is designed and its absorption properties are studied using the finite-difference frequency-domain (FDFD) method. The results show that, its absorption mechanism is the excitation of surface plasmon and magnetic polariton as well as the loss of materials. Due to the optical characteristics of the SiC material in the mid-infrared band and the truncated pyramid structure in the grating, in the range of 10.5-12.5µm and 0-80°, absorptivity of higher than 80% can be obtained with optimized structural parameters. Among six structural parameters, the layer number of the composite layers has a relatively great influence on the absorption properties, while the thickness of the dielectric layer has less influence on the absorption properties.

CXC Chemokine Receptor 4 (CXCR4) Antagonist, a Novel Pathway to Prevent Chronic Allograft Nephropathy.

BACKGROUND Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) remains a major problem for long-term graft survival and different pathways participate in its development. CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is significantly upregulated following renal injury and fibrotic response. We investigated the effect of AMD3100, a CXCR4 antagonist, on the development of CAN in rat models. MATERIAL AND METHODS CAN rat models (n=20) were established using male Fisher 344 to Lewis rats. Rats in the experimental group (n=10) were treated with AMD3100 (1 mg/kg/day subcutaneously, 0-12 weeks), rats in the control group (n=10) were treated with saline. The serum creatinine levels were monitored every week. Kidney grafts were harvested 12 weeks after modeling for histological analysis. We used chronic allograft damage index (CADI) scores to evaluate each group. Q-PCR and Western blotting were used to measure CXCR4, TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling pathway and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in renal allograft tissue. RESULTS CXCR4 expression was increased significantly in the control group which developed intense chronic changes after 12 weeks. Histological changes of CAN in the experimental group were ameliorated by AMD3100 which also had better graft function compare to the control group. AMD3100 significantly blunted the increase in the mRNA expression level of CXCR4, TGF-ß1/Smad3, and α-SMA. A significant reduction in TGF-ß1 and α-SMA protein content was observed only in the experimental group as shown in a representative Western blot. CONCLUSIONS Based on these findings, CXCR4 expression may mediate in part the development of CAN. AMD3100 may ameliorate histological changes of CAN and maintain better allograft function. It blunts downstream effects of TGF-ß1 signaling and fibroblast activation. Therefore, antagonism of CXCR4 may provide a novel way to prevent the development of CAN.

Use of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography to Evaluate Chronic Allograft Nephropathy in Rats and Correlations between Time-Intensity Curve Parameters and Allograft Fibrosis.

This study quantitatively analyzed changes in the hemodynamic characteristics of renal allografts at different stages in a rat chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) model as well as the relationship between hemodynamic parameters and renal allograft fibrosis using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). The experimental group used a CAN rat model (n = 30), and the control group used an orthotopic syngeneic renal transplant model (n = 30). After surgery, creatinine clearance rates were regularly monitored every 2 wk. The checking times were set at 4, 12 and 24 wk after surgery, which represent early, middle and late stage of CAN, respectively. At different stages of CAN, eight rats from each group were randomly selected for CEUS examination. Time-intensity curve (TIC) parameters, including rise time, peak intensity, mean transit time, area under the curve, wash-in slope, time-to-peak and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression; Vimentin expression; and chronic allograft damage index scores were evaluated by linear correlation analysis. Before the creatinine clearance rate showed significant abnormalities, the renal allografts in the experimental group had already presented pathologic changes associated with CAN. In the early stage after surgery, compared to the TIC curve of the control group, the experimental group showed increased rise time, mean transit time, area under the curve and time-to-peak, and decreased wash-in slope (p < 0.05). Chronic allograft damage index scores and the expression levels of α-SMA and Vimentin proteins in renal allografts were correlated with TIC parameters (p < 0.05). Compared to creatinine clearance rate, CEUS can detect CAN at earlier stages. The correlations between TIC-related parameters and the expression levels of α-SMA and Vimentin in renal allografts indicate that CEUS is a feasible way to assess the degree of renal allograft fibrosis quantitatively.

[Investigation of bone loss and its related factors in renal transplant recipients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and analyze the factors related to bone loss after renal transplantation, in order to guide the intervention of it. METHODS: We picked up 263 cases of renal transplantation outpatients with well graft function from February to May 2014 according to random number table. Bone mineral density (BMD) were examined by quantitative ultrasound and other demographic information and clinical data were collected. According to the diagnostic criteria of the osteoporosis established by WHO, the selected patients were divided into osteoporosis group (n = 62) and normal group (n = 63), univariate analysis and Logistic regression analysis were used to determine related factors responsible for bone loss after renal transplantation. RESULTS: The percentage of bone loss in renal transplant recipients was 76. 05% (200/263). Logistic regression analysis revealed the risk factors of osteoporosis in renal transplant recipients were age older than 50 years old (P = 0. 01), parent fractured hip history (P = 0. 00), high dose of corticosteroid (P = 0. 02). Compared with those not being treated with calcitriol, patients intake calcitriol see 8. 80% decreased incidence of bone loss. CONCLUSIONS: A high incidence of bone loss is found in renal transplant recipients. Age, parent fractured hip history, corticosteroid dose are related factors of osteoporosis in renal transplant recipients. Calcitriol is effective in preventing and treating bone loss in renal transplant recipients.

Effects of tacrolimus and cyclosporine treatment on metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors after renal transplantation: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic success of renal transplantation has been largely attributable to the development of effective and balanced immunosuppressive treatment regimens. This study provides a meta-analysis of a series of randomized controlled trials that compared the effects of tacrolimus and cyclosporine on metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular risk factors after renal transplantation. METHODS: We searched various electronic databases and bibliographies, including MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EMBASE, for relevant studies published prior to October 2012. RESULTS: Our meta-analysis included five randomized controlled trials that examined a total of 923 patients. The tacrolimus group and the cyclosporine group exhibited no significant differences in MetS incidence after renal transplantation; risk ratio (RR): 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.73-1.55, P = 0.76. Cyclosporine treatment was associated with a higher incidence of hyperlipidemia (RR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.39-0.64, P < 0.01). Although there were no statistically significant differences, cyclosporine treatment was associated with a higher incidence of hypertension (RR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.83-1.00, P = 0.06) after renal transplantation compared to tacrolimus treatment, and tacrolimus treatment was associated with a higher incidence of diabetes after renal transplantation (RR: 1.79, 95% CI: 0.98-3.27, P = 0.06) compared to cyclosporine treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to tacrolimus treatment, cyclosporine treatment was associated with a higher incidence of hyperlipidemia. Future large-scale studies are expected to be conducted to further confirm our findings.

Downregulation of HIPK2 increases resistance of bladder cancer cell to cisplatin by regulating Wip1.

UNLABELLED: Cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy regimen is a reasonable alternative to cystectomy in advanced/metastatic bladder cancer, but acquisition of cisplatin resistance is common in patients with bladder cancer. Previous studies showed that loss of homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 (HIPK2) contributes to cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. However, the role of HIPK2 in regulating chemoresistance of cancer cell is not fully understood. In the present study, we found that HIPK2 mRNA and protein levels are significantly decreased in cisplatin-resistant bladder cancer cell in vivo and in vitro. Downregulation of HIPK2 increases the cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner during cisplatin treatment, whereas overexpression of HIPK2 reduces the cell viability. HIPK2 overexpression partially overcomes cisplatin resistance in RT4-CisR cell. Furthermore, we showed that Wip1 (wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1) expression is upregulated in RT4-CisR cell compared with RT4 cell, and HIPK2 negatively regulates Wip1 expression in bladder cancer cell. HIPK2 and Wip1 expression is also negatively correlated after cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy in vivo. Finally, we demonstrated that overexpression of HIPK2 sensitizes chemoresistant bladder cancer cell to cisplatin by regulating Wip1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that HIPK2/Wip1 signaling represents a novel pathway regulating chemoresistance, thus offering a new target for chemotherapy of bladder cancer.

Effect of continuous hypothermic machine perfusion transport system (Airdrive(TM)) on canine kidney preservation.

BACKGROUND: Organ preservation keeps the quality of the organs under prolonged ischemia. Continuous machine perfusions are gaining an important position in clinical research and practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of continuous hypothermic machine perfusion transport system (AirdriveTM) on cold ischemic injury of canine kidney. METHODS: Ten kidneys of five healthy preserving canines were taken out after general anesthesia. Five kidneys were stored using common cold preservation (CCP group) by immersing it in the organ preservation solution, mixed with water and ice, and kept in a cold room at 4°C. The other five kidneys were stored using continuous machine perfusion preservation (CMP group) and were placed into the Airdrive(TM) continuous machine perfusion device at room temperature. The renal tissues were examined by histopathology, electron microscopy, and mitochondrial activity check at different time points. RESULTS: Histologic sections showed that the structures of the ten renal tissues were similar during the first 24 hours. After 48 hours, the CCP group showed more pronounced changes, as the renal tubular epithelial cells were more obvious than those in the glomeruli. Oxygen consumption rate of state III and IV respiration in the CCP group decreased after 12-48 hours and increased at 48 hours, respectively, when compared to the CMP group (P < 0.05). Cortex respiratory control ratio and phosphorus oxygen ratio were significantly higher in the CMP group at 48 hours. CONCLUSION: With prolonged storage time, the effect of continuous hypothermic machine perfusion transport system is better than that of common cold preservation on canine kidney.

[Synthesis and experimental study of a novel polymer/gene compound drug controlled release system for the treatment of erectile dysfunction].

OBJECTIVE: To overcome the deficiency in the current therapies for erectile dysfunction (ED), we designed and synthesized a novel high-efficiency polymer/gene compound drug controlled release system and discussed the feasibility of pH and temperature dually sensitive injectable hydrogel in ED gene therapy. METHODS: We synthesized optimal siRNA gene nanoparticles by characterizing the zeta potential of polylysine (PLL)/siRNA gene compounds, and established a pH and temperature dually sensitive injectable gene compound drug controlled release system via Schiffs reaction between glycol chitosan (GC) and benzaldehyde capped OHC-PEO-PPO-PEO-CHO. Then we demonstrated the sustained release of the system at different temperatures. RESULTS: When the mass ratio of PLL to siRNA was 20:1, the zeta potential of the PLL/siRNA gene compound reached the peak (+23.5 mV) and the siRNA was encapsulated by PLL in the maximal degree. GC and OHC-PEO-PPO-PEO-CHO was crosslinked via benzoicimine reaction when environmental pH was changed from 5.5 to 7.4. The reslease of the siRNA encapsulated in this system kept at a low rate at 37 degrees C, significantly enhanced with the increase of the temperature to 60 degrees C, rising to (122.5 +/- 5.3) microg at 1 000 minutes as compared with (23.8 +/- 6.0) microg at 37 degrees C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The polymer/gene compound drug controlled release system was successfully synthesized, which improved the stability and capacity of gene carriers and achieved siRNA release at different temperatures, promising to be a new approach to the gene therapy of ED.

Numerical simulations of a surface plasmonic waveguide with three circular air cores.

In this paper, a kind of surface plasmonic waveguide (SPW) with three circular air cores is presented. Based on the finite-difference frequency-domain (FDFD) method, dependence of the distribution of energy flux density, effective index, propagation length and mode area of the fundamental mode on the geometrical parameters and the working wavelengths is analyzed firstly. Then, comparison with the SPW which was proposed in our previous work has been carried out. Results show that this kind of three cores structure has better propagation properties than the double cores structure. To investigate the relative advantages of this kind of SPW over other previous reported SPWs, comparison with the SPW with a single wedge has been carried out. Results show that this kind of SPW has shorter propagation length and larger mode area. Finally, the possibility to overcome the large propagation loss by using a gain medium as core material is investigated. Since the propagation properties can be adjusted by the geometrical and electromagnetic parameters, this kind of surface plasmonic waveguide can be applied to the field of photonic components in the integrated optical circuits and sensors.

Propagation Properties of a Surface Plasmonic Waveguide with double elliptical air cores.

We introduce a kind of surface plasmonic waveguide with double elliptical air cores. The dependence of distribution of longitudinal energy flux density, effective index and propagation length of the fundamental mode supported by this waveguide on geometrical parameters and working wavelengths are analyzed using the finite-difference frequency-domain (FDFD) method. Results show that the longitudinal energy flux density distributes mainly in the two wedged corners which are formed by two elliptical air cores, and the closer to the corners the stronger the longitudinal energy flux density. The effective index and propagation length of the fundamental mode can be adjusted by the centric distance of two ellipses as well as the size of the two semiaxis. At the certain working wavelength, relative to the e case of a = b , in the case of a > b , the energy in the metal is small, then the interaction of field and silver is weak, and the effective index becomes small, and the propagation length becomes large. With certain geometric parameters, relative to the case of lambda = 632.8nm , in the case of larger lambda, the area of field distribution is large, and the energy in the metal is small, then the interaction of field and silver is weak, and the effective index becomes small, and the propagation length becomes large. This kind of hollow surface plasmonic waveguide can be applied to the field of photonic device integration and sensors.