[Efficacy of combination therapy of tamsulosin and solifenacin for mild and moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia with overactive bladder].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy of tamsulosin and solifenacin for mild and moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: We randomly divided 166 patients with BPH and concomitant OAB into a mild obstruction symptom group (n = 88) and a moderate obstruction symptom group (n =78), 48 of the former group treated with 0. 2 mg tamsulosin + 5 mg solifenacin and the other 40 with 0. 2 mg tamsulosin; 36 of the latter group treated with 0. 2 mg tamsulosin + 5 mg solifenacin and the other 42 with 0. 2 mg tamsulosin, all administered once daily for 12 weeks. We obtained the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), urine storage period symptom score (USPSS), voiding symptom score (VSS), Qmax, residual urine volume, OAB symptom score (OABSS) and adverse reactions, and compared them among different RESULTS: Among the patients with mild obstruction symptoms, the combination of tamsulosin and solifenacin achieved remark-groups. able improvement in IPSS, USPSS, Qmax and OABSS as compared with the baseline (P < 0.05), but made no significant difference in the residual urine volume (P > 0. 05) , while tamsulosin improved IPSS only (P < 0.05). The combination therapy exhibited an obvious superiority over tamsulosin alone in improving IPSS (9.7 micro 3.0 vs 15.8 micro 3.3), USPSS (8. 1 micro 1.7 vs 12.3 micro 3.1), Qmax ([18.6 micro 2.3] ml/s vs [14.2 micro 2.3] ml/s ), and OABSS (5.3micro 1.3 vs 9.7 micro 2.7) (P < 0.05), but there were no obvious differences in residual urine, urine routine test results and adverse events between the two therapies ( P > 0. 05). In those with moderate obstruction symptoms, the combination therapy significantly improved IPSS, VSS, Qmax and OABSS (P < 0.05) but not the residual urine (P > 0. 05) in comparison with the baseline. The tamsulosin therapy achieved obvious improvement in IPSS, VSS, Qmax, OABSS and residual urine. The combination therapy showed a better effect than tamsulosin only in OABSS (4. 8 +/-1.5 vs 6.5 +/-2.5, P < 0.05), but no significant differences from the latter in IPSS, Qmax, VSS, routine urine test results, and adverse CONCLUSION: Combination therapy of tamsulosin and solifenacin is obviously safe and efficacious in the treatment (P > 0.05). events of both mild and moderate BPH with concomitant OAB, and it is superior to tamsulosin alone.

Multiple renal arteries with renal cell carcinoma: preoperative evaluation using computed tomography angiography prior to laparoscopic nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate anatomical variations in the renal arteries of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) using computed tomography angiography (CTA). METHODS: Patients diagnosed with RCC were evaluated using CTA prior to undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy. Any anatomical variations of the renal arteries on the side affected by the RCC were recorded. The CTA results were compared with the observations made during surgery and those produced by conventional digital subtraction angiography. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients with RCC were enrolled in the study. Multiple renal arteries were found in 11 patients (10.3%). Accessory renal inferior polar arteries were the most common type of multiple renal arteries. Multiple renal arteries acting as the feeding arteries to the RCC were found in five patients (4.7%). CONCLUSION: CTA can be used as part of the preoperative evaluation prior to laparoscopic nephrectomy to provide anatomical information about the presence of multiple renal arteries in the affected kidney of patients with RCC. This could help with planning the surgery and reducing surgical complications.

Cucurbit[5]uril-metal complex-induced room-temperature phosphorescence of α-naphthol and ß-naphthol.

Similar to the larger members of the cucurbituril family, such as cucurbit[8]uril (Q[8]), the smallest member, cucurbit[5]uril (Q[5]), can also induce room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) of α-naphthol (1) and ß-naphthol (2). The relationship between the RTP intensity of 1 and 2 and the concentration of Q[5] or Q[8] suggests that the mechanism underlying the Q[5] complex-induced RTP is different from that of the Q[8]-induced RTP for these luminophores. The crystal structures of 1-Q[5]-KI, 2-Q[5]-KI, 1-Q[5]-TlNO(3), and 2-Q[5]-TlNO(3) systems show that in each case Q[5] and the respective metal ions, K(+) or Tl(+), form infinite ···Q[5]-M(+)-Q[5]-M(+)··· chains that surround the luminophores. Although these tube- or wall-like structures are likely destroyed in solution, the key interaction between the convex-shaped outer walls of Q[5] and the plane of the aromatic naphthols, via π···π stacking and C-H···π interactions, is postulated to be essentially maintained leading to a microenvironment that holds the luminophore and the heavy atom perturber together; such a model is supported by the observed Q[5] complex-induced RTP of the above naphthols. With respect to this, a high Q[5]/luminophore concentration was employed in an endeavour to promote the formation of π···π stacking and C-H···π interactions similar to those observed in the crystal structures of the 1- or 2-Q[5]-K(+) and -Tl(+) systems. In keeping with the proposed model, the RTP of each system is quenched when Q[5] is replaced by the alkyl-substituted Q[5] derivatives, decamethylQ[5] and pentacyclohexanoQ[5]. This is in agreement with the substituent groups on the surface of the metal-bond Q[5] obstructing the naphthol molecule from accessing the convex glycouril backbone of Q[5].

Relationship between PTEN and Livin expression and malignancy of renal cell carcinomas.

OBJECTIVES: This study focused on PTEN and Livin expression and associations with malignancy in human renal clear cell carcinomas (RCCC). METHODS: PTEN and Livin expression was assessed in 100 RCCC tissue samples, 50 paracarcinoma cases, and 20 normal renal tissue samples using the immunohistochemical Streptavidin proxidase (SP) method. The relationships between binding and corresponding biological characteristics, such as histological grade, lymph node metastases, and clinical stages were analyzed. RESULTS: Positive PTEN expression in RCCC was significantly lower than in renal tissue adjacent to carcinoma tissue and normal renal tissue (P<0.01). Livin expression in the renal tissue adjacent to the carcinoma and normal renal tissues exhibited only low levels, whereas overall Livin expression in RCCC was statistically significant (P<0.01). In RCCC, PTEN expression rate gradually decreased with an increase in clinical stage, whereas that of Livin increased to statistically significant levels (P<0.01), PTEN and Livin levels being negatively correlated (r=-0.395, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: PTEN and Livin are important in RCCC development. The two factors combined are expected to provide indices for estimating RCCC malignancy and progression levels, as well as references for RCCC diagnosis and treatment.

[Cucurbit[8]urils-induced room temperature phosphorescence of phenanthrene and fluorene].

In this paper, a new room temperature phosphorescence for phenanthrene and fluorene were first reported with cucurbit[8]uril as the revulsant, KI as the heavy atomperturber, and Na2SO3 as deoxygenation. The RTP maximum wavelengths were lambda(ex)/lambda(em) = 282/509 nm and lambda(ex)/lambda(em) = 276/518 nm and the RTP lifetimes of the two systems were 1.82 and 3.68 ms respectively. Under optimum experimental conditions, the RTP intensity was liner with phenanthrene and fluorene concentration in the range of 1.0 x 10(-7) -1. 5 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1), 1.5 x 10(-6)-1.0 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) and 8.0 x 10(-7)-8.0 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1), respectively. The detection limits were 4.8 x 10(-9) mol x L(-1) and 8.0 x 10(-9) mol x L(-1) respectively.

[Sexual function of men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia and effect of Tamsulosin].

OBJECTIVE: To study the sexual function of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and the effect of Tamsulosin. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-two cases of BPH accompanied with typical LUTS were investigated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of Life (QOL), International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) and measuring the flow rate of urine before treatment. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, the treatment group (n = 103) given Tamsulosin 0.2 mg, and the control group (n = 89) taking placebo once a day for 8 weeks. The influence of various factors on sexual function was analyzed before and after treatment. RESULTS: The mean scores of IPSS, QOL, Qmax and IIEF-5 were (20.20 +/- 6.81), (4.51 +/- 0.76), (9.60 +/- 8.79) ml/s and (9.80 +/- 8.62), respectively. The incidence of erectile dysfunction was 75% (144/192). There was statistically significant correlation between age and IPSS score (r = 0. 203, P < 0. 005) or IIEF-5 score (r = -0.571, P < 0.001) as well as between IPSS and IIEF-5 scores (r = - 0.312, P < 0.001). Various indexes were significantly improved after Tamsulosin treatment as compared with pre-treatment (P < 0.001) and placebo administration (P < 0.001), but no significant difference in various indexes was observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: Age and LUTS are dangerous factors for sexual function, and the severity of LUTS is closely related to the development of sexual dysfunction. Tamsulosin can at once improve the sexual function and the lower urinary tract symptoms of the BPH patients.

[Changes of serum total PSA and free PSA in patients with prostate carcinoma and benign prostate hyperplasia].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Total prostate-specific antigen (TPSA) is considered the best marker in diagnosis of carcinoma of prostate (Pca), and FPSA (free prostate specific antigen)/TPSA can improve its specificity in diagnosis of PCa. This study was designed to compare the level of serum TPSA and FPSA/TPSA between PCa and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients, providing reference for diagnosis of PCa. METHODS: Values of serum TPSA and FPSA of 66 BPH cases, 29 BPH with acute urinary retention (AUR) cases, 22 PCa cases were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The differences of serum TPSA and FPSA/TPSA of the three groups were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: There were significant differences of serum TPSA concentration among the three groups (P< 0.05), when the serum TPSA in the patients with BPH, BPH and AUR, PCa were 4.1+/-1.39 microg/L, 15.5+/-3.34 microg/L, 55+/-13.5 microg/L, respectively. Serum TPSA concentration overlapped in the three groups especially in AUR group when the TPSA level in the three groups were less than 4.0 microg/L, 4.0-10.0 microg/L, and more than 10.0 microg/L. There was no significant difference between BPH group and AUR group when the FPSA/ TPSA of BPH group was 0.32+/-0.13, AUR group was 0.30+/-0.09 (P >0.05). However, there were significant differences between BPH and Pca group, between AUR and PCa group when the FPSA/TPSA of Pca group was 0.11+/-0.05 (P< 0.05). FPSA/TPSA level also overlapped in these three groups when FPSA/TPSA level was less than 0.15, 0.15-0.25, and more than 0.25. CONCLUSIONS: The serum TPSA and the level of FPSA/TPSA overlapped in these three groups. They can only be regarded clinically as reference index.

[Age-specific reference ranges for serum prostate-specific antigen in Chinese men].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the age-specific reference ranges for serum prostate-specific antigen in Chinese men. METHODS: Serum tPSA and fPSA were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fPSA/tPSA ratio was calculated in 1,096 health Chinese men of 23 - 85 years old. The relationship between age and PSA indexes was analyzed with simple linear regression. RESULTS: The recommended age-specific reference range (95th percentile) for serum PSA for Chinese were: 1.20 microg/L for 20-29 years; 1.21microg/L for 30-39 years; 1.23 microg/L for 40-49 years; 2.35 microg/L for 50-59 years; 3.20 microg/L for 60-69 years; 3.39 microg/L for >or= 70 years. The serum PSA concentration correlated directly with age. The age-specific reference range was lower for Chinese men than not only for white and black men, but also for Japanese and Koreans men. CONCLUSION: The age-specific reference ranges for serum PSA are lower significantly for Chinese men than for black, white men, even for Japanese and Koreans men. Study the normal upper limit of PSA and the age-specific reference ranges for serum prostate-specific antigen in Chinese men is very important.