Zhangqun Ye

A multicentre, prospective, randomized trial: comparative efficacy of tamsulosin and nifedipine in medical expulsive therapy for distal ureteric stones with renal colic

Study Type – Therapy (RCT)

Effects of several Chinese herbal aqueous extracts on human sperm motility in vitro

The effects of six kinds of aqueous extracts of Chinese herbal medicine (Astragalus membranaceus, Acanthopanacis senticosi, Panax genseng and Ophiopogon japonicus, P. genseng and Aconitum carmichaeli, Salviae miltiorrhiae, Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharide) on sperm motility characteristics of 30 infertile male volunteers were studied in vitro with a computer‐assisted sperm analysis at 15, 60 and 180 min after incubated with the drugs. The results showed that per cent viability, number of progressive motile spermatozoa, curvilinear velocity, average path velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement were significantly enhanced by A. membranaceus (P < 0.05 or < 0.01), per cent viability, average path velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement were significantly enhanced by A. senticosi (P < 0.05), but all the above were not affected by P. genseng and O. japonicus, P. genseng and A. carmichaeli, S. miltiorrhiae and P. umbellatus polysaccharide. It is suggested that A. membranaceus and A. senticosi can enhance the motility of human spermatozoa in vitro.

Robotic vs. open radical cystectomy in bladder cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS To evaluate the safety and efficacy of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) compared with open radical cystectomy (ORC) in the treatment of bladder cancer. METHODS A systematic search of Medline, Embase databases and the Cochrane Library was performed to identify studies that compared RARC and ORC and were published up to December 2012. Outcomes of interest included demographic and clinical characteristics, perioperative, pathologic variables and complications. RESULTS Although there was a significant difference in the operating time in favor of ORC (WMD: 70.69 min; p < 0.001), patients having RARC might benefit from significantly fewer total complications (OR: 0.54; p < 0.001), less blood loss (WMD: -599.03 ml; p < 0.001), shorter length of hospital stay (WMD: -4.56 d; p < 0.001), lower blood transfusion rate (OR: 0.13; p = 0.002), less transfusion needs (WMD: -2.14 units; p < 0.001), shorter time to regular diet (WMD: -1.57 d; p = 0.002), more lymph node yield (WMD: 2.18 n; p = 0.001) and fewer positive lymph node (OR: 0.64; p = 0.03). There was no significant difference between the RARC and ORC regarding positive surgical margins. CONCLUSIONS In early experience, our data suggest that RARC appears to be a safe, feasible and minimally invasive alternative to its open counterpart when performed by experienced surgeons in selected patients.

S-allyl cysteine restores erectile function through inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation in diabetic rats

Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by an overactive nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase system in penile tissue is an important mechanism of erectile dysfunction (ED). S‐allyl cysteine (SAC), a bioactive component derived from garlic, was recently reported to exert versatile antioxidant properties. We hypothesized that SAC would be able to resolve diabetes‐related ED by reducing ROS generation, and designed this study to investigate this possibility as well as to determine the related underlying mechanisms. A streptozotocin‐induced diabetes rat model was established and used for comparative analysis of 4‐week treatment regimens with insulin or SAC. The ratio of maximal intracavernous pressure (ICP) to mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was measured to determine erectile function. Differential levels of ROS, NADPH oxidase subunits, nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signalling pathway, and apoptosis were evaluated in cavernous tissues. Max ICP/MAP was found to be markedly decreased in untreated diabetic rats; SAC, but not insulin, treatment restored the ratio to baseline (in non‐diabetic untreated controls). The corpus cavernosum of untreated diabetic rats showed increased p47phox and p67phox expression, ROS production and penile apoptotic index, and decreased phospho‐endothelial nitric oxide synthase (phospho‐eNOS, Ser1177) expression, cGMP concentration, B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‐2)/Bcl‐2‐associated X protein (Bax) ratio and smooth muscle cell number. SAC treatment normalized all the diabetes‐induced effects, whereas insulin treatment partially normalized the alterations, but produced no effects on P47phox expression, penile ROS level, apoptotic index, Bcl‐2/Bax ratio and smooth muscle cell number. Collectively, these data indicate that SAC treatment can restore erectile function in diabetic rats by preventing ROS formation through modulation of NADPH oxidase subunit expression. Furthermore, the poor efficacy of conventional insulin treatment for diabetic ED may be associated with an elevated level of ROS in penile tissue.

Histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A inhibits the growth of bladder cancer cells through induction of p21WAF1 and G1 cell cycle arrest

Purpose:  To investigate whether Trichostatin A (TSA) possesses antitumor activity against human bladder cancer cells, and if any, its mechanism.

Prostate cancer in Asia: A collaborative report

The incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) within Asian population used to be much lower than in the Western population; however, in recent years the incidence and mortality rate of PCa in some Asian countries have grown rapidly. This collaborative report summarized the latest epidemiology information, risk factors, and racial differences in PCa diagnosis, current status and new trends in surgery management and novel agents for castration-resistant prostate cancer. We believe such information would be helpful in clinical decision making for urologists and oncologists, health-care ministries and medical researchers.

46, XX male sex reversal syndrome: a case report and review of the genetic basis

Sex reversal syndrome is a kind of human genetic disease about gender dysplasia, which is characterised by inconsistency between gonadal sexuality and chromosome sexuality; the incidence rate was about 1 : 20 000–100 000. The clinical manifestations, hormonal levels and cytogenetic findings in a patient of 46, XX male sex reversal syndrome retrospectively were analysed and related published reports were reviewed. The DNA fragments of sex‐determining region Y (SRY) gene from the patient was found by polymerase chain reaction, but the fluorescent in situ hybridisation analysis revealed that the SRY translocated from Y to X chromosome. We concluded that the Y chromosomal SRY gene is required for the regulation of male sex determination. The detection of SRY is important for the clinical diagnosis of sex reversal syndrome. Translocation of SRY to X chromosome or other autosomes would be one of the key factors that induced XX male SRS.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for Proximal Ureteral Calculi with Severe Hydronephrosis: Assessment of Different Lithotriptors

PURPOSE We compared the efficacy and safety of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with different intracorporeal lithotriptors for proximal ureteral stones in patients with severe hydronephrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the records of 192 patients with proximal ureteral calculi and severe hydronephrosis who underwent PCNL between February 2003 and December 2007. Calculi were fragmented with a pneumatic lithotriptor in 44 patients (group 1), Swiss Lithoclast Master in 54 (group 2), low-power holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser in 56 (group 3) and high-power holmium:YAG laser in 38 (group 4). Patients were assessed about 12 months postoperatively with intravenous urography and ultrasonography for late complications. Stone size, operative time, stone-free rate, and follow-up were analyzed in each group. RESULTS Mean stone size for different groups were 16.2 +/- 2.8 mm, 16.6 +/- 2.1 mm, 16.0 +/- 2.7 mm, and 16.4 +/- 1.1 mm, respectively. Average operative time for different groups were 118 +/- 17 minutes, 81 +/- 10 minutes, 85 +/- 14 minutes, 110 +/- 16 minutes, respectively. Group 2 and group 3 showed superior outcomes of shorter operative time (P = 0.000). The overall stone-free rate was 86.5%. As stratified by lithotriptors, the stone-free rate was 81.8% in group 1, 92.9% in group 2, 88.9% in group 3, and 78.9% in group 4 (P = 0.190). No significant difference was found among the groups in terms of blood loss and postoperative hospital stay. Repeated PCNL or shockwave lithotripsy was necessary as an auxiliary procedure in 26 patients. The overall complication rate was 18.2%; most complications were minor and insignificant. During the follow-up, ureteral stricture developed in 10 patients and new renal stones developed in 4 patients. CONCLUSIONS PCNL combined with Swiss Lithoclast Master or low-power holmium:YAG laser is the preferred endourologic modality for the management of proximal ureteral calculi in patients with severe hydronephrosis.

A comparative study on several models of experimental renal calcium oxalate stones formation in rats

In order to compare the effects of several experimental renal calcium oxalate stones formation models in rats and to find a simple and convenient model with significant effect of calcium oxalate crystals deposition in the kidney, several rat models of renal calcium oxalate stones formation were induced by some crystal-inducing drugs (CID) including ethylene glycol (EG), ammonium chloride (AC), vitamin D3[1α(OH)VitD3, alfacalcidol], calcium gluconate, ammonium oxalate, gentamicin sulfate, L-hydroxyproline. The rats were fed with drugs given singly or unitedly. At the end of experiment, 24-h urines were collected and the serum creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), the extents of calcium oxalate crystal deposition in the renal tissue, urinary calcium and oxalate excretion were measured. The serum Cr levels in the stone-forming groups were significantly higher than those in the control group except for the group EG+L-hydroxyproline, group calcium gluconate and group oxalate. Blood BUN concentration was significantly higher in rats fed with CID than that in control group except for group EG+L-hydroxyproline and group ammonium oxalate plus calcium gluconate. In the group of rats administered with EG plus Vitamin D3, the deposition of calcium oxalate crystal in the renal tissue and urinary calcium excretion were significantly greater than other model groups. The effect of the model induced by EG plus AC was similar to that in the group induced by EG plus Vitamin D3. EG plus Vitamin D3 or EG plus AC could stably and significantly induced the rat model of renal calcium oxalate stones formation.

Relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms in −174G/C and −634C/G promoter region of interleukin-6 and prostate cancer

SummaryThe association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in −174G/C and −634C/G of interleukin-6 (IL-6) promoter region and prostate cancer was examined in the population of Han people in Hubei region. TaqMan PCR was employed for the gene-typing of −174G/C and −634C/G in promoter region of IL-6 gene to compare the prostate cancer patients and normal controls in terms of genotype frequency, allele frequency and risk of prostate cancer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection of IL-6 concentration in peripheral blood of the patients with prostate cancer and the relationship between the IL-6 level and the genotype was studied. Our results showed that in all the subjects, the genotype of genetic locus −174G/C was found to be GG and no CG and CC were observed. There was a significant difference in gene frequency of GG, CG and CC of −634C/G and allele frequency of G and C between prostate cancer patients and normal controls (P<0.05) and the gene frequency of GG+CG increased with the clinical stages and pathological grades of prostate cancer. The IL-6 level in GG+CG group was significantly higher than that in CC group. It was concluded that no SNP in −174G/C IL-6 promoter region was found in the population of Han people in Hubei region. The SNP in −634C/G was, to some extent, associated with the development and progression of prostate cancer. The population with GG+CG genetype has higher risk for prostate cancer.The association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in −174G/C and −634C/G of interleukin-6 (IL-6) promoter region and prostate cancer was examined in the population of Han people in Hubei region. TaqMan PCR was employed for the gene-typing of −174G/C and −634C/G in promoter region of IL-6 gene to compare the prostate cancer patients and normal controls in terms of genotype frequency, allele frequency and risk of prostate cancer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection of IL-6 concentration in peripheral blood of the patients with prostate cancer and the relationship between the IL-6 level and the genotype was studied. Our results showed that in all the subjects, the genotype of genetic locus −174G/C was found to be GG and no CG and CC were observed. There was a significant difference in gene frequency of GG, CG and CC of −634C/G and allele frequency of G and C between prostate cancer patients and normal controls (P<0.05) and the gene frequency of GG+CG increased with the clinical stages and pathological grades of prostate cancer. The IL-6 level in GG+CG group was significantly higher than that in CC group. It was concluded that no SNP in −174G/C IL-6 promoter region was found in the population of Han people in Hubei region. The SNP in −634C/G was, to some extent, associated with the development and progression of prostate cancer. The population with GG+CG genetype has higher risk for prostate cancer.