Long-Term Outcomes of Simultaneous Liver-Kidney Transplant Patients with Hepatitis B Compared to with Liver Transplant Alone.

Background: The number and survival rate of simultaneous liver-kidney transplant (SLKT) recipients have increased dramatically since 2002. However, the long-term effectiveness of SLKT in patients with hepatitis B is unknown.

Material/methods: Forty-six patients who visited the Organ Transplant Center of the Shanghai First People's Hospital between January 2001 and May 2005 had hepatitis B virus infection and renal failure (any degree), and underwent organ transplantation: 21 patients underwent SLKT and 25 patients underwent liver transplant (LT) alone.

Preclinical evaluation of a newly designed ureteral stent and magnetic retrieval catheter for minimally invasive stent removal.

Objective: To develop a simple minimally invasive method for ureteral stent removal that does not require cystoscopy or fluoroscopic guidance.

Materials And Methods: We developed a novel ureteral stent comprising the main body of a stent and an iron oxide-coated net that was woven of processed polyester sutures. The ureteral stent was retrieved by a magnetic retrieval catheter with small hooks on the neck surface.

Decrease expression of microRNA-20a promotes cancer cell proliferation and predicts poor survival of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Growing evidences indicate microRNAs play important roles in cancer development, progression, metastasis and may constitute robust biomarkers for cancer prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical and functional association of microRNA-20a (miR-20a) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: MiR-20a was detected using Taqman real-time polymerase chain reaction.

The unusual mycobacterial chaperonins: evidence for in vivo oligomerization and specialization of function.

The pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis expresses two chaperonins, one (Cpn60.1) dispensable and one (Cpn60.2) essential.

[Effect of modified Badenoch operation on the treatment of posterior urethral stricture].

Objective: To determine the effects of modified pull-through operation (Badenoch operation) on the treatment of posterior urethral stricture.

Methods: From September 2001 to December 2010 traditional pull-through operation was Modified for two times in our center. A total of 129 patients with posttraumatic posterior urethral stricture resulting from pelvic fracture injury underwent the modified urethral pull-through operation.

Renal vein lengthening using gonadal vein reduces surgical difficulty in living-donor kidney transplantation.

Background: During living-donor kidney transplantation, to maximally decrease donor injury, the right kidney with lower glomerular filtration rate often is selected as the donor kidney. However, the renal vein of the right kidney is relatively short for transplantation. The gonadal vein is essentially useless and is easily accessed during the donor nephrectomy.

Interpretation of studies on the developmental reproductive toxicology of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in male offspring.

There have been several studies on the maternal administration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and effects in the reproductive tract of male offspring, subsequent to risk assessments undertaken in 2001. This review compares the methodology and results to examine key methodological features, and consistency in reported outcomes. Maternal dosing at >0.

A truncation in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor of the CRL:WI(Han) rat does not affect the developmental toxicity of TCDD.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is required for the toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), and so the AhR of CRL:WI and CRL:WI(Han) rats was characterized. Western blot showed AhR proteins of approximately 110 and approximately 97 kDa in individual rats from both strains. The AhR cDNA from a CRL:WI(Han) rat with the approximately 110-kDa protein revealed a sequence that was identical to that of the CRL:WI and SD rat.

Recombinant expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor for quantitative ligand-binding analysis.

Recombinant expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) yields small amounts of ligand-binding-competent AhR. Therefore, Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells and baculovirus have been evaluated for high-level and functional expression of AhR. Rat and human AhR were expressed as soluble protein in significant amounts.

Relationships between tissue levels of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), mRNAs, and toxicity in the developing male Wistar(Han) rat.

We compared the effects of a single acute dose, or chronic fetal exposure, to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on the male reproductive system of the Wistar(Han) rat. Tissue samples were taken from dams on gestation day (GD)16 and GD21, and from offspring on postnatal days (PND)70 and 120. Steady-state concentration of TCDD was demonstrated in the chronic study: body burdens were comparable in both studies.

Toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the developing male Wistar(Han) rat. I: No decrease in epididymal sperm count after a single acute dose.

It has been reported that fetal exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) causes defects in the male reproductive system of the rat. We set out to replicate and extend these effects using a robust experimental design. Groups of 75 (control vehicle) or 55 (50, 200, or 1000 ng of TCDD/kg bodyweight) female Wistar(Han) rats were exposed to TCDD on gestational day (GD)15, then allowed to litter.

Toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the developing male Wistar(Han) rat. II: Chronic dosing causes developmental delay.

We have investigated whether fetal exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) causes defects in the male reproductive system of the rat using chronically exposed rats to ensure continuous exposure of the fetus. Five- to six-week-old rats were exposed to control diet, or diet containing TCDD, to attain an average dose of 2.4, 8, and 46 ng TCDD/kg/day for 12 weeks, whereupon the rats were mated and allowed to litter; rats were switched to control diet after parturition.

[Influence of transforming growth factor beta1 on long-term renal allograft function].

Objective: To determine the association between urine transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) concentration and long-term renal allograft function.

Methods: Patients undergoing kidney transplantation between August 1, 1999 and June 30, 2001 and survived for one year with normal renal functions were investigated. The blood and urine TGF-beta(1) concentrations were tested at an interval of at least 6 months.

[Association between TGF-Beta1 in allograft and chronic allograft nephropathy].

Objective: To investigate the relation between TGF-beta1 in allograft and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN).

Methods: The levels of urine TGF-beta1 were tested in 146 recipients whose renal function were normal from September 1, 2000 to January 31, 2001. Twenty recipients with the highest level of urine TGF-beta1 were classified in group A, while 20 other recipients with the lowest level of urine TGF-beta1 were classified in group B.

Effect of losartan on slowing progression of chronic allograft nephropathy.

Objective: To investigate the effects of losartan, a specific angiotensin II receptor blocker, on slowing progression of renal insufficiency in patients with biopsy-proven chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) and the molecular mechanism of the therapy.

Methods: Twenty-two renal transplant recipients with biopsy-proven CAN (group A) were treated with losartan within two months after renal dysfunction for at least one year. Losartan was administered at a dose of 50 mg/d.

[TGF-beta1 in allograft and long-term renal function].

Objective: To determine the relation between transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in allograft and long-term renal function.

Methods: Urine TGF-beta1 relative concentration (divided by urine creatinine) was tested in 168 recipients whose renal function was normal between August 1, 2000 and March 31, 2001. Twenty patients with higher urine TGF-beta1 relative concentrations formed Group A, and another 20 patients with lower urine TGF-beta1 formed Group B.

[Investigation of sexual function in male kidney transplant recipients].

Objective: To observe the change of sexual function in male kidney transplant recipients.

Methods: Sixty married males, aged 26 to 45 years, who had received kidney transplantations at least half a year before and whose serum creatinine (Scr) was under 200 mumol/L, were selected randomly in the study. Sexual functions were reviewed before and after the patients' renal failure and after kidney transplantations.