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.

To observe the efficacy and safety of mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy with Neodymium: Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd-YAG) laser in the treatment for upper urinary tract stones, from December 2005 to September 2006, 31 patients with renal stones, 15 patients with ureteral stones and 7 patients with renal and ureteral stones underwent mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy with Nd-YAG laser by combination of rigid ureteroscope and flexible ureteroscope under B-ultrasound guidance. Clinical data including operation time, lithotripsy time, complications and stone-free rate were analyzed retrospectively. Our study showed that the percutaneous renal access (F14–F18) was successfully established under B-ultrasound guidance in all cases. Immediate phase: lithotripsy was performed in 47 cases through single tract, and in one case through two tracts. Delayed phase II lithotripsy was done in 5 cases of renal stones. Operation time ranged from 55 to 180 min with an average time of 100±15 min. Lithotripsy time was from 25 to 135 min and the average lithotripsy time was 65±11 min. No severe complications occurred in our series. Complex renal stones were cleared in 34 of 38 cases (89.5%). All ureteral stones were completely removed in 15 cases (100%). It was concluded that mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy with Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of upper urinary tract stones by combination of rigid ureteroscope and flexible ureteroscope has the advantages of effectiveness, mini-invasion, shorter operative time and safety.

The relationship between apoptosis of granulosa cells and follicle development arrest in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) rats, and the contribution of tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) in apoptosis of granulosa cells were explored. By using sodium prasterone sulfate rat PCOS model was induced. The apoptosis of granulosa cells in ovaries of rats was observed by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL), and the expression of TRAIL protein and mRNA in granulosa cells was detected by using immunhistochemical staining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively. The apoptotic rate and the expression of protein TRAIL in granulosa cells were significantly higher in antral follicles from the PCOS rats than in those from the control rats (P<0.01, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in apoptotic rate and the expression of TRAIL protein in granulosa cells of preantral follicles between the PCOS rats and the control rats (P>0.05). No apoptosis and the expression of TRAIL protein in granulosa cells of primordial follicles were found in the two groups. The expression of TRAIL mRNA was significantly stronger in granulosa cells from the PCOS rats than in those from the control rats (P<0.01). It was suggested that the apoptotic rate in granulosa cells was significantly higher in antral follicle from the PCOS rats than in those from the control rats. TRAIL played a role in regulating the apoptosis of granulosa cells in PCOS rats.

The neural stem cells in Wistar rats were cultured in vitro, purified, and transplanted into C6 glioma model in order to observe their biological characters and provide a basic foundation for treatment of neurological diseases by neural stem cell transplantation. The cells at hippocampal area from gestation 15-day rats were cultured in vitro, and frozen and preserved in liquid nitrogen. C6 tumor-bearing models (n=25) and neural stem cells transplantation models (n=35) were established. When the tumor grew to 3 to 4 weeks, 5 rats in each group were randomly selected for MRI examination. At different intervals, the rats were perfused and sampled for HE staining, GFAP and BrdU immunohistochemical staining. The results showed that after resuscitation of neural stem cells at 1–4 passages, the cell viability was 40%–63% with the difference being not significant. The cells could proliferate, passage, and most cells transplanted into glioma model survived. The mean survival time in neural stem cell transplantation group and control was 4.28 and 3.88 weeks respectively, and the average tumor size in the former was smaller than in the latter. It was concluded that embryonic neural stem cells in rats could proliferate and differentiate, and after resuscitation the biological characteristic and viability of the cells were not influenced. Neural stem cells had inhibitory effects on the growth of glioma cells and could prolong the survival of rat model.

To preliminarily determine the appropriate dosage of carboplatin (CBP) at AUC of 5 mg·Ml⁻¹·min⁻¹ in the combination chemotherapy for Chinese senile patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Thirty-five Chinese senile patients with NSCLC in advanced stage (III/IV) were given 96 cycles of combination chemotherapy. Chemotherapy schedules included Taxol+CBP, Gemzar+CBP and NVB+CBP. The dose of CBP was at 5 mg·mL⁻¹·min⁻¹ of area under the concentration-time curve (AUC). Side effects and quality of life were observed before and after the chemotherapy. Myelosuppression was severe and commonly observed. Grade 3/4 of granulocytopenia was found in 47.9% (46/96) of the patients and grade 3/4 of thrombocytopenia was noted in 28.1% (27/96) of the subjects. However, other side effects were slight. The mean score of quality of life (QOL), according to the criteria of QOL for Chinese cancer patients had reduced 6.8. At 5 mg·mL⁻¹·min⁻¹ by AUC, the hematological toxicity of CBP was severe and it had some negative effects on the QOL. The administration of CBP at 5 mg·mL⁻¹·min⁻¹ by AUC may be too high for Chinese senile patients with non-small cell lung cancer.