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Objective To investigate the correlation of Wnt5a expression and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) in prostate cancer tissues, and analyze their relationships with cancer stem cells (CSCs) characteristics and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Methods Immunohistochemistry was conducted to detect the expression of Wnt5a in 50 prostate cancer tissues and 50 benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues. The expression levels of CD133, vimentin, and E-cadherin were detected in the prostate cancer tissues, and CD34/PAS double staining was used to detect VM structures. We analyzed the difference in Wnt5a level between prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues, the clinical significance of Wnt5a and VM, the relationship of Wnt5a expression and VM, and the relationships of Wnt5a expression and VM with CD133, Vimentin, E-cadherin. Results The expression of Wnt5a was significantly higher in prostate cancer tissues than in benign prostatic hyperplasia (P < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between Wnt5a expression and VM (P < 0.05). The expression levels of Wnt5a and VM were positively correlated with those of CD133 and vimentin (P < 0.05). Wnt5a expression and VM were positively correlated with Gleason score, vas deferens invasion and lymphatic metastasis (P < 0.05) of prostate cancer, and VM was also positively correlated with T stage of prostate cancer (P < 0.05). Conclusion The expression level of Wnt5a in prostate cancer tissues is elevated and positively related with VM formation. Wnt5a expression and VM are correlated with cancer stem cells characteristics and the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition marker proteins.
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Objective To observe the change of amino acid levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with neurocysticercosis. Methods The amino acid levels in CSF were measured in 30 cases of neurocysticercosis and 13 healthy persons as control group by Hitach 835-50 Automatic Amino Acid Analyzer. Results There were highly significant differences between patients with neurocysticercosis and the control group in the levels of threonine, tyrosine and phenylalanine (P
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AIM: To investigate the bio-effects of salusins on rat heart and cardiomyocytes. METHODS: The cardiac function was determined by multipurpose polygraph in isolated rat heart treated with various concentrations of salusin-? or salusin-?. [ 45Ca 2+] and [3H]-Leu incorporation were determined in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes with ?-liquid scintillation counter. RESULTS: 10 -12-10 -7mol/L salusin-? and salusin-? had no effects on isolated rat cardiac function. However, salusin-? and salusin-? stimulated [ 45Ca 2+] uptake and [3H]-Leu incorporation. The [ 45Ca 2+] uptake induced by salusins were inhibited by nicardipine, and were synergistically increased by endothelin-1. The [3H]-Leu incorporation induced by salusin-? and salusin-? was inhibited by nicardipine, FK506 (a special inhibitor of carcineulin), PD 98059 (inhibitor of MAPK) and chelerthine (inhibitor of PKC). The effects of salusin-? on [ 45Ca 2+] uptake was stronger than those of salusin-?. But there were no statistical difference in [3H]-Leu incorporation between salusin-? and salusin-?. CONCLUSIONS: Salusin-? and salusin-? did not affect directly cardiac function in rat hearts. But salusins improved calcium uptake and protein synthesize in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Those effects of salusins were related with calcium channel, carcinuelin, MAPK and PKC signal pathways. Salusins may be the regulatory factors for myocardium growth and hypertrophy.
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After the merozoite entered the erythrocyte,the membrane debris in the parasitophorous vacuoles of early ring form was passed out through a narrow external aperture in erythro-cyte to the exterior.The trophozoite was oval or irregular in shape.Ingestion of host cell cytoplasm occurred cystostomally.The asexual parasite possessed acristate mitochondria and was surrounded by a single-membraned pellicle.The gametocyte possessed cristate mitochondria and was surrounded by two unit membranes.The cytoplasm of mature macrogametocytes contained many ribosomes,mitochondria and osmiophilic bodies and a small nucleus while microgametocytes contained fewer ribosomes,osmiophilic bodies and mitochondria and a large nucleus.Three characteristic morphological alterations were observed within the host cells,that is,small vesicles,cytoplasmic cleft and caveola-vesicle complex.The clefts within the cytoplasm of the host erythrocytes were present in all human malarial parasites.The small vesicles distributed all over the cytoplasm were surrounded by a unit membrane.The caveola-vesicle complex consisted of caveolae was surrounded by small vesicles and probably corresponds to a Schuffner's dot.(Figs.1-13)
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AIM: To investigate the effect of taurine on calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).METHODS: Calcified VSMCs of rat in vitro were induced by ?-glycerophosphate. Cellular calcium content,alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activities and accumulation were measured. DNA synthesis were evaluated by -thymidine (-TdR) incorporation. RESULTS: Calcium content,ALP activities and uptake of calcified VSMCs stimulated by taurine (5-20 mmol/L) were greatly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner as compared with calcified group ( P