Effectiveness evaluation of intensive lifestyle intervention on rural residents with metabolic syndrome / 预防医学

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of intensive lifestyle intervention on rural residents with metabolic syndrome (MS) . Methods A total of 253 patients with MS selected from cross-sectional survey were divided into intensive lifestyle intervention and conventional management group incomplete randomly. Aimed to control weight, patients in the intervention group were treated with dietary control and exercise guidance. Besides, their compliances were assessed. In conventional management group, patients were disposed according to chronic disease management specification. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical markers detection were carried out in both groups at baseline and at the end of 6 months. Results These main anthropometric measurements and biochemical markers have no significant difference between the intervention group and conventional management group at the baseline (P>0.05) . After 6 months intensive lifestyle modification, the prevalence of MS did not significantly differ between the two groups: it was 67.14% in the intervention group and 60.95% in the conventional management group (P>0.05) .In the intervention group, the body weight, BMI and the waist circumference were decreased by 3.11 kg, 1.50 kg/m2, 4.29 cm, respectively, and 1.23 kg, 0.47 kg/m2, 1.22 cm in the conventional management group. The changes were significantly larger in the intervention group than in the conventional management group (P<0.01) .Uric acid, triglyceride were decreased by 14.30 μmol/L, 0.01 mmol/L, respectively, in the intervention group and in the conventional management group they were increased by 18.17 μmol/L and 0.41 mmol/L conversely. While the high density lipoprotein cholesterol was increased by 0.02 mmol/L, it was decreased by 0.10 mmol/L in the conventional management group (P<0.01) . Body weight and BMI decreased by 3.93kg and 1.40 kg/m2 in the high compliance group, compared to low compliance group, there was statistically difference with regard to this change between the two groups (P<0.05) . While the body fat% was decreased by 2.27%, and it was increased by 1.01% in the conventional management group (P<0.05) . Conclusion For rural residents, the beneficial effects of intensive lifestyle intervention are improving metabolic risk factors. The compliance is the main factor of the effects of intervention.

Role of inflammation in the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer / 第二军医大学学报

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors. Previous epidemiological and molecular biological studies have suggested that inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. Moreover, many studies have been focused on molecular pathways of inflammation in colorectal cancer. However, the explicit mechanisms involved remain to be fully elucidated. The identification of the key inflammatory mechanisms may provide new targets for intervention and treatment of colorectal cancer. Here we reviewed the inflammatory mechanisms relevant to the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer, hoping to cast new lights on future research.

Study of cochlear hydrops analysis masking procedure in patients with Meniere's disease and otologically normal adults / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The cochlear hydrops analysis masking procedure (CHAMP) is a new diagnostic technique for Meniere's disease (MD). But its value has not been well proven. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of CHAMP for MD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CHAMP test was taken in three populations using the Auditory Evoked Potential system delivered by Bio-logic Systems Corporation: (1) otologically normal subjects; (2) patients clinically diagnosed with definite MD; (3) patients clinically diagnosed with probable and possible MD.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>According to the comparison between the normal and definite MD group, if the abnormal criterion of CHAMP was defined as latency delay less than 0.3 ms, then the corresponding sensitivity was only 52%. However, if the abnormal criterion was defined as latency delay between 0.6 and 3.8 ms, then a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 100% can be achieved. The complex amplitude ratio showed a significant overlap between normal and definite MD group. If the abnormal criterion was defined as a complex amplitude ratio less than 0.95, the corresponding specificity was only 50%. However, if the abnormal criterion was defined as less than 0.80, the corresponding sensitivity was 60%, and the specificity was 97%. If the abnormal criterion of CHAMP was defined as latency delay less than 0.6 ms or the complex amplitude ratio less than 0.80, CHAMP result can be obtained in all subjects with good sensitivity and specificity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CHAMP can differentiate patients with Meniere's disease from otologically normal subjects with high sensitivity and specificity. The recommended criterion of abnormal CHAMP was a latency delay less than 0.6 ms or a complex amplitude ratio less than 0.80.</p>

Assessment of dysphagia: report of 37 cases / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the assessment methods of dysphagia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of 37 patients with dysphagia were retrospectively analyzed. These patients took the Kubota drinking test, Tengdao's evaluation, videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fourteen out of thirty-seventh patients showed abnormal results during Kubota drinking test. Tengdao's evaluation results showed that 29/37 patients were abnormal. There 27/37 and 33/37 patients showed abnormalities in positive-aspiration score and swallow dysfunction score of VFSS. The number of abnormal patients in aspiration score of FEES was 19/21. The Kappa values were 0.137, 0.416 between Kubota drinking test. Tengdao's evaluation and VFSS. The FEES was measured against the VFSS for sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value, the values were 88.9%, 66.7%, 94.1% and 50.0%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Kubota drinking test and Tengdao's evaluation can be applied for screening purpose and evaluating result after treatment; VFSS and FEES can be used as more accurate assessments, they can study the dysphagia's character, position and severity. The combination of a variety of dysphagia evaluation methods is the most important basis for diagnosis and treatment of deglutition disorders.</p>

Study of characteristic of the cochlear hydrops analysis masking procedure in normal adults / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the characteristic of the cochlear hydrops analysis masking procedure (CHAMP) in normal adults, and to evaluate the diagnostic values of its parameters for membranous labyrinth hydrops.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty otologically normal adults were recruited (male:female = 10:10), and their auditory brainstem responses (ABR) were obtained to six stimulus conditions using Bio-logic auditory evoked potential system: clicks presented alone (unmasked condition) and clicks presented with ipsilateral pink noise high-pass filtered at 8, 4, 2, 1, and 0.5 kHz respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The wave V latency of ABR to the high-pass masking pink noise clicks were longer than ABR to clicks alone. The latency delays of wave V for clicks presented with ipsilateral pink noise high-pass filtered at 8, 4, 2, 1, and 0.5 kHz compared to clicks alone were (0.30 ± 0.18), (0.97 ± 0.43), (1.65 ± 0.64), (3.21 ± 0.56), (4.66 ± 0.37) ms respectively. The complex amplitude ratio between ABR to click + 0.5 kHz high-pass noise and click alone was 0.95 ± 0.11.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CHAMP is a promising diagnostic method for membranous labyrinth hydrops, and the latency delay of wave V might be used as the normal criterion. The specificity of the complex amplitude ratio need further evaluation in clinical work.</p>

Effects of eukaryotic expression plasmid encoding human tumstatin gene on endothelial cells in vitro / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Tumstatin is a novel endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor which is widely studied using purified protein. The current study evaluates the antiangiogenic effects of tumstatin-overexpression plasmid in vitro, reveals the mechanism underlying the vascular endothelial cell growth inhibition and searches for a novel method administering tumstatin persistently.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA-tumstatin encoding tumstatin gene was constructed and transfected to human umbilical vein endothelial cell ECV304 and human renal carcinoma cell ACHN. Expression of tumstatin in the two cell lines was determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Vascular endothelial cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 assay and cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. To investigate the mechanism by which pcDNA-tumstatin inhibited vascular endothelial cell proliferation in vitro, cyclin D1 protein was detected by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DNA sequence confirmed that pcDNA-tumstatin was successfully constructed. RT-PCR and Western blotting indicated that tumstatin could express in the two cell lines effectively. After tumstatin gene transfer, ECV304 cell growth was significantly inhibited and the cell cycle was arrested in G1 phase. And Western blotting showed that pcDNA-tumstatin decreased the level of cyclin D1 protein.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Overexpression of tumstatin mediated by pcDNA 3.1 (+) specially inhibited vascular endothelial cells by arresting vascular endothelial cell in G1 phase resulting from downregulation of cyclin D1 and administration of tumstatin using a gene therapy might be a novel strategy for cancer therapy.</p>

Analysis of abnormality of the middle ear in infant and young children / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the diagnosis of middle ear abnormality in infants and young children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To analyze retrospectively the data of audiology (including ABR, tympanometry) and CT scanning in 31 infants and young children who presented middle ear abnormality.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Wave I latencies of ABR were delayed in 38 of 62 ears and not delayed in 15 ears, but CT scanning showed high density in 6 ears of these 15 ears. Wave I could not be elicited in 9 ears. Tympanometries were tested in 16 cases and were abnormal in 17 ears. CT scanning was carried out in 15 cases who's ABR and tympanometries showed abnormal. High signal intensity was present in mastoids and middle ear cavities in both ears of 12 cases and unilateral ear of 3 cases. Wave I latency of ABR was delayed and High signal intensity was present in mastoids and middle ear cavities in CT scanning of 13 ears. Wave I latency of ABR was normal, but high signal intensity was present in mastoids and middle ear cavities in CT scanning of 4 ears, there was no any ear which Wave I latency was delayed but CT scanning was normal. And disaccord among ABR, Tympanometry and CT scanning were showed. A typical case was reported.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The most abnormality of the middle ear could be found used the tympanometry and I latency of ABR in infant and young children, but still there were some abnormality of the middle ear could not be showed. Some quandaries were existed and more sensitivity tests were needed in the diagnosis of abnormality in middle ears of infant and young children.</p>

Clinical analysis of otogenic intracranial complications / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the clinical features and treatment protocols of otogenic intracranial complications in Peking Union Medical College Hospital.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Retrospective study of 14 patients (10 males and 4 females, aged between 12 - 62 years, mean age 32.1 years) hospitalized from 1982 - 2006. Twelve cases were otitis media (OM) with cholesteatoma, the other 2 cases were non-cholesteatomatous OM. All the otogenic intracranial complications located at the same sides as otologic disorders. Brain abscess was the most common type of otogenic complications and Proteus was the most common microorganism detected. Suppurative ear discharge, headache, high fever and nausea with vomiting were the most common clinical manifestations with very high incidences. All the patients received combined protocols of mastoid surgeries and antibiotics treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the 14 patients recovered clinically. For patients discharged before 1987, there were 4 patients followed up for 22.5 - 24.4 years with a mean time of 23.8 without recurrence, 1 patient died of cardiovascular disease 19.2 years later after discharge, 4 patients lost follow-up. For the 5 patients discharged after 1997, brain abscess recurred in one patient with pseudo-recovery after 24 days and he fully recovered after re-hospitalization and treatment. All the five patients were followed up for 1.5 years to 10.6 years with a mean time of 6.5 years without recurrence.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Youngsters and males seemed to be more vulnerable. Brain abscess was the most common intracranial complication and Proteus was the most common pyogenic microorganism. Combination of mastoid surgery and antibiotics were essential for effectively controlling the intracranial complications and improving the recovery. CT and MRI were essential for correct diagnosis bedtimes and MRI seemed to have a better performance.</p>

Management of nasopharyngeal stenosis following uvulopalatopharyngoplasty / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Severe nasopharyngeal stenosis (NPS) is a rare complication of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and very difficult to manage. This report presents our successful treatment experience.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From Nov 1997 to Feb 2006, 6 adults patients with NPS secondary to UPPP were treated in Peking Union Hospital. Two cases was grade II stenosis, received surgery of local pharyngeal and soft palate mucosa flap rotation to enlarge nasopharyngeal airway with stenosis; For the remaining 4 cases with more severe NPS (grade III) who had received 1-3 times unsuccessful repair procedures previously, prolonged nasopharyngeal hollow obturators were used for 6 months after stenosis repair surgery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>With 9-48 months follow-up, All cases results were satisfactory. Nasal obstruction symptom was eliminated, NPS corrected, no velopharyngeal insufficiency complication happened. Daytime removable nasopharyngeal hollow stent obturators with palate support device is more comfortable for patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Local flap rotation to enlarge stenosis airway and prolonged use nasopharyngeal hollow obturators are reliable methods of correction NPS following UPPP.</p>

Diagnosis and treatment of Madelung's disease / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To review the characteristics of Madelung's disease which is rare and unfamiliar to clinicians and to find the method of diagnosis and treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Detailed clinical data of 7 patients with Madelung's disease were reviewed and analyzed. And related literatures were discussed together.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All of 7 patients have excessive subcutaneous fat deposit predominantly around neck. One patients had the complication of central and peripheral neuropathy, One patients had the complication of glucose intolerance, One patients had the complication of chronic hepatopathy and hyperuricaemia. These 3 patients were associated with sleep apnea syndrome simultaneously. Another one patient was accompanied by autonomic nervous system disease only. Total neck lipectomy and abstinence from alcohol were performed on 5 patients. No recurrence was seen during a follow-up of 6 months to 5 years. One patient received partial lipectomy twice and relapsed again. All pathological results were nonencapsulated fat. One patient refused treatment. Six men patients were alcohol abusers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Madelung's disease is characterized by massive accumulation of nonencapsulated subcutaneous fat mainly located symmetrically in the neck. Chronic alcoholism may be a major risk factor. It may be associated with some internal diseases. Total neck lipectomy to improve figuration and relieve pressure and abstinence from alcohol may be the main effective therapy.</p>

Effect of mouse uroplakin II promoter on human bladder cancer cell line / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of gene expression of mouse uroplakin II (UPII) promoter on human bladder cell cancer cell line.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The mRNA expression of different cell lines was quantified by RT-PCR. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) and luciferase (Luc) were used as reporter genes. The plasmids carrying UPII or GFP were constructed and transfected into human cell lines of bladder transitional cell cancer (BIU-87), kindey cancer (GRC-1), vascular endothelium (EC), lung cancer cell line (A549) and skin fibroblast cell line (Hs27). GFP activity of cells was detected by confocual microscopy and flow cytometry (FCM). Luciferase value was measured by luminometer (microplate) and luciferase to beta-galactosidase ratios (L/G values) were used for evaluating transfection efficiency.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>RT-PCR showed high expression level of UPII mRNA in bladder cancer cell line BIU-87, whereas low level or no expression in nonbladder cancer cell lines. The activity of GFP in bladder cancer (BIU-87) cell was higher than that in the other cell lines (5 - 10/HP versus 0 - 2/HP), with 4.34% positive cells in BIU-87 detected by FCM, but no positive cell was found in the other cell lines. L/G values indicated that the luciferase expression in human bladder cancer cells transfected with mouse UPII promoter was 1.8 - 8.2-fold as high as that in the nonbladder cell lines.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mouse UPII promoter gene can be expressed in a tissue-specific fashion in human urinary bladder cancer. It is capable of initiating transcription of reporter genes in human bladder cancer cell line.</p>

Abrogation of heat-shock protein (HSP)70 expression induced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in human androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line PC-3m / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the effect of abrogating heat shock protein (HSP) 70 expression by antisense HSP70 oligonucleotides treatment on human androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line PC-3m growth.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PC-3m cells were treated with 0-16 mmol/L antisense HSP70 oligomers for 0-100 hr. Cell growth inhibition was analyzed using a trypan blue dye exclusion test. Apoptotic cells were detected and confirmed by flow cytometric analysis and DNA fragmentation analysis. The protein expression of HSP70 and bcl-2 affected by antisense HSP70 oligomers were determined using Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Antisense HSP70 oligomer induced apoptosis and then inhibited proliferation of PC-3m cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Ladder-like patterns of DNA fragments were observed in PC-3m cells treated with 10 mmol/L antisense HSP70 oligomer for 48 hr or 8 mmol/L for 72 hr on agarose gel electrophoresis. Antisense HSP70 oligomer pretreatment enhanced the subsequent induction of apoptosis by heat shock in PC-3m cells. In addition, undetectable HSP70 expression was observed at a concentration of 10 mmol/L antisense HSP70 oligomer treatment for 48 hr or 8 mmol/L for 72 hr in Western blot, which was paralleled by decreased expression levels of anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HSP70 antisense oligomer treatment abrogates the expression of HSP70, which may disrupt HSP70-bcl-2-interactions and further down-regulate bcl-2 expression, in turn inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cell growth in PC-3m cells.</p>

Screening of new binding partners of CIKS with yeast two-hybrid system / 生物工程学报

The NF-kappaB transcription factor plays important regulatory roles in inflammation, apoptosis, immune and stress responses. IkappaB kinase (IKK) composed of two catalytic subunits and a regulator subunit, acts as a key component of NF-kappaB activation pathway through phosphorylation of IkappaB, the inhibitor of NF-kappaB. CIKS (connection to IKK and SAPK), a newly identified cellular protein, is involved in NF-kappaB and JNK activation. Although it has been known that CIKS interacts with IKK complex, and activates both IKK and SAPK when overexpressed; the underling mechanisms are poorly understood. To better understand the physiological roles of CIKS, we have screened human HeLa MATCHMAKER cDNA library for new binding partners of CIKS by using the yeast two-hybrid system with truncated CIKS (151-574) as the bait. The yeast strain AH109 was sequentially transformed with the bait plasmid and the library. The transformants were screened on SD(-Leu/-Trp/-His/-Ade/ + X-alpha-gal)selective plates. Positive clones were restreaked on SD(-Leu/-Trp / + X-alpha-gal)plates three times to allow loss of some of the AD/library plasmids while maintaining selective pressure on both the DNA-BD and AD vectors. After 3 screenings on SD(-Leu/-Trp / + X-alpha-gal), the positive clones were further verified on SD(-Leu/-Trp/-His/-Ade/ + X-alpha-gal) plates. The inserts in AD/library plasmids were amplified by PCR and PCR products were characterized by Hae III digestion to eliminate the duplicates. After screening in selective plates, the positive AD/library plasmids were rescued via transformation of E. coli HB101 and the interactions of CIKS (151-574) with positive AD/library plasmids were further assessed by yeast two-hybrid analysis. Finally, the DNA sequences of the positive AD/library plasmids were determined and BLAST analysis against the databases was performed. The BLAST results indicate that the inserts in the positive plasmids encode RIKEN cDNA 473340F03, PLAC8, CD27BP (Siva-1), CDC5L, SnRNP smB, and DVL2. CDC5L is a key component of the multi-protein complex essential for the formation of pre-mRNA splicing product and is not required for spliceosome assembly. A role for CDC5L in the cell division cycle has been precious suggested as its overexpression of this protein in mammalian cells leads to a shortening G2 phase of the cell cycle, and a negative-dominant mutant of CDC5L lacking the N-terminal activation domain delays the G2 phase cell's entry into the mitosis. It has been reported that SnRNP smB participates in pre-mRNA splicing and CD27BP (Siva-1) binds to and inhibits BCL-XL-mediated protection against UV radiation-induced apoptosis and regulates T cell homeostasis. The functions of RIKEN cDNA 473340F03, PLAC8 and DVL2 are unknown. It has been suggested that CIKS functions as a critical component for cross-talk between NF-kappaB and JNK signaling pathways. IKK subunits, which have been demonstrated to interact with CIKS, were not shown up in this experiment. We speculate that the truncated CIKS (151-574) bait may not contain the binding domain that mediates the interaction of IKK subunits with CIKS. Taken together, the above results suggest that CIKS may play a role in cell regulation through interacting with various cellular proteins. Further investigations are required to characterize these interactions.

Screening and characterization of DNA aptamers with hTNF-alpha binding and neutralizing activity / 生物工程学报

Human tumor necrosis factor alpha (hTNF-alpha) is one of the most important inflammatory cytokines that acts as a mediator in inflammatory and immune response and plays a key role in host defense against infection. The over expression of hTNF-alpha is associated with serious consequences, such as shock, hypotension, thrombus, septicemia and even death. It has been implicated in many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, chronic heart failure and septic shock. Inhibiting the bio-activity of hTNF-alpha is one of the strategy for the treatment of these diseases. Compared with traditional recombinant protein drugs, small molecule drugs have many advantages, such as high affinity, low immunogenecity and low cost. Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) is a powerful method for the selection of oligonucleotides that bind with high affinity and specificity to target proteins. Such oligonucleotides are called aptamers, and are potential therapeutics for blocking the activity of pathologically relevant proteins. To obtain oligonucleotide aptamers specifically binding to TNF, a 40nt random DNA combinatorial library flanked by 31nt fixed sequences was chemically synthesized. The random library was amplified with PCR and subjected to selection by SELEX protocol against hTNFalpha. After incubation of the library with hTNFalpha, the mixture was blotted onto Immobilon-NC transfer membrane. The no-specific binding was washed away and the hTNFa binding aptamers were eluted and detached from the target protein. The eluted oligo nucleotides were amplified with PCR and served as the DNA library for the next round selection. After 12 rounds of such selection, the selected aptamers were cloned to pGEM-T vector. Positive clones were identified by restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. Oligo DNA were synthesized according to the sequence data and tested for their activities. Binding activity of the aptamers to hTNFalpha were detected by ELISA and dot blot with biotin-streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase system. Mouse L929 cells were used to test the anti-hTNFa activity of the DNA aptamers. The aptamers were incubated with hTNFalpha and added to the L929 cells. The results were read under microscope and with MTT staining. It was shown that these DNA aptamers bound to hTNFalpha with high affinity, and can inhibit the cytotoxicity of hTNFalpha on cell culture. The affinity of these aptamers are different and may related to their structure. These ssDNA aptamers are potential for the treatment and diagnosis of hTNFalpha related diseases.

Cloning, expression and bio-activity assay of chimeric fusion protein sTNFRII-IgG Fc / 生物工程学报

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a key cytokine in immunology system and is related to many human diseases. In order to inhibit the activity of TNF, cDNA coding for soluble TNF receptor II (sTNFRII) and human IgG Fc were linked using a flexible hinge. This gene was expressed in E. coli as a chimeric protein and purified by metal chelate chromatography. The results show that the fusion protein exists in the physiological form as a dimer, has the ability to bind with TNF and inhibits the cytotoxicity of TNF on L929 cells. Contrasting to monomer sTNFRII, the chimeric protein has an improved bioactivity, and displays potential prospects for research and application.

Characteristic pattern of human prostatic growth with age / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the characteristic pattern of the age-related growth of the human prostate gland.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The volume (weight) of the prostate in 1,601 males, aged from newborn to 92 years, was determined by B-ultrasonography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Prostatic volume determination by B-ultrasonography in 1601 males (1301 normal subjects and 300 BPH patients) pointed out that the age-stratified growth of human prostate could be categorized into 4 life stages: (1) the first slow growing phase (from newborn to 9 years): the prostate grows slowly at a rate of 0.14 g per year; (2) the first rapid growing phase (from 10 to 30 years): the prostate grows at a rate of 0.84 g per year; (3) the second slow growing phase (from 30 to 50 years), the prostate grows at a rate of 0.21 g per year; (4) the second rapid growing phase (from 50 to 90 years): the prostate grows at one of the following rates: in one group the growth rate is of 0.50 g per year and in the other 1.20 g per year, leading to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The volumes of the prostate are different in different age groups and it grows with age at different rates in four life phases. The prostate growth in phases can be expressed by the following equation: Y=19.36+1.36X'-0.58X'(2+0.33X'3), where Y = prostate volume, X = age (up to 70 years), X'=(X-35.5)/10.</p>