Effect of Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum Aqueous Extract Regulating NF-κB Inflammation Microenvironment on Osteogenic Differentiation of MC3T3-E1 / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To investigate the role and mechanism of Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum aqueous extract in promoting osteogenic differentiation of mouse preosteoblast cell line(MC3T3-E1) by regulating nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB) inflammation microenvironment. Method::MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in vitro, and osteogenic induction (OI) was performed. Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum was prepared and treated the cells. Cells were devided into control group, osteogenic induction group and Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum (20 mg·L-1)with osteogenic induction group. The proliferation of MC3T3-E1 was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), and the optimum concentration of intervention was determined. MC3T3-E1 differentiation and osteogenic mineralization were assayed using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin red staining (ARS), respectively. The expressions of NF-κB p65, NF-κB p105, interleukin-6(IL-6), ALP and Collagen-Ⅰ(COL-Ⅰ) mRNA were detected by Real-time PCR. Result::The results of CCK-8 showed that the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 did not change statistically with time, but it showed an upward trend, while the proliferation at 20 mg·L-1 was more obvious than other groups. The ALP and ARS showed that the positive staining rate of osteogenic induction group and Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum with osteogenic induction group were higher than control group.Real-time PCR results showed that on the 7th day in culture, the expression of NF-κB p105 and IL-6 mRNA in Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum with osteogenic induction group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.01), and the expression of ALP and COL-Ⅰ mRNA was significantly upregulated(P<0.05), on the 14th day, the expression of NF-κB p65, NF-κB p105 and IL-6 mRNA in Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum with osteogenic induction group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.01). The expression of ALP and COL-Ⅰ mRNA was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion::Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum aqueous extract can promote osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 via a mechanism associated with the regulation of inhibition of NF-κB inflammatory microenvironment.

Clinical study on the treatment of high-risk BPH with hermo-expandable metallic prostate stent / 医学研究生学报

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and surgical experience of hermo-expandable metallic prostate stent in the treatment of elderly high-risk BPH patients.MethodsRetrospective analysis was performed on 38 patients with BPH who underwent implantation of hermo-expandable metallic prostate stent from January 2017 to October 2018 in the General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command. The patients were 72 to 89 years old, with preoperative international prostatic symptom score (IPSS) of 25.6±4.1 points, maximum flow rate of urine (MRF) of (4.8±1.2) mL/s, and residual urine volume (RUV) (160.7±70.5) mL. Urinary catheters were placed in 7 patients for 4-8 days due to acute urinary retention.ResultsExcept for the failure in one case, all 37 patients were successfully implanted with the prostate stent at one time, and they urinated immediately after the operation without serious operation-related complications. Follow-up was conducted for 3 months, and the IPSS and RUV of the 37 patients were (15.6±4.3) and (40.7±12.9) mL respectively, which were significantly lower than those before the operation (P<0.05). MRF was (11.1±4.3) mL/s, significantly higher than that before surgery (P<0.05). 22 cases in this group were followed up for 2 years, and their IPSS, MRF and RUV were all stable.ConclusionThe thermo-expandable metallic prostate stent for the treatment of dysuria caused by BPH is effective, reliable and less traumatic. It is a preferred choice for the treatment of the aged BPH patients who are at a high risk and not suitable for surgery.

Effect of warm acupuncture on pathological morphology and pain-induced inflammatory mediators in rats with myofascial pain trigger / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#Based on the establishment of a rat model of trigger point, this study was to intervene with warm acupuncture, and to evaluate the effect on pathological morphology and pain-induced inflammation of the rat model by microscopic pathology and microdialysis.@*METHODS@#Sixty-four SD rats were randomly divided into group A (blank control), group B (model control) and group C (model and intervention control). Groups A and B were divided into 3 groups (A0, A1, A2 and B0, B1, B2), the group C was divided into 2 groups (C1 and C2). The MTrPs model was established in both groups B and C, warm acupuncture intervention were given to the C1 group for 7 days and the C2 group for 15 days. Rats were sacrificed in batches. MTrPs were locally sampled and stained with hematoxylin-eosin after the preparation. The pathological changes were observed under light microscopy. The iocal interleukin-1β and prostaglandin E2 were detected by microdialysis technique.@*RESULTS@#Microscopically, the muscle fibers of the model were arranged disorderly, broken, twisted, local fibrosis, contracture thickening and so on; macrophage and other inflammatory cell invasion in local area and a large area of adhesion occurred on the contracture nodule, the pathological state of local muscle fibers was significantly improved after warm needle intervention, local microvascular formation and maturation, local muscle fiber repair. After successful modeling, the amount of interleukin-1β and prostaglandin E2 in group B0 was significantly higher than that in group A0 before warm needle intervention (0.05). Group C1 and B1 were significantly higher than group A1 (<0.01); warm needle intervention for 15 days, the amount of interleukin-1β and prostaglandin E2 in group C2 were lower than those in group B2 (<0.05), but those in group C2 and B2 were significantly higher than group A2 (<0.01), and the amount of interleukin-1β and prostaglandin E2 in group C2 was lower than group C1 (<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The modeling method of exercise combined hitting used in this study was proved to be effective by histopathology; warm acupuncture can improve the pathological and inflammatory state of local muscle fiber in myofascial pain trigger of rat, promote local microvascular formation and maturation, and help the trigger point local muscle fiber repair.

Spiral thermo-expandable prostatic stent implantation for benign prostatic hyperplasia: Clinical analysis of 26 cases / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the surgical techniques and clinical effect of Memokath transurethral spiral thermo-expandable prostatic stent (STEPS) implantation in the treatment of BPH.@*METHODS@#From January 2017 to January 2018, 26 BPH patients underwent Memokath transurethral STEPS implantation, 9 under the flexible cystoscope and the other 17 under the rigid cystoscope. The patients were aged 62－91 years old, with a prostate volume of 32－78 ml, postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) of (67.3 ± 11.2) ml, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) of (6.3 ± 1.8) ml/s, and IPSS score of 26.7 ± 5.7. Eight of the patients had preoperative urinary retention, of whom, 6 received catheterization and 2 had undergone cystostomy for bladder fistula before STEPS implantation.@*RESULTS@#The operations lasted 15－30 minutes and were successfully completed in 24 cases while stent-shedding occurred in the other 2. Twenty-two of the patients achieved spontaneous urination immediately after surgery and 2 experienced bladder clot embolism. At 3 month after surgery, 24 of the patients showed significant improvement in PVR (［21.4 ± 7.7］ ml), Qmax (［18.3 ± 4.7］ ml/s) and IPSS (8.3 ± 2.1), and 13 exhibited no statistically significant difference from the baseline in the IIEF-5 score (14.1 ± 1.1 vs 14.3 ± 1.0, P > 0.05). At 12 months, all the patients were found with markedly improved urination but no adverse events except recurrent urinary tract infection in 2 cases.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Memokath STEPS implantation, with its advantages of simple operation, high safety, definite effectiveness, non-influence on sexual function, is a new effective surgical option for the treatment of BPH.

Analysis of clinical effects of iliolumbar fixation in treating sacrum fracture of Denis type II / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical effects of iliolumbar fixation for the sacrum fractures of Denis type II.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 86 patients with sacrum fracture of Denis type II treated by iliolumbar fixation from January 2008 to January 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 55 males and 31 females, aged from 17 to 55 years old with an average of 39.1 years. Among them, 73 cases complicated with pelvis fracture and 13 cases with acetabular fracture; 37 cases with sacral neurological symptoms and 49 cases without sacral neurological symptoms. Fracture healing time, nerve function, clinical function and complications were observed in the patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 86 cases, 6 cases were out of followed-up and 80 cases were followed up from 24 to 71 months with an average of 36 months. The mean fracture healing time was 13 weeks (ranged, 10 to 38 weeks). According to Gibbons scoring to evaluate the neurological function, preoperative nerve rehabilitation, lower limbs feeling, lower limbs activity,bladder and rectum function,total score respectively were 0.62 +/- 0.04, 1.54 +/- 0.35, 1.12 +/- 0.18, 0.23 +/- 0.01, 3.46 +/- 0.47 and postoperative respectively were 0.82 +/- 0.12, 0.36 +/- 0.04, 0.05 +/- 0.01, 0.03 +/- 0.01, 1.25 +/- 0.22, there were statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative (P < 0.05). According to Majeed scoring to evaluate the clinical function, postoperative pain, standing, sitting, sexual life, work ability, total score respectively were 22.54 +/- 4.02, 27.93 +/- 5.46, 8.47 +/- 3.61, 2.54 +/- 1.33, 16.46 +/- 4.34, 81.32 +/- 8.73, 60 cases got excellent results, 17 good, 3 fair. The main complications including fracture nonunion of 5 cases,deep incision infection of 1 case, and screw prominence resulting uncomfortable of 8 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Iliolumbar fixation has the advantages of stable fixation, satisfactory functional rehabilitation, less complications, and is a good method in treating sacrum fracture of Denis type II.</p>

Analysis of pregnancy outcomes in 66 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the outcomes of pregnancies in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the risk factors affecting the outcomes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of SLE patients with pregnancy admitted from October, 2006 and September, 2015 were analyzed for assessing the maternal and fetal outcomes and complications. Their risk factors affecting the outcomes of the pregnancies were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 66 SLE patients (69 pregnancies) had a mean age at SLE diagnosis of 22.9 ∓ 5.1 years with a mean duration of SLE of 4.1∓3.6 years before pregnancy. Forty-five (65.2%) of the patients received oral medication for SLE treatment during pregnancy, and 44 (63.8%) were treated with prednisone and 19 (27.5%) were treated with hydroxychloroquine. The highest SLEDAI score was 6.8∓7.4 during pregnancy. The patients with moderate-to-severe disease activity had a higher rate of fetal loss (12 [54.5%] vs 12 [25.5%]) with a significantly lower birth weight of the newborns than those with remittent or mild disease (2073.0∓ 778.7 vs 2817.8∓533.7 g, P<0.05). The patients with moderate-to-severe disease activity also had higher rates of new-onset SLE (9 [40.9%] vs 6 [12.8%]), hypertension (12 [54.5%] vs 3 [6.4%]), active lupus nephritis (22 [100%] vs 4 [8.5%]), pneumonia (5 [22.7%] vs 2 [4.3%]), and renal insufficiency (8 [36.4%] vs 2 [4.3%]) compared with patients with remittent and mild disease (P<0.05). Active lupus nephritis (OR=6.10,95%CI: 1.43-25.96) was a significant predictor of adverse outcomes of the pregnancies.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Fetal loss and maternal complications are common in patients with SLE in relation with the disease activity. Active lupus nephritis is a predictor for poor outcomes of pregnancies in SLE patients.</p>

Simulation prediction of bone defect repair using biodegradable scaffold based on finite element method / 生物医学工程学杂志

Aiming at the problem of scaffold degradation in bone tissue engineering, we studied the feasibility that controlls bone defect repair effect with the inhomogeneous structure of scaffold. The prediction model of bone defect repair which contains governing equations for bone formation and scaffold degradation was constructed on the basis of analyzing the process and main influence factors of bone repair in bone tissue engineering. The process of bone defect repair and bone structure after repairing can be predicted by combining the model with finite element method (FEM). Bone defect repair effects with homogenous and inhomogeneous scaffold were simulated respectively by using the above method. The simulation results illustrated that repair effect could be impacted by scaffold structure obviously and it can also be controlled via the inhomogeneous structure of scaffold with some feasibility.

Changes in pathological pattern and treatment regimens based on repeat renal biopsy in lupus nephritis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Relapses occur frequently in patients with lupus nephritis. Renal biopsy is the gold standard for assessing renal activity and hence guiding the treatment. Whether repeat renal biopsy is helpful during flares of lupus nephritis remains inconclusive. In the present study, we retrospectively reviewed the patients with lupus nephritis who had more than one renal biopsy with the hope to find the clinical value of repeat biopsy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients who had a diagnosis of lupus nephritis and two or more renal biopsies were selected from the database of the patient pathology registration at this renal division. Renal biopsy was evaluated according to the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) classification of lupus nephritis. The pathological patterns and treatment regimens were analyzed after a repeat biopsy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We identified 44 systemic lupus erythematosus patients with serial renal biopsies. In total, there were 94 renal biopsies. Overall, the pathological transition occurred in 64% instances according to the ISN/RPS class. When the transition was analyzed according to proliferative, membranous or mix lesions, it showed different profile: 35% in patients with proliferative lesion, 23.5% patients with mix lesions, 100% in patients with pure membranous lesion. The pathological transition could not be predicted by any clinical characteristics. After the repeat renal biopsy, 34% of patients had a change in their treatment regimens.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The pathological conversion was very prevalent in patients with lupus nephritis. However, the transitions became less prevalent when they were analyzed according to pure membranous, proliferative, and mix lesion. Repeat biopsy might be helpful to avoid unnecessary increased immunosuppression therapy.</p>

Current pattern of Chinese dialysis units: a cohort study in a representative sample of units / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Understanding the characteristics of Chinese dialysis patients and the current practice trends is the first step to evaluate the association between practice pattern and outcome in these populations. In the present study, we evaluated the status of medical treatment and characteristic features of chronic dialysis patients in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Through a clustering sampling, we selected 9 centers from the largest dialysis facilities in 6 cities around China. All adult undergoing dialysis in the selected units were screened. A total of 2388 (1775 on hemodialysis (HD) and 613 on peritoneal dialysis (PD)) patients were finally enrolled. All data were collected at enrollment on the bases of review of medical records.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In this cohort, 1313 (55.0%) were male. The mean age was 54 years old. The median time for dialysis was 26 months (12 - 51 months). Seventy-five percent of patients were on HD and 25.0% on PD. Among PD patients, about 21% patients did not receive dialysis adequacy. For HD patients, about 14.0% of them did not achieve dialysis adequacy when the target of kt/V was set as 1.2. Only 44.7% of patients achieved blood pressure target of 140/90 mmHg. About 60% of patients did not reach the hemoglobin target of 110 g/L even though 85.0% of them were treated with erythropoietin. In addition, 48.5% of the patients had uncontrolled mineral metabolism revealed by the high calcium-phosphate product. Compared with HD patients, higher level of serum glucose, triglyceride, and total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were more common in PD patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This observational study suggests that many Chinese dialysis patients did not achieve the therapeutic target, particularly in blood pressure control, anemia correction, and mineral balance. PD patients were more likely to suffer metabolic disturbance.</p>

GJB2 235delC single allelic mutation modulates the phenotype associated with the mitochondrial A1555G mutation / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate a non-syndromic deafness family in which potential interaction between the GJB2 gene and a mitochondrial gene appeared to be the cause of hearing impairment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Audiological examination was performed by pure-tone audiometry (PTA). Blood samples from 8 members of the pedigree were obtained. DNA was extracted from the leukocytes. The coding region of the GJB2 gene and mitochondrial DNA target fragments were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were analyzed by sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Direct sequencing showed that the proband had both a heterozygous mutation of 235delC in the GJB2 gene and a mitochondrial 1555 A to G mutation. The proband had profound hearing loss. The maternal relatives had sensorineural hearing loss in the higher frequencies or no hearing loss.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The GJB2 mutations may be an aggravating factor in the phenotypic expression of the non-syndromic hearing loss associated with the A1555G mitochondrial mutation.</p>

Penile and scrotal skin flaps: first choice for urethroplasty in the treatment of hypospadias / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the feasibility of the treatment of hypospadias with penile and scrotal skin flaps.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-three hypospadias patients aged 3.5-19 (mean 6. 8) years underwent urethroplasty with penile and scrotal skin flaps. All were followed up for 6 years and analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the total number of patients, 21 (91.3%) succeeded in one operation and the other 2 developed complications, including urethral fistula and urethral structure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Penile and scrotal skin, advantageous for its adequacy, rich blood supply and contribution to high success rate of surgery, is believed to be the first choice for urethroplasty in the treatment of hypospadias.</p>

Pro-apoptotic effect on osteosarcoma SOSP-9607 cells by human recombinant caspase-6 fusion protein / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the pro-apoptotic effect of Her-2 targeted recombinant caspase-6 fusion protein on osteosarcoma SOSP-9607 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Recombinant immunocasp-6 was generated by sequential fusion of the genes of a signal peptide, a single-chain Her-2 antibody (e23sFv), a PEA translocation domain (PEA aa253-364) and an active caspase-6. The immunocasp-6 gene was cloned into pCMV plasmid to construct a kind of eukaryotic expression vector, i.e. pCMV-e23sfv-PE II-caspase-6 (abbr. pCMV-6) and transfected into SOSP-9607 cells. Murine xenograft models were randomly divided into two groups that received i.m. injections of liposome encapsulated pCMV-6 or pCMV alone. The tumor volume and weight of the nude mice and the tumor weight of the cured mice were observed and statistically analyzed. The morphological changes of the tumors were examined with HE staining, apoptotic morphology of the tumor was observed by TUNEL staining and the gene expression was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The tumor growth of the mice in the treatment group was significantly slower than that of the control group (P = 0.001). The weight of the nude mice in the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P = 0.0002). The tumor weight of the mice in the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P = 0.0006). HE and TUNEL staining of the tumor of nude mice in the treatment groups showed typical characteristics of apoptosis, while normal structure was found in the control group. Furthermore, caspase-6 was not found in the tumor and muscle tissues in the control group, but only in the treatment group by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Immunocasp-6 can selectively recognize and bind to and kill HER-2 positive osteosarcoma cells, therefore, to offer some foundation for the clinical treatment of osteosarcoma.</p>

Estrogen reduces the expressions of ryanodine receptor type 1 and Cav1.3 L-type calcium channel in the vaginal smooth muscle cells of rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the expressions of ryanodine receptor type 1 (RyR1) and Cav1.3 L-type calcium channel (Cav1.3) in the vaginal smooth muscle cells of castrated rats and investigate the correlation of RyR1 and Cav1.3 with estrogen in female sexual dysfunction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty female SD rats of 8 weeks were randomly divided into Groups A (2-week sham operation), B (4-week sham operation), C (2-week castration) and D (4-week castration). Two and 4 weeks after surgery, the serum estradiol level was determined with the automated immunochemiluminescence system and the expressions of RyR1 and Cav1.3 in the vaginal smooth muscle were detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Gray scale ratio was used to represent the mRNA expression levels of RyR1 and Car1.3, and the optical density value to denote their protein expression levels.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum estradiol was significantly decreased in Group C ([0.210 +/- 0.026] nmol/L) as compared with A ([0.505 +/- 0.053] nmol/L) (P < 0.01), and so was it in Group D ([0.130 +/- 0.031] nmol/L) in comparison with B ([0.476 +/- 0.058] nmol/L) (P < 0.01). RyR1 and Cav1.3 were expressed in all groups. The mRNA expressions of RyR1 and Cav1.3 were significantly reduced in Group C (0. 680 +/- 0.073 and 0.580 +/- 0.043) as compared with A (0.950 +/- 0.064 and 0.870 +/- 0.019) (P < 0.01), as well as in Group D (0.220 +/- 0.032 and 0.190 +/- 0.020) in comparison with B (0.890 +/- 0.072 and 0.820 +/- 0.021) (P < 0.01). The protein expressions of RyR1 and Cav1.3 were significantly down-regulated in Group C (96.67 +/- 7.75 and 87.97 +/- 6.96) as compared with A (123.69 +/- 10.66 and 106.46 +/- 8.04) (P < 0.01), and so were they in D (86.45 +/- 8.16 and 69.43 +/- 8.30) in comparison with B (109.31 +/- 9.87 and 97.38 +/- 7.56) (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both RyR1 and Cav1.3 were expressed in the vaginal smooth muscle cells of the rats, and estrogen might be involved in the regulation of female sexual reaction by acting on the expressions of RyR1 and Cav1.3.</p>

Expression of VEGF in prostate cancer and its correlation with ET-1 / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expressions of VEGF in prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), their clinical significance and their relationship with that of ET-1.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 44 specimens of PCa and 36 of BPH tissues were examined by the immunohistochemical Elivision plus method for the expressions of VEGF and ET-1. The intensity of staining for VEGF and ET-1 was assessed by light microscopy on a scale from "-" to "+ + +".</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rates of positive expression of VEGF were 69.4% in BPH and 80.9% in PCa, positive staining mostly in the cytoplasm of glandular epithelia and cancer cells, and strongly positive in all the stroma vascular endothelial cells. The staining intensity of VEGF was significantly higher in the PCa than in the BPH group (P < 0.05) , in the bone metastasis (BM) than in the non-BM group (P < 0.01), and in the lowly than in the highly and moderately differentiated PCa tissues (P < 0.01). The expression of VEGF was positively correlated with that of ET-1 ( r(s) = 0.780, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>VEGF is involved in the development, progression and metastasis of PCa. VEGF and ET-1 may play a joint role in its development and progression.</p>

Expressions of endothelin-1 in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer and their significance / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the different expressions of endothelin-1 ET-1) in prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissues and their clinical significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 36 BPH and 44 PCa specimens were examined for the expression of ET-1 by immunohistochemical technique (Elivision plus method). The staining intensity for ET-1 was assessed by light microscopy on a scale from "-" to "+ + +".</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Positive immunoreactivity was found in BPH and PCa, with a positive rate of 100%. Positive staining was located mostly in the cytoplasm of glandular epithelia and smooth muscle cells of both BPH and PCa and was noted in all stroma vascular endothelial cells. These were no significant differences in the intensity of positive staining for ET-1 between the groups of BPH and PCa (P > 0.05), bone metastasis (BM) and non-BM (P > 0.05), and highly and moderately differentiated PCa (P > 0.05), but the staining intensity for ET-1 was significantly higher in the poorly than in the highly and moderately differentiated PCa (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ET-1 has a high expression and the localization is the same in both BPH and PCa. It is involved in the development and progression of BPH and PCa.</p>

DNA methylation and prostate cancer / 中华男科学杂志

DNA methylation is a common event in malignancies and implicated in tumor initiation and progression. There is a battery of genes involved in critical cell processes such as DNA damage repair, which are hypermethylated in prostate cancer. DNA methylation has also been found in premalignant lesions such as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, but to a less extent compared with that in prostate cancer. Intensive study on DNA methylation would provide a new opportunity for the early diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

Diagnostic Significance of Pulmonary Function Test on Infants with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of pulmonary function test on infants with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods Forty-eight patients were divided into two groups based on physical examination. Pulmonary function were measured in 48 patients. Age-matched healthy infants were enrolled as controls. The parameters included ratio of volume to PEF to total expiratory volume(VPTEF/VE,tPTEF/tE),inspiratory time/expiratory time(TI/tE),inspiratory time/total respiratory time(TI/Ttot),ratio of 50% of the tital inspiratory flow to tital volume(TIF_ 50 /V_T),mean inspiratory flow(V_T/TI),function capacity(FRCp),resistance effective(Reff).Results TI/Ttot,ratio of 50% of the tital expiratory flow to 50% of the tital inspiratory flow(TEF_ 50 /TIF_ 50 ),FRCp,Reff were significantly higher in patients compared with controls(P

Altered expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in transdifferentiated human proximal tubular epithelial cells induced by transforming growth factor beta1 / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFR1, VEGFR2) in transdifferentiated human proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cell induced by transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The transdifferentiation of HK-2 cells was detected by evaluation of expression of alpha-SMA by cytoimmunochemistry and RT-PCR. The VEGF mRNA was evaluated with RT-PCR. The secreted VEGF in the culture media was measured with ELISA. The cellular VEGF, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2 were measured with Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The immunostain of alpha-SMA were positive in HK-2 cell induced by TGFbeta1 at the concentration of 5 and 8 ng/ml for 72 h. The expression of alpha-SMA mRNA was induced by TGFbeta1 in concentration- and time-dependent manners. The expressions of mRNA and protein of VEGF were upregulated by TGFbeta1 at the concentration of 0.1 and 1 ng/ml for 72 h and at the concentration of 8 ng/ml for 12 h and 24 h when compared with the control. But expressions of mRNA and protein of VEGF were downregulated by TGFbeta1 at the concentration of 3, 5, and 8 ng/ml for 72 h and at the concentration of 8 ng/ml for 36, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Meanwhile, Protein levels of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were upregulated by TGFbeta1 in concentration- and time- dependent manners.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Increased expression of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 and two-phase change in VEGF expression occurred in the process of tubular epithelial transdifferentiation induced by TGFbeta1. Reduced expression of VEGF may contribute to tubular epithelial transdifferentiation in a vicious circle.</p>

Synthesis and antioxidative activity of 2-substituted phenyl-5-(3'-indolyl)-oxazole derivatives / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the synthesis of 5-(3'-indolyl)-oxazoles and their antioxidative activity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The amides were prepared from tryptophan and different acid derivatives by the catalytic dehydration of dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCC). The characteristic heterocyclic ring system of 5-(3'-indolyl)-oxazoles was constructed by oxidative cyclization of amide, using dicholorodicyanoquinone (DDQ). Their antioxidative activity in vitro was tested using DPPH system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eleven 2-substituted phenyl-5-(3'-indolyl)-oxazoles were prepared, the compounds 21 and 22 have shown antioxidative activity 3-4 times stronger than that of Vit E, and the compound 29 showed antioxidative activity almost as same as Vit E.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Three 5-(3'-indoyl)-oxazole compounds synthesized showed potent antioxidative effect and they would be a good antioxidants.</p>

Effect of BMP-7 on the transdifferentiation of cultured human tubular epithelial cell induced by TGF-beta1 / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) on the transdifferentiation of cultured human tubular epithelial cell (HKC) induced by TGF-beta1 and to elucidate its possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cultured HKC cells were divided into 5 groups: serum-free group (negative control); single TGF-beta1 treated group (positive control); single BMP-7 treated group; combined TGF-beta1 and BMP-7 treated group; and BMP-7 pre-treated group. Expression of keratin of HKC cells was assessed by indirect enzyme immunohistochemistry (IEI), expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and E-cadherin by immunohistological method, percentage of alpha-SMA positive HKC cells by flow cytometry, and mRNA expression of alpha-SMA, TGF-beta1, and TGF-beta type II receptor by reverse transcription PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of alpha-SMA and the percentage of alpha-SMA positive HKC cells markedly increased after having been treated by TGF-beta1 while the expression of E-cadherin and keratin decreased. In the group pre-treated with BMP-7 (50 ng/ml) and then added with TGF-beta1 (8 ng/ml), expression of alpha-SMA was significantly lower than in the positive control group, while expression of E-cadherin and keratin significantly higher than in the positive control group. Measurement of the percentage of alpha-SMA positive HKC found significant deference between the combined TGF-beta1 and BMP-7 treated group and the positive control group (9.7% vs 19.8%; 5.8% vs 19.8%; P < 0.05). Significant difference existed between the BMP-7 (50 ng/ml) pre-treated group and the positive control group (8.7% vs 19.8%, P < 0.05). mRNA expression of alpha-SMA was measured by RT-PCR and the results showed that it significantly decreased in the group treated or pre-treated with BMP-7 (50 ng/ml) (15% and 12% of the results in the positive control group, respectively). The mRNA expression levels of both TGF-beta1 and its type II receptor significantly decreased (28% and 19%; 47% and 36%, compared with the positive control group, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transdifferentiation of cultured renal epithelial cell induced by TGF-beta1 can be inhibittd by certain levels of BMP-7, cultured together with TGF-beta1 or pretreated. BMP-7 can prevent and inhibit the mRNA expression of TGF-beta1 and its type II receptor, which may be an important mechanism by which BMP-7 inhibit the transdifferentiation of renal tubular epithelial cell.</p>