Comparison of bicarbonate Ringer's solution with lactated Ringer's solution among postoperative outcomes in patients with laparoscopic right hemihepatectomy: a single-centre randomised controlled trial.

The study was aimed to investigate the positive impact of bicarbonate Ringer's solution on postoperative outcomes in patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemihepatectomy. Patients in the two groups were infused with lactated Ringer's solution (LRS, n = 38) and the bicarbonate Ringer's solution (BRS, n = 38) at a rate of 5 ml·kg-1·h-1. The stroke volume was monitored and 200 ml of hydroxyethyl starch with 130/0.4 sodium chloride injection (Hes) of a bolus was given in the first 5-10 min. The main outcome was to test lactic acid (LAC) concentration before and after surgery. The concentrations of LAC in the LRS group were higher than in the BRS group at 2 h after operation began, at the end of the operation and 2 h after the operation. Overall, the parameters including pH, base excess (BE), HCO3-, aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were improved. The values of bilirubin in the LRS group were higher and albumin were lower than in the BRS group at post-operation 1st and 2nd day (P<0.05). The time of prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in the LRS group were longer than that in the BRS group at post-operation 1st and 2nd day (P<0.05). Likewise, the concentrations of Mg2+, Na+ and K+ also varied significantly. The length of hospital was reduced, and the incidence of premature ventricular contractions (P = 0.042) and total complications (P = 0.016) were lower in group BRS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at clinicalTrials.gov with the number ChiCTR2000038077 on 09/09/2020.

Individual cartoon video for alleviating perioperative anxiety and reducing emergence delirium in children: a prospective randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative anxiety and emergence delirium (ED) in young children may cause a series of adverse events, which are worth investigating. Pharmacological treatments of anxiety and delirium remain uncertain, while non-pharmacological treatments lack personalization and pertinence. AIMS: The aim of study was to determine whether an individual cartoon video can alleviate perioperative anxiety and reduce ED in young children undergoing adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy. METHODS: Children between 3 and 7 years old undergoing adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy were randomly assigned to an individual cartoon video group (group V) or a control group (group C). In group V, an individual cartoon video of the child' s own choice was played throughout the whole waiting, anaesthesia induction and recovery periods. The children in group C were contacted through verbal conversation. The primary outcomes were anxiety measured by the Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale and ED assessed by the Paediatric Anaesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scale. The secondary outcomes included cooperation during induction, postoperative pain and adverse events. RESULTS: The incidence of anxiety were comparable in group V and group C at the holding area (T0) (26% vs 22%, p=0.323), but the incidence of anxiety of group V were significantly lower than those of group C at the time of entering the operating room (T1), during the induction of anaesthesia (T2) and leaving the post anaesthesia care unit (T6) (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001) after intervention. The peak PAED score in group V was significantly lower than that in group C (12.00 (9.00-13.00) vs 13.50 (10.00-15.00), p=0.016). We found no significant differences in cooperation during induction, postoperative pain or the incidence of adverse events between the groups (2.00 (0.00-4.00) vs 3.00 (1.25-4.00), p=0.110; F=0.059, Pgroup=0.808; 3 (7.5%) vs 4 (10), p=0.692). CONCLUSIONS: The individual cartoon video is an effective method of reducing perioperative anxiety and alleviating ED in children. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2200062300 (https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx).

Phosphoinositide-3-Kinase/Akt-Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Signaling Pathway Mediates the Neuroprotective Effect of Sevoflurane Postconditioning in a Rat Model of Hemorrhagic Shock and Resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: Although extensive reports have demonstrated the neuroprotection of sevoflurane postconditioning in cases of focal and global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, the underlying mechanisms are not completely elucidated. This study investigated whether this effect is related to endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and mediated by the phosphoinositide-3-kinase pathway in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. METHODS: Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to hemorrhagic shock for 60 minutes and then resuscitation for 30 minutes in experimental groups. Sevoflurane postconditioning was performed at the beginning of resuscitation to completion. At 24 hours after resuscitation, the brain infarct volume was evaluated by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The neuronal morphological changes and apoptosis were determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry analysis, respectively. The activity of phosphorylated Akt and eNOS was evaluated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Brain injuries such as the cerebral infarct volume and pathological neuronal changes as well as cell apoptosis were observed in the hippocampus after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. Postconditioning with 2.4% sevoflurane significantly attenuated brain injuries. Wortmannin prevented the improvements of neuronal characteristics elicited by sevoflurane postconditioning as well as the hyperactivity of eNOS and phosphorylated Akt. CONCLUSIONS: Sevoflurane postconditioning could attenuate brain injury induced by hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation, and this neuroprotective effect may be partly by upregulation of eNOS through the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retroperitoneal laparoscopy in treatment of retrocaval ureter with right renal and ureteral calculi: a case report.

Retrocaval ureter is a rare disease associated with abnormal embryonic development. Here, we describe a patient who exhibited retrocaval ureter complicated by renal and ureteral calculi, which were treated by percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with retroperitoneal laparoscopy. A 64-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of intermittent back pain that had been present for more than 10 years. During hospitalization, he was diagnosed with retrocaval ureter, right renal calculi, and right ureteral calculi with right hydronephrosis; he underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery. After the operation, his condition was stable and he exhibited good recovery. Our findings in this case suggest that percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with retroperitoneal laparoscopy is a suitable option for the treatment of retrocaval ureter with renal and ureteral calculi.

Identification of Prognostic Biomarkers Associated with Cancer Stem Cell Features in Prostate Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND Prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) is the second most common malignancy in males and the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in the occurrence and development of PRAD, however, the prognostic biomarkers associated with CSC features have not been identified in PRAD. MATERIAL AND METHODS In order to identify the prognostic stemness-related genes (SRGs) of PRAD, the RNA sequencing data of patients with PRAD were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. The mRNA expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi) and the differential expressed genes (DEGs) were evaluated and identified. The associations between the mRNAsi and tumorigenesis, overall survival (OS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value, and Gleason score were also established by nonparametric test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The SRGs were identified as the overlapped DEGs of PRAD-associated DEGs and the mRNAsi-associated DEGs. Based on the prognostic SRGs, the predict model was constructed. Its accuracy was tested by the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve and the risk score. RESULTS A total of 6005 PRAD-associated DEGs and 2462 mRNAsi-associated DEGs were identified. The mRNAsi was significantly upregulated in PRAD and associated with the PSA value and Gleason score. A total of 1631 SRGs were identified, with 36 prognostic SRGs screened by the univariate Cox analysis. Based on the prognostic SRGs, the predict model was constructed with the AUC of 0.986. Moreover, the risk score of the model was proved to be an independent prognostic factor, indicating its significant applicability. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate the mRNAsi as a reliable index for the tumorigenesis, PSA value, and Gleason score of PRAD. Additionally, this study provides a well-applied model for predicting the OS for patients with PRAD based on prognostic SRGs.

Effects of different BP management strategies on postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing hip replacement: A single center randomized controlled trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common after hip replacement. Intraoperative blood pressure management may affect postoperative delirium. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different blood pressure management strategies on POD. DESIGN: A single center randomized controlled trial. SETTING: The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China. PATIENTS: A total of 150 patients aged 65-80 years underwent hip arthroplasty. INTERVENTIONS: A random number table was used to divide the patients into three groups: mean blood pressure (MAP) was maintained from 10% to 20% below the baseline (group D), MAP was maintained from baseline to 10% below the baseline (group M), and MAP was maintained from baseline to 10% above the baseline (group H). MEASUREMENTS: The primary endpoint was POD at 1-3 days. The secondary endpoint was the intraoperative MAP and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) value, MAP, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS score) 1-3 days after surgery, the lengths of post anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay and hospital stay and emergence agitation were recorded. MAIN RESULTS: Patients in group H showed a lower incidence of POD on the first day than those in groups D and M (22% and 16% vs 4%; P = 0.031). There is no difference of incidence of POD on the 2rd and 3rd day postoperatively. Patients in group H received a higher MAP as well as rSO2 during the operation compared the other two groups (P < 0.05). Compared with groups D and M, emergence agitation was significantly reduced (P = 0.029) and the lengths of PACU stay (P = 0.018) and hospital stay (P = 0.008) were shortened in group H. CONCLUSIONS: Maintenance of intraoperative blood pressure from baseline to 10% above the baseline helps to reduce the incidence of POD and emergence agitation and shorten the lengths of PACU stay and hospital stay, and it may be related to increased rSO2 during the operation.

Sevoflurane postconditioning improves spatial learning and memory ability involving mitochondrial permeability transition pore in hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation rats.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic shock induces the cognitive deficiency. Sevoflurane postconditioning has been documented to provide neuroprotection against ischemic-reperfusion injury by suppressing apoptosis. Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) plays an important role in apoptosis, but it is unknown if the protective effect of sevoflurane postconditioning on hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation is associated with the change of mPTP opening. Hence, the aim of the study was to find out the precise mechanism of the sevoflurane postconditioning. METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to hemorrhage shock for 60 min and then exposed to 2.4% sevoflurane for 30 min at the instant of reperfusion. Additionally, an opener (atractyloside) or an inhibitor (cyclosporine A) of mPTP was used in the animal model before sevoflurane postconditioning. Rats were randomly assigned into groups of Sham, Shock, Shock+Sevoflurane, Shock+Atractyloside, Shock+Sevoflurane+Atractyloside, Shock+Cyclosporin A, and Shock+Sevoflurane+Cyclosporin A treatment. Rat behavior was assessed for 5 days by Morris water maze 72 hr after surgery, and then hippocampus CA1 region was immunohistochemically stained. Brains were harvested 24 hr after surgery to detect the protein expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and cytochrome C by Western blot, the changes of mPTP opening, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). RESULTS: We found that sevoflurane postconditioning significantly improved rats' spatial learning and memory ability, down-regulated the expression of Bax, cytochrome C, and caspase-3, up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2, decreased the mPTP opening, and increased the MMP. The neuroprotective effect of sevoflurane postconditioning was abolished by atractyloside, but cyclosporin A played the similar protective role as sevoflurane postconditioning. CONCLUSION: These findings proved that sevoflurane postconditioning improved spatial learning and memory ability in hemorrhage shock and resuscitation rats, the mechanism of which may be related to block mPTP opening, increase MMP, and reduce neuron apoptosis in the hippocampus.

Sevoflurane postconditioning improves the spatial learning and memory impairments induced by hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation through suppressing IRE1α-caspase-12-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway.

Severe hemorrhagic shock induces cognitive dysfunction by promoting cell death mediated by activating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Sevoflurane postconditioning prevents neuronal apoptosis against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. It is unknown if this protective effect on hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation rats (HSR) is associated with ER stress attenuation. Male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected HSR by removing 40% blood volume within 30 min, and 60 min later the animals were resuscitated with infusion of the removing blood in 30 min. Sevoflurane postconditioning was performed by inhaling sevoflurane at three different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 MAC) at the onset of resuscitation for 30 min. Severe hypotension (mean arterial pressure 40-45 mmHg) occurred in the shock session for 60 min accompanying with significantly elevated lactate, decreased BE and pH values in arterial blood gas analysis. There were impaired spatial learning and memory following HSR indicated by persistently longer escape latency and lower correct rate, as well as less duration and crossing in the target quadrant by using Morris water maze and Y-maze tests. In the hippocampal CA1 region, there was significantly higher activity of caspase-3 induced by HSR. HSR also elevated the expression of inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) and caspase-12 in the hippocampus by western blot analysis. Sevoflurane postconditioning at 1.0 and 1.5 MAC significantly reversed these changes. These findings suggested that sevoflurane postconditioning could improve spatial learning and memory deficits induced by severe hemorrhagic shock and subsequent resuscitation. The suppression of endoplasmic reticulum stress provided critical contribution in neural apoptosis mediated by IRE1α-caspase-12 pathway.

Screening of potential therapy targets for prostate cancer using integrated analysis of two gene expression profiles.

The aim of the present study was to analyze potential therapy targets for prostate cancer using integrated analysis of two gene expression profiles. First, gene expression profiles GSE38241 and GSE3933 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between prostate cancer and normal control samples were identified using the Linear Models for Microarray Data package. Pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs was performed using Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of DEGs were constructed, on the basis of the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins database. The Molecular Complex Detection was utilized to perform module analysis of the PPI networks. In addition, transcriptional regulatory networks were constructed on the basis of the associations between transcription factors (TFs) and target genes. A total of 529 DEGs were identified, including 129 upregulated genes that were primarily associated with to the cell cycle. Additionally, 400 downregulated genes were identified, which were principally enriched in the pathways associated with vascular smooth muscle contraction and focal adhesion. Cell Division Cycle Associated 8, Cell Division Cycle 45, Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzyme E2 C and Thymidine Kinase 1 were identified as hub genes in the upregulated sub-network. Furthermore, the upregulated TF E2F, and the downregulated TF Early Growth Response 1, were identified to be critical in the transcriptional regulatory networks. The identified DEGs and TFs may have critical roles in the progression of prostate cancer, and may be used as target molecules for treating prostate cancer.

Inhibition of DIXDC1 by microRNA-1271 suppresses the proliferation and invasion of prostate cancer cells.

Disheveled-Axin domain containing 1 (DIXDC1) is involved in the development and progression of multiple cancers. However, the function significance of DIXDC1 in prostate cancer remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the function of DIXDC1 in prostate cancer and the regulation of DIXDC1 by microRNAs (miRNAs). We found that DIXDC1 was highly expressed in prostate cancer cells. Knockdown of DIXDC1 by small interfering RNAs markedly suppressed proliferation, invasion and Wnt signaling in prostate cancer cells. DIXDC1 was identified as a target gene of miR-1271 by bioinformatics analysis, dual-luciferase reporter assay, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Furthermore, DIXDC1 expression was inversely correlated with miR-1271 expression in prostate cancer tissues. The overexpression of miR-1271 significantly inhibited proliferation, invasion and Wnt signaling in prostate cancer cells. However, the inhibition of miR-1271 exhibits the opposite effects. Moreover, the overexpression of DIXDC1 significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-1271 overexpression. Taken together, our results suggest that DIXDC1 plays an important role in regulating prostate cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Targeting DIXDC1 by miR-1271 may be a promising therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer.

Microscopic Retroperitoneal Varicocelectomy With Artery and Lymphatic Sparing: An Alternative Treatment for Varicocele in Infertile Men.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect of arterial and lymphatic sparing microscopic retroperitoneal varicocelectomy (MRV) with that of microscopic subinguinal varicocelectomy (MSV) for treatment of varicocele in infertile men. METHODS: We conducted a prospective and controlled study to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of MRV and MSV for treatment of varicocele in infertile men. A total of 80 patients were randomly chosen to undergo MRV (n = 40) or MSV (n = 40) treatment. All patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Semen parameters, pregnancy, recurrence, and complications were examined. RESULTS: Mean operation time in the MRV group was significantly shorter than that in MSV group (38.92 ± 5.67 min vs 91.35 ± 15.08 min), and the number of observed spermatic veins in MRV group was significantly less than that in MSV group (3.59 ± 0.76 vs 18.22 ± 2.83). Sperm count and motility were significantly improved at 12 months follow-up in both groups compared with preoperative values, and the sperm count in the MRV group at 3 months was significantly higher than that in MSV group. Moreover, the incidence of scrotal edema was higher in the MSV group, although natural pregnancy rate was not significantly different between 2 groups at 1-year follow-up (42.1% vs 44.7%). CONCLUSION: MRV with artery and lymphatic sparing is a simple and effective technique for treatment of varicocele in infertile men.

Screening biomarkers of bladder cancer using combined miRNA and mRNA microarray analysis.

Biomarkers, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) may be useful for the diagnosis of bladder cancer. In order to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying bladder cancer, differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) and their target genes in bladder cancer were analyzed. In the present study, miRNA and mRNA expression profiles (GSE40355) were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus. These consisted of healthy bladder samples (n=8) and urothelial carcinoma samples (low-grade, n=8 and high-grade, n=8). DE-miRNAs and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the limma package and the Benjamin and Hochberg method from the multtest package in R. Target genes of DE-miRNAs were screened. Associations between DEGs were investigated using STRING, and an interaction network was constructed using Cytoscape. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed for DEGs from the interaction network. 87 DE-miRNAs and 2058 DEGs were screened from low-grade bladder cancer samples, and 40 DE-miRNAs and 2477 DEGs were screened from high-grade bladder cancer samples. DE-target genes were significantly associated with the regulation of cell apoptosis. Bladder cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer biological pathways were found to be enriched. The results of the present study demonstrated that E2F transcription factor 1, which is targeted by miR-106b, and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) and V-Erb-B2 avian erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog-2, which are targeted by miR-125b, participate in the bladder cancer pathway. In conclusion, DE-miRNAs in bladder cancer tissue samples and DE-targeted genes, such as miR-106b and CDKN2A, which were identified in the present study, may provide the basis for targeted therapy for breast cancer and enhance understanding of its pathogenesis.

Microsurgical spermatic-inferior epigastric vein anastomosis for treating nutcracker syndrome-associated varicocele in infertile men: a preliminary experience.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the therapeutic effectiveness of microsurgical spermatic-inferior epigastric vein anastomosis for the treatment of nutcracker syndrome (NCS)-associated varicocele in infertile men. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 5 infertile men with NCS-associated varicocele between April 2010 and January 2012. All patients underwent microsurgical spermatic-inferior epigastric vein anastomosis. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 85.0 ± 13.2 minutes, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 6.0 ± 0.7 days. During a 1-year follow-up, hematuria completely resolved in 66.7% of patients (2/3) and flank pain resolved in the single patient affected. The peak velocity (PV) at the aortomesenteric portion of the left renal vein (LRV) significantly decreased after surgery (167.24 ± 41.68 cm/s vs 46.98 ± 4.22 cm/s). The PV ratio between the aortomesenteric and hilar portion of the LRV also significantly decreased (12.28 ± 2.32 preoperatively vs 3.40 ± 0.67 postoperatively). The mean sperm count and motility at 6 months (24.38 × 10(6)/mL ± 1.58 × 10(6)/mL and 53.96% ± 6.28%, respectively) and 12 months (30.02 × 106/mL ± 3.52 × 106/mL and 59.40% ± 8.59%, respectively) postoperatively were significantly higher than their preoperative values (15.8 × 106/mL ± 4.53 × 106/mL and 26.76% ± 8.68%, respectively). Overall, 80% of the spouses of patients (4/5) went on to conceive naturally. The complications observed were scrotal edema in 1 patient (20%) and wound infection in 1 patient (20%). CONCLUSION: Microsurgical spermatic-inferior epigastric vein anastomosis is a safe and efficient surgical treatment for infertile men with NCS-associated varicocele.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy versus ureteroscopic lithotomy for large (>15 mm) impacted upper ureteral stones in different locations: is the upper border of the fourth lumbar vertebra a good indication for choice of management method?

Abstract To determine whether treatment of patients with large (>15 mm) impacted upper ureteral stones depended on stone location, we prospectively evaluated the therapeutic outcomes, complications, safety, and effectiveness of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and ureteroscopic lithotomy (URSL) in patients with stones higher and lower than the upper border of the fourth lumbar vertebra. Of the 174 patients analyzed, 83 (47.7%) underwent PCNL and 91 (52.3%) underwent URSL; all patients were followed up 1 month later and every 6 months for 18 months. Mean operation time (108.76±19.36 vs. 63.56±16.38 minutes, p<0.05) and postoperative hospital stay (2.49±1.23 vs. 5.36±1.98 days, p<0.05) were significantly longer in the PCNL than in the URSL group. The overall stone-free rates after 1 month were 96.4% and 75.8%, respectively, differing significantly for stones higher (97.8% vs. 57.5%, p<0.05) but not lower (94.7% vs. 90.2%) than the upper border of the fourth lumbar vertebra. The stone-retropulsion rate of URSL differed significantly for stones higher and lower than the upper border of the 4th lumbar vertebra (47.5% vs. 9.8%, p<0.05). Postprocedural complication rates were comparable in the URSL and PCNL groups, although the rate of auxiliary or salvage procedures was higher in the URSL group. The efficiency quotients (EQ) for PCNL and URSL were 0.93 and 0.59, respectively, with EQs in the URSL group differing significantly for stones higher and lower than the upper border of the fourth lumbar vertebra (0.40 vs. 0.82, p<0.05). Our findings indicate that treatment of impacted upper ureteral stones is dependent on stone location relative to the upper border of the fourth lumbar vertebra. URSL is unsuitable for stones at a higher location, whereas URSL and PCNL were equally effective for stones at a lower location.

Potent growth-inhibitory effect of a dual cancer-specific oncolytic adenovirus expressing apoptin on prostate carcinoma.

Apoptin is a chicken anemia virus-derived, p53-independent, bcl-2-insensitive apoptotic protein with the ability to specifically induce apoptosis in various human tumor cells, but not in normal cells. To explore the use of apoptin in tumor gene therapy, we assessed a recombinant adenovirus expressing the apoptin protein (Ad-hTERTp-E1a-Apoptin) in order to determine its lethal and growth-inhibitory effects on PC-3 and RM-1 cells in vitro and its antitumor effect on solid tumors in vivo. 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), acridine orange (AO)/ethidium bromide (EB), 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), and Annexin V assays showed that Ad-hTERTp-E1a-Apoptin inhibited the proliferation of PC-3 and RM-1 cells in vitro by inducing apoptosis of prostate cancer cells, and that this inhibitory effect was dose and time-dependent. In the animal models, Ad-hTERTp-E1a-Apoptin significantly inhibited tumor growth and extended the lifespan of animals. Experimental results indicate that Ad-hTERTp-E1a-Apoptin has a potential application in tumor gene therapy.

RNAi targeting of CCR2 gene expression induces apoptosis and inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of PC-3M cells.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most lethal malignancy in men. It has been reported that chemokines, produced by cancer cells, have linked with tumor progression and metastatic spread. We have proven that chemokine (C-C) motif ligand 2 (CCL2) is involved in the growth and invasion of PCa. In this study, we studied whether CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), the receptor of CCL2, also contributes to PCa progression. We constructed the recombinant plasmid pGCsi-CCR2 and investigated the effects of pGCsi-CCR2 on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of PC-3M cells. RT-PCR and Western blot assay showed that transfection with the plasmid pGCsi-CCR2 successfully inhibited the CCR2 expression. The cell proliferation rate was significantly slow, and the apoptotic rate was increased in PC-3M cells treated with CCR2-siRNA, indicated by MTT cell viability and TUNEL assay, respectively. As expected, CCR2 knockdown also reduced the migration and invasion of PC-3M cells, as illustrated through wound-healing assay and Transwell assay. The possible molecular mechanism was the regulation of several signal pathways involved in survival, apoptosis, migration, and metastasis. Altogether, the present finding suggests that CCR2 expression is crucial for CCL2-induced proliferation and invasion of PC-3M cells, and CCR2 could also be a promising molecular target for prevention of PCa growth and metastasis.

[Mass screening prostate cancer and clinical comparison].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of the mass screening by analyzing the features of prostate cancer between mass screening patients and clinical patients. METHODS: From January 2000 to January 2008, 441 cases of prostate cancer (including 122 patients from clinical diagnosis and 319 patients from mass screening 23 183 men who were more than 50 years old) were analyzed from age, digital rectal examination (DRE), serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and range, the Gleason's score and grade, clinical staging and therapy. RESULTS: 42.0% of mass screening patients were inspected by DRE, it was lower than that (79.5%) in the clinical patients. The percent of patients with serum PSA levels of less than 10.0 microg/L in mass screening group was higher than in clinical group, while the percent of patients with serum PSA levels of more than 20.0 microg/L in mass screening group was lower than in clinical group. The percent of moderately differentiated degree of prostate cancer in mass screening group was higher than in clinical group, but it was on the contrary for poorly differentiated degree of prostate cancer. The percent of T1-2 prostate cancers in mass screening group was 56.1%, which was higher than 25.4% in clinical group. While, the percent of T3-4 tumors in mass screening group was lower than in clinical group. The percent of men undergoing radical prostatectomy in mass screening group was 18.2%, which was higher than 9.8% in clinical group. The percent of men of locally advanced and far metastasis in mass screening group was 26.0%, while was lower than 46.0% in clinical group. CONCLUSION: General investigation for prostate cancer is benefit to find asymptomatic cancer of early stage.

[Diagnosis and treatment of non-specific granulomatous prostatitis: a report of 32 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of non-specific granulomatous prostatitis (NSGP). METHODS: Thirty-two cases of NSGP were diagnosed by puncture biopsy under transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and treated with antibiotics and other medicines from September, 2000 to May, 2006. RESULTS: Pathomorphologically, NSGP was basically characterized by granuloma with vessels or grand alveoli in the center. The mean follow-up was 24 months. Urination irritation and obstruction were improved. Q(max) was increased to 15.0-24.0 ml/s, and in 3 cases of urinary retention, to 12.0, 14.5 and 16.5 ml/s, respectively. Digital rectal examination (DRE) indicated a reduced size and softened texture of the prostate induration. PSA was decreased to 1.3-11.5 microg/L. Four cases experienced relapse but were cured after retreated. No prostate cancer was observed. CONCLUSION: NSGP can be definitely diagnosed by puncture biopsy under TRUS and effectively relieved by antibiotics with the alpha-receptor blocker. In case of serious obstruction complicated by urinary retention, transurethral electrotomy can be considered.

[Transrectal ultrasound: an applicable diagnostic approach to chronic prostatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the application value of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) in the diagnosis of chronic prostatitis. METHODS: TRUS and examination of prostatic secretion (EPS) were used in the diagnosis of 3 500 cases of chronic prostatitis from September, 2000 to May, 2006. RESULTS: Lower resonance of the inner gland, low-level echo, uneven echo light spots, incomplete outlines and unsmooth borderlines were found in 2279 cases (65.1%), and the enlarged prostate in 1 084 cases (31.0%), with clear integrated amicula and enhanced echogenic spots at the juncture of the external and inner gland. No obvious changes were noted in 137 cases (4.0%), and in another 391 cases (11.2%) were detected alteration of the acoustic image of cystospermitis and blurred margins and uneven echoes of the seminal vesicle. The WBC count in EPS was < 10/HP in 132 cases (3.8%), 10-19/HP in 2 156 cases (61.6%) and > or =20/HP in 1212 cases (34.6%). CONCLUSION: TRUS, as a diagnostic means for chronic prostatitis, can be easily performed and causes little pain and therefore is readily accepted by patients. Combined with EPS, TRUS can provide more definite diagnostic evidence, and for those who are afraid of pain and reject EPS, it is a desirable alternative in the diagnosis of chronic prostatitis.