PSA density improves the rate of prostate cancer detection in Chinese men with a PSA between 2.5-10.0 ng ml (-1) and 10.1-20.0 ng ml (-1) : a multicenter study.

Chinese men should have a higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) "gray zone" than the traditional value of 2.5-10.0 ng ml-1 since the incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) in Chinese men is relative low. We hypothesized that PSA density (PSAD) could improve the rate of PCa detection in Chinese men with a PSA higher than the traditional PSA "gray zone." A total of 461 men with a PSA between 2.5 and 20.0 ng ml-1 , who had undergone prostatic biopsy at two Chinese centers were included in the analysis. The men were then further divided into groups with a PSA between 2.5-10.0 ng ml-1 and 10.1-20.0 ng ml-1 . Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the efficacy of PSA and PSAD for the diagnosis of PCa. In men with a PSA of 2.5-10.0 ng ml-1 or 10.1-20.0 ng ml-1 , the areas under the ROC curve were higher for PSAD than for PSA. This was consistent across both centers and the cohort overall. When the entire cohort was considered, the optimal PSAD cut-off for predicting PCa in men with a PSA of 2.5-10.0 ng ml-1 was 0.15 ng ml-1 ml-1 , with a sensitivity of 64.4% and specificity of 64.6%. The optimal cut-off for PSAD in men with a PSA of 10.1-20.0 ng ml-1 was 0.33 ng ml-1 ml-1 , with a sensitivity of 60.3% and specificity of 82.7%. PSAD can improve the effectiveness for PCa detection in Chinese men with a PSA of 2.5-10.0 ng ml-1 (traditional Western PSA "gray zone") and 10.1-20.0 ng ml-1 (Chinese PSA "gray zone").

Nanoscale dynamic behavior of surface magnetic domains on a La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin film.

An oscillating magnetic tip can be used to induce the striped magnetic ripple pattern with alternating up-and-down striped magnetic domains on a ferromagnetic La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) thin film surface. Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) images show that the surface magnetic domains (SMDs) can be aligned in a well-ordered alternating up-and-down c(2 x 2) structure on the stripe magnetic domains, indicating that the oscillating magnetic tip turns the ferromagnetic LSMO surface into a canted antiferromagnetic state. The orientation of the SMDs is determined by their discrete phase distribution. A three-dimensional (3D) SMD orientation model is built to understand dynamic behavior of the SMDs.

Prostate volume as an independent predictor of prostate cancer in men with PSA of 10-50 ng ml(-1).

Prostate volume (PV) has been shown to be associated with prostate cancer (PCa) detection rates in men with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the 'grey zone' (2.0-10.0 ng ml(-1)). However, the PSA 'grey zone' in Asian men should be higher because the incidence of PCa in Asian men is relatively low. Therefore, we evaluated the association between PV and PCa detection rates in men with PSAs measuring 10-50 ng ml(-1). Men who underwent a 13-core prostatic biopsy with PV documentation participated in the study. A multivariate stepwise regression was used to evaluate whether the PV at time of prostate biopsy could predict the risk of PCa. The rates of PCa among men in different PSA ranges, stratified by PV medians (<60 and ≥60 ml), were calculated. There were 261 men included in the final analysis. PV was the strongest predictor of PCa risk (odds ratio, 0.02; P<0.001) compared to other variables. The PCa rates in men with PVs measuring <60 and ≥60 ml in the 10-19.9 ng ml(-1) PSA group were 40.6% and 15.1%, respectively, while the rates for men with PSAs measuring 20-50 ng ml(-1) were 65.1% and 26.8%. PV is an independent predictor of PCa in men with PSA measuring 10-50 ng ml(-1). In clinical practice, particularly for those countries with lower incidences of PCa, PV should be considered when counselling patients with PSAs measuring 10-50 ng ml(-1) regarding their PCa risks.

A nomogram based on age, prostate-specific antigen level, prostate volume and digital rectal examination for predicting risk of prostate cancer.

Nomograms for predicting the risk of prostate cancer developed using other populations may introduce sizable bias when applied to a Chinese cohort. In the present study, we sought to develop a nomogram for predicting the probability of a positive initial prostate biopsy in a Chinese population. A total of 535 Chinese men who underwent a prostatic biopsy for the detection of prostate cancer in the past decade with complete biopsy data were included. Stepwise logistic regression was used to determine the independent predictors of a positive initial biopsy. Age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume (PV), digital rectal examination (DRE) status, % free PSA and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) findings were included in the analysis. A nomogram model was developed that was based on these independent predictors to calculate the probability of a positive initial prostate biopsy. A receiver-operating characteristic curve was used to assess the accuracy of using the nomogram and PSA levels alone for predicting positive prostate biopsy. The rate for positive initial prostate biopsy was 41.7% (223/535). The independent variables used to predict a positive initial prostate biopsy were age, PSA, PV and DRE status. The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for a positive initial prostate biopsy for PSA alone and the nomogram were 79.7% and 84.8%, respectively. Our results indicate that the risk of a positive initial prostate biopsy can be predicted to a satisfactory level in a Chinese population using our nomogram. The nomogram can be used to identify and counsel patients who should consider a prostate biopsy, ultimately enhancing accuracy in diagnosing prostate cancer.

[2-deoxyglucose enhances chemosensitivity of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells to docetaxel].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the antitumor effects of 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) plus docetaxel (Doc) on PC3 and DU145 cells and its mechanism. METHODS: The proliferation of cells was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Then propidium iodide (PI) staining measured apoptotic cells on flow cytometry. ATP assay kit was used to detect ATP content. The expressions of proteins ubiquitinated protein (Ub) and Hsp70 were measured by Western blot. RESULTS: 2-DG could inhibit proliferation of PC3 and DU145 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. However, it could not induce apoptosis in PC3 or DU145. The inhibition rates for PC3 proliferation at 48 h by Doc with concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, 2.5 nmol/L were 10.71%, 25.32% and 56.46% respectively. The inhibition rates for DU145 cell proliferation at 48h by Doc with concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, 2.5 nmol/L were 12.28%, 23.94% and 63.43% respectively. The inhibition rates for PC3 cell proliferation by Doc plus 2-DG with a concentration of 1.0 g/L were 27.15%, 58.74% and 87.95% respectively and 29.53%, 59.41%, and 90.48% for DU145 respectively. 2-DG could enhance the effectiveness of inhibition to PC3 and DU145 proliferation by Doc with a synergistic manner (all q>1.15). The apoptotic rates for PC3 and DU145 induced by Doc 0.5 nmol/L plus 2-DG 1.0 g/L at 48 h were 46.49% and 53.64% respectively. The apoptotic rates were significantly higher than Doc 0.5 nmol/L alone (21.30% for PC3 and 18.92% for DU145 respectively) (P < 0.05). The ATP relative concentration for PC3 in 2-DG 1.0 g/L at 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h were 13.75, 11.23, 10.19, 9.81 and 9.02 and for DU145 15.00, 12.59, 11.38, 10.54 and 10.37 respectively. Simultaneously, Western blot showed that Ub and Hsp70 protein were expressed intensively. CONCLUSIONS: 2-DG can enhance the sensitivity of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells to docetaxel. Its mechanism may be associated with the decrease of proteasome function.

Scanning photoemission spectromicroscopic study of 4-nm ultrathin SiO(3.4) protrusions probe-induced on the native SiO(2) layer.

Atomic force microscopy probe-induced large-area ultrathin SiO(x) (x ≡ O/Si content ratio and x > 2) protrusions only a few nanometers high on a SiO(2) layer were characterized by scanning photoemission microscopy (SPEM) and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). SPEM images of the large-area ultrathin SiO(x) protrusions directly showed the surface chemical distribution and chemical state specifications. The peak intensity ratios of the XPS spectra of the large-area ultrathin SiO(x) protrusions provided the elemental quantification of the Si 2p core levels and Si oxidation states (such as the Si(4+), Si(3+), Si(2+), and Si(1+) species). The O/Si content ratio (x) was evidently determined by the height of the large-area ultrathin SiO(x) protrusions.

Study of differential proteins in lung adenocarcinoma using laser capture microdissection combined with liquid chip-mass spectrometry technology.

BACKGROUND: In recent years the proportion of lung adenocarcinoma (adCA) which occurs in lung cancer patients has increased. Using laser capture microdissection (LCM) combined with liquid chip-mass spectrometry technology, we aimed to screen lung cancer biomarkers by studying the proteins in the tissues of adCA. METHODS: We used LCM and magnetic bead based weak cation exchange (MB-WCX) to separate and purify the homogeneous adCA cells and normal cells from six cases of fresh adCA and matched normal lung tissues. The proteins were analyzed and identified by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-fight mass spectrometry (MALDI-OF-MS). We screened for the best pattern using a radial basic function neural network algorithm. RESULTS: About 2.895 × 10(6) and 1.584 × 10(6) cells were satisfactorily obtained by LCM from six cases of fresh lung adCA and matched normal lung tissues, respectively. The homogeneities of cell population were estimated to be over 95% as determined by microscopic visualization. Comparing the differentially expressed proteins between the lung adCA and the matched normal lung group, 221 and 239 protein peaks, respectively, were found in the mass-to-charge ration (M/Z) between 800 Da and 10 000 Da. According to t test, the expression of two protein peaks at 7521.5 M/Z and 5079.3 M/Z had the largest difference between tissues. They were more weakly expressed in the lung adCA compared to the matched normal group. The two protein peaks could accurately separate the lung adCA from the matched normal lung group by the sample distribution chart. A discriminatory pattern which can separate the lung adCA from the matched normal lung tissue consisting of three proteins at 3358.1 M/Z, 5079.3 M/Z and 7521.5 M/Z was established by a radial basic function neural network algorithm with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Differential proteins in lung adCA were screened using LCM combined with liquid chip-mass spectrometry technology, and a biomarker model was established. It is possible that this technology is going to become a powerful tool in screening and early diagnosis of lung adCA.