Objective To study the influence of inhibited steroidogenic factor-1 on human adrenocortical H295R cells, and explore its role in the pathogenesis of adrenal tumors. Methods The plasmids pGenesil1-SF-1-shRNA which containing U6 promoter and SF-1-specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and pGenesil1-negative-shRNA containing unspecific shRNA were transfected into H295R cell. The expression of SF-1 was measured by Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Cell proliferation was analyzed by WST-1 assay and cell count. Ki-67 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry and cell apoptosis was examined by TUNEL assay. Results Compared with those in control cells, the protein and mRNA level of SF-1- transfected cells were reduced by 69.7% and 71.2% (P＜0. 01). WST-1 and cell count method showed that SF-1 gene silencing obviously inhibited cell proliferation(P＜0. 01). By contrast, there was a 3. 7-fold increase in the percentage of apoptotic H295R cells in SF-1-inhibited group than that of control group (P＜0. 01). Immunohistochemistry showed that Ki-67 positive cells in SF-1-inhibited cells were lower than the negative control cells (16.90±2.17) % and (33. 48±3.16)%,(P＜0. 01). Conclusion SF-1 gene silencing can inhibit the proliferation of adrenocortical cells, and it is expected to become a key protein in understanding pathogenesis of adrenal tumors or treating them.

Thirty cases of pituitary stalk interruption syndrome were divided into normal height (group 1) and short stature (group 2).There was no significant difference in growth hormone or insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ levels between two groups(P＞0.05).Expected height and body mass index in group 1 were higher than those in group 2,while testosterone,cortisol,and FT4 were lower.Height were positively correlated with age,expected height,birth weight,and body mass index.The height of patients with pituitary stalk interruption syndrome depended on both genetic factors and the hormones from pituitary-target gland.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic outcomes of unilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing syndrome in patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) independent bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia.Methods 22 patients diagnosed with Cushing syndrome caused by ACTH independent bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia from January 2005 to December 2015 were retrospectively concluded.There are 17 male patients and 5 female patients with the median age of 46.5 years.All patients were presented with Cushing syndrome such as moon face, buffalo hump and other typical symptoms of Cushing syndrome.The laboratory tests showed disappearance of cortisol rhythm, elevated 24-hour urinary free cortisol, suppressed or normal ACTH and unsuppressed low dose dexamethasone suppressing test.CT scan showed bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia in all patients.Results All the patients received unilateral adrenalectomy.Pathological results showed adrenal cortex nodular hyperplasia.16 patients had reexamination in the endocrine department.The median follow-up time was 26 (17-118)months for these 16 patients.In the follow-up between 3 to 9 months after surgery, laboratory test showed serum and urinary cortisol level returned to normal range and Cushing syndrome also disappeared in these 16 patients.CT scan showed no recurrence.And no adrenal insufficiency occurred.One patient had recurrence one year after surgery and two patients turned better after surgery but had recurrence at 3 years and 10 years after surgery.Two patients received contralateral adrenalectomy and cortisol hormone replacement therapy after surgery.Another patient with recurrence refused second surgery.No recurrence was observed in other patients.Four patients were followed up by telephone, and all recovered well after surgery.18 patients had hypertension before surgery and their blood pressure significantly decreased after surgery.Among them 13 cases blood pressure returned to normal range.5 patients had elevated blood glucose before surgery, and 3 patients' blood glucose returned to normal range.Conclusions Unilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing syndrome in patients with ACTH independent bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia is safe and effective.

The expression of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT(1)R) and angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT(2)R) in aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) of the adrenal gland was detected, and their relationship with clinical indexes of APA was analyzed. The mRNA expression of AT(1)R and AT(2)R in 50 cases of APA and tissues adjacent to tumors and 12 cases of normal adrenal tissues was detected by using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of AT(1)R and AT(2)R proteins in paraffin-embedded slices of tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of AT(1)R in adenoma, tissues adjacent to tumor, and normal tissues of the adrenal gland showed no significant differences. The expression of AT(2)R in APA tissue was lower than that in normal adrenal gland tissues (P<0.05). Correlation analysis of the mRNA expression level of AT(2)R and clinical data from patients demonstrated that AT(2)R expression was negatively related to plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) (r=-0.467, P<0.05), but positively related with plasma renin activity (PRA) (r=0.604, P<0.05). It is concluded that down-regulation of the AT(2)R expression is possibly related with the tumorigenesis of APA.

This study examined the association of polymorphisms in angiotensin II receptor genes (AT (1) R and AT (2) R) with the risk for aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) in a Chinese Han population. Four polymorphisms including rs5182 (573T/C) in exon 4, rs5186 (1166A/C) in 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) in AT (1) R gene and rs5194 (2274G/A) in 3'-UTR, rs1403543 (1675G/A) in intron 1 in AT (2) R gene were detected in 148 APA patients and 192 normal subjects (serving as control) by using a MGB-Taqman probe. The distribution of genotypes of each locus was in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) in the APA and control groups (P>0.05). The allele A frequency at rs5194 was significantly higher in the APA group (0.49) than in the control group (0.35) (χ (2)=12.08, P=0.001). Subjects with homozygotic genotype AA and heterozygotic genotype GA were at an increased risk for APA as compared to those with GG genotype (OR=2.66, 95% CI=1.45-4.87; OR=1.67, 95% CI=1.02-2.74). Furthermore, rs5194 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at AT (2) R gene was significantly associated with APA in additive (OR=1.64, 95% CI=1.21-2.20, P=0.001), dominant (OR=1.94, 95% CI=1.23-3.06, P=0.003), and recessive model (OR=2.01, 95% CI=1.17-3.45, P=0.01). It was concluded that rs5194 polymorphism at AT (2) R gene was associated with the risk for APA, which may constitute a genetic marker of APA.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are a class of short, non-coding RNAs that participate in various oncological processes. This study aims to explore the roles of microRNA-34a (miR-34a) in invasive urothelial bladder carcinoma. miR-34a was transfected into bladder cancer cell lines 253J and J82. The miR-34a expression levels in tissues and cells were detected by using qRT-PCR. The Notch1 expression was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Cell migratory and invasive abilities were measured by Transwell chamber assay. Bioinformatics and luciferase assay were performed to predict and analyze the binding sites between miRNA-34a and Notch1. It was found that there was aberrant expression of miR-34a in bladder cancer tissues. Moreover, we revealed that ectopic expression of miR-34a suppressed cell migration and invasion, while forced expression of Notch1 increased cell migratory and invasive abilities. Finally, we observed that miR-34a transfection significantly down-regulated luciferase activity and reduced the mRNA and protein levels of Notch1. Our study concluded that microRNA-34a antagonizes Notch1 and inhibits cell migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells, which indicates the tumor-suppressive function of microRNA-34a in bladder cancer.

Objective To determine the association of mutations in aldosterone synthase (CYPllB2)and 11 beta-hydroxylase(CYP11B1)genes with primary aldosteronism(PA).Methods Five mutations of CYP11B2 and CYP11B1 genes were analyzed in patients with PA and normal population.Among them,intron 2 was detected by 2 independent PCR reactions,and the others were analyzed using Taqman probes.The Haploview 4.0,SNPassoc 1.5-3 and Haplo.stats 1.3.8 were used to analyse the association between polymorphisms and PA.Results All the selected mutations were successfully genetyped.Only rs64lO allelic frequencies in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA)and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism(IHA)were significantly different with those in controls (P＜0.05).There was a relative excess of AA homozygotes and AG heterozygotes of rs6410 allele in APA group compared with control group(P＜0.01).There were significantly different genotypes AA and AG of rs6410 allele between patients with IHA and controls only after adjusted for age,gender,eeptible haplotype AAAWT was identified to be significantly associated with APA(OR=1.44,95%CI 1.19-1.76).Three susceptible haplotypes AAAWT,AGGWT and AGAWC were identified to be significantly associated with IHA(OR=1.55,95%CI 1.23-1.96;OR=1.49,95%CI 1.17-1.89;OR=1.40,95%CI 1.04-1.88).In contrast,1 protective haplotype GGAWT showed significant difference between patients with APA and controls(OR=0.73,95%CI 0.55-0.97).Conclusion There is a significant association between genetic variations in CYP11B2 and CYP11B1 genes and genetie predisposition to PA.

A 31-year-old male normotensive patient with aldosterone-producmg adenoma complained of thirst,polydipsia,polyuria,and periodical paraplegia.The diagnosis is raised by signs of hypokalemia.Despite the lack of hypertension,primary aldosteronism was confirmed by persistent hypokalemia,increased urinary potassium,increased urinary and plasma aldosterone levels and suppressed plasma rennin activity (PRA).The blood pressure profile was studied by ambulatory monitoring,and the mean blood pressure of 24h was normal and the circadian rhythm remained normal. Surgical removal of the histologically typical aldosterone-producing adenomas normalized the kalemia.The patient had a marked fall in blood pressure with mean values of 21/17 mm Hg ( diurnal and nocturnal blood pressure were 19/17 and 22/17 mm Hg respectively)and recovery of normal urinary and plasma aldosterone levels and PRA 6 weeks after surgery.This suggests that excess serum aldosterone induced relative hypertension in those patients whose blood pressure was spontaneously very low.Our observations call for primary hyperaldosteronism assay in patients with hypokalemia and renal potassium leakage.

Objective To better understand the clinical management of tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) by analyzing the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, postoperative biochemical changes, and clinical status in 12 cases of TIO. Methods Twelve cases of TIO hospitalized from 2004 to April 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. All cases were diagnosed based on their clinical manifestation, hypophosphatemia, and image study including technetium-99m octreotide scintigraphy (99mTc-Oct). Resuits There were 7 males and 5 females with mean age of (41.8±9.6) years (20 to 56 years). The course of disease was from 2 to 14 years ( median course 4.0 years). They all presented with bone pain, gait disturbance, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. Serum phosphate( Pi)levels were low in 12 cases with a range from 0.30 to 0.56 mmol/L. 99mTc-Oct was performed in 9 cases and it showed that the lesions were located in head of femur, fibula, retrocalcaneal area, foot, humerus,metacarpal, posterior chest wall or near nasal bone (apex partis petrosae ossis temporalis). Subcutaneous soft tissue mass was found in another 3 cases at loin, thigh, and foot by physical examination. The tumors were confirmed by CT, MRI or ultrasonography. Twelve patients underwent operation to remove the tumors and histopathology showed hemangioendothelioma or fibrous angioma (6 cases), giant cell tumor or fibroma of tendon sheath(4 cases), liposarcoma(1case), and phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor(1case). Serum Pi levels returned to normal in 10 patients after resection of tumor. During 2 to 64 months follow up, symptoms of bone pain and muscle weakness were improved obviously. Conclusions Patients with hypophosphatemic osteomalacia should be thoroughly investigated for TIO. 99mTc-Oct and other imaging examinations can effectively locate the tumors. Once the hidden tumor is found and excised, the patient will recover and enjoy normal life with normalized Pi concentrations and marked improvement of symptoms.

Objective To study gender-related differences of clinical characteristics and vascular complications in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma(APA).Method Consecutive 315 patients with APA confirmed by pathological diagnosis were included and the clinical features and vascular complications were compared based on gender.Results (1) Of the 315 patients with APA,female accounted for 52.7％ (166/315).Male patients with APA presented a higher BMI,compared with females [(25.4± 2.9) vs (24.1 ± 3.2) kg/m2,P＜0.01],and the history of smoking and drinking was more common in male patients.No significant difference was found in regard to the age,duration,hypokalemia,tumor size,and family history of hypertension between two groups (P＞0.05).(2) No significant difference was found in the prevalence of hypertension,duration of hypertension,blood pressure,and antihypertensive medieation between two groups.However,the patients with grade 3 hypertension tended to be more prevalent in males(P =0.08).(3) Serum aldosterone concentrations were similar in two groups,but 24 h urinary aldosterone showed an increased trend in male group (P =0.07).(4) The overall prevalences of cardiovascular (51.0％ vs 36.1％) and cerebrovascular (9.4％ vs 3.0％) complications were significantly higher in male group (P ＜ 0.05).Further analysis of cardiac events revealed significantly higher rates of left ventricular hypertrophy (23.5％ vs 13.9％) and arrhythmia (21.5％ vs 10.8％) in males (P＜0.05).However,no significant difference in the prevalence between two groups was found in regard to cerebral hemorrhage,infarction,and chronic renal insufficiency.(5) The fall of blood pressure and recovery from hypokalemia were comparable between males and females in two weeks after sugery.However,in the patients with persistent hypertension,the number of antihypertensive drugs used in males was greater than that in females and more male patients needed ≥ 2 types of antihypertensive drugs.Conclusion There were significant gender-related differences with regard to clinical features and vascular complications in patients with APA.