OBJECTIVETo determine the expression of Skp2 in different prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines and tissues, and explore its influence on the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway and development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

METHODSThe expression levels of Skp2 and AR in different PCa cell lines were detected by Western blot. After knockdown of Skp2 in the C4-2 and 22RV1 cells transfected with shRNA, the expressions of AR and P27 were determined and the activity of ARR3-Luc measured by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay following treatment with dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The expressions of AR and Skp2 in human naïve PCa or CRPC specimens were detected by immunohistochemical staining followed by analysis of their differences and correlation.

RESULTSThe Skp2 protein expression level was significantly higher in the C4-2 or 22RV1 cells than in the LNCaP cells. DHT treatment increased the expression of Skp2 in the C4-2 cells, but knock-down of Skp2 significantly up-regulated the expression of the well-known downstream protein P27 and down-regulated that of AR. Consistently, DHT treatment increased the activity of ARR3-Luc, while knockdown of Skp2 remarkably decreased it in the C4-2 and 22RV1 cells (P < 0.05). In addition, significantly higher expressions of Skp2 and AR were observed in the CRPC than in the naïve specimens (P < 0.05), with a positive correlation between the two proteins (r = 0.658 1, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSkp2 can enhance the expression and transcription activity of the AR protein in CRPC cells or tissues and is promising to be a critical molecular therapeutic target.

Androgens ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dihydrotestosterone ; pharmacology ; Disease Progression ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; metabolism ; Receptors, Androgen ; genetics ; metabolism ; S-Phase Kinase-Associated Proteins ; physiology ; Transcriptional Activation ; Up-Regulation

Objective To understand the changes and possible mechanism of the blood brain barrier(BBB) permeability induced by tumor necrosis factor(TNF-?) in vitro.Methods BBB model was established by coculturing allogenic brain microvessel end othelial cell(BMEC) and astrocyte(AS).The BBB model was divided randomly into normal control group,TNF-? group and Y-27632 pretreatment group.The changes of BBB permeability were evaluated by Gamma radioim muno assay counter.Results The Gamma radioimmuno assay indicated that the marker,~(125)I-BSA,across the BBB model in vitro was significantly increased after TNF-? treatment compared with control group,Y-27632 pretreatmen could prevent the permeability of BBB induced by TNF-?(P

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role and significance of pepsin and pepsinogen in the pathogenesis of OME in children. METHOD: Pediatric patients with otitis media aged 2-8 years who enrolled in our department of the hospital from May of 2012 to December of 2012 were set as experimental group (38 cases, 48 ears) which should be underwent tympanic membrane puncture/tube insertion. Meanwhile, pediatric patients waiting for cochlear implant without otitis media (10 ears), were set as control group. Middle ear lavage fluid and plasma samples from the two groups were collected and detected using enzyme-linked immune method for pepsin and pepsinogen. RESULT: The concentrations of pepsin and pepsinogen in the middle ear lavage fluid of OME group [(48.8 ± 415.99) ng/ml and 676.32 ± 336.71)ng/ml] were significantly higher than those in the control group [(8.20 ± 4.59)ng/ml and (77.27 ± 50.33) ng/ml] (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, the concentration of pepsinogen in the middle ear lavage of OME patients was significantly higher than that of plasma (P < 0.01). The concentration of pepsin in the middle ear lavage fluid from the dry ear subgroup was lower than those in the serum ear and mucous ear subgroups (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference about concentrations of pepsinogen among the dry ear, serum ear and mucous ear subgroups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Pepsin and pepsinogen in the middle ear cavity of OME patients maybe originated from laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), indicating that LPR is associated with the pathogenesis of OME in children.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Ear, Middle ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux ; physiopathology ; Otitis Media with Effusion ; metabolism ; Pepsin A ; metabolism ; Pepsinogen A ; metabolism ; Tympanic Membrane ; surgery

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of superficial temporal artery(STA)pressure-guided selective cerebral perfusion(SCP)during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest(DHCA)in patients undergoing aortic arch surgery.Methods Ninety-six patients of both sexes,aged 35-64 yr,with body mass index of 19-23kg/m2,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅲ or Ⅳ,undergoing aortic arch surgery,were divided into STA pressure group(group A)and clinical experience group(group B)using a random number table,with 48 patients in each group.In group A,STA catheterization was performed after tracheal intubation,and arterial pressure was monitored.SCP flow was adjusted to maintain the target value of STA pressure between 30 and 40mmHg during DHCA in group A.SCP flow rate was set at 5-10ml·kg-1·min-1 according to clinical experience in group B.The volume of fluid perfused during SCP,emergence time,extubation time and duration of intensive care unit stay were recorded.Neurological function was evaluated during length of hospitalization after surgery,and the development of permanent and transient neurological dysfunction and mortality in hospital were recorded.Results Compared with group B,the volume of fluid perfused during SCP was significantly decreased,the emergence time,extubation time and duration of intensive care unit stay were shortened,the incidence of permanent and transient neurological dysfunction(2% and 4%,respectively)was decreased(P < 0.05),and no significant change was found in the mortality rate in hospital in group A(P>0.05).Conclusion Maintaining STA pressure at 30-40mmHg is a reliable method for guiding SCP during DHCA in patients undergoing aortic arch surgery.

OBJECTIVETo compare the pregnancy and obstetric outcomes in elective single versus two cleavage-stage embryo transfer.

METHODSFresh cleavage-stage embryo transfer cycles between January, 2014 and October, 2015 were reviewed, including 39 single embryo transfer (eSET) cycles and 200 double embryo transfer (DET) cycles. The clinical pregnancy rates, implantation rates, multiple pregnancy rates, live birth rate, and obstetric outcomes (gestational age, preterm delivery rate and mean birth weight) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The estradiol level on the day of trigger and the oocyte number were significantly higher in eSET group than in DET group (10654.4 pmol/L vs 8284.2 pmol/L and 8.4 vs 7.0, respectively). No significant difference was found in the pregnancy rate (56.4% vs 66.0%) or live birth rate (48.7% vs 51.5%) between the two groups, and their implantation rates differed significantly (56.4% vs 37.8%). No multiple pregnancies occurred in eSET group while the rate of multiple pregnancies was 22.7% in DET group. The gestational age and mean birth weight were significantly higher in eSET group (P<0.05), and the preterm delivery rate after DET was nearly three times of that after eSET, although this difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONSElective single embryo transfer can be performed without compromising the live birth rates. Multiple pregnancy rates can be significantly reduced with eSET, which also results in a higher chance of delivering a term singleton live birth compared with DET.

Birth Weight ; Embryo Implantation ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Pregnancy, Multiple ; Single Embryo Transfer

OBJECTIVETo compare the obstetric and perinatal outcomes between fresh embryo transfer (ET) and frozen-thawed ET (the "freeze-all" strategy) and evaluate the benefits of the "freeze-all" embryo strategy for young patients.

METHODSWe reviewed a total of 2091 ET cycles performed between January, 2011 and December, 2015 in women aged 20-35 years, including 1295 fresh ET cycles and 796 frozen-thawed ET cycles. The demographic characteristics, ovarian stimulation syndrome, clinical pregnancy rates, live birth rate and the obstetric outcomes (gestational age, preterm delivery rate and mean birth weight) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe mean age of the patients receiving frozen-thawed ET cycles had a significantly younger age than those having fresh ET cycles (29.5 vs 30.2 years, P<0.05); the patients undergoing frozen-thawed ET cycles also had significantly higher estradiol level on the day of trigger (12 973 pmol/L vs 8673 pmol/L) and a greater oocyte number retrieved (12.7 vs 8.7). The incidence of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome was significantly lower in patients with frozen ET than those with fresh ET (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in the pregnancy rate (59.5% vs 56.0%; P>0.05), live birth rate (50.3% vs 47.0%; P>0.05), mean birth weight or gestational age between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe freeze-all policy produces similar pregnancy and obstetric outcomes with those of fresh ET. Our results support the hypothesis that the freeze-all strategy help to prevent OHSS with a good pregnancy rate.

Objective To observe the effect of rosiglitazone on the protein expression of AMPK and GLUT4 in peripheral tissue (liver, skeletal muscle and fat) of type 2 diabetic db/db mice and to prove that rosiglitazone can regulate the glucose metabolism in db/db mice partly through the AMPK pathway. Methods db/db mice were randomly divided into model group and rosiglitazone group according to their blood glucose.The db/m mice were normal control group.After 4 weeks of administration, fasting blood glucose was detected in each group.Western blot was used to detect the contents of AMPK, p-AMPK and GLUT4 in liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Results (1) Rosiglitazone significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose of db/db mice; (2)Rosiglitazone increased the level of AMPK phosphorylation in the liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue of db/db mice, and increased the content of GLUT4 protein in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Conclusion Rosiglitazone can increase the phosphorylation of AMPK and the expression of GLUT4 protein in the liver, muscle and fat tissue of db/db mice, and promote the uptake and utilization of glucose in peripheral tissue, suggesting that it can regulate glucose metabolism in db/db mice partly through the AMPK pathway.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in couples with the husband positive for chronic infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV).

METHODSThis study involved 102 infertile couples receiving IVF-ET with the husbands(but not the wives) positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and another 204 couples negative for HBsAg receiving the treatment served as the control group. The cumulative embryo score, fertilization rate, cleavage rate, rate of good quality embryos, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, first trimester and late miscarriage rates, delivery rate, and neonatal malformation rate were recorded and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSBetween the HBsAg-positive and the control groups, the cumulative embryo score (52.8-/+18.7 vs 55.4-/+16.9), insemination rate (66.9% vs 66.1%), cleavage rate (97.6% vs 97.2%), rate of good quality embryos (34.0% vs 37.1%), implantation rate (40.9% vs 34.6%), clinical pregnancy rate (56.9% vs 50%), first trimester miscarriage rate (6.9% vs 5.9%) and late pregnancy miscarriage rate (8.6% vs 4.9%), delivery rate (40.2% vs 43.6%) and neonatal malformation rate (0 vs 0) were all similar (P>0.05;).

CONCLUSIONChronic HBV infection in the husband might not affect the outcome of IVF-ET treatment.

Case-Control Studies ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) level and the prevalence rate of a high non-HDL-C level in children aged 9-11 years in the Mianyang Science City area in Sichuan Province, China.

METHODSFrom September to October, 2015, a field investigation was performed for the students from three primary schools in the Mianyang Science City area by cluster sampling. Fasting venous blood was collected for blood lipid tests. The cut-off value of serum non-HDL-C level and prevalence rate of a high non-HDL-C level in children aged 9-11 years in this area were calculated, as well as the prevalence rate of a high non-HDL-C level in obese children.

RESULTSIn the children aged 9-11 years in this area, the cut-off value of non-HDL-C level was 3.67 mmol/L, and the prevalence rate of a high non-HDL-C level was 3.7% (22/589). Compared with the non-obese children, the obese children had a significantly higher serum non-HDL-C level (P<0.01) and a significantly higher prevalence rate of a high non-HDL-C level (10.0% vs 2.9%; P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe cut-off value of serum non-HDL-C level in children aged 9-11 years in the Mianyang Science City area is established. Obesity is associated with an increased prevalence rate of a high non-HDL-C level in children aged 9-11 years.

Child ; China ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; blood ; Male ; Obesity ; blood

Globozoospermia is a severe teratozoospermia, and the cases with 100% round-headed sperm are rare clinically. Globozoospermia is generally characterized by absence or abnormality of acrosome, accompanied by round-headed sperm with deranged midpiece and tails. The acrosome normally contains the enzymes that enable sperm to fertilize oocytes, while defective sperm cannot independently fertilize oocytes either in vivo or in vitro, and therefore globozoospermia makes males infertile clinically. Recent studies show that the deletion of the DPY19L2 (dpy-19-like 2) gene is a major cause of globozoospermia. This paper updates the relationship between DPY19L2 and globozoospermia to provide some evidence for further studies on the gene diagnosis and molecular mechanisms of globozoospermia.
Acrosome ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Sequence Homology ; Sperm Head ; Spermatozoa ; abnormalities