Caveolae is a specified micro-domain of plasma membrane, which consists of caveolin and many lipid molecules and membrane proteins. Caveolae plays important roles in internalization of extra-membrane molecules, transmembrane signal transdution and transport of cholesterin. Recent studies indicated that caveolae and its components were up-regulated in multidrug resistant tumor cells and might participate the development of multidrug resistance of tumor cells. This paper concentrated on the role of caveolae in tumor multidrug resistance.

Objective To study the value of the preoperative detrusor contractility to the outcome assessment of prostatectomy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Methods A total of 109 patients with BPH were analyzed.Their ages ranged from 62 to 83 years with a mean of 71 years.All patients underwent urodynamic study to confirm a diagnosis of BOO preoperatively.Further more, their BOO was not caused by nervous, endocrine or other diseases.Pateints were divided into two groups based on maximum detrusor contractility.Group Ⅰ (n =61, BPH with maximum detrusor contractility ≥ 40 cm H2O, 1cm H2O =0.098 kPa) underwent TURP or open surgery, respectively.Group Ⅱ (n =48, BPH with maximum detrusor contractility ≤ 20 cm H2O ) underwent TURP and suprapubic punctural cystostomy simultaneously,the bladder fistula was kept open continuously for at least two weeks postoperatively.The difference in outcome between the two grous was assessed by using urodynamic parameters including maximum detrusor contractility, Qmax and residual urine at one and three months postoperatively respectively.Student's t-test was used to compare the result for normally distributed data and Wilcoxon's signed-ranks test for skewed data in this study.Results There was significant difference in preoperative maximum contractility, Qmax between group Ⅰand groupⅡ (78.4 ±37.0 cm H2O) vs (19.2 ±5.4 cm H2O)(P＜0.01), (7.6±2.2 ml/s) vs (2.5 ± 1.1 ) ml/s (P ＜ 0.05) respectively.Although there was significant difference at one month postoperatively in Qmax (17.4 ±2.9)ml/s vs (12.5 ±2.0)ml/s (P＜0.05), no significant difference was found in Qmax between the two groups after three months ( 18.3 ±2.8 ml/s) vs ( 15.2 ± 1.8)ml/s (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The Qmax may improve and the impaired detrusor recovered gradually after the BOO was removed.Performing an operation on patients with BOO accompanied with detrusor underactivity may be useful to recover detrusor contractility.

Studies have shown that microRNA plays a role of oncogene or tumor suppressor gene in the carcinogenesis and progression of tumor.However, the role of microRNA-143 (miR-143) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) needs further study.Aims: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of miR-143 in ESCC.Methods: Sixty-three ESCC tissues and corresponding para-cancerous tissues, 40 esophageal intraepithelial neoplasia (IEN) tissues and corresponding normal tissues from Jan.2013 to Dec.2013 at the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University were enrolled.The expression of miR-143 was examined by real-time quantitative PCR, and its correlations with clinicopathological features were analyzed.Results: Compared with controls, expression of miR-143 was down-regulated in ESCC and IEN (P<0.05).Expression of miR-143 was correlated with pathological type (P<0.001), but not with gender and age (P>0.05).Expression of miR-143 was correlated with pathological staging, lymph node metastasis and TNM staging (P<0.05), but not correlated with tumor infiltration depth in ESCC patients (P>0.05).Conclusions: Expression of miR-143 is down-regulated in ESCC and IEN tissues, which may be closely related to the development and progression of ESCC, and has the potential to be used as a new target for diagnosis of ESCC.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) for gastric stromal tumors.MethodsA total of 33 patients with gastric stromal tumor orgination from deep muscularis propria layer received EFTR from January 2010 to July 2011.The effectiveness and safety of EFTR were compared with those of other 34 patients with gastric stromal tumor origination from muscularis propria layer who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).ResultsExcept in 2 patients with lesions larger than 3.0 × 3.0 cm,EFTR was successful in others 31 patients,who recovered well and had no recurrence during the follow-up within 12 months.There were no significant differences in resection rate,incidence of complications,body temperature,white blood cell counts or recovery time between 2 procedures (P ＞ 0.05 ).However,the number of clips used in EFTR ( 7.0 ± 3.5 vs.4.9 ± 3.1,P =0.013 ) and postoperative fasting days (3.4 ± 1.5 vs.2.0 ± 1.0,P =0.001 ) were significantly higher than those of ESD procedures.ConclusionEFTR is effective and safe for gastric stromal tumors with no higher risk than ESD,but it is more complex technically.EFTR can be used as an expanding method of ESD in endoscopic treatment of gastric stromal tumors.

Objective To investigate the effects of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α on glycolysis of human esophageal squamous carcinoma cells and the possible mechanism.Methods TE13 and Eca109 cells were cultured under normal oxygen (20％O2) and hypoxia (1％O2) conditions.The hypoxia was duration 6 hours,12 hours,24 hours and 48 hours.HIF-1α gene was stable silented by RNA interference method and TE13/small interfering HIF cells and Eca109/siHIF cells were obtained.The cell culture condition and time was same as TE13 and Eca109 cells.The changes of HIF-1α expression were detected by Western-blot.The changes of lactic acid concentration in cell culture supernatant were determined by Spectrophotometry.The changes of glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) and lactic dehydrogenase A (LDHA) expression at mRNA level were examined by realtime polymerase chain reaction.The changes of GLUT-1 and LDHA expression at protein level were tested by Western blot.Using t or t' test to analyze the effects of hypoxia duration on HIF-1αexpression at protein level.One-way ANOVA was applied for the difference analysis between the groups.Results In TE13 and Eca109 cells,the HIF-1α expression significantly increased under hypoxia condition and reached the peak at 12 hour (t=6.11,8.31; both P＜0.05).The lactic acid secretion of TE13/siHIF cells and Eca109/siHIF cells was (1.24±0.33) and (1.28±0.37) mmol/L,which significantly decreased when compared with TE13 and Eca109 cells [(3.25±1.34) and (4.91±1.69) mmol/L,t=2.53,3.59,both P＜0.05].The lactic acid secretion of TE13 and Eca109 cells significantly increased after hypoxia [(6.48±1.73) and (8.02± 1.95) mmol/L,t=2.715,2.050,both P＜0.05].There was no significant lactic acid secretion in TE13/siHIF cells and Eca109/siHIF cells after hypoxia (P ＞ 0.05).The expressions of GLUT-1 and LDHA at mRNA level were significantly suppressed in TE13/siHIF cells and Eca109/siHIF cells (normal oxygen:t=6.98,3.92,7.25,3.67,all P＜0.05).The expression of GLUT-1 at protein level remarkably weaked (normal oxygen:t=4.57、16.56,hypoxia:t=6.19、6.09,all P＜0.05),while the expression of LDHA at protein level slightly decreased (P＞0.05).Conclusions The level of glycolysis can be lowered by suppression HIF-1α expression in human esophageal squamous carcinoma cells.The pathway may be involved in the suppression of GLUT-1 and LDHA expression.Except for HIF-1α,there may be other regulating factors in LDHA protein expression at same time.

Objective To investigate the regional distribution and morphological features of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 in digestive system of the humans, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and the institute of cancer research (ICR) mice, so as to lay the foundation for further study of its functions in the digestive system. Methods The specimens were obtained from SD rats and ICR mice as well as 20 patients with digestive disease, who were admitted to the First hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University and receired surgercal treatment. The specimens from patients with malignant tumors were obtained 5 cm apart from cancerous tissues and from patients with benign tumors were obtained near the focus. The resected tissues included pancreas, stomach, duodenum, esophagus, liver, small intestine or colon. The distribution of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 was examined with immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and its protein level in each organ was measured using Western blotting. Results The immuinohistocemical study revealed the similar distribution pattern of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 in the digestive system of the patients, SD rats and ICR mice. Nesfatin-1/NUCB2 was found to localize in the center of the pancreatic islets, the lower 1/3 to 1/2 of the gastric mucosal glands, as well as the submucosa of the duodenum. Western blotting examination showed the expression of NUCB2 in all tissues from patients, SD rats and ICR mice, whereas the protein level of the nesfatin-1/NUCB2 was higher in pancreas (0.84±0.03, 0. 84±0.05 and 0. 84±0.04, respectively), stomach (0.86±0.06,0.81±0.02 and 0. 78±0.02, respectively) or duodenum (0.79±0.09,0. 79±0.04 and 0.78±0.05)than that in esophagus (0.43±0.04,0.44 ± 0.02 and 0.47 ± 0.06, respectively), liver (0.42±0.01,0.44±0.04 and 0.43 ± 0.01, objectively), small intestine (0.32±0.04,0. 32 ± 0. 04 and 0.34 ±0.04, respectively) or colon (0. 29±0.01,0.32±0.03 and 0. 28±0.03, respectively)(all P values=0. 000). Conclusion Nesfatin-1/NUCB2 is widely expressed in the pancreatic islets, gastric mucosal glands and duodenum of the patients, SD rats and ICR mice, which indicates that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 may be involved in the regulation of food intake, carbohydrate metabolism and gastrointestinal motility.

Objective To prepare a radiofrequency (RF) ablation probe guided by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and to evaluate its efficacy and safety. Methods A modified 19-gauge needle ( Olympus) was used, which was electrically insulated with shrink tubing, with the tip of lcm naked. The insulation was tested, and the current signal was stable. Three rabbits were anesthetized with 8% chloral hydrate ( 3 ml/kg) intraperitoneally, fixed on the dissecting table. A standard neutral pad was applied to the thigh of the rabbit to complete the electrical circuit, both the pad and the needle electrode connected with RF generator. After anesthesia was ready, the needle was advanced through the gastric wall into the liver. Ablations were performed three times in the same zone. Extent and tissue lesion were measured after ablation. Results Ablation could be successfully performed by the needle electrode, with brown lesions surrounded by normal hepatic tissue. The mean diameter of the ablated zone in the liver was 1.0 cm× 1.2 cm. After ablation,specimens along the passage were subjected to NADH staining, and no lesions were found. HE and NADH staining showed no viable cells in the central ablation area. Conclusion With the advance of the technology and selection of materials, an EUS-guided needle electrode can be made. This preliminary animal trial demonstrates that radiofrequency ablation can be performed effectively and safely by using this EUS-guided needle electrode.

Objective To investigate the expressions of TESTIN gene and Caspase-3 protein and thier relations with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas(ESCC). Methods The expressions of TESTIN and Caspase-3 in 50 ESCC tissues and paracancerous tissues (＞5 cm apart form the ESCC tissue) were detected by immunohistochemistry.The expression of TESTIN in 65 matched-pairs of ESCC tissues was detected by Western blotting and RT-PCR. The association of TESTIN and Caspase-3 with clinicopathological features and prognosis of ESCC were analyzed. Results The immunohistochemistry examination showed that the positive rates of TESTIN protein [30. 0% (15/50)] and Caspase-3 protein [24.0% ( 12/50)] were significantly lower in ESCC tissues than those in paracancerous tissues [(84. 0% (42/50) and 94. 0% (47/50),respectively, P＜0.01)]. The mRNA level of TESTIN was down-regulated in ESCC tissues (P＜0.05). Whereas the protein level of TESTIN was down-regulated in 45 (69.2%) of 65 ESCC tissues in comparison with paracancerous tissues. TESTIN expression was positively correlated with the differentiation of ESCC, but not associated with gender, age, tumor size, TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. There was a positive correlation between TESTIN and Caspase-3 in protein expressions (P＜0. 05). Patients with negative expression of TESTIN had lower survival rate compared to those with positive expression (P＜0. 05). Conclusions The positive relation between low-expression of TESTIN and Caspase-3 implicates that both are involved in the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinogenesis, and TESTIN might be a novel ESCC marker with prognostic significance.

Objective To investigate the influence of gene therapy using survivin as a gene target on biological behavior of pancreatic carcinoma cell line. Methods Chemically synthesized siRNA and shRNA in pGCSi vector were used to silence survivin expression of pancreatic carcinoma cell line PaTu8988. The therapeutical effects of survivin as a gene target were evaluated through determination of the down-regulation of survivin gene expression, cellular shape, cell apoptosis, cell viability and apoptosis signal pathway changes. Results After transfection of different arrays of siRNA and shRNA vectors to silence the survivin expression, survivin mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) ; PI staining revealed the presence of karyopyknosis, the cell apoptosis index was more than 20%; hypodiploid DNA content before G0/G1 detected by flow cytometry ; cell viability measured by MTT assay was significantly decreased (P <0.05) ; the activity of caspase-3 remarkably increased (P < 0. 05). Conclusions The pancreatic carcinoma cell line PaTu8988 be induced to promote spontaneous apoptosis procedure through silencing survivin expression by RNAi, which could accelerate carcinoma cell apoptosis and improve therapeutic effect on pancreatic carcinoma.