Prostate cancer is a common malignancy that affects men's health in the Western countries. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), as the third generation of genetic markers, can influence the development, progression, and prognosis of prostate cancer. The same SNP may be related differently with prostate cancer among different races. This paper describes the relationship between SNPs and prostate cancer according to their related genes. SNPs can predict the risk of prostate cancer as well as the possible adverse reactions in its treatment, but at present they do have some limitations.
Humans ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics

Objective To explore the plasma ghrelin levels in children and adolescents with short stature and the role of ghrelin in growth hormone-releasing hormone-growth hormone(GHRH-GH) axis.Methods One hundred and fifty-seven children(115 male,42 female) with short stature were selected.Fasting plasma sample was extracted from 10 mL vemous blood of the children with short stature.Insulin tolerance test and arginine stimulation test was performed initially to differential diagnosis.And blood samples was divided into 3 ca-tegories:37 cases of complete growth hormone deficiency (CGHD),52 cases of partial growth hormone deficiency(PGHD) and 68 cases of idiopathic short stature(ISS) during these two growth hormone(GH)provocative tests.Controls consisted of age and gender-match 20 health children.Plasma ghrelin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay.Serum GH was detected by chemiluminescence method,and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was measured by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Fasting glucose,insulin,testosterone,estra-diol,luteinizing hormone,follicle-stimulating hormone were measured.Statistical analysis were conducted by using SPSS 11.5 software.Results The fasting ghrelin levels of CGHD group were significantly lower than that of ISS group and control group(Pa0.05).The ghrelin levels were positive correlated with the stimulated GH peak(r=0.176 P0.05).Conclusion Ghrelin has an important role on GH secretion and abnormal secretion of ghrelin might be a reason of growth hormone deficiency which due to hypothalamic abnormality.

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and the microsurgical treatment of intramedullary hemangioblastoma in cervical spinal cord.Methods The signs of MRI,and the results of operations were analysed in 26 patients with the tumors.Rusults The tumors can be classified into two types:Solid type (14 cases)and cystic type(12 eases).All the tumors underwent total removal and were all hemangioblastoma confirmed by histopathologic examinations.Postoperatively,neurological status were improved in 17 patients, remained in 7 cases and worse in 2 cases.Conclusion For intrameduUary hemangioblastoma of cervical spinal cord MRI is of significant importance in the diagnosis of localization and the nature of the tumors which is conductive to selecting appropriate operative methods.There is high risk in operating at cervical section,but microsurgical total resection is the optimal method to stop the development of the clinical presentation.Opera- tive methods varied with the different typer of the tumor.It is the most important principal that dissection is performed along the correct interface and the tumor should be removed en bloc after it is devascularized.

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and acupuncture-moxibustion therapy on the long-term efficacy and patient's life quality in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

METHODSSixty-nine patients were randomized into the combined acupuncture-moxibustion and acupoint catgut embedding therapy group (combined therapy group, 36 cases) and an acupuncture-moxibustion group (33 cases). In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, acupuncture was applied at Yingxiang (LI 20), Shangyingxiang (EX-HN 8), Yintang (GV 29), Shangxing (GV 23), Tongtian (BL 7) and Zusanli (ST 36). Moxibustion was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14) and Fengmen (BL 12). In the combined therapy group, on the basis of the treatment as acupuncture-moxibustion group, the catgut embedding therapy was applied at Feishu (BL 13), Fengmen (BL 12), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Qihai (CV 6). The treatment duration was 4 weeks in the two groups. The clinical efficacy of allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) score were observed before and after treatment as well as in the 4-weeks follow-up after the end of treatment respectively.

RESULTSThe markedly effective rate was 72.7% (24/33) in the combined therapy group and 48.4% (15/31) in the acupuncture-moxibustion group after treatment. The efficacy was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). It was 57.6% (19/33) in the combined therapy group and was 22. 6% (7/31) in the 4-week follow-up after treatment, indicating the long-term efficacy in the combined therapy group was superior to that in the acupuncture-moxibustion group (P<0. 05). Scores of RQLO after treatment and in 4-week follow-up after treatment in both groups were improved as compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05). In 4-week follow-up, the improvements in sleep and affection in the combined therapy group were superior to the acupuncture-moxibustion group (3.27 +/- 3.23 vs 4.61 +/- 3.56, 3.48 +/- 3.67 vs 5.81 +/- 4.15, both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy are safe and effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and display the more roles in the long-term efficacy.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To study the lysozyme activity in Oncomelania hupensis and observe its inhibitory effect on bacterial growth.Methods Soft tissues of Oncomelania hupensis were initially homogenized and immersed in Tris-HCl-TritonX-114 buffer solution for 24 hours then the supernatant was collected after centrifugation at 10 000 × g for 10 minutes.The supernatant was incubated in a 37 ℃ water bath for 15 minutes and centrifuged again at 2000 × g for 10 minutes.The precipitate was put into ultrafiltration tube (relative retention molecular mass =3000) and centrifuged at 4 ℃,5 000 × g for 30 minute to obtain concentrated enzyme.The protein content,lysozyme activity and the antibacterial effect on Micrococcus lysodeikticus,Shigella dysenteriae,Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli and Candida albicans were measured with bicinchonininc acid(BCA) method,turbidimetric method and agar diffusion (K-B) method,respectively.Results The antibacterial protein lysozyme was identified in gastropod protein concentration of the concentrated enzyme was 3.428 g/L.Average activity,total activity,and specific activity were (760 ± 120) × 103 U/L,(1520 ± 240) × 103 U/L and (221.70 ± 35.00)U/mg,respectively.The enzyme had produced exclusive inhibitory effects on growth of Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Shigella dysenteriae.Average inhibitory diameters were 10-12 and 12-15 mm,respectively.No inhibition zone was observed in saline control,Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.Conclusions Lysozyme can be extracted from soft tissues of Oncomelania hupensis with Tris-HCl-TritonX-114 buffer solution,and the enzyme has inhibitory effect on growth of Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Shigella dysenteriae but has no antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.

The composition of intestinal microflora is closely related to the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Among them, Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) has been proved directly related to the recurrence, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance of CRC. Therefore, it is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer by the exploration potential anti-Fn drug targets and discovery small molecule drugs. However, no selective anti-Fn small molecule inhibitors have been reported so far as well as their anti-Fn thereby "anti-Fn further anticancer" mechanisms are unclear. Herein, this article reviews the potential therapeutic targets and small molecule ligands of Fn in order to provide a reference for the development of anti-Fn and anti-CRC small molecule drugs.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) in endometrium of patients with menorrhagia.

METHODSRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were carried out in twenty women with normal menstrual cycle to confirm the expression of AQP1 in endometrium and locate it. Then 51 women with menorrhagia and 40 women with normal menstrual cycle were included in the study. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to examine the expression of AQP1.

RESULTAQP1 mRNA was expressed in the human endometrium throughout menstruation cycle, which was mainly located in the endothelia of the capillaries and small blood vessels. Quantification of the immunostaining revealed higher density during secretary phase than that in proliferative phase (P<0.01). The staining intensity and density of AQP1-positive microvessel decreased significantly in simple hyperplasia group (P<0.01) and then gradually increased in complex hyperplasia and atypical hyperplasia groups (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONDecreased expression of AQP1 may lead to disturbed endometrial vascular remodeling and may be involved in the occurrence of menorrhagia.

Adult ; Aquaporin 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Endometrium ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Menorrhagia ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prognostic effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with local advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed prognosis in 191 patients with advanced gastric cancer, of whom 71 were treated with NAC and 120 received surgery only between February 2007 and July 2013. Postoperative complication rate was recorded. Survival by clinicopathological features, pathological T and N stages, and histopathological tumor regression was retrospectively compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAccording to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, none of the 71 patients in the NAC followed by surgery group showed complete response, 36 showed partial response, 25 had stable disease, and 10 had progressive disease. The chemotherapy response rate was 50.7%; the disease control rate was 85.9%. Grade 3/4 adverse events were seen in less than 20% patients, with acceptable toxicities. No difference was found in the overall postoperative complication rates between the two groups (7 versus 22 cases, P=0.18). Median survival time was significantly different, at 54 months in the NAC combined with surgery group and 25 months in the surgery-only group (P=0.025).

CONCLUSIONIn patients with operable gastric adenocarcinomas, NAC can significantly improve overall survival without increasing surgical complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; pathology

Natural products are important sources for the discovery of anti-tumor drugs. Evodiamine is the main alkaloid component of the traditional Chinese herb Wu-Chu-Yu, and it has weak antitumor activity. In recent years, a number of highly active antitumor candidates have been discovered with a significant progress. This article reviews the research progress of evodiamine-based antitumor drug design strategies, in order to provide reference for the development of new drugs with natural products as leads.

Background: Echocardiography is a primary tool used by veterinarians to evaluate heart diseases. In recent years, various studies have targeted standard echocardiographic values for different breeds. Reference data are currently lacking in Maltese dogs and it is important to fill this gap as this breed is predisposed to myxomatous mitral valve disease, which is a volume overload disease. Objectives: To establish the normal echocardiographic parameters for Maltese dogs. Methods: In total, 23 healthy Maltese dogs were involved in this study. Blood pressure measurements, thoracic radiography, and complete transthoracic echocardiography were performed. The effects of body weight, age and sex were evaluated, and the correlations between weight and linear and volumetric dimensions were calculated by regression analysis. Results: The mean vertebral heart size was 9.1 ± 0.4. Aside from the ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and the left atrial to aorta root ratio, all the other echocardiographic parameters were significantly correlated with weight. Conclusion This study describes normal echocardiographic parameters that may be useful in the echocardiographic evaluation of Maltese dogs.