To study the influence of 5?-reductase on the pathogenesis of human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the activity of this enzyme was measured in mechanically separated stroma and epithelium from 7 normal and 16 hyperplastic prostates. Samples were incubated in the presence of tritium labelled testosterone. The yield of DHT was used to estimate the enzyme activity. The results showed that the specific activity of the enzyme (pmol DHT / mg protein/30 rain) was91.4?18,1 and 28.6?7.4 in stroma (S) and epithelium (E) of BPH, 44.7?8.9 and 23.9?6.8 in S and E of normal prostates respectively. It indicated that the enzyme is predominantly localized in the stroma and is elevated ia BPH, the primary abnormality of BPH is in the stroma and the increase of 5?-reductase may have some contribution to the pathogenesis of BPH.

Background The sex hormones plays an important role in the incidence of dry eye,especially for the regulation of function.However,the effects of sex hormones on lacrimal gland epithelial cells are below understand.Objective This study was to investgate the effects of estradiol and testosterone on the apoptosis of lacrimal gland cells induced by H2O2.Methods The lacrimal gland tissue was obtained from 2- or 3-month-old clean male New Zealand rabbits and the lacrimal gland epithelial cells were cultured in vitro using esplant culture method.The cells were identified by pan cytokeratin antibodies with immunocytochemistry.lacrimal gland epithelial cells were incubated in the 96 well plate at the density of 5 × l04 cells/ml for 44 hours.Estradiol or testosterone with the concentrations of 1 × 10-5,1 × 10-6,1 × 10-7,1 × 10-8 mol/L were added into the medium for 24 hours respectively and 1× 10-4 mol/L H2O2 treated the cells for 1 hour to induce the apoptosis in experimental groups.The cells treated by only 1 × 10-4 mol/L H2O2 were used as apoptotic control group,and the cells cultured by regular method were used as blank control group.The cell viability in different groups was detected using MTT at 570 nm ( A570 ),and the apoptotic rates of the cells were assayed using Annexin V/PI double staining.This use and maintain of experimental animals followed the Regulation for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results The cultured cells showed the irregular polygon in shape,and about 80％ cells was positive response for cytokeratin.MTT assay showed that the lower A570 values were detected in the H2O2-induced group,various concentrations of estradiol or testosterone groups compared with blank control group (P＜0.01 ).The A570 values in 1 × 10-5,1 × 10-6,1 × 10-7 mol/L estradiol groups or 1 × 10-6 mol/L testosterone group were significantly higher than ones of H2 O2-induced group (P＜0.01 ).Compared with corresponding concentrations of testosterone groups,the A570values in various concentrations of estradiol groups were elevated( P＜0.01 ).The apoptosis rates at the early and later phase were significantly declined in both estradiol group and testosterone group in comparison with H2 O2-induced group (P ＜ 0.01,P＜ 0.05 ),and those in estradiol group were lower than the testosterone group( P＜0.01,P＜0.05 ).Conclusions Estradiol and testosterone suppress the apoptosis of lacrimal gland cells induced by H2O2,and the stronger effect is found in estrogen.The inhibition of estrogen on lacrimal gland cell apoptosis show a dose-dependent manner to some extent.

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) in the diagnosis of midline prostatic cysts.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the TRUS manifestations of 87 cases of midline prostatic cysts.

RESULTSOf the total number, 33 cases were diagnosed as Müllerian duct cysts, 21 cases ejaculatory duct cysts and the other 33 cases undifferentiated midline prostatic cysts; 19 cases had dilated seminal vesicles, 19 seminal vesicle agenesis, 9 seminal vesiculitis and 5 dilation of the ejaculatory duct.

CONCLUSIONTRUS, convenient, sensitive, safe and non-invasive, is a desirable method for the diagnosis of midline prostatic cysts.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cysts ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Diseases ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Rectum ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the testicular blood flow in patients with testicular microlithiasis (TM) and its correlation with the seminal profile in infertile men.

METHODSWe selected 88 infertile men and examined them by testicular color Doppler and routine seminal tests.

RESULTSTesticular microlithiasis was found in 19 (19.3%) of the patients, classic testicular microlithiasis (CTM) in 7 (8.0%), and limited testicular microlithiasis (LTM) in 10 (11.3%). No significant differences were observed in the age of onset, bilateral testicular volume, resistance index (RI) of bilateral testicular arteries, semen amount and the rate of teratospermia. The bilateral testicular peak systolic velocity (PSV), sperm count and sperm motility were significantly lower in the CTM than in the LTM group (P < 0.05), but showed no statistically significant difference between the LTM and the non-calcification group.

CONCLUSIONTM may be one of the causes of poor sperm function in infertile men.

Adult ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Calcinosis ; complications ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; complications ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Regional Blood Flow ; Semen ; cytology ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Testicular Diseases ; complications ; physiopathology ; Testis ; blood supply ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo compare plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and cystatin C levels in patients with or without coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODSWe recruited 87 CAD patients (39 with acute myocardial infarction and 48 with unstable angina pectoris) and 51 non-CAD controls. Plasma ADMA was measured by HPLC, cystatin C by particle-enhanced immunonephelometric assay (N Latex cystatin C, Dade Behring) with nephelometer (BNII, Dade Behring). CAD patients were further divided into low cystatin C group (< 1.0 mg/L, 36 cases) and high cystatin C group (> 1.0 mg/L, 51 cases).

RESULTS(1) The plasma levels of ADMA [(0.47 ± 0.15) µmol/L vs. (0.37 ± 0.15) µmol/L], SDMA [(0.39 ± 0.19) µmol/L vs. (0.28 ± 0.12) µmol/L] and cystatin C [(1.16 ± 0.32) mg/L vs. (0.73 ± 0.16) mg/L] were significantly higher in CAD patients than in controls (all P < 0.05). The plasma L-Arg was significantly lower in CAD patients than in controls [(59.4 ± 19.4) µmol/L vs. (83.7 ± 19.6) µmol/L, P < 0.05]. (2) Plasma ADMA was similar in CAD patients with low cystatin C level and controls [(0.42 ± 0.12) µmol/L vs. (0.39 ± 0.15) µmol/L, P = 0.251] and Plasma ADMA was significantly higher in CAD patients with high cystatin C level than in controls [(0.50 ± 0.17) µmol/L vs. (0.39 ± 0.15) µmol/L, P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONADMA levels were significantly increased only in CAD patients with elevated cystatin C levels but not in CAD patients with normal renal function. The reported relationship between coronary heart disease and ADMA may not be direct, but could be secondary due to reduced renal function.

Aged ; Arginine ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; Cystatin C ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in pancreatic cancer and its influence on the proliferation and migration of cancer cells.

METHODSThe expression of CTGF in pancreatic cell line PANC-1 cells was analyzed by real-time PCR and in pancreatic carcinoma (50 cases) tissues by immunohistochemistry. The ability of proliferation and migration in vitro of PANC-1 cells was tested by MTT assay, scratch test and Boyden chamber test after the CTGF gene was overexpressed by Ad5-CTGF or silenced with Ad5-siCTGF transfection.

RESULTSCTGF was overexpressed in both pancreatic cancer cells and tissues. Overxpression of CTGF leads to increased proliferation and migration of PANC-1 cells. The CTGF-transfected PANC-1 cells showed apparent stronger proliferation ability and scratch-repair ability than that of empty vector controls. The results of Boyden chamber test showed that there were 34 cells/field (200× magnificantion) of the CTGF-transfected overexpressing cells, much more than the 11 cells/field of the empty vector control cells; and 6 cells/microscopic field of the Ad5-siCTGF-transfected silenced cells, much less than the 15 cells/field of the control cells.

CONCLUSIONSCTGF is overexpressed in both pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, indicating that it may play an important role in the cell proliferation and migration in pancreatic cancer.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo study the safety, effectiveness and feasibility of suprapubis-assisted umbilical laparoendoscopic mini-dual-site surgery (SAU-LEMDS) in the treatment of varicocele.

METHODSThis study included 80 varicocele patients aged 24 - 44 (mean 28.5 +/- 2.6) years, 25 cases of grade I, 45 cases of grade II and 10 cases of grade III, 58 cases in the left side, 6 in the right and 16 in both sides, and all with asthenospermia. The patients were treated by SAU-LEMDS under subarachnoid anesthesia combined with general anesthesia in a supine position with a head-down-feet-up slope of 15 degrees. Two 5 mm trocars were inserted bilaterally at the umbilical edge, one with a 5 mm 30 degrees laparoscope placed in it, and another into the abdominal cavity below the pubic hairline with a 5 mm laparoendoscopic clipper placed in it. The operation procedure was similar to that of standard laparoscopic ligation of spermatic veins, with reservation of the spermatic artery and double-ligation of spermatic veins. And the procedure was repeated for the contralateral lesion in the bilateral cases. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for the incidences of orchiatrophy and testicular hydrocele and changes of seminal parameters.

RESULTSAll the operations were successful, with the mean operation time of (10 +/- 5.0) min (range 8 to 25 min) for the unilateral cases and (18 +/- 6.5) min (range 15 to 30 min) for the bilateral cases, the mean blood loss of (1.5 +/- 0.5) ml (range 1 to 2 ml), and the mean postoperative hospital stay of (2 +/- 0.5) d (range 1.5 to 3 d). The patients were followed up for 6 -24 (12 +/- 2.5) months, which showed significant improvement in sperm motility as compared with the baseline ([28.53 +/- 5.21] vs [19.62 +/- 3.56]%, P < 0.05), with 28 cases (35.0%) restored to normal. Recurrence was found in 4 cases (5.0%). Testicular hydrocele occurred in 7 cases (8.75%), but orchiatrophy in none. The scars in the umbilicus and suprapubis were invisible because of the wrinkles and pubic hair.

CONCLUSIONSAU-LEMDS is safe, effective and feasible for the treatment of varicocele. It is superior to umbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (U-LESS) for its less invasiveness, simpler operation, and better cosmetic appearance.

Adult ; Asthenozoospermia ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Length of Stay ; Ligation ; methods ; Male ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Period ; Recurrence ; Spermatic Cord ; blood supply ; Testicular Hydrocele ; etiology ; Treatment Outcome ; Umbilicus ; Varicocele ; surgery ; Veins

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics, treatment and prognosis of peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of the urinary tract and reproductive system.

METHODSThe clinical data and pathological characteristics of a PNET patient was analyzed and relevant literature reviewed.

RESULTSThe diagnosis was established by pathological and immunohistochemical method. The patient underwent radical surgery, followed by chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONPathology and immunohistochemistry help the diagnosis of PNET. For the treatment of the tumors in the early stage, surgery is the best choice, and for that in the late stage, it can be followed by chemotherapy. The PNET of the penis is a rare disease and evidence still lacks for the evaluation of its prognosis.

12E7 Antigen ; Aged ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; analysis ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; therapy ; Penile Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; therapy ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; analysis ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy of tumor-ablative individualized allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for the treatment of patients with high risk/refractory leukemia.

METHODSFivety-seven patients with high risk/refractory leukemia were enrolled. Tumor-ablative individualized conditioning regimens included HDAra-C + Bu/Cy, Ara-C + Bu/Fludarabine, G-CSF primed HDAra-C + Bu/Cy, and FLAG followed by reduced-intensified BuCy. Overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS), graft versus host disease, infection and relapse post grafting were analyzed.

RESULTSFifty-six patients attained durable engraftment. The median follow-up duration was 17.5 (2 - 34) months. The 18 months probabilities of OS and DFS were (74.7 ± 6.1)% and (62.4 ± 6.7)%, respectively. In addition, the 18 months probabilities of OS and DFS in patients who attained complete remission (CR) before transplantation were (74.2 ± 7.1)% and (58.8 ± 8.1)%, respectively, while in those not attained CR were (77.0 ± 11.8)% and (72.7 ± 11.7)%, respectively. Twenty nine patients developed acute GVHD (aGVHD) (grade I in 18, grade II in 4, grade III in 2 and grade IV in 5). The probabilities of aGVHD was (50.9 ± 6.6)% by Kaplan-Meier curve analysis. The probabilities of grades 2-4 and grades 3-4 aGVHD were (19.3 ± 5.2)% and (12.3 ± 4.3)% respectively. Extensive chronic GVHD (cGVHD) was observed in 36 patients. The probabilities of cGVHD was (64.3 ± 6.4)% by Kaplan-Meier curve analysis. Cytomegaloviremia (CMV) was observed in 39 (68.42%) patients, hemorrhagic cystitis in 13 (22.8%) patients, fungous infection in 16 (28.07%) patients and bacterial infection in 38 (66.67%) patients. Relapse occurred in 14 patients (hematologic relapse in 11 and extramedullary relapse in 3), probabilities of relapse being (24.6 ± 5.7)%. The 17.5-month probability of relapse in patients who attained CR before transplantation was (28.1 ± 7.7)%, while in those not attained CR was (15.6 ± 10.2)%. Fifteen patients died (6 from hematological relapse, 5 from infection of bacterial and fungous, 4 from cGVHD) after 100 days.

CONCLUSIONTumor-ablative individualized allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a promising and safe choice for treatment of high risk/refractory leukemia, even with high leukemia burden.

Cytarabine ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Leukemia ; Transplantation Conditioning

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for the isolation and culture of rat adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) and explore some biological characteristics of the acquired ADSCs.

METHODSAdipose tissues were isolated from the inguinal fat of SD rats. Primary ADSCs were obtained by the method of collagenase I digestion, inoculated, cultured in the Dulbecco modified Eagle medium with 10% fetal bovine serum, and subcultured at the right moment. The morphology and proliferation characteristics of the cells were observed under the inverted phase contrast microscope every day. Their growth curves were detected and experiments of freezing and resuscitation performed. The third passage ADSCs were induced into osteoblasts by osteogenic inducing fluid and into adipocytes by adipogenic inducing fluid. The osteogenic phenotypes were examined by Von Kossa staining and the adipocytes by Oil Red O staining.

RESULTSADSCs were successfully obtained and cultured from the rat adipose tissue. They appeared fibroblast-like and could proliferate rapidly in vitro, the third passage having the most active proliferative ability. Calcium nodes characteristic of osteoblasts were observed in the ADSCs on Von Kossa staining after induction with dexamethasone, ascorbic acid and beta-sodium glycerophosphate, and red-stained fats characteristic of adipocytes were noted in the cytoplasm on Oil Red O staining after induction with IBMX, indomethacin and insulin. The ADSCs showed no significant decrease in their proliferation activity and capability of differentiating into diverse cell types after cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen for a month.

CONCLUSIONA simple and effective method for the isolation and culture of rat ADSCs was successfully established. The ADSCs obtained could grow and proliferate rapidly in vitro, capable of differentiating into diverse cell types, easy to be preserved and promising to be seed cells for cell therapy and tissue engineering. The procedure of schizolysising erythrocytes with NH4Cl could be omitted in the isolation of the rat ADSCs and dexamethasone is not indispensable in the induction of ADSCs into adipocytes.

Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Tissue Engineering ; methods