BACKGROUND: Many data demonstrate that the components of soybean can lower blood lipid,suppress the growth of cancer cells and exert weak estrogenic activities. However,little is known about the effect of isolated soybean protein on the lifespan of the organism.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of isolated soybean protein on the lifespan of drosophila melanogasters and investigate the mechanism of effective anti-aging and anti-oxidation action.DESIGN: A controlled trial based on drosophila melanogasters.SETTING: Department of nutrition and food hygiene in a university.MATERIALS: The experiment was conducted in the Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene,Public Health College of Xinjiang Medical University from March to June 2002. A total of 400 drosophila melanogasters of American wild type with half for each gender were provided by the Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Public Health College of Xinjiang Medical University.METHODS: The 400 drosophila melanogasters were divided into control group(normal culture) and three-dosage experiment groups(normal culture contained isolated soybean protein 0.2%,1.0% and 5.0%,respectively).From the second day on, the number of living and dead drosophila melanogasters was observed and counted until all died. Meanwhile, mean lifespan,half death time and maximal lifespan were calculated.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURFS: Mean lifespan, half death time and maximal lifespan of the drosophila melanogasters.RESULTS: Compared with that of control group, the lifespan of male and female drosophila melanogasters in experiment groups was prolonged by isolated soybean protein and responded in a dose-dependent manner,especially in high-dosage group. The mean lifespan, half death time and maximal lifespan of both female and male drosophila melanogasters were prolonged by 24.5% and20.7%,27.1% and22.0%,and 13.9% and 10.6%,respectively.CONCLUSION: Isolated soybean protein may have anti-aging and lifespan-prolonging effects on drosophila melanogasters.

Objective To study the relationship between the choice of operation and the efficacy on hepa- tolithiasis.Methods From Januray of 1995 to December of 2006,89 patients with hepatolithiasis underwent surgical treatment were retrospectively analyzed.Of them 33 cases underwent hepaticoplasty,hepatolobectomy in 7 cases, cholangiojejunostomy in 22 cases,choledocholithotomy with T-tube drainage in 27 cases.Results Out of the 89 cas- es,follow-up was completed in 81 cases for 6 months to 12 years.The postoperative stone residual rate of the group which underwent hepaticoplasty was 15.15 %(5/33)and cholannitis recurrence rate was 12.50 %(4/32),hepa- tolobecromy was 14.29%(1/7)and 16.67%(1/6),cholangiojejunostomy was 18.18%(4/22)and 30%(6/20), choledocholithotomy with T-tube drainage was 33.33 %(9/27)and 29.17 %(7/24).Conclusion Hepaticoplasty and hepatolobecromy were superior to cholangiojejunostomy and choledocholithotomy with T-tube drainage for treat- ment of hepatolithiasis.

Aim: To study the effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on the hemodynamics of corpus cavemosum in Chinese men with erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods: In 68 ED patients receiving intracavemous injection (ICI) of SNP, the cavernous hemodynamics were studied by Doppler ultrasonography. Results: The peak flow velocity (PFV), the artery diameter (Ad), the mean velocity of arterial blood (MV) and the vein diameter (Vd) were significantly higher after ICI of SNP than before ICI, but the end diastolic velocity (EDV) did not change significantly. Conclusion:The increase in Vd after SNP suggests that the venous outflow is not invariably decreased during penile erection.

Crystallization has been widely applied in pharmaceutical formulations as an effective approach to improve the stability and efficacy of small agents. However protein crystals are suffered from limitation in the drug delivery system due to their complex crystallization behaviors. With development of crystallization technologies and their industrial application, protein crystals are receiving more and more attentions as a novel delivery system for biomacromolecules. Crystals with thermodynamic stable structure can improve the physical and chemical stability of protein drugs and present a sustained release behavior. On the basis of pertinent literatures, this review introduces the recent research situation and development process of protein crystals as drug delivery system. Moreover, the crystallization process of proteins, as well as the preparation and potential application are discussed systematically.
Crystallization ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; administration & dosage ; Proteins ; chemistry

OBJECTIVESTo compare PSAD, PSAD-TZ, PSA, FPSA/TPSA detection used in diagnosis of prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) and prostatic cancer(PCa).

METHODSFourty-three cases of BPH and twenty cases of PCa with PSA < 20 micrograms/L were chosen, then compared PSA, PSAD, FPSA/TPSA, PSAD-TZ between BPH and PCa.

RESULTSThe mean PSA in BPH and PCa is (10.47 +/- 6.25) microgram/L and (13.92 +/- 3.20) microgram/L respectively with no statistic difference (P > 0.05). The mean PSAD in BPH and PCa is (0.15 +/- 0.12) microgram/L and (0.24 +/- 0.13) microgram/L respectively with statistic difference (P < 0.05). The mean FPSA/TPSA in BPH and PCa is (0.58 +/- 0.42) microgram/L and (0.26 +/- 0.17) microgram/L respectively with statistic difference (P < 0.05). The mean PSA-TZ in BPH and PCa is (0.26 +/- 0.22) and (0.51 +/- 0.28) respectively with obviously statistic difference (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest PSAD, FPSA/TPSA, especially PSAD-TZ could be used to distinguish BPH and PCa.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prostate ; pathology ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; diagnosis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis

Objective To detect the mutations of ATP2C1 gene in patients with Hailey-Hailey dis- ease (HHD).Methods PCR and direct sequencing were performed in 17 patients and 120 healthy controls to screen the mutations in the exons of ATP2C1 gene.Results Eight mutations were identified in nine probands, including three deletion mutations (nt1464-1487 del/nt1462-1485del,1523delAT,2375delTTGT),three splice site mutations (360—2A→G,1415—2A→T,2243+2T→C) and two missence mutations (C920T and G1942T).None of the above mutations was found in the controls.Conclusion Eight specific novel mutations were identified in nine probands of HHD,which could be causative factors of the disease.

OBJECTIVETo explore and evaluate the feasibility, safety, radicality and the short-term outcome of minimally invasive esophagectomy versus open esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

METHODSFrom July 2007 to October 2009, 67 patients with esophageal cancer received minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE group), while 38 patients underwent conventional open esophagectomy (OE group: via right thorax, abdomen, left neck). The operative procedures, clinicopathological data and short-term outcome were collected and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe clinical data of the two groups were comparable. No significant differences was found in demographics between the two groups. Median blood loss in MIE group was less than that in OE group (chest: 112.3 ml vs. 175.3 ml, P = 0.035, abdominal: 31.4 ml vs. 100.5 ml, P = 0.026). More patients in OE group were transferred to ICU (P = 0.042) and more obvious pain (P = 0.005). The rate of pulmonary infection and intestinal obstruction in OE group were higher than MIE group (P = 0.046 and 0.045). There were no differences in the number of lymph node dissection for two groups, the average was 20.9 and lymph node metastasis rate was 26.9% in MIE group. Mean follow up was (14.0 ± 2.2) months (range, 2 to 29 months). Recurrence rate and survival rate were no differences.

CONCLUSIONThe Minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is feasible, safe, and reliable short-term effect, and can achieve radical tumor resection, which may lead to better future of surgical treatment for esophageal carcinoma.

Aged ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracoscopy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of magnetic resonance dynamic contrast-enhanced (MR-DCE) and magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (MR-DWI) in the differentiation of benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors.

METHODSSixty-three patients with pathologically confirmed musculoskeletal tumors were examined with MR-DCE and MR-DWI. Using single shot spin echo planar imaging sequence and different b values of 400, 600, 800 and 1000 s/mm(2), we obtained the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the lesions. ADC values were measured before and after MR-DCE, with a b value of 600 s/mm(2). The 3D fast acquired multiple phase enhanced fast spoiled gradient recalled echo sequence was obtained for multi-slice of the entire lesion. The time-signal intensity curve (TIC), dynamic contrast-enhanced parameters, maximum slope of increase (MSI), positive enhancement integral, signal enhancement ratio, and time to peak (T(peak)) were also recorded.

RESULTSADC showed no significant difference between benign and malignant tumors when the b value was 400, 600, 800, or 1000 s/mm(2), and it was not significantly different between benign and malignant tumors in both pre-MR-DCE and post-MR-DCE with b value of 600 s/mm(2). TIC were classified into four types type1 showed rapid progression and gradual drainage; type2 showed rapid progression but had no or slight progression; type 3 showed gradual progression; and type 4 had no or slight progression. Most lesions of type1 or type2 were malignant, whereas most lesions of type 3 or type 4 were benign. When using type1 and type 2 as the standards of malignancy, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 87.23% and 50.00%, respectively. The types of TIC showed significant difference between benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors(χ(2)=17.009,P=0.001). When using MSI 366.62 ± 174.84 as the standard of malignancy, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 86.78% and 78.67%, respectively. When using T(peak)≤70s as the standard of malignancy, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 82.89%and 85.78%, respectively. Positive enhancement integral and signal enhancement ratio showed no significant difference between benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors.

CONCLUSIONSTIC, MSI and T(peak) of MR-DCE are valuable in differentiating benign from malignant musculoskeletal tumors. T(peak) has the highest diagnostic specificity, and TIC has the highest diagnostic sensitivity. The mean ADC value are no significant difference between benign and malignant tumors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical value of ultrasonic surface localization in internal jugular vein catheterization.

METHODSTotally 150 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I -III who were planning to receive elective surgeries were randomized into anatomical landmark group, ultrasonic surface positioning group, and ultrasound-guided group using computed random table, with 50 cases in each group. The right internal jugular vein catheterization was performed after tracheal intubation. In the anatomic landmark group, patients were punctured using surface marks through central approach. In ultrasonic surface positioning group and ultrasound-guided group, patients were punctured with ultrasonic localization and guidance through central approach. The relationship between internal jugular vein and carotid artery, the position of the needle into the vein, the success rate of puncture, the change times of puncture point, and the complications were recorded.

RESULTSUltrasound scan revealed that the relationship between the right internal jugular vein and the right common carotid artery could be divided into three types: parallel (12.7%), partial overlapping (69.3%), and complete overlapping (18.0%). The average "safety distance" of jugular vein puncture was (1.15 +/- 0.47) cm. The success rate of the first puncture attempt in ultrasonic surface positioning group and ultrasound-guided group were 78.0% and 82.0%, respectively, which was significantly higher than that in anatomic landmark group (22.0%) (P < 0.05), whereas the complication incidence in anatomic landmark group (12.0%) were significantly higher than those in ultrasonic surface positioning group (0) and ultrasound-guided group (0) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSUltrasonic surface positioning applied during internal jugular vein catheterization is helpful to reveal the inner diameters as well as the origin and course of arteries and veins in the puncture and identify the abnormalities as early as possible. As a simple support technique for internal jugular vein puncture, it is suitable for clinical application.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Catheterization, Central Venous ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of sulfated tyrosine in regulating the activity of tyrosylprotein sulfotransferases (TPST) 1 and TPST2.

METHODSConstructs of TPST 1 and TPST2 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), then fused into immunoglobulin G1 Fc region. All the variants in which sulfated tyrosines were mutated to phenylalanine were made by the PCR-based Quick Change method and confirmed by sequencing the entire reading frame. Small hairpin RNA (shRNA) constructs-targeting nucleotides 259-275 of TPST1 and nucleotides 73-94 of TPST2 were generated and subcloned into pBluescript. Human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells were transfected with these plasmids. One day later, cells were split: one part was labeled with 35S-cysteine and methionine or 35S-Na2SO3 overnight, the second part was used for 125I labeled binding experiment, and the third part was retained for binding and flow cytometry.

RESULTSTyrosines at position 326 of TPST1 and position 325 of TPST2 were sulfated posttranslationally. Tyrosine sulfation of TPSTs was effectively inhibited by sulfation inhibitors, including specific shRNAs and non-specific NaCIO3. shRNAs reduced the sulfation of C3a receptor and C5a receptor, and partially blocked the binding of these two receptors to their respective ligands.

CONCLUSIONSThe activities of TPSTs were regulated by tyrosine sulfation. Inhibition of sulfotyrosine decreases the binding ability of C3a receptor and C5a receptor to their respective ligands.

Cell Line ; Complement C3a ; metabolism ; Complement C5a ; metabolism ; Humans ; Protein Binding ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational ; Receptor, Anaphylatoxin C5a ; metabolism ; Receptors, Complement ; metabolism ; Sulfotransferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tyrosine ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism