OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between TMPRSS2: ERG gene fusion and the pathological grade of prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODSWe collected fresh prostatic tissue samples from 62 patients with PCa and another 10 with benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH) and included 9 cancer cell strains as the control. We examined the TMPRSS2:ERG fusion gene in the PCa samples by nest RT-PCR, compared the Gleason scores between the TMPRSS2:ERG-positive and -negative cases, and analyzed the association of TMPRSS2: ERG fusion with the pathological features of PCa.

RESULTSThe TMPRSS2: ERG fusion gene was detected in 28 (45.16%) of the PCa cases, but in none of the 10 BPH cases or the 9 cancer cell strains. No statistically significant differences were found in the Gleason scores between the TMPRSS2:ERG-positive and -negative cases (Z = -0.609, P = 0.542), but the primary Gleason score was markedly higher in the former than in the latter (Z = -2.600, P = 0.009). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that TMPRSS2:ERG was associated with the cribriform growth pattern (OR = 6.250, P = 0.002), foamy gland morphology (OR = 6.666, P = 0.023), and signet-ring cells (OR = 3.240, P = 0.035), but multivariate logistic regression analysis manifested that it was associated with the cribriform growth pattern only (OR = 3.750, P = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONTMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion was associated with higher pathological grades of prostate cancer.

Gene Fusion ; Humans ; Male ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; genetics ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology

This article introduces a new-type anti-rotation reduction internal fixator, which can be applied in various spine fractures and dislocations in order to shorten the operation time, to raise reduction effect, and to reduce the complications such as the loss of reduction, broken nail, broken rod etc. Biomechanical tests and clinical applications have proved that the internal fixator has the features of a short operation time, a definite fixation and few complications.
Bone Nails ; Bone Plates ; Equipment Design ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo report our primary experience with immediate breast reconstruction using laparoscopically harvested omental flap after breast-conserving surgery. The safety, feasibility, and clinical effect are also evaluated.

METHODSFrom Jun. 2010 to Jan. 2011, 5 cases who underwent immediate breast reconstruction using laparoscopically harvested omental flap after breast-conserving surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The operative duration, postoperative days in hospital, complication and therapeutic effect were reviewed.

RESULTSAll the patients were treated successfully without laparotomy. The average operative duration was 310 min, including 60 min for harvesting the omental flap. The median postoperative days in hospital was 8 days (ranged, 5-9 days). One case complained of slight pulled feeling in upper abdomen. No other complication happened. The cosmetic result of reconstructed breasts was satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSThe immediate breast reconstruction using laparoscopically harvested omental flap is safe and feasible with less morbidity in donor sites and good cosmetic effect. It is one of the ideal methods for immediate breast reconstruction.

Adult ; Breast Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Middle Aged ; Omentum ; transplantation ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo investigate the risk factors for prostatic inflammation extent and infection in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) so as to manage prostatic inflammation more efficiently.

METHODSSixty patients with BPH undergoing TURP between September 2005 and December 2005 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University were studied. Prostate fluid (PF) was collected for the measurement of secretory IgA (SIgA) and complement 3 (C3). Prostate tissue were collected for testing bacterial 16S rDNA by real-time PCR, examining SIgA in the tissue and examining the inflammation. The possible clinical and immune risk factors for prostatic inflammation or infection were analyzed by using the logistic regression method.

RESULTSAbnormal white blood cell count in urinalysis, prostatic infection and a high concentration of C3 in PF are the risk factors for prostatic inflammation extent (P = 0.025, 0.034 and 0.035, respectively and odds ratio [OR] = 18.269, 8.284 and 1.508, respectively). Risk factors for prostatic infection include the C3 concentration and the concentration of SIgA in PF (P = 0.003 and 0.013, respectively, and OR=1.645 and 0.993, respectively).

CONCLUSIONThe present study suggests that prostatic inflammation is associated with urinary tract infection, prostatic infection and the activated complement and that prostatic infection is associated with the activated complement and downregulated mucosal immunity in prostates of the patients with BPH. It is also suggested that individual immune regulation should be considered in the treatment of prostatic inflammation and infection of patients with BPH.

Bacteria ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; China ; DNA, Ribosomal ; genetics ; Humans ; Infection ; etiology ; Inflammation ; etiology ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Patient Selection ; Prostate ; physiopathology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; complications ; physiopathology ; surgery ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Regression Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate

Carbon source plays an important role in the constitutive expression of foreign proteins in Pichia pastoris. In present study, glucose , glycerol , methanol and oil acid, was used respectively as the only carbon source to constitutively express hAS in Pichia pastoris GS115 (pGAP9K-AS)in shaking flask. The result shows that oleic acid is the best (163 mg/L) compared with glycerol (83mg/L), glucose (76 mg/L)and methanol (57 mg/L). Since oleic acid is insoluble in water, glycerol was used as the carbon source in the high-density cell culture of GS115 (pGAP9K-AS) in a 30 liter bioreactor and 169 mg/L of angiostatin was obtained after 48h of culture. The expressed angiostatin is immunologically active as shown by Western blotting. The recombinant hAS inhibits bFGF induced CAM angiogenesis and suppresses the growth of B16 melanoma in C57BL/6J mice. The tumor inhibition rate is 90% after 12 days of treatment. Statistics analysis revealed that the tumor volume difference of mice between the hAS group and PBS group is prominent (P < 0.01).
Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; therapeutic use ; Angiostatins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Bioreactors ; microbiology ; Culture Media ; pharmacology ; Fermentation ; Glycerol ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Melanoma, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Pichia ; genetics ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy and safety of sildenafil plus sertraline with those of sertraline alone in the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE).

METHODSSeventy-two patients with PE but without any obvious organic cause were enrolled in this study. They were randomly divided into Groups A and B of equal number. Group A received 50 mg sertraline daily 4 to 6 hours before planned sexual activity for 12 weeks, and Group B were given 50 mg sertraline daily plus 50 mg sildenafil as needed, 1 hour before planned sexual activity, for 12 weeks. Before and after the treatment, the mean intravaginal ejaculation latency time, the intercourse satisfaction, the mean number of coituses per week and the drug-related side effects were evaluated.

RESULTSThe mean intravaginal ejaculatory latency time was (0.59 +/- 0.12), (3.9 +/- 0.15) minutes (P < 0.001) at baseline and post-treatment in Group A, and (0.56 +/- 0.11), (5.6 +/- 0.12) minutes (P < 0.001) in Group B, improved in both of the 2 groups, but more significantly in Group B (P < 0.05). Before and after the treatment, the mean intercourse satisfaction domain values of the IIEF were (8.9 +/- 1.2), (10.8 +/- 1.1) (P < 0.05) and (8.8 +/- 1.1), (13.8 +/- 1.3) (P < 0.001) in Groups A and B, respectively, significantly greater in Group B than in Group A (P < 0.05) after the treatment; the mean numbers of coituses per week in Groups A and B were (0.9 +/- 0.2), (1.9 +/- 0.3) (P < 0.05) and (1.0 +/- 0.2), (2.7 +/- 0.2) (P <0.001) respectively, significantly larger in Group B (P<0.05) after the treatment. As for the side effects, there was a higher rate of headaches (P < 0.01) and flushing episodes (P < 0.001) in Group B than in Group A.

CONCLUSIONSertraline combined with sildenafil can produce significantly better results than sertraline alone in patients with premature ejaculation. However, the combined treatment is associated with a slight increase in the drug-related side effects.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Ejaculation ; Genital Diseases, Male ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Piperazines ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Purines ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Sertraline ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Sildenafil Citrate ; Sulfones ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of growth hormone( GH) supplementation on erectile function and expression of nNOS in the intracavernosal nerves in aging rats.

METHODSTwenty male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 18 months were randomly divided into Groups A and B, and ten 2-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats included in Group C. 1 U/(kg x d) GH was given to Group A, and the same volume of saline to Groups B and C. After 8 weeks of treatment, evaluation was made of the erections induced by apomorphine (APO), maximal intracavernous pressure (ICP) induced by intracavernous papaverine injection and expression of nNOS in the intracavernosal nerves by streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemical techniques.

RESULTSAfter 8 weeks of treatment, the erection frequency, maximal ICP and expression of nNOS in the intracavernosal nerves of the rats in Groups A and C were significantly higher than those in Group B (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONGrowth hormone supplementation can improve the erectile function of aging rats, which may be attributed to the increase in the expression of nNOS in the intracavernosal nerves.

Animals ; Apomorphine ; pharmacology ; Growth Hormone ; pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; biosynthesis ; Papaverine ; pharmacology ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; Penis ; enzymology ; innervation ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVEStem cells transplantation is a promising strategy in cardiology. This meta-analysis summarizes the efficacy and safety of stem cells transplantation on top of standard medication on chronic heart failure patients.

METHODSThe following databases were searched, including Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2011), PubMed (1980 to 2011), Embase (1990 to 2011), CBM (1978 to 2011), CNKI (1994 to 2011), VIP (1989 to 2011), and WanFang Data (1998 to 2011). Search criteria:studies were screened and the quality was evaluated according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Intervention measures: the treatment group using stem cell transplantation therapy on top of standard drug treatment, while the control group using standard drug treatments.

RESULTSA total of 31 studies involving 2375 patients were included. The results show that the improvement of LVEDV in the stem cell treatment group is greater than in the control group [SMD = -11.8% (95%CI: -0.223 - 0.013), P = 0.027] and the relative-risk of cardiac events is lower in stem cell treatment group [RR = 0.77 (95%CI: 0.66 - 0.90), P < 0.01] than in control group.

CONCLUSIONStem cells therapy is effective in improving cardiac remodeling and reducing the relative-risk of cardiac events in patients with chronic heart failure.

Chronic Disease ; Heart Failure ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Ventricular Remodeling

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features of microscopic polyangitis (MPA), and to compare the differences in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-positive and ANCA-negative patients, as well as in ANCA-positive cases with or without glomerular immunoglobulin deposition.

METHODSThirty-four biopsy-proven cases of MPA were retrieved from the archival files of the Department during the past 7 years. The clinicopathologic characteristics between ANCA-positive and negative patients, as well as between ANCA-positive cases with and without glomerular immunoglobulin deposition, were compared.

RESULTSAmongst the 34 MPA patients studied, about one-fifth to one-half were accompanied by various extrarenal symptoms. Serum ANCA was positive in 26 patients (76.5%). A slight to moderate increase in urinary protein was demonstrated in 31 patients, while 3 patients had nephrotic syndrome. Elevated serum creatinine was detected in 32 cases. Renal biopsy revealed crescentic glomerulonephritis in 24 cases, focal segmental glomerulonephritis in 8 cases, vascular fibrinoid necrosis with inflammation in 7 cases, intimal thickening of arterioles in 24 cases, interstitial inflammatory cells, including neutrophil infiltration (21 cases), in 29 cases. Crescentic formation was more common in the ANCA-positive group than in the ANCA-negative group (P < 0.05). Amongst the 26 ANCA-positive cases, 10 had glomerular immunoglobulin deposits (including 1 case with IgA nephropathy). In general, these cases had a greater degree of proteinuria than those without glomerular immunoglobulin deposits (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe diagnosis of MPA relies on histologic examination of renal biopsy and clinicopathologic correlation. Serum ANCA seems important for glomerular crescent formation. Glomerular immunoglobulin deposition may also play a significant role in the exacerbation of proteinuria.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic ; metabolism ; Biomarkers ; Biopsy ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Isotypes ; metabolism ; Kidney ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proteinuria ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Vasculitis ; metabolism ; pathology

The recombined adenovirus DNA was transfected into 293 cells for packing and amplification of replication-deficient Ad-CMV-E6/E7, Ad-K14 -E6/E7 virus was purified by CsCl density gradient centrifugation , recombined adenovirus Ad-CMV-E6/E7, Ad-K14 -E6/E7 were used as experimental group, while pAd-CMV and pAdtrack-K14 were used as control group. Four of them were injected through one main vein of nude mice tail respectively. These mice were then treated with 0.05 mg 17beta-estradiol over 12 weeks. Mice were anaesthesiaed with 2.5% Avertint and the vagina, mammary gland, ovaries and uterus were dissected and fixed in 3.75% paraformaldehyde overnight at 4 degrees C. Paraffin-embedded sections, HE staining and identification of P53 and Bcl-2 protein via immunohistochemistry were performed. The expression of E6/E7 was verified by RT-PCR in different tissue of nude mice. HE staining showed evident hyperplasy in cervix-uterus transformation zone of experimental group 2. The expression of mutant P53 and Bcl-2 were higher than control group via immunohistochemical S-P method in uterus stroma-cell. Western blotting also showed that E6 protein was expressed. The expression of E6/E7 was higher than control group by human cytokeratin promoter 14 and hyperlasy changes were detected in epithelial tissue of cervix-uterus transformation zone.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Female ; Genital Diseases, Female ; pathology ; virology ; Genitalia, Female ; pathology ; virology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mammary Glands, Animal ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Oncogene Proteins, Viral ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ovary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Papillomaviridae ; metabolism ; physiology ; Papillomavirus E7 Proteins ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Uterus ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vagina ; metabolism ; pathology