Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K) is well known as a Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent kinase. eEF2K catalyzes the phosphorylation of eEF2 and subsequently inactivates eEF2 by impairing its ability to bind to the ribosome, thereby negatively modulates protein synthesis. The high expression of eEF2K has been found recently in several types of malignancies. As participating in the progress of tumor, eEF2K emerges a potential target for future cancer therapy. The relationship between eEF2K and tumor, and the latest progress of eEF2K inhibitors were summarized in this article.
Elongation Factor 2 Kinase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Peptide Elongation Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation

Objective To compare the therapeutic effects of recurrent pterygium treated by microsur- gical management.Methods Sixty-two cases(67 eyes)with recurrent pterygiumwere randomly divided into limbal stem cell autograft transplantation comblined with mitomycin C(34 cases38 eyesand limbal stem cell autograft transplantation(28 cases29 eyes)The post operative follow-up period was 6 to 30 months.Re- suits One eye recurrence was noted in the trial groupthe recurrent rate was 2.63%Three eyes recurrence was noted in the control groupthe recurrent rate was 10.34%There was statistical significant difference be- tween two groups(P0.05).Conclusion Limbal stem cells autograft transplantation combined with mitomycin C can decrease the recurrent rate.It is an ideal methods of recurrent pterygium surgical procedureis worth spreading.

Objective To investigate the correlation between large platelet ratio (P-LCR) and stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods 152 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation were selected and divided into two groups according to whether accompanying stoke or not. Clinical features of patients and blood test indicator P-LCR were analyzed by Logistic regression analysis. Results In total, 152 subjects, including 47 patients with stoke and 105 patients without stoke,were included in the study. Univariate analysis showed that the difference in age, diabetes, hypertension, lipid-lowering therapy and P-LCR between two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age, diabetes and P-LCR were independent risk factors of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Conclusions Age, diabetes and P-LCR are independent risk factors of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND:Bone transplantation is the only method for the repair of bone defects. However, traditional bone transplantation has some disadvantages. Bone tissue engineering, as a new treatment strategy, can achieve the desire therapeutic outcomes. OBJECTIVE:To fabricate a new tissue-engineered scaffold for improving bone repair effectively. METHODS:Hydroxyapatites (HA) with different Ca/P (1.50/1.67) ratios were synthesized by chemical precipitation method and microwave radiation method. Composite scaffolds of palygorskite (APC)/HA/polycaprolactone (PCL)/col agen (COL), APC/calcium deficiency HA (CDHA)/PCL/COL, and APC/PCL/COL (control group) were prepared by solution perfusion-solvent evaporation and ion leaching method. The material characterization, active ingredients, hydrophilic property, and mechanical properties were evaluated by scanning electron microscope, infrared spectrometer, surface contact measuring instrument and universal mechanics, respectively. The histocompatibility of the implant with the host was assessed through animal experiments. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:By precise control of pH range, HA with different Ca/P ratios could be synthesized. The mechanical properties, air permeability, hydrophilic property of the APC/HA/PCL/COL and APC/CDHA/PCL/COL composite materials were significantly increased compared with the APC/PCL/COL composite material (P<0.05), while the porosity, water absorption expansion rate were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Results from our animal experiments showed that no immune inflammatory reaction was observed suggesting that the composite materials hold good histocompatibility. To conclude, the APC/HA (1.50/1.67)/PCL/COL composite materials are promising bone substitutes in bone tissue repair.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of simvastatin on the proliferation and apoptosis of prostatic epithelial RWPE-1 cells.

METHODSRWPE-1 cells cultured in vitro were treated with simvastatin at 0, 10, 20, and 40 μmol/L for 24, 48, and 72 hours followed by determination of their proliferation by MTT assay, and their apoptosis by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and Cx43 were detected by fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTSAfter 72 hours of treatment with simvastatin at 10, 20, and 40 μmol/L, the inhibition rates of the RWPE-1 cells were (21.07 ± 6.41)%, (34.87 ± 9.65)%, and (47.18 ± 10.88)%, respectively, significantly higher than (1.21 ± 0.54)% in the control group (P < 0.05) and in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05); the cell apoptosis rates were (0.066 ± 0.016)%, (0.126 ± 0.023)%, and (0.192 ± 0.025)%, respectively, remarkably higher than (0.015 ± 0.005)% in the control (P < 0.05) and also in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05); the mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2 were decreasing while those of Bax and Cx43 increasing with the increased concentration of simvastatin (P < 0.05). The expression of Cx43 was correlated negatively with that of Bcl-2 but positively with that of Bax.

CONCLUSIONSimvastatin inhibits the proliferation of prostate epithelial cells and induce their apoptosis by acting on the gap junctional intercellular communication.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Male ; Prostate ; cytology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Simvastatin ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo determine whether oral statins can delay the progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

METHODSWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of 50-69-year-old males who came for physical examination in our hospital between January 2003 and December 2008. We designed the inclusion criteria, followed them up for 5 years, and investigated the relationship of oral statins with the clinical progression of BPH and LUTS.

RESULTSTotally, 653 men met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study, of whom 283 were treated with oral statins (group 1) while the other 370 with none (group 2). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in age and baseline IPSS, Qmax, and prostate volume (PV) (P > 0.05). During the follow-up, 24 cases in group 1 and 35 cases in group 2 were excluded for obvious dys-uria. A gradual increase was observed in IPSS in both groups 1 and 2 year by year from the baseline to the 5th year of follow-up, but significantly lower in the former group (4.27 +/- 1.16, 4.63 +/- 1.05, 5.27 +/- 0.96, 6.41 +/- 1.04, 7.21 +/- 1.21, and 7.93 +/-1.50) than in the latter (4.24 +/- 1.35, 5.26 +/- 1.23, 6.84 +/- 1.20, 8.75 +/- 1.84, 10.82 +/- 3.01, and 12.98 +/- 4.21) (P < 0.01); a gradual decrease was seen in Qmax, though markedly higher in group 1 ([26.56 +/- 2.09], [24.06 +/- 1.94], [21.33 +/- 1.66], [19.24 +/- 1.54], [17.44 +/- 1.53], and [16.27 +/- 1.37] ml/s) than in group 2 ([26.74 +/- 2.40], [23.62 +/- 2.01], [20.63 +/- 1.69], [17.72 +/- 1.48], [14.82 +/- 1.11], and [11.86 +/- 1.24] ml/s) (P < 0.01); and a gradual increase was found in PV, but remarkably smaller in the former group ([19.82 +/- 4.94], [22.60 +/- 4.99], [25.80 +/- 5.20], [27.92 +/- 5.05], [29.11 +/- 5.24], and [29.97 +/- 5.26] ml) than in the latter ([20.21 +/- 4.78], [24.30 +/- 4.98], [28.50 +/- 5.14], [32.84 +/- 4.77], [36.99 +/- 4.78], and [40.90 +/- 4.78] ml) (P < 0.01). Longer medication of statins was associated with better efficacy.

CONCLUSIONOral statins can significantly delay the clinical progression of BPH and LUTS.

Aged ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Longitudinal Studies ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To investigate the relationships between hyperuricaenia,serum uric acid (SUA) level and the chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adult residents of Pudong New Area,Shanghai.Methods 3326 residents aged 20-80 years were randomly selected from Pudong New Area,Shanghai through multistage sampling and interviewed between April and July of 2008.Fasting blood sample and morning ovid urine sample were collected for each participant for testing of SUA,serum creatinine,urinary albumin and creatinine.Both urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR)and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were calculated to estimate the renal function.Results The overall prevalence of CKD was 16.0％ (age standardized 13.2％ ).The mean values of estimated GFR in participants with CKD and without CKD were (89.19 ± 27.25) and ( 105.88 ± 98.37) ml· min-1 ·(1.73 m2) -1,respectively.The prevalence rates of CKD in serum uric acid quartiles:first quartile,less than 4.2 mg/dl; second quartile,4.2-5.0 mg/dl; third quartile,5.0-6.0 mg/dl; and fourth quartile,6.0 mg/dl or more were 13.9％,15.0％,15.8％and 19.4％ (P＜0.05) respectively,increasing along with the increase of SUA among both sexes.Compared to the serum uric acid first quartile,the multivariate-adjusted odds for CKD of the second,third and fourth quartiles were 1.19 [95％ confidence interval (CI):0.90-1.58],1.27 (95％ CI:1.02-1.70),1.28 (95％ CI:1.10-1.68),respectively. Conclusion Hyperuricaemia was independently associated with the increased prevalence of CKD among population living in the Pudong New Area,Shanghai.

OBJECTIVETo compare the advantages and disadvantages of the Foley catheter draining method versus the urethral stent plus gastric tube draining method for urine drainage following urethroplasty for hypospadias.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 361 cases of hypospadias treated by urethroplasty. After operation, 91 of the cases received urine drainage with the Foley catheter (group A) and 270 with a urethral stent plus a gastric tube (group B). We compared the incidence rates of bladder irritation, fistula, urethral stricture, and urethral diverticulum between the two groups of patients.

RESULTSNo statistically significant differences were found between groups A and B in the incidences of bladder irritation (9.89% vs 10.70%, P > 0.05) and urethral diverticulum (1.09% vs 2.22%, P > 0.05). The incidence rate of fistula was markedly higher in group A than in B (20.80% vs 13.30%, P < 0.05), and so was that of urethral stricture (10.90% vs 5.55%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe urethral stent plus gastric tube draining method is more effective than the Foley catheter draining method for urine drainage following urethroplasty.

Aged ; Child ; Diverticulum ; etiology ; Drainage ; methods ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; surgery ; Incidence ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Urethra ; surgery ; Urethral Stricture ; etiology ; Urinary Catheterization ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo assess clinical therapeutic effect and safety of acupuncture combined with fuxiting on depression.

METHODSFifty-three cases of depression were divided into an observation group (n = 30) treated by acupuncture combined with fuxiting and a control group treated by fuxiting. Their clinical therapeutic effects were assessed by HAMD, HAMA and CGI, and adverse effects by TESS.

RESULTSAfter treatment of 6 weeks, the total effective rate was 80.0% in the observation group and 69.6% in the control group with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in scores of HAMD and HAMA before and after treatment in the two groups (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The adverse effect in the observation group was less and milder than that in the control group.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined fuxiting has good therapeutic effect on depression with less and mild adverse effects.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Depression ; therapy ; Depressive Disorder ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo develop a quantitative method for the determination of akebia saponin D in root of Dipacus asperoides and provide scientific basis for quality control of D. asperoides.

METHODAn IPLC analytical method was established using Kromasil ODS column with acetonitrile-water (30:70) as mobile phase and the detection wavelength was 212 nm.

RESULTThe akebia saponin D in root extract were well separated by this method. The linear range is between 0.582 5-9.32 microg, r = 0.9999. The average recovery and RSD of repeatability are 100.3%, 2.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThis method is simple, accurate and reliable by evaluating the method validation data and can be used for the quality control of D. asperoides and its preparations.

China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dipsacaceae ; chemistry ; Ecosystem ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Saponins ; analysis