Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) are crucial to cell growth, development, proliferation, and apoptosis in humans. Among IGFBPs, IGFBP2 is recognized as a regulator of insulin-like growth factor (IGF). Besides binding with IGF, IGFBP2 also interacts with extracellular matrix through its specific structure. IGFBP2 promotes the malignant phenotype of tumor by activating several important intracellular signal pathways. IGFBP2 is specifically overexpressed in several malignant tumors, and this overexpression is correlated with patient prognosis. IGFBP2 is regarded as a potential biomarker and a therapeutic target. This review briefly summarizes the latest progress of research on the role of IGFBP2 in tumor malignant biological behavior and its clinical application.

Objective To assess the clinical effect of Wuzi-Yanzong pill combined with compound Xuanju capsule for treatment of male infertility oligoasthenozoospermia. Methods 136 cases of infertility with less, weak spermatozoa patients who meet the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups using random number table, 68 cases in each group. The control group was treated with Wuzi-Yanzong Pills and Vitamin E orally, and the study group was treated with compound Xuanju capsules on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 3 months. The changes of semen quality and male hormone were observed before and after treatment, and the clinical curative effect was evaluated. Results The total effective rate of the study group was 89.7% (61/68), the control group was 73.5% (50/68), there was significant difference between two groups (χ2=5.930, P=0.015). After treatment, in study group, the sperm of a grade and b grade were (68.5% ± 15.5 % vs. 52.5% ± 15.6 %, t=2.607), the sperm of a grade was (35.3% ± 15.3% vs. 26.5% ± 13.4%, t=2.688), sperm motility rate was (73.3% ± 22.5% vs. 56.8% ± 20.5%, t=2.780), sperm density was [(28.7 ± 15.5)×107/ml vs. (20.5 ± 13.2)×107/ml, t=2.612], and the sperm volume was (2.9 ± 1.7 ml vs. 2.2 ± 1.3 ml, t=2.667), higher than those of the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The level of testosterone in study group (816.5 ± 135.6 ng/dl vs. 768.5 ± 118.5 ng/dl, t=2.728). Conclusions Wuzi-Yanzong pills combined with compound Xuanju capsule can effectively improve the quality of spermatozoa for patients with oligospermia, and improve the clinical efficacy.

Objective To establish a cell model that is close to the HCV replication in vivo and can support long-term HCV replication in vitro.Methods A human liver cell line 7721 was inoculated with serum from a chronic hepatitis C patient for 8 hours.After incubation,the presence of HCV RNA,the expression of HCV antigen and the location of HCV RNA in cells and/or supernatant were detected by RTPCR,immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization respectively.Results It was found that plus-and minus-strand of HCV RNA could be discontinuously detected in both cells and supernatant as late as 66 days after inoculation even if cells had been subcultured for 6 times.HCV NS3、NS5 antigens could be expressed in cells and HCV RNA was mainly located within cytoplasm.Conclusion The above results suggested that 7721 cell line was not only susceptible to HCV but also could support its long-term replication in vitro.This HCV infection model in vitro was proved to be a useful tool for studying the mechanism of HCV infection and replication,as well as evaluating the antiviral compounds and screening the protective antibodies/vaccines.

Objective To explore the effects of nursing intervention on medication compliance of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods 92 patients with AS in the department of rheumatology and immunology of our hospital from January 2005 to December 2006 were randomized into the control group (45 cases) and the observation group (47 cases). The control group was given routine nursing and health education. While the observation group was given comprehensive nursing intervention based upon routine nursing and health education. The knowledge level about AS, medication compliance and relapse rate were compared between the two groups by adopting questionnaires. Results The knowledge level about AS, medication compliance, and relapse rate in the observation group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Positive nursing intervention could improve the health knowledge level, ameliorate recognition and attitude and delinquent conduct, strengthen their medication compliance. It could control the process of illness, decrease the relapse rate and disable rate so that it could improve the life quality of patients.

Objective To investigate the relationship between exposure intensity and illumination time of blue light and replicative senescence of rat retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) ceils.Methods Thirty-six 12-14 weeks Wistar rats were kept in the cage with a blue-light bulb [(450±10) nm],and were randomly divided into four groups (no light,nature light,500 lx light and 1000 lx light illumination),each has nine rats.The rats in each group were further divided into three subgroups according to illumination time (one month,two months or three months).Eyeballs were collected after intraperitoneal injection of 10% chloral hydrate.The right eye of each rat was embedded in paraffin and sectioned for hematoxylin-eosin (HE)staining,while frozen sections of the left eye were stained for the senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal).The data were analyzed by SPSS11.5 statistical software.Results The amounts of SA-β-Gal positive RPE cells were significantly different between all groups under the same illumination time 17 (P=0.000),and between all subgroups of different illumination time with same exposure intensity (P＜0.01)except for the control group (no light).Conclusion Blue-light can induce replicative senescence in rat RPE cells in an intensity and time-dependent manner.

Objective To explore the effect and molecular mechanism of N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) on transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human lung cancer cells.Methods Lung cancer A549 cells were transfected with NDRG1 overexpressed vector,and then treated with 5 μg/L TGF-β1.The abilities of invasion were detected by Transwell assay.The expressions of NDRG1 mRNA and protein were analyzed by teal-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were examined with Western blot.The expressions of EMT-associated markers E-cadherin and Vimentin,and EMT-associated signaling molecules Snail,AKT and Smad were detected with Western blot.Results We found that TGF-β1 treatment could induce morphological alteration of A549 cells from epithelial morphology to mesenchymal morphology.TGF-β1 significantly increased the migration of A549 cells,and increased the expression of mesenchymal maker vimentin and decreased epithelial marker E-cadherin.More importantly,overexpression of NDRG1 significandy reversed the effects of TGF-β1 on A549 cells.Moreover,NDRG1 significandy decreased the levels of phospho-AKT,and suppressed the expression of EMT-related transcription factor Snail.Conclusions NDRG1 could reverse the effects of TGF-β1 on EMT in A549 cells,by which mechanism is related to reduction of the expressions of phospho-AKT and Snail.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in males. Endocrine therapy is currently the main treatment for patients with advanced prostate cancer. Although this therapy frequently results in tumor shrinkage, it is not curative, and the majority of patients eventually develop hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Recent studies suggested that prostate cancer stem cells serve a key function in the occurrence, development, and metastasis of prostate cancer. Therefore, targeted therapy of prostate cancer stem cells may be effective for the treatment of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer stem cell markers must be identified to facilitate studies on prostate cancer radical treatment schemes, especially the specific markers of this disease. Previous research on prostate cancer stem cell markers mainly focus on CD44 and CD133. Along with in-depth studies, a substantial number of new markers have been found with research development. This review summarizes the widely studied and recently discovered markers found in the field of prostate cancer stem cells.

The pathogenesis of pancreatic sinistral portal hypertension (PSPH)is quite different from that of cirrhotic portal hypertension, and PSPH is the only curable type of portal hypertension.Gastric variceal bleeding is a less common manifestation of PSPH;however,it probably exacerbates the patient’s condition and leads to critical illness,and inappropriate management would result in death.Therefore,it is necessary to develop the optimal management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in PSPH patients.Splenectomy is considered as a definitive procedure,together with surgical procedures to treat underlying pancreatic diseases.For patients in poor conditions or ineligible for surgery, splenic artery coil embolization is a preferable and effective method to stop bleeding before second-stage operation.The therapeutic decision should be made individually,and the further multi-center study to optimize the management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding from PSPH is warranted.

Objective:To establish a human monocyte cell line U937 stably expressing CD200.Methods:The eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3-CD200 containing human CD200 cDNA and vector pcDNA3 were transferred into human monocyte U937 cell line by electrotransfer.These two cell lines were selected by G418, and the selected cell lines were subcultured. U937 cell line was enclosed as control group.The expression of CD200 mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCR and flow cytometry.Results:After G418 selection,U937 cell line in control group was died, and the cell lines transferring pcDNA3 and recombined pcDNA3-CD200 were subcultured over 30 generations.The CD200 mRNA expression in pcDNA3-CD200 group was confirmed with RT-PCR.The CD200 expression in U937-pcDNA3-CD200,U937-pcDNA3 and U937 were 77.20%,3.20% and 2.10%,compared with other two groups (F=133 996.40,P0.05).Conclusion:Our study provides foundation for mechanism of action for CD200 in future.The human monocyte series U937 cell line that expresses CD200 protein stably is established successfully by gene transfection method.

0.05).Operation time in group A was shorter than that in group B,with significant difference(P0.05).No postoperative complication was found in two groups.[Conclusion]Unilateral TLIE technique has achieved satisfying postoperative effect compared with bilateral TLIF,with a good prospect in clinical application.