OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of PCNA and p27 in human benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) and prostate carcinoma (PCa) and their effect on the genesis and progression of the tumor.

METHODSThe paraffin-embedded sections of 30 cases with BPH and 37 cases with PCa were collected. The expression of p27 and PCNA protein were examined by S-P immunohistochemical method. Comparative analysis for BPH and pathological grade and clinical stage of PCa was performed.

RESULTSThe expression of PCNA in BPH (3.3%) was significantly lower than that in Pca (83.8%, P < 0.01). The expression of p27 in BPH (70.0%) was significantly higher than that in Pca (27.0%, P < 0.05). The expression of p27 was not correlated with histological grade and clinical stage in Pca (P > 0.05). An inverse correlation was found between p27 and PCNA expression in BPH (P < 0.01), while no correlation was found in Pca (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe loss or decreased expression of p27 protein may be related to the genesis of benign prostate hypertrophy, but not to the development of prostate carcinoma; the overexpression of PCNA may play an important role in the malignant behavior and progression of prostate carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism

0.05),but a significant difference at weeks 4,8,and 12 between two groups(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of lung fibroblast activation in radiation-induced lung injury.

METHODSThirty-five male Wistar rats were exposed to a single-dose 30 Gy irradiation of the right hemithorax or sham right lung irradiation. At 1, 7, 14, 28, 56 or 84 days after the irradiation, the rats were sacrificed for examination of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression in the bilateral lung tissues using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSalpha-SMA expression in fibroblast increased significantly in the out-field and in-field lung tissues within 24 h after irradiation after the irradiation (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONActivation of the lung fibroblasts occurred within 24 h after irradiation and found in ont-field and in-field lung tissues, suggesting that radiation-induced lung injury may not have an obvious latency.

Actins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung ; cytology ; pathology ; Male ; Radiation Injuries ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo detect the germline polymorphic variations of Bat26 in Chinese and its significance in microsatellite instability (MSI) study of gastric cancers.

METHODSBat26 was analyzed by PCR-based denatured polyacrymide gel electrophoresis-silver stain method in peripheral blood from 389 healthy people and 34 gastric cancers with matched normal mucosa. Eleven other microsatellite loci were also detected for gastric cancers.

RESULT(1) No Bat26 variations were identified in 423 genomic DNA from peripheral blood or normal mucosa by polyacrymide gel electrophoresis. (2) Two MSI-H cancers, oth Bat26+, were detected in 34 cases of gastric cancer. The alterations of Bat26 and MSI-H status were identical (P<0.05). (3) Compared with those of RER-cancers, MSI-H (RER+)cancers showed more obvious infiltration of intraepithelial lymphocytes and peri-tumoral lymphocytes, and more pushing borders (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION(1) The germline polymorphisms of Bat26 in Chinese people are quasimonomorphic. Thus, no matched genomic DNA is needed while Bat26 was selected for tumor MSI analysis. (2) Bat26 is an independent indicator of MSI-H gastric cancers with distinct clinicopathological features.

Chromosomal Instability ; genetics ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mutation characteristics of paired box homeotic gene 9 (PAX9) and muscle segment homeobox gene 1 (MSX1) of patients with congenital oligodontia.

METHODSClinical manifestations were recorded by taking complete oral examinations in patients with congenital nonsyndromic oligodontia and some of his normal family members. Pedigree information was confirmed by extended interviews and a pedigree was constructed. Inheritance mode and clinical features were analyzed. Assessment of crown width compared to normal value of crown width in Chinese people was based on the registrations and measurements of study cast. Comparison of craniofacial form, malocclusion types and characteristics were conducted via cephalometric analysis by taking lateral cephalometric radiographics. Venous blood samples were collected and DNA was extracted from leukocytes. DNA sequencing and mutation analysis were analyzed in exon 1, 2, 3, 4 of PAX9 and exon 1, 2 of MSX1 coding region by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTSThe teeth shape abnormality of the patient was noticed by a measured smaller crown width compared to normal values of crown width in Chinese people. The result of cephalometric analysis indicated no obvious inherited tendency in the proband in terms of facial osseo type and jaw bone pattern. One mutation was found in the proband and his mother in exon 3 of PAX9, the missense mutation G718C causing a conservative change A240P was present. Mutation was not found in MSX1.

CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest that the missense mutation G718C in exon 3 of PAX9 is likely the cause of oligodontia.

Adolescent ; Anodontia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; PAX9 Transcription Factor ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo review the results for minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (AVR) through a 5 cm right anterolateral thoracotomy.

METHODSFrom July 2009 to September 2011, 101 consecutive patients with isolated aortic valve disease (degenerative in 37 patients, rheumatic in 21 patients, congenital in 37 patients, endocarditic in 3 patients and aorta-arteritis in 1 patients) underwent AVR through the right anterolateral thoracotomy approach in the third intercostal space with a groin incision for femoral connection of cardiopulmonary bypass. The mean age was 45.7 years (ranging from 17 to 71 years). Sixty patients were male.

RESULTSOperations were successfully performed in all but 1 patient (1.0%) who required intraoperative conversion to full sternotomy. Mean duration of cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamp time was (88 ± 24) minutes and (55 ± 18) minutes, respectively. Thirty-day mortality was 1.0% (1/101), this patient was found difficult in weaning off cardiopulmonary bypass and exhibited severe coronary artery plaque, although bypass graft was carried out immediately, the patient died of severe low cardiac output syndrome finally. No blood products were needed in 83.2% patients. Follow-up was performed in all patients at an average of (16 ± 7) months postoperatively. A good recovery was obtained in all patients except one who died of multiple organ failure caused by massive cerebral infarction 38 days after surgery.

CONCLUSIONSMinimally invasive aortic valve replacement though the right anterolateral thoracotomy approach is safe and feasible, with good cosmetic results and rapid postoperative recovery. It is worthy of clinical elective application.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aortic Valve ; surgery ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; surgery ; Heart Valve Diseases ; surgery ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of ATP-binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) on intercellular cell adhesion molecule type 1 (ICAM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in THP-1 macrophages stimulated with 8-Br-cAMP to identify a possible new mechanism that ABCA1 contributes to atherosclerogenesis (AS).

METHODSMonocytic THP-1 cells were cultured in the presence of 100 nmol/L phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) for 72 h to transform the cells into THP-1 macrophages. After the macrophages were stimulated with 8-Br-cAMP (final concentration 0.5 mmol/L) for 3, 6, 12 and 24 h respectively, the amounts of ABCA1, ICAM-1 and MCP-1 mRNA were examined by real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR, and the protein amounts of ABCA1, ICAM-1, MCP-1 and IL-1beta were determined by Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides of ABCA1 were add into the culture media at a final concentration of 100 nmol/L and the experiments were repeated.

RESULTSABCA1, ICAM-1 and MCP-1 mRNA and protein and IL-1beta protein were increased in the macrophages after stimulation with 8-Br-cAMP for 6 and 12 h. The mRNA expressions of ABCA1, ICAM-1 and MCP-1 were decreased significantly at 3 and 6 h (P<0.01), and the protein expressions of ABCA1, ICAM-1, MCP-1 and IL-1beta declined significantly at 12 and 24 h (P<0.01) after transfection of the macrophages with antisense oligonucleotides of ABCA1.

CONCLUSIONABCA1 can increase the expressions of the inflammatory cytokines in THP-1 macrophages stimulated by 8-Br-cAMP and plays a role in the pathogenesis of AS.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate ; pharmacology ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Chemokine CCL2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Monocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the absorption and transport mechanism of magnolol in Caco-2 cell model.

METHODSA human intestinal epithelial cell model Caco-2 cell in vitro cultured was applied to study the absorption and transport of magnolol, the effects of time, donor concentration, P-gp inhibitor verapamil, pH and temperature on the absorption and transport of magnolol were investigated. The determination of magnolol was performed by high performance liquid chromatography, then the values of apparent permeability coefficient (P app ) and P ratio Basolateral-to-Apical (BL-to-AP)/Apical-to-Basolateral (AP-to-BL) were calculated.

RESULTSIn Caco-2 cell model, comparing the amounts of transport of AP-to-BL and BL-to-AP, the latter was larger. At the same donor concentration, either the amounts of transport of AP-to-BL or BL-to-AP increased with increase in donor concentration and incubation time. Verapamil could significantly improve the amounts of transport of AP-to-BL. The transport of AP-to-BL and BL-to-AP depended on temperature, and there was no significant effect of pH on the transport of AP-to-BL.

CONCLUSIONMagnolol could be transported through the intestinal mucosa via a passive diffusion mechanism primarily, coexisting with a carrier-mediated transport, at the same time, the efflux mechanism could be involved.

Biological Transport ; drug effects ; Biphenyl Compounds ; metabolism ; Caco-2 Cells ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; drug effects ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Lignans ; metabolism ; Models, Biological ; Temperature ; Time Factors ; Verapamil ; pharmacology

BACKGROUND: Yaotu Granules have been proved to protect human nucleus pulposus cells and delay their degeneration. Notably, Yaotu Granules for lumbar disc herniation has achieved good clinical results.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the herbal compound formula Yaotu Granules on the Fas/FasL expression in a rabbit model of lumbar disc degeneration, and further elucidate the underling mechanism of preventing and treating lumbar disc degeneration.METHODS: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were enrolled and the models of lumbar disc degeneration were established by minimally invasive puncture and rotation cutting, followed by randomized into normal saline, low-, middle-,and high-dose groups (n=5 per group). 10 mL of normal saline, 10, 20, and 40 mL of water decoction of Yaotu Granules were administered intragastrically into the normal saline, low-, middle-, and high-dose drug groups for 21 days, twice daily, respectively. Subsequently, the expression level of Fas/FasL in the rabbit nucleus pulposus cells in each group was detected.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The signal intensity of the rabbit lumbar disc on MRI was decreased, and ruptured annulus and posterior herniated disc were visible at 12 weeks after modeling. Masson staining showed that the nucleus pulposus cells arranged in disorder, and even ruptured. Additionally, safranin O staining found that the number of nucleus pulposus cells was decreased obviously. The order of the relative expression levels of Fas and FasL mRNA in the nucleus pulposus cells was as follows: normal saline group > low-dose drug group > middle-dose drug group > high-dose drug group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that Yaotu Granules delay the rabbit lumbar disc degeneration by downregulating the expression level of Fas/FasL.

Objective To determine the changes of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) ?-endorphin(?-EP) and C-reactive protein(CRP) in children with central nervous system(CNS) infection.Methods Sixty-five children suffered from CNS infection were determined the plasma and CSF ?-EP and CRP concentration during the acute and recovering stage with radioimmunoassay, which included 48 viral encephalitis, 12 purulent meningitis and 5 tuberculou meningitis,and 24 non-CNS disease children were as control group.Results The concentrations of plasma and CSF ?-EP of every experimental group were obviously higher than those of control group during the early stage of CNS infection and these were obviously lower during the recovering stage. The serum concentration of CRP during acute stage was significantly higher than that during recovering stage. No change of serum and CSF CRP concentration was determined during either the acute or recovering stage in the other two experimental groups.Conclusions Determining the plasma and CSF ?-EP is mea-(ningful) in early diagnosis of CNS infection,and determining the serum CRP at the same time may be helpful in differentiating septic and inseptic infection.