OBJECTIVETo screen and verify differentially expressed genes in prostate cancer.

METHODSUsing DNA microarray, we screened differentially expressed genes in prostate cancer tissue and its adjacent tissue followed by verification by PCR.

RESULTSA total of 1 444 genes were found to be differentially expressed (differentiation ≥ 1.5-fold; P≤ 0.05) in the prostate cancer tissue, of which 769 (53%) were up-regulated and 675 (47%) down-regulated. Fifty percent of the differentially expressed genes showed a 1.5- to 2-fold differentiation, including 396 up-regulated and 182 down-regulated ones. Additionally, 308 up-regulated and 334 down-regulated genes exhibited a >2- to 5-fold, 46 up-regulated and 78 down-regulated genes a > 5- to 10-fold, and 19 up-regulated and 81 down-regulated genes a > 10-fold differentiation. Verification by subjecting 15 most significantly up-regulated and another 15 most markedly down-regulated genes to quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that most of the genes had a transcriptional profile similar to that in the microarray data, with a Pearson correction coefficient of 0.83 between the microarray data and qRT-PCR results. Totally, 10 significantly differentially expressed genes were identified.

CONCLUSIONDNA microarray analysis provides reliable information on differentially expressed genes in prostate cancer and benign tissues. The 10 significantly differentially expressed genes verified by qRT-PCR could possibly become new bio-markers and specific molecules for tumor identification.

Cell Differentiation ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; Transcriptional Activation ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the related to relapse of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) after recombinant interferon-alpha (rIFN-alpha) treatment.

METHODSThis investigation involved 523 pathologically confirmed CHB patients including 403 HBeAg-positive and 120 HBeAg-negative patients, who were treated with 5 MU rIFN-alpha subcutaneously thrice a week for 6-25 months. For each patient, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was measured biochemically, serum HBV DNA level detected with quantitative fluorescent PCR, and HBeAg level with enzyme immuoassay every 1-3 months during therapy and every 3-6 months during the follow-up period.

RESULTSEarly response to rIFN-alpha treatment was observed in 302 (57.7%) patients at the end of treatment, among whom 39.4% (119/302) suffered relapse during the follow-up for 39.2-/+21.5 months. Age, HBeAg status before treatment, and follow-up duration were the predictive factors for post-treatment relapse. The mean age of patients with CHB relapse was significantly higher than that of the sustained responders (P<0.001), and the relapse rates in HBeAg-negative group (55.8%, 43/77) were significantly higher than that in HBeAg-positive group (33.8%, 76/225) at the end of follow up (P<0.001). The relapse rate and accumulative relapse rates at each year during the follow-up (for 5 years as the longest) differed significantly (P<0.001, P=0.000), but the accumulative relapse rates differed little between the years after the initial 2 of the follow-up (P=0.670). The relapse was not related to the patient's gender, pretreatment serum ALT, HBV DNA, grade of liver inflammation, stage of liver fibrosis, or duration of treatment. In HBeAg-positive patients, however, the mean HBV DNA was significantly higher in relapse group than in sustained response group (P=0.017).

CONCLUSIONAge, pretreatment HBeAg status, and follow-up duration are independent predictive factors for post-treatment CHB relapse. In HBeAg positive patients, pretreatment serum HBV DNA is also one of the risk factors for relapse.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Recurrence ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the telomerase activity of human adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) during proliferation and differentiation in vitro.

METHODSADSCs were highly purified and cultured in vitro. The morphology, phenotype and biological properties of the cultured ADSCs were observed by flow cytometer. Then ADSCs were induced to differentiate into adipocytes and osteoblast. The telomerase activity was detected by TRAP.

RESULTSADSCs had the ability of multi-directed differentiation, like adipocytes and osteoblast. It could also express the stem cell-related surface markers. The telomerase activity was negative or lowly expressed in ADSCs in vitro within 12 generations. The telomerase activity was up-regulated when ADSCs was adipogenic differentiated, but deceased 3-6 days later.

CONCLUSIONSThe telomerase activity of ADSCs is not changed during culture in vitro. It is up-regulated when ADSCs are induced to adipogenic differentiation, but decreased later.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Adult ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Telomerase ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the combined treatment with areola approach for capsular contracture after breast augmentation with implants.

METHODSFrom Feb. 2005 to Jun. 2011, 94 cases (168 sides) with Baker III and IV capsular contracture after breast augmentation with implants were treated with areola approach. The implants cavity was recreated, with or without removal of capsule. The implants were reimplanted behind pectoralis major or breast at the second stage in some patients.

RESULTS46 cases were followed up by clinic visit and the others were followed up by telephone for 6-37 months, with an average of 9.9 months. The capsular contracture was relapsed in 2 cases as Baker III and 1 case as Baker IV. All the other breasts got a good appearance with good soft texture and feeling. No hematoma, infection, implants rupture, breast ptosis or implant displacement happened.

CONCLUSIONSCombined treatment with areola approach has a good therapeutic effect for capsular contracture after breast augmentation with implants. The breast appearance is satisfactory with low occurrence of capsular contracture.

Adult ; Breast Implantation ; adverse effects ; Contracture ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; surgery

Background:Over the years,the mechanical ventilation (MV) strategy has changed worldwide.The aim of the present study was to describe the ventilation practices,particularly lung-protective ventilation (LPV),among brain-injured patients in China.Methods:This study was a multicenter,1-day,cross-sectional study in 47 Intensive Care Units (ICUs) across China.Mechanically ventilated patients (18 years and older) with brain injury in a participating ICU during the time of the study,including traumatic brain injury,stroke,postoperation with intracranial tumor,hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy,intracranial infection,and idiopathic epilepsy,were enrolled.Demographic data,primary diagnoses,indications for MV,MV modes and settings,and prognoses on the 60th day were collected.Multivariable logistic analysis was used to assess factors that might affect the use of LPV.Results:A total of 104 patients were enrolled in the present study,87 (83.7％) of whom were identified with severe brain injury based on a Glasgow Coma Scale ＜8 points.Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) was the most frequent ventilator mode,accounting for 46.2％ of the entire cohort.The median tidal volume was set to 8.0 ml/kg (interquartile range [IQR],7.0-8.9 ml/kg) of the predicted body weight;50 (48.1％) patients received LPV.The median positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) was set to 5 cmH2O (IQR,5-6 cmH2O).No PEEP values were higher than 10 cmH2O.Compared with partially mandatory ventilation,supportive and spontaneous ventilation practices were associated with LPV.There were no significant differences in mortality and MV duration between patients subjected to LPV and those were not.Conclusions:Among brain-injured patients in China,SIMV was the most frequent ventilation mode.Nearly one-half of the brain-injured patients received LPV.Patients under supportive and spontaneous ventilation were more likely to receive LPV.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of spleen tyrosine kinase (syk) in the phenotypic modulation induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) in rat pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC).

METHODSVascular smooth muscles were isolated from pulmonary media of SD rats, cultured, adopted, and divided into 3 groups: blank control group, control group and medicine intervention group. The changes of proliferation and ultrastructure of vascular smooth muscle cells by using [(3)H] thymidine incorporation and electron microscopy. The mRNA and protein expression level of syk, alpha-smooth muscle-actin (α-SM-actin) and smooth muscle protein 22alpha (SM22α) were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The change of fluorescence intensity was detected by laser scanning confocal microscope.

RESULTSTreatment with PDGF-BB for 24 h resulted in a significant increase in [(3)H] thymidine incorporation (2429.25 ± 253.36 vs. 242.75 ± 14.33,P < 0.01) and marked change in phenotype and cytoskeleton, the level of average optical density decreased significantly (263.75 ± 19.21 vs.1146.23 ± 62.61, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, the mRNA (1.70 ± 0.25 vs. 1.01 ± 0.12, P < 0.05) and protein level of syk significantly increased, the mRNA and protein expression of α-SM-actin (0.10 ± 0.00 vs. 1.00 ± 0.00, P < 0.01) and SM22α (0.18 ± 0.00 vs. 1.00 ± 0.01, P < 0.01) significantly decreased in VSMC induced by PDGF-BB. Piceatannol could inhibit significantly these biological effects. Compared with control group, the level of [(3)H] thymidine incorporation (527.00 ± 27.76 vs. 2429.25 ± 253.36,P < 0.01) was significantly down-regulated and the VSMC presented an apoptotic status in medicine intervention group, the level of average optical density increased significantly (810.65 ± 37.94 vs. 263.75 ± 19.21,P < 0.01) in medicine intervention group. Meanwhile, the mRNA (0.36 ± 0.07 vs. 1.70 ± 0.25, P < 0.01) and protein level of syk significantly decreased. The mRNA and protein levels of α-SM-actin (0.22 ± 0.00 vs. 0.10 ± 0.00, P < 0.01) and SM22α (0.31 ± 0.00 vs. 0.18 ± 0.00, P < 0.01) were significantly higher in medicine intervention group than in control group. The level of average optical density increased significantly (810.65 ± 37.94 vs. 263.75 ± 19.21, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSyk plays an important role in vascular remodeling by changing the phenotypes and cytoskeleton of VSMC stimulated by PDGF-BB.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; Phenotype ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; genetics ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Syk Kinase

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy for HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B.

METHODSSixty-five Chinese HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients were treated with 5 MU recombinant rIFN-alpha 1b subcutaneously thrice weekly for 5 to 24 months, followed by 12 months of treatment-free follow-up; one hundred and eighty-eight Chinese HBeAg-positive patients served as controls. For each patient, serum alanine transaminase (ALT) was measured biochemically and serum HBV DNA level was detected with fluorescent-quantitative PCR, HBeAg with enzymoimmunoassay every 1 to 3 months during therapy and during the follow-up period. HBeAg loss (only for HBeAg-positive cases), HBV DNA undetectable, and ALT normalization: the three together were considered a combined response.

RESULTSRates of combined response were similar in HBeAg-negative patients (58.5%, 38/65) or HBeAg-positive ones at the end of treatment (weighted chi square test, chi2 = 1.878, P<0.05), but were higher at the end of the follow-up period in the HBeAg-negative cases (75.4%, 49/65) (weighted chi square test, chi2 = 4.796, P<0.05). Furthermore, relapse rates at the end of the follow-up period, were also similar in HBeAg-negative patients (15.8%, 6/38) or HBeAg positive (chi2 = 0.205, P>0.05). Combined response was achieved at a median of 6.0 months (2-16 months) of treatment course in HBeAg-negative patients while at a median of 6.0 months (1-22 months) in HBeAg-positive cases (Z = -0.186, P>0.05, by the Wilcoxon rank sum test). The only factor predictive of combined response, by binary logistic regression analysis, was inflammatory activity in the liver biopsy. Gender, age, baseline ALT level, baseline HBV DNA level, and anti-HBe were not predictive factors.

CONCLUSIONInterferon-alpha therapy induces a similar primary and sustained response in HBeAg-negative and in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients.

Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Treatment Outcome

The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical efficacy and safety of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (G. pentaphyllum) in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, and to provide systematic evaluation basis for clinical application. CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, Web of science, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about G. pentaphyllum in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Review Manager 5.4 were used for statistical analysis. Through reading topics, abstracts, and full texts, 27 papers with 2311 cases involved that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were finally included for the analysis. In terms of curative effect, the effect of G. pentaphyllum alone in increasing high density lipoprotein (HDL) index was better than that of conventional treatment, and the effect of reducing total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) was similar to that of conventional treatment. There was a synergistic effect between G. pentaphyllum and conventional drugs, and the combination of G. pentaphyllum and conventional drugs was superior to conventional treatment in reducing TG and increasing HDL. G. pentaphyllum can also decrease the levels of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, indicating a certain protective function of the liver. In terms of safety, there were fewer cases of adverse reactions in the G. pentaphyllum treatment group, and the adverse reaction events reported in the literature was mild. According to the results of meta-analysis, G. pentaphyllum was effective in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, and it has the potential to be combined with traditional drugs, has a certain liver protection function, and was superior to traditional drugs in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Objective To explore the effect of glycine on serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 in rats with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) induced by endotoxin and hypoxia. Methods Forty SD rats were randomly assigned into the glycine-treated group and the normal saline (NS) control group. In the glycine-treated group, glycine (1 g/kg) was injected intravenously and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of 2 mg/kg was administrated five minutes later. The control group rats were treated with the same volume of NS as a substitute for glycine. In both groups, 90 minutes after injection of LPS, FiO2 given was reduced from 21% to 5% and ventilation continued for 180 min or until the death of rats. At the end of the experiment, the blood samples and sections of the intestine were obtained immediately. Serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 were measured using ELISA. The histopathological changes of the small intestine were studied. Results The survival time of the glycine-treated group was significantly longer than that of the control group [(159.25±22.78) min vs (138.75±19.05) min](P<0.01). The injury of the small intestine in the glycine-treated group was markedly alleviated (P<0.01). The levels of IL-1and IL-6 in the glycine-treated group were significantly lower than those in the control group [(149.1±76.1) ng/L vs (472.1±505.6) ng/L, (204.8±163.5) ng/L vs (585.8±574.5) ng/L, respectively] (P<0.01). Conclusions Glycine could reduce the levels of IL-1 and IL-6 and alleviate injuries of the intestine in rats with NEC induced by LPS and hypoxia.

Objective:To evaluate the oncologic outcomes of different laparoscopic radical hysterectomy.Methods:From January 2011 to December 2014, the laparoscopic operation cases of cervical cancer at stage Ⅰb1, Ⅰb2, Ⅱa1 and Ⅱa2, including the histologic subtypes of squamous-cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma, were collected in five clinical centers. The data were divided into two groups according to the surgical procedures, that is, modified laparoscopic-vaginal radical hysterectomy (mLVRH) and total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (TLRH). The overall survival rate (OS), disease-free survival rate (DFS) at 5 years were retrospectively analyzed in this study.Results:There were 674 cases in total, including 377 cases of mLVRH, 297 cases of TLRH. (1) The OS at 5 years: the mLVRH was 96.1% and the TLRH was 92.0%, and the mLVRH was higher than that of TLRH （ P=0.010）. Stratify analysis， including stage of disease （Ⅰb1 and Ⅱa1）， histologic subtypes （squamous-cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma）， lymph node metastasis， revealed that, ① Stage of disease: in stage Ⅰb1, the OS at five years of mLVRH was higher than that in TLRH group （98.6% vs 93.6%, P=0.012）. In stage Ⅱa1, there was significant difference between the two groups, the OS at five years of mLVRH and TLRH were 93.6% and 77.6% （ P=0.007）. ② Histologic subtypes: for the OS at five years of squamous-cell carcinoma, mLVRH and TLRH were 96.1% and 92.3%, and there was significant difference （ P=0.046）； for adenocarcinoma, the OS at five years were 91.0% and 88.6%， and there was no difference between two groups （ P=0.230）. ③ Lymph node metastasis： the mLVRH and TLRH with lymph node metastasis, the OS at five years were 98.6% and 96.4%; the mLVRH and TLRH without lymph node metastasis, the OS at five years were 89.3% and 80.8%. There were no significant differences between the two groups,respectively ( P=0.156， P=0.093）. (2) The DFS at 5 years: there was no significant difference between mLVRH and TLRH (94.1% vs 90.9%, P=0.220). Stratify analysis for stage of disease, the mLVRH group was higher than that in the TLRH group in stage Ⅰb1 (97.0% vs 92.8%, P=0.039). However, for stage Ⅱa1, there was no significant difference between mLVRH and TLRH group （88.2% vs 75.8%, P=0.074）. Conclusions:The results of this retrospective study indicated that different laparoscopy surgical procedures had diverse oncologic outcomes. The OS at 5 years of the mLVRH is superior to the TLRH. The DFS at 5 years in Ⅰb1 stage, the mLVRH is higher than the TLRH. Therefore, the modified laparoscopy is still an alternative surgery for early cervical cancer patients when following the principle of no-tumor-exposure.