Objective To evaluate the clinical role of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) for the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer.Methods 18F-FDG PET/CT and 99Tcm-MDP ECT whole body bone scan were both performed in 40 patients with prostate cancer proved by biopsy or surgery.We then evaluated the diagnostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT for prostate cancer.Results Of 40 cases,17 cases were detected by 18 F-FDG PET/CT with a sensitivity of 42.5％.Of the 17 cases with lymphoma metastasis,8 cases were detected by CT while 15 cases were detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT.The sensitivity of 18F-FDG PET/CT is 88.2％.Though 18F-FDG PET/CT and 99Tcm-MDP bone scan have a similar sensitivity in detecting bone metastases,18 F-FDG PET/CT has better specificity and accuracy in detecting bone metastases than that of an 99Tcm-MDP bone scan.Conclusions Though the diagnostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in detecting primary focus of prostate is limited,it still has an important role in detecting lymph node metastases and bone metastases.18F-FDG PET/CT has its superiority in prostate cancer staging.It can also help clinicians to select the regimen of treatment.

The investigator raised the possibility that the authors hadn't conducted the research. Therefore, the entire article has been retracted in accordance with this journal's policy and Editorial decision.

Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. It is very important to explore the biomarkers for the early prediction of preeclampsia. Some peptides released from placenta, such as soluble Flt-1 and placenta growth factor (PlGF), have been revealed for definite prospects of application. Meanwhile, the recent advances in proteomics, metabolomics and microRNA shed light on searching of new biomarkers for preeclampsia prediction.

Objective To investigate the deficit of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 activation in the different age of Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like animal model and the protective effect of 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxy stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside(TSG), which is the main component of Polygonum multiflorum, on ERK activation. Methods A generally accepted animal model of AD - PDAPPV717I transgenic (Tg) mouse was observed from 4 to 16 months old. Tg mice were randomly divided into 3 model groups(4, 10 and 16 months old mice)and TSG treated (at doses 120 and 240 μmol/kg/d) groups. TSG was administered to some Tg mice with an age range 4-10 months. In untreated 10 months old Tg mice, the TSG was administrated to those falling in the age range 10-16 months. For the control group we adopted the same age and background C57BL/6J mice. The ERK1/2 expression and phosphorylation were detected by Western blotting.Results In the 4-month-old PDAPPV717I Tg mice, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 decreased significantly in hippocampus and cortex compared with age matched control. In the 10-month-old Tg mice, decrease of ERK1/2 activation was aggravated in cortex but was less in hippocampus. The treatment of TSG at the doses of 120 and 240 μmol/kg for 6 months (from the age of 4 to 10 months) significantly up-regulated ERK1/2 activation in Tg mice. In the 16-month-old Tg mice, over-activation of ERK1/2 occurred in both hippocampus and cortex. The transgenic mice treated by TSG for 6 months (from the age of 10 months to 16 months) showed significant inhibition of over-activation of ERK1/2. Expression of total ERK1/2 showed no difference among control, Tg model and TSG treated groups.Conclusion PDAPPV717I transgenic mice with an age range from 4 to 16 months revealed the time-dependent deficit of ERK1/2 activation. TSG can bring the down or over activation of ERK1/2 into normal. Because ERK1/2 activation plays the crucial role in cellular signal transduction and learning-memory ability, TSG may have beneficial potential to the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like AD.

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of five natural anti-oxidants (schisandrin B, Sch B; silibinin, SIB; propyl gallate, PG; sodium ferulate, SF; total flavonoids of hippophase, TFH) on experimental oxidative injuries of lens. METHODS: All fresh transparent lenses of rabbit eyes except control group were bathed in Fenton reaction system in order to produce a model of oxidative damages of lens, meanwhile Sch B, SIB, PG, SF, TFH and pirenoxine sodium (PS) were added in the reaction system in different groups respectively. Lenses were incubated for 24 hours. Then total protein (TP), soluble protein (SP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione (GSH), vitamin C (Vit C), total activities of anti-oxidation (TAO) and malondiaoldehyde (MDA) in homogenized lenses were measured to observe the effects of five anti-oxidants on above index. RESULTS: Five anti-oxidants increased the anti-oxidative index and decreased MDA in lens of oxidative damages in different levels, the effects are better than that of PS, especially in group SF and Sch B. CONCLUSION: The five natural anti-oxidants protected lens against experimental oxidative injuries very well. There are wide prospects to pursue effective anti-cataract drugs from natural anti-oxidants.

AIM: To investigate the effects of Co-SZ eye drop on galactose cataract in rats. METHODS: Based on folk remedy, SZ eye drop was made from leech, as a modified SZ eye drop, Co-SZ eye drop was enriched in Zinc and Vitamin C. In the present study, animal model of galactose cataract in SD rats was used. All animals were randomly divided into 3 groups : control group(using 0.9 % NaCl instead of SZ and Co SZ), SZ group and Co-SZ group. Lens opacities were examined dynamically in each groups via FS-3V slit-lamp microscope. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione (GSH) and soluble protein (SP) in the lenses were measured in 15 days. RESULTS: Both the Co-SZ and SZ eye drops could significantly delay and alleviate galactose cataract in rats, with better effect of Co-SZ than SZ eye drop. The antioxidant index indicated that SOD, GSH-Px, GSH in Co-SZ and SZ group were significantly higher than that in control group. Furthermore, SOD, GSH-Px in Co-SZ group were higher than that in SZ group significantly. CONCLUSION: Co-SZ eye drops could significantly delay and alleviate galactose cataract in rats, the effect is much better than SZ eye drops. The different effect between SZ and Co-SZ eye drops could be raised from the different content of Zinc, which is involved in anti-oxidation.

OBJECTIVETo study the in-vitro inducing apoptosis mechanism of human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells by 2',4'-di- hydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone (DMC), a chalcone compound from Cleistocalyx operculatus.

METHODQuantitative DNA fragmentation assay was carried out to detect the effect of DMC of different concentrations on SMMC-7721 cells, according to the method of Sellins and Cohen with some modifications. Telomerase activities of the cells were determined by PCR-ELISA methods. The expression quantity of c-myc and hTERT mRNA were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR The effect of DMC on expression levels of cmyc and hTERT protein were measured by western blot.

RESULTThe percentage of DNA fragmentation increased with notable concen- tration dependence, after treatment with DMC for 48 h. Compared with that of control group, the telomerase activity of the cells de- creased by (66.2 ± 2.1)% after 48 h treatment with 20 μmol x L(-1) DMC, the mRNA expression of c-myc and hTERT decreased by (67.3 ± 2.1)% and (64.4 ± 2.3)%, respectively, and the protein expression of c-myc and hTERT decreased by (69.6 ± 1.9)% and (71.3 ± 2.4)%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONDMC can induce SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis and the apoptosis mechanism may be related to the decreased mRNA and protein expression of c-myc and hTERT.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chalcones ; pharmacology ; DNA Fragmentation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Syzygium ; chemistry ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To extract the Ginseng polysaccharide (GPS), polysaccharides of Tricholoma matsutake (PTM)and polysaccharide of Lentinus edodes (PLE)from gingeng, tricholoma matsutake and lentinus edodes respectively,and to analyze and identify their structures,and to prepare their complex,and to study the indirect antitumor activity invitro of polysaccharide complex.Methods The polysaccharides were extracted with hot water and precipitated by ethanol.The carbohydrate levels were determined by the method of phenol-sulfuric acid.The m-hydroxyphenyl method was used to determine the levels of uronic acid, and the national standard method was used to determine the levels of starch.Infrared spectroscope and chemical methods were performed to analyze their structures. Orthogonal experiment was used to study mixing methods. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte experiment and LDH release assay were performed to detect the influence of polysaccharide complex of GPS,PTM,and PLE in the CTL killing activity,and its indirect killing effect on the P815 cells.Results The extraction rates of GPS,PTM, and PLE were 8.85%,9.40%,and 10.50%;the levels of total polysaccharides were 62.96%,59.13%,and 33.86%;the levels of uronic acid were 16.44%,9.37%,and 16.44%;the starch levels were 7.26%,2.80%,and 3.77%,respectively.The identification results showed that the polysaccharides were obstrained.When the quality ratio of the three kinds of polysaccharides was 1∶1∶1 and the concentration was 600 mg·L-1 ,the CTL cytotoxicity was the highest.Conclusion The polysaccharide complex is obtained,identified and characterized. Polysaccharide complex can enhance the cytotoxicity of CTL and has the indirectly inhibitory effect on the proliferation of P815 cells.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between the phthalate ester exposure and the population obesity with Meta-analysis, and to provide a new idea for prevention and control of obesity. Methods:A comprehensive search was performed in English databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Elsevier Science Direct and OVID) and Chinese databases (Sinomed database, CNKI database, VIP database, Wanfang database).The studies about the relationship between phthalate ester exposure and the population obesity were retriveded.The Chinese and English studies were selected according to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria.Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.Results:Six studies were finally obtained, involving 1259 samples.The Meta-analysis results showed that the monobutyl phthalate (MBP) level in urine of the obesity population was increased 4.1 times compared with the normal population (95%CI:1.43-6.76);while the combined effect values of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) level in serum of the population in two groups were 1.17 (95%CI:0.64-1.69), 0.80 (95%CI:0.13-1.48), and 0.72 (95%CI:-0.19-1.63);the combined effect values of monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) and monoethyl phthalate (MEP) levels in urine were 1.75 (95%CI:-0.45-3.96) and 2.75 (95%CI: 0.36-5.15);there were no significant differences (P>0.05).Conclusion:The elevated MBP levels in the urine may be a risk factor for obesity in the population, suggesting that MBP may contribute to obesity.

Objective To study the structure of class 1 integrons in 90 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated during two periods of 1992-1996 and 2003-2005,and to get information about the structure changing of class 1 integrons by comparing their structures in two different periods.Methods Routine PCR and long PCR were performed to amplify the class 1 integrons and the gene cassettes they carried, followed with sequencing and blast via GenBank.Results Thirteen out of 41 strians ioslated during the period of 1992-1996 were positive on class 1 intergrons.Long PCR showed that the class 1 integron was 1868 bp in length and contained 2 resistance genes averagely.Six types of resistance genes of qacEA1 (n=6), sull (n=14),aadA1 (n=2),aadB (n=1),PSE-1 (n=2) and tetA (n=1) were found in these integrons, which consisted of 5 patterns of resistance cassette arrangements.Nineteen strains were proved to carry class 1 integrons in 49 isolates from 2003-2005.The mean DNA sequence length of them was 3383 bp with 3.6 resistant genes in averagely,10 types of resistance genes,qacEA1 (n=18),sull (n=25),aadA1 (n=6), aadB (n=7),aacA4 (n=2),PSE-1 (n=3),VEB-1 (n=4),OXA10 (n=1),cm1 A (n=1) and tetA (n =2),were identified in these integrons,which were composed of 9 patterns of resistance cassette arrangements.Conclusion In terms of produce length and resistance cassettes carried in the integrons, greater complexity is found in the structure of class 1 integrons in strains isolated during 2003-2005 than those during 1992-1996.