Adrenergic receptors are members of the G-protein coupled receptor superfamily. Recent studies revealed that these adrenergic receptors are playing an important role in the growth and metastasis of prostate cancer cells. The expression of adrenergic receptors rises significantly in prostate cancer cells and tissues. Agonists of these receptors promote the growth and mobility of prostate cancer cells, while antagonists may suppress their proliferation, trigger their apoptosis, and inhibit their metastasis. Clinically, receptor antagonists can significantly reduce the risk of prostate cancer and improve its prognosis after androgen depravation therapy. This article presents an overview on the roles of adrenergic receptors in prostate cancer.
Adrenergic Agonists ; pharmacology ; Adrenergic Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, Adrenergic ; drug effects ; physiology

Objective To discuss the features and surgical management of ectopic hyperparathyroidism.Methods Clinical data of 66 cases of ectopic hyperparathyroidism were retrospectively analyzed.Results There were 66 cases of ectopic hyperparathyroidism accounting for 11.5％ (66/575) of all ectopic hyperparathyroid cases admitted during the period from 1982-2010.Prevalence of mediastinal ectopic lesions was 71.2％ (47/66),among those 65.2％ (42/66) was in anterosuperior mediastinum,and 28.8％ (19/66) in the non-typical loci of the neck.Radionuclide imaging of parathyroid glands was the most sensitive (87.0％) method among all common positioning examinations.Average number of operation episode was 1.47,and all lesions were finally resected.After surgery 49 cases presented with transient hypocalcemia,and were cured by calcium administration.52 cases were followed up,with recurrent hyperparathyroidism in 1 case.Conclusions Diagnosis and treatment of ectopic hyperparathyroidism are dependent on the understanding of common locations of ectopic parathyroid glands.Preoperative correct location and surgical expertise are helpful for successful resection.

Critical Care ; Integrative Medicine

Abstract? AIM: To evaluate the efficiency of two different operation ways, vitrectomy and vitrectomy combined with inferior scleral buckling, for a complex kind of retinal detachment.?METHODS:The complex kind of retinal detachment were diagnosed in 100 cases ( 100 eyes ) , with the common features:1)the course of more than 1mo;2) at least one retinal hole located in the inferior marginal retina;3) the detachment of retina was found proliferated, there was at least 1 retinal fold in retinal detachment area. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group ( 50 eyes ) who received vitrectomy combined with inferior scleral buckling;the control group ( 50 eyes ) who received vitrectomy without scleral buckling. The retinal anatomic reattachment, visual function recovery, macular central fovea thickness and complications in two groups were observed.? RESULTS: There were 49 eyes ( 98%) with retinal anatomic reattachment in the treatment group while 42 eyes(84%)in control group(χ2=4.2605, P<0.05);the best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA) was 0.254 ±0.238 in the treatment group while it was 0.219±0.229 in control group (t=1.8879,P>0.05);the macular central fovea thickness was 272 ±32.21μm in the treat group while it was 316 ± 33.46μm(t=12.597,P<0.01).Intraocular pressure in 12 eyes ( 24%) was more than 30mmHg in the treatment group while 4 eyes ( 8%) in control group within 1wk postoperation (χ2=4.7619,P<0.05); intraocular pressure in 100 eyes were controlled below 21mmHg 1mo postoperatively.? CONCLUSION: It is a more effective method to vitrectomy combined with inferior scleral buckling than the single vitrectomy for the special kind of retinal detachment.It can increase the rate of retinal anatomic reattachment and reduce macular edema.

4-coumarate coenzyme A ligase is a key enzyme of phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway in higher plant and may regulate the biosynthesis of ferulic acid in Angelica sinensis. In this study, the homology-based cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique were used to clone a full length cDNA encoding 4-coumarate coenzyme A ligase gene (4CL), and then qRT-PCR was taken for analyzing 4CL gene expression levels in the root, stem and root tissue at different growth stages of seedlings of A. sinensis. The results showed that a full-length 4CL cDNA (1,815 bp) was obtained (GenBank accession number: KT880508) which shares an open reading frame (ORF) of 1 632 bp, encodes 544 amino acid polypeptides. We found 4CL gene was expressed in all tissues including leaf, stem and root of seedlings of A. sinensis. The expressions in the leave and stem were increased significantly with the growth of seedlings of A. sinensis (P < 0.05), while it in the root showed little change. It indicates a time-space pattern of 4CL gene expression in seedlings of A. sinensis. These findings will be useful for establishing an experiment basis for studying the structure and function of 4CL gene and elucidating mechanism of ferulic acid biosynthesis and space-time regulation in A. sinensis.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Angelica sinensis ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Coenzyme A Ligases ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; Molecular Sequence Data

"Wise men could recognize similarities, but the fool only recognizes differences" in Su-wen, which expounded clinical thinking methods of Chinese medicine (CM). "To recognize similarities and differences simultaneously" is of important clinical significance in understanding the laws of diseases. CM pays much attention to recognize similarities, while modern medicine emphasizes the differences observed. In order to develop integrative medicine (IM), similarities recognition and differences identification must be combined together to innovate new thinking methods of IM.
Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; standards ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective To design the small interference RNA (siRNA) specific to human CCL20 gene by RNA interfering technique, construct its recombinant lentiviral expression vectors, and identify these vectors by DNA sequencing. Methods According to Tuschl’s principle, the siRNA was designed and converted into cDNA of shRNA (small hairpin RNA) of siRNA for CCL20 gene. The cDNA was synthesized and inserted into plasmid pHSER-dsRNA-GFP-SIN which was linearized by restriction endonucleases SpeⅠ and SalⅠ. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into competent E. coli. DH5? cells. The positive recombinant colony was selected by ampicillin medium agar and identified by DNA sequencing. Results Two recombinant lentiviral plasmids of siRNA specific to CCL20 gene were constructed successfully. Their DNA sequence analysis completely coincided with their designed sequences. Conclusion Lentiviral vector-based siRNA expression plasmids against CCL20 gene have been successfully constructed and identified. They will be further used for interfering CCL20 mRNA transcription and lay the foundation for CCL20 gene modified human keratinocyte stem cells.

BACKGROUND:Icariin can promote bone formation and inhibit bone resorption,but it is difficult to dissolve in water,and its bioavailability is very low in vivo.Therefore,a suitable carrier is essential to fully utilize the biological activity of icariin.OBJECTIVE:To prepare an icariin/β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) composite scaffold and to characterize its biological characteristics.METHODS:Three-dimensional printing technology was utilized to prepare porous β-TCP scaffolds carrying nano zinc oxide,and the compressive strength of porous β-TCP scaffolds was detected before and after addition of nano zinc oxide.Water absorption and porosity of the porous β-TCP scaffolds were also measured.Ultrasonic emulsification solvent dialysis was performed to prepare icariin/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres,followed by the detection of water absorption and porosity.The porous β-TCP scaffolds and icariin/PLGA microsphere suspension were mixed to prepare icariin/β-TCP composite scaffolds.Microstructure observation of the composite scaffolds was done by scanning electron microscope,and meanwhile,water absorption and porosity were detected.The composite scaffold was then immersed into PBS,and icariin concentration in the supematant was measured at corresponding time points,based on which Icariin cumulative release curve was drawn.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The porous microstructure of the porous β-TCP scaffold was regular,well distributed,and the connectivity was good.The pore spacing was about 600 μm.After addition of nano zinc oxide particles,the surface structure of the scaffold was more compact and the crystallinity was higher.(2) PLGA microspheres were spherical with a diameter of 1-4 μm,and the microspheres were uniform in size.(3) The maximum compressive strength of the porous beta tricalcium phosphate scaffold was (2.98±0.78) MPa,and increased to (8.95±0.29) MPa after addition of nano zinc oxide.(4) The water absorption rate and porosity were (25.09±0.96)％ and (66.93±2.84)％ for the porous β-TCP scaffold,(28.46±1.85)％ and (32.65±3.32)％ for the icariin/β-TCP composite scaffold,respectively.(5)The average encapsulation efficiency of the PLGA microspheres was (78.87±2.31)％,and the drug loading was (6.04±1)％.(6) The release amount of icariin could reach 52％ of the total amount at 16 days and 60％ of the total amount at 32 days.These findings indicate that the icariin/β-TCP composite scaffold has good mechanical properties and sustained-release performance.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the outcomes of perineal urethrostomy plus secondary urethroplasty for ultralong urethral stricture and assess its influence on the patient's quality of life.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 54 cases of ultralong urethral stricture treated by perineal urethrostomy from 2000 to 2010. The mean age of the patients was 40 years, and the average length of stricture was 6.5 cm. We evaluated the patients'quality of life by questionnaire investigation and the clinical outcomes based on IPSS, Qmax, the necessity of urethral dilation and satisfaction of the patients.

RESULTSThe mean Qmax of the 54 patients was (14.0 +/- 4.7) ml/min. Of the 34 cases that underwent secondary urethroplasty, 22 (64.7%) achieved a mean Qmax of (12.0 +/- 3.5) ml/min, 8 (23.5%) needed regular urethral dilatation and 4 (11.8%) received internal urethrotomy because of restenosis. IPSS scores were 5.4 +/- 2.1 and 8.5 +/- 5.8 after perineal urethrostomy and secondary urethroplasty, respectively. Fifty of the total number of patients (92.6%) were satisfied with the results of perineal urethrostomy, and 22 of the 34 (64.7%) with the results of secondary urethroplasty.

CONCLUSIONPerineal urethrostomy plus secondary urethroplasty is safe and effective for ultralong urethral stricture, and affects very little the patient's quality of life.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ostomy ; Perineum ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Urethral Stricture ; surgery ; Urologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on cardiac function and mortality rate in septic rats.

METHODSFifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into a sham-operation group (sham group, n=10), normal saline group (NS group, n=20), and TMP group (n=20). The rats in the NS and TMP groups underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce sepsis. Rats in the NS group were injected with NS (10 mL/kg) immediately after CLP and 6 h after CLP. Rats in the TMP group were injected with TMP (10 mg/kg) at the same time points. Twenty-four hours after modeling, the mortality rates were observed in each group. Cardiac function and serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were also tested. The correlation between TNF-α and the ejection fraction (EF) was observed. Left ventricle specimens were reserved for histomorphologic study.

RESULTSCompared with the sham group, the NS and TMP groups had decreased EF values and increased mortality rates and serum TNF-α levels (P <0.05). The TMP group had a comparatively lower mortality rate and TNF-α level and a higher EF value compared with the NS group (P <0.05). Histomorphology indicated that myocardial inflammation in the TMP group was mild compared with that in the NS group. There was a negative correlation between TNF-α level and EF value (r=-0.583,P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONTMP could reduce the mortality rate of septic rats and had certain protective effects on cardiac function.

Animals ; Heart Function Tests ; drug effects ; Male ; Myocardium ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sepsis ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Stroke Volume ; drug effects ; Survival Analysis ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Ultrasonography