Objective To study the relationship of expr ession of PTEN and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with angiogenesis i n bladder cancers. Methods Using immunohistochemical S- P method,the expression of PTEN and VEGF was examined in 62 bladder cancer sampl es and 18 chronic cystitis samples (control group);and the microvessel density ( MVD) was compared among different expression states of PTEN and VEGF in bladder cancer tissues. Results The positive rates of PTEN in bl adder cancer and control groups were 53.2% (33/62) and 100.0% (18/18),respective ly.The difference between the 2 groups was significant ( P

Objective:To study the effects of anti-oncogene PTEN transfection on apoptosis of human bladder cancer cell lines,BIU-87,and to bring a new method of gene therapy for bladder cancer. Methods:A eukaryotic expression vector containing PTEN was transfected into BIU-87,and positive cell clones were selected and amplified.Expression of PTEN was detected by RT-PCR.Apoptosis of BIU-87 were measured before and after transfection by in situ cell apoptosis detection kit and flow cytometry. Results:PTEN transfected BIU-87 could steadily express PTEN mRNA,and cell apoptosis significantly increased compared with control groups. Conclusion:Transfection of PTEN might induce apoptosis of bladder cancer cells so as to inhibit the occurrence and development of tumor.

Objective To study the drug retention of HPC MMC in bladder after intravesical instillation. Methods The pharmacokinetics of the intravesical mucous adhesive anticancer agent HPC MMC in urine and in tissue were comparatively studied with conventional mitomycin C aqueous solution(S MMC) by means of animal experiment. Results After instillation, the half life of MMC in urine in the 2 groups was 2.61 h and 0.56 h and in tissue 2.33h and 0.46 h respectively. Conclusions Suggesting that HPC MMC remained longer within the urinary bladder. It may be therapeutically more efficient.

In order to compare the effects of several experimental renal calcium oxalate stones formation models in rats and to find a simple and convenient model with significant effect of calcium oxalate crystals deposition in the kidney, several rat models of renal calcium oxalate stones formation were induced by some crystal-inducing drugs (CID) including ethylene glycol (EG), ammonium chloride (AC), vitamin D(3)[1alpha(OH)VitD(3), alfacalcidol], calcium gluconate, ammonium oxalate, gentamicin sulfate, L-hydroxyproline. The rats were fed with drugs given singly or unitedly. At the end of experiment, 24-h urines were collected and the serum creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), the extents of calcium oxalate crystal deposition in the renal tissue, urinary calcium and oxalate excretion were measured. The serum Cr levels in the stone-forming groups were significantly higher than those in the control group except for the group EG+L-hydroxyproline, group calcium gluconate and group oxalate. Blood BUN concentration was significantly higher in rats fed with CID than that in control group except for group EG+L-hydroxyproline and group ammonium oxalate plus calcium gluconate. In the group of rats administered with EG plus Vitamin D(3), the deposition of calcium oxalate crystal in the renal tissue and urinary calcium excretion were significantly greater than other model groups. The effect of the model induced by EG plus AC was similar to that in the group induced by EG plus Vitamin D(3). EG plus Vitamin D(3) or EG plus AC could stably and significantly induced the rat model of renal calcium oxalate stones formation.

The association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in -174G/C and -634C/G of interleukin-6 (IL-6) promoter region and prostate cancer was examined in the population of Han people in Hubei region. TaqMan PCR was employed for the gene-typing of -174G/C and -634C/G in promoter region of IL-6 gene to compare the prostate cancer patients and normal controls in terms of genotype frequency, allele frequency and risk of prostate cancer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection of IL-6 concentration in peripheral blood of the patients with prostate cancer and the relationship between the IL-6 level and the genotype was studied. Our results showed that in all the subjects, the genotype of genetic locus -174G/C was found to be GG and no CG and CC were observed. There was a significant difference in gene frequency of GG, CG and CC of -634C/G and allele frequency of G and C between prostate cancer patients and normal controls (P<0.05) and the gene frequency of GG+CG increased with the clinical stages and pathological grades of prostate cancer. The IL-6 level in GG+CG group was significantly higher than that in CC group. It was concluded that no SNP in -174G/C IL-6 promoter region was found in the population of Han people in Hubei region. The SNP in -634C/G was, to some extent, associated with the development and progression of prostate cancer. The population with GG+CG genetype has higher risk for prostate cancer.
Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Interleukin-6/*genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*genetics

B7-H1, a recently described member of the B7 family of costimulatory molecules, is thought to be involved in tumor immune escape by inducing T-cell apoptosis. In order to investigate the relationship between B7-H1 and immune escape of bladder cancer, B7-H1 expression in 50 cases of bladder cancer was detected by using immunohistochemical method. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and independent prognostic factors were evaluated using the Cox regression model. Our results showed that the positive rate of B7-H1 immunostaining in normal bladder tissue and bladder cancer was 0 and 72% respectively. The expression of B7-H1 was strongly associated with the pathological grade, clinical stage and recurrence (P<0.05). The survival rate was significantly lower in patients with B7-H1 positive group than in those with B7-H1 negative group and multi-variable analysis revealed that B7-H1 could be regarded as an independent factor in evaluating the prognosis of bladder cancer. It is concluded that the expression of B7-H1 is strongly associated with neoplastic progression and prognosis of bladder cancer. The manipulation of B7-H1 may become a beneficial target for immunotherapy in human bladder cancer.
Antigens, CD/genetics ; Antigens, CD/*metabolism ; Antigens, CD80/genetics ; Antigens, CD80/*metabolism ; Prognosis ; Tumor Escape/*genetics ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/*immunology ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/metabolism

Objective To investigate whether inhibiting the expression of typeⅠ collagen gene is one of the mechanisms of action of electroacupuncture in improving knee osteoarthritis.Methods Forty male adult SD rats were randomized into normal, model, medication and electroacupuncture group, 10 rats each. A rat model of MIA-induced knee osteoarthritis was made by injecting monomer sodium iodoacetate (MIA) and driving rat movement. After model making, the medication group received an oral gavage of celecoxib dissolved in 10% DMSO and the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture at points Zusanli and Yanglingquan. Pain thresholds and the levels of cartilage expression of typeⅠ collagen mRNA were compared between various groups of rats before and after treatment.Results There was a statistically significant difference in pain threshold between the model, medication or electroacupuncture group of rats and the normal group after model making (P<0.01) and between the medication or electroacupuncture group of rats and the model group before sacrifice (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in pain threshold between the medication and andelectroacupuncture groups of rats before sacrifice (P>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the expression of typeⅠ collagen mRNA between the model, medication or electroacupuncture group of rats and the normal group (P<0.01) and between the medication or electroacupuncture group of rats and the model group before sacrifice (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the expression of typeⅠ collagen mRNA between the electroacupuncture and medication groups of rats before sacrifice (P>0.05).Conclusion The mechanisms of actions of electroacupuncture and medication in treating knee osteoarthritis may be related to inhibiting the expression of typeⅠ collagen mRNA.

Objective To observe the effect of Arm Spasticity Inhibitor worn in rehabilitation training on patients with upper extremities spasticity and shoulder subluxation after stroke. Methods 80 stroke patients with flexor spasm in upper extremities complicated with subluxation of shoulder were divided into treatment group and control group equally. Both groups accepted routine medicine and rehabilitation, and the treatment group wore the Arm Spasticity Inhibitor developed ourselves during the rehabilitation training. Their acromio-humeral interval (AHI) was measured with the X- ray; and they were assessed with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), range of motion of shoulder (ROM) and elbow before and 2 months after treatment. Results It improved more in the AHI, score of MAS and ROM in the treatment group than in the control group after treatment (P<0.001). Conclusion Wearing Arm Spasticity Inhibitor during rehabilitation training may release the spasticity of upper extremities and shoulder subluxation, and improve shoulder function in patients after stroke.

Objective To report the clinical outcomes of applying endoscopic incision in the treatment of ureterovesical anastomosis site obstruction in transplanted kidneys. Methods Between February 2001 and April 2008, 13 men and 5 women with ureterovesical anastomotic site obstruction in their transplanted kidneys were treated by endoscopic incision with electrocautery or holmium: YAG laser. After the anastomosis was completely resected, two Double-J stents were placed in the ureter for 6-8 weeks. During follow-up, renal function, ultrasound examination and wash-out renal scintig-raphy were performed every month for the first 6 months, then every 3 months. Results Total 25 procedures of endoureterotomy were performed and all procedures resulted in successful incision of the obstruction. No complication was recorded during or after the procedure. At the mean follow-up of 51 months (range 4-90 months), 5 patients presented with recurred obstructive uropathy immediately after the Double-J stent removal and finally underwent open surgical correction. Conclusions Endo-scopic incision is safe and effective in the treatment of ureterovesical anastomosis site obstruction in transplanted kidney. However, open surgical reconstruction should be considered if endoscopic inci-sion procedure has failed.

To summarize the clinical experience of Prof. Yan Jun-bai in treating rheumatic arthritis (RA) with suppurative moxibustion and aim to guide acupuncture treatment for RA. Prof. Yan believes that contributing factors of RA include external contraction of pathogenic factors, obstructed flow of qi and blood, internal phlegm-turbidity (due to deficiency of healthy qi or improper diet), and obstruction or malnourishment of meridians. As a result, the treatment strategies are to warm yang, remove pathogenic factors, and tonify the liver, spleen and kidney. Suppurative moxibustion is a reliable therapy for RA.