OBJECTIVETo determine the expression of Skp2 in different prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines and tissues, and explore its influence on the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway and development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

METHODSThe expression levels of Skp2 and AR in different PCa cell lines were detected by Western blot. After knockdown of Skp2 in the C4-2 and 22RV1 cells transfected with shRNA, the expressions of AR and P27 were determined and the activity of ARR3-Luc measured by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay following treatment with dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The expressions of AR and Skp2 in human naïve PCa or CRPC specimens were detected by immunohistochemical staining followed by analysis of their differences and correlation.

RESULTSThe Skp2 protein expression level was significantly higher in the C4-2 or 22RV1 cells than in the LNCaP cells. DHT treatment increased the expression of Skp2 in the C4-2 cells, but knock-down of Skp2 significantly up-regulated the expression of the well-known downstream protein P27 and down-regulated that of AR. Consistently, DHT treatment increased the activity of ARR3-Luc, while knockdown of Skp2 remarkably decreased it in the C4-2 and 22RV1 cells (P < 0.05). In addition, significantly higher expressions of Skp2 and AR were observed in the CRPC than in the naïve specimens (P < 0.05), with a positive correlation between the two proteins (r = 0.658 1, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSkp2 can enhance the expression and transcription activity of the AR protein in CRPC cells or tissues and is promising to be a critical molecular therapeutic target.

Androgens ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dihydrotestosterone ; pharmacology ; Disease Progression ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; metabolism ; Receptors, Androgen ; genetics ; metabolism ; S-Phase Kinase-Associated Proteins ; physiology ; Transcriptional Activation ; Up-Regulation

Objective: To explore aspirin resistance (AR) phenomenon in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) for secondary prevention and to study the relationships between AR and COX1, COX2, TBXA2R gene polymorphisms. Methods: A total of 2881 CAD patients taken aspirin (100 mg/day) in 7 consecutive days were enrolled. Among them, 2 groups were established as AR group, n=166 and Control group, n=200 aspirin sensitive patients. Platelet aggregation function was induced by arachidonic acid (AA), COX1, COX2 and TBXA2R gene polymorphisms were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) method. Results: The occurrence rate of AR was 5.76% (166/2881). There were 8 tagSNPs locus in 3 genes as in COX1:(rs3842788), (rs4273915), (rs7866582); in: COX2 (rs3218625); in TBXA2R: (rs2238630), (rs2238631), (rs2238633), (rs3786989). The frequencies of wild type, heterozygous genotype and homozygous genotype were similar between 2 groups. Conclusion: The incidence rate of AR is not high in CHD patients with regular aspirin medication; single nucleotide gene polymorphisms of COX1, COX2 and TBXA2R have no obvious correlation to AR.

Objective To compare the heart function and observe the clinical prognosis of dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM) in children treated with combination of prednisone and azathioprine and high dose intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG).Methods From Jan.1998 to May 2004,20 children who met the diagnostic criteria of DCM were divided into 2 therapeutic groups(groupⅠ,groupⅡ) according to the time of hospitalization.On the basis of traditional congestive heart failure(CHF) therapy,the children in groupⅠwere treated with immunosuppressive therapy(prednisone plus azathioprine) and the children in groupⅡ were treated with high dose IVIG.The course of treatment was 6 months for all children.Heart functions in all children were evaluated and echocardiographic parameters including left auricular diameter(LA),left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LV),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and cardiac index(CI) were measured before and after therapy,respectively.All children were followed up for 1 year to observe survival rate(%).The findings were analyzed by t test and ?~2 test.Results The percentage of heart function increased from Ⅲ-Ⅳ toⅠ-Ⅱin groupⅠ,which was lower than that in groupⅡ(P

Objective To determine the levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1(SICAM-1) in serum and induced sputum in children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP),and to investigate the role of SICAM-1 in pathogenesis of MPP.Methods The levels of SICAM-1 in serum and induced sputum and sputum cell count were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) kit in 44/34 children with MPP in acute episode period,36/28 children in remission episode period and 38/30 healthy children.Results The levels of serum SICAM-1,sputum SICAM-1 and percent of neutrophil(N),lymphocyte(L),eosinophile(EO),mast cell(Ma) were significantly higher in acute episode period in MPP than those in remission episode period and control group,respectively((all P0.05);)the indexs in remission period and in controls showed no marked difference.The le-(vels of) serum and sputum(SICAM-1) in children with asthma attack in acute and remission episode periods in MPP increased significantly compared with those in children without asthma in both periods(P

Objective To investigate the effect of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in increasing the accuracy and detection rate of chromosome aneuploid from spontaneous abortion specimens.Methods Chromosome 13,21,16 and 22 single sequence probes and centromere probes of 18,X and Y chromosome probes were used to detect 100 cases of spontaneous abortion villi samples.The results were compared with conventional karyotype analysis.Results (1) Karyotype analysis:Among 89 successfully cultured villi samples,51 abnormal karyotypes (57.3％) were found,including 37 cases of autosomal aneuploidies,four sex chromosome aneuploidies,two triploids,one tetraploid,one 68,XX and six chromosome structural aberrations.(2) FISH:The detection rate of abnormal karyotype was 38.0％ (38/100),among which 25 cases were autosomal aneuploidies,five sex chromosome aneuploidies,three triploids,four XX chimeras and one triploid in chromosome 13,16,18 and 21.(3) Comparison of the two methods:Among the 11 samples which failed by conventional method,FISH found two abnormal samples.In specimens of 46,XY,three cases showed mosaicism by FISH.In specimens of 46,XX,two cases showed chromosomal abnormalities by FISH.FISH detected overall 65.5％ (38/58) of the chromosomal abnormalities.Conclusions FISH combined with conventional chromosome analysis could improve the accuracy and detection rate of abnormal karyotypes in spontaneous abortion specimens.

Objective To investigate the surgical methods and short-term effects of Internal-braceTM technology combined with modified Brostrom procedure for treatment of chronic ankle instability.Methods A retrospective case series study was made on 17 patients with chronic ankle instability treated using the Internal-braceTM technology combined with modified Brostrom procedure from May 2015 to April 2016.There were 10 males and 7 females,at age of 24 and 36 years (mean,31.8 years).A left ankle injury occurred in 6 patients and a right ankle injury in 11 patients.Operation time,postoperative complications and incision healing was documented after operation.Ankle stability was tested using the anterior drawer test and lateral stress test,and ankle range of motion was detected.American orthopedic foot and ankle society (AOFAS) score was used for postoperative efficacy evaluation.Results Operation time was 45 to 84 minutes (mean,64.5 minutes).None of the patients revealed neurological deficits after operation.All incisions healed by the first intension.Full weight bearing was started two weeks after operation.All patients were followed up for mean 3.5 months (range,1-6 months).At the final follow-up,both anterior drawer test and lateral stress test were negative.All patients had a normal range of motion of the ankle after operation.AOFAS score was increased from preoperative (36.2 ± 13.4)points to (91.2 ± 6.7) points at the final follow-up (P ＜ 0.01).According to the AOFAS score,the results were excellent in 15 patients and good in 2 patients,with the good rate of 100％.Conclusion For chronic ankle instability,Internal-braceTM technology comnbined with modified Brostrom procedure benefits wound healing and functional recovery,reduces incidence of complications and exhibits satisfactory short-term outcome.

Introduction：Neonatal tetanus is a major cause of neonatal mortality in many developing countries and remains a major public health problem. This study aimed to determine risk factors associated with neonatal tetanus in Wenzhou, China.Methodology：Medical records of neonatal tetanus cases from 17 hospitals over a 13-year period (2000–2012) were reviewed for potential risk factors. Controls were selected from neonates with diseases other than tetanus who were admitted to the same facility during the same period. The potential risk factors of the neonatal tetanus group were compared with the control group using univariate analysis and an unconditional logistic regression model.Results：A total of 246 neonates with tetanus and 257 controls were included in this study. Univariate analysis showed that having untrained birth attendants, home delivery, an unsterile method of delivery and being a migrant to Wenzhou were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of having an untrained birth attendant, home delivery and an unsterile method of delivery were significantly higher in the tetanus group than the control group (odds ratio: 1371.0; 95% confidence interval: 206.0, 9123.5).Conclusion：This study identified that the main risks of neonatal tetanus in cases from Wenzhou were having an untrained birth attendant, home delivery and an unsterile method of delivery. Preventive measures directed to these risk factors may reduce the occurrence of neonatal tetanus in the studied area.

Congenital rubella syndrome is a transplacental fetal infection with rubella virus and shows a wide spectrum of clinical expression from severe malformation to asymptomatic in the neonatal period. For the confirmation of congenital rubella, one of the following laboratory criteria should be present: isolation of rubella virus, demonstration of rubella-specific IgM antibody, or a rubella IgG antibody that persists and fails to drop at a rate of twofold dilution per month. Recently a reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) method for the prenatal diagnosis of rubella virus infection has been used. We experienced a case of congenital rubella in a 15- month old male who had suffered from respiratory difficulty. He had low birth weight. Thrombocytopenia was noticed shortly after his birth. He was transferred to our hospital because persistent respiratory difficulty had been developing since the age of one month. His growth and development were delayed. Physical examination revealed micrognathia, hepatosplenomegly, lymphadenopathy, and petechiae. Laboratory examination revealed a rubella specific IgM antibody. Chest X-ray suggested a chronic lung change. Rubella virus RNA was detected in the serum by RT-nPCR. This is the first case of congenital rubella, which was confirmed by the detection of rubella virus RNA, in Korea.
Growth and Development ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Lung ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Male ; Parturition ; Physical Examination ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Purpura ; RNA ; Rubella ; Rubella Syndrome, Congenital* ; Rubella virus ; Thorax ; Thrombocytopenia

Congenital rubella syndrome is a transplacental fetal infection with rubella virus and shows a wide spectrum of clinical expression from severe malformation to asymptomatic in the neonatal period. For the confirmation of congenital rubella, one of the following laboratory criteria should be present: isolation of rubella virus, demonstration of rubella-specific IgM antibody, or a rubella IgG antibody that persists and fails to drop at a rate of twofold dilution per month. Recently a reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) method for the prenatal diagnosis of rubella virus infection has been used. We experienced a case of congenital rubella in a 15- month old male who had suffered from respiratory difficulty. He had low birth weight. Thrombocytopenia was noticed shortly after his birth. He was transferred to our hospital because persistent respiratory difficulty had been developing since the age of one month. His growth and development were delayed. Physical examination revealed micrognathia, hepatosplenomegly, lymphadenopathy, and petechiae. Laboratory examination revealed a rubella specific IgM antibody. Chest X-ray suggested a chronic lung change. Rubella virus RNA was detected in the serum by RT-nPCR. This is the first case of congenital rubella, which was confirmed by the detection of rubella virus RNA, in Korea.
Growth and Development ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Lung ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Male ; Parturition ; Physical Examination ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Purpura ; RNA ; Rubella ; Rubella Syndrome, Congenital* ; Rubella virus ; Thorax ; Thrombocytopenia

Objective To understand the exposure and the infection status of virus among people engaging in breeding or butchering ducks in the suburb of Beijing.Methods People from six districts (Daxing,Fangshan,Huairou,Miyun,Shunyi,Tongzhou) who engaged in breeding or butchering ducks were studied and the status of infecting avian influenza virus was obtained by testing antibody level in serum.Information on demographic characteristics,status of regular exposure and exposure to sick or dead poultry were collected through a self-designed questionnaire.Results 1741people were involved in this study in which 313 (18.0％ ) were workers in duck-breeding enterprise,562 (32.3％) were workers in duck slaughterhouse,261 (15.0％) farmers were in individualsmall-scale duck farms,605 (34.7％) were farmers raising duck in backyard.Among farmers raising duck in backyard,the percentage of people whose ducks ever contacted with wild birds was higher than the other three groups (66.8％)(P＜0.05).Among farmers who bred their ducks in the backyard (35.2％) and those abattoir workers (31.3％ ),the percentage of people who had contacted ducks but not been vaccinated with avian influenza vaccine was higher than the other two groups (P＜0.05).Regarding the status on cleaning and disinfection among the studied farmers who had bred their ducks in the backyard,the percentage of people who had closer contact with ducks would clean the settings more than 4 times per month (8.8％) and disinfected those places more than 12 times per year (27.3％) but still lower than the other three groups (P＜0.05).Among those farmers who bred ducks in the backyard,the percentage of people who had ever touched duck with their hands was high (34.4％) (P＜ 0.05).Regarding exposure to sick or dead poultry,higher proportion was found among those who had ever closely contacted sick or dead poultry commercial duck raisers (36.1％) and individuals who raise large amount of ducks (36.0％).70.8％ of the individual duck raisers had never taken any protective measures when closely contacting the sick or dead poultry.Among 1741 samples,0 were positive to avian influenza virus H5 and H7 subtypes.12 were positive to H9 subtype (positive rate was 0.7％ ),in which 10 were farmers raising ducks in backyard (the positive rate of 1.7％ ).Differences between H9 subtype antibody positive rates difference in 4 population groups were statistically significant (x2=13.699,P＜0.05).Conclusion Farmers who bred their ducks in the backyard had greater risk of contracting the avian influenza.Individual duckers who raise ducks in large scale and the farmers who bred their ducks in the backyard were in lack of protective measures when contacting the sick or dead poultry.Our findings suggested that some intervention measures should be taken to reduce the risk of avian influenza infection.