Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in males. Endocrine therapy is currently the main treatment for patients with advanced prostate cancer. Although this therapy frequently results in tumor shrinkage, it is not curative, and the majority of patients eventually develop hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Recent studies suggested that prostate cancer stem cells serve a key function in the occurrence, development, and metastasis of prostate cancer. Therefore, targeted therapy of prostate cancer stem cells may be effective for the treatment of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer stem cell markers must be identified to facilitate studies on prostate cancer radical treatment schemes, especially the specific markers of this disease. Previous research on prostate cancer stem cell markers mainly focus on CD44 and CD133. Along with in-depth studies, a substantial number of new markers have been found with research development. This review summarizes the widely studied and recently discovered markers found in the field of prostate cancer stem cells.

Objective To explore the effect and molecular mechanism of N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) on transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human lung cancer cells.Methods Lung cancer A549 cells were transfected with NDRG1 overexpressed vector,and then treated with 5 μg/L TGF-β1.The abilities of invasion were detected by Transwell assay.The expressions of NDRG1 mRNA and protein were analyzed by teal-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were examined with Western blot.The expressions of EMT-associated markers E-cadherin and Vimentin,and EMT-associated signaling molecules Snail,AKT and Smad were detected with Western blot.Results We found that TGF-β1 treatment could induce morphological alteration of A549 cells from epithelial morphology to mesenchymal morphology.TGF-β1 significantly increased the migration of A549 cells,and increased the expression of mesenchymal maker vimentin and decreased epithelial marker E-cadherin.More importantly,overexpression of NDRG1 significandy reversed the effects of TGF-β1 on A549 cells.Moreover,NDRG1 significandy decreased the levels of phospho-AKT,and suppressed the expression of EMT-related transcription factor Snail.Conclusions NDRG1 could reverse the effects of TGF-β1 on EMT in A549 cells,by which mechanism is related to reduction of the expressions of phospho-AKT and Snail.

The pathogenesis of pancreatic sinistral portal hypertension (PSPH)is quite different from that of cirrhotic portal hypertension, and PSPH is the only curable type of portal hypertension.Gastric variceal bleeding is a less common manifestation of PSPH;however,it probably exacerbates the patient’s condition and leads to critical illness,and inappropriate management would result in death.Therefore,it is necessary to develop the optimal management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in PSPH patients.Splenectomy is considered as a definitive procedure,together with surgical procedures to treat underlying pancreatic diseases.For patients in poor conditions or ineligible for surgery, splenic artery coil embolization is a preferable and effective method to stop bleeding before second-stage operation.The therapeutic decision should be made individually,and the further multi-center study to optimize the management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding from PSPH is warranted.

AIM:Activin A,a member of transforming growth factor superfamily,is the negative regulator factor in liver regeneration. In this study,the effects of extract of Ginkgo Biloba on hepatic fibrosis and the expression of Activin A in rats with cirrhosis were investigated. METHODS:The experiment was performed at in the Central Laboratory of Wuhan First Hospital from September 2005 to December 2006. ①Thirty-six male SD rats of(160?20) g were randomized into 3 groups:control group,model group and treatment group. ② Except the rats in the control group,others were intraperitoneally injected with 500 mL/L CCl4 for 8 weeks to establish models of hepatic fibrosis. Meanwhile,the extract treatment group was infused with the extract of Ginkgo Biloba(Chinese drugs preparation laboratory of Wuhan First Hospital,detected by Hubeu Wushi Medicine Industry Co.,Ltd. No. 02-391) daily for 8 weeks. ③After administration,all anesthetized rats were sacrificed. Blood samples were collected for the determination of liver function biochemical indexes. Liver tissue samples were used for histopathological examinations. The expression of Activin A was determined by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. RESULTS:All 36 rats were involved in the final analysis. ①The liver function in extract treatment group was significantly improved compared with that in model group. ②The grade of fibrosis in extract treatment group were remarkably lower than that in model group under light microscope. ③The positive staining of Activin A in treatment group was significantly reduced compared with model group. ④The expression of Activin A mRNA in extract treatment group was significantly reduced compared with model group. CONCLUSION:Extract of Ginkgo Biloba can effectively decrease the expression of Activin A in rats with hepatic fibrosis caused by CCl4,and lessen the degree of hepatic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) with branch-foundation acupoint combination on the indices regarding pituitary-target gland axis in aging rats with yang deficiency, so as to explore its regulating mechanism on aging rats with yang deficiency.

METHODSForty healthy Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, an EA group and an EA control group, 10 rats in each group. Except the normal control group, the rats in the rest 3 groups were all treated with subcutaneous injection of D-galactose for 40 d, followed by intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone for 7 d to establish aging model with yang deficiency. After the successful establishment of model, the EA group was treated with EA at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Baihui "(GV 20) while the EA control group was treated with EA at "Zhongji" (CV 3) "Yinlingquan" (SP 9) and "Yintang" (GV 29); the rats in the normal control group and model group were immobilized and fixed during the same time period. The treatments were given 6 times per week totally for 4 weeks. With radiation immunity analysis method, the 8 biological indices of pituitary-target gland axis, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine-4 (T4), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone (CORT), estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were detected to observe the changes of their content.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the serum level of TSH, T3, T4 and E2 were reduced in the model group (P<0.05, P< 0.01) while those of ACTH, CORT, FSH and LH were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum level of TSH, T3, T4 and E2 were increased in the EA group (P<0.05, P<0.01) while those of ACTH, CORT, FSH and LH were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the EA control group, the content of TSH was increased in the EA group without statistical significance (P>0.05), that of T3, T4 and E2 was increased (all P<0.05) and that of ACTH, CORT, FSH and LH was significantly reduced (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe electroacupuncture with branch-foundation acupoint combination has benign regulating effects on the key hormones of pituitary-target gland axis, which could effectively improve the dysfunction of pituitary-target gland axis that is caused by aging with yang deficiency; the efficacy of electroacupuncture with branch-foundation acupoint combination is superior to that of adjacent control acupoint combination.

Acupuncture Points ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; secretion ; Aging ; blood ; metabolism ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Estradiol ; blood ; secretion ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; secretion ; Humans ; Pituitary Gland ; secretion ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thyroid Hormones ; blood ; secretion ; Yang Deficiency ; blood ; metabolism ; therapy

Female ; Humans ; Obesity ; complications ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; complications ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of three primers on the shear bond strength between cast titanium (Ti) and composite resin.

METHODSThe disks (n = 40) were cast by commercially pure (CP) Ti, which diameter were 8 mm and thick were 3 mm. The titanium surfaces were polished with silicon carbide sand papers under running water and then treated by sandblasting and acid (4%HF) etching. They were divided into four groups: control group (group A), treated with KH-570 (group B), treated with Alloy Primer (group C), treated with Metal photo primer (group D). After treatment, the specimens were evaluated for their shear bond strengths by universal testing machine. The values were statistically analyzed. The fractured surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM).

RESULTSThe shear bond strengths of group A, B, C, D were (9.773 +/- 0.67), (11.463 +/- 0.82), (14.224 +/- 0.75), (13.157 +/- 0.73) MPa. There were significant differences in bond strength between A and B, C, D (P < 0.01). B and C, D had significant differences (P < 0.01). C and D had no significant differences (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONKH-570, Alloy Primer, Metal photo primer significantly improve the bond strength of ceramage composite resin to cast titanium. KH-570 group bonding strength is lower than the the Alloy Primer group and Metal photo primer group.

Composite Resins ; Dental Bonding ; Materials Testing ; Methacrylates ; Shear Strength ; Silanes ; Silicates ; Thiones ; Titanium

BACKGROUND: Placenta and fetal membrane play an important role In maternal-fetal homeostasis. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying water transfer across placenta and amniotic membrane remain unknown. It is hypothesized that maternal-fetal fluid exchanges via aquaporin (AQP) water channels in the placenta and fetal membrane.OBJECTIVE: To investigate AQP8 protein expression in normal human placenta and fetal membrane.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A control observation was performed at the Central Laboratory of Guangzhou Medical College from July to December 2005.MATERIALS: Human placenta and fetal membrane tissues from 5 elective cesarean section deliveries of normal term pregnancies (range 37-42 weeks) were studied. Maternal age averaged (27?) years old. Experimental protocol was approved by the Hospital's Ethics Committee.METHODS: Thirty minutes after delivery, fetal membrane and placenta were dissected and washed with sterile physiological saline. Some were frozen at -80?, and the remaining tissues were fixed for 24-48 hours with 10% neutral formalin and paraffin embedded for immunohistochemical staining.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: AQP8 expression and distribution in human placenta and fetal membrane were detected by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting analysis.RESULTS: RT-PCR results showed that AQP8 mRNA was expressed in both placenta and fetal membrane tissues. Western blotting analysis also yielded positive results in placenta and fetal membrane with a specific band site at approximately 45 000.Immunohistochemistry results revealed that AQP8 protein was expressed in placental syncytiotrophoblasts, amniotic epithelial cells, and chorion cytotrophoblasts.CONCLUSION: At protein level, AQP8 is expressed in placental syncytiotrophoblasts, amniotic epithelial cells, and chorion cytotrophoblasts.

Objective To study the subjective sleep quality in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS). Methods Two hundred and seventeen patients with OSAS confirmed by an all-night (7 hrs) polysomnogram(PSG) were evaluated by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results According to the testing results of PSQI, 88 subjects (40.5%) were identified as "poor sleepers" (4≤PSQI

Objective To investigate the relationship between aggrecan and YKL-40 in knee articular cartilage of Sprague-Daw-lay(SD) rats with osteoarthritis (OA) .Methods Fifty-six healthy SD rats were randomly divided into 7 groups ,8 cases per group . The one side of knee joint was randomly selected for performing the anterior cruciate ligment transection (ACLT) and establishing the OA model .The rats in one group were randomly killed on the day of operation and at postoperative 0 ,2 ,4 ,8 ,12 ,16 ,20 weeks . The femoral condyle cartilage samples at different time periods in the operated side were collected for conducting safranin O /fast green staining and HE staining .Meanwhile ,the OA pathological grade was made out according to the modified Mankin scale .The expression of aggrecan and YKL-40 in the cartilage with different stages of OA were analyzed by the immunohistochemistry meth-od ,and the status of expression were measured by average optical density (AOD) .The correlation between aggrecan and YKL-40 was analyzed .Results With the aggravation of OA ,the expression of aggrecan was gradually reduced and the expression of YKL-40 was gradually increased .The differences during the early ,middle and late phases of OA had statistical significance (P<0 .05) . The expression of aggrecan was negatively correlated with the expression of YKL-40(P<0 .05) .Conclusion The level of aggrecan is gradually reduced with the aggravation of OA .Aggrecan is negatively correlated with the YKL-40 level ,which may reflect the dedifferentiation degree of joint chondrocyte to some extent .