OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of low-dose exogenous estrogen nonylphenol (NP) on the proliferation of human prostate cancer cell lines DU-145 and the expression of the membrane estrogen receptor GPR30 in the DU-145 cells.

METHODSWe exposed DU-145 cells to different concentrations of NP for 24 hours, followed by measurement of the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the cells by cell proliferation assay and determination of the concentration of exposure to low-dose NP. We also observed the expressions of 3 estrogen receptors (ER), including ER-alpha, ER-beta and membrane estrogen receptor GPR30, in the DU-145 cells exposed to low-dose NP by RT-PCR.

RESULTSCell proliferation assay showed that within a certain range of doses, NP inhibited the proliferation of the DU-145 cells with an IC50 of 46 micromol/L, a much lower dose of NP than IC50, 0.01, 0.1.1 micromol/l NP, that can promote the proliferation of DU-145 cells. The results of RT-PCR indicated that the expressions of the three ERs in the DU-145 cells were similar to those in prostate epithelial cells, and that low-dose NP promoted the expression of GPR30.

CONCLUSIONMembrane estrogen receptor GPR30 may play a role in low-dose NP promoting the proliferation of DU-145 cells.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; metabolism ; Estrogen Receptor beta ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; Humans ; Male ; Phenols ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

HCV RNA positive serum was first selected by RT-PCR test kit from several anti-HCV positive sera obtained from Xi'an.HCV RNA extrac ted from the elected sera was converted to cDNA by reverse transcription with ra ndom primer.Half-nested PCR was performed.The amplified product was 852 bp.The purified PCR product was digested by restriction endonucleases and then ligated to epressio vector pET-22b\++.Its nucleotide sequence was determined by dideoxy chain termination method.A comparison of the sequence with several isolates rep orted previously showed that the sequence belonged to HCV type Ⅱ.

Partial androgen deficiency in aging males can be defined as a clincal condition characterized by a partial deficiency of androgen in blood and/or a decrease genomic sensitivity to testosterone or its active metabolites in target tissues. This state of hypogondism leads to a decline of physical energy, an altered state of well-being, a sexual dysfunction and various metabolic alterations. Testosterone supplement therapy can improve all these symptoms.
Aging ; physiology ; Androgens ; blood ; deficiency ; Humans ; Male ; Testosterone ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamics and clinical significance of serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels during the terminal phase of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) with different hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status.

METHODSOne-hundred-and-seven patients with terminal ACLF were tested for HBeAg status by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and serum HBV DNA levels by real-time PCR at three chronological time ranges, representing increasing severity of disease phases prior to death (day 0): 29-56 d, 15-28 d, and 0-14 d.

RESULTSIn the 37 HBeAg(+) patients, HBV DNA levels at above-mentioned phases were 6.10+/-1.63, 5.61+/-1.50, and 5.29+/-1.96 log10 copies/mL. In the 70 anti-HBe(+) patients, HBV DNA levels were 4.63+/-1.82, 5.81+/-1.78, and 4.93+/-1.73 log10 copies/mL. Phase to phase comparisons revealed that the HBV DNA level in the HBeAg(+) group was significantly higher than that in the anti-HBe(+) group at 29-56 d (P less than 0.05), and that 15-28 d and 0-14 d were not significantly different (P more than 0.05). Intragroup comparisons of phases revealed no significant differences in the HBeAg(+) group (P more than 0.05), but a significant difference between 15-28 d and 0-14 d (P less than 0.05) for the anti-HBe(+) group.

CONCLUSIONSerum levels of HBV DNA in patients with HBeAg positivity are higher than those in patients with anti-HBe positivity as the disease phase of ACLF nears fatality. Following the deterioration to liver failure, the HBV DNA load in HBeAg(+) patients remains stable while that in anti-HBe(+) patients decreases.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; End Stage Liver Disease ; blood ; virology ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Failure, Acute ; blood ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Viral Load ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of amino acid parenteral nutritional (PN) support on serum tryptophan and melatonin in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving chemotherapy.

METHODSSeventy-two patients with inoperable NSCLC were divided into three groups randomly: control group, 250 ml/d amino acids PN therapy group and 500 ml/d amino acids PN therapy group. The same NP (cisplatin + vinorelbine) chemotherapy was carried out in all the three groups. During three sessions of chemotherapy,amino acids PN therapy was given to the amino acids PN therapy groups. Serum tryptophan and melatonin concentration changes were assessed before and after chemotherapy.

RESULTSAfter chemotherapy the concentration of MT and Try were much lower than that before chemotherapy in the three group patients (P < 0.05). But the concentration of MT and Try in the PN group patients was higher than that in control group patients. The concentration of MT and Try in the 500 ml/d amino acid parenteral nutritional support group patients were significantly higher than that in the 250 ml/d group patients, the difference was significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAmino acid parenteral nutritional support is beneficial to improve the lower concentration of serum MT and Try in NSCLC patients receiving chemotherapy, and a more significant effect can be achieved by the 500 ml/d amino acid parenteral nutritional support treatment.

Aged ; Amino Acids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; blood ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Melatonin ; blood ; Neoplasm Staging ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Treatment Outcome ; Tryptophan ; blood ; Vinblastine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of arsenic trioxide (As2 O3) on the level of VEGF, VEGFR and the activity of MMP-2, 9 in K562 cells.

METHODSThe inhibition ratio of K562 cell was detected by MTT assay, the level of VEGF by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the expression ratio of VEGFR by flow cytometry (FCM), and the activity of MMP-2, 9 by gelatin zymography assay.

RESULTS(1) The IC50 of K562 cells was (2.12 +/- 0.11) micromol/L. Proliferation of K562 cells was significantly inhibited at the concentration of 0.4 - 6.4 micromol/L As2 O3 (P < 0.05). (2) The expression of VEGF was slightly up-regulated by 0.05 micromol/L As2 O3 (P > 0.05) and prominently inhibited by 0.4 micromol/L and 3.2 micromol/L As2 O3 (P < 0.05). As2 O3 had no influence on VEGFR. (3) The activity of MMP-2 and 9 was partly inhibited by 0.05 micromol/L As2 O3 incubated 72 hours and by 0.4, 3.2 micromol/L, As2 O3. With the increase of As2 O3 concentration and the incubation time, the inhibited effect on MMP-2 and 9 was enhanced.

CONCLUSIONSAs2 O3 may down-regulate the expression of VEGF and inhibit the activity of MMP-2 and 9.

Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using ureteroscope and pneumatic intracorporeal lithotripsy in the pediatric age group.

METHODSTwenty-two renal units in 15 patients underwent PCNL at our institute. The patients were all under 14 years old. The average age was 9 years (range 5-14 years). There were 7 bilateral, 8 multiple, and 5 staghorn calculi. The average calculus size was 2.0 (0.9-4.5) cm. The PCNL was done with an X ray-guided peripheral puncture, a planned staged approach in some cases, and minimal tract dilatation with the use of an ureteroscope and pneumatic intracorporeal lithotripsy.

RESULTSComplete stone clearance was achieved in 20 renal units, giving an overall clearance rate of 91%. Minor pyrexia (< 39 degrees C, < 2 days) was seen in 14 patients, whereas serious pyrexia was seen in 1. The average fall in hemoglobin was 10 g/L, but none of the patients required blood transfusion.

CONCLUSIONSIt is safe and effective to cure pediatric urolithiasis with percutaneous nephrolithotomy using ureteroscope and pneumatic intracorporeal and pneumatic intracorporeal lithotripsy.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; pathology ; therapy ; Lithotripsy ; methods ; Male ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; Retrospective Studies ; Ureteroscopy ; Urolithiasis ; pathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of blood-brain barrier-tight junction (BBB-TJ) proteins ZO-1, occludin and actin following hypoxia-ischemia (HI) in order to explore the possible mechanism of permeability increasing of blood-brain barrier (BBB) induced by HI.

METHODSBBB models were established by co-culture of cell ECV304 and astrocytes (AS) in vitro, then randomly assigned to control and HI groups. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the changes of BBB-TJ. The distribution of actin was determined by direct-immunofluorescence microscope. Definite permeability of BBB models by 125I-BSA was detected by gamma events-per-unit-time meter. Expression of actin, ZO-1 and occludin was detected by Western blot.

RESULTSAfter 10-day culture, endothelial cells connected tightly, with plenty of TJ which was smooth, continuous and of high density, in the BBB models. After 5 hrs of HI, the TJ was opened with intercellular gaps formation. The direct immunofluorescence showed that the peripheral filament bands became blurred, the cell-cell junction loosened and fissure appeared in the HI group. The permeability of 125I-BSA in the HI group increased significantly compared with the control group (P<0.01). Expression of ZO-1 decreased markedly, while expression of actin and occludin was not different in the HI group compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONSThe changes in occludin distribution and decreased expression of ZO-1 lead the reorganization of BBB-actin protein, which may be one of the mechanisms of permeability increasing of BBB following HI.

Actins ; analysis ; physiology ; Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Female ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; Ischemia ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; analysis ; physiology ; Occludin ; Permeability ; Phosphoproteins ; analysis ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tight Junctions ; ultrastructure ; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein

In males, androgen can be aromatized into estrogen by aromatase. Estrogen receptors were shown to be present in male-derived human osteoblasts. For males bone is an important target tissue of estrogen. It was demonstrated that deficiency of estrogen or mutation of estrogen receptor gene in males could lead to osteopenia, even osteoporosis. Estrogens are required for the pubertal growth of bone and play important roles in maintenance of bone mass in males.
Androgens ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aromatase ; metabolism ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Puberty ; metabolism ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo introduce two methods of laparoscopic varicocelectomy for the treatment of spermatic varicocele.

METHODSForty-five cases of spermatic varicocele were treated by video laparoscopic technique with two or three punch.

RESULTSAll the 45 operations were performed successfully, and no complications occurred during and after the operations.

CONCLUSIONSSpermatic varicocele is one of the most suitable indications for video laparoscopic surgery. The two-punch technique is more advantageous than the three-punch.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Urogenital Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Varicocele ; surgery ; Video-Assisted Surgery