Objective To study the expressions of DD3 mRNA and PSA mRNA in the prostate tissues and its diagnostic value in prostate cancer (PCa). Methods DD3 mRNA and PSA mRNA were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( FQ-RT-PCR) based on Taqman technique in the tissues of 21 cases of PCa and 39 cases of BPH. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of DD3 mRNA, PSA mRNA and DD3 mRNA/PSA mRNA. Results The expressions of DD3 mRNA and PSA mRNA, and DD3 mRNA/ PSA mRNA were significantly higher in PCa tissues than those in BPH tissues ( P 0.05 for all). The AUC-ROC of DD3 mRNA,PSA mRNA and DD3 mRNA/PSA mRNA were 0. 937 (95% CI,0. 879 -0. 995) , 0.755(95% CI,0.629 -0.880) and 0.839 (95%CI,0.738 -0.940),respectively. The sensitivity for DD3 mRNA,PSA mRNA and DD3 mRNA/PSA mRNA was 90. 5% ,81. 0% and 81. 0% , respectively, and the specificity was 85.0% ,62.0% and 66.7% at cutoff value of 1.4?105 copies/mg tissue,3.0?107 copies/ mg tissue and 5. 0?10-3,respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of simultaneous detection for DD3 mRNA and PSA mRNA were 100% and 85.0%. Conclusions Both DD3 mRNA and PSA mRNA expressions were significantly higher in PCa tissues than those in BPH tissues; and the quantitative detection of DD3 mRNA is more helpful for the diagnosis. The simultaneous detection of DD3 mRNA and PSA mRNA can improve the sensitivity in the diagnosis of PCa.

Objective:To analyze the changes and clinical significance of homocysteine (Hcy), folate, and cardiac enzyme levels in patients with alcohol dependence and depression.Methods:A total of 102 patients with alcohol dependence and depression, who received treatment at Wenzhou Seventh People's Hospital from January 2022 to June 2023, were included in the observation group. The degree of alcohol dependence in patients in the observation group was assessed using the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). According to the assessment results, the patients in the observation group were divided into the following subgroups: mild alcohol dependence ( n = 33), moderate alcohol dependence ( n = 37), heavy alcohol dependence ( n = 15), and severe alcohol dependence ( n = 17). The severity of depression among patients in the observation group was assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Based on the assessment results, the patients in the observation group were divided into the following subgroups: mild depression ( n = 43), moderate depression ( n = 34), and severe depression ( n = 25). The cognitive function of patients in the observation group was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA). According to the assessment results, the patients in the observation group were divided into normal cognitive function ( n = 73) and cognitive impairment ( n = 29) subgroups. Thirty healthy volunteers from our hospital during the same period were included in the control group. The levels of Hcy, folate, and cardiac enzymes were compared among all groups. The correlations between Hcy, folate, and cardiac enzyme levels with HAMD, MoCA, and MAST scores were analyzed using the Pearson method. Results:The Hcy level in the observation group was (15.21 ± 1.99) μg/L, which was significantly higher than that in the control group [(11.38 ± 1.46) μg/L, t = -9.80, P < 0.001]. The levels of folate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK) in the observation group were (4.82 ± 1.77) μg/L, (122.69 ± 33.98) IU/L, and (87.83 ± 16.52) IU/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(6.27 ± 1.35) μg/L, (150.56 ± 38.78) IU/L, (98.67 ± 20.29) IU/L, t = 4.16, 3.82, 2.99, all P < 0.05]. The Hcy levels in the mild , moderate, heavy, and severe alcohol dependence subgroups [(13.16 ± 1.23) μg/L, (15.35 ± 0.82) μg/L, (16.79 ± 1.38) μg/L, (17.63 ± 1.22) μg/L] increased sequentially, while the folate levels [(6.11 ± 1.51) μg/L, (4.95 ± 1.40) μg/L, (4.04 ± 0.99) μg/L, (2.70 ± 0.99) μg/L], LDH levels [(153.35 ± 27.47) IU/L, (123.29 ± 16.59) IU/L, (109.83 ± 14.41) IU/L, (73.24 ± 16.86) IU/L], and CK levels [(104.14 ± 12.78) IU/L, (86.48 ± 9.15) IU/L, (78.11 ± 7.85) IU/L, (67.71 ± 9.00) IU/L] decreased sequentially. These differences in Hcy, folate, LDH, and CK levels among the mild, moderate, heavy, and severe alcohol dependence subgroups were statistically significant ( F = 73.24, 26.53, 59.08, 53.86, all P < 0.001). The Hcy levels in the mild, moderate, and severe depression subgroups [(13.75 ± 1.54) μg/L, (15.46 ± 1.17) μg/L, (17.39 ± 1.31) μg/L] increased progressively, while the folate levels [(5.83 ± 1.77) μg/L, (4.67 ± 1.12) μg/L, (3.28 ± 1.26) μg/L], LDH levels [(138.09 ± 33.67) IU/L, (119.73 ± 26.39) IU/L, (100.24 ± 30.88) IU/L], and CK levels [(96.35 ± 15.24) IU/L, (86.73 ± 15.62) IU/L, (74.69 ± 9.71) IU/L] decreased progressively. The differenes in Hcy, folate , LDH, and CK levels among the four depression subgroups were statistically significant ( F = 56.57, 24.36, 12.23, 18.44, all P < 0.001). The Hcy levels in the cognitive impairment group [(17.01 ± 1.63) μg/L] was significantly higher than that in the normal cognitive function group [(14.50 ± 1.64) μg/L, t = -6.97, P < 0.001), and the folate, LDH, and CK levels in the cognitive impairment group were (3.76 ± 1.78) μg/L, (102.71 ± 31.08) IU/L, and (76.00 ± 13.37) IU/L respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the normal cognitive function group [(5.24 ± 1.58) μg/L, (130.63 ± 31.92) IU/L, (92.52 ± 15.31) IU/L, t = 4.11, 4.01, 5.09, all P < 0.001]. Hcy levels were positively correlated with HAMD and MAST scores ( r = 0.854, 0.846, both P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with MoCA scores ( r = -0.648, P < 0.001). Folate, LDH, and CK levels were negatively correlated with HAMD and MAST scores ( r = -0.644, -0.701; r = -0.551, -0.696; r = -0.505, -0.673; all P < 0.001), and they were positively correlated with MoCA scores ( r = 0.514, 0.436, 0.448, all P < 0.001). Conclusion:In patients with alcohol dependence and depression, abnormal levels of Hcy, folate, and cardiac enzymes were observed. These indicators were found to be associated with the severity of alcohol dependence, the level of depression, and cognitive function.

BACKGROUND: Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is required for renal fibrosis, which is a characteristic of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Our previous study demonstrated that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) prevented DN associated with the suppressing renal connective tissue growth factor expression, a key marker of renal fibrosis. Therefore, the effects of FGF21 on renal fibrosis in a DN mouse model and the underlying mechanisms were investigated in this study. METHODS: Type 1 diabetes mellitus was induced in C57BL/6J mice by intraperitoneal injections of multiple low doses of streptozotocin. Then, diabetic and non-diabetic mice were treated with or without FGF21 in the presence of pifithrin-α (p53 inhibitor) or 10-[4′-(N,N-Diethylamino)butyl]-2-chlorophenoxazine hydrochloride (10-DEBC) hydrochloride (Akt inhibitor) for 4 months. RESULTS: DN was diagnosed by renal dysfunction, hypertrophy, tubulointerstitial lesions, and glomerulosclerosis associated with severe fibrosis, all of which were prevented by FGF21. FGF21 also suppressed the diabetes-induced renal EMT in DN mice by negatively regulating transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)-induced nuclear translocation of Smad2/3, which is required for the transcription of multiple fibrotic genes. The mechanistic studies showed that FGF21 attenuated nuclear translocation of Smad2/3 by inhibiting renal activity of its conjugated protein p53, which carries Smad2/3 into the nucleus. Moreover pifithrin-α inhibited the FGF21-induced preventive effects on the renal EMT and subsequent renal fibrosis in DN mice. In addition, 10-DEBC also blocked FGF21-induced inhibition of renal p53 activity by phosphorylation of mouse double minute-2 homolog (MDM2). CONCLUSION FGF21 prevents renal fibrosis via negative regulation of the TGF-β/Smad2/3-mediated EMT process by activation of the Akt/MDM2/p53 signaling pathway.