The role of autophagy is known to be highly complex and context-dependent, and may be characterized as both tumor suppression and tumor promotion in some tumors, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer. This review outlines recent advances in the studies of the involvement of autophagy in the development, progression and treatment of prostate cancer, focusing on autophagy modulation during androgen deprivation, with a special discussion on the regulatory effect of androgens on the autophagy of prostate cancer cells. A critical evaluation and analysis of the studies suggests that autophagy inhibition combined with androgen deprivation therapy is a promising approach to the treatment of prostate cancer.
Autophagy ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy on vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) between auricular acupuncture therapy and oral administration of medicine.

METHODSSixty patients of VBI were randomized into an auricular acupuncture therapy group and a medicine group, 30 cases in each one. In the auricular acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied bilaterally to gan (CO12) and jiejie (HX8) on the ears and needles were retained for 15 min. After needle withdrawal, the vaccariae semen were fixed with plaster at naogan (AT3, 4i), zhen (AT3), jing (AH12), shen (CO10) and pi (CO13) on the ears. In the medicine group, flunarizine hydrochloride capsules (Sibelium), 5mg were prescribed for oral administration, once every night. The treatment lasted continuously for 2 weeks (14 days) in the two groups. In 2 weeks, the clinical efficacy was assessed and the transcranial doppler (TCD) examination was performed.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the symptom scores were all apparently reduced in the patients of the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the medicine group, the reduced score was much more obvious in the auricular acupuncture group (P < 0.05), indicating the significant difference. After treatment, with TCD examination, the blood velocity was increased to different degrees in the patients of low velocity type in the auricular acupuncture group and the medicine group; that was reduced to different degrees in the patients of high velocity type in the auricular acupuncture group and the medicine group. All of them were different significantly as compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05). But the difference was not significant between the two groups (both P > 0.05). In comparison of clinical efficacy between the two groups, the effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the acupuncture group and better than 76.7% (23/30) in the medicine group, indicating the significant difference in comparison (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe auricular acupuncture therapy achieves the definite efficacy on VBI and the efficacy is better than flunarizine hydrochloride capsules.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ; therapy

The DNA fragment sized 2 139bp, the same Sequence with AtKup1 gene from Arabidopsis thalianna was used as the templates for DNA family shuffling. The shuffeld AtKup1 gene library was expressed in the mutant of 5. cerevisae in which potassium transporter gene TRK1 and TRK2 were knocked out by homologous recombination. Then the screening was carried out in the low potassium media containing 5. 0 mmol/L KC1 and no histidine in it. it was found that both of diverse and wild AtKup1 gene can rescues the trk1△trk2△yeast mutant strain in low [ K + ] medium. The growth of 2 clones yeast containing diverse AtKup1 were beter than that of AtKup1 wild gene transformant. The sequencig results of the shuffeld AtKup1 showed that there were 2 nucleotide changed, which resulted in 2 amino acid variations in it compared with the original AtKup1. The potassium uptaking capacity of shuffled AtKup1 gene increased significantly when it was transformed into tobacco.

To study effect of vitrification state of protective solutions on recovery of red blood cells after lyophilization, four protective solutions composed of isotonic buffers containing 7% DMSO (v/v) and 20%, 30%, 40% or 50% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (w/v) were adopted. Vitrification state of protective solutions was examined first when white ice crystal appeared in any protective solution during freezing or thawing, if the used solution was not a vitrification solution. Red blood cells were lyophilized in MINILYO45 freeze-dryer after washing, mixing with protective solutions and prefreezing. After lyophilization, the samples were quickly rehydrated by 37 degrees C rehydration solution. The results showed that in vitrification and devitrification experiments, white ice crystal appeared in solution of 20% PVP + 7% DMSO and 30% PVP + 7% DMSO during freezing and thawing; vitrification appeared in solution of 40% PVP + 7% DMSO during freezing, but devitrification appeared during thawing; vitrification appeared in solution of 50% PVP + 7% DMSO during freezing and thawing. After rehydration, the recoveries of red blood cells and hemoglobin in 40% PVP + 7% DMSO group were (81.36 +/- 14.94)% and (77.54 +/- 12.86)%, which were significantly higher than that in 20% PVP + 7% DMSO, 30% PVP + 7% DMSO and 50% PVP + 7% DMSO groups (P < 0.01). The concentration of free hemoglobin in 40% PVP + 7% DMSO group was also significantly lower than that in other three groups (P < 0.01). With increase of PVP concentration in protective solutions, vitrification state and protective effect of these solutions also increased; when concentration of PVP in protective solution was 40% though it was not a vitrification solution, the effect of lyophilization was the best; but when concentration of PVP further increased to 50%, though it was a vitrification solution, the effect decreased. It is concluded that excessive vitrification state could not benefit lyophilization of red blood cells.
Cryoprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Erythrocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Freeze Drying ; methods ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; Povidone ; pharmacology

Objective To evaluate the quality of the portal images acquired by computed radiography(CR)system and conventional screen-film system,respectively.Methods imaging plates (IP)and X-ray films of a home-devised lead phantom with a leakage of 6.45% were acquired,and modulation transfer function(MTF)curves of the both images were measured using edge method.Portal images of 40 nasopharyngeal cancer patients were acquired by IP and screen-film system respectively.Two doctors with similar experience evaluated the damage degree of petrosa] bone,the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve of CR images and general images were drawn according to two doctors evaluation results.Results The identification frequency of CR system and screen-film system were 1.159 and 0.806 Lp/mm respectively.For doctor one,the area under ROC curve of CR images and general images were 0.802 and 0.742 respectively.For doctor two,the area under ROC curve of CR images and general images were 0.751 and 0.600 respectively.The MTF curve and ROC curve of CR are both better than those of screen-film system.Conclusion The image quality of CR portal imaging is much better than that of screen-film system.The utility of CR in linear accelerator for portal imaging is promising in clinic.

OBJECTIVETo compare the impact of various types of neck dissection on postoperative shoulder function.

METHODSThe shoulder functions of 66 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and cN0 necks who underwent various types of neck dissection were evaluated by Constant's shoulder function test and neck dissection impairment index at least 12 months after surgery.

RESULTSThe patients with accessory spinal nerve reserved had better shoulder function than those with accessory spinal nerve resected. In the group with accessory spinal nerve reserved, the patients receiving selective neck dissection (SND) showed better shoulder function than those with modified radical neck dissection (MRND). The shoulder dysfunction and pain arising from SND were minor in patients with selective neck dissection.

CONCLUSIONSThe shoulder function after SND was superior to those after RND and MRND.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Neoplasms ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Neck Dissection ; methods ; Shoulder ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the supplementary analgesic effect of electroacupuncture and its influence on the maintenance of anesthesia and the speed of recovery of patients undergoing craniotomy.

METHODSEighty cases of supratentorial tumor resection were randomly divided into group A and group S, 40 cases in each group. All the patients were anesthetized with 2% Sevoflurane. The patients in group A received electroacupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) and Waiguan (TE 5), Jinmen (BL 63) and Taichong (LR 3), Zusanli (ST 36) and Qiuxu (GB 40) from anesthesia beginning to the end of operation, and in group S without electroacupuncture. The end-tidal Sevoflurane concentration, minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), bispectral index (BIS) and the information during anesthesia recovery stage were recorded, respectively.

RESULTSThe end-tidal concentration and MAC of Sevoflurane in group A at all times were significant lower than those in group S (P<0.05, P<0.01) with a Sevoflurane saving of 9.62% on average. The BIS in group A during a few phases were higher than that in group S (all P<0.05). During anesthesia recovery stage, the time of each phase in group A was significantly shorter than that in group S (all P<0.01). No dysphoria and one case with nausea and vomiting were shown in group A, but in group S, 2 patients had dysphoria and 3 patients had nausea and vomiting.

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture combined with Sevoflurane anesthesia can decrease the dosage of Sevoflurane, shorten the recovery time of anesthesia and improve the quality of anesthesia recovery of the patients undergoing resection of supratentorial tumor.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Anesthesia Recovery Period ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methyl Ethers ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Middle Aged ; Supratentorial Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; surgery ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Luteolin alone or combination with chemotherapentic drugs on the cytoxicity of cancer cells.

METHODSCultured A549, Hela, MCF-7, AGS, MGC-803, Caco2 and HepG2 cells were treated with Luteolin or the combination of Luteolin with other chemotherapeutic agents (Bexarotene, Cisplatin and Bleomycin). Cell viability was measured by MTS assay and IC(50) was calculated.

RESULTSThe IC(50) of Bexarotene to Hela cells was 2 micromol/L, but with the combination of 5 micromol/L of Luteolin that reduced to 0.2 micromol/L. However, the combination of Bexarotene and Luteolin did not show significant benefit in MGC-803, HepG2 cells, Caco2 and MCF-7 cells. The IC(50) of Cisplatin to Hela cells was over 30 micromol/L,but it decreased to 3 micromol/L in the presence of 5 micromol/L Luteolin; Luteolin also sensitized Cisplatin in MGC-803, HepG2 and A549 cells studied. The IC(50) of Bleomycin to Hela cells was over 100 micromol/L, but it was about 1 micromol/L in the presence of 5 micromol/L Luteolin. A549 cells were resistant to Bleomycin with an IC(50) of 100 micromol/L, 10 micromol/L Luteolin greatly enhanced the cytotoxicity of Bleomycin to the cells with the IC(50) of about 10 micromol/L. The inhibitions of MGC-803, HepG2, A549 and AGS cells didn't change by combination of Luteolin.

CONCLUSIONLow concentration of Luteolin has little toxic effect on the cancer cell lines tested in the study, but it can sensitize chemotherapeutic drugs in various cancer cell lines.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Luteolin ; pharmacology ; Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of alcohol intake on penile structure and function in rats.

METHODSThirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group and alcohol intake group. They were administered with 2 mL of normal saline and 40% alcohol solution respectively through gastric tubes every day. Three months later, the animal model of alcohol intake was evaluated by modified Nayagida's method, and the effects of alcohol on the rats were studied by sexual behavior, the number of apomorphine-induced penile erection, level of testosterone in the sera, and the content of penile smooth muscle.

RESULTSThe scores of animal model of alcohol intake evaluated by Nayagida's method were 0.66 +/- 2.05 in the control group and 9.26 +/- 5.50 in the alcohol intake group (P < 0.05), which indicated that an animal model of alcohol intake was successfully established. Sexual behavior, the number of apomorphine-induced penile erection, testosterone level in the sera, and the content of penile smooth muscle of the alcohol intake group were all statistically different as compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAlcohol intake induces sexual dysfunction in rats, which may be due to the decline of testosterone level in the sera and decline of penile smooth muscle.

Animals ; Ethanol ; adverse effects ; Female ; Male ; Penis ; anatomy & histology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sexual Behavior, Animal ; Testosterone ; blood

To study effect of pre-freezing temperature and lyophilizer shelf temperature on recovery of human red blood cells after lyophilization and determine solidifying temperature of this lyophilization system, the protective solution composed of 7% DMSO, 40% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and isotonic buffer were adopted to lyophilize red blood cells at different pre-freezing temperatures or shelf temperatures. At first, fresh whole blood was centrifugated, washed and equilibrized to prepare concentrated red blood cells. Then concentrated red blood cells were mixed with the protective solution at 1:3 and pre-freezed at different temperature (-20, -35, -45, -80 or -196 degrees C) before lyophilization in lyophilizer. To study effect of shelf temperature on lyophilization of red blood cells, red blood cells were lyophilized at different shelf temperature after pre-freeze at -80 degrees C. After lyophilization, the samples were quickly rehydrated by 37 degrees C rehydration solution. The results showed the recovery rate of red blood cells and hemoglobin after pre-freeze at different temperature and lyophilization were > 85% and > 75%, there was not significant difference among these groups, but the concentration of free hemoglobin in -196 degrees C group was significantly higher than that in other groups (P < 0.01). With decreasing of shelf temperature, the lyophilizing time was also prolonged. When shelf temperature was > or = -25 degrees C, samples were not fully lyophilized; when shelf temperature was < or = -30 degrees C, the recovery rate of red blood cells and hemoglobin after lyophilization and rehydration were above 90%; after washed to isotonic state, the recovery rate of hemoglobin of the four groups was similar to each other. In conclusion, only when pre-freezing temperature is between -20 and -80 degrees C and the lyophilizer shelf temperature is < or = -30 degrees C, the effect of lyophilization is better, but the effect of excessively low pre-freezing temperature may even be worse.
Blood Preservation ; Erythrocytes ; cytology ; Freeze Drying ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Temperature