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.

Superoxide dismutase, catalase and hemoglobin were purified simultaneously from the same batch of bovine erythrocyte lysate. The process involves an initial anion exchange chromatography, followed by a hydrophobic interaction chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. 0.75% polyethylene glycol 600 was added as a purification chaperon before the anion exchange chromatography. The hemoglobin fraction passed through the ion exchange column without being retained. The superoxide dismutase and catalase were adsorbed by the column and were eluted separately during elution. The two eluted fractions containing crude superboxide dismutase and catalase were further purified with hydrophobic interaction chromatography and gel filtration chromatography in sequence. The specific activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were 15932u/mg and 65918u/mg, respectively. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel filtration chromatography were used to analyze the purity of the proteins. The purity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and hemoglobin were 77.6%, 81.9% and 99.9%, respectively. The total recoveries for superoxide dismutase, catalase and hemoglobin were 47.4%, 29.6% and 88.7%, respectively.
Animals ; Catalase ; isolation & purification ; Cattle ; Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; Erythrocytes ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; Hemoglobins ; isolation & purification ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Superoxide Dismutase ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo study the dynamic effects of allogenic transplantations with the bladder acellular matrix grafts (BAMG) of rabbits.

METHODSHemi-cystectomies were performed in 25 rabbits, and the defects were repaired with BAMG about half bladder size. The rabbits underwent postoperative assessment of bladder function at 8 weeks, including cystometry, vesical volume, vesical compliance and cystography. The allografts were observed by light microscope and electron microscope at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 weeks after surgery.

RESULTSMacroscopic observation revealed that BAMG regenerated gradually. All urodynamic results of 8 weeks after surgery were not different statistically as compared with these of preoperation (P > 0.05). Cystography revealed that the morphous of bladder was recovered. Epithelialization and neovascularity occurred accompanied by infiltration of inflammatory cell at 1 week. Smooth muscle cell and stratified epithelium regenerated 2 weeks after grafting. Neural elements formed around smooth muscle bundles as early as 4 weeks. Each component regenerated on the frame of BAMG sequentially. After 16 weeks, it was difficult to delineate the junction between the host bladder and BAMG by histology.

CONCLUSIONAfter allogenic transplantation with rabbits' BAMG, the constitution and function of the allografts regenerate completely and gradually on the frame of BAMG.

Animals ; Extracellular Matrix ; transplantation ; Rabbits ; Regeneration ; Tissue Engineering ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Urinary Bladder ; cytology ; physiology ; transplantation

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects of prunrllae oral solution in treating hyperthyrea.

METHOD56 cases with hyperthyrea were randomized into two groups; group A1 was treated by classic method, B1 was treated by classic method combined with prunrllae oral solution. The size, vessel caliber of thyroidea, volume of blood flow and blood flow rate pre-and post-treatment were measured by color supersonic, meanwhile, 20 normal thyroidea were measured as control group.

RESULTThe size and vessel caliber of thyroidea of the two groups pre-treatment were obviously bigger than those of the control group, the volume of blood flow and blood flow rate were obviously slower than those of the control group (P < 0.001), the sizes of thyroidea of the two groups became smaller, especially the group B1 was more obvious, and there was no significant difference in the size of thyroidea between group B1 and control group.

CONCLUSIONIt is indicated that combined treatment of traditional Chinese medicine (prunrllae oral solution) and western medicine is superior to western medicine in treating hyperthyrea.

Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Antithyroid Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Graves Disease ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Methimazole ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Prunella ; chemistry ; Thyroid Gland ; drug effects ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the frequency of micrometastasis in levels lII - IV of clinical negative neck (cN0) in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of oral tongue, and to discuss the management of cervical lymph node for cN0 tongue SCC.

METHODSA total of 471 cervical lymph nodes derived from 25 patients with cN0 tongue SCC, including 263 lymph nodes in level III and 208 lymph nodes in level IV, were included in this study. All lymph nodes were re-examined by anti-cytokeratin (CK) immunohistochemical staining combined with semi-serial section per 500 microm.

RESULTSAmong the 25 cases, seven patients were confirmed harboring metastasis in 11 lymph nodes of level III, and no positive lymph node in level IV was detected by routine hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. 11 positive lymph nodes in level IIl, which confirmed by HE staining, were also detected by immunohistochemical staining with CK combined with semiserial section. Among the 460 cervical lymph nodes in which HE staining did not show metastasis, only one lymph node in level III harboring a 2.0 mm x 1.5 mm micrometastasis was detected by immunohistochemical staining with CK, and no positive lymph node in level IV was detected by immunohistochemical staining with CK.

CONCLUSIONThe frequency of occult metastasis in level IV was very low, so it seemed unnecessary to dissect level IV for all patients with cN0 tongue SCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Female ; Humans ; Keratins ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Neoplasm Micrometastasis ; Tongue ; Tongue Neoplasms

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the intake of ethanol and sexual function of rats.

METHODSSixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: the control, 10% , 20% , 30% and 40 ethanol groups, which received. . 9% sodium chloride, 10% , 20% , 30% and 40% ethanol solutions respectively at a dose of 2 ml through gastric tubes once a day. Three months later, we observed the effects of ethanol on the sexual function of the rats by their sexual behaviors, the number of apomorphine-induced penile erections, and the content of testosterone in the serum and nitric oxide synthase ( NOS) in the penis.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the number of apomorphine-induced penile erections in the 10% and 20% ethanol groups was not inhibited significantly (P > 0.05), but the latent period of mounting and intromission in the 10% ethanol group was prolonged and the sexual behaviors in the 20% ethanol group were inhibited except the latent period of ejaculation. The sexual behaviors and the number of apomorphine-induced penile erections of the 30% and 40% ethanol groups were inhibited significantly (P < 0.05). Testosterone in the serum and NOS activity in the penis of the experimental groups were reduced (Pat < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAn adequate volume of ethanol does not induce sexual dysfunction in rats, but long term and excessive intake of ethanol may cause penile erectile dysfunction.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ethanol ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; Penis ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sexual Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; blood