OBJECTIVETo investigate the differences in the expressions of E-cadherin and N-cadherin between high-risk prostate cancer and low- and medium-risk prostate cancer, and analyze their correlation with the age, serum PSA level, and Gleason score of the patients.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 42 cases of prostate cancer, which were divided into a low- and medium-risk group (group A, n = 15) and a high-risk group (group B, n = 27). We measured the expressions of E-cadherin and N-cadherin by immunohistochemical staining, compared their differences between the two groups, and analyzed their correlation with the age, serum PSA level, and Gleason score of the patients.

RESULTSImmunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of E-cadherin was significantly higher in group A than in B (6.1 +/- 0.51 vs 4.2 +/- 0.37, P < 0.01), and so was its positive rate (73.3% vs 25.9%, P < 0.05). The positive rate of E-cadherin was also markedly higher in the patients with serum PSA < 20 microg/L than in those with serum PSA > or = 20 microg/L (66.7% vs 29.6%, P < 0.05), and so was it in the patients with the Gleason score 5-7 than in those with 8-10 (60.9% vs 21.1%, P < 0.05). On the contrary, the N-cadherin expression was significantly lower in group A than in B (3.7 +/- 0.32 vs 7.5 +/- 0.58, P < 0.01), and so was its positive rate (13.3% vs 59.3%, P < 0.01). The positive rate of N-cadherin was also remarkably lower in the patients with the Gleason score 5-7 than in those with 8-10 (26.1% vs 63.2%, P < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the N-cadherin expression between the patients with serum PSA < 20 microg/L and those with serum PSA > or = 20 microg/L (P > 0.05), nor in the expressions of E-cadherin and N-cadherin between the patients aged > or = 70 years and those aged < 70 years (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of E-cadherin and N-cadherin are significantly different between high-risk prostate cancer and low- and medium-risk prostate cancer, which suggests that both may correlate with the invasion and metastasis of prostate cancer as well as with the serum PSA level and Gleason score of the patients.

Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies

By sorting out the literature on circling acupuncture manipulation in past dynasties’ acupuncture books and famous doctors’ treatises and selecting representative doctors and works, this article summarizes, sorts out and analyzes the definition, performance, action and application of circling acupuncture manipulation and explores its essence in order to promote the inheritance of circling acupuncture manipulation as old and very effective therapy and better its clinical application.

Objective To construct eukaryotic expression plasmid pIRESneo3-pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and detect its transient expression in SP2/0 cells. Methods Specific primers were designed based on the mature peptide sequence of human PEDF cDNA in the GenBank. Human PEDF gene was cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pIRESneo3. The PEDF DNA was transfected into SP2/0 with LipofectamineTM 2000. The recombinant human PEDF protein expressed in SP2/0 cell culture supernatant was identified by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The biological activity of the recombinant human PEDF was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-z-y1)-2,5-diphenytetrazolium bromide(MTT) method. Results PCR amplification, restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing confirmed that the mature peptide sequence of human PEDF cDNA was successfully cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pIRESneo3. And the plasmid was transfected into SP2/0 cells, which could secret PEDF. Western blot analysis showed that there was only one obvious band at the position of relative molecular weight of 50 000, and it is equivalent to the expected value. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay suggested that the content of PEDF began to rise after transfection, and peaked at 36 h [(0.92±0.04) μg/ml]. The proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell line was significantly inhibited by supernatant after transfection of 36 h (P<0.05). Conclusions The eukaryotic expression plasmid pIRESneo3-PEDF had been successfully constructed and active human PEDF was transiently secreted, which made a foundation for further study of stable expression and purification of PEDF. This protein could be a potential medication for preventing and managing retinopathy of prematurity.

ObjectiveTo study the expression of AKT2 gene in liver cancer and its relationship to tumor progression.MethodsThe expression of AKT2 in liver cancer was detected by SP immunohistochemical stainin and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Four patients with benign liver tumors were used as control.ResultsThe positive rates of AKT2 in liver cancer tissue and benign control tissue were 62.5％ (28/32) and 0％ (0/4),respectively.The difference was significant.In addition,a positive expression of AKT2 correlated significantly with poor differentiation,positive lymph node and distant metastasis.The median survival after surgery was significantly shorter in patients with positive than with negative AKT2 (76d vs 463d).ConclusionThe detection of AKT2 was useful in assessing the progression of liver cancer,in determining prognosis and eventually in rendering a possible target for novel therapeutic strategies.

Background Sweep pattern visual evoked potential (SVEP) is an objective method of visual test.There is a clear correlation between SVEP acuity and subjective vision,but they are not identical.Recent studies showed that new regression method can improve the accuracy of SVEP acuity. Objective This trial was to investigate and compare the outcome between amplitude-spatial frequency (A-SP) regression method and amplitudelogVA (A-logVA) regression method in extrapolating the SVEP acuity.Methods SVEP was recorded in 113 eyes of 64 subjects using GT-2000 ( Guo Te,China) with the gratings of 10 different spatial frequency from 0.99 to 12.89 cpd as stimulus.The 1 13 eyes included cataract,glaucoma,corneal disease,optical neuropathy,retinal disease,ocular trauma,refractive error and normal eyes.The correlation were analyzed of SVEP acuity,decimal visual acuity and LogMAR visual acuity.The response were averaged and DFT on the monitor display.SVEP acuity was calculated by extrapolating 0 response amplitude.Results The correlation indices of decimal visual acuity curves obtained by the A-logVA function was 0.663,and that obtained by the A-SP function was 0.705.The positive correlation was seen between subjective decimal visual acuity and A-logVA decimal visual acuity (r =0.540,P＜ 0.01 ) and between subjective decimal acuity and decimal acuity calculated by the A-SP regression method (r=0.620,P＜0.01 ).SVEP decimal acuity calculated by the A-SP function regression method was significantly different from the that calculated by the A-logVA function regression method (Z =-8.688,P＜0.01 ).And the correlation indices of LogMAR visual acuity curves obtained by the A-logVA function was 0.733 and that obtained by the A-SP function was 0.715.The positive correlation was found between the subjective LogMAR acuity and that calculated by the A-SP regression method (r=0.700,P＜ 0.01 ) and between the subjective LogMAR acuity and LogMAR acuity calculated by the A-logVA regression method (r=0.710,P＜0.01 ).SVEP LogMAR acuity from A-SP function regression method was significantly different from the LogMAR acuity from A-logVA function regression method (Z=-8.748,P＜0.01 ).No significant differences of VA LogMAR were found in gender,eyes,type of disease and age(x2 =2.171,P=0.338;x2 =0.976,P=0.614;x2 =6.032,P=0.420;x2 =14.720,P=0.257 ).Conclusions SVEP can obtain the visual outcome in human.The amplitude-logVA function regression method is more accurate in extrapolating SVEP acuity.

Objective To investigate the relationship of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with melanocytes in skin of patients with psoriasis,and to study their clinical significance.Methods Tissue specimens were obtained from both lesional and nonlesional skin of 29 patients with progressive psoriasis and 5 patients with regressive psoriasis,as well as from normal skin of 6 healthy individuals.Immunohistochemical staining was performed to determine the quantity and distribution of CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells,as well as the quantity of melanocytes and proportion of cells containing pigment granules in the basal layer of these specimens.Statistical analysis was carried out with the software SPSS 18.0 by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA),least significant difference (LSD) test and Pearson correlation analysis.Results In patients with psoriasis,the mean number of CD4+ T cells per high-power (× 200) field was significantly larger in lesional skin than in nonlesional skin (epidermis:5.29 ± 4.66 vs.0,P＜ 0.05;dermis:77.50 ± 43.66 vs.9.67 ± 7.73,P＜ 0.05),so was the mean number of CD8+ T cells per high-power (× 200) field (epidermis:7.83 ± 6.27 vs.0.71 ± 1.20,P＜ 0.05;dermis:46.08 ± 34.26 vs.5.54 ± 4.43,P ＜ 0.05).A significant increase was also observed in the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in lesional skin of patients with psoriasis compared with the normal control skin (both P ＜ 0.05).The lesional skin of patients with psoriasis also showed significandy increased number of melanocytes (103.45 ± 16.96),but decreased proportion of pigment granule-containing cells (7.45％ ± 3.86％) in the basal layer compared with nonlesional skin (43.62 ± 14.20,P＜ 0.05;43.10％ ± 14.91％,P＜ 0.05) and normal control skin (43.33 ± 14.02,P＜ 0.05;54.17％ ± 29.40％,P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in either the mean number of CD4+ T cells,CD8+ T cells and melanocytes or the proportion of pigment granule-containing cells between nonlesional psoriatic skin and normal control skin (all P ＞ 0.05).The mean number of melanocytes was significantly higher in regressive psoriatic lesions than in white patches arising in subsided psoriatic lesions (P ＜ 0.05) and normal control skin (P ＜ 0.05),but similar between white patches and normal control skin (P ＞ 0.05),while the proportion of pigment granule-containing cells was insignificantly lower in regressive psoriatic lesions than in white patches (P ＞ 0.05),and significantly lower in regressive psoriatic lesions and white patches than in normal control skin (both P ＜ 0.05).Neither the number of CD4+ T cells nor that of CD8 + T cells was correlated with the number of melanocytes or the proportion of pigment granule-containing cells in progressive psoriatic lesions (both P ＞ 0.05),while the number of both CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells was positively correlated with that of melanocytes (r =0.46 and 0.56,respectively,both P ＜ 0.05),but uncorrelated with the proportion of pigment granule-containing cells in nonlesional psoriatic skin (both P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions In progressive psoriatic lesions,there is a significant increase in the number of CD4+ and CD8 + T cells as well as melanocytes in the basal layer,but a significant decrease in the proportion of pigment granule-containing cells.After subsidence of psoriatic lesions,both the number of melanocytes and proportion of pigment granule-containing cells gradually reach the levels in normal skin of healthy individuals.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of bedside video electroencephalogram (VEEG) in neonatal within 6 h after birth in diagnosing hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy ( HIE) and the correlation of bedside VEEG results and early neural and behavioral development. Methods Neonatal severe asphyxia cases were collected and bedside VEEG and HIE were recorded and graduated. The sensitivity and specificity of different VEEG degrees within 6 h after birth were calculated in prognosing HIE degree. The sensitivity and specificity of abnormal VEEG performed within 6 h, the third day and the seventh day after birth, respectively, were compared in prognosing HIE. Neonatal behavior neurological assessment (NBNA) was performed at 7 to 14 days of age, EEG and general movements assessment (GMs), developmental screening test for child under six(DST) when patients were 3 months old, and EEG, Bayley scales of infant development(BSID) at 6 months old to analyze the correlation of bedside VEEG results and early neural and behavioral development. Results Forty-eight severe asphyxia neonatal were included, among which 12 severe asphyxia and 36 HIE, including 14 mild, 12 moderate and 10 severe HIE. There were nine normal and 39(81. 3%) abnormal VEEG including 16 mild, 11 moderate, five severe abnormal and seven inactive VEEG within 6 h after birth. There were 32(88. 9%) abnormal VEEG within 6 h after birth in 36 HIE patients. Significant positive correlation was found between VEEG within 6 h after birth and HIE (r= 0.849, P<0. 01). Severe abnormal and inactive EEG within 6 h after birth showed sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 94. 7% in predicting severe HIE. The sensitivity of VEEG testing at 6 h,3 and 7 d in predicting HIE were 88. 9%, 83. 9% and 28. 6% , correspondingly the specificity were 41.7%, 91. 7% and 100%, respectively. Nine patients with continually abnormal VEEG died in hospital. The NBNA scores of patients with moderate and severe abnormal EEG were significantly lower than those with normal EEG (both P<0. 01), the NBNA scores of patients with severe abnormal EEG were significantly lower than those with moderate abnormal EEG (P<0. 05). Thirty-five patients were followed up in the hospital at 3 months old, and 32 patients had DST >85 and three had DST between 70 and 84 with abnormal EEG. GMs assessment of one of the three patients showed absence of fidget movements, cuing a chance of cerebral palsy. Fourteen patients were followed up in hospital at 6 months old, and seven of them had abnormal EEG, four had abnormal BSID with abnormal EEG. Conclusions VEEG within 6 h after birth shows high sensitivity and specificity in prognosing HIE, and much relates to short-term neural and behavior development.

Silkworm is a holometabolous insect of Lepidoptera. During metamorphosis, significant morphological changes happen including the dissociation of old tissues and remodeling of new tissues. It has been reported that cathepsins are involved in these processes. Cathepsin is a kind of intracellular proteinase that exists in many species. It includes some subfamilies like cathepsin B, H and L. The studies on cathepsin are useful for clarifying the details of silkworm metamorphosis process. In total, 13 cathepsins were identified by screening the silkworm genome database. The basic information and the expression patterns about these genes were analyzed. Interestingly, an ovary-specific cathepsin L gene (Gene ID: BGIBMGAOO4622) was investigated by the data of silkworm microarray and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The full-length cDNA is 1,209 bp, encoding a protein with 402 amino acids. Sequences alignment revealed that it has a high sequence similarity with cathepsin L of other species, and it is highly conserved in the active-site of the enzyme. The phylogenetic analysis showed that ovary-specific cathepsin L is clustered with other lepidopterous insects. Furthermore, this gene was cloned and prokaryotic expressed. Recombinant protein was present in inclusion body. Importantly, the qPCR result showed that the expression level of this gene is increasing during the early stage of pupal development and reaches the highest value at the 3rd day of pupal stage, which suggests that this gene may be involved in the process of development of the ovary and oocyte.
Animals ; Bombyx ; genetics ; Cathepsins ; genetics ; Insect Proteins ; genetics ; Phylogeny

The preterm birth has been increasing for the last decade. With the development of neonatal intensive care techniques, the survival rate of preterm infants is increased markedly. However, the brain of preterm infants is so vulnerable to injury that preterm brain injury has become an enormous public health problem. Hypoxia-ischemia and infection/inflammation are two main perinatal risk factors causing premyelinating oligodendrocyte and cortical neuron injury. Encephalopathy of prematurity is characterized by diffuse white matter injury and neuronal/axonal disruption, leading to neurological disabilities such as cognitive impairment and cerebral palsy. The advancement in imaging techniques, especially magnetic resonance imaging, provides more information for preterm brain injury and brain development, which contributes to the diagnosis and follow-up of the preterm infants. This article reviews the progress in encephalopathy of prematurity in order to open a new window to prophylaxis and management of this disease.
Brain Diseases ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular ; diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neurons ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

To simply and rapid authenticate Lonicera japanica. Rapid allele-specific PCR primer was designed base on trnL-trnF 625 G/T Single nucleotide polymorphism and the PCR reaction systems including annealing temperature was optimized; optimized results were performed to authenticate L. japanica and its 9 adulterants. When 100 x SYBR Green I was added in the PCR product of 87 degrees C initial denatured 1 min; 87 degrees C denatured 5 s, 68 degrees C annealing 5 s, 30 cycle; L. japanica visualize strong green fluorescence under 365 nm UV lamp whereas adulterants without. The results indicate rapid allele-specific PCR could authenticate L. japanica and its adulterants rapidly and simply.
Alleles ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Lonicera ; classification ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Quality Control