No abstract available.
Depression, Postpartum* ; Female ; Postpartum Period*

No abstract available.
Pregnancy Rate* ; Pregnancy*

OBJECTIVETo determine the expression of Skp2 in different prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines and tissues, and explore its influence on the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway and development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

METHODSThe expression levels of Skp2 and AR in different PCa cell lines were detected by Western blot. After knockdown of Skp2 in the C4-2 and 22RV1 cells transfected with shRNA, the expressions of AR and P27 were determined and the activity of ARR3-Luc measured by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay following treatment with dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The expressions of AR and Skp2 in human naïve PCa or CRPC specimens were detected by immunohistochemical staining followed by analysis of their differences and correlation.

RESULTSThe Skp2 protein expression level was significantly higher in the C4-2 or 22RV1 cells than in the LNCaP cells. DHT treatment increased the expression of Skp2 in the C4-2 cells, but knock-down of Skp2 significantly up-regulated the expression of the well-known downstream protein P27 and down-regulated that of AR. Consistently, DHT treatment increased the activity of ARR3-Luc, while knockdown of Skp2 remarkably decreased it in the C4-2 and 22RV1 cells (P < 0.05). In addition, significantly higher expressions of Skp2 and AR were observed in the CRPC than in the naïve specimens (P < 0.05), with a positive correlation between the two proteins (r = 0.658 1, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSkp2 can enhance the expression and transcription activity of the AR protein in CRPC cells or tissues and is promising to be a critical molecular therapeutic target.

Androgens ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dihydrotestosterone ; pharmacology ; Disease Progression ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; metabolism ; Receptors, Androgen ; genetics ; metabolism ; S-Phase Kinase-Associated Proteins ; physiology ; Transcriptional Activation ; Up-Regulation

No abstract available.
Occupational Health*

OBJECTIVETo establish the qualitative and quantitative detective methods of Herba Polygoni Orientalis.

METHODIsorientin, orientin, protocatechuic acid and gallic acid in Herba Polygoni Orientalis were identified by TLC. The contents of isorientin and orientin in Herba Polygoni Orientalis were determined by HPLC.

RESULTIsorientin, orientin, protocatechuic acid and gallic acid could be identified by TLC. Isorientin and orientin were well separated with Diamonsil C18 column and acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid (18:82) as mobile phase. The linear range of isorientin was 0.075-0.90 microg. The average recovery of isorientin was 98.8% and RSD was 2.1%. The linear range of orientin was 0.041-0.49 microg. The average recovery of orientin was 98.8% and RSD was 2.1%.

CONCLUSIONThe methods can be used for qualitative identification and quantitation determination of Herba Polygoni Orientalis.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Gallic Acid ; analysis ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Hydroxybenzoates ; analysis ; Luteolin ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polygonum ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results

A culture of the Leptospira species and the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) are considered as the reference standard for the diagnosis of leptospirosis, but both tests are imperfect for early diagnosis. We describe 4 patients diagnosed with leptospirosis using nested polymerase chain reaction (N-PCR) that targeted the 16S rRNA gene and the passive hemagglutination assay (PHA). In our 4 cases, Leptospira DNA in the urine, plasma, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), was detected by N-PCR in the early phase of leptospirosis, except in the sample from the buffy coat. Especially, case 3 showed that N-PCR with the urine and CSF was positive 8 days after symptom onset, but not for the plasma or buffy coat. We report 4 cases of leptospirosis that were diagnosed by N-PCR that targeted the 16S rRNA gene with urine, plasma, or CSF, but not the buffy coat. Three were cured by doxycycline but the case 4 was fatal. Detection of Leptospira DNA by PCR from the urine and CSF, in addition to plasma, may be helpful to confirm the diagnosis.

Retroperitoneal liposarcoma comprises 12 to 45 percent of all liposarcoma. It has been a therapeutic dilemma and a less prognosis because of its tendency to attain a tremendous size due to early silent growth and difficult wide en bloc excision in the retroperitoneum. Here in we report a case of retroperitoneal liposarcoma in 51 year old male patient with a brief review of the literatures.
Humans ; Liposarcoma* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis

PURPOSE: The long term results of pubovaginal fascial sling surgery were evaluated in female stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and were compared with concomitant surgery in pelvic organ prolapse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 47 SUI patients were treated with pubovaginal fascial sling surgery between 1997 and 2000. A satisfaction evaluation and success grading of the operation were studied. A postoperative evaluation was performed via a survey questionnaire, uroflowmetry and post-void residuals. RESULTS: Forty-five patients (95.7%) showed successful results at the 2- & 5-year follow-ups, but 2 patients (4.3%) failed. There were no significant differences in success rates according to Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) and the pelvic organ prolapse surgery. Thirty-one patients (66.0%) were satisfied with their result, while 16 (34.0%) were unsatisfied at the 2-year follow up. Those unsatisfied with the result included 8 with a urethral obstruction, 6 with urge incontinence and 2 with persistent SUI. Two patients with prolonged urinary retention had undergone urethrolysis. Postoperative de novo and persistent urge incontinence occurred in 2 and 4 patients, respectively. Two patients with persistent SUI were cured using the midurethral sling. Finally, forty-one patients (87.2%) were satisfied with the results, while 6 (12.8%) were unsatisfied at the 5-year follow-up. CONCLISIONS: The 5-year follow-up results of the pubovaginal fascial sling surgery showed a high success rate and relatively good results with respect to satisfaction with the procedure. If a urethral obstruction and urge incontinence are treated carefully, sling surgery can be considered as an efficient method for any type of urinary incontinence.
Female* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse ; Questionnaires ; Suburethral Slings ; Urethral Obstruction ; Urinary Incontinence* ; Urinary Incontinence, Urge ; Urinary Retention

No abstract available.
Brain ; Trigeminal Nerve Diseases

Objectives: This study investigated sleep quality in female full-time homemakers and evaluated the relationship of sleep disturbance with psychological and socio-environmental factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study adopted a structured survey and sequential recruitment method for randomized participation of community-dwelling full-time female homemakers. Sleep quality and mental health were measured using the Korean version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (K-PSQI), Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (K-BDI-II), Korean version of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (K-BAI), and Korean version of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (K-BHS). The willingness-to-pay (WTP) method was selected to measure the self-evaluated monetary value of household service work. The relationship among the main relevant factors was statistically analyzed through a mediation model. Results: A total of 166 participants were analyzed and classified having poor versus good sleep quality (poor : 24.1%, n = 40 ; good : 75.9%, n = 126 ; cut-off point = 9 on the K-PSQI). Significant between-group differences were observed in mental health status (K-BDI-II, p < 0.001 ; K-BAI, p < 0.001 ; K-BHS, p = 0.003). The moderated mediation model was verified, indicating that depression may mediate the association between nurturing burden and sleep disturbance. The path from nurturing burden to depression may be moderated by average monthly household income. Conclusion A relatively high portion of full-time female homemakers may suffer from sleep disturbance and interactions between psychological and socio-environmental factors might determine sleep quality, suggesting the need for public health policies targeting improvement of sleep quality and mental health among full-time homemakers.