Purpose　To investigate relationship between androgen receptor and apoptotic index and to further understand the tumor biology of prostate cancer. Methods　Fifty-six patients with histologically proven prostate cancer and 20 cases with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) were collected. Androgen receptor(AR) were stained by 2H12 monoclonal antibody using immunohistochemical method. The apoptotic index (AI) was determined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transterase-mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique on serial sections of formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissues. Results　AR was not found significantly difference (P>0.05) between prostate cancer and BPH. The association of AR with AI according to Gleason score were not observed in prostate cancer. AI were significantly higher in prostate cancer compared to BPH (P<0.05).AI were also significantly higher in AR-positive prostate cancer than in AR-negative prostate cancer（P<0.05）. Conclusion　AR expression can induce prostate cancer cells to become apoptosis, and may be a useful predictor in functional classification and endocrine response of prostate cancer.

Objective To assess the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms of FcεRIαgene and atopic dermatitis. Methods Genomic DNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood of 97 patients with atopic dermatitis and 283 normal human controls. The polymorphism at the distal promoter region of FcεRIα gene was determined by PCR-ligase detection reaction assay followed by gene sequencing. Results A G/T polymorphism was observed at position rs61828219 in the promoter region of FcεRIα gene, while all the tested individuals were homozygous for T/T at position rs12135235 and A/A at position rs36233780 in the promoter region of FcεRIα gene. The mutation frequency at position rs61828219 was 1.04% and 2.17% in patients with AD and normal human controls, respectively (both P ＞ 0.05). Conclusions In the Chinese Han population, there is a G/T polymorphism at position rs61828219 in FcεRIα gene promoter region, which is unlikely related to the development of AD; however, no polymorphism is detected at position rs12135235 or rs36233780.

Objective To investigate the relationship between white blood cell count (WBC) and the prevalence of simple fatty liver disease (SFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Methods We designed a large scale cross-sectional study in an adult population. Participants were selected from Tianjin Medical University's General Hospital-Health Management Centre. The diagnoses of simple fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis were based on liver ultrasonography and serum alanine aminotransferase concentration. A total of 37507 subjects (8644 SFL and 2557 NASH) were included in this study. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess whether the quartiles of WBC were associated with the prevalence of simple fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Results After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of simple fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis for increasing quartiles of WBC were: simple fatty liver disease, 1.00 (reference), 1.37 (1.24, 1.50), 1.70 (1.55, 1.86) and 2.09 (1.90, 2.29) (P for trend<0.0001);nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, 1.00 (reference), 1.39 (1.16, 1.66), 1.69 (1.43, 1.99) and 2.13 (1.81, 2.50) (P for trend<0.0001). Conclusions This study proves the correlation between WBC and the prevalence of simple fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Further study is needed to clarify whether WBC has a predictive value for the occurrence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective:To investigate the effect of lateral hydraulic injury(LFPI)on the integrity of blood-brain bar-rier in rats and its molecular mechanism.Methods:The rat LFPI model was prepared.Neurological impairment of rats was assessed by neurological severity score(NSS).The integrity of blood-brain barrier was assessed by dry/wet ratio test and Evans blue penetration test.The expressions of zonula occludens-1(ZO-1),occludin,and aquaporin 4(AQP4)were detected by Western Blot.Results:LFPI resulted in neurological dysfunction,increased cerebral water content,increased Evans blue permeability,decreased occludin and ZO-1 expression,and increased AQP4 expression.Conclusion:LFPI can cause cerebral edema and damage the integrity of blood-brain barrier in rats.

To examine the protective effect of insulin on reoxygenation-induced injury and explore the underlying mechanisms, the model of anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) injury was established by inducing anoxia for 2 h and reoxygenation for 4 h in cultured cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats. The rats were randomized to four groups receiving vehicle, insulin, LY294002, insulin plus LY294002at the onset of reoxygenation after 2 h of anoxia. At the end of reoxygenation of 4 h, activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were spectrophotometrically determined, apoptosis of cardiomyocytes were detected by using TUNEL and DNA Ladder, and Western blotting was employed to examine the expression of phosphorylated Akt in all groups. Our results showed that compared with vehicle-treated group, activities of LDH, contents of MDA, apoptosis index (AI) were significantly decreased, and expression of phosphorylated Akt was in creased significantly in insulin-treated group. However, changes in LDH, MDA, AI and phospho rylated Akt resulting from insulin were attenuated or abolished by LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor).These data strongly suggest that early administration of insulin at reoxygenation protects cardiomyocytes from reoxygenation-induced apoptosis through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effect of minocycline on neuroinflammation of rats with post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).Methods:The rat model of PTSD was prepared by a single prolonged stress(SPS)method,and the rats were treated with minocycline(PTSD+Mino group)or normal saline(PTSD group)by gavage.The behavioral changes of rats were detected by light-dark box test.The expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(Iba-1)in hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemical staining.The contents of IL-1β and TNF-α in hippocampus were detected by ELISA,and the expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA in hippocampus were detected by real-time RT-PCR(qRT-PCR).Results:After 3 days of SPS stimulation,the anxiety-like behavior of rats was obvious,the expression of Iba-1 in hippocampus was increased,and the contents of IL-1β and TNF-α in hippocampus were in-creased.Minocycline treatment significantly reduced anxiety-like behavior and decreased the expression of Iba-1 in the hippocampus of PTSD rats.Meanwhile,minocycline treatment also decreased the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA and protein in the hippocampus.Conclusion:Minocycline can improve the anxiety-like behavior of PTSD rats by inhibiting the activation of microglia.

Objective:To investigate the role of purine receptor P2X7 in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CI-RI).Methods:The CIRI model was prepared by right middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO).The P2X7 inhibitor bright blue G(BBG)or NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 were injected intraperitoneally.Neurological function score was used to detect the changes of neural function in rats.The integrity of blood-brain barrier was detected by Evans blue staining.The contents of IL-1 β and IL-18 in cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)of rats were detected by ELISA,and the expressions of P2X7,CD11b,and NLRP3 in the right cerebral cortex were detected by Western Blot.Results:Treatment with BBG or MCC950 improved neural function in CIRI rats,while reducing the amount of Evans blue in brain tissue and IL-1 β and IL-18 levels in CSF.In addition,BBG can reduce the expression of CD11b and NLRP3 in the right cerebral cortex,while MCC950 can only reduce the expression of CD11b,but has no effect on P2X7 expression.Conclusion:BBG alle-viates neuroinflammation in CIRI rats by inhibiting P2X7/NLRP3 pathway.

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of seven patients (four men and three women) with primary hyperoxaluria (PH) type 1 (PH1) in the Department of Nephrology of Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University from January 2018 to October 2023. The mean age at disease onset was 32.1 (range: 26-42) years. The mean age at diagnosis was 40.6 (range: 28-51) years. All patients initially had kidney stones, and three patients were found to have renal insufficiency at the time of disease onset. Among them, two patients underwent hemodialysis immediately. Symptoms at the first visit included bone pain ( n=7), joint pain or deformity ( n=5), fatigue ( n=5), hypotension ( n=3), and subcutaneous nodules ( n=2). Four patients had a family history of PH. All patients had varying degrees of anemia (60-114 g/L), significant hypoalbuminemia (16.5-32.1 g/L), and hypercoagulable state (D-dimer: 2 230-12 781 μg/L). Seven patients received maintenance hemodialysis; their mean age was 37.7 (range: 26-50) years. The mean duration from disease onset to hemodialysis was 5.6 (range: 0-20) years. Five patients repeatedly experienced dialysis access dysfunction. Three patients underwent kidney transplantation before a diagnosis was made, and all transplanted kidneys lost function due to oxalate deposition. The mean follow-up duration was 14.43 (range: 4-38) months. Unfortunately, one patient died. All seven patients underwent computed tomography of the abdomen. All patients suffered skeletal abnormalities, bilateral nephrolithiasis, and nephrocalcinosis. Six patients carried AGXT gene mutations, including four compound heterozygous mutations and two pure homozygous mutations.The mutation sites included: c.823-824dup.AG (p.S275Rfs*38)(exon 8), c.815-816ins.GA (p.S275Rfs*38)(exon 8), c.595G>A (p.G199S) (exon 5), c.32C>G (p.P11R) (exon 1), and c.638C>T (p.A213V)(exon 6). According to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines, two loci were identified as likely pathogenic variants, seven were identified as pathogenic variants, and one locus was identified as having uncertain significance. In addition, patients 1 and 4 underwent skin biopsy, patient 2 underwent renal transplant biopsy, and patient 3 underwent bone marrow biopsy. Interestingly, significant oxalate deposition was found in the tissues. Therefore, PH1 is a rare autosomal recessive inherited disease. This study not only enhanced the understanding of the clinical characteristics of PH1 patients but also had great significance in early diagnosis and treatment of the disease.