Reduction of Tat-interacting Protein 30 Expression Could be a Prognostic Marker in Bladder Urothelial Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Tat-interacting protein 30 (TIP30) has been reported to be a tumor suppressor, with reduced or absent expression in various tumors. However, its role in bladder urothelial cancer (BUC) has not been investigated. Therefore, herein, we investigated the expression of TIP30 protein in BUC and normal bladder mucosa and the clinical significance of TIP30 expression in the prognosis of BUC. METHODS: We reviewed data from 79 cases of BUC and 15 adjacent tissue samples from 79 patients treated at our institution between 2004 and 2007. TIP30 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry. The relationship between TIP30 expression and tumor stage, histological grade, and survival was analyzed. Differences between groups were evaluated using the t-test or matched-pairs test, and differences in the survival rates were analyzed with the log-rank test. RESULTS: TIP30 protein expression was significantly reduced in BUC tissue (t = -6.91, P < 0.05) compared with normal tissue samples, and in invasive bladder cancer (t = 10.89, P < 0.05) compared with superficial bladder cancer. TIP30 protein expression differed significantly among different differentiated groups classified either according to the World Health Organization (2004, F = 17.48, P < 0.01) or World Health Organization (1973, F = 10.68, P < 0.01). TIP30 protein expression was significantly reduced in high-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma compared with papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential (P < 0.05) and low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, TIP30 protein expression was significantly reduced in Grade III BUC, compared with Grade I (P < 0.05) and Grade II (P < 0.05). Patients with low TIP30 expression showed a higher incidence of disease progression than those with high TIP30 expression (t = 2.63, P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a strong positive relationship between TIP30 expression and overall survival (OS) (χ2 = 17.29, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TIP30 expression was associated with clinical tumor stage in BUC, suggesting that it might play an important role in disease progression. Furthermore, TIP30 might predict postoperative OS. Thus, its evaluation might be useful for predicting prognosis.

[Effects of sildenafil on bladder compliance and endothelin-1 in rabbit model of partial bladder outlet obstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of sildenafil on bladder compliance and endothelin-1 in the rabbit model of partial bladder outlet obstruction. METHODS: A total of 24 adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into group A, group B, group C and group D (n = 6 each). The rabbit model of partial bladder outlet obstruction was established in groups C and D while groups A and B underwent a sham operation. Daily sildenafil (10 mg/kg) was dosed to groups B and C by lavage. Daily normal saline was dosed similarly to groups A and D. Bladder urodynamic examinations were conducted in each group at Week 16. Then bladder was isolated and weighed from each group. And ET-1 in bladder tissue was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Pressure thresholds for voiding (PT) in A-D groups were (10.6 ± 2.0), (11.6 ± 2.7), (14.0 ± 4.2) and (20.4 ± 6.1) cm H2O respectively. Compared with groups A, B and C, PT in group D was significantly higher (all P < 0.01). Bladder compliance in 4 groups were (2.75 ± 0.51), (2.78 ± 0.46), (4.98 ± 2.15) and (1.22 ± 0.25) ml/cm H2O respectively. Compared with groups A, B and C, bladder compliance was significantly lower in group D (all P < 0.01). Bladder compliance in group C was higher than that in groups A and B (both P < 0.01). The weights of bladder specimens in 4 groups were (5.0 ± 0.4), (4.6 ± 0.4), (8.2 ± 1.3) and (17.9 ± 2.3) g respectively. Compared with groups A and B, the weights of groups C and D were significantly heavier (all P < 0.01). And the weight of group D was much greater than that of group C (P < 0.01). The contents of ET-1 in bladder tissue of 4 groups were (72 ± 19), (69 ± 18), (76 ± 21) and (106 ± 29) pg/g respectively. Compared with groups A, B and C, ET-1 in bladder tissue was significantly higher in group D (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Daily sildenafil can effectively alleviate the damage of rabbit bladder compliance from partial bladder outlet obstruction and protect bladder functions. Its mechanism may be related with the down-regulation of ET-1 in bladder tissue of partial bladder outlet obstruction.

[Effects and mechanisms of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors on rats with overactive bladder].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and the possible mechanistic pathway of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors on rats with overactive bladder. METHODS: A total of 24 adult male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were randomly divided into 3 groups: daily lavage group, discontinuous lavage group and blank group (n = 8 each). Daily vardenafil (10 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)), discontinuous vardenafil (10 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)) and daily normal saline were administered respectively to 3 groups by lavage. And 8 adult male SD rats were included into the control group. Bladder urodynamic examinations were conducted in each group 2 weeks later. Then bladder detrusor muscle strips isolated from each group were further divided into two parts. One part was first pre-contracted and then the relaxant effects of sodium nitroprusside and Y-27632 were observed. For another part, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). RESULTS: As compared with the control group, the values of bladder inter contraction interval (ICI) and bladder capacity (BC) were significantly lower [(409 ± 36) s vs (568 ± 60) s, (284 ± 25) µl vs (395 ± 42) µl, P < 0.01] while the bladder non voiding contraction (NVC) was significantly higher in the blank group [(2.03 ± 0.49) number/min vs(1.07 ± 0.30) number/min, P < 0.01]. Compared with the blank group, the values of ICI and BC were elevated. NVC decreased obviously in the discontinues and daily lavage groups [(486 ± 53) s and (564 ± 44) s; (337 ± 37) µl and (392 ± 30) µl; (1.82 ± 0.32) number/min and (0.52 ± 0.23) number/min, P < 0.05]. The effects were more significant in the daily lavage group (P < 0.01). The maximal relaxant effect of sodium nitroprusside was obviously enhanced in the discontinues and daily lavage groups [(50.6 ± 2.1)% and (67.9 ± 4.1)% vs(25.3 ± 5.0)%, P < 0.01]. However the sensitivity of Y-27632 decreased significantly [(35.8 ± 2.5)% and (20.2 ± 2.3)% vs (71.6 ± 2.8)%, P < 0.01], while the level of cGMP was significantly higher in the bladder detrusor muscle [(20.6 ± 4.1) fmol/mg and (29.4 ± 4.3) fmol/mg vs (12.9 ± 2.1) fmol/mg, P < 0.01]. The effects of the daily lavage group were more pronounced (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The phenomenon of bladder overactivity is observed in the SHRs. The PDE5 inhibitors are effective in treating overactive bladder. And the effect of daily supplement is much better. In addition, the mechanism may operate through the cGMP-dependent protein kinase G-RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathway.

[Bacterial 16S rRNA genes and expression of IL-1ß, TNF-α and IgA in prostate tissues].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of bacteria in the etiology of chronic prostatitis. METHODS: Complete prostate specimens were obtained at autopsy from 192 organ donors (aged 20 - 38 years old) during 2002 to 2008 who died of non-prostatic diseases. One tissue taken from the peripheral prostatic zone according to McNeal was divided into two pieces. One piece of tissue was taken for routine pathological examinations and immunohistochemical studies of interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IgA. Another one was taken for PCR assay to detect the bacterial 16S rRNA genes (16S rDNA). RESULTS: Of 192 prostate specimens, 64 (33.3%) had pathological changes of chronic prostatitis and 38 (19.8%) specimens was positive for bacterial 16S rDNA. Positive rates of 16S rDNA in chronic prostatitis and non-prostatitis specimens were 50.0% (32/64) and 4.6% (6/128) respectively (χ(2) = 55.185, P < 0.001). Expressions of IL-1ß, TNF-α and IgA in specimens of chronic prostatitis were significantly higher than those in non-prostatitis specimens (P < 0.001). A positive correlation could be found among three immunohistochemical indicators (P < 0.01). In 64 specimens with chronic prostatitis, a significant expression of IL-1ß, TNF-α and IgA was more often demonstrated in 16S rDNA positive group than in 16S rDNA negative group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The up-regulations of bacterial 16S rDNA, cytokines and immunoglobulin A are involved in inflammatory response of chronic prostatitis. Bacterial infection may be an important cause of chronic prostatitis.

[Etiology, diagnosis and management of spontaneous per renal hemorrhage].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the etiology, diagnosis, and management of spontaneous perirenal hemorrhage (SPH). METHODS: The clinical data of 35 patients, 10 males and 12 females, aged 35.9 (12-77), with the diagnosis of SPH, without history of trauma, anticoagulant use, dialysis, and renal transplantation, were analyzed. RESULTS: The underlying disease of SPH included angiomyolipoma (18 cases), renal cell carcinoma (7 cases), kidney cyst (2 cases), renal artery aneurysm (3 cases), rupture of renal artery aneurysm accompanied with pregnancy (2 cases), renal pheochromocytoma (3 cases 2 of which accompanied with pregnancy), congenital stricture of pelvic ureter junction (1 case), and liver cancer (1 case). The most common underlying diseases were nephrogenic (96%) with angiomyolipoma ranking first (54%) followed by renal cell carcinoma (21%). The underlying diseases were diagnosed correctly in 23 cases (69%). CT helped in diagnosis of 34 cases. Surgery was performed on most of the cases. CONCLUSION: The most common causes of SPH is renal neoplasms more than 50% of which are benign. Renal artery aneurysm and pheochromocytoma tend to rupture during pregnancy. CT is the first method of choice in diagnosis.

[Preparation, characterization and three way catalytic performance for Pd/CZ/Al2O3 catalyst].

Pd/CZ/Al2O3 catalyst was prepared by impregnating a noble metal solution to the support CZ/Al2O3 which was prefabricated by co-impregnation. The investigation results show that Pd/CZ/Al2O3 has a superior three-way catalytic performance, which is comparable to Pd/CZ for the fresh sample and a better one after thermal ageing. Based on the XRD, BET and TPR characterizations, the internal relationship between catalytic performance, composition and structure was discussed. The relatively high activity after thermal ageing is ascribed to the maintenance of the Strong Metal-Support Interaction (SMSI).

Synergistic effect of palladium and oxygen vacancies in the Pd/perovskite catalysts synthesized by the spc method.

A series of oxygen-deficient perovskite-supported palladium catalysts were prepared by the "solid phase crystallization" (spc) method and investigated with XRD, TPR, TPD, TEM, XPS, BET analysis and CO oxidation. It was found that Pd/perovskite catalysts synthesized by the spc method were more active for CO oxidation than the calcined LaCo0.95 Pd0.05 O3, where Pd dispersed in the solid solution. H2-reducing treatment in the spc method could yield not only high-dispersed fine Pd particles on the perovskite surface but also oxygen-deficient structure. In these perovskite-supported Pd catalysts, oxygen vacancies adsorbed, activated and supplied oxygen to the active Pd sites, where the oxidation occurred with adsorbed CO. The high activities were due to the cooperative action of Pd and oxygen vacancies.

[Preparation method of Pd/Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 three-way catalysts].

1% Pd/Ce0.5Zr0.5O2(CZ) catalysts were prepared by deposition-precipitation (DP), mixing (MIX) and conventional impregnation (IMP) methods, and the effects of the preparation methods on the three-way catalytic behaviors were investigated. Hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR) and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) were performed to understand the Pd-support interaction and the three-way catalytic reaction mechanisms. The experiments results reveal that the catalyst prepared by deposition-precipitation (DP) method shows the strongest Pd-support interaction and the best light-off performance. In situ DRIFTS results suggest that there exists alternative route of NOx reduction over Pd-DP catalyst. And it is supposed that Pd-support interaction leads to the difference of reaction mechanism and then the diversity of light-off performances.

Propane oxidation and steam reforming over Pd/LaFe(0.8) Co(0.2) O3 catalyst: effects of the reactant composition and steam.

The effects of reactant composition and steam on propane combustion over Pd/LaFe(0.8) Co(0.2) O3 catalyst were investigated. Propane conversion and the oxidation state of palladium were strongly affected by the redox ratio of reactants. Higher propane conversion could be obtained under rich conditions and explained as a complex balance between oxidation and steam reforming. Water produced in the oxidation could promote the propane conversion by steam reforming. However, the presence excess steam would bring about inhibition.