[Clinical efficacy of biofeedback and electrical stimulation combined with prostate massage in the treatment of chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of biofeedback and electrical stimulation combined with prostate massage on chronic prostatitis /chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). METHODS: A total of 76 cases of diagnosed CP/CPPS were randomly divided into groups A (n = 20), treated by prostatic massage twice a week, B (n = 20), treated by biofeedback and electrical stimulation 5 times a week, and C (n = 20) treated by biofeedback and electrical stimulation 5 times a week combined with prostatic massage twice a week, all for 14 days. Another 16 cases were included in group D as controls left untreated. NIH-CPSI scores were obtained before and at 30 days after treatment and compared among different groups of the patients. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, the patients in groups A, B and C showed significant decreases after treatment in the NIH-CPSI scores for pain (ï¼»13.55 ± 2.37ï¼½ vs ï¼»10.85 ± 2.28ï¼½, ï¼»13.40 ± 2.28ï¼½ vs ï¼»10.60 ± 2.23ï¼½, and ï¼»13.70 ± 3.42ï¼½ vs ï¼»8.65 ± 1.69ï¼½), urinary symptoms (ï¼»5.50 ± 1.43ï¼½ vs ï¼»3.65 ± 1.27ï¼½, ï¼»5.65 ± 1.31ï¼½ vs ï¼»3.95 ± 1.28ï¼½, and ï¼»5.40 ± 1.35ï¼½ vs ï¼»2.95 ± 1.28ï¼½), quality of life (ï¼»8.70 ± 1.81ï¼½ vs ï¼»6.90 ± 1.71ï¼½, ï¼»8.90 ± 1.12ï¼½ vs ï¼»5.80 ± 1.85ï¼½, and ï¼»8.95 ± 1.47ï¼½ vs ï¼»4.35 ± 1.53ï¼½) and the total NIH-CPSI scores (ï¼»27.75 ± 2.65ï¼½ vs ï¼»21.40 ± 3.03ï¼½, ï¼»27.95 ± 3.24ï¼½ vs ï¼»20.35 ± 3.95ï¼½, and ï¼»28.05 ± 3.78ï¼½ vs ï¼»15.95 ± 2.41ï¼½) (P < 0.05). Even more remarkable reduction was observed in the total NIH-CPSI scores in group C than in A and B (P < 0.05), but with no statistically significant difference between groups A and B (P > 0.05) or in the control group before and after the treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Biofeedback and electrical stimulation combined with prostate massage has a synergistic effect on CP/CPPS by alleviating pain and urinary symptoms and improving the quality of life.

[Transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate combined with Jisheng Shenqi Decoction for benign prostatic hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical effects of transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) combined with Jisheng Shenqi Decoction (HoLEP + JSSD) on BPH. METHODS: This study included 110 BPH patients treated in our hospital from August 2017 to April 2018, who were randomly assigned to receive HoLEP (n = 55) or HoLEP + JSSD (n = 55). We compared the pre- and post-operative IPSS, quality of life (QOL) score, prostate volume, postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), average urinary flow rate (Qavg) and levels of serum T, E2 and T/E2 as well as postoperative complications between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: After treatment, both IPSS and QOL score were significantly lower in the HoLEP + JSSD than in the HoLEP group (P < 0.05), and so were the prostate volume and PVR (P < 0.05). The Qmax, Qavg and serum T level were significantly higher (P < 0.05) while T/E2 markedly lower in the former than in the latter group (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the HoLEP + JSSD and HoLEP groups in the E2 level (P > 0.05) or the total incidence rate of complications postoperatively (21.82% vs 29.09%, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HoLEP + JSSD can significantly alleviate the lower urinary tract symptoms as well as improve the QOL and bladder and urinary tract functions of BPH patients.

[Clinical observation on treatment of type 2 cardiac and kidney syndrome by combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicines].

Clinical observation on treatment of type 2 cardiac and kidney syndrome by combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The patients were divided into two groups： the simple Western medicine treatment group (control group) and the traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine treatment group (treatment group). The patients in the two groups were treated with conventional western medicine.The treatment group was given based on Buxin Yishen decoction, a total of three courses of treatment to observe the two groups of patients before and after treatment of total efficacy, cardiac function indicators, changes in renal function indicators. The total efficacy of the treatment group and the control group were 91.80% and 72.41%, respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups (P<0.01). The cardiac function indexes and renal function indexes of the treatment group and the control group before and after treatment (P<0.01). Compared with the two groups, the left ventricular function, Hematuria natriuretic peptide, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, cystatin-C were improved, and the treatment group (P<0.05~0.01). The results showed that the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment can improve the clinical efficacy of type 2 heart and kidney syndrome, significantly improve heart and kidney function, better than conventional Western medicine treatment, and has good safety.

Applying FAIR4RS principles to develop an integrated modeling environment for the magnetic confinement fusion.

Over the decades, the integrated modeling (IM) environment for magnetically confined fusion has evolved from a single, isolated, proprietary numerical computing software to an open, flexible platform emphasizing sharing, communication, and workflow. This development direction is consistent with the FAIR4RS principles put forward by the scientific community in recent years. In this article, we describe how the FAIR4RS principles were put into practice during the development of the IM management tool FyDev for the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). FyDev integrates the process of building, deploying, and invoking research software, automating the entire process. FyDev can also assign a unique ID for each software, convert the software ID to a Python module, and encapsulate a package management tool to enhance the software building process, ensuring consistency throughout the entire phase of the research software find, access, use, and invocation in a uniform contextual environment.

Realization of thousand-second improved confinement plasma with Super I-mode in Tokamak EAST.

Mastering nuclear fusion, which is an abundant, safe, and environmentally competitive energy, is a great challenge for humanity. Tokamak represents one of the most promising paths toward controlled fusion. Obtaining a high-performance, steady-state, and long-pulse plasma regime remains a critical issue. Recently, a big breakthrough in steady-state operation was made on the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). A steady-state plasma with a world-record pulse length of 1056 s was obtained, where the density and the divertor peak heat flux were well controlled, with no core impurity accumulation, and a new high-confinement and self-organizing regime (Super I-mode = I-mode + e-ITB) was discovered and demonstrated. These achievements contribute to the integration of fusion plasma technology and physics, which is essential to operate next-step devices.

[Modulation of histone acetylation and induction of apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells by phenylhexyl isothiocyanate].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of phenylhexyl isothiocyanate (PHI) on histone acetylation and apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (SMMC-7721) in vitro. METHODS: The viability of SMMC-7721 cells was determined by trypan blue exclusion. Apoptotic cells were assessed by TUNEL assay. The proteins of Bcl-2, Procaspase-9, Procaspase-8, Procaspase-3, caspase-9, caspase-3, histone acetylated H3 and H4 were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the vehicle control, PHI at 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 µmol/L reduced the cell viability of SMMC-7721 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. PHI induced apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells. An increased amount of apoptotic cells was detected after 7 hours exposure to PHI at 10, 20, and 40 µmol/L, 6.9% ± 2.4%, 17.5% ± 4.2% and 54.5% ± 5.4%, respectively, while that of the vehicle control was 4.5% ± 2.3% (P < 0.05). Along with the prolongation of time and increase of dose, the expressions of bcl-2, procaspase-9, procaspase-3 were decreased, that of caspase-9 and caspase-3 was increased. In contrast, alteration of procaspase-8 was not significant at those concentrations. PHI accumulated acetylated histone H3 and H4. After 3 hours exposure to PHI at 10, 20 and 40 µmol/L, the level of histone acetylated H3 was 1.87-, 2.43-, 3.67-fold increased and histone acetylated H4 was 1.29-, 1.45-, and 2.25-fold increased, compared with that of the vehicle control. The protein of histone acetylated H3 and H4 was significantly accumulated after 7 hours exposure. CONCLUSION: PHI is a new histone deacetylation inhibitor. It may induce accumulation of histone acetylation H3 and H4, inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells via the mitochondrial pathway.

A Case of Chromoblastomycosis Caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi Successfully Treated by Oral Itraconazole Together with Terbinafine.

Patients with chromoblastomycosis (CBM) usually have a history of local skin damage related to outdoor activities, mainly manifested as chronic refractory proliferative pathologic changes. We report a case of a 56-year-old man with CBM, identified as Fonsecaea pedrosoi infection by fungal culture and gene sequencing. This patient was successfully treated with a regimen of oral itraconazole (ITZ) and terbinafine lasting 7 months. Through in vitro drug sensitivity tests, minimum inhibitory concentrations of amphotericin, ITZ, and terbinafine were 1 µg/ml, 0.25 µg/ml, and 1 µg/ml, respectively. In this case, terbinafine was found to be more effective than ITZ.

Peptidergic not monoaminergic fibers profusely innervate the young adult human testis.

Numerous studies have reported that intratesticular nerves exert important regulatory effects on the functions of the male gonad; however, as yet little is known about their distribution in the young adult human testis. The purpose of this study was to explore whether peptidergic and adrenergic nerves occur in the male gonad of this age, and, if present, to depict their distribution further. Thirty testes were collected from 15 reproductively healthy donors aged 21-32 years. Antibodies against protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), neuropeptide Y (NPY), C-terminal flanking peptide of NPY (CPON) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were employed for immunohistochemical detection of intratesticular peptidergic nerves, and those against dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) for monoaminergic ones. The testicular parenchyma exhibited a rich innervation by PGP 9.5-positive fibers, mainly associated with Leydig cell nests, blood vessels, and seminiferous tubules. Numerous NPY- and CPON-immunoreactive (IR) nerves also appeared in the gonads, but the vast majority were confined to blood vessels. A small number of VIP-IR fibers were detected in some arterioles. By contrast, however, no fibers displaying DBH or 5-HT immunoreactivity were observed within the testis. Additionally, expression of PGP-9.5, NPY, CPON, VIP, DBH and 5-HT was found in Leydig cells, PGP 9.5 in spermatogonia, and NPY and CPON in peritubular myoid cells. Our results suggest that the young adult human testis is devoid of monoaminergic nerves but profusely innervated by peptidergic fibers, which may serve as major neuronal regulators for testicular functions at this age.

Effects of selenite and genistein on G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells.

Combination of chemopreventive agents with distinct molecular mechanisms is considered to offer a potential for enhancing cancer prevention efficacy while minimizing toxicity. Here we report two chemopreventive agents, selenite and genistein, that have synergistic effects on apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and associated signaling pathways in p53-expressing LNCaP and p53-null PC3 prostate cancer cells. We show that selenite induced apoptosis only, whereas genistein induced both apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Combination of these two agents exhibited enhanced effects, which were slightly greater in LNCaP than PC3 cells. Selenite or genistein alone upregulated protein levels of p53 in LNCaP cells only and p21(waf1) and Bax in both cell lines. Additionally, genistein inhibited AKT phosphorylation. Downregulation of AKT by siRNA caused apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest and masked the effects of genistein. Treatment with insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) elevated levels of total and phosphorylated AKT and suppressed the effects of genistein. Neither downregulation of AKT nor IGF-I treatment altered the cellular effects of selenite. Our study demonstrates that selenium and genistein act via different molecular mechanisms and exhibit enhanced anticancer effects, suggesting that a combination of selenium and genistein may offer better efficacy and reduction of toxicity in prostate cancer prevention.

Selenite reactivates silenced genes by modifying DNA methylation and histones in prostate cancer cells.

DNA hypermethylation is a common epigenetic alteration in human prostate cancer and is considered to contribute to development of this disease. Accumulating data suggest that dietary factors may alter cancer risk by modifications of epigenetic processes in the cell. The present study was designed to investigate whether selenium (Se) would alter epigenetic events to regulate methylation-silenced genes in human prostate cancer cells. DNA methylation, histone modifications and gene expression were studied in LNCaP cells after selenite treatment using polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and enzymatic activity assay. Our study shows that selenite treatment caused partial promoter DNA demethylation and reexpression of the pi-class glutathione-S-transferase (GSTP1) in LNCaP cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Selenite treatment decreased messenger RNA levels of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) 1 and 3A and protein levels of DNMT1. Selenite also decreased histone deacetylase activity and increased levels of acetylated lysine 9 on histone H3 (H3-Lys 9), but decreased levels of methylated H3-Lys 9. Selenite treatment reduced levels of DNMT1 and methylated H3-Lys 9 associated with the GSTP1 promoter, but increased levels of acetylated H3-Lys 9 associated with this promoter. Additionally, selenite treatment decreased general DNA methylation and caused partial promoter demethylation and reexpression of the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli and cellular stress response 1, a gene involving tumor growth and metastasis. Our study demonstrates that Se can epigenetically modulate DNA and histones to activate methylation-silenced genes. These epigenetic modifications may contribute to cancer prevention by Se.

siRNA mediated the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor and epidermal growth factor receptor silencing induces chemosensitization of liver cancer cells.

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate if downregulation of IGF1R and EGFR by RNA interference (RNAi) would sensitize human liver cancer cells (HEPG2, Huh7 ) to adriamycin. METHODS: HEPG2, Huh7 cell lines were transfected IGF1R siRNAs and EGFR siRNAs and IGF1R or EGFR mRNA level was determined by RT-PCR and Western-blot analysis. We investigated the effects of the adriamycin-induced apoptosis of these cells by TUNEL assay. Also we analyze caspase3, 8 and the phosphorylation levels of Akt and Erk by Western-blot. The p53 effect of adriamycin-induced cell death by inhibitors of EGFR/IGF1R is investigated by cell growth curves. RESULTS: Transfection of an IGF1R and EGFR siRNAs resulted in substantial loss of IGF1R and EGFR mRNA of HEPG2, Huh7 cells relative to the control case. EGFR siRNA and IGF1R siRNA treatments increased the adriamycin-induced apoptosis of these cells. IGF1R siRNA and EGFR siRNA enhance a caspase-dependent cell death program. The phosphorylation levels of Akt and Erk were reduced by the combination of the two agents. The facilitation of adriamycin-induced cell death by inhibitors of EGFR/IGF1R is p53-independent. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the siRNA for IGF1R has a great potential for cancer therapy when combined with either a chemotherapeutic agent or siRNAs that targets EGFR.

Expression of p53 enhances selenite-induced superoxide production and apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells.

Although the anticancer effects of selenium have been shown in clinical, preclinical, and laboratory studies, the underlying mechanism(s) remains unclear. Our previous study showed that sodium selenite induced LNCaP human prostate cancer cell apoptosis in association with production of reactive oxygen species, alteration of cell redox state, and mitochondrial damage. In the present study, we showed that selenite-induced apoptosis was superoxide mediated and p53 dependent via mitochondrial pathways. In addition, we also showed that superoxide production by selenite was p53 dependent. Our study showed that wild-type p53-expressing LNCaP cells were more sensitive to selenite-induced apoptosis than p53-null PC3 cells. Selenite treatment resulted in high levels of superoxide production in LNCaP cells but only low levels in PC3 cells. LNCaP cells also showed sequential increases in levels of phosphorylated p53 (serine 15), total p53, Bax, and p21(Waf1) proteins following selenite treatment. The effects of selenite were suppressed by pretreatment with a synthetic superoxide dismutase mimic or by knockdown of p53 via RNA interference. LNCaP cells treated with selenite also showed p53 translocation to mitochondria, cytochrome c release into the cytosol, and activation of caspase-9. On the other hand, restoration of wild-type p53 expression in PC3 cells increased cellular sensitivity to selenite and resulted in increased superoxide production, caspase-9 activation, and apoptosis following selenite treatment. These results suggest that selenite induces apoptosis by producing superoxide to activate p53 and to induce p53 mitochondrial translocation. Activation of p53 in turn synergistically enhances superoxide production and apoptosis induced by selenite.

Wave excitation in inhomogeneous dielectric media.

The equation describing the propagation of a mode driven by external currents in an inhomogeneous dielectric is derived from the principle of the conservation of wave energy density and wave momentum density. The wave amplitude in steady state is obtained in terms of a simple spatial integration of the driving current. The contribution from the spatial derivative of the dielectric response is found to be important. The analytical predictions are verified through comparison with deltaf particle-in-cell computations of electron Bernstein wave propagation, thus showing applicability to kinetic systems.

Hepato-cardiovascular response and its regulation.

AIM: To determine the possible existence of a hepato-cardiovascular response and its regulatory mechanism in normal rats. METHODS: Systemic hemodynamic changes following intraportal injection of latex microspheres were studied in two modified rat models of hepatic circulation, in which the extrahepatic splanchnic circulation was excluded by evisceration and the liver was perfused by systemic blood via either the portal vein (model 1) or hepatic artery (model 2) in vivo. RESULTS: In model 1, intraportal injection of two sized microspheres (15-mum and 80-mum) induced a similar decrease in mean arterial pressure, while extrahepatic portal venous occlusion induced an immediate increase in mean arterial pressure. In model 2, microsphere injection again induced a significant reduction in mean arterial pressure, aortic blood flow and aortic resistance. There were no significant differences in these parameters between liver-innervated rats and liver-denervated rats. The degrees of microsphere-induced reduction in mean arterial pressure (-38.1+/-1.9% in liver-innervated rats and -35.4+/-2.1% in liver-denervated rats, respectively) were similar to those obtained by withdrawal of 2.0 mL of blood via the jugular vein (-33.3+/-2.1%) (P>0.05). Injection of 2.0 mL Haemaccel in microsphere-treated rats, to compensate for the reduced effective circulating blood volume, led to a hyperdynamic state which, as compared with basal values and unlike control rats, was characterised by increased aortic blood flow (+21.6+/-3.3%), decreased aortic resistance (-38.1+/-3.5%) and reduced mean arterial pressure (-9.7+/-2.8%). CONCLUSION: A hepato-cardiovascular response exists in normal rats. It acts through a humoral mechanism leading to systemic vasodilatation, and may be involved in the hemodynamic disturbances associated with acute and chronic liver diseases.

[A clinical study of Safflower Yellow injection in treating coronary heart disease angina pectoris with Xin-blood stagnation syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effect and safety of Safflower Yellow injection (SYI) in treating coronary heart disease angina pectoris (CHD-AP) with Xin-blood stagnation syndrome (XBSS). METHODS: Adopted was the multi-centered, randomized, positive parallel controlled method, 448 patients with CHD-AP-XBSS were enrolled and divided into two groups, 336 in the tested group treated with SYI and 112 in the control group treated with Salvia injection by intravenous dripping once a day for 14 days, so as to observe the conditions of angina, electrocardiogram, and therapeutic effect on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms as well as the safety of the treatment. RESULTS: The significantly effective rate and total effective rate in the tested group were 60.06% (194/323) and 91.02% (294/323) respectively; Those in improvement of TCM symptoms were 40.18% (129/321) and 75.23% (243/323) respectively, which were better than those in the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: SYI Injection is effective and safe in treating CHD-AP-XBSS.

[Changes in intrahepatic portal systemic shunt flow in a rat model of acute intrahepatic presinusoidal portal hypertension].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the changes in intrahepatic portal systemic shunt flow (IHSF) and their relationship with microspheres induced acute portal hypertension. METHODS: Following acute intrahepatic presinusoidal obstruction by intraportal injection of 15 microm diameter microspheres in male Wistar rats, functional hepatic blood flow (FHBF) and IHSF were determined by hepatic sorbitol uptake methods. The percentage of large shunts of diameter > 15 microm were estimated by intraportal injection of 51Cr labeled 15 mum diameter microspheres. RESULTS: In normal control rats, hepatic sorbitol uptake was 97.9%+/-0.5% and IHSF was negligible, with FHBF equaling total hepatic blood flow [(2.52 +/- 0.23) ml/min x 100 g body weight-1]. Microsphere injection decreased sorbitol uptake to 12.8% +/- 4.3% and further to 4.1% +/- 0.7% when followed by hepatic arterial ligation. In the latter two groups, IHSF (1.46 +/- 0.15 and 1.16 +/- 0.19 ml/min x 100 g body weight-1, respectively) was not significantly different from portal venous flow [(1.36 +/- 0.20) and (1.20 +/- 0.20) ml/min x 100 g body weight-1, respectively; t = 2.013 and t = 2.116]. Portal venous flow remained at 70% of basal values and portal venous pressure only increased by 50% from baseline. 51Cr labeled microsphere shunt fraction through large shunts (> 15 microm) was less than 1.0%. CONCLUSION: Intrahepatic portasystemic shunts in the normal rat liver predominantly have diameters less than 15 microm and, when activated by intraportal injection of microspheres, they divert up to 70% of portal venous blood flow away from hepatic sinusoids and thereby they reduce acute increases in portal venous pressure.

[Effect of Rhizoma pinelliae on vomiting in minks].

OBJECTIVE: To study emetic and anti-emetic effects of Rhizoma pinelliae in minks. METHOD: The emetic effect of raw pinellia 2 g kg(-1) (i.g.) was investigated. Three preparations of Rhizoma pinelliae (processed with ginger) were made by ethanol extraction, water extraction and water decoction respectively and their effects on emesis model induced by cisplatin (7.5 mg kg(-1), i.p.) or apomorphine (1.6 mg kg(-1), s.c.) were then studied; the effect of the decoction of ginger-processed Rhizoma pinelliae on rotation-induced emesis model in minks was also observed. RESULT: The emesis was induced by raw pinellia in minks (P < 0.01); ginger-processed Rhizoma pinelliae, metoclopramide and ondansetron significantly inhibit the emesis induced by cisplatin and apomorphine (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ginger-processed Rhizoma pinelliae exhibits a anti-emetic effect in minks, which may be mediated by inhibiting the function of the vomiting center in central nervous system.

Effect of body mass index on adenocarcinoma of gastric cardia.

AIM: Obesity has been proved as one of the main risk factors for gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA) in the West. The objective of our research was to evaluate the relationship between obesity and the risk of GCA in people from North China. METHODS: A total of 300 patients who had been diagnosed as GCA and had accepted surgical operation at Beijing Cancer Hospital from 1995 to 2002 were enrolled. Data were collected from pathology materials and hospital records. Two hundred and fifty-eight healthy people who had accepted health examination at the same hospital during the same period were enrolled as controls. Height, weight and gender of them at the time of examination were also collected. Obesity was estimated by body mass index (BMI), computed as weight in kilograms per square surface area (Kg/m2). The degree of obesity was determined by using BMI< or =18.5, 24-27.9 and > or =28 (Kg/m2) as the cut-off points for underweight/normal, overweight and obesity, respectively. Associations with obesity were estimated by odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). All ORs were adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: The mean level of BMI was significantly lower in the patient group than that in the control group. The ORs for obesity in age groups 30-59 and 60-79 were 1.15 (95% CI=0.37-3.65) and 0.16 (95% CI=0.05-0.44) for males and 0.78 (95% CI=0.26-2.36) and 0.28 (95% CI=0.04-2.05) for females, respectively. The ORs for underweight were 2.42 (95% CI=0.56-10.53) and 4.68 (95% CI=1.13-19.40) for males in age subgroups 30-59 and 60-79 and 40.7 (95% CI=9.32-177.92) for females older than 60 yrs. BMI was significantly associated with GCA (P<0.01). Underweight people were at high risk for GCA. CONCLUSION: BMI is an independent risk factor for GCA. Underweight is positively associated with GCA.

[Maximal androgen blockade and maximal androgen blockade combined with 125I brachytherapy for prostatic cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of the maximal androgen blockade(MAB) and MAB combined with 125I brachytherapy on prostatic cancer. METHODS: Forty-four patients with prostatic cancer (from 1993 to 2002), 28 at pathologic stage C and 16 at stage D, were analyzed retrospectively. Thirty-five of them were treated by bilateral orchidectomy and anti-androgen drugs, i.e. MAB, and 9 treated by MAB combined with 125I brachytherapy. The survival rates and the variation of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels between pre- and post-treatment were compared. RESULTS: The level of PSA decreased from 60.3 micrograms/L to 12.1 micrograms/L in 35 patients treated by MAB, and from 72.1 micrograms/L to 3.6 micrograms/L in 9 patients treated by MAB combined with 125I brachytherapy after 6 months. The post-treatment survival rates were 81.3% (26/32, excluding 3 deaths by other diseases) for patients treated by MAB after a mean follow-up of 39.2 (9-84) months and 100% for patients by MAB combined with 125I brachytherapy after a mean follow-up of 13(7-24) months. CONCLUSION: MAB and MAB combined with 125I brachytherapy are effective for patients with prostatic cancer.

Contribution of HOGG1 Ser³²6Cys polymorphism to the development of prostate cancer in smokers: meta-analysis of 2779 cases and 3484 controls.

The HOGG1 gene catalyzes the excision of modified bases and removal of DNA damage adducts. It may play an important role in the prevention of carcinogenesis. Ser³²6Cys polymorphism localizes in exon 7 of the hOGG1 gene. It takes the form of an amino acid substitution, from serine to cysteine, in codon 326. Several epidemiological association studies have been conducted on this polymorphism and its relationship with the risk of prostate cancer. However, results have been conflicting. To resolve this conflict, we conducted a meta-analysis on the association between this polymorphism and prostate cancer, taking into account race, country, sources of controls, and smoking status. A total of nine studies covering 2779 cases and 3484 controls were included in the current meta-analysis. Although no significant association was found between hOGG1 Ser³²6Cys polymorphism and prostate cancer susceptibility in the pooled analysis, individuals with Ser/Cys+Cys/Cys genotypes were found to have greater risk of prostate cancer if they were also smokers (OR = 2.66, 95% CI = 1.58-4.47) rather than non-smokers (OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.13-4.19), compared with those with Ser/Ser genotype. In conclusion, our meta-analysis demonstrates that hOGG1 Ser³²6Cys polymorphism is a risk factor for prostate cancer in smokers. Further studies are needed to confirm this relationship.