Curcumin induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of prostate cancer cells by regulating the expression of IkappaBalpha, c-Jun and androgen receptor.

Curcumin possesses chemopreventive properties against several types of cancer, but the molecular mechanisms by which it induces apoptosis of cancer cells and inhibits cancer cell proliferation are not clearly understood. To evaluate the antitumor activity of curcumin for prostate cancer, we used an androgen dependent LNCaP prostate cancer cell line and an androgen independent PC-3 prostate cancer cell line as experimental models. We treated these cells with curcumin and then evaluated the effects of curcumin on cell cycle profiling and apoptosis, as well as the activation of NF-kaapaB and c-jun in these cells. The results showed that the ratios of apoptosis in LNCaP and PC-3 cells were significantly elevated in a dose dependent manner after exposure to curcumin. In addition, curcumin induces the G2/M cell cycle arrest of LNCaP and PC-3 cells in a dose dependent manner. Mechanistically, we found that curcumin upregulated the protein level of NF-kappaB inhibitor IkappaBalpha and downregulated protein levels of c-Jun and AR. These data suggest that curcumin is a promising agent for the treatment of both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Oral complications after lingual mucosal graft harvesting for urethroplasty in 110 cases.

OBJECTIVE • This study was to evaluate donor-site complications of lingual mucosal graft harvesting for substitution urethroplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS • 110 patients with anterior urethral strictures or hypospadias underwent lingual mucosal grafts (LMGs) urethroplasty. Dual LMGs were harvested from both sites separately or a long mucosal graft was harvested from one side to other side of tongue in 29 patients (group one); a shorter mucosal graft was harvested from one side of tongue in 81 patients (group two). A standard proforma (Appendix) was used for all patients. RESULTS • The mean follow up time was 22 months (range 6~41). At six months follow-up, numbness of tongue was reported in 19 patients (17.27%), parageusias in six (5.45%) and slurring of speech in 9 (8.18%). • Ninety-six patients were followed up for more than 12 mo. Numbness in operative area of tongue was documented in seven patients (7.29%), parageusias in three (3.13%) and slurred speech in three (3.13%). • None of these complications occurred in the six pediatric cases (<14 year) with a history of failed hypospadias repair. CONCLUSIONS • LMGs urethroplasty, as most patients, were satisfied, but there were certain complications that have not been previously described in the literature. • Most oral complications subsided gradually within the first year.

Long Noncoding RNA SNHG12 Promotes Prostate Tumor Occurrence and Progression via AKT Regulation.

The small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12) has been reported to play an important role in the tumorigenesis and progression of PCa, but the functional underlying mechanism has not been studied clearly. We detected the expression level of SNHG12 in PCa tissues and matched adjacent normal tissues that were collected from 85 patients. Then, colony formation assays, MTT experiments, and flow cytometry were used to examine the effect of SNHG12 on proliferation, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis of DU145 cells. Further, Transwell invasion assay was utilized to assess whether SNHG12 participates in PCa cell invasion and affects the secretion of VEGF secretion in DU145 cells. Finally, we investigated the effect of SNHG12 on tumor growth in vivo. We found that SNHG12 promoted cell proliferation and suppressed apoptosis in PCa cells, which suggests that SNHG12 is probably a novel PCa biomarker and therapy target of PCa.

Construction of cavernosum smooth muscle using umbilical artery smooth muscle cells seeded on acellular corporal collagen matrices.

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of tissue engineering of corpus cavernosal smooth muscle. Acellular corporal collagen matrices (ACCMs) were obtained from the penis of adult rabbits by a cell removal procedure. ACCMs were implanted into the back muscles of allogenic rabbits to investigate the resulting immunological reaction. Human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (HUASMCs) were isolated from human umbilical arteries through explant techniques and expanded in vitro. Subsequently, third and fifth passage HUASMCs were seeded to ACCMs at a concentration of 30 x 10(6) cells/mL. Then, seeded ACCMs were implanted subcutaneously in athymic mice. The implants were retrieved at 10, 20 and 40 days after implantation. Histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscopy were performed to analyse the morphological characteristics of the engineered tissues. Additionally, organ bath studies were performed to address the contractility of the engineered tissues. The decellularization process successfully extracted all cellular components while preserving the original collagen fibers. The immunological reaction to ACCMs consisted of only a transient nonspecific inflammatory response. Light and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that HUASMCs extended onto the three-dimensional ACCMs scaffolds in vitro. Histological analyses of the explants from all time points demonstrated a progressive regeneration of smooth muscle, with structures very similar to native corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. The maximum contraction force induced by phenylephrine and electrical stimulation were 3.64 +/- 0.18 g/100 mg and 2.50 +/- 0.21 g/100 mg, respectively. Our study demonstrates that HUASMCs can be seeded on three-dimensional ACCM scaffolds and will develop tissues similar to that of the native corpus cavernosum smooth muscle.

Laparoscopic T-Plasty for the Treatment of Refractory Bladder Neck Stenosis.

Preliminary results of a case series on refractory bladder neck stenosis treated with laparoscopic T-plasty are presented in this article. This study retrospectively identified nine patients with refractory bladder neck stenosis aged 60 to 80 years between May 2016 and December 2017, who had undergone laparoscopic T-plasty. All patients presented voiding difficulty and failed after two or more prior endoscopic treatments. Laparoscopic T-plasty was performed by incising the anterior wall of the bladder neck in a T-shaped manner and creating two well-vascularized and tension-free flaps, which offer the possibility to reconstruct a wide bladder neck. After a mean follow-up of 14.7 months (ranging 3-22 months), a successful outcome was achieved in eight patients without incontinence secondary to surgery. Recurrent voiding difficulty developed in one patient, which was cured after a following endoscopic treatment. Through these nine patients, a preliminary conclusion can be drawn that a wider bladder neck can be obtained through modified YV-reconstruction of the bladder neck, while avoiding external urethral sphincter injury. And laparoscopic T-plasty has clear advantages compared with an open approach. It is an available and effective option for refractory bladder neck stenosis.

Selective Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer Photothermal Ablation With Copper Sulfide Nanoplates.

OBJECTIVE: To explore new therapies for castration-resistant prostate cancer to improve patients' quality of life and extend life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The synthesis, morphology analysis, phase analysis, spectral analysis, and photothermal conversion test were referenced to our previous articles. Then near-infrared light-driven copper sulfide (CuS) nanoplates to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells in vivo and in vitro was carried out. Transmission electron microscope, mCherry-LC3 syncytial virus labeling, acridine orange staining, and autophagy protein were used to detect the autophagy caused by CuS nanoplates and chloroquine was used to inhibit the process of autophagy. RESULTS: The CuS nanoplates prepared in this study feature low cytotoxicity, simple preparation, and high photothermal conversion efficiency. Driven by 980 nm near-infrared light, CuS nanoplates could inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells in vivo and in vitro, while triggering the autophagy and cytoprotection of prostate cancer cells. CONCLUSION: CuS nanoplates are a kind of commendable photothermal therapy agent in castration-resistant prostate cancer treating. Autophagy inhibition enhances the photothermal efficiency of CuS nanoplates, which indicates favorable application prospects in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Urethral substitution using autologous lingual mucosal grafts: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of urethral substitution using free lingual mucosa grafts (LMGs) in a dog model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 10 female mongrel dogs in which a 4 x 1 cm(2) section of urethral mucosa was excised. The defect was immediately repaired with a size-matched free LMG harvested from the inferior lateral surface of the tongue. A 12 F urethral catheter was kept inside the urethra for a mean of 7 days. At 3 months after the procedure, the patency of the urethra was assessed by both insertion of a 12 F catheter and by retrograde urethrography. Dogs were killed, the grafted areas excised, and evaluated by gross and histopathological examination. RESULTS: All dogs survived the procedure and there were no tongue complications. One of the 10 dogs developed a slight urethral stricture near the proximal anastomosis. The remaining nine dogs voided spontaneously with no difficulty. Retrograde urethrography showed that no strictures or fistulas had formed. The LMGs shortened by 9.5% after surgery, from a mean (sd) of 4 (0.13) to 3.62 (0.11) cm (statistically significant, P < 0.05). Histological examination showed that the LMGs were well-incorporated into the urethral walls and covered by a keratinized squamous epithelium. Neovascularization was evident beneath the grafts. CONCLUSION: We successfully developed an dog model for free LMGs and showed the feasibility of this approach for urethral substitution.

[Expression of Omi/HtrA2 UP-regulated in the spermatozoa of chronic bacterial prostatitis patients].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression of Omi/HtrA2 in the spermatozoa of chronic bacterial prostatitis patients and explore the potential mechanism of chronic prostatitis inducing male infertility. METHODS: Forty-one patients diagnosed as suffering from chronic prostatitis were included, and so were 12 healthy normal men as controls. Spermatozoa in the semen were purified by Percoll gradient technique to separate the seminal plasma and other round cells. Sperm concentration, motility, morphology, pro-inflammatory cytokines, Omi/HtrA2 mRNA and protein levels in the spermatozoa of the patients were measured. RESULTS: Significantly increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were observed in the seminal plasma of the prostatitis patients, and so were Omi/HtrA2 mRNA and protein levels as compared with the normal men. CONCLUSION: Chronic prostatitis patients presented important alterations in semen quality parameters and up-regulated expression of Omi/HtrA2 mRNA and proteins in the spermatozoa.

Inhibition of histamine receptor H3R suppresses prostate cancer growth, invasion and increases apoptosis via the AR pathway.

Histamine h3 receptor (H3R) is expressed in numerous types of tumor and is associated with tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion. However, whether H3R is expressed in prostate cancer remains unknown. Therefore, the expression and function of H3R in prostate cancer was investigated. Immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting all indicated overexpression of H3R in prostate cancer. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), migration and invasion assays demonstrated that overexpressed H3R is associated with cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Inhibition of H3R induced cell apoptosis, however, androgen receptor protein expression was decreased. Overall, the results suggest that H3R is overexpressed in prostate cancer and associated with cell proliferation, migration and invasion. These results may broaden our understanding of the underlying pathological mechanisms of prostate cancer and aid the discovery of novel treatments for prostate cancer. These findings suggest that inhibition of H3R may have favorable application prospects in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Immunohistochemical analysis of Omi/HtrA2 expression in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The serine protease Omi/HtrA2 is released from mitochondria into the cytosol after apoptotic stimuli, inducing apoptosis in a caspase-independent manner through its protease activity and in a caspase-dependent manner by neutralizing the inhibition of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) on caspases. Alteration of apoptosis is essential for cancer development, and cancer cell death by radiation and chemotherapy is largely dependent upon apoptosis. Thus, analysis of the expression status of Omi/HtrA2, a regulator of apoptosis, in cancer tissues is needed for an understanding of cancer development. In the current study we analyzed the expression of Omi/HtrA2 in 65 prostate cancer, 40 benign prostatic hyperplasia and 10 normal prostate specimens by immunohistochemistry. Omi/HtrA2 mRNA levels of in vivo prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia samples were also assayed by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Immunopositivity (defined as > or =30%) was observed for Omi/HtrA2 in most of the prostate cancers, and the positive rate of Omi/HtrA2 was lower in the well-differentiated group than in the poorly and moderately differentiated groups (p<0.005). By contrast, the cells in the normal prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia groups showed no or only weak expression of Omi/HtrA2. Meanwhile, the Omi/HtrA2 mRNA level of prostate cancer is much higher than that of benign prostatic hyperplasia (p<0.001). Taken together, these results suggest that prostate cancer cells in vivo may need Omi/HtrA2 expression for apoptosis, and that Omi/HtrA2 expression might be involved in prostate cancer development.

MicroRNA-21 Regulates the Proliferation, Differentiation, and Apoptosis of Human Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells by the mTOR-STAT3 Signaling Pathway.

MicroRNA-21 (miRNA-21), a kind of short, noncoding RNAs, functioned as a tumor marker and was upregulated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the underlying mechanisms of miRNA-21 in RCC were uncertain. Therefore, the effects and mechanisms of miRNA-21 on the proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of cultured human RCC cells were further investigated in this study. After slicing miRNA-21 in RCC cells, the viability, mRNA expression of C/EBPα and PPARγ, caspase 3 activity, and protein expression of mTOR, STAT3, and pSTAT3 were determined. It was found that knockdown of miRNA-21 downregulated the optical density (OD) value of cells, inhibited mRNA expression of PPARγ and C/EBPα, and enhanced activity of caspase 3. Furthermore, protein expression of pSTAT3 was also decreased in the absence of miRNA-21. Notably, miRNA-21-changed proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of human RCC cells were partially regulated following the block of the mTOR-STAT3 signaling pathway by the mTOR inhibitor (XL388). It was indicated that miRNA-21 promoted proliferation and differentiation and decreased apoptosis of human RCC cells through the activation of the mTOR-STAT3 signaling pathway.

[Time resolution spectrum measurements of the process of photon acting on the silver halide materials].

The silver halide material is a very important optical information material. Silver halide material plays a very imperative role in the development of the information science and technology. The time characters of the photon action process determine the quality of the silver halide material to a great degree. We adopt the microwave absorption technology to measure the time characters of the process of the photon acting on silver halide material. A sample of the silver halide material is inserted into a microwave resonant cavity. With the excitation of excimer laser, photogenerated charge carriers are created in the silver halide material. The generation of the photogenerated charge carriers changes the dielectric function of the silver halide material. Therefore, the change of the dielectric function embodies the information of the time characters of the photogenerated change carries. At the same time, the change of the dielectric function results in an alteration of the cavity quality factor. This change leads to a reflected microwave. The reflected microwave contains the information of the time characters of the photon action process. Through the measurement of the reflected microwave, we can obtain the time resolution spectrum of the process of the photon acting on the silver halide material and study the time characters of the photon action process. The time resolution spectra of the process of the photon acting on various silver halide materials were obtained in our experiments. We analyzed the time characters of photon acting on the black-and-white film, color film and X-ray film.

[Effects of Omi/HtrA2 on expression of anti-apoptotic protein PED/PEA-15 and apoptosis of prostate cancer cell line PC-3].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The interaction between pro-apoptotic factors and anti-apoptotic factors is closely related to the genesis and development of tumors. Omi/HtrA2 is a novel gene involved in the regulation of apoptosis. PED/PEA-15 is a widely expressed anti-apoptotic protein. This study was to explore the effects of Omi/HtrA2 on PED/PEA-15 expression and apoptosis of prostate cancer cell line PC-3. METHODS: Omi/HtrA2 expression and specific siRNA vectors were constructed and transiently transfected into PC-3 cells. The effect of Omi/HtrA2 on PED/PEA-15 expression was assayed by Western blot, and its effect on apoptosis of PC-3 cells was analyzed by ELISA. Caspase-8 activity was assayed using Caspase-8 colorimetric assay kit. The effects of Omi/HtrA2-specific siRNA sequence on its transcription and translation were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. The sensitivity of PC-3 cells to cisplatin (DDP) after Omi/HtrA2 gene silencing was determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Enzyme digestion analysis and DNA sequencing confirmed Omi/HtrA2 expression, and specific siRNA vectors were successfully constructed. After transfection of Omi/HtrA2 expression vector, PED/PEA-15 expression was inhibited, Caspase-8 activity was promoted, and the apoptosis of PC-3 cells was enhanced. The sensitivity of PC-3 cells to DDP was suppressed after Omi/HtrA2 gene silencing. CONCLUSION: Omi/HtrA2 can promote the apoptosis of PC-3 cells through inhibiting PED/PEA-15 expression.