Single-Cell Transcriptome Sequence Profiling on the Morphogenesis of Secondary Hair Follicles in Ordos Fine-Wool Sheep.

The Ordos fine-wool sheep is a high-quality breed in China that produces superior natural textiles and raw materials such as wool and lamb meat. However, compared to the Australian Merino sheep, there is still a gap in terms of the wool fiber fineness and wool yield. The hair follicle is the main organ that controls the type of wool fiber, and the morphological changes in the secondary hair follicle are crucial in determining wool quality. However, the process and molecular mechanisms of hair follicle morphogenesis in Ordos fine-wool sheep are not yet clear. Therefore, analyzing the molecular mechanisms underlying the process of follicle formation is of great significance for improving the fiber diameter and wool production of Ordos fine-wool sheep. The differential expressed genes, APOD, POSTN, KRT5, and KRT15, which related to primary hair follicles and secondary hair follicles, were extracted from the dermal papillae. Based on pseudo-time analysis, the differentiation trajectories of dermal lineage cells and epidermal lineage cells in the Ordos fine-wool sheep were successfully constructed, providing a theoretical basis for breeding research in Ordos fine-wool sheep.

Synthesis of S(IV)-Stereogenic Chiral Thio-Oxazolidinones via Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric [3+2] Annulations.

Organic molecules bearing chiral sulfur stereocenters exert a great impact on asymmetric catalysis and synthesis, chiral drugs, and chiral materials. Compared with acyclic ones, the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of thio-heterocycles has largely lagged behind due to the lack of efficient synthetic strategies. Here we establish the first modular platform to access chiral thio-oxazolidinones via Pd-catalyzed asymmetric [3+2] annulations of vinylethylene carbonates with sulfinylanilines. This protocol is featured by readily available starting materials, and high enantio- and diastereoselectivity. In particular, an unusual effect of a non-chiral supporting ligand on the diastereoselectivity was observed. Possible reaction mechanisms and stereocontrol models were proposed.

Expected and Unexpected Products from the Biochemical Oxidation of Bacterial Alkylquinolones with CYP4F11.

2-Alkylquinolones are a class of microbial natural products primarily produced in the Pseudomonas and Burkholderia genera that play a key role in modulating quorum sensing. Bacterial alkylquinolones were synthesized and then subjected to oxidative biotransformation using human cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP4F11, heterologously expressed in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This yielded a range of hydroxylated and carboxylic acid derivatives which had undergone ω-oxidation of the 2-alkyl chain, the structures of which were determined by analysis of NMR and MS data. Oxidation efficiency depended on chain length, with a chain length of eight or nine carbon atoms proving optimal for high yields. Homology modeling suggested that Glu233 was relevant for binding, due to the formation of a hydrogen bond from the quinolone nitrogen to Glu233, and in this position only the longer alkyl chains could come close enough to the heme moiety for effective oxidation. In addition to the direct oxidation products, a number of esters were also isolated, which was attributed to the action of endogenous yeast enzymes on the newly formed ω-hydroxy-alkylquinolones. ω-Oxidation of the alkyl chain significantly reduced the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of the quinolones.

Prediction of nano, fine, and medium colloidal phosphorus in agricultural soils with machine learning.

Soil colloids have been shown to play a critical role in soil phosphorus (P) mobility and transport. However, identifying the potential mechanisms behind colloidal P (Pcoll) release and the key influencing factors remains a blind spot. Herein, a machine learning approach (random forest (RF) coupled with partial dependence plot analyses) was applied to determine the effects of different soil physicochemical parameters on Pcoll content in three colloidal subfractions (i.e., nano- (NC): 1-20 nm, fine- (FC): 20-220 nm and medium-sized colloids (MC): 220-450 nm) based on a regional dataset of 12 farmlands in Zhejiang Province, China. RF successfully predicted Pcoll content (R2 = 0.98). Results showed that colloidal- organic carbon (OCcoll) and minerals were the major determinants of total Pcoll content (1-450 nm); their critical values for increasing Pcoll release were 87.0 mg L-1 for OCcoll, 11.0 mg L-1 for iron (Fecoll) or aluminium (Alcoll), 2.6 mg L-1 for calcium (Cacoll), 9.0 mg L-1 for magnesium (Mgcoll), 2.5 mg L-1 for silicon (Sicoll), and 1.4 mg L-1 for manganese (Mncoll). Among three colloidal subfractions, the major factors determining Pcoll were soil Olsen-P (POlsen; 125.0 mg kg-1), Cacoll (2.5 mg L-1), and colloidal P saturation (21.0%) in NC; Mncoll (1.5 mg L-1), Mgcoll (6.8 mg L-1), and POlsen (135.0 mg kg-1) in FC; while Mncoll (1.5 mg L-1), Alcoll (2.5 mg L-1), and Fecoll (3.8 mg L-1) in MC, respectively. OCcoll had a considerable effect in the three fractions, with critical values of 80.0 mg L-1 in NC or FC, and 50.0 mg L-1 in MC. Our study concluded that the information gleaned using the RF model can be used as crucial evidence to identify the key determinants of different size fractionated Pcoll contents. However, we still need to discover one or more easy-to-measure parameters that can help us better predict Pcoll.

Security- and Reliability-Guaranteed Transmission Control of Time-Sensitive Physical Layer Security Systems.

In this paper, we consider information transmission over a three-node physical layer security system. Based on the imperfect estimations of the main channel and the eavesdropping channel, we propose reducing the outage probability and interception probability by hindering transmissions in cases where the main channel is too strong or too weak, which is referred to as an SNR-gated transmission control scheme. Specifically, Alice gives up its chance to transmit a packet if the estimated power gain of the main channel is smaller than a certain threshold so that possible outages can be avoided; Alice also becomes silent if the estimated power gain is larger than another threshold so that possible interceptions at Eve can be avoided. We also consider the timeliness of the network in terms of the violation probability of the peak age of information (PAoI). We present the outage probability, interception probability, and PAoI violation probability explicitly; we also investigate the trade-off among these probabilities, considering their weight sum. Our numerical and Monte Carlo results show that by using the SNR-gated transmission control, both the outage probability and the interception probability are reduced.

The Transcriptional Cell Atlas of Testis Development in Sheep at Pre-Sexual Maturity.

Sheep testes undergo a dramatic rate of development with structural changes during pre-sexual maturity, including the proliferation and maturation of somatic niche cells and the initiation of spermatogenesis. To explore this complex process, 12,843 testicular cells from three males at pre-sexual maturity (three-month-old) were sequenced using the 10× Genomics ChromiumTM single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) technology. Nine testicular somatic cell types (Sertoli cells, myoid cells, monocytes, macrophages, Leydig cells, dendritic cells, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and leukocytes) and an unknown cell cluster were observed. In particular, five male germ cell types (including two types of undifferentiated spermatogonia (Apale and Adark), primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, and sperm cells) were identified. Interestingly, Apale and Adark were found to be two distinct states of undifferentiated spermatogonia. Further analysis identified specific marker genes, including UCHL1, DDX4, SOHLH1, KITLG, and PCNA, in the germ cells at different states of differentiation. The study revealed significant changes in germline stem cells at pre-sexual maturation, paving the way to explore the candidate factors and pathways for the regulation of germ and somatic cells, and to provide us with opportunities for the establishment of livestock stem cell breeding programs.

Bacterially Synthesized Tellurium Nanorods for Elimination of Advanced Malignant Tumor by Photothermal Immunotherapy.

Probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) are employed as a bioreactor for intracellularly synthesizing tellurium nanorods (TeNRs) providing a biohybrid therapeutic platform (Te@EcN) for the elimination of advanced malignant tumor by photothermal immunotherapy. Te@EcN is found to possess superior photothermal property upon near-infrared irradiation, and can efficiently accumulate and retain in tumors, although EcN loses proliferation ability after the synthesis of TeNRs, thus inducing considerable immunogenic tumor cell death. Under co-stimulation by EcN acting as immunoadjuvants, maturation of dendritic cells and priming of cytotoxic T cells are largely promoted. In addition, Te@EcN can reprogram tumor-associated macrophages to ameliorate the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Thus, tumor metastasis and recurrence can be efficiently suppressed. Most importantly, owing to the non-pathogenicity of probiotic EcN and their non-proliferative characteristics after TeNRs synthesis, Te@EcN is found to be rapidly metabolized and cleared from the normal tissues, showing very slight acute side effects in healthy mice even at a relatively high administration dose. Therefore, the proposed combined therapeutic strategy based on bacteria-synthesized TeNRs may find great potential in improving bacteria-mediated tumor therapy with increased antitumor efficacy and reduced toxicity.

A solid-phase microextraction fiber coating based on magnetic covalent organic framework for highly efficient extraction of triclosan and methyltriclosan in environmental water and human urine samples.

Herein, we synthesized a kind of magnetic covalent organic framework nanohybrids (NiFe2O4@COF), and integrated it with polydimethyl siloxane and silicone rubber curing agent for solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiber coating. The fiber coating demonstrated a porous and uniform surface with the BET specific surface of 169.7 m2 g-1. As for seven environmental analytes, the NiFe2O4@COF-based SPME fiber coating gave the higher extraction recoveries for triclosan (TCS) and methyltriclosn (MTCS) than those of fenpropathrin, bifenthrin, permethrin, fenvalerate and deltamethrin. Several operational parameters were rigorously optimized, such as extraction temperature, extraction time, thermal desorption time, solution pH and salt effect. Combined with the GC-ECD detection, the newly developed microextraction method supplied the wide linear range of 0.1-1000 µg L-1 with the correlation coefficients of > 0.9995. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantitation (LOQs) reached as low as 1-7 ng L-1 and 3.3-23 ng L-1, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day precisions in six replicates (n = 6 ) were < 3.55% and < 5.06%, respectively, and the fiber-to-fiber reproducibility (n = 3) was < 7.64%. To evaluate its feasibility in real samples, the fortified recoveries for TCS and MTCS, at low (0.2 µg L-1), middle (2.0 µg L-1) and high (20.0 µg L-1) levels, varied between 81.9% and 119.1% in tap, river and barreled waters as well as male, female and children urine samples. Especially, it is worth mentioning that the NiFe2O4@COF-based SPME coating fiber can be recycled for at least 150 times with nearly unchanged extraction efficiency. Moreover, the extraction recoveries by the as-fabricated fiber coating were much higher than those by three commercial fibers (PDMS, PDMS/DVB and PDMS/DVB/CAR). Overall, the NiFe2O4@COF-based SPME is a convenient, sensitive, efficient and "green" pretreatment method, thereby possessing important application prospects in trace monitoring of TCS-like pollutants in complex liquid matrices.

Inverse relationship between autophagy and CTSK is related to bovine embryo quality.

Improving the quality and the developmental competence of in vitro produced (IVP) embryos is an indispensable goal for assisted reproductive technology. Autophagy is a major protective mechanism for intracellular degradation of unnecessary cytoplasmic components. Autophagy ends by the fusion between autophagic vacuoles and lysosomes, allowing the degradation of the cargo by lysosomal enzymes, especially the cathepsins (CTSs). However, it is still unclear how autophagy and cathepsin K (CTSK) relate to embryo development. This study evaluated (1.) the activities of autophagy and CTSK in relation to bovine embryo quality and (2.) the effect of autophagy induction and/or CTSK inhibition on preimplantation embryo development and quality. We show here that good-quality embryos exhibited a greater autophagic activity and less CTSK activity compared to poor-quality embryos. Blastomeres of an individual embryo may vary in their quality. Good quality blastomeres showed an increased autophagic activity and decreased CTSK activity compared to poor-quality blastomeres within the same embryo at different developmental stages. Importantly, induction of autophagy and/or inhibition of CTSK improved the developmental rate (increased blastocyst and hatching rates) and the quality (increased total cell number and decreased the percentage of apoptotic cells) of IVP bovine embryos. These results demonstrate a promising approach to selectively isolate good-quality embryos and improve the efficiency of IVEP of cattle embryos.

Synthesis of Natural and Unnatural Quinolones Inhibiting the Growth and Motility of Bacteria.

Synthesis of a recently discovered S-methylated quinolone natural product (1) was carried out, in addition to the production of a range of 2-substituted 4-quinolone derivatives (2-11). Two approaches were used: (i) the base-catalyzed cyclization of N-(ketoaryl)amides; (ii) attachment of the substituent to the quinolone core via a Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling. Also produced were a small suite of related 2(1H)-quinolones (12-19). The synthesized compounds were assessed for their antimicrobial properties. The alkene-substituted 4-quinolone 8 significantly inhibited the growth of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain, and both 4-quinolones and 2(1H)-quinolones were capable of inhibiting the swarming behavior of Bacillus subtilis.

Isolation of 2-Alkyl-4-quinolones with Unusual Side Chains from a Chinese Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolate.

Chemical investigation of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain isolated from Hebei, China, led to the isolation of a suite of quinolones, quinolone-N-oxides, and phenazines, the structures of which were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis. Most notable among the secondary metabolites isolated was an unprecedented 4-quinolone containing an S-methyl group in the side chain and a new derivative including a phenyl ring in the side chain, which expand significantly the variety of structural motifs found in the quinolones and raise interesting questions about their biosynthesis.

Effect of autophagy induction and cathepsin B inhibition on developmental competence of poor quality bovine oocytes.

The present study investigated the effect of autophagy induction and cathepsin B (CTSB) inhibition on developmental competence of poor quality oocytes. Bovine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were classified as good or poor according to their morphology. Autophagy activity was detected in good and poor germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes. Then E-64, a CTSB inhibitor, rapamycin (Rapa), an autophagy inducer, and combined administration was achieved during invitro maturation (IVM) of poor quality COCs followed by detection of autophagy activity. In the next experiment, E-64, Rapa, and E64 + Rapa, were added during IVM to good and poor quality COCs followed by invitro fertilization and culture for 8 days to investigate whether inhibition of CTSB and/or induction of autophagy improve embryonic development and quality. Autophagy activity was significantly lower in poor quality GV oocytes than in good quality ones. E-64, Rapa and E-64 + Rapa treatment during IVM significantly increased autophagy activity in poor quality oocytes. Addition of Rapa in good quality COCs did not increase the blastocyst rate, whereas E-64 increased the blastocyst rate and total cell number (TCN) with decreasing TUNEL-positive cells. In contrast, Rapa treatment in poor quality COCs significantly increased the blastocyst rate and TCN with decreasing TUNEL-positive cells. These results indicate oocyte quality has different responses to intracellular autophagy induction and CTSB activity control by potential autophagy and catabolic status, however, synergetic effect of autophagy induction and CTSB inhibition can increase developmental competence of both good and poor quality COCs, especially rescue effect in poor quality COCs.

Dynamic status of lysosomal cathepsin in bovine oocytes and preimplantation embryos.

Lysosomal cathepsin, in particular cathepsin B (CTSB), plays an important role in implantation, pregnancy, and embryonic development. However, little is known about the mechanism related to the dynamic status of lysosomal cathepsins in bovine oocytes and preimplantation embryos. In the present study, we investigated the dynamics of gene expression, activity, and immunolocalization of CTSB, as well as the activities of lysosome, in bovine oocytes and preimplantation embryos. After gene expression analysis of several cathepsin-related genes, transcript levels of CTSB, CTSD and CTSZ were highest in Metaphase II (MII) oocytes followed by a significant decrease from the 8-cell embryo stage. Activity of CTSB showed a significant increase in 1-cell and morula stage embryos. Lysosomal activity was also significant higher in 1-cell and morula stages, which was consistent with CTSB activities. However, immunolocalization of CTSB did not show the similar pattern of CTSB and lysosomal activities. We also found significantly higher expression levels of CTSB transcript in the trophectoderm (TE) compared to inner cell mass (ICM), whereas activity and immunolocalization of CTSB showed an opposite pattern, i.e. significantly higher in ICM than TE. These patterns were confirmed by the same analysis using separated ICM and TE. Our results suggest that lysosomal CTSB has a pivotal role during embryonic development and differentiation, especially fertilization and the differentiation period.

Laparoscopic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal ileal conduit: one center experience and clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: To introduce our experience with intracorporeal ileal conduit and evaluate the safety and feasibility of this endoscopic urinary diversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2014 and July 2017, thirty-six consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal ileal conduit. Patients' demographic data, perioperative data, 90-days postoperative outcomes and complications were collected. This cohort were divided into two groups of 18 patients each by chronological order of the operations to facilitate comparison of clinical data. Data were evaluated using the students' T test, Mann-Whitney test and Fisher's Exact test. RESULTS: All surgeries were completed successfully with no conversion. Median total operating time and median intracorporeal urinary diversion time were 304 and 105 minutes, respectively. Median estimated blood loss was 200 mL, and median lymph node yield was 21. Twenty-six Clavien grade < 3 complications occurred within 30-days and 9 occurred within 30-90 days. Five Clavien grade 3-5 complications occurred within 30 days. No statistically signifi cant differences were found between the two groups except for intracorporeal urinary diversion time. At median follow-up of 17.5 (range 3-42) months, 6 patients experienced tumor recurrence/metastasis and 4 of these patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Intracorporeal ileal conduit following laparoscopic radical cystectomy is safe, feasible and reproducible. With the accumulation of experience, the operation time can be controlled at a satisfactory level.

Favorable Effects of Endoscopic Ligation Combined with Drugs on Rebleeding and Mortality in Cirrhotic Patients: A Network Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: To assess the effects of combination therapies (endoscopic plus drug[s], drug combinations) on variceal/any-cause rebleeding and mortality among cirrhotic patients with one previous episode of variceal hemorrhage. SUMMARY: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for eligible studies. We included 26 randomized controlled trials involving 2,536 adults using OR to measure the effects. Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) plus nadolol ranked first for reducing recurrent bleeds. Both EVL + nadolol and EVL + drugs (nadolol, sucralfate) decreased the risk of any-cause rebleeding than EVL alone (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.12-0.97; OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.18-0.88, respectively). Meanwhile, EVL + drugs ranked first lowering mortality rates (P-score >0.85) with a marginal superiority over EVL alone (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.26-1.01). Beta-blockers with isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN) also reached a marginal superiority (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.56-1.09) for improving mortality. Key Messages: Our findings indicated that EVL + nadolol might be the preferred choice to cirrhotic patients with one previous episode of variceal hemorrhage for preventing rebleeding. EVL + nadolol + sucralfate and beta-blockers + ISMN may be potential alternatives to improve mortality. Further, well-controlled studies are warranted to compare the promising combination therapies.

Increased expression of ESCO1 is correlated with poor patient survival and its role in human bladder cancer.

There is increasing evidence suggesting that establishment of sister chromatid cohesion N-acetyltransferase 1 (ESCO1) was involved in tumorigenesis. However, its role in bladder cancer remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to study the clinical correlation and biological significance of ESCO1 in bladder cancer. Our results showed that ESCO1 was significantly over-expressed in bladder cancer tissues compared with that in adjacent normal tissues. And, increased ESCO1 expression was significantly associated with higher grade (P < 0.001), higher tumor stage (P = 0.014), and multifocality (P = 0.042). Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were performed to determine the prognostic significance of ESCO1, and the results showed that ESCO1 is a useful prognostic marker for bladder cancer patients. Moreover, we found that ESCO1 knockdown inhibited the growth, migration, and invasion of bladder cancer cells. In conclusion, our findings indicated that ESCO1 may play an important role in human bladder cancer, and ESCO1 might serve as a novel target and prognosis factor for human bladder cancer.

Pros and cons of the gasless laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy for upper esophageal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Controversies on how to treat upper esophageal carcinoma have existed for several decades. With the application of minimally invasive techniques, surgical treatment to upper esophageal carcinoma tends to show more advantages and attract more patients. Up to now, most hospitals adopted the combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy (CTLE) as the way of minimally invasive surgery for upper esophageal carcinoma. But CTLE to treat upper esophageal carcinoma has its drawbacks, such as demanding certain pulmonary function and severe postoperative regurgitation. In 2011, we developed the gasless laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy (LTE) to treat upper esophageal carcinoma, which showed some advantages. The aim of this article was to compare LTE with CTLE in treating upper thoracic or cervical esophageal carcinoma and assess the value of LTE. METHODS: From 2009 to 2014, esophagectomy has been performed by the introduction of minimally invasive surgery in a total of 83 patients with upper thoracic or cervical esophageal carcinoma. Among these patients, LTE was performed in 27 cases (Group 1), while CTLE was performed in the other 56 (Group 2). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was done in patients of Group 1. RESULTS: There were no operation-related deaths and conversion to open procedure. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications, ventilation time, ICU stay, hospital stay, and anastomotic leak rates between the two groups. But LTE was associated with shorter operative time and less intraoperative blood loss. In Group 2, 21 (37.5 %) patients had postoperative pulmonary complications, while in Group 1, there were 6 (22.2 %) patients having pulmonary complications at least one time. Results of 24-h pH monitoring and manometry showed that postoperative laryngo-pharyngeal reflux (PLPR) was more severe in Group 2 patients than in Group 1; for Group 1, PLPR mainly occurred on sleep stage, while for Group 2, PLPR might exist all the day with short intervals and last longer at night. The median overall survival was 27.2 months after CTLE and 30.8 months after LTE (P = 0.962). There was no significant difference in survival at 2, 3 and 4 years between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with CTLE, LTE is a more minimally invasive approach to effectively treat patients with upper esophageal carcinoma. Laryngo-pharyngeal reflux after LTE was less severe than that after CTLE, which might lower incidence of pulmonary complications. For the elderly patients, LTE seems more suitable.

Gasless laparoscopically assisted transhiatal esophagectomy for upper esophageal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Transhiatal esophagectomy frequently is thought to achieve lower morbidity by sacrificing long-term survival at 5 years. With the introduction of the isobaric laparoscopy using abdominal wall lifting, the authors explore gasless laparoscopically assisted transhiatal surgical treatment of upper thoracic or cervical esophageal carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. They wish it not only lower morbidity but also similarity to transthoracic esophagectomy, with extended en bloc lymphadenectomy in aspects of median overall, disease-free, and quality-adjusted survival. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2013, 11 patients with upper thoracic or cervical esophageal carcinoma were treated at the authors' department. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered to these patients. Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. The tumor originated from the cervical esophagus in eight of these patients and from upper thoracic esophagus in three of them. None of the patients were receiving preoperation radiotherapy. RESULTS: No operation-related deaths or conversion to open procedure occurred. The mean operative time was 146.0 ± 22.2 min, and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 192.7 ± 25.5 ml. Anastomotic leakage occurred in three cases, pulmonary complications in one case, cardiac complications in two cases, and herniation of part of the colon into the right thorax in one case. Two patients received postoperative auxiliary radiotherapy. All the patients were followed up for 6 months to 3.5 years. During the follow-up period, three patients experienced pulmonary complications at least once. All the patients reported heartburn and regurgitation from time to time after surgery. The survival rate was 63.6%. CONCLUSION: With neoadjuvant chemotherapy, gasless laparoscopically assisted transhiatal esophagectomy provides a minimally invasive surgical treatment for upper thoracic or cervical esophageal carcinoma. But it seems that the postoperative complications are relatively high. Further study is needed to determine whether it can improve long-term survival.

The role of tumor suppressor gene SOX11 in prostate cancer.

SOX genes play an important role in a number of developmental processes. The transcription factor SOX11 is one of the members of the SOX family emerging as important transcriptional regulators. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of SOX11 in prostate cancer (PCa) and its expression pattern and clinical significance. The gene expression of SOX11 in human PCa tissues compared with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) tissues was detected using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) analysis and immunohositochemistry. SOX11 overexpression cell model was used to examine the role of SOX11 in cell growth and metastasis in vitro. The results showed that the positive rate of SOX11 staining was 16.67 % (10/60) in cases of prostatic carcinoma and 81.67 % (49/60) in cases of BPH, and the difference of SOX11 expression between PCa and BPH was statistically significant (P < 0.001). SOX11 mRNA level was lowly expressed in PCa cell lines compared to RWPE-1. SOX11 overexpression suppresses PCa cell migration and invasion. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that SOX11 could suppress cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of PCa in vitro.

[Effect of urinary Tamm-horsfall protein concentration changes under centrifugation and its association with urolithiasis formation in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the concentration changes of Tamm-Horsefall protein (THP) under centrifugation in rat urine and discuss its association with urolithiasis formation. METHODS: A total of 40 Wistar rats were divided randomly into 4 groups of flying with stone (A), flying without stone (B), stone without flying (C) and control (D). After centrifugation, the THP concentrations of each group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Then urinary system was dissected, stained with hematoxylin & eosin and observed under electron microscopy to examine the distribution and number of each section. The SPSS 13.0 software was used for data analyses. RESULTS: Group A showed significant difference in THP concentrations with groups C and D ( (11 ± 4) vs (15 ± 6), (17 ± 4) ng/ml, P = 0.037 and 0.005).No statistically significant difference existed between groups A and B ((11 ± 5) ng/ml, P = 0.998) or groups C and D (P = 0.422). Group B had significant difference in THP concentrations with groups D (P = 0.036). Regarding the number of stones in ureter, Group A had statistically significant difference with B (P = 0.029).However, there was no difference in the number of bladder stones.In kidney stones, there was significant difference (P = 0.029) on "+ +" rating. CONCLUSION: Centrifugation may reduce the urinary concentration of THP so as cause urolithiasis formation in rats.