A laparoscopic radical inguinal lymphadenectomy approach partly preserving great saphenous vein branches can benefit for patients with penile carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal lymphadenectomy (iLAD) is effective for penile carcinoma treatment, but usually results in many complications. This study aims to clinically evaluate the feasibility and clinical significance of a laparoscopic radical iLAD approach partly preserving great saphenous vein branches for penile carcinoma patients. METHODS: A total of 48 patients with penile cancer who underwent laparoscopic radical iLAD with retention of the great saphenous vein in Henan Cancer Hospital from 2012 Jan to 2020 Dec were included in this study. Sixteen penile carcinoma patients who underwent laparoscopic radical iLAD preserving parts of superficial branches of the great saphenous vein were identified as the sparing group, and the matched 32 patients who incised those branches were identified as control group. This new procedure was performed by laparoscopy, preserving parts of superficial branches of the great saphenous vein, superficial lateral and medial femoral veins. Clinicopathological features and perioperative variables were recorded. Postoperative complications, including skin flap necrosis, lymphorrhagia, and lower extremity edema were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: We found that the operative time of the sparing group is significantly longer than the control group (p = 0.011). There was no statistical difference in intraoperative blood loss, the lymph node number per side, average time to remove the drainage tube and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups. Compared to the control group, the sparing group showed a significantly decreased incidence of lower extremity edema (p = 0.018). The preservation of parts of superficial branches of the great saphenous vein was mainly decreased the incidence of edema below ankle (p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the iLAD with preserving parts of superficial branches of the great saphenous vein, with a decreased incidence of postoperative complications, is a safe and feasible approach for penile cancer.

In Situ Nitrogen Retention of Carbon Anode for Enhancing the Electrochemical Performance for Sodium-Ion Battery.

Retaining nitrogen for polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based carbon anode is a cost-effective way to make full use of the advantages of PAN for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Here, a simple strategy has been successfully adopted to retain N atoms in situ and increase production yield of a novel composite PAZ by mixing 3 wt % of zinc borate (ZB) with poly (acrylonitrile-co-itaconic acid) (PANIA). Among the prepared carbonised fibre (CF) samples, PAZ-CF-700 maintains the highest N content, retaining 90 % of the original N from PANIA. It represents the highest capacity storage contribution (80.55 %) and the lowest impedance Rct (117 Ω). Consequently, the specific capacity increases from 60 mAh g-1 of PANIA-CF-700 to 190 mAh g-1 of PAZ-CF-700 at a current density of 100 mA g-1 . At the same time, PAZ-CF-700 exhibits a good rate performance and excellent long-term cycling stability with a specific capacity of 94 mAh g-1 after 4000 cycles at 1.6 A g-1 .

ATM-mediated Mad1 Serine 214 phosphorylation regulates Mad1 dimerization and the spindle assembly checkpoint.

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), which blocks anaphase onset until all chromosomes have bi-oriented, is one of the key self-monitoring systems of the eukaryotic cell cycle for genome stability. The mitotic arrest-deficient protein 1 (Mad1), a critical component of the SAC, is hyperphosphorylated in mitosis. However, the kinases responsible for Mad1 phosphorylation and its functional significance are not fully understood. Here we report that Mad1 is phosphorylated on Serine 214 by the Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) kinase, a critical DNA damage response protein also activated in mitosis and required for the SAC. We demonstrate that Mad1 Serine 214 phosphorylation promotes the formation of homodimerization of Mad1 and its heterodimerization with Mad2. Further we show that Mad1 Serine 214 phosphorylation contribute to activation of the SAC and the maintenance of chromosomal stability. Together, these findings reveal an important role of ATM-mediated Mad1 Serine 214 phosphorylation in mitosis.

Bioinformatics insight into the spike glycoprotein gene of field porcine epidemic diarrhea strains during 2011-2013 in Guangdong, China.

Three strains of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) were isolated from dead or diseased pigs at different swine farms in Guangdong during 2011-2013, and their S genes were sequenced. In the same period, seven PEDV strains were also isolated in Guangdong by other laboratories. The spike sequences of 10 Guangdong isolates were compared with vaccine strains and reference pathogenic isolates using six bioinformatics tools. The results revealed that 10 Guangdong strains, excluding strain GDS03, had distinct characteristics in terms of primary structure, secondary structure, high-specificity N-glycosylation sites, potential phosphorylation sites, and palmitoylation sites. Phylogenetic analysis also confirmed these findings and revealed that all PEDV strains were clustered into three distinct groups. Ten Guangdong strains, not including GDS03, belong to Group 1, whereas four vaccine strains and GDS03 belong to Group 3, which is evolutionarily distant from Group 1. Alignment analysis of the neutralizing region amino acid sequences indicated that the amino acid substitutions of Y/D766S, T549S, and G594S that are present in the Guangdong strains, not including GDS03, were a sign of predominant genetic changes among the isolated strains. GDS03 is closely related to the 83P-5 vaccine strain, which suggests that it might represent re-isolation of the vaccine strain or vaccine variants. Taken together, these results indicate that there have been predominant new strains circulating in Guangdong from 2011 to 2013, and the circulating PEDV strains have a genetic composition that is distant from reference strains, especially the vaccine strains; however, the vaccinations might also provide some level of cross-protection, as there have been no changes in the neutralizing epitopes of SS2 and 2C10. This explains why there have been constant but infrequent outbreaks recently in comparison to late 2010 in which PEDV outbreaks were more frequent and severe. In addition, the USA-Colorado-2013 strain had the same amino acid substitutions in the neutralizing regions as the Guangdong strains except GDS03, which suggests that the information and strategies in this study may play role in PEDV variant research in other countries.

Deoxycytidine kinase regulates the G2/M checkpoint through interaction with cyclin-dependent kinase 1 in response to DNA damage.

Deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) is a rate limiting enzyme critical for phosphorylation of endogenous deoxynucleosides for DNA synthesis and exogenous nucleoside analogues for anticancer and antiviral drug actions. dCK is activated in response to DNA damage; however, how it functions in the DNA damage response is largely unknown. Here, we report that dCK is required for the G2/M checkpoint in response to DNA damage induced by ionizing radiation (IR). We demonstrate that the ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) kinase phosphorylates dCK on Serine 74 to activate it in response to DNA damage. We further demonstrate that Serine 74 phosphorylation is required for initiation of the G2/M checkpoint. Using mass spectrometry, we identified a protein complex associated with dCK in response to DNA damage. We demonstrate that dCK interacts with cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) after IR and that the interaction inhibits Cdk1 activity both in vitro and in vivo. Together, our results highlight the novel function of dCK and provide molecular insights into the G2/M checkpoint regulation in response to DNA damage.

Induced degradation of lineage-specific oncoproteins drives the therapeutic vulnerability of small cell lung cancer to PARP inhibitors.

Although BRCA1/2 mutations are not commonly found in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a substantial fraction of SCLC shows clinically relevant response to PARP inhibitors (PARPis). However, the underlying mechanism(s) of PARPi sensitivity in SCLC is poorly understood. We performed quantitative proteomic analyses and identified proteomic changes that signify PARPi responses in SCLC cells. We found that the vulnerability of SCLC to PARPi could be explained by the degradation of lineage-specific oncoproteins (e.g., ASCL1). PARPi-induced activation of the E3 ligase HUWE1 mediated the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS)-dependent ASCL1 degradation. Although PARPi induced a general DNA damage response in SCLC cells, this signal generated a cell-specific response in ASCL1 degradation, leading to the identification of HUWE1 expression as a predictive biomarker for PARPi. Combining PARPi with agents targeting these pathways markedly improved therapeutic response in SCLC. The degradation of lineage-specific oncoproteins therefore represents a previously unidentified mechanism for PARPi efficacy in SCLC.

Down-regulation of miR-106b suppresses the growth of human glioma cells.

Recently, many studies have found that the miR-106b ~25 cluster plays an oncogenic role in tumor progression. However, the precise role of each microRNAs (miRNAs) in the cluster is not yet clear. In the present study, we examined the expression of miR-106b in glioma samples and a tissue microarray by real-time PCR and in situ hybridization (ISH), respectively, finding that miR-106b is overexpressed in the majority of gliomas. Meanwhile, the expression of miR-106b was positively correlated with tumor grade (p < 0.05). The transfection of a miR-106b anti-sense oligonucleotide (ASON) into three human glioma cell lines (U251, LN229 and TJ905) suppressed the proliferation of these cells. Moreover, the growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice treated with miR-106b ASON was significantly impaired. A bioinformatics analysis predicted that RBL2 may be the target of miR-106b, and dual-luciferase reporter assays identified RBL2, but not RB1 or RBL1, as a target of miR-106b. These results suggest that miR-106b facilitates glioma cell growth by promoting cell cycle progression through the negative regulation of RBL2.

Influence of the Crystal Structure of Melamine Trimetaphosphate 2D Supramolecules on the Properties of Polyamide 6.

To explore the influence of the crystal structure difference of melamine trimetaphosphate (MAP) on the application performance of its polymer composites, an intumescent flame retardant with the optimal crystal type was designed and synthesized to improve the mechanical properties and flame retardancy of polyamide 6 (PA6). I-MAP and II-MAP were obtained using different concentrations of MA and sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) in an acidic aqueous solution. The morphology, chemical composition, and thermal stability were comprehensively characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The dispersion, mechanical properties, and flame retardancy of PA6/I-MAP and PA6/II-MAP were evaluated by SEM, stress and strain, limiting oxygen index test (LOI), vertical burning test (UL-94), cone calorimetry (CONE) test, and char residue analysis. The conclusion is as follows: I-MAP and II-MAP have a greater influence on the physical properties of PA6 but less influence on the chemical properties. Compared with PA6/I-MAP, the tensile strength of PA6/II-MAP is 104.7% higher, the flame rating reaches V-0, and PHRR is reduced by 11.2%.

The Relationship between Microbial Community Succession and Flavor Formation during the Natural Fermentation of Hongqu sufu.

To study the diversity of microbial flora in Hongqu sufu and analyze the characteristics of special flavor compounds, this study took self-made Hongqu sufu as the research object. Dynamic changes in sufu during fermentation were studied. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) was used to analyze changes in the diversity of fungal and bacterial communities during fermentation. The results showed that at the phylum level, the dominant fungal phyla were identified, Mucormyces and Ascomycetes. The dominant bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. At the genus level, the dominant fungal genera were identified as Actinomucor, Monascus, and Aspergillus. The dominant bacterial genera were Pseudomonas, Aneurimibacillus, Sphingobacterium, and Bacillus. Headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) combined with technology that can dynamically change flavor compounds was explored to investigate the correlation between microbiota and flavor compounds. In different stages of fermentation, 75 main volatile organic compounds were identified, including seven alcohols, four acids, 16 alkanes, 14 olefins, seven kinds of aldehydes, two kinds of ketones, 10 kinds of esters, one kind of phenol, one kind of sulfur-containing compound, one benzene, and 12 other compounds. The correlation analysis between flora and flavor compounds showed that the fungi genera Alternaria and Pichia were significantly correlated with most flavor compounds. Bacteria genera including Weissella, Hafnia-Obesumbacterium, and Leuconostoc had a strong positive correlation with ethyl oleate.

Three-Dimensional Mass Transfer Modeling of Hydroquinone Adsorption on Phragmites australis Biochar.

In this work, the overall adsorption kinetic process of hydroquinone on Phragmites australis biochar (PAC) was analyzed in depth. A 3D mass transfer model of pore volume and surface diffusion was established, and the diffusion mechanism was analyzed. The characterization results show PAC has a higher porosity value, which is conducive to the adsorption of hydroquinone. The adsorption process modeling results show that the combined effect of pore volume diffusion and surface diffusion promotes the total diffusion process of hydroquinone in the PAC particles, and the two mechanisms of pore volume and surface diffusion exist simultaneously. Under the different operating concentrations, the range of surface diffusion coefficient Ds is 2.5 × 10-10-1.74 × 10-9 cm2/s, and the contribution rate of surface diffusion SDCP% is close to 100%, which is much larger than pore volume diffusion, revealing that regardless of the contact time and position, surface diffusion occupies the main position in intraparticle diffusion.

Effects of Disinfectants on Larval Growth and Gut Microbial Communities of Black Soldier Fly Larvae.

The use of the black soldier fly has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of swine manure. Since the outbreaks of ASFV, prevention procedures, including manure disinfection, have changed dramatically. Glutaraldehyde (GA) and potassium peroxymonosulfate (PPMS) have been shown to be effective in the prevention of this pathogen and are thus widely used in the disinfection of swine manures, etc. However, research on the effects of disinfectants in manures on the growth of BSFL and gut microbiota is scarce. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of GA and PPMS on BSFL growth, manure reduction, and gut microbiota. In triplicate, 100 larvae were inoculated in 100 g of each type of manure compound (manure containing 1% GA treatment (GT1), manure containing 0.5% GA treatment (GT2), manure containing 1% PPMS treatment (PT1), manure containing 0.5% PPMS treatment (PT2), and manure without disinfectant (control)). After calculating the larval weight and waste reduction, the larval gut was extracted and used to determine the microbial composition. According to the results, the dry weights of the larvae fed PT1-2 (PT1: 86.7 ± 4.2 mg and PT2: 85.3 ± 1.3 mg) were significantly higher than those of the larvae fed GT1-2 (GT1: 72.5 ± 2.1 mg and GT2: 70 ± 2.8 mg) and the control (64.2 ± 5.8 mg). There was a 2.8-4.03% higher waste reduction in PT1-2 than in the control, and the waste reduction in GT1-2 was 7.17-7.87% lower than that in the control. In a gut microbiota analysis, two new genera (Fluviicola and Fusobacterium) were discovered in PT1-2 when compared to GT1-2 and the control. Furthermore, the disinfectants did not reduce the diversity of the microbial community; rather, Shannon indices revealed that the diversities of GT1-2 (GT1: 1.924 ± 0.015; GT2: 1.944 ± 0.016) and PT1 (1.861 ± 0.016) were higher than those of the control (1.738 ± 0.015). Finally, it was found that both disinfectants in swine manures at concentrations of 1% and 0.5% may be beneficial to the complexity and cooperation of BSFL gut microbiota, according to an analysis of microbial interactions.

Integrative analysis of immune-related signature profiles in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.

Eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (ECRSwNP) is a subtype of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) that is associated with the nasal cavity and sinus polyps, elevated levels of eosinophils, and dysregulated immune responses to environmental triggers. The underlying cause of ECRSwNP is not well understood, and few studies have focused on the unique features of this subtype of CRS. Our study integrated proteomic and transcriptomic data with multi-omic bioinformatics analyses. We collected nasal polyps from three ECRSwNP patients and three control patients and identified 360 differentially expressed (DE) proteins, including 119 upregulated and 241 downregulated proteins. Functional analyses revealed several significant associations with ECRSwNP, including focal adhesion, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interactions. Additionally, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network revealed seven hub proteins that may play crucial roles in the development of ECRSwNP. We also compared the proteomic data with publicly available transcriptomic data and identified a total of 1077 DE genes. Pathways enriched by the DE genes involved angiogenesis, positive regulation of cell motility, and immune responses. Furthermore, we investigated immune cell infiltration and identified biomarkers associated with eosinophil and M2 macrophage infiltration using CIBERSORT and Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA). Our results provide a more complete picture of the immune-related mechanisms underlying ECRSwNP, which could contribute to the development of more precise treatment strategies for this condition.

GDF-10 Induces an Inhibitory Effect on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Laryngeal Cancer via LPR4.

BACKGROUND: Growth differentiation factor-10 (GDF-10), a member of the TGF-ß superfamily, plays a crucial role in cell proliferation and differentiation. In some tumors, GDF-10 can act as a tumor suppressor to inhibit tumor progression, but its role in posterior squamous cell carcinoma has not been reported yet. METHODS: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of GDF-10 on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and to provide new ideas for future targets in the treatment of laryngeal squamous carcinoma. RESULTS: The effect of GDF-10 on tumor growth was detected; bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict the downstream targets of GDF-10, and RT-PCR and western blot were performed to detect the expression levels of target genes and proteins, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our findings support that GDF-10 can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promote apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma AMC-HN-8 cells. GDF-10 inhibits the EMT of laryngeal carcinoma through LRP4 and thus inhibits the progression of laryngeal carcinoma.

Long non-coding RNA MEG3 silencing weakens high glucose-induced mesangial cell injury by decreasing LIN28B expression by sponging and sequestering miR-23c.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common kidney disease in diabetic patients. Long non-coding RNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) and microRNA (miR)-23c are reported to be implicated in DN development. Nevertheless, it is unclear that the molecular mechanism between MEG3 and miR-23c in DN remains unclear. Methods: Human mesangial cells (HMCs) were treated with high glucose (HG) to simulate the DN status in vitro. Expression of MEG3 and miR-23c was measured. Effects of MEG3 silencing on HG-stimulated HMC injury were determined. The relationship between MEG3 and miR-23c was verified by the dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Results: MEG3 was overexpressed in serums from DN patients and HG-stimulated HMCs. MEG3 knockdown weakened HG-stimulated HMC proliferation, extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, and inflammation. MEG3 regulated lin-28 homolog B (LIN28B) expression through adsorbing miR-23c. MiR-23c inhibitor reversed MEG3 knockdown-mediated effects on HG-stimulated HMC proliferation, ECM accumulation, and inflammation. LIN28B overexpression overturned miR-23c mimic-mediated effects on HG-stimulated HMC proliferation, ECM accumulation, and inflammation. Conclusion: MEG3 regulated HMC injury via regulation of the miR-23c/LIN28B axis in DN, which can help us better understand the mechanism of DN mediated by MEG3.

Assessing Nursery-Finishing Pig Manures on Growth of Black Soldier Fly Larvae.

Livestock manure is an important component of agricultural organic waste, and in recent years, with the development of research on the bioconversion of manure, BSFs have been proven to be useful in the treatment of a variety of livestock wastes. In-depth research on the composition of manure and its effect on the development of BSFL is, however, very scarce. The purpose of this study was to identify the parameters that influenced the growth of BSFL that was fed fattening pig manure. The pH, moisture, and nutrients of the fattening manures (namely, nursery, growing, and finishing pig manures) were measured. To examine the influence of manure types on larval growth, 100 larvae were inoculated in 100 g of each type of manure in triplicate. According to the findings, larvae fed finishing pig manure had the lowest dry weight (30.2 ± 6.1 mg) compared to those fed growing (58.2 ± 7.3 mg) or nursery (65.5 ± 6.2 mg) pig manure. The correlation coefficients (r) between the nutrients in the manure and the weight of the larvae were calculated. Hemicellulose had the greatest |r| value (0.9569). Further research revealed that larvae raised on hemicellulase-pretreated finishing pig manure frequently weighed 21-30% (days 2-8) more than larvae raised on control manure. In conclusion, hemicellulose was a significant component that might hinder larval growth. The results of this study could be used to improve the system before it is put into use.

Effects of microbial interspecies relationships and physicochemical parameters on volatile flavors in sorghum-based fermented grains during the fermentation of Shanxi light-flavored liquor.

In this study, high-throughput technology was used to reveal the core microbial community in sorghum-based fermented grains during different fermentation periods and to quantify the impacts of physicochemical parameters and microbial interspecies relationships on the volatile flavors. Headspace solid-phase microextraction, coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, was used to select 14 major volatile products with relative content greater than 1% in at least one sample, including three alcohols, one acid, eight esters, and two alkanes. The relative content of alkanes was only high on the first day and continued to decrease during the later fermentation stage. As fermentation progressed, the relative content of ethanol, ethyl acetate (aroma), and isoamyl alcohol (pungent, spicy) first increased and then decreased. In addition, the relative content of other ethyl esters continued to increase. In the early stage of fermentation (1-7 days), the temperature, moisture, and alcohol content showed an upward trend, while the content of reducing sugar decreased. As the temperature decreased in the middle and later stages (7-28 days), the physicochemical parameters tended to stabilize. In community composition, the dominant bacterial genera were Lactobacillus, Streptomyces, and Acetobacter, and the fungal genera were mainly Issatchenkia, Torulaspora, and Pichia. Network analysis identified a total of 10 core microbiota as the main contributors of esters and alkane metabolites. Moreover, total acidity and reducing sugar played important roles in promoting the formation of core microbiota and succession of dominant taxa.

Nimbolide targets RNF114 to induce the trapping of PARP1 and synthetic lethality in BRCA-mutated cancer.

Recent studies have pointed to PARP1 trapping as a key determinant of the anticancer effects of PARP1 inhibitors (PARPi). We identified RNF114, as a PARylation-dependent, E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in DNA damage response. Upon sensing genotoxicity, RNF114 was recruited, in a PAR-dependent manner, to DNA lesions, where it targeted PARP1 for degradation. The blockade of this pathway interfered with the removal of PARP1 from DNA lesions, leading to profound PARP1 trapping. We showed that a natural product, nimbolide, inhibited the E3 ligase activity of RNF114 and thus caused PARP1 trapping. However, unlike conventional PARPi, nimbolide treatment induced the trapping of both PARP1 and PARylation-dependent DNA repair factors. Nimbolide showed synthetic lethality with BRCA mutations, and it overcame intrinsic and acquired resistance to PARPi, both in vitro and in vivo. These results point to the exciting possibility of targeting the RNF114-PARP1 pathway for the treatment of homologous recombination-deficient cancers.

High level of miR-221/222 confers increased cell invasion and poor prognosis in glioma.

BACKGROUND: MiR-221 and miR-222 (miR-221/222), upregulated in gliomas, can regulate glioma cell cycle progression and apoptosis, respectively. However, the association of miR-221/222 with glioma cell invasion and survival remains unknown. METHODS: Invasion capability of miR-221/222 was detected by mutiple analyses, including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), transwell, wound healing and nude mouse tumor xenograft model assay. Further, the target of miR-221/222 was determined by luciferase reporter, western blot and gene rescue assay. The association of miR-221/222 with outcome was examined in fifty glioma patients. RESULTS: MiR-221/222 expression was significantly increased in high-grade gliomas compared with low-grade gliomas, and positively correlated with the degree of glioma infiltration. Over-expression of miR-221/222 increased cell invasion, whereas knockdown of miR-221/222 decreased cell invasion via modulating the levels of the target, TIMP3. Introduction of a TIMP3 cDNA lacking 3' UTR abrogated miR-221/222-induced cell invasion. In addition, knockdown of miR-221/222 increased TIMP3 expression and considerably inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft model. Finally, the increased level of miR-221/222 expression in high-grade gliomas confers poorer overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: The present data indicate that miR-221 and miR-222 directly regulate cell invasion by targeting TIMP3 and act as prognostic factors for glioma patients.

[The effect of cell killing by ABT-737 synergized with docetaxel in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the synergistical killing effect of docetaxel combined with ABT-737 on human prostate cancer cell line PC-3 by inducing apoptosis and further to determine the mechanism underlying such effect. METHODS: PC-3 cells were treated with various concentrations of docetaxel or (and) ABT-737. Cell viability was determined using MTT assay. Apoptosis was assessed by fluorescence microscopy analysis of cells with condensed and segmented nuclei following staining with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Cellular DNA was stained with propidium iodide and flow cytometric analysis was performed to analyze the cell cycle distribution. Bcl-2, Bax, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 protein changes were detected by Western blot. The activity of caspase-3 was measured using a colorimetric assay. RESULTS: Docetaxel (20 nmol/L) combination with ABT-737 (400 nmol/L) for 48 hours, the cell viability was decreased to 19.7% ± 3.2% to compare with 44.2% ± 4.4% (t = 4.45) of docetaxel and 93.2% ± 1.8% of ABT-737 separately and there was a synergistic effect between the two drugs (CI = 0.8). Apoptosis rate of the combination group was higher than other two drugs. Docetaxel increased the cell number arrested in G(2)/M phase compared with control group (P < 0.05), but the combination treatment resulted in a significant arrest in the G(0)/G(1) phase. The combination treatment could significantly reduced the Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 expression (F = 369.53, 57.89 and 32.77, all P < 0.05) and enhanced the activity of caspase-3 (419.7% ± 15.6%) (F = 207.33, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of ABT-737 with docetaxel can synergistically inhibit the proliferation of PC-3 cells through inducing apoptosis, which may be associated with cell cycle arrest, down-regulation of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 expression and activation of caspase-3.

[Value of spermatic cord sonography in the early diagnosis and treatment of testicular torsion].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the early diagnosis and therapeutic outcomes of testicular torsion. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 49 cases of testicular torsion along with the results of their intratesticular color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and spermatic cord sonography. RESULTS: Of the 49 cases, 42 showed abnormal intratesticular blood flow, including 3 cases of increased blood flow, while the other 7 presented no obvious abnormality. Morphological abnormality of the spermatic cord was found in 47 cases. Twenty-eight cases underwent testis removal, and the other 21 received detorsion and orchidopexy, in which 12 testes were preserved with normal size and blood flow. CONCLUSION: Spermatic cord sonography and intratesticular CDFI play an important role in the early diagnosis of testicular torsion. And early surgical exploration contributes to the preservation of the testis.