Pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1 regulates invasion of prostate cancer cells through MMP13.

It is critical to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the migration and invasiveness of prostate cancer (PC) for improving the outcome of therapy. A relationship of pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1 (Pttg1) and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) in PC as well as their roles in the metastases of PC has not been studied. Here, we reported significantly higher levels of Pttg1 and MMP13 in the resected PC specimens, compared to the adjacent normal prostate tissue from the same patient. Interestingly, Pttg1 and MMP13 levels strongly correlated with each other. In vitro, Pttg1 activated MMP13, which determined PC cell invasiveness. However, Pttg1 levels were not significantly affected by MMP13. Furthermore, the Pttg1-activated MMP13 in PC cells was significantly suppressed by inhibition of PI3k/Akt, but not ERK/MAPK or JNK pathways. Together, our data suggest that Pttg1 may increase PC cell metastasis by MMP13, and highlight Pttg1/MMP13 axis as a promising therapeutic target for PC treatment.

[Prognostic value of PSA kinetics in locally advanced prostate cancer treated by maximal androgen blockade combined with brachytherapy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of post-treatment PSA kinetics on the prognosis of prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 114 cases of locally advanced PCa treated by maximal androgen blockade (MAB) combined with brachytherapy, and analyzed the association of the changes in PSA kinetics with the prognosis of the patients. RESULTS: The median survival time of the patients was 81 (15 - 144) months, with 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of 91. 23%, 78.07% and 68.42% , respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that the baseline PSA level, PSA nadir, the time of PSA decreasing to nadir, PSA doubling time, and the extent of PSA declining were all predictive factors for the survival time of the PCa patients. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that PSA nadir, the time of PSA decreasing to nadir, and the extent of PSA declining were three independent prognostic factors, which prolonged the long-term survival of the patients by 1.7, 3.2 and 6.8 times, respectively. CONCLUSION: For locally advanced PCa treated by MAB combined with brachytherapy, PSA nadir <1 micro g/L, the time to nadir <3 months, and the extent of PSA declining >96% are independent prognostic factors.

[Clinical study of congenital heart disease accompanied by hypospadias].

OBJECTIVE: To study the concurrence of congenital heart disease and hypospadias and the relationship between the two diseases. METHODS: We investigated the incidence and types of congenital heart disease accompanied by hypospadias in male children received in our hospital from January 2002 to December 2012, compared them with those in the general population, and analyzed the correlation of different types of heart disease with the incidence rate of hypospadias. RESULTS: Of the 7 385 male children with congenital heart disease, 134 (1.81%) were found with hypospadias, with a significantly higher morbidity than in the general population (0.33% -0.40%) (P < 0.01). The incidence rates of hypospadias were significantly higher in the groups of ventricular septal defect (65/3 275, 1.98%), Fallot's tetralogy (17/770, 2.21%), macroangiopathy (15/788, 1.90%) and other congenital heart abnormalities (21/972, 2.16%) than in the atrial septal defect (10/1 015, 0.99%) and patent ductus arteriosus (6/565, 1.06%) groups (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the type of hypospadias among different heart disease groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Hypospadias is a common concurrent condition in male children with congenital heart disease. The incidence rate of hypospadias is related with the type of congenital heart disease, and the two conditions may have some common pathogenic or susceptive factors.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition and migration of prostate cancer stem cells is driven by cancer-associated fibroblasts in an HIF-1α/ß-catenin-dependent pathway.

Although cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a crucial role in seeding the initiation of tumor progression, they do not always possess the same potent ability as tumor metastasis. Thus, precisely how migrating CSCs occur, still remains unclear. In the present study, we first comparatively analyzed a series of prostate CSCs, which exhibited a dynamically increasing and disseminating ability in nude mice. We observed that the transcriptional activity of HIF-1α and ß-catenin became gradually elevated in these stem cells and their epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristic altered from an epithelial type to a mesenchymal type. Next, we further used cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which were cultured from surgically resected tissues of prostate cancer (PCa) to stimulate prostate CSCs. Similar results were reconfirmed and showed that the protein levels of both HIF-1α and ß-catenin were markedly improved. In addition, the EMT phenotype displayed a homogenous mesenchymal type, accompanied with increased aggressive potency in vitro. Most importantly, the aforementioned promoting effect of CAFs on prostate CSCs was completely repressed after "silencing" the activity of ß-catenin by transfection of stem cells with ShRNA. Taken together, our observations suggest that prostate migrating CSCs, with a mesenchymal phenotype, could be triggered by CAFs in a HIF-1α/ß-catenin-dependent signaling pathway.

[Epithelial-mesenchymal transition of prostate cancer: cancer stem cells or bulk cancer cells].

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of prostate cancer is most likely to occur in cancer stem cells (CSC). METHODS: The isolation of CSC from LNCaP cell line was performed by flow cytometry based on side-population (SP) phenotype. After SP sorting, LNCaP/SP and LNCaP/NSP were used for further transfection of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Subsequently, EMT-associated proteins were detected by Western blotting. And the assays of Transwell and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) were used to compare invasive and proliferative potency between LNCaP/SP and LNCaP/NSP after HIF-1α induction. Eventually, xenograft experiments were performed with LNCaP/HIF-1α/SP and LNCaP/HIF-1α/NSP cells for further analysis of in vivo tumorigenesis and distant metastasis. RESULTS: Through HIF-1α-induced EMT, LNCaP/HIF-1α/SP exhibited such remarkable EMT characteristics as a positive expression of epithelial markers (E-cadherin and CK18) and a negative expression of mesenchymal markers (vimentin, N-cadherin, fibronectin, cathepsin D, MMP-2 and uPAR). And LNCaP/HIF-1α/NSP underwent partial EMT with an abnormal expression of some mesenchymal proteins (vimentin and cathepsin D) and loss of epithelial protein (CK18) despite reservation of another important epithelial marker (E-cadherin). Further Transwell and MTT assays indicated that LNCaP/HIF-1α/SP exhibited stronger in vitro invasive and proliferative potency than LNCaP/HIF-1α/NSP cells. In animal models, the volume of subcutaneous tumor by LNCaP/HIF-1α/SP cells was much greater than that by LNCaP/HIF-1α/NSP counterparts ((1008 ± 230) vs (288 ± 145) mm(3), P < 0.01). Moreover, LNCaP/HIF-1α/SP cells also had a significantly higher rate of subcutaneous tumor incidence (80% vs 53%, P < 0.05) and bone metastasis (40% vs 0, P < 0.01) as compared with LNCaP/HIF-1α/NSP counterparts. CONCLUSION: As the main target cells of prostatic EMT, CSCs may develop a more malignant phenotype after EMT.

[Long-term outcomes of prostate cancer patients treated with combined brachytherapy and maximal androgen blockade].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prognostic factors of prostate cancer (PCa) patients and evaluate the effect of brachytherapy on survival time. METHODS: A total of 289 PCa were recruited to collect their clinical and survival data. And their possible prognostic factors were analyzed. A further comparison of 5-year cumulative survival rate was made between the patients treated by maximal androgen blockade (MAB) and those on MAB plus brachytherapy. RESULTS: Their median survival time was 73 (7-144) months. And the 1, 3 and 5-year survival rates were 93.1%, 81.0% and 60.2% respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that prostate volume, basal level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score, tumor stage, PSA nadir, time PSA decreasing to nadir and brachytherapy were all predictive factors for survival time. And multivariate analysis further demonstrated that Gleason score, tumor stage and PSA nadir were independent prognostic indicators. And the combination therapy based on brachytherapy could significantly increase the 5-year cumulative survival rate than MAB-based monotherapy. CONCLUSION: Gleason score, tumor stage and PSA nadir may predict the prognosis of PCa patients. And brachytherapy significantly improves patient survival.

[Sorting and identification of cancer stem cells in human prostate cancer cell lines].

OBJECTIVE: To sort and identify side population (SP) cancer stem cells (CSC) in human prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines. METHODS: Stem-like cells were isolated from five PCa cell lines Du145, IA8, LNCaP, TSU-Pr and PC-3 using FACS based on CD133+ CD44+ immunophenotype and SP in Hoechst staining. The in vitro growth pattern and tumorigenicity of SP stem cells were verified by soft agar colony-formation trial. LNCaP/SP cells were selected for further identification of stem cell properties using immunostaining, proliferation and invasion assay. Eventually, tumorigenicity and metastasis ability of LNCaP/SP were confirmed by xenograft experiments. RESULTS: The percentages of CSCs of the CD133 CD44 + immunophenotype were extremely low in the five PCa cell lines. On the contrary, the percentages of the isolated SP cells were significantly higher in Du145 ([0.15 +/- 0.02]%), IA8 ([0.60 +/- 0.07 ]%), LNCaP ([0.8 +/- 0.1]%) and TSU-PrL ([2.0 +/- 0.4]%), but none was detected in PC-3. Besides, IA8/SP, LNCaP/SP and TSU-PrL/SP cells showed a significantly greater colony-forming efficiency than non-side population (NSP) cells (P < 0.05). Compared with LNCaP/NSP cells, LNCaP/SP cells exhibited high expressions of integrin alpha2, Nanog, CD44, OCT4 and ABCG2, remarkably enhanced invasive and proliferative potentials in vitro, and markedly increased tumorigenicity and metastasis (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: SP sorting is more suitable than CD133+ CD44+ selection for enriching CSCs from PCa cell lines, and LNCaP/ SP represents a typical CSC population.

[Factors influencing finasteride medication compliance in outpatients with benign prostatic hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors influencing the compliance, discontinuation and switching of finasteride medication in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the electronic clinical data of 655 outpatients with BPH treated with finasteride from January 2008 to June 2010. Using the medication possession ratio (MPR), we measured their medication compliance and the rates of discontinuation and switching after an average observation of 12 months. We identified and evaluated the influencing factors by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The crude rates of medication compliance, discontinuation and switching were 32.4%, 58.0% and 9.6%, respectively. In those aged > or = 60 years, combination therapy of finasteride with alpha-receptor blockers and chronic comorbidities were positively associated with good compliance, while younger age was significantly associated with drug discontinuation or switching. Finasteride monotherapy was significantly associated with discontinuation of the drug. CONCLUSION: Patients aged < 60 years and those receiving monotherapy were less likely to be compliant with newly initiated finasteride medication, and therefore more efforts should be made to increase their medication adherence.

Finasteride adherence-associated factors in Chinese benign prostatic hyperplasia patients.

OBJECTIVES: Medication noncompliance is a recognized problem worldwide. This study evaluated the factors associated with compliance, discontinuation and switching of finasteride among Chinese benign prostatic hyperplasia patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 682 outpatients newly diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prescribed with finasteride from January 2008 to December 2009, taken from a database. We evaluated their compliance by medication possession ratios, discontinuation and switching rate after the prescription for an average observation period of 15 months. Multiple association factors were identified and evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The crude compliance level, discontinuation and switching rates were 29.3, 60.6 and 10.1%, respectively. Older age (≥60 years), combination therapy, medical insurance and chronic comorbidities were positively associated with good compliance. Younger age was significantly associated with drug discontinuation or switching. Those patients on finasteride monotherapy and without medical insurance were significantly associated with discontinuation of drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Patients <60 years of age, on monotherapy and without medical insurance were less likely to be compliant with their newly initiated finasteride treatment. Consequently, more efforts should be made among this group to increase treatment adherence.

Knockdown of ß-Catenin through shRNA cause a reversal of EMT and metastatic phenotypes induced by HIF-1α.

OBJECTIVE: Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway regulates pattern formation during embryogenesis as well as tumor progression. Numbers of studies suggest that this signaling pathway may play an important role in Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition (EMT), however, there was no evidence that Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway directly controlled the EMT occurrence. Our previous research has successfully proved that overexpression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) could induce EMT in LNCaP cells, but not in PC-3. Consistently, the expression of ß-catenin protein increased in LNCaP/HIF-1α cells, but not in PC-3/HIF-1α. This study mainly aimed at exploring the essentiality and importance of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in HIF-1α-induced EMT. METHODS: Human prostate cancer cells (LNCaP) were stably transfected by recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(-)/HIF-1α. The positive clones were selected by G418 and confirmed through western blot analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and indirect immunofluoesence. Then LNCaP/HIF-1α was transiently transfected with ß-catenin shRNA (shRNA1 and shRNA2) and negative shRNA (shRNA-scr). The epithelial markers, mesenchymal markers, and critical proteins in Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway were separately detected by western blot analysis. Finally, the invasive potency of cells in different transfection group was examined by Matrgel transwell assay. RESULT: We successfully established prostate cancer cell line LNCaP/HIF-1α and LNCaP/HIF-1α/ß-catenin(-). LNCaP/HIF-1α displayed high expression of mesenchymal markers and low expression of epithelial markers. However, compared with LNCaP/HIF-1α, the epithelial marker E-cadherin was increased in LNCaP/HIF-1α/ß-catenin(-), whereas the expression of mesenchymal marker N-cadherin, vimentin, MMP-2 were significantly decreased. Inhibition of Wnt signal activity through ß-catenin shRNA cause a reversal of EMT induced by HIF-1α in human prostate cancer. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of HIF-1α stimulates the invasion potency of human prostate carcinoma cells through EMT pathway and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway played a vital role in this process. Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway might be a necessary endogenous signal that directly controlled the EMT occurrence induced by HIF-1α.

[Characterization of prostate cancer cell lines and their epithelial-mesenchymal transition in subcutaneous tumors].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the differences in the expression of epithelial or mesenchymal standard proteins between prostate cancer cell lines and tumors, and to investigate the relationship between the process of the prostate cancer cell line forming subcutaneous tumors and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by comparing the characteristics of different prostate cell lines forming subcutaneous tumors in SCID mice. METHODS: We constructed prostate cancer models in male SCID mice by subcutaneous injection of 4 human prostate cancer cell lines DU145, Tsu, PC3 and LNCaP, and compared the characteristics of tumor formation. We used Western blot to detect the expressions of E-cadherin and Vimentin in the cancer cell lines and subcutaneous tumors, observed their differences before and after tumor formation, and explore the relationship between EMT and tumor formation. RESULTS: The EMT positive cells DU145 and Tsu showed a higher rate and speed of tumor formation than the EMT negative ones PC3 and LNCaP. The expression of E-cadherin was down-regulated in DU145, up-regulated in Tsu, and absent in PC3 and LNCaP. CONCLUSION: EMT positive cells have a stronger ability of forming tumors than EMT negative cells, and mesenchymal-epithelial transition does exist in subcutaneous tumor formation.

[Expression of COX-2 in different human prostate cancer cell lines and its significance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in different prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines and its role in the acquisition of invasive and metastatic potentials of PCa. METHODS: We detected the expressions of COX-2 in prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP, C4-2, IF11, IA8 and PC-3 with different metastatic potentials by Western blotting and RT-PCR, and analyzed their roles in the invasion and metastasis of different PCa cell lines. RESULTS: Western blotting and RT-PCR showed that the expression of the COX-2 protein was high in PC-3, but absent in IF11, IA8, LNCaP and C4-2 (P < 0.05), and it was consistent with the expression of COX-2 mRNA. CONCLUSION: COX-2 expresses differently in PCa cell lines with different metastatic potentials. The overexpression of COX-2 may be associated with the high invasion and metastasis of PC-3, but not with the metastasis of other cell lines.

Effects of prostate manipulation on serum total and free prostate specific antigen, and free-to-total prostate specific antigen ratio.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the different types of manipulation on prostate total specific antigen (tPSA), free prostate specific antigen (fPSA), and free-to-total prostate specific antigen (f/tPSA). METHODS: A total of 160 males were enrolled from January 2006 to December 2009 in the Urology Department, Beijing Anzhen Hospital affiliated to the Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Of these patients, 23 had digital rectal examination (DRE), 21 had urethral catheterization, 28 had rigid cystoscopy, 35 had prostate biopsy, 35 underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), and 18 underwent suprapubic prostatectomy. Blood samples were taken before, at 24 hours, and 4 weeks after the manipulation for PSA tests. RESULTS: The DRE had no significant effect on PSA. Catheterization and cystoscopy exerted significant increases in tPSA at 24 hours. However, these small increases may not be clinically significant. The fPSA and f/tPSA were not significantly changed. There was a marked increase in tPSA and fPSA, associated with a decrease in f/tPSA at 24 hours after biopsy. No significant alterations were found in tPSA, fPSA, and f/tPSA at 4 weeks after catheterization, cystoscopy, and biopsy. The TURP and prostatectomy caused significant increases in tPSA and fPSA at 24 hours, associated with decreases in f/tPSA. The tPSA and fPSA values were below the baseline levels at 4 weeks after TURP and prostatectomy, however, f/tPSA remained constant. CONCLUSION: The DRE, catheterization, and cystoscopy had no crucial effect on PSA. Prostatic biopsy, TURP and prostatectomy significantly affected the PSA levels, and their longitudinal courses should be considered while evaluating different forms of PSA levels.

[Role of beta-catenin signaling pathway in EMT of human prostate cancer induced by HIF-1alpha].

OBJECTIVE: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important process in tumor development. Several studies suggest that the beta-catenin signal pathway may play an important role in EMT. However, there is no direct evidence showing that this pathway actually determines the EMT induced by exogenous signal. Our previous study has successfully proved that over-expression of HIF-1alpha could induce EMT in LNCaP cells, but not in PC-3. So the present study was intended to indicate that the signal of HIF-1alpha for inducing prostate cancer cell to undergo EMT might pass through the beta-catenin pathway. METHODS: Firstly, we analyzed the expression of HIF-1alpha and its target proteins in LNCaP/HIF1alpha and PC-3/HIF1alpha by Western blot. And then EMT-associated proteins were detected by Western blot. Furthermore the potency of invasiveness and proliferation of several cell lines were evaluated by transwell and MTT assay. Lastly the expressions of beta-catenin and GSK-3beta in these cells were analyzed by Western blot and RT-PCR. RESULTS: HIF-1alpha, Glut-1 and VEGF were highly expressed in LNCaP/HIF1alpha and PC-3/HIF1alpha. And PC-3, LNCaP and PC-3/HIF1alpha were EMT-negative cell lines whereas LNCaP/HIF1alpha and IA8 had undergone EMT process. LNCaP/HIF1alpha, IA8 and PC-3/HIF1alpha exhibited a much stronger potency of invasiveness and proliferation than those of PC-3 and LNCaP. The protein levels of total GSK-3beta and phospho-GSK-3beta in LNCaP/HIF1alpha, IA8 and PC-3/HIF1alpha cells significantly decreased; however, the relative ratios of p-GSK3beta/t-GSK3beta increased. Consistently, beta-catenin protein expression increased in LNCaP/HIF1alpha and IA8 cells, but not in PC-3/HIF1alpha; RT-PCR confirmed these results, except for an enhanced transcription activity of beta-catenin mRNA in PC-3/HIF1alpha. CONCLUSION: The activation of the beta-catenin signaling pathway correlates with the characteristic of EMT and potency of invasiveness and proliferation. And it may be one critical factor directly controlling the process of EMT induced by HIF-1alpha in prostate cancer.

[Epididymal cyst in von Hippel-Lindau syndrome: clinicopathologic analysis of 3 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathologic features of epididymal cyst in von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical data of 3 epididymal cyst patients treated by surgery, and detected the expressions of HIF-1alpha, VEGF, alpha-SMA and CD34 in the epididymal tissue samples by the immunohistochemistry SP method. RESULTS: All the 3 patients underwent surgical removal of the epididymal cyst. Immunohistochemistry of the epididymal tissues showed HIF-1alpha, VEGF, alpha-SMA and CD34 to be positive. All the 3 cases were confirmed to be VHL syndrome, 1 right after surgery, and the other 2 within 8 years postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Epididymal cyst is a usual benign disease, which may occur independently of or be complicated by VHL syndrome. If immunohistochemistry of epididymal tissues shows HIF-1alpha, VEGF, alpha-SMA and CD34 to be positive, VHL syndrome should be considered, and further clinical examinations and post-operation follow-up are necessitated.

Eighty-six cases of laparoscopic vaginoplasty using an ileal segment.

BACKGROUND: The surgical management of the absence of the vagina is a complex problem and constitutes a significant technical challenge. As the laparoscopy has been an important tool for the treatment of uterovaginal anomalies, we evaluated the feasibility of laparoscopic vaginoplasty using an ileal segment retrospectively. METHODS: Totally 86 patients who underwent laparoscopic vaginoplasty using an ileal segment in Beijing Anzhen Hospital during February 2004 to July 2007 were enrolled in this study. Of the 86 patients, 70 (81.4%) underwent primary operations and 16 (18.6%) secondary operations. Nineteen (22.1%) patients underwent total laparoscopic vaginoplasty and 67 (77.9%) patients underwent laparoscope-assisted vaginoplasty. The operation time, cost of hospitalization, and hospital duration were compared between the two laparoscopic groups. The Student's t test and the Mann-Whitney test were used to examine the differences. RESULTS: All the surgeries were successfully completed with no any intraoperative complication. There were three major surgical complications in the postoperative period: one case of intra-abdominal hemorrhage, one case of meatal stenosis, and one case of intestinal obstruction. The mean follow-up period of this series was 18 months. Seventy-eight patients were satisfied with their sexual lives after the surgeries except 5 women complaining of vaginal stenosis and 3 with no sexual partner during the follow-up. Significant differences were obtained between total laparoscopic and laparoscope-assisted vaginoplasty groups, such as the operation time, cost of hospitalization, and hospital duration (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in sexual function between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic vaginoplasty using an ileal segment is satisfactory for cosmetic, functional, and anatomic results. Vaginoplasty with an ileal segment, performed by either total laparoscopic or laparoscope-assisted techniques, has a high success rate for a functional vagina.

Laparoscopic vaginal reconstruction using an ileal segment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic vaginal reconstruction using an ileal segment in patients with vaginal atresia, male-female transsexual patients, or patients who had vaginal cancer. METHODS: A retrospective review of the records of 80 patients who underwent laparoscopic vaginoplasty between 2004 and 2007 at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, China. RESULTS: Nineteen (23.8%) patients underwent total laparoscopic vaginoplasty and 61 (76.3%) underwent laparoscope-assisted vaginoplasty. There were 64 (80.0%) primary operations and 16 (20.0%) secondary operations. All of the surgeries were completed successfully and no intraoperative complications occurred. Mean follow-up time was 14 months. Postoperatively, 5 women had vaginal stenosis, while 4 women had no sexual partner during the follow-up period which meant that they could not be assessed completely. The remaining 71 patients were satisfied with their sexual lives after surgery. CONCLUSION: Vaginal reconstruction performed via total laparoscopic vaginoplasty or a laparoscope-assisted technique using an ileal segment has a high success rate for a functional vagina and patient satisfaction.

[Identification of Wnt/beta-catenin signal pathway in human prostate cancer cell lines and its significance].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the Wnt/beta-catenin signal pathway in different human prostate cancer cell lines and explore its role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human prostate cancer. METHODS: We detected the expressions of beta-catenin, t-GSK3beta and p-GSK3beta in several prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, C4, C4-2, C4-2B, IF11, IA8, PC-3 and DU145) with different characteristics of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by Western blotting. RESULTS: There were remarkable differences in the expressions of beta-catenin and p-GSK3beta among the cell lines, with beta-catenin and p-GSK3beta highly expressed in LNCaP, C4, C4-2, C4-2B, IF11 and IA8, lowly expressed in PC-3 and DU145, but no difference was observed in the expressions of t-GSK3beta in all the cell lines. CONCLUSION: There are differences in the state of the Wnt/beta-catenin signal pathway among the cell lines with different characters of EMT.

[Finasteride: an effective therapeutic for benign prostatic hyperplasia related gross hematuria in patients receiving anticoagulant].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of finasteride on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) related gross hematuria in patients receiving anticoagulant. METHODS: A total of 105 patients with BPH related gross hematuria were divided into an anticoagulant group (n = 81), treated with combined therapy of anticoagulants and finasteride, and a control group (n = 24), given finasteride only at 5 mg daily. The therapeutic effects were compared by a 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: In the anticoagulant group, gross hematuria was cured in 52 patients (64.2%), taking an average time of 3.9 weeks (1-6 weeks), and improved in 12 patients (14.8%), as compared with 16 patients cured (66.7%), 3.2 weeks taken (1-5 weeks), and 4 patients improved (16.7%) in the control group. The mean time taken to resolve hematuria was longer in the former (P < 0.05). But the cure rates had no significant differences either between the two groups or among the subgroups receiving different anticoagulants. CONCLUSION: Finasteride is an effective therapeutic for BPH related hematuria in patients receiving different anticoagulants. It makes no significant differences in cure and effectiveness rates between patients treated with and without anticoagulant, but takes an average of longer time to resolve hematuria in patients receiving anticoagulant.

[Expressions of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in LNCaP and ARCaP cell lines and their significance].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expressions of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in LNCaP and ARCaP cell lines and explore their relationship with the metastasis of human prostate cancer. METHODS: The expressions and distribution of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in LNCaP and ARCaP cell lines (IF11 and IA8) were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS: The expression of E-cadherin was high in LNCaP, but absent in IF11 and IA8, while beta-catenin was expressed highly in IF11 and LA8, but lowly in LNCaP. Immunofluorescent staining showed that E-cadherin was mainly in the membrane of LNCaP, while beta-catenin both in the membrane of LNCaP and in the nuclei of IF11 and IA8. CONCLUSION: E-cadherin and beta-catenin are differently expressed and distributed in prostate cancer cell lines with different characteristics of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and the abnormal activation of the beta-catenin signal pathway may be involved in the EMT of prostate cancer cells.