Resistance to apoptosis should not be taken as a hallmark of cancer / 癌症

In the research community, resistance to apoptosis is often considered a hallmark of cancer. However, pathologists who diagnose cancer via microscope often see the opposite. Indeed, increased apoptosis and mitosis are usually observed simultaneously in cancerous lesions. Studies have shown that increased apoptosis is associated with cancer aggressiveness and poor clinical outcome. Furthermore, overexpression of Bcl-2, an antiapoptotic protein, is linked with better survival of cancer patients. Conversely, Bax, CD95, Caspase-3, and other apoptosis-inducing proteins have been found to promote carcinogenesis. This notion of the role of apoptosis in cancer is not new; cancer cells were found to be short-lived 88 years ago. Given these observations, resistance to apoptosis should not be considered a hallmark of cancer.

Observation on therapeutic alliance with UDCA and glucocorticoids in AIH-PBC overlap syndrome / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) combined with glucocorticoids in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cirrhosis (AIH-PBC) overlap syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>19 patients with AIH-PBC overlap syndrome were divided randomly into two groups: initiate combined group and initiate UDCA-monotherapy group. Biochemical responses and pathological features before and after treatment were analyzed retrospectively with student's t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher's exact method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the initiate combination group, biochemical responses in terms of AIH features (ALT decline to normal, IgG is less than or equal to 16 g/L) and PBC features (ALP decline ≥ 40% or to normal) were achieved. In UDCA-monotherapy group, no statistical difference existed in biochemical responses before adding glucocorticoids, whereas the levels of ALT, AST, GLB and IgG decreased significantly when combined with glucocorticoids. No statistical difference of rates of biochemical responses eixted between the two groups, whereas variance could be seen in different pathological stages. Alleviation of inflammatory infiltration after therapy appeared in 3 patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combination therapy of UDCA with glucocorticoids could be suitable for AIH-PBC overlap syndrome. Early treatment is of benefit for achieving better biochemical response and pathological improvement.</p>

A two-year follow-up study on the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid on primary biliary cirrhosis in different stages / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the therapeutic effect of primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC) in different stages with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>91 patients with PBC were divided into 4 periods based on levels of liver test and symptoms. Clinical manifestations, biochemical changes and pathological changes were observed for 2 years on UDCA therapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glutamyltranspetidase (GGT) at the second PBC period were declined by 51.9% and 67.3% respectively after a 6-month UDCA therapy. The biochemical responses were 81.25% (Paris criteria) and 93.75% (Barcelona criteria). The levels of ALP and GGT at the third PBC period were declined by 48.8% and 46.6% after 6 months of UDCA therapy, and the biochemical responses were 36.84% (Paris criteria) and 57.89% (Barcelona criteria). Symptoms like fatigue, pruritus and jaundice after UDCA therapy were better than before. Same results also appeared at the fourth period. 11 patients in different periods underwent pathological examinations before and after UDCA therapy and no progression found in the first and the second periods, however difference found in the third and the fourth periods with the lymphocyte infiltration was less than before UDCA treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Good biochemical responds appear in patients at the second, third and forth periods after UDCA therapy, in which the second period is best. Symptoms could be improved after UDCA treatment. Early UDCA therapy is benefit for slowing down the progression of liver pathology.</p>

Stage-specific localization of transforming growth factor beta1 and beta3 and their receptors during spermatogenesis in men / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the stage-specific localization of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1 and beta3 during spermatogenesis in adult human testis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The localization of TGFbeta1 and beta3 was investigated by immunohistochemical staining method employing specific polyclonal antibodies.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both TGFbeta1 and beta3 and their receptors were preponderant in the Leydig cells. TGFbeta1 could not be detected in the seminiferous tubules. TGFbeta3 and TGFbeta-Receptor (R) I were mainly seen in the elongated spermatids, while TGFbeta-RII in the pachytene spermatocytes and weak in the spermatogonia, spermatids and Sertoli cells. Only TGFbeta-RII was detected in the Sertoli cells. TGFbeta3, TGFbeta-RI and TGFbeta-RII showed a staining pattern dependent upon the stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TGFbeta isoforms and their receptors are present in the somatic and germ cells of the adult human testis, suggesting their involvement in the regulation of spermatogenesis.</p>

Expression and localization of Smad1, Smad2 and Smad4 proteins in rat testis during postnatal development / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the expression and regulation of Smad1, Smad2 and Smad4 proteins (intracellular signaling molecules of transforming growth factor-b family) in rat testis during postnatal development.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The whole testes were collected from SD rats aged 3, 7, 14, 28 and 90 (adult) days. The cellular localization and developmental changes were examined by immunohistochemistry ABC method with the glucose oxidase-DAB-nickel enhancement technique. Quantitative analysis of the immunostaining was made by the image analysis system. The Smads proteins coexistence in the adult rat testis was tested by the double immune staining for CD14-Smad4 and Smad2-Smad4. The protein expression of Smad during rat testicular development was examined by means of Western blots.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Smad1, Smad2 and Smad4 were present throughout testicular development. The immunostaining of Smad1 and Smad2 were present in spermatogenic cells. A positive immunoreactivity was located at the cytoplasm, but the nucleus was negative. Smad1 was immunolocalized at the d14, d28 and adult testes, while Smad2, at the d7, d14, d28 and adult testis. There was positive immunoreaction in the Sertoli cells and Leydig cells as well. The immunolocalization of Smad4 was exclusively at the cytoplasm of Leydig cells and the nuclei were negative throughout the testicular development. No expression was detected in the germ cells. The results of image and statistical analysis showed that generally the expression of Smad1, Smad2 and Smad4 in the testis tended to increase gradually with the growth of the rat.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The present data provide direct evidences for the molecular mechanism of TGF-bgr action in rat testes during postnatal development and spermatogenesis.</p>