TRIM38 triggers the uniquitination and degradation of glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1) to restrict tumor progression in bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Loss-of-function mutations or abnormal expressions of E ubiquitin ligases contributes to tumorigenesis. TRIM38 was reported to regulate immunity, inflammatory responses or apoptosis, but its roles in tumor progression remain inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the functional roles of TRIM38 in bladder cancer to identify effective targets. METHODS: Firstly, the expression data of ubiquitination-associated genes were derived from the TCGA-BLCA cohort. Univariate Cox regression method was utilized to screen prognostic genes. Colony formation assay, Transwell assay, sphere formation assays were used to assess functional roles of TRIM38. TAP/MS assay was used to identify downstream substrates of TRIM38. Fresh clinical BLCA tissues were collected to evaluate the clinicopathological features of patients with different TRIM38 expression. The subcutaneous tumor models were established to determine the drug efficacy of BAY-876. RESULTS: A list of ubiquitination-associated signature was identified based on the screening in TCGA-BLCA cohort. Subsequent validations revealed that TRIM38 was a significant suppressor in tumors, which was expressed lowly in BLCA. Kaplan-Meier analysis and correlation analysis suggested that patients with low TRIM38 expressions had shorter survival time and advanced clinical characteristics. Targeting TRIM38 reinforced BLCA cells proliferation, migration and stemness. Mechanistically, TRIM38 interacted with GLUT1, thereby promoting its ubiquitinoylation and degradation. Furthermore, TRIM38 deficiency relied on accumulated GLUT1 proteins to enhance BLCA malignant features and cellular glycolytic capacity. We accordingly investigated the efficacy of GLUT1 inhibitor (BAY-876) in BLCA and determined its IC50 values across cell lines. Tumor xenograft models further validated that BAY-876 could effectively suppress the in vivo growth of TRIM38low/- BLCA. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that TRIM38 plays a tumor suppressive role in BLCA pathogenesis and TRIM38/GLUT1 axis is a therapeutic vulnerability for clinical treatment, which possessing great translational significance.

Limited sampling strategy for the estimation of the area under the concentration-time curve for ganciclovir in Chinese adult renal allograft recipients.

OBJECTIVES: Valganciclovir (VGCV) treatment is recommended for the prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in renal allograft recipients. The aim of the present study is to investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics of ganciclovir (GCV) after administration of VGCV in Chinese adult renal allograft recipients and estimate the exposure to GCV using limited sampling strategy (LSS). METHODS: Forty Chinese renal allograft recipients were given 450 mg or 900 mg VGCV daily. Blood samples were drawn before treatment and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 h after 5 days of VGCV therapy, and the plasma concentrations of VGCV and GCV were determined using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assay. The major pharmacokinetic parameters for GCV and VGCV were determined using a noncompartmental assay. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis was conducted to establish a model equation for the estimation of the GCV AUC0-24 h in Chinese patients using LSS. RESULTS: In the 450 and 900 mg groups, the Cmax for VGCV was 0.2 ± 0.10 and 0.4 ± 0.16 mg/L, respectively; the Cmax for GCV was 4.2 ± 1.1 and 8.6 ± 1.6 mg/L, respectively; and the AUC0-24 h for GCV was 28.4 ± 8.4 and 60.7 ± 17.5 mg·h/L, respectively. For the establishment of LSS models, 40 patients were divided into the training group (n = 24) and validation group (n = 16). The model equations used for the calculation of AUC0-24 h for GCV were established in the training group by using multiple linear regression assay. Equations including AUC = 8.1 + 29.7 × C0 + 5.7 × C4 (r2 = 0.91) and AUC = - 0.4 + 11.0 × C0 + 2.1 × C2 + 13.7 × C8 (r2 = 0.98) were acceptable. The %MPE and %MAPE values obtained from the validation group for the two model equations were 5.89 ± 14.5% and 12.1 ± 9.53%, and - 1.30 ± 4.40% and 3.28 ± 3.11%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The LSS models that included C0 and C4 or C0, C2, and C8 in the estimation of AUC0-24 h for GCV had favorable performance and can be used for therapeutic drug monitoring in the prevention of CMV infection using VGCV in Chinese renal allograft recipients.

The role of unilateral adrenalectomy in corticotropin-independent bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasias.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was twofold: to demonstrate our experience with unilateral adrenalectomy in the treatment of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-independent Cushing syndrome (CS) caused by bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasias, and to evaluate the long-term results as evidenced by the main laboratory and clinical findings. METHODS: From February 2000 to August 2009, unilateral adrenalectomy was performed on 27 patients with ACTH-independent CS and bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasias, including 14 patients with ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) and 13 patients with primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD). Signs and symptoms of CS, endocrine examinations, and radiographic imaging were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 69 months (range: 23-120 months) for AIMAH and 47 months (range: 16-113 months) for PPNAD, 25 patients were cured by unilateral adrenalectomy. Serum cortisol level, daily urinary free cortisol (UFC), and plasma ACTH regained the normal range in both AIMAH and PPNAD patients at monthly follow-up visits; the circadian serum cortisol rhythm returned to normal, and a normal responsiveness to overnight low-dose dexamethasone administration (LDDST) became obvious. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) levels were significantly reduced: 85 % of patients recovered normal BP levels, and the remaining patients need antihypertensive drugs, but at a reduced dose. No surgery-related morbidity occurred, and there was no sign of further enlargement of the residual adrenal gland after successful unilateral adrenalectomy. One patient with PPNAD and another patient with AIMAH with similar weights and sizes of the bilateral adrenals needed contralateral adrenalectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral adrenalectomy may be the suitable treatment for selected patients with AIMAH and PPNAD. It can achieve long-term remission of CS and improve glycemic control and BP values.

Forkhead box F1 functions as a novel prognostic biomarker and induces caspase­dependent apoptosis in bladder cancer.

The downregulated expression of forkhead box F1 (FOXF1) has been found in many malignant tumors but no research was done in bladder cancer (BC). The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic value and antitumor effects of FOXF1 in patients with BC. Herein, a retrospectively recruited BC cohort and public datasets were utilized to identify the predictive ability of FOXF1 and determine its association with the clinical characteristics of BC patients. It was found that the expression level of FOXF1 was notably lower in BC tissues than in para­cancerous mucosae. Low FOXF1 expression was associated with unfavorable clinicopathological features and poor prognosis. Furthermore, in BC cells, the mRNA and protein expression levels of FOXF1 were examined using reverse transcription­quantitative PCR and western blot analysis. Cell viability was examined using Cell Counting Kit­8, EdU and clonogenic capacity assays. Cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. The results revealed that the activation of FOXF1 impaired cell viability and induced apoptosis in BC. The antitumor effects of FOXF1 were also validated using animal models. Subsequently, caspase­3 was spotted as a downstream gene of FOXF1 by using RNA sequencing and protein­protein interaction analyses. FOXF1 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of BC cells via caspase signaling pathway. The present study demonstrates the expression patterns, prognostic predictive ability and antitumor effects of FOXF1 in BC. FOXF1 is a favorable biomarker for predicting clinical outcomes in patients with BC and represents a potential therapeutic target.

Retroperitoneal adrenal-sparing surgery for the treatment of Cushing's syndrome caused by adrenocortical adenoma: 8-year experience with 87 patients.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to present our 8-year experience with partial adrenalectomy via the retroperitoneal approach for the treatment of Cushing's adenoma. METHODS: A total of 93 patients who underwent adrenal surgery for Cushing's adenoma from March 2003 to December 2010 were enrolled in this study. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were reviewed from the database. Student's t test was used to analyze the continuous data, and the χ(2) test was used to analyze the categoric data. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Adrenal-sparing surgery was performed in 87 cases (31 by open surgery, 56 by retroperitoneal laparoscopy). Six patients underwent open/laparoscopic total adrenalectomy because of recurrent disease or a large size. The cure rate in our series was 97.8%. Hypertension resolved in 34 of 64 patients (53.1%), diabetes in 7 of 27 patients (25.9%) and obesity in 28 of 48 patients (58.3%). One patient died during the postoperative period. The intraoperative complication rate for the open surgery group was significantly higher than that for the retroperitoneal laparoscopy group (9.1 vs. 1.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The retroperitoneal approach is reliable and safe for treating Cushing's syndrome. The laparoscopic technique can decrease the prevalence of intraoperative complications. Retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial adrenalectomy can be performed with extremely low morbidity and achieves an excellent outcome, although death may occur during the postoperative period in high-risk patients. Postoperative management plays an important role in the surgical treatment of Cushing's syndrome.

Population Pharmacokinetics and Bayesian Estimation of the Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve for Ganciclovir in Adult Chinese Renal Allograft Recipients After Valganciclovir Administration.

Valganciclovir (VGCV) is the prodrug of ganciclovir (GCV). The objective of this study was to establish a population pharmacokinetic model (PPK) of GCV to investigate the PK characteristics of GCV after administration of VGCV in adult Chinese renal allograft recipients. Seventy Chinese renal allograft recipients were given 450 mg (n = 41) or 900 mg (n = 29) VGCV daily. Blood samples were drawn 0-24 hours after 5 days' therapy, and GCV plasma levels were determined. The PPK model was constructed using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling, and the Bayesian estimation of AUC0-24h was constructed for an individual patient based on limited plasma samples. The PK of GCV was best described by a 2-compartment model with a first-order absorption process. The CL/F, V2 /F, Q/F, V3 /F, Ka , and lag time of GCV were 15.8 ± 0.71 L/h, 10.9 ± 2.38 L, 3.98 ± 0.40 L/h, 167 ± 44.0 L, 0.23 ± 0.0078 1/h, and 0.93 ± 0.017 hours, respectively. Clearance of creatinine was found to have a significant impact on the CL/F of GCV (P < .01). Sampling strategies consisted of plasma concentrations 0 and 2 and 0, 2, and 4 hours after VGCV administration were shown to be suitable for the estimation of the GCV AUC0-24h . The PPK model was acceptable and can describe the PK of GCV in Chinese renal transplant patients administered VGCV. The AUC0-24h of GCV in Chinese renal transplant patients can be calculated by a limited sampling strategy method.

Retroperitoneoscopic partial adrenalectomy for small adrenal tumours (< or =1 cm): the Ruijin clinical experience in 88 patients.

STUDY TYPE: Therapy (case series). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. OBJECTIVE: To present our experience of retroperitoneoscopic partial adrenalectomy (RPA) for small adrenal tumours, as with modern imaging methods small adrenal lesions are being diagnosed more commonly, and retroperitoneoscopic adrenal surgery for small adrenal tumours (< or =1 cm) can be challenging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 389 consecutive retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomies from September 2005 to December 2008, 88 of which were small adrenal tumours and treated by RPA. Ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) were used in all patients before RPA, and magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomography/CT in some patients. We used RPA for adrenal tumours and total adrenalectomy for adrenal cancer. During the surgery, the internal part of the adrenal gland close to the retroperitoneum was freed first, and the whole adrenal tissue was dissected completely. The preoperative imaging was important in these procedures. RESULTS: There were no deaths; conversions to open surgery were necessary in four patients (4.5%), the reasons being a missing target in two, massive haemorrhage caused by central adrenal vein injury in one, and severe adhesion in one. The mean (range) size of the adrenal tumours was 0.7 (0.5-1.0) cm, including 69 aldosterone-producing adenomas, 11 nonfunctional adrenal adenomas, three Cushing syndrome, two phaeochromocytomas, two myelolipomas and one melanoma. The operative duration in the initial 38 cases was significantly longer than that in the subsequent 50 (P < 0.01). However, there was no significant correlation between estimated blood loss and the number of procedures. Tumour size did not correlate with estimated blood loss and operative duration. There was no significant correlation between body mass index and operative duration. CONCLUSION: RPA is a safe, effective and minimally invasive therapeutic option for patients with small adrenal tumours. With improved operative technique the RPA has been completed in more quickly. Freeing the internal part of the adrenal gland close to the retroperitoneum first, and exploring the whole adrenal tissue during surgery are the key points of RPA. The location of the small adrenal tumour can be different from that shown on imaging before surgery, and the abnormality of the adrenal gland should be considered.

Associations between the expressions of MiR-135 and MiR-92a and pathogenesis of prostate cancer and analysis of their clinical significance.

PURPOSE: To explore the associations between the expressions of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-135 and miR-92a and the pathogenesis of prostate cancer, as well as their clinical significance. METHODS: A total of 40 prostate cancer patients were studied. The associations of expressions of miR-135 and miR-92a with the pathological Gleason score and expression of prostate specific antigen (PSA) were assessed, the sensitivity and specificity of miR-135 and miR-92a in the diagnosis of prostate cancer were compared, and the associations between the expressions of miR-135 and miR-92a and the prognosis of prostate cancer patients were evaluated. RESULTS: In patients with pathological Gleason score ≥8 points the expression level of miR-135 was significantly lower (p<0.05), while that of miR-92a was significantly higher than those in patients with pathological Gleason score <8 points (p<0.05). In patients with PSA expression >10 ng/mL the expression level of miR-135 was obviously lower (p<0.05), while that of miR-92a was obviously higher than those in patients with PSA expression ≤10 ng/mL (p<0.05). The expression of miR-135 was negatively correlated with the pathological Gleason score and PSA expression (p<0.05), while the expression of miR-92a was positively correlated with the pathological Gleason score and PSA expression (p<0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of miR-135 and miR-92a in the diagnosis were above 80% and about 70%, respectively. In miR-135-positive patients, the mean survival time was longer (p<0.05) and the 2-year survival rate was higher than those in miR-135-negative patients (p<0.05). In miR-92a-positive patients, the mean survival time was shorter (p<0.05) and the 2-year survival rate was lower than those in miR-92a-negative patients (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of miR-135 and miR-92a are of certain value in screening prostate cancer. The prognosis and survival of patients are positively correlated with the miR-135 expression and negatively correlated with the miR-92a expression.

Long Non-Coding RNA BCAR4 Binds to miR-644a and Targets TLX1 to Promote the Progression of Bladder Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer is a serious threat to human health. It is meaningful to study the pathogenesis of bladder cancer. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are reported to promote or inhibit bladder cancer development. However, the role of lncRNA BCAR4 in the regulation of bladder cancer remains unclear. PURPOSE: This study was to explore the role of lncRNA BCAR4 in the progression of bladder cancer cell. METHODS: RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of BCAR4 and miR-644a. CCK8 assay, colony formation assay, Transwell assay were used to detect the progression of bladder cancer cells after transfecting of indicated plasmids. RESULTS: The expression of BCAR4 was higher in bladder cancer cell lines than normal urothelial cell line. Moreover, the expression of BCAR4 was associated with the advanced stage and metastasis of bladder cancer. Through knockdown of BCAR4, we discovered that knockdown of BCAR4 significantly decreased the proliferation, migration and invasive abilities of bladder cancer cells. Mechanically, we showed that BCAR4 can bind to miR-644a directly and targets TLX1. Moreover, we also showed that miR-644a was also highly expressed in bladder cancer cells and inhibition of miR-644a or overexpression of TLX1 can increased the migration abilities of bladder cancer caused by knockdown of BCAR4. CONCLUSION: We showed that BCAR4 sponged miR-644a to modulate the expression of TLX1 and promote bladder cancer development.

Overexpression of DDR1 Promotes Migration, Invasion, Though EMT-Related Molecule Expression and COL4A1/DDR1/MMP-2 Signaling Axis.

PURPOSE: Discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) belongs to a novel class of receptor tyrosine kinases. Previous evidence indicates that DDR1 overexpression promotes the aggressive growth of bladder cancer (BC) cells. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which DDR1 influences BC. METHODS: DDR1 was transfected into human BC RT4 cells. DDR1, COL4A1, and MMP-2 expression in 30 BC tissues and paired adjacent tissues were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Transwell assays were conducted to determine cell migration and invasion. RT-PCR and western blot (WB) were also used to measure the DDR1, COL4A1, MMP-2, and EMT-related gene (ZEB1 and SLUG) expression in RT4 cells after DDR1 overexpression. RESULTS: COL4A1 and MMP-2 interacted with DDR1 in the PPI network. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry results showed that both mRNA and protein levels of DDR1 and COL4A1 were significantly increased in BC tissue, while the expression of MMP-2 was increased only at the mRNA level (P < 0.05). Overexpression of DDR1 in RT4 cells significantly promoted their migratory and invasive capabilities in vitro (P < 0.05). Moreover, overexpression of DDR1 in RT4 cells increased the mRNA and protein expression of ZEB1, SLUG, COL4A1, and MMP-2 (P < 0.01). DDR1-mediated migration and invasion of RT4 cells were reversed after COL4A1-siRNA treatment. CONCLUSION: DDR1 may be a potential therapeutic target in BC patients.

Blood perfusion of the contralateral testis evaluated with contrast-enhanced ultrasound in rabbits with unilateral testicular torsion.

The changes of blood perfusion of contralateral testis after unilateral testicular torsion remain controversial. In this study, 28 New Zealand white male rabbits were randomly divided into five groups. Group A (n = 8), the control group, underwent a sham operation on the unilateral testis without inducing testicular torsion. In groups B, C, and D (n = 5 each), unilateral testicular torsion was induced, and, after 3, 6 or 24 h, respectively, detorsion was performed. In group E (n = 5), permanent unilateral testicular torsion was applied. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was used to observe the blood perfusion of the contralateral testis at the following stages: pre-torsion (preopration), immediately post-torsion (postopration), pre-detorsion, immediately post-detorsion, and late-stage post-detorsion (6-12 h post-detorsion in groups B-D) or at a similar time point (15-21 h post-torsion in group E). Time-intensity curves were generated, and the following parameters were derived and analyzed: arrival time, time to peak intensity, peak intensity, and half-time of the descending peak intensity. The analysis revealed that blood perfusion of the contralateral testis increased immediately after testicular torsion on the opposite side (P < 0.05), which increased with prolonged testicular torsion of the other testis. This research demonstrated that contrast-enhanced ultrasound was valuable in evaluating blood perfusion of the contralateral testis after unilateral testicular torsion.

[Efficacy and safety of tadalafil for erectile dysfunction: an updated review].

As a long-acting phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, tadalafil is administered orally as the first line therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED). Its efficacy and safety have been confirmed by many clinical studies in the treatment of ED in general patients, elderly patients and those with diabetes mellitus or spinal cord injury or after prostate cancer surgery. With its prolonged action of 36 hours, tadalafil can not only increase the self-esteem of ED men but also improve the quality of life of both the patients and their partners.

[Surgical treatment of 486 cases of adrenal gland diseases: a retrospective study].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the roles of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) and open adrenalectomy (GA) for treatment of adrenal gland diseases. METHODS: The data of 486 patients with adrenal gland diseases was analyzed retrospectively during 5 years. A total of 478 patients received surgical treatments including 318 GAs and 160 LAs. The operation time, bleeding volume during operation, intestine function recovery time, pain postoperatively, hospital stay time postoperatively and postoperative complications in group GA and group LA respectively were compared. RESULTS: All cases in group GA were successful. A total of 154 cases in group LA were successful, and 6 cases were converted to open surgery. In group LA, there were 9 cases whose tumor diameter exceeded 6 cm. There were 3 malignant cases in group LA, and no recurrence and metastasis were observed during 3-20 months follow-up. The average operation time was (112 +/- 16) mmn and (69 +/- 10) min in group GA and LA respectively. The average bleeding volume during operation was (286 +/- 23) ml, (56 +/- 10) ml in group GA and LA respectively. The average intestine function recovery time was (66 +/- 7) h, (24 +/- 7) h in group GA and LA respectively. The average frequency of treatment of pain was 1.9 +/- 0.4 and 0.5 +/- 0.1 in group GA and LA respectively. The average hospital stay time postoperatively was (10.3 +/- 1.1) d and (7.2 +/- 0.7) d in group GA and LA respectively. The rate of postoperative complications was 40.3% and 7.5% in group GA and LA respectively. All differences were significant (P = 0.023, 0.007, 0.039, 0.003, 0.029 and 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LA has the added benefit of shorter convalescent times, improving patients satisfaction and less associated complications, as it has proved to be as effective as OA.

Discoidin domain receptor 1 activity drives an aggressive phenotype in bladder cancer.

Discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) is a receptor tyrosine kinase which utilizes collagen as a ligand to regulate the interaction between cancer cells and tumor stroma. However, the clinical relevance of DDR1 expression in bladder cancer as well as its molecular regulation have not been previously investigated. Here, we assessed the role of DDR1 in bladder cancer. The DDR1 levels in bladder cancer specimens were examined by Western blot, compared to the paired adhesive normal controls. The effects of DDR1 were explored on both cell migration in bladder cancer cells and tumor growth as xenograft. We detected significant higher levels of DDR1 in bladder cancer tissues. Moreover, high levels of DDR1 were correlated with poor prognosis of corresponding patients. Both the in vitro cell invasiveness and in vivo tumor xenograft growth could be promoted by the overexpressed DDR1, while both of which could be inhibited after the depletion of DDR1. Furthermore, DDR1 increased the levels of ZEB1 and Slug, based on its effects on tumor invasion. In conclusion, DDR1 may promote the aggressiveness of bladder cancer cells and drive an aggressive phenotype in bladder cancer.

Predictors of hypertension urgency in primary aldosteronism patients during the first 24 hours after surgery.

Study about blood pressure variation in the first 24 hours post-operation is limited in patients with adrenal aldosterone-producing adenoma. We aim to evaluate the potential predictors for postoperative hypertension urgency during the first 24 hours after laparoscopic adrenalectomy in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma. Clinical data of 177 patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma were retrospectively collected from January 2009 to December 2015 and the potential factors that may influence postoperative blood pressure during the first 24 hours after surgery were analyzed. The factors included gender, age, body mass index, preoperative maximum systolic blood pressure, number of antihypertensive medicines, preoperative spironolactone treatment, duration of hypertension, surgical method and approach, adenoma diameter, preoperative proteinuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate, serum potassium and serum aldosterone. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between the above variables and postoperative hypertension urgency. We found that the proportion of patients with a higher systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg and ≥ 180 mmHg were significantly increased post-operation (both p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the maximum systolic blood pressure was an independent predictor of postoperative hypertension urgency, and the cut-off point was 157 mmHg with the sensitivity of 66% and specificity of 82%. Multivariable analysis also showed that preoperative maximum systolic blood pressure and number of antihypertensive medicines were independent risk factors for higher postoperative systolic blood pressure. This study was derived from a high volume adrenal tumor center, and these data may provide a potential tool to guide preoperative counseling.

Magnetic coherent tunnel junctions with periodic grating barrier.

A new spintronic theory has been developed for the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) with single-crystal barrier. The barrier will be treated as a diffraction grating with intralayer periodicity, the diffracted waves of tunneling electrons thus contain strong coherence, both in charge and especially in spin. The theory can answer the two basic problems present in MgO-based MTJs: (1) Why does the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) oscillate with the barrier thickness? (2) Why is the TMR still far away from infinity when the two electrodes are both half-metallic? Other principal features of TMR can also be explained and reproduced by the present work. It also provides possible ways to modulate the oscillation of TMR, and to enhance TMR so that it can tend to infinity. Within the theory, the barrier, as a periodic diffraction grating, can get rid of the confinement in width, it can vary from nanoscale to microscale. Based on those results, a future-generation MTJ is proposed where the three pieces can be fabricated separately and then assembled together, it is especially appropriate for the layered materials, e.g., MoS2 and graphite, and most feasible for industries.

[Primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease report of 5 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pathology, diagnostic and therapeutic method of primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD). METHODS: The data of 5 cases of PPNAD were analyzed retrospectively. Among the 5 cases, 2 were male and 3 were female. The range of age was from 12 to 53 years. All the 5 cases had symptoms of Cushing syndrome. The diagnose depended on the results of endocrine exams, ultrasound, CT, MR and pathological reports. All patients received operation of unilateral adrenalectomy. The therapeutic effects were determined by post-operative results, which concluded clinical symptoms and endocrine exams. RESULTS: The follow-up time was from 4 months to 3 years. All patients' symptoms of Cushing syndrome were relieved in 6 months after operation. The endocrine exam was normal in one case and obvious improved in the other four cases. Up to now, one patient drop out of the follow-up, the other 4 cases had no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION: PPNAD is a rare type of Cushing syndrome. Diagnose depends on endocrine exams and pathological results. Operation is the effective method for the disease.

Expression of kallikrein-related peptidase 7 is decreased in prostate cancer.

Recent evidence suggests that the human kallikrein 7 (KLK7) is differentially regulated in a variety of tumors. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of kallikrein-related peptidase 7 and KLK7 in our large collection of prostate samples. Between August 2000 and December 2012, 116 patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer (PCa) and 92 with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) were recruited into the study. Using immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot, kallikrein-related peptidase 7 expression in BPH and PCa tissues was determined at the mRNA and protein levels. The relationships between kallikrein-related peptidase 7 mRNA expression and clinicopathological features were analyzed. A total of 64 of 92 (69.57%) benign cases showed positive staining for KLK7 and 23 of 116 (19.83%) malignant cases showed positive, the difference of KLK7 expression between PCa and BPH was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The expression level of kallikrein-related peptidase 7 mRNA was significantly decreased in PCa tissues compared with that in BPH tissues and normal prostate tissue. Kallikrein-related peptidase 7 mRNA exhibited different expression patterns in terms of localization depending on pathological category of PCa. Similarly, our western immunoblot analyses demonstrated that the protein expression levels of KLK7 was lower in PCa than in BPH tissues and normal prostate tissue. Kallikrein-related peptidase 7 and KLK7 expression are down-regulated in PCa and lower expression of kallikrein-related peptidase 7 closely correlates with higher Gleason score and higher prostate-specific antigen level.

[The analysis of the factors for postoperative blood pressure recovery of aldosterone producing adenoma patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors regarding the recovery of postoperative blood pressure of aldosterone producing adenoma (APA) patients. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with APA were recruited and their data including retinal blood vessel by Doppler sonography, urinary trace albumin, pathological changes of renal biopsy and the adrenal tissues around the adenoma were analyzed in order to determine the correlation between these data and postoperative durative hypertension. RESULTS: Postoperative durative hypertension occurred in 14 cases (41.2%) with increased resistance of unilateral or bilateral central artery of retina, in 16 cases (66.7%) with increased level of urinary trace albumin. Fifteen cases underwent renal biopsy and all of them showed different pathological alterations, 11 cases (73.3%) of which presented with postoperative durative hypertension. The pathological changes of the adrenal tissues around the adenoma is either atrophy or non-atrophy (normal or hyperplasia), 8 cases (40%) and 10 cases (22.2%) of which showed postoperative durative hypertension, respectively. CONCLUSION: The renal pathological changes and increased resistance of retinal blood vessel are the main reasons leading to postoperative hypertension in patients with APA.