Efficacy of the low-dose Saccharum iron treatment of idiopathic restless legs syndrome

AIM

The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of low-dose and high-dose Saccharum iron injected intravenously in patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS) by detecting levels of serum ferritin (SF) and international RLS Severity Scale.

METHODS

For this purpose, 38 patients with idiopathic RLS were randomly divided into the following two groups: low-dose group (18 cases) and high-dose group (20 cases). Low-dose group received Saccharum iron intravenously (200 mg/dose); once a week for 5 weeks with a total dose of 1000 mg. High-dose group received Saccharum iron intravenously (500 mg/dose); once every two weeks for 4 weeks with a total dose of 1000 mg. The pre- and post-treatment (at 2, 4, and 6 weeks) level of SF and RLS scores were determined and the differences were compared between two groups.

RESULTS

Post-therapeutic SF levels increased significantly in both groups as compared with before treatment (P<0.05). At 6-week post-therapy, SF levels in low-dose group were significantly higher than those in high-dose group (P<0.05). The clinical symptoms were improved and RLS scores were lower than pretreatment ratings in both groups (P<0.05). After 6 weeks of treatment, RLS scores of low-dose group were lower than those of high-dose group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Both the low-dose and high-dose Saccharum iron treatments increased the SF levels and improved clinical symptoms in patients with idiopathic RLS; however, the low-dose iron treatment was found to be more effective and had fewer side effects.

Relaxin inhibits cardiac fibrosis and endothelial-mesenchymal transition via the Notch pathway

BACKGROUND

Relaxin (RLX) can prevent cardiac fibrosis. We aimed to investigate the possible mechanism and signal transduction pathway of RLX inhibiting cardiac fibrosis.

METHODS

Isoproterenol (5 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) was used to establish the cardiac fibrosis model in rats, which were administered RLX. The cardiac function, related targets of cardiac fibrosis, and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) were measured. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) was used to induce EndMT in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, which were pretreated with RLX, 200 ng·mL(-1), then with the inhibitor of Notch. Transwell cell migration was used to evaluate cell migration. CD31 and vimentin content was determined by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis. Notch protein level was examined by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

RLX improved cardiac function in rats with cardiac fibrosis; it reduced the content of collagen I and III, increased the microvascular density of the myocardium, and suppressed the EndMT in heart tissue. In vitro, RLX decreased the mobility of human umbilical vein endothelial cells induced by TGF-β, increased the expression of endothelial CD31, and decreased vimentin content. Compared to TGF-β and RLX co-culture alone, TGF-β + RLX + Notch inhibitor increased cell mobility and the EndMT, but decreased the levels of Notch-1, HES-1, and Jagged-1 proteins.

CONCLUSION

RLX may inhibit the cardiac fibrosis via EndMT by Notch-mediated signaling.

Gaucher disease: a lysosomal neurodegenerative disorder

Gaucher disease is a multisystemic disorder that affects men and woman in equal numbers and occurs in all ethnic groups at any age with racial variations and an estimated worldwide incidence of 1/75,000. It is caused by a genetic deficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase due to mutations in the β-glucocerebrosidase gene, and resulting in lack of glucocerebroside degradation. The subsequent accumulation of glucocerebroside in lysosomes of tissue macrophages primarily in the liver, bone marrow and spleen, causes damage in haematological, skeletal and nervous systems. The clinical manifestations show a high degree of variability with symptoms that varies according to organs involved. In many cases, these disorders do not correlate with mutations in the β-glucocerebrosidase gene. Although several mutations have been identified as responsible for the deficient activity of glucocerebrosidase, mechanisms by which this enzymatic defect leads to Gaucher disease remain poorly understood. Recent reports indicate the implication of complex mechanisms, including enzyme deficiency, substrate accumulation, unfolded protein response, and macrophage activation. Further elucidating these mechanisms will advance understanding of Gaucher disease and related disorders.

Photodegradation of sulfonamide antimicrobial compounds (sulfadiazine, sulfamethizole, sulfamethoxazole and sulfathiazole) in various UV/oxidant systems

This study used Na₂S₂O₈, NaBrO8 and H₂O₂to degrade sulfadiazine (SDZ), sulfamethizole (SFZ), sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and sulfathiazole (STZ) under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The initial concentration of sulfonamide and oxidant in all experiments was 20 mg/L and 5 mM, respectively. The degradation rate for sulfonamides satisfies pseudo-first-order kinetics in all UV/oxidant systems. The highest degradation rate for SDZ, SFZ, SMX and STZ was in the UV/Na₂S₂O₈, UV/NaBrO₃, UV/Na₂S₂O₈ and UV/H₂O₂ system, respectively. In the UV/Na₂S₂O₈ system, the photodegradation rate of SDZ, SFZ, SMX and STZ was 0.0245 min⁻¹, 0.0096 min⁻¹, 0.0283 min⁻¹ and 0.0141 min⁻¹, respectively; moreover, for the total organic carbon removal rate for SDZ, SFZ, SMX and STZ it was 0.0057 min⁻¹, 0.0081 min⁻¹, 0.0130 min⁻¹ and 0.0106 min⁻¹, respectively. Experimental results indicate that the ability of oxidants to degrade sulfonamide varied with pollutant type. Moreover, UV/Na₂S₂O₈ had the highest mineralization rate for all tested sulfonamides.

Expression of SOCSs and TLRs in the hippocampus of pentylenetetrazole kindling model

BACKGROUND

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, and approximately one-third of patients with epilepsy are resistant to anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Recent emerging evidence has demonstrated the roles of innate immunity and the associated inflammatory processes in epilepsy. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a type of pattern-recognition receptor that promote innate immune defense. The SOCS proteins as negative-feedback regulators in cytokine signaling are involved in the regulation of TLR-mediated immune responses. However, few studies investigating the role of TLRs and SOCSs in epilepsy have been reported.

METHODS

To explore the role of innate immunity in the mechanism of epilepsy, the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) kindling rat model was established using intraperitoneal injection of PTZ. The expression levels of TLR2, TLR4, and STAT molecules in rat hippocampi were analyzed using qRT-PCR and western blotting techniques. The expression levels of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 in rat hippocampi were analyzed using qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

Our data demonstrated that both the mRNA and protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 were significantly upregulated in the rat hippocampus with PTZ injection, which was accompanied by an inhibition of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 and an upregulation of STAT3.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that SOCSs and TLRs contribute to the development of epilepsy which may lead to therapeutic interventions that limit epileptogenesis.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with concurrent gastric adenocarcinoma: case report and literature review

The simultaneous occurrence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and gastric carcinoma is rare. The present case report describes a 61-year-old man with DLBCL at the ileocaecal junction with several metastatic lymph nodes and concurrent gastric intramucosal adenocarcinoma. Both tumours, together with the enlarged lymph nodes, were successfully removed by surgery. At 1 month postoperatively, the patient received chemotherapy consisting of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vindesine, epirubicin hydrochloride and dexamethasone; he responded well to treatment. Reports published in the literature between January 2006 and March 2011 of other cases of DLBCL combined with concurrent non-haematological malignancies in immunocompetent patients were reviewed. The identification of common factors is important for clarification of the mechanisms of lymphomagenesis and carcinogenesis, as well as the creation of preventive and therapeutic strategies. Such cases highlight the need routinely to perform preoperative imaging studies to exclude other synchronous tumours and, if possible, to biopsy any such masses in order to offer timely and appropriate therapy.

Role of serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase-1 in regulating torsion-induced apoptosis in rats

Serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase-1 (SGK1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that responds to various stimuli and mediates cell survival. Although it is known that testicular torsion leads to testicular damage and male infertility, the role of SGK1 in torsion remains unclear. This study investigated whether torsion-induced apoptosis is associated with changes in phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1), SGK1 and forkhead transcription factor FOXO3a expression and/or phosphorylation in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: sham (control), 1, 2 and 4 h of unilateral torsion. Bilateral testes, testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) and blood samples were collected immediately after torsion. Our results revealed that SGK1 protein and mRNA were abundantly present in testes and were induced by 2 h of torsion, but that phosphorylation of SGK1, PDK1 and FOXO3a decreased simultaneously. After 2 h of torsion, the testosterone secretion capacity of the primary Leydig cells and testicular interstitial cells (TICs) was impaired and apoptotic spermatogonia and TICs were observed; in addition, the mean seminiferous tubular diameter was decreased. Torsion increased plasma corticosterone levels, but decreased plasma luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels. However, the testosterone levels of the TIF in the ipsilateral testes were significantly enhanced after 2 h of torsion, but suppressed in the contralateral testes. This animal study suggests that PDK1, SGK1 and FOXO3a are involved in torsion-induced apoptosis and that medical therapy should be performed as early as 2 h after the occurrence of torsion to prevent further damage.

Potential roles of Cdk5/p35 and tau protein in hippocampal mossy fiber sprouting in the PTZ kindling model

BACKGROUND

The most well-documented synaptic reorganization associated with temporal lobe epilepsy is mossy fiber sprouting (MFS), which is believed to play a critical role in epileptogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unclear. Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is a proline-directed serine/threonine kinase which is found to be crucial in axon growth and synaptic plasticity. We hypothesized that Cdk5 contributed to MFS via phosphorylating its substrate tau protein, which was known to facilitate microtubule stabilization and axonal elongation.

METHODS

240 male SD rats were randomly divided into the control group and PTZ group. The epileptic models were established by intraperitoneal PTZ injection, while the control rats were injected with an equal dose of saline. At different time points, Cdk5/p35 mRNA and protein, total tau protein and its phosphorylation at Ser202 (p-tau) and Cdk5 activity were analyzed in different regions of hippocampus by in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, immuno-precipitation and liquid scintillation counter. Hippocampus was also evaluated for MFS with Timm stain.

RESULTS

Prominent MFS was observed in area CA3 rather than the inner molecular layer in PTZ treated rats and the degree of MFS progressed with the development of behavioral kindled seizures. The expression of Cdk5/p35 mRNA and protein, tau protein and its phosphorylation at Ser202 significantly increased from 3 days to 4 weeks in the PTZ group, which was in accordance with the progression of MFS in area CA3.

CONCLUSIONS

Cdk5/p35 and its substrate tau protein may be involved in MFS. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying MFS may lead to therapeutic interventions that limit epileptogenesis.

Mossy fiber sprouting, hippocampal damage and spontaneous recurrent seizures in pentylenetetrazole kindling rat model

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine the correlations among hippocampal damage, spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS), and mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) kindling model.

METHODS

Chronic epileptic model was established by administration of PTZ. Behaviour and EEG seizure activity were recorded. Rats' hippocampus were analyzed with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain for histological lesions and evaluated for MFS with Timm stain.

RESULTS

Prominent MFS was observed in area CA3 rather than the inner molecular layer in PTZ treated rats and the degree of MFS progressed with the development of behavioral kindled seizures. MFS preceded the occurrence of spontaneous seizures. No obvious neuronal necrosis and loss were observed in different regions of the hippocampus during kindling progression.

CONCLUSION

MFS is not the outcome of SRS. Severe hippocampal damage is not required in the development of MFS and SRS.

Coordination-dependent surface atomic contraction in nanocrystals revealed by coherent diffraction

Surface atoms have fewer interatomic bonds than those in the bulk that they often relax and reconstruct on extended two-dimensional surfaces. Far less is known about the surface structures of nanocrystals. Here, we show that coherent diffraction patterns recorded from individual nanocrystals are very sensitive to the atomic structure of nanocrystal surfaces. Nanocrystals of Au of 3-5 nm in diameter were studied by examining diffraction intensity oscillations around the Bragg peaks. Both results obtained from modelling the experimental data and molecular dynamics simulations strongly suggest inhomogeneous relaxations, involving large out-of-plane bond length contractions for the edge atoms (approximately 0.2 A); a significant contraction (approximately 0.13 A) for {100} surface atoms; and a much smaller contraction (approximately 0.05 A) for atoms in the middle of the {111} facets. These results denote a coordination/facet dependence that markedly differentiates the structural dynamics of nanocrystals from bulk crystalline surfaces.

Towards sub-Å atomic resolution electron diffraction imaging of metallic nanoclusters: A simulation study of experimental parameters and reconstruction algorithms

A simulation study is carried out to elucidate the effects of dynamical scattering, electron beam convergence angle and detection noise on atomic resolution diffraction imaging of small particles and to develop effective reconstruction procedures. Au nanoclusters are used as model because of their strong scattering. The results show that the dynamical effects of electron diffraction place a limit on the size of Au nanoclusters that can be reconstructed from the diffraction intensities with sufficient accuracy. For smaller Au nanoclusters, the simulations show that diffraction patterns recorded under the experimental conditions can be reconstructed using a combination of phase retrieval algorithms. The use of a low-resolution image is shown to be effective for reconstructing diffraction patterns without the central beam. A new algorithm for estimating the object support is proposed.

Assessing the effectiveness of ozonation followed by GAC filtration in removing bromate and assimilable organic carbon

Bromate (BrO3-) and assimilable organic carbon (AOC) removal by activated carbon after ozonation is a subject of concern, since BrO3- and AOC are commonly found in the ozonation of bromide-containing and organic-rich waters. In batch ozonation experiment of this study, the major ozonation by-products were bromate, bromform, aldehydes, and AOC, and the levels of these by-products is affected by operational parameters of ozonation. Results from rapid small-scale column tests (RSSCT) indicated that the granular activated carbon (GAC) capacity for BrO3- removal was dependent on the GAC type and empty bed contact time (EBCT). The GAC with a high number of basic groups and higher pH(pzc) values showed an increased BrO3- removal capacity. On the other hand, BrO3- removal was improved by increasing EBCT. In the GAC pilot plant, a GAC column (operating with 15 min EBCT) preloads for 12 months achieved a BrO3-, and AOC removal range from 7-96% and 41-85%, respectively. And the BrO3- amount removed was found to be proportional to the influent BrO3- concentration. However, the capacity of GAC for bromate adsorption apparently decreased with prolonged operational time (after 3 months). This may be a result of the bacterial biomass adsorbed on the GAC surface hindering BrO3- reduction by GAC either by blocking pores or adsorbing at the activated sites for BrO3- reduction.

Removal of bromate and assimilable organic carbon from drinking water using granular activated carbon

This study investigated the feasibility of using granular activated carbon (GAC) to remove bromate ion (BrO3-) and assimilable organic carbon (AOC) from drinking water through a rapid small-scale column test (RSSCT) method and a pilot-scale study. Results from RSSCT indicated that the GAC capacity for BrO3- removal was dependent on the GAC type, empty bed contact time (EBCT), and source water quality. The GAC with a high number of basic groups and higher pHpzc values showed an increased BrO3- removal capacity. BrO3- removal was improved by increasing EBCT. The high EBCT provides a greater opportunity for BrO3- to be adsorbed and reduced to Br- on the GAC surface. On the other hand, the presence of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and anions, such as chloride, bromide, and sulfate, resulted in poor BrO3- reduction. In the GAC pilot plant, a GAC column preloaded for 12 months achieved a BrO3- and AOC removal range from 79-96% and 41-75%, respectively. The BrO3- amount removed was found to be proportional to the influent BrO3- concentration. However, the BrO3- removal rate apparently decreased with increasing operation time. In contrast, the AOC apparently increased during the long-term operation period. This may be a result of the contribution due to new GAC being gradually transformed into biological activated carbon (BAC), and the bacterial biomass adsorbed on GAC surface hindering BrO3- reduction by GAC either by blocking pores or adsorbing at the activated sites for BrO3- reduction.

Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 is predominantly enhanced in the microglia of the rat spinal cord following dorsal root transection

The present study was initiated to investigate the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 signaling pathway in the early response of spinal cord and associated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) to rhizotomy by using Western blotting and immunohistochemical techniques in a rat model of L3 and L4 dorsal root transection. The results showed that there were a considerable amount of total and phosphorylated ERK 1/2 protein in both spinal cord and DRG in normal animals killed under pentobarbital anesthesia. The total ERK 1/2 distributed in both glia and neurons, while phosphorylated ERK 1/2 dominantly existed in the latter in the gray matter of spinal cord, as demonstrated with double immunofluorescent staining. Twenty-four and forty-eight hours after axotomy, the phosphorylation level of ERK 1/2 in the operation side of dorsal spinal cord was much higher than that in the contralateral side, while the total ERK 1/2 level seemed unchanged. The increased expression of Fos protein was also seen in the dorsal spinal cord at lesion side twelve and twenty-four hours after axotomy. Double fluorescent staining proved that the phosphorylated ERK 1/2 positive cells in the ipsilateral dorsal spinal cord after axotomy predominantly were microglia and small portion was oligodendrocytes, whereas the Fos expression was mainly in neurons. In normal DRG, most neurons, especially the medium and small-sized ones, and the satellite cells contained total ERK 1/2-like immunoreactivity, whereas only a small portion of neurons and satellite cells contained phosphorylated ERK 1/2. After unilateral dorsal rhizotomy, there were no detectable changes for the phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 in either neurons or satellite cells in DRG.Collectively, the present results suggest that both ERK and Fos signal pathways involve the cellular activation in the spinal cord following dorsal rhizotomy, with ERK mainly in microglia and Fos in neurons. The increase of phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 in microglia of spinal cord after rhizotomy implicates that ERK signaling pathway involves intracellular activity of microglia responding to the experimental injury.

Inhibitory effects of digitalis on the proliferation of androgen dependent and independent prostate cancer cells

PURPOSE

Digitalis or cardiac glycosides have been noted to induce tumor static or oncolytic effects in various types of cancer. We evaluated the effects and underlying mechanisms of cardiac glycosides, including digoxin, digitoxin and ouabain, on the proliferation of hormone dependent and independent prostate cancer cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cell proliferation of the 3 human prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP, DU145 and PC3 was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yle)2,5-diphenyltetralozium bromide (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Missouri) colorimetric assay. The cytotoxic effects of digitalis on prostate cancer cells were determined by lactate dehydrogenase measurements of the culture medium. Intracellular Ca2+ was measured by a dual wavelength spectrometer system. The percent of apoptotic cells after digitalis treatment was measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Digoxin, digitoxin and ouabain significantly inhibited the proliferation of LNCaP, DU145 and PC3 cells at a dose of 1 or 10 microM. after 1 to 4 days of culture. Cytotoxicity of digitalis on the DU145 and LNCaP cells was dose dependent but cytotoxicity was not obvious in PC3. Digitalis (1 microM.) significantly increased intracellular Ca2+ in LNCaP and DU145 after 12 hours of culture but PC3 cells needed a 24-hour treatment to show any effect. In the apoptosis measurement digitalis at a dose of 1 and 10 microM. also significantly increased the percent of apoptotic cells in the LNCaP, DU145 and PC3 cell lines. Normal control human glomerular epithelial cells showed no response to digitalis treatment at all tested doses.

CONCLUSIONS

Digitalis may inhibit the proliferation of prostate cancer cell lines, although the 3 cell lines showed varied sensitivity to digitalis. These effects are possibly the result of a mechanism involving sustained elevation of the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ and of apoptosis.

Card10 is a novel caspase recruitment domain/membrane-associated guanylate kinase family member that interacts with BCL10 and activates NF-kappa B

BCL10 belongs to the caspase recruitment domain (CARD) family of proteins that regulate apoptosis and NF-kappaB signaling pathways. Analysis of BCL10-deficient mice has revealed that BCL10 mediates NF-kappaB activation by antigen receptors in B and T cells. We recently identified a subclass of CARD proteins (CARD9, CARD11, and CARD14) that may function to connect BCL10 to multiple upstream signaling pathways. We report here that CARD10 is a novel BCL10 interactor that belongs to the membrane-associated guanylate kinase family, a class of proteins that function to organize signaling complexes at plasma membranes. When expressed in cells, CARD10 binds to BCL10 and signals the activation of NF-kappaB through its N-terminal effector CARD domain. We propose that CARD10 functions as a molecular scaffold for the assembly of a BCL10 signaling complex that activates NF-kappaB.

Human CARD12 Is a Novel CED4/Apaf-1 Family Member That Induces Apoptosis

The CED4/Apaf-1 family of proteins functions as critical regulators of apoptosis and NF-kappaB signaling pathways. A novel human member of this family, called CARD12, was identified that induces apoptosis when expressed in cells. CARD12 is most similar in structure to the CED4/Apaf-1 family member CARD4, and is comprised of an N-terminal caspase recruitment domain (CARD), a central nucleotide-binding site (NBS), and a C-terminal domain of leucine-rich repeats (LRR). The CARD domain of CARD12 interacts selectively with the CARD domain of ASC, a recently identified proapoptotic protein. In addition, CARD12 coprecipitates caspase-1, a caspase that participates in both apoptotic signaling and cytokine processing. CARD12 may assemble with proapoptotic CARD proteins to coordinate the activation of downstream apoptotic and inflammatory signaling pathways.

Effects of hyperprolactinemia on testosterone production in rat Leydig cells

The pathogenesis of hyperprolactinemia (hyperPRL) induced hypogonadism has been suggested to be related with a dysfunction of hypothalamus-pituitary-testis axis. While the direct inhibitory effects of prolactin (PRL) on testosterone (T) release have been demonstrated, the mechanism is still unclear. Our previous study demonstrated a diminished T release in the testicular interstitial cells (TICs) from the anterior pituitary (AP)-grafted rats as compared with the control, and the pattern was in agreement with the in vivo model. However, TICs incubation cannot totally represent the response of the Leydig cells. Therefore, a Percoll gradient purified Leydig cell model was adopted to explore the response of T release under similar challenges in this study to investigate the effects of hyperPRL on the Leydig cells per se. HyperPRL in male rats was induced by grafting rat AP under the renal capsule. The control animals were grafted with rat brain cortex tissue (CX). Six weeks after grafting, the rats were sacrificed. Either TICs or Leydig cells were isolated, respectively, for in vitro incubation and challenge. Challenge drugs included human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 0.05 IU/ml), steroidogenic precursors (25-OH-cholesterol, 10(-6) M; pregnenolone, 10(-6) M), forskolin (an anenylyl cyclase activator, 10(-4) M) and 8-bromo-3':5' cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) (8-Br-cAMP 10(-4) M). T released by TICs or Leydig cells was determined by radioimmunoassay. The TICs from the AP-grafted rats showed lower levels of T release than the control group while the purified Leydig cells demonstrated a reverse pattern in response to challenges of hCG, steroidogenic precursors, forskolin and 8-Br-cAMP. In hyperPRL rats, a paradoxical pattern of T release between TICs and purified Leydig cells is observed. The purified Leydig cells from AP-grafted rats demonstrated a higher level amount of T release than the control after stimulation. The phenomenon can be attributed to the change of Leydig cell sensitivity to the stimulation after the effects of chronic hyperPRL. Moreover, another possibility is the role played by other interstitial cells to modulate steroidogenesis in Leydig cells.

Clinical classification of chronic prostatitis: a preliminary investigation

AIM

To propose a practical clinical classification for the chronic prostatitis (CP).

METHODS

The clinical features and the findings in the expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) in 804 cases of CP patients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Four types of CP were identified based on the clinical manifestations and the amounts of white blood cells (WBC) and lecithin in EPS. They were the latent type (85 cases; 10.6%), the common type (423 cases; 52.6%), the persisting type (104 cases; 12.9%), and the active type (192 cases, 23.9%). The therapeutic efficacy for these 4 subtypes were 40.4%, 76.8%, 30.8% and 37%, respectively; a statistical difference was noticed between the common type and the persisting type (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The method of classification proposed by the authors may help clinicians in the diagnosis and predicting the prognosis of CP.

Single agent paclitaxel as a first-line therapy in advanced urothelial carcinoma: its efficacy and safety in patients even with pretreatment renal insufficiency

BACKGROUND

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is the mainstay of the treatment for advanced urothelial cancer, but patients with renal insufficiency before therapy are usually contraindicated to receiving platinum-based chemotherapy. Paclitaxel is one of the most promising agents against advanced urothelial carcinoma in recent trials and it can be easily tolerated even in patients with compromised renal function. We conducted a study in order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of paclitaxel as a first-line therapy in advanced urothelial carcinoma patients.

METHODS

Thirteen advanced chemo-naive urothelial carcinoma patients with a median age of 71 years were studied, seven of them demonstrating renal insufficiency (pretreatment serum creatinine > or = 1.5 mg/dl). All 13 patients received a minimum of two cycles of paclitaxel 175 mg/m2, delivered by intravenous infusion for 3 h every 3 weeks.

RESULTS

Four of the 13 patients responded to treatment, a response rate of 30.8%, with two of these achieving complete remission and two showing partial responses. The median overall survival period of all 13 patients was nine months (95% Cl: 6.51-11.49) and our study revealed a statistical tendency in the difference of median overall survival time between responders and non-responders (13 months versus 7.5 months, log-rank p = 0.038), although the number of cases was limited. The differences in response rate and median overall survival time, comparing patients with renal insufficiency and those with normal renal function, were not significant. Treatment-related toxicity was mild, with only two (15.4%) patients suffering from grade 3-4 leukopenia. No treatment-related mortality was noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Single-agent paclitaxel can be used as a first-line therapy in advanced urothelial carcinoma patients, and is especially suitable for those with pretreatment renal insufficiency, since the antitumor activity is significant while toxicity is well tolerated.

A novel nervous system beta subunit that downregulates human large conductance calcium-dependent potassium channels

The pore-forming alpha subunits of many ion channels are associated with auxiliary subunits that influence channel expression, targeting, and function. Several different auxiliary (beta) subunits for large conductance calcium-dependent potassium channels of the Slowpoke family have been reported, but none of these beta subunits is expressed extensively in the nervous system. We describe here the cloning and functional characterization of a novel Slowpoke beta4 auxiliary subunit in human and mouse, which exhibits only limited sequence homology with other beta subunits. This beta4 subunit coimmunoprecipitates with human and mouse Slowpoke. beta4 is expressed highly in human and monkey brain in a pattern that overlaps strikingly with Slowpoke alpha subunit, but in contrast to other Slowpoke beta subunits, it is expressed little (if at all) outside the nervous system. Also in contrast to other beta subunits, beta4 downregulates Slowpoke channel activity by shifting its activation range to more depolarized voltages and slowing its activation kinetics. beta4 may be important for the critical roles played by Slowpoke channels in the regulation of neuronal excitability and neurotransmitter release.

Serotonergic regulation of blood glucose levels in the crayfish, Procambarus clarkii: site of action and receptor characterization

The present study investigated the site of action of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and pharmacologically characterized the receptors involved in regulating blood glucose levels in the crayfish, Procambarus clarkii. Injection of 5-HT into intact animals increased glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, 5-HT failed to elicit a hyperglycemic response in eyestalk-ablated animals. Effects of several 5-HT receptor agonists and antagonists were examined. 5-CT, oxymetazoline (both 5-HT(1) receptor agonists) and alpha-methyl-5-HT (a 5-HT(2) receptor agonist), but not 1-phenylbiguanide, m-CPBG (both 5-HT(3) receptor agonists), or RS 67333 (a 5-HT(4) receptor agonist), induced hyperglycemic responses in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, 8-OH-DPAT (a 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist), L-694,247 (a 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor agonist), and DOI (a 5-HT(2A) receptor agonist) were effective in significantly increasing the glucose levels, whereas both BW 723C86 (a 5-HT(2B) receptor agonist) and m-CPP (a 5-HT(2C) receptor agonist) were ineffective. Finally, ketanserin (a 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist), but not p-MPPF (a 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist), GR 55562 (a 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor antagonist), SB 206553 (a 5-HT(2B/2C) receptor antagonist), or tropisetron (a 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist), was able to block 5-HT-induced hyperglycemia. The combined results support the hypothesis that 5-HT exerts its hyperglycemic effect by enhancing the release of hyperglycemic factor(s) from the eyestalks, and suggest that 5 HT-induced hyperglycemia is mediated by 5-HT(1)- and 5-HT(2)-like receptors.