Acarbose attenuates migration/proliferation via targeting microRNA-143 in vascular smooth muscle cells under diabetic conditions

Acarbose (an α-glucosidase inhibitor) has been demonstrated to reduce the progression of atherosclerosis without affecting serum levels of glucose in rabbits fed a high cholesterol diet. The main focus of recent atherosclerosis studies has been microRNA targets. However, the mechanism by which acarbose targets miRNA-mediated atherosclerosis remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of acarbose on microRNA-related regulation of rat aortic vascular smooth cell line (A7r5 cell) migration and proliferation induced by diabetic conditions. We reported that acabose exhibit significantly inhibits proliferative and cell migration abilities in A7r5 cells. The expression of protein and levels of mRNA were measured by Western blot analysis and real-time PCR. Acarbose inhibited the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), Ras signals, small GTPase proteins expression to attenuate cell migration and proliferation. Furthermore, acarbose upregulated the expression of miR-143, and transfected miR-143 mimic and its inhibitor to explore its mechanism. In conclusion, acarbose reduces VSMC migration and proliferation via upregulating miR-143 to inhibit Ras-related signaling, and potentially prevention of atherosclerosis.     

IIn-UK融合基因在CHO细胞中的高表达研究

目的 :构建新型高效真核表达载体 ,实现人源化鼠抗人纤维蛋白单链抗体 低分子量尿激酶 (IIn UK)在CHO细胞中的高表达。方法 :利用常规分子生物学方法 ,通过对neo基因的表达进行不同程度的弱化 ,构建了一系列新型真核表达载体 ,以IIn UK融合基因为目的基因 ,比较这些真核表达载体实现外源基因高表达的能力 ,然后挑选高表达的克隆 ,通过MTX加压扩增 ,以提高IIn UK融合基因的拷贝数及表达水平。结果与讨论 :构建了 5种新型真核表达载体 ,并筛选出优化的真核表达载体 ,通过MTX加压扩增 ,实现了IIn UK融合基因在CHO细胞中的高表达 ,表达量达到 10 μg/ (10 6细胞·2 4h )。     

Clinical experience with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for prostate cancer with the use of rectal balloon for prostate immobilization.

The implementation of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is the result of advances in imaging, radiotherapy planning technologies, and computer-controlled linear accelerators. IMRT allows both conformal treatment of tumors and conformal avoidance of the surrounding normal structures. The first patient treated with Peacock IMRT at Baylor College of Medicine took place in March 1994. To date, more than 1500 patients have been treated with IMRT; more than 700 patients were treated for prostate cancer. Our experience in treating prostate cancer with IMRT was reviewed. Patient and prostate motions are important issues to address in delivering IMRT. The Vac-Lok bag-and-box system, as well as rectal balloon for immobilization of patient and prostate gland, respectively, are employed. Treatment planning also plays a very important role. IMRT as a boost after conventional external beam radiotherapy is not our treatment strategy. To derive maximal benefits with this new technology, all patients received full course IMRT. Three separate groups of patients receiving (1) primary IMRT, (2) combined radioactive seed implant and IMRT, and (3) post-prostatectomy IMRT were addressed. Overall, toxicity profiles in these patients were very favorable. IMRT has the potential to improve treatment outcome with dose escalation while minimizing treatment-related toxicity.     

新型CHO/dhfr-细胞定点整合和表达系统的建立

目的建立CHO/dhfr-细胞的定点整合和表达系统.方法利用常规分子生物学方法,构建了一个新的高效筛选表达载体,该载体含有一个由FRT(flp recombination target)位点、报告基因(LacZ)及筛选基因(zeocin)三片段构成的融合基因,而且该基因的表达受一个弱化的SV40启动子的控制.借助于随机整合及高效筛选,实现FRT位点在CHO/dhfr-细胞基因组中转录活跃区的整合,然后利用该位点介导的特异性重组实现了目的基因(单链抗体-尿激酶融合基因)的定点整合和有效表达,而且随后通过DHFR/MTX系统的加压扩增,以提高单链抗体-尿激酶融合基因在宿主细胞中的表达水平.结果与结论获得了能够实现外源基因在基因组中定点整合和有效表达的CHO/dhfr-细胞系,并利用该细胞系实现了单链抗体-尿激酶融合基因的高表达,表达量达到5 μg/(106细胞·24 h).     

Post-nerve-sparing prostatectomy,dose-escalated intensity-modulated radiotherapy: effect on erectile function

PURPOSE: The advent of widespread prostate-specific antigen screening has resulted in more younger, potent men being diagnosed with early-stage, organ-confined prostate cancer amenable to definitive surgery. Nerve-sparing prostatectomy is a relatively new surgical advance in the treatment of prostate cancer. Very few data exist on the effect of postoperative radiotherapy (RT) on erectile function after nerve-sparing prostatectomy. They are based on conventional techniques using moderate doses of radiation, 45-54 Gy. Intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) is becoming more widespread because it allows dose escalation with increased sparing of the surrounding normal tissue. We investigated the effect of postprostatectomy, high-dose IMRT on patients' erectile function. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A review of patient records found 51 patients treated between April 1998 and December 2000 with IMRT after unilateral or bilateral nerve-sparing prostatectomy. The pathologic disease stage in these patients was T2 in 47.4% and T3 in 52.6%. Postoperatively, 4 patients received hormonal ablation consisting of one injection of Lupron Depot (30 mg) 2 months before RT. The median age was 65 years (range 46-77) at the time of RT. The prescribed dose was 64 Gy (range 60-66). The mean dose was 69.6 Gy (range 64.0-72.3). Erectile function was assessed before and after RT by questionnaires. Sexual potency was defined as erectile rigidity adequate for vaginal penetration. RESULTS: Of the 51 patients, 18 (35.3%) maintained their potency and 33 (64.7%) became impotent after nerve-sparing prostatectomy. Patients who underwent bilateral nerve-sparing prostatectomy had higher rates of postoperative potency than did those who underwent unilateral nerve-sparing surgery (72.2% vs. 27.8%; p = 0.025). The follow-up for the entire group was 19.5 months. All 18 patients (100%) who were potent postoperatively remained potent after RT. The median follow-up for the 18 potent patients was 27.2 months, significantly longer than that of the impotent group, 13.0 months (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: This is the first report on the effects of dose-escalated IMRT on men who have undergone nerve-sparing prostatectomy. Despite the high dose (mean dose 69.6 Gy) to the prostate bed and nerves, postoperative IMRT had no negative effect on erectile function for the patients who remained potent after nerve-sparing prostatectomy. Longer term follow-up and a larger cohort of patients are warranted to confirm these findings.