Effects of ω-3 Fatty Acids and Catechins on Fatty Acid Synthase in the Prostate: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Animal and human studies suggest fish oil and green tea may have protective effect on prostate cancer. Fatty acid synthase (FAS) has been hypothesized to be linked to chemoprotective effects of both compounds. This study evaluated the independent and joint effects of fish oil (FO) and green tea supplement (epigallocatechin-3-gallate, EGCG) on FAS and Ki-67 levels in prostate tissue. Through a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial with 2 × 2 factorial design, 89 men scheduled for repeat prostate biopsy following an initial negative prostate biopsy were randomized into either FO alone (1.9 g DHA + EPA/day), EGCG alone (600 mg/day), a combination of FO and EGCG, or placebo. We used linear mixed-effects models to test the differences of prostate tissue FAS and Ki-67 by immunohistochemistry between pre- and post-intervention within each group, as well as between treatment groups. Results did not show significant difference among treatment groups in pre-to-post-intervention changes of FAS (P = 0.69) or Ki-67 (P = 0.26). Comparing placebo group with any of the treatment groups, we did not find significant difference in FAS or Ki-67 changes (all P > 0.05). Results indicate FO or EGCG supplementation for a short duration may not be sufficient to produce biologically meaningful changes in FAS or Ki-67 levels in prostate tissue.     

The Neurosteroid Allopregnanolone Is Reduced in Prefrontal Cortex in Alzheimer’s Disease

BACKGROUND: Few data are currently available investigating neurosteroids (NS) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The NS allopregnanolone may be decreased in serum and plasma in patients with AD, but it is unclear if allopregnanolone is also reduced in brain. Because a number of NS exhibit neuroprotective effects and impact cognitive performance in rodent models, these molecules may be relevant to the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders. We therefore investigated prefrontal cortex (PFC) NS levels in AD. METHODS: Neurosteroid levels (allopregnanolone, pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA]) were determined in postmortem PFC in 14 male subjects with AD and 15 cognitively intact male control subjects by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry preceded by high-performance liquid chromatography purification. RESULTS: Subjects with AD exhibit significant reductions in allopregnanolone compared with cognitively intact control subjects (median levels = 2.50 ng/g vs. 5.59 ng/g, respectively; p = .02). Allopregnanolone levels are inversely correlated with neuropathological disease stage (Braak), r = -.49, p = .007. Median DHEA levels are elevated in subjects with AD (p = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with AD demonstrate significant reductions in PFC allopregnanolone levels, a finding that may be relevant to neuropathological disease stage severity. Neurosteroids may have utility as candidate biomarkers in AD.     

宫腹腔镜联合手术诊治不孕症150例分析

目的:探讨宫腹腔镜联合手术在诊治不孕症中的应用。方法:对150例不孕症患者行宫腹腔镜联合手术,对不孕症病因进行诊断,同时行治疗。结果:盆腔粘连和输卵管阻塞是不孕症的主要原因。子宫内膜息肉和正常盆腔占次要比例。子宫内膜异位症和多囊卵巢也是主要病因。150例同时行宫腹腔镜输卵管通液和各种疾病的治疗。联合手术后妊娠率为48.8%。结论:腹腔镜联合手术,在一次麻醉下,可以对不孕的原因全面评价和明确诊断,在诊断同时进行治疗,对不孕症的诊断和治疗有重大的意义,值得推广。     

Active and passive immunization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa ribosomal vaccines and antisera in the burned rat model

Pseudomonas aeruginosa ribosomal vaccines were tested for their ability to protect rats subjected to a 20% total body surface burn against the lethal effects of infection with homologous organisms. When administered prior to burning, the vaccines provided 100% protection. When administered postburning, the vaccine from one strain also provided 100% protection when the time interval between vaccination and infection was 3 days. When this time interval was reduced to 1 or 2 days, approximately 50% protection was obtained with the same vaccine. The vaccine from a second strain tested provided about 50% protection with a 3-day time interval. In addition, passive immunization using antiserum to a ribosomal vaccine was also demonstrated to be effective in protecting burned and infected rats, especially when multiple doses of antiserum were used. In this case, 80% protection was obtained (with no protection observed using multiple doses of normal serum). Finally, a comparison of ribosomal and lipopolysaccharide vaccines and antisera was also performed.