Correlation between tuberous sclerosis complex 2 and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta levels, and outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated by hepatectomy.

Aim: Tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2), a tumor suppressor, may play an essential role in the regulation of cell growth and cell survival under energy stress conditions. In addition, TSC2 may act in concert with Wnt and energy signals by additional phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) to regulate cell growth. The expression levels and function of TSC2 and GSK3β in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear.

[Bacterial 16S rRNA genes and expression of IL-1β, TNF-α and IgA in prostate tissues].

Objective: To investigate the role of bacteria in the etiology of chronic prostatitis.

Methods: Complete prostate specimens were obtained at autopsy from 192 organ donors (aged 20 - 38 years old) during 2002 to 2008 who died of non-prostatic diseases. One tissue taken from the peripheral prostatic zone according to McNeal was divided into two pieces.

[Expressions of bacterial 16S rRNA, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and NGF in prostate tissues].

Objective: To investigate the role of bacteria in the etiology of chronic prostatitis.

Methods: A total of 162 complete prostate specimens were obtained at autopsy from organ donors (aged 20 -38 yr) who died of non-prostatic diseases. Each of the samples from the peripheral zone of the prostate was divided into two parts, one for routine pathological examination and immunohistochemical studies of interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and the nerve growth factor (NGF), and the other for PCR assay to detect the bacterial 16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA).