[Expressions of interleukin-17 and interleukin-8 in the prostatic tissue of the patients with BPH or BPH with inflammation].

Objective: To investigate the expressions of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and BPH complicated with histological inflammation and their significance.

Methods: According to the results of HE staining, we divided 60 cases of BPH treated by transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) into a BPH group (n = 23) and a BPH with inflammation group (n = 37). We analyzed the clinical data of the patients and determined the mRNA and protein expressions of IL-17 and IL-8 by immunohistochemistry, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and Western blot, respectively.

The role of TSG-6 and uroplakin III in bladder pain syndrome/ interstitial cystitis in rats and humans.

Objectives: We investigated the relationship between the expression of tumor necrosis factor-inducible gene 6 (TSG-6) with inflammation and integrity of the bladder epithelium in the bladder tissues of patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) and the mechanism of action using a rat model of BPS/IC.

Materials And Methods: Expression of TSG-6 and uroplakin III was determined by immuno- histochemistry of bladder biopsy samples from control human subjects and patients with verified BPS/IC. Our rat model of BPS/IC was employed to measure the perfusion of bladders with hyaluronidase, and assessment of the effect of TSG-6 administration on disease progression.

[Significance of nerve growth factor expression in the prostate tissue of spontaneously hypertensive rats].

Objective: To investigate the changes of the expressions of the nerve growth factor (NGF) and its mRNA in the prostate tissues of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) of different ages and their significance.

Methods: SHRs and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were killed at 1 month (young), 6 months (adult) and 12 months (aging), respectively, 5 in each group. Their prostate indexes were calculated, and the expressions of NGF and its mRNA in the ventral prostate tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.

[Expression of COX-2 and VEGF and their correlation with angiogenesis in human clear cell renal cell carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the expression of COX-2 and VEGF in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) and their correlation with tumor angiogenesis.

Methods: Envision immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of COX-2 and VEGF, and microvessel density (MVD) was marked by CD34 in 80 CCRCC tissues and 20 normal kidney tissues. The relationship between the above mentioned markers were analyzed.

Gene transfer into porcine myocardium via pericardial cavity by homemade easy puncture device.

Objective: To explore the feasibility and safety of gene transfer into porcine myocardium via the pericardial cavity by a homemade easy device.

Methods: Replication-deficient recombinant adenoviral vector carrying LacZ report gene (Ad-LacZ) was constructed by the calcium phosphate precipitation method. Twelve healthy Chinese mini-swine were randomly divided into experimental group (n = 6) and control group (n = 6).

[Effects of atorvastatin on the function of dendritic cells in patients with unstable angina pectoris].

Objective: To investigate the function of dendritic cells (DC) in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) and the effects of atorvastatin on it.

Methods: 27 patients with UAP were divided into two groups treated respectively with regular pharmacotherapy and regular pharmacotherapy plus atorvastatin. PBMC from the UAP patients (before and 2 weeks after the treatment) and 11 healthy subjects were incubated and induced to mature DC in a completed medium containing GM-CSF and IL-4.

Inhibition of NOS2 ameliorates cardiac remodeling, improves heart function after myocardial infarction in rats.

Objective: Previous studies have shown increased expression of nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) in rat heart several weeks after myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of chronic administration of S-methylisothiourea (SMT), a selective NOS2 inhibitor, commenced one week after MI on hemodynamic parameters and left ventricular (LV) remodeling in rats.

Methods: Rats with MI induced by left coronary ligation were given SMT (0.

Prevention of myosin-induced autoimmune myocarditis in mice by anti-L3T4 monoclonal antibody.

This study was aimed at studying the effect of the induction of immune tolerance to swine cardiac myosin from anti-L3T4 monoclonal antibody injection and whether the immune tolerance could protect mice with myosin-induced myocarditis from myocardial injury. Twenty-four Balb/c mice were divided into two groups at random. All of the mice were immunized with swine cardiac myosin on the 1st day, 14th, 28th, 42nd, and 52nd day.