Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) gene has been shown to be epigenetically silenced in several cancers. We investigated the loss of expression and promoter methylation of this tumor suppressor gene in gastric cancers and correlated the data with clinicopathological features. We observed the loss of SPARC mRNA and SPARC protein expression in 7 of 10 (70%) gastric cancer cell lines. Upon treatment of expression-negative cell lines with a demethylating agent, expression of mRNA and protein was restored in all cells. Methylation rate of SPARC gene was 80% in ten gastric cancer cell lines and 74% (163 of 220) in primary tumors, while it was 5% in normal gastric mucosa (n = 40). In intestinal gastric cancer, SPARC methylation correlated with a negative prognosis (P < 0.001; relative risk 2.754, 95% confidence interval 1.780–4.261). Immunostaining revealed that SPARC protein was overexpressed in stromal fibroblasts adjacent to neoplastic epithelium but rarely expressed in the primary gastric cancer cells. These results implicate SPARC promoter methylation as an important factor in the tumorigenesis of gastric carcinomas and provide new insights into the potential use of SPARC as a novel biomarker and the potential clinical importance in human gastric cancers.

Exogenous intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP), an enzyme produced endogenously at the brush edge of the intestinal mucosa, may mitigate the increase in aberrant intestinal permeability increased during sepsis. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of the inhibitory effect of IAP on acute intestinal inflammation and to study the molecular mechanisms underlying IAP in ameliorating intestinal permeability. We used an in vivo imaging method to evaluate disease status and the curative effect of IAP. Two Escherichia coli (E.coli) B21 strains, carrying EGFP labeled enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and RFP labeled red fluorescent protein (RFP), were constructed as tracer bacteria and were administered orally to C57/B6N mice to generate an injection peritonitis (IP) model. The IP model was established by injecting inflammatory lavage fluid. C57/B6N mice bearing the tracer bacteria were subsequently treated with (IP+IAP group), or without IAP (IP group). IAP was administered to the mice via tail vein injections. The amount of tracer bacteria in the blood, liver, and lungs at 24 h post-injection was analyzed via flow cytometry (FCM), in vivo imaging, and Western blotting. Intestinal barrier function was measured using a flux assay with the macro-molecule fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran, molecular weight 40kD, (FD40). To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of IAP, we examined the levels of ERK phosphorylation, and the expression levels of proteins in the ERK-SP1-VEGF and ERK-Cdx-2-Claudin-2 pathways. We observed that IAP inhibited the expression of Claudin-2, a type of cation channel-forming protein, and VEGF, a cytokine that may increase intestinal permeability by reducing the levels of dephosphorylated ERK. In conclusion, exogenous IAP shows a therapeutic effect in an injection peritonitis model. This including inhibition of bacterial translocation. Moreover, we have established an imaging methodology for live-animals can effectively evaluate intestinal permeability and aberrant bacterial translocation in IP models.

1.5 ms, 20 V, 1 min) were measured in subsamples of rats at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after injection; after measuring the ICP the animals were killed, and penile, hepatic, renal artery and abdominal aorta tissue samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80 ∞ C. The gene expression of VIP in all samples, assessed as the expression of VIP mRNA, was estimated using a semiquantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTSThe mean amplitude of ICP and expression of VIP mRNA in the cavernosa of the VIP-treated rats was greater at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after injection ( P < 0.05) than in the control animals. There were no changes in the expression of VIP mRNA in hepatic, renal and abdominal aorta samples after injection ( P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONSVIP cDNA is easily incorporated into corpus cavernosum, and the expression is sustained for ≥ 2 weeks in the penis in vivo . The transfer of VIP is capable of altering the physiologically relevant erectile response, as measured by an increase in the ICP after stimulating the cavernosal nerve. The intracorporal micro-injection of pcDNA3/VIP cDNA had little effect on the expression of VIP mRNA in other important organs.

NDI should be considered in patients with dilatation of the urinary tract and polyuria. Higher bladder pressure at the end of filling may contribute to the dilatation of urinary tract. Normal detrusor contractility with large PVR is a unique manifestation of this condition. Controlling the urine volume and reducing the PVR are of key importance in the treatment of this condition.

Purpose To perform a placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Serenoa repens extract (SRE) for the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Methods We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, clinical phase 4 study of 221 patients with CP/CPPS across 11 centers. Participants were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive SRE or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in total score on the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI). Secondary efficacy endpoints included improvements within each domain of NIH-CPSI, clinical response rate, and International Index of Erectile Function 5 items (IIEF-5). Results In total, 226 patients were enrolled and randomized between January 2017 and June 2018. Of these 221 patients were included in the intent-to-treat analysis: 148 in the SRE group and 73 patients in the placebo group. Compared to the placebo, SRE led to statistically significant improvements in the NIH-CPSI total score and sub-scores. The significant improvements of NIH-CPSI scores were established after 2 weeks from the first dose, and continued to the end of the treatment. Furthermore, a significantly higher rate of patients achieved a clinical response in the SRE group compared with that in the placebo group (73.0% vs 32.9%, P < 0.0001). Only minor adverse events were observed across the entire study population. Conclusions SRE was effective, safe, and clinically superior to placebo for the treatment of CP/CPPS. ChiCTR-IPR-16010196, December 21, 2016 retrospectively registered