Jia-Jen Shee

Combretastatin A-4 inhibits cell growth and metastasis in bladder cancer cells and retards tumour growth in a murine orthotopic bladder tumour model

Bladder cancer is a highly recurrent cancer after intravesical therapy, so new drugs are needed to treat this cancer. Hence, we investigated the anti‐cancer activity of combretastatin A‐4 (CA‐4), an anti‐tubulin agent, in human bladder cancer cells and in a murine orthotopic bladder tumour model.

Identification of genetic alterations in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma in end-stage renal disease patients.

Clinical presentations of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT‐UC) are different from those with normal renal function. The pathogenesis remains unknown. We investigated the pathogenetic influence of chromosomal aberrations in patient on dialysis with UUT‐UC. The chromosomal aberrations of UUT‐UC specimens from seven dialysis patients were assessed by conventional comparative genomic hybridization (cCGH). Subsequently, we further investigated 20 cases by whole genome and fine‐tiling oligonucleotide array‐based CGH to demonstrate gains and losses, and compared with the clinicopathologic background. The chromosomal aberrations in UUT‐UC specimens from dialysis patients were more complex than in bladder urothelial carcinoma (B‐UC). Our data showed that gains at 5p, 7, 19q, and losses at 4q, 9p, and 15q are common in UUT‐UC of ESRD patients. Gains in regions associated with DNA repair genes were noted in this study. High‐stage and high‐grade tumors displayed more copy number variants. In addition, female ESRD patients with UUT‐UC had more frequent chromosomal aberrations than their male counterparts. In conclusion, unique chromosomal aberrations were indentified in UUT‐UC in ESRD patients.

The inhibitory effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum on MCP-1 and type I procollagen expression in rat hepatic stellate cells

AIM OF THE STUDY Gynostemma pentaphyllum is a popular folk medicine that has been used for treatment of hepatitis in Asia. Our previous study demonstrates that Gynostemma pentaphyllum n-butanol extract inhibits the onset and improves the recovery of CCl(4)-induced liver fibrogenesis in rats and inhibits PDGF-induced rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) proliferation. In this study, the effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract on cytokines and type I procollagen expression was analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rat HSCs were treated with PDGF, Gynostemma pentaphyllum n-butanol extract, RP-18-Gyp fraction, rapamycin or vehicle. Rat cytokine antibody array chip or ELISA kit was used for cytokines detection. Intracellular protein expression was detected by Western blotting, mRNA expression was analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS RP-18-Gyp fraction is the more purified gypenosides fraction from Gynostemma pentaphyllum n-butanol extract. In cell proliferation, the inhibitory effect of 200 microg/ml RP-18-Gyp fraction is similar to 500 microg/ml Gynostemma pentaphyllum n-butanol extract. Furthermore, both of them have the ability of decreasing monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA expression and protein release and inhibiting type I procollagen protein expression. CONCLUSIONS Both of Gynostemma pentaphyllum n-butanol extract and its more purified RP-18-Gyp fraction have the biological activities in the inhibition of cell proliferation, MCP-1 release and type I procollagen expression in rat HSCs. These data could provide the evidence to support for the traditional use of Gynostemma pentaphyllum in hepatitis.

4’-Chloro-3,5-dihydroxystilbene, a resveratrol derivative, induces lung cancer cell death

AbstractAim:To examine the antitumor effect of 4′-chloro-3,5-dihydroxystilbene, a resveratrol derivative, on lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells.Methods:The cytotoxic IC50 was determined by direct cell counting. Flow cytometry, monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining, transfection, Western blot and a proteasome activity assay were used to study the cellular mechanism of 4′-chloro-3,5-dihydroxystilbene. A xenograft nude mouse model was used to analyze the antitumor effect in vivo.Results:4′-Chloro-3,5-dihydroxystilbene induced a rapid and persistent increase in the intracellular reactive oxygen species in the cells, but the cell death could not be inhibited by two antioxidant agents. The derivative caused sub-G1 formation, a decrease in the mitochondria membrane potential and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase degradation, and the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK could partially prevent cell death. It also induced a significant increase in intracellular acidic vacuoles, LC3-II formation and intracellular GFP-LC3 aggregation. An autophagic inhibitor partially reversed cell death. Additionally, 4′-chloro-3,5-dihydroxystilbene induced the accumulation of ubiquitinated conjugates and inhibited proteasome activity in cells. In an in vivo study, 4′-chloro-3,5-dihydroxystilbene retarded tumor growth in nude mice.Conclusion:These data suggest that the resveratrol derivative 4′-chloro-3,5-dihydroxystilbene could be developed as an anti-tumor compound.

Clinical observations of the effect of antidiuretic hormone on nocturia in elderly men

To evaluate the effect of desmopressin on nocturia, based on patients’ subjective scoring of nocturia, as desmopressin is widely used to treat nocturnal enuresis and nocturnal polyuria.

Application of Transrectal Power Doppler Ultrasound in the Prediction of Corrected Maximal Uroflow Rate

Background A reliable interpretation of uroflowmetry depends on adequate voiding volume. Unfortunately, many patients may not be in a position to void enough volume to allow an effective interpretation. The main objective of this study was to determine how a valuable uroflow rate can be obtained with an inadequate or even no voiding volume. We have tried to develop a new method to predict the actual uroflow rate by adding power Doppler information during transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) in patients who do not have an interpretable voiding volume. Patients and Methods Fifty-five patients with complete uroflowmetry and TRUS with power Doppler study were enrolled. Analyses of the uroflowmetry and power Doppler parameters were performed. Correlation coefficients were calculated to reveal the relationships among these parameters. Results The correlation coefficient between the prostate intracapsular pulsatility index (PI) and corrected peak flow rate (cQ max ) was —0.79. Correlation between the PI of vessels outside the prostate and cQ max was not significant, as the intracapsular PI was. We generated a linear regression equation, cQ max = 0.8911 × PI + 14.569, to predict cQ max by intracapsular PI. This equation can be applied when adequate spontaneous voiding is not available. Conclusion TRUS is informative when power Doppler parameters are applied. Corrected peak uroflow rate can be predicted even in patients who have an inadequate or no voiding volume.

Cancer in a Bladder Diverticulum - A Case Report

Bladder tumors arising from bladder diverticula is a relatively rare condition. We present the case of a 70-yr-old male patient with early-stage transitional cell carcinoma resulting from bladder diverticulum. Bladder ultrasonography, intravenous pyelography, computer-assisted tomography, and other diagnostic studies showed no evidence of malignant tumor in the diverticulum. He received diverticulectomy because of prolonged hematuria. A small transitional cell carcinoma was found at the base of the diverticulum specimen. In this report, we review and discuss the diagnostic tools and the early clinical patterns of intradiverticular tumor disease. There is great risk that the diagnosis of intradiverticular tumor will be delayed f imaging studies are the sole means of clinical examination. Aggressive endoscopic study on follow up should be performed to improve the rate of early diagnosis in patients with this malignant condition.