Ninghong Song

A functional polymorphism in Pre-miR-146a gene is associated with prostate cancer risk and mature miR-146a expression in vivo.

A G > C polymorphism (rs2910164) which is located in the sequence of miR‐146a precursor, results in a change from a G:U pair to a C:U mismatch in its stem region. To explore whether rs2910164 plays any role in prostate cancer (CaP), we analyzed the association between miR‐146a polymorphism and risk of CaP and the expression of miR‐146a with different genotypes in CaP tissues in southern Chinese Han population.

A functional polymorphism in MSMB gene promoter is associated with prostate cancer risk and serum MSMB expression.

To explore the reported association of SNP marker rs10993994 with prostate cancer identified by two independent in two genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) further, we performed a case–control study in southern Chinese Han population. Consequently, we detected the serum levels of MSMB expression with different genotypes in the cases and controls to characterize the functional consequences of rs10993994.

Proteomic characteristics of human sperm cryopreservation

Human sperm cryopreservation in assisted reproductive technology is the only proven method that enables infertile men to father their own children. However, freezing and thawing reduces spermatozoon motility, viability, and fertilizing ability. An association between dysfunctional spermatozoa due to cryoinjury and protein changes has not been established. We investigated through proteomic analysis the differential protein characteristics between freeze‐thawed and fresh sperm samples obtained from nine normozoospermic donors. Twenty‐seven proteins differed in abundance between the two groups, and results were verified for four proteins via Western blot and immunofluorescent staining. These proteins are putatively involved in sperm motility, viability, acrosomal integrity, ATP and isocitrate content, mitochondrial membrane potential, capacitation, acrosome reaction, and intracellular calcium concentration. These marked differences suggest that dysfunctional spermatozoon after cryopreservation may be due to protein degradation and protein phosphorylation.

Molecular mechanism of epididymal protease inhibitor modulating the liquefaction of human semen

AIM To study the molecular mechanism of epididymal protease inhibitor (Eppin) modulating the process of prostate specific antigen (PSA) digesting semenogelin (Sg). METHODS Human Sg cDNA (nucleotides 82-849) and Eppin cDNA (nucleotides 70-723) were generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned into pET-100D/TOPO. Recombinant Eppin and Sg (rEppin and rSg) were produced by BL21 (DE3). The association of Eppin with Sg was studied by far-western immunoblot and radioautography. In vitro the digestion of rSg by PSA in the presence or absence of rEppin was studied. The effect of anti-Q20E (N-terminal) and C-terminal of Eppin on Eppin-Sg binding was monitored. RESULTS Eppin binds Sg on the surface of human spermatozoa with the C-terminal of Eppin (amino acids 75-133). rSg was digested with PSA and many low molecular weight fragments were produced. When rEppin is bound to rSg, then digested by PSA, incomplete digestion and a 15-kDa fragment results. Antibody binding to the N-terminal of rEppin did not affect rSg digestion. Addition of antibodies to the C-terminal of rEppin inhibited the modulating effect of rEppin. CONCLUSION Eppin protects a 15-kDa fragment of rSg from hydrolysis by PSA.

The association between MIF-173 G>C polymorphism and prostate cancer in southern Chinese

Accumulating epidemiological and molecular evidence suggests that inflammation is an important component in the etiology of PCa. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) plays an important role in the pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory response to infection. This study is aimed at investigating the potential association between MIF‐173 G>C polymorphism, Gleason score, clinical stage, and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) value with respect to PCa incidence among the Han nationality in Southern China.

Interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma presenting in the kidney combined with retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma: A case report and literature review

Interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma (IDCS) and retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma are rare tumors. The optimal diagnosis, treatment and prognosis remain unknown. The current case report presents a 46-year-old male who exhibited with a left renal mass combined with a periprostatic mass. The patient underwent surgery twice, respectively for the resection of the two masses. The postoperative pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of IDCS presenting in the kidney and retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma in the pelvis. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report of IDCS in the kidney and of the combined appearance of IDCS and retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma in the same patient.

Diagnosis and treatment of cystic renal cell carcinoma

BackgroundTo summarize the diagnosis and treatment of cystic renal cell carcinoma (CRCC).MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 13 patients with CRCC at our center from August 2004 to April 2012. The pathologic features, clinical manifestation, imaging characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of CRCC were summarized according to available literature.ResultsOf the 13 patients, 11 were diagnosed with CRCC by preoperative B ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) scan. The remaining two cases were initially misdiagnosed with simple renal cysts. Open radical nephrectomy was performed on two of the 13 cases, laparoscopic radical nephrectomy on seven cases, and open partial nephrectomy on four cases. All diagnoses of CRCC were confirmed by pathological examination. After the operation, all patients had an uneventful recovery. During the follow-up (range, 6–60 months), the serum creatinine concentrations and GFR of the partially removed kidneys remained stable within the normal range. No tumor recurrence or metastasis occurred.ConclusionsBy combining imaging examinations (B ultrasonography and CT scan) with intraoperative pathological examination, most cases of CRCC can be diagnosed and treated promptly and accurately. Nephrectomy is the first-line therapy. Nephron-sparing surgery should be preferred for CRCC. After a successful operation, the prognosis of CRCC is good.

The risks, degree of malignancy and clinical progression of prostate cancer associated with the MDM2 T309G polymorphism: a meta-analysis.

To determine the risk, malignant degree and clinical progression of prostate cancer (PCa) associated with mouse double-minute 2 protein (MDM2) T309G variants, a meta-analysis was performed on all eligible published studies. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to assess these associations in seven studies that included 5151 cases and 1003 controls. In the overall analysis, the 309G allele was significantly associated with a decreased PCa risk (OR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.74-0.97); this was also the case for the homozygous comparison (OR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.55-0.95) and the dominant genetic model (OR=0.79, 95% CI: 0.65-0.96). The 309G allele was also found to be significantly associated with lower degrees of PCa malignancy (OR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.75-0.96) in the overall analysis, as well as in the heterozygous comparison (OR=0.79, 95% CI: 0.65-0.96), homozygous comparison (OR=0.76, 95% CI: 0.58-0.98) and dominant genetic model (OR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.68-0.96). Furthermore, grouping analysis showed that the 309G allele in Caucasians was significantly correlated with a decreased PCa risk (OR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.61-0.96); this was also the case in the homozygous comparison (OR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.31-0.86). The grouping analysis also showed that the 309G variant in Caucasians was significantly associated with a lower degree of PCa malignancy in all of the genetic models. In addition, we found that the 309G variant in Caucasians was significantly associated with a slower PCa clinical progression in all of the genetic models. In summary, our meta-analysis showed that the MDM2 309G variant was significantly associated with a decreased PCa risk, lower malignant degree and slower clinical progression in Caucasians, but there was no obvious association in the Asian population.

p53 codon 72 increased biochemical recurrence risk after radical prostatectomy in a southern Chinese population.

Introduction: Alterations in P53 and Murine Double Minute 2 (MDM2) genes appear to be important in the development of many human tumors. We investigated the potential prognostic roles of p53 codon 72 and MDM2 309 and 1797 polymorphisms in prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy. Patients and Methods: Fifty southern Chinese with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy were included in this study. All polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP. Their prognosis on biochemical recurrence was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression model. Results:p53 codon 72 GG genotype was associated with increased biochemical recurrence compared with CG+CC genotypes and poorer PSA-free survival. It was also noted that GG genotype was an independent risk factor for biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy on multivariate analysis. No statistical difference was observed in MDM2 polymorphisms and prostate cancer prognosis. Conclusion: Our data revealed that p53 codon 72 GG genotype carriers more frequently show biochemical recurrence than CG+CC genotypes carriers.

Prognostic role of microRNA-205 in multiple human malignant neoplasms: a meta-analysis of 17 studies

Objective MicroRNA-205 (miRNA-205) was revealed as an attractive prognostic tumour biomarker in recent studies. However, the results of different studies have been inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis to elucidate the precise predictive value of miRNA-205 in various human malignant neoplasms. Design Meta-analysis. Data sources Qualified studies were identified up to 5 June 2014 by performing online searches in PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science, and additional quality evaluations. Participants Seventeen eligible studies with 4827 patients were ultimately enrolled in this meta-analysis. Outcome measures The heterogeneity between studies was assessed using I2 statistics. Pooled HRs with 95% CIs for patient survival and disease recurrence were calculated to investigate the correlation between miRNA-205 expression and cancer prognosis. Results Our results indicate that elevated miRNA-205 was significantly associated with enhanced overall survival in the breast cancer subgroup (HR=0.78, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.91) and superior disease-free survival/recurrence-free survival in the adenocarcinoma subgroup (HR=0.68, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.94). Conclusions miRNA-205 is a promising biomarker for predicting the recurrence and progression of patients with adenocarcinomas or breast cancer. Owing to its complex roles, further relevant studies are warranted.