Network pharmacological identification of active compounds and potential actions of Erxian decoction in alleviating menopause-related symptoms

published_or_final_versio

Is pre-operative MRI really a Must for Robotic-assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RaLRP)?

Oral (Free Paper) Session 2 - Uro-Oncology: Prostate & Kidney: no. OP.2-2OBJECTIVE: To evaluate MRI with endorectal coil (ER-MRI) in detecting laterality of tumor and T staging on patients with localized prostate cancer before RaLRP …postprin

A Novel, Stable, Estradiol-Stimulating, Osteogenic Yam Protein with Potential for the Treatment of Menopausal Syndrome

A novel protein, designated as DOI, isolated from the Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) could be the first protein drug for the treatment of menopausal syndrome and an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is known to have undesirable side effects. DOI is an acid- and thermo-stable protein with a distinctive N-terminal sequence Gly-Ile-Gly-Lys-Ile-Thr-Thr-Tyr-Trp-Gly-Gln-Tyr-Ser-Asp-Glu-Pro-Ser-Leu-Thr-Glu. DOI was found to stimulate estradiol biosynthesis in rat ovarian granulosa cells; induce estradiol and progesterone secretion in 16- to 18-month-old female Sprague Dawley rats by upregulating expressions of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor and ovarian aromatase; counteract the progression of osteoporosis and augment bone mineral density; and improve cognitive functioning by upregulating protein expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and TrkB receptors in the prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, DOI did not stimulate the proliferation of breast cancer and ovarian cancer cells, which suggest it could be a more efficacious and safer alternative to HRT.link_to_OA_fulltex

Microstructural evolution and trace element mobility in Witwatersrand pyrite

Microstructural analysis of pyrite from a single sample of Witwatersrand conglomerate indicates a complex deformation history involving components of both plastic and brittle deformation. Internal deformation associated with dislocation creep is heterogeneously developed within grains, shows no systematic relationship to bulk rock strain or the location of grain boundaries and is interpreted to represent an episode of pyrite deformation that predates the incorporation of detrital pyrite grains into the Central Rand conglomerates. In contrast, brittle deformation, manifest by grain fragmentation that transects dislocation-related microstructures, is spatially related to grain contacts and is interpreted to represent post-depositional deformation of the Central Rand conglomerates. Analysis of the low-angle boundaries associated with the early dislocation creep phase of deformation indicates the operation of {100} slip systems. However, some orientation boundaries have geometrical characteristics that are not consistent with simple {100} deformation.These boundaries may represent the combination of multiple slip systems or the operation of the previously unrecognized {120} slip system. These boundaries are associated with order of magnitude enrichments in As, Ni and Co that indicate a deformation control on the remobilization of trace elements within pyrite and a potential slip system control on the effectiveness of fast-diffusion pathways. The results confirm the importance of grain-scale elemental remobilization within pyrite prior to their incorporation into the Witwatersrand gold-bearing conglomerates. Since the relationship between gold and pyrite is intimately related to the trace element geochemistry of pyrite, the results have implications for the application of minor element geochemistry to ore deposit formation, suggest a reason for heterogeneous conductivity and localized gold precipitation in natural pyrite and provide a framework for improving mineral processing

Steroidogenic effect of Erxian decoction for relieving menopause via the p-Akt/PKB pathway in vitro and in vivo

Poster Session - no. P155Erxian decoction (EXD), an empirical Chinese medicine formula, is clinically used for menopause in China. Previous data from our group revealed that EXD possesses steroidogenic effect on natural menopausal Sprague-Dawley-rats (SD-rats). However, the mechanistic studies on steroidogenic effects of EXD are still inadequate. Hence, the mechanisms of steroidogenic effects of EXD were studied in vitro and in vivo in this study. Menopause causes a decline of endocrine function and a series of symptoms. In this study, 16-20-month-old female SD rats with a low serum estradiol level were employed. Their endocrine functions after treatment with EXD (4.1g/kg) were assessed by determination of their serum estradiol level. Proteins involved in the steroidogenic pathway including StAR, 17βHSD, 3βHSD, aromatase, and activation of phosphorylated Protein Kinase B (p-Akt/PKB), as well as estradiol receptor proteins (ERα & ERβ) after EXD treatment were analyzed. Kinase inhibition assay was conducted to confirm the mechanism of steroidogenic effects of EXD in vitro. MCF-7 and BT-483 breast cancer cells were used to investigate whether EXD stimulated breast cancer cell proliferation. Results revealed a significantly ameliorated serum estradiol level, and a significantly increased expression of ovarian aromatase and PKB in the EXD-treated rats. EXD attenuated 17β-estradiol stimulated proliferation of breast cancer cells. The results obtained from immunoblotting and measurements of serum estradiol level of the present investigation revealed that EXD may relieve the menopausal syndrome through an upregulation of ovarian aromatase and p-PKB expression without stimulating the growth of breast cancer cells

Recovery of erectile function after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy: a 7-year experience in Hong Kong

Conference Theme: Urological Advancement in AsiaThis free journal suppl. entitled: Special Issue: 14th Urological Association of Asia Congress 2016 SingaporeAbstract and Poster PresentationOBJECTIVES To assess the recovery of erectile function in patients with prostate cancer after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with different nerve-sparing techniques. METHODS Localized prostate cancer patients with RARP performed between July 1st 2009 and December 31st 2015 were included. All patients were operated by one single surgeon. Patients older than 70 years old were excluded. Demographic data, operative details and progress of erectile function were collected. RESULTS One hundred and seventy patients were identified. The mean pre-operative PSA was 9.42 ng/mL (range 0.25–36.9 ng/mL). Sixty-five percent of patients had RARP with nerve-sparing technique. Among those patients, 70% received bilateral nerve-sparing dissection and the remaining received unilateral nerve-sparing dissection. The penetration rate at post-operative 3 months were 0%, 27.2% and 46.2% in patients received non-nerve sparing, unilateral nerve sparing and bilateral nerve sparing dissection respectively. The penetration rate improved to 4.2%, 50% and 76% respectively at post-operative 12 months. Patients having penile rehabilitation with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor had better penetration rate (44.7% vs 12.2%) at postoperative 3 months. CONCLUSION Erectile function improved with time after RARP. Nerve-sparing dissection technique and penile rehabilitation are essential to restore erectile function after RARP.link_to_OA_fulltex

Association of time to prostate-specific antigen nadir and logarithm of prostate-specific antigen velocity after progression in metastatic prostate cancer with prior primary androgen deprivation therapy

published_or_final_versio

Recovery of continence after robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RaLRP) on Chinese prostate cancer patients: a seven-year experience from a single tertiary center in Hong Kong

Conference Theme: New Frontier in Urologic SurgeryAbstract and Poster Presentatio

Analysis of three pre-operative risk assessment tools for prostate cancer in a local Chinese cohort undergoing radical prostatectomy

Abstract and Poster PresentationConference Theme: Urological Advancement in AsiaThis free journal suppl. entitled: Special Issue: 14th Urological Association of Asia Congress 2016 SingaporeOBJECTIVES: To compare the performance of the CAPRA score, Kattan nomogram and Stephenson nomogram in a local Chinese cohort of patients with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy. METHODS: This is a review of a prospective cohort of men who underwent radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. CAPRA score, Kattan score and Stephenson score were calculated by analysis of variables for predicting biochemical recurrence. Biochemical recurrence was defined as PSA more than 0.2 ng/mL or secondary treatment for a rising PSA. Performance of the three risk assessment tools was evaluated using Harrell’s concordance index, plotting calibration curves, and constructing decision analysis curves. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-seven men who underwent radical prostatectomy from 1998 to 2012 were recruited. Concordance index for the three assessment tools were high (0.69 for CAPRA score, 0.71 for Kattan score, 0.73 for Stephenson score). The Stephenson score had the best calibration plot in predicting biochemical free recurrence probability. The Stephenson score also had a better performance across various threshold probability in the decision curve analysis. CONCLUSIONS: All three assessment tools were validated in our local Chinese cohort. Stephenson score had the best performance in predicting biochemical free recurrence probability and in the decision curve analysis.link_to_OA_fulltex