限制热量摄入6个月对超重者寿命指标、代谢调节及氧化应激的影响——随机对照试验AuthorAffiliations：PenningtonBiomedicalResearchCenter．LouisianaStateUniversity．BatonRouge；andGarvan．InstituteforMedicalResearch．Dadinghurst，AustraIia（DrHeilbronn）．

背景：长期限制热量摄入可延长啮齿类动物的寿命。但是，尚未有研究观测长期限制人体热量是否会影响其寿命及氧化应激指标，降低代谢率。 目的：在超重但不肥胖（体重指数为25—30）的人群中研究限制热量6个月伴／不伴运动对其产生的影响。 设计、地点及参试者：于2002年3月至2004年8月在位于路易斯安娜州首府巴顿鲁治的研究中心对48名不好动的健康人进行随机对照研究。 干预：参试者在6个月内随机分为4个组：对照组（饮食可维持体重）；限制热量组（限制基线所需能量的25％）；限制热量＋运动组（限制12．5％的热量＋运动增加12．5％的能耗）；极低热量饮食组（每日摄入890keal，直至体重减少15％，随后采用维持体重的饮食）。 主要观测指标：机体组成；硫酸脱氢表雄酮（dehydroepiandrostemne sulfate，DHEAS）、葡萄糖及胰岛素水平；蛋白羰基化合物；DNA损伤；24小时能耗；核心体温。 结果：6个月时各组体重变化的均值（标准误）为：对照组-1．0％（1．1％）；限制热量组-10．4％（0．9％）；限制热量＋运动组-10．0％（0．8％）；极低热量饮食组-13．9％（0．7％）。6个月时，各干预组空腹血糖水平较基线明显降低（P均〈0．01），而DHEAS和葡萄糖水平没有改变。限制热量组及限制热量＋运动组核心体温有所下降（P均〈0．05）。对机体组成进行校正后发现，对照组24小时静息能耗无变化，但限制热量组（-135kcal／d[42kcal／d]）、限制热量＋运动组（-117kcal／d[52kcal／d]）和极低热量饮食组（-125kcal／d[35kcal／d]）24小时静息能耗有所下降（P均〈0．008）。上述“代谢调节”（超出预计值的-6％）与对照组相比存在显著差异（P〈0．05）。6个月时，各组蛋白羰基化合物的浓度较基线时无变化，而各干预组DNA损伤有所减少（P〈0．005）。 结论：我们的研究结果显示，长期限制热量可降低人类寿命的2种指标（即空腹胰岛素水平和体温）。此外，我们的研究结果还支持下述理论，即限制热量能降低代谢率，且超过缩小代谢面积产生的相应效应。我们尚需开展远期研究来评价限制热量能否延缓人类衰老过程。

Use of systems change and health information technology to integrate comprehensive tobacco cessation services in a statewide system for delivery of healthcare

Despite the availability of effective treatments and recommendations for systems change, full application of the USPublic Health Service clinical practice guideline for the treatment of tobacco use is seldom achieved. The present report describes a comprehensive, structured approach used to implement the guideline and to integrate evidence-based cessation services into a system for delivery of health care. The PRECEDE-PROCEDE model and systems strategies were employed to design and implement the Tobacco Control Initiative (TCI), which provides evidence-based cessation services for the patients of a statewide public hospital system. For the TCI, multi-level assessments, pilot programs, electronic data collection, and performance feedback were needed to produce system-wide changes in workflow and in the quality of care for tobacco users. Although there are advances in health information technology (HIT), systems approaches are required for responding effectively to the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HI-TECH) Act and to standards governing use of electronic data related to treatment of tobacco use and dependence.

Understanding the Perceptions and Practices of Homeowners in the Event of Hurricane: A Case Study of University Employees in Louisiana

The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore and gain an understanding of Louisiana homeowners’ perceptions and practices in preparing for hurricanes;contribute to academic research and student learning, while guiding the development of future projects. We focused specifically on how homeowners in Louisiana would protect their important documents and possessions. These documents and possessions include but are not limited to photographs, social security cards, birth certificates, and insurance paperwork. We collected the data throughout the fall semester of 2022 at Louisiana State University (LSU) by conducting a focus group and in-depth interviews. We collected a variety of answers, but most participants expressed a strong need to have their important documents and possessions protected and gave different strategies for how this was carried out, such as digitizing or protective storage. Participants also expressed a strong need for more information to be delivered to residents to talk more about ways they can protect their own documents and possessions. Emphases were also made on the need for: leaders of large institutions to be especially concerned with preparedness for vulnerable populations;outreach programs to be put in place to spread awareness of the importance of protecting important documents and possessions during a disaster;news outlets to switch their focus from normal survival tips to discussions on the importance of protecting documents and possessions;government and non-profit agencies to work together to share tips and information through social media and other forms of handouts.

THE GLOBAL EXISTENCE OF STRONG SOLUTIONS FOR A NON-ISOTHERMAL IDEAL GAS SYSTEM

We investigate the global existence of strong solutions to a non-isothermal ideal gas model derived from an energy variational approach.We first show the global wellposedness in the Sobolev space H^(2)(R^(3)) for solutions near equilibrium through iterated energy-type bounds and a continuity argument.We then prove the global well-posedness in the critical Besov space B^(3/2)_(2,1) by showing that the linearized operator is a contraction mapping under the right circumstances.

Geothermo-mechanical alterations due to heat energy extraction in enhanced geothermal systems: Overview and prospective directions

Geothermal energy from deep underground (or geological) formations,with or without its combination with carbon capture and storage (CCS),can be a key technology to mitigate anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and meet the 2050 net‐zero carbon emission target.Geothermal resources in low‐permeability and medium‐and high‐temperature reservoirs in sedimentary sequence require hydraulic stimulation for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS).However,fluid migration for geothermal energy in EGS or with potential CO_(2) storage in a CO_(2)‐EGS are both dependent on the in situ flow pathway network created by induced fluid injection.These thermo‐mechanical interactions can be complex and induce varying alterations in the mechanical response when the working fluid is water (in EGS) or supercritical CO_(2)(in CO_(2)‐EGS),which could impact the geothermal energy recovery from geological formations.Therefore,there is a need for a deeper understanding of the heat extraction process in EGS and CO_(2)‐EGS.This study presents a systematic review of the effects of changes in mechanical properties and behavior of deep underground rocks on the induced flow pathway and heat recovery in EGS reservoirs with or without CO_(2) storage in CO_(2) ‐EGS.Further,we proposed waterless‐stimulated EGS as an alternative approach to improve heat energy extraction in EGS.Lastly,based on the results of our literature review and proposed ideas,we recommend promising areas of investigation that may provide more insights into understanding geothermo‐mechanics to further stimulate new research studies and accelerate the development of geothermal energy as a viable clean energy technology.

Female Infertility and Obesity across the United States—A Geographic Cross-Sectional Analysis

This cross-sectional study investigates a connection between female infertility and obesity across various regions of the United States, utilizing data from the NIH’s “All of Us” Researcher Workbench. Analysis suggested that the Southern region exhibited the highest percentage of concurrently infertile and obese females at 32.3%, in contrast to the lowest in the Western region at 28.7%. The findings underscore the significant regional disparities in obesity-related infertility, particularly in medically underserved areas where healthcare access is limited. The study highlights the urgent need for targeted public health interventions, particularly in the Southern United States, to address the rising prevalence of obesity and its impact on infertility. Further, these results advocate for enhanced public health education and policies aimed at improving healthcare accessibility, with the goal of mitigating the adverse effects of obesity on reproductive health.

Mitigating the Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy in the United States: Utilization of the Chronic Care Model as a Public Health Framework

As the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy continues to be on the rise, the Chronic Care Model (CCM) offers a transformative, patient-focused approach for efficient diabetic retinopathy care, emphasizing the need for urgent and innovative strategies in the United States. The model integrates community resources, healthcare organizations, self-management support, delivery system design, decision support, and clinical information systems. Addressing challenges and solutions, the model emphasizes proactive and preventive measures, collaborative multidisciplinary care, technological integration, and overcoming resistance to change. This paper proposes the utilization of the Chronic Care Model (CCM) as a possible public health framework for comprehensive management of diabetic retinopathy in the United States. Implementing the CCM offers a comprehensive approach to diabetic retinopathy care, addressing both individual and systemic factors, essential for improving public health outcomes.

Investigating the Air Quality Parameters in Louisiana’s Industrial Corridor: A Baton Rouge Case Study

In a local context, sustainable development entails utilizing the current resources—material and immaterial, measurable and immeasurable, popular and unpopular—of the community in a manner that avoids overexploitation and ensures intergenerational equity. This approach prioritizes the safety and health of local citizens, placing communal productivity above corporate profitability. This research aims to assess air quality surrounding 28 chemical industry sites in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to understand the environmental and health impacts of industrial pollutants, with a focus on environmental justice. Air quality pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO2, CO, and SO2, were monitored for 75 days during the Summer, using the BreezoMeter app. Python, Mapize, and QGIS software technologies were utilized for data analysis and visualization. Findings indicate a reduction in NO2 and CO levels, compared to existing literature. However, the persistent challenge of particulate matter suggests areas for further environmental management efforts. Additionally, the research suggests a significant disparity in air pollution exposure, probably affecting marginalized communities. Although the nature of the study might not fully capture annual pollution trends, the findings highlight the urgent need for the chemical industry to adopt efficient production methods and for policymakers to enhance air quality standards and enforcement, particularly in pollution-sensitive areas. The disproportionate impact of air pollution on vulnerable communities calls for a more inclusive approach to environmental justice, ensuring equitable distribution of clean air benefits and community involvement in pollution management decisions.

A Novel Self-Supervised Learning Network for Binocular Disparity Estimation

Two-dimensional endoscopic images are susceptible to interferences such as specular reflections and monotonous texture illumination,hindering accurate three-dimensional lesion reconstruction by surgical robots.This study proposes a novel end-to-end disparity estimation model to address these challenges.Our approach combines a Pseudo-Siamese neural network architecture with pyramid dilated convolutions,integrating multi-scale image information to enhance robustness against lighting interferences.This study introduces a Pseudo-Siamese structure-based disparity regression model that simplifies left-right image comparison,improving accuracy and efficiency.The model was evaluated using a dataset of stereo endoscopic videos captured by the Da Vinci surgical robot,comprising simulated silicone heart sequences and real heart video data.Experimental results demonstrate significant improvement in the network’s resistance to lighting interference without substantially increasing parameters.Moreover,the model exhibited faster convergence during training,contributing to overall performance enhancement.This study advances endoscopic image processing accuracy and has potential implications for surgical robot applications in complex environments.

Pro-resolving lipid mediator reduces amyloid-β42–induced gene expression in human monocyte–derived microglia

Specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators including maresin 1 mediate resolution but the levels of these are reduced in Alzheimer's disease brain, suggesting that they constitute a novel target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease to prevent/stop inflammation and combat disease pathology. Therefore, it is important to clarify whether they counteract the expression of genes and proteins induced by amyloid-β. With this objective, we analyzed the relevance of human monocyte–derived microglia for in vitro modeling of neuroinflammation and its resolution in the context of Alzheimer's disease and investigated the pro-resolving bioactivity of maresin 1 on amyloid-β42–induced Alzheimer's disease–like inflammation. Analysis of RNA-sequencing data and secreted proteins in supernatants from the monocyte-derived microglia showed that the monocyte-derived microglia resembled Alzheimer's disease–like neuroinflammation in human brain microglia after incubation with amyloid-β42. Maresin 1 restored homeostasis by down-regulating inflammatory pathway related gene expression induced by amyloid-β42 in monocyte-derived microglia, protection of maresin 1 against the effects of amyloid-β42 is mediated by a re-balancing of inflammatory transcriptional networks in which modulation of gene transcription in the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway plays a major part. We pinpointed molecular targets that are associated with both neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease and therapeutic targets by maresin 1. In conclusion, monocyte-derived microglia represent a relevant in vitro microglial model for studies on Alzheimer's disease-like inflammation and drug response for individual patients. Maresin 1 ameliorates amyloid-β42–induced changes in several genes of importance in Alzheimer's disease, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease.

Androgen receptor signaling and mutations in prostate cancer

Normal and neoplastic growth of the prostate gland are dependent on androgen receptor （AR） expression and function. Androgenic activation of the AR, in association with its coregulatory factors, is the classical pathway that leads to transcriptional activity of AR target genes. Alternatively, cytoplasmic signaling crosstalk of AR by growth factors, neurotrophic peptides, cytokines or nonandrogenic hormones may have important roles in prostate carcinogenesis and in metastatic or androgen-independent （AI） progression of the disease. In addition, cross-modulation by various nuclear transcription factors acting through basal transcriptional machinery could positively or negatively affect the AR or AR target genes expression and activity. Androgen ablation leads to an initial favorable response in a significant number of patients; however, almost invariably patients relapse with an aggressive form of the disease known as castration-resistant or hormone-refractory prostate cancer （PCa）. Understanding critical molecular events that lead PCa cells to resist androgen-deprivation therapy is essential in developing successful treatments for hormone-refractory disease. In a significant number of hormone-refractory patients, the AR is overexpressed, mutated or genomically amplified. These genetic alterations maintain an active presence for a highly sensitive AR, which is responsive to androgens, antiandrogens or nonandrogenic hormones and collectively confer a selective growth advantage to PCa cells. This review provides a brief synopsis of the AR structure, AR coregulators, posttranslational modifications of AR, duality of AR function in prostate epithelial and stromal cells, AR-dependent signaling, genetic changes in the form of somatic and germline mutations and their known functional significance in PCa cells and tissues.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and thyroid dysfunction:A systematic review

Thyroid hormones are totally involved in the regulation of body weight, lipid metabolism, and insulin resistance. Therefore it is anticipated that thyroid hormones may have a role in the pathogenesis of non alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) and non alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH). In this study, we reviewed the current literature on the association between thyroid dysfunction and NAFLD/NASH. A search for English language medical literature reporting an association between thyroid dysfunction and NAFLD/NASH in humans was conducted across PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus in August, 2013. Out of 140 studies initially identified through the search, 11 relevant articles were included in the final review. Thyroid dysfunctions in the form of overt or subclinical hypothyroidism are prevalent among patients with NAFLD/NASH. Hypothyroidism appears to be an independent risk factor for NAFLD/NASH in some studies; however, other newly published studies failed to find such anassociation. The results of the studies on the role of thyroid abnormalities in NAFLD/NASH are inconsistent, and further research is recommended to determine the relationship between hypothyroidism and NAFLD/NASH and the underlying mechanisms.

Trade-offs and Synergies of Ecosystem Services in the Taihu Lake Ba- sin of China

Understanding the spatial interactions among multiple ecosystem services is crucial for ecosystem services management. Ecosystem services, including crop production, freshwater supply, aquatic production, net primary production, soil conservation, water conservation, flood regulation, forest recreation, were measured at 1-km grid scale covering the Taihu Lake Basin(TLB) of China. Our objective is to get a comprehensive understanding of the spatial distributions, trade-offs, synergies of multiple ecosystem services across the TLB. Our results found that: 1) majority of ecosystem services were clustered in space and had a similar spatial distribution pattern with the geographical resource endowment. Most of the landscape contributed a high supply of no services, one or two, and a low supply of three to seven services. 2) There were high correlation between forest recreation and freshwater supply and regulating services. Aquatic production had low correlation with other services. 3) The changes of provisioning services led to trade-offs between regulating services and cultural services in the TLB, while synergies mainly occurred among the provisioning service. 4) The spatial relationships of multiple services are consistent at 1-km spatial scale, counties and provinces. This research could help integrate multiple ecosystem services across scales and serve as a reference for decision making.

Effect of stratification on current hydrodynamics over Louisiana shelf during Hurricane Katrina

Numerical experiments were conducted using the finite volume community ocean model(FVCOM) to study the impact of the initial density stratification on simulated currents over the Louisiana shelf during Hurricane Katrina. Model results for two simulation scenarios, including an initially stratified shelf and an initially non-stratified shelf, were examined. Comparison of two simulations for two-dimensional(2D) currents,the time series of current speed, and variations of cross-shore currents across different sections showed that the smallest differences between simulated currents for these two scenarios occurred over highly mixed regions within 1 radius of maximum wind(RMW) under the hurricane.For areas farther from the mixed zone, differences increased, reaching the maximum values off Terrebonne Bay. These large discrepancies correspond to significant differences between calculated vertical eddy viscosities for the two scenarios. The differences were addressed based on the contradictory behavior of turbulence in a stratified fluid, as compared to a non-stratified fluid. Incorporation of this behavior in the MellorYamada turbulent closure model established a Richardson number-based stability function that was used for estimation of the vertical eddy viscosity from the turbulent energy and macroscale. The results of this study demonstrate the necessity for inclusion of shelf stratification when circulation modeling is conducted using three-dimensional(3D) baroclinic models. To achieve high-accuracy currents, the parameters associated with the turbulence closures should be calibrated with field measurements of currents at different depths.

Small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the prostate： are heterotransplants a better experimental model？

Small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the prostate （SCNCP） is an uncommon type of prostate cancer. However, it is of clinical importance because it is one of the most aggressive tumors of the prostate with a very poor prognosis. There exist few artificially cultured tumor cell lines to study SCNCE Then, another approach to that study consists in the use of fresh tumor tissue obtained from patients and its heterotransplantation into host mice. The purpose of this review is to integrate data from more than 20 years of heterotransplantation research in the study of small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the prostate （SCNCP）. Heterotransplantation has provided data regarding the histopathology, karyotype, DNA content, cell cycle frequency, tumor markers, androgen receptor expression, metastasis and take rate of this prostate disease. When possible, comparisons between original in situ specimens removed from patients and heterotransplanted tissue from host mice have been made. There are advantages, as well as limitations, that have been identified for SCNCP heterotransplants versus xenotransplantation of cultured cells. Overall, heterotransplanted tumors are better than conventional tumor xenografts at retaining tumor morphology, pathology, secretory activity and expression of tumor markers of the patient＇s original specimen. Furthermore, heterotransplanted tissue preserves the three-dimensional tumor architecture of the prostate to maintain critical stromal-epithelial cell interactions.

Identification of a novel germline missense mutation of the androgen receptor in African American men with familial prostate cancer

Race, family history and age are the unequivocally accepted risk factors for prostate cancer （PCa）. Androgen receptor （AR）-dependent signaling is an important element in prostate carcinogenesis and its progression to metastatic disease. We examined the possibility of genomic changes in the AR in association with familial PCa in African Americans who have a higher incidence and mortality rate and a clinically more aggressive disease presentation than Caucasians. Genomic DNAs of 60 patients from 30 high-risk African American and Caucasian families participating in the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center genetic linkage study of PCa were studied. Exon-specific polymerase-chain reaction, bi-directional automated sequencing and restriction enzyme genotyping were used to analyze for mutations in the coding region of the AR gene. We identified a germline AR （A1675T） （T559S） substitution mutation in the DNA-binding domain in three PCa-affected members of an African- American family with a history of early-onset disease. The present study describes the first AR germline mutation in an African-American family with a history of familial PCa. The AR （T559S） mutation may contribute to the disease by altering AR DNA-binding affinity and/or its response to androgens, non-androgenic steroids or anti-androgens. Additional studies will be required to define the frequency and contribution of the AR （A 1675T） allele to early-onset and/or familial PCa in African Americans.

Efficacy and safety of standard and anti-reflux self-expanding metal stent: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND Self-expanding metal stents are the main palliative treatment modality for unresectable esophageal cancer. Gastroesophageal reflux is a common adverse outcome after placement of esophageal stent for cancer involving the gastroesophageal junction and the gastric cardia. Anti-reflux stents with valve have been designed to prevent the acid reflux. The superiority of anti-reflux stent over standard stent in preventing gastroesophageal reflux has not been established well. This study compares the anti-reflux stent and the standard stent in terms of their efficacy to prevent acid reflux.AIM To compare the standard and the anti-reflux stents in terms of their efficacy,safety, and complications.METHODS The meta-analysis included 8 randomized clinical trials(RCTs) to compare pooled outcomes of total 395 patients. Primary outcomes include improvement in reflux symptoms and dysphagia score. Secondary outcomes include complications of stent migration, occlusion, and bleeding.RESULTS A total of eight RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to the standard stent, the anti-reflux stent showed a trend towards reduction in the dysphagia score without reaching a statistical significance [Standardized mean difference(SMD):-0.33(-0.71, 0.05); P = 0.09, I2: 37%]. There was no statistical difference in the gastrointestinal reflux(GER) scores between the two types of stents [SMD:-0.17(-0.78, 0.45); P = 0.008, I2: 74%]. Compared to standard stent,anti-reflux stent showed no difference in the risk of stent migration [OR: 1.37(0.66, 2.83); P = 0.40, I2: 0 %], bleeding [OR: 1.43(0.40, 5.13); P = 0.59, I2: 0 %], and obstruction [OR: 1.66(0.60, 4.60); P = 0.33, I2: 0 %].CONCLUSION Traditional self-expanding standard esophageal stent and anti-reflux stent with valve are similar in terms of outcomes and complications.

Identification of speckle-type POZ protein somatic mutations in African American prostate cancer

The speckle-type POZ protein （SPOP） is a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer （PCa）. SPOP somatic mutations have been reported in up to 15% of PCa of those of European descent. However, the genetic roles of SPOP in African American （AA）-PCa are currently unknown. We sequenced the SPOP gene to identify somatic mutations in 49 AA prostate tumors and identified three missense mutations （p.Y87C, p.F102S, and p.G111E） in five AA prostate tumors （10%） and one synonymous variant （p.11061） in one tumor. Intriguingly, all of mutations and variants clustered in exon six, and all of the mutations altered conserved amino acids. Moreover, two mutations （p.F102S and p.G111E） have only been identified in AA-PCa to date. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed a lower level of SPOP expression in tumors carrying SPOP mutations than their matched normal prostate tissues. In addition, SPOP mutations and novel variants were detected in 5 of 27 aggressive PCa and one of 22 less aggressive PCa （P 〈 0.05）. Further studies with increased sample size are needed to validate the clinicopathological significance of these SPOP mutations in AA-PCa.

Fuzzy Set-Membership Filtering for Discrete-Time Nonlinear Systems

In this article,the problem of state estimation is addressed for discrete-time nonlinear systems subject to additive unknown-but-bounded noises by using fuzzy set-membership filtering.First,an improved T-S fuzzy model is introduced to achieve highly accurate approximation via an affine model under each fuzzy rule.Then,compared to traditional prediction-based ones,two types of fuzzy set-membership filters are proposed to effectively improve filtering performance,where the structure of both filters consists of two parts:prediction and filtering.Under the locally Lipschitz continuous condition of membership functions,unknown membership values in the estimation error system can be treated as multiplicative noises with respect to the estimation error.Real-time recursive algorithms are given to find the minimal ellipsoid containing the true state.Finally,the proposed optimization approaches are validated via numerical simulations of a one-dimensional and a three-dimensional discrete-time nonlinear systems.

Saposin C stimulates growth and invasion,activates p42/44 and SAPK/JNK signaling pathways of MAPK and upregulates uPA/uPAR expression in prostate cancer and stromal cells

Aim:To determine the effect of saposin C (a known trophic domain of prosaposin) on proliferation,migration and invasion,as well as its effect on the expression of urokinase plasmonogen activator (uPA),its receptor (uPAR) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and -9 in normal and malignant prostate cells.In addition,we tested whether saposin C can activate p42/44 and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH_2-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) signal transduction pathways of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) superfamily.Methods:We employed West- ern blot analysis,phospho-specific antibodies,cell proliferation assay,reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, in vitro kinase assays and migration and invasion to determine the effect of saposin C on various biological behaviors of prostate stromal and cancer cells.Results:Saposin C,in a cell type-specific manner,upregulates uPA/uPAR and immediate early gene c-Jun expression,stimulates cell proliferation,migration and invasion and activates p42/44 and SAPK/JNK MAPK pathways in prostate stromal and cancer cells.Normal prostate epithelial cells were not responsive to saposin C treatment in the above studies.Conclusion:Saposin C functions as a multipotential modulator of diverse biological activities in prostate cancer and stromal cells.These results strongly suggest that saposin C functions as a potent growth factor for prostatic cells and may contribute to prostate carcinogenesis and/or the development of hormone-refractory prostate cancer.