Echinacoside attenuates glandular fibrosis in benign prostatic hyperplasia via inhibiting MKK6/MK2 signaling pathway

Background:Lower urinary tract symptoms commonly occur in the elderly population and seriously constrain the quality of life.Glandular fibrosis is an important pathobiological process in benign prostatic hyperplasia and is also a main inducing factor for benign prostatic hyperplasia-associated lower urinary tract symptoms.Cistanches species is an important herbal medicine resource and is traditionally used in ameliorating renal and prostatic defects.Methods:This study was to investigate the potential protective function of echinacoside(a bioactive compound from Cistanches)against prostatic fibrosis in mice and human benign prostatic hyperplasia epithelial-1 cell models.Results:It was found that echinacoside attenuated testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia and collagen deposition in mice,relieved prostate local inflammation and oxidative damage,and ameliorated prostatic epithelial-mesenchymal transition.Additionally,echinacoside inhibited the activation of the MKK6/MK2 signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro.Conclusion:This study added new evidence for the anti-fibrotic function of echinacoside on the prostate and provided new insights for understanding its possible pharmacological mechanisms.

Spread of Staphylococcus aureus between medical staff and high-frequency contact surfaces in a large metropolitan hospital

Objective:To examine whether bacteria are transferred between the hands of medical staff and high-frequency contact surfaces within and between departments of a major metropolitan hospital,and to further analyze the patterns of cross-transmission.Methods:Microbiological samples were collected from the hands of 112 hospital employees as well as from 120 high-frequency contact surfaces in four hospital departments.Samples were collected on agar plates,analyzed for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus or methicillin-resistant S.aureus(MRSA)by standard microbiology testing,and partially genotyped using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.Results:Genetically identical MRSA was identified on the surface of an electrocardiography device in the medical intensive care unit and on the same type of device in the neurosurgical unit.Genetically similar S.aureus was identified on an infusion pump in the medical intensive care unit and on the hands of several doctors in a different department who regularly use that pump.Genetically identical S.aureus was also identified on bedside rail restraint in the medical intensive care unit and on the hands of the nurse in the neurosurgical unit.Finally,genetically similar MRSA was identified both on the surface of an electrocardiography device and on the suction apparatus in the medical intensive care unit.Conclusion:Cross-contamination of S.aureus or MRSA on medical workers'hands and contact surfaces was demonstrated within and between departments of a large metropolitan hospital.Improvements are needed in medical staff hygiene habits and in the cleaning of highfrequency contact surfaces to help prevent and control nosocomial infections.

The correlation of serum sEng and ADMA levels with placental hypoxia injury and cell apoptosis in patients with preeclampsia

Objective:To study the correlation of serum soluble endoglin (sEng) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels with placental hypoxia injury and cell apoptosis in patients with preeclampsia.Methods:56 patients diagnosed with preeclampsia in our hospital between May 2014 and March 2016 were selected as PE group, healthy subjects giving birth during the same period were selected as control group, serum was collected to determine sEng and ADMA levels, and the placenta tissue was collected to determine the levels of oxidative stress indexes and cell apoptosis molecules.Results: Serum sEng and ADMA levels of PE group were significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.05);SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, SVCT1, SVCT2, Survivin and XIAP levels in placenta tissue of PE group were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.05) while Beclin1 and LC3-II/LC-I ratio were significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.05);Beclin1 and LC3-II/LC-I ratio in placenta of patients with high sEng and ADMA levels within PE group were significantly higher than those of patients with low sEng and ADMA levels (P<0.05) while SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, SVCT1, SVCT2, Survivin and XIAP levels were significantly lower than those of patients with low sEng and ADMA levels (P<0.05).Conclusions:Serum sEng and ADMA levels in patients with preeclampsia increase significantly and are closely related to the placental hypoxia injury and cell apoptosis.