Buried penis: a histological and histochemical study of dartos fascia.

This study aimed to determine whether the abnormal deep layer of dartos fascia plays an important role in buried penis. Forty-nine patients with buried penis were treated with anatomical resection of the deep layer of dartos fascia under a microscope. Penile length was measured before and after completely resecting the deep layer to investigate the role of this layer in penile retraction. The superficial and deep layers of dartos fascia were collected from 49 patients with buried penis, the normal superficial layers were collected from 25 children/adults who underwent circumcision for nonmedical reasons, and the normal deep layers were collected from 20 adult cadavers. The penile fascia samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome, Sirius red, and Verhoeff's Van Gieson, and subjected to immunohistochemical examination and scanning electron microscopy. The penile shaft (mean ± standard deviation) was found to be significantly elongated after resecting the deep layer compared with that before resection (6.8 ± 1.9 cm vs 6.0 ± 1.6 cm, P < 0.001). An abnormal deep layer of dartos fascia characterized by disordered and fragmented elastic fibers was observed in 87.8% (43/49) of buried penis samples, whereas no abnormal deep layer was observed in normal penises from cadavers (0/20, P < 0.001). Thus, the abnormal deep layer of dartos fascia plays an important role in the buried penis. Its resection is helpful for avoiding recurrence.

A New Surgical Technique for the Treatment of Congenital Concealed Penis Based on Anatomical Finding.

PURPOSE: Surgery is the first line treatment for congenital concealed penis but penile retraction is inevitable in some cases. We investigate the anatomical and histological characteristics of penile fasciae and describe a new technique for the correction of concealed penis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anatomical structures of penile fasciae were observed in 10 adult cadaveric penises. Penile tissue samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome and Weigert's resorcin-fuchsin, respectively. From January 2017 to May 2019, 78 patients with congenital concealed penis were treated with the new surgical technique. Median patient age was 14 years (range 8 to 18). RESULTS: Dartos fascia had sublayers. The superficial layer was a well vascularized tissue composed of nonpolar collagen fibers intermixed with nerves and vessels. The deep layer was composed of a transverse arrangement of collagen fibers and elastic fibers, and there were fewer venules and nerve fibers. Based on this finding we performed anatomical resection of the deep layer of dartos fascia to correct concealed penis. During the operation dartos fascia was separated into 2 layers and a complete circular resection of the deep layer was made at the base of the penis. Mean followup was 14 months. All patients and their parents were satisfied with the outcomes. None of the patients underwent postoperative penile retraction. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical resection of the deep layer of dartos fascia for correcting concealed penis is technically easy, safe and effective. It provides a good cosmetic appearance and functional outcomes.

[Knock-down of leucine-rich pentatricopeptide repeat containing(LRPPRC) promotes apoptosis of hormone resistant prostate cancer cells].

Objective To investigate the effects of leucine-rich pentatricopeptide repeat containing (LRPPRC) on proliferation and apoptosis in hormone resistant prostate cancer cells. Methods LRPPRC and androgen receptor (AR) expressions in DU145 and LNCaP cells were detected by Western blot analysis. The siRNA targeting LRPPRC gene was transiently transfected into DU145 cells. LRPPRC expression was detected by reverse transcription PCR and Western blot analysis. The cell survival rate was analyzed by MTT assay. ATP was measured by luciferin-luciferase assay. The cell apoptosis was investigated by flow cytometry and Hoechst 33258 staining. Caspase-3, Bcl2 and BAX protein expressions were detected by Western blot analysis. Results DU145 and LNCaP cells highly expressed LRPPRC. LNCaP cells highly expressed AR, while no expression of AR was observed in DU145 cells. Down-regulation of LRPPRC decreased cell survival rate and ATP level, increased apoptosis rate and caspase-3 activation, and decreased Bcl2 expression in DU145 cells. Conclusion Knock-down of LRPPRC promotes apoptosis of hormone resistant prostate cancer cells.

Dual role of TGFBR3 in bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer is one of the most common genitourinary malignant diseases worldwide. More than 90% of bladder cancer cases are bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC). Although transforming growth factor-ß III receptor (TGFBR3) has been suggested to play a dual role in cancer progression, little is known about TGFBR3 in bladder cancer. In the present study, fresh tumor and the corresponding paracarcinoma tissue specimens were collected from 56 bladder urothelial carcinoma patients. TGFBR3 expression in these tissues was determined by western blotting. TGFBR3 was also detected in the human normal urothelial cell line SV-HUC-1, the human superficial urothelial bladder cancer cell line 5637, and the human invasive bladder cancer cell line T24 using western blotting and quantitative PCR. Cell growth, motility and invasion were also analyzed in the control and the TGFBR3 gene-silenced T24 cells. As a result, the expression of TGFBR3 was reduced (18/30) in most superficial bladder urothelial carcinoma tissues compared to the corresponding normal tissues, whereas TGFBR3 expression was more enhanced (19/26) in the invasive samples. Similarly, an increase of TGFBR3 expression was found in T24 cells, but a decrease was observed in 5637 cells. Knockdown of TGFBR3 in T24 cells resulted in decreased cell growth, motility and invasion. In conclusion, these findings suggest that TGFBR3 may play a dichotomous role in human bladder cancer, acting as both a tumor suppressor and as a tumor promoter.