Case report: Isolated eyelid metastasis of ccRCC 5 years after receiving radical nephrectomy.

Introduction: The most common sites of clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC) metastasis are the lung, bones, liver and brain; eyelid metastasis is a rare occurrence. Case presentation: We report a case of ccRCC metastasis to the left eyelid after radical nephrectomy, and remission after sunitinib treatment. Conclusions: Although the probability of eyelid metastasis rate is very low, tumor metastasis to the eyelid skin is possible after radical nephrectomy. Therefore, any rash like changes on the skin during the review procedure cannot be ignored by the physician.

Comparative Analysis of the Ovary Transcriptome among Wanyue Black and Yorkshire Gilts Using RNA-Seq.

Pubertal genetic variations between the indigenous Chinese Wanyue Black pig breed and the imported Yorkshire breed significantly impact their reproductive capacity. In order to identify the differentially expressed genes, gene networks, and metabolic pathways in ovary transcriptome of gilts, the serum hormone levels were analyzed by ELISA, and RNA-seq was performed to analyze ovarian genes. Our results reveal higher estradiol (E2) levels in Wanyue black gilts compared to Yorkshire gilts, while Yorkshire gilts exhibit elevated progesterone (P4) and GnRH levels. We identified a total of 154 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 87 up-regulated and 67 down-regulated genes in the Wanyue black gilts ovaries compared to the Yorkshire gilts. GO enrichment analysis unveiled the participation of DEGs in processes such as "Reproduction", "Reproductive system development", and "Ovarian follicle development". Moreover, KEGG enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of DEGs in multiple signaling pathways associated with hormone biosynthesis and puberty, encompassing "Steroid hormone biosynthesis", "Estrogen signaling pathway", and "Prolactin signaling pathway". The subsequent bioinformatics analysis identified nine functional genes that potentially contribute to the disparity in ovaries between Wanyue black gilts and Yorkshire gilts. This study offers significant insights into the endocrine and genetic aspects of pubertal development in gilts.

Clinical study of renal artery cold perfusion combined with laparoscopic nephron retention in the treatment of complex renal angiomyolipoma.

Objective: The aim of this study is to summarize the surgical experience of renal artery cold perfusion combined with laparoscopic nephron preserving surgery for the treatment of complex renal angiomyolipoma and to evaluate the safety and feasibility of this surgical protocol. Materials and methods: Clinical data of nine patients who received renal artery cold perfusion combined with laparoscopic nephron preserving surgery for complex renal angiomyolipoma in our hospital from February 2017 to August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The study parameters included imaging findings, total renal function before and after surgery, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of affected kidney before and after surgery, and related complications. Results: Eight of the nine patients successfully completed the operation, one patient was intolerant to renal artery balloon implantation, and the success rate of the operation was 88.89%. The mean maximum tumor diameter was 6.8 cm, and RENAL score was 7 points. Postoperative total renal function and GFR of the affected kidney had no significant changes compared with that before surgery, and imaging examination showed no tumor residue or recurrence. Conclusion: This surgical procedure is safe and feasible for complex renal angiomyolipoma and can be used as a surgical option for renal hamartoma. The long-term effect needs to be confirmed by further studies.

Understanding Correlation between Magnetism and Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Based on Intrinsic Properties of Single MoS2 Entity.

Few-layered molybdenum chalcogenide (MoS2) has attracted considerable attention due to its defect-rich structure and active edge sites, triggering distinctive electrocatalysis and magnetism properties. Quantifying the intrinsic properties of a single entity is of paramount importance for clarifying the structure-activity correlation. Here, the intrinsic activities of single MoS2 flakes toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) were investigated by single nanoparticle collision electrochemical measurements with and without a moderate magnetic field. Our results demonstrate that single bilayer MoS2 flakes show the highest HER performance and the greatest magnetic enhancement among bilayer-, trilayer-, and multilayer-MoS2 flakes. This is because bilayer MoS2 flakes possess abundantly exposed edge sites and sulfur vacancies, which simultaneously accelerate the reaction kinetics of HER and increase the ferromagnetism properties. This work gives new insight into providing specific guidance for the magnetic modulation of few-layered MoS2 and the design of highly effective MoS2-based electrocatalysts.

A laparoscopic radical inguinal lymphadenectomy approach partly preserving great saphenous vein branches can benefit for patients with penile carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal lymphadenectomy (iLAD) is effective for penile carcinoma treatment, but usually results in many complications. This study aims to clinically evaluate the feasibility and clinical significance of a laparoscopic radical iLAD approach partly preserving great saphenous vein branches for penile carcinoma patients. METHODS: A total of 48 patients with penile cancer who underwent laparoscopic radical iLAD with retention of the great saphenous vein in Henan Cancer Hospital from 2012 Jan to 2020 Dec were included in this study. Sixteen penile carcinoma patients who underwent laparoscopic radical iLAD preserving parts of superficial branches of the great saphenous vein were identified as the sparing group, and the matched 32 patients who incised those branches were identified as control group. This new procedure was performed by laparoscopy, preserving parts of superficial branches of the great saphenous vein, superficial lateral and medial femoral veins. Clinicopathological features and perioperative variables were recorded. Postoperative complications, including skin flap necrosis, lymphorrhagia, and lower extremity edema were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: We found that the operative time of the sparing group is significantly longer than the control group (p = 0.011). There was no statistical difference in intraoperative blood loss, the lymph node number per side, average time to remove the drainage tube and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups. Compared to the control group, the sparing group showed a significantly decreased incidence of lower extremity edema (p = 0.018). The preservation of parts of superficial branches of the great saphenous vein was mainly decreased the incidence of edema below ankle (p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the iLAD with preserving parts of superficial branches of the great saphenous vein, with a decreased incidence of postoperative complications, is a safe and feasible approach for penile cancer.

Analysis of the Effect of External Counterpulsation Combined With High-Intensity Aerobic Exercise on Cardiopulmonary Function and Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease After PCI.

Purpose: To explore the intervention effect of external counterpulsation (ECP) combined with high-intensity aerobic exercise (HIAT) on patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) after PCI. Methods: 124 patients with stable CHD after PCI admitted to our hospital from June 2018 to June 2021 were selected, and all patients were divided into control group and observation group using the random number table method. The control group received conventional treatment, The observation group received ECP combined with HIAT based on the control group. The cardiorespiratory function indexes, exercise endurance indexes, incidence of major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE), Barthel index of the two groups were observed. Results: After intervention, METs max, VO2 max, VO2 max/kg, VO2 max/HR, and PP, ED, AT, and Barthel score in both groups were significantly higher than before intervention, and patients in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of MACE in the observation group (3.23%) was lower than in the control group (12.90%) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: ECP combined with HIAT can improve the cardiopulmonary function of patients with CHD after PCI, and improve exercise endurance, reduce the incidence of MACE, improve patients' ability of daily living.

Case report: Gemcitabine intravesical hyperthermic infusion combined with tislelizumab in muscle invasive bladder urothelium carcinoma.

Background: Muscle invasive bladder urothelium carcinoma is a common urinary tract tumor. With the deepening of research, more and more treatment methods are applied in clinical practice, extending the life of patients. Among them, the clinical application of chemotherapeutic intravesical hyperthermia and tumor immunotherapy provides new ideas for our treatment. Case report: An 81-year-old female patient was diagnosed with stage T2N0M0 bladder cancer in our hospital. Because the patient and her family were keen to preserve her bladder, they declined surgery and opted for combined chemotherapy. After informed consent from the patient and her family, she received cisplatin combined with gemcitabine intravesical hyperthermic infusion. But the side effects of cisplatin made her intolerable to chemotherapy. With their informed consent we changed her to intravenous tislelizumab in combination with gemcitabine intravesical hyperthermic infusion to continue her treatment. During the subsequent follow-up visits, we found a surprising effect of the treatment. Conclusion: Gemcitabine intravesical hyperthermia therapy combined with intravenous tislelizumab in the treatment of muscle invasive bladder urothelium carcinoma may provide a new possible therapeutic strategy of some patients who are inoperable or refuse surgery.

Tumor Expression Profile Analysis Developed and Validated a Prognostic Model Based on Immune-Related Genes in Bladder Cancer.

Background: Bladder cancer (BLCA) ranks 10th in incidence among malignant tumors and 6th in incidence among malignant tumors in males. With the application of immune therapy, the overall survival (OS) rate of BLCA patients has greatly improved, but the 5-year survival rate of BLCA patients is still low. Furthermore, not every BLCA patient benefits from immunotherapy, and there are a limited number of biomarkers for predicting the immunotherapy response. Therefore, novel biomarkers for predicting the immunotherapy response and prognosis of BLCA are urgently needed. Methods: The RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data, clinical data and gene annotation files for The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) BLCA cohort were extracted from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) Xena Browser. The BLCA datasets GSE31684 and GSE32894 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were extracted for external validation. Immune-related genes were extracted from InnateDB. Significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the R package "limma," and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis for the DEGs were performed using R package "clusterProfiler." Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis were used to construct the signature model. The infiltration level of each immune cell type was estimated using the single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithm. The performance of the model was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calibration curves. Results: In total, 1,040 immune-related DEGs were identified, and eight signature genes were selected to construct a model using LASSO regression analysis. The risk score of BLCA patients based on the signature model was negatively correlated with OS and the immunotherapy response. The ROC curve for OS revealed that the model had good accuracy. The calibration curve showed good agreement between the predictions and actual observations. Conclusions: Herein, we constructed an immune-related eight-gene signature that could be a potential biomarker to predict the immunotherapy response and prognosis of BLCA patients.

Identification of a Prognostic Signature Associated With the Homeobox Gene Family for Bladder Cancer.

Background: Bladder cancer (BLCA) is a common malignant tumor of the genitourinary system, and there is a lack of specific, reliable, and non-invasive tumor biomarker tests for diagnosis and prognosis evaluation. Homeobox genes play a vital role in BLCA tumorigenesis and development, but few studies have focused on the prognostic value of homeobox genes in BLCA. In this study, we aim to develop a prognostic signature associated with the homeobox gene family for BLCA. Methods: The RNA sequencing data, clinical data, and probe annotation files of BLCA patients were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), Xena Browser. First, differentially expressed homeobox gene screening between tumor and normal samples was performed using the "limma" and robust rank aggregation (RRA) methods. The mutation data were obtained with the "TCGAmutation" package and visualized with the "maftools" package. Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted with the "survminer" package. Then, a signature was constructed by logistic regression analysis. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed using "clusterProfiler." Furthermore, the infiltration level of each immune cell type was estimated using the single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithm. Finally, the performance of the signature was evaluated by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve analyses. Results: Six genes were selected to construct this prognostic model: TSHZ3, ZFHX4, ZEB2, MEIS1, ISL1, and HOXC4. We divided the BLCA cohort into high- and low-risk groups based on the median risk score calculated with the novel signature. The overall survival (OS) rate of the high-risk group was significantly lower than that of the low-risk group. The infiltration levels of almost all immune cells were significantly higher in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group. The average risk score for the group that responded to immunotherapy was significantly lower than that of the group that did not. Conclusion: We constructed a risk prediction signature with six homeobox genes, which showed good accuracy and consistency in predicting the patient's prognosis and response to immunotherapy. Therefore, this signature can be a potential biomarker and treatment target for BLCA patients.

Clinical significance of circulating tumour cells and Ki-67 in renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common malignant tumour of the genitourinary system. We aimed to analyse the potential value of metastasis-related biomarkers, circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and the proliferative marker Ki-67 in the diagnosis of RCC. METHODS: Data from 24 laparoscopic radical nephrectomies (RNs) and 17 laparoscopic partial nephrectomies (PNs) were collected in 2018. The numbers and positive rates of CTCs and circulating tumour microemboli (CTM) in the peripheral blood were obtained at three different time points: just before surgery, immediately after surgery and 1 week after surgery. Ki-67 protein expression was evaluated in the RCC tissue by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Except for the statistically significant association between the preoperative CTC counts and tumour size, no association between the number and positive rate of perioperative CTCs and clinicopathological features was found. The CTC counts gradually decreased during the perioperative period, and at 1 week after surgery, they were significantly lower than those before surgery. High Ki-67 expression was significantly positively correlated with preoperative CTC counts. In addition, Ki-67 expression was higher in the high CTC group (≥ 5 CTCs). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that surgical nephrectomy is associated with a decrease in CTC counts in RCC patients. CTCs can act as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of RCC. A careful and sufficient long-term follow-up is needed for patients with high preoperative CTC counts.

Knocking down B7H3 expression enhances cell proliferation of SHEDs via the SHP1/AKT signal axis.

B7H3 is a member of B7 family of immunoregulatory transmembrane glycoproteins associated with maintaining immune tolerance, tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion and metabolism, drug resistance, and stem cell differentiation. Neural crest-derived Multipotent Stem Cells (MSCs) from the dental pulp has become a good choice for tissue regeneration because it is easily obtainable and has strong regeneration potentials. Although there have been many studies investigating the role of B7H3 in cancer cells and immune cells, its role in the dental pulp stem cells regeneration is unknown. In this study, we chose SHEDs (stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth) as a research model to analyze the expression and function of B7H3. The result showed that SHEDs were B7H3/CD90, B7H3/CD73, B7H3/CD105 double positive, and the expression of B7H3 is primarily located within the membrane. Downregulation of B7H3 expression significantly accelerated the expansion of SHEDs through the SHP1/AKT signal axis while upregulation of B7H3 expression decreased the proliferation of SHEDs. Hence, this study indicates that B7H3 is a stem cell surface molecule and might be used as a SHEDs marker whereby its downregulation enhances the proliferation of SHEDs via the activation of B7H3/SHP1/AKT signaling pathway.

Elevated H3K79 homocysteinylation causes abnormal gene expression during neural development and subsequent neural tube defects.

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are serious congenital malformations. Excessive maternal homocysteine (Hcy) increases the risk of NTDs, while its mechanism remains elusive. Here we report the role of histone homocysteinylation in neural tube closure (NTC). A total of 39 histone homocysteinylation sites are identified in samples from human embryonic brain tissue using mass spectrometry. Elevated levels of histone KHcy and H3K79Hcy are detected at increased cellular Hcy levels in human fetal brains. Using ChIP-seq and RNA-seq assays, we demonstrate that an increase in H3K79Hcy level down-regulates the expression of selected NTC-related genes including Cecr2, Smarca4, and Dnmt3b. In human NTDs brain tissues, decrease in expression of CECR2, SMARCA4, and DNMT3B is also detected along with high levels of Hcy and H3K79Hcy. Our results suggest that higher levels of Hcy contribute to the onset of NTDs through up-regulation of histone H3K79Hcy, leading to abnormal expressions of selected NTC-related genes.

Strand displacement amplification for ultrasensitive detection of human pluripotent stem cells.

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), provide a powerful model system for studies of cellular identity and early mammalian development, which hold great promise for regenerative medicine. It is necessary to develop a convenient method to discriminate hPSCs from other cells in clinics and basic research. Herein, a simple and reliable biosensor for stem cell detection was established. In this biosensor system, stage-specific embryonic antigen-3 (SSEA-3) and stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA-4) were used to mark human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Antibody specific for SSEA-3 was coated onto magnetic beads for hPSCs enrichment, and antibody specific for SSEA-4 was conjugated with carboxyl-modified tDNA sequence which was used as template for strand displacement amplification (SDA). The amplified single strand DNA (ssDNA) was detected with a lateral flow biosensor (LFB). This biosensor is capable of detecting a minimum of 19 human embryonic stem cells by a strip reader and 100 human embryonic stem cells by the naked eye within 80min. This approach has also shown excellent specificity to distinguish hPSCs from other types of cells, showing that it is promising for specific and handy detection of human pluripotent stem cells.

A sensitive lateral flow biosensor for Escherichia coli O157:H7 detection based on aptamer mediated strand displacement amplification.

Foodborne diseases caused by pathogens are one of the major problems in food safety. Convenient and sensitive point-of-care rapid diagnostic tests for food-borne pathogens have been a long-felt need of clinicians. Commonly used methods for pathogen detection rely on conventional culture-based tests, antibody-based assays and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based techniques. These methods are costly, laborious and time-consuming. Herein, we present a simple and sensitive aptamer based biosensor for rapid detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7). In this assay, two different aptamers specific for the outmembrane of E. coli O157:H7 were used. One of the aptamers was used for magnetic bead enrichment, and the other was used as a signal reporter for this pathogen, which was amplified by isothermal strand displacement amplification (SDA) and further detected by a lateral flow biosensor. Only the captured aptamers on cell membrane were amplified, limitations of conventional DNA amplification based method such as false-positive can be largely reduced. The generated signals (red bands on the test zone of a lateral flow strip) can be unambiguously read out by the naked eye. As low as 10 colony forming units (CFU) of E. coli O157:H7 were detected in this study. Without DNA extraction, the reduced handling and simpler equipment requirement render this assay a simple and rapid alternative to conventional methods.

Colorimetric detection of copper(II) ion using click chemistry and hemin/G-quadruplex horseradish peroxidase-mimicking DNAzyme.

G-quadruplex-forming sequence can be formed through a copper(I) ion (Cu(+))-catalyzed click chemistry between azide- and alkyne-modified short G-rich sequences in aqueous solution, eliminating immobilization and washing steps of conventional assays. The source for Cu(+) was generated from the reduction of Cu(2+) with the reductant of sodium ascorbate. In the presence of hemin and K(+), the self-assembly of hemin/G-quadruplex structure has the activity of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), which can catalyze its colorless substrate tetrazmethyl benzidine (TMB) into a colored product. Hence, the concentration of Cu(2+) can be evaluated visually for qualitative analysis according to the color change of the solution, and the optical density (OD) value of the resulting solution at 450 nm was also recorded using a microplate reader for quantitative analysis.