Group mating in Cretaceous water striders.

Fossilized mating insects are irreplaceable material for comprehending the evolution of the mating behaviours and life-history traits in the deep-time record of insects as well as the potential sexual conflict. However, cases of mating pairs are particularly rare in fossil insects, especially aquatic or semi-aquatic species. Here, we report the first fossil record of a group of water striders in copulation (including three pairs and a single adult male) based on fossils from the mid-Cretaceous of northern Myanmar. The new taxon, Burmogerris gen. nov., likely represents one of the oldest cases of insects related to the marine environment, such as billabongs formed by the tides. It exhibits conspicuous dimorphism associated with sexual conflict: the male is equipped with a specialized protibial comb as a grasping apparatus, likely representing an adaptation to overcome female resistance during struggles. The paired Burmogerris show smaller males riding on the backs of the females, seemingly recording a scene of copulatory struggles between the sexes. Our discovery reveals a mating system dominated by males and sheds light on the potential sexual conflicts of Burmogerris in the Cretaceous. It indicates the mating behaviour remained stable over long-term geological time in these water-walking insects.

Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Hepatectomy for a Subcapsular Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Segment VI (Video).

INTRODUCTION: Hepatocellular carcinoma located in hepatic segment VI/VII or close to the adrenal gland were generally considered challenging for minimally invasive resection. For these individualized patients, this may be overcome by the novel use of a retroperitoneal laparoscopic hepatectomy; however, minimally invasive retroperitoneal liver resection is difficult to perform.1-3 This video article demonstrates a pure retroperitoneal laparoscopic hepatectomy for a subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma. VIDEO: A 47-year-old male patient with Child-Pugh A liver cirrhosis presented with a small tumor located very close to the adrenal gland next to segment VI of the liver. An enhanced abdominal computed tomographic scan demonstrated a solitary 2.3 × 1.6 cm lesion. Considering the special location of the lesion, a pure retroperitoneal laparoscopic hepatectomy was performed after obtaining the patient's consent. The patient was positioned in the flank position. The procedure was carried out using the balloon technique for a retroperitoneoscopic approach, with the patient in the lateral kidney position. The retroperitoneal space was first accessed through a 12-mm skin incision above the anterior superior iliac spine in the mid-axillary line and was expanded by inflating a glove balloon to 900 mL. A 5 mm port below the 12th rib in the posterior axillary line and a 12 mm port below the 12th rib in the anterior axillary line were placed. Following incision of Gerota's fascia, the dissection plane between the perirenal fat and the anterior renal fascia located at the superomedial side of the kidney was explored. The retroperitoneum behind the liver was fully exposed after the upper pole of the kidney was isolated. After localization of the tumor by intraoperative ultrasonography through the retroperitoneum, the retroperitoneum was dissected directly above the tumor. We used an ultrasonic scalpel to divide the hepatic parenchyma, and a Biclamp for hemostasis. The blood vessel was clamped using titanic clips, and the specimen was extracted using a retrieval bag following resection. A drainage tube was placed after completing meticulous hemostasis. Closure of the retroperitoneum was performed using a conventional suture method. RESULTS: The total operation time was 249 min, with an estimated blood loss of 30 mL. The final histopathological diagnosis showed a 3.0 × 2.2 × 2.0 cm-sized hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 6 without any complications. CONCLUSION: Lesions located in segment VI/VII or close to the adrenal gland were generally considered difficult for minimally invasive resection. Under these circumstances, a retroperitoneal laparoscopic hepatectomy might be a more suitable option as it is a safe, effective and complementary approach to standard minimally invasive technology for the resection of small hepatic tumors in these special locations of the liver.

LncRNA NEAT1-associated aerobic glycolysis blunts tumor immunosurveillance by T cells in prostate cancer.

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) is nuclear-located and transcribed from chromatin 11. To date, little is known about the cellular functions and regulatory mechanisms of NEAT1 in prostate cancer (PCa). In this study, whole-genome RNA sequencing data were downloaded from TCGA and GEO databases. Biological information was used to analyze the different expressions of NEAT1. In situ hybridization (ISH) was performed to detect the expression of NEAT1 in PCa and paracarcinoma clinical samples. Then, NEAT1 was knocked down in PC3 cells through lentiviral infection with a plasmid construct. Bioinformatics and integrative analytical approaches were utilized to identify the relationships of NEAT1 with specific cancer-related gene sets. Cell proliferation assay and colony formation assay were performed to evaluate the cell proliferative ability. Glycolysis stress test, metabolism assay, and infiltrating T-cell function analysis were implemented to assess the changes in metabolism and immune microenvironment of PCa. We found that the expression of NEAT1 was higher in PCa than in non-neoplastic tissues. The cell proliferative capability of PCa cells was significantly reduced in the NEAT1 knockdown group. PCR array and bioinformatics analysis revealed that the enrichment of acidic substance-related gene sets was associated with NEAT1 expression. NEAT1 depletion inhibited PCa cell aerobic glycolysis accompanied by the reduction of lactate levels in the medium. Further, we found that lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) expression was positively regulated by NEAT1. At last, co-culture systems indicated that NEAT1 or LDHA knockdown promoted the secretion of CD8+ T-lymphocyte factors, including TNF-α, IFN-γ, and Granzyme B, and enhanced the antitumor effects.

Transfusion Strategies for Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis.

This study aimed to compare the effects of restrictive and liberal red blood cell (RBC) transfusion strategies on pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery, including cyanotic and non-cyanotic children. A literature search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library database was conducted. Meta-analyses were carried out comparing restrictive and liberal transfusion strategies. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the basis of cyanotic status. Five randomized controlled trials with a total of 497 children were included. There was no significant difference in the risk of in-hospital mortality between the two transfusion strategies (risk ratio 1.21; 95% confidence interval 0.49 to 2.99; P = 0.68). The trial sequential analysis suggested that the current meta-analysis had an absence of evidence for in-hospital mortality, and the data were insufficient. Moreover, no significant differences existed between groups in terms of risk of infection, blood loss, duration of mechanical ventilation, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay duration, or hospital stay duration. Cyanotic children treated with a liberal transfusion strategy had a shorter ventilator duration, but the transfusion strategy did not affect in-hospital mortality, infection, hospital stay, or PICU stay duration. On the basis of the available data, our analysis indicates that a liberal transfusion strategy did not lead to a better outcomes, but the data are extremely sparse, which highlights the need for clearer transfusion guidelines specific to this specific population.Trial registration number CRD42018102283.

[Relationship of prostate volume and inflammatory cell infiltration with the positive rate of prostate biopsy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors influencing the positive rate of prostate biopsy and its relationship with the prostate volume and inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 230 cases of double-plane transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy in our Department of Urology, including the patients' age, body mass index (BMI), serum total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA), PSA density (PSAD), prostate volume, and ICI in the prostate tissue. We also investigated the relationship of the above factors with the pathological results of prostate biopsy by binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The positive rate of prostate biopsy was 38.7% (89/230) in the total number of cases, 28.57% (n = 56) in the 196 cases with tPSA < 100 µg/L, and 97.06% (n = 33) in the 34 cases with tPSA ≥ 100 µg/L. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the positive rate of prostate biopsy in those with tPSA < 100 µg/L was correlated positively with age (P < 0.01, OR = 1.09), tPSA (P < 0.01, OR = 1.04) and PSAD (P < 0.01, OR = 10.04), negatively with the prostate volume (P < 0.01, OR = 0.98) and ICI (P < 0.01, OR = 0.22), but not with BMI (P > 0.05). As a predictor of positive prostate biopsy, tPSA > 10 µg/L exhibited a sensitivity of 82.14% and a specificity of 35.71%, while PSAD > 0.26 showed a sensitivity of 78.57% and a specificity of 71.43%. CONCLUSIONS: Non-specific elevation of the tPSA level induced by increased prostate volume and inflammatory cell infiltration may lead to unnecessary biopsies in some patients. As a predictor of positive prostate biopsy, PSAD > 0.26 has a higher clinical application value than tPSA > 10 µg/L.

Fenofibrate inhibits the growth of prostate cancer through regulating autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Fenofibrate is a fibric acid derivative which exhibits a role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha agonist. It is widely utilized in therapy of hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia. Its anticancer function is discovered in recent years. However, the role of fenofibrate in prostate cancer (PCa) is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the function and mechanism of fenofibrate in PCa cells. Firstly, fenofibrate treated PCa cells showed more apoptosis compared with the control group. Further, we found that fenofibrate induced autophagy but finally blocked its complete flux in PCa cells through regulating AMPK-mTOR pathway. The intermediate metabolite from uncompleted autophagy induced endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) via PERK and IRE1 signalings. In vivo mice model confirmed that fenofibrate inhibited the growth of PCa. This study suggests that fenofibrate is an effective inhibitor of PCa by regulating autophagy and ER stress.

Neutral endopeptidase and natriuretic peptide receptors participate in the regulation of C-type natriuretic peptide expression in renal interstitial fibrosis.

The initiation and progression of renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is a complicated process in which many factors may play an activate role. Among these factors, C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is an endothelium-derived hormone and acts in a local, paracrine fashion to regulate vascular smooth muscle tone and proliferation. In this study, we established a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). CNP expression tends to be higher immediately after ligation and declined at later time points, occurring predominantly in tubular epithelial cells. A high-level CNP may contribute to the elevated expression of natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR)-B in the early phase of UUO. However, the sustained expression of NPR-C and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) observed throughout the study period (that is up to 3 months) helps to, at least partly, explain the subsequent decline of CNP. Thus, NEP and NPRs participate in the regulation of CNP expression in RIF.

Therapeutic effect of CNP on renal osteodystrophy by antagonizing the FGF-23/MAPK pathway.

Renal osteodystrophy (ROD) is highly prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Because most patients with ROD are asymptomatic in the early stage and bone biopsy remains not a routine procedure in many clinical settings; therefore, several biochemical parameters may help to identify the existence of ROD. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is considered as a positive regulator of bone formation. Both urinary excretion and renal expression of CNP are markedly up-regulated in the early stages of CKD, whereas they are still progressively declined accompanied by CKD progression, which invites speculation that the progressive decline of CNP may contribute, in part, to the pathogenesis of ROD. In addition, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23 is a bone-derived endocrine regulator of phosphate homeostasis. The elevation of serum FGF-23 has been recognized as a common feature in CKD to maintain normophosphatemia at the expense of declining 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D values. Since the effects of CNP and FGF-23 on bone formation appear to oppose each other, it is reasonable to propose a direct interaction of their signaling pathways during the progression of ROD. CNP and FGF-23 act through a close or reciprocal pathway and are in agreement with recent studies demonstrating a down-regulatory role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase activity by CNP. The specific node may act at the level of RAF-1 through the activation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinases II.

Genome-wide scan on total serum IgE levels identifies no common variants in a healthy Chinese male population.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) provides important information on the humoral immune status, and the IgE level is routinely detected in clinical practice. There are many diseases associated with IgE, such as atopic disease, autoimmune diseases, and so on. IgE is a genetically complex trait, but comprehensive genetic assessment of the variability in serum IgE levels is lacking. Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on total serum IgE levels have identified FCER1A as the susceptibility locus; however, the candidate gene association study in southern Chinese patients reported no association. Given the genetic difference in different populations, we firstly conducted this two-stage GWAS in a Chinese population of 3,495 men, including 1,999 unrelated subjects in the first stage and 1,496 independent individuals replicated in the second stage. In the first stage, we totally identified three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) which reached a P value of 1.0 × 10⁻5. Rs17090302 on chromosome 3 and Rs28708846 on chromosome 13 are intergenic. Rs432085 from chromosome 3p28 is located in the gene CCDC50. When the two-stage data was combined, none of the SNPs reached the genome-wide significant level. Collectively, we did not identify novel loci associated with the serum IgE level in Chinese males, but we hypothesized that CCDC50 was a candidate gene in regulation on IgE level.

Anti-neutral endopeptidase, natriuretic peptides disarrangement, and proteinuria onset in membranous nephropathy.

Neutral endopeptidase (NEP) is the first podocytic antigen responsible for human membranous nephropathy (MN). Besides the prevailing pathogenetic mechanism of immune complex, NEP is also involved in the metabolism of natriuretic peptides (NP). The identification of anti-NEP antibodies in human MN suggests that the decreased circulating NEP may down-regulate the NP catabolism. In this context, we hypothesize that NP disarrangement secondary to anti-NEP antibodies may account, in part, for the onset of proteinuria in MN. Whereas the pathways for the onset of proteinuria caused by elevated NP level are still obscure. The data presented in this review focus on those which support this hypothesis with regards to evidence from the glomerular haemodynamic changes, endothelial permeability, glomerular basement membrane disruption, and podocyte detachment.

Simplified stereological evaluation of renal morphology after unilateral ureteral obstruction.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: This study established a simple stereological method to obtain quantitative information about two- or three-dimensional structures based on observations from kidney sections in the unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) model. RESULTS: Tubulointerstitial area(TA) and TA/the area of a rectangular field(RA) were raised gradually, but significantly, in the obstructed kidney from 1 to 3months post-ligation in comparison to the sham kidney of sham-operated rats(SOR). On the contrary, glomerular area(GA) and glomerular volume(GV) were decreased progressively over time, but significantly, in the obstructed kidney from 3weeks to 3months post-ligation compared to the sham kidney of SOR. UUO caused a progressive decline of TA and TA/RA in the contralateral kidney. More specifically, there were significant decreases in TA at 1,2,3months post-ligation, while in TA/RA only at 3months post-ligation in comparison to the right kidney of SOR. In contrast, GA and GV enhanced in a time-dependent manner in the contralateral kidney, in which the difference in GA reached significance only at 3months post-ligation, whereas the difference in GV reached significance from 1 to 3months post-ligation when comparing with the right kidney of SOR. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed two typical features of obstructive nephropathy, including widen interstitial space and glomerular atrophy in the obstructed kidney, and compensatory growth of the contralateral kidney.

New material of Cretaceoushormiops Loureno from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (Arachnida: Scorpiones: Protoischnuridae).

Among the scarce Mesozoic fossils, protoischnurid scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones: Protoischnuridae) represent a Cretaceous extinct group. In this study, we present the description of a new protoischnurid fossil, assigned to the genus Cretaceoushormiops Loureno, from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. Distinguished by a median suture and a comparatively short anterior margin in its carapace, the new specimen differs from all other species within Cretaceoushormiops. Our discovery sheds further light on the high diversity of mid-Cretaceous scorpions.

piR-36249 and DHX36 together inhibit testicular cancer cells progression by upregulating OAS2.

Background: PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs originally reported in the reproductive system of mammals and later found to be aberrantly expressed in tumors. However, the function and mechanism of piRNAs in testicular cancer are not very clear. Methods: The expression level and distribution of piR-36249 were detected by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining assay. Testicular cancer cell (NT2) progression was measured by CCK8 assay, colony formation assay and wound healing assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry and western blot. RNA sequencing and dual-luciferase reporter assay were conducted to identify the potential targets of piR-36249. The relationship between piR-36249 and OAS2 or DHX36 was confirmed using overexpression assay, knockdown assay, pull-down assay and RIP assay. Results: piR-36249 is significantly downregulated in testicular cancer tissues compared to tumor-adjacent tissues. Functional studies demonstrate that piR-36249 inhibits testicular cancer cell proliferation, migration and activates the cell apoptosis pathway. Mechanically, we identify that piR-36249 binds to the 3'UTR of 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase 2 (OAS2) mRNA. OAS2 has been shown in the literature to be a tumor suppressor modulating the occurrence and development of some tumors. Here, we show that OAS2 knockdown also promotes testicular cancer cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, piR-36249 interacts with DHX36, which has been reported to promote translation. DHX36 can also bind to OAS2 mRNA, and knockdown of DHX36 increases OAS2 mRNA but downregulates its protein, indicating the enhancing effect of DHX36 on OAS2 protein expression. Conclusion: All these data suggest that piR-36249, together with DHX36, functions in inhibiting the malignant phenotype of testicular cancer cells by upregulating OAS2 protein and that piR-36249 may be used as a suppressor factor to regulate the development of testicular cancer.

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome presenting as capsular warning syndrome: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Few reports of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome exist presenting as ischemic cerebrovascular disease, and the majority are watershed infarction. We report the first case of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome that has clinical features of capsular warning syndrome lasting 6 weeks. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 26-year-old man complained of recurrent right limb weakness, accompanying slurred speech, and right facial paresthesia. DIAGNOSES: The patient was diagnosed with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (IHES). INTERVENTIONS: Adequate glucocorticoid and anticoagulant treatments were given. OUTCOMES: The patient's motor ability improved, and he was discharged 2 weeks later. Muscle strength in the right-side extremities had fully recovered at a 3-month follow-up after discharge. LESSONS: This case suggests that idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome should be considered as a cause of capsular warning syndrome, and the dose of glucocorticoid and the efficacy evaluation index needs to be reevaluated for the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease associated with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome.

[Spatial Prediction Modeling for Soil pH Based on Multiscale Geographical Weighted Regression(MGWR) and Its Influencing Factors].

Anhui, Henan, Jiangsu, and Shandong provinces were selected as the study area. A total of 599 soil samples and nine environmental factors of soil pH were collected. The spatial distribution of soil pH was modeled based on multi-scale geographically weighted regression(MGWR), mixed geographically weighted regression(Mixed GWR), geographically weighted regression(GWR), and multiple linear regression(MLR) models. Then, the spatial difference in the effect of environmental factors on soil pH was revealed using MGWR and quantile regression models. The results showed that:① soil pH showed significant global and local spatial autocorrelation at different spatial distances, and the clustering characteristics were obvious. ② The MGWR model was the best among the four models, and the Radj2 of MGWR, Mixed GWR, GWR, and MLR were 0.64, 0.62, 0.59, and 0.48, respectively. The residual of MGWR had the strongest independent distribution and the weakest spatial autocorrelation with a global Moran's I of 0.07. ③ Three types of GWR predictions showed that the spatial distribution of soil pH decreased gradually from north to south in the study area, with the highest in northern Henan and the lowest in southern Anhui. ④ MGWR modeling results showed that there was strong spatial heterogeneity of mean annual precipitation(MAP), multi-resolution valley bottom flatness(MRVBF), and elevation affecting soil pH. MAP had a stronger effect on soil pH in northern Jiangsu and most parts of Shandong. The positive effect of MRVBF on soil pH was stronger in northern Jiangsu and western Shandong. The negative effect of elevation on soil pH was stronger in northern and central Jiangsu. ⑤ The quantile regression analysis showed that the mean annual precipitation had a significant negative effect on soil pH at different quantile levels of soil pH, and influence intensity decreased with the increase in pH quantile level. MRVBF had a significant negative effect on soil pH at a low quantile level(θ=0.1 to 0.4) but had no significant effect on soil pH at a high quantile level(θ=0.5 to 0.9). These results can provide an important reference for mapping soil properties and analyzing its influence factors based on the MGWR model in large regions.

LncRNA-MALAT1 Regulates Cancer Glucose Metabolism in Prostate Cancer via MYBL2/mTOR Axis.

It is known that the long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) MALAT1 is associated with tumorigenesis and progression in various cancers; however, its functions and mechanisms in prostate cancer (PCa) initiation and progression are still unknown. In the present study, our findings revealed that MALAT1 plays a critical part in regulating PCa proliferation and glucose metabolism. Knockdown of MALAT1 affects the protein and mRNA levels of MYBL2. In addition, MALAT1 enhances the phosphorylation level of mTOR pathway by upregulating MYBL2. Knockdown of MALAT1 or MYBL2 in PCa cell lines significantly inhibits their proliferation capacity. Silencing MALAT1/MYBL2/mTOR axis in PCa cell lines affects their glycolysis and lactate levels, and we verified these findings in mice. Furthermore, we explored the underlying tumorigenesis functions of MYBL2 in PCa and found that high expression of MYBL2 was positively associated with TNM stage, Gleason score, PSA level, and poor survival rate in PCa patients. Taken together, our research suggests that MALAT1 controls cancer glucose metabolism and progression by upregulating MYBL2-mTOR axis.

MicroRNA-140-5p exacerbates vascular cognitive impairment by inhibiting neurogenesis in the adult mouse hippocampus after global cerebral ischemia.

Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is the most common type of dementia after Alzheimer's disease (AD). Effective treatments for VCI are currently lacking. MicroRNA (miR)- 140-5p is associated with cerebral ischemia and poststroke depression, but its relationship with VCI remains unknown. A VCI model was established by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) for 17 min in mice. Neurogenesis was evaluated by immunostaining for Nestin/bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), NeuN/BrdU, and doublecortin (DCX)/BrdU. Neuroplasticity was assessed by quantifying synapsin-I and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) protein levels. Predicted target genes were screened and verified using the dual luciferase reporter gene system. MiR-140-5p was upregulated in the hippocampus of the BCCAO mice 2 weeks following ischemia. Compared with control groups, the AAV-miR-140-5p group exhibited poorer cognitive performance alongside lower numbers of DCX/BrdU and NeuN/BrdU and less synapsin-I and PSD-95 in the dentate gyrus (P < 0.05). MiR-140-5p overexpression decreased the predicted target gene Prox1. Dual luciferase reporter system confirmed that Prox1 was a direct target site for miR-140-5p. In conclusion, our results suggest that miR-140-5p inhibits neurogenesis and neuroplasticity via downregulation of Prox1 and aggravates VCI. Our findings highlight that miR-140-5p is involved in the pathological process of VCI and provides information for the development of new treatments, which may need further inhibition tests to verify.

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic anatrophic nephrolithotomy for large staghorn calculi.

OBJECTIVES: Treatment of staghorn calculus is challenging. We evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of the retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach for the management of large staghorn renal calculi. METHODS: Patients with staghorn renal calculi unsuitable for percutaneous nephrolithotomy were analyzed. They underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic anatrophic nephrolithotomy, involving control of the renal artery, stone removal through a nephrotomy incision on the Brodel's line and closure with continuous sutures. RESULTS: A total of 11 patients with renal stones were included in the present study. Mean patient age was 55 years (range 42-68) and stone size was 52 mm (range 43-61). Warm ischemia time and operative duration were 31 (range 23-38) and 139 min (range 105-160), respectively. No blood transfusion was needed during or after operation. An 8-mm residual calculus remained in the lower calyces in one patient who was successfully treated by using shock wave lithotripsy. Intravenous pyelogram after surgery showed a functional corresponding renal unit, with an improvement in obstruction in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic technique can be applied for patients who are candidates for anatrophic nephrolithotomy. Larger studies with a longer follow up are needed to confirm these findings.

[Stromal cells inhibit Kallikrein 7 expression in the epithelial cells of benign prostate hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of stromal cells on the Kallikrein 7 (KLK7) expression of epithelial cells in benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: We constructed a stromal-epithelial co-culture model after separating the two types of cells from BPH tissues and identifying them by cell morphology and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). The expression of KLK7 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in the epithelial cells with or without the stromal cells, and that of the KLK7 protein (hK7) determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Stromal and epithelial cells were successfully separated and identified, and a stromal-epithelial co-culture model successfully established. RT-PCR showed that the mRNA expression of the KLK7 gene was higher in the epithelial cells co-cultured with stromal cells than in the epithelial cells alone, and the gray value of KLK7 to GAPDH was 1.41 +/- 0.041 in the former and 1.78 +/- 0.10 in the latter (P < 0.01). The results of Western blot were consistent with those of RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: Stromal cells can suppress the expression of the KLK7 gene in the epithelial cells in BPH. KLK7 may be involved in the change of epithelial cells stimulated by stromal cells.

Study on the Effect of Polymer Nano-Loaded Drug System on Bladder Cancer Perfusion.

Bladder tumor is a malignant tumor on bladder mucosa and the most common malignant tumor of urinary system. At present, bladder cancer is mainly treated by surgical resection and intravesical infusion of anticancer drugs. The high-molecular nano-drug-loading system has the advantages of direct focus of the drug in the treatment of cancer, reduced systemic toxicity and high local concentration. The purpose of this paper was to study the effect of polymer nano-drug loading system on bladder cancer perfusion. The synthesized polymer was applied to the establishedmouse bladder cancer model, the anticancer effect of polymer nano-drug loading system on mice in vivo was observed, and the health status of mice during administration was determined. It was found that a large number of drugs could adhere to the tumor tissue after perfusion of bladder cancer with polymer nano-drug loading system, and the effect of killing bladder cancer cells was better.