Develop and validate nomogram to predict cancer-specific survival for patients with testicular yolk sac tumors.

Purpose: Testicular yolk sac tumor (TYST) is a rare malignant germ cell tumor that mainly occurs in young men. Due to the low incidence of yolk sac tumors, there is a lack of prospective cohort studies with large samples. We aimed to develop a nomogram to predict cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with TYST. Materials and methods: Patient information was downloaded from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. We enrolled all patients with TYST from 2000 to 2018, and all patients were randomly divided into a training set and a validation set. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify independent risk factors for patients. We constructed a nomogram based on the multivariate Cox regression model to predict 1-, 3-, and 5-year CSS in patients with TYST. We used a series of validation methods to test the accuracy and reliability of the model, including the concordance index (C-index), calibration curve and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: 619 patients with TYST were enrolled in the study. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, T stage, M stage and chemotherapy were independent risk factors for CSS. A nomogram was constructed to predict the patient's CSS. The C-index of the training set and the validation set were 0.901 (95%CI: 0.859-0.847) and 0.855 (95%CI: 0.865-0.845), respectively, indicating that the model had excellent discrimination. The AUC showed the same results. The calibration curve also indicated that the model had good accuracy. Conclusions: In this study, we constructed the nomogram for the first time to predict the CSS of patients with TYST, which has good accuracy and reliability and can help doctors and patients make clinical decisions.

Re: Safety and short-term efficacy of mirabegron in children with valve bladder: a pilot study.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common lower urinary tract dysfunction syndrome. A stepwise approach is a prudent choice. Urotherapy is recommended by the International Children's Continence Society (ICCS) as the first-line treatment for OAB.

Long non-coding RNA XIST predicting advanced clinical parameters in cancer: A Meta-Analysis and case series study in a single institution.

Dysregulated expression of long non-coding RNA X-inactive specific transcript (lncRNA-XIST) has been indicated in various cancer types. In the present study, a meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the potential role of lncRNA-XIST in predicting the clinicopathological parameters of patients with cancer. Eligible studies were obtained through a systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and the Cochrane Library, of articles published prior to January 2019. The combined odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated to determine the association between lncRNA-XIST expression and patient outcome. In addition, 45 pairs of osteosarcoma (OS) tissues and adjacent healthy tissues from a single institution were analyzed for the expression of lncRNA-XIST, and its association with clinicopathological features; ultimately, a total of 1,869 cancer patients from 25 studies were assessed. The results demonstrated that high expression levels of lncRNA-XIST were significantly associated with lymphatic metastasis, larger tumor size, advanced cancer stage and distant metastasis. However, sex was not associated with lncRNA-XIST expression level. In the OS patient cohort, it was demonstrated that lncRNA-XIST was highly expressed in OS tissues, which negatively correlated with patient prognosis. The present study indicated that lncRNA-XIST may serve as a potential biomarker for advanced clinical parameters in human cancer.

HnRNPL promotes Wilms tumor progression by regulating the p53 and Bcl2 pathways.

Background: Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common renal tumor in children with diffusely anaplastic or unfavorable histology, indicative of a poor prognosis. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein L (hnRNPL) is an RNA-binding protein (RBP) and a regulator of alternative RNA splicing that plays an important role in the occurrence and development of several cancers. Methods: Next generation sequencing technologies was used to discovery differentially expressed genes between WT and adjacent nontumors. The gene ontology (GO) analysis was performed to uncover the biological functions of differentially expressed genes, and the kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was applied to find out the related signal pathways. Expression levelsof hnRNPL with WT tissues and cells were determined by RT-qPCR.After silencing hnRNPL, the expression of hnRNPL, p53 and Bcl-2 were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot in WT cell line. The regulatory effects of hnRNPLon proliferative and apoptotic potentials of WT cells were evaluated by MTT and flow cytometry, respectively. RNA-binding protein immuno-precipitation was used to confirm the direct interaction of hnRNPL with p53 mRNA. Mouse xenograft models ofhnRNPL knockdown were established to test the functions in the growth of WT in vivo. Results: High levels of hnRNPL were expressed in WT tissues and cells. Functional analysis revealed that hnRNPL silencing suppressed cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis in WT. Molecular mechanism exploration indicated that hnRNPL directly targeted p53. Moreover, knockdown of hnRNPL inhibited the expression of p53 and Bcl2 in WT. Additionally, hnRNPL silencing inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors in vivo. Conclusion: HnRNPL act as p53 mRNA-binding protein, which plays an important role in the proliferation and apoptosis of WT through p53 and Bcl2 pathways and these findings provide new insights into the mechanism of WT pathogenesis.

Urinary nerve growth factor: a biomarker for detrusor overactivity in children? A meta-analysis and trail sequential analysis.

PURPOSE: Based on, previously, a systematic review, urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) has emerged as one potentially noninvasive biomarker for detrusor overactivity (DO) in adults. We performed this systematic review to explore if NGF is a biomarker for DO in children. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of science, and Cochrane Library. Copies of all relevant articles were retrieved for quality assessment and data abstraction by two reviewers. Primary outcome was pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) for NGF/Cr (NGF normalized to urine creatinine) level between DO group and controls. RESULTS: Three case-control studies published from 2012 to 2016 were included with 74 patients and 70 controls. Children with DO had a significant higher baseline urinary NGF/Cr level compared to controls (SMD = 2.48, 95%CI = 0.85-4.10, P < 0.01). After treatment, the level of NGF/Cr decreased significantly compared to baseline level at 6th month time points (SMD = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.03-1.86, P = 0.04). We calculated the required information size to 99 patients for comparison of urinary NGF/Cr level between DO and controls by trail sequential analysis (TSA). CONCLUSION: Based on this systematic review, NGF/Cr may be a noninvasive biomarker for DO in children in the future. However, based on TSA, more original studies are needed to clarify the role of NGF/Cr in the biomarker effect.

Underestimation of genital lichen sclerosus incidence in boys with phimosis: results from a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Previous histological studies have shown a variable incidence of genital lichen sclerosus (LS). However, the results of these studies were inconsistent. To overcome the limitation of individual studies, we performed this systematic review to explore the true incidence of LS. METHODS: A comprehensive search of Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library was performed including cross-referencing independently by two assessors. RESULTS: A total of 22 articles published from 1980 to 2017 were included in our study. The proportion of LS in those with phimosis had been described in many literature studies, ranging from 2 to 95%. The actual incidence of LS is thought to be clinically underestimated by as much as 50%. CONCLUSIONS: The true incidence of LS in boys is more common than previously realized. LS may be observed in foreskin with or without phimosis. The presence of acquired phimosis may be an aggravating factor in the incidence of LS. The diagnosis LS must be based on biopsy for acquired phimosis because clinical findings underestimated the incidence of LS.

Congenital anterior urethrocutaneous fistula: A systematic review.

Congenital anterior urethrocutaneous fistula (CAUF) is a rare anomaly characterized by fistulization of penile urethra to skin. It's usually seen as an isolated deformity or may accompany genitourinary or anorectal malformations. We aim to define the common properties of patients mentioned in literatures by systematic review. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library was performed including cross-referencing independently by two assessors. Selections were restricted to human studies in English. Based on the systematic review, 63 patients in 34 articles were included in the study. Most common fistula site was subcoronal in 29 (46.0%) patients. Chordee was in 8 (14.5%) and associated genitourinary anomaly was detected in 19 (30.2%) of patients. Fistula recurrence ratio was 6/59 (11.3%) using different surgical techniques and 3/6 was closed spontaneously. CAUF is frequently located in subcoronal level and usually an intact urethra distal to it. Success rates are high with the principles of hypospadias surgery.

A allele of SNP12 in estrogen receptor 1 was a risk factor for cryptorchidism in Asians: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Some studies have been carried out to evaluate the association between SNP12 in estrogen receptor 1 and cryptorchidism, but the results remain inconsistent. We carried out a meta-analysis to explore the association between this polymorphism and cryptorchidism risk. METHODS: All eligible studies were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library. Pooled odds ratios, with 95 % confidence intervals, were assessed for the association using fixed- and random-effects models. RESULTS: Overall, four case-control studies (363 cases, 415 controls) were included in the meta-analysis. No significant publication bias (P Begg = 0.308, P Egger = 0.288) was found. A allele of SNP12 in estrogen receptor 1 was protective factor to cryptorchidism in allele model, dominant genetic model and heterozygote comparison in Caucasians, but the result was turned out to be false positive by trial sequential analysis. However, A in allele model was risk factor to cryptorchidism in Asians (odds ratio 2.02, 95 % confidence interval 1.03-3.01, p = 0.946 for heterogeneity) and the result was turned out to be true positive by trial sequential analysis, even though there were merely two original studies. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that A allele of SNP12 in estrogen receptor 1 may increase the risk of cryptorchidism in Asians. Meanwhile, further well-designed studies with large sample sizes are required to confirm the present findings, especially in Caucasians.

Association between SNP12 in estrogen receptor α gene and hypospadias: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphism 12 in estrogen receptor α gene and hypospadias, four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library) were electronically searched by 2nd November 2015. Finally, four studies were included for our meta-analysis, involving 1379 cases and 1648 controls. A quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale of case-control study. Meta-analysis and publication bias measuring were all done by Stata 12.0. No significant publication bias (PBegg = 0.296, PEgger = 0.161) was found. Overall, there was statistically significant association for recessive genetic model (AA vs. GA + GG: OR 3.45, 95 % CI [1.89, 6.30], P = 0.038). Moreover, the positive result was confirmed using trial sequential analysis even only three original studies. For allele model, there was also statistically significant association (allele A vs. G: OR 1.43, 95 % CI [1.23, 1.67], P = 0.034). Meanwhile, A allele as a risk factor turned out to be true positive by trial sequential analysis. In a word, this meta-analysis suggested that the single nucleotide polymorphism 12 definitely increase the risk of hypospadias.

Genetic variation frequencies in Wilms' tumor: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

Over the last few decades, numerous biomarkers in Wilms' tumor have been confirmed and shown variations in prevalence. Most of these studies were based on small sample sizes. We carried out a meta-analysis of the research published from 1992 to 2015 to obtain more precise and comprehensive outcomes for genetic tests. In the present study, 70 out of 5175 published reports were eligible for the meta-analysis, which was carried out using Stata 12.0 software. Pooled prevalence for gene mutations WT1, WTX, CTNNB1, TP53, MYCN, DROSHA, and DGCR8 was 0.141 (0.104, 0.178), 0.147 (0.110, 0.184), 0.140 (0.100, 0.190), 0.410 (0.214, 0.605), 0.071 (0.041, 0.100), 0.082 (0.048, 0.116), and 0.036 (0.026, 0.046), respectively. Pooled prevalence of loss of heterozygosity at 1p, 11p, 11q, 16q, and 22q was 0.109 (0.084, 0.133), 0.334 (0.295, 0.373), 0.199 (0.146, 0.252), 0.151 (0.129, 0.172), and 0.148 (0.108, 0.189), respectively. Pooled prevalence of 1q and chromosome 12 gain was 0.218 (0.161, 0.275) and 0.273 (0.195, 0.350), respectively. The limited prevalence of currently known genetic alterations in Wilms' tumors indicates that significant drivers of initiation and progression remain to be discovered. Subgroup analyses indicated that ethnicity may be one of the sources of heterogeneity. However, in meta-regression analyses, no study-level characteristics of indicators were found to be significant. In addition, the findings of our sensitivity analysis and possible publication bias remind us to interpret results with caution.

Association between SLCO1B1 521 T＞C and 388 A＞G Polymorphisms and Statins Effectiveness: A Meta-Analysis.

AIM: Previous studies on the association between the SLCO1B1 521 T＞C and 388 A＞G polymorphisms and statin effectiveness have been inconsistent. We performed this meta-analysis to provide a more comprehensive estimation of this issue. METHODS: Multiple electronic literatues databases were searched on March 5th 2014. A quality assessment was performed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria. A meta-analysis, sub-group analysis, sensitivity analysis (RevMan 5.2), publication bias measuring and meta-regression analysis were conducted utilizing the Stata software program (version 12.0). RESULTS: A total of 13 studies were included in the final meta-analysis, which included 7,079 participants. Overall, there was no statistically significant association in the four genetic models of hypolipidemic effect. For the 521 T＞C polymorphism, significant associations were found for the long-term effectiveness of lowering the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and in non-Asian populations in the dominant model [(CC＋TC vs. TT: mean difference (MD)=1.44, 95% CI: 0.25-2.64,p=0.02) and (CC＋TC vs. TT: MD=1.38, 95% CI: 0.28-2.49, p=0.01)], the recessive model [(CC vs. TT＋TC: MD=3.31, 95% CI: 0.09-6.54, p=0.04) and (CC vs. TT＋TC: MD=2.83, 95% CI: 0.26-5.41, p=0.03)], and the homozygote comparison [(CC vs. TT: MD=3.68, 95% CI: 0.42-6.94,p=0.03) and (CC vs. TT: MD=3.33, 95% CI: 0.67-5.99, p=0.01)], respectively. There were no significant differences for the other analyses of the 521 T＞C polymorphism or all the analyses of the 388 A＞G polymorphism. CONCLUSIONS: The overall results suggest that the SLCO1B1 521 T＞C and 388 A＞G polymorphisms do not affect the lipid-lowering effectiveness of statins. However, allele C of the SLCO1B1 521 T＞C polymorphism leads to an attenuated effect on lowering the LDL-C in non-Asian populations and the long-term effectiveness of statin treatment.