Immunotherapeutic prospects and progress in bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours of the urogenital system, with high morbidity and mortality. In most cases, surgery is considered the first choice of treatment, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. However, the 5-year recurrence rate is still as high as 65% in patients with non-invasive or in situ tumours and up to 73% in patients with slightly more advanced disease at initial diagnosis. Various treatment methods for bladder cancer have been developed, and hundreds of new immunotherapies are being tested. To date, only a small percentage of people have had success with new treatments, though studies have suggested that the combination of immunotherapy with other therapies improves treatment efficiency and positive outcomes for individuals, with great hopes for the future. In this article, we summarize the origins, therapeutic mechanisms and current status of research on immunotherapeutic agents for bladder cancer.

Understanding formation processes of calcareous nephrolithiasis in renal interstitium and tubule lumen.

Kidney stone, one of the oldest known diseases, has plagued humans for centuries, consistently imposing a heavy burden on patients and healthcare systems worldwide due to their high incidence and recurrence rates. Advancements in endoscopy, imaging, genetics, molecular biology and bioinformatics have led to a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the mechanism behind nephrolithiasis. Kidney stone formation is a complex, multi-step and long-term process involving the transformation of stone-forming salts from free ions into asymptomatic or symptomatic stones influenced by physical, chemical and biological factors. Among the various types of kidney stones observed in clinical practice, calcareous nephrolithiasis is currently the most common and exhibits the most intricate formation mechanism. Extensive research suggests that calcareous nephrolithiasis primarily originates from interstitial subepithelial calcified plaques and/or calcified blockages in the openings of collecting ducts. These calcified plaques and blockages eventually come into contact with urine in the renal pelvis, serving as a nidus for crystal formation and subsequent stone growth. Both pathways of stone formation share similar mechanisms, such as the drive of abnormal urine composition, involvement of oxidative stress and inflammation, and an imbalance of stone inhibitors and promoters. However, they also possess unique characteristics. Hence, this review aims to provide detailed description and present recent discoveries regarding the formation processes of calcareous nephrolithiasis from two distinct birthplaces: renal interstitium and tubule lumen.

FKBP5 deficiency attenuates calcium oxalate kidney stone formation by suppressing cell-crystal adhesion, apoptosis and macrophage M1 polarization via inhibition of NF-κB signaling.

Surgical crushing of stones alone has not addressed the increasing prevalence of kidney stones. A promising strategy is to tackle the kidney damage and crystal aggregation inherent in kidney stones with the appropriate therapeutic target. FKBP prolyl isomerase 5 (FKBP5) is a potential predictor of kidney injury, but its status in calcium oxalate (CaOx) kidney stones is not clear. This study attempted to elucidate the role and mechanism of FKBP5 in CaOx kidney stones. Lentivirus and adeno-associated virus were used to control FKBP5 expression in a CaOx kidney stone model. Transcriptomic sequencing and immunological assays were used to analyze the mechanism of FKBP5 deficiency in CaOx kidney stones. The results showed that FKBP5 deficiency reduced renal tubular epithelial cells (RTEC) apoptosis and promoted cell proliferation by downregulating BOK expression. It also attenuated cell-crystal adhesion by downregulating the expression of CDH4. In addition, it inhibited M1 polarization and chemotaxis of macrophages by suppressing CXCL10 expression in RTEC. Moreover, the above therapeutic effects were exerted by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling. Finally, in vivo experiments showed that FKBP5 deficiency attenuated stone aggregation and kidney injury in mice. In conclusion, this study reveals that FKBP5 deficiency attenuates cell-crystal adhesion, reduces apoptosis, promotes cell proliferation, and inhibits macrophage M1 polarization and chemotaxis by inhibiting NF-κB signaling. This provides a potential therapeutic target for CaOx kidney stones.

Oxalate induces the ossification of RTECs by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and participates in the formation of kidney stones.

BACKGROUND: The ossification of renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) plays an important initial role in the formation of kidney stones, but its specific mechanism is still unclear. The JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway is important for bone cell differentiation. Accordingly, we explored the role and mechanism of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in the ossification of RTECs. METHODS: We used oxalate or ethylene glycol to construct kidney stone models in vitro and in vivo, and investigated the expression of osteogenic-specific genes, osteogenesis ability, and JAK2/STAT3 signaling in the kidney stone models by western blotting, qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. Then, genetic engineering or drugs were used to inhibit the expression or activation of JAK2, and the expression of osteogenic-specific genes and the osteogenic ability of the RTECs were determined again. RESULTS: In the in vitro and in vivo kidney stone models, the expression of osteogenic specific genes in the RTECs was significantly upregulated, the osteogenic capacity was significantly increased, and the expression of p-JAK2 (phospho-JAK2) and p-STAT3 (phospho-STAT3) was significantly increased. When the expression or activation of JAK2 was inhibited, the ossification of RTECs and the formation of kidney stones was reversed. CONCLUSIONS: During the formation of kidney stones, RTECs undergo obvious ossification, and the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway plays a key positive regulatory role in this process.

Long noncoding RNA ATB participates in the development of renal cell carcinoma by downregulating p53 via binding to DNMT1.

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) exerts an essential role in the pathological processes of many diseases. Our previous study found that lncRNA ATB was highly expressed in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), and migration-related assays were conducted to access the regulatory effects of lncRNA ATB on proliferative and migratory capacities of RCC cells. Flow cytometry was carried out to determine cell cycle and apoptosis influenced by lncRNA ATB. The interaction among lncRNA ATB, DNMT1, and p53 was evaluated through RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and western blot analyses. The results showed that lncRNA ATB knockdown in RCC cell line ACHN inhibited proliferative and migratory capacities and promoted apoptosis. Meanwhile, overexpression of lncRNA ATB in RCC cell line A-498 promoted proliferative and migratory capacities but inhibited apoptosis. RIP and ChIP assays confirmed that lncRNA ATB can bind to DNMT1 and stabilize its expression; meanwhile, it can promote the binding of DNMT1 to p53. Overexpression of p53 partially reversed the proliferative and migratory changes caused by lncRNA ATB. To sum up, our study revealed that high expression of lncRNA ATB could accelerate the proliferative and migratory rates of RCC cells and inhibit cell apoptosis through downregulating p53 via binding to DNMT1.

Super-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (SMP) vs retrograde intrarenal surgery for the treatment of 1-2 cm lower-pole renal calculi: an international multicentre randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the safety and effectiveness of super-mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (SMP) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for the treatment of 1-2 cm lower-pole renal calculi (LPC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: An international multicentre, prospective, randomised, unblinded controlled study was conducted at 10 academic medical centres in China, India, and Turkey, between August 2015 and June 2017. In all, 160 consecutive patients with 1-2 cm LPC were randomised to receive SMP or RIRS. The primary endpoint was stone-free rate (SFR). Stone-free status was defined as no residual fragments of ≥0.3 cm on plain abdominal radiograph of the kidneys, ureters and bladder, and ultrasonography at 1-day and on computed tomography at 3-months after operation. Secondary endpoints included blood loss, operating time, postoperative pain scores, auxiliary procedures, complications, and hospital stay. Postoperative follow-up was scheduled at 3 months. Analysis was by intention-to-treat. The trial was registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov/ (NCT02519634). RESULTS: The two groups had similar baseline characteristics. The mean (sd) stone diameters were comparable between the groups, at 1.50 (0.29) cm for the SMP group vs 1.43 (0.34) cm for the RIRS group (P = 0.214). SMP achieved a significantly better 1-day and 3-month SFR than RIRS (1-day SFR 91.2% vs 71.2%, P = 0.001; 3-months SFR 93.8% vs 82.5%, P = 0.028). The auxiliary procedure rate was lower in the SMP group. RIRS was found to be superior with lower haemoglobin drop and less postoperative pain. Blood transfusion was not required in either group. There was no significant difference in operating time, hospital stay, and complication rates, between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: SMP was more effective than RIRS for treating 1-2 cm LPC in terms of a better SFR and lesser auxiliary procedure rate. The complications and hospital stay were comparable. RIRS has the advantage of less postoperative pain.

External Physical Vibration Lithecbole Promotes the Clearance of Upper Urinary Stones after Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: We assessed the efficacy and safety of external physical vibration lithecbole for the treatment of residual stones after retrograde intrarenal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 173 patients (128 males and 45 females) were selected for study. All patients had residual fragments after retrograde intrarenal surgery for renal or upper ureteral stones. They were prospectively randomized into 2 groups. One group underwent external physical vibration lithecbole 1 week after retrograde intrarenal surgery and the other underwent only retrograde intrarenal surgery as the control group. Stone size and location, stone-free rate and complications were compared. RESULTS: Of 173 patients 87 (66 males and 21 females) were in the treatment group and 86 (62 males and 24 females) were in the control group. The stone-free rate in the treated and control groups 2 weeks after retrograde intrarenal surgery was 52.9% and 31.4%, at 3 weeks it was 71.3% and 51.2%, and at 5 weeks it was 89.7% and 59.3%, respectively (all p <0.05). The hematuria incidence 5 weeks after retrograde intrarenal surgery was 3.4% in the treated group compared to 20.9% in the control group (p <0.05). The incidence of positive urine leukocytes in the treated vs control groups was 4.6% vs 19.8% 3 weeks after retrograde intrarenal surgery and 3.4% vs 11.6% at 5 weeks (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: External physical vibration lithecbole as a supplement to retrograde intrarenal surgery was more effective than retrograde intrarenal surgery alone in terms of stone clearance speed, stone-free rate and patient compliance.

Downregulation of miR-193a-3p inhibits cell growth and migration in renal cell carcinoma by targeting PTEN.

Although miR-193a-3p has been found to be dysregulated in variety of human tumors, little is known about its role in renal cell carcinoma. This study was designed to investigate the function and underlying mechanism of miR-193a-3p in human renal cell carcinoma tissues and cell lines. Here, we demonstrated that the expression of miR-193-3p was increased in renal cell carcinoma tissues and cell lines. In addition, knockdown of miR-193a-3p significantly inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation and induced cells into G1 phase arrest. Meanwhile, the migration potential of 786-O cells was also decreased compared to control group. Furthermore, we identified PTEN as a direct and functional target of miR-193a-3p, at least partly responsible for promoting tumor effect of miR-193a-3p in renal cell carcinoma. Taken together, the findings indicated for the first time that miR-193a-3p functions as a tumor-promoting microRNA by directly targeting PTEN in renal cell carcinoma.

[Nicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract reduces the penile erectile function of rats].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of nicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract (fCSE) on the serum testosterone (T) level and erectile function of male rats. METHODS: We randomized 30 male SD rats to three groups of equal number to receive subcutaneous injection of PBS (1.0 ml / 300 g body weight per day), fCSE (1.0 ml/300 g body weight per day), and reduced glutathione hormone (GSH, 200 mg per kg body weight per day) in addition to fCSE (fCSE + GSH), respectively, all for 8 weeks. Then we evaluated the erectile function of the rats by measuring the maximal intracavernous pressure (MICP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), ICP/MAP ratio, time of stimulation to MICP (Tmax), and cavernosal filling fate (CFR). We determined the serum T level, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) , malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the cavernosal tissue, and also observed the morphological changes of the corpus cavernosum. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, the rats of the fCSE group showed obvious decreases in the levels of serum T ([5.37 ± 1.43] vs [3.22 ± 1.11] µg/L), NOS ([2.90 ± 0.27] vs [1.67 ± 0.18] U/mg) , and SOD ([18.41 ± 1.09] vs [13.36 ± 1.18] U/mg prot) and erectile function-related indexes MICP ([85.92 ± 6.36] vs [58.99 ± 10.76] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.86 ± 0.09 vs [0.56 ± 0.08]), and CFR (2.14 ± 0.44 vs 0.89 ± 0.44), but markedly increased Tmax ([29.90 ± 5.78] vs [42.90 ± 8.56]s), with a positive correlation between the serum T level and CFR (r = 0. 364, P < 0.05). Masson staining revealed a lower ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber in the fCSE group (0.27 ± 0.04) than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12). Compared with the fCSE group, the fCSE + GSH group exhibited significantly improved MICP ([58.99 ± 10.76 ] vs [77.95 ± 7.71] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.56 ± 0.08 vs 0.77 ± 0.09), and CFR (0.89 ± 0.44] vs 1.76 ± 0.42) and shortened Tmax ([42.90 ± 8.56 ] vs [32.10 ± 5.84 ] s). The ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber was higher in the fCSE + GSH than in the fCSE group (0.77 ± 0.09 vs 0.27 ± 0.04) but still lower than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12). CONCLUSION: Nicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract reduces the serum T level and erectile function of rats, which is related to oxidative stress. Antioxidant therapy can improve erectile function but has a limited value for morphological protection of the penile tissue.

Machine learning and 4D-LFQ quantitative proteomic analysis explore the molecular mechanism of kidney stone formation.

Background: Nephrolithiasis, a common and chronic urological condition, exerts significant pressure on both the general public and society as a whole. The precise mechanisms of nephrolith formation remain inadequately comprehended. Nevertheless, the utilization of proteomics methods has not been employed to examine the development of renal calculi in order to efficiently hinder and manage the creation and reappearance of nephrolith. Nowadays, with the rapid development of proteomics techniques, more efficient and more accurate proteomics technique is utilized to uncover the mechanisms underlying diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible alterations of HK-2 cells when exposed to varying amounts of calcium oxalate (CaOx). The aim was to understand the precise development of stone formation and recurrence, in order to find effective preventive and treatment methods. Methods: To provide a complete view of the proteins involved in the development of nephrolithiasis, we utilized an innovative proteomics method called 4D-LFQ proteomic quantitative techniques. HK-2 cells were selected as our experimental subjects. Three groups (n = 3) of HK-2 cells were treated with intervention solutions containing 0 (negative control, NC), 1 mM, and 2 mM CaOx, respectively. For the proteins that showed differential expression, various analyses were conducted including examination of Gene Ontology (GO), Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins (KOG), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, enrichment analysis of protein domains, and hierarchical clustering analysis. The STRING database was used to identify the interaction network of the chosen proteins. Candidate proteins were validated using parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) in the end. Results: All three groups verified the repeatability of samples. According to the results of 4D-LFQ proteomic quantitative analysis, there were 120, 262, and 81 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the 1 mM-VS-NC, 2 mM-VS-NC, and 2 mM-VS-1mM conditions, respectively. According to GO annotation, the functional enrichment analysis indicates that the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were notably enriched in promoting cell migration and the extracellular matrix, among other functions. Analysis of enrichment, based on the KEGG pathway, revealed significant enrichment of DEPs in complement and coagulation cascades, as well as in ECM-receptor (extracellular matrix-receptor) interaction and other related pathways. 14 DEPs of great interest were selected as candidate proteins, including FN1, TFRC, ITGA3, FBN1, HYOU1, SPP1, HSPA5, COL6A1, MANF, HIP1R, JUP, AXL, CTNNB1 and DSG2.The data from PRM demonstrated the variation trend of 14 DEPs was identical as 4D-LFQ proteomic quantitative analysis. Conclusion: Proteomics studies of CaOx-induced HK-2 cells using 4D-LFQ proteomic quantitative analysis and PRM may help to provide crucial potential target proteins and signaling pathways for elucidating the mechanism of nephrolithiasis and better treating nephrolithiasis.

Research landscape and pharmacological mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicines in treating and preventing urolithiasis: Unearthing an anti-urolithic treasure trove.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Urolithiasis represents a predominant concern within urology due to its high recurrence rate and consequential surgical complications. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with a history spanning over 2000 years in treating kidney diseases, not only offers a less invasive and cost-effective option for treating and preventing urolithiasis, but also serves as a pharmacological treasure trove for the development of anti-urolithic drugs. AIM OF THE STUDY: With the continuous deepening of research on the anti-urolithic effects of Chinese medicines, the pharmacological mechanisms of TCMs against urolithiasis are continuously evolving. Therefore, it is essential to summarize the current research status, clinical effectiveness, and mechanisms of TCM in treating and preventing urolithiasis, to ascertain its potential in anti-urolithic treatments, and to provide a reference for future anti-urolithiasis drug research. METHODS: The electronic databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) have been utilized to retrieve relevant literature spanning from 2000 to September 2023, using keywords "Traditional Chinese Medicine" and "Urolithiasis". Then we conducted a visual analysis of the current status of related research, as well as a systematic organization of the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of anti-urolithic TCMs. RESULTS: Through the organization of research models, therapeutic effects, and active ingredients of 31 potential anti-urolithic TCMs, we have systematically summarized the underlying mechanisms of TCMs in management of urolithiasis. Mechanistically, Chinese herbs facilitate stone expulsion by enhancing diuresis, instigating anti-spasmodic effects, and promoting ureteral peristalsis when addressing calculi. They also harbor the potential to dissolve pre-existing stones. In terms of stone recurrence prevention, TCM compounds obstruct stone formation through targeting the sequence of crystal adhesion, nucleation, growth, and aggregation to inhibit stone formation. Additionally, TCM's significant roles include stifling oxidative stress, augmenting urinary stone inhibitors, and harmonizing oxalate metabolism, all of which are critical actions in stone prevention. CONCLUSION: The anti-urolithic mechanism of TCM is multifaceted. Investigating the anti-urolithiasis mechanisms of TCM not only illuminates the potential of Chinese medicine in treating and preventing urolithiasis, but also uncovers active molecules and targets for drug treatment against calculus formation.

Development and Application of the CRISPR-dcas13d-eIF4G Translational Regulatory System to Inhibit Ferroptosis in Calcium Oxalate Crystal-Induced Kidney Injury.

The CRISPR-Cas system, initially for DNA-level gene editing and transcription regulation, has expanded to RNA targeting with the Cas13d family, notably the RfxCas13d. This advancement allows for mRNA targeting with high specificity, particularly after catalytic inactivation, broadening the exploration of translation regulation. This study introduces a CRISPR-dCas13d-eIF4G fusion module, combining dCas13d with the eIF4G translation regulatory element, enhancing target mRNA translation levels. This module, using specially designed sgRNAs, selectively boosts protein translation in targeted tissue cells without altering transcription, leading to notable protein expression upregulation. This system is applied to a kidney stone disease model, focusing on ferroptosis-linked GPX4 gene regulation. By targeting GPX4 with sgRNAs, its protein expression is upregulated in human renal cells and mouse kidney tissue, countering ferroptosis and resisting calcium oxalate-induced cell damage, hence mitigating stone formation. This study evidences the CRISPR-dCas13d-eIF4G system's efficacy in eukaryotic cells, presenting a novel protein translation research approach and potential kidney stone disease treatment advancements.

Oxalate regulates crystal-cell adhesion and macrophage metabolism via JPT2/PI3K/AKT signaling to promote the progression of kidney stones.

Oxalate is an organic dicarboxylic acid that is a common component of plant foods. The kidneys are essential organs for oxalate excretion, but excessive oxalates may induce kidney stones. Jupiter microtubule associated homolog 2 (JPT2) is a critical molecule in Ca2+ mobilization, and its intrinsic mechanism in oxalate exposure and kidney stones remains unclear. This study aimed to reveal the mechanism of JPT2 in oxalate exposure and kidney stones. Genetic approaches were used to control JPT2 expression in cells and mice, and the JPT2 mechanism of action was analyzed using transcriptomics and untargeted metabolomics. The results showed that oxalate exposure triggered the upregulation of JPT2, which is involved in nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP)-mediated Ca2+ mobilization. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that cell adhesion and macrophage inflammatory polarization were inhibited by JPT2 knockdown, and these were dominated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling, respectively. Untargeted metabolomics indicated that JPT2 knockdown inhibited the production of succinic acid semialdehyde (SSA) in macrophages. Furthermore, JPT2 deficiency in mice inhibited kidney stones mineralization. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that oxalate exposure facilitates kidney stones by promoting crystal-cell adhesion, and modulating macrophage metabolism and inflammatory polarization via JPT2/PI3K/AKT signaling.

Sigma-1 receptor exerts protective effects on ameliorating nephrolithiasis by modulating endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrion association and inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells.

Oxalate-induced damage to renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) is an essential factor in the incident kidney stone, but the specific mechanism is unclear. Recent research has pinpointed interacting areas within the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, called mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs). These studies have linked endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and oxidative imbalance to kidney disease development. The sigma-1 receptor (S1R), a specific protein found in MAMs, is involved in various physiological processes, but its role in oxalate-induced kidney stone formation remains unclear. In this study, we established cellular and rat models of oxalate-induced kidney stone formation to elucidate the S1R's effects against ERS and apoptosis and its mechanism in oxalate-induced RTEC injury. We found that oxalate downregulated S1R expression in RTECs and escalated oxidative stress and ERS, culminating in increased apoptosis. The S1R agonist dimemorfan up-regulated S1R expression and mitigated ERS and oxidative stress, thereby reducing apoptosis. This protective effect was mediated through S1R inhibition of the CHOP pathway. Animal experiments demonstrated that S1R's activation attenuated oxalate-induced kidney injury and alleviated kidney stone formation. This is the first study to establish the connection between S1R and kidney stones, suggesting S1R's protective role in inhibiting ERS-mediated apoptosis to ameliorate kidney stone formation.

Tissue-engineered tubular graft for urinary diversion after radical cystectomy in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Clinically, using ileal conduit for urinary diversion often caused many serious complications. Tissue engineering technology may offer an alternative method for urinary diversion after radical cystectomy. In this study, we aimed to make a tissue-engineered tubular graft (TETG) using bladder epithelial cells and bladder acellular matrix (BAM) for urinary diversion in rabbits. METHODS: Bladder epithelial cells of rabbit were cultivated and expanded in vitro, which were then seeded on BAM and cultured for 7 d. Then, cell-seeded grafts of 4 cm length and 0.8 cm diameter were used to make TETGs and transferred into the omentum for 2 wk before urinary diversion. In the experimental group, bladders of the rabbits were removed. The proximal ends of TETGs were anastomosed with ureters, and the distal ends were anastomosed with the abdominal stomas. In the control group, TETGs were constructed using unseeded BAM. Newly formed tissue structures were functionally and microscopically evaluated using urography and immunohistochemistry at 1, 2, 4, and 8 wk after operation, respectively. Histologic examination with hematoxylin and eosin staining was conducted to assess tissue regeneration. Immunohistochemistry was performed with AE1/AE3, uroplakin Ⅲa, and zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) antibodies. RESULTS: All animals were alive in the experimental group. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed epithelial coverage in TETG. Immunohistochemistry showed positive stain with AE1/AE3, uroplakin Ⅲa, and ZO-1, which indicated mature and functional epithelial cells on the lumen of TETG. Intravenous urography showed that there were no obstructions in TETGs. In the control group, four rabbits were dead within 2 wk, and scar formation, atresia, and severe hydronephrosis were found. CONCLUSIONS: It was feasible that TETG constructed using bladder epithelial cells and BAM for urinary diversion after radical cystectomy in rabbits.

An overview of global research landscape in etiology of urolithiasis based on bibliometric analysis.

The high incidence, recurrence and treatment costs of urolithiasis have a serious impact on patients and society. For a long time, countless scholars have been working tirelessly on studies related to the etiology of urolithiasis. A comprehensive understanding of the current status will be beneficial to the development of this field. We collected all literature about the etiology of urolithiasis from 1990 to 2022 using the Web of Science (WoS) database. VOSviewer, Bibliometrix and CiteSpace software were used to quantitatively analyze and visualize the data as well. The query identified 3177 articles for final analysis, of which related to the etiology of urolithiasis. The annual number of publications related to urolithiasis research has steadily increased during the latest decade. United States (1106) and China (449) contributed the most publications. University of Chicago (92) and Indiana University (86) have the highest number of publications. Urolithiasis and Journal of Urology have published the most articles in the field. Coe FL is the most productive author (63 articles), whose articles have obtained the most citations in all (4141 times). The keyword, such as hypercalciuria, hyperoxaluria, citrate, oxidative stress, inflammation, Randall's plaque, are the most attractive targets for the researchers. Our review provides a global landscape of studies related to the etiology of urolithiasis, which can serve as a reference for future studies in this field.

Melatonin exerts a protective effect in ameliorating nephrolithiasis via targeting AMPK/PINK1-Parkin mediated mitophagy and inhibiting ferroptosis in vivo and in vitro.

Hyperoxaluria-induced damage to renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) is considered the most significant contributor to kidney stone formation. However, the precise regulatory mechanism underlying this damage, particularly its association with mitophagy dysfunction, remains unclear. Additionally, effective preventive medications for kidney stones are lacking. Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that primarily regulates circadian rhythm, has been found to modulate mitophagy in recent research. Therefore, this investigation aims to examine the impact of melatonin on mitophagy and cellular impairment in the formation of kidney stone. The results of this study reveal that melatonin can alleviate the formation of kidney stones and reduce oxalate-induced renal injuries. In the RTECs of kidney stone model, mitophagy was found to be impaired, leading to increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and ferroptosis both in vivo and in vitro. Melatonin was shown to have a restorative potential in enhancing PINK1-Parkin-regulated mitophagy through AMPK phosphorylation, reducing excessive ROS release and inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation and ferroptosis. Further experiments demonstrated that the protective effect of melatonin was diminished by PINK1 knockdown and AMPK pathway blockade. This study is the first to reveal the interplay between mitophagy and ferroptosis in kidney stone models and establish the protective role of melatonin in restoring mitophagy to inhibit ferroptosis.

Femtosecond laser lithotripsy: a novel alternative for kidney stone treatment? Evaluating the safety and effectiveness in an ex vivo study.

The Holmium (Ho:YAG) laser is presently the most extensively employed in laser lithotripsy for the management of kidney stones. Despite its adoption as the gold standard for laser lithotripsy, Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy poses three significant challenges, namely thermal effect, insufficient stone fragmentation, and stone displacement, which have garnered increased attention from urologic surgeons. Nowadays, the femtosecond laser is regarded as a potential alternative to the Ho:YAG laser due to its capacity to ablate diverse materials with minimal thermal effect. In our ex vivo investigation, we assessed the dimensions of ablation pits, the efficacy of ablation, the degree of stone fragmentation, the alterations in water temperature surrounding stones, and the degree of tissue damage associated with Femtosecond laser lithotripsy utilizing adjustable power settings (1-50 W). Our findings indicate that the ablation pits generated by the Femtosecond laser exhibited uniform geometries, and the effectiveness of ablation and fragmentation for Femtosecond laser lithotripsy were significantly and positively correlated with laser power. When the laser power remained constant, the Femtosecond laser with higher pulse energy demonstrated superior efficiency in stone ablation, but inferior performance in stone fragmentation. Conversely, the Femtosecond laser with higher pulse frequency exhibited the opposite behavior. Furthermore, the thermal effect increased proportionally with laser power, leading to a tentative recommendation of 10W laser power for future investigations. Our in vitro findings suggest that the Femtosecond laser holds promise as a safe and effective alternative to holmium lasers.