[Correlation between autophagy-associated miRNAs and prostate cancer: An update].

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the common tumors in the genitourinary system, with an increasing morbidity and mortality in China. Recent studies show that autophagy plays an important pathophysiological role in many diseases, including cancers. Besides, some miRNAs are also key regulatory factors for autophagy in PCa cells, and play an important role in the development, progression, diagnosis and treatment of PCa. In-depth studies of miRNAs may contribute to the discovery of some valuable diagnostic methods and novel treatment strategies. This article reviews the progress in researches on the role of autophagy-related miRNAs in PCa, aiming to provide some reference for the diagnosis and treatment of the malignancy.

[Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy for erectile dysfunction: An update].

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability of men to consistently obtain and maintain sufficient penile erections to complete a satisfactory sex activity, significantly affecting men's quality of life. In recent years, a large number of studies have shown that low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) may improve erectile function by inducing angiogenesis and reversing the pathological process of the erectile tissue, and is a safe, effective and tolerable method for the treatment of vascular ED. This article reviews the pathophysiological mechanism and clinical application of Li-ESWT in the treatment of ED.

[Research on the mechanism of Miao ethnicity medicine formula of Oxalis corniculata against chronic non-bacterial prostatitis].

Objective： To explore the mechanism of Miao ethnicity medicine formula of Oxalis corniculata against chronic non-bacterial prostatitis. Methods: The rat model of chronic abacterial prostatitis was induced by stimulation with 2% sterile carrageenan solution. After modeling, the rats were randomly divided into two groups, Model control group (Model group) and oxalis group. Another normal control group was set up. The rats in the Model group and the normal control group were given 0.01ml/g normal saline by gavage, and the rats in the oxalis alis group were given 1ml/100g (1 g/kg) of Oxalis corniculata L warm water decoction by gavage once a day for 28 days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, 10ml blood was collected from the abdominal aorta of the rats, and prostate tissue samples were collected from the rats. hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphological structure of the prostate in normal and prostatitis rats. ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum and prostate cytokines. The protein expressions of 4-HNE , ALDH2 and FGF2 were detected by Western blot. Results: Compared with the blank group, the model group showed obvious hyperplasia of fibrous tissue in the interstitium of the prostate tissue, disordered glandular structure, papillary hyperplasia of epithelial cells in the acini, infiltration of a small amount of lymphocytes, monocytes and other inflammatory cells in the acini, and increased pathological scores. The protein expressions of 4-HNE , ALDH2 , MCP-1 and FGF2 in prostate tissue were significantly increased. Compared with the model group, the prostate tissue of the oxalis group was slightly damaged, with a small amount of fibrous hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration. The protein expressions of 4-HNE , ALDH2 , MCP-1 and FGF2 were decreased in prostate tissue. Conclusion： Oxalis corniculata L can effectively repair the pathological morphology of prostate tissue in rats with CNP, and its mechanism may be related to activating 4-HNE protein and reducing oxidative stress injury of prostate tissue in rats.

[Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy improves symptoms of erectile dysfunction: A preliminary study].

OBJECTIVE: To verify the effect and safety of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) in improving the symptoms of ED, and provide some reference for further related large-scale clinical trials. METHODS: Twenty-six patients diagnosed with ED received Li-ESWT with an energy of 0.09 mJ/mm2 for 20 minutes once a week for 6 four-week courses. Before and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after treatment, we obtained the IIEF-5 and Erectile Hardness Scale (EHS) scores of the patients using questionnaires, recorded the incidence of treatment-related adverse reactions, compared the erectile function of the patients before and after treatment, and evaluated the effect and safety of Li-ESWT in improving ED-related symptoms. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, the IIEF-5 scores of the patients were significantly increased (P < 0.01) while the EHS scores slightly increased at 3 months after Li-ESWT treatment (P > 0.05), both IIEF-5 and EHS scores were dramatically increased at 6 months (P < 0.01), and both significantly higher than at 3 months. At 9 months, EHS scores remained remarkably higher than the baseline (P < 0.01) although IIEF-5 scores slightly lower than at 6 months. At 12 months, however, IIEF-5 scores decreased, though still significantly higher than the baseline (P < 0.01), and EHS scores became lower than at 6 and 9 months (P < 0.05) but still markedly higher than before treatment (P < 0.05). Adverse reactions observed during the intervention mainly included pruritus (4.35%), pain (2.90%), paresthesia (2.17%), and petechiae/ecchymosis (2.90%). CONCLUSION: Li-ESWT can increase the IIEF-5 and EHS scores and improve the clinical symptoms of ED patients, with a low incidence of adverse reactions during the treatment.

[Difference between prostate cancer patients' Gleason scores from preoperative biopsy and those from postoperative pathology].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the consistency of the Gleason scores of PCa patients based on preoperative biopsy with those from postoperative pathology, identify the possible factors influencing results of scoring, and construct a risk scoring model. METHODS: We collected the demographic and clinical data on the patients with PCa confirmed by preoperative prostate biopsy or postoperative pathology and treated by radical prostatectomy within 6 months after diagnosis. Using paired sample t-test, we identified the difference between the Gleason scores based on preoperative biopsy and those from postoperative pathology, analyzed the demographic and clinical data on the patients for relevant factors affecting the consistency of the Gleason scores, and calculated and visualized the relative risk values of the factors through Poisson regression. From the continuous variables with statistical significance, we screened independent risk factors for the difference in the Gleason scores by Lasso regression analysis, established a risk scoring model, generated risk coefficients, and evaluated the predictive ability of the model using the ROC curve. Based on the results of imaging examination with statistically significant differences, we constructed a column chart by logistic regression and evaluated the predictive validity of the chart using calibration curves, decision curves and ROC curves. RESULTS: The results of paired sample t-test for 210 PCa patients showed statistically significant differences between the Gleason scores from preoperative biopsy and those from postoperative pathology (P < 0.001). There were significant differences in the body weight, BMI and PSA level as well as in all other factors but prostate calcification between the patients with consistent and those with inconsistent Gleason scores (all P < 0.05). An 8-factor prediction model was successfully constructed, which could predict the consistency of Gleason scores, with a better predicting performance than the single indicator within the model. The nomogram exhibited a C-index value of 0.85, with the calibration curve similar to the standard one, the threshold of the decision curve 0.10－0.92, and the area under the ROC curve higher than other predictive indicators. CONCLUSION: Based on the demographic and clinical data on PCa patients, a risk prediction model and a column chart were successfully constructed, which could effectively predict the difference between the Gleason scores from preoperative prostate biopsy and those from postoperative pathology.

[Clinical study of artificial intelligence-guided image fusion assisted transperineal prostate biopsy].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic efficacy of AI-guided mpMRI-TRUS fusion assisted transperineal systematic biopsy, targeted biopsy and combined biopsy in the diagnosis of PCa, and to evaluate the clinical application value of combined biopsy. METHODS: From April 2022, the general personal information and clinical data of patients with suspicious prostate lesions (PI-RADS≥3) detected by 3.0T mpMRI were collected, then underwent AI-guided mpMRI-TRUS fusion-assisted transperineal prostate biopsy. The data included age, PSA level, PV, PSAD, PI-RADS score, Gleason score of biopsy tissue, etc. The mpMRI image data were imported into the real-time fusion imaging system before biopsy. After image fusion, the suspected PCa lesion was taken as the target, 2 to 3 cores of targeted biopsy were first performed, then 12 cores of systematic biopsy were continued. The results of targeted biopsy + systematic biopsy were defined as the results of combined biopsy. The detection rate of PCa, CsPCa and pathological Gleason score were compared among different biopsy methods, and the diagnostic efficacy in different PI-RADS score groups was further evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 118 PCa cases were detected in 220 patients enrolled in this study. The PCa detection rates of systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy were 40.45% and 43.64%, the result reveals no statistical significance (P=0.562). The PCa detection rate of combined biopsy was 53.64%, higher than single biopsy method and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The detection rates of CsPCa in systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy were 28.18% and 37.27% which reveals significant statistical difference (P=0.042). The CsPCa detection rate of combined biopsy was 41.82%, higher than single biopsy method, the difference was statistically significant compared with systematic biopsy (P=0.003), but was not compared with targeted biopsy (P=0.330). In PI-RADS score 3 group, the PCa detection rate of systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy was 39.29% and 21.43%, which reveals no statistical significance (P=0.146). The PCa detection rate of combined biopsy was 50%, higher than single biopsy method, the difference was statistically significant compared with targeted biopsy (P=0.026), but was not compared with systematic biopsy (P=0.420). In PI-RADS 4 ~5 group, the PCa detection rate of systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy was 40.10%, and 46.88% which reveals no statistical significance (P=0.181). The PCa detection rate of combined biopsy was 54.17%, higher than single biopsy method, the difference was statistically significant compared with systematic biopsy (P=0.006), but was not compared with targeted biopsy (P=0.153). Among PCa patients detected by both systematic and targeted biopsy, 39 had concordant pathologic Gleason scores, 13 had escalating pathologic Gleason scores for systematic biopsy, and 18 had escalating pathologic Gleason scores for targeted biopsy. CONCLUSION: Compared with systematic biopsy, AI-guided mpMRI-TRUS image fusion assisted transperineal targeted prostate biopsy has a higher detection rate of CsPCa and is probably closer to the true pathological Gleason score. Compared with single biopsy, combined biopsy has higher diagnostic efficiency for PCa, which can be used as one of the options of prostate biopsy in clinical practice.

[Influence factors of erectile dysfunction in patients with localized prostate cancer after radical surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influential factors of erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with localized prostate cancer (LPC) after radical surgery. METHODS: The clinical data of 150 male patients diagnosed with LPC and normal erectile function (EF) before surgery admitted to the Department of Urology of the Eastern Theatre General Hospital from January 2021 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The EF status of the patients 6 months after surgery was assessed using the International Erectile Function Index -5(IIEF-5). Age, Gleason score, PSA level, TNM stage, preoperative International prostatic symptom score (IPSS), preoperative prostate volume, smoking index, alcohol consumption index, educational level, comorbidities, operation mode, and psychosexual state were used as influencing factors to analyze their effects on postoperative ED. RESULTS: Of the 150 patients, 88 had ED and 62 had normal EF. Univariate analysis showed that age, preoperative IPSS, preoperative prostate volume, comorbidities and sexual and psychological status were significantly correlated with postoperative ED. Further multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, preoperative prostate volume, comorbidities and sexual and psychological status were independent factors influencing the occurrence of ED after RP in LPC patients. CONCLUSION: The recovery of sexual function of patients with localized prostate cancer after radical surgery is generally poor, and the incidence of ED is high. Its independent influencing factors include age, preoperative prostate volume, comorbidities and sexual psychological state, etc. Correct intervention of different influencing factors is required in clinical work. In order to provide a better diagnosis and treatment scheme for LPC patients undergoing radical treatment, reduce the incidence of postoperative ED and improve the quality of life of patients after surgery.