Establishment and validation of serum lipid-based nomogram for predicting the risk of prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the value of combined serum lipids with clinical symptoms to diagnose prostate cancer (PCa), and to develop and validate a Nomogram and prediction model to better select patients at risk of PCa for prostate biopsy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 548 patients who underwent prostate biopsies as a result of high serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels or irregular digital rectal examinations (DRE) was conducted. The enrolled patients were randomly assigned to the training groups (n = 384, 70%) and validation groups (n = 164, 30%). To identify independent variables for PCa, serum lipids (TC, TG, HDL, LDL, apoA-1, and apoB) were taken into account in the multivariable logistic regression analyses of the training group, and established predictive models. After that, we evaluated prediction models with clinical markers using decision curves and the area under the curve (AUC). Based on training group data, a Nomogram was developed to predict PCa. RESULTS: 210 (54.70%) of the patients in the training group were diagnosed with PCa. Multivariate regression analysis showed that total PSA, f/tPSA, PSA density (PSAD), TG, LDL, DRE, and TRUS were independent risk predictors of PCa. A prediction model utilizing a Nomogram was constructed with a cut-off value of 0.502. The training and validation groups achieved area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.846 and 0.814 respectively. According to the decision curve analysis (DCA), the prediction model yielded optimal overall net benefits in both the training and validation groups, which is better than the optimal net benefit of PSA alone. After comparing our developed prediction model with two domestic models and PCPT-RC, we found that our prediction model exhibited significantly superior predictive performance. Furthermore, in comparison with clinical indicators, our Nomogram's ability to predict prostate cancer showed good estimation, suggesting its potential as a reliable tool for prognostication. CONCLUSIONS: The prediction model and Nomogram, which utilize both blood lipid levels and clinical signs, demonstrated improved accuracy in predicting the risk of prostate cancer, and consequently can guide the selection of appropriate diagnostic strategies for each patient in a more personalized manner.

Identifying stage-associated hub genes in bladder cancer via weighted gene co-expression network and robust rank aggregation analyses.

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer (BC) is among the most frequent cancers globally. Although substantial efforts have been put to understand its pathogenesis, its underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. METHODS: The robust rank aggregation approach was adopted to integrate 4 eligible bladder urothelial carcinoma microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus. Differentially expressed gene sets were identified between tumor samples and equivalent healthy samples. We constructed gene co-expression networks using weighted gene co-expression network to explore the alleged relationship between BC clinical characteristics and gene sets, as well as to identify hub genes. We also incorporated the weighted gene co-expression network and robust rank aggregation to screen differentially expressed genes. RESULTS: CDH11, COL6A3, EDNRA, and SERPINF1 were selected from the key module and validated. Based on the results, significant downregulation of the hub genes occurred during the early stages of BC. Moreover, receiver operating characteristics curves and Kaplan-Meier plots showed that the genes exhibited favorable diagnostic and prognostic value for BC. Based on gene set enrichment analysis for single hub gene, all the genes were closely linked to BC cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: These results offer unique insight into the pathogenesis of BC and recognize CDH11, COL6A3, EDNRA, and SERPINF1 as potential biomarkers with diagnostic and prognostic roles in BC.

Expression of G9a in Auditory Cortex Is Downregulated in a Rat Model of Age-Related Hearing Loss.

G9a is essential for dendritic plasticity and is associated with neurological disorders. The possible relationship between age-related hearing loss and G9a expression in the auditory cortex has not been fully explored. This study aimed to understand the expression patterns of G9a-mediated histone methylations in the auditory cortex during aging. Using immunofluorescence and western blotting, we demonstrated that a significant reduction in G9a expression observed in the auditory cortex of 24-month-old rats compared to 3-month-old rats, was associated with remarkable hearing threshold elevation and hair cell loss. Correspondingly, histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) mono- and dimethylation (marked by H3K9me1 and H3K9me2, respectively), which were regulated by G9a activity, also evidently decreased during aging. These findings, which merit further investigation, suggest a possible association between G9a-mediated histone methylations and central age-related hearing disorders.

[Analgesic Efficacy of Compound Lidocaine Cream in the Lumbar Puncture of Children with Hematologic Tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the analgesic efficacy of compound lidocaine cream in lumbar puncture of children with leukemia and lymphoma. METHODS: 312 leukemia and lymphoma children necessarily undergone lumbar puncture were divided into compound lidocaine cream (cream) group and compound lidocaine injection (injation) group as control with 156 cases respectively according to the will of inpatient children and their family. For cream group, compound lidocaine cream was smeared on the skin around the lumbar puncture point evenly and covered with sterile and transparent dressing for about one hour before lumbar puncture. Then the cream and transparent dressing were removed and lumbar puncture was performed after regular disinfection. For control group, 2% compound lidocaine was injected as local anesthesia before lumbar puncture. The extent of pain was evaluated by Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale and FLACC Scale as well as children's physiological indexes (heart rate, breathing, blood pressure). The lumbar puncture success rate and the discomfortableness as well as family satisfaction were recorded by special person. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the incidence of pain and discomfortableness in cream group significantly reduced, and the family satisfaction significantly increased (P＜0.05). There were obviously differences in the physiological indexes (heart rate, breathing, systolic blood pressure) before and after lumbar puncture in control group (P＜0.05). However, the physiological indexes in cream group had no obvious change. There was no difference on the success rate of lumbar puncture between the two methods of anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Compound lidocaine cream has significantly analgesic effect which can relieving pain caused by lumbar puncture for children.

[Inhibitive effect of extracts of Galla Chinesis on caries development in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the inhibitive effect of Galla Chinesis extract (GCE) and GCE-B on dental caries formation and plaque microbiology in rats. METHODS: SPF-SD rats were infected with S. sobrinus to establish the caries rat model. The rats' teeth were treated with GCE and GCE-B topically twice a day for 5 weeks, or with NaF and CHX as positive controls, and deionized water as negative controls. The rats were then killed with CO2 asphyxiation. The dental caries of the rats were evaluated with Larson's modification of Keyes' system. RESULTS: The treatments with GCE and GCE-B significantly reduced the incidence of smooth-surface caries compared with the negative controls (43%-61% reduction, P < 0.05). No caries of Ds level was detected in the rats treated with NaF, GCE, or CHX. The treatment with GCE-B reduced the severity of smooth-surface caries compared with the negative controls, but with no statistical significance (P > 0.05). The incidence of sulcal caries were reduced significantly by all treatments (16%-41% reductions, P < 0.05) compared with the negative controls. The sulcal caries severity scores were significantly lower in the rats treated with NaF, GCE, CHX and GCE-B (Ds level: 21%-47% reductions, Dm level: 21%-65% reductions) than in the negative controls (P < 0.05). The reduction of Dx score by GCE-B (60% reduction) was significant (P < 0.05). No caries of Dx level was detected in the rats treated with NaF, GCE and CHX. CONCLUSION: GCE and GCE-B have anticaries effect in vivo, and GCE shows stronger effect than GCE-B.

A Review of Surgical Outcomes and Advances for Macular Holes.

The surgical outcomes of macular holes (MHs) have improved greatly in recent years. The closure rate is as high as 90-100%, but the outcomes of some special types of MHs remain unsatisfactory. Internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling dramatically improves the anatomic success rate, but recent studies have found that it could also cause mechanical and subclinical traumatic changes to the retina. Dyes are widely used, and apart from indocyanine green (ICG), the toxicities of other dyes require further research. Face-down posturing is necessary for MHs larger than 400 µm, and the duration of this posture is determined by the type of tamponade and the case. The ellipsoid zone has been shown to be highly correlated with visual outcome and recovery. New surgical methods include the inverted ILM flap technique and the ILM abrasion technique. However, they require further research to determine their effectiveness.

[Application of morcellator in transurethral bipolar plasmakinetic anatomical enucleation of the prostate].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and therapeutic effect of morcellator in transurethral bipolar plasmakinetic anatomical enucleation (TUPKAEP) of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: The clinical data of 47 patients with BPH receiving TUPKAEP between January and July, 2015 were analyzed. During the operation, morcellator was used to smash the enucleated BPH which was aspirated with subatmospheric pressure in 29 cases, and the tissue was smashed with bipolar electrosurgical loop slicing from top to bottom and aspirated by ellic suction in 18 cases. RESULTS: s The procedures were completed successfully in all the 47 cases. The time used for adenoma dissociation was 2.24∓1.09 with morcellator at the speed of 18.43∓6.01 g/min, and was 17.19∓11.74 min with bipolar electrosurgical loop at the speed of 1.91∓0.65 g/min; the mean total operation time was significantly shorter in morcellator group (28.13∓14.71 vs 43.22∓25.39 min). The 2 groups showed no significant difference in postoperative continuous bladder irrigation time, postoperative indwelling time of urinary catheter or postoperative hospital stay. CONCLUSION: s Morcellator is safe and feasible for application in TUPKAEP and helps to shorten the operation time.

Tripeptide tyroserleutide enhances the antitumor effects of macrophages and stimulates macrophage secretion of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and NO in vitro.

Tyroserleutide (YSL) is a type of active, low molecular weight polypeptide, comprised of three amino acids, which has antitumor effects. YSL has various advantages over the other bioactive peptides such as its low molecular weight, simple construction, nonimmunogenicity, specificity, few side effects, and ease of synthesis. However, the biological activities contributing to it's antitumor effects are not yet known. We studied the effects of YSL on the in vitro cytotoxic activity of BALB/c mice peritoneal macrophages (PEMphi) against the target tumor cell lines BEL-7402 and B16-F10. We also measured the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and nitric oxide (NO) produced by YSL-activated Mphi, and we determined the concentrations of IL-1beta and NO secreted by YSL-activated murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. YSL activated Mphi in vitro, inhibited BEL-7402 proliferation, enhanced PEMphi antitumor effects, and stimulated IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and NO production by RAW264.7 cells. These data suggest that YSL activates the monocyte-macrophage system, which enhances Mphi antitumor effects against BEL-7402 and B16-F10 cells and stimulates the secretion by Mphi of cytotoxic effectors such as IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and NO.