The impact of conventional smoking versus electronic cigarette on the expression of VEGF, PEMPA1, and PTEN in rat prostate.

Background: The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), the alternative to conventional smoking, is increasing considerably worldwide; however, their safety is a matter of debate. Several studies have demonstrated their toxic effects, but no study assessed their effects on the prostate. Objective: The current study aimed at evaluating e-cigarettes and conventional smoking prostate toxicity and effects on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), phosphatase and tensin (PTEN), and prostate transmembrane protein androgen induced 1 (PMEPA1). Method: 30 young Wistar rats were categorized into three groups (n = 10) as follows: the control group, the conventional smoking group, and the e-cigarette group. The case groups were exposed to cigarettes or e-cigarettes for 40 minutes, 3 times a day for four months. Serum parameters, prostate pathology, and gene expression were measured at the end of the intervention. Data were analyzed by Graph Pad prism 9. Results: Histopathological findings presented that both types of cigarette-induced hyperemia and induced inflammatory cell infiltration and hypertrophy of smooth muscle of the vascular wall in the e-cigarette group. Expression of PMEPA1, and VEGFA genes significantly increased in conventional (2.67-fold; P = 0.0108, 1.80-fold; P = 0.0461 respectively) and e-cigarettes (1.98-fold; P = 0.0127, 1.34-fold; P = 0.938, respectively) groups compared to the control group. Expression of the PTEN gene non-significantly decreased in the case of groups compared to the control group. Conclusion: We found no significant differences between the two groups in terms of PTEN and PMEPA1 expression, whereas VEGFA was significantly more expressed in a conventional smoking group compared to the e-cigarette group. Therefore, it seems that e-cigarettes could not be taken into account as a better option than conventional smoking, and quitting smoking still is the optimal option.

23-Year-Old Male with Testis Cancer with Spontaneous Ruptured Teratocarcinoma and No History of Trauma: A Case Report.

Teratocarcinoma is one type of testis cancer that can be represented in the youth population and usually shows itself with swelling of the testis and edema and a rise of BHCG and alpha-fetoprotein, but spontaneous rupture is a rare manifestation. A 23-year-old man was referred to the Sina Hospital with complaints of testis pain and swelling. Laboratory findings were alpha f.p more than 2,000, BHCG titer 255.21, and LDH 504. Sonography findings showed the right testis had been detected with a heterogeneous mass with vascularity and cystic area with microcalcification, measuring 76*69 mm. During surgery, we faced rupture tumor that was unusual and rare. The radical orchidectomy was done successfully without any complications. After the surgery, pathology showed teratocarcinoma of the right testis, and a 6-month observation and follow-up were done without any complication.

A rare case report of self-insertion of a foreign body inside the urethra with peritoneal perforation.

Foreign bodies are occasionally reported in the urinary tract, especially in the urethra and bladder. We report a boy with a clear plastic object observed in bulbar urethra. First, he underwent laparotomy with a possible diagnosis of necrotizing pancreatitis, which was observed in the ward after observing a normal pancreas in surgery. The patient underwent cystoscopy three weeks after admission, according to the patient's CT scan. It was hard to remove with a grasper, and the patient underwent laparotomy. His follow-up after surgery indicates to normal and stable condition with no additional complaints of nausea, vomiting, and generalized abdominal pain.

Genetic Polymorphisms and Kidney Stones Around the Globe: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: This study explores associations between recurrent kidney stones and genetic polymorphisms. Methods: Meta-analysis of polymorphisms in renal stone cases versus control groups. Four electronic databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Web of Science) were searched up to 30 May 2021, using the keywords: "kidney stone" or "kidney calculi," or "urolithiasis" or "nephrolithiasis" or "urinary calculi" and "genome" or "genetic" or "mutation" or "single nucleotide polymorphism." Forrest plots, ORs, 95% CI, Chi-square (χ2)-test, and index of heterogeneity (I2) were calculated. Only studies with Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) ≥ 6 were included for quality control, and Funnel, Begg's, and Eager's plots assessed publication bias. PROSPERO: CRD42022250427. Results: Among 7,671 searched articles, 72 were included. Polymorphisms in VDR (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.06-1.36), CASR (OR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.01-1.52), Osteopontin (OR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.09-1.74), and Urokinase genes (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.02-2.28) showed a significant association with risk of urinary stone formation, while Klotho gene showed a protective effect (OR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.57-0.99). The VDR gene polymorphism was frequent in Asians, whereas CASR polymorphism was frequent in European and North American populations. Conclusion: Multifactorial nature of the stone formation, emphasizing the role of environmental factors, might explain contradictory results in the literature. While polymorphisms in VDR, CASR, Osteopontin, and Urokinase genes were associated with urinary stone formation, the Klotho gene showed a protective effect.

A case of COVID-19 infection in a kidney transplant recipient after receiving the single dose of COVID-19 vaccination.

Introduction and importance: As immunocompromised individuals, kidney transplant recipients (KTR) were more prone to severe and prolonged COVID-19 infection. Case presentation: A 52-year-old man with a history of two kidney transplants for polycystic kidney disease (PKD) was hospitalized due to COVID-19 illness after receiving the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination with Sputnik V. After being admitted to the hospital, the patient was given Remdesivir and oxygen therapy. Clinical discussion: We reported a COVID-19 infection after the first dose of Sputnik V vaccination in an immunocompromised patient who did not follow the protocols after vaccination. Regardless of vaccination, he had been infected, but the vaccination saved him from severe infection despite his comorbidity. Conclusion: To summarise, infection with COVID-19 should be considered after vaccinations, particularly the first dose, in immunocompromised patients such as KTR, and protocols for these patients should be strictly followed. It is worth mentioning that even a full dose of vaccination does not provide full protection from infection to anyone, including KTR.

Antibiotic tolerance in biofilm persister cells of Staphylococcus aureus and expression of toxin-antitoxin system genes.

The ability of Staphylococcus aureus to form biofilm and persister cells is the main cause of recurrent infections. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems in persister cells within S. aureus biofilms. Time-dependent variation in the persister population present in biofilms of S. aureus was examined after treatment with bactericidal antibiotics. Then, the relative expression level of type II TA system (mazF, relE1, and relE2), type I TA system (sprG), and clpP protease genes in S. aureus strains were assessed by Real _Time PCR. Among the sixteen isolates, two isolates were found to be the strongest biofilm producers. The established biofilm of these isolates showed a comparable biphasic pattern at the lethal dose of the antibiotics. The expression level of TA system genes was increased and strain-specific expression patterns were observed under antibiotics stress conditions. Persisters within a biofilm may establish a reservoir for relapsing infection and could contribute to treatment failures. Hence, the possible role of the TA systems should be considered in biofilm and persister cell formation.

How a renal artery aneurysm may mimic renal stone?

Renal artery aneurysm is a rare condition. Most patients are asymptomatic. This case presented to the emergency with colicky pain and underwent left transurethral lithotripsy for left ureteral stone, due to simultaneous renal stone candidates for percutaneous nephrolithotomy. In the review of the imaging, we found a large renal artery aneurysm, so vascular surgery consult was done and the patient managed with coil embolization Misdiagnosis of this condition could be led to life-threatening bleeding if percutaneous nephrolithotomy was done. It is recommended that renal artery aneurysm should be considered in the differential diagnosis of renal rim-like opaque lesions.

Urinoma as the result of a 3mm stone in ipsilateral ureter: A rare case report.

Leakage from the kidney, ureter, bladder, and urethra, which mainly occur due to trauma, forms urinoma. The best tool for diagnosis of urinoma is enhanced-computed tomography with delayed imaging. Apart from injury, ureteral stone can induce urinoma, however, it is rare. Herein, we report a case with urinoma, which probably formed as a result of overdistention of renal pelvis after a large amount of fluid intake (about 3 L) in a short period of time (about an hour) in the presence of a 3mm stone in ipsilateral ureter.

Adrenal hematoma following falling in a 5-year-old boy.

There is scarcity of reports regarding adrenal hemorrhage secondary to blunt abdominal trauma, which is as a result of the location of the adrenal glands. Most adrenal injuries occur in the right gland solitary and they are not life-threatening. Hence, they can be treated with conservative actions. In this case report, we describe the history a 5-year-old child with the history of falling and was diagnosed with adrenal hemorrhage. He did not need any surgical procedures and the outcome of conservative treatment was satisfactory.

Successful salvage of renal allograft rupture: A case report.

Allograft rupture is a rare complication of renal transplantation. We present a case of renal allograft rupture which did not lead to nephrectomy. A young woman underwent renal transplantation. On day 5 of transplantation, the patient complained of sudden pain over the transplant site and severe hemorrhage. the immediate exploration, shows allograft rupture. The rupture of allograft was repaired. The patient recovered without any complications our study revealed that, repair and salvage of renal allograft were successful and nephrectomy is not mandatory in renal allograft rupture.

A highly sensitive fluorescent immunosensor for sensitive detection of nuclear matrix protein 22 as biomarker for early stage diagnosis of bladder cancer.

A novel strategy is reported for highly sensitive, rapid, and selective detection of nuclear matrix protein NMP22 using two-color quantum dots based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Quantum dots (QDs) are highly advantageous for biological imaging and analysis, particularly when combined with (FRET) properties of semiconductor quantum dot (QDs) are ideal for biological analysis to improve sensitivity and accuracy. In this FRET system narrowly dispersed green emitting quantum dot CdTe core is used as a donor and labelled by monoclonal (mAb) antibody, while orange emitting quantum dot CdTe/CdS core shell is used as an accepter and labelled by polyclonal (pAb) antibody. The quantum dots are labelled by antibodies using EDC/NHS as crosslinking agent. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution was added to block nonspecific binding sites. The fluorescence intensity of QDs accepter decreased linearly with the increasing concentrations of NMP22 from 2-22 pg mL-1 due to FRET system and fluoroimmunoassay reaction. This method has good regression coefficient (R 2 = 0.998) and detection limit was 0.05 pg mL-1. The proposed FRET-based immunosensor provides a quick, simple and sensitive immunoassay tool for protein detection, and can be considered as a promising approach for clinical applications. The proposed FRET-based immunosensor provides a quick, simple and sensitive immunoassay tool for protein detection, and can be considered as a promising approach for clinical applications.

Effect of intravenous pentoxifylline in inflammatory response in patients undergoing nephrolithotomy.

PURPOSE: To determine the potential efficacy of intravenous (IV) infusion of pentoxifylline (PTX) before nephrolithotomy on attenuating plasma level of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1, and to investigate whether it prevents postoperative pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 32 patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 and 2) who were undergoing general anesthesia for nephrolithotomy were randomized to receive intravenous PTX (500 mg in 500 mL saline for 2 hours followed by 700 mg in 1000 mL saline for 6 hours), or placebo (1500 mL saline) before induction of the anesthesia. Two venous blood samples were obtained 10 minutes before PTX or placebo infusion and after surgery at 24 hours for laboratory examination. After surgery, the amount of narcotics consumption and intensity of pain (Visual Analog Scale and Verbal Rating Scale) were evaluated. RESULTS: At baseline, both placebo and PTX group had similar demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics. The use of narcotic analgesia (morphine, pethidine or both) was more common in the control group for pain relief. Also, pain intensity was significantly lower in patients who received PTX in comparison with those in the control group. Patients in the PTX group had lower postoperative plasma levels of TNF-alpha (0.27 pg/mL (0.06/0.74) v 3.35 pg/mL (0.83/6.41)) (median (25%/75%), P < 0.0001) and IL-6 (35.4 +/- 21.1 pg/mL (range 12-100) v 60.4 +/- 16.7 pg/mL (range 38-100), mean +/- standard deviation, P < 0.001) compared with the placebo receivers. There was no significant difference in surgery time, length of hospital stay, and fever occurrence after operation during in-hospital follow-up. Nausea and vomiting developed, however, in 5 (31.2%) of treatment patients. CONCLUSIONS: An infusion of IV PTX that is administered preoperatively could be applied to reduce inflammatory changes and pain intensity in patients undergoing nephrolithotomy; it causes no serious side effects.