Endoscopic dilation using two guidewires: a novel approach for establishing access tract during percutaneous nephrolithotomy under ultrasonographic guidance.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel endoscopic dilation (END) method during percutaneous nephrolithotomy under ultrasonographic guidance. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 138 patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy from June 2020 to December 2021. The patients were divided into three groups based on the method of nephrostomy tract creation: those who underwent fascial Amplatz serial fascial dilation (AMD) (n = 45), one-shot dilation (OSD) (n = 45), and END (n = 48). For END, a 20-Fr dilator with sheath was accessed over the first guidewire. A second guidewire was inserted into the collecting system via the endoscope. The nephroscope was then accessed to enlarge the renal puncture point using both guidewires. Demographic variables and important intraoperative and postoperative findings were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: The preoperative characteristics were similar among the three groups. The END group had a significantly shorter access time than both the AMD and OSD groups and significantly less severe hemoglobin loss than the OSD group. There were no significant differences in the other important perioperative findings. CONCLUSION: Use of this novel END method with two guidewires may be associated with less blood loss and a reduced access time.

Sig1R activates extracellular matrix-induced bladder cancer cell proliferation and angiogenesis by combing ß-integrin.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) regulates many biological functions involved in tumorigenesis and tumor development; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Sigma 1 receptor (Sig1R), a stress-activated chaperone, regulates the crosstalk between the ECM and tumor cells and is related to the malignant characteristics of several tumors. However, the link between Sig1R overexpression and ECM during malignancy has not been established in bladder cancer (BC). Here, we analyzed the interaction of Sig1R and ß-integrin in BC cells and its role in ECM-mediated cell proliferation and angiogenesis. We found that Sig1R forms a complex with ß-integrin to promote ECM-mediated BC cell proliferation and angiogenesis, which enhances the aggressiveness of the tumor cells. This leads to poor survival. Our research revealed that Sig1R mediates the cross-talk between BC cells and their ECM microenvironment, thereby driving the progression of BC. Promisingly, targeting an ion channel function through Sig1R inhibition may serve as a potential approach for BC treatment.

Long Noncoding RNA LINC00467: Role in Various Human Cancers.

Intricate genetic mutations promote the progression of different cancer types. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been widely demonstrated to participate in the genomic activities of various human cancers. Long intergenic non-coding RNA 467 (LINC00467) is an upregulated lncRNA in diverse diseases, especially in several types of cancers. Functional experiments of LINC00467 revealed that LINC00467 overexpression enhanced cell chemoresistance, proliferation, migration, and invasion in several types of cancers. Moreover, overexpressed LINC00467 was associated with a poor clinical prognosis. The present evidence suggests that LINC00467 may serve as a promising prognostic indicator and become a novel cancer therapeutic target. In this review, we introduce the biologic functions of lncRNAs and describe the molecular mechanism and clinical significance of LINC00467 in detail.

Novel triazine-based cationic covalent organic polymers for highly efficient and selective removal of selenate from contaminated water.

Selenium (Se) removal from contaminated water has become a major environmental problem in recent years. Designing efficient and selective materials for selenium adsorption is urgent and still represents a great challenge. Herein, two novel cationic covalent triazine frameworks (CTFS-Cl and CTFL-Cl) are developed for the first time and employed as a new class of Se adsorbents. The results from systematic adsorption experiments indicate that these materials can adsorb SeO42- in a wide range of pH values (2-11) with fast kinetics (5 min), outstanding adsorption capacity, and excellent selectivity over other competing anions. The maximum adsorption capacity achieved (149.3 mg/g by CTFS-Cl) constitutes one of the highest values among the organic polymeric materials. More importantly, after a single step adsorption, these materials can reduce the Se concentrations to lower than 10 µg/L, the lowest drinking water standard in the world. The adsorption mechanism was probed by XPS technique, EDS analysis, adsorption experiments, and DFT calculations, which reveals that anion exchange between Cl- and SeO42- is the main driving force for Se adsorption. Additionally, CTFS-Cl and CTFL-Cl perform well toward real contaminated river water sample with the residual Se being less than 8.49 µg/L. This work demonstrates the excellent performance of CTFs-based materials with great application prospect for Se removal in contaminated water treatment.

Tumor Cell-Derived Exosomal circ-PRKCI Promotes Proliferation of Renal Cell Carcinoma via Regulating miR-545-3p/CCND1 Axis.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) originates from the epithelial cells of the renal tubules and has a high degree of malignancy and heterogeneity. Recent studies have found that exosomes regulate intercellular communication via transferring various bioactive molecules, such as circular RNAs (circRNAs), which are critical for cancer progression. However, the role of tumor cell-derived exosomal circRNAs in RCC remains unclear. In this study, we reported the high expression of circ-PRKCI in RCC tissues and serum exosomes. We also found that circ-PRKCI could be transferred exosomally from highly malignant RCC cells to relatively less malignant RCC cells. Tumor cell-derived exosomal circ-PRKCI promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of RCC cells, while inhibiting their apoptosis. Mechanistically, we found that circ-PRKCI promoted the proliferation of RCC via the miR-545-3p/CCND1 signaling pathway. Our study is the first to report the potential mechanisms of tumor cell-derived exosomal circ-PRKCI in RCC. In conclusion, this study will provide a new understanding about the molecular mechanisms of RCC progression.

circ-ZNF609: A potent circRNA in human cancers.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel group of endogenous RNAs with a circular structure. Growing evidence indicates that circRNAs are involved in a variety of human diseases including malignancies. CircRNA ZNF609 (circ-ZNF609), derived from the ZNF609 gene sequence, has been demonstrated to be involved in the development and progression of many diseases. circ-ZNF609 is thought to be a viable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for several diseases and might be a new therapeutic target, but further research is needed to accelerate clinical application. Here, we review the biogenesis and function of circRNAs and the functional roles and molecular mechanism related to circ-ZNF609 in neoplasms and other diseases.

An improved measure for belief structure in the evidence theory.

Dempster-Shafer evidence theory (D-S theory) is suitable for processing uncertain information under complex circumstances. However, how to measure the uncertainty of basic probability distribution (BPA) in D-S theory is still an open question. In this paper, a method of measuring total uncertainty based on belief interval distance is proposed. This method is directly defined in the D-S theoretical framework, without the need of converting BPA into probability distribution by Pignistic probability transformation. Thus, it avoids the loss of information. This paper analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the previous total uncertainty of measurement, and the uncertainty measurement examples show the effectiveness of the new uncertainty measure. Finally, an information fusion method based on the new uncertainty measure is proposed. The validity and rationality of the proposed method are verified by two classification experiments from UCI data sets.

A Timely Review of Cross-Kingdom Regulation of Plant-Derived MicroRNAs.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) belong to a class of non-coding RNAs that suppress gene expression by complementary oligonucleotide binding to the sites in target messenger RNAs. Numerous studies have demonstrated that miRNAs play crucial role in virtually all cellular processes of both plants and animals, such as cell growth, cell division, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. The study of rice MIR168a has demonstrated for the first time that exogenous plant MIR168a influences cholesterol transport in mice by inhibiting low-density lipoprotein receptor adapter protein 1 expression. Inspired by this finding, the cross-kingdom regulation of plant-derived miRNAs has drawn a lot of attention because of its capability to provide novel therapeutic agents in the treatment of miRNA deregulation-related diseases. Notably, unlike mRNA, some plant miRNAs are robust because of their 3' end modification, high G, C content, and the protection by microvesicles, miRNAs protein cofactors or plant ingredients. The stability of these small molecules guarantees the reliability of plant miRNAs in clinical application. Although the function of endogenous miRNAs has been widely investigated, the cross-kingdom regulation of plant-derived miRNAs is still in its infancy. Herein, this review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the anti-virus, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis, immune modulation, and intestinal function regulation effects of plant-derived miRNAs in mammals. It is expected that exploring the versatile role of plant-derived miRNAs may lay the foundation for further study and application of these newly recognized, non-toxic, and inexpensive plant active ingredients.