Influence of the Pd Oxidation State in PdNi Thin Films on Surface Acoustic Wave Hydrogen Sensing Performance.

PdNi alloy thin films demonstrate exceptional hydrogen sensing performance and exhibit significant potential for application in surface acoustic wave (SAW) hydrogen sensors. However, the long-term stability of SAW H2 sensors utilizing PdNi films as catalysts experiences a substantial decrease during operation. In this paper, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is employed to investigate the failure mechanisms of PdNi thin films under operational conditions. The XPS analysis reveals that the formation of PdO species on PdNi thin films plays a crucial role in the failure of hydrogen sensing. Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that hydrogen atoms encounter a diffusion energy barrier during the penetration process from the PdNiOx surface to the subsurface region. The identification of PdNi film failure mechanisms through XPS and DFT offers valuable insights into the development of gas sensors with enhanced long-term stability. Guided by these mechanisms, we propose a method to restore the hydrogen sensing response time and magnitude to a certain extent by reducing the partially oxidized surface of the PdNi alloy under a hydrogen atmosphere at 70 °C, thereby restoring Pd to its metallic state with zero valence.

ZmELF3.1 integrates the RA2-TSH4 module to repress maize tassel branching.

Tassel branch number (TBN) is a key agronomic trait for adapting to high-density planting and grain yield in maize. However, the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying tassel branching are still largely unknown. Here, we used molecular and genetic studies together to show that ZmELF3.1 plays a critical role in regulating TBN in maize. Previous studies showed that ZmELF3.1 forms the evening complex through interacting with ZmELF4 and ZmLUX to regulate flowering in maize and that RA2 and TSH4 (ZmSBP2) suppresses and promotes TBN in maize, respectively. In this study, we show that loss-of-function mutants of ZmELF3.1 exhibit a significant increase of TBN. We also show that RA2 directly binds to the promoter of TSH4 and represses its expression, thus leading to reduced TBN. We further demonstrate that ZmELF3.1 directly interacts with both RA2 and ZmELF4.2 to form tri-protein complexes that further enhance the binding of RA2 to the promoter of TSH4, leading to suppressed TSH4 expression and consequently decreased TBN. Our combined results establish a novel functional link between the ELF3-ELF4-RA2 complex and miR156-SPL regulatory module in regulating tassel branching and provide a valuable target for genetic improvement of tassel branching in maize.

Adherence to Antiretrovirals and HIV Viral Suppression Under COVID-19 Pandemic Interruption - Findings from a Randomized Clinical Trial Using Ingestible Sensors to Monitor Adherence.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on vulnerable populations, including people living with HIV. California implemented a coronavirus lockdown (stay-at-home order) in March 2020, which ended in January 2021. We evaluated the pandemic's impact on both clinical outcomes of HIV RNA viral load (VL) and retention rate in a randomized clinical trial conducted from May 2018 to October 2020. The intervention group took co-encapsulated antiretrovirals (ARVs) with ingestible sensor (IS) pills from baseline through week 16. The IS system has the capacity to monitor adherence in real-time using a sensor patch, a mobile device, and supporting software. Both the IS and usual care (UC) groups were followed monthly for 28 weeks. Longitudinal mixed-effects models with random intercept and slope (RIAS) were used to fit log VL and self-reported adherence. The sample size of the study was 112 (54 in IS). Overall, the retention rate at week 28 was 86%, with 90% before the lockdown and 83% after the lockdown. The lockdown strengthened the associations between adherence and VL. Before the lockdown, a 10% increase in adherence was associated with a 0.2 unit decrease in log VL (ß = -1.88, p = 0.004), while during the lockdown, the association was a 0.41-unit decrease (ß = -2.27, p = 0.03). The pandemic did not have a significant impact on our adherence-focused intervention. Our findings regarding the intervention effect remain valid. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02797262. Date registration: September 2015.

Quantitative data collection approaches in subject-reported oral health research: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: This scoping review reports on studies that collect survey data using quantitative research to measure self-reported oral health status outcome measures. The objective of this review is to categorize measures used to evaluate self-reported oral health status and oral health quality of life used in surveys of general populations. METHODS: The review is guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) with the search on four online bibliographic databases. The criteria include (1) peer-reviewed articles, (2) papers published between 2011 and 2021, (3) only studies using quantitative methods, and (4) containing outcome measures of self-assessed oral health status, and/or oral health-related quality of life. All survey data collection methods are assessed and papers whose methods employ newer technological approaches are also identified. RESULTS: Of the 2981 unduplicated papers, 239 meet the eligibility criteria. Half of the papers use impact scores such as the OHIP-14; 10% use functional measures, such as the GOHAI, and 26% use two or more measures while 8% use rating scales of oral health status. The review identifies four data collection methods: in-person, mail-in, Internet-based, and telephone surveys. Most (86%) employ in-person surveys, and 39% are conducted in Asia-Pacific and Middle East countries with 8% in North America. Sixty-six percent of the studies recruit participants directly from clinics and schools, where the surveys were carried out. The top three sampling methods are convenience sampling (52%), simple random sampling (12%), and stratified sampling (12%). Among the four data collection methods, in-person surveys have the highest response rate (91%), while the lowest response rate occurs in Internet-based surveys (37%). Telephone surveys are used to cover a wider population compared to other data collection methods. There are two noteworthy approaches: 1) sample selection where researchers employ different platforms to access subjects, and 2) mode of interaction with subjects, with the use of computers to collect self-reported data. CONCLUSION: The study provides an assessment of oral health outcome measures, including subject-reported oral health status and notes newly emerging computer technological approaches recently used in surveys conducted on general populations. These newer applications, though rarely used, hold promise for both researchers and the various populations that use or need oral health care.

Conditional standards for the quantification of foetal growth in an ethnic Chinese population: a longitudinal study.

This was an observational study of low-risk singleton pregnancies in an ethnic Chinese population. Foetal biometric variables which included biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) were measured repeatedly. The standard views for measurement were obtained according to INTERGROWTH-21st criteria. A linear mixed model with fractional polynomial regression was used to describe the longitudinal design. The study included 1289 foetuses and a total of 5125 ultrasound scans, of which each foetus was scanned at least three times, the intervals between scans being at least two weeks. The parameters of the linear mixed models were estimated by Stata v.16 (College Station, TX). Using these parameters, the equations of the mean and variance for BPD, HC, AC and FL were constructed. The conditional percentiles or Z scores could be calculated based on the above equations and previous measurements of the same foetus. A spreadsheet was provided for implementation.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Longitudinal data derived from serial measurements are therefore appropriate for assessing both foetal size and foetal growth. At present, most reference charts of ethnic Chinese foetal biometry are derived from cross-sectional data, which can only assess foetal size.What do the results of this study add? In this study, we have constructed conditional standards for foetal biometry in an ethnic Chinese population and provided a spreadsheet for querying.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The conditional standards can be used to assess foetal growth in clinical practice. In the future, we hope that these foetal growth standards can be applied to determine whether abnormal growth increases the risk of adverse outcomes.

Investigating Perceptions of Teachers and School Nurses on Child and Adolescent Oral Health in Los Angeles County.

This study reports the results of focus groups with school nurses and teachers from elementary, middle, and high schools to explore their perceptions of child and adolescent oral health. Participants included 14 school nurses and 15 teachers (83% female; 31% Hispanic; 21% White; 21% Asian; 14% African American; and 13% Others). Respondents were recruited from Los Angeles County schools and scheduled by school level for six one-hour focus groups using Zoom. Audio recordings were transcribed, reviewed, and saved with anonymization of speaker identities. NVivo software (QSR International, Melbourne, Australia) was used to facilitate content analysis and identify key themes. The nurses' rate of "Oral Health Education" comments statistically exceeded that of teachers, while teachers had higher rates for "Parental Involvement" and "Mutual Perception" comments. "Need for Care" was perceived to be more prevalent in immigrants to the United States based on student behaviors and complaints. "Access to Care" was seen as primarily the nurses' responsibilities. Strong relationships between community clinics and schools were viewed by some as integral to students achieving good oral health. The results suggest dimensions and questions important to item development for oral health surveys of children and parents to address screening, management, program assessment, and policy planning.

Extraperitoneal laparoscopic simple prostatectomy with urethra preservation using urethral initiation as the entry point: a practical approach for the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction.

PURPOSE: The present study introduces a modified surgical procedure, extraperitoneal laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (LSP) with urethra preservation using urethral initiation as the entry point, and evaluates its feasibility, safety, and efficacy in the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients with BPO underwent modified LSP from January 2018 to December 2020. The main surgical procedures performed were as follows: transversely incision of prostate surgical capsule at the urethral initiation; creating of the subcapsular plane and the space between urethra and adenoma; removal of lobes with preservation of urethra followed by suturing of capsule. Preoperative, perioperative, follow-up parameters, and complications were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Operative time was (106.34 ± 28.00) min and intraoperative blood loss was (98.80 ± 130.58) ml. Continuous bladder irrigation (CBI) was not performed routinely, catheterization duration was (5.26 ± 2.99) days, and postoperative hospital stay was (5.42 ± 1.62) days. Significant improvements were observed in functional outcomes, whereas no retrograde ejaculation, urinary incontinence, and urethral stricture occurred. Urethral rupture was not significantly influenced by operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and prostate volume. However, it prolonged CBI duration, drainage tube retention time, catheterization duration, and postoperative hospital stay. Operative time decreased with an increase in the number of cases, and the surgeon achieved proficiency level after handling 21-25 cases. CONCLUSION: Extraperitoneal LSP with urethra preservation using urethral initiation as the entry point is a feasible, repeatable, safe, and effective surgical procedure, which is suitable for treating BPO.

Promotion of the Co3O4/TiO2 Interface on Catalytic Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate.

Supports can widely affect or even dominate the catalytic activity and selectivity of nanoparticles because atomic geometry and electronic structures of active sites can be regulated, especially at the interface of nanoparticles and supports. However, the underlying mechanisms of most systems are still not fully understood yet. Herein, we construct the interface of Co3O4/TiO2 to boost ammonium perchlorate (AP) catalytic decomposition. This catalyst shows enhanced catalytic performance. With the addition of 2 wt % Co3O4/TiO2 catalysts, AP decomposition peak temperature decreases from 435.7 to 295.0 °C and activation energy decreases from 211.5 to 137.7 kJ mol-1. By combining experimental and theoretical studies, we find that Co3O4 nanoparticles can be strongly anchored onto TiO2 supports accompanied by charge transfer. Moreover, at the interfaces in the Co3O4/TiO2 nanostructure, NH3 adsorption can be enhanced through hydrogen bonds. Our research studies provide new insights into the promotion effects of the nanoparticle/support system on the AP decomposition process and inspire the design of efficient catalysts.

Postmenopausal women with hyperandrogenemia: Three case reports.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosing hyperandrogenemia in postmenopausal women is very difficult. It occasionally manifests as excessive hair growth or with no clinical manifestations, and is therefore often misdiagnosed or missed altogether. Ovarian steroid cell tumors that cause hyperandrogenemia in women account for approximately 0.1% of all ovarian tumors. Due to the low incidence, corresponding imaging reports are rare, so ovarian steroid cell tumors lacks typical imaging findings to differentiate it from other ovarian tumors. Therefore, we summarized its clinical and imaging characteristics through this case series, and elaborated on the differential diagnosis of steroid cell tumors. CASE SUMMARY: We report three cases of postmenopausal women with hyperandrogenemia. Only 1 patient showed virilization symptoms, the other two patients were completely asymptomatic. All patients underwent total hysterectomy + bilateral adnexectomy. Histological results showed one case of Leydig cell tumor and two cases of benign, non-specific steroid cell tumor. After the operation, the androgen levels of all patients returned to normal, and there was no clinical recurrence since follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although virilization caused by increased serum testosterone levels is an important clinical feature of ovarian steroid cell tumors, it is often asymptomatic. A solid, slightly hypoechoic, round or oval mass with uniform internal echo, richer blood flow in the solid part, and low resistance index are typical imaging features of ovarian steroid cell tumors. Diagnosis of ovarian steroid cell tumors after menopause is challenging, but surgery can be used for both diagnosis and clear treatment.

Added value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of primary retroperitoneal serous adenocarcinoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Primary retroperitoneal serous adenocarcinoma (PRSA) is a rare malignant disease. Given the rarity of the disease, the imaging features of PRSA are unclear. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) also plays an important role in the evaluation of the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal lesions. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 62-year-old woman of with increased CA125 levels for 1 year who was referred to our hospital. After conducting contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, the mass was misdiagnosed as a chocolate cyst. After transvaginal ultrasound (TUS) combined with CEUS, cystadenocarcinoma was considered as the initial diagnosis. Pathology results confirmed PRSA as the final diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS features of PRSA are reported for the first time based on this case, potentially aiding in the differential diagnosis of this rare entity before surgery.

Irreversible electroporation in patients with liver tumours: treated-area patterns with contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Familiarity with post-IRE imaging interpretation is of considerable importance in determining ablation success and detecting recurrence. CEUS can be used to assess the tumour response and characteristics of the ablation zone. It is of clinical interest to describe the ultrasonographic findings of liver tumours after irreversible electroporation (IRE) percutaneous ablation. METHODS: A prospective study of 24 cases of malignant liver tumours (22 cases of primary liver tumours and 2 cases of liver metastases) treated by IRE ablation was conducted. Two inspectors evaluated the ablation zone in a consensus reading performed immediately, 1 day, and 1 month after IRE ablation. The gold standard method, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment at 1 month. RESULTS: Immediately after IRE ablation and up to 1 month later, the ablation zones gradually changed from hypo-echogenicity to hyper-echogenicity on conventional ultrasound and showed non-enhancement on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). One month after IRE ablation, CEUS and MRI results were highly consistent (κ = 0.78, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that CEUS may be an effective tool for assessing post-IRE ablation changes after 1 month. CEUS enables the depiction of tumour vascularity in real time and serves as an easy, repeatable method.

Uterine mass after caesarean section: a report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a rare complication of caesarean delivery and a special type of ectopic pregnancy. Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is an uncommon complication of pregnancy. Early diagnosis of the two diseases is crucial because a delay or misdiagnosis can lead to increased maternal morbidity and mortality. CASE PRESENTATION: We report two cases of uterine isthmus lesions with a previous caesarean section (CS). Two patients were misdiagnosed based on the first ultrasound exam. The first case of trophoblastic tumour was initially diagnosed as CSP, while the second case, which had a scar pregnancy, was misdiagnosed as GTN. The misdiagnoses were due to the particularity of the locations of the lesions in the two patients, complicating the ultrasound-based diagnosis and hindering early clinical diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A medical history, ß-hCG measurements and transvaginal ultrasound are necessary to diagnose lesions in the lower anterior wall of the uterus early. However, when the location cannot be determined, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be further performed to determine whether the lesion is located at the uterine scar. Combined with the degree of increased ß-hCG, differentiate CSP, myometrial GTN or caesarean scar GTN is helpful.

Facet effect of Co3O4 nanocatalysts on the catalytic decomposition of ammonium perchlorate.

Crystal facets can affect the catalytic decomposition of ammonium perchlorate, but the underlying mechanisms have long remained unclear. Here, we use the nanorods, nanosheets and nanocubes of Co3O4 catalysts exposing {110}, {111} and {100} facets as model systems to investigate facet effects on catalytic AP decomposition. The peak temperature of high temperature decomposition (HTD) process (THTD) of AP by nanorods, nanosheets and nanocubes Co3O4 decrease from 437.0 °C to 289.4 °C, 299.9 °C and 326.3 °C, respectively, showing obvious facet effects. We design experiments about AP decomposition under different atmospheres to investigate its mechanism and verify that the accumulation of ammonia (NH3) on AP surface can inhibit its decomposition and that the facet effects are related to the adsorption and oxidation of NH3. The binding energies of NH3 on the {110}, {111} and {100} planes calculated via density functional theory (DFT) are -1.774 eV, -1.638 eV, and -1.354 eV, respectively, indicating that the {110} planes are more favorable for the adsorption of NH3. Moreover, the {110} planes are readily to form CoNO structure, which benefits the further oxidation of the NH3.

MiR-34b-3p Represses the Multidrug-Chemoresistance of Bladder Cancer Cells by Regulating the CCND2 and P2RY1 Genes.

BACKGROUND Chemoresistance is a main limitation in chemotherapy for therapeutic cancer. MicroRNA (miRNA) has been indicated in the progression and tumorigenesis of many types of cancer, but the effect of miR-34b-3p in bladder cancer (BCa) cells is still unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS This research compared the multidrug-sensitive (5637) BCa cell line and the multidrug-resistant (EJ) BCa cell line. We found that CCND2 (G1/S-specific cyclin-D2) and P2RY1 (purinergic receptor P2Y1) were the targets of miR-34b-3p, as further validated by qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) and western blot analysis. RESULTS Forced reversal of the levels of miR-34b-3p or CCND2/P2RY1 changed the chemoresistance profiles in both 5637 cells and EJ cells. Further experiments suggested that the CCND2 gene and the P2RY1 gene act in concert to negatively correlate with miR-34b-3p effect on BCa multidrug-chemoresistance. CONCLUSIONS These results not only reveal new players regulating BCa chemoresistance, but also provide clues for effective chemotherapy for BCa patients.

Prognostic significance of DAPK promoter methylation in lymphoma: A meta-analysis.

We aimed to characterize the clinical significance of epigenetic loss of death-associated protein kinase (DAPK) gene function through promoter methylation in the development and prognosis of lymphoma. PubMed, Web of Science and ProQuest databases were searched for relevant studies. Twelve studies involving 709 patients with lymphoma were identified. The prognostic value of DAPK methylation was expressed as risk ratio (RR) and its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI), while the associations between DAPK methylation and the clinical characteristics of patients with lymphoma were expressed as odd ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% CIs. Meta-analysis showed that the 5-year survival rate was significantly lower in lymphoma patients with hypermethylated DAPK (RR = 0.85, 95% CI (0.73, 0.98), P = 0.025). Sensitivity analysis demonstrated consistent result. However, no associations were found between DAPK methylation and clinicopathological features of lymphoma, in relation to gender (OR = 1.07, 95% CI (0.72, 1.59), P = 0.751), age (OR = 1.01, 95% CI (0.66, 1.55), P = 0.974), international prognostic index (OR = 1.20, 95% CI (0.63, 2.27), P = 0.575), B symptoms (OR = 0.76, 95% CI (0.38, 1.51), P = 0.452), serum lactate dehydrogenase (OR = 1.13, 95% CI (0.62, 2.05), P = 0.683), and BCL-2 expression (OR = 1.55, 95% CI (0.91, 2.66), P = 0.106). Lymphoma patients with hypermethylated DAPK are at risk for poorer 5-year survival rate. DAPK methylation may serve as a negative prognostic biomarker among lymphoma patients, although it may not be associated with the progression of lymphoma.

Tamoxifen Prevents D-galactosamine/Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Murine Acute Hepatic Failure through Inhibition of Oxidative Stress and Mmd-2 Upregulation.

Oxidative stress is considered one of the major mechanisms underlying lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver failure (ALF). Tamoxifen has been reported to ameliorate LPS-induced ALF via the induction of monocyte to macrophage differentiation-associated 2 (Mmd-2). Whether antioxidant effects are involved remains unknown. Mice were given tamoxifen (TAM) once a day for 3 days. Twelve hours later, d-galactosamine (GaIN) and LPS were injected intraperitoneally to induce ALF. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) was administered immediately after ALF induction as a positive control. The results showed that serum transaminases increased and hepatic antioxidants decreased significantly in the model group. ALF was alleviated markedly by TAM or NAC treatment. This demonstrated that ALF may be associated with excessive oxidative stress caused by decreased expression of antioxidant enzymes. Both TAM and NAC increased the levels and activity of these antioxidant enzymes significantly (p < 0.05). Hepatic Mmd-2 expression was downregulated in the control group while remaining stable or exhibiting elevated levels in the TAM or NAC groups. The results indicate that TAM may protect mice from GaIN/LPS-induced ALF through increased activity of antioxidant enzymes and upregulation of Mmd-2 expression.

[LRIG1 promotes the apoptosis of pituitary tumor cells induced by cisplatin].

Objective To investigate the expression of leucine rich repeats and immunoglobulin like domains 1 (LRIG1) in the tumor tissues of human pituitary tumor, and the effects of LRIG1 over-expression on the proliferation and apoptosis of human pituitary tumor cells induced by cisplatin (DDP). Methods The expression of LRIG1 in the tumor tissues and adjacent tissues of 45 cases with pituitary tumor was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the correlations between the positive expression of LRIG1 and the clinicopathological data of the patients were analyzed. In addition, the isolated human pituitary tumor cells were selected. The LRIG1 gene over-expression plasmid pEGFP-N1-LRIG1 was transfected into the cells by liposome-mediated gene transfection. The cells transfected with LRIG1 were screened, and meanwhile, the cells transfected with empty plasmid pEGFP-N1 were selected as a control group. The cells of the two groups were induced by 20 g/mL DDP, and 48 hours later, the cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry; the proliferation capacity was tested by plate cloning experiment; and the relative expressions of apoptosis-related proteins Bax, caspase-3 and Bcl2 in the cells were examined by Western blot analysis. Results LRIG1 in the tumor tissues of pituitary tumor was obviously lower than that of the adjacent tissues, and LRIG1 was significantly reduced in the invasive tumor tissues. Compared with the control group, after LRIG1 was over-expressed, the cell apoptosis rate significantly increased, the cell proliferation significantly decreased, and the levels of Bax and caspase-3 increased as well, while the level of Bcl2 decreased remarkably. Conclusion Over-expression of LRIG1 increases the apoptosis and inhibits the proliferation of human pituitary tumor cells induced by DDP.

Extraperitoneal laparoscopic adenomectomy (Madigan) versus bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia greater than 80 ml: complications and functional outcomes after 3-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: To compare the performance of voluminous benign prostatic hyperplasia patients who have received laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (LSP) with the patients who have received bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (B-TURP) in their perioperative and 3-year follow-up period. METHODS: Ninety patients with prostate volumes >80 mL (range 80-130 mL) were randomly assigned to either LSP or B-TURP surgery type. The patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months postoperatively. Perioperative and follow-up characteristics were then recorded and compared. RESULTS: More blood loss, greater resected adenoma volume, and shorter catheterization duration were recorded in LSP group than that of B-TURP group (140.1±81.5 vs 93.1±54.0 mL; 65.3±13.8 vs 49.0±12.7 mL; 3.3±1.2 vs 3.8±1.0 days; p<0.05). None of the patients in LSP group reported complications out of 30 days, while 1 case of urethral stricture, 36 cases of retrograde ejaculation, 1 case of bladder neck contracture, and 2 cases of recurrence were recorded in B-TURP group. At 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, there were no significant differences in terms of postvoid residual urine volume, maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), and International Prostate Symptom Score between the two groups (p>0.05). In contrast, the differences became significant at 24 and 36 months (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with B-TURP, LSP with Madigan technique is accompanied by less residual adenoma, shorter catheterization time, and more blood loss. Further, the risk of late complications is lower with LSP and, in terms of functional outcomes, LSP appears to be better than B-TURP beyond 2 years.

Reduced expression of MTUS1 mRNA is correlated with poor prognosis in bladder cancer.

Mitochondrial tumor suppressor 1 (MTUS1) is a newly identified candidate tumor suppressor gene. Previous studies have demonstrated that the expression status of MTUS1 is altered in several types of tumors. However, its clinical significance for bladder cancer patients remains undetermined. In this study, we detected the expression of MTUS1 mRNA in bladder tumors and paired normal samples obtained from 5 patients using semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A significant downregulation of MTUS1 mRNA expression was observed in the tumor tissues compared with the corresponding normal bladder tissue (P<0.001). We further tested the expression of MTUS1 mRNA in 55 bladder cancer tissues and 10 adjacent normal bladder tissues by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Correlations between MTUS1 and clinicopathological features and prognosis were investigated by statistical analyses. The results showed that MTUS1 expression was correlated with tumor grade, stage, size and number (P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.034 and P=0.029, respectively). Patients with low levels of MTUS1 mRNA expression had a poor prognosis compared with those with a high expression (P<0.001). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression prognostic analyses revealed that MTUS1 mRNA was an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival in bladder cancer (P<0.05). In conclusion, these data suggest that MTUS1 is significant in the progression of bladder cancer and that the status of MTUS1 mRNA expression is a novel prognostic marker for predicting bladder tumor disease-free survival.

[Clinical characteristics and surgical treatment for localized Castleman's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment of localized Castleman's disease (CD), and review the literatures to improve the diagnosis and management of this disease. METHODS: The clinical symptoms, histopathology, CT, MRI findings and results of surgery in 20 patients with localized CD were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 37.7 years. The lesions were located in the retroperitoneal space (9 cases), mediastinum (7 cases), pelvic cavity (1 case), neck (1 case), upper arm (1 case), and axillary (1 case). All patients underwent surgical resection, including 9 cases for retroperitoneal resection (6 cases had open operation and 3 cases laparoscopic resection) and 7 cases for mediastinal resection (open operation in 5 cases and thoracoscopic resection in 2 cases). The Castleman's disease was confirmed by histopathology. There were hyaline vascular type of CD in 17 cases, plasma cell type of CD in 1 case, and mixed cellularity type of CD in 2 cases. The duration of follow-up ranged from 12 to 165 months for 16 cases. Among them 15 patients were alive without recurrence, and 1 case had recurrence in the primary site at 47 months after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Castleman's disease have no typical clinical symptoms and have normal laboratory results. The majority of patients are of hyaline vascular type of the disease. Imaging examination is helpful to diagnosis, and the final diagnosis depends on pathologic examination. Complete surgical resection of the tumor is the best treatment for localized Castleman's disease.