Exploring the Molecular Mechanisms and Shared Gene Signatures Between Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease associated with increased susceptibility to cancer, including bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA). This study investigates the shared molecular mechanisms and gene signatures between SLE and BLCA, shedding light on potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Methods: We compiled gene datasets related to SLE and BLCA from various databases and identified common genes. Differential gene expression analysis, protein-protein interaction networks, and hub gene identification were performed. We studied functional enrichment, immune infiltration, and transcription factor/miRNA regulation networks. We also explored gene-disease interactions and protein-chemical/drug networks. Hub gene expression levels and diagnostic values were validated in TCGA and GEO databases. Prognostic analysis was performed on the core gene MMP9 in the TCGA-BLCA database to study its prognostic value. Finally, the mRNA expression of MMP9 was verified in bladder cancer cell lines and BLCA patient blood. The diagnostic value of MMP9 for BLCA was verified by receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis of the expression of MMP9 in patients' blood. Results: We identified 524 common genes between SLE and BLCA, enriched in pathways related to apoptosis and cytokine regulation. Immune infiltration analysis for two diseases. Transcription factors and microRNAs were implicated in regulating these common genes. The gene-disease network linked hub genes with various diseases, emphasizing their roles in autoimmune disease and cancer. Protein-chemical/drug networks highlighted potential treatment options. Finally, our study found that MMP9 is a potential therapeutic target with diagnostic and prognostic value and Immune-related biomarkers in patients with BLCA and SLE. Conclusion: Our study reveals shared molecular mechanisms, genetic signatures, and immune infiltrates between SLE and BLCA. MMP9 emerges as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in BLCA, warranting further investigation. These findings provide insights into the pathogenesis of SLE-associated BLCA and may guide future research and therapeutic strategies.

CPA4 as a biomarker promotes the proliferation, migration and metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma cells.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a commonly occurring and highly aggressive urological malignancy characterized by a significant mortality rate. Current therapeutic options for advanced ccRCC are limited, necessitating the discovery of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Carboxypeptidase A4 (CPA4) is a zinc-containing metallocarboxypeptidase with implications in various cancer types, but its role in ccRCC remains unexplored. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were utilized in order to investigate the differential expression patterns of CPA4. The expression of CPA4 in ccRCC patients was further verified using immunohistochemical (IHC) examination of 24 clinical specimens. A network of protein-protein interactions (PPI) was established, incorporating CPA4 and its genes that were expressed differentially. Functional enrichment analyses were conducted to anticipate the contribution of CPA4 in the development of ccRCC. To validate our earlier study, we conducted real-time PCR and cell functional tests on ccRCC cell lines. Our findings revealed that CPA4 is overexpressed in ccRCC, and the higher the expression of CPA4, the worse the clinical outcomes such as TNM stage, pathological stage, histological grade, etc. Moreover, patients with high CPA4 expression had worse overall survival, disease-specific survival and progress-free interval than patients with low expression. The PPI network analysis highlighted potential interactions contributing to ccRCC progression. Functional enrichment analysis indicated the involvement of CPA4 in the regulation of key pathways associated with ccRCC development. Additionally, immune infiltration analysis suggested a potential link between CPA4 expression and immune response in the tumour microenvironment. Finally, cell functional studies in ccRCC cell lines shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of CPA4 in promoting ccRCC formation. Overall, our study unveils CPA4 as a promising biomarker with prognostic potential in ccRCC. The identified interactions and pathways provide valuable insights into its implications in ccRCC development and offer a foundation for future research on targeted therapies. Further investigation of CPA4's involvement in immune responses may contribute to the development of immunotherapeutic strategies for ccRCC treatment.

Lethal activity of BRD4 PROTAC degrader QCA570 against bladder cancer cells.

Bladder cancer is the most common malignancy of the urinary system. Efforts to identify innovative and effective therapies for bladder cancer are urgently needed. Recent studies have identified the BRD4 protein as the critical factor in regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis in bladder cancer, and it shows promising potential for pharmacologic treatment against bladder cancer. In this study, we have evaluated the biological function of QCA570, a novel BET degrader, on multiple bladder cancer cells and explore its underlying mechanisms. QCA570 potently induces degradation of BRD4 protein at nanomolar concentrations, with a DC50 of ∼ 1 nM. It decreases EZH2 and c-MYC levels by transcriptional suppression and protein degradation. Moreover, the degrader significantly induces cell apoptosis and cycle arrest and shows antiproliferation activity against bladder cancer cells. These findings support the potential efficacy of QCA570 on bladder cancer.

SKA3 is a prognostic biomarker and associated with immune infiltration in bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Spindle and kinetochore­associated complex subunit 3 (SKA3) has recently been considered a key regulator of carcinogenesis. However, the connection between SKA3 and immune cell infiltration remains unknown. METHODS: The current study investigated the expression mode, prognostic effect, and functional role of SKA3 in different tumors, particularly bladder cancer using numerous databases, comprising TIMER, GEPIA, HPA, UALCAN, PrognoScan, and Kaplan-Meier Plotter. Differentially expressed gene and enrichment analyses were implemented on SKA3 using R packages "edgR" and "clusterProfiler". Immunohistochemistry was further used to validate the expression of SKA3 gene in bladder cancer. Following that, the relevance of SKA3 expression to immune infiltration level in bladder cancer was evaluated using TIMER. RESULTS: Overall, the level of SKA3 expression in tumor tissue significantly increased than in normal tissue. In bladder cancer and other tumors, patients with high SKA3 expression levels had worse overall survival (OS) (p = 0.016), disease-specific survival (DSS) (p = 0.00004), and disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.032). Additionally, the major molecular functions for SKA3 included nuclear division, mitotic nuclear division, mitotic sister chromatid segregation, humoral immune response, and cell chemotaxis. Additionally, SKA3 expression was found to be positively associated with enhanced M2 macrophage and T helper (Th) 2 cell infiltration in bladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our study implies that SKA3 contributes to M2 macrophage and Th2 cell polarization by acting as an oncogene in bladder cancer. SKA3 might be a novel biomarker for evaluating prognosis and immune infiltration in bladder cancer.

MIR210HG is aberrantly expressed in the seminal plasma of varicocele patients and associated with varicocele-related dyszoospermia.

This study aimed to confirm the expression of the seminal plasma long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) microRNA210 host gene (MIR210HG) in varicocele (VC) patients, to further explore the association between MIR210HG and VC severity and to evaluate whether MIR210HG can predict VC-related dyszoospermia. Semen samples from 188 VC patients and 92 healthy men were collected. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR detected seminal plasma MIR210HG levels. Receiver operating characteristic analysis assessed the ability of MIR210HG to screen patients with VC, or to screen VC patients with abnormal semen quality. Logistic analysis assessed the value of MIR210HG in predicting dyszoospermia in VC patients. The levels of MIR210HG in seminal plasma of VC patients were upregulated, which could screen VC patients. In addition, the levels of seminal plasma MIR210HG were upregulated with VC severity and were downregulated at 6 months after surgery in VC patients. Moreover, elevated MIR210HG levels in VC patients with abnormal semen quality could screen patients with abnormal semen quality and could independently predict the occurrence of dyszoospermia in VC patients. Seminal plasma MIR210HG expression is upregulated in VC patients, is associated with the severity of VC and may function as an independent predictor of VC-related dyszoospermia.

ECRG4 Represses Cell Proliferation and Invasiveness via NFIC/OGN/NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Bladder Cancer.

Bladder cancer (BCa) is a malignant tumor in the urinary system with high cancer-related mortality worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms of many genes dysregulated in BCa are still unclear. Herein, we showed that esophageal cancer-related gene-4 (ECRG4), which is downregulated in BCa tissues and cell lines, has a positive correlation with osteoglycin (OGN). Further functional experimental studies suggested that both ECRG4 and OGN inhibit cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in BCa cells. Moreover, ECRG4 acts as a tumor repressor and promotes the expression of OGN via the upregulation of nuclear factor 1 C-type (NFIC), which can bind to the promoter region of OGN and regulate its transcription. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that NFIC is downregulated in BCa tissues and has a positive correlation with ECRG4 or OGN. Esophageal cancer-related gene-4 could positively regulate the protein levels of NFIC in BCa cells. In addition, we demonstrated for the first time that ECRG4 inhibits the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway via the upregulation of OGN in BCa cells. Overall, these findings provide evidence that both ECRG4 and OGN function as tumor repressors and that overexpression of ECRG4 inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway by promoting NFIC/OGN signaling in BCa cells. Our results reveal the molecular regulatory mechanisms of the ECRG4-mediated repression of the NFIC/OGN/NF-κB signaling pathway in BCa and provide potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for BCa.

Clinical evaluation of the multifunctional suprapubic catheter in patients requiring permanent suprapubic cystostomy: A prospective randomised trial in a single centre.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical effect of the multifunctional suprapubic catheter (MSC) on occurrence of cystospasm, catheter occlusion, the catheter-related urinary tract infection and remission of overactivity bladder, by comparing with the conventional suprapubic catheter (CSC) in patients with permanent suprapubic cystostomy. BACKGROUND: The conventional suprapubic catheter usually presents with high incidence of catheter-associated complications. DESIGN: A prospective randomised clinical trial in a single centre. METHODS: Between January 2014 and January 2015, a total of 91 consecutive patients with permanent suprapubic cystostomy were prospectively randomised into two groups: the MSC group (n = 43) and CSC group (n = 48). RESULTS: Our results showed that the total times of cystospasm in the MSC group were significantly less than that in the CSC group during the follow-up time (p < .001). In addition, the mean spasmodic duration per time in the MSC group was significantly shorter than that in the CSC group (p < .001). Besides, catheter occlusions were observed in 23 (25.27%) patients, including 5 (11.63%) in the MSC group and 18 (37.50%) in the CSC group (p = .005). The lower rate of positive urine culture was also found in the MSC group but with no significant difference (p = .540). Furthermore, the urodynamic measurement data demonstrated that the patients in the MSC group had a greater remission rate of overactivity bladder after catheter change (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The present data showed that the multifunctional suprapubic catheter could significantly reduce the incidence of catheter occlusion, ameliorate the symptom of cystospasm and relieve the overactivity bladder, but have no influence on the catheter-related urinary tract infection. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The application of our self-devised multifunctional suprapubic catheter may result in better management of the patients with permanent suprapubic cystostomy.

Clinical comparison of the efficacy of three different bowel preparation methods on the infectious complications following transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy in nursing practice.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of three different bowel preparation methods on the incidence of infectious complications in patients who underwent transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy. BACKGROUND: The standard bowel preparation protocol for prostate biopsy has not been established. DESIGN: A retrospective study in a single centre. METHODS: From January 2013-December 2015, the clinical records of 1,130 patients who underwent prostate biopsy were, respectively, reviewed. All the patients received metronidazole prophylaxis before biopsy. The patients were divided into three groups according to the bowel preparation methods: patients in Group A (n = 402) received only soapy enema; patients in Group B (n = 413) received polyethylene glycol; while patients in Group C (n = 315) received polyethylene glycol plus povidone-iodine enema. Infectious complications were classified as fever (>37.5°C), urinary tract infection and sepsis. The postoperative adverse events were also observed. RESULTS: The overall postbiopsy infectious complications were observed in 48 (4.25%) patients of all the cases, including 23 (5.72%) cases in Group A, 20 (4.84%) cases in Group B and five patients (1.59%) in Group C. There was significant difference among the groups (p = .018). In detail, these infectious complications included 22 (1.95%) cases of fever and 26 (2.30%) cases of urinary tract infection. No sepsis was observed among the total patients. The incidence of adverse events was 14.43% (58/402) occurred in Group A, 25.91% (107/413) in Group B and 26.67% (84/315) in Group C. The difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed that combined preparation regimens of polyethylene glycol with povidone-iodine enema could significantly reduce the postbiopsy infection rate. Conventional soapy enema is associated with less adverse events. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Findings of this study provide useful evidence-based information for healthcare professionals. The application of combined preparation regimens of polyethylene glycol with povidone-iodine enema resulted in better improvement in the prevention of postbiopsy infection.

Detection rate of prostate cancer following biopsy among the northern Han Chinese population: a single-center retrospective study of 1022 cases.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is known to have ethnic and regional differences. The study aimed to clinically evaluate the detection rate of prostate cancer on transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy and analyze its characteristics among the northern Han Chinese population at a single center. METHODS: Between October 2009 and September 2016, a total of 1027 Chinese men, who had undergone TRUS-guided prostate biopsy at Qingdao Municipal Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. Prostate biopsies were performed in the case of an abnormally elevated serum PSA level, and/or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) findings, and/or suspicious prostatic imaging findings. RESULTS: Of the 1022 men enrolled in the analysis, 438 patients (42.8%) were diagnosed with prostate adenocarcinoma histologically. When serum PSA levels were divided into five subgroups (less than 4.0, 4.0 to 10.0, 10.0 to 20.0, 20.0 to 100.0, and ≥ 100.0 ng/ml), the detection rates of prostate cancer were 12.4, 15.9, 34.1, 66.2, and 93.8%, respectively. With serum PSA levels of 4.0 to 10.0 ng/ml, the cancer detection rates for a normal DRE and a suspect DRE finding were 13.5 and 58.2%, respectively. Accordingly, the cancer detection rates for a normal imaging and a suspect imaging finding were 13.5 and 58.2%, respectively. Besides, a large proportion of the patients were in the clinically advanced stage. CONCLUSIONS: The present study data reported a relatively higher prostate cancer detection rate of 42.8% and that the majority of the patients presented with clinically advanced prostate cancers within a local clinical urologic practice. An early detection and screening program for prostate cancer is of great need to reduce the burden from this disease among the northern Han Chinese population.

Development and Validation of a Novel and Cost-Effective Animal Tissue Model for Training Transurethral Resection of the Prostate.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a new and cost-effective animal tissue training model for practicing resection skills of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A porcine kidney was prepared and restructured to simulate the relevant anatomy of the human prostate. The restructured prostate was connected to an artificial urethra and bladder. Face, content, and construct validity of the model was carried out using a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire, and comparison in task performance between participants and experts was made using observational clinical human reliability analysis. RESULTS: A total of 24 participants and 11 experts who practiced TURP skills on this model from October 2014 to December 2015 were recruited. The mean score on specific feature of the anatomy and color, sensation of texture and feeling of resection, conductibility of current, and efficacy and safety of the model were 4.34 ± 0.37, 4.51 ± 0.63, 4.13 ± 0.53, and 4.35 ± 0.71, respectively, by participants whereas they were 4.22 ± 0.23, 4.30 ± 0.48, 4.11 ± 0.62, and 4.56 ± 0.77, respectively, by the experts on a scale of 1 (unrealistic) to 5 (very realistic). Participants committed more technical errors than the experts (11 vs 7, p < 0.001), produced more movements of the instruments (51 vs 33, p < 0.001), and required longer operating time (11.4 vs 6.2min, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A newly developed restructured animal tissue model for training TURP was reported. Validation study on the model demonstrates that this is a very realistic and effective model for skills training of TURP. Trainees committed more technical errors, more unproductive movements, and required longer operating time.

Clinical evaluation of embolization of the superior vesical prostatic artery for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a single-center retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Non-surgical minimally invasive treatments are greatly needed for patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), for whom medical treatment has failed and surgery is contraindicated. This study retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of super-selective prostatic artery embolization (PAE) for BPH, relative to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). AIM: To clinically evaluate the efficacy and safety of super-selective PAE for BPH, relative to TURP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From February 2012 to March 2015, patients with BPH underwent selective PAE (n = 17) or TURP (control group; n = 40). Prostate volume, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS), and quality of life (QoL) score were evaluated at baseline and postoperative 3, 6, and 12 months. Complications were also recorded. RESULTS: All the procedures were technically successfully. At postoperative 1 year, patients given PAE had significantly greater prostate volume (64.6 ±10.2 ml), IPSS (23.9 ±4.9), and QoL (4.1 ±0.7) compared with the control patients (42.0 ±7.5 ml, 13.1 ±3.5, and 2.1 ±0.7, respectively). The Qmax of the PAE group (9.5 ±3.7 ml/s) was significantly lower than that of the control (21.8 ±4.2 ml/s). The changes in parameters of the TURP patients relative to the preoperative baseline were significantly greater than those of the PAE group. No severe complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Prostatic artery embolization was demonstrated as safe and effective and may be considered an alternative treatment for BPH patients, especially for those who are not candidates for or refuse surgery.

Downregulation of fatty acid synthase complex suppresses cell migration by targeting phosphor-AKT in bladder cancer.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of fatty acid synthase complex (FASN) on the migration capacity of bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC) cells and the involvement of matrix metalloproteinase­9 (MMP­9) via targeting of phospho­AKT (p­AKT). FASN­specific small­interfering RNA (FASN­siRNA) was used to inhibit FASN gene expression in the 5637 and 253J BTCC cell lines. The knockdown efficiency of FAM­conjugated FASN­siRNA was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. The migratory abilities of BTCC cells were assessed using a Transwell assay. Furthermore, protein and mRNA expression of FASN, p­AKT, AKT, and migration­associated protein MMP­9 were detected by western blot analysis. Treatment with FASN inhibitor Cer and FASN­siRNA decreased the migratory capacity of bladder cancer cells and reduced the levels of p­AKT as well as the expression of MMP­9. These results indicated that FASN inhibition suppressed the migratory capacity of BTCC cells through suppressing AKT activation and consequently reducing MMP­9 expression. Targeting FASN may represent a promising novel therapeutic strategy for BTCC.

[Expression of nNOS and ultrastructural changes in the penile tissue of rats with prolactinoma-induced erectile dysfunction].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of nNOS and ultrastructural changes in the penile tissue of rats with prolactinoma-induced erectile dysfunction (ED). METHODS: We established the model of prolactinoma in 20 male Westar rats by peritoneal injection of diethylstilbestrol (DES) and treated the control rats with normal saline (n = 10) or sterilized arachis oil (n = 10). After 8 weeks, we performed the apomorphine test and measured the weight of the pituitary gland and the levels of serum prolactin (PRL) and testosterone (T) to confirm the successful construction of the prolactinoma-induced ED model. Then we determined the expression of nNOS in the penile tissue by immunohistochemistry and examined the ultrastructural changes of the penile cavernosum under the transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The prolactinoma-induced ED model was successfully established in 15 rats. The weight of the pituitary gland was significantly increased in the rats treated with DES as compared with the normal saline and sterilized arachis oil controls ([46.7 ± 15.5] vs [11.7 ± 2.4] and [12.4 ± 2.3] mg, both P < 0.05). The level of serum PRL was markedly higher while that of T remarkably lower in the former than in the latter two groups ([1,744.9 ± 304.5] vs [11.5 ± 2.4] and [10.6 ± 1.9] ng/ml, both P < 0.0l; [1.54 ± 0.46] vs [3.11 ± 1.08] and [3.04 ± 1.11] ng/ml, both P < 0.05). The rate of penile erection was significantly reduced in the prolactinoma-induced ED model rats in comparison with the normal saline and arachis oil controls (16.7% vs 100% and 87.5%, both P < 0.05), and so was the expression of nNOS in the penile tissue (0.024 ± 0.011 vs 0.066 ± 0.019 and 0.058 ± 0.021, both P < 0.05). Transmission electron microscopy manifested significant ultrastructural changes in the endothelial and smooth muscle cells of the cavernous tissue in the prolactinoma-induced ED models. CONCLUSION: The ultrastructural changes of the penile cavernous tissue and the reduced expression of nNOS in penile tissue may be the most important mechanisms of prolactinoma-induced ED in rats.

Perioperative Blood Transfusion Promotes Worse Outcomes of Bladder Cancer after Radical Cystectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have investigated the effect of perioperative blood transfusion (PBT) for patients with radical cystectomy (RC), but the results have been inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between PBT and the clinical outcomes of RC patients. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane library and BIOSIS previews to identify relevant literature for studies that focused on the relationship of PBT and outcomes of patients undergoing RC. A fixed or random effects model was used in this meta-analysis to calculate the pooled hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 7080 patients in 6 studies matched the selection criteria. Aggregation of the data suggested that PBT in patients who underwent RC correlated with increased all-cause mortality, cancer-specific mortality and cancer recurrence. The combined HRs were 1.19 (n = 6 studies, 95% CI: 1.11-1.27, Z = 4.71, P<0.00001), 1.17 (n = 4 studies, 95% CI: 1.06-1.30, Z = 3.06, P = 0.002), 1.14 (n = 3 studies, 95% CI: 1.03-1.27, Z = 2.50, P = 0.01), respectively. The all-cause mortality associated with PBT did not vary by the characteristics of the study, including number of study participants, follow-up period and the median blood transfusion ratio of the study. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that PBT significantly increased the risks of all-cause mortality, cancer-specific mortality and cancer recurrence in patients undergoing RC for bladder cancer.

Role of MicroRNAs in Prostate Cancer Pathogenesis.

Prostate cancer (PCa) remains the most commonly diagnosed malignant tumor in men, and is the second highest cause of cancer mortality after lung tumors in the United States. Accumulating research indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly being implicated in PCa. miRNAs are conserved small noncoding RNAs that control gene expression posttranscriptionally. Recent profiling research suggests that miRNAs are aberrantly expressed in PCa, and these have been implicated in the regulation of apoptosis, cell cycle, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, PCa stem cells, and androgen receptor pathway. All of these might provide the basis for new approaches for PCa. Here, we review current findings regarding miRNA research in PCa to provide a strong basis for future study aimed at promising contributions of miRNA in PCa.

[Comparison of 3 microsurgical approaches to the treatment of varicocele: report of 120 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of the three microsurgical strategies, inguinal high ligation (IHL), retroperitoneal high ligation (RHL) and low ligation (LL) of internal spermatic veins, in the treatment of varicocele. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 120 cases of varicocele, which were equally divided into groups I , II and III to be treated by IHL, RHL and LL of internal spermatic veins, respectively. We compared the operation times, post-operative complications, recurrence rates and results of pre- and post-operation semen analysis among the three groups. RESULTS: The mean operation time was significantly longer in group III ( [55 +/- 6 ] min) than in I ([35 +/- 10] min) and II ([42 +/- 12] min) (P<0.05), while the rate of post-operative complications remarkably higher in group I (4 cases of hydrocele [10% ] and 3 cases of epididymitis [7.5%]) than in II (2 cases of hydrocele [5%] and 2 cases of epididymitis [5%]) and III (1 case of hydrocele [2.5%] and 1 case of epididymitis [2.5%]) (P<0.05). Six to 12 (mean 9) months of follow-up visit found 2 cases (5% ) of recurrence in group I, 1 case (2.5%) in group II and none in group III, with no statistically significant difference among the three groups (P>0.05). At 12 months after surgery, group III showed significantly higher sperm concentration, grade a +b sperm and the sperm motility than the other two (P<0.05), but no significant differences were observed in these parameters among the three groups preoperatively. CONCLUSION: As a microsurgical approach to the treatment of varicocele, LL is better than IHL and RHL of internal spermatic veins in improving the seminal parameters of the patients.

TIPE2 mRNA overexpression correlates with TNM staging in renal cell carcinoma tissues.

Tumor necrosis factor α-induced protein-8 like-2 (TIPE2) is a gene that maintains immune homeostasis. The aim of the present study was to determine whether TIPE2 is associated with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) progression. The mRNA expression levels of TIPE2 and myxoma resistance protein 1 (MX1; a type I interferon-inducible gene) were investigated in renal cancer tissues. A total of 46 patients who fulfilled the RCC criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO; revised in 2004) and 39 control patients with renal contusions requiring surgical extraction were enrolled. Tumor and normal renal tissues were sampled from all subjects through surgery. Total RNA was extracted and the expression of the TIPE2 and MX1 genes was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. TIPE2 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in the RCC patients compared with the controls (P=0.001), while MX1 mRNA expression was decreased in the RCC patients compared with the controls (P=0.0001). Furthermore, the TIPE2 mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with TNM staging (r=0.803, P=0.001) and showed a negative correlation with the MX1 mRNA expression levels (r=-0.763, P=0.001) in the RCC patients. These results indicate that the increased expression of the TIPE2 gene is markedly associated with RCC and suggests an important role for the TIPE2 gene in the pathogenesis of RCC.

[Risk factors of prostate cancer in urban Qingdao: a case-control study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors of prostate cancer in urban Qingdao and provide some theoretical evidence for the scientific prevention and treatment of the disease. METHODS: We performed a hospital-based matched case-control study in Qingdao Municipal Hospital. The cases and controls were matched in age, gender, nationality and the place of residence. All the subjects were interviewed face to face in the hospital using a questionnaire, and the data analyzed by the conditional logistic regression method. RESULTS: According to the 258 valid questionnaires collected, the prostate cancer risk was significantly higher in the cases with a family history of cancer than in those without (OR = 2.58), and so was it in the men with the first spermatorrhea at the age of < or = 15 years than in those at the age of > or = 18 years (OR = 2.27). A decreased risk of prostate cancer was found among the men with the first experience of sexual intercourse between 25 to 30 years of age (OR = 0.76). An increased risk was shown in those with sexual intercourses > or = 4 times per week before 35 years old (OR = 2.57), masturbations > or = 3 times per week (OR = 2.30) and a drinking history (alcohol > or = 150 g/d) of > or = 10 years (OR = 2.83). CONCLUSION: Positive family history of cancer, earlier age of the first spermatorrhea, sexual intercourses > or = 4 times per week before 35 years old, frequent masturbations, and heavy drinking for more than 10 years are risk factors for prostate cancer.