Clinical value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and ultrasonic parameters in the diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and ultrasonic parameters in diagnosing bladder outlet obstruction in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIAL: Between September 2022 and January 2024, a total of 106 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were collected from Hongqi Hospital affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University followed by urodynamic testing. The patients were categorized into three groups based on the International Prostate Symptom Score: mild (45 cases), moderate (36 cases), and severe (25 cases). Thirty-five healthy men were recruited at the hospital as a control group. All patients had blood tests and ultrasound scans. RESULTS: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, detrusor wall thickness, detrusor muscle elastic modulus, internal gland elastic modulus, intravesical prostatic protrusion, and post-voiding residual volume were significantly correlated with the bladder outlet obstruction stage and showed good diagnostic efficiency (all P<0.05. There was no statistically significant difference observed in the external gland elastic modulus between the experimental group and the control group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, detrusor wall thickness, elastic modulus of the detrusor and glandular gland may hold clinical significance for diagnosing bladder outlet obstruction resulting from benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Comparison of the performance of MS enteroscope series and Japanese double- and single-balloon enteroscopes.

BACKGROUND: Small intestine disease endangers human health and is not easy to locate and diagnose. AIM: To observe the effect of the MS series of small intestine endoscopes on the gastrointestinal tract, the changes in serum gastrin levels and intestinal tissue, and the time required for the examination. METHODS: In vivo experiments in 20 Living pigs were conducted, Bowel preparation was routinely performed, Intravenous anesthesia with propofol and ketamine was applied, the condition of the small intestine was observed and the detection time of the MS series of small intestine endoscopes were recorded, The changes in intestinal tissue using the MS series of small intestine endoscopes observed and compared before and after the examination, Venous blood (3-5 mL) from pigs was collected before and after the experiment; changes in intestinal tissue after use of the MS series of small intestine endoscopes observed after examination. After completion of each type of small intestine endoscope experiment, the pigs were allowed to rest and the next type of small intestine endoscope experiment was performed after 15 days of normal feeding. The detection time data of the single-balloon small intestine endoscope and double-balloon small intestine endoscope were collected from four hospitals. RESULTS: One case of Ascarislumbricoides, one of suspected Crohn's disease, one small intestinal diverticulum and one anesthesia accident were observed in pigs. The small intestine showed no differences in the MS series of small intestine endoscopes and there were no differences in serum gastrin between the groups (P > 0.05). The time required for inspection was recorded, and the overall detection time for the Japanese small intestine endoscopes was approximately 1.68 ± 0.16 h. CONCLUSION: Intestinal ascariasis is a common disease in pigs. Some pigs have abnormal intestinal variation. After continuous upgrade and improvement, the MS-3 and MS-4 small intestine endoscope appear superior in terms of detection time.

Animal experimental studies using small intestine endoscope.

AIM: To assess the feasibility and safety of a novel enteroscope, negative-pressure suction endoscope in examining the small intestine of a porcine model. METHODS: In vitro experiments in small intestinal loops from 20 pigs and in vivo experiments in 20 living pigs were conducted. RESULTS: In in vitro experiments, a negative pressure of > 0.06 MPa was necessary for optimal visualization of the intestine, and this pressure did not cause gross or histological damage to the mucosa. For satisfactory examination of the small intestine in vivo, higher negative pressure (> 1.00 MPa) was required. Despite this higher pressure, the small intestine did not show any gross or microscopic damage in the suctioned areas. The average time of examination in the living animals was 60 ± 7.67 min. The animals did not experience any apparent ill effects from the procedure. CONCLUSION: Small intestine endoscope was safely performed within a reasonable time period and enabled complete visualization of the intestine in most cases.

Wnt/ß-catenin pathway is required for epithelial to mesenchymal transition in CXCL12 over expressed breast cancer cells.

CXCL12 is positively associated with the metastasis and prognosis of various human malignancies. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the main cells secreting CXCL12, are capable of inducing epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of breast cancer cells. However, it has not been completely understood whether CXCL12 is involved in EMT of breast cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of CXCL12 on the EMT and cancer stem cell (CSC)-like phenotypes formation by transfecting pEGFP-N1-CXCL12 plasmid into MCF-7 cells. Real time-PCR and Western blot analysis demonstrated the successful over expression of CXCL12 in MCF-7 cells. Cell counting kit-8 assay, wound healing assay and Transwell invasion analysis confirmed that over expression of CXCL12 significantly promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion in MCF-7 cells (P<0.05). In addition, ALDH activity was dramatically enhanced compared with parental (P<0.001), accompanied by the notably elevated mRNA and protein levels of OCT-4, Nanog, and SOX2 in CXCL12 overexpressed-MCF-7 cells (P<0.001). Furthermore, we observed the down regulation of E-cadherin and up regulation of vimentin, N-cadherin, and α-SMA in CXCL12 overexpressed-MCF-7 cells (P<0.01). Meanwhile, western blot and immunofluorescence assay showed that over expression of CXCL12 activated Wnt/ß-catenin pathway to induce EMT of MCF-7 cells, as evidenced by the increased expression of E-cadherin after silencing ß-catenin by siRNA interference (P<0.001). Collectively, our findings suggested that over expression of CXCL12 could trigger EMT by activating Wnt/ß-catenin pathway and induce CSC-like phenotypes formation to promote the proliferation and metastasis in MCF-7. Hence, CXCL12 may become a promising candidate for breast cancer therapy.