[Analysis of CiteSpace knowledge map for traditional Chinese medicine prevention and treatment of cerebral small vessel diseases].

This study aims to analyze the research on the prevention and treatment of cerebral small vessel diseases(CSVDs) with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) based on knowledge map, and to preliminarily explore the research hotspots and trends. To be specific, articles on TCM treatment of CSVDs in CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP(from establishment to November 2021) were retrieved, followed by bibliometric analysis. Then CiteSpace 5.7 R4 and Gephi were employed for generation of maps on annual number of articles, author cooperation, institution cooperation, keyword co-occurrence, keyword clustering, and keyword emergence. A total of 106 eligible articles were screened out, and the annual number of articles presented a steady upward trend. A total of 277 authors were included in the author cooperation network, among whom CHEN Zhigang published the most articles. A total of 87 institutions were included in the institution cooperation network, among which Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine showed the most frequent cooperation with other institutions. Keyword clustering showed that research on the TCM treatment of CSVDs mainly focused on five aspects: related disease research, neurological function deficits, disease nature and location in TCM, TCM treatment methods, and formulas. The prevention and treatment of CSVDs with TCM in China has been developing steadily in the past ten years, and TCM has unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of this disease. The knowledge maps vividly demonstrated the development and research hotspots and trends in this field. The result is expected to provide a reference for further research in this field.

Antitumor Activity of Small Activating RNAs Induced PAWR Gene Activation in Human Bladder Cancer Cells.

Small double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) have been proved to effectively up-regulate the expression of particular genes by targeting their promoters. These small dsRNAs were also termed small activating RNAs (saRNAs). We previously reported that several small double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) targeting the PRKC apoptosis WT1 regulator (PAWR) promoter can up-regulate PAWR gene expression effectively in human cancer cells. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antitumor potential of PAWR gene induction by these saRNAs in bladder cancer. Promisingly, we found that up-regulation of PAWR by saRNA inhibited the growth of bladder cancer cells by inducing cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest which was related to inhibition of anti­apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and inactivation of the NF-κB and Akt pathways. The activation of the caspase cascade and the regulation of cell cycle related proteins also supported the efficacy of the treatment. Moreover, our study also showed that these saRNAs cooperated with cisplatin in the inhibition of bladder cancer cells. Overall, these data suggest that activation of PAWR by saRNA may have a therapeutic benefit for bladder cancer.

[Application of artificial intelligence combined with multi-parametric MRI in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of artificial intelligence combined with multi-parametric MRI (AI-mpMRI) in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer. METHODS: This retrospective study included 64 cases of prostate cancer confirmed by biopsy and treated by radical prostatectomy from May 2017 to February 2018. The mpMRI images of T2 weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic-contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI and the pathological sections corresponding to the three sequential MRI images were collected. The benign and malignant regions were labeled on the pathological slice level, the three sequential MRI axial images at the same level were virtually covered with the pathological slice using computer-aided transparent mapping technology, and selected the fixed-sized benign and malignant regions of interest (ROI). The MATLAB software was used to display the features of the images and screen out the characteristic parameters with P < 0.05, so as to derive high-accuracy analytical methods for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. RESULTS: A total of 31 image characteristics were extracted with the MATLAB software, and 3 high-accuracy analytical methods screened out for the diagnosis of prostate cancer, including the linear discrimination, logistic regression analysis, and support vector machine classification, with the accuracy rates of 75.9%, 75.4% and 74.9% and the areas under the curve (AUC) of 0.83, 0.82 and 0.82, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: AI-mpMRI can achieve a high detection rate in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer and therefore has a high clinical application value.

[Diagnosis and treatment of prostatic malignant mesenchymal tumors: Analysis of 20 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of prostatic malignant mesenchymal tumors (PMMT). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and follow-up data about 20 cases of PMMT and reviewed the literature relevant to the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the disease. RESULTS: Based on the results of pathology and immunohistochemistry, the 20 PMMT cases included leiomyosarcoma (n = 7), rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 5), prostatic stromal sarcoma (n = 3), chondrosarcoma (n = 1), and undifferentiated PMMT (n = 4). Twelve of the patients were treated by radical prostatectomy (3 concurrently by sigmoid colostomy and 1 by cystostomy), 2 by pelvic tumor resection following arterial embolization, 1 by total pelvic exenteration, 1 by colostomy with pelvic lymph node biopsy, and 4 by conservative therapy because of metastasis to the lung, pelvis and bone. Of the 20 patients, 9 died of systemic metastasis within 3 months after treatment, 3 died at 6, 7, and 14 months, respectively, 3 survived with tumor for 5, 11, and 12 months, respectively, 2 survived without tumor for 12 and 24 months so far, all subjected to periodic chemotherapy postoperatively, and 3 lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: PMMT is a tumor of high malignancy and rapid progression, for which transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy remains the main diagnostic method. The clinical stage of the tumor is an important factor influencing its prognosis and the survival rate of the patients can be improved by early diagnosis and combined therapy dominated by radical prostatectomy.

Tea consumption and prostate cancer: an updated meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Tea is supposed to have chemopreventive effect against various cancers. However, the protective role of tea in prostate cancer is still controversial. The aim of this study is to elucidate the association between tea consumption and prostate cancer risk by meta-analysis. METHODS: A total of 21 published articles were retrieved via both computerized searches and review of references. Estimates of OR/RR for highest versus non/lowest tea consumption levels were pooled on the basis of random effect model or fixed effect model as appropriate. Stratified analyses on tea type, population and study design were also conducted. RESULTS: No statistical significance was detected between tea consumption and prostate cancer risk in meta-analysis of all included studies (odds ratio (OR) = 0.86, 95% CI (0.69-1.04)). Furthermore, stratified analyses on population (Asian, OR = 0.81, 95% CI (0.55-1.08); non-Asian, OR = 0.89, 95% CI (0.72-1.07)) and tea type (green tea, OR = 0.79, 95% CI (0.43-1.14); black tea, OR = 0.88, 95% CI (0.73-1.02)) also yielded non-significant association. Only the case-control study subgroup demonstrated a borderline protective effect for tea consumption against prostate cancer (OR = 0.77, 95% CI (0.55-0.98)). CONCLUSION: Our analyses did not support the conclusion that tea consumption could reduce prostate cancer risk. Further epidemiology studies are needed.

Meta-analysis of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug intake and prostate cancer risk.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies of the association between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) intake and the risk of prostate cancer still remain controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the potential association between NSAID intake and prostate cancer risk. METHODS: Eligible studies were retrieved by both computerized searches and reviews of references. Subgroup analyses on country and design of study were also performed. Random or fixed-effect models were used to pool estimates of odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: We observed that the intake of aspirin was associated with a marginally decreased risk of prostate cancer (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.93 to 0.98). A similar result was found between nonaspirin NSAIDs and prostate cancer risk (OR = 0.94, 95% CI =0.90 to 0.98). However, a positive relation between all-NSAID intake and prostate cancer risk was observed (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.15 to 1.22). CONCLUSIONS: We observed a marginally inverse correlation between the intake of aspirin and prostate cancer risk. On the contrary, a positive relationship between all-NSAID intake and prostate cancer was detected. Further research needs to be conducted to better clarify potential biological mechanisms.

Interval from transurethral resection of prostate to laparoscopic radical prostatectomy does not affect outcomes for incidental prostate cancer.

Introduction: Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) has become a common option for the treatment of prostate cancer. The aim of our study was to examine whether LRP performed within 12 weeks of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is associated with surgical difficulty or outcomes. Material and methods: A single-institutional retrospective analysis was performed on patients who underwent LRP for incidental prostate cancer after TURP between July 2009 and December 2017. The interval between TURP and LRP was determined and patients with intervals of ≤ 12 weeks were compared to those with intervals of > 12 weeks. Patient characteristics, perioperative, pathological, and postoperative functional outcomes were analyzed to determine statistically significant differences between the 2 groups. Multivariable analyses were performed to determine whether the interval between TURP and LRP was a significant independent predictor of these outcomes. Results: A total of 56 incidental prostate cancer patients detected by TURP were included in this study. No significant differences were detected in estimated blood loss, operative duration, postoperative length of stay, and rate of positive margin, Gleason score upgrading, major complications, incontinence and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence in patients with a TURP to LRP interval above and below 12 weeks. The TURP to LRP interval was not an independent predictor of outcomes during or after LRP. Conclusions: Our results showed that performing LRP within 12 weeks after TURP does not adversely influence surgical difficulty or outcomes.

A meta-analysis of tea consumption and the risk of bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies on the association between tea consumption and bladder cancer risk have only illustrated contradictory results. The role of tea in bladder carcinogenesis still remains conflicting. In order to illustrate the potential relationship between tea consumption and bladder cancer, a meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies was conducted. METHODS: Eligible studies were retrieved via both computerized searches and review of references. Stratified analyses on types of tea, gender, study design, ethnicity and smoking status were performed. Fixed- or random-effect models were used to summarize the estimates of OR with 95% CIs. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were eligible for our analysis. No statistical significance was detected between tea consumption and bladder cancer risk when comparing the highest with the lowest intake of tea (OR = 0.825, 95% CI 0.652-1.043). In the subgroup of green tea, we observed it illustrated a protective effect on bladder cancer (OR = 0.814, 95% CI 0.678-0.976). CONCLUSION: Our analysis indicated that green tea may have a protective effect on bladder cancer in Asian people. Further studies need to be conducted to better clarify the biological mechanisms.

Potential anticancer activity of myricetin in human T24 bladder cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo.

Myricetin, a naturally occurring phytochemical, has potent anticancer-promoting activity and contributes to the chemopreventive potential of several foods. In this preliminary study, we evaluate the chemopreventive potential of myricetin against bladder cancer and its mechanism of action. The results of a MTT assay showed that myricetin was able to inhibit the viability and proliferation of T24 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. It also promoted cell cycle arrest at G2/M in a dose-dependent manner and induced apoptosis detected by flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation analysis. Treatment with myricetin led to G2/M cell cycle arrest in T24 cells by downregulation of Cyclin B1 and cyclin-dependent kinase cdc2. Myricetin-induced apoptosis correlates with the modulation of Bcl-2 family proteins and activation of the caspase-3. Myricetin also inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, whereas the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK was enhanced. Myricetin had a significantly reduced T24 cell migration that was accompanied by a decreasing MMP-9 expression in vitro. Furthermore, myricetin treatment significantly inhibited the tumor growth on T24 bladder cancer xenografts model. These findings suggest that myricetin has potential anticancer activity and could be an important chemoprevention agent for bladder cancer.

RNAa-mediated overexpression of WT1 induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells.

AIM: Recent studies have reported that double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) can activate gene expression by targeting promoter sequence in a process termed RNA activation. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of WT1 induction by small activating RNA targeting the WT1 promoter (dsWT1) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: The human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 was transfected with dsRNA by liposomes. The expression of mRNA and protein in cells were investigated using real-time reverse real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively. Cell viability and clonogenicity were determined by MTT assay and clonogenicity assay, respectively. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow-cytometric analysis. RESULTS: Expressions of WT1 mRNA and protein in dsWT1 treated HepG2 cells were significantly elevated. Inhibition of cell viability by dsWT1 was dose-dependent and time-dependent. Reduction of the number and size of colonies formed were found in dsWT1 treated cells. dsWT1 induced significant apoptosis in HepG2 cells. The decreased anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and elevated pro-apoptotic protein Bak expression were detected in dsWT1 treated cells. The level of pro-caspase-3 remarkably decreased and cleaved caspase-3 and PARP fragment were also detected in dsWT1 treated cells. CONCLUSION: These data show that RNAa-mediated overexpression of WT1 may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

An unusual case of retrovesical ectopic prostate tissue accompanied by primary prostate cancer.

We report an unusual case of retrovesical ectopic prostate tissue in a 73-year-old man with primary prostate cancer. The man's prostate-specific antigen was 24.66 ng/ml.Transabdominal ultrasonography, pelvic computed tomography,and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a heterogeneous 8.5 × 8.0 × 7.0 cm mass in contact with the posterior wall of the urinary bladder. The patient underwent a retropubic radical prostatectomy and resection of tumor. Pathological examination of prostate revealed a prostatic adenocarcinoma, Gleason score of 4 + 5 = 9, and the retrovesical tumor was confirmed to be a benign prostate tissue.

[Transurethral vapor enucleation and resection of prostate with TURis button electrode].

OBJECTIVE: To describe an efficient and effective method of using Olympus TURis button plasma vaporization electrode plus loop electrode for transurethral vapor enucleation and resection of prostate. METHODS: Between July 2011 and October 2011, the investigators performed transurethral vapor enucleation and resection of prostate using Olympus TURis button plasma vaporization electrode plus loop electrode in 16 consecutive patients at our institution. The parameters of prostate weight, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), operative duration, blood loss volume, catheterization period, duration of hospitalization, perioperative complications and the weight of enucleated tissue were evaluated. IPSS and QOL were recorded during the follow-up. RESULTS: No patient had significant blood loss or signs of transurethral resection syndrome. The mean patient age was 67.3 ± 8.1 years. Mean preoperative prostate weight was 49 ± 24 g (range: 19 - 91) and mean resected tissue weight 36 ± 16 g (range: 10 - 50). Serious complications were not observed. Operative duration was 116 ± 31 minutes, mean catheter time 4.9 ± 1.8 days and the duration of hospitalization was 16.6 ± 5.5 days. Transurethral vapor enucleation and resection of prostate induced significant, pronounced, immediate and lasting improvement in IPSS (15.6 ± 6.8 vs 6.7 ± 2.4, P < 0.01) and QOL (3.4 ± 1.4 vs 1.6 ± 0.6, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Transurethral vapor enucleation and resection of prostate with Olympus TURis plasma button electrode is a safe, effective and thorough surgical method in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Milk consumption and bladder cancer risk: a meta-analysis of published epidemiological studies.

Studies investigating the association of milk consumption with bladder cancer risk have reported inconsistent findings. We conducted a meta-analysis of published cohort and case-control studies to pool the risk estimates of the association between milk intake and bladder cancer. We quantified associations with bladder cancer using meta-analysis of odds ratio (OR) associated with the highest vs. the lowest category of milk intake using fixed- or random-effect models depending on the heterogeneity of effects among studies. Nineteen cohort and case-control studies were eligible for inclusion. High milk intake was significantly associated with decreased risk of bladder cancer (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.71-0.97) when comparing the highest with the lowest category of milk intake. The inverse association was stronger in Asia (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.40-0.81) than North America (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.76-1.03), and no association was observed in Europe (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.85-1.26). This relationship also varied significantly by specific dairy products. Our results suggest that milk may be related to the reduction of bladder cancer risk. Further studies need to clarify the biological mechanisms.

Resveratrol induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of human T24 bladder cancer cells in vitro and inhibits tumor growth in vivo.

Resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenolic antioxidant compound present in grapes and red wine, has been reported to hold various biochemical responses. In this preliminary study, we evaluate the chemopreventive potential of resveratrol against bladder cancer and its mechanism of action. Treatment of bladder cancer cells with resveratrol resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability. Resveratrol induced apoptosis through the modulation of Bcl-2 family proteins and activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3 followed by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase degradation. Treatment with resveratrol led to G(1) phase cell cycle arrest in T24 cells by activation of p21 and downregulation of cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4, and phosphorylated Rb. Resveratrol also inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, whereas the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK was enhanced. In addition, resveratrol treatment decreased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor-2, which might contribute to the inhibition of tumor growth on the bladder cancer xenograft model. These findings suggest that reveratrol could be an important chemoprevention agent for bladder cancer.

Up-regulation of p21WAF1/Cip1 by saRNA induces G1-phase arrest and apoptosis in T24 human bladder cancer cells.

Very recent studies have reported that chemically synthesized small duplex RNAs complementary to the promoters of target genes can activate gene expression in different cancer cell lines. Such dsRNA have been referred to as saRNA for small activating RNA. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of p21(WAF1/Cip1) (p21) induction by small activating RNA targeting the p21 promoter in the treatment of bladder cancer. Using T24 human bladder cancer cells, we found that p21 saRNA caused dose- and time-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation and viability which was associated with induced G1-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The decreased anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL and activation of caspase-3 and PARP also supported the efficacy of the treatment. These data suggest that up-regulation of p21 by saRNA may be an effective way for treating human bladder and other types of cancers.

[Differences in the risk factors for clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia between the Mongolian and the Han people].

OBJECTIVE: To define the differences in the risk factors for clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) between the Mongolian and the Han people. METHODS: Between January 2003 and June 2005, 63 Mongolian and 63 Han patients with BPH were interviewed using a questionnaire consisting of the risk factors for BPH. RESULTS: The intake of alcohol and dairy products was higher in the Mongolians than in the Hans (P <0.05). The consumption of milk tea, dairy products and meat was significantly greater in the Mongolians ( >250 g per day) than in the Hans (P <0.01). And there were more smokers (the smoking index >300) with moderate to severe symptoms (IPSS > 7) in the Mongolians than in the Hans (85.71% vs 57. 14%, P <0.01). The incidence of intraprostatic chronic inflammation and calcification within the prostate gland was higher in the Mongolians (28% vs 11% , P < 0.05; 36.5% vs 15.87% , P < 0.01, respectively). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in body mass, blood pressure, marriage age, offspring number, physical activity, IPSS score and PSA level. CONCLUSION: Compared with Han BPH patients, the Mongolian BPH patients had greater alcohol intake, higher protein diet and higher incidence of intraprostatic chronic inflammation, and those with the smoking index greater than 300 were more likely to receive surgical treatment.

Dietary fiber intake is inversely associated with risk of pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The association between fiber intake and pancreatic cancer risk is conflicting and poorly explored. The aim of study was to investigate the association between dietary fiber intake and the risk of pancreatic cancer by conducting a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Systematic search of PubMed and Embase databases up to April 2015 were conducted to identify relevant studies. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were combined using random-effects models to assess the risk of pancreatic cancer when comparing extreme categories of fiber intake. Dose-response meta-analysis was performed for studies reporting categorical risk estimates for at least 3 exposure levels. RESULTS: One cohort and thirteen case-control studies were identified. The overall analysis revealed a strong inverse association between risk of pancreatic cancer and high fiber intake (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.44-0.61). No publication bias was detected by Egger's or Begg's test. The dose-response analyses showed that the summary OR for an increment of 10 g daily intake of fiber was 0.88 (0.84 to 0.92). CONCLUSION: A high intake of dietary fiber was associated with a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer. Further well-designed prospective studies are warranted to confirm the inverse association and to identify the dietary fiber types involved.

Apigenin inhibits renal cell carcinoma cell proliferation.

Apigenin, a natural flavonoid found in vegetables and fruits, has antitumor activity in several cancer types. The present study evaluated the effects and mechanism of action of apigenin in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells. We found that apigenin suppressed ACHN, 786-0, and Caki-1 RCC cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. A comet assay suggested that apigenin caused DNA damage in ACHN cells, especially at higher doses, and induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest through ATM signal modulation. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated p53 knockdown showed that apigenin-induced apoptosis was likely p53 dependent. Apigenin anti-proliferative effects were confirmed in an ACHN cell xenograft mouse model. Apigenin treatment reduced tumor growth and volume in vivo, and immunohistochemical staining revealed lower Ki-67 indices in tumors derived from apigenin-treated mice. These findings suggest that apigenin exposure induces DNA damage, G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, p53 accumulation and apoptosis, which collectively suppress ACHN RCC cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Given its antitumor effects and low in vivo toxicity, apigenin is a highly promising agent for treatment of RCC.