Efficacy of compound aluminum sulfate injection as a monotherapeutic regimen in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients: a retrospective single-arm cohort study.

Background: Compound aluminum sulfate injection (CASI) originated from a Chinese traditional medicine, "Kuzhiye", and has been used in treating non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Previous studies suggested that CASI was a potential monotherapeutic drug for NMIBC. However, the efficacy and safety of CASI in the treatment of NMIBC, as well as the long-term recurrence after treatment, need to be further evaluated.

Pyruvate kinase M2 inhibits the progression of bladder cancer by targeting MAKP pathway.

Purpose: Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) was found overexpressed in tumor cells and played a significant role in tumor formation and growth. We sought to explore the correlation of PKM2 expression with cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis in bladder cancer cell line.

Materials And Methods: Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were performed to determine the expression level of PKM2 at mRNA and protein level.

Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) rs20417 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk: a meta analysis.

Background: Genetic variation of SNPs in the PTGS2 gene is reported to be capable of creating tissue milieu favoring tumorigenesis. Some studies have implicated the common SNP rs20417 has association with PCa risk, while others showed reverse results. The study was performed with an aim to reconcile the existing controversy by performing a meta-analysis.

Rutin ameliorates renal fibrosis and proteinuria in 5/6-nephrectomized rats by anti-oxidation and inhibiting activation of TGFβ1-smad signaling.

Objectives: Rutin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, was reported to have beneficial effect on drug induced nephropathy. The present study aimed to introduce 5/6 nephrectomized rat model to further evaluate its renal protective effect.

Methods: Adult Wistar rats were induced to develop chronic renal failure through 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 Nx).

Hypoxia precondition promotes adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells based repair of diabetic erectile dysfunction via augmenting angiogenesis and neuroprotection.

The aim of the present study was to examine whether hypoxia preconditioning could improve therapeutic effects of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) for diabetes induced erectile dysfunction (DED). AMSCs were pretreated with normoxia (20% O2, N-AMSCs) or sub-lethal hypoxia (1% O2, H-AMSCs). The hypoxia exposure up-regulated the expression of several angiogenesis and neuroprotection related cytokines in AMSCs, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor FIK-1, angiotensin (Ang-1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and its CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4).

Effects of continuous passage on immunomodulatory properties of human adipose-derived stem cells.

Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) have the ability to influence immune response, and hence are key cell sources for tissue repair and regeneration. In this study we explored the effect of continuous passage on the immunomodulatory properties of hADSCs to provide some advises for large-scale production of hADSCs for clinical applications. We found that after continuous passage, the specific surface markers expression levels as well as the adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation capacities of hADSCs had no obvious changes.

Engineering of pre-vascularized urethral patch with muscle flaps and hypoxia-activated hUCMSCs improves its therapeutic outcome.

Tissue engineering has brought new hopes for urethral reconstruction. However, the absence of pre-vascularization and the subsequent degradation of materials often lead to the failure of in vivo application. In this study, with the assistance of hypoxia-activated human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs), pedicled muscle flaps were used as materials and pre-incubated in ventral penile subcutaneous cavity of rabbit for 3 weeks to prepare a pre-vascularized urethral construct.

[5-year follow-up to transurethral vaporesection of the prostate using the 2 micron continuous wave laser for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia].

Objective: To summarize the 5-year follow-up to 2 micron continuous wave laser vaporesection for the treatment of patients with low urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and evaluate the safety and clinical effects of the treatment.

Methods: From October 2006 to September 2007, 236 cases with low urinary tract symptom secondary to BPH were treated transurethrally under epidural or general anesthesia using the 70 Watt 2 micron laser system. Vaporesection of the prostate was performed with the traditional "U" or the "dividing" method.

Clinical study on the application of a 2-m continuous wave laser in transurethral vaporesection of the prostate.

The present study aimed to evaluate the method and clinical effects of transurethral dividing vaporesection of the prostate in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) using the RevoIix 70 W 2-m continuous wave (cw) laser. A total of 155 BPH patients were treated transurethrally under epidural or sacral anesthesia using the dividing vaporesection technique. Of these, 80 had a prostate volume of ≤80 ml and 75 had a prostate volume of >80 ml.

miR-708 promotes the development of bladder carcinoma via direct repression of Caspase-2.

Purpose: Bladder cancer is one of the world's top ten malignant tumors. The crucial role of microRNA in carcinogenesis has been well emphasized. Considering miRNA expression was tumor stage-, tissue-, or even development-specific, more experimental evidences about the functions of miRNAs in bladder cancer should be discovered to advance applying of miRNA in the diagnosis or therapy of cancer.

Increased PELP1 expression in rat periodontal ligament tissue in response to estrogens treatment.

Estrogens and their receptors are important factors involved in periodontal ligament (PDL) tissue health. As a regulator of estrogen receptors (ER), the proline-, glutamic acid-, and leucine-rich protein 1 (PELP1) may play a role in alveolar bone formation and PDL homeostasis. The aim of the present study was to observe PELP1 expression in rat PDL tissue during estrogen levels manipulations.

Tissue engineering of ureteral grafts by seeding urothelial differentiated hADSCs onto biodegradable ureteral scaffolds.

The study is aimed to evaluate the differentiation potential of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) into urothelial lineage, and to assess possibility of constructing ureteral grafts using the differentiated hADSCs and a novel polylactic acid (PLA)/collagen scaffolds. HADSCs were indirectly cocultured with urothelial cells in a transwell coculture system for urothelial differentiation. After 14 days coculturing, differentiation was evaluated by detecting urothelial lineage markers (cytokeratin-18 and uroplakin 2) in mRNA and protein level.

Intertransversalis fascia approach in urologic laparoscopic operations.

Objectives: To study the clinical anatomy of the transversalis fascia (TF) and to explore the intertransversalis fascia approach in urologic laparoscopic operations (ULOs).

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Two academic hospitals.

[Association between lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction in males aged 50 years and above: results from a multicenter community-based cross-sectional survey (BPC-BPH)].

Objective: To survey the incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED) in males aged ≥ 50 years and explore the correlation between LUTS and ED.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed at Beijing communities in 1644 males aged over 50 years. The International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) were recorded.

Transdifferentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells into urothelial cells: potential for urinary tract tissue engineering.

Autologous urothelial cells (UCs) provide a cell source for urinary tissue engineering because they can be used safely due to their lack of immunogenicity. However, these cells cannot be harvested under the following circumstances: malignancy, infection and organ loss, etc. Human adipose-derived stem cells (HADSCs) possess the traits of high differentiation potential and ease of isolation, representing a promising resource for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

A surface-modified biodegradable urethral scaffold seeded with urethral epithelial cells.

Background: Efficient cell adhesion and proliferation is a central issue in cell-based tissue engineering, which offers great promise for repair of urethral defects or strictures. This study evaluated the adhesion and growth of rabbit uroepithelium on a surface-modified three-dimensional poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffold.

Methods: Urethral mucosa were harvested from male New Zealand rabbits and the urothelium were dissociated and then cultured.

MiR-138 suppresses expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma 786-O cells.

Objectives: Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1a) is widely considered to be one of the key regulators in cancer cells. Here, we investigated a microRNA regulating expression of HIF-1a and explored its functions in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) cells.

Methods And Materials: Western blot and reporter assays were used to assess HIF-1a as a direct target of miR-138.

Expression of miR-143 reduces growth and migration of human bladder carcinoma cells by targeting cyclooxygenase-2.

Systemic chemotherapy is the only current modality that provides the potential for long-term survival in bladder carcinoma patients with metastatic disease. Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 COX-2 induces expression of immune- and cell proliferation-related genes and is associated with the grade, prognosis and recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. There is abundant evidence that aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is implicated in numerous disease states and miRNAs have the potential to be used for cancer therapeutics.

Introduction to biodegradable polylactic acid ureteral stent application for treatment of ureteral war injury.

Objective: • To study the operability and effectiveness of a biodegradable ureteral stent for clinical treatment of ureteral war injury using a canine model.

Materials And Methods: • A device was designed and employed to generate firearm fragment wounds in unilateral ureters (on randomly chosen sides) of nine beagles (Group A). The wounded ureters were then debrided and sutured.

[Prevalence of overactive bladder in a community-based male aging population].

Objective: To investigate the situation of overactive bladder (OAB) in a community-based male population.

Methods: Male participants over 50 years old were randomly selected from multiple communities in Beijing. The evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) including the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL) score, prostate volume and post voiding residue (PVR) by abdominal ultrasonography, and maximum flow rate (Qmax).

[Suppression of tumor growth in renal cancer treatment with tumor vaccination after haploidentical bone marrow cell reconstitution].

Objective: To investigate whether whole tumor cell vaccination strategies in combination with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) can stimulate graft-versus-tumor effect (GVT).

Methods: Twenty-six BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: BMT group (group A, n = 10), BMT + vaccination group (group B, n = 10), control group (group C, n = 6). (BALB/c × C57BL/6) F1 mice [CB6F1, H-2K(b/d)] were used as donors.

Transurethral dividing vaporesection for the treatment of large volume benign prostatic hyperplasia using 2 micron continuous wave laser.

Background: The safety and efficiency of transurethral laser resection of the prostate to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia have been verified. However, this method does still not manage large volume prostates efficiently. To tackle this problem, we have designed a method of "transurethral dividing vaporesection of prostate" using a 2 micron continuous wave laser.

[The influence of benign prostatic hyperplasia drugs on incidence and pathology grading of prostate cancer].

Objective: To analyze the influence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) drugs on incidence and pathology grading of prostate cancer in China.

Methods: Retrospectively investigated the history of drug treatment in 1029 cases of BPH in patients from February 1998 to December 2004. According to the history of drug use, the patients were divided into 4 groups: finasteride group, alpha-receptor inhibitor group, finasteride and alpha-receptor inhibitor combination group and control group (untreated group).

In vitro study on the vaporization ratio of 2-microm laser in human prostatic tissue.

In this study, the vaporization ratio of the 2-mum laser in the prostatic tissue with benign prostatic hyperplasia was examined in vitro, to explore a technique to estimate the clearance rate of prostatic tissue during the transurethral vaporesection of the prostate. A total of 9 fresh prostatic tissue specimens were obtained by open surgery and the wet weight of the prostatic tissue were measured immediately after the sample collection. Under the simulated conditions of transurethral vaporesection of the prostate by 2-microm laser, each prostate gland was completely vaporesected into fragments with a diameter of less than 1.