Application of Mixed Reality Technology in the Planning of PCNL for Special Types of Complex Upper Urinary Stones: A Pilot Study.

Objective: To evaluate the application of Mixed Reality technology in the planning of ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for special types of complex upper urinary stones.

Methods: Clinical data of 15 patients with complex upper urinary stones undergoing ultrasound-guided PCNL were analyzed which included pelvic ectopic kidney, horseshoe kidney, spinal deformity, and transplant kidney. Based on preoperative computed tomography urography (CTU) data, digital 3-dimensional reconstruction is performed, and AI mixed reality is used to project 3-dimensional images in real space.

Long-term outcomes of Allium ureteral stent as a treatment for ureteral obstruction.

Ureteral obstruction is a prevalent urological condition associated with significant complications. The purpose of our study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel self-expanding, large caliber, biocompatible polymer-coated ureteral stent (Allium) for the treatment of ureteral obstructions. We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from patients who underwent Allium ureteral stent placement at our institute between November 2018 and May 2023.

Needle-perc-assisted endoscopic surgery versus retrograde intrarenal surgery for the treatment of 1- to 2-cm lower-pole renal stones in patients with unfavorable infundibulopelvic anatomy: a matched-pair analysis.

Purpose: To compare the safety and efficacy of needle-perc-assisted endoscopic surgery (NAES) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for the treatment of 1- to 2-cm lower-pole stones (LPS) in patients with complex infundibulopelvic anatomy.

Methods: Between June 2020 and July 2022, 32 patients with 1- to 2-cm LPS and unfavorable lower-pole anatomy for flexible ureteroscopy were treated with NAES. The outcomes of these patients were compared with patients who underwent RIRS using matched-pair analysis (1:1 scenario).

Ultrasound-guided renal access and balloon dilation for PCNL in the prone position: results of a multicenter prospective observational study.

Purpose: To investigate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided renal access and tract dilation using balloon dilators, as well as to identify suitable patients for this technique.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing ultrasound-guided PCNL using balloon dilators between December 2019 and June 2020 in seven large medical centers from China were prospectively enrolled. Demographic and perioperative parameters of the patients were collected.

Needle-perc-assisted endoscopic surgery for patients with complex renal stones: technique and outcomes.

Our aim was to investigate the safety and efficacy of needle-perc-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) or retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), namely, needle-perc-assisted endoscopic surgery (NAES), in a series of patients with large and/or complex renal stones. From May 2018 to August 2021, a total of 119 patients underwent NAES at our institute. Among them, 94 patients underwent needle-perc-assisted standard PCNL in prone position and 25 underwent needle-perc-assisted RIRS in the Galdakao-modified supine Valdivia position or prone split-leg position.

Outcomes of ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy for the treatment of large stones within non-functioning atrophic kidneys.

Objectives: To evaluate outcomes in patients who underwent total ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy for the management of large stones (>2 cm) within non-functioning atrophic kidneys, and to identify risk factors associated with postoperative persistence of urinary tract infection symptoms in such patients.

Methods: Between December 2014 and May 2019, 56 patients with large stones within non-functioning atrophic kidneys were treated at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing, China, with total ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Factors including age, sex, previous medical history, stone burden, stone composition, stone-free rate, complication rate and postoperative urinary tract infection symptoms were retrospectively evaluated.

Let-7d inhibits intratumoral macrophage M2 polarization and subsequent tumor angiogenesis by targeting IL-13 and IL-10.

The microRNA let-7d has been reported to be a tumor suppressor in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are M2-polarized macrophages that can enhance tumor growth and angiogenesis in many human cancers. However, the role of let-7d in TAM-associated RCC progression remains elusive.

MiR-21 promotes calcium oxalate-induced renal tubular cell injury by targeting PPARA.

Kidney stone disease is a crystal concretion formed in the kidneys that has been associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease. MicroRNAs are functionally involved in kidney injury. Data mining using a microRNA array database suggested that miR-21 may be associated with calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM)-induced renal tubular cell injury.

MicroRNA-200b is downregulated and suppresses metastasis by targeting LAMA4 in renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Metastasis is the primary cause of tumor death in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Improved diagnostic markers of metastasis are critically needed for RCC. MicoRNAs are demonstrated to be stable and significant biomarkers for several malignancies.

Long-term outcomes of ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with solitary kidneys: a single-center experience.

Purpose: To report our experience with total ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in the management of patients with solitary kidney, and evaluate the safety and feasibility of this technique.

Materials And Methods: Between October 2014 and December 2016, 48 patients with solitary kidneys underwent total ultrasound-guided PCNL at our institution. Stone-free rate (SFR), auxiliary procedures, and complications were recorded.

Simultaneous antegrade and retrograde endoscopic treatment of non-malignant ureterointestinal anastomotic strictures following urinary diversion.

Background: The ureterointestinal anastomosis stricture (UAS) is a common complication of urinary diversion after radical cystectomy. For decades, open anastomotic revision remained the gold standard for the treatment of UAS. However, with the advancement in endoscopic technology, mini-invasive therapeutic approaches have been used in its management.

High expression of KPNA2 defines poor prognosis in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma treated with radical nephroureterectomy.

Background: To analyze the expression of karyopherin alpha 2 (KPNA2) in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and to investigate whether the KPNA2 expression provides additional prognostic information following radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).

Methods: A tissue microarray (TMA) containing samples from 176 patients with UTUC who underwent RNU at our institute was analyzed for KPNA2 expression using immunohistochemistry. KPNA2 expression in normal urothelial cell line and urothelial carcinoma cell lines was evaluated by western blot analysis.

Human adipose derived stem cells induced cell apoptosis and s phase arrest in bladder tumor.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of human adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) on the viability and apoptosis of human bladder cancer cells. EJ and T24 cells were cocultured with ADSCs or cultured with conditioned medium of ADSCs (ADSC-CM), respectively. The cell counting and colony formation assay showed ADSCs inhibited the proliferation of EJ and T24 cells.

Expression of oncogenic HMGN5 increases the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to gemcitabine.

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death among men. Early diagnosis and treatment are successful against prostate cancer, yet the clinical treatment of advanced prostate cancer remains a challenge. Gemcitabine is used to treat a broad spectrum of solid tumors; however, the clinical response of prostate cancer patients to gemcitabine is limited.

KCNJ1 inhibits tumor proliferation and metastasis and is a prognostic factor in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Potassium inwardly rectifying channel, subfamily J, member 1 (KCNJ1), as an ATP-dependent potassium channel, plays an essential role in potassium balance. KCNJ1 variation is associated with multiple diseases, such as antenatal Bartter syndrome and diabetes. However, the role of KCNJ1 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is still unknown.

HMGN5 knockdown sensitizes prostate cancer cells to ionizing radiation.

Background: High Mobility Group N (HMGN) proteins are a family of chromatin structural proteins that specifically bind to nucleosome core particles. HMGN5 is a novel and characteristic member of the HMGN protein family. We have previously found that HMGN5 is upregulated in prostate cancer and its downregulation had been demonstrated to induce apoptosis and G2-M cell cycle arrest.

Let-7d suppresses growth, metastasis, and tumor macrophage infiltration in renal cell carcinoma by targeting COL3A1 and CCL7.

Background: MicroRNAs are endogenous small noncoding RNAs that are functionally involved in numerous critical cellular processes including tumorigenesis. Data mining using a microRNA array database suggested that let-7d microRNA may be associated with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) malignant progression. Here, we performed further analyses to determine whether let-7d is functionally linked to RCC malignancy.

Resiniferatoxin for treatment of lifelong premature ejaculation: a preliminary study.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of resiniferatoxin in the treatment of patients with lifelong premature ejaculation.

Methods: A total of 41 outpatients (mean age 26.14 ± 4 years) with premature ejaculation completed the present study.

Kaempferol promotes apoptosis in human bladder cancer cells by inducing the tumor suppressor, PTEN.

Kaempferol (Kae), a natural flavonoid, is widely distributed in fruits and vegetables. Previous studies have identified Kae as a possible cancer preventive and therapeutic agent. We found Kae to exhibit potent antiproliferation and anti-migration effects in human bladder cancer EJ cells.

[GLI-1 is involved in EGF-regulated enhancement of the invasiveness of prostate cancer ARCaP(E) cells in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the role of the hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway transcription factor glioma-associated oncogene hoinolog 1 (GLI-1) in EGF-regulated enhancement of the invasiveness of the prostate cancer ARCaP(E) cell line in vitro.

Methods: The expressions of EGFR and GLI-1 in prostate cancer ARCaP(E) cells were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. ARCaP(E) cells were treated with EGF at 100 ng/ml, followed by detection of the changes in cell morphology and invasiveness, as well as in the expressions of p-ERK, ERK and GLI-1.