Bioinformatics-Based Identification of Potential Hypoxia-Related Genes Associated With Peyronie's Disease.

Hypoxia is one of the most important predisposing conditions for Peyronie's disease (PD) and the pathogenetic mechanism is yet to be completely elucidated. This study applied bioinformatic approaches to select candidate hypoxia-related genes involved in the pathogenesis of PD. The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data set GSE146500 was introduced to compare the transcriptional profiling between normal and PD samples.

Technical considerations and outcomes for ileal ureter replacement: a retrospective study in China.

Background: Ileal ureter replacement is an alternative treatment for various length ureter defects. We present our experience and outcome of ileal ureter replacement in China.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data of patients who underwent ileal ureter replacement between January 2010 and January 2015.

LncRNA HULC promotes epithelial and smooth-muscle-like differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells by upregulation of BMP9.

Aims: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), a source of mesenchymal stem cells, are able to differentiate into numerous cell lineages, including epithelial and smooth muscle cells. The use of ADSCs in tissue engineering technology has become the most promising therapeutic approach for urethral reconstruction. This study aimed to explore the effect of lncRNA highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC) on the induction of ADSCs to differentiate into epithelial and smooth-muscle-like cells.

Clusterin promotes growth and invasion of clear cell renal carcinoma cell by upregulation of S100A4 expression.

Background And Objective: Clusterin promotes cell proliferation, motility and invasiveness in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells but the underlying molecular mechanisms of this action are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of clusterin on cancer cell growth, invasion and S100A4 expression and to determine the effects of clusterin on in vitro cell proliferation and migration and in vivo tumour growth in RCC cells.

Methods: We have established stable transfectants of highly invasive Caki-1 human RCC cells with expression of clusterin shRNA targeting clusterin (Caki-1/clusterin shRNA).

Cathelicidin LL37 Promotes Epithelial and Smooth-Muscle-Like Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells through the Wnt/β-Catenin and NF-κB Pathways.

Ureter reconstruction is a difficult procedure in urology. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), along with multipotency and self-renewal capacity, are a preferred choice for tissue engineering-based ureteral reconstruction. We explored the synergic role of cathelicidin LL37 (LL37) in epithelial and smooth-muscle-like differentiation.

A Preclinical Study of Cell-seeded Tubularized Scaffolds Specially Secreting LL37 for Reconstruction of Long Urethral Defects.

Aim: We constructed a new artificial, long tubular acellular matrix, seeded with autologous progenitor cells transfected with the sequence to produce the antibiotic peptide LL37 and another two common seeding cells, which might be adopted for patients requiring repair of long segment of the urethra.

Materials And Methods: Autologous endothelial progenitor cells transfected by lentiviral vectors expressing antibiotic peptide LL37, as well as urothelial and smooth muscle cells from New Zealand white male rabbits, were cultured and seeded onto preconfigured acellular collagen-based tubular matrices (3 cm in length). Artificial conduits were created again in New Zealand white male rabbits and, then, evaluated by immunohistochemistry after 8 weeks.

Knockdown of mediator subunit Med19 suppresses bladder cancer cell proliferation and migration by downregulating Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway.

Mediator complex subunit 19 (Med19), a RNA polymerase II-embedded coactivator, is reported to be involved in bladder cancer (BCa) progression, but its functional contribution to this process is poorly understood. Here, we investigate the effects of Med19 on malignant behaviours of BCa, as well as to elucidate the possible mechanisms. Med19 expression in 15 BCa tissues was significantly higher than adjacent paired normal tissues using real-time PCR and Western blot analysis.

MicroRNA-294 Promotes Cellular Proliferation and Motility through the PI3K/AKT and JAK/STAT Pathways by Upregulation of NRAS in Bladder Cancer.

In our study we examined the role of microRNA-294 (miR-294) in bladder cancer and related mechanisms. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to determine the expression level of miR-294. Western blot was used to determine the expression of NRAS, mainly factors in the PI3K/AKT and JAK/STAT pathways.

Initial Experience of Sorafenib Neoadjuvant Therapy Combined with Retroperitoneoscopy in Treating T2 Large Renal Carcinoma.

Objectives: To investigate the safety and feasibility of sorafenib neoadjuvant therapy combined with retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy (RRN) in treating T2 large renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods: Retrospectively analyzed 5 cases (2 males and 3 females, aged 52-73 years) of T2 stage large RCC who receive preoperative sorafenib targeted treatment (400 mg bid for 1-3 months) and RRN between March, 2013, and July, 2014. Patient information, therapeutic regimen, drug adverse effect, tumor changes before and after surgery, and perioperative parameters were recorded.

Correlation of Increased Expression of MicroRNA-155 in Bladder Cancer and Prognosis.

Objective: To investigate the expression level and clinical significance of microRNA-155 (miR-155) in bladder cancer.

Methods: We collected 102 pairs of tissue specimens from patients with primary bladder cancer and adjacent normal bladder specimens between March 2008 and May 2013. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression levels of miR-155.

Minimally invasive treatment of renal transplant nephrolithiasis.

Purpose: Urolithiasis is a rare complication of renal transplantation, and there is limited evidence to guide treatment. Management of stones in the transplanted kidney can be challenging. We present our experience in treating upper urinary tract (UUT) allograft lithiasis using minimally invasive procedures, with the aim of demonstrating their efficacy and safety in renal transplant recipients.

Transurethral electric coagulation combined with retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary urothelial carcinoma.

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) combined with transurethral electric resection of ipsilateral bladder cuff is widely accepted to treat the upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT-UC). To reduce the local recurrence rate, we improved the procedure from electric resection to electric coagulation. From May 2008 to July 2012, of all the 156 retroperitoneal LNU patients, 76 cases (test group) were performed with LNU combined with electric coagulation, and 80 cases (control group) were with electric resection.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the prostate adenocarcinoma rat R3327.

The prostate adenocarcinoma of the Copenhagen rat (R3327) is recognized as a suitable model for human prostate carcinoma. In this study, we sequenced its complete mitogenome and total length of the genome was 16,310 bp (GenBank Accession Number KM820831). It contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes.

Waterjet dissection for partial nephrectomy without hilar clamping in a porcine model.

Hilar clamping is typically used in partial nephrectomy to control hemorrhage, which may damage the renal tissue under warm ischemia conditions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate waterjet technology in partial nephrectomy without renal hilar vascular control in a porcine model. Bilateral partial nephrectomy using waterjet was performed in 8 pigs (16 kidneys: 8 for wedge resections, 8 for pole resections).

Application of self-retaining bidirectional barbed absorbable suture in retroperito- neoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Objective: To investigate the safety and feasibility of self-retaining bidirectional barbed absorbable suture application in retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Materials And Methods: From Sep 2011 and Aug 2012, 76 cases of retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy were performed at our hospital. The patients were divided into two groups: self-retaining barbed suture (SRBS) group (n = 36) and non-SRBS group (n = 40).

Utility of inguinal incision in retroperitoneoscopic live donor nephrectomy.

Background: Retroperitoneoscopic live donor nephrectomy has been performed in many countries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inguinal incision as a route for hand-assisted manipulation and allograft retrieval.

Methods: From April 2011 to June 2012, a prospective clinical study of 21 cases of retroperitoneal live donor nephrectomy was performed at our hospital.

The therapeutic efficacy of I131-PSCA-mAb in orthotopic mouse models of prostate cancer.

Background: Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is upregulated in prostate cancer tissues. Here we aimed to study the therapeutic efficacy of a monoclonal antibody of PSCA-labeled I131 (I131-PSCA-mAb) in orthotopic mouse models of prostate cancer.

Methods: The proliferation, apoptosis and invasion abilities of PC-3 and LNCaP cells treated with I131-PSCA-mAb were measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, flow cytometry and transwell culture, respectively.

Endovascular repair of a transplant renal artery anastomotic pseudoaneurysm using the snorkel technique.

Renal artery pseudoaneurysms after renal transplantation are extremely uncommon and are able to cause severe complications such as aneurysm rupture or renal allograft loss. Treatment often leads to transplant nephrectomy. We successfully treated a transplant renal artery pseudoaneurysm with covered stents, which resulted in well-preserved renal function.

Transperitoneal laparoscopic heminephrectomy in duplex kidney: our initial experience.

Objectives: To study the feasibility, safety, and effect of transperitoneal laparoscopic heminephrectomy in the duplex kidney.

Methods: From December 2003 to January 2008, 18 patients with urinary tract duplex anomalies underwent laparoscopic heminephrectomy using a transperitoneal approach. The sites of surgery consisted of 6 right upper, 2 right lower, 9 left upper, and 1 left lower heminephrectomy.

Small incision combined with laparoscopy for ureteropelvic junction obstruction: comparison with retroperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty.

Background: Laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty is technically feasible for ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction although it is still challenged by its technical difficulty and time-consuming. In this study, we compared the initial results of retroperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty versus a combined laparoscopic dissection and open reconstruction through a small incision in the treatment of UPJ obstruction.

Methods: Sixty-four patients with primary UPJ obstruction underwent pyeloplasty: 32 patients underwent laparoscopic procedure and 32 patients underwent open assisted laparoscopic surgery including two steps, ie, laparoscopic dissection of the UPJ transperitoneally and then pyeloplasty via an extended small incision.

[Laparoscopic radical cystectomy for 43 patients with invasive bladder carcinoma].

Objective: To report initial experience with laparoscopic radical cystectomy in 43 patients with invasive bladder carcinoma.

Methods: From December 2003 to October 2006, 29 men and 14 women underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy with extracorporeal-assisted urinary diversion for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (n=40), adenocarcinoma (n=2) and squamous cell arcinoma (n=1). We report the specific technical details and present initial results of our series.

[70 degrees recumbent position transperitoneal laparoscopy for treatment of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma].

Objective: To study the effect of 70 degrees recumbent position transperitoneal laparoscopy for treatment of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).

Methods: From May 2004 to January 2007, 70 degrees recumbent position transperitoneal laparoscopy combined with urethral resectoscope was used to treat 31 cases of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. At the same time titanium clip to occlude the two extremities of ureter tumor was used, extracting specimen by oblique incision of lower quadrant.

Laparoscopic radical cystectomy with extracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion for treatment of Chinese bladder cancer patients.

Purpose: To present our experience in laparoscopic radical cystectomy with extracorporeal urinary diversion for treatment of Chinese bladder cancer patients.

Methods: Between January 2003 and November 2005, 41 men and 5 women with organ-confined muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy with the Bricker-type urinary diversion. The age range was 36-71 years.