Novel method to decrease the exposure time of the extraction string of the ureteral stent and its efficiency and safety verification in the clinic.

Ureteral stent removal by an extraction string is advantageous. However, the increased risk of complications attributed to the continuous exposure of the string outside the urethra must be managed. This paper introduces a method to decrease the exposure time, and conducts a retrospective study to verify its efficiency and safety.

Inhibition of microRNA-132 attenuates inflammatory response and detrusor fibrosis in rats with interstitial cystitis via the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a heterogeneous syndrome with unknown etiology, and microRNAs (miRs) were found to be involved in IC. In our study, we aim to explore the role of miR-132 in the inflammatory response and detrusor fibrosis in IC through the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway in rat models. A rat model of IC was established and treated with the miR-132 mimic, miR-132 inhibitor, and/or JAK-STAT signaling pathway inhibitor AG490.

TGF-β/MAPK signaling mediates the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on urinary control and interstitial cystitis after urinary bladder transplantation.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the role of the transforming growth factor-β/mitogen activated protein kinase (TGF-β/MAPK) signaling pathway in the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on urinary control and interstitial cystitis in a rat model of urinary bladder transplantation.

Methods: A urinary bladder transplantation model was established using Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were assigned to normal (blank control), negative control (phosphate-buffered saline injection), BMSCs (BMSC injection), sp600125 (MAPK inhibitor injection), or protamine sulfate (protamine sulfate injection) groups.

Improving doctor-patient communication: content validity examination of a novel urinary system-simulating physical model.

Effective doctor-patient communication is essential for establishing a successful doctor-patient relationship and implementing high-quality health care. In this study, a novel urinary system-simulating physical model was designed and fabricated, and its content validity for improving doctor-patient communication was examined by conducting a randomized controlled trial in which this system was compared with photographs. A total of 240 inpatients were randomly selected and assigned to six doctors for treatment.

Ureteroscopy and cystoscopy training: comparison between transparent and non-transparent simulators.

Background: Simulators have been widely used to train operational skills in urology, how to improve its effectiveness deserves further investigation. In this paper, we evaluated training using a novel transparent anatomic simulator, an opaque model or no simulator training, with regard to post-training ureteroscopy and cystoscopy proficiency.

Methods: Anatomically correct transparent and non-transparent endourological simulators were fabricated.

Preclinical evaluation of a newly designed ureteral stent and magnetic retrieval catheter for minimally invasive stent removal.

Objective: To develop a simple minimally invasive method for ureteral stent removal that does not require cystoscopy or fluoroscopic guidance.

Materials And Methods: We developed a novel ureteral stent comprising the main body of a stent and an iron oxide-coated net that was woven of processed polyester sutures. The ureteral stent was retrieved by a magnetic retrieval catheter with small hooks on the neck surface.

Decrease expression of microRNA-20a promotes cancer cell proliferation and predicts poor survival of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Growing evidences indicate microRNAs play important roles in cancer development, progression, metastasis and may constitute robust biomarkers for cancer prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical and functional association of microRNA-20a (miR-20a) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: MiR-20a was detected using Taqman real-time polymerase chain reaction.

[Effect of modified Badenoch operation on the treatment of posterior urethral stricture].

Objective: To determine the effects of modified pull-through operation (Badenoch operation) on the treatment of posterior urethral stricture.

Methods: From September 2001 to December 2010 traditional pull-through operation was Modified for two times in our center. A total of 129 patients with posttraumatic posterior urethral stricture resulting from pelvic fracture injury underwent the modified urethral pull-through operation.

Renal vein lengthening using gonadal vein reduces surgical difficulty in living-donor kidney transplantation.

Background: During living-donor kidney transplantation, to maximally decrease donor injury, the right kidney with lower glomerular filtration rate often is selected as the donor kidney. However, the renal vein of the right kidney is relatively short for transplantation. The gonadal vein is essentially useless and is easily accessed during the donor nephrectomy.

[Influence of transforming growth factor beta1 on long-term renal allograft function].

Objective: To determine the association between urine transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) concentration and long-term renal allograft function.

Methods: Patients undergoing kidney transplantation between August 1, 1999 and June 30, 2001 and survived for one year with normal renal functions were investigated. The blood and urine TGF-beta(1) concentrations were tested at an interval of at least 6 months.

[Association between TGF-Beta1 in allograft and chronic allograft nephropathy].

Objective: To investigate the relation between TGF-beta1 in allograft and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN).

Methods: The levels of urine TGF-beta1 were tested in 146 recipients whose renal function were normal from September 1, 2000 to January 31, 2001. Twenty recipients with the highest level of urine TGF-beta1 were classified in group A, while 20 other recipients with the lowest level of urine TGF-beta1 were classified in group B.

Effect of losartan on slowing progression of chronic allograft nephropathy.

Objective: To investigate the effects of losartan, a specific angiotensin II receptor blocker, on slowing progression of renal insufficiency in patients with biopsy-proven chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) and the molecular mechanism of the therapy.

Methods: Twenty-two renal transplant recipients with biopsy-proven CAN (group A) were treated with losartan within two months after renal dysfunction for at least one year. Losartan was administered at a dose of 50 mg/d.

[TGF-beta1 in allograft and long-term renal function].

Objective: To determine the relation between transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in allograft and long-term renal function.

Methods: Urine TGF-beta1 relative concentration (divided by urine creatinine) was tested in 168 recipients whose renal function was normal between August 1, 2000 and March 31, 2001. Twenty patients with higher urine TGF-beta1 relative concentrations formed Group A, and another 20 patients with lower urine TGF-beta1 formed Group B.

[Investigation of sexual function in male kidney transplant recipients].

Objective: To observe the change of sexual function in male kidney transplant recipients.

Methods: Sixty married males, aged 26 to 45 years, who had received kidney transplantations at least half a year before and whose serum creatinine (Scr) was under 200 mumol/L, were selected randomly in the study. Sexual functions were reviewed before and after the patients' renal failure and after kidney transplantations.