No genetic causal relationship between acne and prostate cancer through Mendelian randomization combined with meta-analysis.

Background: Previous observational studies regarding the relationship between acne and prostate cancer have reported inconsistent results. As such studies are prone to biases, we conducted this Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to better explore the causal association between acne and prostate cancer.

Methods: The genetic data for assessing acne were acquired from the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) of acne by far, and the genetic data for assessing prostate cancer were acquired from the FinnGen consortium, UK Biobank, European Bioinformatics Institute, and IEU OpenGWAS project.

[Correlation of environment temperature with the incidence of testicular torsion].

Unlabelled: Objective： To explore the influence of environment temperature on the incidence of testicular torsion.

Methods: We collected the clinical data on 172 cases of testicular torsion diagnosed in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from December 2013 to December 2020. According to the local environment temperature on the day of onset, we divided the patients into groups A (below 0℃), B (0－10℃), C (10－20℃) and D (above 20℃), and compared the incidence rates of testicular torsion among the four groups, followed by correlation analysis.

Adrenomedullin/FOXO3 enhances sunitinib resistance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma by inhibiting FDX1 expression and cuproptosis.

Cuproptosis, a new type of copper-induced cell death, is involved in the antitumor activity and resistance of multiple chemotherapeutic drugs. Our previous study revealed that adrenomedullin (ADM) was engaged in sunitinib resistance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, it has yet to be investigated whether and how ADM regulates sunitinib resistance by cuproptosis.

[Application of Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma with Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombus].

Objective To investigate the value of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the diagnosis and treatment of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. Methods Ten patients of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus treated in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2017 to January 2021 were selected.TEE was employed to locate the position of the tumor thrombus,determine the occlusion point of the inferior vena cava,count the intraoperative tumor thrombus shedding rate,examine the tumor thrombus resection integrity,and measure blood loss and other indicators,on the basis of which the application value of TEE in the operation of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus was evaluated.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound targeted versus conventional ultrasound guided systematic prostate biopsy for the accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer: A meta-analysis.

Background: Conventional transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) guided prostate biopsy is the standard method for accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). However, the limitations of this technique in terms of missed diagnosis cannot be ignored. Based on previous studies, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) may be able to more distinctly detect malignant lesions with increased microvessels.

Clinical application of directional dilation in transurethral columnar balloon dilation of the prostate.

Objectives: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of directional dilation in transurethral columnar balloon dilation of the prostate (TUCBDP), and summarize relevant experience.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 38 patients with prostatic hyperplasia admitted to the Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from October 2017 to January 2020 who underwent TUCBDP with directional dilation (12 o'clock direction). Complications related to surgery including hemorrhage, urinary incontinence and pain were analyzed.

Efficacy and safety of laparoendoscopic single-site adrenalectomy versus conventional laparoscopic adrenalectomy: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Laparoendoscopic single-site adrenalectomy (LESSA) has the advantages of early recovery and better cosmetic appearance. However, there are still debates on the efficacy and safety of LESSA and conventional laparoscopic adrenalectomy (CLA).

Aim: To reevaluate the efficacy and safety of LESSA vs CLA for adrenal lesions.

Effect of tadalafil combined with atorvastatin on hemodynamics and sexual function in middle-aged and elderly patients with hyperlipidemia complicated with erectile dysfunction.

Objective: To evaluate the effect and clinical significance of tadalafil combined with atorvastatin on hemodynamics and sexual function in middle-aged and elderly patients with hyperlipidemia complicated with Erectile dysfunction (ED).

Methods: Eighty patients with hyperlipidemia complicated with ED who were treated at The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2019 to June 2020 were selected. Using a completely randomized design experimental method, these 80 patients were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group and the control group, with 40 cases in each group.

A comparative study on the Efficacy of Retroperitoneoscopic Pyeloplasty and Open Surgery for Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in Children.

Objectives: To compare the therapeutic effect of retroperitoneoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty and open ureteropelvic junction plasty on the ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in children.

Methods: After the retrospective analysis of clinical data, 78 children with ureteropelvic junction stenosis treated from January, 2012 to June, 2018 were divided into two groups: OP (open pyeloplasty) group (38 cases) and LP (laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty) group (40 cases) according to the surgical methods. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, postoperative length of stay (LOS), postoperative complication rate, postoperative hydronephrosis improvement and other indicators were compared between the two groups.

Quantum dots assembly enhanced and dual-antigen sandwich structured lateral flow immunoassay of SARS-CoV-2 antibody with simultaneously high sensitivity and specificity.

Exploring reliable and highly-sensitive SARS-CoV-2 antibody diagnosis by point-of-care (POC) manner, holds great public health significance for extensive COVID-19 screening and controlling. Unfortunately, the currently applied gold based lateral flow immunoassay (GLFIA) may expose both false-negative and false-positive interpretations owing to the sensitivity and specificity limitations, which may cause significant risk and waste of public resources for large population screening. To simultaneously overcome the drawbacks of GLFIA, a novel fluorescent LFIA based on signal amplification and dual-antigen sandwich structure was established with largely improved sensitivity and specificity.

Identification of a potentially functional circRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA regulatory network in bladder cancer by analysis of microarray data.

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have received increasing attention in cancer development. However, a substantial number of circRNAs still require characterization. The purpose of this study is to uncover novel circRNAs and their molecular mechanism in bladder cancer (BCa).

[Transumbilical single-port laparoscopy combined with improved double hernia needles for pediatric hydrocele].

Objective: To compare the clinical effect of transumbilical single-port laparoscopy combined with improved double hernia needles with that of traditional open surgery in the treatment of hydrocele in children.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 35 cases (54 sides) of pediatric hydrocele treated by transumbilical single-port laparoscopy combined with improved double hernia needles (laparoscopy group). We recorded the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, scrotal edema, and postoperative complications and compared them with those of another 46 cases (58 sides) treated by traditional open surgery (open surgery group) during the same period.

Adrenomedullin blockade suppresses sunitinib-resistant renal cell carcinoma growth by targeting the ERK/MAPK pathway.

Purpose: To evaluate the mechanisms underlying sunitinib resistance in RCC and to identify targets that may be used to overcome this resistance.

Results: Reanalysis of transcriptome microarray datasets (GSE64052 and GSE76068) showed that adrenomedullin expression was increased in sunitinib-resistant tumors. And adrenomedullin expression was increased in sunitinib-resistant tumor xenografts, accompanied by upregulation of phospho-ERK levels.

Production of 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid by Lactobacillus sp. SK007 fermentation.

The production of 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid (4-HO-PLA), a novel antifungal compound, was studied in Lactobacillus sp. SK007 growth. When grown in MRS broth, the strain could produce 75 microg/ml HO-4-PLA, which was the highest reported so far.

Bioconversion of phenylpyruvate to phenyllactate: gene cloning, expression, and enzymatic characterization of D- and L1-lactate dehydrogenases from Lactobacillus plantarum SK002.

Two DNA fragments containing the entire coding sequences of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; ldhL1 and ldhD), whose enzymes have high activity for bioconversion of phenylpyruvate (PPA) to phenyllactate (PLA), were amplified from Lactobacillus plantarum SK002 using PCR. Sequencing showed open reading frames of 963 bp (ldhL1) and 999 bp (ldhD) encoding putative proteins of 320 and 332 amino acid residues, respectively. The LDH genes were cloned into an expression vector pET-22b(+) and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3).

3-Phenyllactic acid production by substrate feeding and pH-control in fed-batch fermentation of Lactobacillus sp. SK007.

3-Phenyllactic acid (PLA), which is produced by some strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), is a known antimicrobial agent with a broad spectrum. Batch and fed-batch fermentation by the strain Lactobacillus sp. SK007 for PLA production have been reported.