miR-199b-5p-DDR1-ERK signalling axis suppresses prostate cancer metastasis via inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Background: The investigation of underlying mechanism and the exploitation of novel therapies for metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) are still urgently needed. miR-199b-5p has been suggested to function as tumour suppressor in various human cancers. However, the clinical significance and role of miR-199b-5p in PCa remain unclear.

A PSCA/PGRN-NF-κB-Integrin-α4 Axis Promotes Prostate Cancer Cell Adhesion to Bone Marrow Endothelium and Enhances Metastatic Potential.

Distant metastasis, predominantly to bone, is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in prostate cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying prostate cancer metastases remain unknown. Prostate cancer cells exhibited discrete adhesion to bone marrow endothelial cells (BMEC), resulting in osteotropic metastasis.

Is polycystic ovary syndrome associated with risk of female sexual dysfunction? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a risk factor for female sexual dysfunction (FSD) by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. The databases PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies. The association between PCOS and risk of FSD was assessed by relative risk or standard mean differences with 95% confidence interval.

Parkinson's Disease Is Associated with Risk of Sexual Dysfunction in Men but Not in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Mounting evidence has emerged suggesting that patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are susceptible to sexual dysfunction (SD).

Aim: To better clarify the relationship between PD and SD.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library database, and PsychINFO database were systematically searched for pertinent studies evaluating sexual function in the patients with PD.

Elucidating Mechanisms of Long-Term Gasoline Vehicle Exhaust Exposure-Induced Erectile Dysfunction in a Rat Model.

Introduction: Exposure to air pollution poses a risk for morbidity in multiple diseases. However, the role of ambient air pollutant emissions in public sexual health is just beginning to be understood and remains controversial.

Aim: We have determined to elucidate the specific role of gasoline vehicle exhaust (VE), a crucial source and toxicant of air pollution, in the penile erectile function via a rat model.

Association between epilepsy and risk of sexual dysfunction: A meta-analysis.

Purpose: Sexual functioning is an important factor influencing quality of life. Mounting evidence suggests that both male and female patients with epilepsy (PWE) have an increased risk of developing sexual dysfunction (SD). The aim of this meta-analysis was to quantify the association between epilepsy and the risk of SD.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Were Associated With Risk of Sexual Dysfunction in Both Sexes: A Meta-analysis.

Background: An association between inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and increased susceptibility to sexual dysfunction (SD) was reported in a number of studies.

Method: MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for all relevant studies reporting the sexual function in IBD patients. Relative risk (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to summarize the association between IBD and risk of SD.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells reduce ureteral stricture formation in a rat model via the paracrine effect of extracellular vesicles.

With no effective therapy to prevent or treat ureteral stricture (US), a multifactorial fibrotic disease after iatrogenic injury of the ureter, the need for new therapies is urgent. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely studied for treating tissue defects and excessive fibrosis, and recent studies established that one of the main therapeutic vectors of MSCs is comprised in their secretome and represented by extracellular vesicles (EVs). Thus, we have determined to explore the specific role of MSCs-derived EVs (MSC-EVs) treatment in a pre-clinical model of US.

Risk of secondary rectal cancer and colon cancer after radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: To investigate whether radiotherapy for prostate cancer increases the risk of therapy-related rectal cancer and colon cancer.

Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out using the Medline (PubMed), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library to identify studies examining the association between radiotherapy for prostate cancer and secondary colorectal cancer (rectal cancer and colon cancer) published before March 19, 2018. The risk of second colorectal cancer after radiotherapy was summarized using unadjusted odds ratio (OR) and adjusted hazard ratio (HR) with their 95% confidence interval (CI).

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Risk of Sexual Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis.

Objective: It has been reported that there is an association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and increased susceptibility to sexual dysfunction (SD). This systematic review and metaanalysis aimed to investigate whether RA was a risk factor for SD.

Methods: MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for all studies assessing sexual function in patients with RA.

Comparison of two cannulation methods for assessment of intracavernosal pressure in a rat model.

Intracavernous pressure (ICP) measurement is a well-established technique for assessing the erectile function, which was performed by cannulating either crus or shaft of the penis. However, there are no studies concerning the experimental performance of the two cannulation sites yet. The aim of this study was to compare the measuring outcomes using two different cannulation sites.

PSCA promotes prostate cancer proliferation and cell-cycle progression by up-regulating c-Myc.

Background: The Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein. Increasing evidence has indicated PSCA plays an important role in tumorigenesis. However, its function and the underlying molecular mechanisms in prostate cancer (PCa) are still not fully elucidated.

Association Between Opioid Use and Risk of Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Opioid analgesics have been widely used to relieve chronic pain conditions; however, a connection between opioid analgesic administration and increased susceptibility to erectile dysfunction (ED) has been hypothesized.

Aim: To evaluate whether opioid use was a risk factor for ED in a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched to identify eligible studies concerning opioid use and risk of ED from inception to April 2017.

PSCA regulates IL-6 expression through p38/NF-κB signaling in prostate cancer.

Background: Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface protein. We previously reported that PSCA involved in proliferation and invasion of PCa cells, however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In this study, we aimed to explore the regulating role of PSCA gene expression in interleukin-6 (IL-6) autocrine of PCa cells.

Effect of Testosterone on the Phenotypic Modulation of Corpus Cavernosum Smooth Muscle Cells in a Castrated Rat Model.

Objective: To investigate the effect of testosterone (T) on the phenotypic modulation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) cells in a castrated rat model.

Materials And Methods: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control, castration, and castration with T supplementation (castration + T). Erectile function, histologic change, and biochemical markers were assessed for phenotypic modulation of CCSM cells in corporal tissue.

A prospective and randomised trial comparing fluoroscopic, total ultrasonographic, and combined guidance for renal access in mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of fluoroscopic guidance (FG), total ultrasonographic guidance (USG), and combined ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic guidance (CG) for percutaneous renal access in mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL).

Patients And Methods: The present study was conducted between July 2014 and May 2015 as a prospective randomised trial at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. In all, 450 consecutive patients with renal stones of >2 cm were randomised to undergo FG, USG, or CG mini-PCNL (150 patients for each group).

Corrigendum to "Combination of low-energy shock-wave therapy and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation to improve the erectile function of diabetic rats" by Hai-Tao Shan .

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.4103/1008-682X.184271.

Effect of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors on Sexual Function: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Introduction: 5α-Reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) are widely used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

Aim: To review all the available data on the effect of 5ARIs on sexual function and assess whether 5ARIs increase the risk of sexual dysfunction.

Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted using the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases.

Combination of low-energy shock-wave therapy and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation to improve the erectile function of diabetic rats.

Stem cell transplantation and low-energy shock-wave therapy (LESWT) have emerged as potential and effective treatment protocols for diabetic erectile dysfunction. During the tracking of transplanted stem cells in diabetic erectile dysfunction models, the number of visible stem cells was rather low and decreased quickly. LESWT could recruit endogenous stem cells to the cavernous body and improve the microenvironment in diabetic cavernous tissue.

Shengjing Capsule Improves Erectile Function Through Regulation of Nitric Oxide-induced Relaxation in Corpus Cavernosum Smooth Muscle in a Castrated Rat Model.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Shengjing capsule on erectile function in a castrated rat model, and further to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism.

Materials And Methods: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 5 per group), including sham group, castration group, testosterone replacement group, high-dose Shengjing capsule group, medium-dose Shengjing capsule group, and low-dose Shengjing capsule group. The weight of the body and androgen-sensitive organs, and the serum level of testosterone were assessed.

Safety and efficacy of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the treatment of patients with medullary sponge kidney.

The purpose of this study was to review the safety and efficacy of the minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the treatment of medullary sponge kidney patients with complex renal calculi. Sixteen medullary sponge kidney patients with complex renal calculi underwent minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy procedures in our center were entered into this retrospective study. The data analyzed included patients' demographics, stone burden, operative time, operative blood loss, length of hospital stay, complications according to the modified Clavien system, and stone-free rate.

[Platelet-derived growth factor-BB induces phenotypic transformation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells in SD rats].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) on the phenotypic transformation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMC) in SD rats.

Methods: CCSMCs were primarily cultured in the modified tissue sticking medium and subjected to immunofluorescence assay. The cells were divided into a blank control and four PDGF-BB groups, the latter exposed to 5, 10, 20, and 40 ng/ml of PDGF-BB, respectively, for 24 hours, and the cells in the 20 ng/ml PDGF-BB group treated for 24, 48, and 72 hours.

A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship between Testicular Microlithiasis and Incidence of Testicular Cancer.

Purpose: There are many recent observational studies on testicular microlithiasis (TM) and risk of testicular cancer. Whether TM increases the risk of testicular cancer is still inconclusive. The objective of this updated meta-analysis was to synthesize evidence from clinical observational studies that evaluated the association between TM and testicular cancer.

[Complications of minimally-invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy].

Objective: To evaluate the occurrence and management of complications following minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL).

Methods: The data of 4326 cases of MPCNL from January 2001 to February 2006 were reviewed, including 2451 male cases and 1875 female cases. Their age ranged from 4 to 82 years with a mean of 42 years.