A genetic study to identify pathogenic mechanisms and drug targets for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a multi-omics Mendelian randomization study.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as a common geriatric disease in urology, the incidence and prevalence are rapidly increasing with the aging society, prompting an urgent need for effective prevention and treatment of BPH. However, limited therapeutic efficacy and higher risk of complications result in the treatment of BPH remaining challenging. The unclear pathogenic mechanism also hampers further exploration of therapeutic approaches for BPH.

The crystal structure of human ferroptosis suppressive protein 1 in complex with flavin adenine dinucleotide and nicotinamide adenine nucleotide.

Ferroptosis is a recently discovered form of regulated cell death characterized by its distinct dependence on iron and the peroxidation of lipids within cellular membranes. Ferroptosis plays a crucial role in physiological and pathological situations and has attracted the attention of numerous scientists. Ferroptosis suppressive protein 1 (FSP1) is one of the main regulators that negatively regulates ferroptosis through the GPX4-independent FSP1-CoQ10-NAD(P)H axis and is a potential therapeutic target for ferroptosis-related diseases.

ALS-linked C9orf72-SMCR8 complex is a negative regulator of primary ciliogenesis.

Massive GGGGCC (G4C2) repeat expansion in and the resulting loss of C9orf72 function are the key features of ~50% of inherited amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia cases. However, the biological function of C9orf72 remains unclear. We previously found that C9orf72 can form a stable GTPase activating protein (GAP) complex with SMCR8 (Smith-Magenis chromosome region 8).

The mechanism of ferroptosis and its related diseases.

Ferroptosis, a regulated form of cellular death characterized by the iron-mediated accumulation of lipid peroxides, provides a novel avenue for delving into the intersection of cellular metabolism, oxidative stress, and disease pathology. We have witnessed a mounting fascination with ferroptosis, attributed to its pivotal roles across diverse physiological and pathological conditions including developmental processes, metabolic dynamics, oncogenic pathways, neurodegenerative cascades, and traumatic tissue injuries. By unraveling the intricate underpinnings of the molecular machinery, pivotal contributors, intricate signaling conduits, and regulatory networks governing ferroptosis, researchers aim to bridge the gap between the intricacies of this unique mode of cellular death and its multifaceted implications for health and disease.

Do Obesity-Related Traits Affect Prostate Cancer Risk through Serum Testosterone? A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether testosterone mediates or confounds the effect of obesity-related traits on prostate cancer (PCa) using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Materials And Methods: Data of obesity-related traits (body mass index [BMI], waist-to-hip ratio [WHR], and waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index [WHRadjBMI]) were obtained from up to 806,834 people of European ancestry; data of testosterone (bioavailable testosterone [BT], total testosterone [TT], and sex hormone-binding globulin [SHBG]) were extracted from up to 194,453 participants in the UK Biobank; and the summary-level data of PCa (79,194 cases and 61,112 controls) were obtained from the PRACTICAL consortium.

Result: The results supported the causal relationship between higher BMI and a reduced risk of PCa (OR = 0.

A Large Genetic Causal Analysis of the Gut Microbiota and Urological Cancers: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background: Several observational studies and clinical trials have shown that the gut microbiota is associated with urological cancers. However, the causal relationship between gut microbiota and urological cancers remains to be elucidated due to many confounding factors.

Methods: In this study, we used two thresholds to identify gut microbiota GWAS from the MiBioGen consortium and obtained data for five urological cancers from the UK biobank and Finngen consortium, respectively.

Assessment of an exhaled breath test using ultraviolet photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the monitoring of kidney transplant recipients.

Continuous monitoring for immunosuppressive status, infection and complications are a must for kidney transplantation (KTx) recipients. Traditional monitoring including blood sampling and kidney biopsy, which caused tremendous medical cost and trauma. Therefore, a cheaper and less invasive approach was urgently needed.

Novel gold-platinum nanoparticles serve as broad-spectrum antioxidants for attenuating ischemia reperfusion injury of the kidney.

Kidney ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is a common and inevitable pathological condition in routine urological practices, especially during transplantation. Severe kidney IRI may even induce systemic damage to peripheral organs, and lead to multisystem organ failure. However, no standard clinical treatment option is currently available.

Conversion From Calcineurin Inhibitors to Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitors in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of conversion from calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi) in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Library were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the continuation of CNI with conversion to mTORi therapy.

Results: Twenty-nine RCTs (5,747 KTRs) were included in our analysis.

Overexpressed WDR3 induces the activation of Hippo pathway by interacting with GATA4 in pancreatic cancer.

Background: WD repeat domain 3 (WDR3) is involved in a variety of cellular processes including gene regulation, cell cycle progression, signal transduction and apoptosis. However, the biological role of WDR3 in pancreatic cancer and the associated mechanism remains unclear. We seek to explore the immune-independent functions and relevant mechanism for WDR3 in pancreatic cancer.

Correlation of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic fingerprints of kidney transplant recipient urine with kidney function parameters.

Routine monitoring of kidney transplant function is required for the standard care in post-transplantation management, including frequent measurements of serum creatinine with or without kidney biopsy. However, the invasiveness of these methods with potential for clinically significant complications makes them less than ideal. The objective of this study was to develop a non-invasive tool to monitor the kidney transplant function by using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS).

Modulatory effect of aquaporin 5 on estrogen-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in prostate epithelial cells.

Background: Estrogen is involved in the pathophysiological process of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), in which epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role. Upregulation of aquaporin (AQP) 5, which is directly activated by estrogen, has been reported to promote EMT in multiple cells. This study aimed to examine the effects of AQP5 on estrogen-induced EMT in the prostate.

Clusterin regulates macrophage expansion, polarization and phagocytic activity in response to inflammation in the kidneys.

Clusterin (CLU) is a multifunctional protein localized extracellularly and intracellularly. Although CLU-knockout (KO) mice are more susceptible to renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), the mechanisms underlying the actions of CLU in IRI are not fully understood. Macrophages are key regulators of IRI severity and tissue repair.

β-Adrenoceptor signaling regulates proliferation and contraction of human bladder smooth muscle cells under pathological hydrostatic pressure.

Background: Partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO) promotes bladder detrusor hyperplasia, increases bladder pressure, and decreases bladder compliance. To extensively explore its underlying mechanism, our study aimed to investigate the effect of pathological hydrostatic pressure on human bladder smooth muscle cell (hBSMC) proliferation and contraction through β-adrenoceptor (ADRB) signaling in vitro.

Methods: hBSMCs were subjected to pathological hydrostatic pressure (100 cm H O) to investigate the effect of ADRBs on the proliferation and contraction of hBSMCs treated with its agonists and/or antagonists.

Transcriptome analysis of signaling pathways of human peritoneal mesothelial cells in response to different osmotic agents in a peritoneal dialysis solution.

Background: Glucose is a primary osmotic agent in peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions, but its long-term use causes structural alteration of the peritoneal membrane (PM). Hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG) is a promising alternative to glucose. This study was designed to compare the cellular responses of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) to these two different osmotic agents in a hypertonic solution using transcriptome analysis.

Assessment of treatment efficacy using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis of urine in rats with kidney transplantation or kidney disease.

Background: Individuals who have kidney disease or kidney transplants need routine assessment of their kidney damage and function, which are largely measured based on histological examination of kidney biopsies, blood test, and urinalysis. These methods are practically difficult or inconvenient, and expensive. The objective of this study was to develop a model to estimate the kidney damage and function by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).

Analysis of key genes and micro-RNA-mRNA regulatory networks in women with ulcerative interstitial cystitis/pain bladder syndrome.

Introduction And Hypothesis: This aim of this study was to better understand ulcerative interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) at the molecular level and provide new clues related to diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: The microarray data set GSE11783, including the mRNA and miRNA profiles of bladder tissue obtained at cystoscopic biopsy from patients with ulcerative IC/PBS (presence of at least one Hunner's ulcer) and normal controls, was downloaded from the GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database (National Center for Biotechnology Information). These were evaluated using Greenspring GX and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software.