Efficacy of Zinc Supplementation in the Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background/objectives: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a common condition affecting up to 90% of menstruating women, which often results in significant pain without an underlying pathology. Zinc, recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects through inhibiting prostaglandin production and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) upregulation, alleviates menstrual pain by preventing uterine spasms and enhancing microcirculation in the endometrium, suggesting its potential as an alternative treatment for primary dysmenorrhea. The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy and safety of zinc supplementation in reducing pain severity among women with PD and to explore the influence of dosage and treatment duration.

Therapeutic Potential of Regorafenib in Cisplatin-Resistant Bladder Cancer with High Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Stemness Properties.

Bladder cancer is becoming one of the most common malignancies across the world. Although treatment strategy has been continuously improved, which has led to cisplatin-based chemotherapy becoming the standard medication, cancer recurrence and metastasis still occur in a high proportion of patients because of drug resistance. The high efficacy of regorafenib, a broad-spectrum kinase inhibitor, has been evidenced in treating a variety of advanced cancers.

The p38-MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE Signaling Pathway Is Involved in Extract-Induced Inhibition of the Proliferation of Human Bladder Cancer BFTC-905 Cells via G1/G0 Arrest and Causes Apoptosis In Vitro.

Bladder cancer is a urothelial malignancy. Bladder cancer starts in the urothelial cells lining the inside of the bladder. The 5-year recurrence rate for bladder cancer ranges from 31% to 78%, and the progression rate is approximately 45%.

A Pilot Study of Nephrogenic Probiotics to Further Improve an Already Stabilized Graft Function After Kidney Transplantation.

Background: The majority of kidney recipients are a subset of chronic kidney disease. Our previous study demonstrated that the combination of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus paracasei (Lm) had the highest clearance ability of uremic toxins and improved kidney function in a mouse model. This study aimed to evaluate Lm in improving graft function, effects on immunosuppressants, and safety in transplant recipients.

Case Report: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy with pembrolizumab alone for bilateral upper tract urothelial carcinoma is a feasible strategy for kidney sparing and avoidance of hemodialysis.

In Taiwan, the incidence of upper-tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUCs) is higher than in western countries (20%-31% vs. 5%-10%), as is bilateral disease. The standard management for high-grade UTUC is radical nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision and regional lymphadenectomy.

Perioperative Complications and Oncologic Outcomes after Radical Cystectomy in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients with Bladder Cancer Obtained Using a Standardized Reporting System.

Background: We investigated the use of a standardized reporting system to study perioperative complications and oncologic outcomes after radical cystectomy in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with bladder cancer. Methods: We reviewed retrospective outcomes in 141 ESRD patients with bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy between 2004 and 2015. Complications were graded using the Clavien−Dindo classification system with 0−2 classified as “No Major Complications” and Clavien 3−5 as “Major Complications”.

Pulmonary Embolism after Moderna Vaccination in Kidney Transplant Patients: Two Case Reports and Literature Review.

Currently, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is still an ongoing and constant medical issue, and with upcoming new variants, vaccinations and boosters remain important. The safety of vaccines in patients after kidney transplantation is an essential problem, with thrombosis being one of the severe side effects and vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) revealed as the most commonly reported syndrome for thromboembolic events following COVID-19 vaccination. Here, we present two cases of kidney transplantation developing pulmonary embolism post-Moderna vaccination within 30 days without thrombocytopenia.

Treatment Strategy for Dialysis Patient with Urothelial Carcinoma.

To investigate postoperative complications and oncologic outcomes of prophylactic nephroureterectomy and/or cystectomy in dialysis patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC), we retrospectively reviewed the records of dialysis patients with UC and a final status of complete urinary tract extirpation (CUTE, i.e., the removal of both kidneys, ureters, and bladder) between January 2004 and December 2015.

Effect of 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 on the Radiation Response in Prostate Cancer: Association With IL-6 Signaling.

Radiotherapy (RT) is the main treatment modality for prostate cancer (PCa). This study investigated the role of IL-6 in biological sequelae following irradiation and highlighted the effects of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) on the radiation response of PCa and its relationship with IL-6 signaling. Human and murine PCa cell lines were used to examine the response to irradiation and .

Biodegradable Stent with mTOR Inhibitor-Eluting Reduces Progression of Ureteral Stricture.

In this study, we investigated the effect of mTOR inhibitor (mTORi) drug-eluting biodegradable stent (DE stent), a putative restenosis-inhibiting device for coronary artery, on thermal-injury-related ureteral stricture in rabbits. In vitro evaluation confirmed the dose-dependent effect of mTORi, i.e.

Intracavernous Injection of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Ameliorates Hyperlipidemia-Associated Erectile Dysfunction in a Rat Model.

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia is associated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) mediated by endothelial damage. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains numerous angiogenic growth factors. Currently, evidence supporting the use of PRP for ED treatment is limited.

The Predictive Role of Prostate-Specific Antigen Changes Following Transurethral Resection of the Prostate for Patients with Localized Prostate Cancer.

Regarding localized prostate cancer (PC), questions remain regarding which patients are appropriate candidates for conservative management. Some localized PC was an incidental finding in patients who received transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for urinary symptoms. It is known that TURP usually affects the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

The Significance of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Combined Chemoradiotherapy in Patients Undergoing Bladder Preservation Therapy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.

Background: Bladder-sparing treatment has been developed with the aim of preserving bladder function. However, considerable controversy remains regarding the effectiveness of organ preservation strategies. Accordingly, we investigated factors influencing the prognosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients who received bladder-sparing treatment.

New Frontiers or the Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome - Focused on Stem Cells, Platelet-Rich Plasma, and Low-Energy Shock Wave.

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), which is characterized by bladder pain and irritative voiding symptoms, is a frustrating disease without effective treatment. The cause is still largely not understood, although urothelium ischemia/hypoxia, apoptosis, denudation, and infiltration of inflammatory cells are common histopathological findings. The current uncertainty regarding the etiology and pathology of IC/BPS has a negative impact on its timely and successful treatment; therefore, the development of new treatment modalities is urgently needed.

Beneficial Effects of Inflammatory Cytokine-Targeting Aptamers in an Animal Model of Chronic Prostatitis.

Non-bacterial prostatitis is an inflammatory disease that is difficult to treat. Oligonucleotide aptamers are well known for their stability and flexibility in conjugating various inflammatory molecules. In this study, we investigated the effects of inflammatory cytokine-targeting aptamers (ICTA), putative neutralizers of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta activation, on local carrageenan-induced prostate inflammation, allodynia, and hyperalgesia in rats.

The influence of smoking exposure and cessation on penile hemodynamics and corporal tissue in a rat model.

Background: While epidemiological studies have clearly documented that smoking cessation significantly enhances sexual health, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Thus, we wished to explore possible mechanisms by using a rat model of smoking-associated erectile dysfunction (ED).

Methods: Forty 8-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups.

Honokiol Is a Potential Therapeutic Agent and Has a Synergistic Effect With 5-FU in Human Urothelial Cell Carcinoma Cells.

Background/aim: Honokiol is a biphenolic component of the bark of Magnolia, and has been shown to exert several activities, including anti-depressant, anti-emetic, anti-oxidative, anti-thrombotic, anti-angiogenesis, anti-anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects.

Materials And Methods: The anti-tumor activities of honokiol and its synergistic effect with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in human urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) cells were investigated.

Results: Honokiol significantly suppressed the proliferation of UCC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

Monthly tegafur-uracil maintenance for increasing relapse-free survival in ypStage III rectal cancer patients after preoperative radiotherapy, radical resection, and 12 postoperative chemotherapy cycles: a retrospective study.

Background: Current advancements in neoadjuvant therapy and total mesorectal excision have engendered increased local control. However, the survival benefit of preoperative radiotherapy (RT; 5 × 5 Gy) in rectal cancer patients remains inadequate, primarily because of systemic recurrence. In this retrospective single-center study, the effects of monthly tegafur-uracil maintenance (≥6 cycles) after 12 fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy cycles on 3-year relapse-free survival (RFS) was estimated in ypStage III rectal cancer patients.

Flavopereirine Suppresses the Growth of Colorectal Cancer Cells through P53 Signaling Dependence.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The outcome of CRC patients remains poor. Thus, a new strategy for CRC treatment is urgently needed.

Effect of Tumor Burden on Tumor Aggressiveness and Immune Modulation in Prostate Cancer: Association with IL-6 Signaling.

Local treatment is known to improve survival in men with locally advanced prostate cancer (LAPC), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we examined the role of tumor burden in tumor aggressiveness, as well as the pathway responsible for these changes. We used human and murine prostate cancer cell lines to examine the role of tumor burden in tumor aggressiveness, as well as its correlation with cancer stem cell (CSC) marker levels and IL-6 signaling.

Dietary Modification Is Associated with Normalization of Penile Hemodynamics in Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet.

Background: Diet is associated with self-reported indices of sexual health. The mechanisms responsible for these changes remain poorly understood.

Aim: To investigate the hemodynamic and histological impact of dietary change in a rat model of hyperlipidemia-associated erectile dysfunction.

Prognostic significance of unintentional body weight loss in colon cancer patients.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether unintentional body weight loss (BWL) provides additional clinical information in terms of tumor progression and prognosis in non-metastatic colon cancer. In the present study, a total of 2,406 consecutive colon cancer patients without metastasis were retrospectively enrolled. Unintentional BWL was defined as loss of >5% of body weight within the last 6-12 months, or defined subjectively upon fulfillment of at least two of the following: Evidence of change in clothing size and corroboration of the reported weight loss by family or friend.