Androgen Receptor Transcriptionally Inhibits Programmed Death Ligand-1 Expression and Influences Immune Escape in Bladder Cancer.

In multiple clinical trials, immune checkpoint blockade-based immunotherapy has shown significant therapeutic efficacy in bladder cancer (BCa). Sex is closely related to the incidence rate and prognosis of BCa. As one of the sex hormone receptors, the androgen receptor (AR) is a well-known key regulator that promotes the progression of BCa.

Effect of Preoperative Double-J Ureteral Stenting before Flexible Ureterorenoscopy on Stone-free Rates and Complications.

The effect of preoperative Double-J (DJ) ureteral stenting before flexible ureterorenoscopy (FURS) in the treatment for urinary stones was evaluated. We retrospectively enrolled 306 consecutive patients who underwent FURS from Jan. 2014 to Dec.

A machine learning framework for accurately recognizing circular RNAs for clinical decision-supporting.

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are those RNA molecules that lack the poly (A) tails, which present the closed-loop structure. Recent studies emphasized that some circRNAs imply different functions from canonical transcripts, and further associated with complex diseases. Several computational methods have been developed for detecting circRNAs from RNA-seq data.

Identification of potential therapeutic targets in urothelial bladder carcinoma of Chinese population by targeted next-generation sequencing.

Patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder have a high risk of death in China. However, a lack of comprehensive molecular profiling in Chinese Han population hinders the development of targeted therapies for bladder cancer. In our present study, we collected fresh bladder tumors from low-grade (T1, N0, M0, G1) non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients (n = 16) and high-grade (T2-4, N0, M0, Gx) muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients (n = 16) with their paired normal bladder tissues, and subjected the total genomic DNAs to targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) for 94 cancer-associated genes.

miR-489-3p Inhibits Prostate Cancer Progression by Targeting DLX1.

Purpose: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the third most common cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men. DLX1 belongs to the DLX homeobox family and exhibits antitumor activity in many kinds of tumors. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the progression of cancer.

Retrograde en bloc resection for non-muscle invasive bladder tumor can reduce the risk of seeding cancer cells into the peripheral circulation.

Objective: To ascertain whether en bloc resection could reduce the risk of seeding cancer cells into the circulation during the resection of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Methods: Patients with primary NMIBC were enrolled in this prospective study from October 2017 to May 2018. Patients were allocated to receive conventional transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) or retrograde en bloc resection technique of the bladder tumor (RERBT).

Circular RNA ITCH suppressed prostate cancer progression by increasing HOXB13 expression via spongy miR-17-5p.

Background: Circular RNA Itchy E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (Circ-ITCH) is significantly down-regulated in various kinds of tumors, however, the mechanisms of action and functions of circITCH gene in prostate cancer (PC) are still under investigation. The mail goal of this research was to study the functional role of Circ-ITCH gene in prostate cancer and to illuminate the function role of circ-ITCH gene in prostate cancer by targeting miR-17-5p/HOXB13.

Methods: RT-qPCR was applied to measure the expression level of circ-ITCH and miR-17-5p in PC cell lines and tissues.

Two novel TSC2 mutations in renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma sensitive to everolimus.

People who suffers renal angiomyolipoma (AML) has a low quality of life. It is widely known that genetic factors including TSC2 mutation contribute to certain populations of renal AML-bearing patients. In this study, we are the first to identify novel TSC2 mutations in one Chinese renal epithelioid AML patient: c.

LINC01638 lncRNA promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of prostate carcinoma cells by interacting with Notch1.

LINC01638 lncRNA is known as an oncogenic lncRNA in triple negative breast cancer. However, the role of LINC01638 lncRNA in other diseases is unknown. In the present study we observed that plasma levels of LINC01638 lncRNA and Notch1 were upregulated in prostate carcinoma patients comparing with healthy controls.

Serum exosomal miR-210 as a potential biomarker for clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are suggested to reflect molecular changes occurring in their cells of origin and are potential indicators in the early detection of cancers. This study aimed to determine whether certain exosomal miRNAs from tumor tissue can be used as noninvasive biomarkers for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Based on ccRCC miRNA expression profiles and the literature, we selected six miRNAs (miR-210, miR-224, miR-452, miR-155, miR-21, and miR-34a) and analyzed their expression in tissues, sera, and serum exosomes through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in hypoxia-induced (with CoCl ) renal cell lines.

Association between MPO-463G > A polymorphism and chronic kidney disease: a meta-analysis.

Background/objective: Previous studies have shown that MPO -463G > A (rs2333227) might be associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) susceptibility, but sample sizes of those studies are relatively small. Hence, we decided to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the association. Methods/main results: Two investigators search databases systematically and independently.

Circular RNA CEP128 acts as a sponge of miR-145-5p in promoting the bladder cancer progression via regulating SOX11.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of over-expressing circular RNA CEP128 (circCEP128) on cell functions and explore the molecular mechanism of which in bladder carcinoma.

Methods: The differentially expressed circRNAs and mRNAs in bladder carcinoma cells and cells in adjacent tissues were screened out using microarray analysis. Expression levels of circRNAs and mRNAs in tissues and cells were determined by qRT-PCR.

Association between TERT rs2853669 polymorphism and cancer risk: A meta-analysis of 9,157 cases and 11,073 controls.

Background: It has been reported that the functional telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) rs2853669 polymorphism might contribute to different types of human cancer. However, the association of this mutation with cancer remains controversial. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis to characterize this relationship.

Crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy in prostate epithelial cells under androgen deprivation.

The present study investigated the molecular mechanism of apoptosis and autophagy in prostate epithelial cells under androgen deprivation (AD). BPH-1 cells were divided into four groups as follows: Control (Cont), AD, autophagy inhibition (AI) and AD + AI groups. Cells in the four groups were treated accordingly, and the level of apoptosis was subsequently measured via flow cytometry.

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism protects the aorta from vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and collagen deposition in a rat model of adrenal aldosterone-producing adenoma.

The number of patients with adrenal aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) has gradually increased. However, even after adenoma resection, some patients still suffer from high systolic blood pressure (SBP), which is possibly due to great arterial remodeling. Moreover, mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) were found to be expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

Enhanced recovery after surgery for radical cystectomy with ileal urinary diversion: a multi-institutional, randomized, controlled trial from the Chinese bladder cancer consortium.

Purpose: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) has played an important role in recovery management for radical cystectomy with ileal urinary diversion (RC-IUD). This study is to evaluate ERAS compared with the conventional recovery after surgery (CRAS) for RC-IUD.

Methods: From October 2014 and July 2016, bladder cancer patients scheduled for curative treatment from 25 centers of Chinese Bladder Cancer Consortium were randomly assigned to either ERAS or CRAS group.

A novel transurethral resection technique for superficial bladder tumor: retrograde en bloc resection.

Background: Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is the standard approach to bladder tumors but suffers from several disadvantages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel procedure of retrograde en bloc resection of bladder tumor (RERBT) with conventional monopolar resection electrode for the treatment of superficial bladder tumors.

Methods: RERBT and conventional TURBT (C-TURBT) were conducted, respectively, in 40 and 50 patients diagnosed with superficial papillary bladder tumors.

Conformational stabilization of FOX-DNA complex architecture to sensitize prostate cancer chemotherapy.

The forkhead box (FOX) transcription factor is a family of tumor suppressors that negatively regulates the tumorigenesis activity of prostate cancer; stabilization of FOX-DNA complex architecture has been recognized as a new and promising strategy for sensitizing cancer chemotherapy. Here, we described a systematic method that combined in silico analysis and in vitro assay to investigate the intermolecular interaction between FOX DNA-binding domain (DBD) and its cognate DNA partner. The structural and energetic information harvested from the molecular investigation were used to guide high-throughput virtual screening against a structurally diverse, nonredundant library of natural product compounds, aiming at discovery of novel small-molecule medicines that can conformationally stabilize and promote FOX-DNA recognition and interaction.

Aldosterone-to-renin ratio acts as the predictor distinguishing the primary aldosteronism from chronic kidney disease.

Aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) is a screening test for primary aldosteronism, but it was impacted by a bunch of clinical covariates. The ARR is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), renal artery stenosis, renin adenoma. This study aims to investigate relationship between ARR and primary aldosteronism in CKD patients.

Association of polymorphisms in AGTR1 and AGTR2 genes with primary aldosteronism in the Chinese Han population.

Hypothesis: Polymorphisms in angiotensin II type-1/2 receptor genes (AGTR1/AGTR2) may be involved in the pathogenesis of primary aldosteronism. The present study aims to reveal some loci susceptible to the disease on the genes in a group of Chinese Han nationality.

Materials And Methods: A case-control study was conducted in 202 patients and 188 controls.

Expression of transcription factor Twist1 in bladder urothelial carcinoma and its clinical significance.

Purpose: Transcription factor Twist1 is known to play a vital role in cancer development, progression and metastasis. However, regulation mechanisms beneath Twist1 expression, as well as the correlation between its expression and bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC), are still under investigation. Herein, we tried to investigate the expression of Twist1 in BUC specimens and non-cancerous mucosas and illustrate their relationships with clinicopathological features.

Association of polymorphisms in angiotensin II receptor genes with aldosterone-producing adenoma.

This study examined the association of polymorphisms in angiotensin II receptor genes (AT (1) R and AT (2) R) with the risk for aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) in a Chinese Han population. Four polymorphisms including rs5182 (573T/C) in exon 4, rs5186 (1166A/C) in 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) in AT (1) R gene and rs5194 (2274G/A) in 3'-UTR, rs1403543 (1675G/A) in intron 1 in AT (2) R gene were detected in 148 APA patients and 192 normal subjects (serving as control) by using a MGB-Taqman probe. The distribution of genotypes of each locus was in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) in the APA and control groups (P>0.