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Background: Bladder cancer (BLCA) is one of the common malignant tumors worldwide. Recent studies have shown that Transcription factor activating protein-2(TFAP2) family proteins plays a bidirectional regulatory role in the process of tumorigenesis versus evolution by regulating the expression of tumor associated genes. However, little is known about the function of distinct TFAP2s proteins in patient with BLCA. Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sample tissues and clinical data of 240 patients with bladder cancer were collected for immunohistochemical analysis. The Human Protein Atlas, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), Shiny Methylation Analysis Resource Tool (SMART), Kaplan-Meier plotter, cBioPortal, Metascape, LinkedOmics, TIMER and CIBERSORT were utilized to analyze differential expression, prognostic value, genetic alteration and immune cell infiltration of TFAP2 family in patients with BLCA. Results: Our study found that TFAP2 family proteins are generally expressed higher in BLCA tissues than in normal tissues. However, they show different trends in the growth, metastasis and survival prognosis of BLCA. TFAP2A and TFAP2C was associated with worse clinical stage and prognosis in BLCA patients, while TFAP2B, TFAP2D and TFAP2E showed the opposite trend. Importantly, the functions of the differentially expressed TFAP2s were primarily related to the developmental process, reproductive process, response to stimulus and immune system process, etc. Moreover, TFAP2 family was significantly correlated with the infiltration of six immune cell types and might regulate TAM polarization. Conclusion: TFAP2 family might be an important regulator of immune cell infiltration and a valuable prognostic biomarker in patients with BLCA.

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Sphingosine kinases (SphK), including SphK1 and SphK2, are important enzymes promoting progression of prostate cancer. SKI-178 is a novel and highly potent SphK1/2 dual inhibitor. We here tested the potential anti-prostate cancer cell activity of SKI-178. Bioinformatics analyses and results from local tissues demonstrated that that both SphK1 and SphK2 are upregulated in human prostate cancer tissues. Ectopic overexpression of SphK1 and SphK2, by lentiviral constructs, promoted primary prostate cancer cell proliferation and migration. In primary human prostate cancer cells and immortalized cell lines, SKI-178 potently inhibited cell viability, proliferation, cell cycle progression and cell migration, causing robust cell death and apoptosis. SKI-178 impaired mitochondrial functions, causing mitochondrial depolarization, reactive oxygen species production and ATP depletion.SKI-178 potently inhibited SphK activity and induced ceramide production, without affecting SphK1/2 expression in prostate cancer cells. Further, SKI-178 inhibited Akt-mTOR activation and induced JNK activation in prostate cancer cells. Contrarily, a constitutively-active Akt1 construct or the pharmacological JNK inhibitors attenuated SKI-178-induced cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells. In vivo, daily intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of SKI-178 potently inhibited PC-3 xenograft growth in nude mice. SphK inhibition, ceramide production, ATP depletion and lipid peroxidation as well as Akt-mTOR inactivation and JNK activation were detected in PC-3 xenograft tissues with SKI-178 administration. Together, targeting SphK1/2 by SKI-178 potently inhibited prostate cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo.

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Background: Tumor-derived exosomes are involved in the process of tumor metastasis and angiogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are the most widely investigated factors in exosomes. Therefore, we hope to find a new therapeutic target in bladder cancer (BLCA), which has high incidence rate and mortality. Methods: Exosomal microRNA(miR)-93-5p expression level, downstream target molecules, and biological functions were examined with bioinformatics technology. Exosomes were extracted by sequential differential centrifugation and verified by transmission electron microscopy. The exosomal miR-93-5p on cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis abilities in 5637 and T24 cells was determined by Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8), colony-forming assay, Transwell assay, and vascular ring formation assay. A mouse xenograft model with intratumor injection was adopted to evaluate the correlation between BLCA-derived exosomes and tumor growth in vivo. Results: The results revealed that exosomes play an important role in the biological progression of BLCA, with miR-93-5p being a particularly important molecule. Compared to normal cells, more malignant cells release more exosomal miR-93-5p, and tumor-derived exosomal miR-93-5p could significantly promote cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. We identified phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) as the most significant target of miR-93-5p in BLCA and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Conclusions: Our study successfully revealed the biological role and mechanism of BLCA-derived exosomes in tumor progression. Target at tumor exosomes and exosomal miR-93-5p may be an effective treatment in BLCA.

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OBJECTIVE: To study the differential expressions of piRNAs in the seminal plasma of men and the role of piRNAs in spermatogenesis. METHODS: We sequenced the seminal plasma samples collected from 187 male infertility patients and 58 normal healthy men, obtained differentially expressed piRNAs, and detected the relative expressions of piRNAs in different types of sperm by RT-qPCR to explore their significance in the diagnosis of male infertility. Using histopathology, RNA-protein pull-down and Western blot, we investigated the action mechanism of piRNAs in spermatogenesis in the mouse model. RESULTS: RT-qPCR of the seminal plasma samples revealed a high expression of hsa_piR_000478 in teratozoospermia and ROC curve analysis showed an auxiliary significance of hsa_piR_000478 in the diagnosis of the disease (AUC = 0.7549). Transfection of hsa_piR_000478 and its homologous sequence piR_mmu_54800729 into the seminiferous tubules of the mouse model significantly decreased sperm motility, increased the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm and destroyed the testicular structure. Molecular biological experiments exhibited a close correlation between piRNAs and the energy metabolism-related pathway, which elevated the level of cell glycolysis and interfered with normal spermatogenesis. CONCLUSION: hsa_piR_000478 has an auxiliary significance in the diagnosis of male infertility, and piRNAs may interfere with spermatogenesis by affecting the glycolysis-related pathway in the spermatogenic microenvironment of the testis.

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BACKGROUND: Segmental testicular infarction is a rare condition that often occurs in the upper pole of the left testicle and usually presents with acute onset of scrotal pain. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and MR are essential for diagnosing and differentiating segmental testicular infarction in clinical practice, and conservative treatment can only be adopted after a definitive diagnosis. In the present case, after conservative treatment, the infarct volume was reduced, the blood flow around the infarct was increased, and blood flow signals appeared in the infarct. We performed a correlation analysis to investigate the causes of these changes. CASE PRESENTATION: A 33-year-old male, without any specific disease history, was admitted to the hospital with a 5-day history of left testicular pain, and the imaging showed focal necrosis of the left testicle with hemorrhage. He was diagnosed with segmental testicular infarction after differentiating and excluding it from malignant tumors. Conservative medical treatment was given, and the symptoms of testicular pain were relieved after treatment. After discharge, regular reexamination at follow-ups showed that the infarct's size was reduced, the blood flow around the infarct was increased, and blood flow signals appeared in the infarct. CONCLUSION: Conservative treatment has become the standard treatment currently adopted after confirming the diagnosis of segmental testicular infarction through contrast-enhanced ultrasound and MR. The blood flow changes in and around the focus of testicular infarction can be related to various factors. At present, relevant conclusions of the underlying mechanisms were mainly deduced from infarction studies of other related organs such as the heart and brain; thus, the specific pathological mechanism needs further experimental verification.

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GNE-493 is a novel PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor with improved metabolic stability, oral bioavailability, and excellent pharmacokinetic parameters. Here GNE-493 potently inhibited viability, proliferation, and migration in different primary and established (LNCaP and PC-3 lines) prostate cancer cells, and provoking apoptosis. GNE-493 blocked Akt-mTOR activation in primary human prostate cancer cells. A constitutively-active mutant Akt1 restored Akt-mTOR activation but only partially ameliorated GNE-493-induced prostate cancer cell death. Moreover, GNE-493 was still cytotoxic in Akt1/2-silenced primary prostate cancer cells. Significant oxidative stress and programmed necrosis cascade activation were detected in GNE-493-treated prostate cancer cells. Moreover, GNE-493 downregulated Sphingosine Kinase 1 (SphK1), causing ceramide accumulation in primary prostate cancer cells. Daily single dose GNE-493 oral administration robustly inhibited the growth of the prostate cancer xenograft in the nude mice. Akt-mTOR inactivation, SphK1 downregulation, ceramide level increase, and oxidative injury were detected in GNE-493-treated prostate cancer xenograft tissues. Together, GNE-493 inhibited prostate cancer cell growth possibly through the Akt-mTOR-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of low-concentration hydrogen peroxide solution (HPS) for continuous bladder irrigation after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data about 148 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treated by TURP from January 2013 to January 2016. Seventy-six of the patients received postoperative continuous bladder irrigation with 0.15% HPS (group A) and the other 72 with normal saline (group B). We compared the two groups of patients in their postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) levels, duration of bladder irrigation, frequency of catheter blockage, time of catheterization, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients preoperatively in the prostate volume, International Prostate Symptoms Score, maximum urinary flow rate, postvoid residual urine, or levels of serum PSA and Hb (P > 0.05). At 48 hours after operation, a significantly less reduction was observed in the Hb level in group A than in group B (ï¼»3.38 ± 2.56ï¼½ vs ï¼»7.29 ± 6.58ï¼½ g/L, P < 0.01). The patients of group A, in comparison with those of group B, also showed remarkably shorter duration of postoperative bladder irrigation (ï¼»32.57 ± 5.99ï¼½ vs ï¼»46.10 ± 8.79ï¼½ h, P < 0.01), lower rate of catheter blockage (3.3% vs 11.8%, P < 0.01), shorter time of catheterization (ï¼»3.74 ± 0.79ï¼½ vs ï¼»4.79 ± 0.93ï¼½ d, P < 0.01), and fewer days of postoperative hospital stay (ï¼»4.22 ± 0.81ï¼½ vs ï¼»4.67 ± 0.88ï¼½ d, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Low-concentration HPS for continuous bladder irrigation after TURP can reduce blood loss, catheter blockage, bladder irrigation duration, catheterization time, and hospital stay, and therefore deserves a wide clinical application.

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Castration­resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is difficult to treat in current clinical practice. Hypoxia is an important feature of the CRPC microenvironment and is closely associated with the progress of CRPC invasion. However, no research has been performed on the immune escape of CRPC from NK cells. The present study focused on this subject. Firstly, when the CRPC cell lines C4­2 and CWR22Rv1 were induced by hypoxia, the expression of the UL16 binding protein (ULBP) ligand family of natural killer (NK) group 2D (NKG2D; ULBP­1, ULBP­2 and ULBP­3) and MHC class I chain­related proteins A and B (MICA/MICB) decreased. NKG2D is the main activating receptor of NK cells. Tumor cells were then co­cultured with NK cells to conduct NK cell­mediated cytotoxicity experiments, which revealed the decreased immune cytolytic activity of NK cells on hypoxia­induced CRPC cells. In exploring the mechanism behind this observation, an increase in programmed death­ligand 1 (PD­L1) expression in CRPC cells induced by hypoxia was observed, while the addition of PD­L1 antibody effectively reversed the expression of NKG2D ligand and enhanced the cytotoxic effect of NK cells on CRPC cells. In the process of exploring the upstream regulatory factors of PD­L1, inhibition of the Janus kinase (JAK)1,2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) signaling pathway decreased the expression of PD­L1 in CRPC cells. Finally, it was observed that combined inhibition of JAK1,2/PD­L1 or Stat3/PD­L1 was more effective than inhibition of a single pathway in enhancing the immune cytolytic activity of NK cells. Taking these results together, it is thought that combined inhibition of the JAK1,2/PD­L1 and Stat3/PD­L1 signaling pathways may enhance the immune cytolytic activity of NK cells toward hypoxia­induced CRPC cells, which is expected to provide novel ideas and targets for the immunotherapy of CRPC.

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Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), also known as androgen-independent prostate cancer, frequently develops local and distant metastases, the underlying mechanisms of which remain undetermined. In the present study, surgical specimens obtained from patients with clinical prostate cancer were investigated, and it was revealed that the expression levels of ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase (ATM) were significantly enhanced in prostate cancer tissues isolated from patients with CRPC compared with from patients with hormone­dependent prostate cancer. CRPC C4­2 and CWR22Rv1 cells lines were subsequently selected to establish prostate cancer models, and ATM knockout cells were established via lentivirus infection. The results of the present study demonstrated that the migration and epithelial­mesenchymal transition (EMT) of ATM knockout cells were significantly decreased, which suggested that ATM is closely associated with CRPC cell migration and EMT. To further investigate the mechanisms underlying this process, programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD­L1) expression was investigated in ATM knockout cells. In addition, inhibitors of Janus kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3; Stattic) were added to C4­2­Sc and CWR22Rv1­Sc cells, and the results demonstrated that PD­L1 expression was significantly decreased following the addition of JAK inhibitor 1; however, no significant change was observed following the addition of Stattic. Furthermore, a PD­L1 antibody and JAK inhibitor 1 were added to C4­2­Sc and CWR22Rv1­Sc cells, and it was revealed that cell migration ability was significantly decreased and the expression of EMT­associated markers was effectively reversed. The results of the present study suggested that via inhibition of the ATM­JAK­PD­L1 signaling pathway, EMT, metastasis and progression of CRPC may be effectively suppressed, which may represent a novel therapeutic approach for targeted therapy for patients with CRPC.

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The focus of the present study was to evaluate transrectal real-time tissue elastography (RTE)-targeted two-core biopsy coupled with peak strain index for the detection of prostate cancer (PCa) and to compare this method with 10-core systematic biopsy. A total of 141 patients were enrolled for evaluation. The diagnostic value of peak strain index was assessed using a receiver operating characteristic curve. The cancer detection rates of the two approaches and corresponding positive cores and Gleason score were compared. The cancer detection rate per core in the RTE-targeted biopsy (44%) was higher compared with that in systematic biopsy (30%). The peak strain index value of PCa was higher compared with that of the benign lesion. PCa was detected with the highest sensitivity (87.5%) and specificity (85.5%) using the threshold value of a peak strain index of ≥5.97 with an area under the curve value of 0.95. When the Gleason score was ≥7, RTE-targeted biopsy coupled with peak strain index detected 95.6% of PCa cases, but 84.4% were detected using systematic biopsy. Peak strain index as a quantitative parameter may improve the differentiation of PCa from benign lesions in the prostate peripheral zone. Transrectal RTE-targeted biopsy coupled with peak strain index may enhance the detection of clinically significant PCa, particularly when combined with systematic biopsy.

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The decoction of Pteris multifida had been applied to attenuate symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia in Chinese folk medicine. In this study, the total flavonoid extract of Pteris multifida was processed at first. High performance liquor chromatography and tandem mass spectrometer assay revealed 10 flavonoids as key constituents of this extract. After 60-day administration, the total flavonoid extract (180 mg/kg, i. g.) decreased the prostate index in mice of benign prostatic hyperplasia apparently. Immunohistochemical assay revealed inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor expression, together with activation of transforming growth factor-beta 1 expression in the prostatic samples after administration of the extract. A 90-day subchronic toxicity test was further undertaken in male Sprague-Dawley rats, and the no-observed-adverse-effect level for the extract was 200 mg/kg body weight/day. These results revealed that the total flavonoid extract of Pteris multifida exhibited positive effect with safety, which might be applied in treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

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Special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 (SATB1) plays important role in the regulation of chromatin structure and gene expression. Recent studies have indicated oncogenic role of SATB1. However, the function of SATB1 in prostate cancer progression and metastasis remains unclear. In this study SATB1 expression vector or siRNA was employed to modulate the expression level of SATB1 in prostate cancer cells and xenograft tumor in nude mouse model. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on clinical prostate cancer samples. Silencing SATB1 inhibited the growth of DU-145 cells subcutaneous tumor in nude mice, while SATB1 overexpression promoted the growth of LNCaP cells subcutaneous tumor in nude mice. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis of the xenografts showed that silencing SATB1 led to decreased expression of vimentin and MMP2 and increased expression of E-cadherin, while SATB1 overexpression led to increased expression of vimentin and MMP2 and decreased expression of E-cadherin. Furthermore, SATB1, vimentin and MMP2 expression was increased significantly while E-cadherin expression was reduced significantly in clinical samples of prostate carcinoma with metastasis compared to prostate carcinoma without metastasis and benign prostate hyperplasia. Taken together, these findings suggest that the modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition by SATB1 may contribute to prostate cancer metastasis.

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The aim of this study is to assess the overall efficacy and safety of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) with GreenLight 120-W laser versus transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for treating patients of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). We performed a literature search of The Cochrane Library and the electronic databases, including Embase, Medline, and Web of Science. Manual searches were conducted of the conference proceedings, including European Association of Urology and American Urological Association (2007 to 2012). Outcomes reviewed included clinical baseline characteristics, perioperative data, complications, and postoperative functional results, such as postvoid residual (PVR), international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), and maximum flow rate (Qmax). Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were enrolled. Three hundred and forty-seven patients undergone 120-W PVP, and 350 patients were treated with TURP in the RCTs. There were no significant differences for clinical characteristics in these trials. In perioperative data, catheterization time and length of hospital stay were shorter in the PVP group. However, the operation time was shorter in the TURP group. Capsular perforation, blood transfusion, clot retention, and macroscopic hematuria were markedly less likely in PVP-treated subjects. The other complications between PVP and TURP did not demonstrate a statistic difference. There were no significant differences in QoL, PVR, IPSS, and Qmax in the 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of postoperative follow-up. There was no significant difference at postoperation follow-up of functional outcomes including IPSS, PVR, Qmax, and QoL between the TURP-treated subjects and PVP-treated subjects. Owing to a shorter catheterization time, reduced hospital duration and less complication, PVP could be used as an alternative and a promising minimal invasive surgical procedure for the treatment of BPH.

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Recent studies suggest that SATB1 is a promising therapeutic target for prostate cancer. To develop novel SATB1-based therapeutic agents for prostate cancer, in this study, we aimed to construct ZD55-SATB1, an oncolytic adenovirus ZD55 carrying shRNA targeting SATB1, and investigate its effects on the inhibition of prostate cancer growth and metastasis. ZD55-SATB1 was constructed and used to infect human prostate cancer cell lines DU145 and LNCaP. The inhibitory effect of ZD55-SATB1 on SATB1 expression was evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. The cytotoxicity of ZD55-SATB1 was detected by MTT assay. Cell invasion was detected by Matrigel invasion assay. The in vivo antitumor activities of ZD55-SATB1 were evaluated in xenograft mouse model. We found that ZD55-SATB1 selectively replicated and significantly reduced SATB1 expression in DU145 and LNCaP cells. ZD55-SATB1 effectively inhibited the viability and invasion of DU145 and LNCaP cells in vitro and inhibited prostate cancer growth and metastasis in xenograft nude mice. In conclusion, replicative oncolytic adenovirus armed with SATB1 shRNA exhibits effective antitumor effect in human prostate cancer. Our study provides the basis for the development of ZD55-SATB1 for the treatment of prostate cancer.

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Subcapsular renal hematoma (SRH) after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) using holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser to treat ureteric stones is a rare complication. We aimed to review our unit's experience of post-URSL subcapsular renal hematoma. From 2006 to 2012, 2059 URSLs using F9.5 rigid ureteroscope were performed in our unit. Patients with post-URSL symptomatic renal hematoma were reviewed. Perioperative information on patients' renal function, stone characteristics, and degree of renal hydronephrosis were reviewed. Operative data, postoperative information such as clinical manifestation, changes in blood parameters, CT findings, and subsequent treatment were documented. Of the 2059 patients treated with URSL and Ho:YAG laser, three patients were diagnosed as subcapsular renal hematoma after surgery; the age is 57, 61, and 63 years old, respectively. Preoperative imaging examination showed that two patients and one patient had obstructing middle and proximal ureteral stones ranging in size from 0.8 to 1.6 cm, and three patients had thin renal cortices. The double-J ureteral stents were inserted in all cases regularly. All three subcapsular renal hematoma patients had the loin pain of the operation side and fever, and one patient had significant hemoglobin drop (from 111 to 61 g/L) who need to transfusion. Two patients presented within 24 h of URSL, and one patient presented on day 10. One patient was treated conservatively for 3 weeks and recovered with bed rest, antibiotics, hemostasis, and analgesia with no intervention or drain. The other two patients underwent ultrasonography-guided drainage of the hematoma. Two-month follow-up CT scans or ultrasonography confirmed the resolution of the hematoma in all three cases. Renal subcapsular hematoma after URSL is a rare and one of serious complications. Subcapsular renal hematoma should be considered when patients have the symptoms of significant loin pain after URSL for obstructing ureteral stones with thin renal cortices. The treatment of post-URSL renal subcapsular hematomas needs to be customized for each patient.

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OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of Saw Palmetto Extract Capsules in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: We conducted a multi-centered open clinical study on 165 BPH patients treated with Saw Palmetto Extract Capsules at a dose of 160 mg qd for 12 weeks. At the baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks of medication, we compared the International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS), prostate volume, postvoid residual urine volume, urinary flow rate, quality of life scores (QOL), and adverse events between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, both IPSS and QOL were improved after 6 weeks of medication, and at 12 weeks, significant improvement was found in IPSS, QOL, urinary flow rate, and postvoid residual urine. Mild stomachache occurred in 1 case, which necessitated no treatment. CONCLUSION: Saw Palmetto Extract Capsules were safe and effective for the treatment of BPH.

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OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) on the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in prostate cancer PC-3 cells. METHODS: We transfected the lentivirus vector STIM1-pGCSIL-GFP carrying STIM shRNA into human hormone-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells, and 3 days later observed the transfection efficiency by fluorescence microscopy. At 7 days after transfection, we determined the expression of STIM1 in the PC-3 cells by RT-PCR and Western blot and those of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax, survivin and activated Caspase-3 by Western blot. RESULTS: At 3 days, inverted microscopy revealed a transfection efficiency of > 80%. At 7 days, the STIM1 expression was significantly inhibited at both mRNA and protein levels. The Bcl-2/Bax rate was remarkably decreased as compared with that of the control group (0. 31 vs 1.24 ) , and the survivin expression was markedly reduced, 0. 14 times that of the relative expression in the control. However, the Caspase-3 cleavage was significantly activated, 1.52 times that of the control (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: STIM1 can be regarded as an oncogene in prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Inhibition of its expression can induce PC-3 cell apoptosis by reducing the Bcl-2/Bax rate, decreasing the survivin expression, and activating the Caspase-3 pathway.

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This study treated the isolation and passage of muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) from rat penile corpora cavernosa, detection of stem cell marker expression, observation of their self-renewal and continuous proliferation, and demonstration of their potential to differentiate into smooth muscle cells in co-culture. Muscle-derived stem cells from the rat penile corpora cavernosa were isolated and purified. The expression of stem cell markers Sca-1 and desmin was detected in PP6 cells, thus confirming that the main components of PP6 cells are MDSCs. The expression of Sca-1 and desmin occurred both in PP6 cells and cells at passages 3, 6, and 8, and there was no significant decrease in the expression level with increasing passage number. The growth curves indicated that the cell doubling time was approximately 48 h. The cells entered the stationary phase after approximately 7 days of culture. The proliferative activity of the cells at passage 8 remained unchanged. After 2 days of co-culture with smooth muscle cells, the DAPI-labeled MDSCs tended to exhibit smooth muscle cell morphology and expression of α-SMA was detected. MDSCs exist in the rat penile corpora cavernosa and possess the potential to differentiate into smooth muscle cells. This discovery serves as the basis in view of the potential use of endogenous stem cells for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).

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Bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) accounts for ∼90% of all cases of bladder cancer. Reduced expression of TGFBR3 has been frequently observed in several types of human cancers. However, little is known about whether expression of TGFBR3 reduced in BUC and the underlying mechanisms. In the present study, we performed quantitative real-time PCR to examine the mRNA expression of TGFBR3 and GATA3, and bisulfite genomic sequencing to evaluate the methylation status in TGFBR3 and GATA3 promoter regions in fresh tumor and the corresponding paracarcinoma tissues from 29 patients with BUC. As a result, the expression of TGFBR3 and GATA3, a transcriptional factor of the TGFBR3 gene, were found to be co-downregulated in BUC. Moreover, our findings indicated that GATA3 promoter methylation was one of the reasons for silencing of GATA3 and TGFBR3 in BUC, albeit TGFBR3 methylation and mutation were not associated with reduced expression of TGFBR3 mRNA in BUC. In summary, our findings suggest that methylation in the GATA3 promoter region may inhibit the expression of GATA3 mRNA, which leads to the reduced expression of TGFBR3 mRNA in BUC.

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OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the effectiveness and safety of 80-W GreenLight laser vaporization and GreenLight high-performance system (HPS) 120-W laser vaporization for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in high-risk patients. METHODS: We allocated 290 high-risk patients with BPH to two groups to receive 80-W (n = 220) and HPS 120-W GreenLight laser vaporization (n = 70). We recorded and compared the pre-, intra- and post-operative clinical data of the two groups. RESULTS: The operations were successful in both of the groups. There were statistically significant differences in the prostate volume, IPSS, Qmax and PVR before and after surgery (P < 0.01), but not between the two groups (P > 0.05). The operation time, lasing time and energy consumption were (56.5 +/- 22.6) min, (31.2 +/- 10.3) min and (159.8 +/- 29.0) kJ in the 80-W group, as compared with (45.1 +/- 20.4) min, (24.6 +/- 8.3) min and (134.2 +/- 23.3) kJ in the 120 W group, with significant differences between the two (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: GreenLight laser vaporization of the prostate is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of BPH, and the new HPS 120-W laser therapy, with its advantages of easier operation and shorter surgical time, is an even better minimally invasive option for elderly high-risk patients.

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