p53 inhibition attenuates cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury through microRNA-142-5p regulating SIRT7/NF-κB.

Renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis is the main mechanism of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury. The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells has been suggested, but the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. We used microarray analysis to identify miR-142-5p involved in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury. miR-142-5p was down-regulated in human renal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells with cisplatin treatment. Notably, the overexpression of miR-142-5p attenuated the cisplatin-induced HK-2 cell apoptosis and inhibition of miR-142-5p aggravated cisplatin-induced HK-2 cell apoptosis. During cisplatin treatment, p53 was activated. The inhibition of p53 by pifithrin-α attenuated the cisplatin-induced kidney injury and up-regulated miR-142-5p expression. We also identified the Sirtuin7 (SIRT7) as a target of miR-142-5p. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the inhibition of SIRT7 prevented cisplatin-induced HK-2 cell apoptosis and decreased the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Our data revealed that p53 inhibition could attenuate cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury by up-regulating miR-142-5p to repress SIRT7/NF-κB. These findings may provide a novel therapeutic target of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury.

Hsa_circ_0007494 suppresses prostate cancer progression via miR-616/PTEN axis.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are important players in prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression, but their detailed mechanisms have not been elucidated. Herein, hsa_circ_0007494 was suppressed in the PCa cell lines and tissues. This resulted in metastasis of tumors to the lymph node and predicted tumor stage. Functionally, overexpression of hsa_circ_0007494 inhibited the proliferation and invasive capacity of the cells in vitro and blocked the growth of tumors in vivo. Hsa_circ_0007494 functioned as a "molecular sponge" for miR-616 and hence upregulated the target of miR-616, PTEN. In addition, rescue assays revealed that PTEN silencing (or miR-616 mimics) blocked the tumor-suppressing effects of hsa_circ_0007494 overexpression on PCa progression. Together, our findings indicate that hsa_circ_0007494 suppresses PCa by forming a negative regulatory network including hsa_circ_0007494/miR-616/PTEN. Thus, hsa_circ_0007494 may be a treatment target for PCa.

[Focused low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy for erectile dysfunction: Preliminary observation of 32 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To make a preliminary investigation on the safety and efficacy of focused low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LI-ESWT) in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). METHODS: We treated 32 ED patients by focused LI-ESWT with the device of Medispec's ED1000. Before and at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment, we evaluated the erectile function of the patients using the International Index of Erectile Function-erectile function domain (IIEF-EF), Erection Hardness Score (EHS), Sexual Encounter Profile questions 2 and 3 (SEP2 and SEP3), and Global Assessment Questionnaire questions 1 and 2 (GAQ1 and GAQ2), and recorded the incidence rate of adverse events. RESULTS: The patients averaged 30.69 years of age. Compared with the baseline, the mean IIEF-EF score of the patients was significantly increased at 4 and 12 weeks after LI-ESWT (14.94 vs 20.97 and 21.47, P <0.01), and so were the EHS (1.75 vs 2.66 and 2.56, P <0.01) and the "Yes" answers to SEP2 (21.88% vs 68.75% and 71.88%), SEP3 (0 vs 43.75% and 56.25%), GAQ1 (NA vs 81.25% and 71.88%) and GAQ2 (NA vs 65.63% and 68.75%). The total effectiveness rates at 4 weeks and 12 weeks were 75% and 71.88% respectively. One of the patients felt penile shaft pain with mild ecchymosis after LI-ESWT but was recovered without special treatment a week later. CONCLUSIONS: LI-ESWT can significantly improve the erectile function of ED patients with no obvious adverse effects within 12 weeks after treatment.

Ketamine delays progression of oxidative and damaged cataract through regulating HMGB-1/NF-κB in lens epithelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: Lens epithelial cell (LEC) membrane damage is one of the pathogenesis of cataract. High mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) play vital roles in a variety of diseases, such as inflammation. Ketamine has numerous pharmacological effects that can inhibit inflammation. However, its role in cataract rats LECs has not yet been elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LECs were isolated from SD rats and cultured in vitro. The cells were randomly divided into three groups, including the control group, cataract model group induced by H2O2, and ketamine group treated by 10 mM ketamine under H2O2 environment. LECs proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. LECs apoptosis was evaluated by Caspase-3 activity detection. NF-κB mRNA and protein expressions were tested by real-time PCR and Western blot. HMGB-1 expressions in cells and supernatant were detected by real-time PCR and ELISA. TNF-α and IL-1ß secretions were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: In H2O2 model group, the LECs proliferation was significantly inhibited, the caspase-3 activity significantly increased, HMGB-1 mRNA and secretion significantly enhanced, NF-κB mRNA and protein levels significantly elevated, compared to the Control group (p < .05). While the TNF-α and IL-1ß secretions significantly up-regulated in H2O2 model group compared to the Control group (p < .05). Ketamine significantly promoted the LECs proliferation, significantly reduced the caspase-3 activity, and significantly declined the HMGB expression compared to H2O2 model group (p < .05). The NF-κB mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased, TNF-α and IL-1ß secretions were significantly decreased in the Ketamine group compared with the model group (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Ketamine delays the progression of oxidative and damaged cataract by regulating HMGB-1/NF-κB expression, inhibiting TNF-α, IL-1ß, and apoptosis, and promoting cell proliferation.

[Clinicopathological features and management of penile verrucous carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinicopathological characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of penile verrucous carcinoma (VC). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data about 18 penile VC patients at the mean age of 52 (35－66) years. The tumors were cauliflower-like, measuring 2.5－8.7 cm in diameter, all with mucopurulentive discharge. A giant tumor invaded the perineum in 1 case, which had a history of surgical excision of penile condyloma acuminatum. The lesions invaded the glans penis in 2 cases, the shafts in 4 (all with a history of phimosis or redundant prepuce), and the whole penis in 11. Partial penectomy was performed for 2 cases with the proximal coronary sulcus involved and another 2 with the condylomata located in the glans penis and measuring <3.5 cm in diameter. Radical surgery was done for 2 cases of glans VC >3.5 cm in diameter, 11 cases with the whole penis involved, and 1 case with the perineum invaded. RESULTS: Postoperative pathology showed well-differentiated tumor cells, negative surgical margins, papillary epithelia with hyperkeratosis and hyperplasia, and lymphocyte infiltration in the surrounding interstitial tissue in all the cases. Neither recurrence nor metastasis was found during the 1 to 8 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Penile VC is a special type of squamous cell carcinoma with little invasiveness and rare regional lymph node or distant metastasis, for the treatment of which partial penectomy or radical surgery confers good prognosis.

Long non-coding RNA UCA1 promotes cell progression by acting as a competing endogenous RNA of ATF2 in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in elder men. This disease has limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis as the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clearly understood. LncRNA UCA1 functions as an oncogene in many types of cancers. However, the role of UCA1 in PCa remains unclear. In the present study, we showed that UCA1 was significantly up-regulated in PCa cell lines and tissue samples. High UCA1 expression was positively associated with high gleason score, advanced TNM stage and shorter overall survival of PCa patients. Inhibition of UCA1 suppressed PCa cells proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. Moreover, UCA1 depletion inhibited the growth of PCa cells in vivo. In addition, we found that ATF2 was a direct target gene of UCA1. UCA1 regulated ATF2 expression through functioning as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA). UCA1 directly interacted with miR-204 and decreased the binding of miR-204 to ATF2 3'UTR, which suppressed the degradation of ATF2 mRNA by miR-204. In summary, we unveil a branch of the UCA1-miR-204-ATF2 pathway that regulates the progression of PCa. The inhibition of UCA1 expression may be a promising strategy for PCa therapy.

[Embedding sutures of single inner- and outer-prepuce flap for the treatment of concealed penis: A report of 37 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effect of embedding sutures of single inner- and outer-prepuce flap in the treatment of concealed penis. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 37 cases of concealed penis treated by embedding sutures of single inner- and outer-prepuce flap between July 2011 and May 2015. Catheters were pulled out from the patients within 24 hours and the dressing removed about 1 week after surgery. All the patients were followed up for 12－24 months postoperatively for evaluation of the long-term outcomes of surgery. RESULTS: One-stage wound healing was achieved in all the patients. No foreskin flap necrosis, inflammation, edema, voiding dysfunction, or painful erection was found during the follow-up. The penises were extended by 2－4 cm. No complications were observed axcept 8 cases of mild prepuce edema, which all subsided with 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Embedding sutures of single inner- and outer-prepuce flap, with the advantages of simple operation, rapid recovery and few complications, is a desirable surgical option for the treatment of concealed penis.

[Microsurgical bypass for varicocele with nutcracker syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect and feasibility of internal spermatic vein-inferior epigastric vein (ISV-IEV) bypass surgery in the treatment of varicocele complicated by left renal vein nutcracker syndrome (NCS). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data about 30 cases of varicocele with left renal vein NCS treated by ISV-IEV bypass surgery in our hospital from June 2014 to February 2017. We reviewed the follow-up data and results of ultrasonography, routine urianlysis and semen routine examination. RESULTS: All the operations were successfully accomplished and postoperative color Doppler ultrasonography showed that varicocele was cured in all the cases. At 6 months after surgery, sperm concentration and the percentage of grade a+b sperm were significantly improved (ï¼»34.47 ± 8.60ï¼½ ×106/ml and ï¼»63.54% ± 9.58ï¼½ %) as compared with the baseline (ï¼»19.90 ± 8.97ï¼½ ×106/ml and ï¼»37.93 ± 8.73ï¼½ %) (P <0.05). Hematuria was cured in 23 and alleviated in 1 of the 24 cases. Proteinuria disappeared in all the 14 cases, with neither scrotal pain symptoms nor obvious complications. CONCLUSIONS: ISV-IEV bypass surgery, with its advantages of safety, effectiveness, minimal invasiveness, and simple operation, deserves wide clinical application in the treatment of varicocele with left renal vein NCS.

Prefabricated partial distal urethral in 2-staged repair of proximal hypospadias with severe chordee.

PURPOSE: To describe a new technique for staged hypospadias repair in which the urethral plate is divided and tubularized transverse island flap prefabricated partial distal urethral at the time of the first stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with proximal hypospadias associated with severe chordee were operated on using a new staged technique. At the time of the first stage, the urethral plate was divided and chordee was corrected. Then tubularized transverse island flap was used to prefabricate partial distal urethra. The defective urethra was repaired using the Thiersch-Duplay principle at the second stage. RESULTS: All participants have completed both stages of the operation. The mean follow-up duration was 18.4 months (range from 6 to 72 months). In the first-stage surgery, the modified tabularized transverse preputial island flap was performed on 6 patients, whereas the modified preputial double-faced island flap was performed on the other 10 patients. All of the prefabricated partial distal neourethras had no evidence of stenosis or scarring. The result of the second-stage procedure was a complete penis with integrated urethral. All patients were satisfied with cosmetic and functional results. Neither stricture nor diverticula was observed. A good urinary stream during the urination was attained in 12 (75.0%) patients. Four cases (25.0%) developed urethrocutaneous fistula after the second stage repair. CONCLUSIONS: In our preliminary series, this procedure improved functional and cosmetic results. It may be applicable to most cases of proximal hypospadias. Even when complications occur, they are less severe compared to those of the traditional staged approach.

Urethroplasty in the distal penile segment using flap for the staged correction of severe hypospadias / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the applicatioen of flap for the urethroplasty in the distal penile segment in the staged correction of severe hypospadias.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From Oct. 2004 to Aug. 2014, 25 cases with severe hypospadias were treated by staged urethroplasty for urethra reconstruction. The urethral meatus were located at peroscrotum in 4 patinets, at scrotum in 8 patients and at perineum in 13 cases. At the first stage, the urethral plate was divided and chordee was corrected. Then tubularized transverse island flap was used to prefabricate partial distal urethra. The defective urethra was repaired by using the Thiersch-Duplay principle at the second stage.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients completed both stages of the operation. The follow-up duration was 6-72 months (average, 24 months). In the first-stage, the modified tabularized transverse preputial island flap was performed on 10 patients, whereas the modified preputial double-faced island flap was performed on the other 15 patients. All of the prefabricated partial distal urethras had no evidence of stenosis or scarring. The result of the second-stage procedure was a complete penis with integrated urethral. All patients were satisfied with cosmetic and functional results. Neither stricture nor diverticula was observed. A good urinary stream during the urination was achieved in 19(19/ 25, 76%) patients. Five cases (5/25, 25%) developed urethrocutaneous fistula and one cases developed meatal stenosis (1/25, 4%) after the second stage repair.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Staged urethroplasty using flap is a good choice for severe hypospadias. The successful rate is relatively high with good cosmetic and functional results.</p>

Recent vicariant and dispersal events affecting the phylogeny and biogeography of East Asian freshwater crab genus Nanhaipotamon (Decapoda: Potamidae).

The molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the East Asian freshwater crabs of the genus Nanhaipotamon (Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae) were studied, using two mitochondrial (16S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase I) and one nuclear (28S rRNA) markers, and correlated with various vicariant and dispersal events which have occurred in this region. The results showed Nanhaipotamon to be a monophyletic taxon with four clades which correspond to the topography of the coastal region of southeastern China and Taiwan Island. Mountains appear to play an important role in the distribution. The genus occurs only from east of the Wuyishan Range (Zhejiang and Fujian) and south of the Nanling Range (Guangdong) in southern China, and is also present west of the Central Range in Taiwan. The molecular and geological data suggest that Nanhaipotamon originated in an area between the Wuyishan and Nanling Ranges. In this area, the main and earliest cladogenesis occurred at ∼4.8 million years ago (mya), with speciation probably taking place at around 4mya. The molecular evidence strongly supports the recent invasion of the genus into Taiwan Island from northeastern Fujian, via the paleo-Minjiang River on the landbridge of Taiwan Strait. The presence of the genus in Dongyin Island, however, is through invasion from southeastern Zhejiang, during the Pleistocene glaciation period. Nanhaipotamon reached Taiwan and Dongyin Island at ∼1.0 and 0.4 mya, respectively. A small population of Nanhaipotamon formosanum from Penghu Islands (Pescadores) in the central Taiwan Strait has a slightly different genetic constitution and suggests it is a relict of past Pleistocene glaciations.