Ultrasound-guided percutaneous intracystic deroofing is effective in the treatment of simple renal cysts.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous intracystic deroofing for the treatment of simple renal cysts. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 46 patients with dorsal exophytic simple renal cysts treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between February 2017 and June 2022. The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical method, with 20 cases undergoing ultrasound-guided percutaneous intracystic deroofing being assigned to the observation group and 26 cases treated by retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cyst removal included in the control group. The operation time, blood loss, postoperative catheterization time, postoperative drainage tube indwelling time, postoperative hospital stay, and complications were compared. RESULTS: None of the 46 patients converted to open surgery. The observation group showed significantly less blood loss, shorter operation time, drainage tube drainage time, postoperative hospital stay, and indwelling catheter time than the control group (all P<0.05). The two procedures had a success rate of 100%. There were no statistical significances in K+, Na+, or serum creatinine between the two groups (all P>0.05). All patients were followed up (3 to 6 months) after surgery, and no cyst recurrence was found by imaging examination. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous intracystic deroofing of renal cysts is worthy of clinical application in the treatment of simple renal cysts due to its significant advantages such as short operation time, less trauma, quick recovery, safety, effectiveness, and low cost.

Colchicine linked with risk reduction for myocardial infarction in gout patients: systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This meta-analysis aimed to identify the effect of colchicine on myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with gout. METHODS: In February 2021, a systematic computer-based search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Data on patients with gout that compared colchicine versus others (no use of colchicine) were retrieved. The endpoints were the incidence rate for MI. After testing for heterogeneity between studies, data were aggregated for fixed-effects models when necessary. RESULTS: Three clinical studies with 3012 patients (colchicine group = 1523, control group = 1489) were finally included in the meta-analysis. Colchicine was associated with a decreased risk for myocardial infarction (pooled odds ratio 0.35, 95% confidence interval 0.23-0.55, p < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: Colchicine was effective in reducing the incidence of MI in patients with gout.

A cluster of metabolism-related genes predict prognosis and progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) has long been considered as a metabolic disease characterized by metabolic reprogramming due to the abnormal accumulation of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. However, the prognostic value of metabolism-related genes in ccRCC remains unclear. In our study, we investigated the associations between metabolism-related gene profile and prognosis of ccRCC patients in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Importantly, we first constructed a metabolism-related prognostic model based on ten genes (ALDH6A1, FBP1, HAO2, TYMP, PSAT1, IL4I1, P4HA3, HK3, CPT1B, and CYP26A1) using Lasso cox regression analysis. The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that our model efficiently predicts prognosis in TCGA_KIRC Cohort and the clinical proteomic tumor analysis consortium (CPTAC_ccRCC) Cohort. Using time-dependent ROC analysis, we showed the model has optimal performance in predicting long-term survival. Besides, the multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated our model is an independent prognostic factor. The risk score calculated for each patient was significantly associated with various clinicopathological parameters. Notably, the gene set enrichment analysis indicated that fatty acid metabolism was enriched considerably in low-risk patients. In contrast, the high-risk patients were more associated with non-metabolic pathways. In summary, our study provides novel insight into metabolism-related genes' roles in ccRCC.

TMSB10 promotes migration and invasion of cancer cells and is a novel prognostic marker for renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to examine the effect of thymosin ß10 (TMSB10) on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) progression and metastasis. METHODS: Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis were used to evaluate TMSB10 expression in RCC tissue samples and renal cancer cells. Statistical analyses were applied to investigate the association between TMSB10 expression and the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of RCC patients. In vitro migration and invasion assays were performed in 786-O and ACHN cells. RESULTS: The expression of TMSB10 was significantly higher in renal cancer cells and tissues compared with normal kidney cells and tissues. TMSB10 expression was significantly related to tumor stage (P=0.002), lymph node metastasis (P=0.034), and distant metastasis (P=0.039). Kaplan-Meier analysis suggested that high TMSB10 expression was significantly associated with unfavorable overall (P=0.004) and recurrent-free survival (P=0.025) of RCC patients. Furthermore, TMSB10 knockdown inhibited the migration and invasion abilities of renal cancer cells in vitro. CONCLUSION: TMSB10 is overexpressed in RCC and regulates malignant cell metastasis by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which makes TMSB10 a candidate therapeutic target for RCC.

Musashi1 promotes tumor metastasis and is a prognostic marker for renal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Musashi1 (MSI1) has been reported to be involved in cancer development and progression. The biologic role of MSI1 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), however, remains unknown. METHODS: Expression of MSI1 in normal kidney cells and kidney cancer cells were measured by real-time PCR. In addition, MSI1 expression in 20 paired kidney cancer and non-cancerous tissues were quantified using real-time PCR. Furthermore, the expression of MSI1 in 115 kidney cancer samples was detected to analyze the correlations between MSI1 expression and the clinicopathological features of RCC patients. The biological function of MSI1 on tumor cell invasion and migration were explored through wound healing and transwell migration assays. RESULTS: MSI1 was significantly upregulated in renal cancer cells and tissues compared with normal kidney cells and tissues. High levels of MSI1 were positively associated with tumor stage (P=0.002) and distant metastasis (P=0.013) of RCC patients. Patients with higher MSI1 expression had a significantly poorer overall and recurrence-free survival time (P=0.019 and P=0.012, respectively) than patients with low MSI1 expression. Multivariate analysis showed that MSI1 overexpression was an independent prognostic indicator (P=0.009 and P=0.015, respectively) for the survival of RCC patients. Ablation of MSI1 inhibited the invasion and metastasis of renal cancer cells. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that MSI1 expression is upregulated in RCC, and that MSI1 plays an important role in promoting cell invasion and metastasis of RCC.

The long non-coding RNA NEAT1 enhances epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and chemoresistance via the miR-34a/c-Met axis in renal cell carcinoma.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as new gene regulators and prognostic markers in various cancers. Although the lncRNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) has been associated with tumorigenesis, its functions in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have not been elucidated. We determined that NEAT1 is up-regulated in RCC tissue compared to corresponding non-tumor tissue. High NEAT1 expression was associated with tumor progression and poor survival in RCC patients. NEAT1 knockdown suppressed RCC cell proliferation by inhibiting cell cycle progression, and inhibited RCC cell migration and invasion by reversing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition phenotype. Down-regulation of NEAT1 increased the sensitivity of RCC cells to sorafenib in vitro. Mechanistic analysis revealed that NEAT1 acts as a competitive sponge for miR-34a, which prevents inhibition of c-Met. Thus, NEAT1 promotes RCC progression through the miR-34a/c-Met axis.

Association of increased urine brain derived neurotrophic factor with lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Urinary brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an ubiquitous neurotrophin, was found to rise in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We hypothesized that the urinary level of BDNF could be a potential biomarker for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with BPH. Totally, 76 patients with BPH-caused LUTS and 32 male control subjects without BPH were enrolled. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was applied to assess the symptom severity of LUTS. Urodynamic tests were performed for the diagnosis of underlying detrusor overactivity (DO) in the patients with BPH. Urine samples were collected from all subjects. Urinary BDNF levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and normalized by urinary creatinine (Cr) levels. Seventy-six BPH patients were divided into moderate LUTS group (n=51, 720) according to the IPSS. Of the 76 BPH patients, DO was present in 34 (44.7%) according to the urodynamic test. The urinary BDNF/Cr levels were significantly higher in BPH patients with moderate LUTS (8.29±3.635, P<0.0001) and severe LUTS (11.8±6.44, P<0.0001) than normal controls (1.71±0.555). Patients with severe LUTS tended to have higher urinary BDNF/Cr levels than patients with moderate LUTS (11.8±6.44 vs. 8.29±3.635, P=0.000). The conditions of BPH with LUTS correlated with elevated urinary BDNF levels, and urinary BDNF levels were even higher in BPH-DO patients. The results of this study have provided evidence to suggest that urinary BDNF level test could evaluate the severity of LUTS in BPH patients, and BDNF level can be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of DO in BPH patients.

Bilateral duplex urinary collecting systems accompanied with horseshoe kidneys deformity and right renal ureteral calculi and hydronephrosis: Diagnosis in magnetic resonance urography.

Horseshoe kidney deformity with duplex urinary collecting systems is a rare congenital urinary tract defect. Clinically, it is very difficult to visually observe and examine the whole anatomic structure and information with the regular 2D diagnostic imaging tools. Here, we report a case in which a middle age patient has bilateral duplex urinary collecting systems and horseshoe kidney deformity accompanied with right renal ureteral calculi and hydronephrosis. It was diagnosed by magnetic resonance urography with urinary system 3D reconstruction. The imaging and display method provides valuable information about abnormal anatomic structures of the kidneys and the related stone diseases for preoperative planning.

Association of Increased Urine Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Urinary brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF),an ubiquitous neurotrophin,was found to rise in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).We hypothesized that the urinary level of BDNF could be a potential biomarker for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with BPH.Totally,76 patients with BPH-caused LUTS and 32 male control subjects without BPH were enrolled.International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was applied to assess the symptom severity of LUTS.Urodynamic tests were performed for the diagnosis of underlying detrusor overactivity (DO) in the patients with BPH.Urine samples were collected from all subjects.Urinary BDNF levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and normalized by urinary creatinine (Cr) levels.Seventy-six BPH patients were divided into moderate LUTS group (n=51,7＜IPSS ≤ 20) and severe LUTS group (n=25,IPSS＞20) according to the IPSS.Of the 76 BPH patients,DO was present in 34 (44.7％)according to the urodynamic test.The urinary BDNF/Cr levels were significantly higher in BPH patients with moderate LUTS (8.29±3.635,P＜0.0001) and severe LUTS (11.8±6.44,P＜0.0001) than normal controls (1.71±0.555).Patients with severe LUTS tended to have higher urinary BDNF/Cr levels than patients with moderate LUTS (11.8±6.44 vs.8.29±3.635,P=0.000).The conditions of BPH with LUTS correlated with elevated urinary BDNF levels,and urinary BDNF levels were even higher in BPH-DO patients.The results of this study have provided evidence to suggest that urinary BDNF level test could evaluate the severity of LUTS in BPH patients,and BDNF level can be used as a biornarker for the diagnosis of DO in BPH patients.

miR-144-3p serves as a tumor suppressor for renal cell carcinoma and inhibits its invasion and metastasis by targeting MAP3K8.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators involved in various cancers, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The role of the miRNAs involved in RCC progress and metastasis is largely unknown. Here, miRNA microarray analysis was performed to screen the significant miRNAs involved in RCC progress, and miR-144-3p was chosen for further study. We found that the expression of miR-144-3p was significantly lower in RCC specimens and cell lines. In addition, low expression level of miR-144-3p is correlated with tumor progression and poor survival in RCC patients. Based on in vitro assays, we found that miR-144-3p significantly inhibit cancer cell proliferation and progression. Furthermore, function studies revealed that miR-144-3p was significantly correlated with the metastasis potential by affecting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAP3K8) is direct target of miR-144-3p, while the expression levels of MAP3K8 were inversely correlated with the expression levels of miR-144-3p in RCC tissues. Overall, our findings demonstrate that miR-144-3p targeted the MAP3K8 pathway to reduce tumor cells proliferation and metastasis in RCC, suggesting that this axis may provide a novel therapeutic target for RCC therapy.

High expression of constitutive photomorphogenic 1 (COP1) is associated with poor prognosis in bladder cancer.

The present study was to investigate the expression and prognostic value of constitutive photomorphogenic 1 (COP1) in bladder cancer. In our study, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) was performed to detect 10 pairs of fresh bladder cancer (BCa) and adjacent noncancerous tissues. In addition, immunohistochemistry was utilized to detect the expression of COP1 in 174 clinical bladder cancer samples. What is more, the correlation of COP1 expression and clinicopathological features and clinical outcomes were analyzed. The expression levels of COP1 in clinical bladder cancer were much higher than that in paired adjacent noncancerous tissues (p < 0.0001). High expression of COP1 was closely related with differentiation (p = 0.040) and recurrence (p = 0.001) of patients with bladder cancer. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the expression of COP1 was closely correlated with overall survival (p = 0.048) of bladder cancer, while, recurrence-free survival (p = 0.201). Moreover, Cox multivariate regression analyses showed that COP1 expression was an independent predictor of overall survival (OS; p = 0.027, hazard ratio = 2.127, confidence interval 0.814 to 9.736). Based on our data, the present study suggests that high expression of COP1 may be a novel biological indicator for evaluation of poor prognosis in bladder cancer.