Integrative Single-Cell Analysis Reveals Transcriptional and Epigenetic Regulatory Features of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) frequently features a high level of tumor heterogeneity. Elucidating the chromatin landscape of ccRCC at the single-cell level could provide a deeper understanding of the functional states and regulatory dynamics underlying the disease. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-cell assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (scATAC-seq) on 19 ccRCC samples, and whole-exome sequencing was used to understand the heterogeneity between individuals. Single-cell transcriptome and chromatin accessibility maps of ccRCC were constructed to reveal the regulatory characteristics of different tumor cell subtypes in ccRCC. Two long noncoding RNAs (RP11-661C8.2 and CTB-164N12.1) were identified that promoted the invasion and migration of ccRCC, which was validated with in vitro experiments. Taken together, this study comprehensively characterized the gene expression and DNA regulation landscape of ccRCC, which could provide new insights into the biology and treatment of ccRCC. SIGNIFICANCE: A comprehensive analysis of gene expression and DNA regulation in ccRCC using scATAC-seq and scRNA-seq reveals the DNA regulatory programs of ccRCC at the single-cell level.

Municipal solid waste incineration residues recycled for typical construction materials-a review.

Focusing on the great potential of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) residues in the construction sector, the applications of recycling MSWI residues in construction materials are discussed in this review. Incineration is a promising method for managing the great quantity of municipal solid waste (MSW). Careful handling of incineration residues including fly ash, air pollution control (APC) residues, and bottom ash is required for this approach. The yield of these residues is large, and they contain many toxic and harmful substances. On the other hand, these residues contain valuable components such as SiO2, CaO, Al2O3, MgO, which are important components of building materials. Therefore, MSWI residues present huge opportunities for potential recycling and reuse in the construction and building industry. This paper summarized and discussed the application of MSWI residues in four typical building materials including cast stone, glass-ceramic, cement, and concrete. Before utilization, three types of pretreatment methods can be used to reduce the toxicity of the residues and improve the performance of the products. In addition, the current issues and the prospects of this field, and the environmental impacts of this application were discussed. It was concluded that MSWI residues can be used to prepare building materials after proper treatment which can improve the mechanical and chemical properties of the residues. The recycling can gain significant economic and environmental benefits at the same time. However, further researches on treatment methods for fine particles are needed.

Single-cell transcriptomes reveal characteristic features of cell types within the human adrenal microenvironment.

Various cells within the adrenal microenvironment are important in maintaining the body homeostasis. However, our understanding of adrenal disease pathogenesis is limited by an incomplete molecular characterization of the cell types responsible for the organ's multiple homeostatic functions. We report a cellular landscape of the human adrenal gland using single-cell RNA sequencing. We reveal characteristic features of cell types within the human adrenal microenvironment and found immune activation of nonimmune cells in the adrenal endothelial cells. We also reveal that abundant immune cells occupied a lot of space in adrenal gland. Additionally, Sex-related diversity in the adrenocortical cells and different gene expression profiles between the left and right adrenal gland are also observed at single-cell resolution. Together, at single-cell resolution, the transcriptomic map presents a comprehensive view of the human adrenal gland, which serves as a fundamental baseline description of this organ and paves a way for the further studies of adrenal diseases.

Novel Blood Indicators of Progression and Prognosis in Renal Cell Carcinoma: Red Cell Distribution Width-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Albumin-to-Fibrinogen Ratio.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of preoperative red cell distribution width-to-lymphocyte ratio (RLR) and albumin-to-fibrinogen ratio (AFR) to the prognosis of patients after renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: From 2012 to 2016, a total of 273 RCC patients underwent radical nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy. This study retrospectively analyzed this group of patients. X-tile software was used to determine the optimal values of RLR and AFR in the peripheral blood. The nomogram constructed with independent factors was used to predict the survival outcome of the patients after RCC. RESULTS: The RLR of the RCC group was higher than that of the normal control group (P=0.002), whereas the AFR of the RCC group was lower than that of the normal control group (P < 0.001). RLR and AFR are related to tumour type and tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) stage (P < 0.05 for all). Cox regression analysis showed that the independent prognostic factors affecting overall survival and disease-free survival in the RCC group were symptom, tumour type, TNM stage, Fuhrman grade, RLR, and AFR (P < 0.05 for all). The nomogram constructed by multiple factors has better predictive power for patients after RCC. CONCLUSION: Preoperative RLR and AFR can serve as potential biomarkers to predict the prognosis of postoperative RCC patients and improve the predictability of patient recurrence and survival.

The effect of miR-124-3p on cell proliferation and apoptosis in bladder cancer by targeting EDNRB.

INTRODUCTION: Endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB) is a potential target gene of miR-124-3p, but the association between miR-124-3p and EDNRB has not yet been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-124-3p in bladder cancer (BC) and to determine whether miR-124-3p regulates cell proliferation by targeting EDNRB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bladder cancer tissues and cell lines were obtained in order to analyze the miR-124-3p and EDNRB expression through quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blotting analysis. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to confirm the relationship between miR-124-3p and EDNRB. The manipulation of miR-124-3p and EDNRB expression was achieved through cell transfection. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated by MTS assay, colony forming assay and flow cytometry. A nude mouse tumorigenicity assay was used to detect the effects of miR-124-3p in vivo. RESULTS: There was an inverse correlation between the expression of miR-124-3p and EDNRB; miR-124-3p was down-regulated and EDNRB was up-regulated in BC tissues and cell lines. MiR-124-3p was observed to target EDNRB and suppress its expression. Other studies have suggested that the transfection of miR-124-3p mimics and EDNRB siRNA can suppress BC cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: miR-124-3p regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of BC cells by suppressing EDNRB expression.

Expression and clinical significance of Caveolin-1 in prostate Cancer after transurethral surgery.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is a common malignancy of the male genitourinary system that occurs worldwide. The current research aims to investigate caveolin-1 expression in prostate cancer tissue and its relationship with pathological grade, clinical pathologic staging, and preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. METHODS: From January 2012 to December 2014, samples from 47 patients with prostate cancer who had received transurethral prostatic resection (TURP) and 20 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were collected at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University. Caveolin-1 was detected by streptavidin-perosidase (SP) immunohistochemical staining in pathological tissue slices. The results were statistically analyzed for pathological grade, clinical stage, and preoperative PSA level. RESULTS: The expression of caveolin-1 was significantly higher in prostate cancer samples than in benign prostatic hyperplasia samples (P < 0.05), and caveolin-1 expression was significantly different among the pathological grades of poorly, moderately and well-differentiated prostate cancer (P < 0.05). The difference in caveolin-1 expression was significant for different clinical stages (T1-T2 and T3-T4) of prostate cancer (P < 0.05). The difference in caveolin-1 expression was not significant among samples with different preoperative PSA levels (0-10, 10-100 and > 100 µg/L) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Caveolin-1 is closely related to the pathological grade and clinical stage of prostate cancer after transurethral surgery, and it may be a novel tumor marker for prostate cancer. The expression of caveolin-1 is not associated with preoperative serum PSA levels.

Intravenous misplacement of the nephrostomy catheter following percutaneous nephrostolithotomy: two case reports and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous misplacement of a nephrostomy tube after percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PCNL) is very rare in clinical experiences. This report summarizes the characteristics and management of intravenous misplacement. CASE PRESENTATION: We present two uncommon cases of intravenous nephrostomy catheter misplacement after PCNL from among 4220 patients who underwent PCNL between January 2009 and December 2015. The tip of the tube was located in the inferior vena cava in one case and in the renal vein in the other. We preferably performed open surgery to treat the two patients, mainly to remove the residual calculi and to prepare for any possible adverse event. All patients were successfully managed and discharged uneventfully. CONCLUSION: Intravenous nephrostomy tube misplacement is an uncommon PCNL complication. Furthermore, the study illustrates the importance of prompt diagnosis of renal vein perforation and its prompt management using open surgery, similar to conservative therapies.

Key pathways and genes controlling the development and progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) based on gene set enrichment analysis.

BACKGROUND: Clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is one of the most common types of kidney cancer in adults; however, its causes are not completely understood. The study was designed to filter the key pathways and genes associated with the occurrence or development of ccRCC, acquaint its pathogenesis at gene and pathway level, to provide more theory evidence and targeted therapy for ccRCC. METHODS: Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and meta-analysis (Meta) were used to screen the critical pathways and genes which may affect the occurrence and progression of ccRCC on the transcription level. Corresponding pathways of significant genes were obtained with the online website DAVID ( http://david.abcc.ncifcrf.gov/ ). RESULTS: Thirty seven consistent pathways and key genes in these pathways related to ccRCC were obtained with combined GSEA and meta-analysis. These pathways were mainly involved in metabolism, organismal systems, cellular processes and environmental information processing. CONCLUSION: The gene pathways that we identified could provide insight concerning the development of ccRCC. Further studies are needed to determine the biological function for the positive genes.

[A pilot study of photon therapy for benign prostate hyperplasia (a report of 30 cases)].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of photon therapy for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Thirty patients with severe BPH received brachytherapy of prostate photon treatment system irradiation for one month, with the active area of the applicator located in the rectum, and at a dosage of 726-810 cGy. International prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), volume of prostate gland, maximum flow rate (Qmax), and residual urine were evaluated before and after the treatment. RESULTS: After one-month treatment, 18 cases remarkably improved, 9 slightly improved and 3 had no response. There was significant improvement in IPSS, QOL, volume of prostate gland, Qmax and residual urine (P<0.01, except Qmax P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Prostate photon treatment system can be used as a safe, effective, micro-invasive, convenient and economical therapy for severe BPH, especially applicable to older and weaker patients.