[Clinical and genetic analysis of seven Chinese pedigrees affected with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A with cutaneous lichen amyloidosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathological characteristics and significance of RET proto-oncogene screening in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) with cutaneous lichen amyloidosis (CLA). METHODS: Clinical data of 51 members from 7 unrelated pedigrees of MEN2A-CLA were collected. Systemic clinical investigations including biochemical testing, imaging examination, germline RET variant screening and histopathological examination were carried out. RESULTS: RET gene variants were detected in 28 patients with MEN2A (C634G/F/R/S/W and C611Y) including 12 males and 16 females, with the mean age of diagnosis being (41.1 ± 18.3) years old, which were consistent with their clinical manifestations. The incidence of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), pheochromocytoma (PHEO), hyperparathyroidism (HPTH) and CLA among 28 MEN2A patients were 89.3%, 28.6%, 7.1% and 28.6%, respectively. Comparison of the incidence of MTC/PHEO/HPTH and CLA between C611Y and C634G/F/R/S/W, only PHEO and CLA in C611Y were lower than those in C634G/F/R/S/W (P < 0.05; P < 0.05). Among 8 patients with CLA, the male to female ratio was 2 : 6. The clinical features included pruritus in the interscapular region and presence of dry, thickened, scaly, brown pigment, clustered or desquamate-like plaques. The mean onset age of CLA [(18.4 ± 4.6) years] versus the mean age at diagnosis of CLA or MEN2A were significantly different (P < 0.001; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: MEN2A-CLA may be the early clinical manifestation of MEN2A and most frequently occurred along with RET-C634 variant. To facilitate the recognition of MEN2A-CLA, to combine family investigation and screening of RET variant are helpful for early diagnosis and standardized treatment, which can improve the long-term outcome of MEN2A-specific tumors.

A Rare Case of Spontaneous Bladder Rupture in a Herpes Zoster Patient.

Herpes zoster infection in the sacral area accounts for a considerable number of all herpes zoster cases, and cases of acute urinary retention and defecation disorders caused by herpes zoster infection in the sacral area have been reported. However, no clinical case of spontaneous bladder rupture has been reported. In this report, we describe a 77-year-old male patient with severe complications of spontaneous bladder rupture caused by herpes zoster-associated urinary retention. The patient regained complete bladder function after undergoing surgery to repair the bladder and treatment with antiviral drugs.

Development of a New Recurrence-Free Survival Prediction Nomogram for Patients with Primary Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Based on Preoperative Controlling Nutritional Status Score.

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer is the second most prevalent neoplasm in the urogenital system in terms of morbidity and mortality, and there is an urgent need for a more accurate assessment of individual prognosis in patients with primary non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is an emerging biomarker score which has been confirmed to have prognostic value in various malignant tumors. The study attempted to systematically identify the prognostic role of preoperative CONUT score on posttreatment recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with NMIBC, and determine the predictive value and feasibility of the new prognostic prediction model. METHODS: A total of 94 patients with NMIBC were analyzed retrospectively between January 2011 and December 2015. Statistical analysis was conducted using the nonparametric method. The Kaplan--Meier method was used to assess recurrence-free survival (RFS), and Log rank tests was used to analyze the equivalences of survival curves. We used univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model to identify important predictors of RFS. Discrimination of nomogram was measured by the concordance index. Predictive accuracy of the model was evaluated using the internal validation. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, age, history of smoking, pathological T stage, tumor grade, tumor size, and CONUT score were significantly correlated with RFS. Multivariate analysis indicated that CONUT score (HR =3.855, 95% CI 1.242-11.970, p=0.020) was an independent predictor of RFS in patients with NMIBC. Based on significant parameters in multivariate analysis and reliable recurrence predictors determined in predictive models and relevant guidelines, a new age-, history of smoking-, pathologic factors- and the CONUT score-based scoring model was developed to predict recurrence of NMBIC. In addition, we internally validated the nomogram using the consistency index and calibration plots, which demonstrated that the model has high prediction accuracy (c-index= 0.851). CONCLUSION: The development of a new nomogram based on CONUT score could increase the accuracy of recurrence prediction and improve individualized treatment plans for patients with NMIBC.

Circ_0061140 stimulates the malignant development of prostate cancer by targeting miR-1193.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to explore the expression pattern in prostate cancer (PCa) tissues, as well as the regulatory effects of circ_0061140 on the proliferative potential of PCa cells. METHODS: A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis was undertaken to detect circ_0061140 levels in 43 paired PCa tissues and adjacent normal tissues. After the knockdown of circ_0061140, changes in the proliferative potential of PCa cells and tumor growth in nude mice with PCa were detected. Finally, the relationship of circ_0061140 and miR-1193 in the development of PCa was assessed. RESULTS: The results showed that circ_0061140 was upregulated in PCa tissues. PCa patients with higher Gleason score or larger sized tumors expressed higher levels of circ_0061140. Additionally, the knockdown of circ_0061140 inhibited the proliferative potential of PCa cells. MiR-1193 was the target gene binding circ_0061140, and its level was negatively regulated by circ_0061140. Finally, rescue experiments showed that miR-1193 was regulated by circ_0061140 in the development of PCa. CONCLUSIONS: Circ_0061140 is upregulated in PCa tissues, and is closely linked to Gleason score and tumor size in PCa. Additionally, it causes PCa cells to proliferate by negatively regulating miR-1193.

Controlling Nutritional Status Score Evaluates Prognosis in Patients With Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the clinical value of the Controlling Nutritional Status score in evaluating the prognosis of patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 88 patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor or partial cystectomy between January 2011 and May 2015 in a single center. The patients were divided into groups base on high (>1) and low (≤1) Controlling Nutritional Status score. RESULTS: Clinical and demographic data of the patient groups were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test to generate survival curves. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the Cox proportional hazard model. Among the participants, the male-to-female ratio was 70:18 and median age was 64.5 years (range, 25-84 years). The numbers of patients with Controlling Nutritional Status score of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 were 26 (29.55%), 21 (23.86%), 20 (22.73%), 12 (13.64%), 5 (5.68%), 1 (1.14%), and 3 (3.41%), respectively. The 5-year recurrence rate was 29 out of 88 patients (32.95%). The recurrence-free survival of the high-score group was significantly lower than that of the low-score group (P < 0.001). On univariate analysis, age, smoking history, Controlling Nutritional Status score, depth of tumor invasion, pathological grade, and tumor diameter were related to the prognosis of patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. On multivariate analysis, the Controlling Nutritional Status score (hazard ratio, 4.938; 95% confidence interval, 1.392-17.525; P = 0.013) was an independent factor affecting the recurrence-free survival of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the Controlling Nutritional Status score could be a simple, cost-effective, and reliable predictor of prognoses among of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

[Entecavir improves the reproductive function of male patients with chronic hepatitis B].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of entecavir on the reproductive function of male patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: This study included 56 CHB male patients (aged 18－45 ï¼»33.14 ± 5.38ï¼½ years) initially treated with entecavir at 0.5 mg/d for 24 weeks from 2015 to 2018 and another 24 healthy fertile male volunteers (aged 21－45 ï¼»32.62 ± 5.94ï¼½ years) as normal controls. We obtained the body mass index (BMI), reproductive hormone levels, semen parameters and IIEF-5 scores from the subjects and compared them between the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the CHB and normal control groups in age, BMI, lifestyle and baseline reproductive hormone levels except in the levels of FSH (ï¼»3.92 ± 1.29ï¼½ vs ï¼»3.08 ± 0.85ï¼½ mIU/ml, P = 0.003) and E2 (ï¼»35.79 ± 7.49ï¼½ vs ï¼»28.25 ± 7.09ï¼½ pg/ml, P < 0.01). The semen parameters were significantly lower in the CHB patients than in the normal controls, including total sperm motility (ï¼»37.75 ± 13.33ï¼½% vs ï¼»49.58 ± 9.27ï¼½%, P = 0.004), the percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS) (ï¼»30.70 ± 10.03ï¼½% vs ï¼»42.46 ± 8.90ï¼½%, P < 0.01), sperm concentration (ï¼»51.51 ± 19.50ï¼½ vs 70.33 ± 30.62) ×106/ml, P = 0.007), and total sperm count (ï¼»160.2 ± 51.8ï¼½ vs ï¼»225.91 ± 97.97ï¼½ ×106, P = 0.002), and so were the IIEF-5 scores (19.32 ± 2.34 vs 21.25 ± 2.35, P = 0.0006). After 24 weeks of entecavir treatment, the CHB patients showed no significant difference from the baseline in the semen volume, semen pH and days of abstinence, but remarkable improvement in total motility (ï¼»37.75 ± 13.33ï¼½ vs ï¼»44.1 ± 11.89ï¼½%, P = 0.004), PMS (ï¼»30.70 ± 10.03ï¼½ vs ï¼»38.30 ± 7.42ï¼½%, P < 0.01), sperm concentration (ï¼»51.51 ± 19.50ï¼½ vs ï¼»62.00 ± 24.64ï¼½ ×106/ml, P = 0.007), total sperm count (ï¼»160.21 ± 51.8ï¼½ vs ï¼»207.65 ± 81.69ï¼½ ×106, P = 0.0002), and IIEF-5 score (20.13 ± 1.82 vs 19.32 ± 2.34, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: CHB patients have lower sexual function and semen quality than normal males. Entecavir can significantly improve the liver function, sexual function and semen quality of the CHB patients, but whether it directly improves the sexual function and semen quality of the patients or indirectly through liver function improvement needs to be further studied.

Cationic Polyelectrolytes with Alkylsulfonate Counterions as a Cathode Interface Layer for High-Performance Polymer Solar Cells.

Three cationic polyelectrolytes polyethyleneimine ethoxylate (PEIE)-1,4-butanediol dimethylsulfonate (MSB), PEIE-1,4-butanediol diethylsulfonate (ESB), and PEIE-1,4-butanediol dibenzylsulfonate (BSB), containing methylsulfonate, ethylsulfonate, and benzylsulfonate, respectively, were prepared for cathode interface layers (CILs) via a one-step reaction with 1,4-butanediol dialkylsulfonate and PEIE as the reactants. The results indicate that PEIE-MSB and PEIE-ESB with smaller counterions possess more efficient electron extraction, higher electron mobilities, and better photovoltaic performance than PEIE-BSB with larger counterions. The PTB7-Th:PC71BM-based single junction bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells (PSCs) with PEIE-ESB as the CIL showed power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 10.44 and 9.23% under the thickness conditions of 8 and 30 nm, respectively. The PM6:Y6-based PSCs displayed a high PCE of 15.69%. The study provides not only new high-performance CILs but also a new strategy to construct light-soaking-free PSCs via tuning alkylsulfonate counterions.

Overexpression of spindle and kinetochore-associated protein 1 contributes to the progression of prostate cancer.

Spindle and kinetochore-associated protein 1 is a microtubule-binding subcomplex of the outer kinetochore that is essential for proper chromosome segregation. Recently, spindle and kinetochore-associated protein 1 has been highlighted as a biomarker in various cancers; however, the precise role of spindle and kinetochore-associated protein 1 in prostate cancer remains unknown. This study aims to evaluate whether spindle and kinetochore-associated protein 1 affects the biological behaviors of prostate cancer. We investigated the expression of spindle and kinetochore-associated protein 1 in a series of prostate cancer tissues as well as in a panel of prostate cancer cell lines. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were evaluated in spindle and kinetochore-associated protein 1 knockdown prostate cancer cell lines by MTT and Transwell assays. Our results showed that the expression of spindle and kinetochore-associated protein 1 was remarkably upregulated in prostate cancer at both messenger RNA and protein levels compared with non-cancerous tissue. Knockdown of spindle and kinetochore-associated protein 1 repressed the ability of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of prostate cancer cells. Moreover, inhibition of spindle and kinetochore-associated protein 1 could inhibit the activity of AKT and ERK pathway. In conclusion, our findings suggest that spindle and kinetochore-associated protein 1 could serve as a potential therapeutic target in prostate cancer patients.

Numb had anti-tumor effects in prostatic cancer.

AIM: The aim of this study was to explain the Numb anti-cancer effects in the prostatic cancer. METHODS: Collecting the 20 prostatic cancer patients and analyzing the correlation between Numb and Glease score. Transfection Numb into DU-145 and PC-3 cells, measuring the proliferation rate of difference groups by MTT assay, evaluating the cell apoptosis and cell cycle of difference group by Flow cytometry; measuring the invasion and migration abilities by transwell and wound healing assays. In the nude mice experiment, establish prostatic cancer nude mouse subcutaneous planting tumor model by DU-145 cells, Injection the Numb from tail vein. Evaluating the tumor volume and weight. RESULTS: The Numb protein expression was decreased with Glease score increasing. The proliferation rate of Numb groups were significantly decreased compared with NC groups (P<0.05, respectively). The apoptosis and G1 phase rates of Numb groups were significantly enhanced compared with NC groups (P<0.05, respectively). The invasion and migration abilities of Numb group cells were significantly weaken compared with NC groups (P<0.05, respectively). In the WB assay, The relative proteins (Numb, P53, Cyclin D1, Rac1, MMP-2 and MMP-9) expression were significantly differences between NC and Numb groups (P<0.05, respectively). In the vivo experiment, the tumor volume and weight of Numb group was significantly lighter than NC group (P<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Overexpression Numb had anti-cancer effects to prostatic cancer in vitro and vivo experiments, the mechanism might be P53/Cyclin D1 and Rac1/MMP-2/-9 signaling pathway.