Inhibiting Interleukin-6/Signal Transducers and Activators of Transduction-3/Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Signaling Pathway Suppressed the Growth of Infantile Hemangioma.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in patients with infantile hemangioma (IH) and investigate the role of the IL-6/signal transducers and activators of transduction-3 (STAT3)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) pathways in the progression of IH. METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from the patients with IH and normal infants to measure IL-6 expression. Hemangioma-derived stem cells (HemSCs) were transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting IL-6, HIF-1α, or STAT3. Then, cell viability and wound healing assays were conducted. After that, the HemSC tumor mouse model was established. The in vivo anticancer effect of the IL-6 inhibitor was investigated. RESULTS: The patients with IH had much higher IL-6 levels compared with the healthy controls (p = 0.005). HemSCs transfected with IL-6 siRNA had significantly lower viability and migration rates than normal HemSCs. HemSCs transfected with STAT3 siRNA or HIF-1α siRNA had similar tendencies. On tumor-bearing mice, the IL-6 inhibitor treatment significantly delayed tumor growth. Compared with the control group, caspase-3 was significantly increased in the IL-6 inhibitor group (p < 0.05), whereas Ki-67 was decreased in the IL-6 inhibitor group (p < 0.05). In the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, the IL-6 inhibitor group had much higher apoptosis rates than the controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that inhibiting the IL-6/STAT3/HIF-1α signaling pathways could suppress IH growth.

Analysis of the Components of 236 Cases of Urinary Stones in Xinjiang Uyghur Children.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between clinical characteristics and urinary calculus in Xinjiang Uyghur children, and to provide clinical basis for the prevention as well as treatment of urinary stone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 236 urinary tract stone samples were collected from pediatric patients from February 2017 to April 2019, and those samples were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy. Stone compositions were compared with demographic data. RESULTS: Among the 236 cases, 166 cases were boys (70.34%) and 70 cases were girls (29.66%), with a male-to-female ratio of 2.37:1. A total of 21 kinds of calculi were detected, including 107 cases with six kinds of simple calculi and 129 cases with 15 kinds of mixed calculi. In this study, magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate was only found in boys, and the difference was statistically significant (6.6 vs. 0.0%, p = 0.037). There were statistical differences in the age distribution of children with ammonium hydrogen urate, calcium oxalate, and other stone components (p < 0.05), while there were no statistical differences in the age distribution of children with apatite carbonate, magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate, and anhydrous uric acid. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the localization of calculi between male and female children (upper urinary tract stones: 78.9 vs. 98.6%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Uyghur pediatric patients with urolithiasis were young and the majority of stones was mixed, The main components of calculi were ammonium hydrogen urate, calcium oxalate and apatite carbonate, and there are differences in the localization of calculi between genders.

Surgical correction of penoscrotal transposition with hypospadias: experience with 83 cases / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the techniques of surgical correction of penoscrotal transposition with hypospadias.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively studied 83 cases of penoscrotal transposition with hypospadias treated by surgery from January 2003 to June 2009, and analyzed the surgical techniques and follow-up results.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients underwent urethroplasty with simultaneous or staged surgical correction of penoscrotal transposition. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for 0.5-5 years. Eighty-one of the patients were satisfied with the appearance of the reconstructed penis and scrotum, and satisfactory outcomes were achieved in the other 2 with severe hypospadias after a second surgical correction of penoscrotal transposition.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Urethroplasty with simultaneous or staged surgical correction of penoscrotal transposition is recommendable for its resultant penile straightness, desirable penoscrotal appearance, good surgical prognosis and few postoperative complications.</p>