Long non-coding RNA VIM-AS1 promotes prostate cancer growth and invasion by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

PURPOSE: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been elucidated to participate in the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Here, we aimed to detect the expression, function and further underlying the mechanisms of lncRNA VIM-AS1 in PCa. METHODS: A total of 88 PCa and 31 normal prostate tissue samples were collected after surgical resection. Expression of VIM-AS1 in the samples was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Similarly, the relative level of VIM-AS1 in PCa cell lines to normal prostate cell line was also measured. Lentivirus for up- or down-regulating VIM-AS1 was used to establish the experimental cells. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay and colony formation assay were utilized to study the proliferation, and wound-healing, and transwell assay was utilized to study the migration and invasion abilities of established cells. Furthermore, western blot was employed to detect the expression of the related proteins. RESULTS: VIM-AS1 was expressed significantly higher in PCa tissues comparing with normal prostate tissues. Higher VIM-AS1 expression predicted larger tumor size, metastasis and advanced TNM stage. Inhibition of VIM-AS1 reduced cell proliferation, migration and invasion of PC3 cells but overexpression of VIM-AS1 promoted cell growth, migration and invasion. We also found VIM-AS1 promoted the expression of vimentin, which further promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of PCa cells. CONCLUSIONS: lncRNA VIM-AS1 was overexpressed in PCa tissues and cell lines and promoted PCa proliferation and metastasis via EMT through regulating vimentin, which might provide a novel target for the diagnosis and therapy for PCa.

Transurethral cystolitholapaxy with the AH-1 stone removal system for the treatment of bladder stones of variable size.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of large volume bladder stones by current equipments continues to be a management problem in both developing and developed countries. AH-1 Stone Removal System (SRS) invented by us is primarily used to crush and retrieve bladder stones. This study evaluated the safety and efficiency of transurethral cystolitholapaxy with SRS for the treatment of bladder stones of variable size. METHODS: SRS, which was invented by Aihua Li in 2007, composed by endoscope, continuous-flow component, a jaw for stone handling and retrieving, lithotripsy tube, handle, inner sheath and outer sheath. 112 patients with bladder stones were performed by transurethral cystolitholapaxy with SRS since 2008. We compare the surgical outcome to bladder stones of variable size, and evaluate the surgical efficiency and safety. RESULTS: Characteristics of patients and stone removal time in variable size were evaluated. To patients with single stone, stone size was 1.35 ± 0.37 cm and the operating time was 5.50 ± 3.92 min in Group A. Stone size was 2.38 ± 0.32 cm and the operating time was 11.90 ± 9.91 min in Group B. Stone size was 3.30 ± 0.29 cm and the operating time was 21.92 ± 9.44 min in Group C. Stone size was 4.69 ± 0.86 cm and the operating time was 49.29 ± 30.47 min in Group D. The difference was statistically significant between the four groups. Among them, 74 (66.07%) patients accompanied with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were treated by transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) simultaneously. Compared between the four groups, the difference of the TURP time was not statistically significant, P >0.05. No significant complication was found in the surgical procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Transurethral cystolitholapaxy with SRS appears to be increased rapidity of the procedure with decreased morbidity. It is a safe and efficient surgical management to bladder stones. This endoscopic surgery best fits the ethics principle of no injury; meanwhile, the accompanied BPH could be effectively treated by TURP simultaneously.

Circumcision plus antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and α-blocker therapy for the treatment for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of circumcision combined with antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and α-blocker therapy for the treatment for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). METHODS: Subjects assigned to the circumcision group were given antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and α-blocker medications and scheduled for surgery the same period in each site by study clinicians. Subjects assigned to the control group were asked to only take the same medications and remain uncircumcised until the end of the 3-month study period. The primary outcome was a reduction of at least four points on the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI). RESULTS: A total of 774 eligible participants underwent randomization, and the ratio of men with a decrease of at least four points on the total NIH-CPSI score from baseline to 12 weeks was 84.6% in the circumcision group and 68.5% in the control group (P < 0.001). Of the 713 men who completed the trial, the median total NIH-CPSI score decreased significantly from 21.0 ± 7.0 to 12.0 ± 8.0 (P < 0.001) in the circumcision group, and in the control group, the change was from 21.0 ± 8.0 to 15.0 ± 7.0 (P < 0.001). Comparison of the changes in the total and three subdomain NIH-CPSI scores over time revealed significant differences between the circumcision and control groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that circumcision plus antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and α-blocker therapy for CP/CPPS patients resulted in improved NIH-CPSI scores compared with medication therapy only.