Comprehensive analysis of alternative polyadenylation regulators of CTLA4 and immune infiltration in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common renal cancer. Alternative polyadenylation (APA) plays an important role in the progression and immunity of multiple tumors. Although immunotherapy has emerged as an important treatment option for metastatic renal cell carcinoma, whether APA affects the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in ccRCC remains unclear. Methods: Patients with ccRCC were classified into two groups by performing a consensus clustering analysis of APA factor expression profiles. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were used to assess the association between APA regulators and ccRCC prognosis. Through the use of the R package, GSVA, the correlation between SNRNP70 expression and tumor immune features were analyzed. Results: The TCGA data revealed that APA regulators were associated with Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Associated Protein 4 (CTLA4) expression. Cluster 1 exhibited a higher grade and histological tumor stage, as well as a worse prognosis compared to Cluster 2. A ssGSEA analysis demonstrated that Cluster 2 possessed an extensively higher level of immune infiltration. Moreover, high SNRNP70 expression was found to be positively correlated with CTLA4 expression and a poor prognosis in ccRCC. Thus, SNRNP70 might represent a novel immune-related prognostic biomarker in ccRCC. A pan-cancer analysis suggested that SNRNP70 may also play a role in other types of cancer by affecting the TIME. Conclusions: The data from this study indicate that APA regulators play a key role in immune infiltration in ccRCC. SNRNP70 is a promising prognostic biomarker and a potential target for ccRCC's immunotherapy.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy and safety comparing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate with transurethral resection of the prostate for patients with prostate volume less than 100 mL or 100 g.

Background: To assess the efficacy and safety of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for patients with prostate volume less than 100 mL or 100 g. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science from inception to July 2021 to collect randomized controlled trials. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies by using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Review Manager 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. We synthesised effect estimates using risk ratios (RR), mean difference (MD), and standardized mean differences (SMD). Results: A total of eight studies were included, involving 764 patients, 384 patients in the HoLEP group and 380 patients in the TURP group. The meta-analysis showed that the catheterization time (SMD =-1.44; 95% CI: -2.17 to -0.70; P=0.0001), hospital stay (SMD =-1.01; 95% CI: -1.58 to -0.44; P=0.0005), haemoglobin loss (MD =-0.29; 95% CI: -0.52 to -0.07; P=0.01), and transfusion rate (RR =0.16; 95% CI: 0.05-0.49; P=0.001) in the HoLEP group were lower than those in the TURP group. In addition, the 12-month postvoid residual volume (PVR) of the HoLEP group (MD =-9.93 95% CI: -18.59 to -1.27; P=0.02) were superior to the TURP group. Although the operation time of the HoLEP group was longer (MD =17.89; 95% CI: 9.18-26.60; P<0.0001), more tissues were removed (SMD =0.47; 95% CI: 0.10-0.85; P=0.01). Discussion: Compared with TURP, HoLEP has a shorter catheterization time and hospital stay, with more tissue removed, a lower blood transfusion rate and better results in the short-term follow-up after surgery. Therefore, HoLEP has better efficacy and safety in the treatment of small- and medium-sized benign prostatic obstruction. Our results found that HoLEP is also suitable for patients with prostate volume <100 mL/100 g, suggesting that it is necessary to redefine the prostate size that is best for HoLEP. Overall, the certainty of evidence was assessed to be moderate to low due to potential risk of bias and inconsistent outcome indicators in some studies. More data on the efficacy of HoLEP and TURP on small- and medium-sized prostates are needed to determine the optimal prostate volume of HoLEP.

Nearly Monodisperse Copper Selenide Nanoparticles for Recognition, Enrichment, and Sensing of Mercury Ions.

In the current work, Cu(I)1.28Cu(II)0.36Se nanoparticles were synthesized via a simple procedure and were applied for the first time for recognition, adsorption, enrichment, and detection of Hg(II) ions. The experimental results show that 99.9% Hg(II) could be adsorbed by Cu(I)1.28Cu(II)0.36Se nanoparticles within just 30 s, and the Hg(II) concentration could be lowered down to a super-low level of 0.01 ppb. Cu(I)1.28Cu(II)0.36Se nanoparticles also demonstrate high selectivity to Hg(II) and Ag(I) among nine representative metal ions. The enrichment experiments show that Hg(II) of ultratrace concentration could be enriched significantly by Cu(I)1.28Cu(II)0.36Se nanoparticles, and thus, the detection limit of Hg(II) based on inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy-mass spectrometry would be pushed down by 2 orders of magnitude. These outstanding features of Cu(I)1.28Cu(II)0.36Se nanoparticles could be well accounted for in terms of the solubility product principle and the high affinity between selenium and mercury. Cu(I)1.28Cu(II)0.36Se nanoparticles were also found to have peroxidase-like activity, which could be inhibited by Hg(II) but not by Ag(I). This unique characteristic coupled with the solubility product principle successfully allows recognition and detection of Hg(II) even in the presence of Ag(I), which has a similar pKsp to Hg(II). As a result, the qualitative and quantitative analyses of Hg(II) could be performed by the naked eye and UV-visible spectroscopy, respectively. The current results indicate that Cu(I)1.28Cu(II)0.36Se nanoparticles not only have great potential in various aspects of dealing with Hg(II) pollution but would also shed light on discovering new nanomaterials to address other heavy metal ions.

A sulfur, nitrogen dual-doped porous graphene nanohybrid for ultraselective Hg(ii) separation over Pb(ii) and Cu(ii).

Two-dimensional (2D) porous graphene is attractive as a high-permeability membrane for ionic and molecular separation. Here, we propose a sulfur, nitrogen dual-doped 2D porous graphene (SNPG) nanohybrid by adopting a facile one-step process. The resulting sandwich-like porous nanohybrid features uniform ion-gated nanopores for efficient transport of target heavy metal ions while blocking undesired ions, as well as abundant multi-binding ligands for selectively chelating permeated heavy metal ions. We show from systematic experiments that this SNPG nanohybrid exhibits outstanding selectivity and ability to separate Hg(ii) ions in mixtures with eight other metal ions. An excellent uptake capability (803 mg g-1) and high removal ability (>99%) within the entire pH range of 2-10 can be obtained. Given the specific 2D porous nanostructure and specific binding ligands, SNPG exhibits an ultrahigh separation factor towards Hg(ii) that is up to four orders of magnitude higher than those of Pb(ii), Cd(ii) and Cu(ii) ions, significantly higher than those of most reported adsorbents. These findings provide a new opportunity to develop selective materials and devices for applications such as efficient recognition, extraction and separation of target metal ions in complex aqueous environments.

Portable Hg2+ Nanosensor with ppt Level Sensitivity Using Nanozyme as the Recognition Unit, Enrichment Carrier, and Signal Amplifier.

We report a portable and highly sensitive Hg2+ nanosensor, where the CuS nanozyme functions as an Hg2+ recognition unit, a Hg2+ enrichment/preconcentration carrier, and a signal amplifier/output unit. The as-designed enrichment-detection integration strategy is customizable and endows the sensor with both a wide detection range from 50 ppt to 400 ppb and a high sensitivity with a minimum detectable Hg2+ concentration of 50 ppt. In order to make the Hg2+ nanosensor portable and cost-effective, a commercial RGB sensor is employed here in conjunction with the Hg2+-dependent colorimetric reaction. More importantly, the as-developed Hg2+ nanosensor is feasible for analysis of real samples with satisfactory accuracy (deviation <10%) and reproducibility (recovery ∼82%). Thus, this portable Hg2+ nanosensor appears to be a viable solution to meet the actual needs of on-site and real-time mercury contamination analysis and may also pave the way to colorimetric nanosensors for other metal ions.

RSPO3 promotes the aggressiveness of bladder cancer via Wnt/ß-catenin and Hedgehog signaling pathways.

R-spondin 3 (RSPO3) is a secreted protein that associates directly with Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. However, its functional contribution and prognostic value in human bladder cancer remain unclear. Here, we showed that RSPO3 is upregulated in bladder cancer tissues and cells, and high expression of RSPO3 correlates with advanced clinicopathological features, poor prognosis and disease progression in bladder cancer patients. Furthermore, we observed that ectopic expression or knockdown of RSPO3 profoundly promoted or inhibited, respectively, the invasive ability of bladder cancer cells. Mechanistically, RSPO3 promoted bladder cancer progression via mediating the Wnt/ß-catenin and Hedgehog signaling pathways. These findings demonstrate, for the first time, that RSPO3 exhibited a tumor-promoting effect in bladder cancer cells through activation of Wnt/ß-catenin and Hedgehog signaling pathways. Thus, RSPO3 may be served as a potential therapeutic target for bladder cancer treatment.

Prognostic Implication of Urothelial Stem Cell Markers Differs According to Primary Tumour Location in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to validate the value of urothelial stem cell (USC) markers ΔNp63, integrin ß4, CD47, and CD44v6 in predicting the prognosis of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) located in different anatomic regions of bladder. METHODS: The study reviewed the clinicopathologic data of 169 patients with NMIBC. Using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, the expression of ΔNp63, integrin ß4, CD47, and CD44v6 in archived specimens of patients with NMIBC were validated. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were used to assess the prognostic impact of USC markers for recurrent-free survival (RFS). RESULTS: The Real-time PCR data showed that the expression of USC markers were higher in tumors located in the trigone and posterior wall than that in other regions of bladder (P< 0.05). Statistical analysis showed that high expression of ΔNp63 was correlated with tumor stage (P=0.023) and tumor size (P=0.001), that high expression of integrin ß4 was correlated with tumor stage (P=0.026), tumor grade (P=0.005) and tumor size (P=0.003), and that high integrin ß4, CD47, and CD44v6 expression were significantly associated with tumor recurrence (P=0.032, P=0.010, and P=0.043, respectively). Moreover, high expression of ΔNp63 and integrin ß4 was correlated with poor RFS in patients with tumors located in the trigone (P=0.025 and P=0.023, respectively). High expression of integrin ß4, CD47, and CD44v6 was correlated with poor RFS in patients with tumors in the posterior wall (P=0.017, P=0.033 and P=0.047, respectively). High expression of integrin ß4 and CD47 was correlated with poor RFS in patients with tumors in the trigone/posterior wall area (P=0.002 and P=0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that USC markers are linked with poor prognosis of NMIBC patients, especially in patients with tumors in the trigone and posterior wall.

Three-Layered Hollow Nanospheres Based Coatings with Ultrahigh-Performance of Energy-Saving, Antireflection, and Self-Cleaning for Smart Windows.

In this study, a well-controlled interfacial engineering method for the synthesis of SiO2 /TiO2 /VO2 three-layered hollow nanospheres (TLHNs) and TLHNs-based multifunctional coatings is reported. The as-prepared coatings allow for an outstanding integration of thermochromism from the outer VO2 (M) layer, photocatalytic self-cleaning capability from the middle TiO2 (A) layer, and antireflective property from internal SiO2 HNs. The TLHNs coatings exhibit excellent optical performance with ultrahigh luminous transmittance (Tlum-l = 74%) and an improved solar modulation ability (ΔTsol = 12%). To the best knowledge, this integrated optical performance is the highest ever reported for TiO2 /VO2 -based thermochromic coatings. An ingenious computation model is proposed, which allows the neff of nanostructured coatings to be rapidly obtained. The experimental and calculated results reveal that the unique three-layered structure significantly reduces the refractive index (from 2.25 to 1.33 at 600 nm) and reflectance (Rave, from 22.3 to 5.3%) in the visible region as compared with dense coatings. Infrared thermal imaging characterization and self-cleaning tests provide valid evidence of SiO2 /TiO2 /VO2 TLHNs coatings' potential for energy-saving and self-cleaning smart windows. The exciting inexpensive and universal fabrication process for well-defined structures may inspire various developments in processable and multifunctional devices.

Persistence of uropathogenic Escherichia Coli in the bladders of female patients with sterile urine after antibiotic therapies.

This study aimed to provide evidence of persistent uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) in female patients with recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) after antibiotic therapy. We collected biopsies of the bladder, and clean-catch urine samples from 32 women who had episodes of recurrent UTI and were given antibiotic therapy. Urine samples and biopsies were analyzed by conventional bacteriological techniques. Phylogenetic group and 16 virulence factors (VFs) of UPEC were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The infection capability of UPEC was confirmed in a mouse model. Immunofluorescence and electron microscopy were used to detect intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs) in the mouse model. The results showed that all urine specimens were detected sterile. E. coli was found in 6 of 32 biopsies (18.75%), and was identified to be UPEC by PCR. Different VFs associated with the formation of IBCs were identified in all six UPEC isolates. Each UPEC isolate was capable of forming IBCs within the bladder epithelial cells of mice. In conclusion, UPEC with distinctive pathological traits and the capability of IBC formation was first found in the bladders of women after antibiotic therapy, suggesting that the IBC pathogenic pathway may occur in humans and it plays an important role in UTI recurrence.

Decreased urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion following alfuzosin treatment on ureteral stent-related symptoms: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

The objectives of the study were to evaluate changes in ureteral stent-related symptoms and urinary glycosaminoglycan (GAG) excretion after alfuzosin treatment, and to further investigate the relationship between stent-related symptoms and loss of urinary GAGs. Seventy consecutive patients scheduled for unilateral retrograde ureteroscopy with stent placement were recruited. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with alfuzosin 10 mg/day or placebo for 3 weeks starting on the third postoperative day. The ureteral stent was removed when treatment stopped. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), visual analog scale (VAS) score, and urinary GAG excretion were determined before treatment at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after treatment, and at 3 weeks after stent removal. Fifty-nine patients completed the study. IPSS, VAS score, and urinary GAG excretion were significantly lower in the alfuzosin group, compared with the placebo group, at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after treatment (P < 0.01). In both groups, IPSS, VAS score, and urinary GAG excretion were significantly lower at 3 weeks after stent removal compared with those before stent removal. No significant differences in IPSS, VAS score, or urinary GAG excretion were observed between the two groups at baseline and 3 weeks after stent removal (P > 0.05). Positive correlations were found between urinary GAG excretion (R(2) = 0.65, P < 0.001) and IPSS and between urinary GAG excretion and VAS score (R(2) = 0.33, P < 0.001). Stent placement contributes to loss of urinary GAGs. However, alfuzosin effectively reduces such loss and improves ureteral stent-related symptoms. Loss of urinary GAGs plays a role in these symptoms.

Erectile functional restoration with genital branch of genitofemoral nerve to cavernous nerve transfer after bilateral cavernous nerve resection in the rat.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of erectile function restoration by genital branch of genitofemoral nerve (GN) to cavernous nerve (CN) transfer in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty adult (3 months) male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups (n = 10 per group). Rats in sham group underwent sham operation, rats in nerve resection (NR) group underwent bilateral GN and CN resection to make a 2.5-mm gap, and rats in nerve transfer (NT) group underwent nerve anastomosis bilaterally between proximal stump of GN and distal stump of CN after nerve resection. RESULTS: Three months postoperatively, mating test observed 70% rats with intromission behaviors in NT group but only 10% rats in NR group. Electrostimulating the GN of NT group rats resulted in a significant increase in intracavernous pressure, and the ratio of intracavernous pressure increase to mean arterial pressure in NT group was significantly higher than that in NR group. Seven days after Fluoro-Gold injection into the penile crus, Fluoro-Gold-labeled neurons were found in ventral horn of L1 and L2 in NT group, indicating that a new erectile efferent pathway might be established. Axon counting and ultrastructure observation confirmed axonal regeneration in NT group. Furthermore, NT group had a higher expression of nitric oxide synthase in the dorsal penile nerve than that in NR group. CONCLUSION: The results have demonstrated that nerve regeneration can be obtained, and erectile function may be restored after GN to CN nerve transfer in bilateral CN resection rats, which provides an innovative and promising treatment for neurogenic erectile dysfunction.

[Application of one-stop diagnosis and treatment plan in percutaneous nephrolithotomy for patients with complex renal calculi].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of preoperative computed tomography urography (CTU) three-dimensional reconstruction, intraoperative radiology and ultrasound guidance followed by percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in the treatment of complex renal calculi. METHODS: We summarized the clinical data of 210 patients with complex renal calculi treated at our hospital from December 2008 to December 2011 in this retrospective study. In the one-stop diagnosis and treatment group (n = 119), the optimal puncture approach was designed according to CTU imaging and three-dimensional reconstruction. Percutaneous track was established by ultrasound and radiology guided puncture. PCNL was performed with EMS system. The control group (n = 91) underwent PCNL without radiological guidance. The success rate of puncture, mean accessing time, mean operative duration, intraoperative volume of blood loss and stone-free rate after one operative session were observed. Post-operative follow-ups were conducted until June 2012. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the one-stop diagnosis and treatment group showed a higher success rate of puncture [98.3% (117/119) vs 92.3% (84/91), P = 0.037], a shorter operative duration [97.8 ± 13.20 vs 110.0 ± 14.73 min, P = 0.043] and a higher stone-free rate after one operative session [92.4% (110/119) vs 83.5% (76/91), P = 0.037]. No significant difference was detected in the mean accessing time[15.3 ± 3.7 vs 13.9 ± 3.9 min, P = 0.398] or intraoperative volume of blood loss [195.8 ± 84.15 vs 263.3 ± 82.06 ml, P = 0.059]. No severe complications occurred. No recurrence of calculi was noted during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: One-stop diagnosis and treatment plan (CTU 3-D reconstruction plus radiology, ultrasound guidance followed by PCNL) may identify the puncture path, improve the successful rate of puncture and stone-free rates and reduce the complications of PCNL.

Short hairpin RNA targeting FOXQ1 inhibits invasion and metastasis via the reversal of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bladder cancer.

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) promotes cancer invasion and metastasis, however, the integrative mechanisms that coordinate the process are incompletely understood. In this study, we defined a pivotal functional role for the Forkhead transcription factor FOXQ1 in regulating EMT in bladder cancer. We initially investigated the expression of FOXQ1, TGF-ß1 and EMT biomarkers E-cadherin, Vimentin in 65 cases of bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC) specimens by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Search results indicated that FOXQ1 expression was inversely correlated to E-cadherin, but positively to TGF-ß1 and Vimentin in patients with BTCC (P<0.05). Furthermore, we aimed to construct short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression plasmids against the FOXQ1 gene and transfect shRNAs into high metastatic potential human bladder cancer T24 cells with Lipofectamine 2000. RNAi-mediated suppression of FOXQ1 expression reversed the EMT process accompanied by upregulation of E-cadherin, as well as a loss expression of Vimentin in highly invasive T24 cells (P<0.05). The inhibition of FOXQ1 expression with shRNA vector also led T24 cells to acquire an epithelial cobblestone phenotype, significantly reduced motility and subsequent invasiveness of bladder cancer cells (P<0.05). In conclusion that FOXQ1 may be a novel EMT-inducing transcription factor through controlling the expression of E-cadherin and aggressiveness of cancer cells and targeting the transcription factor FOXQ1 could hence serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer patients.

Emergency treatment of testicular torsion and postoperative follow-up: a 71 case report.

This study presented our experience in the treatment of testicular torsion, which may help achieve early diagnosis and improve therapeutic effects. A retrospective analysis was conducted in 71 patients with testicular torsion who were treated in our hospital from October 2007 to April 2011. The age of the patients ranged from 16 days to 34 years. All the patients had unilateral testicular torsion, which took place on the left side in 43 cases and on the right side in 28 cases. The course of the disease varied between three hours to 30 days. Post-operative follow-up was conducted until October 2011. Items examined included signs and symptoms at their first clinical visit, ultrasound findings, treatment in emergency surgery, and post-operative follow-up. In this study, the 71 patients were diagnosed with testicular torsion by color Doppler sonography, 7 had testicular fixation, 63 patients received orchiectomy, while 1 patient did not undergo surgery due to pressure from family members. Post-operative follow-up showed that the one patient's testicle, which had been reserved, atrophied, while all the other survived. No recurrence was found during the follow-up visits. It is concluded that an early diagnosis and surgery is important in improving the survival rate of testicular torsion, and the diagnosis and treatment by the first attending clinician is of critical importance.

Two-year outcome of high-risk benign prostate hyperplasia patients treated with transurethral prostate resection by plasmakinetic or conventional procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic comparison of transurethral plasmakinetic resection of the prostate (PKRP) to conventional transurethral resection of the prostate for treating benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in aged high-risk patients. METHODS: Three hundred twenty-nine symptomatic patients diagnosed with BPH underwent endourological treatment by transurethral resection of the prostate (n = 136) or PKRP (n = 193). Preoperative and postoperative assessments were conducted for the International Prostate Symptom Scores, quality of life (QoL), postvoid residual urine (PVRU) volumes, maximal urine flow rates (Q(max.)), and prostate-specific antigen. Perioperative data were collected for operative time, weight of resected tissue, blood loss, cases of open surgery, duration of bladder irrigation, and duration of catheter use. Patients were re-evaluated at postoperative months 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24. Postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: In the perioperative period, no significant differences were found between the 2 surgery groups for weight of resected tissue or cases of open surgery. However, PKRP was associated with significantly shorter operative time, duration of bladder irrigation, and duration of catheter use, as well as less blood loss. At the 2-year follow-up, both procedures were found to have significantly improved International Prostate Symptom Scores, QoL, Q(max.), PVRU, and prostate-specific antigen. In addition, each procedure was associated with some postoperative complications, some of which were significantly reduced in one over the other, such as secondary hemorrhage in PKRP. CONCLUSION: The currently available endourological treatments, transurethral resection of the prostate, and PKRP, are safe and effective therapies for treating aged high-risk patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), although PKRP is superior in many aspects, including perioperative outcomes.

Urodynamic investigation of cyclophosphamide-induced overactive bladder in conscious rats.

BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder (OAB) can be caused by many factors such as inflammation, bladder outlet obstruction, neurogenic factors. We performed an intraperitoneal (ip) injection of cyclophosphamide to induce cystitis in rats, which causes their detrusors to overact, to provide a valuable disease model for discussing OAB pathogenesis and to study effective curing methods. METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were induced to form cystitis by cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg, ip). The day after the injection, two catheters were inserted into each rat's bladder to study its urodynamics. The BL-410 model bio-function experimental system was used to monitor bladder pressure while the rats were conscious. Unstable detrusor contractions appear in the urine storage period as a standard to determine OAB, and the positive rate was calculated. Urodynamic parameters such as bladder basal pressure (BP), maximum voiding pressure (MVP), intercontraction interval (ICI), spontaneous activity (SA), maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), and bladder compliance (BC) were recorded in each group, and a light microscope was used to observe the pathological changes in the rat bladder tissue. RESULTS: The detrusor instability rate of the model group was 83.33%. The MVP, MCC and BC of rats in the model group were lower than the control group (P < 0.01), and the BP, ICI and SA of the model group rats were higher than the control group (P < 0.01). The difference between the control group and the model group is statistically significant. The model group rats' bladder walls swelled and bled, the submucosa thickened and leukocyte infiltration became serious. CONCLUSIONS: Acute cystitis and OAB symptoms can be induced by ip injections of cyclophosphamide in rats. This can provide a valuable animal model to study OAB in human beings.

Intervention of nicotine on MNU-induced bladder cancer in rats.

This study examined the effect of nicotine on the expression of mutant p53 (mt-p53) in bladder cancer rats. The rat models of bladder cancer were established by infusing N-methyl-nitroso-urea (MNU, 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks for 8 weeks) into the bladder. Pathological examination on the bladder was conducted to confirm the establishment of the model. All the bladder cancer rats were randomly divided into an MNU group and 3 nicotine groups. In the nicotine groups, the rats were intragastrically administered nicotine at different concentrations (25, 15, 5 mg/kg respectively) 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The mt-p53 expression was detected by the immunohistochemical method. The results showed that rat bladder cancer models developed histopathological changes of bladder transitional cell carcinoma. The positive rate of mt-p53 expression in the 3 nicotine groups (25, 15, 5 mg/kg) was 75.00%, 58.33% and 41.67% by the 14th week, respectively, significantly higher than that in the MNU group (33.33%) (all P<0.05). The mt-p53 expression rate was positively correlated with the medication dose and time (P<0.05). It is concluded that nicotine may play an important role in the development of bladder cancer partially by increasing the expression of mt-p53.

Intervention of Nicotine on MNU-Induced Bladder Cancer in Rats / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study examined the effect of nicotine on the expression of mutant p53 (mt-p53) in bladder cancer rats.The rat models of bladder cancer were established by infusing N-methyl-nitroso-urea (MNU,10 mg/kg every 2 weeks for 8 weeks) into the bladder.Pathological examination on the bladder was conducted to confirm the establishment of the model.All the bladder cancer rats were randomly divided into an MNU group and 3 nicotine groups.In the nicotine groups,the rats were intragastrically administered nicotine at different concentrations (25,15,5 mg/kg respectively)3 times per week for 8 weeks.The mt-p53 expression was detected by the immunohistochemical method.The results showed that rat bladder cancer models developed histopathological changes of bladder transitional cell carcinoma.The positive rate of mt-p53 expression in the 3 nicotine groups (25,15,5 mg/kg) was 75.00％,58.33％ and 41.67％ by the 14th week,respectively,significantly higher than that in the MNU group (33.33％) (all P＜0.05).The mt-p53 expression rate was positively correlated with the medication dose and time (P＜0.05).It is concluded that nicotine may play an important role in the development of bladder cancer partially by increasing the expression of mt-p53.

[Endourological treatment of aged high-risk patients with benign prostate hyperplasia: a report of 283 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of endourological techniques in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in aged high-risk patients. METHODS: We used endourological techniques in the treatment of 283 BPH patients aged over 70 years and complicated with hydronephrosis, renal failure, heart failure, cerebral infarction, respiratory dysfunction, anemia, diabetes, bladder tumor, or prostate weight over 80 g, TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) for 112 cases and PKRP (transurethral plasmakinetic resection of the prostate) for the other 171. All the patients were followed up for 1-30 months. RESULTS: In the TURP group, the scores on IPSS and QOL were decreased from 27.5 +/- 2.8, 5.5 +/- 1.0 to 5.8 +/- 1.2, 1.0 +/- 0.5, and the residual urine volume (RUV) from (75.0 +/- 20.0) ml to (8.0 +/- 3.0) ml, but the maximal flow rate (Qmax) increased from (6.5 +/- 2.0) ml/s to (18.5 +/- 1.5) ml/s (P < 0.05), while in the PKRP group, the scores on IPSS and QOL were decreased from 28.2 +/- 2.2, 5.5 +/- 1.0 to 5.4 +/- 1.6, 1.0 +/- 0.5, and RUV from (80.0 +/- 20.0) ml to (7.0 +/- 3.0) ml, and Qmax increased from (6.8 +/- 2.1) ml/s to (20.0 +/- 1.5) ml/s (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in IPSS, QOL, Qmax and RUV after treatment between the two groups (P > 0.05), but significantly less complications were found in the PKRP than in the TURP group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Endourological treatment, especially PKRP, with comprehensive perioperative preparations, unerring operative skills, well-controlled operation time, and intensive postoperative monitoring and nursing, has the advantages of high safety, less bleeding, fewer complications and definite effectiveness for aged high-risk BPH patients.

[Clinical significance of parameters of prostate volume measured by transabdominal ultrasonography in evaluating bladder outlet obstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between the parameters of prostate volume (PV) measured by transabdominal ultrasonography and urodynamic results in diagnosing bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). METHODS: 112 BPH patients aged 45-85 underwent transabdominal ultrasonography to measure the superior-inferior diameter (R1) anterior-posterior diameter (R2), and left-right diameter (R3). Urodynamic examination was conducted to record the maximum flow rate (Qmax), detrusor pressure at maximum urinary flow rate (Pdet. Qmax), and detrusor pressure at minimum urinary flow rate (Pdet. Qmin), Schafer grading and international prostate symptom score (IPSS) scores were calculated. Correlation analysis was performed. RESULTS: The PV, R1, R2, and R3 were (48 +/- 29) ml, (4.3 +/- 1.0) cm, (3.7 +/- 0.9) cm, and (5.2 +/- 0.8) cm respectively. The Qmax, Pdet. Qmax, Schafer score, and IPSS score were (6.2 +/- 3.2) ml/s, (56 +/- 41) cm H2O, 3.1 +/- 1.8 (0-6) and 23 +/- 2 (15-31) respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that R1 (OR = 22.662, P = 0.000), PV (OR = 0.946, P = 0.008) , and Qmax (OR = 0.760, P = 0.013) were positively correlated with Schafer grading value. CONCLUSION: The parameters of PV measured by transabdominal ultrasonography are reliable to diagnose BOO due to BPH.