Currently, there is an urgent need for prognostic prediction models for renal clear cell carcinoma (ccRCC). This study aims to establish a prognostic prediction model based on differential genes associated with TNM staging and validate it through both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Through the cross-analysis of the differential genes between T1-2 and T3-4 stages, N1 and N2 stages, as well as M0 and M1 stages in ccRCC, a nomogram prognostic model was constructed using multivariate COX regression analysis. Finally, the function of human serum amyloid A2 (SAA2) was verified through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Through cross-analysis of the differential genes between T1-2 and T3-4 stages, N1 and N2 stages, as well as M0 and M1 stages, 67 genes were identified. Through multivariate COX regression analysis, examination of expression differences between cancerous and normal tissues, and assessment of their impact on prognosis, we have derived a nomogram prognostic prediction model composed of ITPKA, PDIA2, SAA2, SHOX2, TREML3P, and ZIC2. Furthermore, through Transwell migration and invasion assays, EdU proliferation assays, and in vivo experiments, we validated that SAA2 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ccRCC. The nomogram prognostic prediction model, consisting of ITPKA, PDIA2, SAA2, SHOX2, TREML3P, and ZIC2, is capable of predicting the prognosis of ccRCC patients. Among them, SAA2 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ccRCC cells.

2'-Hydroxyflavanone (2HF) has been recognized for its antitumor potential in recent years. In the past decade, the role of miRNAs in tumors has been gradually explored. Since natural compounds may regulate miRNA networks, our objective is to investigate the potential effects and mechanisms of 2HF in the treatment of bladder cancer (BCa) by targeting miRNAs. Cell viability, tube formation, Transwell, western blotting and colony formation assays were used to evaluate the effects of 2HF on the viability and angiogenesis of BCa cells. The expression of miR-99a-5p and mTOR was detected via RT-qPCR and western blotting. A subcutaneous xenograft animal experiment was used to evaluate the tumor inhibition of 2HF in vivo. The binding of miR-99a-5p to mTOR was demonstrated via dual-luciferase reporting and RNA pull-down assays. 2HF inhibited the cell viability, angiogenesis, protein expression of VEGFa and Ki67 in T24 and 253J cells and protein expression of CD31 in HUVEC cells. Also, 2HF induced the upregulation of miR-99a-5p but the downregulation of mTOR expression. Additionally, the inhibitory effect of 2HF on tumor cells can be effectively rescued by silencing miR-99a-5p or overexpressing mTOR in vitro. Moreover, 2HF inhibited tumor growth in nude mice, in which it upregulated miR-99a-5p but suppressed mTOR expression in xenograft tissues. Mechanistically, miR-99a-5p can directly target the mRNA of mTOR by binding to its 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) and then inhibiting the expression of mTOR. 2HF inhibited BCa cell proliferation and angiogenesis by regulating the miR-99a-5p/mTOR/VEGFa axis, which may provide a novel treatment strategy and molecular mechanism for BCa treatment.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of tracking extended nursing (TEN) on patients with urinary tract stones after holmium laser lithotripsy (HLL). A total of 232 patients with urinary tract stones after HLL were prospectively randomized into 2 groups. One hundred and sixteen patients in the study group accepted TEN mode and 116 patients serving as control accepted only traditional nursing mode. The Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores, measured at different time points, were considered the primary outcomes for evaluating patients' psychological state. The secondary end points were Quality of life (QOL) scores and complications between the two groups. After the TEN mode was applied to the study group, the HAMD and HAMA scores were significantly lower than those in the control group at the second and fourth week (P<0.05). With regard to the secondary variables, the QOL scores in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group at the second and fourth week (P<0.05). In addition, the overall incidence of complications was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). No serious complications were reported in either group. The TEN mode improves psychological well-being and Qol in urinary tract stone patients undergoing HLL, accelerates recovery, reduces complications, and enhances self-care.

The synergistic interplay between RB1 deletions and TP53 mutations drives androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) resistance and neuroendocrine transdifferentiation in advanced prostate cancer, culminating in treatment-related neuroendocrine prostate cancer (t-NEPC). This investigation systematically examines the clinicopathological characteristics and immunohistochemical phenotypes of t-NEPC to enhance diagnostic accuracy and prognostic understanding. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 23 t-NEPC cases diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (2013-2024). We collected comprehensive clinical data, including patient demographics, treatment history, and serum biomarker profiles. Immunohistochemical evaluation was performed to determine expression patterns of prostate-associated antigens, neuroendocrine markers, and tumor suppressor proteins RB1/p53. The cohort demonstrated a mean age of 70 years at initial prostate cancer diagnosis, with t-NEPC emerging after a median ADT duration of 18 months. Biochemical profiles revealed a characteristic dissociation between suppressed prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and elevated neuroendocrine markers alongside other tumor-associated antigens, including carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The immunohistochemical signature of lineage transdifferentiation, indicated by the loss of androgen receptor (AR) and the expression of neuroendocrine markers, provides critical diagnostic clues for this aggressive variant. Molecular alterations were prevalent, with RB1 loss detected in 78.26% (18/23) and p53 abnormalities in 82.61% (19/23) cases. Notably, a histologically confirmed t-NEPC case with neuroendocrine marker negativity exhibited RB1/p53 co-alterations, molecularly aligning with most neuroendocrine-positive cases. These findings substantiate that combined RB1/p53 aberrations serve as robust diagnostic indicators for t-NEPC, particularly in tumors exhibiting small cell carcinoma morphology without neuroendocrine marker expression.

This study evaluated the cancer detection profile of magnetic resonance imaging/transrectal ultrasound fusion-guided biopsies (fusion biopsy) using the BiopSee® system in patients assessed with the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 2.1, focusing on clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) detection in regions of interest (ROI) and non-ROI areas. We retrospectively analyzed 59 patients who underwent fusion biopsy between February and November 2024. Detection rates of csPCa (grade group ≥ 2) were compared between the ROI and non-ROI regions, and clinical and biopsy characteristics were compared between patients with and without csPCa. Univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of csPCa. The median patient age was 74 years, with a median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 8.93 ng/mL. The csPCa detection rate was significantly higher in the ROI than in the non-ROI regions (61% vs. 44%, P = 0.012). Across the cohort, PI-RADS 4 and 5 lesions were more common than PI-RADS 3 lesions. A higher PI-RADS score (4 or 5) was identified as a significant predictor of csPCa detection (odds ratio 5.14, P = 0.034), whereas age, PSA, number of ROIs, and biopsy core numbers were not significant predictors. Fusion biopsy using the BiopSee® system achieved a high csPCa detection rate in targeted ROIs, especially for PI-RADS 4 and 5 lesions, while also highlighting the importance of combining systematic biopsy with targeted approaches because of the substantial proportion of csPCa detected in non-ROI regions.

Renal aging contributes to declining kidney function and heightened susceptibility to chronic kidney disease (CKD). A key factor in this process is the diminished number and functionality of renal stem/progenitor cells, though the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Human urine-derived stem/progenitor cells (USCs) represent a promising, non-invasive source with notable regenerative potential. In this study, we examined cellular proliferation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and senescence-associated protein expression as indicators of age-related degeneration in renal progenitor cells. USCs obtained from older healthy and diabetic individuals were compared to those from young, healthy donors. Our results demonstrate that USCs from aged and diabetic donors exhibit significantly reduced proliferation, elevated ROS levels, and increased β-galactosidase expression. Moreover, these cells showed impaired capacity to form 3D renal spheroids with tubular-like structures over a two-week culture period, relative to young controls. Together, these findings suggest that USCs from older or diabetic individuals - when cultured in both 2D and 3D systems - serve as a valuable model for studying renal aging and progenitor cell dysfunction. This model may facilitate the identification of biomarkers for renal aging and CKD risk and inform future regenerative and therapeutic strategies.

To evaluate the role of functional bladder dysfunction in failed vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) surgery through conventional urodynamic study. This cohort study was conducted at the Labbafinejad Hospital in 2020-2022. Patients <18 years with VUR who were referred with failed surgical intervention (persistence, progression, or recurrence of reflux on the same or opposite side) were included. Demographic information (sex, urinary tract symptoms, type of surgical intervention, and side and grade of VUR) and urodynamic study UDS results were recorded and analyzed statistically. 53 patients were referred with failed surgery, with an average age of 8.20 ± 3.88 and a male-to-female ratio of 0.76/1.25. Bilateral vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) was present in 47.2%. Detrusor overactivity (DO) and dysfunctional voiding (DV) were found in 41 (77.4%) and 37 (69.8%) patients. The mean maximum amplitude and frequency of DOs were 50.58 ± 43.12 and 9.02 ± 8.15. Patients with bilateral VUR had significantly higher DO (92% vs 64.2%, P = 0.022), DO amplitude (70.60 ± 40.78 vs 32.71 ± 37.43, P = 0.001), and DO frequency (11.52 ± 8.14 vs 6.79 ± 7.63, P = 0.034). Individuals with failed VUR surgery commonly have UDS abnormalities and it is more severe in bilateral VUR patients. It can be postulated that non-surgical management and medications may be recommended as the first approach.

Metabolites of volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) have attracted considerable attention in contemporary research. The urine flow rate (UFR) serves as an objective metric for a full evaluation of bladder function. This research aimed to investigate the correlation between mVOCs and UFR. We examined mVOCs and UFR data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2011 and 2020. The mVOCs measurements were subjected to log transformation to achieve normal distribution. We used weighted multivariate linear regression models to evaluate the association between mVOCs andUFR. The relationship between mVOCs mixture and UFR was assessed using three different analytical models: Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), weighted quantile sum (WQS), and quantile g-computation (Qgcomp). An analysis stratified by gender was also conducted. The research had 3,370 participants, of whom 1,703 (51%) were male. Multivariate linear regression revealed a negative correlation between increased mVOCs and UFR across all research cohorts (all P < 0.001). The BKMR model displayed a notable negative correlation, identifying N-Acetyl-S-(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)-L-cysteine (DHBMA) and Phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA) as possibly important chemicals. The WQS model exhibited a negative connection with UFR across the total cohort and its male and female subgroups, with all P values being less than 0.05. The findings of the Qgcomp model aligned with those of the WQS model. Our data indicate a substantial negative connection between exposure to urinary mVOCs and UFR among US adults, with no notable gender differences seen.

The predictive value of blood and serum markers for spontaneous ureteral stone passage (SSP) has been investigated, with no substantial conclusion about their reliability. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the predictive potential of blood and urine laboratory tests for ureteral stone passage. This prospective, single-center observational study included patients with a solitary obstructing ureteral stone <10 mm diagnosed via non-contrast computerized tomography (NCCT). Definition for SSP was strict including physical evidence of stone passage, follow-up NCCT, or ureteroscopy, and patients were followed until stone passage or urologic intervention occurred. Blood and urine markers, including white blood cells count (WBC), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), creatinine, calculated glomerular filtration rates, urine leukocyte esterase and nitrates were collected. Univariate analysis, multivariate analysis, and receiver operating characteristic curves were performed to assess the association between markers and SSP. Cohort consisted of 165 participants who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria with adequate data collection and follow-up. Median age was 54 years with a male to female ratio of 11:5. Most stones were in the mid-distal ureter (56%) and median stone size was 3.5 mm. SSP was observed in 87 patients (53%). None of the blood or urine markers demonstrated a significant association with SSP, and areas under the curves were poor and insignificant. Smaller stone size and distal location significantly predicted SSP. Routine blood and urine markers are not associated with SSP, and their contribution to SSP nomograms might be negligible. These negative results may redirect providers' focus to other factors when predicting SSP.

Although surgery is less commonly selected as treatment for localized prostate cancer (PCa) as patients age, outcomes among older patients treated with radical prostatectomy remain unclear. The objective of this study was to compare survival across non-definitive therapy (NDT), radiotherapy, and radical prostatectomy (RP) among men older than 80 years old. Using the SEER-17 database, we identified patients ≥80 years at diagnosis with localized prostate cancer in 2000-2021 who were initially managed with NDT, radiotherapy, or RP. We compared overall (OS) and prostate cancer-specific survival (PCSS). We identified 53,437 patients with PCa≥80 years including 35,728 (68.2%) who underwent NDT, 15,906 (30.4%) treated with radiotherapy, and 736 (1.4%) with RP. The median age was 83 years (IQR: 81-85) and median PSA at diagnosis was 10.7 ng/mL (IQR: 6.7-19.9). Median OS was 66, 102 and 116 months for patients managed with NDT, radiotherapy, and RP, respectively (OS-P<0.01, PCSS-P<0.01). Cox regression revealed that compared to NDT, radiotherapy (OS-baseline adjusted hazard ratio: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.45-0.51, P<0.01; PCSS-baHR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.38-0.51, P<0.01) and RP were associated with higher OS and PCSS (OS-baHR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.24-0.46, P<0.01; PCSS-baHR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.08-0.42, P<0.01). These findings suggest that well-selected patients ≥80 years may experience favorable survival following RP.