Utilizing bioinformatics for integrated analysis of multiple genes in the diagnosis and pathogenesis of metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma

Objective:The aim of the study was to investigate effective diagnostic molecular markers and the specific mechanisms of metastatic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas(PPGLs).Methods:Data were collected from GEO datasets GSE67066 and GSE60458.The R software and various packages were utilized for the analysis of differentially expressed genes,Gene Ontology analysis,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis,receiver operating characteristic curve assessment,logistic model construction,and correlation analysis.The NetworkAnalyst tool was used to analyze gene-miRNA interactions and signaling networks.In addition,the TIMER database was used to estimate the immune scores.Results:A total of 203 and 499 differentially expressed genes were identified in GSE67066 and GSE60458,respectively.These genes are implicated in cytokine and cytokine receptor interactions,extracellular matrix–receptor interactions,and platelet activation signaling pathways.Notably,MAMLD1,UST,MATN2,LPL,TWIST1,SFRP4,FRMD6,RBM24,PRIMA1,LYPD1,KCND2,CAMK2N1,SPOCK3,and ALPK3 were identified as the key genes.Among them,MATN2 and TWIST1 were found to be coexpressed with epithelial-mesenchymal transition–linked markers,whereas KCND2 and LPL exhibited associations with immune checkpoint expression and immune cell infiltration.Eight miRNAs were identified as potential regulators of key gene expression,and it was noted that TWIST1 might be regulated by SUZ12.Notably,the area under the curve of the 4-gene model for distinguishing between malignant and benign groups was calculated to be 0.918.Conclusions:The combined gene and mRNA expression model enhances the diagnostic accuracy of assessing PPGL metastatic potential.These findings suggest that multiple genes may play a role in the metastasis of PPGLs through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and may influence the immune microenvironment.

Three important components in the regeneration of the cavernous nerve： brain-derived neurotrophic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and the JAK/STAT signaling pathway

Retroperitoneal operations, such as radical prostatectomy, often damage the cavernous nerve, resulting in a high incidence of erectile dysfunction. Although improved nerve-sparing techniques have reduced the incidence of nerve injury, and the administration of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment of erectile dysfunction, this problem remains a considerable challenge. In recent years, scientists have focused on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in the treatment of cavernous nerve injury in rat models. Results showed that both compounds were capable of enhancing the regeneration of the cavernous nerve and that activation of the Janus kinase （JAK）/signal transducer and activator of transcription （STAT） pathway played a major role in the process.

E-cadherin表达下调激活Notch信号通路增强前列腺癌化疗耐药的机制研究

背景与目的前列腺癌(prostate cancer,PCa)化疗耐药与其侵袭性和转移性密切相关。最新研究显示上皮细胞–间充质转化(epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition,EMT)可能在前列腺癌化疗耐药和转移中发挥重要作用。因此,作为EMT的标志物,E-cadherin被认为有可能与肿瘤化疗耐药有重要关系。然而,PCa化疗耐药的分子机制尚不清楚。本研究旨在探讨EMT与PCa化疗耐药的关系,以及E-cadherin表达变化是否影响PCa化疗耐药。方法以亲代PC3和DU145细胞及其化疗耐药PC3-TxR和DU145-TxR细胞作为研究对象。用E-cadherin过表达的慢病毒感染PC3-TxR和DU145-TxR细胞,使E-cadherin过表达;同时,用小干扰RNA转染PC3和DU145细胞,使E-cadherin表达沉默。采用蛋白免疫印迹和实时定量聚合酶链反应分析EMT相关标志物及信号通路的变化。分别通过划痕、transwell和克隆形成实验检测肿瘤细胞的迁移、侵袭和克隆形成能力。采用MTS法检测细胞对紫杉醇的药物敏感性。结果与亲代PC3和DU145细胞相比,化疗耐药PC3-TxR和DU145-TxR细胞表现出EMT相关的标志物表达改变,包括E-cadherin表达下调和Vimentin、Snail与N-cadherin表达上调。当E-cadherin在PC3-TxR和DU-145-TxR细胞中过表达时,Vimentin和Caldun-1表达下调,肿瘤细胞的迁移和侵袭受到抑制。特别是E-cadherin过表达以后,PC3-TxR和DU145-TxR细胞对紫杉醇的敏感性被重新激活。并且,在亲代PC3和DU145细胞中沉默E-cadherin表达后,Vimentin和Snail表达上调,对紫杉醇的敏感性降低。有趣的是,与亲代PC3和DU145细胞相比,PC3-TxR和DU145-TxR细胞中Notch-1表达上调,而E-cadherin在这些细胞中的表达下调。我们的研究还显示,Notch信号通路抑制剂γ-分泌酶抑制剂可显著增加化疗耐药细胞对紫杉醇的敏感性。结论 E-cadherin下调可以激活Notch信号通路,从而增强PCa化疗耐药,抑制Notch信号通路可能逆转PCa化疗耐药。

Practice patterns and outcomes of equivocal bone scans for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer: Results from SEARCH

Objective:To review follow-up imaging after equivocal bone scans in men with castration resistant prostate cancer(CRPC)and examine the characteristics of equivocal bone scans that are associated with positive follow-up imaging.Methods:We identified 639 men from five Veterans Affairs Hospitals with a technetium-99m bone scan after CRPC diagnosis,of whom 99(15%)had equivocal scans.Men with equivocal scans were segregated into“high-risk”and“low-risk”subcategories based upon wording in the bone scan report.All follow-up imaging(bone scans,computed tomography[CT],magnetic resonance imaging[MRI],and X-rays)in the 3 months after the equivocal scan were reviewed.Variables were compared between patients with a positive vs.negative follow-up imaging after an equivocal bone scan.Results:Of 99 men with an equivocal bone scan,43(43%)received at least one follow-up imaging test,including 32/82(39%)with low-risk scans and 11/17(65%)with high-risk scans(p=0.052).Of follow-up tests,67%were negative,14%were equivocal,and 19%were positive.Among those who underwent follow-up imaging,3/32(9%)low-risk men had metastases vs.5/11(45%)high-risk men(p=0.015).Conclusion:While 19%of all men who received follow-up imaging had positive follow-up imaging,only 9%of those with a low-risk equivocal bone scan had metastases versus 45%of those with high-risk.These preliminary findings,if confirmed in larger studies,suggest follow-up imaging tests for low-risk equivocal scans can be delayed while high-risk equivocal scans should receive follow-up imaging.

Patient satisfaction and penile morphology changes with postoperative penile rehabilitation 2 years after Coloplast Titan prosthesis

A common complaint after inflatable penile prosthesis surgery is reduced penile length. We previously reported how using the Coloplast Titan inflatable penile prosthesis with aggressive new length measurement technique （NLMT） coupled with postoperative IPP rehabilitation of the implant for 1-year helped to improve patient satisfact on and erectile peni e measurements Th s is a 2 years follow-up of a prospective, three-center, study of 40 patients who underwent Titan prosthesis placement, With new length measurement technique for erectile dysfunction. Patient instructions were to inflate daily for 6 months and then inflate maximally for 1-2 h daily for 6-24 months. Fifteen penile measurements were taken before and immediately after surgery and at follow-up visits. Measurement changes were improved at 24 months as compared to immediately postoperative and at 12 months. 67.8% of subjects were satisfied with their length at 2 years, and 77% had perceived penile length that was longer （30.8%） or the same （46.2%） as prior to the surgery. 64.3% and 17.9% of subjects had increased and unchanged satisfaction, respectively, with penile length as compared to prior to penile implant surgery. All but one subject （96.5%） was satisfied with the overall function of his implant. This study suggests using the Coloplast Titan with aggressive cylinder sizing, and a postoperative penile rehabilitation inflation protocol can optimize patient satisfaction and erectile penile measurements at 2 years postimplant.

The Abnormal High Expression of B Cell Activating Factor Belonging to TNF Superfamily (BAFF) and Its Potential Role in Kidney Transplant Recipients

B cell activating factor belonging to TNF superfamily （BAFF） is a critical regulator of B cell maturation and survival In this present study, the expression characteristic of BAFF in kidney transplantation recipients was investigated, its potential significance was analyzed and peripheral blood of follow-up kidney transplant recipients was studied. Flow cytometric assay results showed that, cell-surface BAFF was significantly highly expressed on peripheral CD3＋ T lymphocytes in 〉 5 yrs group of kidney transplant recipients, compared with other groups （p 〈 0.05）. BAFF expression could be found on CD4＋ T cells and CD8＋ T cells. The BAFF mRNA levels in peripheral mononuclear cells were consistent with the protein levels. However, serum soluble BAFF levels were inter- individually different in each group. Stratified by renal function, it was found that cell-surface BAFF levels were significantly higher in those with abnormal renal function, compared with recipients with normal renal function （p 〈 0.05）. ELISA assay results showed that expression levels of cell surface BAFF were significantly correlated with anti-HLA I ＆ II antibodies. These results indicate that BAFF may be involved in the development of graft-loss and influences the long-time outcome of kidney allografl, likely mediated by interfering with immune response. Cellular ＆ Molecular Immunology. 2008;5（6）：465-470.

The role of advanced paternal age in modern reproductive medicine

In recent years, there has been a significant trend toward postponing childbearing, especially in developed countries. There are multiple factors influencing this change including advanced marital age, higher levels of postgraduate education, and the changing role for women in society. This is reflected in the findings that from 1993 to 2003, the number of new fathers 〉35 years increased by 15%.