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Abstract Background Current prostate cancer (PCa) screening may detect nonprogressive lesion, leading to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether the tumor pathological origin of latent prostate cancer (lPCa) and clinical prostate cancer (cPCa) are consistent, and to verify the current clinically significant prostate cancer criteria. Methods Prostate specimens were obtained from postmortem autopsy between 2014 and 2021 and patients who went through radical prostatectomy from 2013 to 2021. The pathological characteristics and spatial distribution of the lPCa group and cPCa group were compared and analyzed through SPSS software with P

BackgroundPapillary Renal Neoplasm (PRN) with polarity inversion is a less common subtype of kidney cancer with an apparently recognizable morphology, distinct immunohistochemical profiles, and frequent KRAS mutations. It has been estimated to account 4% of previously diagnosed PRN.Case presentationThis is a retrospective case report of two patients diagnosed with PRNRP. Two males were found to have kidney mass accidentally through imaging examination in clinic. Both of the patients had no obvious discomfort and abnormal test indicators. Subsequently, they underwent partial nephrectomy in our center by the same surgeon and followed up closely with an impressive clinical outcome. The pathology reports indicated that their pathological features were consistent with PRNRP. The HE staining showed a monolayer of papillary or tubular structures, with small nuclei away from the cytoplasmic top of the basement membrane. The immunohistochemical results were GATA3 (+), vimentin (-).ConclusionOur case reports and literature review suggested that PRNRP should be separated from traditional PRN and partial nephrectomy is a robust modality for PRNRP. The morphological, immunohistochemical, and genetic information of the cases we presented would provide important material for PRNRP to become a distinct category with benign clinical outcome.

Objective Adrenal hemangioma (AH) is a rare, benign adrenal tumor often detected incidentally by imaging. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of AH, including clinical and diagnostic imaging features, to improve the recognition and understanding of AH. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients diagnosed with AH at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 2008 and 2022. Clinical manifestations, adrenal hormone levels, imaging findings, treatment approaches, and pathological results were collected and analyzed. Results Of the 7140 adrenal tumor patients, 40 (0.56%) had AH confirmed postoperatively. The mean age at diagnosis was 53.9 years, with a female predominance. Most (70%) were asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally. Misdiagnosis before surgery was common, most frequently as pheochromocytoma. Imaging characteristics, especially enhanced computed tomography, revealed distinct features based on tumor size. Surgery was the main treatment, with laparoscopic adrenalectomy preferred. Conclusion This study elucidates the clinical characteristics of AH, including demographics, diagnostic challenges, and imaging features. AH often presents incidentally and is frequently misdiagnosed preoperatively. Recognizing distinct imaging characteristics and appropriate surgical management can enable accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the traditional control scheme of a 12/8-pole bearingless switched reluctance motor (BSRM), radial force and torque are usually controlled as a compromise due to the conflict between their effective output areas. Additionally, each phase requires individual power circuits and is excited in turn to produce a continuous levitation force, resulting in high power device requirements and high controller costs. This paper discusses a 12/8-pole single-winding hybrid-rotor bearingless switched reluctance motor (HBSRM) with a hybrid rotor consisting of cylindrical and salient-pole lamination segments. The asymmetric rotor of the HBSRM slightly increases the complexity of its structure and magnetic circuit, but makes it possible to generate the desired radial force at any rotor angular position. A control scheme for the HBSRM is developed to utilize the independent excitation of the four windings in one phase to generate the desired levitation force at any rotor angular position, and it requires only half the number of power circuits used in the conventional control scheme of a 12/8-pole single-winding BSRM. Different from the average torque chosen to be controlled in traditional methods, this scheme directly regulates the instantaneous total torque produced by all excited phases together and presents a current algorithm to optimize the torque contribution of each phase so as to reduce torque pulsation, and the improved performance of this bearingless motor is finally validated by simulation analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes after performing radical prostatectomy (RP) or low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR) for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer (IRPC). Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis on 361 IRPC patients who underwent treatment in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2014 to August 2021, of which 160 underwent RP and 201 underwent Iodine-125 LDR. Patients were followed in clinic monthly during the first three months and at three-month intervals thereafter. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to predict biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS), clinical relapse-free survival (cRFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS). Biochemical recurrence was defined using the Phoenix definition for LDR and the surgical definition for RP. The log-rank test was applied to compare bRFS between the two modalities, and Cox regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with bRFS. Results: Median follow-up was 54 months for RP and 69 months for LDR. According to log-rank test, the differences of 5-year bRFS (70.2% vs 83.2%, P = 0.003) and 8-year bRFS (63.1% vs 68.9%, P < 0.001) between RP and LDR groups were statistically significant. Our results also indicated that there was no significant difference in terms of cRFS, CSS, or OS between the two groups. With multivariate analysis of the entire cohort, prostate volume ≤ 30 ml (P < 0.001), positive margin (P < 0.001), and percentage positive biopsy cores > 50% (P < 0.001) were independent factors suggestive of worse bRFS. Conclusions: LDR is a reasonable treatment option for IRPC patients, yielding improved bRFS and equivalent rates of cRFS, CSS and OS when compared with RP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emerging evidence has implied the importance of long non‐coding RNAs in cancer development, including prostate cancer (PCa). Bioinformatic analyses have identified that ADAMTS9‐AS1 may play a role in cancer progression. Methods: A quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to measure ADAMTS9‐AS1 expression level at messenger RNA level. In vitro functional analyses were performed to investigate cell behaviors status under different conditions. Moreover, rescue assays were conducted to explore the potential mechanisms of ADAMTS9‐AS1 in PCa progression. Results: ADAMTS9‐AS1 expression is down‐regulated in PCa. Forcing ADAMTS9‐AS1 expression impedes PCa cell proliferation via initiating cell apoptosis. Importantly, microRNA‐142‐5p (miR‐142‐5p) mimic and small‐interfering RNA targeting cyclin D1 (CCND1, si‐CCND1) could attenuate the inhibitory effects of ADAMTS9‐AS1 overexpression on PCa cell growth. Conclusions: Collectively, our results indicate that ADAMTS9‐AS1 suppresses PCa progression by regulating the miR‐142‐5p/CCND1 axis, which provides a new mechanism for the progression of PCa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. DNA methylation alterations play important roles in initiation and progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). In this study, we attempted to identify differentially methylated mRNA signatures with prognostic value for ccRCC. Methods. The mRNA methylation and expression profiling data of 306 ccRCC tumors were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to screen differentially methylated lncRNAs and mRNAs (DMLs and DMMs) between bad and good prognosis patients. Uni- and multivariable Cox regression analyses and LASSO Cox-PH regression analysis were used to select prognostic lncRNAs and mRNAs. Corresponding risk scores were calculated and compared for predictive performance in the training set using Kaplan-Meier OS and ROC curve analyses. The optimal risk score was then identified and validated in the validation set. Function enrichment analysis was conducted. Results. This study screened 461 DMMs and 63 DMLs between good prognosis and bad prognosis patients, and furthermore, nine mRNAs and six lncRNAs were identified as potential prognostic molecules. Compared to nine-mRNA status risk score model, six-lncRNA methylation risk score model, and six-lncRNA status risk score model, the nine-mRNA methylation risk score model showed superiority for prognosis stratification of ccRCC patients in the training set. The prognostic ability of the nine-mRNA methylation risk score model was validated in the validation set. The nine prognostic mRNAs were functionally associated with neuroactive ligand receptor interaction and inflammation-related pathways. Conclusion. The nine-mRNA methylation signature (DMRTA2, DRGX, FAM167A, FGGY, FOXI2, KRTAP2-1, TCTEX1D1, TTBK1, and UBE2QL1) may be a useful prognostic biomarker and tool for ccRCC patients. The present results would be helpful to elucidate the possible pathogenesis of ccRCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The morbidity and mortality of prostate cancer (PCa) in China have increased obviously, which became the second leading cause of death in men with cancer. Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is a key signaling pathway involved in the prostate cancer progression. The human oncogene SCL/TAL1 interrupting locus (STIL) can modulate the Hh signaling pathway, but its function in PCa has not been reported. Here, we showed that STIL was increased in high grade prostate cancer tissue. Knockdown of STIL in prostate cancer cells PC-3 and DU 145 significantly decreased the proliferation of cells and induced cellular apoptosis through casepase3/7 mediated pathway. Moreover, the colony formation ability was also inhibited when knockdown of STIL by lentivirus-mediated shRNA. Furthermore, the cellular signaling antibody array analysis revealed which signaling pathway was affected when silencing STIL. Altogether, we found that STIL could affect MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt and AMPK signaling pathways, thus promoting cellular proliferation, colony formation and suppressing cellular apoptosis in prostate cancer. Highlights • The expression of STIL was gradually increased with the grade of prostate cancer. • Knockdown of STIL suppresses the proliferation and induces apoptosis of prostate cancer cells. • STIL silencing regulated tumor growth through MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt and AMPK signaling pathways in prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PHEO-PGL) and cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) are both rare diseases. We reported a 30-year-old patient with a right adrenal gland nodule and a retroperitoneal mass and history of functional single atrium and ventricle. 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy showed intense uptake in both lesions. Laboratory investigation demonstrated elevated urinary norepinephrine. Preoperative α-blockade was initiated. A successful open resection of right adrenal and retroperitoneal masses was performed. Pathological examination confirmed PHEO-PGL. Postoperative urinary norepinephrine returned to normal level. A systematic case review in English publications in PubMed and EMBASE suggested a hypothesis that there may exist a possible link between PHEO-PGL and hypoxia from CCHD, which was also indicated in our case. Due to higher risk for PHEO-PGL, a lower threshold of suspicion should be considered in CCHD patients. Therefore, active screening and early treatment of PHEO-PGL are recommended in CCHD patients and clinicians should keep on a long-term follow-up to monitor PHEO-PGL recurrence if hypoxia is not corrected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) in the prostate is one of the most aggressive tumors and a rare, uncommon clinical disease entity with a very poor prognosis. We reported a case of PNET in the prostate of a 49-year-old man and diagnosed through a biopsy. The patient underwent chemotherapy followed by adjuvant external radiation therapy without cystoprostatectomy as recommended, and 2 years later there is no sign of recurrence or distant metastasis. The patient had a good recovery and satisfactory outcomes in the follow-up. The successful treatment of PNET in the prostate in our case without surgery will provide a good therapeutic regime for reference until now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) are rare autosomal dominant disorders derived from the neural crest chromaffin tissues of the autonomic nervous system. The succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit D (SDHD) gene has been implicated as one of the pathogenic genes. Although more than 100 SDHD mutations have been reported, the phenotype-genotype association remains unclear.Methods: We reported a case of a patient who presented with multifocal PPGLs and with a rare SDHD mutation, and reviewed the phenotype-genotype association of SDHD.Results: We identified a pathogenic variant of SDHD (c.170-1G>T, NM_003002.3), which caused the complete deletion of exon 3 in the transcript and resulted in a shorter and unstable SDHD mRNA. And truncated SDHD mutations were prone to cause multifocal PPGL, whereas missense SDHD mutations usually caused unifocal lesions.Conclusion: This is the first report linking the c.170-1G>T variant to multifocal tumors. We recommend whole-body imaging examinations and close, regular follow-up for these patients, given the risk of multifocal tumor development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes after performing radical prostatectomy (RP) or low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR) for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer (IRPC)., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis on 361 IRPC patients who underwent treatment in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2014 to August 2021, of which 160 underwent RP and 201 underwent Iodine-125 LDR. Patients were followed in clinic monthly during the first three months and at three-month intervals thereafter. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to predict biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS), clinical relapse-free survival (cRFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS). Biochemical recurrence was defined using the Phoenix definition for LDR and the surgical definition for RP. The log-rank test was applied to compare bRFS between the two modalities, and Cox regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with bRFS., Results: Median follow-up was 54 months for RP and 69 months for LDR. According to log-rank test, the differences of 5-year bRFS (70.2% vs 83.2%, P = 0.003) and 8-year bRFS (63.1% vs 68.9%, P < 0.001) between RP and LDR groups were statistically significant. Our results also indicated that there was no significant difference in terms of cRFS, CSS, or OS between the two groups. With multivariate analysis of the entire cohort, prostate volume ≤ 30 ml (P < 0.001), positive margin (P < 0.001), and percentage positive biopsy cores > 50% (P < 0.001) were independent factors suggestive of worse bRFS., Conclusions: LDR is a reasonable treatment option for IRPC patients, yielding improved bRFS and equivalent rates of cRFS, CSS and OS when compared with RP., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated the vital roles of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in prostate cancer (PCa). However, the function of small nucleolar RNA host gene 20 (SNHG20) in PCa is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the expression and biological roles of SNHG20 in PCa. SNHG20 expression in PCa tissues and cell lines was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Gain and loss-of-function experiments were conducted to examine the biological roles of SNHG20. Bioinformatic analysis and dual luciferase activity reporter assay were conducted to establish the SNHG20/secretoglobin family 2A member 1 (SCGB2A1)/microRNA-6516-5p (miR-6516-5p) axis. SHNG20 expression was found markedly elevated in PCa tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of SNHG20 increased PCa cell proliferation and invasion but decreased cell apoptosis. However, the knockdown of SNHG20 will cause the opposite effects on PCa cell behaviors. Mechanical investigation found that SNHG20 could relive the SCGB2A1 protein expression via sponging the miR-6516-5p, acting as miRNA sponge. In conclusion, this finding suggests the SNHG20/miR-6516-5p/SCGB2A1 axis in PCa tumorigenesis, providing the novel insight for the molecular mechanism of PCa., Competing Interests: None.