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Xiao-Feng Cheng,* Zhen-Hao Zeng,* Wen Deng, Yi-Fu Liu, Xiao-Chen Zhou, Cheng Zhang, Gong-Xian Wang Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Gong-Xian Wang, Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, 330000, Jiangxi Province, People’s Republic of China, Email wanggx-mr@126.comBackground: The aim of this study was to identify novel genetic features of Hunner’s lesion interstitial cystitis (HIC) via comprehensive analysis of the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.Methods: The GSE11783 and GSE28242 datasets were downloaded from GEO for further analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and analyzed for functional annotation. The diagnostic markers for HIC were screened and validated using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression and support vector machine recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) algorithms. Finally, the cell-type identification by estimating relative subsets of RNA transcripts (CIBERSORT) algorithm was adopted to investigate the correlation between immune cell infiltration and diagnostic markers in HIC.Results: A total of 7837 DEGs were identified in GSE11783 and 1583 DEGs in GSE28242. Venn diagrams were used to obtain 16 overlapping upregulated and 67 overlapping downregulated DEGs separately. The LASSO logistic model and SVM-RFE algorithm were used to identify 6 genes including KRT20, SLFN11, CD86, ITGA4, PLAC8, and BTN3A3 from DEGs as diagnostic markers for HIC. Their diagnostic potential in HIC and bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) were acceptable. PLAC8 exhibited the best diagnostic performance in BPS/IC with an area under the curve of 0.916. The results of immune infiltration involving GSE11783 revealed that the plasma cell ratio (p = 0.017), activated memory CD4+ T cells (p = 0.009), activated dendritic cells (p = 0.01), eosinophils (p = 0.004), and neutrophils (p = 0.03) were significantly higher in HIC than in normal samples, in contrast to resting mast cells (p = 0.022). A positive correlation existed between diagnostic markers and infiltrating immune cells.Conclusion: KRT20, SLFN11, CD86, ITGA4, PLAC8, and BTN3A3 represent novel and potent diagnostic markers for HIC. They also exhibit certain diagnostic potential in BPS/IC. Immune cell infiltration might play a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of BPS/IC.Keywords: interstitial cystitis, Hunner’s lesion, immune cells, diagnostic marker, Gene Expression Omnibus

BACKGROUND A vascular tumor is a benign tumor with unique clinical and pathological features. Perirenal vascular tumor is extremely rare and has not yet been reported. Clinically, it manifests as soreness and swelling. Color ultrasound and renal angiography illustrated the perirenal mass, which was closely connected with the kidney and the surrounding tissues and organs. Histology showed extensive embedded perirenal fat, and thin-walled vascular tissue displayed a pink stain due to red blood cells. CASE SUMMARY Herein, a case of robot-assisted retroperitoneal laparoscopic excision of a perirenal vascular tumor is reported. Analysis of the clinical, biological, and histological features of the perirenal vascular tumor can provide an in-depth understanding of the disease, which provides a theoretical and practical basis for better diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSION This study contributes to a practical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of perirenal hemangiom.

The prognosis for advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is not satisfactory, even though its treatment has evolved rapidly over the past 20 years. Systemic ccRCC treatment options mainly involve antiangiogenic therapy, immune checkpoint blockade, or a combination of these therapies, and as more clinical evidence becomes available, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are increasingly dominant. Conventional ICIs lead to the restoration of T-cell activation and a reduction in T-cell depletion by specifically blocking programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) or cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), ultimately enhancing the antitumor immune response. There is no doubt that these therapies have achieved some clinical efficacy in the overall ccRCC population, but response rates and durability remain a great challenge. Therefore, novel immune checkpoints or new combination therapeutic strategies based on ICIs continue to be sought and developed. This review will provide a comprehensive overview of ICI-based therapeutic strategies in advanced ccRCC, including their mechanisms of action and the latest clinical evidence.

PurposeTo evaluate the prognostic value of the aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase (AST/ALT) ratio in primary non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) using propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.MethodsWe retrospectively collected the clinical and pathological data from 314 patients with primary NMIBC who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor. The full cohorts were divided into a low AST/ALT ratio group and a high AST/ALT ratio group according to the optimal cut-off value which was obtained based on the analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve for the 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS). After 1:1 PSM, the correlation between preoperative AST/ALT ratio and survival prognosis was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier analysis with log-rank tests. The independent prognostic factors for RFS and progression-free survival (PFS) were also analyzed.ResultsThe optimum cutoff value of the preoperative AST/ALT ratio was 1.40. Before PSM, a high AST/ALT ratio was correlated with the larger proportion of age > 60 years (P = 0.007) and the worse pathological T stage (P P P P ConclusionsThe high AST/ALT ratio group tended to have poorer RFS and PFS than the low AST/ALT ratio group. Our results also indicated that the elevated preoperative AST/ALT ratio could be seen as a useful prognostic biomarker for predicting early disease recurrence and progression in patients with primary NMIBC.

The stochastic resonance for a fractional oscillator with time-delayed kernel and quadratic trichotomous noise is investigated. Applying linear system theory and Laplace transform, the system output amplitude (SPA) for the fractional oscillator is obtained. It is found that the SPA is a periodical function of the kernel delayed-time. Stochastic multiplicative phenomenon appears on the SPA versus the driving frequency, versus the noise amplitude, and versus the fractional exponent. The non-monotonous dependence of the SPA on the system parameters is also discussed.

Objective To observe the molecular mechanism of Bushen Quban Granule (BQG) for inhibiting the synthesis of intracellular melanin. Methods Twenty SPF grade female SD rats were di- vided into four groups by completely randomized method, i.e., the control group (fed with normal saline) , high, middle, and low dose BQG groups (administered with BQG at 4. 8, 2. 4, 1. 2 g/kg by gastrogavage, equivalent to 24, 12, and 6 times clinical doses, respectively, twice per day for 3 days in total) , 5 in each group. Drug containing serum was collected. Expressions of melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1 R) , mi- crophthalmia-associated transcription factor ( MITF) , tyrosinase ( TYP) , tyrosinase-related protein I (TYRP1) , and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TYRP2) at the mRNA level were detected by RT-PCR. Ex- pressions of phosphorylated-extracellular regulated MAP kinasel/2 (p-ERK) , TYP, TYRP1 and TYRP2 at the protein level were detected by Western blot. Intracellular melanin contents were determined by NaOH dissolving method. Activities of tyrosinase were determined by Dopa pigment method, and the cell viability was detected by MTT. Results Compared with the control group, expressions of MC1R, MITF, TYP, TYRP1 and TYRP2 at the mRNA level were down-regulated (P0. 05), and those of TYP, TYRP1 and TYRP2 at the protein level were also down-regulated (P0. 05), intracellular contents of melanin and the activity of tyrosinase decreased (P0. 05) , but the level of p-ERK and the proliferation of cells increased in each medicated group (P0. 05). When ERK was inhibited by its inhibitor PD98059, there was no sta- tistical difference in expressions of MC1 R or MITF at the mRNA level among all medicated groups (P0. 05). Compared with the control group, mRNA expressions of TYP, TYRP1 and TYRP2 decreased in the high dose BQG group (P0. 05), but with no significant difference in protein expressions of p-ERK, TYP, TYRP1 and TYRP2 (P0. 05). There was no statistical difference in the content of melanin, the activity of TYP, or the proliferation of cells between the control group and the high dose BQG group (P0. 05). Con- clusion BQG could inhibit the synthesis of intracellular melanin through up-regulating p-ERK to inhibit the expression of tyrosinase and its related proteins.

Stochastic resonance in a fractional harmonic oscillator with random mass and signal-modulated noise is investigated. Applying linear system theory and the characteristics of the noises, the analysis expression of the mean output-amplitude-gain (OAG) is obtained. It is shown that the OAG varies non-monotonically with the increase of the intensity of the multiplicative dichotomous noise, with the increase of the frequency of the driving force, as well as with the increase of the system frequency. In addition, the OAG is a non-monotonic function of the system friction coefficient, as a function of the viscous damping coefficient, as a function of the fractional exponent.

The Andreev conductance in [Formula: see text]-shaped quantum dots (QDs) system coupled with Majorana bound states (MBSs) is studied and resulting conductance spectrum displays resonant and non-resonant processes. These fluctuated resonances render features like insulating band, bonding (antibonding) in the low-bias region due to non-trivial role of interdot coupling [Formula: see text] and dots-MBSs coupling [Formula: see text]. On comparing QD levels [Formula: see text], and the coupling between the MBSs, coherent oscillating dynamics of an electron between the nanowire and the QDs can be portrayed. The insulating band is robust against [Formula: see text], but highly sensitive to [Formula: see text], which causes to increase (decrease) the conductance. We can claim that under finite bias voltage, transport can facilitate the researchers to expose the essential features of the Majorana fermion in such closed systems composed of MBSs.

Objective: This study aims to present the graft pathology at the time of harvest and its impact on long-term survival. Methods: The remnants of the bypass grafts from 66 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease receiving a coronary artery bypass grafting were investigated pathologically, and pertinent predictive risk factors and survival were analyzed. Results: Medial degenerative changes with or without intimal proliferation were present in 36.8%, 37.8% and 35.6% of left internal mammary artery (IMA), radial artery and saphenous vein grafts. There were 2 (3.0%) hospital deaths and 9 (14.1%) late deaths. Multinomial logistic regression revealed left IMA pathological changes, dyslipidemia, history of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty/stent deployment and Y-graft were significant predictive risk factors negatively influencing the patients’ long-term survival. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that the long-term survival of patients with left IMA pathological changes were significantly reduced compared with those without (74.1% vs. 91.4%, P=0.002); whereas no differences were noted in long-term survivals between patients with and without pathological changes of the radial arterial or saphenous vein grafts. Conclusion: Pathological changes may be seen in the bypass graft at the time of harvest. The subtle ultrastructural modifications and the expressions of vascular tone regulators might be responsible for late graft patency. The pathological changes of the left IMA at the time of harvest rather than those of the radial artery or saphenous vein graft affect significantly longterm survival. Non-traumatic maneuver of left IMA harvest, well-controlled dyslipidemia and avoidance of using composite grafts can be helpful in maintaining the architecture of the grafts. Objetivo: Este estudo tem como objetivo apresentar a patologia do enxerto no momento da coleta e do impacto na sobrevida a longo prazo. Métodos: Os remanescentes de pontes de safena de 66 pacientes consecutivos com doença arterial coronária que receberam uma cirurgia de revascularização coronariana foram investigados patologicamente, e os fatores de risco preditivos e a sobrevivência foram analisados. Resultados: Alterações degenerativas da artéria medial, com ou sem proliferação da íntima estavam presentes em 36,8%, 37,8% e 35,6% de pontes da artéria torácica interna esquerda (ATIE), artéria radial e veia safena. Houve dois (3,0%) óbitos hospitalares e nove (14,1%) óbitos tardios. A regressão logística multinomial revelou que alterações patológicas na ATIE, dislipidemia, história de angioplastia/stent implantação coronariana transluminal percutânea e Y-enxerto foram significativos fatores de risco preditivos que influenciam negativamente a sobrevivência a longo prazo dos pacientes. Análise de sobrevida de Kaplan- Meier revelou que a sobrevivência a longo prazo de pacientes com alterações patológicas da ATIE foi significativamente reduzida em comparação com aqueles sem (74,1% vs. 91,4%, P=0,002), considerando que não foram observadas diferenças na sobrevivência de longo prazo entre pacientes com e sem alterações patológicas dos enxertos da artéria radial ou de veia safena. Conclusão: As alterações patológicas podem se desenvolver na revascularização no momento da coleta. As modificações ultraestruturais sutis e as expressões de reguladores do tônus vascular podem ser responsáveis pela patência tardia do enxerto. As alterações patológicas da ATIE no momento da coleta, em vez do enxerto da artéria radial ou da veia safena, podem afetar significativamente a sobrevida de longo prazo. Manobra não traumática da ATIE na coleta, bom controle da dislipidemia e para evitar uso de enxertos compostos pode ser útil na manutenção da arquitetura dos enxertos.

Oxidative stress is becoming increasingly linked to the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). The antioxidant activity of flavonoids has attracted attention for their possible role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an antioxidant mechanism is involved in the aneurysm formation inhibitory effect afforded by quercetin. Male C57/BL6 mice received quercetin continuously from 2 weeks prior to and 6 weeks following the AAA induction with extraluminal CaCl2. Quercetin treatment decreased AAA incidence and inhibited the reactive oxygen species generation, nitrotyrosine formation and lipid peroxidation production in the aortic tissue during AAA development. In addition, quercetin‑treated mice exhibited significantly lower expression of the p47phox subunit of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and inducible nitric oxide synthase, as well as coordinated downregulation of manganese‑superoxide dismutase activities and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)‑1 and GPx‑3 expression. Quercetin also blunted the expression of c‑Jun N‑terminal kinase (JNK) and phospho‑JNK and, in addition, diminished activation of the activator protein (AP)‑1 transcription factor. Gelatin zymography showed that quercetin eliminated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‑2 and MMP‑9 activation during AAA formation. In conclusion, the inhibitory effects of quercetin on oxidative stress and MMP activation, through modulation of JNK/AP‑1 signaling, may partly account for its benefit in CaCl2‑induced AAA.

The entropic stochastic resonance (ESR) in a confined system subject to asymmetric dichotomous noise, white noise, and a periodic square-wave signal is investigated. Under the adiabatic approximation condition, by use of the properties of the dichotomous noise, we obtain the expression of the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) based on two-state theory. The SNR is shown to be a nonmonotonic function of the strength and asymmetry of the dichotomous noise, the intensity of the white noise, and the amplitude of the square-wave signal. The SNR varies non-monotonically with increases in the parameters of the confined structure. The influence of the correlation rate of the dichotomous noise and the frequency of the external constant force on the SNR is also discussed.

We investigate the entropic stochastic resonance (ESR) in a confined system, subject to dichotomous noise and white noise, driven by a periodic square-wave signal, by a constant force along the x -axis of the structure as well as by a constant force in the transversal direction. Under the adiabatic approximation condition, based on two-state theory, the expression of the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is obtained. It is shown that the SNR is a non-monotonic function of the strength of the dichotomous noise, a function of the intensity of the white noise, and a function of the amplitude of the square-wave signal. In addition, the SNR varies non-monotonically with the increase of the remaining width at the bottleneck of the confined structure, and with the increase of the constant force along the x -axis of the structure. The influence of the correlation rate of the dichotomous noise, the influence of other parameters of the walls of the confined structure, as well as the influence of the constant force in the transversal direction ( y -axis) on the SNR are also discussed.

The stochastic resonance in a bistable system subject to asymmetric dichotomous noise and multiplicative and additive white noise is investigated. By using the properties of the dichotomous noise, under the adiabatic approximation condition, the expression of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is obtained. It is found that the SNR is a non-monotonic function of the asymmetry of the dichotomous noise, and it varies non-monotonously with the intensities of the multiplicative and additive noise as well as with the system parameters. Moreover, the SNR depends on the correlation rate of the dichotomous noise.

The effect of time delay and noise color in a time-delayed bistable system subject to asymmetric dichotomous noise and colored noise as well as to square-wave signal is studied. Applying small delay-time approximation, under the adiabatic limit condition, we obtain the expression of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the system. By virtue of the SNR expression, we find that, the SNR varies non-monotonously with the delayed-time and the correlation of the colored noise. Moreover, the SNR exhibits SR behavior as a function of the strength of the colored noise

Operation of two-dimensional Power Spectral Density (2-D PSD) of large optics wavefront is briefly described and PSD collapse is introduced to evaluate the intermediate frequency error property of wavefront. As PSD collapse is Radon transform projection of 2-D Power Spectral Density at any angle, all valid data of wavefront of optics are used in calculation of the PSD collapse and the features of 1-D PSD were inherited in PSD collapse. Although PSD collapse is as same as 1-D PSD in unit and behavior style, it is better for evaluating intermediate frequency error property of optics wavefront than 1-D PSD or 2-D PSD. As PSD collapse calculation uses all valid data of evaluated optics wave front and can be directly perceived through its profile, the PSD collapse may possibly be the standard evaluating method of PSD.

A convenient route was developed to synthesize S-oxo-[(methylthio)-methyl]cysteinols on a large scale from cheap l -serine as the starting material. The structures of diastereoisomers were determined by NMR, CD spectra, and X-ray diffraction analysis. All four diastereoisomers were examined for their ability to inhibit certain bacteria from growing.

Liobagrus nigricauda is endemic to the Yangtze River system (Ding 1994, The fishes of Sichuan province. pp. 470-78) and listed as an endangered species (IUCN 2012, Red list of threatened species. http://www.iucnredlist.org ). In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of L. nigricauda has been obtained with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a noncoding control region with the total length of 16,512 bp. The gene arrangement and composition are similar to that of other vertebrates. Most of the genes are encoded on heavy strand, except for eight tRNA and ND6 genes. Just like most other vertebrates, the bias against G has a universality in different statistics results. The mitogenome sequence of L. nigricauda would contribute to better understand population genetics and to protect its genetic diversity.

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C12H14ClN3OS·H2O, the butyl(chlorobenzo[d]thiazolyl)urea molecule, excluding butyl H atoms, displays a roughly planar structure. The water molecules link with the urea derivative molecules via O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonding.

Molecules of the title compound, C18H16ClN3O3S, crystallize as centrosymmetric dimers, connected by intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds. The dimers are interlinked via C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds.

The entropic stochastic resonance (ESR) in a confined system subjected to dichotomous noise and white noise and driven by a periodic sinusoidal force along the x axis of the structure and a time-dependent force in the declining direction, is investigated. Under the adiabatic approximation condition and based on the two-state theory, the expression of the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is obtained. The results show that the SNR is a non-monotonic function of the strengths of dichotomous noise, white noise, and correlated strength of correlated noise. In addition, the SNR varies non-monotonically with the increase of the shape parameters of the confined structure, and also with the increase of the constant force along the y axis of the structure. The influence of the correlation rate of the dichotomous noise, and that of the frequency of the periodic force on the SNR are discussed.