Junkai Wang

MicroRNA-185 suppresses proliferation, invasion, migration, and tumorigenicity of human prostate cancer cells through targeting androgen receptor

Previous studies have shown that androgen receptor (AR) is involved in the progression of prostate cancer (CaP) by several mechanisms. However, how AR is regulated has not been fully understood. In this study, miR-185 was found to be down-regulated in clinical CaP samples. Targets prediction revealed that AR had putative complementary sequences to miR-185, which was confirmed by the following dual luciferase reporter assay. Overexpression of miR-185 could reduce the expression of AR protein but not mRNA in LNCaP cells. The proliferation of LNCaP cells was inhibited by overexpression of miR-185. Cell cycle analysis revealed cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. The invasive and migration abilities of cells could also be suppressed by miR-185. Furthermore, miR-185 inhibited tumorigenicity in a CaP xenografts model. CDC6, one target of AR and an important regulatory molecule for cell cycle, was found to be down-regulated by overexpression of miR-185. Our findings suggest that miR-185 could function as a tumor-suppressor gene in CaP by directly targeting AR, and act as a potential therapeutic target for CaP.

Laparoscopic inferior mesenteric-gonadal vein bypass for the treatment of nutcracker syndrome

Nutcracker syndrome is a rare entity caused by extrinsic compression on the left renal vein (LRV) crossing between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. This article reports the treatment of two cases of nutcracker syndrome using laparoscopic inferior mesenteric-gonadal vein bypass, knowing that this treatment option would avoid renal reperfusion injury and LRV hypertension. In addition, it is easier to operate compared with laparoscopic splenorenal venous bypass and laparoscopic transposition of LRV into the inferior vena cava.

Positive nin one binding protein expression predicts poor outcome in prostate cancer

Nin one binding protein (NOB) 1 has been reported to be involved in cancer. However, the role of NOB1 in prostate cancer (PCa) has yet to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the clinical role of NOB1 in PCa. The gene and protein expression levels of NOB1 were detected using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis in fresh samples of PCa and matched adjacent noncancerous tissues (n=32). NOB1 expression was also assessed using immunohistochemistry in a large number of patients with PCa (n=456) and paired adjacent noncancerous tissues between December 2003 and December 2010. The association between NOB1 expression and clinicopathological features and prognosis was investigated. The expression of NOB1 was found to be higher in the fresh samples of PCa than in the paired adjacent noncancerous tissues at the gene and protein levels. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the positive expression rates of NOB1 in PCa and the paired adjacent noncancerous tissues were 53% (242/456) and 6.1% (28/456), respectively. NOB1 expression was significantly correlated with Gleason score (P<0.001) and distant metastasis (P<0.001). Furthermore, patients with PCa with positive NOB1 expression had lower overall survival and recurrence‑free survival (RFS) compared with those with negative NOB1 expression. Multivariate analysis showed that NOB1 was an independent marker of RFS (hazard ratio, 3.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.41‑6.35; P=0.006). These findings suggest that NOB1 may be a potential prognostic indicator for PCa.

Tectonic‑1 contributes to the growth and migration of prostate cancer cells in vitro

Tectonic-1 (TCTN1) is an upstream gene involved in embryonic development. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the TCTN1 gene on the viability and migration of prostate cancer cells. Lentivirus-mediated short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was constructed to silence the expression of TCTN1 in PC-3 and DU145 prostate cancer cells. Cell viability and proliferation were measured using MTT and colony formation assays, and the distribution of cells in phases of the cell cycle was determined using flow cytometry. Cell migration was detected using a Transwell assay. The results demonstrated that TCTN1 was widely expressed in several human prostate cancer cell lines. Knockdown of the TCTN1 gene by RNA interference markedly suppressed cell viability and colony formation in the PC-3 and DU145 cell lines. Cell cycle progression was also arrested by TCTN1 silencing. In addition, knockdown of the TCTN1 gene led to the inhibition of cell migration in the two cell lines. These findings confirmed the direct association between the TCTN1 gene and prostate cancer growth in vitro. With further understanding and clinical investigation, this indicates the potential for future development of a novel marker for early detection and gene therapy for prostate cancer.

Transperitoneal Laparoscopic Excision of Seminal Vesicle Cyst: A Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Seminal vesicle cyst (SVC) is a rare disease and its treatment is still controversial. This article contains the largest series of transperitoneal laparoscopic excision of SVC to date, summarizing our surgical techniques and clinical experience with this disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS From December 2003 to May 2010, seven patients received transperitoneal laparoscopic excision of SVC using a five-port transperitoneal approach. Nearly the total cyst was removed by only leaving a narrow strip of the cyst wall with the bilateral vas deferens and SV preserved completely. Pelvic CT or MRI was performed 3 and 6 months after surgery, and thereafter annually for at least 3 years. RESULTS Transperitoneal laparoscopic excision of SVC was completed successfully in all seven patients without conversion to open surgery. The mean operative time was 73 minutes (range 60-100 min) with negligible blood loss (less than 20 mL). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.3 days (range 3-5 days). No intraoperative or postoperative complication occurred. The patients were followed up for a mean of 45 months (range 18-84 mos), during which they all remained symptom free with normal erectile and ejaculatory function without evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION Our study has demonstrated that transperitoneal laparoscopic excision of SVC is a safe, feasible, and efficacious procedure, and offers an excellent option for minimally invasive treatment of patients with SVC.

Transperitoneal Laparoscopic Excision of Primary Seminal Vesicle Benign Tumors: Surgical Techniques and Follow-up Outcomes

OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of transperitoneal laparoscopic excision of primary seminal vesicle benign tumors (SVBTs) and summarize our experience with surgical techniques and follow-up outcomes of this rare condition. METHODS This study included 6 patients who underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic excision of primary SVBTs between June 2005 and April 2011. A 5-port transperitoneal approach was used. The ipsilateral vas deferens was identified in the upper bulge of the retrovesical peritoneal reflection through a transverse approach and was dissected inwardly and used as a guide to the seminal vesicle tumor. Endoscopic Hem-o-lok clips (Teleflex Medical) were applied to control the vascular supply to the tumor base. With the contralateral vas deferens and seminal vesicle preserved, the tumor was removed together with the vas deferens and the adjoining ipsilateral seminal vesicle. The surgical procedures were successful in all 6 patients, without conversion to open surgery. The mean duration of surgery was 70 ± 16 minutes (range, 50-100 minutes), with unremarkable blood loss of less than 50 mL. The mean postoperative hospital length of stay was 5.2 ± 1.6 days (range, 4-8 days). No intra- or postoperative complications occurred. During a mean follow-up period of 42 ± 24 months (range, 12-82 months), all patients remained asymptomatic, with preserved function as reported by the patient, and there was no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that transperitoneal laparoscopic excision of primary SVBTs is a viable option for minimally invasive treatment of SVBT.

Mitochondrial DNA mutations may not be frequent in asthenospermic infertile men.

Abstract Mutations in mitochondrial DNA were implicated to be associated with male infertility. Due to its high mutation rate, mtDNA defects may occur at any nucleotide of its 16,569 bp sequence. In this study, we analyzed a recent paper concerning the role of mtDNA variations in asthenospermic infertile men, we found that mtDNA mutation was a frequent event in male infertility. However, some polymorphisms in gene encoding mt-tRNAs were mislabelled as “pathogenic mutations”. We also discussed the potential pitfalls and mistakes in mitochondrial medicine studies.

Renal cell carcinoma with metachronous metastasis to the contralateral adrenal gland and urinary bladder: A case report

The adrenal gland and urinary bladder are rare localizations of metastases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In the present study, a case of metastasis to the contralateral adrenal gland and urinary bladder of clear cell-type RCC (ccRCC) in the left kidney is reported in a male who had undergone left radical nephrectomy at 55 years of age. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass in the right adrenal gland 5 years following surgery, and type-B ultrasound demonstrated a 1.0-cm solid space-occupying lesion in the right wall of the bladder. Consequently, laparoscopic right adrenalectomy and transurethral resection of the bladder tumor were performed. Furthermore, based on histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining, the patient was pathologically diagnosed with contralateral adrenal gland and urinary bladder metastasis of ccRCC. CT performed at the 1-year follow-up detected multiple solid space-occupying lesions in the right kidney. Therefore, the patient was treated with sunitinib targeted therapy. To date, the patient is generally in good condition, without evident drug side effects or complaints of discomfort.

A matched-pair comparison of single plus one port versus standard extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy by a single urologist

We conducted this study to report on our initial experience and assess the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of extraperitoneal single plus one port laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (SPOPL‐RP), and determine whether it shows any objective advantage over standard laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. From June 2009 to September 2011, 15 extraperitoneal SPOPL‐RPs were performed through a 2–3‐cm subumbilical longitudinal incision and another 5‐mm trocar placed at the McBurney point. This cohort was compared with 37 contemporary patients who underwent standard extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy performed by the same urologist. Peri‐ and postoperative outcomes, including continence, potency, and scar length, were statistically analyzed. The two groups were comparable with respect to patient demographics, estimated blood loss, drainage time, duration of catheterization, catheterization rate >14 days, complication rate, postoperative hospitalization, and postoperative functional and oncologic outcomes (p > 0.05). The SPOPL‐RP procedures had a longer mean operative time (170.1 minutes vs. 139.5 minutes, p = 0.005), but with fewer patients requiring analgesics (20% vs. 54.1%, p = 0.038) and earlier resumption of oral intake (20.7 hours vs. 26.8 hours, p = 0.037). The mean scar length in the SPOPL‐RP group was much smaller (3.4 cm vs. 5.8 cm, p = 0.000) owing to the significant reduction of the skin incision. The peri‐ and postoperative outcomes of SPOPL‐RP for low‐risk prostate cancer are comparable to those with the standard laparoscopic approach. In addition, SPOPL‐RP provides better postoperative pain control, faster recovery of bowel function, and smaller scar length than standard laparoscopy, albeit with a longer operative time.