Docetaxel was used to treat metastatic CRPC patients. However, Doc resistance in prostate cancer (PCa) hinders its clinical application. To understand the underlying mechanisms by which Doc resistance is developed and to find novel therapeutic target to cure Doc resistant PCa has clinical importance. We established Doc resistant cell lines and explored the role of Ezh2 in the development of Doc resistance by overexpressing its cDNA or using its inhibitor. We found that Ezh2 was induced in our established Doc resistant (DocR) cells, which was attributable to the silenced expression of miR-101-3p and miR-138-5p. Blockage of Ezh2 activity by either inhibitor or miRNA mimics could overcome Doc resistance by suppressing Doc-induced cancer stem cells populations. Mechanistically, Ezh2 activity was required for the induced expression of Nanog, Sox2 and CD44 upon Doc treatment. Targeting Ezh2 could overcome Doc resistance.

LIM kinases modulate multiple aspects of cancer development, including cell proliferation and survival. As the mechanisms of LIMK‐associated tumorigenesis are still unclear, we analyzed the tumorigenic functions of LIM kinase 2 (LIMK2) in human bladder cancer (BC) and explored whether the newly identified LIMK2 3´‐UTR SNP rs2073859 (G‐to‐A allele) is correlated with clinical features. Expression levels of LIMK2 in 38 human BC tissues and eight cell lines were examined using quantitative real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry. LIMK2 was overexpressed in most BC tissues (27/38, 71%) and BC‐derived cell lines (6/8), and was more frequently overexpessed in high‐grade than low‐grade BC (80% vs. 47%). The effects of LIMK2 on BC cell proliferation, survival and migration, were studied by overexpression and RNA interference approaches in vitro and in vivo. LIMK2 overexpression promoted proliferation, migration and invasion of BC cells, while LIMK2 depletion inhibited cell invasion and viability and induced growth arrest in vitro and in vivo. PCR‐Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) was used to genotype LIMK2 SNP rs2073859 and multivariate logistic regression applied to assess the relationship between allele frequency and clinical features in 139 BC patients. Functional analyses localized SNP rs2073859 within the microRNA‐135a seed‐binding region and revealed significantly lower LIMK2 G allele expression. The frequency of A genotypes (AG + AA) was higher in the BC group than normal controls and correlated with risks of high‐grade and high‐stage BC. In conclusion, LIMK2 may function as an oncogene in human BC, while allele‐specific regulation by microRNA‐135a may influence disease risk.

This is an original research of penis allotransplantation. The paper presents an experiment allogenic penis transplantation model in Beagles, with a focus on recovery of blood supply and changes in tissue architecture. Twenty adult Beagles were allocated to 10 pairs for penile transplantation. After operation, the skin and glans were observed. If adverse symptoms occurred, the transplanted penis was resected and pathologically examined. Frequency of urination, urinary stream, and patency level were recorded 7 days after transplantation. Cystourethrography was performed on Day 10. The transplanted penises were resected on Day 14 for pathological examination. The research showed that transplanted penises survived after allotransplantation, and the dogs regained urination ability. Penis autotransplantation in Beagles is feasible. This preliminary study shows a potential for application of this new procedure for penis transplantation in humans.

Background: Bladder cancer (BC), a prevalent genitourinary malignancy, poses a substantial threat to public health, particularly among middle-aged and elderly populations. Given the increasing life expectancy, understanding the BC burden in these demographic groups is imperative. Methods: Based on the GBD 2021 dataset encompassing 371 diseases and injuries with 88 risk factors globally, this study analyzed bladder cancer data from 204 countries and territories (1990–2021) for populations aged ≥55 years, with core metrics including incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). We used Joinpoint regression analysis to assess temporal trends, calculating the Annual Percentage Change (APC) and Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC). We conducted a decomposition analysis to break down the changes in mortality rates into contributions from aging, population growth, and epidemiological changes. We performed a frontier analysis using the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) to evaluate the relationship between bladder cancer burden in people aged 55 and above and socio-demographic development. Among them, we further combined the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database for risk analysis related to bladder cancer. Finally, we used the Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model to project bladder cancer trends from 2022 to 2036. Results: From 1990 to 2021, bladder cancer cases among adults ≥55 years increased by 113% (226 421 to 483 234), while crude incidence rates declined slightly. Mortality rates decreased from 16.83 to 14.11 per 100 000, and DALYs rates dropped from 337.59 to 257.76. High-income regions (North America: 76.85/100 000; Western Europe: 77.62/100 000) had the highest incidence but showed downward trends, whereas Central Europe experienced rising mortality. Males consistently bore a 3.8-fold higher incidence burden than females. Smoking (26.6%) and high fasting glucose (8.2%) were key risk factors. According to NHANES data, elevated fasting blood glucose levels and smoking are both associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Projections to 2036 suggest continued declines: incidence (−13.3%), mortality (−16.4%), and DALYs (−17.9%). Health inequality persisted but improved marginally. Conclusion: The current data and future prediction of this study show that the incidence rate, mortality and DALYs rate of bladder cancer in middle-aged and elderly people have declined. However, disparities in disease burden still exist across regions. Thus, tailored measures are needed to reduce inequalities in high-burden areas.

Background: Urosepsis is a serious complication after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram model that can effectively predict urosepsis following PCNL. Methods: A total of 839 patients who underwent PCNL at General Hospital of Southern Theater Command from January 2018 to January 2023 and a total of 609 patients who underwent PCNL at Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital from January 2020 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed in this study. The center with 839 patients was used to develop the model, and another center with 609 patients was used as an external validation group. Multivariate analysis was used to determine the optimal variables. The validation of the nomogram was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: Urosepsis was observed in 47 (5.6%) and 33 (5.4%) patients in the two centers. Four variables were selected to establish the nomogram through multivariate analysis, including operative time [P<0.001, odds ratio (OR): 1.035, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.019–1.051], accumulated time of renal pelvic pressure ≥30 mmHg (0 vs. 0–60 s, P=0.011, OR: 3.180, 95% CI: 1.300–7.780; 0–60 vs. ≥60 s, P<0.001, OR: 6.389, 95% CI: 2.603–15.685), bladder urine culture (P<0.001, OR: 6.045, 95% CI: 2.454–14.891) and hydronephrosis (none or light vs. moderate, P=0.003, OR: 3.403, 95% CI: 1.509–7.674; moderate vs. several, P=0.002, OR: 4.704, 95% CI: 1.786–12.391). The calibration results showed that the model was well calibrated and ROC curve demonstrated excellent discrimination of the nomogram. In addition, the DCA showed that the nomogram had a positive net benefit. Conclusions: A prediction nomogram was developed and validated to assist clinicians in assessing the probability of urosepsis after PCNL.

To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of robot-assisted laparoscopic modified ureteroplasty using a lingual mucosa graft (LMG) or an appendiceal flap (AF) for complex ureteral strictures and summarize our experience. A total of 16 patients with complex ureteral strictures (range: 1.5–5 cm) who underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic-modified ureteroplasty and were admitted to our hospital from May 2022-October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. We used modified presuture methods in patients who needed the posteriorly augmented anastomotic technique to reduce anastomotic tension. Perioperative variables and outcomes were recorded for each patient. The operation under robot-assisted laparoscopy was successfully performed in all sixteen patients (12 with LMG ureteroplasty and 4 with AF ureteroplasty) without conversion to open surgery. The mean length of the ureteral structure was 2.90 ± 0.90 cm (range: 1.5–5 cm), the mean operation duration was 209.69 ± 26.74 min (range: 170–255 min), the median estimated blood loss was 75 (62.5) ml (range: 50–200 ml), and the duration of postoperative hospitalization was 10.44 ± 2.10 d (range: 7–14 d). The follow-up time in this group was 6 ~ 21 months. The success rate of the surgery was 100%. Robot-assisted laparoscopic modified ureteroplasty using AF or LMG is a safe and feasible operation for complex ureteral strictures and deserves to be popularized.