FGFR3 plays an important role in the development of bladder cancer (BCa). Hsa_circ_0068871 is a circRNA generated from several exons of FGFR3. However, the potential functional role of hsa_circ_0068871 in BCa remains largely unknown. Here we aim to evaluate the role of hsa_circ_0068871 in BCa. We selected miR-181a-5p as the potential target miRNA of hsa_circ_0068871. The expression levels of hsa_circ_0068871 and miR-181a-5p were examined in BCa tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues by quantitative real-time PCR. To characterize the function of hsa_circ_0068871, BCa cell lines were stably infected with lentivirus targeting hsa_circ_0068871, followed by examinations of cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis. In addition, xenografts experiment in nude mice were performed to evaluate the effect of hsa_circ_0068871 in BCa. Biotinylated RNA probe pull-down assay, fluorescence in situ hybridization and luciferase reporter assay were conducted to confirm the relationship between hsa_circ_0068871, miR-181a-5p and FGFR3. Hsa_circ_0068871 is over-expressed in BCa tissues and cell lines, whereas miR-181a-5p expression is repressed. Depletion of has_circ_0068871 or upregulation of miR-181a-5p inhibited the proliferation and migration of BCa cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0068871 upregulated FGFR3 expression and activated STAT3 by targeting miR-181a-5p to promote BCa progression. Hsa_circ_0068871 regulates the miR-181a-5p/FGFR3 axis and activates STAT3 to promote BCa progression, and it may serve as a potential biomarker.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) mainly affects men over 40 years of age and is a common clinical condition. In addition to hypertension and diabetes, environment, and lifestyle are also significantly associated with erectile dysfunction. The relationship between dietary trace metal intake and ED has not been studied.Materials and methods: Data on participants were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for this study, and those with incomplete information on clinical variables were excluded. Dose-response curve analysis was used to investigate the relationship between dietary trace metal intake and ED prevalence. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for confounders to further investigate the relationship between dietary trace metal intake and ED prevalence. 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to adjust for differences between clinical variables for data reanalysis to confirm the reliability of the results.Results: A total of 3,745 individuals were included in the study, including 1096 ED patients and 2,649 participants without ED. Dietary intake of trace metals (Mg, Zn, Cu, and Se) was significantly higher in participants without ED than in ED patients (all P < 0.001). Dose-response curve analysis showed a significant negative association between these dietary metal intakes and ED prevalence (all P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounders (age, education, BMI, annual household income, hypertension, diabetes, marital status, race, and current health status) revealed that increased dietary metal intake reduced the odds ratio of ED. 1:1 PSM reanalysis further confirmed the validity of the results.Conclusion: Increasing dietary intake of trace metals (magnesium, zinc, copper, and selenium) within the upper limit is beneficial in reducing the prevalence of ED.

Purpose: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is one of the most common malignancies of the urinary system. This study was conducted to discover a new target that can predict the prognosis and promote the treatment of ccRCC.Methods: The raw data were downloaded from the TCGA database, and the predictive value of ASNS for various clinicopathological features was verified in the following analysis. Then, we analyzed the potential involvement of ASNS in tumor immunity and obtained the possible pathways involving ASNS through GO/KEGG enrichment analysis and GSEA. We also further verified our findings in pathological specimens of ccRCC patients.Results: ASNS expression was significantly increased in ccRCC, which was associated with advanced clinicopathological characteristics. It was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in 535 patients with ccRCC. Immune cell infiltration analysis revealed that ASNS expression was related to T lymphocyte infiltration of tumors and poor prognosis. Moreover, we performed relevant functional enrichment analyses of ASNS.Conclusions: ASNS might play a significant role in the development and immune cell infiltration of ccRCC and serve as a valuable clinical prognostic biomarker.