SOX7 is involved in polyphyllin D-induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest through down-regulation of cyclin D1

The incidence of mortality of prostate cancer (PCa) has been an uptrend in recent years. Our previous study showed that the sex-determining region Y-box 7 (SOX7) was low-expressed and served as a tumor suppressor in PCa cells. Here, we describe the effects of polyphyllin D (PD) on proliferation and cell cycle modifications of PCa cells, and whether SOX7 participates in this process. PC-3 cells were cultured in complete medium containing PD for 12, 24, and 48 h. MTT assay was used to investigate the cytotoxic effects of PD. Cell cycle progression was analyzed using propidium iodide (PI) staining, and protein levels were assayed by Western blot analysis. Our results showed low expression of SOX7 in PCa tissues/cells compared to their non-tumorous counterparts/RWPE-1 cells. Moreover, PD inhibited the proliferation of PC-3 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. PD induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, while co-treatment with short interfering RNA targeting SOX7 (siSOX7) had reversed this effect. PD downregulated SOX7, cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), and cyclin-dependent kinase6 (CDK6) expressions in a dose-dependent manner, whereas co-treatment of siSOX7 and PD rescued the PD-inhibited cyclin D1 expression. However, no obvious changes were observed in CDK4 or CDK6 expression. These results indicate that SOX7 is involved in PD-induced PC-3 cell cycle arrest through down-regulation of cyclin D1

Norcantharidin induces G2/M arrest and apoptosis via activation of ERK and JNK, but not p38 signaling in human renal cell carcinoma ACHN cells

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is generally acknowledged as the most resistant primary malignancy unresponsive to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments. Norcantharidin (NCTD), a therapeutic compound derived from medicinal plants, has been shown to trigger apoptosis, as well as antimetastatic and antioxidant activities in several tumor cells. However, NCTD’s mechanism of antitumor activity in the RCC cell line remains unclear. In this study, we report that NCTD led to a time- and dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation. It had also markedly induced apoptosis and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in a dose-dependent manner by decreasing the expressions of pro-caspase-3, pro-caspase-9, cyclin B1, and pCDC25C while increasing active caspase-3, cleaved-PARP, P21, and pCDC2 levels. Interestingly, NCTD treatment provoked the phosphorylation of extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), but not of p38 MAPK. Moreover, SCH772984 and SP600125, ERK and JNK inhibitors, respectively, could partially abolish NCTD-induced apoptosis and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Collectively, these findings suggest that NCTD might activate JNK and ERK signaling pathways, consequently inducing apoptosis and G2/M arrest through the modulation of related proteins. This study provided evidence that NCTD is a promising therapeutic drug for the treatment of RCC

The transcription factor CREB is involved in sorafenib-inhibited renal cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion

Our previous reports showed that the cyclic-AMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) served as a proto-oncogene in the process of tumorigenesis and mediated the growth and metastatic activity of renal cancer cells. Our study, therefore, explored the role of CREB in sorafenib-inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Renal cancer cells were cultured in medium containing sorafenib for 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. The MTT assay was used to study the cytotoxic effects of sorafenib. Cell invasion and migration were assayed in wound healing and transwell experiments, respectively. Protein expression levels were evaluated by western blotting. The results show that sorafenib treatment decreased cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Sorafenib inhibited cell migration and invasion and decreased the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Moreover, addition of the recombinant plasmid pCI-neo/CREB (PN) reversed the sorafenib-induced inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and invasion. These results show that CREB is associated with the sorafenib-induced inhibition of proliferation, migration and invasion

At-rest lateral earth pressure coefficient under narrow backfill widths: A numerical investigation

The lateral earth pressure at rest is typically considered in situations where lateral wall movements are negligible. Determining the coefficient of lateral earth pressure at rest (referred to as K0) often relies on established classical equations. However, these equations often overlook the influence of the width of the backfill soil on lateral earth pressure. While this omission is generally acceptable when the backfill soil is wide enough, there are instances where a retaining wall supports backfill soils of limited width, such as basement walls between adjacent buildings. Yet, there is limited research addressing the impact of narrow backfill in such scenarios. We aimed to address this gap by investigating variations in K0 values under different conditions, including backfill width and soil properties. Using ABAQUS for numerical simulations, we refined and validated our model using relevant laboratory experimental data. Subsequently, the validated model was applied to various simulation scenarios. For narrow backfill widths (ranging from 0.1 to 0.7 times the retaining wall height), our findings indicated a general decrease in K0 values with decreasing backfill widths, often smaller than those estimated using classical equations. Additionally, along the depth of the wall, K0 values tended to decrease with increasing depth for narrow backfill widths. These findings contribute to our understanding of the impact of narrow backfill on K0

Repeated misdiagnosis of small intestine bronchogenic cyst: a case report

Bronchogenic cysts are uncommon congenital malformations of the respiratory system. These cysts can be categorized as intrapulmonary, mediastinal, or ectopic. Ectopic bronchogenic cysts, which lack distinctive clinical and imaging features, are particularly challenging to diagnose. This study presents a 48-year-old woman having a small intestinal bronchogenic cyst. She was repeatedly misdiagnosed as having an ovarian chocolate cyst or a cystic mass of bladder origin three years ago. However, no cyst was found during the operation. Half a year prior to presenting at our hospital, the patient developed frequent urination, prompting her to seek further treatment. We eventually discovered a cyst in the small intestine. The histological evaluation of the specimen showed a bronchogenic cyst. Small intestine bronchogenic cysts are extremely rare and easily misdiagnosed. It should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses of pelvic cysts. Particularly, when intraoperative exploration of the pelvic cavity fails to detect any cysts, consideration should be given to the possibility of small intestine bronchogenic cysts

Metastasis in penile corpus cavernosum from esophageal squamous carcinoma after curative resection: a case report

Abstract Background Metastasis in penile corpus cavernosum from esophageal squamous carcinoma is a rare but fatal disease, which was reported in cases without series studies. Case presentation An 84-year-old male smoker, who had a history of curative resection of esophageal squamous carcinoma 12 months before, presented with aggressive dysuria and penis pain for 1 month. Ultrasonic guided biopsy diagnosed metastatic squamous carcinoma from the primary in the esophagus. The accurately modulated conformal radiotherapy and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs achieved to alleviate the penis pain temporarily. But the disease progressed and disseminated in a short period. He died of multiple metastases and cancer cachexia in 4 months. Conclusions Primary esophageal cancer metastasis to penile corpus cavernosum refers to short onset time of metastasis, extensive dissemination, bad response to treatment and poor prognosis. Palliative therapy to patients with the disease could achieve temporary local symptom relief, but not prolong survival time. More research is necessary to understand the underlying mechanism of esophagheal metastasis

Clinical Study of Three-Dimensional Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy for the Treatment of Highly Complex Renal Tumors with RENAL Nephrometry Scores of ≥10 Points

Aims. To examine the safety and feasibility of three-dimensional (3-D) laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for clinically complex renal tumors. Materials and Methods. We retrospectively evaluated 76 patients who underwent a 3-D ( n = 42 ; age, 54.6 ± 12.2 years) or two-dimensional (2-D) laparoscopic partial nephrectomy ( n = 34 ; age, 54.8 ± 13.2 years) for renal tumors with RENAL nephrectomy scores of ≥10 points from the same surgical group between January 2017 and April 2020 in Ningbo Urology and Nephrology Hospital. Mean tumor diameter, operation time, warm ischemic time, amount of intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospitalization time, hospitalization cost, perioperative complication rate, and renal function were compared. Results. The operation time ( 154.6 ± 45.1  min) and warm ischemic time ( 22.5 ± 6.8  min) in the 3-D laparoscopic group were significantly lower than those in the 2-D laparoscopic group ( 193.0 ± 59.2  min, p = 0.001 and 28.7 ± 7.8  min, p = 0.0002 , respectively). No significant differences in amount of intraoperative blood loss ( p = 0.642 ), length of postoperative hospital stay ( p = 0.541 ), perioperative complication rate ( p = 0.860 ), total hospital cost ( p = 0.641 ), and renal function changes including estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum creatinine ( p &gt; 0.05 ) were found between the two groups. Conclusion. Our preliminary experience showed that the 3-D laparoscopic imaging system significantly shortened the operation and renal ischemic times, which are more conducive to partial resection of highly complex renal tumors.</jats:p

Multidisciplinary management of a Spondyloarthritis presenting with bladder involvement as the initial clinical symptom: a rare case report

Abstract Background Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a group of chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases that can present with diverse extra-articular manifestations. However, bladder involvement as the primary clinical presentation has not been previously reported. Case presentation : We present a case report of a 55-year-old male with a 20-year history of recurrent left lower abdominal pain and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Despite multiple treatments for presumed chronic prostatitis and cystitis, symptoms persisted. Imaging revealed bladder wall alterations and inflammatory changes in bilateral sacroiliac joints. Laboratory tests showed positive HLA-B27 expression. Histopathological examination of bladder tissue demonstrated chronic inflammation with eosinophilic infiltration and vasculitis. These findings led to a diagnosis of SpA, despite the absence of typical musculoskeletal symptoms. Treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors resulted in complete resolution of urological symptoms and normalization of bladder morphology. After one month of continuous management, the patient experienced significant relief from left lower abdominal pain (NRS 2–3) and LUTS. The patient reported complete alleviation of pain (NRS 0) and LUTS at the three-month follow-up. No recurrence was observed during a 1-year follow-up period. Conclusions This case highlights the potential for SpA to manifest primarily with urological symptoms, emphasizing the need for clinicians to consider systemic inflammatory conditions in cases of refractory LUTS. The successful diagnosis and management underscore the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between urology and rheumatology