• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.10.1-10.11
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• 2018

Although early studies suggested that bladder cancer (BCa) is more prevalent in men than in women, muscle-invasive rates are higher in women than in men, suggesting that sex hormones might play important roles in different stages of BCa progression. In this work, we found that estrogen receptor beta ($ER{\beta}$) could increase BCa cell proliferation and invasion via alteration of miR-92a-mediated DAB2IP (DOC-2/DAB2 interacting protein) signals and that blocking miR-92a expression with an inhibitor could partially reverse $ER{\beta}$-enhanced BCa cell growth and invasion. Further mechanism dissection found that $ER{\beta}$ could increase miR-92a expression at the transcriptional level via binding to the estrogen-response-element (ERE) on the 5' promoter region of its host gene C13orf25. The $ER{\beta}$ up-regulated miR-92a could decrease DAB2IP tumor suppressor expression via binding to the miR-92a binding site located on the DAB2IP 3' UTR. Preclinical studies using an in vivo mouse model also confirmed that targeting this newly identified $ER{\beta}$/miR-92a/DAB2IP signal pathway with small molecules could suppress BCa progression. Together, these results might aid in the development of new therapies via targeting of this $ER{\beta}$-mediated signal pathway to better suppress BCa progression.

• Investigative and Clinical Urology
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.392-398
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• 2018

Purpose: To evaluate the initial experience and outcome of photo-selective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Pakistan with the use of a 980 nm diode laser. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was performed from November 2016 to December 2017. A total of 100 patients diagnosed with bladder outlet obstruction secondary to BPH who planned for PVP were enrolled in the study. PVP was carried out with a diode laser at 980 nm (Biolitec Diode 180W laser) in a continuous wave with a 600 nm (twister) fiber. Baseline characteristics and perioperative data were compared. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated by International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), post void residual (PVR) and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) at 3 and 6 months after surgery. Results: The mean age was $65.82{\pm}10.42$, mean prostate size was $67.35{\pm}16.42$, operative time was $55.85{\pm}18.01$ and total energy was $198.68{\pm}49.12kJ$. At 3 months and 6 months, significant improvements were noted (p<0.001) in IPSS $7.04{\pm}1.69$ (-18.92), Qmax $19.22{\pm}4.75mL/s$ (+13.09) and and PVR $18.89{\pm}5.39mL$ (-112.80). Most frequent problems were burning micturition (35%) and terminal dysuria (29%). No significant difference in postoperative hemoglobin was seen in patients who were on anti-platelet drugs. Conclusions: PVP with a diode laser is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of BPH and is also safe in patients who are on anti-platelet agents.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.85-90
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• 2021

We present data from three Caucasian men with Zinner syndrome who attended our center for the treatment of primary couple's infertility. Each patient was scheduled for conventional testicular sperm extraction (cTESE) and cryopreservation. Sperm analysis confirmed absolute azoospermia. Patient 1 had right and left testis volumes of 24 mL and 23 mL, respectively; left seminal vesicle (SV) agenesis, severe right SV hypotrophy with right renal agenesis. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was 3.2 IU/L. Patient 2 exhibited right and left testis volumes of 18 mL and 16 mL, respectively; a left SV cyst of 32 × 28 mm, ipsilateral kidney absence, and right SV agenesis. FSH was 2.8 IU/L. Patient 3 showed a testicular volume of 10 mL bilaterally, a 65 × 46 mm left SV cyst, right SV enlargement, and left kidney agenesis. FSH was 32.0 IU/L. Sperm retrieval was successful in all patients. Nevertheless, cTESE should be performed on the day of oocyte retrieval.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.92-98
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• 2003

Testicular teratoma is characterized that has more than one germ cell layer in various stages of maturation and differentiation. The incidence of mature teratoma varies from 2 to 9% of all germinal testicular tumor. Only 3 cases of bilateral teratoma have been reported in the literature to date. The teratoma can occurs at all ages but is most common between the age of 15-35 year. It is relatively infrequently seen in childhood and infancy. In these age group, teratoma tends to be a benign. Recently, we experienced one case of bilateral testicular teratoma in 4 month-old infancy. We report a case of bilateral testicular teratoma found infancy with review of related literatures.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.135-138
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• 2012

Objective: To investigate whether apoptin is a apoptosis-inducing protein with a potential for bladder cancer therapy. Methods: We constructed a PCDNA3/Apoptin eukaryotic expression vector, and transfected this vector into bladder cancer cell lines BIU-87 and EJ, then observed the results by RT-PCR, transmission electron microscopy, MTT assay and the flow cytometry (TUNEL method). Results: PCDNA3/Apoptin successfully induced a high level apoptosis in both bladder cancer cell lines, compared with the controls (p<0.05). Conclusions: Apoptin can induce high level apoptosis in human bladder cancer EJ and BIU-87 cells, which suggests a potential for human bladder cancer therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.499-502
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• 2013

Trace elements which are essential components of biological structures may also be toxic when present at levels above the amounts required for biological function. In our study, trace element levels were measured with furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 33 newly diagnosed renal cell carcinoma cases (preoperative) and 32 healthy controls. When compared with the control group, it was found that the levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) were higher and the levels of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) were lower in the patient group. These changes may be important in the formation of renal cell carcinoma, a question which should be explored with postoperative comparative studies.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.966-972
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• 2007

Pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG1) is widely detected in many tumors. Increasing evidence reveals that PTTG1 is associated with cell proliferation, cellular transformation and apoptosis. However, the functions of PTTG1, especially its role in DNA damage-induced apoptosis, remain largely unclear. In this report, we used UV irradiation to induce apoptosis in HeLa cells to examine the role of PTTG1 in UV-induced apoptosis by RNAi-mediated knockdown and overexpression of PTTG1. RNAi-mediated knockdown of PTTG1 expression increased and overexpression of PTTG1 decreased the UV-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, UV irradiation decreased PTTG1 mRNA and protein expression. These effects were found to be mediated by JNK pathway. Therefore, PTTG1 had an important anti-apoptotic role in UV-induced apoptosis and this role was mediated by JNK pathway. These results may provide important information for understanding the exact role and the regulation mechanism of PTTG1 in UV-induced apoptosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6063-6066
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• 2012

Although alteration in the haptoglobin phenotype has been reported in patients with bladder cancer, serum haptoglobin levels have not been evaluated. We hypothesized that serum haptoglobin can be used as a biomarker. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of haptoglobin in bladder cancer and to determine the relationship with clinicopathological features. A total of 68 serum specimens obtained before surgery were used to investigate haptoglobin expression using the sandwich ELISA technique. Serum haptoglobin levels were higher in the patients with bladder cancer compared to healthy controls (p<0.0001). Additionally, the levels of haptoglobin protein increased with increasing tumor grades (p<0.001) and were significantly higher in patients with metastatic disease and the presence of lymphovascular involvement, lymph node metastases and increasing tumor burden (p<0.0001). This study suggests that elevated haptoglobin levels are associated with a higher stage, grade, and extent of distant metastasis and larger tumor size. Haptoglobin may therefore provide a useful diagnostic and treatment biomarker for patients with bladder cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3313-3317
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• 2012

Prostate cancer is a highly prevalent disease in older men of the western world. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression via posttranscriptional inhibition of protein synthesis. To identify the diagnostic potential of miRNAs in prostate cancer, we downloaded the miRNA expression profile of prostate cancer from the GEO database and analysed the differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) in prostate cancerous tissue compared to non-cancerous tissue. Then, the targets of these DE-miRNAs were extracted from the database and mapped to the STRING and KEGG databases for network construction and pathway enrichment analysis. We identified a total of 16 miRNAs that showed a significant differential expression in cancer samples. A total of 9 target genes corresponding to 3 DE-miRNAs were obtained. After network and pathway enrichment analysis, we finally demonstrated that miR-20 appears to play an important role in the regulation of prostate cancer onset. MiR-20 as single biomarker or in combination could be useful in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. We anticipate our study could provide the groundwork for further experiments.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.295-298
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• 2014

Primary renal echinococcosis, a rare disease involving the kidney, accounts for 2-3% of human echinococcosis. A 64-year-old female patient from Uzbekistan presented with complaints of left flank pain. A CT scan revealed a cystic mass in the upper to midpole of the left kidney. We regarded this lesion as a renal malignancy and hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy was performed to remove the renal mass. The mass consisted of a large unilocular cyst and multiple smaller cysts without any grossly visible renal tissue. The final pathologic diagnosis was a renal hydatid cyst. For patients from endemic areas, hydatid cyst should be included in the differential diagnosis. Here, we present a case of renal hydatid cyst in a female patient who relocated from Uzbekistan to Korea.