Translational andrology and urology最新文献

{"title":"Epithelial-mesenchymal transition classification based on machine learning for predicting prognosis and treatment response in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.","authors":"Guangqiang Zhu, Ruipeng Tang, Tielong Tang, Xupan Wei, Chunlin Tan","doi":"10.21037/tau-2025-109","DOIUrl":"10.21037/tau-2025-109","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the third most common cancer in the genitourinary system. However, factors such as postoperative metastasis, recurrence, and advanced inoperable conditions contribute to its high mortality rate. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the initial process that enables cells to metastasize. It is crucial for initiating and promoting both tumor cell invasion and metastasis. This study aims to construct a prognostic prediction model for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients using EMT-association genes (EAGs) based on public database data to improve the management of ccRCC.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>EAGs were identified through clustering and differential expression analysis, and machine learning methods were used to construct a prognostic model. External dataset E-MTAB-1980 was used for model construction and validation. Tumor microenvironment scores, enrichment analysis, and drug sensitivity analysis were used to predict treatment efficacy in different risk score groups. Finally, the \"scissors\" analysis linked high- and low-risk patients to individual cells and further explored the regulatory relationships between high- and low-risk cells through the cell communication network.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A final set of 12 EAGs was used for model construction. Risk scores showed statistically significant differences in different stages. Risk scores were independent prognostic factors for ccRCC patients. Significant differences were observed in the infiltration levels of various immune cells, expression levels of immune checkpoint genes, tumor mutation burden, and drug sensitivity between high- and low-risk groups. Validation tests demonstrated that our EAGs model showed good predictive performance in ccRCC. Cell communication analysis indicated that high-risk and low-risk cell subpopulations had different regulatory networks.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A new EAGs prognostic signature was constructed, which can be used to assess the prognosis and treatment response of ccRCC.</p>","PeriodicalId":23270,"journal":{"name":"Translational andrology and urology","volume":"14 6","pages":"1742-1758"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12271937/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144675778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bladder exstrophy: navigating long-term outcomes.","authors":"Morgan Victoria Town, Katherine Jina Kim, Amelia Vu, Ahmad Haffar, Bradley A Morganstern","doi":"10.21037/tau-2024-631","DOIUrl":"10.21037/tau-2024-631","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bladder exstrophy (BE) is a rare congenital malformation of the genitourinary tract, as well as surrounding structures, within the spectrum of the exstrophy-epispadias complex. This review aims to summarize the current literature on repair procedures, specifically the modern staged repair and complete primary reconstruction, along with their associated complications and complication rates. A particular focus is placed on long-term management strategies to address these complications as patients transition into adulthood. Additionally, this review highlights the management of sexual health for both males and females, fertility considerations, and overall quality of life, emphasizing that patient care extends beyond voiding function. By incorporating these broader aspects, the review provides a global perspective on patient management, which is crucial for the entire multidisciplinary care team. Due to the rarity of BE, the available data is inherently limited, and findings may not be generalizable to every patient. Despite these challenges, this review synthesizes the existing literature through comprehensive searches conducted on PubMed and Google Scholar, thematically organizing findings to identify well-recognized complications and their management. The importance of multidisciplinary care, extending beyond pediatric urology and including adult urologists, is critically emphasized to ensure a seamless transition of care as patients age. Finally, this review underscores the need for ongoing research to establish standardized long-term management protocols, particularly as patients with BE are living longer lives due to advances in surgical techniques and medical care.</p>","PeriodicalId":23270,"journal":{"name":"Translational andrology and urology","volume":"14 6","pages":"1797-1806"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12271933/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144675801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long-term administration of hydrogen-rich water enhances quality of life in diabetic rats and reduces renal neoplasm incidence through modulation of inflammatory and metabolic pathways.","authors":"Qijie Chen, Shaoqing Yu, Yating Pan, Hong Tang, Yang Wang, Ninghan Feng, Hao Wu, Guanzhen Yu","doi":"10.21037/tau-2025-314","DOIUrl":"10.21037/tau-2025-314","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, leading to severe systemic complications and reduced quality of life. Current therapies often fail to comprehensively alleviate diabetic complications, highlighting the need for novel approaches. Animal studies and clinical trials have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of molecular hydrogen (H₂), particularly in controlling DM. However, no systematic studies have investigated the long-term treatment effects of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on DM, and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. This study aims to explore the therapeutic efficacy of HRW in mitigating DM-related complications and uncover its molecular mechanisms using a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The therapeutic effects and mechanisms of HRW were evaluated through RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of multiple organs from STZ-induced diabetic male rat models after 24 weeks of HRW administration. Parameters such as fasting blood glucose (FBG), body weight (BW), and general condition were monitored. At week 24, tissues from the eyes, testes, penis, sperm, liver, kidneys, stomach, colon, and bones were collected and subjected to hematoxylin and eosin staining. RNA-seq was conducted on fresh testis, liver, kidney, and stomach tissues to identify differentially expressed genes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Long-term administration of HRW significantly decreased FBG levels and increased BW, indicating an improvement in metabolic control. HRW also ameliorated various DM-related complications, including diabetic cataracts, bone loss, diabetic nephropathy, erectile dysfunction, asthenozoospermia, and renal neoplasms. RNA-seq and bioinformatic analyses revealed significant enrichment of metabolic pathway-related genes in testis, liver, kidney, and stomach tissues, suggesting the reprogramming of metabolic functions. The findings suggest that oral ingestion of HRW is a safe, effective, and convenient treatment that improves quality of life for DM patients by reducing blood glucose levels and alleviating diabetic complications.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study advances the understanding of HRW's therapeutic mechanisms, particularly its ability to reprogram metabolic pathways. HRW shows promise as an alternative treatment for diabetes, offering a proactive approach to improving metabolic health and alleviating related complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":23270,"journal":{"name":"Translational andrology and urology","volume":"14 6","pages":"1765-1781"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12271932/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144675788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phimosis of foreskin uncovering schistosomiasis of the urinary bladder: a case report.","authors":"Natalie Mainland, SriGita Madiraju, Stephenia Nwogu, Stephen Hong, Isaac Zucker, Dalia Ibrahim, Gregor Emmert, Firas G Petros","doi":"10.21037/tau-2025-182","DOIUrl":"10.21037/tau-2025-182","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> (<i>S. haematobium</i>) is a freshwater parasite endemic to Africa and parts of the Middle East. While snails serve as intermediate hosts, second-stage larvae infest humans. These migrate to bladder tissues, where they cause inflammation, leading to fibrosis, obstruction, and squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder.</p><p><strong>Case description: </strong>This report presents a case of schistosomiasis found in a 10-year-old immigrant from Sudan. He initially presented to urology clinic for consideration of circumcision due to phimosis, but thorough patient interview revealed a history of gross hematuria and small amounts of bleeding at the end of micturition associated with occasional abdominal pain for approximately 5 months. A retroperitoneal ultrasound showed a 3.7 cm mass at the dome of the bladder. Cystoscopy was scheduled quickly to rule out underlying tumors such as rhabdomyosarcoma, which often has poor prognosis. Cystoscopy showed two highly vascularized 2.5 cm nodular bladder masses, one on either side of the midline. The bladder was otherwise normal-appearing. The masses were biopsied and sent for frozen section. While the preliminary frozen pathology report was consistent with rhabdoid malignancy, final permanent pathology was negative for malignancy and contained numerous eggs of species <i>S. haematobium</i>, with internal miracidium and scattered calcifications. Upon further investigation, the patient's family reported that he had gone swimming in a freshwater lake during their most recent visit to Sudan. The patient was treated with praziquantel, with plans to repeat treatment in 2-4 weeks. He was scheduled for follow-up urine microscopy in 3 months to confirm a successful cure. However, he was lost for follow-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In the United States (U.S.), schistosomiasis is extremely rare, and primarily affects patients who have immigrated from countries where it is endemic. This case report provides a further data point for presentation and management of schistosomiasis both in the U.S. and within pediatric populations, and highlights the importance of a thorough urologic history.</p>","PeriodicalId":23270,"journal":{"name":"Translational andrology and urology","volume":"14 6","pages":"1827-1831"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12271947/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144675790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gene profiling and clinicopathological features for prognostic modeling of recurrence in non-metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma.","authors":"Xuzhi Yan, Jian Chen, Dianzheng Zhang, Xiaodu Xie, Ziqian Wang, Chongliang Zheng, Junhao Jin, Jing Xu, Qian Yan, Qiuli Liu, Weihua Lan, Jun Jiang","doi":"10.21037/tau-2025-177","DOIUrl":"10.21037/tau-2025-177","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Accurate risk stratification of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is critical for selecting the most appropriate treatment options. Existing prognostic systems, which incorporate various clinical and pathological parameters, have limitations in terms of accuracy. However, it remains unclear whether integrating molecular data with clinicopathological features can enhance the identification of high-risk tumors. The objective of this study was to establish a model to predict RCC recurrence by integrating molecular data with clinicopathological features and to evaluate circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a non-invasive prognostic marker.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on 73 RCC patients, including 54 with clear-cell RCC (ccRCC). A prognostic model for disease-free survival (DFS) in non-metastatic ccRCC (NMCCRCC) was constructed and validated with two external datasets. The prognostic potential of ctDNA was assessed by its detection rates, mutation concordance with tumor tissue DNA, and association with clinical outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Frequently altered genes in ccRCC included <i>VHL</i> (72.22%), <i>PBRM1</i> (25.93%), <i>BAP1</i> (20.37%), <i>TP53</i> (11.11%), <i>KDM5C</i> (11.11%), and <i>SETD2</i> (16.67%). Advanced T stage, BAP1, and SETD2 mutations were independent risk factors for recurrence in NMCCRCC patients. The model achieved a concordance index (C-index) of 0.833 and demonstrated area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) values ranging from 0.900 to 0.821 for 1- to 5-year outcomes. In external validation, the model also demonstrated reliable performance in the external validation cohorts, with AUC values ranging from 0.688 to 0.751 and 0.721 to 0.768, respectively. The mutation concordance between ctDNA and tumor tissue DNA was 61.54%, with higher ctDNA detection rates observed in patients with distant metastasis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our prognostic model, factoring in T stage and genetic mutations in BAP1 and SETD2, effectively predicted recurrence in NMCCRCC patients. The potential of ctDNA as a non-invasive prognostic biomarker was underscored by its high detection rates and mutation concordance.</p>","PeriodicalId":23270,"journal":{"name":"Translational andrology and urology","volume":"14 6","pages":"1575-1588"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12271931/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144675780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improvements in the prognosis of patients with stage IV renal cancer according to the era of therapeutic agents: an analysis of National Cancer Registry data.","authors":"Shogo Watari, Takaharu Ichikawa, Soshi Takao, Yuki Kurihara, Azusa Matsumi, Moto Tokunaga, Risa Kubota, Norihiro Kusumi, Tomoyasu Tsushima","doi":"10.21037/tau-2025-163","DOIUrl":"10.21037/tau-2025-163","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Advances in new drugs have been associated with improvements in the prognoses of individuals with stage IV renal carcinoma. We aimed to retrospectively evaluate the prognostic improvement of stage IV renal cancer over time using the Okayama Cancer Registry database, which is included in the National Cancer Registry (NCR) of Japan.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients identified in the database with stage IV renal cancer were included. Survival prognosis was analyzed by three periods according to significant advancements in novel therapeutic agents: early (up to March 2008), mid (April 2008-July 2016), and late (August 2016 onward). Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards models. Stratified Cox models were used to account for proportional hazards violations. Subgroup analyses included stratification by surgery status and disease extent (T4 <i>vs.</i> M1).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 1,182 patients were included in the study. The OS outcomes significantly improved across each period [early: reference; mid: hazard ratio (HR) =0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59-0.78; late: HR =0.54, 95% CI: 0.41-0.69]. Subgroup analyses revealed that patients who had undergone initial surgery showed improved prognosis (early: reference; mid: HR =0.44, 95% CI: 0.29-0.69; late: HR =0.30, 95% CI: 0.16-0.56), whereas those receiving no initial surgery did not (early: no case available; mid: reference; late: HR =0.99, 95% CI: 0.64-1.53). Stratified Cox analysis identified age ≥70 years (HR =1.69, 95% CI: 1.47-1.95) and M1 disease (HR =2.95, 95% CI: 2.47-3.52) as independent predictors of worse survival. Significant improvement over time was observed among patients with T4 disease (early: reference; mid: HR =0.59, 95% CI: 0.42-0.82; late: HR =0.47, 95% CI: 0.27-0.81), patients, whereas no improvement was seen in those with M1 disease.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Prognosis of patients with stage IV renal cancer has improved over time, particularly among patients with locally advanced disease and those who undergo surgery. Therefore, therapeutic advances may have greater real-world impact on patients with resectable disease than on those with metastatic disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":23270,"journal":{"name":"Translational andrology and urology","volume":"14 6","pages":"1734-1741"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12271930/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144675784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predicting early death in elderly patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma: a population-based study.","authors":"Qingmai Huang, Qianghua Hu, Manfei Jiang, Baofeng Wang, Xianping Che","doi":"10.21037/tau-2025-225","DOIUrl":"10.21037/tau-2025-225","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The incidence and mortality rates of bladder urothelial carcinoma significantly increase with age after the age of 60 years. In our study, we aimed to identify and analyze the risk factors for early death (death within 6 months) in elderly patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma and established a reliable Nomogram model, thereby assisting clinicians to choose the best clinical decision-making.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data of elderly patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (version 8.4.4) between 2010 and 2015 were selected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors associated with early death. A predictive Nomogram was constructed based on these risk factors to assess the risk of early death. During the training and validation processes, the clinical applicability and predictability of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration analysis and decision curve analysis (DCA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study, a total of 5,087 patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma were collected, among whom 1,163 experienced early death. Age, marital status, tumor (T)-stage, metastasis (M)-stage, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, brain metastasis, and tumor size were all identified as independent risk factors for early death. Based on these factors, we constructed a nomogram that can effectively predict early death in elderly patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma. The nomogram shows that the areas under the curve (AUCs) were 0.7938 and 0.8107 for the training and validation cohorts respectively, and the DCA showed that the predictive model performed well and could be applied in the clinic. Limitations of this study: potential selection bias, lack of relevant variables such as comorbidities, family history, and lack of external validation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this study, we constructed and validated a predictive model (Nomogram) to accurately predict the clinical prognosis of elderly patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma. This predictive tool provides clinicians with an individualized prognostic assessment that can optimize the development of treatment regimens and improve patients' clinical outcomes and quality of survival.</p>","PeriodicalId":23270,"journal":{"name":"Translational andrology and urology","volume":"14 6","pages":"1551-1565"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12271929/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144675802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Risk factors associated with varicocele: a narrative review.","authors":"Shuibo Shi, Weikang Chen, Junjie Tian, Zhongyan Liang, Jinggen Wu, Jingping Li, Lejun Li, Fengbin Zhang","doi":"10.21037/tau-2025-120","DOIUrl":"10.21037/tau-2025-120","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objective: </strong>Varicocele is characterized by the dilation and tortuosity of the internal spermatic venous plexus, leading to impaired venous return, elevated testicular temperature, and ultimately compromised sperm quality. However, most previous reviews have primarily focused on the impact of varicocele on fertility, with limited comprehensive analysis of the associated risk factors contributing to its development. Therefore, this study systematically reviews the existing literature and provides an in-depth analysis of the risk factors associated with varicocele.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a literature search using PubMed, selecting peer-reviewed journal articles without time restrictions. The included publications were systematically summarized and analyzed.</p><p><strong>Key content and findings: </strong>Varicocele predominantly occurs on the left side (90%) due to anatomical factors such as the longer left spermatic vein and its perpendicular insertion into the left renal vein, increasing hydrostatic pressure. Genetic predispositions, including polymorphisms in glutathione S-transferase (GST) and NOS3 genes, contribute to oxidative stress and venous dysfunction. Lifestyle factors such as rapid pubertal development, intense physical activity, and high-altitude residence correlate with higher incidence, while higher body mass index (BMI) may be protective. Hematological markers, including elevated platelet indices and inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are linked to varicocele severity and infertility risk. Additionally, conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic constipation, and autoimmune diseases like Behçet's disease exacerbate varicocele through increased intra-abdominal pressure or vascular inflammation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Varicocele is a condition with multiple contributing factors. Identifying high-risk individuals early, along with lifestyle changes and targeted treatments, may help reduce fertility problems linked to varicocele. Future research should focus on better understanding how this condition develops and improving treatment options to enhance outcomes or prevent it altogether.</p>","PeriodicalId":23270,"journal":{"name":"Translational andrology and urology","volume":"14 6","pages":"1807-1817"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12271938/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144675804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"SChLAP1 regulates the metastasis and apoptosis of prostate cancer partly via miR-101.","authors":"Xuanming Huang, Shengye Chen, Chengwei Wu, Fumihiko Urabe, Isabel Heidegger, Davide Campobasso, Hang Huang, Ping Li","doi":"10.21037/tau-2025-316","DOIUrl":"10.21037/tau-2025-316","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Prostate cancer (PC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality, necessitating further research into novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Long noncoding RNA second chromosome locus-associated with prostate-1 (SChLAP1) plays a crucial role in the aggressiveness of PC; however, its precise mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of SChLAP1 in PC metastasis and apoptosis, with a particular focus on its interaction with miR-101.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The expression levels of SChLAP1 were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in 42 clinical specimens, including 21 PC tissues and their corresponding adjacent normal tissues, as well as in PC cell lines (PC-3, DU145, and LNCaP). Functional assays were performed using lentivirus-mediated knockdown and overexpression of SChLAP1 and miR-101-5p. Cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and autophagy were assessed via Cell Counting Kit-8 assays, Transwell migration assays, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis. Bioinformatics analysis and complementary expression experiments were used to validate the interaction between SChLAP1 and miR-101-5p. An <i>in vivo</i> xenograft model was established by subcutaneously implanting PC-3 cells into nude mice to evaluate tumor growth.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>SChLAP1 was significantly upregulated in PC tissues and was correlated with higher Gleason scores (P<0.05). Knockdown of SChLAP1 suppressed PC-3 cell proliferation, invasion, and cell cycle progression while promoting apoptosis through MMP-9/Bcl-2 downregulation and caspase-3 activation. SChLAP1 functioned as a cytoplasmic competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by directly binding to miR-101-5p. Overexpression of miR-101-5p inhibited metastasis and induced apoptosis but had no significant effect on autophagy. <i>In vivo</i>, both SChLAP1 knockdown and miR-101-5p overexpression significantly reduced tumor volume.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>SChLAP1 promotes PC progression by regulating metastasis and apoptosis via the miR-101-5p axis. The SChLAP1/miR-101-5p signaling pathway represents a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target, with potential implications for improving prognostic assessment and treatment strategies for advanced PC. Further clinical studies are warranted to evaluate its therapeutic potential in clinical settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":23270,"journal":{"name":"Translational andrology and urology","volume":"14 6","pages":"1782-1796"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12271948/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144675806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Silymarin as a promising antioxidant for sperm cryopreservation: a narrative review.","authors":"Aldiyar Malik, Gaukhar Zhanysbayeva, Kanat Sadykov, Amina Nurkina, Dias Zharkynbekov, Laura Bolat, Aziza Nurgauasheva, Karina Tazhibayeva, Aigul Myrzabekova, Zaytuna Khamidullina, Tamara Jussubaliyeva, Alexander Swidsinski","doi":"10.21037/tau-2025-141","DOIUrl":"10.21037/tau-2025-141","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objective: </strong>Sperm cryopreservation is a key technology in preserving male fertility, particularly for patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or those with compromised semen quality. However, the cryopreservation and thawing processes frequently lead to oxidative stress, resulting in significant deterioration of sperm motility, viability, morphology, and DNA integrity. This review explores the potential role of plant-derived antioxidants in mitigating cryodamage, focusing on silymarin-a polyphenolic flavonoid extracted from Silybum marianum. The objective is to evaluate the effect of silymarin on post-thaw sperm parameters in comparison to traditional antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This narrative review was conducted by systematically searching PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect for publications between 2015 and 2025. Relevant studies examining the influence of silymarin and other antioxidants on sperm cryopreservation outcomes were identified and analyzed. Emphasis was placed on experimental models that assessed motility, viability, morphology, DNA fragmentation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.</p><p><strong>Key content and findings: </strong>Findings suggest that all three antioxidants demonstrate potential in enhancing post-thaw sperm quality. However, silymarin consistently exhibited superior effects on sperm motility, membrane integrity, and antioxidant defense, particularly when used at optimized concentrations. Despite these promising results, clinical protocols for silymarin remain undeveloped.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Silymarin shows promise as a multifunctional antioxidant for improving post-cryopreservation sperm quality. Its incorporation into assisted reproductive technology (ART) protocols may enhance reproductive outcomes. Further clinical research is needed to validate its efficacy and determine optimal dosing for human applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":23270,"journal":{"name":"Translational andrology and urology","volume":"14 6","pages":"1818-1826"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12271949/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144675807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}