MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs with the capacity to regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. The miRNA-29 family consists of miR-29a, miR-29b, and miR-29c, among which miR-29b is the most highly expressed and is found at two genomic loci. Recently, numerous studies have demonstrated that aberrant expression of miR-29b is common in the majority of human cancers. miR-29b is known to critically affect cancer progression by functioning as a tumor suppressor. However, it may also act as an oncogene under certain conditions. In this review, we illustrate the role of miR-29b in cancer regulation, function, and signaling. This is the first review highlighting the role of miR-29b in cancer. Our review aims to summarize the effects of miR-29b on cancer activity and its interactions with target genes and signaling pathways, as well as to provide therapeutic implications for overcoming cancer chemoresistance.

No abstract

ObjectiveTo report our experience with Chinese minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (Chinese MPCNL) to manage patients with intrarenal stones in solitary kidney, and evaluate the safety, efficiency and feasibility of this technique.MethodsForty-one patients with intrarenal stones in solitary kidney underwent Chinese MPCNL in our department from March 2009 to February 2011. Demographic characteristics, operative parameters, number of tracts, stone-free rates (SFRs), stone analyses, hemoglobin levels, nephrostomy tube removal time, hospitalization time, and complications were evaluated. Serum creatinine (Scr) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured preoperatively, postoperatively at 1 month, and each follow-up visit. The 5-stage classification of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was used according to the National Kidney Foundation guidelines.ResultsThe initial stone-free status was achieved in 35 (85.4%) patients after Chinese MPCNL. The mean follow-up time was 16.9±4.7 months (range: 12–24), and the final SFR improved to 97.6% after auxiliary procedures. Among all patients, complex stones were detected in 26 (63.4%) patients, and 9 (22.0%) required multiple tracts. The mean operative time and mean hospitalization time were 71.3±23.5 min (range: 40–139) and 6.1±0.5 days (range: 5–11), respectively. During preoperative period and postoperative period (1 month), Scr were 132.1±41.3 umol/L (range: 78.2–231.4) and 108.9±30.7 umol/L (range: 71.6–136.9), respectively (P<0.05), while GFR were 74.9±24.2 ml/min (range: 35–110) and 83.9±27.4 ml/min (range: 65–110), respectively (P<0.05). According to CKD classification, the renal function was stable, improved, and worse in 29 (70.7%), 11 (26.8%), and 1 (2.5%) patients, compared with the preoperative levels. No patient progressed to end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis.ConclusionsOur experience with Chinese MPCNL demonstrates that it is safe, feasible and efficient for managing the intrarenal calculi in solitary kidney with a low complication rate. At long-term follow-up, renal function stabilized or even improved in the majority of patients with solitary kidney.

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral sitafloxacin versus levofloxacin in Chinese adults with acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) or complicated UTI. Methods In this randomized, active-controlled clinical trial, the patients with acute uncomplicated UTI were randomized to receive sitafloxacin 100-mg once-daily (qd) or levofloxacin 500-mg qd orally for 3–5 days. The patients with complicated UTI were randomized to receive sitafloxacin 100-mg twice daily or levofloxacin 500-mg qd orally for 10–14 days. The primary endpoint was the clinical efficacy at test-of-cure (TOC) visit. Results At TOC visit, the clinical cure rate was 89.2% (58/65) in sitafloxacin group and 97.1% (68/70) in levofloxacin group for the patients with acute uncomplicated UTI corresponding to the bacterial eradication rate of 97.1% (34/35) and 97.6% (41/42) (all p > .05), respectively. For the patients with complicated UTI, the clinical cure rate was 81.8% (27/33) in sitafloxacin group and 76.9% (20/26) in levofloxacin group corresponding to the bacterial eradication rate of 93.3% (14/15) and 63.6% (7/11) (all p > .05), respectively. Sitafloxacin and levofloxacin showed similar incidence of drug-related adverse events. Conclusions Oral sitafloxacin is as effective and safe as levofloxacin in treating acute uncomplicated and complicated UTI. KEY MESSAGE: Oral sitafloxacin showed similar clinical cure rate and bacterial eradication rate as levofloxacin for treatment of complicated and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in a randomized, active-controlled, multicentre clinical trial. Oral sitafloxacin is safe and well-tolerated in treating acute uncomplicated and complicated UTIs in Chinese adults. Sitafloxacin is a promising alternative treatment option for UTIs in adults.