ObjectivePituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) is characterized by the absence of pituitary stalk, pituitary hypoplasia, and ectopic posterior pituitary. Due to the rarity of PSIS, clinical data are limited, especially in Chinese people. Herein, we analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with PSIS from our center over 10 years.Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical manifestations and laboratory and MRI findings in 55 patients with PSIS.ResultsOf the 55 patients with PSIS, 48 (87.3%) were male. The average age was 19.7±6.7 years and there was no familial case. A history of breech delivery was documented in 40 of 45 patients (88.9%) and 19 of 55 patients (34.5%) had a history of dystocia. Short stature was found in 47 of 55 patients (85.5%) and bone age delayed 7.26±5.37 years. Secondary sex characteristics were poor or undeveloped in most patients. The prevalence of deficiencies in growth hormone, gonadotropins, corticotropin, and thyrotropin were 100%, 95.8%, 81.8%, 76.3%, respectively. Hyperprolactinemia was found in 36.4% of patients. Three or more pituitary hormone deficiencies were found in 92.7% of the patients. All patients had normal posterior pituitary function and absent pituitary stalk on imaging. The average height of anterior pituitary was 28 mm, documented anterior pituitary hypoplasia. Midline abnormalities were presented in 9.1% of patients.ConclusionsThe clinical features of our Chinese PSIS patients seem to be different from other reported patients in regarding to the higher degree of hypopituitarism and lower prevalence of midline defects. In addition, our patients were older at the time of case detection and the bone age was markedly delayed. We also had no cases of familial PSIS.

Compared with open surgery retroperitoneoscopic lateral adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma is a safe, minimally invasive and effective procedure.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are a class of short, non-coding RNAs that participate in various oncological processes. This study aims to explore the roles of microRNA-34a (miR-34a) in invasive urothelial bladder carcinoma. miR-34a was transfected into bladder cancer cell lines 253J and J82. The miR-34a expression levels in tissues and cells were detected by using qRT-PCR. The Notch1 expression was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Cell migratory and invasive abilities were measured by Transwell chamber assay. Bioinformatics and luciferase assay were performed to predict and analyze the binding sites between miRNA-34a and Notch1. It was found that there was aberrant expression of miR-34a in bladder cancer tissues. Moreover, we revealed that ectopic expression of miR-34a suppressed cell migration and invasion, while forced expression of Notch1 increased cell migratory and invasive abilities. Finally, we observed that miR-34a transfection significantly down-regulated luciferase activity and reduced the mRNA and protein levels of Notch1. Our study concluded that microRNA-34a antagonizes Notch1 and inhibits cell migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells, which indicates the tumor-suppressive function of microRNA-34a in bladder cancer.

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