Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and is frequently accompanied by the genetic features of von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) loss. VHL loss increases the expression of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) and their targets, including epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). The primary treatment for metastatic RCC (mRCC) is molecular-targeted therapy, especially anti-angiogenic therapy. VEGF monoclonal antibodies and VEGF receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the main drugs used in anti-angiogenic therapy. However, crosstalk between VEGFR and other tyrosine kinase or downstream pathways produce resistance to TKI treatment, and the multi-target inhibitors, HIF inhibitors or combination strategies are promising strategies for mRCC. HIFs are upstream of the crosstalk between the growth factors, and these factors may regulate the expression of VEGR, EGF, PDGF and other growth factors. The frequent VHL loss in ccRCC increases HIF expression, and HIFs may be an ideal candidate to overcome the TKI resistance. The combination of HIF inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors is also anticipated. Various clinical trials of programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors are planned. The present study reviews the effects of current and potential TKIs on mRCC, with a focus on VEGF/VEGFR and other targets for mRCC therapy.

WBC+NIT+ in preoperative urine tests could be considered as an early and rapid predictor of UC+SC+ and postoperative urosepsis. Urosepsis following PCNL was strongly associated with E. coli infections in patients with complex kidney stones.

A high sparganum infection rate was observed in the wild frogs sold in agricultural product markets in Guangzhou. The infection was also serious in cats and dogs in Guangdong Province. With lifestyles and eating habits resulting in sparganum infection, it is necessary to focus on market management and community education in order to prevent the transmission of this disease in Guangzhou.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is not sensitive to conventional radio- and chemotherapies and is at least partially resistant to impairments in cell death-related signaling pathways. The hallmarks of RCC formation include diverse signaling pathways, such as maintenance of proliferation, cell death resistance, angiogenesis induction, immune destruction avoidance, and DNA repair. RCC diagnosed during the early stage has the possibility of cure with surgery. For metastatic RCC (mRCC), molecular targeted therapy, especially antiangiogenic therapy (e.g., tyrosine kinase inhibitors, TKIs, such as sunitinib), is one of the main partially effective therapeutics. Various forms of cell death that may be associated with the resistance to targeted therapy because of the crosstalk between targeted therapy and cell death resistance pathways were originally defined and differentiated into apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis and autophagic cell death based on cellular morphology. Particularly, as a new form of cell death, T cell-induced cell death by immune checkpoint inhibitors expands the treatment options beyond the current targeted therapy. Here, we provide an overview of cell death-related molecules and biomarkers for the progression, prognosis and treatment of mRCC by targeted therapy, with a focus on apoptosis and T cell-induced cell death, as well as other forms of cell death.

The debate still rages on for the usefulness of ureteral access sheath (UAS). Therefore, a meta-analysis to discuss the effects of applying UAS during ureteroscopy was performed. The protocol for the review is available on PROSPERO (CRD42017052327). A literature search was conducted up to November, 2017 using the Web of science, PUBMED, EMBASE and Cochrane Library. The quality of articles was assessed by the Jadad scale and Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS). Egger’s test and the trim-and-fill method were used to evaluate publication bias. Effect sizes were calculated by pooled odds ratio (ORs) and mean differences (MDs). Sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses were performed to explore the origin of heterogeneity. Eight trials with a total of 3099 patients and 3127 procedures were identified. Results showed no significant difference in stone-free rate (SFR) (OR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.52–1.33, P = 0.45), intraoperative complications (OR = 1.16, 95% CI 0.81–7.69, P = 0.88), operative time (MD = 4.09, 95% CI -15.08–23.26, P = 0.68) and hospitalization duration (MD = -0.13, 95% CI -0.32–0.06, P = 0.18). However, the incidence of postoperative complications was higher in UAS group (OR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.06–2.00, P = 0.02). Evidence from meta-analysis indicated that the use of UAS during ureteroscopy did not manifest advantages. However, given the intrinsic restrictions of the quality of selected articles, more randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are warranted to update the findings of this analysis.

The microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles and their biological functions in calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis remain unclear. In this study, we investigate the miRNA and mRNA expression profiles of kidney tissues in calcium oxalate stone rats. 16 Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control group and stone-forming group. 24-hour urine samples and kidney tissues were collected for biochemical and histological determination after 4 weeks. MiRNA and mRNA microarray were applied to evaluate the miRNA and mRNA expression profiles. To validate the microarray results, the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed. A total of 38 miRNAs and 2728 mRNAs were significantly and differentially expressed in kidney tissues of stone-forming group versus control group. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that most of the target genes were enriched in terms of oxidation reduction, ion transport, inflammatory response, and response to wounding. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of these targets highlights their critical role in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, gap junction, and chemokine signaling pathway. Furthermore, the reliability of the microarray-based results was confirmed by using qRT-PCR determination. The miRNA and mRNA expressions in calcium oxalate stone rat kidneys might provide a basis for further research on urolithiasis mechanism.

The microbial spectrum in patients with urinary stones had a complex pattern. The uropathogens showed marked multidrug resistance and a large proportion of the uropathogens were able to produce β-lactamase.

Renal calculus is a global common urological disease that is closely related to crystal adhesion and renal tubular epithelial cell impairment. Gap junctions (GJs) and their components (connexins and Cxs) are involved in various pathophysiology processes, but their roles in renal calculi progression are not well defined. Our previous RNA microarray analysis suggests that GJs are one of the key predicted pathways involved in the renal calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal rat model. In the current study, we found that the Cx43 and Cx32 expression and the GJ function decreased significantly after stimulation with CaOx or sodium oxalate (NaOx) in NRK‐52E, MDCK, and HK‐2 cells, and Cx43 expression also decreased in renal tissues in renal CaOx crystal model rats. Inhibition of Cx43 in NRK‐52E cells by small interference RNA significantly increased the CD44 and androgen receptor expression, and the adhesion between CaOx crystals and cells, which were consistent with the function of GJ inhibitors. On the other hand, after GJ function and Cx43 expression were increased by allicin, diallyl disulfide, or diallyl trisulfide, the impairment of NRK‐52E cells by NaOx or other GJ inhibitors and the adhesion between CaOx crystals and renal cells decreased significantly. Furthermore, allicin also increased Cx43 expression and inhibited crystal deposition in rat kidneys. Taken together, our results provide a basis that GJs and Cx43 may participate in renal CaOx stone progression and that allicin, together with its analogues, could be potential drugs for renal calculus precaution.