Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards urinary system stones among the Chengdu population

Abstract This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding urinary system stones among the general public in Chengdu, China. Conducted between January and June 2023, this research targeted individuals undergoing physical examinations at the Health Management Center of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital. Structured questionnaires were administered to collect demographic information and assess KAP related to urinary system stones. Following meticulous scrutiny, 1014 valid questionnaires were retained for analysis. The computed scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 9.36 ± 4.23 (possible score range 0–17), 37.75 ± 7.20 (possible score range 11–55), and 30.77 ± 4.00 (possible score range 10–50), respectively. These outcomes suggested insufficient knowledge and moderately positive attitudes and practices among the participants. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis revealed a direct impact of knowledge on attitude (β = 0.967, P < 0.001), with attitude subsequently exerting a direct influence on practice (β = 0.167, P < 0.001). This indicated an indirect impact of knowledge on practice. Additionally, there was a direct effect of knowledge on practice (β = 0.167, P < 0.001). In conclusion, the general populace in Chengdu exhibited insufficient knowledge and moderate attitudes and practices concerning urinary stones. These findings underscore the imperative for targeted educational interventions aimed at enhancing public awareness and fostering positive attitudes and practices toward urinary stone prevention and management

Prognostic Value of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Localized and Advanced Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND:Increasing evidence suggests that inflammation plays an essential role in cancer development and progression. The inflammation marker neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is correlated with prognosis across a wide variety of tumor types, but its prognostic value in prostate cancer (PCa) remains controversial. In the present meta-analysis, the prognostic value of NLR in PCa patients is investigated. METHODS:We performed a meta-analysis to determine the predictive value of NLR for overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and clinical features in patients with PCa. We systematically searched PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Embase for relevant studies published up to October 2015. RESULTS:A total of 9418 patients from 18 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Elevated pretreatment NLR predicted poor OS (HR 1.628, 95% CI 1.410-1.879) and RFS (HR 1.357, 95% CI 1.126-1.636) in all patients with PCa. However, NLR was insignificantly associated with OS in the subgroup of patients with localized PCa (HR 1.439, 95% CI 0.753-2.75). Increased NLR was also significantly correlated with lymph node involvement (OR 1.616, 95% CI 1.167-2.239) but not with pathological stage (OR 0.827, 95% CI 0.637-1.074) or Gleason score (OR 0.761, 95% CI 0.555-1.044). CONCLUSIONS:The present meta-analysis indicated that NLR could predict the prognosis for patients with locally advanced or castration-resistant PCa. Patients with higher NLR are more likely to have poorer prognosis than those with lower NLR

Clinical Characteristics of Aldosterone- and Cortisol-Coproducing Adrenal Adenoma in Primary Aldosteronism

Aldosterone- and cortisol-coproducing adrenal adenoma (A/CPA) cases have been observed in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). This study investigated the incidence, clinical characteristics, and molecular biological features of patients with A/CPAs. We retrospectively identified 22 A/CPA patients from 555 PA patients who visited the Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital between 2004 and 2015. Analysis of clinical parameters revealed that patients with A/CPAs had larger tumors than those with pure APAs (P<0.05). Moreover, they had higher proportions of cardiovascular complications, glucose intolerance/diabetes, and osteopenia/osteoporosis compared to the pure APA patients (P<0.001). In the molecular biological findings, quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed similar CYP11B1 and CYP17A1 mRNA expressions in resected A/CPA specimens and in pure APA specimens. Western blot and immunochemical analyses showed CYP11B1, CYP11B2, and CYP17A1 expressions in both A/CPAs and pure APAs. Seventeen cases with KCNJ5 mutations were detected among the 22 A/CPA DNA samples, but no PRKACA or other causative mutations were observed. Each patient improved following adrenalectomy. In conclusion, A/CPAs were not rare among PA patients. These patients associated with high incidences of cardiovascular events and metabolic disorders. Screening for excess cortisol secretion is necessary for PA patients

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression on oncologic outcome in renal cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

<div><p>The phosphatase and tensin homolog (<i>PTEN</i>) gene is suggested to be a dormant tumor suppressor. However, the prognostic value of the loss of <i>PTEN</i> expression in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the association of <i>PTEN</i> expression with the clinicopathological presentations and outcomes of patients with RCC through immunohistochemistry staining analysis. We systematically searched for relevant studies in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase until March 2016. Data regarding clinical stage, pathological type, Fuhrman grade, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) was analyzed in the present study. In total, there were 12 studies with 2,368 patients included in this meta-analysis. The low <i>PTEN</i> expression in RCC was significantly associated with unfavorable DSS (HR = 1.568, 95% CI 1.015–2.242) in a random-effects model but not with OS (HR = 1.046, 95% CI 0.93–1.176) and PFS (HR = 1.244, 95% CI 0.907–1.704). Other results indicated that <i>PTEN</i> expression was not correlated with clinical stage, pathological type, and Fuhrman grade. This meta-analysis suggests that <i>PTEN</i> expression is of limited value in predicting the prognosis of patients with RCC for OS and PFS via immunohistochemistry staining analysis; and that for DSS, low <i>PTEN</i> expression is significantly associated with an unfavorable outcome.</p></div