Frequency and mortality of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are increasing for decades. However, the molecular background of RCC tumorigenesis is still poorly understood. In current study we investigated the expression of TCF/LEF and SFRP family members (SFRP1 and SFRP3)to gain a better understanding of biological signaling pathways responsible for epidemiology and clinical parameters of clear cell RCC (cRCC).36 pairs of paraffin-embedded clear cRCC and adjacent nontumoral tissues samples using immunohistochemistry (IHC) were analyzed and compared with corresponding clinicopathological parameters.Immunohistochemistry indicated statistically significant decreased SFRP3 expression in tumor tissues but no consistency in SFRP1 expression in analyzed normal and tumor tissue.The TCF1 expression level was significantly weaker in normal tissue compared to tumor samples while LEF1 protein levels were significantly weaker in tumor tissue.To our knowledge, this is the first report on analysis of the expression of transcription factors TCF1 and LEF1 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and their comparison with Wnt signal pathway antagonists belonging to SFRP family.

ObjectivesChronic transplant dysfunction after kidney transplantation is a major reason of kidney graft loss and is caused by immunological and non-immunological factors. There is evidence that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) may exert a positive effect on renal damage in addition to immunosuppression, by its direct antifibrotic properties. The aim of our study was to retrospectively investigate the role of MMF doses on progression of chronic allograft dysfunction and fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA).SettingRetrospective, cohort study.ParticipantsPatients with kidney transplant in a tertiary care institution. This is a retrospective cohort study that included 79 patients with kidney and kidney–pancreas transplantation. Immunosuppression consisted of anti-interleukin 2 antibody induction, MMF, a calcineurin inhibitor±steroids.Primary outcome measuresAn association of average MMF doses over 1 year post-transplant with progression of interstitial fibrosis (Δci), tubular atrophy (Δct) and estimated-creatinine clearance (eCrcl) at 1 year post-transplant was evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsA higher average MMF dose was significantly independently associated with better eCrcl at 1 year post-transplant (b=0.21±0.1, p=0.04). In multiple regression analysis lower Δci (b=−0.2±0.09, p=0.05) and Δct (b=−0.29±0.1, p=0.02) were independently associated with a greater average MMF dose. There was no correlation between average MMF doses and incidence of acute rejection (p=0.68).ConclusionsA higher average MMF dose over 1 year is associated with better renal function and slower progression of IF/TA, at least partly independent of its immunosuppressive effects.

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This study was performed to examine the adequacy of biological inert patches as a substitute material for the construction of urinary bladder replacement tissue. An animal model experiment was conducted in six sheep and six swine. In all animals partial resection of the urinary bladder was performed; round or oval-shaped, 5–6 cm in diameter. Patches of the same shape, 4–5 cm in diameter were used. Two types of patches, polytetrafluorethylene and small intestinal submucosa were tested in the experiment, sewn with an absorbable 4-0 polydioxanone suture. Following 16 weeks the animals were euthanized followed by autopsy and histologic analysis. All animals showed evidence of bladder regeneration at the replaced segment. The patches were found to be contracted to 12–20 mm in length and 8–10 mm in width, attached to the bladder mucosa with their smaller base and protruding into the bladder lumen. In some animals, no shrunk patches were found, suggesting they had been passed out by urine. Histologically, fibrous tissue completely replacing the substitute tissue was identified with endothelial-lined luminal surface and submucosal and serosal ingrowth of new blood vessels. The replacement tissue showed no evidence of muscle layer ingrowth. Bladder capacity was also measured and no significant decrease was recorded. Our experiment demonstrated the formation of replacement tissue at the site of graft implantation, which allows the resection of a larger portion of bladder without decreasing its capacity and thus constitutes a very good method for surgical treatment of urinary bladder tumours and other defects.

This study aimed to investigate the climatical impacts of air temperature, sunlight duration, and rain precipitation, in a moderate climate, on the reproductive performance of Romanov sheep in the continental part of Croatia, during two consecutive years (2019-2020).