Xunbo Jin

A magnetic chitosan hydrogel for sustained and prolonged delivery of Bacillus Calmette–Guérin in the treatment of bladder cancer

The aim of this study was to develop a magnetic thermosensitive hydrogel as intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) delivery system, which was formulated with chitosan (CS), β-glycerophosphate (GP) and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticle (Fe3O4-MNP). The gelation time and magnetic response of the gel system were investigated. The morphology of the gel was displayed by scanning electron microscope. Frozen section examination was creatively employed for exhibiting the structure of the gel and determining its intravesical residence time. The antitumor effect and local immune activity of BCG loaded magnetic gel were evaluated. The flowing solution of CS/GP under room temperature could gelate rapidly at body temperature both in vitro and in vivo. The magnetic injectable hydrogels significantly prolonged intravesical BCG residence time under an applied magnetic field. In comparison to traditional BCG therapy for superficial bladder tumor, BCG delivered by the gel system induced a stronger Th1 immune response and revealed higher antitumor efficacy.

TIPE2 mRNA overexpression correlates with TNM staging in renal cell carcinoma tissues

Tumor necrosis factor α-induced protein-8 like-2 (TIPE2) is a gene that maintains immune homeostasis. The aim of the present study was to determine whether TIPE2 is associated with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) progression. The mRNA expression levels of TIPE2 and myxoma resistance protein 1 (MX1; a type I interferon-inducible gene) were investigated in renal cancer tissues. A total of 46 patients who fulfilled the RCC criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO; revised in 2004) and 39 control patients with renal contusions requiring surgical extraction were enrolled. Tumor and normal renal tissues were sampled from all subjects through surgery. Total RNA was extracted and the expression of the TIPE2 and MX1 genes was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. TIPE2 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in the RCC patients compared with the controls (P=0.001), while MX1 mRNA expression was decreased in the RCC patients compared with the controls (P=0.0001). Furthermore, the TIPE2 mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with TNM staging (r=0.803, P=0.001) and showed a negative correlation with the MX1 mRNA expression levels (r=−0.763, P=0.001) in the RCC patients. These results indicate that the increased expression of the TIPE2 gene is markedly associated with RCC and suggests an important role for the TIPE2 gene in the pathogenesis of RCC.

160-Watt Lithium Triboride Laser Vaporization Versus Transurethral Resection of Prostate: A Prospective Nonrandomized Two-center Trial

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 160-W lithium triboride laser photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) for the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia compared with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). METHODS From July 2010 to January 2011, a prospective nonrandomized study was performed. A total of 108 patients (57 underwent PVP and 51 TURP) were included in the present study. All patients were preoperatively assessed by International Prostate Symptom Score, transrectal ultrasonography, uroflowmetry, and postvoid residual urine volume measurement. The perioperative parameters and complications were recorded. The patients were reassessed at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS The mean operative time was 57.4 ± 17.3 minutes for TURP and 64.3 ± 20.5 minutes for PVP (P = .044). A significant difference in favor of PVP was achieved for the catheter indwelling time and hospital stay time. Bleeding requiring blood transfusion in 8 patients, and transurethral resection syndrome was observed in 3 patients in the TURP group. Capsule perforation was observed in 5 patients in the TURP group. No severe perioperative complications were recorded in the PVP group. Finally, 4 patients in the TURP group and 1 patient in the PVP group experienced urethral stricture (P = .047). CONCLUSION The results of the present study have shown that 160-W lithium triboride laser vaporization is more favorable in terms of perioperative safety and results in a shorter postoperative catheter time and shorter length of hospital stay than with TURP.

Valproic acid induces autophagy by suppressing the Akt/mTOR pathway in human prostate cancer cells

Previous studies have demonstrated that the chronic administration of valproic acid (VPA) suppresses angiogenesis in vivo; however, the mechanisms implicated in VPA-induced autophagy remain unclear. The current study aimed to assess VPA-induced autophagy in three prostate cancer cell lines (PC3, DU145 and LNCaP), in addition to analyzing the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signal pathway. Prostate cancer cell lines were cultured with various doses of VPA. Cell cycle was analyzed using flow cytometry, and autophagy markers [1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3)-II and Beclin-1] were examined using transmission electron microscopy, fluorescent microscopy and western blotting. Activation of the Akt/mTOR signal pathway was also assessed by western blotting. The results demonstrated that VPA induced autophagosomes and suppressed the Akt/mTOR signal pathway. This was confirmed by detection of increased LC3-II and Beclin-1 in VPA-treated cells compared with untreated controls. Phosphorylated forms of Akt (PC3, P=0.048; DU145, P=0.045; LNCaP, P=0.039) and mTOR (PC3, P=0.012; DU145, P=0.41; LNCaP, P=0.35) were significantly reduced following VPA treatment. These results suggest that VPA may function as a histone deacetylase inhibitor, suppressing the growth of prostate cancer cells by modulating autophagy pathways, including inhibition of the Akt/mTOR pathway. Further experiments are required to determine the significance of all involved pathways regarding VPA-induced growth inhibition.

Early and late urodynamic assessment of the orthotopic N-shaped neobladder

The present study aimed to report the urodynamic data from 46 male patients who underwent an orthotopic N-shaped neobladder replacement following a radical cystectomy during a 12-month period and to provide urodynamic evidence for the improvement of this technique. A total of 46 consecutive male patients underwent a radical cystectomy and orthotopic N-shaped neobladder substitution due to muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Uroflowmetry, cystometry and urethral pressure profilometry were analyzed at 3–12 months following the surgery. The mean pressure of the neobladders was <15 cm H2O at volumes of <400 ml and 22.4 cm H2O at 100% capacity at 6 months. The mean pressure of the contractions was <40 cm H2O at 6 months. The mean filling pressure following the surgery at 3 months was higher compared with that at 6 months. No difference was observed at the other time-points. When comparing the 9- and 12-month urodynamic characteristics, no significant changes were observed in the cystometric capacity. The mean post-void residual (PVR) urine volume was 58 ml. A mean voiding peak of 16.2 ml/sec was obtained using the Valsalva maneuver. The daytime continence rate was 90% at 12 months while the night-time continence rate was 60%.

Assessment of Tamsulosin as a Potential Male Contraceptive in Healthy Volunteers

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and safety of tamsulosin, an α(1A)-adrenoceptor antagonist, as a potential male contraceptive. METHODS Forty healthy male volunteers were equally divided into 2 groups, each of which received placebo and tamsulosin sequentially in a crossover manner. Ejaculatory profile was examined 4 to 6 hours after administration and adverse effects were noted. RESULTS Anejaculation occurred in all subjects after taking 0.8-mg of tamsulosin. Total functional sperm count was significantly reduced in subjects after taking 0.4-mg of tamsulosin. Six subjects receiving 0.8-mg of tamsulosin complained of tolerated discomfort, which disappeared 10 hours after administration. CONCLUSION When administered at 0.8 mg, tamsulosin can cause anejaculation with some transient side effects. Our results imply that tamsulosin and related drugs might potentially be used as male contraceptive agents in the future, which needs more studies to verify.

MicroRNA‑138 suppresses cell proliferation and invasion of renal cell carcinoma by directly targeting SOX9

An accumulating number of studies have reported that the expression levels of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are dysregulated in a variety of human cancer types, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). miRNAs play essential functions in tumorigenesis and the progression of tumors by serving as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Recently, the expression and functions of miR-138 have been studied in a number of human cancer types; however, its role in RCC remains poorly understood. In the present study, the results revealed that miR-138 was significantly downregulated in RCC cell lines and tissues, and that low expression levels of miR-138 were correlated with histological grade, tumor stage and lymph node metastasis. In functional studies, restoration of miR-138 expression inhibited cell proliferation and invasion of ACHN and A498 cells. In addition, SOX9 was validated as a direct target gene of miR-138 in RCC. SOX9 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and invasion of RCC, with a similar effect to that induced by miR-138, rendering SOX9 a functional target of miR-138 in the disease. These findings indicate that miR-138 may present a novel target for therapeutic strategies in RCC.

A Creative Therapy in Treating Cavernous Hemangioma of Penis with Copper Wire

INTRODUCTION Cavernous hemangiomas of penis are rare benign lesions infrequently described in the literature. No completely satisfactory treatment has been found to correct the cosmetic deformities especially the extensive hemangiomas of corpus penis. AIM In light of the promising application of copper wire/needle in vascular malformations, we began a clinical study to investigate the safety, feasibility, and cosmetic effect of copper wire therapy in treating cavernous hemangioma of penis. METHODS Seven patients ranging in age from 12 to 32 years with penile cavernous hemangiomas entered our study from 2005 to 2011. All patients received treatments with percutaneous copper wires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Perioperative data including mean operation time, estimated blood loss, length of copper wire retention, and length of hospital stay were analyzed. All possible complications were noted, and cosmetic result was evaluated. Patients were followed up after discharge from the hospital. RESULTS All operations were successful, and no obvious complications were observed. The patients were satisfied with the aesthetic results. Follow-up time ranged from 1 to 5 years. Recurrence was discovered in a patient with the largest lesion of corpus penis 2 months after the treatment. Secondary procedure was carried out with the same technique, and no lesions were found later. CONCLUSIONS The shortage of studies on this topic prevented us from defining a therapeutic reference standard. The results of our study confirmed that copper wire therapy was a simple, safe, and useful option for penile cavernous hemangioma.