Objectives:Nowadays,bladder neck contracture treatment reported is both bladder neck incisions and resection.Also,different energies have been described.This study aimed to describe and compare surgical techniques and...Objectives:Nowadays,bladder neck contracture treatment reported is both bladder neck incisions and resection.Also,different energies have been described.This study aimed to describe and compare surgical techniques and energy sources used in Hospital Universitari de Vic.Methods:retrospective study of patients with a diagnosis of bladder neck contracture that required endoscopic surgical treatment between 2000 and 2024.Preoperative,operative,and postoperative characteristics were analysed.At the end of follow-up,the patient’s status was asymptomatic,under urethral dilatations,or with a permanent catheter.Results:60 patients were included.Mean age was 71.1 years(SD=8.95).Previous urologic surgery was open radical prostatectomy(33.3%),laparoscopic radical prostatectomy(6.7%),transurethral resection of the prostate(31.7%),laser prostate vaporization(16.7%),open prostate adenomectomy(6.7%),and transurethral resection of bladder tumour(5.0%).Concomitant urethral stricture was detected in 21.3%.Bladder neck resection was used in 41.7%and bladder neck incisions at 12,5,and 7 h in 58.3%.No significant difference in success rate was detected(p=0.598).The instrument wasmonopolar loop(31.7%),Collins(41.7%),cold knife(11.7%),bipolar loop(8.3%),and Holmium laser(6.7%).In 13 patients,a second endoscopic management was performed,and 9 presented success.Median time follow-up was 63 months(IQR:25-100).Patient’s clinical situation was asymptomatic in 71.1%,periodic dilatations in 25%and a permanent catheter in 3.3%.The only risk factor detected for periodic dilatations was urethral stenosis.Conclusions:Endoscopic treatment presents a success rate of 71%at 5 years with no significant difference between bladder neck incisions or resection,nor between previous types of prostate surgery.展开更多
1.Introduction Bladder cancer(BLCA),particularly the muscle-invasive(MIBC)subtype,represents one of the most challenging malignancies of the urinary tract and poses substantial difficulties in clinical management.Alth...1.Introduction Bladder cancer(BLCA),particularly the muscle-invasive(MIBC)subtype,represents one of the most challenging malignancies of the urinary tract and poses substantial difficulties in clinical management.Although therapeutic advances such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors have improved patient outcomes,pronounced intratumoral heterogeneity(ITH)results in considerable inter-individual variability in treatment response,contributing to treatment failure and disease recurrence.[1]Consequently,a deeper understanding of tumor evolution and precise tumor classification is critical for identifying effective therapeutic targets and diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers.展开更多
BACKGROUND The incidence of diabetic atherosclerosis(DMA)is increasing worldwide,but its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood.In addition to cardiovascular complications,bladder dysfunction is one of the commo...BACKGROUND The incidence of diabetic atherosclerosis(DMA)is increasing worldwide,but its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood.In addition to cardiovascular complications,bladder dysfunction is one of the common comorbidities associated with DMA but is often refractory to current treatments.AIM To investigate the therapeutic effect of human amniotic fluid stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles(hAFSC-EVs)on the recovery of bladder dysfunction in DMA rats.METHODS Eighty rats were divided into normal control,streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats,diabetic rats subjected to arterial balloon endothelial injury of common iliac artery(DMA),and DMA rats treated with hAFSC-EVs(DMA+hAFSC-EVs).At 4 weeks and 12 weeks after DMA induction,levels of blood glucose,total cholesterol,triglyceride,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,homeostasis model assessment(HOMA)-insulin resistance,and HOMA-βwere measured.Cystometry,common iliac artery wall thickness,and bladder tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-6,transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1,Smad3,connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)and fibronectin were also evaluated.RESULTS Bladder weight and blood glucose,triglyceride,HOMA-insulin resistance,common iliac artery intima thickness,voided volume,intercontraction interval,bladder capacity,and mRNA expression of TNF-α,IL-6,TGF-β1,Smad3,CTGF and fibronectin were significantly increased at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after induction,while the HOMA-βlevel decreased at 4 weeks and 12 weeks,and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level decreased at 12 weeks.hAFSC-EVs treatment in DMA rats significantly reduced bladder weight and blood glucose,thickness of common iliac arterial intima,voided volume,intercontraction interval and bladder capacity at 4 weeks.The mRNA expression of TNF-α,TGF-β1,and CTGF in DMA rats treated with hAFSC-EVs were significantly decreased at 4 weeks,while the mRNA expressions of IL-6 and Smad3 were significantly decreased 12 weeks.CONCLUSION hAFSC-EVs treatment can help restore DMA-induced bladder dysfunction,which is associated with lowered blood glucose levels,reduced arterial wall thickness,and decreased TNF-α,IL-6,TGF-β1,Smad3,and CTGF expression.展开更多
Objective:While cisplatin-based chemotherapy is pivotal for advanced bladder cancer,acquired resistance remains a major obstacle.This study investigates key molecular drivers of this resistance and potential reversal ...Objective:While cisplatin-based chemotherapy is pivotal for advanced bladder cancer,acquired resistance remains a major obstacle.This study investigates key molecular drivers of this resistance and potential reversal strategies.Methods:We established GC(Gemcitabine and Cisplatin)-resistant T24-R and UC3-R cell lines from T24 and UM-UC-3(UC3)cells.Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses identified differentially expressed molecules.Apoptosis and cell viability were assessed by flow cytometry and CCK-8(Cell Counting Kit-8)assays,while RT-qPCR(Reverse Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction)and Western blot analyzed gene and protein expression.Immunofluorescence evaluated FAK(Focal Adhesion Kinase)phosphorylation,and a xenograft mouse model validated the findings in vivo.Results:Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analysis identified FN1(fibronectin)as a consistently upregulated top candidate in resistant cells(T24-R transcript log2FC=2.8,protein log2FC=0.9;UC3-R transcript log2FC=3.7;all p<0.001).Knockdown of FN1 reduced chemoresistance(Resistance Index:5.2 in T24-R and 2.0 in UC3-R cells,p<0.001)and enhanced apoptosis(approximately 4.5-fold in T24-R and 7.5-fold in UC3-R,p<0.001).ITGB4(Integrin Subunit Beta 4)was upregulated in resistant cells(transcript log2FC:4.2 in T24-R and 3.03 in UC3-R;protein log2FC:0.67 in T24-R;all p<0.01).Critically,ITGB4 knockdown abolished the chemoresistance promoted by exogenous FN1,which was associated with increased FAK(Y397)phosphorylation.Conclusion:Our results demonstrate that the FN1-ITGB4 axis drives chemoresistance in bladder cancer via FAK signaling.Targeting this axis represents a promising strategy to overcome chemoresistance.展开更多
Objectives:Squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)of the bladder is an aggressive histologic subtype with distinct clinical behavior and limited treatment options after platinum-based chemotherapy.This study aimed to evaluate po...Objectives:Squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)of the bladder is an aggressive histologic subtype with distinct clinical behavior and limited treatment options after platinum-based chemotherapy.This study aimed to evaluate potential therapeutic targets in bladder SCC.Methods:A retrospective cohort of 790 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between 2011 and 2021 was screened to identify cases with histologically confirmed SCC.All SCC cases in the pathology department from 2003 to 2011 were also reviewed.Clinical and pathological data from 54 patients were analyzed.A tissue microarray(TMA)was constructed,and immunohistochemical(IHC)analyses were performed for programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1),nectin cell adhesion molecule 4(NECTIN4),trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2(TROP2),human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2),carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 5(CEACAM5),and CD8+T cells.Expression levels were assessed for prognostic relevance using the log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.Results:A TMA comprising samples from 42 of 54 patients(22 pure SCC,20 partial SCC)was successfully constructed.NECTIN4(positive vs.negative)expression,PD-L1(combined positive score≥10 vs.<10)expression,and CD8+density(high vs.low)showed a nearly equal distribution across the cohort.HER2 expression was detected in 14.3%of cases,CEACAM5 in 21.4%,and TROP2 in 83.3%of tumors.High NECTIN4 expression,increased CD8+density,and administration of adjuvant chemotherapy were associated with improved overall survival.Conclusion:Several actionable targets were identified in bladder SCC,supporting further exploration of targeted therapies.展开更多
Tumor metastasis and recurrence are major reasons for the difficulty in curing cancer.Although some immunotherapy methods have been developed,they are still limited by immunosuppression,resulting in limited therapeuti...Tumor metastasis and recurrence are major reasons for the difficulty in curing cancer.Although some immunotherapy methods have been developed,they are still limited by immunosuppression,resulting in limited therapeutic efficacy against tumors.Here,we report a biomimetic drug delivery platform utilizing macrophage membrane-coated pH-responsive nanoparticles.The macrophage membrane not only targets tumor cells and tissues,but also increases in vivo retention time.The pH-responsive nanoparticles release the drug at the tumor site,achieving a release rate of 82.5%in the acidic tumor microenvironment(pH 4.5)versus only 21.3%under physiological conditions(pH 7.2),thus enhancing drug utilization.Additionally,the internal semiconductor particle PCPDTBT can induce immunogenic cell death under external laser irradiation.Combined with the immune checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD-L1,this approach activates systemic immune responses,improving therapeutic outcomes for bladder cancer and inhibiting tumor recurrence.In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that these biomimetic nanoparticles possess strong anti-tumor effects,leading to complete tumor eradication and a 100%survival rate in the combination therapy group,showing great potential for clinical application.展开更多
This study investigates the role of ERBB2 mutations in promoting recurrence and metastasis of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC).Analysis of whole exome sequencing(WES)data from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and...This study investigates the role of ERBB2 mutations in promoting recurrence and metastasis of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC).Analysis of whole exome sequencing(WES)data from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and the International Cancer Genome Consortium(ICGC)databases revealed a significant association between ERBB2 mutations and immune cell infiltration.To validate these findings,formalin-fixed,paraffin-embedded tumor tissues from patients with recurrent NMIBC were analyzed,with a focus on ERBB2 mutations.In addition,bladder cancer cell lines carrying wild type or mutant ERBB2 were established using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)-associated protein 9(CRISPR/Cas9)technology.Functional experiments,including Western blotting,protein stability assays,and ubiquitination analyses,demonstrated that ERBB2 mutations promote hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1)phosphorylation,leading to its stabilization and enhancing the proliferative,migratory,and invasive capacities of tumor cells.Furthermore,flow cytometry,5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine(EdU),Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8),and Transwell assays confirmed the impact of these mutations on cellular behavior,while drug sensitivity assays indicated increased susceptibility of ERBB2-mutant cells to therapeutic agents.In vivo studies using mouse models further supported these findings,showing that ERBB2 mutations promote tumor growth,metastasis,and macrophage infiltration.Collectively,these results suggest that ERBB2 mutations drive NMIBC progression by stabilizing HIF-1 through phosphorylation,thereby facilitating tumor development and immune modulation,and underscore the potential of ERBB2 as a therapeutic target for preventing NMIBC recurrence and metastasis.展开更多
Objective:The cardiometabolic index(CMI)is a marker currently used to evaluate metabolism.Although the association between overactive bladder(OAB)and obesity has been evaluated in previous studies,the role of the CMI ...Objective:The cardiometabolic index(CMI)is a marker currently used to evaluate metabolism.Although the association between overactive bladder(OAB)and obesity has been evaluated in previous studies,the role of the CMI in adult OAB remains unclear.This study aimed to explore the association between the CMI and OAB in a representative nationwide population.Methods:This cross-sectional study used the 2011e2018 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database.The CMI was calculated by multiplying the ratio of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and that of waist circumference to height.We used the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score to define OAB.Participants with an Overactive Bladder Symptom Score of≥3 were considered as having OAB.Smoothed curve fitting and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between the CMI and OAB in adults.Consistency of these results was examined across various population subgroups.Results:The OAB group included 1549(21%)individuals.Statistically significant differences(p<0.05)were observed between the OAB group and the non-OAB group for all variables.After correcting for potential confounders,we discovered a strong positive association between the CMI and the risk of OAB.For every one-unit increase in CMI,the likelihood of OAB increased by 54%.Subgroup analysis of the association between the CMI and the odds of OAB showed that there were no significant interaction effects within most subgroups.However,the association may be altered by the presence of certain diseases,such as cardiovascular diseases(p=0.022)and diabetes(p=0.023).Conclusion:A higher CMI correlated with a higher risk of OAB development.However,the causal relationship requires further verification.展开更多
Objective:Congenital short patulous urethra in females is rare and can lead to varying degrees of urinary incontinence.Surgical options,including bulking agents,urethral and bladder neck reconstruction,fascial slings,...Objective:Congenital short patulous urethra in females is rare and can lead to varying degrees of urinary incontinence.Surgical options,including bulking agents,urethral and bladder neck reconstruction,fascial slings,and artificial urinary sphincters,have yielded variable results.Based on HagenePoiseuille law,we hypothesized that narrowing and folding the urethral lumen could increase intraluminal resistance without resecting any tissue.This study aimed to apply this surgical technique to a small group of female patients and evaluate its short-term outcomes.Methods:We conducted a prospective case series involving incontinent female patients with incompetent bladder necks and widely open urethras.Exclusion criteria included neurogenic bladder dysfunction.Preoperative assessments included physical examination,urinary tract ultrasound imaging,urine analysis,urine culture,conventional standard urodynamic studies,voiding cystourethrography,and cystourethroscopy.For the surgical repair,a suprameatal 3 to 9 o’clock incision was made,and the urethral tissue was dissected to the bladder neck.A 12 Fr Silastic catheter was inserted,and two parallel rows of vertical sutures were placed from the meatus to the bladder neck,creating a central urethral lumen flanked by two smaller lumens.At 3 months and 6 months,patients were assessed for urinary continence.Results:From March 2019 to April 2022,13 patients(aged 16e50 years)participated,including six with mild epispadias,three with classic exstrophy epispadias syndrome,two with de novo stress urinary incontinence post anterior-posterior repair,one with a failed pubovaginal sling,and one with urethral and bladder damage due to prolonged use of an indwelling urinary catheter.During the 24-month follow-up period,11 of 13(85%)patients achieved continence.The two failures were in classic exstrophy patients,who subsequently underwent augmentation ileocystoplasty and bladder neck repair.Conclusion:This study presents a novel,less invasive surgical approach for treating a patulous urethra and bladder neck incompetence in females.It may serve as an alternative to more complex surgical techniques for selected cases.展开更多
Clinical bladder evaluation is a cost-effective,non-invasive method for diagnosing and managing urinary dysfunction,particularly in patients with neurogenic bladder or other impairments.This process aims to assess bla...Clinical bladder evaluation is a cost-effective,non-invasive method for diagnosing and managing urinary dysfunction,particularly in patients with neurogenic bladder or other impairments.This process aims to assess bladder capacity,storage,and voiding functions through simple,realistic,and resource-friendly approaches.It involves a structured series of steps,from history-taking and physical examination to bladder-emptying procedures,monitoring urine leaks,assessing reflex voiding,measuring post-void residual(PVR),and calculating total bladder capacity.These evaluations help differentiate between upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron bladder dysfunction,providing critical insights for tailored management.The interpretation of findings focuses on identifying bladder type,assessing leak timing and volume,evaluating reflex voiding,and measuring PVR and total bladder capacity.The results guide interventions such as timing selfclean intermittent catheterization,adjusting fluid intake,and using bladder diaries to monitor patterns.Clinical bladder evaluation is particularly advantageous in low-resource settings,as it avoids the risks and costs associated with urodynamic studies while reflecting real-life patient conditions more effectively.Despite its benefits,no validation studies currently exist for clinical bladder assessment,and its parameters,like maximum voided volume,remain underexplored compared to urodynamic measures.Given the accessibility,affordability,and practicality of this approach,it holds promise for widespread application,especially in primary care settings and among economically disadvantaged populations.This editorial describes the process step-by-step and highlights its role in improving patient outcomes while minimizing complications.展开更多
Objective:To assess the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture(EA)in a rat model of diabetic cystopathy(DCP)and examine its impact on the expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1)in the dorsal r...Objective:To assess the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture(EA)in a rat model of diabetic cystopathy(DCP)and examine its impact on the expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1)in the dorsal root ganglion(DRG).Methods:Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups:control,DCP,EA,and sham EA(n=10).DCP was induced using a high-fat diet,followed by streptozotocin injection.EA was administered at the Pangguangshu(BL 28)and Sanyinjiao(SP 6)acupoints for 8 weeks.Bladder function,structure,and molecular changes were evaluated using ultrasonography,urodynamic tests,bladder weight measurements,histological stainings(hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome stainings),transmission electron microscopy,immunohistochemical analysis,and Western blot for TRPV1 expression in the DRG.Results:The DCP group exhibited significantly increased bladder weight,wall thickness,collagen fiber expression,maximum bladder capacity(MBC),post-void residual(PVR),and leakage point pressure,along with reduced bladder compliance(BC)and voiding efficiency(V%)compared with the control group(all P<.05).EA treatment significantly decreased bladder weight(P=.003),collagen deposition(P=.002),wall thickness(P=.027),MBC(P=.046),and PVR(P=.023),and increased BC(P=.048)and V%(P=.022)compared with sham EA.Ultrastructural damage in DRG neurons was markedly ameliorated by EA.TRPV1 protein expression in the DRG was significantly higher in the EA group than in the sham EA group(immunohistochemistry:P=.003;Western blot:P=.001).Conclusion:EA alleviates bladder dysfunction and remodeling in DCP rats,an effect associated with upregulated TRPV1 expression in the DRG,reduced bladder fibrosis,and preserved neuronal ultrastructure.These findings suggest a potential role for TRPV1 signaling in mediating the therapeutic effects of EA,warranting further functional investigation.展开更多
Backgrounds:Tertiary lymphoid structures(TLSs)are increasingly recognized as modulators of anti-tumor immunity,yet their clinical relevance in bladder cancer remains incompletely understood,partly owing to heterogenei...Backgrounds:Tertiary lymphoid structures(TLSs)are increasingly recognized as modulators of anti-tumor immunity,yet their clinical relevance in bladder cancer remains incompletely understood,partly owing to heterogeneity in their maturation states.Here,we demonstrate that germinal center(GC)–like TLS maturity,rather than TLS presence alone,is closely associated with immune activation and therapeutic response to Programmed Death-Ligand 1(PD-L1)blockade in bladder cancer.The objective of this study was to systematically investigate the clinical significance,biological function,and therapeutic potential of tertiary lymphoid structure(TLS)maturation in bladder cancer.Specifically,we aimed to determine whether GC-like TLS maturity provides prognostic and predictive value beyond TLS presence alone,to elucidate the immune programs and tumor microenvironment remodeling associated with TLS maturation,and to explore whether TLS maturation can be therapeutically induced to enhance responsiveness to PD-L1 blockade.Methods:We performed an integrative analysis combining multi-cohort transcriptomics,spatially resolved histopathology,single-cell RNA sequencing,and functional murine experiments.TLS maturation states were defined using gene-expression–based GC-like TLS signatures and validated through multiplex immunohistochemistry.Clinical relevance was assessed in public immunotherapy cohorts and an independent neoadjuvant PD-L1–treated muscle-invasive bladder cancer(MIBC)cohort.Tumor immune microenvironment remodeling and chemokine-mediated cellular crosstalk were analyzed using deconvolution,Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis(WGCNA),and CellChat.The therapeutic inducibility of TLS maturation was examined using a lymphotoxin-βreceptor(LTβR)agonist in combination with PD-L1 blockade in a syngeneic bladder cancer model.Results:Across multiple transcriptomic cohorts,tumors enriched for GC-like TLS signatures exhibited significantly prolonged survival and higher objective response rates to anti–PD-L1 therapy,whereas less mature TLS phenotypes showed no consistent association with clinical association.These observations were independently validated in a neoadjuvant PD-L1–treated muscle-invasive bladder cancer cohort,in which high mature TLS density was associated with major pathological response and prolonged event-free survival,outperforming PD-L1 expression.Integrative histopathological and transcriptomic analyses indicated that GC formation marks a functional transition linking humoral immune programs with cytotoxic effector activity and shaping a memory-prone,pro-inflammatory tumor immune microenvironment.Chemokine signaling via the CC chemokine ligand 21(CCL21)–C-C chemokine receptor type 7(CCR7)and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12(CXCL12)–C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4(CXCR4)axes was strongly associated with TLS maturation and spatial organization.Finally,in a syngeneic bladder cancer model,pharmacological activation of lymphotoxin-βreceptor signaling promoted TLS maturation and enhanced the antitumor efficacy of PD-L1 blockade.Conclusions:Together,these findings suggest that GC-like TLS maturity represents a clinically relevant biomarker and a potential therapeutic entry point for precision immunotherapy in bladder cancer.Therapeutic strategies that promote TLS maturation may convert immune-cold tumors into checkpoint-responsive states,providing a mechanistically grounded precision immunotherapy approach.展开更多
BACKGROUND Accurate estimation of urinary bladder volume(UBV)is important for diagnosing and managing bladder disorders.Computed tomography(CT)is often used as a reference standard;however,existing measurement methods...BACKGROUND Accurate estimation of urinary bladder volume(UBV)is important for diagnosing and managing bladder disorders.Computed tomography(CT)is often used as a reference standard;however,existing measurement methods vary in complexity and efficiency.AIM To determine whether UBV can be accurately estimated on CT using a single sagittal measurement compared with multidimensional measurements and reference volumetric analysis.METHODS CT abdomen-pelvis studies of 80 individuals without urinary tract pathology were retrospectively analyzed.Bladder volume was determined using manual volumetric tracing as the reference standard.Sagittal long axis[sagittal length(SL)],sagittal short axis[sagittal short(SS)],and transverse diameter[right-to-left(RL)]were measured,and single-and multidimensional products(SL,SL×SS,SL×SS×RL)were correlated with reference volume using Pearson correlation coefficients.Linear regression models were derived,and agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis.RESULTS SL demonstrated the strongest single-dimension correlation with bladder volume(r=0.92),compared with SS(r=0.87)and RL(r=0.68).Multidimensional measurements showed slightly higher correlations(SL×SS:r=0.98;SL×SS×RL:r=0.99).A simplified linear formula was derived:Bladder volume(mL)=5×SL(mm)-222.Bland-Altman analysis showed negligible bias and all values within the limits of agreement for the single-dimension model.CONCLUSION UBV can be accurately estimated using a single sagittal CT measurement in healthy individuals.This simplified approach provides a rapid and reproducible alternative to multidimensional methods without meaningful loss of accuracy and may serve as a reference standard for validating ultrasound-based bladder volume estimation.展开更多
Objectives:To date,predictive and prognostic biomarkers for Bladder Cancer(BC)remain lacking.Existing literature underscores the potential of metabolomics as a valuable tool for biomarker identification.The primary ob...Objectives:To date,predictive and prognostic biomarkers for Bladder Cancer(BC)remain lacking.Existing literature underscores the potential of metabolomics as a valuable tool for biomarker identification.The primary objective of this study is to characterize the serum metabolic profile of BC patients undergoing platinumbased chemotherapy(Pt-CT)to identify potential biomarkers.Methods:In this pilot study,we investigated the metabolomic profiles of 14 BC patients undergoing Pt-CT in different settings.We compared their baseline profiles with those of healthy controls and tracked key metabolites throughout chemotherapy cycles.Metabolomics profiling was conducted using nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectroscopy.All experiments were performed on a Bruker Avance™600 spectrometer.Results:Serum samples of BC patients had elevated levels of acetate,acetone,hypoxanthine,trimethylamine N-oxide(TMAO),glutamate,lactate,phenylalanine,and ornithine.Conversely,there were decreased levels of carnitine,choline,betaine,aspartate,threonine,2-hydroxybutyrate,2-aminobutyrate and histidine when compared with healthy controls.Throughout the CT course,hypoxanthine,glutamate,and aspartate levels increased,while acetone,acetate and TMAO levels decreased.Conclusions:The results of our study confirm perturbations in several metabolic pathways in the serum samples of BC patients,including glycolysis,fatty acid,purine,and amino acid metabolism.Additionally,TMAO may contribute to BC development by fostering a pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress state.Furthermore,monitoring these metabolites could serve as a valuable tool for predicting treatment response.To the best of our knowledge,no metabolomic studies have assessed BC patients undergoing CT with longitudinal monitoring to identify changes in the metabolic profile induced by treatment.展开更多
Objective:This review aims to explore the risk factors for recurrence of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC)and evaluate current prevention strategies to provide valuable insights for future clinical management.B...Objective:This review aims to explore the risk factors for recurrence of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC)and evaluate current prevention strategies to provide valuable insights for future clinical management.By systematically analyzing various clinical and pathological characteristics,this review examines their relationship with NMIBC recurrence and proposes effective preventive measures for these factors.Methods:A systematic literature search was conducted through PubMed and Web of Science to identify studies that focus on the risk factors for NMIBC recurrence.A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the statistical significance of various factors influencing recurrence,such as age,sex,body mass index(BMI),diabetes,smoking,surgical techniques,and tumorspecific characteristics.Additionally,current preventive strategies and treatments,such as intravesical drug instillation,adjuvant chemotherapy,and immunotherapy,were assessed.Results:The following factors significantly influence the recurrence risk of NMIBC:age(older patients have a higher recurrence risk due to weakened immune responses and more comorbidities),sex(women tend to experience more aggressive forms and a poorer prognosis following recurrence),BMI and diabetes(obesity and diabetes worsen immune responses and increase inflammation,contributing to higher recurrence rates),smoking(smokers face a higher recurrence risk due to carcinogenic exposure,but quitting significantly reduces the risk),surgical techniques(incomplete transurethral resection of bladder tumor or inadequate postoperative treatments,e.g.,Bacillus Calmette-Guerin[BCG],increase recurrence),tumor characteristics(high-grade and large tumors[especially multifocal]have a higher risk of recurrence),immunotherapy and chemotherapy(BCG is standard for high-risk patients,while newer treatments,such as immune checkpoint inhibitors[e.g.,pembrolizumab]and chemotherapy[e.g.,gemcitabine with docetaxel],are emerging for BCG-unresponsive cases),and biomarkers(biomarkers like tumor DNA in urine or circulating tumor DNA in blood can facilitate early detection of recurrence and help predict recurrence risk).展开更多
BACKGROUND PIGU has been proposed as a potential oncogene in bladder cancer(BLCA);however,experimental evidence regarding PIGU expression in BLCA remains lacking,necessitating further investigation into its functions ...BACKGROUND PIGU has been proposed as a potential oncogene in bladder cancer(BLCA);however,experimental evidence regarding PIGU expression in BLCA remains lacking,necessitating further investigation into its functions and underlying mechanisms.AIM To explore the expression of PIGU in BLCA and to understand its function and underlying mechanisms.METHODS This study assessed PIGU protein expression in BLCA tissues via immunohistochemistry.We integrated 14 high-throughput datasets from TCGA,GEO,and Array Express to evaluate PIGU’s mRNA expression levels and diagnostic efficacy.siRNA-knockdown cell lines were established using the PIGUoverexpressing HT-1376 BLCA cell line.Proliferation capacity was assessed via CCK-8 assays,while apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were evaluated using flow cytometry.PIGU’s potential mechanism in BLCA were explored through differential gene enrichment analysis,protein interaction network analysis,and immune infiltration analysis.RESULTS PIGU expression was significantly upregulated in 121 BLCA and 32 non-BLCA samples at the protein level(10.65±2.14 vs 5.56±2.68,P<0.0001)and in 1065 BLCA and 170 non-BLCA samples at the mRNA level(standardized mean difference=0.74,95%confidence interval:0.07-1.41).Elevated PIGU expression correlated with poorer prognosis in BLCA patients,making it an independent prognostic factor.PIGU knockdown inhibited BLCA cell proliferation(P<0.05),increased apoptosis,and caused cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase.PIGU-regulated genes are enriched in cell cycle pathways,with PCNA and MCM2 serving as hub genes.High PIGU expression was associated with reduced immune cell infiltration and higher tumor purity,potentially promoting immune evasion through VTCN1 activation and ICOS inhibition.CONCLUSION PIGU is upregulated in BLCA and has prognostic value.It promotes tumor progression by regulating the cell cycle and immune microenvironment,showing potential as an effective therapeutic target for BLCA.展开更多
Objectives:Bladder cancer(BC)is a prevalent malignancy with evolving treatment strategies and an increasingly aging patient population,resulting in a growing and complex burden of hospitalizations that extends beyond ...Objectives:Bladder cancer(BC)is a prevalent malignancy with evolving treatment strategies and an increasingly aging patient population,resulting in a growing and complex burden of hospitalizations that extends beyond urological care and remains insufficiently characterized in real-world Internal Medicine settings.This study aimed to analyze the clinical data and outcomes for patients with BC admitted to the medicine ward.Additionally,this research presents three cases of fever of unknown origin,which all exhibited identical clinical and laboratory findings but ultimately resulted in different disease diagnoses.Methods:This retrospective case-series study included all adult patients with BC admitted to the Internal Medicine ward of a tertiary referral hospital between 1 January 2020,and 31December 2024.Data acquisition was performed through a systematic search of electronic discharge records using the ICD-10 code C67.Data recording involved detailed review of electronic medical records to collect demographic characteristics,clinical history,cancer-related treatments,causes of hospitalization,and outcomes.Three patients previously treated with intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guérin(iBCG)who presented with fever of unknown origin were analyzed in detail.Data analysis comprised descriptive statistics and comparative testing using Fisher’s exact test and unpaired two-tailed Student’s t-test,with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.Results:We identified 77 hospitalizations among 67 BC patients who were predominantly male,with a mean age of 75.2.A high prevalence of metabolic syndrome comorbidities and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was documented.In addition,31.1%of patients had metastatic BC,22.9%had a second malignancy,49.2%had undergone urological surgeries,and 38%had received chemotherapy or immunotherapy other than iBCG.The most common causes of hospitalization were infections,anemiaransfusions,a newly diagnosed metastatic disease,and acute renal failure.The mortality in this cohort was high(17%),with the leading cause of death again being an infection.Among patients who had previously received BCG immunotherapy,three cases of fever of unknown origin were noticed,and despite identical clinical settings,they were identified with different diseases[metastatic disease,infection caused by Bacillus Calmette-Guérin(BCGitis),and Hodgkin’s lymphoma],necessitating individualized therapeutic medications.Conclusions:BC patients in the Internal Medicine unit are generally older adults,often dealing with several chronic conditions and a considerable cancer burden.They are predominantly admitted due to infections,which points to the urgent need for effective infection prevention strategies for this vulnerable population.When BC patients have a fever lasting more than seven days following BCG instillation,which is the maximum duration for self-limited adverse events to occur,regardless of whether an antibiotic regimen has been prescribed,they should consult an internal medicine department for further evaluation.展开更多
Objectives:Bladder cancer(BCa)progression is closely linked to the immune microenvironment.However,the key molecules that regulate this microenvironment and their specific mechanisms remain poorly understood.This stud...Objectives:Bladder cancer(BCa)progression is closely linked to the immune microenvironment.However,the key molecules that regulate this microenvironment and their specific mechanisms remain poorly understood.This study aims to identify a key molecule and elucidate its mechanisms,providing a theoretical basis for identifying novel therapeutic targets.Methods:Immune microenvironment-related genes in BCa were identified using The Cancer Genome Atlas and Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital datasets.Proteasome 26S subunit non-ATPase 2(PSMD2)expression was validated via quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR),Western blot(WB)analysis,and immunofluorescence(IF).In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the role of PSMD2 in cell proliferation,invasion,and migration.Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)and Gene Ontology(GO)analyses were conducted to assess PSMD2’s influence on immune microenvironment remodeling.A pathomics model predicted PSMD2 expression in patients with BCa.Results:PSMD2 was identified as a critical factor in BCa,with high expression correlating with poor prognosis and tumor progression.Mechanistically,PSMD2 enhances malignancy by promoting mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase(MEK)and extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)phosphorylation within the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway.Combined bioinformatics and experimental analyses reveal that PSMD2 downregulates chemokine(C-X-C motif)ligand 14(CXCL14)expression and secretion via the MAPK pathway,thereby remodeling the immune microenvironment and driving tumor progression.Pathomics analysis further supports the potential of PSMD2 expression as a predictive marker in BCa tissues.Conclusion:PSMD2 is overexpressed in BCa and significantly correlates with poor prognosis and tumor progression.It promotes malignant development and immune microenvironment remodeling through the MAPK pathway.Pathological analysis can predict PSMD2 expression,offering valuable insights into immunotherapy responses and survival outcomes.展开更多
The bladder is essential for the body’s fluid balance to ensure normal physiological conditions;thus,a non-pathological bladder—that is,one sustaining internal homeostasis—is critical for this function.However,the ...The bladder is essential for the body’s fluid balance to ensure normal physiological conditions;thus,a non-pathological bladder—that is,one sustaining internal homeostasis—is critical for this function.However,the neuro-network maintaining the bladder’s intrinsic homeostasis is much less well-known compared with that for urination.Here,we identified that vagal nodose ganglion-pseudounipolar neurons project down to the bladder,up to the nucleus of the solitary tract,and further to multiple brain regions.The components of this network and those revealed by direct tracing from the bladder with herpes simplex virus(HSV)have significant overlaps and differences.Chemogenetic activation coupled with functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)and c-Fos staining verified that the components in the vagal network were functionally connected.Strikingly,this vagal network did not include the primary motor cortex(M1),suggesting a role distinct from conscious urination control,and a cystitis model therefore revealed its potential role in transmitting bladder inflammation.Taken together,we have identified a non-spinal bladder-brain network not for urination but potentially for homeostasis of the bladder itself.展开更多
Dear Editor,Primary bladder neck obstruction(PBNO)affects approximately 28%–54%of men[1].Its etiology remains unclear.Symptoms of PBNO present as voiding(e.g.,decreased force of stream,hesitancy,intermittent stream,a...Dear Editor,Primary bladder neck obstruction(PBNO)affects approximately 28%–54%of men[1].Its etiology remains unclear.Symptoms of PBNO present as voiding(e.g.,decreased force of stream,hesitancy,intermittent stream,and incomplete emptying),storage(e.g.,frequency,urgency,urge incontinence,and nocturia),or a combination of both[2].Untreated PBNO can lead to bladder dysfunction,bladder diverticula,hydronephrosis,and impaired renal function[3].展开更多
摘要Objectives:Nowadays,bladder neck contracture treatment reported is both bladder neck incisions and resection.Also,different energies have been described.This study aimed to describe and compare surgical techniques and energy sources used in Hospital Universitari de Vic.Methods:retrospective study of patients with a diagnosis of bladder neck contracture that required endoscopic surgical treatment between 2000 and 2024.Preoperative,operative,and postoperative characteristics were analysed.At the end of follow-up,the patient’s status was asymptomatic,under urethral dilatations,or with a permanent catheter.Results:60 patients were included.Mean age was 71.1 years(SD=8.95).Previous urologic surgery was open radical prostatectomy(33.3%),laparoscopic radical prostatectomy(6.7%),transurethral resection of the prostate(31.7%),laser prostate vaporization(16.7%),open prostate adenomectomy(6.7%),and transurethral resection of bladder tumour(5.0%).Concomitant urethral stricture was detected in 21.3%.Bladder neck resection was used in 41.7%and bladder neck incisions at 12,5,and 7 h in 58.3%.No significant difference in success rate was detected(p=0.598).The instrument wasmonopolar loop(31.7%),Collins(41.7%),cold knife(11.7%),bipolar loop(8.3%),and Holmium laser(6.7%).In 13 patients,a second endoscopic management was performed,and 9 presented success.Median time follow-up was 63 months(IQR:25-100).Patient’s clinical situation was asymptomatic in 71.1%,periodic dilatations in 25%and a permanent catheter in 3.3%.The only risk factor detected for periodic dilatations was urethral stenosis.Conclusions:Endoscopic treatment presents a success rate of 71%at 5 years with no significant difference between bladder neck incisions or resection,nor between previous types of prostate surgery.
摘要1.Introduction Bladder cancer(BLCA),particularly the muscle-invasive(MIBC)subtype,represents one of the most challenging malignancies of the urinary tract and poses substantial difficulties in clinical management.Although therapeutic advances such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors have improved patient outcomes,pronounced intratumoral heterogeneity(ITH)results in considerable inter-individual variability in treatment response,contributing to treatment failure and disease recurrence.[1]Consequently,a deeper understanding of tumor evolution and precise tumor classification is critical for identifying effective therapeutic targets and diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers.
基金the Ministry of Science and Technology Taiwan,No.MOST 109-2314-B-182A-091,No.NSTC 112-2314-B-182A-062, No.NSTC 113-2314-B-182A-125.
摘要BACKGROUND The incidence of diabetic atherosclerosis(DMA)is increasing worldwide,but its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood.In addition to cardiovascular complications,bladder dysfunction is one of the common comorbidities associated with DMA but is often refractory to current treatments.AIM To investigate the therapeutic effect of human amniotic fluid stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles(hAFSC-EVs)on the recovery of bladder dysfunction in DMA rats.METHODS Eighty rats were divided into normal control,streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats,diabetic rats subjected to arterial balloon endothelial injury of common iliac artery(DMA),and DMA rats treated with hAFSC-EVs(DMA+hAFSC-EVs).At 4 weeks and 12 weeks after DMA induction,levels of blood glucose,total cholesterol,triglyceride,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,homeostasis model assessment(HOMA)-insulin resistance,and HOMA-βwere measured.Cystometry,common iliac artery wall thickness,and bladder tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-6,transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1,Smad3,connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)and fibronectin were also evaluated.RESULTS Bladder weight and blood glucose,triglyceride,HOMA-insulin resistance,common iliac artery intima thickness,voided volume,intercontraction interval,bladder capacity,and mRNA expression of TNF-α,IL-6,TGF-β1,Smad3,CTGF and fibronectin were significantly increased at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after induction,while the HOMA-βlevel decreased at 4 weeks and 12 weeks,and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level decreased at 12 weeks.hAFSC-EVs treatment in DMA rats significantly reduced bladder weight and blood glucose,thickness of common iliac arterial intima,voided volume,intercontraction interval and bladder capacity at 4 weeks.The mRNA expression of TNF-α,TGF-β1,and CTGF in DMA rats treated with hAFSC-EVs were significantly decreased at 4 weeks,while the mRNA expressions of IL-6 and Smad3 were significantly decreased 12 weeks.CONCLUSION hAFSC-EVs treatment can help restore DMA-induced bladder dysfunction,which is associated with lowered blood glucose levels,reduced arterial wall thickness,and decreased TNF-α,IL-6,TGF-β1,Smad3,and CTGF expression.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82372881 to Weiyang He)the Chongqing Biomedicine Key R&D Project(CSTB2021TIAD-KPX0041 to Weiyang He).
摘要Objective:While cisplatin-based chemotherapy is pivotal for advanced bladder cancer,acquired resistance remains a major obstacle.This study investigates key molecular drivers of this resistance and potential reversal strategies.Methods:We established GC(Gemcitabine and Cisplatin)-resistant T24-R and UC3-R cell lines from T24 and UM-UC-3(UC3)cells.Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses identified differentially expressed molecules.Apoptosis and cell viability were assessed by flow cytometry and CCK-8(Cell Counting Kit-8)assays,while RT-qPCR(Reverse Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction)and Western blot analyzed gene and protein expression.Immunofluorescence evaluated FAK(Focal Adhesion Kinase)phosphorylation,and a xenograft mouse model validated the findings in vivo.Results:Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analysis identified FN1(fibronectin)as a consistently upregulated top candidate in resistant cells(T24-R transcript log2FC=2.8,protein log2FC=0.9;UC3-R transcript log2FC=3.7;all p<0.001).Knockdown of FN1 reduced chemoresistance(Resistance Index:5.2 in T24-R and 2.0 in UC3-R cells,p<0.001)and enhanced apoptosis(approximately 4.5-fold in T24-R and 7.5-fold in UC3-R,p<0.001).ITGB4(Integrin Subunit Beta 4)was upregulated in resistant cells(transcript log2FC:4.2 in T24-R and 3.03 in UC3-R;protein log2FC:0.67 in T24-R;all p<0.01).Critically,ITGB4 knockdown abolished the chemoresistance promoted by exogenous FN1,which was associated with increased FAK(Y397)phosphorylation.Conclusion:Our results demonstrate that the FN1-ITGB4 axis drives chemoresistance in bladder cancer via FAK signaling.Targeting this axis represents a promising strategy to overcome chemoresistance.
摘要Objectives:Squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)of the bladder is an aggressive histologic subtype with distinct clinical behavior and limited treatment options after platinum-based chemotherapy.This study aimed to evaluate potential therapeutic targets in bladder SCC.Methods:A retrospective cohort of 790 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between 2011 and 2021 was screened to identify cases with histologically confirmed SCC.All SCC cases in the pathology department from 2003 to 2011 were also reviewed.Clinical and pathological data from 54 patients were analyzed.A tissue microarray(TMA)was constructed,and immunohistochemical(IHC)analyses were performed for programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1),nectin cell adhesion molecule 4(NECTIN4),trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2(TROP2),human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2),carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 5(CEACAM5),and CD8+T cells.Expression levels were assessed for prognostic relevance using the log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.Results:A TMA comprising samples from 42 of 54 patients(22 pure SCC,20 partial SCC)was successfully constructed.NECTIN4(positive vs.negative)expression,PD-L1(combined positive score≥10 vs.<10)expression,and CD8+density(high vs.low)showed a nearly equal distribution across the cohort.HER2 expression was detected in 14.3%of cases,CEACAM5 in 21.4%,and TROP2 in 83.3%of tumors.High NECTIN4 expression,increased CD8+density,and administration of adjuvant chemotherapy were associated with improved overall survival.Conclusion:Several actionable targets were identified in bladder SCC,supporting further exploration of targeted therapies.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.82203168 and 82504666).
摘要Tumor metastasis and recurrence are major reasons for the difficulty in curing cancer.Although some immunotherapy methods have been developed,they are still limited by immunosuppression,resulting in limited therapeutic efficacy against tumors.Here,we report a biomimetic drug delivery platform utilizing macrophage membrane-coated pH-responsive nanoparticles.The macrophage membrane not only targets tumor cells and tissues,but also increases in vivo retention time.The pH-responsive nanoparticles release the drug at the tumor site,achieving a release rate of 82.5%in the acidic tumor microenvironment(pH 4.5)versus only 21.3%under physiological conditions(pH 7.2),thus enhancing drug utilization.Additionally,the internal semiconductor particle PCPDTBT can induce immunogenic cell death under external laser irradiation.Combined with the immune checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD-L1,this approach activates systemic immune responses,improving therapeutic outcomes for bladder cancer and inhibiting tumor recurrence.In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that these biomimetic nanoparticles possess strong anti-tumor effects,leading to complete tumor eradication and a 100%survival rate in the combination therapy group,showing great potential for clinical application.
基金supported by the Health Special Program of Jilin Provincial Department of Finance,China(Grant Nos.:ZXWSTZXEY026 and 2024WSZX-B18)the Natural Science Foundation of Jilin Provincial Department of Science and Technology Upper-level Project,China(Project No.:YDZJ202201ZYTS059).
摘要This study investigates the role of ERBB2 mutations in promoting recurrence and metastasis of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC).Analysis of whole exome sequencing(WES)data from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and the International Cancer Genome Consortium(ICGC)databases revealed a significant association between ERBB2 mutations and immune cell infiltration.To validate these findings,formalin-fixed,paraffin-embedded tumor tissues from patients with recurrent NMIBC were analyzed,with a focus on ERBB2 mutations.In addition,bladder cancer cell lines carrying wild type or mutant ERBB2 were established using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)-associated protein 9(CRISPR/Cas9)technology.Functional experiments,including Western blotting,protein stability assays,and ubiquitination analyses,demonstrated that ERBB2 mutations promote hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1)phosphorylation,leading to its stabilization and enhancing the proliferative,migratory,and invasive capacities of tumor cells.Furthermore,flow cytometry,5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine(EdU),Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8),and Transwell assays confirmed the impact of these mutations on cellular behavior,while drug sensitivity assays indicated increased susceptibility of ERBB2-mutant cells to therapeutic agents.In vivo studies using mouse models further supported these findings,showing that ERBB2 mutations promote tumor growth,metastasis,and macrophage infiltration.Collectively,these results suggest that ERBB2 mutations drive NMIBC progression by stabilizing HIF-1 through phosphorylation,thereby facilitating tumor development and immune modulation,and underscore the potential of ERBB2 as a therapeutic target for preventing NMIBC recurrence and metastasis.
摘要Objective:The cardiometabolic index(CMI)is a marker currently used to evaluate metabolism.Although the association between overactive bladder(OAB)and obesity has been evaluated in previous studies,the role of the CMI in adult OAB remains unclear.This study aimed to explore the association between the CMI and OAB in a representative nationwide population.Methods:This cross-sectional study used the 2011e2018 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database.The CMI was calculated by multiplying the ratio of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and that of waist circumference to height.We used the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score to define OAB.Participants with an Overactive Bladder Symptom Score of≥3 were considered as having OAB.Smoothed curve fitting and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between the CMI and OAB in adults.Consistency of these results was examined across various population subgroups.Results:The OAB group included 1549(21%)individuals.Statistically significant differences(p<0.05)were observed between the OAB group and the non-OAB group for all variables.After correcting for potential confounders,we discovered a strong positive association between the CMI and the risk of OAB.For every one-unit increase in CMI,the likelihood of OAB increased by 54%.Subgroup analysis of the association between the CMI and the odds of OAB showed that there were no significant interaction effects within most subgroups.However,the association may be altered by the presence of certain diseases,such as cardiovascular diseases(p=0.022)and diabetes(p=0.023).Conclusion:A higher CMI correlated with a higher risk of OAB development.However,the causal relationship requires further verification.
摘要Objective:Congenital short patulous urethra in females is rare and can lead to varying degrees of urinary incontinence.Surgical options,including bulking agents,urethral and bladder neck reconstruction,fascial slings,and artificial urinary sphincters,have yielded variable results.Based on HagenePoiseuille law,we hypothesized that narrowing and folding the urethral lumen could increase intraluminal resistance without resecting any tissue.This study aimed to apply this surgical technique to a small group of female patients and evaluate its short-term outcomes.Methods:We conducted a prospective case series involving incontinent female patients with incompetent bladder necks and widely open urethras.Exclusion criteria included neurogenic bladder dysfunction.Preoperative assessments included physical examination,urinary tract ultrasound imaging,urine analysis,urine culture,conventional standard urodynamic studies,voiding cystourethrography,and cystourethroscopy.For the surgical repair,a suprameatal 3 to 9 o’clock incision was made,and the urethral tissue was dissected to the bladder neck.A 12 Fr Silastic catheter was inserted,and two parallel rows of vertical sutures were placed from the meatus to the bladder neck,creating a central urethral lumen flanked by two smaller lumens.At 3 months and 6 months,patients were assessed for urinary continence.Results:From March 2019 to April 2022,13 patients(aged 16e50 years)participated,including six with mild epispadias,three with classic exstrophy epispadias syndrome,two with de novo stress urinary incontinence post anterior-posterior repair,one with a failed pubovaginal sling,and one with urethral and bladder damage due to prolonged use of an indwelling urinary catheter.During the 24-month follow-up period,11 of 13(85%)patients achieved continence.The two failures were in classic exstrophy patients,who subsequently underwent augmentation ileocystoplasty and bladder neck repair.Conclusion:This study presents a novel,less invasive surgical approach for treating a patulous urethra and bladder neck incompetence in females.It may serve as an alternative to more complex surgical techniques for selected cases.
摘要Clinical bladder evaluation is a cost-effective,non-invasive method for diagnosing and managing urinary dysfunction,particularly in patients with neurogenic bladder or other impairments.This process aims to assess bladder capacity,storage,and voiding functions through simple,realistic,and resource-friendly approaches.It involves a structured series of steps,from history-taking and physical examination to bladder-emptying procedures,monitoring urine leaks,assessing reflex voiding,measuring post-void residual(PVR),and calculating total bladder capacity.These evaluations help differentiate between upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron bladder dysfunction,providing critical insights for tailored management.The interpretation of findings focuses on identifying bladder type,assessing leak timing and volume,evaluating reflex voiding,and measuring PVR and total bladder capacity.The results guide interventions such as timing selfclean intermittent catheterization,adjusting fluid intake,and using bladder diaries to monitor patterns.Clinical bladder evaluation is particularly advantageous in low-resource settings,as it avoids the risks and costs associated with urodynamic studies while reflecting real-life patient conditions more effectively.Despite its benefits,no validation studies currently exist for clinical bladder assessment,and its parameters,like maximum voided volume,remain underexplored compared to urodynamic measures.Given the accessibility,affordability,and practicality of this approach,it holds promise for widespread application,especially in primary care settings and among economically disadvantaged populations.This editorial describes the process step-by-step and highlights its role in improving patient outcomes while minimizing complications.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82405178)Qinchuangyuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry Innovation Cluster Project(L2024-QCY-ZYYJJQ-X163)+1 种基金Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases-National Science and Technology Major Project(2023ZD0509400)Shaanxi Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Scientific Research Project(SZY-KJCYC-2025-JC-016).
摘要Objective:To assess the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture(EA)in a rat model of diabetic cystopathy(DCP)and examine its impact on the expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1)in the dorsal root ganglion(DRG).Methods:Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups:control,DCP,EA,and sham EA(n=10).DCP was induced using a high-fat diet,followed by streptozotocin injection.EA was administered at the Pangguangshu(BL 28)and Sanyinjiao(SP 6)acupoints for 8 weeks.Bladder function,structure,and molecular changes were evaluated using ultrasonography,urodynamic tests,bladder weight measurements,histological stainings(hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome stainings),transmission electron microscopy,immunohistochemical analysis,and Western blot for TRPV1 expression in the DRG.Results:The DCP group exhibited significantly increased bladder weight,wall thickness,collagen fiber expression,maximum bladder capacity(MBC),post-void residual(PVR),and leakage point pressure,along with reduced bladder compliance(BC)and voiding efficiency(V%)compared with the control group(all P<.05).EA treatment significantly decreased bladder weight(P=.003),collagen deposition(P=.002),wall thickness(P=.027),MBC(P=.046),and PVR(P=.023),and increased BC(P=.048)and V%(P=.022)compared with sham EA.Ultrastructural damage in DRG neurons was markedly ameliorated by EA.TRPV1 protein expression in the DRG was significantly higher in the EA group than in the sham EA group(immunohistochemistry:P=.003;Western blot:P=.001).Conclusion:EA alleviates bladder dysfunction and remodeling in DCP rats,an effect associated with upregulated TRPV1 expression in the DRG,reduced bladder fibrosis,and preserved neuronal ultrastructure.These findings suggest a potential role for TRPV1 signaling in mediating the therapeutic effects of EA,warranting further functional investigation.
基金supported by Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital Haiyan Foundation(JJZD2022-03)National Natural Science Foundation of China(82573847)+6 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province of China(YQ2024H023)The Nn10 project at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Harbin Medical University(Nn102024-01)China&Heilongjiang Province Postdoctoral Foundation(2021M693828,LBH-Z22030)Excellent Youth Project of Heilongjiang Provincial INatural Science Foundation(YQ2024H023)the Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital Haiyan Foundation(JJZD2024-24)the Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital Haiyan Foundation(JJQN2022-07)Collectively,these funding sources enabled the comprehensive execution of this study.
摘要Backgrounds:Tertiary lymphoid structures(TLSs)are increasingly recognized as modulators of anti-tumor immunity,yet their clinical relevance in bladder cancer remains incompletely understood,partly owing to heterogeneity in their maturation states.Here,we demonstrate that germinal center(GC)–like TLS maturity,rather than TLS presence alone,is closely associated with immune activation and therapeutic response to Programmed Death-Ligand 1(PD-L1)blockade in bladder cancer.The objective of this study was to systematically investigate the clinical significance,biological function,and therapeutic potential of tertiary lymphoid structure(TLS)maturation in bladder cancer.Specifically,we aimed to determine whether GC-like TLS maturity provides prognostic and predictive value beyond TLS presence alone,to elucidate the immune programs and tumor microenvironment remodeling associated with TLS maturation,and to explore whether TLS maturation can be therapeutically induced to enhance responsiveness to PD-L1 blockade.Methods:We performed an integrative analysis combining multi-cohort transcriptomics,spatially resolved histopathology,single-cell RNA sequencing,and functional murine experiments.TLS maturation states were defined using gene-expression–based GC-like TLS signatures and validated through multiplex immunohistochemistry.Clinical relevance was assessed in public immunotherapy cohorts and an independent neoadjuvant PD-L1–treated muscle-invasive bladder cancer(MIBC)cohort.Tumor immune microenvironment remodeling and chemokine-mediated cellular crosstalk were analyzed using deconvolution,Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis(WGCNA),and CellChat.The therapeutic inducibility of TLS maturation was examined using a lymphotoxin-βreceptor(LTβR)agonist in combination with PD-L1 blockade in a syngeneic bladder cancer model.Results:Across multiple transcriptomic cohorts,tumors enriched for GC-like TLS signatures exhibited significantly prolonged survival and higher objective response rates to anti–PD-L1 therapy,whereas less mature TLS phenotypes showed no consistent association with clinical association.These observations were independently validated in a neoadjuvant PD-L1–treated muscle-invasive bladder cancer cohort,in which high mature TLS density was associated with major pathological response and prolonged event-free survival,outperforming PD-L1 expression.Integrative histopathological and transcriptomic analyses indicated that GC formation marks a functional transition linking humoral immune programs with cytotoxic effector activity and shaping a memory-prone,pro-inflammatory tumor immune microenvironment.Chemokine signaling via the CC chemokine ligand 21(CCL21)–C-C chemokine receptor type 7(CCR7)and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12(CXCL12)–C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4(CXCR4)axes was strongly associated with TLS maturation and spatial organization.Finally,in a syngeneic bladder cancer model,pharmacological activation of lymphotoxin-βreceptor signaling promoted TLS maturation and enhanced the antitumor efficacy of PD-L1 blockade.Conclusions:Together,these findings suggest that GC-like TLS maturity represents a clinically relevant biomarker and a potential therapeutic entry point for precision immunotherapy in bladder cancer.Therapeutic strategies that promote TLS maturation may convert immune-cold tumors into checkpoint-responsive states,providing a mechanistically grounded precision immunotherapy approach.
摘要BACKGROUND Accurate estimation of urinary bladder volume(UBV)is important for diagnosing and managing bladder disorders.Computed tomography(CT)is often used as a reference standard;however,existing measurement methods vary in complexity and efficiency.AIM To determine whether UBV can be accurately estimated on CT using a single sagittal measurement compared with multidimensional measurements and reference volumetric analysis.METHODS CT abdomen-pelvis studies of 80 individuals without urinary tract pathology were retrospectively analyzed.Bladder volume was determined using manual volumetric tracing as the reference standard.Sagittal long axis[sagittal length(SL)],sagittal short axis[sagittal short(SS)],and transverse diameter[right-to-left(RL)]were measured,and single-and multidimensional products(SL,SL×SS,SL×SS×RL)were correlated with reference volume using Pearson correlation coefficients.Linear regression models were derived,and agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis.RESULTS SL demonstrated the strongest single-dimension correlation with bladder volume(r=0.92),compared with SS(r=0.87)and RL(r=0.68).Multidimensional measurements showed slightly higher correlations(SL×SS:r=0.98;SL×SS×RL:r=0.99).A simplified linear formula was derived:Bladder volume(mL)=5×SL(mm)-222.Bland-Altman analysis showed negligible bias and all values within the limits of agreement for the single-dimension model.CONCLUSION UBV can be accurately estimated using a single sagittal CT measurement in healthy individuals.This simplified approach provides a rapid and reproducible alternative to multidimensional methods without meaningful loss of accuracy and may serve as a reference standard for validating ultrasound-based bladder volume estimation.
摘要Objectives:To date,predictive and prognostic biomarkers for Bladder Cancer(BC)remain lacking.Existing literature underscores the potential of metabolomics as a valuable tool for biomarker identification.The primary objective of this study is to characterize the serum metabolic profile of BC patients undergoing platinumbased chemotherapy(Pt-CT)to identify potential biomarkers.Methods:In this pilot study,we investigated the metabolomic profiles of 14 BC patients undergoing Pt-CT in different settings.We compared their baseline profiles with those of healthy controls and tracked key metabolites throughout chemotherapy cycles.Metabolomics profiling was conducted using nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectroscopy.All experiments were performed on a Bruker Avance™600 spectrometer.Results:Serum samples of BC patients had elevated levels of acetate,acetone,hypoxanthine,trimethylamine N-oxide(TMAO),glutamate,lactate,phenylalanine,and ornithine.Conversely,there were decreased levels of carnitine,choline,betaine,aspartate,threonine,2-hydroxybutyrate,2-aminobutyrate and histidine when compared with healthy controls.Throughout the CT course,hypoxanthine,glutamate,and aspartate levels increased,while acetone,acetate and TMAO levels decreased.Conclusions:The results of our study confirm perturbations in several metabolic pathways in the serum samples of BC patients,including glycolysis,fatty acid,purine,and amino acid metabolism.Additionally,TMAO may contribute to BC development by fostering a pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress state.Furthermore,monitoring these metabolites could serve as a valuable tool for predicting treatment response.To the best of our knowledge,no metabolomic studies have assessed BC patients undergoing CT with longitudinal monitoring to identify changes in the metabolic profile induced by treatment.
摘要Objective:This review aims to explore the risk factors for recurrence of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC)and evaluate current prevention strategies to provide valuable insights for future clinical management.By systematically analyzing various clinical and pathological characteristics,this review examines their relationship with NMIBC recurrence and proposes effective preventive measures for these factors.Methods:A systematic literature search was conducted through PubMed and Web of Science to identify studies that focus on the risk factors for NMIBC recurrence.A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the statistical significance of various factors influencing recurrence,such as age,sex,body mass index(BMI),diabetes,smoking,surgical techniques,and tumorspecific characteristics.Additionally,current preventive strategies and treatments,such as intravesical drug instillation,adjuvant chemotherapy,and immunotherapy,were assessed.Results:The following factors significantly influence the recurrence risk of NMIBC:age(older patients have a higher recurrence risk due to weakened immune responses and more comorbidities),sex(women tend to experience more aggressive forms and a poorer prognosis following recurrence),BMI and diabetes(obesity and diabetes worsen immune responses and increase inflammation,contributing to higher recurrence rates),smoking(smokers face a higher recurrence risk due to carcinogenic exposure,but quitting significantly reduces the risk),surgical techniques(incomplete transurethral resection of bladder tumor or inadequate postoperative treatments,e.g.,Bacillus Calmette-Guerin[BCG],increase recurrence),tumor characteristics(high-grade and large tumors[especially multifocal]have a higher risk of recurrence),immunotherapy and chemotherapy(BCG is standard for high-risk patients,while newer treatments,such as immune checkpoint inhibitors[e.g.,pembrolizumab]and chemotherapy[e.g.,gemcitabine with docetaxel],are emerging for BCG-unresponsive cases),and biomarkers(biomarkers like tumor DNA in urine or circulating tumor DNA in blood can facilitate early detection of recurrence and help predict recurrence risk).
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82260785Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Health Commission Scientific Research Project,No.Z20201168+3 种基金Guangxi Medical University Digital Textbook Construction Project,No.Gxmuszjc2515Guangxi Medical University Special Project on Educational and Teaching Reform for Clinical Disciplines,No.2025 LCJG02Guangxi Medical University“Four New”Project,No.SX202403China Undergraduate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program,No.S202310598074.
摘要BACKGROUND PIGU has been proposed as a potential oncogene in bladder cancer(BLCA);however,experimental evidence regarding PIGU expression in BLCA remains lacking,necessitating further investigation into its functions and underlying mechanisms.AIM To explore the expression of PIGU in BLCA and to understand its function and underlying mechanisms.METHODS This study assessed PIGU protein expression in BLCA tissues via immunohistochemistry.We integrated 14 high-throughput datasets from TCGA,GEO,and Array Express to evaluate PIGU’s mRNA expression levels and diagnostic efficacy.siRNA-knockdown cell lines were established using the PIGUoverexpressing HT-1376 BLCA cell line.Proliferation capacity was assessed via CCK-8 assays,while apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were evaluated using flow cytometry.PIGU’s potential mechanism in BLCA were explored through differential gene enrichment analysis,protein interaction network analysis,and immune infiltration analysis.RESULTS PIGU expression was significantly upregulated in 121 BLCA and 32 non-BLCA samples at the protein level(10.65±2.14 vs 5.56±2.68,P<0.0001)and in 1065 BLCA and 170 non-BLCA samples at the mRNA level(standardized mean difference=0.74,95%confidence interval:0.07-1.41).Elevated PIGU expression correlated with poorer prognosis in BLCA patients,making it an independent prognostic factor.PIGU knockdown inhibited BLCA cell proliferation(P<0.05),increased apoptosis,and caused cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase.PIGU-regulated genes are enriched in cell cycle pathways,with PCNA and MCM2 serving as hub genes.High PIGU expression was associated with reduced immune cell infiltration and higher tumor purity,potentially promoting immune evasion through VTCN1 activation and ICOS inhibition.CONCLUSION PIGU is upregulated in BLCA and has prognostic value.It promotes tumor progression by regulating the cell cycle and immune microenvironment,showing potential as an effective therapeutic target for BLCA.
摘要Objectives:Bladder cancer(BC)is a prevalent malignancy with evolving treatment strategies and an increasingly aging patient population,resulting in a growing and complex burden of hospitalizations that extends beyond urological care and remains insufficiently characterized in real-world Internal Medicine settings.This study aimed to analyze the clinical data and outcomes for patients with BC admitted to the medicine ward.Additionally,this research presents three cases of fever of unknown origin,which all exhibited identical clinical and laboratory findings but ultimately resulted in different disease diagnoses.Methods:This retrospective case-series study included all adult patients with BC admitted to the Internal Medicine ward of a tertiary referral hospital between 1 January 2020,and 31December 2024.Data acquisition was performed through a systematic search of electronic discharge records using the ICD-10 code C67.Data recording involved detailed review of electronic medical records to collect demographic characteristics,clinical history,cancer-related treatments,causes of hospitalization,and outcomes.Three patients previously treated with intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guérin(iBCG)who presented with fever of unknown origin were analyzed in detail.Data analysis comprised descriptive statistics and comparative testing using Fisher’s exact test and unpaired two-tailed Student’s t-test,with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.Results:We identified 77 hospitalizations among 67 BC patients who were predominantly male,with a mean age of 75.2.A high prevalence of metabolic syndrome comorbidities and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was documented.In addition,31.1%of patients had metastatic BC,22.9%had a second malignancy,49.2%had undergone urological surgeries,and 38%had received chemotherapy or immunotherapy other than iBCG.The most common causes of hospitalization were infections,anemiaransfusions,a newly diagnosed metastatic disease,and acute renal failure.The mortality in this cohort was high(17%),with the leading cause of death again being an infection.Among patients who had previously received BCG immunotherapy,three cases of fever of unknown origin were noticed,and despite identical clinical settings,they were identified with different diseases[metastatic disease,infection caused by Bacillus Calmette-Guérin(BCGitis),and Hodgkin’s lymphoma],necessitating individualized therapeutic medications.Conclusions:BC patients in the Internal Medicine unit are generally older adults,often dealing with several chronic conditions and a considerable cancer burden.They are predominantly admitted due to infections,which points to the urgent need for effective infection prevention strategies for this vulnerable population.When BC patients have a fever lasting more than seven days following BCG instillation,which is the maximum duration for self-limited adverse events to occur,regardless of whether an antibiotic regimen has been prescribed,they should consult an internal medicine department for further evaluation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Commission,Youth Project(No.82203150,No.82302304)Anhui Health Commission Research Project(No.2024Aa30184)+7 种基金The Bengbu City Health and Medical Research Project(BBWK2024A103)Cultivation grant for clinical and basic integration research of Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital(SYYYRH2025020)Doctoral Workstation Foundation of Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital,China(Grant No.2022BSGZ011)Elevate Engineering Foundation of Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital,China(Grant No.TJGC2022009)Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou,China(2024A04J4159)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2021M702137)Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing(cstc2021jcyj-msxmX1176)Chongming District Sustainable Development Science and Technology Innovation Initiative Project(CKY2022-30).
摘要Objectives:Bladder cancer(BCa)progression is closely linked to the immune microenvironment.However,the key molecules that regulate this microenvironment and their specific mechanisms remain poorly understood.This study aims to identify a key molecule and elucidate its mechanisms,providing a theoretical basis for identifying novel therapeutic targets.Methods:Immune microenvironment-related genes in BCa were identified using The Cancer Genome Atlas and Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital datasets.Proteasome 26S subunit non-ATPase 2(PSMD2)expression was validated via quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR),Western blot(WB)analysis,and immunofluorescence(IF).In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the role of PSMD2 in cell proliferation,invasion,and migration.Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)and Gene Ontology(GO)analyses were conducted to assess PSMD2’s influence on immune microenvironment remodeling.A pathomics model predicted PSMD2 expression in patients with BCa.Results:PSMD2 was identified as a critical factor in BCa,with high expression correlating with poor prognosis and tumor progression.Mechanistically,PSMD2 enhances malignancy by promoting mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase(MEK)and extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)phosphorylation within the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway.Combined bioinformatics and experimental analyses reveal that PSMD2 downregulates chemokine(C-X-C motif)ligand 14(CXCL14)expression and secretion via the MAPK pathway,thereby remodeling the immune microenvironment and driving tumor progression.Pathomics analysis further supports the potential of PSMD2 expression as a predictive marker in BCa tissues.Conclusion:PSMD2 is overexpressed in BCa and significantly correlates with poor prognosis and tumor progression.It promotes malignant development and immune microenvironment remodeling through the MAPK pathway.Pathological analysis can predict PSMD2 expression,offering valuable insights into immunotherapy responses and survival outcomes.
基金supported by the STI2030-Major Projects(2021ZD0201003)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32171092 and 31830035)Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine(ZDSYS20200811142401005).
摘要The bladder is essential for the body’s fluid balance to ensure normal physiological conditions;thus,a non-pathological bladder—that is,one sustaining internal homeostasis—is critical for this function.However,the neuro-network maintaining the bladder’s intrinsic homeostasis is much less well-known compared with that for urination.Here,we identified that vagal nodose ganglion-pseudounipolar neurons project down to the bladder,up to the nucleus of the solitary tract,and further to multiple brain regions.The components of this network and those revealed by direct tracing from the bladder with herpes simplex virus(HSV)have significant overlaps and differences.Chemogenetic activation coupled with functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)and c-Fos staining verified that the components in the vagal network were functionally connected.Strikingly,this vagal network did not include the primary motor cortex(M1),suggesting a role distinct from conscious urination control,and a cystitis model therefore revealed its potential role in transmitting bladder inflammation.Taken together,we have identified a non-spinal bladder-brain network not for urination but potentially for homeostasis of the bladder itself.
摘要Dear Editor,Primary bladder neck obstruction(PBNO)affects approximately 28%–54%of men[1].Its etiology remains unclear.Symptoms of PBNO present as voiding(e.g.,decreased force of stream,hesitancy,intermittent stream,and incomplete emptying),storage(e.g.,frequency,urgency,urge incontinence,and nocturia),or a combination of both[2].Untreated PBNO can lead to bladder dysfunction,bladder diverticula,hydronephrosis,and impaired renal function[3].