Introduction: Cancer of the bladder is one of the most common and life-threatening. Compared with traditional delivery methods, intravesical administration reduces the amount of drugs required, increases the amount of drugs reaching the lesion site, and minimizes systemic exposure to therapeutic agents. To overcome the limitations of urinary voiding, low urothelium permeability, and intermittent catheterization for large dilution and irrigation of drugs in the bladder, magnetic and photothermal-responsive folate receptor-targeted thermal liposomes (FA-TMLs) were designed for the targeted delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) to bladder cancer cells. Methods: Through a microfluidic mixer chip, the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), gold nanorods (GNRs) and DOX were encapsulated in folate-modified thermosensitive liposomes to form [email protected] DLS, TEM, DSC, and magnetic hysteresis loop were used to characterize the construction of [email protected]DOX. Results: [email protected] had a size of about 230 nm and exhibited superparamagnetic properties with the saturation magnetization of 20 emu/g. The DOX loading capacity was as high as 0.57 mg/mL. Additionally, drug release of the [email protected] could be controlled by temperature change through the photothermal effect. A 980 nm laser beam was selectively irradiated on the [email protected] to trigger the structural changes of the FA-TMLs, and an average of 95% of the drug was released after 3 hours. The results of cell uptake experiments reveal indicated that [email protected] were able to specifically bind folate-receptor-positive cells and exhibited toxicity to bladder tumor cells. Conclusion: The present results suggest [email protected] have a promising multifunctional response and can act as an ideal multifunctional drug delivery system (DDS) for the treatment of bladder tumors.

Background: More and more investigations reveal that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in cancer progression. CircRNA UBAP2 was closely related to prostate cancer. However, the biological function and specifical mechanism of circUBAP2 are still poorly discovered in prostate cancer (PCa). Objective: This study aims to explore the biological function and mechanism of circUBAP2 in PCa. Methods: The levels of mRNA and proteins were assessed by qRT-PCR assay and Western blot, respectively. Cell growth, migration, and invasion ability were measured using CCK-8 assay and Transwell assay. Apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry. The interactions between circUBAP2, miR-143, and TFAP2B were determined by luciferase report assay. The tumor growth was determined by in vivo tumor formation assay. The tumor morphology was assessed using H&E staining assay, and immunohistochemistry assay was conducted to assess the level of KI67. Results: We found circUBAP2 and TFAP2B were notably elevated, while miR-143 was largely attenuated in prostate cancer cells and tissues. CircUBAP2 was found to affect cell viability, metastasis and EMT, while attenuating the apoptosis rate of prostate cancer cells. CircUBAP2 directly targeted miR-143, and miR-143 inhibitor could reverse the effects that circUBAP2 interference-induced in prostate cancer cells. TFAP2B is directly bound to miR-143, and overexpression of TFAP2B could attenuate the influences that miR-143-induced in prostate cancer cells. Conclusion: CircUBAP2 promoted prostate cancer progression via miR-143/TFAP2B axis.

Background: Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are among the most popular contraceptive methods globally due to their convenience and cost-effectiveness. However, improper placement can lead to complications such as device migration and uterine perforation, with increased risk observed when IUDs are implanted within four to six weeks postpartum. Typically, patients are asymptomatic or experience mild lower abdominal discomfort or minor abnormal vaginal bleeding following IUD displacement. Advances in diagnostic techniques have resulted in an increased reporting of uterine perforations due to IUD migration. Although rare, secondary stone formation following IUD perforation has been noted. In 2023, cases of IUD perforation were reported in women with a history of multiple cesarean sections and in a young woman without detailed marital history. Prior Presentation: The 43-year-old patient, who had an IUD inserted three years prior, exhibited symptoms of frequent urination and painful urination unrelieved by anti-infective and analgesic treatments. The patient underwent cystotomy for foreign body removal, which revealed the IUD had perforated the uterus and bladder, with both arms of the device invaded into bladder wall and covered with concentric stone layers. Complete removal of the IUD and surrounding stones, followed by suturing and postoperative anti-infection analgesic treatment, led to significant symptom improvement. Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of regular IUD check-ups to prevent uterine perforation and the necessity of considering IUD migration in patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms without routine IUD examination. While self-examination by the patient through the strings in the vagina is possible, imaging studies are also indispensable. Surgery has proven to be an effective solution for such complications, but cystoscopy is not always the best option, and the decision to perform open surgery should be based on the patient’s perforation and the condition of the surrounding tissues. This paper emphasizes the need for vigilance and proper clinical management.

Background: Bladder cancer (BC) is very common among cancers of urinary system. It was usually categorized into two types: non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). NMIBC and MIBC groupings are heterogeneous and have different characteristics. Objectives: The study was aimed to find some hub genes and related signal pathways which might be engaged in the progression of BC and to investigate the relationship with clinical stages and its prognostic significance. Methods: GSE37317 datasets were acquired from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. GEO2R on-line tool was selected to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of the two different types of BC. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and KOBAS-Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of these DEGs were conducted. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was employed to help us screen hub genes and find significant modules. Finally, we made analysis of gene expression and survival curve by GEPIA and Kaplan-Meier plotter database. Results: 224 DEGs were screened in total, with 110 showing increased expression and 114 demonstrating decreased expression. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mostly involved in collagen fibril organization, extracellular matrix (ECM) structural constituent, bHLH transcription factor binding, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway and TGF-beta signaling pathway. Only 3 hub genes (DCN, JUN, THBS1) displayed significantly higher expression compared to those in the healthy controls. These hub genes were also strongly related to clinical stages as well as overall survival (OS) of BC patients. Conclusions: Taken together, most of hub genes involved in the progression of BC were related to ECM and EMT. In addition, 3 hub genes (DCN, JUN, THBS1) were strongly related with clinical stages and OS of BC patients. This study can enhance our comprehension of the progression of NMIBC and identify novel potential targets for MIBC.