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Abstract Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a major type of bladder cancer with a high incidence worldwide, resulting in a great disease burden. Treatment and surveillance are the most important part of NIMBC management. In 2018, we issued “Treatment and surveillance for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer in China: an evidence-based clinical practice guideline”. Since then, various studies on the treatment and surveillance of NMIBC have been published. There is a need to incorporate these materials and also to take into account the relatively limited medical resources in primary medical institutions in China. Developing a version of guideline which takes these two issues into account to promote the management of NMIBC is therefore indicated. We formed a working group of clinical experts and methodologists. Through questionnaire investigation of clinicians including primary medical institutions, 24 clinically concerned issues, involving transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), intravesical chemotherapy and intravesical immunotherapy of NMIBC, and follow-up and surveillance of the NMIBC patients, were determined for this guideline. Researches and recommendations on the management of NMIBC in databases, guideline development professional societies and monographs were referred to, and the European Association of Urology was used to assess the certainty of generated recommendations. Finally, we issued 29 statements, among which 22 were strong recommendations, and 7 were weak recommendations. These recommendations cover the topics of TURBT, postoperative chemotherapy after TURBT, Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy after TURBT, combination treatment of BCG and chemotherapy after TURBT, treatment of carcinoma in situ, radical cystectomy, treatment of NMIBC recurrence, and follow-up and surveillance. We hope these recommendations can help promote the treatment and surveillance of NMIBC in China, especially for the primary medical institutions.

Introduction To explore the function of interleukin 1α (IL-1α) in bladder cancer (BCa). Material and methods Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to test the protein expression of IL-1α in BCa tissues. The relationship between IL-1α and clinical characteristics was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier curve method. The gene and protein expression was tested by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-q-PCR) and western blot, respectively. Colony formation and MTT assays were used to detect the potential of proliferation in vitro, and scratch and transwell chamber assays were used to detect the potential of invasion in vitro. Markers of proliferation such as Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and markers of invasion such as MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected by western blot. Xenograft study was used for the in vivo experiment. Results We found that IL-1α was highly expressed in BCa patients while highly expressed IL-1α was significantly related to short overall survival and progression-free survival in BCa as well. Moreover, knockdown of IL-1α might inhibit the ability of cancer cells to proliferate and invade or migrate both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions Our findings suggested that IL-1α might be a therapy target for BCa malignant progression.

Abstract Background Although triptorelin is increasingly used in China for biochemical castration, its effects on primary prostate cancer symptoms remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Chinese prostate cancer patients and the effectiveness of triptorelin on LUTS. Methods In this 48-week multicenter, non-interventional, prospective study, we enrolled patients with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. Patients received triptorelin (15 mg) intramuscularly at baseline and at weeks 12, 24, and 36 with symptom assessment using the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS). The primary endpoints were the prevalence of LUTS at baseline per IPSS categories and the percentage of patients with moderate to severe LUTS (IPSS > 7) at baseline, having at least a 3-point reduction of IPSS score at week 48. Results A total of 398 patients were included; 211 (53.0%) and 160 (40.2%) among them had severe and moderate LUTS, respectively. Of the patients with IPSS scores available at baseline and at week 48 (n = 213), 81.2% achieved a reduction in IPSS of at least 3 points. Of the patients with moderate to severe LUTS at baseline and IPSS scores available at baseline and at week 48 (n = 194), 86.6% achieved a total IPSS reduction of at least 3 points. Conclusions The vast majority of Chinese patients with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer scheduled to receive triptorelin as part of their standard treatment have severe or moderate LUTS. Triptorelin therapy resulted in sustained improvement of LUTS in these patients.

Introduction: To explore the function of interleukin 1α (IL-1α) in bladder cancer (BCa). Material and methods: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to test the protein expression of IL-1α in BCa tissues. The relationship between IL-1α and clinical characteristics was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier curve method. The gene and protein expression was tested by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-q-PCR) and western blot, respectively. Colony formation and MTT assays were used to detect the potential of proliferation in vitro, and scratch and transwell chamber assays were used to detect the potential of invasion in vitro. Markers of proliferation such as Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and markers of invasion such as MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected by western blot. Xenograft study was used for the in vivo experiment. Results: We found that IL-1α was highly expressed in BCa patients while highly expressed IL-1α was significantly related to short overall survival and progression-free survival in BCa as well. Moreover, knockdown of IL-1α might inhibit the ability of cancer cells to proliferate and invade or migrate both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that IL-1α might be a therapy target for BCa malignant progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Miswak is a natural tooth cleaning tool which is being used in many parts of the world since ancient times. It is known to be useful in prevention of dental caries. But still it is not used as frequently as other oral hygiene tools. This research was designed to scientifically establish antimicrobial effect of miswak in vitro against common oral pathogens. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 100 health care workers. This research was carried out in Microbiology section of Dow Diagnostic Research & Reference Laboratory. A questionnaire was designed to test oral hygiene habits of study subjects. Oral swabs were taken and microorganisms were identified by standard bacteriological methods. Test material included four different types of miswaks i.e. (1) root of the peelu (Salvadora persica) tree (in packing) (2) root of the peelu tree (without packing) (3) stem of the peelu tree & (4) stem of the neem (Azadirechta indica) tree. These miswaks were tested against three different types of microorganisms isolated from oral swabs: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans & Candida albicans by agar diffusion method. Inhibition zone was measured after 24 hrs of incubation at 37℃. Results: Among the miswaks used, root of the peelu tree in both packing and without packing exhibited strong antimicrobial effect against all three tested microorganisms. However miswak taken from the stem of the peelu and neem tree did not show any antimicrobial activity against all three types of the tested microorganisms. Conclusion: Miswak taken from the root of the peelu tree exhibited antimicrobial activity against all the common oral pathogens and could be a good oral hygiene tool in combating dental caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyeloduodenal fistula is a rare condition and its association with malignancy is even rarer. Herein we report the case of a 66-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital with a three-month history of intermittent melena and a more than 20-year history of right-side renal stones. Computed tomography showed a heterogeneous right renal mass with a staghorn stone that had invaded the duodenum and caused an internal fistula. An upper gastrointestinal series showed pyeloduodenal fistula. The patient underwent an exploratory operation and a biopsy was taken at the peripelvic region. Pathological examination verified the existence of squamous cell carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case of pyeloduodenal fistula associated with renal stones, squamous cell carcinoma and upper urinary tract calculus presenting on melena. We report on the features of this rare entity but also review and summarize the etiology, diagnosis and treatment options that can be extrapolated from the existing literature.