Effects of microRNA-135a on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells by targeting GSK3ß through the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

This study investigated the effects of microRNA-135a (miR-135a) targeting of glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß) on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration and invasion of bladder cancer (BC) cells by mediating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. BC and adjacent normal tissues were collected from 165 BC patients. Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR were used to detect the expression of GSK3ß, ß-catenin, cyclinD1, E-cadherin, vimentin and miR-135a in BC tissues and cells. Cells were assigned to blank, negative control (NC), miR-135a mimics, miR-135a inhibitors, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-GSK3ß or miR-135a inhibitors+siRNA-GSK3ß groups. miR-135a, ß-catenin, cyclinD1 and vimentin expression increased, while GSK3ß and E-cadherin expression decreased in BC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Compared with the blank and NC groups, the expression of miR-135a, ß-catenin, cyclinD1 and vimentin was higher, and cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tumor growth were increased in the miR-135a mimics and siRNA-GSK3ß groups. These groups showed an opposite trend in GSK3ß and E-cadherin expression and cell apoptosis. The miR-135a inhibitors group was inversely correlated with the blank and NC groups. It was concluded that miR-135a accelerates the EMT, invasion and migration of BC cells by activating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway through the downregulation of GSK3ß expression.

Ureteral double J stent displaced into vena cava and management with laparoscopy: A case report and review of the literature.

We reported displacement of a ureteral double J stent into the vena cava and laparoscopic management in a 69-year-old patient with a history of ureteral stent placement. Preoperative computed tomography and plain X-rays showed malpositioning of the double J stent and displacement into the inferior vena cava. The characteristics of stent misplacement precluded endovascular procedures and explorative laparoscopic surgery was performed. The intra- and postoperative periods were uneventful. Postoperative imaging demonstrated that the new double J stent was in the right position. The patient was discharged 7 d after the operation and was symptom free at the 4-mo follow-up.

CUL4B promotes bladder cancer metastasis and induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by activating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

Increased expression of cullin 4B (CUL4B) is linked to progression in several cancers. This study aims to explore the effects of CUL4B on bladder cancer (BC) metastasis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and potential correlation to the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. We collected BC tissues and adjacent normal tissues from 124 BC patients. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were employed in order to detect the expression of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins and EMT markers. MTT and Transwell assays were used in order to measure cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. BC 5637 cells were transfected with control, siRNA scramble control (siRNA-NC), si-CUL4B, and CUL4B or Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF-1) overexpression constructs. Levels of CUL4B mRNA and protein were increased in BC tissues in comparison with the adjacent normal tissues. CUL4B expression was negatively correlated with the expression of E-cadherin and positively correlated to the expression of N-cadherin and Vimentin. Compared to the control group, levels of ß-catenin, cyclinD1, c-myc, MMP7, and EMT markers were reduced, whereas phosphorylated GSK3ßSer9 and E-cadherin levels were increased in the si-CUL4B and WIF-1 groups. In addition, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities were also increased. Increasing CUL4B expression had the opposite effect. These findings suggest that CUL4B induces EMT and promotes metastasis of BC by activating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

Thymol inhibits bladder cancer cell proliferation via inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Thymol is a phenolic compound with various pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-tumor effects. However, the effect of thymol on bladder cancer cell growth is still elusive. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of thymol in bladder cancer cells and its underlying mechanism. Thymol inhibited bladder cancer cell proliferation in a dose and time-dependent manner. We also observed cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase after the treatment of thymol. Moreover, thymol could induce apoptosis in bladder cancer cells via the intrinsic pathway along with caspase-3/9 activation, release of cytochrome c and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins. The activation of JNK and p38 was also critical for thymol-induced apoptosis since it was abrogated by the treatment of JNK inhibitor (SP600125), and p38 inhibitor (SB203580) but not ERK inhibitor (SCH772984). Furthermore, the generation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) was detected after the treatment of thymol. ROS scavenger NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) could block the thymol-triggered apoptosis and activation of MAPKs. These findings offer a novel therapeutic approach for bladder cancer.

[Transperineal laparoscopic nephrectomy in live-donors].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in live-donors. METHODS: Two cases of live-donor underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy in May and August 2008 respectively and both were followed up. RESULT: In two cases the operation time was 130, 10 min; blood loss was 50 ml; warm ischemic time was 30 s and 2 min; the length of artery was 4.0 cm and 3.5 cm; the length of vein was 3.0 cm. The grafted kidneys started to produce urine at 30 s and 10 s after blood supply. Renal function of donor returned to normal after two days. The donors were discharged at 7th day after the operation. Renal function of recipient was normal after 3 days. CONCLUSION: Transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in live-donor is a safe and effective procedure, which provides kidney with satisfactory blood vessels and ureter for graft.

[Detection of transfusion transmitted virus infection of healthy blood donors in Hangzhou region and nucleotide sequence analysis of partial positive samples]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency of transfusion transmitted virus (TTV) infection in healthy blood donors in Hangzhou area and the mutation of TTV genomic fragment. METHODS DNA in serum samples of 203 healthy donors was extracted by phenol-chloroform method to detect TTV by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction and nucleotide sequences of partial amplification products were determined after T-A cloning. RESULTS TTV infection rate in 203 cases of blood donors in Hangzhou area was 15.3%. The homology of the amplified products of partial TTV positive samples compared with thereported nucleotide and putative amino acid sequences of TTV TA278 were 63.51% approximate, equals 67.12% and 59.46% approximate, equals 66.22% respectively. CONCLUSIONS TTV infection rate in the blood donors in Hangzhou is relatively high. The TTV infecting blood donors in the area may be a kind of novel genotype.