NIR-triggerable self-assembly multifunctional nanocarriers to enhance the tumor penetration and photothermal therapy efficiency for castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Great challenges still remain in the management of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) based on traditional treatments, and the rapid development of nanotechnology may find a breakthrough. Herein, a novel type of multifunctional self-assembly magnetic nanocarriers (IR780-MNCs) containing iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) and IR780 iodide was synthesized by an optimized process. With a hydrodynamic diameter of 122 nm, a surface charge of -28.5 mV and the drug loading efficiency of 89.6%, IR780-MNCs have increased cellular uptake efficiency, long-term stability, ideal photothermal conversion ability and excellent superparamagnetic behavior. The in vitro study indicated that IR780-MNCs have excellent biocompatibility and could induce significant cell apoptosis under the 808 nm laser irradiation. The in vivo study showed that IR780-MNCs highly accumulated at the tumor area could reduce the tumor volume of tumor-bearing mice by 88.5% under the 808 nm laser irradiation, but minimal damage to surrounding normal tissues. Since IR780-MNCs encapsulated a large number of 10 nm homogeneous spherical Fe3O4 NPs, which can be used as T2 contrast agent, the best window for photothermal therapy can be determined through MRI. In conclusion, IR780-MNCs have initially showed excellent antitumor effect and biosafety in the treatment of CRPC. This work provides novel insights into the precise treatment of CRPC by using a safe nanoplatform based on the multifunctional nanocarriers.

Ultrasound combined with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor-loaded microbubbles for the targeted treatment of drug addiction.

Drug addiction is a serious problem globally, recently exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is considered a potentially effective strategy for the treatment of addiction. Previous animal experiments have proven that GDNF has a good therapeutic effect on drug addiction, but its clinical application is limited due to its poor blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Low-frequency focused ultrasound, combined with microbubbles, is a non-invasive and reversible technique for locally-targeted BBB opening. In the present study, magnetic resonance imaging-guided low-frequency focused ultrasound, combined with GDNF microbubbles, was used to target BBB opening in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) region. The effects of GDNF on morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and acute withdrawal symptoms in rats after a partially opened BBB were evaluated by behavioral observation. Western blot was used to detect changes in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression levels in the VTA region after different treatments, and high performance liquid chromatography was used to detect the changes in monoamine neurotransmitter content. The results showed that ultrasound combined with GDNF microbubbles targeted and opened the BBB in the VTA region, and significantly increased GDNF content, destroyed morphine-induced CPP, and reduced the withdrawal symptoms of morphine addiction in rats. Furthermore, the up-regulation of TH expression and the increase of norepinephrine and dopamine content induced by morphine were significantly reversed, and the increase of 5-hydroxytryptamine content was partially reversed. Therefore, ultrasound combined with GDNF microbubbles to target and open the BBB can effectively increase the content of central GDNF, thus playing a therapeutic role in morphine addiction. Our study provides a new approach to locally open the BBB and target delivery of neurotrophic factors, such as GDNF, to treat brain diseases like addiction.

Non-invasive, targeted, and non-viral ultrasound-mediated brain-derived neurotrophic factor plasmid delivery for treatment of autism in a rat model.

Autism has clinical manifestations such as social interaction disorder, speech and intellectual development disorder, narrow interest range, and stereotyped and repetitive behavior, all of which bring considerable economic and mental burden to society and families, and represent a public health problem requiring urgent attention. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in supporting survival, differentiation, growth, and synapse formation of neurons and participates in the plasticity of nerves. However, it is difficult for BDNF to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) due to its large molecular weight. Low-frequency focused ultrasound (FUS) combined with microbubbles (MBs) has been demonstrated to be a promising method for opening the BBB non-invasively, transiently, and locally. Here, we studied the therapeutic effect of FUS combined with BDNF plasmid-loaded cationic microbubbles (BDNFp-CMBs) in a rat model of autism. BDNF-CMBs were prepared and the transfection efficiency of FUS combined with BDNF-CMBs was tested in vitro. A rat model of autism was established from the juvenile male offspring of Sprague-Dawley (SD) pregnant rats treated with sodium valproate (VPA) solution through intraperitoneal injection. The autism rats were randomized into three groups: the VPA group, which received no treatment, the BDNFp group, which was treated by injection of BDNFp, and the FUS + BDNFp-CMBs group, which was administered FUS combined with BDNFp-CMBs. Age-matched normal rats served as the control group (Con). Following treatment, stereotyped, exploratory, and social-behavioral tests were performed on the animals in each group. The rat brains were then collected for subsequent histological examination, and the changes in synaptic structures in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) were detected under transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the constructed BDNFp could be loaded onto CMBs with high loading efficiency. The BDNFp-CMBs prepared in this study showed good stability in vivo. FUS combined BDNFp-CMBs could effectively and non-invasively open the BBB of rats. The stereotyped, exploratory, and social behaviors of the FUS + BDNFp-CMBs group were significantly improved. Compared to the VPA group, the abnormality of neuronal morphology and number in the PFC of the FUS + BDNFp-CMBs was alleviated to a certain extent and was accompanied by restoration of the damaged synapses in the encephalic region. Our work demonstrates the positive therapeutic effect of BDNF delivered by FUS non-invasively across the BBB into the PFC in a rat model of autism, offering a potential strategy for treating autism.

Therapeutic Effect of Ultrasound Combined With Porous Lipid Clioquinol/PLGA Microbubbles on Ferroptosis in HL-1 Cardiac Cell Induced by Isoproterenol Attack.

In recent years, studies have shown a close relationship between cardiomyocyte death and ferroptosis. Clioquinol (CQ) can inhibit ferroptosis. Porous lipid-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microbubbles (MBs) were prepared by double emulsification (W1/O/W2) using 1,2-dioctadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phophocholine and PLGA as raw materials. Porous lipid-PLGA MBs were used as carriers to prepare CQ/PLGA MBs containing CQ. CQ/PLGA had the advantages of high drug loading, good biocompatibility, and sustained release. Our results showed that CQ/PLGA improved the effect of CQ and reduced its cytotoxicity. Under low-frequency ultrasound with certain parameters, CQ/PLGA showed steady-state cavitation, which increased the membrane permeability of mouse cardiomyocyte HL-1 to a certain extent and further prevented the process of ferroptosis in mouse cardiomyocyte HL-1.

Ultrasound-triggered drug delivery for glioma therapy through gambogic acid-loaded nanobubble-microbubble complexes.

Glioma is one of the most common primary brain tumors. Gambogic acid (GA) is widely used in tumor chemotherapy. However, GA has poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and difficult permeability across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), leading to poor efficacy against brain tumors. In our study, we developed negatively charged GA-loaded PLGA nanobubbles [GA/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)] and conjugated them onto the surface of cationic lipid microbubbles (CMBs) through electrostatic interactions. The resulting GA/PLGA-CMB complex was characterized for its particle size, distribution, drug encapsulation efficiency, and ultrasound imaging property, revealing a high drug encapsulation efficiency and excellent contrast imaging capability. Importantly, significantly enhanced GA delivery into the brain could be observed after the intravenous administration of GA/PLGA-CMBs combined with low-intensity focused ultrasound (FUS) due to the cavitation from CMBs, which mediated blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening. Taking advantage of the opened BBB, GA/PLGA nanobubbles could be delivered into the tumor. Then, the second FUS irradiation at higher energy was used to induce the cavitation of GA/PLGA nanobubbles, producing the second cavitation on tumor cells, significantly enhancing the ability of GA to enter tumor cells and inhibit tumor growth inhibition efficacy.

Establishment of a Novel Combined Nomogram for Predicting the Risk of Progression Related to Castration Resistance in Patients With Prostate Cancer.

Background: The emergence of castration resistance is fatal for patients with prostate cancer (PCa); however, there is still a lack of effective means to detect the early progression. In this study, a novel combined nomogram was established to predict the risk of progression related to castration resistance. Methods: The castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by R packages "limma" and "WGCNA" in GSE35988-GPL6480 and GSE70768-GPL10558, respectively. Relationships between DEGs and progression-free interval (PFI) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method in TCGA PCa patients. A multigene signature was built by lasso-penalized Cox regression analysis, and assessed by the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve and Kaplan-Meier curve. Finally, the univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to establish a combined nomogram. The prognostic value of the nomogram was validated by concordance index (C-index), calibration plots, ROC curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: 15 CRPC-related DEGs were identified finally, of which 13 genes were significantly associated with PFI and used as the candidate genes for modeling. A two-gene (KIFC2 and BCAS1) signature was built to predict the risk of progression. The ROC curve indicated that 5-year area under curve (AUC) in the training, testing, and whole TCGA dataset was 0.722, 0.739, and 0.731, respectively. Patients with high-risk scores were significantly associated with poorer PFI (p < 0.0001). A novel combined nomogram was successfully established for individualized prediction integrating with T stage, Gleason score, and risk score. While the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year AUC were 0.76, 0.761, and 0.762, respectively, the good prognostic value of the nomogram was also validated by the C-index (0.734), calibration plots, and DCA. Conclusion: The combined nomogram can be used to predict the individualized risk of progression related to castration resistance for PCa patients and has been preliminarily verified to have good predictive ability.

A Gambogic Acid-Loaded Delivery System Mediated by Ultrasound-Targeted Microbubble Destruction: A Promising Therapy Method for Malignant Cerebral Glioma.

Background: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) inhibits the delivery of macromolecular chemotherapeutic drugs to brain tumors, leading to low utilization rates and toxic side effects to surrounding tissues and organs. Ultrasonic targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) technology can open the BBB, leading to a new type of drug delivery system with particular utility in glioma. Purpose: We have developed a new type of drug-loaded microbubble complex based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) that targets gambogic acid (GA) to the area of brain tumors through UTMD. Methods: GA/PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by the double emulsification method, and cationic microbubbles (CMBs) were prepared by a thin film hydration method. The GA/PLGA-CMB microbubble complex was assembled through electrostatic attractions and was characterized chemically. The anti-glioblastoma effect of GA/PLGA-CMB combined with focused ultrasound (FUS) was evaluated by biochemical and imaging assays in cultured cells and model mice. Results: GA/PLGA-CMB combined with FUS demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect on glioblastoma cell lines U87 and U251 as compared with controls (P<0.05). Tumor access and imaging analyses demonstrated that administration of GA/PLGA-CMBs combined with FUS can open the BBB and target the treatment of glioblastoma in a mouse model, as compared with control groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: The combination of PLGA-CMB with FUS provides an effective and biocompatible drug delivery system, and its application to the delivery of GA in a mouse glioblastoma model was successful.

Effect of Gambogic Acid-Loaded Porous-Lipid/PLGA Microbubbles in Combination With Ultrasound-Triggered Microbubble Destruction on Human Glioma.

Gambogic acid (GA) is a highly effective antitumor agent, and it is used for the treatment of a wide range of cancers. It is challenging to deliver drugs to the central nervous system due to the inability of GA to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Studies have shown that ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction can be used for transient and reversible BBB disruption, significantly facilitating intracerebral drug delivery. We first prepared GA-loaded porous-lipid microbubbles (GA porous-lipid/PLGA MBs), and an in vitro BBB model was established. The cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. The results indicate that U251 human glioma cells were killed by focused ultrasound (FUS) combined with GA/PLGA microbubbles. FUS combined with GA/PLGA microbubbles was capable of locally and transiently enhancing the permeability of BBB under certain conditions. This conformational change allows the release of GA to extracellular space. This study provides novel targets for the treatment of glioma.

Ankfy1 Is Involved in the Maintenance of Cerebellar Purkinje Cells.

Purkinje cells are critical for the function of cerebellum. The degeneration of Purkinje cells leads to defects in motion control. We have found that Purkinje cells specifically express Ankfy1 protein during development and in adult. This protein seems to play minor functions during development as Ankfy1 knockout mice appear normal till adult. However, at 9-month-old, knockout mice showed abnormal cerebellum with reduced vermis size and developed defective motor function. Further investigation demonstrated that the cerebellum of the mutant mouse has lost most of its Purkinje cells, while other cerebellar cells remained largely normal. Our data suggested that the Ankfy1 might be important for the maintenance of cerebellar Purkinje cells.

Ultrasound Combined With Microbubbles Loading BDNF Retrovirus to Open BloodBrain Barrier for Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: Brain-derived nerve growth factor (BDNF) is a promising effective target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). BDNF, which has a high molecular weight, has difficulty in crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The study aimed to prepare microbubbles loading brain-derived nerve growth factor (BDNF) retrovirus (MpLXSN-BDNF), to verify the characteristics of the microbubbles, and to study the therapeutic effect of the microbubbles combined with ultrasound on the opening of the blood-brain barrier in an AD rat model. Methods: 32 adult male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, ultrasound + pLXSN-EGFP microbubble group (U + MpLXSN-BDNF), ultrasound + pLXSN-BDNF microbubble group, and ultrasound + microbubble + pLXSN-BDNF virus group (U + MpLXSN-BDNF), with eight rats in each group. At the same time, the left hippocampus of rats was irradiated with low-frequency focused ultrasound guided by MRI to open the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The effects of BDNF overexpression on AD rats were evaluated behaviorally before and 1 month after the treatment. The number of acetylcholinesterase (ChAT)-positive cells and the content of acetylcholine (ACh) in brain tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. IF staining of synaptic spines and Western blot of synaptophysin presented herein detected synaptic density recovery. Results: Signal intensity enhancement at the BBB disruption sites could be observed on the MR images. The behavioral evaluation showed that the times of crossing the original platform in the U + MpLXSN-BDNF group increased significantly after treatment. Immunohistochemistry and HPLC revealed that the number of ChAT-positive neurons and the contents of ACh in the brain were significantly decreased in the treated groups compared with the controls. IF staining of synaptic spines and Western blot data of synaptophysin showed that the U + MpLXSN-BDNF group can recover the synaptic loss better by BDNF supplementation than the other treatment groups. Conclusion: Ultrasound combined with viral microbubbles carrying BDNF can increase the transfection efficiency of brain neurons, promote the high expression of exogenous gene BDNF, and play a therapeutic role in the AD model rats.

The Important Role of Perituberal Tissue in Epileptic Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex by the Transcriptome Analysis.

Epilepsy is most common in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). However, in addition to the challenging treatment, the pathogenesis of epilepsy is still controversial. To determine the transcriptome characteristics of perituberal tissue (PT) and clarify its role in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, GSE16969 was downloaded from the GEO database for further study by comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. Identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), functional enrichment analysis, construction of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and selection of Hub genes were performed using R language, Metascape, STRING, and Cytoscape, respectively. Comparing with cortical tuber (CT), 220 DEGs, including 95 upregulated and 125 downregulated genes, were identified in PT and mainly enriched in collagen-containing extracellular matrix and positive regulation of receptor-mediated endocytosis, as well as the pathways of ECM-receptor interaction and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction. As for normal cortex (NC), 1549 DEGs, including 30 upregulated and 1519 downregulated genes, were identified and mainly enriched in presynapse, dendrite and axon, and also the pathways of dopaminergic synapse and oxytocin signaling pathway. In the PPI network, 4 hub modules were found between PT and CT, and top 5 hub modules were selected between PT and NC. C3, APLNR, ANXA2, CD44, CLU, CP, MCHR2, HTR1E, CTSG, APP, and GNG2 were identified as Hub genes, of which, C3, CD44, ANXA2, HTR1E, and APP were identified as Hub-BottleNeck genes. In conclusion, PT has the unique characteristics different from CT and NC in transcriptome and makes us further understand its importance in the TSC-associated epilepsy.

Astrocyte elevated gene-1 promotes invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bladder cancer cells through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of astrocyte elevated gene-1 on the invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of bladder cancer cells in vitro and metastasis in vivo. METHODS: Gain- and loss-of-function studies were carried out to investigate the biological roles of astrocyte elevated gene-1 in bladder cancer cell invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and lung metastasis. The mechanism underlying the activity of astrocyte elevated gene-1 was examined. RESULTS: Overexpression of astrocyte elevated gene-1 led to a significant increase in the invasive ability of UMUC3 and T24 bladder cancer cells in Matrigel invasion assays. In contrast, silencing of astrocyte elevated gene-1 restrained bladder cancer cell invasion. Overexpression of astrocyte elevated gene-1 downregulated E-cadherin and upregulated vimentin and Twist1, while silencing of astrocyte elevated gene-1 exerted an opposite effect. Mechanistically, astrocyte elevated gene-1 overexpression promoted the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in bladder cancer cells. Treatment with WP1066, a specific signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 inhibitor, significantly abolished astrocyte elevated gene-1-induced invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in UMUC3 cells. In vivo studies showed that astrocyte elevated gene-1 overexpression stimulated the growth of UMUC3 xenograft tumors and lung metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Astrocyte elevated gene-1 shows the ability to promote bladder cancer metastasis, which is causally linked to induction of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Therefore, targeting astrocyte elevated gene-1 might offer therapeutic benefits in treating metastatic bladder cancer.

MiR-210-3p inhibits the tumor growth and metastasis of bladder cancer via targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor-like 1.

Current evidence indicates that microRNAs are widely down-regulated in various tumors including colorectal carcinoma, liver cancer and lung cancer, and function as tumor suppressors through inhibiting cancer cell growth, invasion and migration. Here, we demonstrated that miR-210-3p level was significantly reduced in the bladder cancer compared to paratumor tissues, and attempt to reveal the regulatory role of miR-210-3p in bladder cancer progression. Exogenous overexpression of miR-210-3p inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells in vitro. In addition, the nude mouse xenograft model showed that miR-210-3p over-expressing inhibited bladder cancer growth and liver metastasis whereas silencing miR-210-3p caused an opposite outcome, which is mainly regulated by targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor-like 1 (FGFRL1). We also demonstrated that the expression of FGFRL1 in bladder cancer specimens were negatively correlated with miR-210-3p level, and FGFRL1 overexpression rescued the cell proliferation and invasion inhibited by ectopic expression of miR-210-3p. Moreover, knockdown of FGFRL1 was able to mimic the cell growth and metastasis effects induced by miR-210-3p over-expressing in bladder cancer cells. Together, these results indicate that miR-210-3p plays an important role in the regulation of bladder cancer growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo through targeting FGFRL1.

Ankfy1 is dispensable for neural stem/precursor cell development.

There are few studies on the membrane protein Ankfy1. We have found Ankfy1 is specifically expressed in neural stem/precursor cells during early development in mice (murine). To further explore Ankfy1 function in neural development, we developed a gene knockout mouse with a mixed Balb/C and C57/BL6 genetic background. Using immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization, neural defects were absent in mixed genetic Ankfy1 null mice during development and in adults up to 2 months old. However, Ankfy1 gene knockout mice with a pure genetic background were found to be lethal in the C57/BL6 inbred mice embryos, even after seven generations of backcrossing. Polymerase chain reaction confirmed homozygotes were unattainable as early as embryonic day 11.5. We conclude that Ankfy1 protein is dispensable in neural stem/precursor cells, but could be critical for early embryonic murine development, depending on the genetic background.

Expression and significance of m1A transmethylase, hTrm6p/hTrm61p and its related gene hTrm6/hTrm61 in bladder urothelial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the expression of hTrm6p/hTrm61p in bladder urothelial carcinoma tissue and its relationship with m1A level in urine, as well as the influences of hTrm6/hTrm61 on the proliferation and apoptosis of cancer cell line on urothelium. METHODS: m1A levels in urine of 32 patients of bladder urothelial carcinoma and normal people were detected by HPLC/ESI-Q-TOF-MS, hTrm6p/hTrm61p expression levels in cancer tissue and para-carcinoma tissue of the same patient were detected by western blotting, and hTrm61 expressions of cancer cell line T24, 5637, and EJ of bladder urothelium and kidney cell line HEK-293 of human embryo were detected by RT-qPCR. The hTrm61 high-expression cell line is selected to detect the situation of proliferation and apoptosis by CCK-8 and flow cytometry (FCM) after knocking out hTrm61 with siRNA. RESULTS: m1A level in urine of carcinoma of urinary bladder is significantly higher than that of normal people, and hTrm6p/hTrm61p expression level in cancer tissue is significantly higher than that in para-carcinoma tissue and has linear correlation with m1A level in urine. The hTrm61 expression in cell line 5637 is significantly higher than that of T24, EJ, and HEK293, and apoptosis is significantly affected after hTrm61 is knocked out from 5637 cell line. CONCLUSION: High-level expression of hTrm6p/hTrm61p is an important reason for high emission of m1A in urine, and hTrm6/hTrm61 promotes the occurrence of carcinoma of urinary bladder.

[Association between genetic polymorphism of UGT1A7 and susceptibility of bladder cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between genetic polymorphism of UGT1A7 and susceptibility of bladder cancer. METHODS: Based upon a case-control study, UGT1A7 polymorphisms were determined by the semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (SN-PCR) and allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) in 208 cases with bladder cancer and 205 non-tumor controls. Risks were evaluated by unconditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The frequency of variant homozygous genotype in cases (20.7%) was higher than that in controls (12.2%) and the difference was statistically significant [P < 0.05, OR = 2.16 (1.18 - 3.96)]. The frequency of variant allele (*)3 in cases was higher than that in controls (27.9%, 20.5% respectively) and the difference was statistically significant [P = 0.009, OR = 1.56 (95%CI: 1.12 - 2.18)]. The smokers with variant homozygous and heterozygous genotypes showed an increased risk of bladder cancer compared with those with wild genotype [2.16 (95%CI: 1.07 - 4.36), 2.64 (95%CI: 1.02 - 6.80) respectively]. There was no association between the UGT1A7 polymorphisms and the pathological grade and clinical stage of bladder cancer (both P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The genetic polymorphisms of UGT1A7 are associated with the susceptibility of bladder cancer and have interactions with smoking in bladder carcinogenesis.

[Local thermotherapy with rabdosia liquid as prophylactic measure for recurrence of superficial urinary bladder carcinoma: a non-randomized contemporary controlled study].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the actions of local thermotherapy with rabdosia liquid and repeated perfusion of mitomycin C for the postoperative prophylaxis of superficial urinary bladder carcinoma. METHODS: In the prospective non-randomized contemporary controlled study, 123 patients were divided into 2 groups. The patients in group A received local thermotherapy with rabdosia liquid starting from 1-2 months after operation, once tri-monthly for one year. Those in group B received intravesical perfusion of mitomycin C, starting from 2 weeks after operation, once weekly, six times in total, thereafter once monthly for one year. The recurrence rate, disease free interval, and adverse reaction after operation were observed. RESULTS: The follow-up lasted for 10-45 months with the average of 28.6 +/- 5.8 months. The recurrence rates in group A and B were 5.0% and 14.3%, respectively. Significant difference was shown when compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis of disease free interval and the recurrence rate between the two groups (P < 0.05). The occurrence rates of cystitis, hematuria, vesical contracture, urethral stricture were 28.3%, 5.0%, 1.7%, 1.7%, respectively in group A, 25.4%, 4.8%, 0%, 0%, respectively in group B, showing no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The effect of local thermotherapy with rabdosia liquid is reliable in preventing the recurrence of superficial urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma.

[Effects of returning maize straw into field on dynamic change of soil microbial biomass C, N and P under different promoted decay condition].

A 2-year field experiment of wheat-maize rotation was conducted on a cinnamon soil of east Hebei Province to study the effects of returning maize straw into field on the dynamics of soil microbial biomass C, N and P, and their relationships with soil nutrients and enzyme activities. The results showed that under the condition of returning maize straw combined with applying chemical fertilizer to adjust straw C/N, the application of effective microorganisms could increase soil microbial biomass C, N and P in each crop growth period, advance their peak time, and better regulate soil nutrient supply, compared with no application of effective microorganisms. Soil microbial biomass had a significantly positive correlation with soil enzyme activities, but its correlation with soil hydrolysable N and available P was strongly affected by crop growth and fertilization system.