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Background: Muscle invasion in bladder cancer is a paramount factor in prognosis and setting the management plan. MRI is gaining preference in this field, being noninvasive with no radiation hazards and having good resolution, especially with the development of the standardized system of (VI RADS). Moreover, multiple other imaging features can aid in predicting muscle invasion. We studied some of the most commonly reported features to develop the most reliable combination to anticipate the presence of muscle invasion. Results: Our prospective study on 80 patients showed 39 (48.75%) muscle invasive (MIBC) and 41 (51.25%) non-muscle invasive (NMIBC) bladder cancer cases. The inter-observer agreement on the VI RADS score and the ADC measurements were very good and they had high-accuracy predicting muscle invasion with areas under the curve (AUCs) on ROC curve analysis reaching 0.905 and 0.857, respectively. The imaging variables that showed statistically significant differences between NMIBC and MIBC cases were: the multiplicity of the lesions, vesicoureteric junction (VUJ) involvement with distal ureteric backpressure, tumor–wall contact length (TCL), tumor volume, tumor shape (sessile or papillary), presence of a stalk, the final VI RADS score and the ADC value. On the multiple regression analysis model, the multiplicity of the lesions, the minimum ADC value by ROI method and the final VI RADS score showed independent correlation with muscle invasion, negatively with the first two and positively with the latter. The combination of the six statistically significant variables on the univariate regression analysis (final VI RADS score, minimum ADC by ROI, multiplicity, index tumor shape, TCL and distal ureteric backpressure changes) showed the best AUC (0.944). Conclusions: VI RADS has good diagnostic accuracy regarding muscle invasion; however, this can even be enhanced by including other quantitative and qualitative commonly reported MRI features as a proposed modification to the VI RADS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS NPs), as one of the quantum dots less than 10 nm, possess unique size‐dependent autofluorescence. Excitation of their valence electrons by energy higher than the bandgap reveals the ZnS NPs' inherited photocatalysis with additive cytotoxic consequences of reactive oxygen species (ROS) release. Coupling the cytotoxicity of photoactivated ZnS NPs with their autofluorescence would be a novel theranostic modality, combating superficially accessible carcinoma. Material and methods: After synthesizing and characterization of ZnS NPs, we verified their photocatalysis and electron donation upon UV excitation in degrading organic dye and DNA cleavage, respectively. We then tested the efficacy of UV‐activated ZnS NPs to induce ROS‐dependent apoptosis in squamous cell carcinoma and breast cancer cell lines. Results: The energetic electron–hole pairs generated upon UV excitation of ZnS NPs with the consequent cascade of ROS release revealed potent apoptotic cancer cell deaths, compared with single treatment modalities of nonexcited nanoparticles and UV. Moreover, the inherited luminescence of ZnS NPs enabled visualization of their predominant intracytoplasmic uptake with tracking of their cellular response. Conclusion: The intensified luminescence and the fortified cytotoxicity of photoactivated ZnS NPs enhance their theranostic qualifications, boosting their antitumorigenic use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer remains the one of the most common causes of mortality in humans; thus, cancer treatment is currently a major focus of investigation. Researchers worldwide have been searching for the optimal treatment (the 'magic bullet') that will selectively target cancer, without afflicting significant morbidity. Recent advances in cancer nanotechnology have raised exciting opportunities for specific drug delivery by an emerging class of nanotherapeutics that may be targeted to neoplastic cells, thereby offering a major advantage over conventional chemotherapeutic agents. There are two ways by which targeting of nanoparticles may be achieved, namely passive and active targeting. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of the literature focusing on passive targeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Objectives: Bladder cancer is an important national health problem as it is the leading cancer in men in Egypt. Cystoscopy and biopsy, currently remains the gold standard procedure for diagnosis, yet, it is invasive and costly. Urinary cytopathology remains to be the only non-invasive alternative method for diagnosis. Although it is tumour specific, yet it has a poor sensitivity, especially for low grade tumours. Detection of Telomerase enzyme in exfoliated urinary cells is a potentially good molecular diagnostic marker in bladder cancer, since the catalytic subunit of this enzyme (hTERT) proved to be essential for cellular immortality and oncogenesis. Subjects and Methods: The study comprised 39 patients (36 with urothelial carcinomas and 3 cases were squamous cell carcinoma) with bladder cancer and 22 non cancer control (including 14 patients with benign urological disorders and 8 healthy volunteers). The urine sample was split into two aliquots one was used to undertake RNA extraction and hTERT/GAPDH RT-PCR semiquantitative assay and the second for cytological examination. Cystoscopy was considered the reference standard for the identification of bladder cancer. Results: The hTERT/GAPDH RT-PCR test showed significantly higher diagnostic sensitivity than cytology (84% Vs. 75% p<0.008) for confirmed UCC, particularly for low grade non-muscle invasive UCC (82% Vs. 64% p<0.005). On combining the two tests a sensitivity of 95% was obtained. A positive hTERT expression was detected 4-5 months earlier than cystoscopic evidence of recurrence in 2 patients during their follow up. Conclusion: In this pilot study, detection of hTERT expression in urine has shown to be a more sensitive marker for diagnosis of bladder cancer than cytology. The combination of urinary hTERT mRNA with cytological testing augments the sensitivity for the non-invasive early diagnosis of bladder cancer. This finding warrants further extended study to validate the potential role of hTERT expression as a diagnostic non invasive tool for high risk patients and detection of recurrence in bladder cancer in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and diagnostic utility of transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) in diagnosing diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLDs) in an Egyptian population and to identify common DPLD pathologies among them., Methods: This prospective interventional study enrolled 25 Egyptian patients presenting to the Main Alexandria University Hospital who had clinical and radiological features of DPLD, but insufficient elements to achieve definite features of usual interstitial pneumonia on chest high-resolution computed tomography. Twelve patients were subjected to TBCB and 13 to forceps transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB)., Results: The diagnostic yield was significantly higher among the TBCB group (83.3%), and increased to 100% with clinicopathological correlation vs the TBLB group (38.5%, P =0.041). Granulomatous diseases (24%, either sarcoidosis or hypersensitivity pneumonitis) were the commonest pathology, followed by malignancy (12%) in both groups. TBCB sizes were 2.5-5 mm vs 1-3 mm in TBLB ( P <0.001), with preserved tissue architecture (91.7% vs 38.5%, respectively; P =0.011). Only 8.3% were complicated by insignificant bleeding grade 2 after TBCB, but no pneumothorax was detected., Conclusion: TBCB is a safe, tolerable procedure with high diagnostic yield for evaluating DPLD with indefinite usual interstitial pneumonia pattern on high-resolution computed tomography., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.