The effect of an antifibrotic agent, pirfenidone, on penile erectile function in an experimental rat model of ischemic priapism.

To date, no effective medical approach for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) secondary to ischemic priapism (IP) has been described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and antioxidant effects of pirfenidone (PFD) on cavernosal tissue in a rat model of IP. Forty-eight male albino rats aged 8-10 months, with mean weights of 410 ± 18.

Comparison of intraoperative and postoperative complications based on ASA risks in patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Objective: In this study we aimed to evaluate intraoperative and postoperative complications which developed according to pre-operative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) risk criteria in patients who had undergone percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL).

Material And Methods: Five hundred and sixty patients who had undergone PNL between 2002 and 2014 were included in the study. Patients operated on the ipsilateral kidney, those with solitary kidney or the cases who had previously undergone more than one access were excluded from this study.

The protective effects of tadalafil on renal damage following ischemia reperfusion injury in rats.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury can cause renal damage, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors are reported to regulate antioxidant activity. We investigated the prevention of renal damage using tadalafil after renal ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. A total of 21 adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups of seven, including Group 1-control, Group 2-I/R, and Group 3-tadalafil + I/R group (I/R-T group) received tadalafil intraperitoneally at 30 minutes before ischemia.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and erectile dysfunction: does long term continuous positive airway pressure therapy improve erections?

Objectives: The aim of this age-matched, controlled, prospective clinical study was to investigate frequency and degree of erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to evaluate the results of only continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on ED in patients with OSAS.

Materials And Methods: A total of 90 patients were evaluated for potential OSAS. They were given an International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (IIEF) and Beck Depression Inventory.

The cutoff level of free/total prostate specific antigen (f/t PSA) ratios in the diagnosis of prostate cancer: a validation study on a Turkish patient population in different age categories.

We investigated an optimal cutoff level of free/total PSA ratios (f/t PSA) in predicting prostate cancer in different age groups, focusing on the avoidance of unnecessary prostate biopsies. A total of 4955 men were enrolled into the study. Serum tPSA, fPSA, and f/t PSA ratios were determined for the study population.

Low-power holmium:YAG laser urethrotomy for urethral stricture disease: comparison of outcomes with the cold-knife technique.

In this prospective randomized clinical trial, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endourethrotomy with holmium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (HO:YAG) laser and compare the outcomes with the conventional cold-knife urethrotomy. Fifty-one male patients with single, iatrogenic, annular strictures of the urethra were randomly divided into two groups; 21 patients who underwent direct-vision endoscopic urethrotomy with Ho:YAG laser (15 W; 1,200-1,400 mJ; 8-12 Hz) at 12 o'clock position (laser group) and 30 patients who underwent direct-vision endoscopic urethrotomy with cold-knife incision at 12 o'clock position (cold-knife group). The results obtained were analyzed and compared at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months postoperatively by clinical evaluation, uroflowmetry, and retrograde urethrographies.

Postoperative adhesions after application of topical hemostatic agents: outcomes in a rat partial nephrectomy model.

Objective: To compare 3 kinds of topical hemostatic agents in terms of adhesive strength, control of hemorrhage, and postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions in an experimental partial nephrectomy (PN) model.

Methods: A total of 27 Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups. PN was performed in 6 rats (control group) with the conventional technique, in which the lower pole of the kidney was excised and sutured after hilar control.

Long-term fluoroquinolone use before the prostate biopsy may increase the risk of sepsis caused by resistant microorganisms.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of long-term fluoroquinolone treatment before the biopsy in terms of post procedure sepsis. Three-week fluoroquinolone management before the biopsy may lower serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and prevent unnecessary biopsies.

Methods: A total of 558 patients were referred to our clinic for transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy.

Chronic pulmonary diseases are independent risk factors for complications after radical nephrectomy.

Aim: We aimed to identify the prognostic factors and the new parameters such as Charlson's comorbidity index (CCI) that might predict postoperative complication rates in a radical nephrectomy cohort. We also evaluated the correlation of CCI with the Clavien postoperative complication scale (CPCS).

Materials And Methods: Perioperative characteristics of 47 patients undergoing radical nephrectomy were recorded.

Pain perception during shock wave lithotripsy: does it correlate with patient and stone characteristics?

Background: To investigate the correlation of various clinical parameters [number of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) sessions, body mass index, patient age, gender, and stone characteristics] with pain perception during the SWL procedure.

Methods: A total of 88 patients who underwent 165 SWL sessions for renal or ureteral stones in our institution were included in the study. The degree of pain perception during the procedure was evaluated with a 10-point visual analog scale.

Prognostic factors in penile cancer.

Objectives: To review the published data concerning the prognostic factors in patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods: We performed an extensive literature search using the MEDLINE databases. Multiple "free text" searches were performed, searching for the following terms individually in the fields title and abstract of the records: "squamous cell carcinoma," "penile cancer" and "prognostic factors.

Effect of Statins on Serum Prostate-specific Antigen Levels.

Objectives: The use of statins, which are cholesterol-lowering drugs, has increased significantly during the last decade. In this study, we investigate the effect of statins on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in men participating in a prostate cancer screening event.

Methods: A cohort of 4903 men who participated in Prostate Cancer Awareness Week in the years 2007 or 2008 were enrolled in this study from multiple clinical institutions.

Fournier's gangrene: overview of prognostic factors and definition of new prognostic parameter.

Objectives: To identify the prognostic factors and the new parameters that might predict a worse outcome in nonsurvivors compared with survivors of Fournier's gangrene (FG) and evaluated the validity of the Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index (FGSI) in patients with FG.

Methods: The medical records of 18 patients with FG who were treated and followed up in our clinic were reviewed. Data were collected in terms of medical history, symptoms, and physical examination findings.

Comparison of the analgesic effects of dexketoprofen and diclofenac during shockwave lithotripsy: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

Background And Purpose: This prospective, randomized, and double-blind clinical study aimed to assess the analgesic efficacy of single-dose intramuscular (IM) injection of dexketoprofen (group DE) compared with single-dose IM injection of diclofenac (group DI) in patients who were undergoing shockwave lithotripsy (SWL).

Patients And Methods: A total of 70 men with single renal or ureteral stones were randomly separated into two groups. The 40 men in group DI received 75 mg IM diclofenac sodium and 30 men in Group DE received 50 mg IM dexketoprofen trometamol 30 minutes before SWL.

Protective value of a folkloric medicinal plant extract against mortality and hemorrhage in a life-threatening renal trauma model.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of a folkloric medicinal plant extract (Ankaferd Blood Stopper [ABS]) with that of oxidized cellulose (Surgicel) in a life-threatening renal injury model. ABS is a mixture of 5 plants that has historically been used in Turkish traditional medicine. It has been approved by the Ministry of Health to manage external hemorrhage and dental surgery bleeding in Turkey.

Vardenafil reduces testicular damage following ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

We investigated the effect of intraperitoneal vardenafil (1 mg/kg) administration during an ischemic period in a rat model of testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D). Twenty-one adult Wistar rats were equally randomized into a control group, a T/D group and a vardenafil group. The control group was designed to collect basal values for biochemical and histopathological parameters.

eNOS gene intron 4 VNTR and exon 7-G894T polymorphisms in Turkish men with erectile dysfunction: a case control study.

Introduction: The associations between the gene polymorphisms and erectile dysfunction (ED) are limited.

Aim: To examine a potential association between variable number of tandem repeats (intron 4 VNTR), G894T polymorphisms, and ED in Turkish men.

Methods: Sixty-four men with ED and 82 healthy men as a control group were included in the study.

Diagnostic value of serum ghrelin levels in prostate cancer.

Purpose: Expression of recently identified growth hormone-releasing peptide, ghrelin, and its receptor has been demonstrated in prostate cancer (PCA) cell lines. It was also shown that ghrelin has increased cell proliferation in vitro when added to PCA cell lines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum ghrelin levels in detection of PCA.

Stone formation on surgical staple in the bladder: a long-term complication of laparoscopic colposuspension.

We present a case of a bladder stone that developed around a surgical staple after laparoscopic colposuspension. The patient had undergone laparoscopic colposuspension for stress urinary incontinence at another institution 6 years ago. The hernia mesh and a tacker had been used as a surgical stapler.

Values for free/total prostate-specific antigen ratio as a function of age: necessity of reference validation in a Turkish population.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate age-related changes in free/total prostate-specific antigen (f/t PSA) ratio, focusing on the avoidance of unnecessary prostate biopsies.

Methods: A total of 898 men aged 30-88 years without a history of prostate surgery and disease were enrolled into the study. Serum tPSA, fPSA and f/t PSA ratios were determined for the study population and for different age categories.

Bone metabolism and new targets for intervention.

Bone metastasis is a common complication of prostate cancer and is associated with significant morbidity for patients. Bone metabolism and prostate cancer metastasis to bone are complex processes. The interactions between host cells and metastatic prostate cancer cells are important components of organ-specific cancer progression.

Correlations between the ICIQ-SF score and urodynamic findings.

Aims: The primary aim of this prospective study was to examine the correlations between "The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF)" score and urodynamic findings in patients with urge incontinence. In addition, we aimed to observe the alterations of these parameters with antimuscarinic therapy.

Methods: Between January and December 2005, patients referred to our department with urge incontinence were examined.

Partial nephrectomy using a monopolar radiofrequency device: an animal model.

Objectives: To compare the use of radiofrequency (RF) and electrocautery in partial nephrectomy without renal artery clamping for bleeding and tissue destruction.

Methods: Sixteen adult rabbits were randomized into two groups. Partial nephrectomy using a monopolar RF device without renal artery clamping was performed in 8 rabbits (RF group) and partial nephrectomy using electrocautery was performed in the rest (cautery group).

Treatment of localized prostate cancer.

This article provides an overview of treatment of localized prostate cancer, which was discussed in detail in the second scientific session of the 16th International Prostate Cancer Update. The role of radical prostatectomy in localized disease was presented by Bob Djavan, MD. Benefits and risks of radical prostatectomy were addressed by Gerald Chodak, MD.

Effects of ethanol on intracorporeal structures of the rat.

Objective: Previous studies demonstrated that acute in vitro exposure of corpus cavernosal tissue to ethanol decreased its response to field stimulation and pharmacological stimulation. In the present study we investigated the effects of chronic ethanol consumption on the ultrastructure of cavernosal smooth muscle cells, elastic fibres and collagen content.

Material And Methods: Fourteen adult wistar rats were divided into a control group (n = 7, fed a standard diet and tap water) and an alcoholic group (n = 7, fed a standard diet and 5% (v/v) ethanol in drinking water and by increasing the ethanol concentration for every week, at the end of 6th week 30% (v/v) ethanol concentration was attained.