Low vitamin K1 intake in haemodialysis patients.

Background & Aims: Vitamin K acts as a coenzyme in the γ-carboxylation of vitamin K-dependent proteins, including coagulation factors, osteocalcin, matrix Gla protein (MGP), and the growth arrest-specific 6 (GAS6) protein. Osteocalcin is a key factor for bone matrix formation. MGP is a local inhibitor of soft tissue calcification.

Margin and complication rates in clampless partial nephrectomy: a comparison of open, laparoscopic and robotic surgeries.

In performing partial nephrectomy (PN), surgeons focus on complete removal of tumor, preservation of renal function, the absence of major perioperative complications, expressed by the formula margin, ischemia and complication (MIC). The aim of current study was to perform a single-institution comparison of clampless open (OPN), laparoscopic (LPN) or robot-assisted (RAPN) PN as well as to evaluate pre-, intra- and postoperative factors that may influence achievement of ideal MIC. All consecutive clampless OPN, LPN or RAPN performed by experienced surgeons between 2006 and 2015 were included in the analysis.

Evaluation of electrospun bioresorbable scaffolds for tissue-engineered urinary bladder augmentation.

Tissue engineering represents a potential and valuable approach for the treatment of urologic pathologies. Bioresorbable polymeric scaffolds can be regarded as effective platforms to surgically treat bladder diseases and subsequently guide the formation of novel tissue after implantation. To this aim, the evaluation of electrospun scaffolds made up of poly(ε-caprolactone) blended with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) is presented here.

Onabotulinumtoxin-A intradetrusorial injections modulate bladder expression of NGF, TrkA, p75 and TRPV1 in patients with detrusor overactivity.

How onabotulinumtoxinA (onab/A) injected in the detrusor muscle improves detrusor overactivity (DO) is still a matter of debate. Nerve growth factor (NGF) seems to play a role in determining urgency and DO. Recent studies showed that NGF decreases in patients with DO who respond to onab/A treatment.

Efficacy of venom immunotherapy given every 3 or 4 months: a prospective comparison with the conventional regimen.

Background: Standard venom immunotherapy involves the administration of the maintenance dose every 4 to 6 weeks. This regimen may have adherence problems, especially in the long term; thus, extended intervals have been proposed.

Objective: We prospectively compared the efficacy of 3- or 4-month extended maintenance dose vs the conventional regimen.

Repeated white light transurethral resection of the bladder in nonmuscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancers: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Purpose: Transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB), the first step in treatment of patients with urothelial bladder cancers, is limited by technicalities, surgeon skill, and random chance. When high-risk superficial diseases are discovered, a repeated TURB is indicated. We reviewed current literature and performed a meta-analysis of the role of repeated TURB in the management of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancers.

Managing mesh erosion after abdominal pelvic organ prolapse repair: ten years' experience in a single center.

Objective: To report conservative and surgical strategies for treatment of mesh erosion after pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair.

Methods: Between 1998 and 2008, 179 patients underwent integral pelvic floor reconstruction for advanced POP in our tertiary urogynecological unit. Patients' charts and follow-up data were entered into a computerized database and data analysis performed to search for mesh erosion/complications/surgery.

Vascular therapy for radiation cystitis.

Purpose: The underlying pathology of radiation cystitis is cellular and vascular damage followed by increased fibrosis and inflammation. This study was to determine if neovascular-promoting therapy could reduce the pathological changes in the bladder wall associated with pelvic irradiation.

Methods: Adult female Lewis inbred rats were irradiated with a single dose of 20 Gy directed at their bladder.

Preoperative Valsalva leak point pressure may not predict outcome of mid-urethral slings. Analysis from a randomized controlled trial of retropubic versus transobturator mid-urethral slings.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that preoperative Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) predicts long-term outcome of mid-urethra slings for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Materials And Methods: One hundred and forty-five patients with SUI were prospectively randomized to two mid-urethra sling treatments: Tension free vaginal tape (TVT) or transobturator tape (TOT). They were followed-up at 3, 6, 12 months post-operatively and then annually for the primary outcome variable, i.

Voiding dysfunction after radical retropubic prostatectomy: more than external urethral sphincter deficiency.

Objectives: To analyse the relationship between RRP and urodynamic bladder dysfunction, and compare preoperative and postoperative functional status over long-term follow-up. Hypothesis on the pathophysiologic mechanism underlying urodynamic dysfunction has been reported.

Methods: PubMed databank search for original articles followed by review of urodynamic parameters: bladder filling sensation, detrusor overactivity, bladder compliance, cystometric bladder capacity, impaired detrusor contractility, bladder outlet obstruction, urinary incontinence.

Are the baseline chances of survival comparable between the candidates for kidney transplantation who actually receive a graft and those who never get one?

Background: The superiority of kidney transplantation over dialysis for patient survival often is assessed by comparing the survival rate of candidates who get a graft to that of those on the waiting list who do not. This study tries to ascertain if the two groups are comparable in terms of their chances of surviving.

Methods: Of the 187 non-diabetic patients who entered our waiting list during 1998 and 1999 for first cadaveric kidney transplants, 81 received a graft and 106 did not.