Design and implementation of the European-Mediterranean Postgraduate Programme on Organ Donation and Transplantation (EMPODaT) for Middle East/North Africa countries.

This prospective study reports the design and results obtained after the EMPODaT project implementation. This project was funded by the Tempus programme of the European Commission with the objective to implement a common postgraduate programme on organ donation and transplantation (ODT) in six selected universities from Middle East/North Africa (MENA) countries (Egypt, Lebanon and Morocco). The consortium, coordinated by the University of Barcelona, included universities from Spain, Germany, Sweden and France.

Molecular Characterization of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Isolated from Egyptian Patients with Community- and Hospital-Acquired Urinary Tract Infection.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESβLs) pose a serious problem in the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). The ESβL-producing organism is an expanding global health problem. Therefore, screening for ESβL, detection of their drug-resistance pattern, and molecular characterization should be a continuous process.

A Prospective Evaluation of High-Resolution CT Parameters in Predicting Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy Success for Upper Urinary Tract Calculi.

Objective: To evaluate the ability of noncontrast CT parameters (stone size, stone attenuation, and skin-to-stone distance [SSD]) to predict the outcome of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) in a prospective cohort of patients with renal and upper ureteric stones.

Patients And Methods: Patients with stones 5 to 20 mm were prospectively enrolled from 2011 to 2014. Patients had NCCT with recording of stone size, stone mean attenuation, and SSD, as well as various stone and patient parameters.

Effect of endourological procedures on erectile function: a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Many patients offered endourological procedures are concerned about potential sexual dysfunction following endoscopy, and there are scarce published data to support an evidence-based response. We aim to assess possible effects of endourological procedures on sexual activity and erectile function.

Patients And Methods: Sexually active men undergoing cystoscopy and/or upper tract endourological procedures were enrolled and evaluated using the IIEF-5 score and the IPSS, filled the day before and 10 days and 45-60 days after the procedure.

Circulating miRNAs 21 and 221 as biomarkers for early diagnosis of prostate cancer.

To compare the expression of two promising circulating micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs 21 and 221) in patients with prostate cancer to subjects without cancer and to evaluate their potential role as specific noninvasive molecular biomarkers for prostate cancer diagnosis, circulating miRNAs 21 and 221 expression profiles were analyzed in 20 men aged 50-75 years, presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) and undergoing transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy based on either elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (>4.0 ng/ml) or suspicious digital rectal examination (DRE). The performance of miRNAs 21 and 221 in differentiating prostate cancer from nonmalignant cases was evaluated and compared to DRE and elevated PSA.

Effect of multiple access tracts during percutaneous nephrolithotomy on renal function: evaluation of risk factors for renal function deterioration.

Purpose: To assess the impact of multiple access tracts during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) on short- and midterm renal function, and to determine risk factors predicting renal function deterioration and/or recoverability.

Patients And Methods: Patients undergoing PCNL with multiple punctures were prospectively enrolled. Preoperative evaluation included dimercaptosuccinic acid and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid renography.

Antimicrobial therapy for asymptomatic patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen: can the change in prostate-specific antigen reliably guide prostate biopsy decisions?

Objectives: To assess the effects of a 4-week levofloxacin course on PSA in asymptomatic men with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and on prostate biopsy decision.

Methods: Fifty asymptomatic men with elevated PSA (4.0-10.

Rising incidence of acute prostatitis following prostate biopsy: fluoroquinolone resistance and exposure is a significant risk factor.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and potential risk factors for infection-related complications after transrectal prostate biopsy and to propose adjustments in current antimicrobial prophylaxis recommendations.

Methods: During 2008-2010, 107 patients underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies of the prostate at our institution. Charts were reviewed for infection-related complications within 30 days of the procedure.

Prostate cystadenoma presenting with obstructive azoospermia.

We report on a case of prostate multilocular cystadenoma presenting with primary infertility and obstructive azoospermia. Our patient is a 36-year-old presenting with primary infertility in addition to mild deep pelvic pain. Semen analysis revealed azoospermia with positive fructose.

Prevalence of renal cysts in a Middle-Eastern population: an evaluation of characteristics and risk factors.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of renal cysts in a large Middle-Eastern population presenting for a health-screening programme, evaluating cyst characteristics and risk factors for their development.

Patients And Methods: The reported prevalence of renal cysts detected by ultrasonography (US) in the general population is 5.0-20.

Complications of post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testis cancer.

Purpose: Post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC RPLND) is a tool in the management of testis cancer. Our impression has been that the short-term morbidity of standard PC RPLND has diminished with time. Therefore, we attempted to verify this hypothesis by evaluating the morbidity of the procedure in 2 comparable groups of patients from 2 different periods.

Histology in mixed germ cell tumors. Is there a favorite pairing?

Purpose: Mixed germ cell tumors account for approximately 30% to 50% of testicular tumors. To our knowledge a systematic review with statistical analysis of the associations of histological subtypes in mixed germ cell tumors has not been done previously. It was our impression that such associations exist.

Nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Indiana University experience.

Objectives: To report on the short-term morbidity of radical nephrectomy in 32 patients with poorer performance status and more advanced primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Nephrectomy followed by immunotherapy has been shown to improve survival in selected, good performance status patients with metastatic RCC.

Methods: We report on 32 patients who underwent radical nephrectomy (20 open procedures and 12 laparoscopic) in the setting of metastatic RCC at Indiana University between 1999 and 2002.

Does retroperitoneal lymph node dissection have a curative role for patients with sex cord-stromal testicular tumors?

Background: Sex cord-stromal tumors account for < 5% of all adult testicular tumors, and 10% are malignant. Due to the limited reported experience, there is no agreement on the best management, especially in patients who have tumors with malignant pathologic features or who present with metastatic disease. The authors attempt to evaluate the role of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) in the management of patients with these malignant sex cord-stromal tumors.

Is post-chemotherapy resection of seminomatous elements associated with higher acute morbidity?

Purpose: A seminomatous element in patients undergoing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer is associated with a desmoplastic reaction that renders retroperitoneal surgery more challenging. We examined the impact of seminomatous elements on the rate of complications and the need for additional intraoperative procedures in patients undergoing post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

Materials And Methods: The testis cancer data base at our institution was retrospectively reviewed and 1,366 patients were identified who underwent post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection between 1973 and 2001.