Oncological and functional outcome after partial prostate HIFU ablation with Focal-One: a prospective single-center study.

Background: We aimed to evaluate oncological and functional outcomes of index lesion HIFU ablation with Focal-One.

Materials And Methods: We prospectively assessed treatment-naïve men with localized prostate cancer between 2017 and 2019. Inclusion criteria were stage cT ≤ 2, ≥5 years of life expectancy, grade group ≤3.

Treatment with fibrates is associated with higher LAL activity in dyslipidemic patients.

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) is responsible for the hydrolysis of cholesteryl esters (CE) and triglycerides (TG) within the lysosomes; generated cholesterol and free fatty acids (FFA) are released in the cytosol where they can regulate their own synthesis and metabolism. When LAL is not active, as in case of genetic mutations, CE and TG accumulate in the lysosomal compartment, while the lack of release of cholesterol and FFA in the cytosol leads to an upregulation of their synthesis. Thus, LAL plays a central role in the intracellular homeostasis of lipids.

A structured framework for optimizing high-intensity focused ultrasound ablative treatment in localized prostate cancer.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment has recently been pursued to reduce radical treatment-related morbidity in low-to-intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer (PCa), especially in older men. The aim of this study was to develop a dedicated framework for HIFU therapy. All clinical data, such as risk categories, magnetic resonance with functional parametric imaging, and histopathology, are essential for driving proper HIFU treatment.

Is complete anatomical endoscopic laser enucleation of the prostate always necessary? Yes, it is!

Introduction: Thulium laser enucleation of the prostate is gaining popularity due to its short learning curve and low postoperative morbidity. The aim of Thulium laser enucleation of the prostate is the complete endoscopic enucleation of the adenoma. We report an unusual case of bladder outlet obstruction developed 6 weeks after Thulium laser enucleation of the prostate.

Radical cystectomy in frail octogenarians in thoracic continuous spinal anesthesia and analgesia: a pilot study.

Background: Radical cystectomy (RC) is the gold standard therapy in nonmetastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer and is usually performed under general anesthesia (GA). GA is high risk in most older patients due to comorbidities. Continuous spinal anesthesia (CSA) may be an alternative solution to reduce postoperative morbidity in elderly.

Oncological safety and quality of life in men undergoing simultaneous transurethral resection of bladder tumor and prostate: results from a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To assess oncological safety and quality of life (QL) of men undergoing simultaneous transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods: Ninety-five men with a new diagnosis of bladder cancer (BC) and symptomatic BPH were randomized to receive TURBT + tamsulosin (Group 1) or TURBT + TURP (Group 2). Inclusion criteria were age ≤ 75 years, first diagnosis of BC up to 4 cm, and prostate volume ≤ 80 ml.

Impact of hand and face disabilities on global disability and quality of life in systemic sclerosis patients.

Objectives: In systemic sclerosis (SSc), the frequent involvement of hand and face leads to their disability. We aimed to assess influence of hand and face disability on global disability and Health related Quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: 119 SSc patients were assessed for global disability by HAQ, HRQoL, by SF36; hand disability by HAMIS, CHFDS, fist closure and hand opening measures; face disability by MHISS and mouth opening measure.

Changes in serum lipids and blood glucose in non diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome after mixed meals of different composition.

Aims. To investigate the postprandial changes in serum lipoproteins and blood glucose and to verify whether different nutrient composition of the meal elicits different response in patients with (MetS+) and without (MetS-) metabolic syndrome. Research Design and Methods.

Is thyroid-stimulating hormone within the normal reference range a risk factor for atherosclerosis in women?

The relationship between overt hypothyroidism and cardiovascular risk has been well documented and some data also suggest an association between cardiovascular risk and subclinical hypothyroidism. The aim of our study was to investigate, in a large cohort of euthyroid women, the association of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) within the normal reference range with cardiovascular risk factors. The study was carried out on 744 women with normal thyroid function (TSH 0.

Hypercoagulability in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus detected by a thrombin generation assay.

Diabetes is a risk factor for the development of atherothrombosis and venous thromboembolism (VTE). We investigated whether plasma from patients with type 2 diabetes has an imbalance of pro- versus anti-coagulation resulting in hypercoagulability despite normal conventional coagulation tests. We analyzed blood samples from 60 patients with type 2 diabetes and 60 gender- and age-matched healthy subjects (controls) for the levels of pro- and anti-coagulant factors, for thrombin generation and for the numbers of cell-derived circulating microparticles bearing such pro-coagulant triggers as tissue factor and negatively charged phospholipids.

Effects of moderate variations in the macronutrient content of the diet on cardiovascular disease risk factors in obese patients with the metabolic syndrome.

Background: The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of abnormalities that is accompanied by a 2-fold increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease. Even if there is full agreement that lifestyle changes to induce weight loss are the first-line approach, the ideal diet for the treatment of the metabolic syndrome remains uncertain.

Objective: The objective was to compare the effects of 2 diets on cardiovascular disease risk factors in obese patients with the metabolic syndrome.

Changes in serum triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein concentration and composition after a low-fat mixed meal. Effects of gender and insulin resistance.

Objective: Postprandial lipemia is generally studied after a test meal that provides most of the calories as fat and that does not reflect the common food intake. We investigated postprandial changes in serum triglycerides (TG) and in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration and composition after a regular meal poor in fat (30% of calories).

Methods: Fifty-four women and 54 men had breakfast at 8:00 a.

Early peripheral nerve abnormalities in impaired glucose tolerance.

Increased prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) has been recently detected in patients with painful sensory neuropathy. To determine whether nerve abnormalities are present in IGT we investigated IGT subjects without clinical neuropathy. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) were performed in 12 subjects with IGT without symptoms and signs of neuropathy.

Effects of simvastatin on blood pressure in hypercholesterolemic patients: An open-label study in patients with hypertension or normotension.

Background: Simvastatin has been reported to improve endotheliumdependent vascular relaxation in patients with hypercholesterolemia. The consequent decrease in arterial stiffness might be associated with a decrease in blood pressure (BP).

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether simvastatin 20 and 40 mg/d have an effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively) in patients with hypercholesterolemia, and, if so, whether the effect is dose dependent and/or is related to the changes in the serum lipid profile.

Elevated expression of tyrosine kinase DDR2 in primary biliary cirrhosis.

Background: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is characterized by chronic progressive destruction of small intrahepatic bile ducts with portal inflammation and cholestasis, leading to fibrosis.

Methods: We utilized a novel restriction analysis system to profile the expression of tyrosine kinases (TKs). This methodology targets a conserved sequence present in the majority of human TKs, and exploits the known restriction map of the TK cDNA sequences.

Massive spontaneous perirenal hematoma and accelerated hypertension in a patient with polyarteritis nodosa.

A 43-year-old Albanian man is presented who underwent nephrectomy for a huge right spontaneous perirenal hematoma. The diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa as the etiology of the hematoma has been made only by histological examination, because of the quick and unforeseeable onset of this complication and the nonspecificity of symptoms. We hypothesize a relationship between reactivation of polyarteritis nodosa and treatment with rifampicin and isoniazid.

[Transrectal prostatic biopsy with "end-fire" endovaginal probe].

Objective: Sextant ultrasound-guided biopsy is still the standard way for the diagnosis of prostate cancer, although there have been several modifications. We report our experience using a 7.5 MHz endovaginal "end-fire" probe in patients undergoing prostate biopsy because of clinical findings suggestive of prostate cancer (abnormal digital rectal examination and/or elevated prostate specific antigen).

Atorvastatin increases HDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients. Evidence of a relationship with baseline HDL cholesterol.

Background And Aim: It has been reported that atorvastatin increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) more in patients with low than in those with high baseline HDL-C levels. This may have a biological explanation, but also suggests a statistical artifact known as the regression to the mean.

Methods And Results: Atorvastatin 10 mg/day led to a 4% increase in HDL-C after two months in 67/121 patients with hypercholesterolemia (55%), who had lower baseline HDL-C levels than the patients in whom HDL-C did not increase.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha promoter polymorphisms and insulin resistance in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background & Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which can range from fatty liver alone to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis, is related to insulin resistance. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) may induce insulin resistance, and polymorphisms of its promoter have been associated with an increased release of this cytokine. We analyzed (1) the prevalence of insulin resistance, (2) the prevalence of the 238 and 308 TNF-alpha polymorphisms, and (3) the relationship among TNF-alpha polymorphisms, insulin resistance, and the occurrence of steatohepatitis in 99 patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver diagnosed by ultrasonography and confirmed by histologic analysis in the 53 who underwent biopsy.