Protein Expression Profiles among Lichen Sclerosus Urethral Strictures-Can Urethroplasty Success be Predicted?

Purpose: Urethroplasty of lichen sclerosus strictures has a significantly higher failure rate than strictures due to other causes. We sought to determine predictors of urethroplasty failure in men with lichen sclerosus urethral stricture disease by evaluating protein expression profiles.

Materials And Methods: Urethral tissue was excised from patients with lichen sclerosus who were undergoing urethroplasty of urethral stricture disease at a single institution.

MicroRNA Expression Profiles in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Differentiate Tumor Grade, Stage, and Survival: Implications for Clinical Decision-Making.

Objective: To evaluate microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) to improve risk stratification.

Methods: miRNA was isolated from 157 radical nephroureterectomy specimens from 2 institutions. The relative expression of miRNA was examined for high grade vs low grade tumors as well as muscle invasive vs nonmuscle invasive tumors.

An Analysis of Staging and Treatment Trends for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma in the National Cancer Database.

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze contemporary trends for diagnosis and treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Patients And Methods: We identified all cases of UTUC in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) between 2004 and 2013. Data comprising tumor, patient, and facility factors were extracted.

Management of Urethral Stricture and Bladder Neck Contracture Following Primary and Salvage Treatment of Prostate Cancer.

Purpose Of Review: This article discusses the incidence, evaluation, and treatment of bladder outlet obstruction from urethral stricture, vesicourethral anastomotic stricture, and bladder neck contracture following primary and salvage treatment of prostate cancer.

Recent Findings: Rates of stenosis after prostate cancer treatment appear similar across all primary treatment modalities including radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, cryoablation, and high-intensity focused ultrasound in contemporary series. Urethral dilation and urethrotomy continue to report moderate patency rates.

Use of Alternative Techniques and Grafts in Urethroplasty.

The current management for complex urethral strictures commonly uses open reconstruction with buccal mucosa urethroplasty. However, there are multiple situations whereby buccal mucosa is inadequate (eg, pan-urethral stricture or prior buccal harvest) or inappropriate for utilization (eg, heavy tobacco use or oral radiation). Multiple options exist for use as alternatives or adjuncts to buccal mucosa in complex urethral strictures.

Short- and Long-term Complications and Outcomes of Radiation and Surgically Induced Rectourethral Fistula Repair With Buccal Mucosa Graft and Muscle Interposition Flap.

Objective: To analyze and report 30-day, 90-day, and long-term complications and surgical outcomes over a 17-year period for anterior transperineal repair of rectourethral fistulas (RUFs) resulting from pelvic radiation and surgery.

Materials And Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing RUF repair between January 1, 1998 and February 28, 2015, at a single institution. All RUF were repaired using an anterior transperineal approach with an interposition muscle flap and selective use of a buccal mucosa graft onlay.

Management of Radiation Anterior Prostato-symphyseal Fistulas With Interposition Rectus Abdominis Muscle Flap.

Objective: To describe a novel, organ-sparing approach for reconstruction of radiation-induced anterior prostato-symphyseal fistulas (PSFs) at our institution over a consecutive 10-year period.

Materials And Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing surgical reconstruction for anterior PSF between January 1, 2006 and October 31, 2015. Patient demographics as well as preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were reviewed, including etiology of fistula, surgical management, and outcomes.

Rho-kinase inhibition attenuates calcium-induced contraction in β-escin but not Triton X-100 permeabilized rabbit femoral artery.

K+-depolarization (KCl) of smooth muscle has long been known to cause Ca2+-dependent contraction, but only recently has this G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-independent stimulus been associated with rhoA kinase (ROCK)-dependent myosin light chain (MLC) phosphatase inhibition and Ca2+ sensitization. This study examined effects of ROCK inhibition on the concentration-response curves (CRCs) generated in femoral artery by incrementally adding increasing concentrations of KCl to intact tissues, and Ca2+ to tissues permeabilized with Triton X-100, β-escin and α-toxin. For a comparison, tissue responses were assessed also in the presence of protein kinase C (PKC) and MLC kinase inhibition.