High Tumor Burden Predicts Poor Response to Enzalutamide in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Patients.

To assess the predictive value of tumor burden on the biochemical response, and radiological response in Taiwanese metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients receiving enzalutamide. The mCRPC patients treated with enzalutamide were recruited from three hospitals. High tumor burden (HTB) was classified as metastases at either appendicular bone or visceral organ.

Genetic Suppressor Element 1 (GSE1) Promotes the Oncogenic and Recurrent Phenotypes of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer by Targeting Tumor-Associated Calcium Signal Transducer 2 (TACSTD2).

Background: prostate cancer (PCa) is a principal cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Castration resistance and metastasis are clinical challenges and continue to impede therapeutic success, despite diagnostic and therapeutic advances. There are reports of the oncogenic activity of genetic suppressor element (GSE)1 in breast and gastric cancers; however, its role in therapy resistance, metastasis, and susceptibility to disease recurrence in PCa patients remains unclear.

Differential but Concerted Expression of HSD17B2, HSD17B3, SHBG and SRD5A1 Testosterone Tetrad Modulate Therapy Response and Susceptibility to Disease Relapse in Patients with Prostate Cancer.

: Testosterone plays a critical role in prostate development and pathology. However, the impact of the molecular interplay between testosterone-associated genes on therapy response and susceptibility to disease relapse in PCa patients remains underexplored. : This study investigated the role of dysregulated or aberrantly expressed testosterone-associated genes in the enhanced dissemination, phenoconversion, and therapy response of treatment-resistant advanced or recurrent PCa.

Novel robot-assisted laparoscopic total extra-peritoneal repair with primary fascial closure plus pre-peritonea mesh for large groin defects.

Background: Since the introduction of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery, a variety of conventional laparoscopic procedures have been explored via this approach. In the robotic era, most of the reported robot-assisted laparoscopic hernia repairs were performed with the trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal approach. According to the evidence extrapolated from laparoscopic ventral hernia repair, simultaneous fascial defect closure and mesh repair can significantly decrease the risk of seroma formation and recurrence over those without fascial closure.

Feasibility and safety of elective laparoscopic total extraperitoneal preperitoneal groin hernia repair in the elderly: a propensity score-matched comparison.

Background: Several studies of hernia registries have revealed that elderly patients have higher perioperative complication rates compared with younger patients. However, the incidence of hernia increases with the aging process. To evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic hernia repair in elderly patients (≥75 years), we conducted a prospective case-matched control study to compare perioperative outcomes between patients older and younger than 75 years.

Is Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Adrenalectomy a Feasible Alternative in Treating Aldosterone-Producing Adenoma?

. To compare laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) and conventional multiport adrenalectomy in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA). .

Diagnosis and Management of Bladder Outlet Obstruction in Women.

Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) should be considered when a woman complains of voiding difficulty, abdominal straining to void, or refractory storage symptoms. Diagnosis of female BOO is not straightforward and usually requires invasive (video)urodyanmic study. A diagnostic algorithm is recommended for making optimal diagnosis.

Laparoendoscopic single-site adrenalectomy in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism: A prospective study with long-term follow up.

Objective: Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) adrenalectomy is a promising minimally invasive technique, however, the current evidence has not confirmed its long-term effectiveness in primary aldosteronism (PA). We conducted a study to analyze the long-term efficacy of LESS adrenalectomy in patients with PA.

Methods: A total of 49 patients who had been clinically confirmed with PA who had an indication for unilateral adrenalectomy were included in this study.

Reliability and Validity of a Chinese Version of Urinary Tract Infection Symptom Assessment Questionnaire.

Objectives: Our study evaluates the reliability and validity of a Chinese version of the Urinary Tract Infection Symptom Assessment questionnaire (UTISA).

Material And Methods: Our study enrolled women who were diagnosed with uncomplicated urinary tract infection (uUTI) at clinics. The Chinese version of UTISA was completed upon first visit to the clinic for uUTI and at 1-week follow-up.

Feasibility and safety of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery of total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair after previous open groin hernia repair: a comparative study.

Background: This study is aimed at evaluating the feasibility and safety of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) for totally extraperitoneal (TEP) endoscopic hernia surgery after previous open groin hernia repair that may hamper preperitoneal dissection.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 213 consecutive patients undergoing LESS TEP hernia repair between January 2009 and December 2013. The study group consisted of 36 patients with a history of previous open inguinal hernia repair before undergoing LESS TEP hernia repair.

Inter-Observer, Intra-Observer and Intra-Individual Reliability of Uroflowmetry Tests in Aged Men: A Generalizability Theory Approach.

Objectives: To evaluate the inter-observer, intra-observer and intra-individual reliability of uroflowmetry and post-void residual urine (PVR) tests in adult men.

Methods: Healthy volunteers aged over 40 years were enrolled. Every participant underwent two sets of uroflowmetry and PVR tests with a 2-week interval between the tests.

Obese children at higher risk for having overactive bladder symptoms: a community-based study.

Aims: To investigate the association between obesity and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in healthy children.

Methods: Healthy community children (5-12 years) were enrolled to evaluate LUTS and voiding function, and classified by body mass index as being of normal weight, overweight, or obese. A questionnaire was completed by one parent of each child and included baseline characteristics, Dysfunctional Voiding Symptom Score, obstructive sleep apnea-related symptoms, stressful events, and nocturnal enuresis status in the past months.

Are prophylactic antibiotics necessary in patients with preoperative sterile urine undergoing ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy?

Objective: To compare the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics in reducing post-surgical infections in patients undergoing ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy (URSL).

Patients And Methods: The study was a double-blind, prospective, randomized controlled trial. Between 2009 and 2012, 212 patients with preoperative sterile urine undergoing URSL were randomly allocated, in a ratio of 1:1:1:1, to receive prophylactic antibiotics with single-dose i.

Age- and gender-specific nomograms for single and dual post-void residual urine in healthy children.

Purpose: To establish the first age- and gender-specific nomograms for single and two consecutive tests for post-void residual urine (PVR).

Material And Methods: Healthy children aged 4-12 years were enrolled for two sets of uroflowmetry and PVR. The first PVR and the lower value of the two consecutive PVRs of each child with a voided volume ≥50 ml were included for construction of Single- and Dual-PVR nomograms.

Prostate volume did not affect voiding function improvements in diode laser enucleation of the prostate.

Purpose: We compared safety and surgical outcomes in patients with different prostate sizes treated with diode laser enucleation of the prostate.

Materials And Methods: From 2008 to 2012 consecutive patients with benign prostatic obstruction undergoing diode laser prostate enucleation at our institution were enrolled for analysis. A single surgeon performed diode laser prostate enucleation with an end firing, continuous wave diode laser (980 nm).

A comparative study of standard versus laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair.

Background: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has been around since the 1990s. A novel surgical approach known as laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) has been developed to reduce the port-related morbidities and improve the cosmetic outcomes of laparoscopic surgery, including totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the LESS TEP technique for inguinal hernia repair and compare the outcomes with the standard TEP approach.

Advances in non-surgical treatments for urinary tract infections in children.

Objective: With growing antibiotics failure due to emerging resistance of bacteria, non-surgical management of pediatric UTI plays a more important role because of its non-invasive characteristics and little adverse effects.

Methods: We searched the Pubmed for management of UTI in children other than surgical correction and antibiotics using terms: risk factor, prepuce/phimosis, steroid cream/steroid, behavioral therapy, urotherapy, biofeedback/pelvic floor exercise, adrenergic antagonist, anticholinergics, diet/dietary, dysfunctional voiding/dysfunctional elimination syndrome, constipation, dietary, clean intermittent catheterization, probiotics/lactobacillus, cranberry, vitamin supplement, breastfeeding, breast milk, with infant/child/children/pediatrics/pediatrics and urinary tract infection.

Results: The proposed non-surgical management of pediatric UTI included behavioral modification (timed voiding and adequate fluids intake), topical steroid for phimosis, nutrient supplements (breast milk, cranberry, probiotics, and vitamin A), biofeedback training for dysfunctional voiding, anticholinergics for reducing intravesical pressure, alpha-blockers in dysfunctional voiding and neurogenic bladder, and intermittent catheterization for children with large PVR.

Surgical outcomes of mini laparoscopic herniorrhaphy in infants.

Purpose: We compared surgical outcomes of mini laparoscopic and open herniorrhaphy in infants.

Materials And Methods: We enrolled 55 infants undergoing herniorrhaphy, of whom 24 underwent mini laparoscopic herniorrhaphy (bilateral in 17, unilateral in 7) and 31 open herniorrhaphy (bilateral in 9, unilateral in 22). Mean±SD patient age was 7.

Homemade transumbilical port: an alternative access for laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS).

Background: Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) is a possible advancement for minimally invasive surgical interventions. However, this technique requires a specialized multichannel port for introducing laparoscope and instruments. We present our preliminary experience of using a homemade transumbilical single-port access for performing LESS.