Evaluation of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, interleukin-18, and cystatin C as molecular markers before and after unilateral shock wave lithotripsy.

Objective: To investigate the impact of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) on renal tissues using neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), cystatin C, and interleukin 18 (IL-18) levels in serum and urine and to examine the relationship of these biomarkers with patient and calculus characteristics as well as SWL treatment parameters.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-seven patients with renal calculi were included in this study. Blood and urine samples were attained from each patient at 4 time points; immediately before SWL, 6 hours after, 3 days after, and 10 days after the SWL.

Expression profile of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 enzymes in colon and bladder tumors.

Background: The cytochrome P450 CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 enzymes are involved in carcinogenesis via activation of pro-carcinogenic compounds to carcinogenic metabolites. CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 have shown elevated levels in human tumors as determined by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical studies. However studies that have examined CYP1 expression by enzyme activity assays are limited.

Expression of p53 family genes in urinary bladder cancer: correlation with disease aggressiveness and recurrence.

p53 is a tumour suppressor gene with an established role in the majority of human neoplasias. Its homologues-p63 and p73-cannot be classified as tumour suppressors, since they encode isoforms with oncogenic properties as well. p63 plays a crucial role in epithelial cell differentiation and p73 is essential for neuronal cell development.

Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma of the bladder: a rare malignancy.

In 2004, the WHO recognized the plasmacytoid subtype as a distinct variant of vesical malignancy. We present a case of plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma of the bladder treated with radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy, thus achieving long-term survival. A 70-year-old woman presented with persistent dysuria and underwent cystoscopy which revealed the presence of diffuse deformity, involving the right lateral vesical wall.

Prospective comparative study of endoscopic management of bladder lithiasis: is prostate surgery a necessary adjunct?

Objectives: To present the results of a prospective study comparing transurethral cystolithotripsy and simultaneous transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), with transurethral cystolithotripsy and medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The traditional dogma that bladder lithiasis constitutes an absolute indication for prostatic surgery has recently been questioned.

Methods: A total of 64 patients with bladder calculi were included in the present study.

Safety of ultrasound-guided transrectal extended prostate biopsy in patients receiving low-dose aspirin.

Purpose: To determine whether the peri-procedural administration of low-dose aspirin increases the risk of bleeding complications for patients undergoing extended prostate biopsies.

Materials And Methods: From February 2007 to September 2008, 530 men undergoing extended needle biopsies were divided in two groups; those receiving aspirin and those not receiving aspirin. The morbidity of the procedure, with emphasis on hemorrhagic complications, was assessed prospectively using two standardized questionnaires.

Mutational analysis of the BRAF gene in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Purpose: Mutational activation of the MAP kinase pathway is frequently found in many types of cancer. Recently, activating mutations in the BRAF gene, an important activator of this pathway, have been described in several tumor types including melanoma, colorectal and papillary thyroid cancer. The most frequent mutation in exon 15 (V600E) as well as several other mutations within exons 11 and 15 result in constitutive activation of the oncoprotein.

Expression analysis of peptide growth factors VEGF, FGF2, TGFB1, EGF and IGF1 in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Peptide growth factors play an important role in several intracellular processes, such as cellular growth and differentiation, angiogenesis and apoptosis, as well as in carcinogenesis, since they contribute significantly to the malignant transformation. The prostate gland is abundant in growth factors. The two most known prostatic diseases, prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), are among the most common diseases that affect elderly men.

Deregulation of p73 isoform equilibrium in benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer.

p73, a p53 homologue important for growth suppression, differentiation and induction of apoptosis, utilizes different promoters and undergoes alternative splicing to produce several isoforms differing in their ability to overlap p53 functions. Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to assess the mRNA levels of p53, p73 (total and isoforms specific for exons 2 and 13), MDM2, CDKN1A and beta2-microglobulin as internal control, we analyzed 35 prostate carcinomas and 44 benign prostate hyperplasias (BPH) compared to 14 normal prostates. Shift of p73 isoform mRNA levels from exon 13 lacking to exon 13 containing copies was observed in 80% of prostate cancer cases and in 52.