Effects of cycling and rowing on serum concentrations of prostate-specific antigen: A randomized study of 101 male subjects.

Objective: To determine the effects if cycling and rowing on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.

Methods: Male volunteers (n = 101), aged 20-80 (mean, 49.9) years were randomized to exercise at the first or second study visit.

Ten years of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome in the era of α-blockers.

Introduction: The use of alpha-1 receptor antagonists in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has created a problem in ophthalmic surgery, the so-called intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS). This consists of a billowing iris, insufficient pupillary dilation with progressive intraoperative miosis, and protrusion of iris tissue through the tunnel and side port incision that are made for access to the anterior chamber during surgery. IFIS presents particular difficulties in cataract surgery which is carried out through the pupil with manipulations in the immediate vicinity of the iris.

The Impact of Gender on Tumour Stage in In-House Complications and Choice of Urinary Diversion: Results of the Austrian Cystectomy Registry.

Introduction And Objectives: Bladder cancer is characterized by gender-dependent disparities. To further address this issue, we analysed a prospective, multicentre cystectomy registry.

Methods: An online database was developed that included patient demographics, intra/perioperative data, surgical data and in-house complications.

Activators and stimulators of soluble guanylate cyclase counteract myofibroblast differentiation of prostatic and dermal stromal cells.

Background: Fibrotic diseases encompass numerous systemic and organ-specific disorders characterized by the development and persistence of myofibroblasts. TGFβ1 is considered the key inducer of fibrosis and drives myofibroblast differentiation in cells of diverse histological origin by a pro-oxidant shift in redox homeostasis associated with decreased nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP signaling. Thus, enhancement of NO/cGMP represents a potential therapeutic strategy to target myofibroblast activation and therefore fibrosis.

A new method to process testicular sperm: combining enzymatic digestion, accumulation of spermatozoa, and stimulation of motility.

Purpose: In azoospermia processing of the TESE material often results in a sample of reduced purity. This prospective study was set up to clarify whether a combination of enzymatic digestion, density gradient centrifugation and stimulation of motility (where indicated) is a feasible option in TESE patients.

Methods: A total of 63 samples (showing spermatozoa) were processed by the present tripartite processing method.

Pfannenstiel incision for radical retropubic prostatectomy as a surgical and cosmetic alternative to the midline or laparoscopic approach: A single center study.

Objectives: The Pfannenstiel incision is not a very common approach for radical retropubic prostatectomy (RPE). This study is primarily dealing with the approach to the prostate.

Material And Methods: A 10-12 cm Pfannenstiel incision was made 2 fingers above the pubic bone.

Combination of lidocaine suppository and periprostatic nerve block during transrectal prostate biopsy: a prospective randomized trial.

Objective: To assess the most effective local analgesia during transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.

Methods: A total of 123 consecutive patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy for elevated prostate-specific antigen levels and/or a suspicious digital rectal examination were randomized to three groups. Patients received a 60-mg lidocaine suppository (group 1, n = 41), a periprostatic nerve block (10-mL injection of lidocaine hydrochloride; group 2, n = 41) or a combination of both (group 3, n = 41) before a 10-core transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy.

Unexpected Multidrug Resistance of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Urine Samples: A Single-Center Study.

Purpose: Infections of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are becoming an increasingly concerning clinical problem. The aim of this study was to assess the development of MRSA in urine cultures in a major public university-affiliated hospital and the therapeutical and hygiene-related possibilities for reducing resistance.

Materials And Methods: This study included 243 samples from patients diagnosed with MRSA infection over a period of 6 years.

Dickkopf-related protein 3 promotes pathogenic stromal remodeling in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.

Background: Compartment-specific epithelial and stromal expression of the secreted glycoprotein Dickkopf-related protein (Dkk)-3 is altered in age-related proliferative disorders of the human prostate. This study aimed to determine the effect of Dkk-3 on prostate stromal remodeling that is stromal proliferation, fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation and expression of angiogenic factors in vitro.

Methods: Lentiviral-delivered overexpression and shRNA-mediated knockdown of DKK3 were applied to primary human prostatic stromal cells (PrSCs).

Stromal insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) is elevated in the diseased human prostate and promotes ex vivo fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation.

Dysregulation of the IGF axis is implicated in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa), 2 of the most common diseases affecting elderly males. PCa is the second leading cause of male-related cancer death in Western societies. Although distinct pathologies, BPH and PCa are both characterized by extensive stromal remodeling, in particular fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation, thought to be induced by elevated local production of TGFβ1.

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibition reverts prostate fibroblast-to-myofibroblast trans-differentiation.

Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors have been demonstrated to improve lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Because BPH is primarily driven by fibroblast-to-myofibroblast trans-differentiation, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of the PDE5 inhibitor vardenafil to inhibit and reverse trans-differentiation of primary human prostatic stromal cells (PrSC). Vardenafil, sodium nitroprusside, lentiviral-delivered short hairpin RNA-mediated PDE5 knockdown, sodium orthovanadate, and inhibitors of MAPK kinase, protein kinase G, Ras homolog family member (Rho) A, RhoA/Rho kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase and protein kinase B (AKT) were applied to PrSC treated with basic fibroblast growth factor (fibroblasts) or TGFβ1 (myofibroblasts) in vitro, in chicken chorioallantoic membrane xenografts in vivo, and to prostatic organoids ex vivo.

New method for differentiating chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome IIIA from IIIB involving seminal macrophages and monocytes.

Objectives: To evaluate a new method for differentiating inflammatory from noninflammatory prostatitis using the simple and rapid quantification of seminal macrophages and monocytes.

Methods: Patients affected with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) were classified as having the IIIA (n = 11) and IIIB (n = 30) subtypes according to the peroxidase positive leukocyte concentration in semen; 18 healthy individuals served as controls. Seminal inflammatory markers, including polymorphonuclear elastase, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, and numbers of macrophages/monocytes (MMs) per 50 fields of 1000 × magnification (high-power field [hpf]), were determined for all patients.

Decreased levels of genuine large free hCG alpha in men presenting with abnormal semen analysis.

Background: The pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its free subunits (hCG alpha, hCG beta) are produced in the male reproductive tract and found in high concentrations in seminal fluid, in particular hCG alpha. This study aimed to elucidate changes in peptide hormone profiles in patients showing abnormal semen analyses and to determine the genuineness of the highly abundant hCG alpha.

Methods: Seminal plasma was obtained from 45 male patients undergoing semen analysis during infertility workups.

ROS signaling by NOX4 drives fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation in the diseased prostatic stroma.

Stromal remodeling, in particular fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation, is a hallmark of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and solid tumors, including prostate cancer (PCa). Increased local production of TGFβ1 is considered the inducing stimulus. Given that stromal remodeling actively promotes BPH/PCa development, there is considerable interest in developing stromal-targeted therapies.

Molecular analysis of guanidinoacetate-n-methyltransferase (GAMT) and creatine transporter (SLC6A8) gene by using denaturing high pressure liquid chromatography (DHPLC) as a possible source of human male infertility.

The creatine/phosphocreatine system is essential for cellular phosphate coupled energy storage and production, particularly in tissues subject to high metabolic demands. Male factor infertility is a common condition with unknown etiology in most of the cases. Sperm abnormalities could possibly lead to infertility.

Attenuated proliferation and trans-differentiation of prostatic stromal cells indicate suitability of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for prevention and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterized by tissue overgrowth and stromal reorganization primarily due to cellular proliferation and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast trans-differentiation. To evaluate the potential of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors like tadalafil for prevention and treatment of BPH, we analyzed the role of the nitric oxide/cyclic GMP (cGMP)/PDE5 pathway for cellular proliferation and TGFbeta1-induced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast trans-differentiation in primary prostate stromal cells. Inhibition by tadalafil of PDE5, which is mainly expressed in the stromal compartment of the prostate, reduced proliferation of primary prostate stromal cells and to a lesser extent of primary prostate basal epithelial cells.

EAU Guidelines on Urethral Trauma.

Context: These guidelines were prepared on behalf of the European Association of Urology (EAU) to assist urologists in the management of traumatic urethral injuries.

Objective: To determine the optimal evaluation and management of urethral injuries by review of the world's literature on the subject.

Evidence Acquisition: A working group of experts on Urological Trauma was convened to review and summarize the literature concerning the diagnosis and treatment of genitourinary trauma, including urethral trauma.

Effect of transdermal electromotive drug therapy on fibrogenic cytokine expression in Peyronie's disease.

Objectives: To assess the effect of transdermal electromotive drug therapy (EMDT) on transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expression and their receptors in plaques in patients with Peyronie's disease.

Methods: Tissue was obtained from 13 patients with stable Peyronie's disease who had undergone plaque excision because of penile curvature. Of the 13 patients, 7 underwent EMDT with dexamethasone, verapamil, and lidocaine as first-line therapy before plaque excision and 6 were therapy naive.

Clinical experience with Andriol Testocaps--the first Austrian surveillance study on the treatment of late-onset hypogonadism.

Objective: The objective of this study was to document the efficacy and tolerability of the new formulation of Andriol Testocaps in the treatment of late-onset hypogonadism in a clinical practice setting.

Methods: The primary inclusion criterion was symptomatic testosterone deficiency, as confirmed by laboratory testing (morning total testosterone <12 nmol/L) on two separate occasions. The study was performed in 43 centres in Austria and a dosage of oral testosterone undecanoate of 2 x 80 mg/day was used for three months.

Uroflow nomogram for male adolescents.

Purpose: Uroflowmetry is well established for investigating lower urinary tract symptoms. Current nomograms are based on sample sizes limited to 8 men of the same age. We generated percentile curves for the maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) in relation to voided volume in male adolescents in a large homogenous healthy group.

Interferon-gamma induces neuroendocrine-like differentiation of human prostate basal-epithelial cells.

Background: Prostatic neuroendocrine (NE) cells are intraglandular hybrid epithelial-neural-endocrine cells that express and secrete numerous hormones and neuropeptides, which presumably regulate growth, differentiation, and secretory activity of the prostatic epithelium. This specialized cell type appears to differentiate from a common basal/precursor/stem cell that also gives rise to the secretory epithelium. In order to elucidate mechanisms of NE-differentiation the effects of type 1 (alpha, beta) and type 2 (gamma) interferons (IFNs) on human prostate basal cells (PrECs) were evaluated.

Profiling molecular targets of TGF-beta1 in prostate fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation.

The development of age-related proliferative disorders of the prostate gland is supported by transdifferentiation and cellular senescence processes in the stroma. Both processes are involved in remodeling of stromal tissue, as observed in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and in "reactive stroma" adjacent to prostate cancer (PCa). It has been assumed that TGF-beta1 plays a key role in the aging prostate by inducing premature senescence and favoring myofibroblast differentiation.