The Critical Role of Intracellular Bacterial Communities in Uncomplicated Recurrent Urinary Cystitis: A Comprehensive Review of Detection Methods and Diagnostic Potential.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections worldwide and are particularly prevalent in women. Recurrent UTIs significantly diminish quality of life due to their symptoms and frequent relapses. Patients often experience immediate relapse following slightly strenuous activities or intense psychological stress.

What is the Cause of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection? Contemporary Microscopic Concepts of Pathophysiology.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common infectious disease and are mainly caused by Escherichia coli. In this review, we introduce the current concept of recurrent UTI (rUTI) based on recent research dealing with pathophysiology of the disease. Although urine is considered sterile, recent studies dealing with microbiome have proposed different ideas.

Comparison of Long-term Effect and Complications Between Holmium Laser Enucleation and Transurethral Resection of Prostate: Nations-Wide Health Insurance Study.

Objective: To investigate and compare the postoperative efficacy and complications of the transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) and holmium laser enucleation (HoLEP) using the nationwide insurance database of Korea.

Methods: We created a cohort of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients treated with TURP and HoLEP between 2011 and 2017 from the nationwide database of reimbursement. We compared the postoperative effects between the two surgical groups.

Improvement in Near Vision Following Silodosin Treatment in Patients With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the change in near visual function after the administration of oral silodosin to patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Methods: This prospective study included treatment-naive patients who were scheduled to start treatment with silodosin for LUTS. A comprehensive ophthalmological evaluation including the near vision and the automated pupillometry was performed at baseline and after 3 months of silodosin treatment.

Current Overview of Surgical Options for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a highly prevalent health condition that significantly impacts the quality of life. Traditional methods of treatment for SUI, such as pubovaginal sling and Burch colposuspension, have been replaced by the midurethral sling because of its high efficacy, low complication and morbidity rates, and short learning curve. Although multiple behavioral and operative treatments exist, midurethral slings are the gold standard for the treatment of SUI in women.

Bioinformatics Approach for Identifying Novel Biomarkers and Their Signaling Pathways Involved in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome with Hunner Lesion.

The complexity of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) has led to considerable uncertainty in terms of diagnosis and prevalence of the condition. Here, we try to identify the IC/BPS-associated genes through an integrated analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets and confirm experimentally to predict the pathologic diagnosis of IC/BPS. Data mining analysis of GEO datasets (GSE621, GSE11783, GSE28242, and GSE57560) revealed a total of 53 (51 upregulated and two downregulated) common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in IC/BPS.

Korean ureter length: A computed tomography-based study.

Purpose: We measured ureter length in healthy Koreans using reformatted computed tomography (UL) and found ways to indirectly estimate ureter length by measuring LL, the length between the ureteropelvic junction and the ureterovesical junction, and standing and sitting height.

Materials And Methods: A total of 508 ureters of 254 healthy patients (median age, 55.0 years; 148 males and 106 females) were included in this retrospective study.

Clinical significance of 5-α reductase inhibitor and androgen deprivation therapy in bladder cancer incidence, recurrence, and survival: a meta-analysis and systemic review.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of androgen suppression therapy (AST), comprising a 5-α reductase inhibitor (5-ARi) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), on the risk of bladder cancer incidence, recurrence, and mortality.

Materials And Methods: We used the PRISMA statement to report the methods and results of this meta-analysis. Bladder cancer incidence, recurrence, and mortality after 5-ARi treatment and ADT were assessed using risk ratios (RRs) and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Efficacy and Safety of Tolterodine and Pilocarpine in Patients with Overactive Bladder.

Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a combination of 2 mg tolterodine and 9 mg pilocarpine, vs tolterodine monotherapy in patients with overactive bladder.

Materials And Methods: We enrolled patients with overactive bladder symptoms in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel, active control study. Patients were randomized to the combination or 2 mg tolterodine twice daily for 12 weeks.

Retropubic versus Transobturator Mid Urethral Slings in Patients at High Risk for Recurrent Stress Incontinence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: The efficacy and safety of retropubic and transobturator tension-free vaginal tape mid urethral slings remain controversial in patients with stress urinary incontinence and risk factors for recurrence. We compared the techniques after initial mid urethral sling insertion in select groups, including patients with obesity, intrinsic sphincter deficiency, pelvic organ prolapse and recurrent stress urinary incontinence.

Materials And Methods: We used the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement to report the methods and results of the current review.

The Potential Role of Arginine Supplements on Erectile Dysfunction: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: The efficacy and safety of arginine supplements in erectile dysfunction (ED) remain debatable.

Aim: To assess the potential role of arginine supplements on ED as alternatives to phosphodiesterase inhibitors.

Methods: Studies published up to April 2018 that evaluated the efficacy of arginine supplements were identified from multiple databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline, Embase, Kiss, DBpia, and Cochrane databases).

Novel symptom questionnaire for the differential diagnosis of detrusor underactivity and bladder outlet obstruction in men.

Objective: To develop a questionnaire for the differential diagnosis of detrusor underactivity (DUA) and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) without performing invasive pressure flow studies.

Study Design And Methods: Symptoms of men with DUA were analyzed and compared with those of men with BOO using eight questions from the developing questionnaire. Patients with DUA have a bladder contractility index (PdetQmax+5xQmax) less than 100, whereas those with BOO have a BOO index (PdetQmax-2xQmax) greater than 40 in urodynamic studies (UDS).

Clinical outcome of single-incision slings, excluding TVT-Secur, vs standard slings in the surgical management of stress incontinence: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of the present paper was to assess and compare the long-term efficacy and safety of single-incision mini-slings (SIMSs), except tension-free vaginal tape (TVT)-Secur, with standard midurethral slings (SMUSs) for female stress urinary incontinence through an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing these two surgical methods. A literature review of all RCTs comparing SIMSs (Mini-Arc, Contasure-Needleless, Ophira, Tissue Fixation System and Ajust), except TVT-Secur, with SMUSs was performed. The Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Controlled Trial Register databases were reviewed.

Effect of combined solifenacin and aclatonium in preventing dry mouth in patients with overactive bladder.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to prospectively evaluate the effect of aclatonium on dry mouth in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) after treatment with solifenacin.

Methods: A multicenter randomized double-blind controlled trial was conducted. The study subjects were men and women who had been diagnosed with OAB for ≥3 months and presented with a total Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) ≥3.

Comparison of Nonspherical Polyvinyl Alcohol Particles and Microspheres for Prostatic Arterial Embolization in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Purpose: To report early results following prostatic artery embolization (PAE) and compare outcomes between nonspherical polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles and microspheres to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods: PAE was performed in nine patients (mean age: 78.1 years) with symptomatic BPH.

Comparison of bone mineral loss by combined androgen block agonist versus GnRH in patients with prostate cancer: A 12 month-prospective observational study.

The multi-centre, prospective, observational study was designed to examine the efficacy of continuous combined androgen block (CAB) vs. GnRH agonist monotherapy in terms of bone mineral density (BMD) change during 12 months post-androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in Asian prostate cancer patients. Multiple regression analysis and estimated the 10-year probability of major fractures among the patients with Fracture Risk Assessment Tool were conducted to investigate the underlying factors affecting BMD.

Nocturia Improvement With Surgical Correction of Sleep Apnea.

Purpose: To evaluate changes in nocturia after surgical correction of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: A total of 66 patients were included in the present study. All had been diagnosed with OSA syndrome by polysomnography and underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP).

Health Related Quality of Life in Patients with Side-Effects after Antimuscarinic Treatment for Overactive Bladder.

Objectives: Drug therapy is the mainstay of treatment for overactive bladder (OAB), but antimuscarinic agents possess side-effects. These side-effects decrease the patients' quality of life. We therefore assessed the impact of side-effects on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) through an analysis of EQ-5D questionnaire.

Comparison of Effectiveness between Tension-Free Vaginal Tape (TVT) and Trans-Obturator Tape (TOT) in Patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence and Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the two types of mid-urethral slings for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD).

Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure or transobturator tape (TOT) procedure by a single surgeon for SUI with ISD, defined as Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) < 60 cmH2O in a urodynamic study. Cases of neurogenic bladder, previous SUI surgery, and concomitant cystocele repair were excluded.

Prospective Randomized Controlled Study on the Efficacy of Multimedia Informed Consent for Patients Scheduled to Undergo Green-Light High-Performance System Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a multimedia informed consent (IC) presentation on the understanding and satisfaction of patients who were scheduled to receive 120-W green-light high-performance system photoselective vaporization of the prostate (HPS-PVP).

Materials And Methods: A multimedia IC (M-IC) presentation for HPS-PVP was developed. Forty men with benign prostatic hyperplasia who were scheduled to undergo HPS-PVP were prospectively randomized to a conventional written IC group (W-IC group, n=20) or the M-IC group (n=20).

Successful Case of Conservative Treatment of Vesicovaginal Fistula by Hodge Pessary Insertion.

Case: An 88-year-old woman visited us with a complaint of total urinary leak, and was diagnosed as having vesicovaginal fistula after pessary insertion. A part of pessary was seen in the bladder and it was removed by cutting pessary in the vagina. And then she was managed by antibiotics, local estrogen cream and Foley catheter indwelling.

Discordance between location of positive cores in biopsy and location of positive surgical margin following radical prostatectomy.

Purpose: We compared location of positive cores in biopsy and location of positive surgical margin (PSM) following radical prostatectomy.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective analysis included patients who were diagnosed as prostate cancer by standard 12-core transrectal ultrasonography guided prostate biopsy, and who have PSM after radical prostatectomy. After exclusion of number of biopsy cores <12, and lack of biopsy location data, 46 patients with PSM were identified.