ERG and PTEN Role on Active Surveillance for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer in the Multiparametric MRI Era.

Background: Our study aimed to correlate ERG and PTEN expressions in prostate biopsy with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging PI-RADS score, clinical reclassification, and prognosis of very low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients under active surveillance (AS).

Methods: We evaluated 101 very low-risk PCa patients under AS between 2013 and 2018. They were followed with DRE, PSA, MRI, and re-biopsies every 1-2 years.

Prostate cancer focal therapy: surgeon experience influences oncological results.

Introduction: Characterization of the index lesion of prostate cancer (PCa) has facilitated the development of focal therapy to reduce complications caused by radical treatments. In the present study, we sought to identify factors associated with the oncological results of focal therapy for PCa.

Methods: Between April 2017 and February 2020, 123 PCa patients received focal therapy performed with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

Perioperative, Oncological, and Functional Outcomes Between Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy and Open Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Purpose: Limited high-quality studies have compared robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) vs open retropubic radical prostatectomy. We sought to compare their postoperative outcomes in a randomized setting.

Materials And Methods: In a single center, 354 men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer were assessed for eligibility; 342 were randomized (1:1).

Bilateral inguinal transabdominal pre-peritoneal laparoscopic hernioplasty associated to bilateral laparoscopic varicocelectomy in the same intervention: a feasibility study.

Introduction: Inguinal hernia and varicocele are common conditions in male population. Laparoscopy brings the opportunity to treat them simultaneously, through the same incision. However, there are different opinions about the risks for testicular perfusion of multiple procedures in the inguinal region.

Learning curve of semi-rigid ureteroscopy for small calculi: how many cases are necessary?

Introduction: semi-rigid ureteroscopy is the procedure of choice for the treatment of ureterolithiasis, but it requires a learning curve to be performed safely.

Objective: To describe an estimate of the learning curve for performing semi-rigid ureterorenolithotripsy in patients with small-sized ureterolithiasis and to estimate the minimum number of procedures necessary to safely perform the surgical procedure.

Methods: this is a prospective study evaluating the learning curve of a resident of urology in the first 60 semirigid ureteroscopies in patients with ureterolithiasis up to 1cm.

Effectiveness of Intrarectal Povidone-iodine Cleansing Plus Formalin Disinfection of the Needle Tip in Decreasing Infectious Complications After Transrectal Prostate Biopsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Prostate biopsy is mostly performed through the transrectal route worldwide and infectious complications may occur in up to 7% of cases. Therefore, alternative strategies to decrease infectious complications are needed. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of intrarectal povidone-iodine cleansing plus formalin disinfection of the needle tip in decreasing infectious complications after transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy.

The learning curve for retrograde intrarenal surgery: A prospective analysis.

Introduction: retrograde intrarenal surgery (CRIR) is an evolving tool. Its learning curve is not well established, despite the common use of flexible ureteroscopes today. Our aim is to estimate the number of procedures needed for one to perform RIRS consistently.

A Prospective, Randomized Trial Comparing the Outcomes of Open vs Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy.

Purpose: Partial nephrectomy is the standard treatment for renal tumors <7 cm, and the trend toward minimally invasive surgery has increased. However, data that could support its use and benefits are still lacking.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing surgical, functional and oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing open partial nephrectomy (OPN) or laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN).

High CD39 expression is associated with the non-muscle-invasive phenotype of human bladder cancer.

Background: An accurate prediction of progression is critical to define the management of bladder cancer (BC). The ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 play strategic roles in calibrating purinergic signals via an extracellular balance between ATP and adenosine. The altered expression of these enzymes plays a potential role in tumor invasion and metastasis, therefore, has been proposed to be used for prognosis of solid tumor.

Evidence of the validity of the Food and Nutritional Security Scale for adolescents (ESANa).

This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable scale for assessing food and nutritional insecurity, specifically in adolescents. The initial version of the scale consisted of two subscales: perception of food insecurity and perception of nutritional security. The items were submitted to content analysis (n = 4) by a group of food and nutrition security experts, and semantic analysis (n = 20) by a group of adolescents conveniently sampled from the target population.

Assessment of the lower urinary tract symptoms after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy: the behavior of voiding, storage and post micturition symptoms.

Introduction: despite being infrequent, urinary incontinence has a huge impact on the quality of life of patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, even with the robotic-assisted technique.

Objective: to assess the evolution of urinary symptoms from preoperative to 12 months after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Methods: data was collected from 998 patients who underwent robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase expression in the prognosis of the localized prostate cancer.

Background: Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) is an enzyme that acts as an immunomodulatory molecule. It is found in several types of cancer where it seems to be associated with tumor escape due to its immunosuppressive mechanisms. However, the role of IDO1 expression in prostate cancer (PC) is unclear.

miR-618: possible control over TIMP-1 and its expression in localized prostate cancer.

Background: The imbalance between the action of the tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is one component of metastasis physiology. TIMP-1 overrides MMP-9 activity in cancer and might be regulated by miR-618. The aims of this study were to clarify whether TIMP-1 expression is modified by miR-618 and to clarify the effect of miR-618 expression on the invasion of prostate cancer cells.

miR-29b enhances prostate cancer cell invasion independently of MMP-2 expression.

Background: The ability to metastasize is one of the most important characteristics of neoplastic cells. An imbalance between the action of some matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs drives the invasion process. Some studies have suggested that MMP-2 is involved in metastasis, while other studies have reported that collagen production by cancer cells might also contribute to motility.

Expression of micro-RNAs and genes related to angiogenesis in ccRCC and associations with tumor characteristics.

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the third most common urological cancer in adults. Our aim is to evaluate genes and miRNAs expression profiles involved with angiogenesis and tumor characteristics in ccRCC.

Methods: The expression levels of miRNAs miR-99a, 99b, 100; 199a; 106a; 106b; 29a; 29b; 29c; 126; 200a, 200b and their respective target genes: mTOR, HIF1-α, VHL, PDGF, VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were analyzed using qRT-PCR in tumor tissue samples from 56 patients with ccRCC.

Correlation between chromosome 9p21 locus deletion and prognosis in clinically localized prostate cancer.

Background: Some studies have reported that deletions at chromosome arm 9p occur frequently and represent a critical step in carcinogenesis of some neoplasms. Our aim was to evaluate the deletion of locus 9p21 and chromosomes 3, 7 and 17 in localized prostate cancer (PC) and correlate these alterations with prognostic factors and biochemical recurrence after surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated surgical specimens from 111 patients with localized PC who underwent radical prostatectomy.

Role of Genetic Polymorphisms in the Development and Prognosis of Sporadic and Familial Prostate Cancer.

Backgrounds: Our aim was to evaluate the role of 20 genetic polymorphisms in the development and prognosis of sporadic and familial PC. A case-control study of 185 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy from 1997 to 2011. These patients were divided into two groups based on their family history.

Loss of TIMP-1 immune expression and tumor recurrence in localized prostate cancer.

Introduction And Objective: Overexpression of MMPs has been related to biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. TIMP1 and TIMP2 are controllers of MMPs and the aim of this study is to evaluate the expression levels of MMPs and their regulators using immunohistochemistry in tissue microarray of localized prostate cancer (PC).

Materials And Methods: Immune-expression of MMP-9, MMP-2, TIMP1, TIMP-2, MMP-14 and IL8, were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in radical prostatectomy specimens of 40 patients with localized PC who underwent surgery between September 1997 and February 2000.

PD-L1 expression in renal cell carcinoma clear cell type is related to unfavorable prognosis.

Background: PD-L1 is a glycoprotein from the family of T-cell co-stimulatory molecules that are constitutively expressed by macrophages. Aberrant expression of PD-L1 is observed in human cancers associated with inhibition of the tumor-directed T-cell immune response. There are few reports in the literature evaluating PD-L1 expression in association to prognosis specifically in renal cell cancer clear cell type (RCC-CC).

A prognostic model for survival after palliative urinary diversion for malignant ureteric obstruction: a prospective study of 208 patients.

Objective: To identify factors associated with survival after palliative urinary diversion (UD) for patients with malignant ureteric obstruction (MUO) and create a risk-stratification model for treatment decisions.

Patients And Methods: We prospectively collected clinical and laboratory data for patients who underwent palliative UD by ureteric stenting or percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) between 1 January 2009 and 1 November 2011 in two tertiary care university hospitals, with a minimum 6-month follow-up. Inclusion criteria were age >18 years and MUO confirmed by computed tomography, ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging.

Adhesion molecules of detrusor muscle cells are influenced by a hypercholesterolemic diet or bladder outlet obstruction in a Wistar rat model.

Background: Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are essential for maintaining tissue integrity by regulating intercellular and cell to extracellular matrix interactions. Cadherins and catenins are CAMs that are located on the cell membrane and are important for adherens junction (AJ) function. This study aims to verify if hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD) or bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) promotes structural bladder wall modifications specific to alterations in the expression of cadherins and catenins in detrusor muscle cells.

Carbonic Anhydrase IX is not a predictor of outcomes in non-metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma - a digital analysis of tissue microarray.

Introduction: The knowledge about the molecular biology of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is evolving, and Carbonic Anhydrase type IX (CA-IX) has emerged as a potential prognostic marker in this challenging disease. However, most of the literature about CA-IX on ccRCC comes from series on metastatic cancer, with a lack of series on non-metastatic cancer. The objective is to evaluate the expression of CA-IX in a cohort of non-metastatic ccRCC, correlating with 1) overall survival, and 2) with established prognostic parameters (T stage, tumor size, Fuhrman nuclear grade, microvascular invasion and peri-renal fat invasion).