Long-Term Outcomes of Longitudinal Efficacy Study With Tolvaptan in ADPKD.

Introduction: The effects of long-term and uninterrupted tolvaptan treatment on autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) are unclear. Therefore, a more than 3-year continuous treatment study was performed.

Methods: From the Kyorin University cohort, 299 patients were surveyed and 179 patients were indicated for tolvaptan having a total kidney volume (TKV) ≥750 ml, TKV slope ≥5%/yr, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥15 ml/min per 1.

Japanese linguistic validation of the ureteral stent symptom questionnaire.

Objective: We validated the Japanese version of the ureteral stent symptom questionnaire in patients with an indwelling ureteric stent.

Methods: The English version of the ureteral stent symptom questionnaire was translated into Japanese using a multistep process by three urologists and two independent translators. A total of 70 patients with indwelling ureteral stents completed the Japanese ureteral stent symptom questionnaire, as well as validated instruments, namely, the International Prostate Symptom Score or Overactive Bladder Symptom Score and the EuroQoL 5-dimension questionnaires.

PKD1-Associated Arachnoid Cysts in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Objectives: the prevalence of intracranial aneurysms and arachnoid cysts is higher in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) than in the general population. A genotype correlation was reported for intracranial aneurysms, but it is unclear for arachnoid cysts. Therefore, the genotype correlation with intracranial aneurysms and arachnoid cysts was investigated in ADPKD.

Factors predicting decline in renal function and kidney volume growth in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: a prospective cohort study (Japanese Polycystic Kidney Disease registry: J-PKD).

Background: Factors affecting decline in renal function and cyst growth in patients with autosomal polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) are not fully described, particularly in Japan.

Methods: This was the first multi-facility, prospective, observational cohort study conducted in ADPKD patients at 14 centers in Japan. Patients in the J-PKD registry were assessed from December 2009 to June 2012 (follow-up until June 2017).

Estimation of Changes in Kidney Volume Growth Rate in ADPKD.

Introduction: In the Mayo Imaging Classification (MIC) for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the height-adjusted total kidney volume (HtTKV) growth rate is estimated for classification. Estimated HtTKV slope, termed as eHTKV-α, is calculated by the equation [HtTKV at age t] = K(1+α/100), where K = 150 and A = 0 are used in MIC. If eHTKV-α is nearly stable during a standard-of-care period, the change in eHTKV-α from baseline can be used for estimation of the treatment effect on the HtTKV slope.

A Novel Flexible Ureteroscope with Omnidirectional Bending Tip Using Joystick-Type Control Unit (URF-Y0016): Initial Validation Study in Bench Models.

The conventional flexible ureteroscope has limited access into the lower calix and often causes biomechanical stress to surgeons. Recently, a novel flexible ureteroscope with an omnidirectional bending tip with a joystick-type control unit (URF-Y0016; Olympus, Japan) was developed. We verified the operability and ergonomics of the URF-Y0016 compared with that of the conventional flexible ureteroscope (URF-P6) in bench models.

Age- and height-adjusted total kidney volume growth rate in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney diseases.

Background: The Mayo Clinic Image Classification (MIC) was proposed as a renal prognosis prediction model for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). MIC is based on the assumption of exponential constant increase in height-adjusted total kidney volume (HtTKV). HtTKV growth rate is calculated by one-time measurement of HtTKV and age.

Optimal equation for estimation of glomerular filtration rate in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: influence of tolvaptan.

Background: The reliability of various equations for estimating the GFR in ADPKD patients and the influence of tolvaptan on the resulting estimates have not been examined when GFR is calculated on the basis of inulin clearance.

Methods: We obtained baseline and on-tolvaptan measured GFRs (mGFRs), calculated on the basis of inulin clearance, in 114 ADPKD, and these mGFRs were compared with eGFRs calculated according to four basic equations: the MDRD, CKD-EPI, and JSN-CKDI equations and the Cockcroft-Gault formula, as well as the influence of tolvaptan and of inclusion of cystatin C on accuracy of the results. Accuracy of each of the seven total equations was evaluated on the basis of the percentage of eGFR values within mGFR ± 30% (P).

Sexual activity and quality of life in Japanese pelvic organ prolapse patients after transvaginal mesh surgery.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate sexual activity and quality of life (QOL) after transvaginal mesh (TVM) surgery in Japanese patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The objective cure rate and associated complications were also investigated.

Methods: The cases of patients who underwent TVM surgery were retrospectively analyzed.

Vesicoenteric Fistula Arising from an Adenocarcinoma of Ectopic Pancreatic Tissue in a Meckel Diverticulum.

We report a case of a vesicoenteric fistula arising from an adenocarcinoma of ectopic pancreatic tissue in a Meckel diverticulum in a 58-year-old man. The patient suffered from refractory micturition pain and increased urinary frequency. Computerized tomography with a contrast agent showed a ring-shaped enhanced mass near the dome of the urinary bladder.

AR-V7 in circulating tumor cells cluster as a predictive biomarker of abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide treatment in castration-resistant prostate cancer patients.

Objective: We examined whether androgen receptor splice variant 7 (AR-V7) in circulating tumor cell(CTC)clusters can be used to predict survival in patients with bone metastatic castration resistant-prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with abiraterone or enzalutamide.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 98 patients with CRPC on abiraterone or enzalutamide, and investigated the prognostic value of CTC cluster detection (+ v -) and AR-V7 detection (+ v -) using a CTC cluster detection - based AR-V7 mRNA assay. We examined ≤50% prostate-specific antigen (PSA) responses, PSA progression-free survival (PSA-PFS), clinical and radiological progression-free survival (radiologic PSF), and overall survival (OS).

A potentially crucial role of the PKD1 C-terminal tail in renal prognosis.

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic disease (ADPKD) often results in renal failure. Recently, allelic influences of PKD1 mutation types on renal survival were extensively investigated. Here, we analyzed integrated influences of PKD1 mutation types and positions on renal survival.

Distinguishing testicular torsion from torsion of the appendix testis by clinical features and signs in patients with acute scrotum.

Purpose: Many physicians encounter confusion and difficulty in distinguishing testicular torsion (TT) from torsion of the appendix testis (TAT) in patients with acute scrotum because of the overlapping signs and symptoms. The objective of our study was to evaluate the clinical features and signs that can help distinguish TT from TAT.

Patients And Methods: We performed a retrospective study of patients with surgically confirmed TT and TAT at our institute from January 1990 to December 2013.

Relationship between intracranial aneurysms and the severity of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a hereditary kidney disease characterized by the progressive enlargement of innumerable renal cysts. Although the association of intracranial aneurysms (ICANs) with ADPKD is well known, the relationship between the ICAN and the disease severity including total kidney volume (TKV) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is poorly understood.

Methods: We screened 265 patients with ADPKD (mean age, 48.

Intratumor Heterogeneity in Primary Kidney Cancer Revealed by Metabolic Profiling of Multiple Spatially Separated Samples within Tumors.

Metabolic alteration constitutes a hallmark of cancer. Glycolysis and antioxidant pathways in kidney cancer are elevated, with frequent mutation of the VHL gene. Intratumor genetic heterogeneity has been recently demonstrated in kidney cancer.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Status in Circulating Tumor Cells as a Predictive Biomarker of Sensitivity in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with Docetaxel Chemotherapy.

Objective: We examined whether epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can be used to predict survival in a population of bone-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients treated with docetaxel chemotherapy.

Methods: All patients with mCRPC who had experienced treatment failure with androgen-deprivation therapy and had received docetaxel chemotherapy were eligible. CTCs and EGFR expression in CTCs were enumerated with the CellSearch System in whole blood.

Long-term Persistence with Mirabegron versus Solifenacin in Women with Overactive Bladder: Prospective, Randomized Trial.

Objectives: To compare persistence with medication and the reasons for discontinuation of mirabegron or solifenacin therapy up to12 months in women with overactive bladder (OAB).

Methods: Female OAB patients who presented to women's urology clinics were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, two-arm study. Patients were randomized to receive mirabegron at 25-50 mg (n = 76) or solifenacin at 2.

Technical Evaluation: Identification of Pathogenic Mutations in PKD1 and PKD2 in Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease by Next-Generation Sequencing and Use of a Comprehensive New Classification System.

Genetic testing of PKD1 and PKD2 is expected to play an increasingly important role in determining allelic influences in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in the near future. However, to date, genetic testing is not commonly employed because it is expensive, complicated because of genetic heterogeneity, and does not easily identify pathogenic variants. In this study, we developed a genetic testing system based on next-generation sequencing (NGS), long-range polymerase chain reaction, and a new software package.

Development and Validation of a Novel Recurrence Risk Stratification for Initial Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer in Asia.

Background: Some risk classifications to determine prognosis of patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) have disadvantages in the clinical setting. We investigated whether the EORTC (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer) risk stratification is useful to predict recurrence and progression in Japanese patients with NMIBC. In addition, we developed and validated a novel, and simple risk classification of recurrence.

Afatinib against Esophageal or Head-and-Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Significance of Activating Oncogenic HER4 Mutations in HNSCC.

The prognosis for patients with advanced esophageal or head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC or HNSCC) remains poor, and the identification of additional oncogenes and their inhibitors is needed. In this study, we evaluated the sensitivities of several ESCC and HNSCC cell lines to HER inhibitors (cetuximab, erlotinib, and afatinib) in vitro and found two cell lines that were hypersensitive to afatinib. Sequence analyses for the afatinib-targeted HER family genes in the two cell lines revealed that one cell line had a previously reported activating EGFR L861Q mutation, whereas the other had an HER4 G1109C mutation of unknown function.

[A Case of Atazanavir Urolithiasis Diagnosed by Stone Analysis].

A 70-year-old man was referred to our hospital for right back pain. His past history included human immunodeficiency virus infection, which had been treated with atazanavir for 7 years. Abdominal and pelvic computed tomographic scan showed right hydronephrosis due to a strongly suspected right ureteral radiolucent stone.

Kidney volume estimations with ellipsoid equations by magnetic resonance imaging in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Background: Kidney volume (KV) becomes clinically relevant in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) management. KV can be conveniently estimated (ceKV) using ellipsoid volume equations with three axes measurements; however, the accuracy and reliability are unknown.

Methods: KVs of 347 kidneys in 177 consecutive ADPKD patients were determined with a volumetric method (standard-KV), and ceKV was calculated using six different ellipsoid equations with three axes measurements using magnetic resonance imaging.

Circulating tumor cells as a biomarker predictive of sensitivity to docetaxel chemotherapy in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Aim: We examined whether Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) can be used to predict survival in patients with bone-metastatic castration-resistant-prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with docetaxel chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: All patients with mCRPC who had experienced treatment failure with androgen deprivation therapy and had received docetaxel chemotherapy were eligible for study inclusion. CTCs in whole blood were enumerated with the CellSearch System.