Usefulness of clearance parametric images in detection of regional renal parenchyma dysfunction.

Background: The aim of the study was to examine whether parametric clearance images (PAR) enhance diagnostic potential of a dynamic renal scintigraphy with detection of local dysfunction of kidneys, on a model of kidneys after treatment with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), MATERIAL AND METHODS: Kidneys after ESWL were accepted as a proper model for the implementation of this objective because of the previously proven damaging effect of a shock wave on renal parenchyma and known region of ESWL application. Forty patients (23 males and 17 females) at the age of 37 to 70 years (mean value 54) with untreated earlier single, one-sided nephrolithiasis, currently treated with ESWL, underwent a study. A dynamic renal 99mTc-EC scintigraphy was performed three times: before ESWL, a week and a month after this therapeutic intervention.

Different Gene Expression and Activity Pattern of Antioxidant Enzymes in Bladder Cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role in and contribution of antioxidant enzymes to bladder cancer (BC) etiology and recurrence after transurethral resection (TUR). We enrolled 40 patients with BC who underwent TUR and 100 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. The analysis was performed at diagnosis and recurrence, taking into account the time of recurrence.

Urological procedures in Central Europe and the current reality based on the national registries of Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland (2012 status).

Introduction: In recent years, the laparoscopic approach in oncologic urology seems more attractable to the surgeons. It is considered to have the same oncologic quality as open surgery, but is less invasive in patients. It is used widely in all of Europe, but with various frequency.

Quality of life in a population of Polish patients with prostate cancer.

Introduction: Recent advances in treatment have led to the prolongation of life among patients with prostate cancer (PCa), which implies greater interest in the issue of the quality of life (QoL) in patients who undergo treatment. The quality of life of patients with cancer questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and the quality of life questionnaire specific to PCa (QLQ-PR25) are tools used worldwide to conduct research on this subject. In our study we assessed the quality of life in a population of Polish patients suffering from prostate cancer.

A giant renal angiomyolipoma (AML) in a patient with septo-optic dysplasia (SOD).

Angiomyolipoma (AML) is a rare benign renal tumor occurring in about 0.3 to 3% of the general population. Most frequently it takes the form of small single tumors occurring sporadically or accompanying tuberous sclerosis (Bourneville-Pringle disease).

The variant allele of the rs188140481 polymorphism confers a moderate increase in the risk of prostate cancer in Polish men.

A number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human genome have been associated with increased risk of prostate cancer. Recently, a single SNP in the region of chromosome 8q24 (rs188140481) has been associated with a three-fold increased risk of prostate cancer in Europe and North America. To establish whether rs188140481 is associated with the risk of prostate cancer in Poland, we genotyped 3467 men with prostate cancer and 1958 controls.

Molecular subtyping of bladder cancer using Kohonen self-organizing maps.

Kohonen self-organizing maps (SOMs) are unsupervised Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) that are good for low-density data visualization. They easily deal with complex and nonlinear relationships between variables. We evaluated molecular events that characterize high- and low-grade BC pathways in the tumors from 104 patients.

Polymorphisms of NRF2 and NRF2 target genes in urinary bladder cancer patients.

Purpose: NRF2 transcription factor is involved in modulation of various antioxidant and metabolic genes and, therefore, may modulate anti-carcinogenic potential. Association between polymorphisms of NRF2 and five NRF2-regulated genes and urinary bladder cancer (BC) risk was analyzed.

Methods: The study group included 244 BC patients, while the control group comprised 365 individuals with no evidence of malignancy.

MMP7 and MMP8 genetic polymorphisms in bladder cancer patients.

Introduction: Breakdown of the extracellular matrix by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), as we know, is one of mechanisms involved and required in tumor invasion. MMP7 is a negative prognostic factor of various malignances, while MMP8 exhibits an inhibitory effect on tumorigenesis and metastasis. We evaluated the potential association of functional polymorphisms in the promoter of the MMP7 (rs11568818) and MMP8 (rs11225395) genes and bladder cancer (BCa) risk.

The presence of prostate cancer at biopsy is predicted by a number of genetic variants.

Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with an elevated risk of prostate cancer risk. It is not established if they are useful in predicting the presence of prostate cancer at biopsy or if they can be used to define a low-risk group of men. In this study, 4,548 men underwent a prostate biopsy because of an elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA; ≥4 ng/mL) or an abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE).

Genetic polymorphisms in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MPs (TIMPs), and bladder cancer susceptibility.

Objectives: To elucidate genetic polymorphisms of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP1 (rs1799750), MMP2 (rs243865), MMP9 (rs3918242), MMP12 (rs2276109) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) TIMP1 (rs2070584) and TIMP3 (rs9619311) genes that may be involved in susceptibility to bladder cancer (BC).

Patients And Methods: We enrolled 241 patients with BC and 199 controls. Genomic DNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood and polymorphisms were analysed by high-resolution melting analysis and by real-time polymerase chain reaction using TaqMan fluorescent probes.

The G84E mutation in the HOXB13 gene is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer in Poland.

Background: The G84E mutation in the HOXB13 gene has been associated with a high lifetime risk of prostate cancer in North America (about 20-fold). The geographical and ethnic extent of this recurrent allele has not yet been determined.

Methods: We assayed for the presence of the G84E mutation in 3,515 prostate cancer patients and 2,604 controls from Poland and estimated the odds ratio for prostate cancer associated with the allele.

Hypermethylation of p16 and DAPK promoter gene regions in patients with non-invasive urinary bladder cancer.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to examine the frequency of methylation status in promoter regions of p16 and DAPK genes in patients with non-invasive bladder cancer.

Material And Methods: Forty-two patients (92.9% men, 73.

How accurate is our prediction of biopsy outcome? PCA3-based nomograms in personalized diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Purpose: The sensitivity and specificity of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) alone to select men for prostate biopsy remain suboptimal. This review aims at presenting a review of current prostate cancer (PCa) nomograms that incorporate Prostate Cancer Gene 3 (PCA3), which was designed to outperform PSA at predicting biopsy outcome.

Materials And Methods: The PubMed database and current literature search was conducted for reports on PCA3-based nomograms and tools for examining the risk of a positive prostate biopsy in a man without a known PCa diagnosis.

Polymorphic variants of H-RAS protooncogene and their possible role in bladder cancer etiology.

Introduction: H-RAS gene is a protooncogene encoding p21ras, a small protein with GTPase activity. This protein is a component of many signaling cascades, while mutations in H-RAS gene are often found in urinary bladder cancer and leads to continuous transmission of signals stimulating cancer cell growth and proliferation. The T81C polymorphism of H-RAS gene is a SNP, which, although does not seem to impair p21ras protein structure and function, may contribute to the development of bladder cancer.

Endoscopic holmium laser treatment for ureterolithiasis.

Introduction: The rapid development and invention of ever more technologically advanced ureterorenoscopes as well as other instruments used in fragmenting ureteral stones have made the traditional surgical treatment of ureterolithiasis very rare.

Material And Methods: We investigated 727 patients treated for ureterolithiasis. 769 ureteroscopic lithotripsies (URSL) with the holmium laser were performed.

GSTP1 mRNA expression in human circulating blood leukocytes is associated with GSTP1 genetic polymorphism.

Objectives: We explored association between GSTP1 Ile(105)Val (rs1695) polymorphism and GSTP1 mRNA expression in circulating blood leukocytes.

Design And Methods: GSTP1 transcripts level and polymorphism were determined by Real-Time PCR in 51 bladder cancer and 90 healthy men.

Results: Individuals with at least one GSTP1 Val(105) variant allele possessed higher GSTP1 mRNA level in blood leukocytes compared to GSTP1 Ile(105)Ile carriers.

Immunohistochemical detection of angiotensin AT 1 and AT 2 receptors in prostate cancer.

Introduction: The human prostate gland contains all the compounds of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), including AT1 and AT2 angiotensin receptors. The role of local RAS in the prostate pathology is recently discussed. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of AT1 and AT2 expressions in human prostate cancers.

Radical and sparing surgical treatment of patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinomas (UUT -TCC) - preliminary results.

Introduction: Tumors originating from transitional epithelium of the renal pelvis and ureter are infrequent. Their course is asymptomatic at early stages of the disease, and diagnosis and institution of appropriate treatment delayed. The aim of the study is to assess the results of treatment in patients with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinomas (UUT-TCC).

Comparison of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser treatment with cold knife endoscopic incision of urethral strictures in male patients.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of visual laser ablation treatment with neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser in male patients with urethral strictures and to compare the effects with those obtained in patients treated with Sachse's optical urethrotomy.

Materials And Methods: Fifty patients aged 22 to 83 (mean age 61.8) with primary (n = 26, 52%) and recurrent (n = 24, 48%) urethral strictures 0.

Assessment of neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser fiber wear and tear grade during visual laser ablation of prostatic adenoma.

Objective: The extent of Nd-YAG laser fiber damage due to inappropriate handling during a common surgical procedure was assessed.

Materials And Methods: Nd:YAG laser and Urolase noncontact fibers with 7.5 F gold reflective surface tips have been used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia since 1995.

(CGG)4-based PCR as a novel tool for discrimination of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains: comparison with enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR.

Urinary tract infections are one of the most frequent bacterial diseases in humans, and Escherichia coli is most often the relevant pathogen. A specific pathotype of E. coli, known as uropathogenic E.

Level of selenoprotein transcripts in peripheral leukocytes of patients with bladder cancer and healthy individuals.

Background: Low concentrations of selenium (Se) in humans have been associated with risk of cancer. Selenoprotein mRNAs can potentially be regulated by Se status.

Methods: Se status, GPx1 Pro198Leu and Sep15 1125G/A genetic polymorphism and human (h)GPx1, hGPx3, hSep15 and hSeP1 transcript levels in peripheral leukocytes of 33 males with bladder cancer and 47 healthy male controls were analysed.