Cribriform growth is highly predictive for postoperative metastasis and disease-specific death in Gleason score 7 prostate cancer.

Patients with Gleason score 7 prostate cancer on radical prostatectomy demonstrate a wide range in clinical outcome. Gleason grade 4 prostate cancer encompasses a heterogeneous group of tumor growth patterns including fused, ill-defined, cribriform, and glomeruloid glandular structures. Our objective was to determine the prognostic value of different Gleason grade 4 growth patterns.

Disease-specific death and metastasis do not occur in patients with Gleason score ≤6 at radical prostatectomy.

Objectives: To assess the metastasis-free survival (MFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) in men with Gleason score ≤6 prostate cancer at radical prostatectomy (RP).

Patients And Methods: We included 1101 consecutive RP patients operated between March 1985 to July 2013 at a single institution. The outcome variables were MFS and DSS.

Lymph node count at inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy and groin recurrences in vulvar cancer.

Objective: The objective of the study is to determine the risk factors for groin recurrence (GR) in patients with primary vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) after inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy (IFL) without lymph node metastases and/or adjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: The study is a multicenter retrospective review of clinical and histopathological data of patients with lymph node-negative vulvar SCC who underwent an IFL. Patients with and without GRs were compared to identify risk factors.

Serum levels of arachidonic acid metabolites change during prostate cancer progression.

Background: Arachidonic acid (AA) pathway has been shown to play a role in the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). In this study we aimed to assess the changes in concentrations of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) in serum samples from patients diagnosed with PCa compared to controls.

Methods: HETEs were determined using ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS).

Validation of stem cell markers in clinical prostate cancer: α6-integrin is predictive for non-aggressive disease.

Background: Stem cells are postulated to mediate prostate cancer progression, and represent a small fraction of the entire tumor. Various proteins (α2-integrin, α6-integrin, CD117, CD133, EZH2, OCT3/4) are associated with a prostate cancer stem cell phenotype in cell lines and xenografts. Our objective was to investigate expression of stem cell markers in clinical prostate cancer in relation to outcome.

Intermittent versus continuous cyproterone acetate in bone metastatic prostate cancer: results of a randomized trial.

Background: To compare intermittent treatment (IT) versus continuous treatment (CT) using cyproterone acetate (CPA) in bone metastatic prostate cancer patients, we conducted an open-label, multicenter randomized trial. Continuous androgen deprivation therapy is the standard treatment in metastatic prostate cancer. Intermittent treatment might maintain efficacy while toxicity and costs are reduced.

Validation of the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) in a Dutch population.

Aims: The Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) assess symptom distress and the impact on daily life of urinary incontinence. The UDI-6 has not been validated before in males. Our aim was to validate the UDI-6 and IIQ-7 in Dutch men and women.

Introducing the HOPE (Hypospadias Objective Penile Evaluation)-score: a validation study of an objective scoring system for evaluating cosmetic appearance in hypospadias patients.

Objective: To determine the reliability and internal validity of the Hypospadias Objective Penile Evaluation (HOPE)-score, a newly developed scoring system assessing the cosmetic outcome in hypospadias.

Patients And Methods: The HOPE scoring system incorporates all surgically-correctable items: position of meatus, shape of meatus, shape of glans, shape of penile skin and penile axis. Objectivity was established with standardized photographs, anonymously coded patients, independent assessment by a panel, standards for a "normal" penile appearance, reference pictures and assessment of the degree of abnormality.

Dietary vitamin A intake below the recommended daily intake during pregnancy and the risk of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in the offspring.

Background: Vitamin A has been related to the etiology of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We performed a case-control study to investigate whether maternal dietary vitamin A intake is related to CDH in the offspring.

Methods: Thirty-one pregnancies diagnosed with CDH and 46 control pregnancies were included during the study.

Decreased sperm DNA fragmentation after surgical varicocelectomy is associated with increased pregnancy rate.

Purpose: We prospectively evaluated changes in sperm chromatin structure in infertile patients before and after surgical repair of varicocele, and the impact on the pregnancy rate.

Materials And Methods: Included in the study were 49 men with at least a 1-year history of infertility, a palpable varicocele and oligospermia. World Health Organization semen analysis and sperm DNA damage expressed as the DNA fragmentation index using the sperm chromatin structure assay were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively.

Urodynamic quantification of decrease in sphincter function after radical prostatectomy: relation to postoperative continence status and the effect of intensive pelvic floor muscle exercises.

Aims: We analyzed the impact of radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) on the urethral sphincter function as assessed by urethral pressure profilometry (UPP) and its relation to post-radical prostatectomy continence status. Furthermore, we analyzed the effect of intensive pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) on the urethral sphincter function.

Methods: Sixty-six patients were included in the study.

Quantification of changes in detrusor function and pressure-flow parameters after radical prostatectomy: relation to postoperative continence status and the impact of intensity of pelvic floor muscle exercises.

Objectives: We aim to quantify changes in detrusor function and pressure-flow parameters after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) and to determine the impact of the level of intensity of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) on these changes. We also tried to identify preoperative urodynamic factors, predictive of postoperative continence status.

Methods: Sixty-six patients were included in the study.

Congenital heart defects and parental occupational exposure to chemicals.

Background: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common major malformations in newborns. In this study we examined the associations between the occurrence of CHDs in children and periconceptional occupational parental exposures to chemicals.

Methods: In an age-matched case-control study with standardized data collection at c.

ERG immunohistochemistry is not predictive for PSA recurrence, local recurrence or overall survival after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

In prostate cancer genomic rearrangements involving genes encoding ETS transcription factors are commonly present, with androgen-regulated transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2)-v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogen homologue (ERG) gene fusion occurring in 40-70%. Studies on the predictive value of ERG rearrangement as detected by in-situ hybridization or polymerase chain reaction have resulted in varying outcomes. The objective of this study was to correlate immunohistochemical ERG protein expression with clinico-pathological parameters at radical prostatectomy specimens, and to determine its predictive value for postoperative disease recurrence and progression in a prostate cancer screening cohort.

Medical methods for mid-trimester termination of pregnancy.

Background: With the improvement of ultrasound technology, the likelihood of detection of major fetal structural anomalies in mid-pregnancy has increased considerably. Upon the detection of serious anomalies, women typically are offered the option of pregnancy termination. Additionally, there are still many reasons other than fetal anomalies why women seek abortion in the mid-trimester.

Congenital heart defects and biomarkers of methylation in children: a case-control study.

Background: Derangements in the maternal methylation pathway, expressed by global hypomethylation and hyperhomocysteinemia, are associated with the risk of having a child with a congenital heart defect (CHD). It is not known whether periconception exposure to these metabolic derangements contributes to chromosome segregation and metabolic programming of this pathway in the foetus.

Design: In a Dutch population-based case-control study of 143 children with CHD and 186 healthy children, we investigated S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), total homocysteine (tHcy), the vitamins folate and B12 and the functional single nucleotide polymorphisms in the folate gene MTHFR 677C>T and 1298A>C.

The association of daily physical activity and birth outcome: a population-based cohort study.

The potential relationship between daily physical activity and pregnancy outcome remains unclear because of the wide variation in study designs and physical activity assessment measures. We sought to prospectively quantify the potential effects of the various domains of physical activity on selected birth outcomes in a large unselected population. The sample consisted of 11,759 singleton pregnancies from the Avon longitudinal study of parents and children, United Kingdom.

The recovery of urinary continence after radical retropubic prostatectomy: a randomized trial comparing the effect of physiotherapist-guided pelvic floor muscle exercises with guidance by an instruction folder only.

Objective: To compare the effect on the recovery of incontinence after retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) of intensive physiotherapist-guided pelvic floor muscle exercises (PG-PFME) in addition to an information folder, with PFME explained to patients by an information folder only (F-PFME), and to determine independent predictors of failure to regain continence after RRP.

Patients And Methods: We postulated that a 10% increase in the proportion of men who regained continence at 6 months with PG-PFME compared with men treated with F-PFME only would constitute a clinically relevant effect. To show statistical significance of this difference with a power of 80%, 96 men should be randomized to each of the two arms.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) isoform p2PSA in combination with total PSA and free PSA improves diagnostic accuracy in prostate cancer detection.

Background: Novel markers for prostate cancer (PCa) detection are needed. Total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) and percent free prostate-specific antigen (%fPSA=tPSA/fPSA) lack diagnostic specificity.

Objective: To evaluate the use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) isoforms p2PSA and benign prostatic hyperplasia-associated PSA (BPHA).

Sperm chromatin structure is associated with the quality of spermatogenesis in infertile patients.

Objective: To establish the diagnostic value of sperm chromatin structure assessment for the evaluation of male factor infertility, in addition to conventional andrological workup.

Design: Cross-sectional controlled study.

Setting: A tertiary referral andrology clinic.

Decreased sperm DNA fragmentation after surgical varicocelectomy is associated with increased pregnancy rate.

Purpose: We prospectively evaluated changes in sperm chromatin structure in infertile patients before and after surgical repair of varicocele, and the impact on the pregnancy rate.

Materials And Methods: Included in the study were 49 men with at least a 1-year history of infertility, a palpable varicocele and oligospermia. World Health Organization semen analysis and sperm DNA damage expressed as the DNA fragmentation index using the sperm chromatin structure assay were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively.

Prognostic factors for and outcome of locally advanced prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy.

Objective: To present the outcomes of cT3N0M0 prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy (RP) and determine the prognostic factors in biochemical progression-free survival (BPFS), clinical progression-free survival (CPFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) after long-term follow-up of 10 years.

Patients And Methods: In all, 164 patients who were assessed as clinical T3 prostate cancer by digital rectal examination (DRE), underwent RP and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy at Erasmus MC between 1977 and 2004 without neoadjuvant treatment. Preoperative staging computed tomography showed no signs of metastasis.

Expression of the androgen-regulated fusion gene TMPRSS2-ERG does not predict response to endocrine treatment in hormone-naïve, node-positive prostate cancer.

Background: Fusion of the androgen-regulated gene transmembrane protease, serine 2, TMPRSS2, to the v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog (avian), ERG, of the erythroblast transformation-specific (ETS) family is the most common genetic alteration in prostate cancer (PCa).

Objective: To determine whether expression of androgen-regulated TMPRSS2-ERG predicts response to endocrine treatment in hormone-naïve, node-positive PCa.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Eighty-five patients with histologically confirmed, node-positive PCa who were without treatment at the moment of lymph node dissection were analysed.