The effect of hexanic extract of Serenoa repens on prostatic inflammation: results from a randomized biopsy study.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of hexanic extract of Serenoa repens (HESr) on prostatic inflammation in patients with diagnosed prostatic inflammation.

Methods: Patients with prostatic inflammation histologically confirmed by TRUS prostatic biopsy were randomized either to receive HESr (320 mg/day) or no treatment. A second biopsy was performed 6 months later according to standard clinical practice.

Feasibility and safety of radical cystectomy under combined spinal and epidural anesthesia in octogenarian patients with ASA score ≥3: A case series.

Introduction: This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of open radical cystectomy (RC) under combined regional anesthesia (CRA) in high-risk octogenarian patients.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of high-risk, octogenarian bladder cancer patients submitted to open RC with CRA. Demographic and clinical data, intraoperative parameters and perioperative and postoperative complications were recorded using the Clavien-Dindo classification.

Endothelin-1 overexpression: a potential biomarker of unfavorable prognosis in non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a multifunctional peptide exerting its effects via receptors A and B. ET-1 and its receptors, endothelin axis (ET axis), play a promoting role in cancer biology. Alterations of proteins of ET axis have been detected in non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMMIBC).

Previous Bladder Cancer History in Patients with High-Risk, Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer Correlates with Recurrence and Progression: Implications of Natural History.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation of previous bladder cancer history with the recurrence and progression of patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with adjuvant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and to evaluate their natural history.

Materials And Methods: Patients were divided into two groups based on the existence of previous bladder cancer (primary, non-primary). A logistic regression analysis was used to identify the possible differences in the probabilities of recurrence and progression with respect to tumor history, while potential differences due to gender, tumor size (> 3 cm, < 3 cm), stage (pTa, T1), concomitant carcinoma in situ (pTis) and number of tumors (single, multiple) were also assessed.

Age-related prevalence of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and anticoagulation therapy use in a urolithiasis population and their effect on outcomes: the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Ureteroscopy Global Study.

Purpose: This study examined the prevalence of risk factors for urological stone surgery and their possible influence on outcome and complications following ureteroscopy (URS).

Methods: The Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Ureteroscopy Global Study collected prospective data on consecutive patients with urinary stones treated with URS at centers around the world for 1 year. The prevalence of common comorbidities and anticoagulation therapy and their relationship with complications and age were examined.

Evaluation of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, interleukin-18, and cystatin C as molecular markers before and after unilateral shock wave lithotripsy.

Objective: To investigate the impact of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) on renal tissues using neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), cystatin C, and interleukin 18 (IL-18) levels in serum and urine and to examine the relationship of these biomarkers with patient and calculus characteristics as well as SWL treatment parameters.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-seven patients with renal calculi were included in this study. Blood and urine samples were attained from each patient at 4 time points; immediately before SWL, 6 hours after, 3 days after, and 10 days after the SWL.

Dissatisfaction with male sexual performance and female sexual dysfunction in women with type 1 diabetes.

Although partnership issues are thought to be implicated in female psychology and sexual life, no data exist on the relationship between dissatisfaction with male sexual performance and female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM-1). We studied 70 women with uncomplicated DM-1 and 100 nondiabetic women using Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) and a Likert Scale to evaluate sexual function, sexual distress and the degree of satisfaction derived from the male partner's sexual performance. Compared with healthy controls, DM-1 women had significantly worse sexual function, higher sexual distress and higher FSD frequency.

The impact of stapling devices use on patients with increased body mass index treated with radical cystectomy.

Introduction: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the impact of stapling devices use on overweight and obese bladder cancer patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC).

Materials And Methods: Fifty-two overweight and 24 obese patients underwent open RC for muscle invasive bladder cancer. Bladder removal was performed using standard suture technique (SST) or multifire autosuture articulated vascular Endo-GIA (eG).

Tumor size and T stage correlate independently with recurrence and progression in high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients treated with adjuvant BCG.

We conducted a retrospective study to determine the prognostic significance of age, gender, associated carcinoma in situ, stage, number of tumors, and tumor size for patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder tumors treated with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Data were evaluated on 144 high-risk patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with BCG immunotherapy after the initial treatment with transurethral resection. According to their response to BCG, patients were divided into groups, and the differences in factors, associated with recurrence and progression, were evaluated.

Lack of association between the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) gene polymorphism and the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia in Caucasian men.

Glucuronidation, mediated by the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) enzyme, is an important metabolic process during which steroids are converted to more easily excreted compounds in steroid target tissues, such as the prostate. The aim of our study was to investigate the possible correlation between UGT1A1 promoter gene polymorphism and benign prostatic hyperplasia. 421 blood samples were obtained from 138 consecutive patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hypeplasia (BPH group) and 283 healthy volunteers (control group).

Lithotrites and postoperative fever: does lithotrite type matter? Results from the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Global Study.

Objective: To compare the risks of fever from different lithotrites after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL).

Materials And Methods: The Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) PNL database is a prospective, multi-institutional, international PNL registry. Of 5,803 total patients, 4,968 received preoperative antibiotics, were supplied with complete information and included in this analysis.

Two-step minipercutaneous ureterolithotripsy under multimodal analgesia for complicated impacted calculi in proximal ureter.

Objective: To suggest minipercutaneous ureterolithotripsy using the mininephroscope as an alternative process for impacted stones of the upper ureter because these stones can be challenging to treat and can produce severe symptoms.

Materials And Methods: We report our results of cases in which the percutaneous approach using 2-step minipercutaneous ureteroscopy with the mininephroscope was used to achieve relief from the stone, with minimal anesthesia risks. A total of 54 patients (33 men and 21 women) presented with impacted stones in the proximal ureter.

A giant inguinoscrotal bladder hernia as a cause of chronic renal failure: A rare case.

Introduction: Giant inguinoscrotal bladder hernias are very rare and require surgical intervention. They usually do not cause any specific symptoms and thus, they are often misdiagnosed. If left untreated though, they might lead to severe medical conditions, such as renal failure.

The impact of parental bonding on sexual distress in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Introduction: Psychosomatic and social issues have been found to be determinants of sexual distress in diabetic and non-diabetic populations. However, the role of parental bonding as a determinant for sexual distress has not been studied in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM-1).

Aim: To study the role of parental care and overprotection, in the pathogenesis of sexual distress in women with DM-1.

Is there a learning curve for photodynamic diagnosis of bladder cancer with hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride?

Introduction: To assess the learning curve for fluorescence cystoscopy using hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride (HAL) in patients with bladder cancer.

Material And Methods: Fifty patients underwent bladder instillation with HAL. Two senior residents inspected separately the bladder using white light cystoscopy, followed by fluorescence cystoscopy and mapped the lesions.

Sexual function in pre- and post-menopausal women with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the female sexual function in relation to hormonal status in pre- and postmenopausal women with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A total of 43 premenopausal (mean age 42.1±4.

Expression of neutral endopeptidase, endothelin-1, and nuclear factor kappa B in prostate cancer: interrelations and associations with prostate-specific antigen recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

Objective. To study the impact of the neutral endopeptidase (NEP)/neuropeptides (NPs) axis and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) as predictors of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP). Patients and Methods.

Sexual functioning and distress among premenopausal women with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes.

Introduction: Current studies indicate that women with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) have a high prevalence of sexual disorders although data on the prevalence of sexual dysfunction are limited when sexual distress is included.

Aim: The frequency and the possible correlates of distressful sexual disorders in a highly selected group of type 1 diabetic women.

Methods: The sexual function, sexual distress, and general health status were assessed in 44 premenopausal women with uncomplicated T1DM and 47 healthy controls, using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), and the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28).

CD10 is inversely associated with nuclear factor-kappa B and predicts biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

Introduction: The cell surface endopeptidase CD10 (neutral endopeptidase) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) have been independently associated with prostate cancer (PC) progression. We investigated the correlations between these two factors and their prognostic relevance in terms of biochemical (prostate-specific antigen, PSA) relapse after radical prostatectomy (RP) for localized PC.

Patients And Methods: The immunohistochemical expression of CD10 and NF-κB in samples from 70 patients who underwent RP for localized PC was correlated with the preoperative PSA level, Gleason score, pathological stage and time to PSA failure.

Molecular pathogenesis of non muscle-invasive bladder cancer: implications for novel targeted therapies.

Approximately 70% to 80% of patients with urothelial carcinomas of the bladder are initially diagnosed with non-muscle invasive disease. Superficial, non-muscle invasive bladder cancers (NMIBCs) are managed with cystoscopic transurethral resection of all visible lesions followed by intravesical chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy. Despite this treatment, up to 70% of these tumors will recur within five years and 15% will ultimately progress to muscle-invasive disease, suggesting that novel therapeutic strategies are necessary.

Feasibility and efficacy of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy using a new modified lateral position for the treatment of renal stones in obese patients.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ESWL using a modified lateral position in obese patients with renal stones. Nineteen obese patients with renal stones were enrolled (group A). The mean stone diameter was 1.

p53 and cyclooxygenase-2 expression are directly associated with cyclin D1 expression in radical prostatectomy specimens of patients with hormone-naïve prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a potentially curable disease when diagnosed in early stages and subsequently treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). However, a significant proportion of patients tend to relapse early, with the emergence of biochemical failure (BF) as an established precursor of progression to metastatic disease. Several candidate molecular markers have been studied in an effort to enhance the accuracy of existing predictive tools regarding the risk of BF after RP.