Novel nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with endopelvic fascia preservation and long-term outcomes for a single surgeon.

Although novel techniques for avoiding incontinence during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy have been developed, long-term oncological outcomes are unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term oncological outcomes and functional outcomes of novel nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with endopelvic fascia preservation for a single surgeon. Data from 100 patients who underwent structure-preserving prostatectomies performed by a single surgeon were retrospectively analyzed.

Transrectal ultrasound vector projectile imaging for time-resolved visualization of flow dynamics in the male urethra: A clinical pilot study.

Background: Quantitative and comprehensive visualization of urinary flow dynamics in the urethra is crucial for investigating patient-specific mechanisms of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Although some methods can evaluate the global properties of the urethra, it is critical to assess the local information, such as the location of the responsible lesion and its interactions with urinary flow in relation to LUTS. This approach is vital for enhancing personalized and focal treatments.

Efficacy of Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation With Silver Spike Point® Electrodes for Refractory Overactive Bladder: A Single-Arm Study.

Background Tibial nerve stimulation therapy is a treatment option for an overactive bladder. A surface electrode called a Silver Spike Point® electrode, which does not directly puncture the skin as in transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, but is expected to exert the same therapeutic effect as percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, was developed. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of tibial nerve stimulation with Silver Spike Point® electrodes for refractory overactive bladder.

The Efficacy of Compression Stockings on Patients With Nocturia: A Single-Arm Pilot Study.

Objectives:  Behavioral treatment for nocturia includes wearing compression stockings. However, a reading of the cited literature for evidence shows that there is not enough research data to support this recommendation, and it is controversial. The present study aimed to investigate and supplement evidence on the effects of wearing compression stockings during the daytime in patients with nocturia.

Urodynamic efficacy of fesoterodine for the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity and/or low compliance bladder.

Objective: To examine the urodynamic effects of fesoterodine on neurogenic detrusor overactivity and/or low compliance bladder.

Methods: A total of 77 patients (52 men, 25 women; aged 61.6 ± 20.

A randomized controlled study of the efficacy of tadalafil monotherapy versus combination of tadalafil and mirabegron for the treatment of persistent overactive bladder symptoms in men presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (CONTACT Study).

Aim: To evaluate efficacy and safety of combination of tadalafil + mirabegron for overactive bladder/benign prostatic hyperplasia (OAB/BPH).

Methods: Male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (50 to 89 years), with remaining OAB symptoms even after administering tadalafil for more than 8 weeks were randomly assigned to either tadalafil monotherapy group (5 mg/day) or tadalafil/mirabegron combination therapy group (5 mg/50 mg/day). The primary endpoint was change from baseline in total OAB symptom score (OABSS) at week 12.

Autologous and heterotopic transplantation of adipose stromal vascular fraction ameliorates stress urinary incontinence in rats with simulated childbirth trauma.

Introduction: Autologous transplantation of adipose stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is a cost-effective and technically accessible option for cell therapy. Clinical study of SVF transplantation for male stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is underway, but the effectiveness remains unknown for female SUI, majority of which is caused by childbirth trauma.

Methods: Vaginal Distension (VD) rats were generated as model for female SUI.

Molecular pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis based on microRNA expression signature: miR-320 family-regulated molecular pathways and targets.

Interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as bladder pain syndrome, is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the bladder. The symptoms of IC vary, including feeling an urgent need for immediate urination and of needing to urinate often, as well as bladder or pelvic pain. Despite its high incidence, no molecular diagnostic methods are available for IC, and the molecular pathogenesis is unknown.

Postvoid residual predicts the diagnosis of multiple system atrophy in Parkinsonian syndrome.

Objective: It is difficult to differentiate multiple system atrophy (MSA) from Parkinson's disease (PD) at least in the early stage. Urodynamic study (UDS) is useful in differentiating MSA from PD. We aimed to clarify which UDS parameter was useful in differentiating MSA from PD.

Effects of magnetic stimulation on urodynamic stress incontinence refractory to pelvic floor muscle training in a randomized sham-controlled study.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of magnetic stimulation on urodynamic stress incontinence refractory to pelvic floor muscle training in a randomized sham-controlled study.

Methods: Female patients with urodynamic stress incontinence who had not been cured by pelvic floor muscle training were randomly assigned at a ratio of 2 : 1 to either active treatment or sham treatment for 10 weeks. The randomization was made using magnetic cards for individuals indicating active or sham stimulation.

Testosterone Reduction of ≥ 480 ng/dL Predicts Favorable Prognosis of Japanese Men With Advanced Prostate Cancer Treated With Androgen-Deprivation Therapy.

Introduction: Reductions in testosterone concentration play a significant role in the treatment of prostate cancer. We studied the role of testosterone as a prognostic marker for advanced prostate cancer (stage C or higher) treated with primary androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT).

Patients And Methods: A total of 348 patients were treated using ADT as first-line therapy for prostate cancer at Chiba University Hospital between 1999 and 2016.

The Utility of Post-Void Residual Volume versus Sphincter Electromyography to Distinguish between Multiple System Atrophy and Parkinson's Disease.

Objective: To determine the ability of sphincter electromyography (EMG) and post-void residual urine volume (PVR) during a free-flow study and a pressure-flow study (PFS) for distinguishing multiple system atrophy (MSA) from Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 241 case records; both urodynamic study and sphincter EMG were performed in patients with MSA (n = 147) and PD (n = 94).

Results: There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.

Urinary Dysfunction in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Compared with Other Parkinsonian Disorders.

Background: Autonomic urinary dysfunction affects patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP); however, the severity and prevalence of urinary dysfunctions in these patients compared with those observed in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) are unknown.

Objective: We compared urinary dysfunction characteristics in patients with PSP, PD, and MSA.

Patients And Methods: Forty-seven patients who satisfied the probable or possible criteria of the National Institute for Neurological Diseases and Stroke and Society for PSP were assessed using the urinary symptoms questionnaire and the urodynamic study at Chiba and Toho Universities (n = 26 and 21, respectively).

Testicular function among testicular cancer survivors treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to identify the clinical predictors of spermatogenesis recovery in testicular cancer (TC) patients after chemotherapy and to determine the recuperation period for spermatogenesis.

Methods: Patients treated for TC from January 1982 to November 2001 at Chiba University Hospital were retrospectively assessed. Thirty-five patients who met the following criteria were examined-(i) underwent both high orchiectomy and cisplatin-based chemotherapy; (ii) had semen analyses and hormonal measurements; and (iii) were alive with no evidence of disease.

Neuromodulation for the Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

Neuromodulation therapy incorporates electrical stimulation to target specific nerves that control lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The objectives of this article are to review the mechanism of action, the type of neuromodulation, and the efficacy of neuromodulation mainly according to the results of randomized controlled trials. Neuromodulation includes pelvic floor electrical stimulation (ES) using vaginal, anal and surface electrodes, interferential therapy (IF), magnetic stimulation (MS), percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, and sacral nerve stimulation (SNS).

Six-year follow up of silodosin monotherapy for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia: What are the factors for continuation or withdrawal?

Objectives: To investigate the factors for continuation or withdrawal as an extension of a prospective study of silodosin monotherapy for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia for more than 6 years.

Methods: A total of 104 patients (age 71.5 ± 8.

The role of muscarinic receptor subtypes on carbachol-induced contraction of normal human detrusor and overactive detrusor associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of antimuscarinic antagonists on carbachol-induced contraction of normal human bladder and detrusor overactivity associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (DO/BPH). Samples of human bladder muscle were obtained from patients undergoing total cystectomy for bladder cancer (normal bladder), and those undergoing retropubic prostatectomy for BPH. All of the patients with DO/BPH had detrusor overactivity according to urodynamic studies.

Nadir Testosterone after Long-Term Followup Predicts Prognosis in Patients with Prostate Cancer Treated with Combined Androgen Blockade.

Purpose: We examined the clinical significance of long-term serum testosterone monitoring to predict the prognosis of patients with prostate cancer treated with combined androgen blockade.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 225 patients who underwent combined androgen blockade as first line therapy for prostate cancer. The prognostic values of testosterone and other clinical factors were evaluated with respect to prostate specific antigen progression-free and overall survival.

Tumor-suppressive microRNA-29s inhibit cancer cell migration and invasion via targeting LAMC1 in prostate cancer.

Our recent studies of microRNA (miRNA) expression signatures revealed that microRNA-29s (miR-29s; including miR-29a/b/c) were significantly downregulated in prostate cancer (PCa) and was a putative tumor-suppressive miRNA family in PCa. Herein, we aimed to investigate the functional significance of miR-29 in cancer cells and to identify novel miR-29s-mediated cancer pathways and target genes involved in PCa oncogenesis and metastasis. Restoration of miR-29s in PC3 and DU145 cell lines revealed significant inhibition of cancer cell migration and invasion.

Tumour-suppressive microRNA-224 inhibits cancer cell migration and invasion via targeting oncogenic TPD52 in prostate cancer.

Our recent study of the microRNA expression signature of prostate cancer (PCa) revealed that microRNA-224 (miR-224) is significantly downregulated in PCa tissues. Here, we found that restoration of miR-224 significantly inhibits PCa cell migration and invasion. Additionally, we found that oncogenic TPD52 is a direct target of miR-224 regulation.

The association of CXCR3 and renal cell carcinoma metastasis.

Purpose: Renal cell carcinoma expresses CXCR3 but the function of CXCR3 in renal cell carcinoma has not been clarified. We explored the function of CXCR3 in renal cell carcinoma and investigated CXCR3 regulating factors.

Materials And Methods: We obtained 56 clinical samples of clear cell renal cell carcinoma and corresponding normal renal tissue samples from the surgical specimens of Japanese patients who underwent radical nephrectomy at Chiba University Hospital between 2000 and 2011.

The tumor-suppressive microRNA-143/145 cluster inhibits cell migration and invasion by targeting GOLM1 in prostate cancer.

Our recent study of microRNA (miRNA) expression signature of prostate cancer (PCa) has revealed that the microRNA-143/145 (miR-143/145) cluster is significantly downregulated in cancer tissues, suggesting that these cluster miRNAs are candidate tumor suppressors. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional significance of the miR-143/145 cluster in PCa cells and to identify novel targets regulated by these cluster miRNAs in PCa. Restoration of miR-143 or miR-145 in PCa cell lines (PC3 and DU145) revealed that these miRNAs significantly inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion.

Nocturia Quality-of-Life questionnaire is a useful tool to predict nocturia and a risk of falling in Japanese outpatients: a cross-sectional survey.

Objectives: To evaluate the Japanese version of the Nocturia Quality-of-Life questionnaire for prediction of night-time voiding and risk of falling.

Methods: A survey was carried out from October 2008 to June 2009 in outpatients at 15 general hospitals and 80 general clinics in Tochigi, Japan, using the Nocturia Quality-of-Life questionnaire, overactive bladder symptom score and self-administered questionnaires on night-time symptoms (awakening, number of voids, incontinence and falling).

Results: The survey was completed by 2494 participants (1154 men, 1208 women; mean age 63.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related microRNA-200s regulate molecular targets and pathways in renal cell carcinoma.

Our recent studies of microRNA (miRNA) expression signatures demonstrated that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related microRNA-200 family (miR-200s: miR-200a/b/c, miR-141 and miR-429) were significantly downregulated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and putative tumor-suppressive miRNAs in RCC. In this study, our aim was to investigate the functional significance of the miR-200s in cancer cells and to identify novel miR-200s-regulated molecular targets and pathways in RCC. Expression levels of all the miR-200s members were significantly downregulated in human RCC tissues compared with normal renal tissues.