Protective effect of sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto) on kidney function and filtration barrier injury in a porcine model of partial nephrectomy.

Kidney surgery often includes organ ischaemia with a risk of acute kidney injury. The present study tested if treatment with the combined angiotensin II-angiotensin II receptor type 1 and neprilysin blocker Entresto (LCZ696, sacubitril/valsartan) protects filtration barrier and kidney function after ischaemia and partial nephrectomy (PN) in pigs. Single kidney glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by technetium-99m diethylene-triamine-pentaacetate clearance was validated (n = 6).

Protection of kidney function and tissue integrity by pharmacologic use of natriuretic peptides and neprilysin inhibitors.

With variable potencies atrial-, brain-type and c-type natriuretic peptides (NP)s, best documented for ANP and its analogues, promote sodium and water excretion, renal blood flow, lipolysis, lower blood pressure, and suppress renin and aldosterone secretion through interaction predominantly with cGMP-coupled NPR-A receptor. Infusion of especially ANP and its analogues up to 50 ng/kg/min in patients with high risk of acute kidney injury (cardiac vascular bypass surgery, intraabdominal surgery, direct kidney surgery) protects kidney function (GFR, plasma flow, medullary flow, albuminuria, renal replacement therapy, tissue injury) at short term and also long term and likely additively with the diuretic furosemide. This documents a pharmacologic potential for the pathway.

Shared care in prostate cancer: a three-year follow-up.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate 3 year follow-up in patients with stable prostate cancer (PCa) managed in a shared care program by general practitioners (GPs) in collaboration with urological departments. PCa patients who have undergone curative treatment or endocrine therapy require long-term follow-up. Until recently, follow-up has primarily been managed by urologists at hospital-based outpatient clinics.

Clinical characteristics and quality-of-life in patients surviving a decade of prostate cancer with bone metastases.

Objective: To describe characteristics and quality-of-life (QoL), and to define factors associated with long-term survival in a subgroup of patients with prostate cancer with M1b disease.

Patients And Methods: The study was based on 915 patients from a prospective randomised multicentre trial (No. 5) by the Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group, comparing parenteral oestrogen with total androgen blockade.

Shared care is a model for patients with stable prostate cancer.

Introduction: Patients with prostate cancer (PC) have so far been followed in specialised hospital departments after diagnosis and initiation of treatment. The main obstacles associated with the transfer of this activity to general practice include lack of experience and uncertainty as to whether general practitioners (GPs) can handle follow-up.

Material And Methods: A Steering Committee was established in collaboration with health-care professionals to devise a strategy for a shared care model.

Samarium-153 treatment of bone pain in patients with metastatic prostate cancer.

Introduction: Painful bone metastases are common in advanced prostate cancer. We report the clinical outcome after administration of Samarium-153 ((153)Sm), an emitter of beta-particles that concentrates in the areas of enhanced osteoblastic activity.

Methods: Twenty-two patients (median age 73 years) with metastatic, hormone-refractory prostate cancer received a single bolus infusion of (153)Sm (37 MBq/kg).

Bisphosphonate (zoledronic acid)-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Objective: The use of bisphosphonates (zoledronic acid) in the treatment of metastatic bone disease has been raised during recent years. The purpose of this treatment is mainly to reduce skeletal-related events, e.g.

[Acute cardiac failure in pheochromocytoma].

Pheochromocytoma (P) is an endocrine catecholamine-secreting tumor. Classical symptoms like hypertension, attacks of sweating, palpitations, headache and palor are related to catecholamine discharge. We provide a case of P in a 71 year-old man presenting with acute cardiac failure, severe reduction in left ventricular function and elevated myocardial enzymes.

[Urachal adenocarcinoma].

We report a case of a mucin-producing adenocarcinoma in an urachal lesion. Other histological subtypes of this rare condition are mentioned. Treatment modalities for adenocarcinomas in an urachal lesion include en bloc total or partial cystectomy with excision of the urachus and umbilectomy or local resection with surveillance in highly selected cases.

[Radical prostatectomies for localized prostate cancer performed in center satellite collaboration--is it possible?].

Introduction: In an effort to comply with the increasing demand for surgery for localized prostate cancer a center satellite collaboration was established between a university department and two local urological departments. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate open radical prostatectomies performed by this collaboration.

Materials And Methods: The centre satellite collaboration included preoperative evaluation and treatment at local hospitals and evaluation of operative results by audit every 6 months.

[Development of an Internet search strategy to identify new medical technologies in prostate cancer].

Introduction: Technological change is rapid in medicine. The Internet is becoming more and more important as a source of keeping abreast of technological change, but tools to aid clinicians in finding relevant information on the Internet are lacking. The objective of this project was to develop an Internet search strategy to identify new technologies for the treatment of localised prostate cancer.

[Diagnosis, evaluation and follow-up of patients with prostatic cancer].

The current diagnostic modalities for diagnosing and evaluating prostate cancer are described. DRE, PSA and TRUS are the three major cornerstones of the diagnostic approach and further evaluation includes bone scans. Lymphnode status can be evaluated only by lymphadenectomy, but is only of interest when curative treatment is considered.

Peritoneal dialysis catheter placement: is laparoscopy an option?

Unlabelled: Peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is the preferred and gentlest type of dialysis in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). One of the most frequent complications following peritoneal dialysis catheter (P-catheter) placement is malfunction owing to displacement, which frequently entails major problems for the patient, including reoperation and the risk of having to switch to haemodialysis. Consequently, to ensure optimal P-catheter function and reduce patient morbidity, it is essential to develop and assess new surgical techniques for dialysis catheter placement.

[Outcome of open and laparoscopic nephrectomies in a county hospital--centralization].

Introduction: The results of conventional open and laparoscopic nephrectomy in a six-year period from a county hospital are presented.

Materials And Methods: In the period June 1st 1995 to June 2nd 2005, a total of 123 nephrectomies were performed. One hundred and five patients had cancer of whom 85 were operated (46 by laparoscopy and 39 by open surgery).

[Laparoscopy-assisted cryoablation of small kidney tumours].

Introduction: During the last 10 years, the number of incidentally found renal tumours has increased from 60 to 75%. Treatment modalities for these small tumours include nefron sparing surgery performed as partial nefrectomy, RFA (radio frequency ablation) or cryoablation. The purpose of this study is to present the first Danish experiences with laparoscopic assisted cryoablation of small kidney tumours.

[Testicular torsion after previous fixation of the testis].

Testicular torsion (TT) is caused by rotation of the testis. If not treated acutely, TT causes ischaemic necrosis. As the anatomic variations responsible for the torsion are likely to be bilateral, the opposite testis should also be fixed.

Prostate-specific antigen testing in general practice: a survey among 325 general practitioners in Denmark.

Objectives: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a well-known and -utilized tumor marker for prostate cancer. Elevated PSA values are not specific for prostate cancer as they may be caused by other benign conditions. PSA testing is widely used by urologists and non-urologists.

Prostate cancer after exogenous testosterone replacement therapy in a patient with pituitary insufficiency.

We present the case of a patient who was diagnosed with prostate cancer after 15 years of exogenous testosterone therapy. We discuss the literature on testosterone treatment, its possible prostatic complications and guidelines for monitoring the prostate during treatment.

Quality of life in patients with skeletal metastases of prostate cancer and status prior to start of endocrine therapy: results from the Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group Study 5.

Objectives: Prostate cancer (PC) is a highly lethal neoplastic disease affecting the physical, mental and social well-being of patients, i.e. their quality of life (QOL).

Recurrent urinary tract infection due to hernia mesh erosion into the bladder.

We present a rare cause of recurrent urinary tract infection and calculus formation: erosion of a mesh after an inguinal repair into the bladder of a 77-year-old male.