Innervation pattern of the unclosed detrusor muscle in classic bladder exstrophy: a study of patients with urothelial overexpression of nerve growth factor.

Purpose: An overexpression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the urothelium is discussed to lead to neuronal hyperinnervation of the bladder detrusor. The aim was to assess the sensory and sympathetic innervation of the detrusor in unclosed exstrophic bladders patients with known overexpression of NGF in the urothelium.

Methods: Full-thickness bladder biopsies were prospectively obtained from 34 infants at delayed primary bladder closure between 01/2015 and 04/2020.

Persistent urothelial differentiation changes in the reconstructed exstrophic bladder: Congenital or acquired dysfunction of the epithelial barrier?

Background: We have previously characterised the urothelium from infants with classic bladder exstrophy (CBE) for the expression of urothelial differentiation-associated markers. We found abnormal expression patterns of uroplakin 3a, cytokeratin 13, cytokeratin 20 and claudin 4 in the majority of bladder biopsies taken at the time of primary bladder closure. Abnormal urothelial differentiation results in a compromised urothelial barrier with potential implications on bladder development and the success of reconstructive surgery.

Expression of Low Affinity Nerve Growth Factor Receptor p75 in Classic Bladder Exstrophy.

Successful primary closure of classic bladder exstrophy (BE) is crucial for development of bladder capacity and voided continence. It is universally agreed that an intensive pain management including the use of caudal epidural anesthesia is an essential cornerstone for the outcome of this complex surgery. Whether and to what extent pain is caused by structural or functional changes is not yet known.

A Population Pharmacokinetic Model of (R)- and (S-) Oxybutynin and Its Active Metabolites After Oral and Intravesical Administration to Healthy Volunteers.

Oxybutynin is a racemic anticholinergic drug used for the symptomatic treatment of detrusor overactivity. The formation of active metabolites related to tolerability problems depends on the route of administration. The objective of this evaluation was to develop a pharmacokinetic model for oral/intravesical administration as the basis for simulations with different dosages.

Expression, localisation and potential significance of aquaporins in benign and malignant human prostate tissue.

Background: To study the expression pattern, localisation and potential clinical significance of aquaporin water channels (AQP) both in prostate cancer (PC) cell lines and in benign and malignant human prostate tissue.

Methods: The AQP transcript and protein expression of HPrEC, LNCaP, DU-145 and PC3 cell lines was investigated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy labelling. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to assess AQP protein expression in surgical specimens of benign prostatic hyperplasia as well as in PC.

Differentiation-associated urothelial cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase predicates the xenobiotic-metabolizing activity of "luminal" muscle-invasive bladder cancers.

Extra-hepatic metabolism of xenobiotics by epithelial tissues has evolved as a self-defence mechanism but has potential to contribute to the local activation of carcinogens. Bladder epithelium (urothelium) is bathed in excreted urinary toxicants and pro-carcinogens. This study reveals how differentiation affects cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity and the role of NADPH:P450 oxidoreductase (POR).

Impact of vasectomy on the sexual satisfaction of couples: experience from a specialized clinic.

Introduction: Vasectomy is the simplest, safest, and most effective form of definitive fertility control in men [1]. Vasectomy is used for 10% of contraception worldwide but only for 2% in Germany [2]. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of vasectomy on the sexual satisfaction of sterilized men and their partners.

Incidence, Risk Factors and Management of Symptomatic Lymphoceles after Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy.

Introduction: We investigated the incidence, clinical course and risk factors for symptomatic lymphoceles after radical retropubic prostatectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection. Moreover, we explored parameters for the failure of percutaneous lymphocele drainage.

Methods: The incidence of symptomatic lymphoceles in patients with prostate cancer who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection in our department between 2008 and 2013 was investigated retrospectively.

Aquaporin 3 Expression Loss in Urothelial Carcinoma: Association with Tumor Invasion Depth, but not with Grading?

We have previously provided molecular evidence of expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) in normal human urothelium and in UBC of various stages. Whereas former studies demonstrated that loss of AQP3 was associated with invasive and high-grade disease and worse progression-free and cancer-specific survival, this report investigates the expression of AQP3 in associated CIS. Contrary to what we had expected, all CIS specimens were shown to exhibit strong AQP3 expression, suggesting loss of AQP3 in UBC is primarily associated with the ability of tumor cells for invasion but not with grading as sign of dedifferentiation.

Continent Anal Urinary Diversion in Classic Bladder Exstrophy: 45-Year Experience.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term outcomes in patients with classic bladder exstrophy and continent anal urinary diversion (CAD) for continence, upper urinary tract status, secondary malignancies, and sexual function.

Patients And Methods: The medical records of 82 exstrophy patients having undergone CAD in our department between 1970 and 2015 were reviewed. Patients were invited for follow-up examinations and asked to complete validated questionnaires relating to sexual function.

Evaluation of TKTL1 as a biomarker in serum of prostate cancer patients.

Introduction: Monocyte associated transketolase-like 1 (TKTL1) as a cancer biomarker has become popular with alternative practitioners, but plays no role in conventional medicine. This investigation evaluates the potential of serum TKTL1 as a biomarker for prostate cancer.

Material And Methods: Patients (n = 66) undergoing curative radical prostatectomy (RPE) for biopsy-pro-ven PCa were included in the study.

Sexual Function and Fertility of Women with Classic Bladder Exstrophy and Continent Urinary Diversion.

Purpose: We evaluated the outcome in female patients with classic bladder exstrophy and continent urinary diversion for sexual function and fertility.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed the medical records of female exstrophy patients who underwent continent urinary diversion in our department between 1969 and 2014. Patients were invited for followup examination and asked to complete questionnaires relating to sexual function, social integration and maternity.

Sexual Function, Social Integration and Paternity of Males with Classic Bladder Exstrophy following Urinary Diversion.

Purpose: We evaluated patients with classic bladder exstrophy and a history of urinary diversion for sexual function, social integration and paternity.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed the medical records of males older than 18 years with exstrophy who had undergone urinary diversion at our department between 1969 and 2014. Patients were invited for structured followup examinations and were asked to complete questionnaires relating to sexual function, social integration and paternity.

Concomitant Gleason Score ≥ 7 prostate cancer is an independent prognosticator for poor survival in nonmetastatic bladder cancer patients undergoing radical cystoprostatectomy.

Purpose: In bladder cancer (BCa) patients undergoing radical cystoprostatectomy (RCPx), concomitant prostate cancer (PCa) is a common finding. Up to now there is no clear evidence to suggest that concomitant PCa is a predictor of outcome in these patients. Aim of this study was to assess incidence and clinicopathologic characteristics of concomitant PCa in RCPx specimen and correlate it to survival parameters from a single-centre material over two decades.

Bone scintigraphy predicts bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of bone scintigraphy (BS) in early prediction of clinically asymptomatic bisphosphonate (BP)-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Material And Methods: BS of mCRPC patients treated with BP was evaluated for pathologic tracer uptake of the jaws in BS suspicious for BRONJ. Results were compared to development of clinically evident BRONJ.

Loss of AQP3 protein expression is associated with worse progression-free and cancer-specific survival in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Purpose: Urothelial carcinoma has recently been shown to express several aquaporins (AQP), with AQP3 being of particular interest as its expression is reduced or lost in tumours of higher grade and stage. Loss of AQP3 expression was associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with pT1 bladder cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of AQP3 expression in patients with muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma (MIBC).

Pancreatic Fistulae after Urologic Surgery - A Single Centre Experience.

Introduction: To evaluate incidence, symptoms and management of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after urologic surgery based on our experience.

Material And Methods: Database was searched for clinically evident POPF after urologic surgery between 1998 and 2014. Fistulae were graded using the POPF classification.

Presentation, Management and Long-Term Outcome of Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in Duplex Kidneys.

Purpose: Ureteropelvic junction obstruction in association with a duplex collecting system is a rare but challenging upper urinary tract pathology. We report our 21-year experience with this anomaly in terms of presentation, diagnostic evaluation and management.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively identified all patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction in a duplex collecting system between 1991 and 2012.

Outcome of patients with pathological tumor stage T3 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder following radical cystectomy in a single-center series with 116 patients.

Objective: Outcome prediction of pT3 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) after radical cystectomy (RC) remains challenging. The objective of our study was to determine high-risk patients with poor survival outcome in a heterogeneous group substaged pT3 who might profit from early adjuvant chemotherapy.

Materials And Methods: We compiled clinicopathological and immunohistochemical data of E-cadherin (E-cad) expression in 116 patients with pT3 UCB after RC in our single-center series.

Metabolic consequences after urinary diversion.

Metabolic disturbances are well-known, but sometimes neglected immediate consequences or late sequelae following urinary diversion (UD) using bowel segments. Whereas subclinical disturbances appear to be quite common, clinically relevant metabolic complications, however, are rare. Exclusion of bowel segments for UD results in loss of absorptive surface for its physiological function.

Intraoperative monitoring of bladder and internal anal sphincter innervation: a predictor of erectile function following low anterior rectal resection for rectal cancer? Results of a prospective clinical study.

Background: The objective was to investigate whether two-dimensional intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) of pelvic autonomic nerves has the potential to predict erectile function (EF) following surgery for rectal cancer.

Methods: A consecutive series of 17 sexually active male rectal cancer patients undergoing IONM-based nerve-sparing low anterior rectal resection were evaluated prospectively. IONM was performed by electric stimulation of the pelvic splanchnic nerves with concomitant electromyography of the internal anal sphincter and cystomanometry.

Expression of aquaporin water channels in human urothelial carcinoma: correlation of AQP3 expression with tumour grade and stage.

Purpose: To study the expression, localization and potential clinical significance of aquaporin water channels both in well-established urothelial cancer (UC) cell lines and in human bladder carcinoma specimens of different stages and grades and to discuss the clinical relevance of the findings.

Methods: AQP transcript and protein expression by RT4, RT112 and T24 UC cell lines was investigated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence labelling. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to assess AQP protein expression in 94 UC specimens of various grades and stages.