The impact of ureteral access sheaths on radiation exposure in the ureterorenoscopic treatment of urolithiasis.

Introduction: Ureteral access sheaths (UAS) are widely used in the endoscopic treatment of urolithiasis. In modern medicine, radiation exposure from diagnostics and therapy is increasing; however, the impact of UAS on procedure duration, fluoroscopy time, and radiation exposure is still uncertain.

Methods: This retrospective study included 1,026 patients who received ureterorenoscopic treatment for urolithiasis between 2016 and 2018 at a large academic center.

Effects of carvedilol on human prostate tissue contractility and stromal cell growth pointing to potential clinical implications.

Background: Apart from antagonizing ß-adrenoceptors, carvedilol antagonizes vascular α-adrenoceptors and activates G protein-independent signaling. Even though it is a commonly used antihypertensive and α-adrenoceptors are essential for the treatment of voiding symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia, its actions in the human prostate are still unknown. Here, we examined carvedilol effects on contractions of human prostate tissues, and on stromal cell growth.

Isoform-independent promotion of contractility and proliferation, and suppression of survival by with no lysine/K kinases in prostate stromal cells.

With no lysine/K kinases (WNKs) promote vasocontraction and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. In the prostate, smooth muscle contraction and growth may be critical for the development and medical treatment of voiding symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Here, we examined the effects of isoform-specific WNK silencing and of the WNK inhibitor WNK463 on growth-related functions and contraction in prostate stromal cells, and in human prostate tissues.

Patients' Trust in Artificial Intelligence-based Decision-making for Localized Prostate Cancer: Results from a Prospective Trial.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve treatment outcomes. However, AI integration into clinical workflows and patient perspectives remain unclear.

Objective: To determine patients' trust in AI and their perception of urologists relying on AI, and future diagnostic and therapeutic AI applications for patients.

The Impact of Laser Energy on Functional Outcome Following Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate.

Objective: To assess the impact of total laser energy applied, as well as enucleation efficiency on short-term functional outcomes for patients treated for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 1593 consecutive patients who underwent HoLEP for LUTS due to benign prostate obstruction in a tertiary care center between January 2018 and January 2021 was performed. Perioperative parameters and short-term functional outcome were evaluated.

Organ-specific off-target effects of Pim/ZIP kinase inhibitors suggest lack of contractile Pim kinase activity in prostate, bladder, and vascular smooth muscle.

Smooth muscle contraction by Pim kinases and ZIPK has been suggested, but evidence for lower urinary tract organs or using Pim-selective inhibitor concentrations is not yet available. Here, we assessed effects of the Pim inhibitors AZD1208 and TCS PIM-1 and the dual ZIPK/Pim inhibitor HS38 on contractions of human prostate and bladder tissues and of porcine interlobar arteries. Human tissues were obtained from radical prostatectomy and radical cystectomy and renal interlobar arteries from pigs.

Selective inhibition of neurogenic, but not agonist-induced contractions by phospholipase A inhibitors points to presynaptic phospholipase A functions in contractile neurotransmission to human prostate smooth muscle.

Background: Phospholipases A (PLA ) may be involved in α -adrenergic contraction by formation of thromboxane A in different smooth muscle types. However, whether this mechanism occurs with α -adrenergic contractions of the prostate, is still unknown. While α -adrenoceptor antagonists are the first line option for medical treatment of voiding symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), improvements are limited, probably by nonadrenergic contractions including thromboxane A .

Inhibition of growth and contraction in human prostate stromal cells by silencing of NUAK1 and -2, and by the presumed NUAK inhibitors HTH01-015 and WZ4003.

NUAKs promote myosin light chain phosphorlyation, actin organization, proliferation and suppression of cell death in non-muscle cells, which are critical for smooth muscle contraction and growth. In benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), contraction and growth in the prostate drive urethral obstruction and voiding symptoms. However, a role of NUAKs in smooth muscle contraction or prostate functions are unknown.

Inhibition of α-Adrenergic, Non-Adrenergic and Neurogenic Human Prostate Smooth Muscle Contraction and of Stromal Cell Growth by the Isoflavones Genistein and Daidzein.

Isoflavone-rich legumes, including soy, are used for food production, as dietary supplements and in traditional medicine. Soy consumption correlates negatively with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and voiding symptoms. However, isoflavone effects on the prostate are hardly known.

Gender Bias in Urology: How Do Patients Really Choose Their Urologist?

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the influence of patients' and urologists' gender when choosing a urologist. With rising population diversity through immigration and generational differences, patient-centered healthcare has recently moved to the focus of European healthcare systems. As healthcare in urology often concentrates on sensitive topics, and often involves gender-specific diseases, research on the influence of gender on decision-making processes is of high importance.

The Burden of Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Genitourinary Cancers: A Prospective Study (NCT04535921).

Introduction: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a challenging and often unaddressed concern, and predictive factors for high FCR remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to assess predictive factors for high FCR in patients undergoing surgery for genitourinary cancer.

Materials And Methods: Overall, 525 patients were prospectively included.

Expression of Nectin-4 in Variant Histologies of Bladder Cancer and Its Prognostic Value-Need for Biomarker Testing in High-Risk Patients?

Variant histologies of bladder cancer (BC) often present with advanced tumor stage and the status of perioperative therapy is unclear. Thereby, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), adenocarcinoma (ADENO), and sarcomatoid urothelial carcinoma (SARCO) are the most frequent variants. Nectin-4 has emerged as a highly interesting target in BC and might guide therapeutic application of antibody−drug conjugates (ADC).

Identification of the Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) Landscape in Pure Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder.

Background: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are known as important prognostic biomarkers and build the fundament for immunotherapy. However, the presence of TILs and its impact on outcome in pure squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the bladder remains uncertain. Methods: Out of 1600 patients undergoing radical cystectomy, 61 patients revealed pure bladder SCC in the final histopathological specimen.

Antagonism of α-adrenoceptors by β-adrenergic agonists: Structure-function relations of different agonists in prostate smooth muscle contraction.

Effects of β-adrenergic agonists on prostate smooth muscle contraction are poorly characterized, although mirabegron is used for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms. Off-target effects of several β-adrenergic agonists include antagonism of α-adrenoceptors. Proposed, but unconfirmed explanations include phenylethanolamine backbones, found in some β-adrenergic agonists and imparting interaction with catecholamine binding pockets of adrenoceptors.

Age and ECOG Performance Status as Predictors of Survival of Patients with Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Undergoing Radical Nephroureterectomy.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of chronological and biological age on perioperative complications and survival after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Elderly patients with upper-tract urothelial carcinoma might be overtreated by RNU.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing RNU.

Inhibition of Full Smooth Muscle Contraction in Isolated Human Detrusor Tissues by Mirabegron Is Limited to Off-Target Inhibition of Neurogenic Contractions.

Mirabegron is used for treatment of storage symptoms in overactive bladder (OAB) caused by spontaneous bladder smooth muscle contractions. However, owing to limitations in available studies using human tissues, central questions are still unresolved, including mechanisms underlying improvements by mirabegron and its anticontractile effects in the detrusor. Here, we assessed concentration-dependent mirabegron effects on contractions of human detrusor tissues in frequency-response curves and concentration-response curves for different cholinergic and noncholinergic agonists.

Inhibition of neurogenic contractions in renal arteries and of cholinergic contractions in coronary arteries by the presumed inhibitor of ADP-ribosylation factor 6, NAV2729.

NAV2729 is a presumed inhibitor of the monomeric GTPase ADP ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6) and inhibits smooth muscle contraction outside the cardiovascular system. Its effects on vascular smooth muscle contraction or a possible role of ARF6 in vasocontraction have not yet been examined. Here, we report effects of NAV2729 on neurogenic and agonist-induced contractions in renal interlobar and coronary arteries.

Inhibition of human prostate smooth muscle contraction by the inhibitors of protein kinase C, GF109203X, and Go6983.

Introduction: Prostate smooth muscle contraction is promoted by receptor-induced activation of intracellular signaling pathways. The presumed involvement in etiology and medical treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) imparts a high clinical relevance to prostate smooth muscle contraction, which is contrasted by incomplete understanding at the molecular level. Involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) has been commonly assumed, but available studies were limited to nonhuman prostate smooth muscle or cell cultures.

Concentration-dependent alpha-Adrenoceptor Antagonism and Inhibition of Neurogenic Smooth Muscle Contraction by Mirabegron in the Human Prostate.

Mirabegron is available for treatment of storage symptoms in overactive bladder, which may be improved by β-adrenoceptor-induced bladder smooth muscle relaxation. In addition to storage symptoms, lower urinary tract symptoms in men include obstructive symptoms attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia, caused by increased prostate smooth muscle tone and prostate enlargement. In contrast to the bladder and storage symptoms, effects of mirabegron on prostate smooth muscle contraction and obstructive symptoms are poorly understood.

Improving Drinking and Micturition Habits in Preschool Children: An Educational Project.

Introduction: Children worldwide often do not drink enough. However, sufficient fluids are essential for physical and cognitive health. A regular and adequate supply of fluids also supports bladder maturation in the context of acquiring urinary continence.

The Impact of Fluorescence in situ Hybridization on the Staging of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) diagnostics on the T stage in final histology specimen of patients undergoing radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) due to upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) at a large tertiary care center.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent RNU at our center between 2008 and 2020. Inclusion criteria were RNU due to UTUC.

Purinergic smooth muscle contractions in the human prostate: estimation of relevance and characterization of different agonists.

Non-adrenergic prostate smooth muscle contractions may account for the limited effectiveness of α-adrenoceptor antagonists, which are the first-line option for medical treatment of voiding symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In non-human prostates, purinergic agonists induce contractions reaching similar magnitudes as α-adrenergic contractions. However, evidence for the human prostate is highly limited, and pointed to much weaker purinergic contractions.

Inhibition of neurogenic and thromboxane A -induced human prostate smooth muscle contraction by the integrin α2β1 inhibitor BTT-3033 and the integrin-linked kinase inhibitor Cpd22.

Introduction: Prostate smooth muscle contraction is critical for etiology and treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Integrins connect the cytoskeleton to membranes and cells to extracellular matrix, what is essential for force generation in smooth muscle contraction. Integrins are composed of different subunits and may cooperate with integrin-linked kinase (ILK).

Inhibition of Female and Male Human Detrusor Smooth Muscle Contraction by the Rac Inhibitors EHT1864 and NSC23766.

Introduction: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to overactive bladder (OAB) are caused by spontaneous detrusor contractions. Medical treatment with muscarinic receptor antagonists or β-adrenoceptor agonists aims to inhibit detrusor contractions, but overall results are unsatisfactory. Consequently, improved understanding of bladder smooth muscle contraction and identification of novel compounds for its inhibition are needed to develop alternative options.