Correlation between Cholinergic Innervation, Autophagy, and Etiopathology of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Background: Whether cholinergic innervations and/or autophagy have a role in the etiopathology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of cholinergic innervation and autophagy in the etiopathology of BPH.

Methods: Male, 13-week-old spontaneous hypertension rats (spontaneous BPH animal model) were divided into three groups: an experimental group (EG, n = 24), a control group (CG, n = 24), and a normal control group (NC, n = 10).

Efficacy and Safety of Medium-to-long-term Use of Tolterodine Extended Release with or without Tamsulosin in Patients with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia and Larger Prostate Size: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: The medium-to-long-term use of antimuscarinics alone or in combination with an α-blocker in men with an enlarged prostate is still controversial. This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of medium-to-long-term use of tolterodine extended release (ER) with or without tamsulosin in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and larger prostate size.

Methods: Totally, 152 patients (age ≥50 years) with BPH, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥12, quality-of-life (QoL) score ≥3, and total prostate volume ≥25 ml were enrolled in this study.

Fungus ball and emphysematous cystitis secondary to Candida tropicalis: A case report.

Fungus ball and fungal emphysematous cystitis are two rare complications of fungal urinary tract infection. A 53-year-old male patient presented with these complications caused by Candida tropicalis simultaneously. The predisposing factors were diabetes mellitus and usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Evaluation of three-dimensional printing for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy of renal tumors: a preliminary report.

Objectives: To investigate the impact of three-dimensional (3D) printing on the surgical planning, potential of training and patients' comprehension of minimally invasive surgery for renal tumors.

Methods: Patients of a T1N0M0 single renal tumor and indicated for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy were selected. CT data were sent for post-processing and output to the 3D printer to create kidney models with tumor.

A multicenter, randomized clinical trial comparing the three-weekly docetaxel regimen plus prednisone versus mitoxantone plus prednisone for Chinese patients with metastatic castration refractory prostate cancer.

Purpose: To explore the feasibility and efficacy of docetaxel plus prednisone for Chinese population with metastatic castration refractory prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Patients And Methods: A total of 228 patients recruited from 15 centers were randomized to receive 10 cycles of D3P arm (docetaxel: 75 mg/m2, intravenous infusion, every three weeks; Prednisone 10mg orally given daily) or M3P arm (mitoxantrone: 12 mg/m2, intravenous infusion, every three weeks; Prednisone 10mg orally given daily). Primary end point was overall survival, and secondary end points were events progression-free survival (PFS), response rate, response duration.

Validation of a novel non-biological bench model for the training of percutaneous renal access.

Purpose: The percutaneous renal access (PRA) is the most critical step of percutaneous renal surgery (PRS). For the training of PRA in the lab, a novel non-biological bench model was developed and set for validation test.

Materials And Methods: Experts in PRS (> 60 cases) and novices were included to perform fluoroscopy guided PRA on the model.

Proficiency of virtual reality simulator training in flexible retrograde ureteroscopy renal stone management.

Background: Minimally invasive flexible ureteroscopy techniques have widely adopted in the management of patients with renal stones. We performed this study to investigate the value of virtual reality simulator training in retrograde flexible ureteroscopy renal stone treatment for catechumen.

Methods: Thirty catechumen, included 17 attending physicians and 13 associate chief physicians, were selected for study.

Association of depression/anxiety with lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction in Chinese men aged from 22 to 50 years.

Objective: To examine the relationships among lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), erectile dysfunction (ED) and mental health in Chinese men aged from 22 to 50.

Methods: The subjects were 907 men aged between 22 and 50 years. The symptoms of mental distress were evaluated by the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale questionnaires and Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale questionnaires.

Efficacy of immediate instillation combined with regular instillations of pirarubicin for Ta and T1 transitional cell bladder cancer after transurethral resection: a prospective, randomized, multicenter study.

Background: Immediate intravesical instillation of chemotherapeutic agents after transurethral resection (TUR) of nonmuscle invasive transitional cell bladder cancer has recently been suggested and has been proven to decrease the tumor recurrence rate significantly. This study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of immediate intravesical instillation combined with regular instillations of Pirarubicin (THP(®)) as prophylaxis compared to regular instillations only after TUR operation.

Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, multi-center, clinical study.

Effectiveness of the UroMentor virtual reality simulator in the skill acquisition of flexible cystoscopy.

Background: Virtual reality (VR) has been recognized as a useful modality in the training of surgical skills. With respect to basic endoscopic skill training of urology, we sought to investigate the effectiveness of the UroMentor(TM) virtual reality simulator (VRS) in the skill acquisition of flexible cystoscopy.

Methods: Urologists familiar with rigid cystoscopy procedures were selected to take part in a virtual training course of flexible cystoscopy.

Training for percutaneous renal access on a virtual reality simulator.

Background: The need to develop new methods of surgical training combined with advances in computing has led to the development of virtual reality surgical simulators. The PERC Mentor(TM) is designed to train the user in percutaneous renal collecting system access puncture. This study aimed to validate the use of this kind of simulator, in percutaneous renal access training.

Virtual reality simulator for training urologists on transurethral prostatectomy.

Background: A virtual reality simulator provides a novel training model for improving surgical skills in a variety of fields. They can simulate a variety of surgical scenarios to improve the overall skills required for endoscopic operations, and also record the operative process of trainees in real-time and allow for objective evaluation. At present, some simulators for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are available.

[Value of laparoscopic virtual reality simulator in laparoscopic suture ability training of catechumen].

Objective: To investigate the value of laparoscopic virtual reality simulator in laparoscopic suture ability training of catechumen.

Methods: After finishing the virtual reality training of basic laparoscopic skills, 26 catechumen were divided randomly into 2 groups, one group undertook advanced laparoscopic skill (suture technique) training with laparoscopic virtual reality simulator (virtual group), another used laparoscopic box trainer (box group). Using our homemade simulations, before grouping and after training, every trainee performed nephropyeloureterostomy under laparoscopy, the running time, anastomosis quality and proficiency were recorded and assessed.

[Effects of modification of transferrin on cytotoxicity and intracellular delivery of paclitaxel loaded PLGA nanoparticles].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of modification of transferrin on cytotoxicity and intracellular delivery of paclitaxel loaded Poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticle (NPs).

Methods: PLGA NPs were formulated with microemulsion method, Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was used as surfactant (PVA NPs). Transferrin (Tf) was used to modify the NPs (Tf NPs).

[Maximal androgen blockade little influences bone mineral density in prostate cancer patients].

Objective: To determine the influence of maximal androgen blockade (MAB) on bone mineral density (BMD) in men with prostate cancer.

Methods: We enrolled 40 men with prostate cancer treated by MAB for 7 to 12 months. We obtained the laboratory results of PSA, testosterone, serum calcium and phosphorus, 24-h urine calcium and phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and parathyroid hormone, measured the BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, recorded pain scores, and compared the results before and after the treatment.

Efficacy and safety of bipolar plasma vaporization of the prostate with "button-type" electrode compared with transurethral resection of prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Background: Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) has been considered as the standard treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, issues that have not yet been overcome for TURP include bleeding and absorption of irrigation fluid. Thus, novel improvement of the surgery is necessary.

[Urologic and reproductive health status of 30 - 60 years old males: investigation among 1006 men in Shijingshan District of Beijing].

Objective: To know and find some evidence for the improvement of the urologic and reproductive health of men between 30 and 60 years old.

Methods: Using stratified random sampling, we conducted a questionnaire investigation on the urologic and reproductive health status of 1 006 men aged from 30 to 60 years old in the Shijingshan District of Beijing, including the unemployed, taxi drivers and office workers.

Results: Of the 1006 males investigated, BMI > or = 24 kg/m2 was found in 72.

[Face and content validation of the virtual reality transurethral prostatic resection simulator].

Objective: To evaluate the face and content validation of the virtual reality transurethral resection of the prostate simulator (TURPSim(TM)).

Methods: The 60 urology doctor aged 26 - 50 years old all over the country were enrolled for virtual reality training of TURP from September 2010 to June 2011. Participants classified as experts (more than 50 procedures performed) and novices (50 or fewer procedures performed) performed TURPs on TURPSim(TM) involving resection of 25 - 80 g prostate.

[Association between lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction in males aged 50 years and above: results from a multicenter community-based cross-sectional survey (BPC-BPH)].

Objective: To survey the incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED) in males aged ≥ 50 years and explore the correlation between LUTS and ED.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed at Beijing communities in 1644 males aged over 50 years. The International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) were recorded.