Postmenopausal status increases the risk of uric acid stones.

Objective: This study investigated the impact of menopause on stone composition in women with urolithiasis.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2013 to March 2018. Women with urolithiasis patients were divided into two groups according to their menopause status.

Machine learning models for screening clinically significant nephrolithiasis in overweight and obese populations.

Purposes: Our aim is to build and evaluate models to screen for clinically significant nephrolithiasis in overweight and obesity populations using machine learning (ML) methodologies and simple health checkup clinical and urine parameters easily obtained in clinics.

Methods: We developed ML models to screen for clinically significant nephrolithiasis (kidney stone > 2 mm) in overweight and obese populations (body mass index, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m) using gender, age, BMI, gout, diabetes mellitus, estimated glomerular filtration rate, bacteriuria, urine pH, urine red blood cell counts, and urine specific gravity. The data were collected from hospitals in Kaohsiung, Taiwan between 2012 and 2021.

Cumulative sum analysis of the learning curve of laparoendoscopic single-site robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Background: Radical prostatectomy has become the gold standard for treating localized prostate cancer. Improvement in the single-site technique and surgeon's skill reduces not only the hospital duration but also the number of wounds. Realizing the learning curve for a new procedure can prevent unnecessary mistakes.

Prediction of the Uric Acid Component in Nephrolithiasis Using Simple Clinical Information about Metabolic Disorder and Obesity: A Machine Learning-Based Model.

There is a great need for a diagnostic tool using simple clinical information collected from patients to diagnose uric acid (UA) stones in nephrolithiasis. We built a predictive model making use of machine learning (ML) methodologies entering simple parameters easily obtained at the initial clinical visit. Socio-demographic, health, and clinical data from two cohorts (A and B), both diagnosed with nephrolithiasis, one between 2012 and 2016 and the other between June and December 2020, were collected before nephrolithiasis treatment.

Prognostic value of renal function for upper tract urothelial carcinoma who underwent radical nephroureterectomy: Sex differences.

Background/purpose: Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a relatively rare type of urothelial carcinoma. Additionally, only few reports have examined the sex differences in patients with UTUC. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the sex factors affecting renal function in patients with UTUC who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).

The Predictive Value of Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index on Bladder Recurrence on Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Outcomes after Radical Nephroureterectomy.

Background: This study aimed to assess the prognostic significance of pre-treatment lymphocyte-related systemic inflammatory biomarkers in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients.

Methods: This study included non-metastatic UTUC patients treated at our hospital between 2001 and 2013. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to obtain the optimal neutrophile-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII).

A retrospective study on sex difference in patients with urolithiasis: who is more vulnerable to chronic kidney disease?

Background: Urolithiasis is considered a vital public health issue with a substantial burden on kidney function. Additionally, only few reports focused on the gender difference in patients with urolithiasis. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics of sex difference and their potential risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with urolithiasis.

Extraperitoneal Robotic Laparo-Endoscopic Single-Site Plus1-Port Radical Prostatectomy Using the da Vinci Single-Site Platform.

Currently, over 80% of radical prostatectomies have been performed with the da Vinci Surgical System. In order to improve the aesthetic outlook and decrease the morbidity of the operation, the new da Vinci Single Port (SP) system was developed in 2018. However, one major problem is the SP system is still not available in most countries.

Single-Site Sutureless Partial Nephrectomy for Small Exophytic Renal Tumors.

Partial nephrectomy (PN) is the standard procedure for most patients with localized renal cancer. Laparoscopy has become the preferred surgical approach to target this cancer, but the steep learning curve with laparoscopic PN (LPN) remains a concern. In LPN intracorporeal suturing, the operation time is further extended even under robot assistance, a step which prolongs warm ischemic time.

Interrelationship of environmental melamine exposure, biomarkers of oxidative stress and early kidney injury.

Melamine contamination has remained pervasive in the environment even after the 2008 toxic milk scandal. Exposure to chronic low dosages of melamine is known to induce renal tubular damage, increasing the risk of stone formation and early kidney injury. This damage may come about via increased oxidative stress, but no studies of this possibility have been performed in humans.

The rs1256328 (ALPL) and rs12654812 (RGS14) Polymorphisms are Associated with Susceptibility to Calcium Nephrolithiasis in a Taiwanese population.

Nephrolithiasis is a common disease affecting almost all populations, with an increasing prevalence over the past decades. Previous studies revealed several functional polymorphisms associated with the pathogenesis of nephrolithiasis. However, data on Asian populations are limited.

Comparison between single-incision and multiple-incision laparoscopic surgery for totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair.

We compared the clinical outcomes of single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) and multiple-incision laparoscopic surgery for totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair. This retrospective study included 134 consecutive patients undergoing single-incision or multiple-incision laparoscopic surgery for inguinal hernia between January 2012 and December 2016 at our hospital. In total, 62 patients undergoing SILS-TEP and 72 receiving multiple-incision laparoscopic surgery were included in this study.

Health-related quality of life of exposed versus non-exposed androgen deprivation therapy patients with prostate cancer: a cross-sectional study.

Background The survival rate of prostate cancer is relatively higher than other cancers, therefore, the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) becomes a critical issue for the patients. There are limited quality of life data evaluating the difference between androgen deprivation therapy and non-androgen deprivation therapy. Objective To evaluate the HRQoL among prostate cancer patients with androgen deprivation therapy and non-androgen deprivation therapy in an Asian population.

New-onset diabetes after androgen-deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: A nationwide propensity score-matched four-year longitudinal cohort study.

Introduction: Androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) is important in the treatment of prostate cancer. However, the relationship between ADT and the risk of diabetes remains unclear, and the association between duration and types of ADT has not been fully investigated.

Aim: To examine the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in men who underwent ADT for prostate cancer.

Mediators of the Effects of Gender on Uric Acid Nephrolithiasis: A Novel Application of Structural Equation Modeling.

Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that male patients with uric acid nephrolithiasis outnumber female patients. To our knowledge, no research exists evaluating the reasons gender affects the development of uric acid nephrolithiasis. We hereby used a novel application of structural equation modeling to analyze the mediators of the effects of gender on uric acid nephrolithiasis.

Uric acid stones increase the risk of chronic kidney disease.

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics of uric acid stones and their potential risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD). A total of 401 patients (196 with uric acid stone and 205 without) were enrolled from our database of patients with urolithiasis. We analyzed the clinical demographic features, stone location, urine chemistries, and renal function.

A Delayed Appearance of the Secondary Bladder Stone 10 Years After Tension-free Vaginal Tape Procedure.

The occurrence of bladder calculi in women is uncommon, and the evaluation of bladder stone in women with any history of previous pelvic surgery demands careful attention. Bladder erosion due to previous anti-incontinence surgery formed the nidus for stone formation, and often presented as recurrent cystitis or refractory urinary incontinence since the early postoperative period. We hereby report a rarely delayed appearance of the symptomatic iatrogenic bladder stone occurring 10 years after previous tension-free vaginal tape procedure.

Robot-Assisted Extraperitoneal Radical Prostatectomy, Single Site Plus Two Model.

Purpose: To demonstrate a feasible procedure of robot-assisted extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy single site plus two model to overcome the limitation of traditional single-port laparoscopic surgery.

Materials And Methods: All consecutive cases of robot-assisted extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy single site plus two model between November 2015 and April 2016 in our institution were included. We analyze the surgical and continence outcome.

rs2841277 () is associated with susceptibility and rs4672495 is associated with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases, can lead to long-term joint damage, chronic pain, and loss of motor function in the hands, and may share some common genetic factors with other autoimmune disorders, such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Many single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were reported by genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of RA, but some of them have not been examined in the Taiwanese population. In this study, for 15 SNPs reported in previous RA and AS GWASs, we investigated their association with RA in a Taiwanese population.

Urinary melamine excretion and increased markers of renal tubular injury in patients with calcium urolithiasis: A cross-sectional study.

Environmental low-dose melamine exposure has been associated with urolithiasis risk in adults, but it is unclear if this exposure can cause early renal damage. This cross-sectional study investigated the association of this exposure and early renal damage in patients with calcium urolithiasis. We recruited patients diagnosed with upper urinary tract calcium urolithiasis from three hospitals in southwestern Taiwan between November 2010 and January 2015.

Urolithiasis is associated with an increased risk of stroke: a population-based 5-year follow-up study.

Background: Epidemiological studies have reported an association between urolithiasis and cardiovascular disease. However, studies examining the risks of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke in patients with urolithiasis are limited.

Aims And Methods: By using a nationwide population database, we conducted a matched cohort study to investigate the association between urolithiasis and longitudinal risks of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke.

Sleep apnea and the subsequent risk of Parkinson's disease: a 3-year nationwide population-based study.

Purpose: Sleep apnea (SA)-induced chronic intermittent hypoxia increases oxidative stress and inflammation, which may contribute to the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). This study evaluated the risk of PD following SA diagnosis.

Patients And Methods: This was a 3-year nationwide population-based matched cohort study using claims data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), Taiwan.

Is Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy Really Safe in Long-Term Follow-Up? A Nationwide Retrospective 6-Year Age-Matched Non-Randomized Study.

Introduction: Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is widely used. However, several studies have reported increased blood pressure immediately after SWL. Until now, the association between SWL and new-onset hypertension has been a topic of discussion.