Prognostic factors for overall survival in castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer treated with docetaxel (MeProCSS): results from a German real-world cohort.

Purpose: To identify prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and develop a prognostic score in patients receiving docetaxel in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted on mCRPC patients treated with docetaxel at a German tertiary center between March 2010 and November 2023. Prognostic clinical and laboratory factors were analyzed using uni- and multivariable logistic regression.

Multi-level Factors to Build Confidence and Support in Active Surveillance for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) is the guideline-recommended treatment for low-risk prostate cancer and involves routine provider visits, lab tests, imaging, and prostate biopsies. Despite good uptake, adherence to AS, in terms of receiving recommended follow-up testing and remaining on AS in the absence of evidence of cancer progression, remains challenging.

Objective: We sought to better understand urologist, primary care providers (PCPs), and patient experiences with AS care delivery to identify opportunities to improve adherence.

Mitrofanoff complications: time-to-event analysis of split versus intact appendix and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To assess the complication rates associated with split versus intact appendix Mitrofanoff procedures using a single-center retrospective analysis and a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Subjects And Methods: The study comprised a retrospective cohort analysis at a single institution, analyzing patients who underwent a laparoscopic-assisted Mitrofanoff with or without splitting the appendix from 2005 to 2016. The focus was on complications related to both Mitrofanoff and ACE channels.

Plasma membrane-associated ARAF condensates fuel RAS-related cancer drug resistance.

RAF protein kinases are major RAS effectors that function by phosphorylating MEK. Although all three RAF isoforms share a conserved RAS binding domain and bind to GTP-loaded RAS, only ARAF uniquely enhances RAS activity. Here we uncovered the molecular basis of ARAF in regulating RAS activation.

Squared diffusion-weighted imaging for improving the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer.

Aim of this study was to proof the concept of optimizing the contrast between prostate cancer (PC) and healthy tissue by DWI post-processing using a quadrature method. DWI post-processing was performed on 30 patients (median age 67 years, prostate specific antigen 8.0 ng/ml) with PC and clear MRI findings (PI-RADS 4 and 5).

UHRF1 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition mediating renal fibrosis by activating the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway.

Renal fibrosis is widely recognized as the ultimate outcome of many chronic kidney diseases. The process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in the progression of fibrosis following renal injury. UHRF1, as a critical epigenetic regulator, may play an essential role in the pathogenesis and progression of renal fibrosis and EMT.

New insights into the goals of transgender male versus non-binary individuals considering metoidioplasty and phalloplasty gender-affirming surgery.

Background: Understanding patient goals for metoidioplasty and phalloplasty gender-affirming surgery (MaPGAS) is paramount to achieving satisfactory, preference-sensitive outcomes, yet there is a lack of understanding of MaPGAS priorities and how these may vary between transgender men and non-binary individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB).

Aim: To understand the surgical goals of transgender men and non-binary individuals AFAB considering MaPGAS.

Methods: An online survey was created following literature review and qualitative interviews and distributed via social media and a community health center to participants AFAB aged ≥18 years who had considered but not yet undergone MaPGAS.

Platinum drugs upregulate CXCR4 and PD-L1 expression via ROS-dependent pathways, with implications for novel combined treatment in gastric cancer.

CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) are two critical molecules involved in the tumor immune microenvironment. However, the impact of platinum drugs, such as cisplatin, on CXCR4 or PD-L1 expression and the underlying mechanisms in gastric cancer (GC) remain unknown. Moreover, the correlation between their expression levels in GC remains elusive.

Exploring the role of transcription factor TWIST1 in bladder cancer progression.

The transcription factor TWIST1 is a major regulator of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, enhancing cancer cell mobility and invasive potential. Overexpression of TWIST1 is associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis. In our study, we explored the role of TWIST1 as both a prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target in bladder cancer (BC), as well as the relationship between its promoter methylation and mRNA expression in bladder cancer patients.

Polylactic Acid Micro/Nanoplastic Exposure Induces Male Reproductive Toxicity by Disrupting Spermatogenesis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Mice.

Although considered an "eco-friendly" biodegradable plastic, polylactic acid (PLA) microplastic (PLA-MP) poses a growing concern for human health, yet its effects on male reproductive function remain underexplored. This study investigated the reproductive toxicity of PLA in male mice and its potential mechanisms. To this end, our in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that after degradation in the digestive system, a significant number of PLA-MP-derived nanoparticles could penetrate the blood-testis barrier (BTB) and localize within the spermatogenic microenvironment.

Factors associated with urinary incontinence in nulliparous female elite athletes: an exploratory, cross-sectional study using dynamic pelvic magnetic resonance imaging and questionnaire data.

Purpose: Urinary incontinence (UI) is common in nulliparous female elite athletes, but underlying pathophysiology is inadequately understood. We examined urinary symptoms and associated pelvic floor anatomy and function in this population, hypothesizing that athletes with UI would exhibit pelvic floor findings seen in older incontinent women (e.g.

An Artificial Intelligence Model Using Diffusion Basis Spectrum Imaging Metrics Accurately Predicts Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: Conventional prostate magnetic resonance imaging has limited accuracy for clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). We performed diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI) prior to biopsy and applied artificial intelligence models to these DBSI metrics to predict csPCa.

Materials And Methods: Between February 2020 and March 2024, 241 patients underwent prostate MRI that included conventional and DBSI-specific sequences prior to prostate biopsy.

xCT as a potential marker for neuroendocrine cells in high-risk prostate cancer and the relation to AL122023.1-miR-26a/30d/30e axis.

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer in male worldwide. Stromal-epithelial interaction is thought to have a major impact on cancer development and progression. Previous studies have shown that interaction via soluble factors lead to a reduction in the expression of xCT and AL122023.

Comparing PSA Screening Patterns and Their Role as Predictor of Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: Analysis of a Contemporary North American Cohort.

Introduction: PSA screening remains a pivotal tool for early prostate cancer (PCa) detection. International guidelines rely on evidence from three major randomized clinical trials: ERSPC, PLCO, and CAP. We aim to examine the percentage of patients in real-world practice who get PSA screening as defined by each of the aforementioned trials.

Remote neurodegeneration in the lumbosacral cord one month after spinal cord injury: a cross-sectional MRI study.

Objective: To characterize structural integrity of the lumbosacral enlargement and conus medullaris within one month after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: Lumbosacral cord MRI data were acquired in patients with sudden onset (<7 days) SCI at the cervical or thoracic level approximately one month after injury and in healthy controls. Tissue integrity and loss were evaluated through diffusion tensor (DTI) and T2*-weighted imaging (cross-sectional area [CSA] measurements).

Trends in Prostate Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates.

Importance: Incidence of distant stage prostate cancer is increasing in the United States. Research is needed to understand trends by social and geographic factors.

Objective: To examine trends in prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates in California by stage, age, race and ethnicity, and region.

Synergistic antitumor effect of MK-1775 and CUDC-907 against prostate cancer.

Due to the emergence of drug resistance, androgen receptor (AR)-targeted drugs still pose great challenges in the treatment of prostate cancer, and it is urgent to explore an innovative therapeutic strategy. MK-1775, a highly selective WEE1 inhibitor, is shown to have favorable therapeutic benefits in several solid tumor models. Recent evidence suggests that the combination of MK-1775 with DNA-damaging agents could lead to enhanced antitumor efficacy.

Ventral versus dorsal onlay buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty for non-traumatic proximal bulbar urethral strictures in sexually active men: erectile and urinary functions.

Purpose: To compare the erectile and urinary functions of ventral and dorsal onlay buccal mucosal graft (BMG) urethroplasty in the management of proximal bulbar urethral strictures (PBUS) in sexually active men.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively included patients with primary non-traumatic PBUS who were treated with (BMG) urethroplasty at our department between March 2019 and March 2023 either ventral or dorsal approaches. Patients were assessed at 3- and 12-months postoperatively for urinary and erectile functions.

Predictive value of Bladder EpiCheck in detecting residual tumor before second TUR for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Purpose: As Bladder EpiCheck (BE) is a promising urinary biomarker for diagnosis and follow up of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), there are no studies evaluated this tool for second transurethral resection (TUR) indication. We aim to evaluate the performance of BE in predicting residual tumor before second TUR in NMIBC and its effects on clinical decision making.

Methods: A total of 50 patients who were diagnosed with NMIBC and indicated for a second TUR were included in the study prospectively.

Prediction of surgical necessity in children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction using machine learning.

Background: Hydronephrosis developing at the ureteropelvic junction due to obstruction poses clinical challenges as it has the potential to cause renal damage.

Aims: This study aims to evaluate how well machine learning models such, as XGBClassifier and Logistic Regression can be used to predict the need for treatment in patients, with hydronephrosis resulting from ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Methods: Hydronephrosis was diagnosed in the medical records of patients from January 2015 to December 2020.

The Morphologic and Molecular Heterogeneity of Fumarate Hydratase-deficient Leiomyomas: Integrative Molecular Profiling of Uterine Smooth Muscle Tumors With Histologic Feature Correlation.

The morphologic features of uterine smooth muscle tumors (USMTs) are subject to interobserver variability and are complicated by consideration of features of fumarate hydratase deficiency (FHd) and other morphologic subtypes, with difficult cases occasionally diagnosed as smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP). We compare immunohistochemical findings and detailed morphologic analysis of 45 USMTs by 4 fellowship-trained gynecologic pathologists with comprehensive molecular analysis, focusing on FHd leiomyomas (n=15), compared to a variety of other USMTs with overlapping morphologic features, including 9 STUMPs, 8 usual-type leiomyomas (ULM), 11 apoplectic leiomyomas, and 2 leiomyomas with bizarre nuclei (LMBN). FHd leiomyomas, defined by immunohistochemical (IHC) loss of FH and/or 2SC accumulation, showed FH mutations and/or FH copy loss in all cases, with concurrent TP53 mutations in 2 tumors.

Single-docking robot-assisted radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy with partial left nephrectomy in a patient with synchronous pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm and clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

The synchronous occurrence of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (PNEN) and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) in one patient is extremely rare. Synchronous resection of both tumours is preferred over a two-stage procedure if possible. The robotic da Vinci Xi platform allows for multi-quadrant surgery with oncological outcomes comparable to those of laparoscopic or open surgery.

Hypothermic machine perfusion in uterus transplantation in a porcine model: A proof of concept and the first results in graft preservation.

Introduction: Graft optimization is a necessity in order to develop uterus transplantation from brain-dead donors, as a complement to living donors, as these grafts are rare and the last organs retrieved in multiple organ donation. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and interest of hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) in uterus transplantation using a porcine model; secondary outcomes were the evaluation of the graft's tolerance to a prolonged cold ischaemia time and to find new biomarkers of uterus viability.

Material And Methods: Fifteen uterus allotransplantations were performed in a porcine model, after 18 h of cold ischaemia, divided in three groups: Static cold storage in a HTK solution, HMP (with the VitaSmart (™) machine Bridge to Life Ltd.