Early tocilizumab treatment was associated with survival benefits in hospitalized kidney transplants with severe COVID-19 infection: A prospective cohort study.

Background: The potential of Tocilizumab (TCZ) in preventing the cytokine storm caused by COVID-19 infection has been observed, while the survival benefits were inconclusive in solid-organ transplant recipients. We aimed to explore whether the timing of TCZ administration holds significance in the clinical course of COVID-19 infection and identify predicative factors of TCZ efficacy.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study between December 2022, and January 2023.

Multifaceted regulation of sirtuin 2 (Sirt2) deacetylase activity.

Sirtuin 2 (Sirt2) is a member of the sirtuin family of NAD-dependent lysine deacylases and plays important roles in regulation of the cell cycle and gene expression. As a nucleocytoplasmic deacetylase, Sirt2 has been shown to target both histone and nonhistone acetylated protein substrates. The central catalytic domain of Sirt2 is flanked by flexible N and C termini, which vary in length and composition with alternative splicing.

Androgen production, uptake, and conversion (APUC) genes define prostate cancer patients with distinct clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUNDProstate cancer (PC) is driven by aberrant signaling of the androgen receptor (AR) or its ligands, and androgen deprivation therapies (ADTs) are a cornerstone of treatment. ADT responsiveness may be associated with germline changes in genes that regulate androgen production, uptake, and conversion (APUC).METHODSWe analyzed whole-exome sequencing (WES) and whole-transcriptome sequencing (WTS) data from prostate tissues (SU2C/PCF, TCGA, GETx).

Does Severity of Chronic Urinary Retention as Estimated by Preoperative Residual Urine Estimation Negatively Impact the Outcome of Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate?

Objective: To evaluate the influence of preoperative post-void residual (PVR) volume on the outcomes of Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP). Long-term bladder obstruction can impair bladder contractility, which has been linked to failure to improve lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after bladder outlet procedures. Elevated PVR constitutes a proxy for chronic retention and detrusor underactivity that can be non-invasively determined in office.

Complication and Explantation Rates of Penile Prostheses in Transmasculine Patients: A Meta-analysis.

Objective: To synthesize current literature on penile prosthesis implantation post-gender affirming phalloplasty to correlate implant types and complication rates.

Methods: A meta-analysis of penile prosthesis in transmasculine patients was initiated in December 2022. Inclusion criteria encompassed randomized clinical trials, cohort studies, and cross-sectional studies reporting on penile prosthesis complications post-gender-affirming phalloplasty.

The Interplay Between Adult-Onset Hypogonadism and Prostate Cancer: A Literature Review.

The interplay between endogenous testosterone (Te) and prostate cancer (PCa) has long been recognized, with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) being a cornerstone of advanced and metastatic PCa management. However, the association between Te levels and PCa risk remains complex and not fully understood. This review delves into the complex relationship between adult-onset hypogonadism (AOH) and PCa, shedding light on the complexities surrounding PCa risk and disease aggressiveness.

HSD3B1 genotype and outcomes in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer with androgen deprivation therapy and enzalutamide: ARCHES.

HSD3B1 encodes 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1, which converts adrenal dehydroepiandrosterone to 5α-dihydrotestosterone and is inherited in adrenal-permissive (AP) or adrenal-restrictive forms. The AP allele is linked to castration resistance, mainly in low-volume tumors. Here, we investigate the association of HSD3B1 alleles with outcomes in ARCHES, a multinational, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial that demonstrated clinical benefit with enzalutamide plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) compared to those treated with placebo plus ADT.

Optimal Management for Primary High Grade Ta Bladder Cancer: Role of re-staging TURBT and Intravesical Adjuvant Therapy.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the impact of risk group classification, restaging transurethral resection (re-TURBT), and adjuvant treatment intensity on recurrence and progression risks in high-grade Ta tumours in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Materials And Methods: Data from a comprehensive bladder cancer database were utilized for this study. Patients with primary high-grade Ta tumours were included.

ARNTL2 facilitates bladder cancer progression through potentiating ENO1-mediated glycolysis in a SLC31A1-independent and -dependent manner.

Background: Basic helix-loop-helix ARNT like 2 (ARNTL2) is a transcription factor that controls the circadian rhythm. Amounts of studies have demonstrated the carcinogenic function of ARNTL2 in human malignant tumors albeit the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We aimed to study the significance of ARNTL2 in bladder cancer (BLCA).

Risk of dementia associated with the use of anticholinergic medications: a review of recent literature.

Purpose Of Review: While there is an established association between the use of anticholinergic medications and its effects on cognition, the extent of this impact remains unclear. We outline recent studies addressing this topic.

Recent Findings: We describe a series of recent articles discussing the risk of dementia associated with anticholinergic medication use in general, with further focus on the risk of overactive bladder (OAB) anticholinergic use, detailing short & long-term use effects, risk variation based on age and gender, and reporting alternative treatment options.

Evidence of restorative therapies in the treatment of Peyronie disease: A narrative review.

Objective: To describe the evidence of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Stem cells therapy (SCT) and Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWL) for the treatment of Peyronies disease (PD), including information from the main urological society guidelines.

Materials And Methods: A literature review of PubMed articles published between 2000 and 2023 was conducted, utilizing keywords such as "Peyronie's Disease", "Penile curvature", "Platelet Rich Plasma", "Stem cells", and "Extracorporeal shockwave therapy". Only full-text articles in English were included, excluding case reports and opinions.

Urinary Tract Cytopathology: Current and Future Impact on Patient Care.

Urine cytology is a non-invasive, cost-efficient, and sensitive test to detect high-grade urothelial carcinoma. The Paris System (TPS) for Reporting Urinary Cytology is an evidence-based system that uses the risk of malignancy to guide patient management. Since its inception, TPS has standardized urine cytology reports, facilitating communication among pathologists and between pathologists and clinicians.

Clinician-Reported Management Recommendations in Response to Universal Germline Genetic Testing in Patients With Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: Identification of pathogenic germline variants in patients with prostate cancer can help inform treatment selection, screening for secondary malignancies, and cascade testing. Limited real-world data are available on clinician recommendations following germline genetic testing in patients with prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: Patient data and clinician recommendations were collected from unselected patients with prostate cancer who underwent germline testing through the PROCLAIM trial.

The impact of bladder cuff excision on outcomes after nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: An analysis of the ROBUUST 2.0 registry.

Objectives: We sought to determine whether bladder cuff excision and its technique influence outcomes after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Methods And Materials: A multicenter, international, retrospective analysis using the ROBotic surgery for Upper tract Urothelial cancer Study (ROBUUST) 2.0 registry identified 1,718 patients undergoing RNU for UTUC between 2015 and 2023 at 17 centers across the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Timing Considerations for Artificial Urinary Sphincter Implantation Postpelvic Radiotherapy.

Objective: To explore the optimal timing for placing an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) postradiation therapy (RT).

Methods: A bi-institutional retrospective review of all patients who underwent their first (virgin) AUS placement after pelvic RT between January 1, 2011 and July 1, 2023. To determine the optimal timeline for device implantation 2-5years post-RT, we compared hazard ratios for device revision/explantation (Rev/Exp) using Kaplan-Meier curves for each year (earlier vs later than 2/3/4/5 years post-RT).

Lower urinary tract symptoms in elderly men: Considerations for prostate cancer testing.

Purpose: Both lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and prostate cancer (PCa) are common in elderly men. While LUTS are generally due to a benign etiology, they may provoke an evaluation with prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which can lead to a cascade of further testing and possible overdiagnosis in patients with competing risks. There is limited patient and provider understanding of the relationship between LUTS and PCa risk, and a lack of clarity in how to evaluate these men to balance appropriate diagnosis of aggressive PCa with avoidance of overdiagnosis.

Ex Vivo Surgical Removal Versus Conservative Management of Small Asymptomatic Kidney Stones in Living Donors and Long-term Kidney Transplant Outcomes.

Background: Donors with small asymptomatic kidney stones have been increasingly accepted because of organ shortages and advances in endoscopic urology. This study aims to evaluate and compare long-term living-donor kidney transplant outcomes following ex vivo surgical removal versus conservative management of donors' gifted asymptomatic stones.

Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2021, 119 kidney transplant recipients received stone-bearing kidneys, divided into the removal group (N = 63) and observation group (N = 56).

Ureteral Metastasis From Prostate Cancer: A Report of Two Cases.

Prostate adenocarcinoma (PCa) is the second most common cause of cancer in men, but metastases to the ureter are exceedingly rare. Here, we present two cases with differing clinical symptoms and treatment courses but ultimately the same diagnosis. The two cases presented here had differing clinical presentations: one with lower urinary tract symptoms and the other with hydronephrosis.