The Enigmatic Role of TP53 in Germ Cell Tumours: Are We Missing Something?

The cure rate of germ cell tumours (GCTs) has significantly increased from the late 1970s since the introduction of cisplatin-based therapy, which to date remains the milestone for GCTs treatment. The exquisite cisplatin sensitivity has been mainly explained by the over-expression in GCTs of wild-type TP53 protein and the lack of TP53 somatic mutations; however, several other mechanisms seem to be involved, many of which remain still elusive. The findings about the role of TP53 in platinum-sensitivity and resistance, as well as the reported evidence of second cancers (SCs) in GCT patients treated only with surgery, suggesting a spectrum of cancer predisposing syndromes, highlight the need for a deepened understanding of the role of TP53 in GCTs. In the following report we explore the complex role of TP53 in GCTs cisplatin-sensitivity and resistance mechanisms, passing through several recent genomic studies, as well as its role in GCT patients with SCs, going through our experience of Center of reference for both GCTs and cancer predisposing syndromes.

Current evidence between hospital volume and perioperative outcome: Prospective assessment of robotic radical prostatectomy safety profile in a regional center of medium annual caseload.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to present the safety profile of robotic radical prostatectomy (RARP) performed in a single center of medium surgical volume since its introduction and identify predictors of postoperative complications. METHODS: We prospectively collected clinical data from 317 consecutive patients undergoing RARP between August 2011 and November 2019 in a medium-volume center. Surgical procedures were performed by a single experienced surgeon. Complications were collected according to the Martin criteria for reporting and the Clavien-Dindo classification for rating. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were analyzed and compared with available literature. RESULTS: A total of 102 complications were observed in 96 (30.3%) patients and were minor in 84.4% of cases (Clavien grade 1 and 2). Transfusion rate was 1.3%. Complications of grade 4b or 5 did not occur. The most frequent complications were urinary retention (7.3%) and anastomotic leak (5.9%). At multivariate analysis, the nerve-sparing technique was an independent predictor of complications (odds ratio [OR] 0.55, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that a high safety profile may be achieved in a medium-volume hospital. The nerve-sparing technique was a predictor of complications. Further studies are needed to define the current relationship between surgical volume and perioperative outcome for RARP.

Behavioral and functional abnormalities linked with recurrent urinary tract infections in girls.

BACKGROUND: Most girls with recurrent urinary tract infections do not have major urinary tract abnormalities. Recent studies focus on predisposing behavioral and functional abnormalities: infrequent voiding, inadequate fluid intake, stool retention, poor genital hygiene and voiding dysfunction. METHODS: Complete history, bladder and bowel questionnaire, physical examination, voiding-drinking diary, sonography and uroflowmetry were used to assess infrequent voiding, functional stool retention, poor fluid intake, inadequate hygiene, or voiding dysfunction in girls referred for evaluation of three or more symptomatic urinary tract infections (with a first infection at the age of more than 36 months). RESULTS: A total of 141 girls aged 3.9 to 18 years were evaluated between 1996 and 1999; 212 abnormalities were noted in 120 patients: infrequent voiding (isolated, 16; combined with other abnormalities, 47), poor fluid intake (isolated, 10; combined, 50), functional stool retention (isolated, 5; combined, 25), inadequate hygiene or toilet habits (isolated, 3; combined, 24), dysfunctional voiding (isolated, 15; combined, 10), bladder overactivity (isolated, 5; combined, 2). CONCLUSIONS: Most girls referred for evaluation of three or more urinary tract infections have host-mediated predisposing abnormalities: infrequent voiding, poor fluid intake, functional stool retention or voiding dysfunction. Poor genital hygiene and toilet habits were almost always combined with other abnormalities, suggesting that infections are not necessarily related to poor genital hygiene or toilet habits. Two or more indications of predisposing behavior often concur in the same patient.

Ureteral obstruction after dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer injection for treatment of secondary vesicoureteral reflux after renal transplantation.

Ureteral obstruction after transurethral injection therapy for primary vesicoureteral reflux is known to occur in less than 1% of cases. We report the first case of a ureteral obstruction after transurethral injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (Deflux) for the treatment of secondary vesicoureteral reflux after renal transplantation. Loss of transplant function made reimplantation of the ureter necessary. A periureteral phlebitis and moderate foreign body reaction was found histologically, although the patient had received immunosuppressive therapy. Endoscopic therapy of secondary vesicoureteral reflux in patients after renal transplantation is a reasonable minimally invasive treatment option; however, severe complications may occur.

Long-term calcineurin inhibition and magnesium balance after renal transplantation.

Regulation of magnesium balance is achieved by a steady-state mechanism in which intake and output are maintained at an equal level. Dietary magnesium intake, total and ionized plasma magnesium levels, and urinary magnesium were assessed in 46 renal transplant recipients treated with cyclosporine, nine transplant recipients who had never been on cyclosporine, and 31 healthy volunteers. Dietary magnesium intake [13.5 (11.0-15.1) mmol/day vs 13.0 (11.1-16.0) mmol/day and 13.7 (11.4-16.7) mmol/day, respectively; median and interquartile range] and urinary magnesium excretion [4.31 (3.57-5.89) vs 4.39 (3.56-6.02) and 5.01 (3.73-6.01) mmol/day, respectively] were similar in renal transplant recipients treated with cyclosporine, transplant recipients who had never been on cyclosporine, and control subjects. Total [0.74 (0.70-0.78) vs 0.80 (0.74-0.84) and 0.81 (0.79-0.87) mmol/l), respectively] and ionized [0.49 (0.46-0.52) vs 0.53 (0.50-0.58) and 0.54 (0.52-0.59) mmol/l, respectively] plasma magnesium were significantly lower in renal transplant recipients on cyclosporine than in transplant recipients without cyclosporine, and healthy controls. These observations indicate a modified magnesium steady state in renal transplant recipients treated with cyclosporine.