[Dissolution of uric acid stones in the ureter].

INTRODUCTION: Uric acid stones (UA), consisting of uric acid/uric acid dihydrate, occur in 6.1-15.1% of all cases of urolithiasis in industrialized countries. At the same time, the frequency of these stones is directly dependent on age. Thus, the incidence of UA reaches 40% in men over 80 years of age and 27.3% in women over 90 years of age. UA are the only stones that are amenable to dissolution therapy with the use of citrate salts that alkalinize urine pH. A number of authors and European Association of Urology guidelines consider stone dissolution as a first-line therapy in the treatment of patients with UA, both as monotherapy and in combination with surgical procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The results of conservative treatment of 86 patients aged 28 to 78 years with radiolucent ureteral stones ranging in size from 3 to 25 mm and a density of 133 to 728 HU, who underwent 89 courses of stone dissolution therapy from 2011 to 2018, are presented in the article. They had no obstruction or were prestented. There were 52 men (n=55 courses) and 34 women (n=34 courses). RESULTS: In 78 out of 89 clinical cases (87.6%), stone-free status was obtained within 14 to 181 days. Most often the duration of therapy was 30 days. In 11 (12.4%) cases the treatment was considered ineffective. However, only in 4 (4.5%) patients the stone size did not change, while in 7 (7.9%) cases it decreased. The results of the study suggest the high efficiency of citrate therapy in patients with ureteral stones in case of unobstructed urine outflow (including those with stents), which is comparable to surgical treatment.

[Radio wave electrotherapy with a radiofrequency of 448 khz for the treatment of patients with organic erectile dysfunction: a prospective, randomized, blind, Sham-controlled, parallel-group study].

AIM: To evaluate the efficiency of radio wave electrotherapy (448 kHz) for the treatment of patients with organic erectile dysfunction (ED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomized, blind, sham- controlled clinical trial was carried out. Inclusion criteria were as following: 1) patients with 5 to 20 points on the IIEF-5 score; 2) patients with proven organic erectile dysfunction lasting at least 6 months; 3) patients with penile arterial insufficiency and/or venous insufficiency, confirmed by doppler study of penile vessels with pharmacological stimulation (peak systolic velocity (PSV) <25 cm/s, end-diastolic blood flow velocity (DPV) >5 cm/s, resistance index (IR) < 0.8). The participants were randomized into two groups (experimental and control) in a 1:1 ratio. The full treatment course lasted 9 weeks. Patients underwent an assessment of erectile function based on questionnaires (IIEF-5, SEP, Schramek), as well as Doppler ultrasound of the cavernous arteries before inclusion in the study as well as a after treatment. RESULTS: The study included 61 men (experimental group [n=31], control group [n=30]. There was a significant difference in the IIEF-5 scores after treatment between the experimental group and the control group (19.5+/-3.2 vs. 15.1+/-5.4, p=0.017, respectively). Significant differences were also noted in mean total score of the SEP questionnaire: an increase to 3.6+/-1.0 in the treatment group compared to 2.4+/-1.1 in the control group (p=0.004). The results of the Schramek questionnaire also demonstrated a significant increase in the mean score in the experimental group compared to the control group: 4.2+/-0.6 vs. 3.2+/-1.0 (p=0.011). The response time to the drug and the detumescence time also significantly differed between the two groups: 11.9+/-4.0 min vs. 15.5+/-4.1 min, p=0.001 and 126.6+/-60.7 min vs. 66.2+/-40.9, p<0.001, respectively. Neither complications nor any adverse events were recorded during treatment or after its completion. CONCLUSIONS: Radio wave electrotherapy with a radiofrequency of 448 kHz can improve the IIEF-5, SEP and Schramek scores, as well as the indicators of ultrasound Doppler ultrasonography in patients with organic ED. To assess the feasibility of this method in patients with organic ED of different stages, further studies are needed.

[Use of intelligent analysis in urology].

The main methods of intellectual analysis (IA) used in modern medicine are described in the review. The main areas for IA application in the healthcare are diagnostics, treatment, prognosis of the course and efficiency of treatment in various diseases. The IA is based on mathematical methods and algorithms. The basic concepts of IA along with examples of its use in urological practice are presented in the review.

[Retrograde intrarenal surgery using a 1.94 m superpulsed thulium fiber laser].

INTRODUCTION: surgical treatment of urinary stone disease plays an important role in urological practice. Stone fragmentation can be performed using various lithotripters, from which Holmium fiber laser (Ho: YAG) has currently taken the main place. According to the current literature, a superpulsed thulium fiber laser with a wavelength of 1.94 m and a maximum power output of 40 W showed in vitro higher efficiency compared to Ho: YAG, while having the same safety profile. The use of a thulium fiber laser with a pulse energy of 0.025-6 J and a high repetition rate (up to 1600 Hz) allows to most effectively perform stone dusting during retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). AIM: to improve the performance of RIRS using the 1.94m superpulsed thulium fiber laser. MATERIALS AND METHODS: a total of 152 patients with renal stones who were treated during the period from February 2018 to July 2019 were included in the study. The analysis of the laser settings, their effect on retropulsion and visibility when performing RIRS using a superpulsed thulium fiber laser with a wavelength of 1.94 m and a maximum power output of 40 W, a peak power of 500 W, as well as an assessment of the stone-free rate the first postoperative day and 3 months after the procedure was done. RESULTS: The most frequently used settings were as following: 0.5 J, 30 Hz, 15 W (No. 1), 0.15 J, 200 Hz, 30 W (No. 2), 0.8 J, 31.25 Hz, 25 W (No. 3), 0.8 J, 37.5 Hz, 30 W (No. 4). The statistical analysis of the influence of the settings on the quality of endoscopic imaging and retropulsion was carried out. In addition, the features of each settings were analyzed. The stone-free rate on the first postoperative day was evaluated using low-dose CT. CONCLUSION: A superpulsed thulium fiber laser with a wavelength of 1.94 m and a maximum power of 500 W has shown high efficiency in clinical practice when performing RIRS, since it allows to have good endoscopic imaging, minimal retropulsion, and to perform stone dusting, which had a positive effect on the stone-free rate. Optimization of the settings of thulium fiber lithotripsy may improve the results of surgical treatment of urinary stone disease.

[Ultrastructural characteristics of the mechanisms of varicose transformation of veins of different localization]. / Ul'trastrukturnaya kharakteristika mekhanizmov varikoznoi transformatsii ven razlichnoi lokalizatsii.

The contemporary interpretation of the pathogenesis of varicose vein transformation in young patients indicates the genetically determined pattern of this process. According to the diagnostic criteria proposed by T.I. Kadurina, varicose veins of different localization belong to the so-called minor phenomena of undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia (UCTD) syndrome. However, its impact on the development of varicose vein transformation is taken into account by not all researchers probably due to the fact that its clinical manifestations remain somewhat unclear. OBJECTIVE: To prove the role of UCTD syndrome in the development of varicose transformation of veins, by examining their wall biopsy specimens at the ultrastructural level. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Vein wall fragments removed from 25 male patients were examined; their mean age was 19 years. All the patients were divided into 3 groups: 1) cases of left-sided varicocele (VC), 2) those of varicose veins in the lower extremities (VVLE), 3) control cases. Electron microscopy examination (EME) and morphometric and statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: EME showed similar changes in the vein wall biopsy specimens obtained from both pediatric and adult patients with VC and VVLE. Analysis of the qualitative parameters of collagen fiber bundles revealed considerable differences in their thickness compared to those in the control group; the phenomenon of structural chaos; variability of their number in the bundles; uneven bundle thickness; abruptness of individual fibers due to their tortuous course; bundle disorganization areas and an expanded part of interfiber spaces. Morphometric analysis demonstrated a pronounced variability of numerical series when measuring their bundle thickness. The above changes indicate primary incompetence of the connective tissue framework of the varicose vein walls. The measurements of smooth muscle cells showed a decrease in their volume compared to that in the control group; there was an excessive proliferation of connective tissue between them. No substantial difference was found in the arithmetic mean of the measurements in different degrees of VC and VVLE and in the age groups for these diseases. CONCLUSION: The ultrastructural analysis and morphometric results confirm the key role of UCTD syndrome in the pathogenesis of VC and VVLE and make it possible to combine these diseases into one - systemic varicose veins.

[Analysis of the learning curve in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in patients with localized renal parenchymal lesions depending on the nephrometric score].

AIM: to analyze the learning curve of surgeons while performing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in patients with localized renal parenchymal lesions by calculating the MIC (negative surgical margin, ischemia, and complications) index depending on tumor complexity according to the R.E.N.A.L. and PADUA nephrometric scores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the retrospective study included the results of laparoscopic partial nephrectomies in 320 patients with localized renal parenchymal lesions. The procedures were carried out by four surgeons from the Institute of Urology and Human Reproductive Health of FGAOU VO I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia (EC-1; ESH-4; EB-7; ME-13) from January 2014 to June 2019. At baseline, all operators had experience of performing at least 30 laparoscopic interventions. In addition to the standard preoperative examination, a 3D virtual planning was carried out using the Amira 3D modeling program. In all cases, the nephrometric assessment of complexity was performed according to the R.E.N.A.L. and PADUA scores. The learning curve was assessed based on the results of operations based on the MIC index. All surgical interventions were divided into eras. In the era, 40 consecutive procedures for each operator were evaluated. Acquired skills were assessed over two eras. RESULTS: The average age of patients, of which 191 (59.7%) were men, was 54.4+/-11.37 years. The average body mass index was 28.55+/-3.85 kg/m2, the absolute volume of kidney lesions was 26.72+/-43.72 cm3, the average Charlson comorbidity index was 1.46+/-1.29, the average R.E.N.A.L. and PADUA scores were 6.38+/-1.75 and 7.92+/-1.51, respectively, the average duration of procedure was 150.36+/-50.18 min, the average blood loss was 227.94+/-280.22 ml, the average time thermal ischemia was 13.28+/-7.82 min. Postoperative complications were seen in 36 (11.2%) cases, of which grade III and more according to Clavien-Dindo developed in 8 patients (2.5%). A positive surgical margin was found in 4 (1.2%) patients. The overall MIC index was achieved in 243 (75.9%) cases; in era 1 it was seen in 71.9% cases in comparison with 80% in era 2. With the 1st degree of complexity (152 (47.5%) patients), MIC was achieved in 80.9% of cases, compared to 76.6% and 56.8% in patients with 2nd degree of complexity (n=124, 38.8%) and 3rd degree of complexity (n=44, 13.8%), respectively. Rate of MIC achievement in eras 1 and 2 for different surgeons were as following: 65% and 72.5%, 75 and 80%, 87.5 and 85% and 60 and 82.5%, for operator 1, 4, 7 and 13, respectively. Age, tumor complexity, R.E.N.A.L. score and PADUA score were the most significant parameters for determining MIC, identified on the basis of the criterion of equality of group means of discrete analysis. CONCLUSION: In all surgeons, the MIC index increased with the accumulation of experience in performing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, but was lower with an increased degree of complexity of procedures. The minimum number of laparoscopic partial nephrectomies required to achieve an MIC more or equal 70% should be at least 40.

[Adherent Perinephric Fat: a prognosis and influence of perioperative results of organ-sparing procedures in localized kidney parenchyma tumors].

The results of recently published articles on the etiology and pathogenesis of "Adherent Perinephric Fat" (APF) are presented in the review. The current possibilities for predicting the presence of APF based on clinical data and imaging methods are highlighted, as well as the to an influence of ARF on perioperative results of organ-sparing procedures using various surgical approaches in patients with localized kidney parenchyma tumors.

[Flexible ureteroscopy for lower pole renal stones: novel superpulse thulium (TM) fiber laser lithotripsy].

INTRODUCTION: The SuperPulse Thulium (Tm) fiber laser (wavelength of 1.94 m) has been recently introduced as a directed-energy source for urology. Preclinical studies have shown a significant potential of the SuperPulse Tm fiber laser (SP TFL) for lithotripsy. However, clinical reports of using SP TFL to treat urolithiasis are still few and limited. Of special interest are challenging cases, e.g., lower pole stones, when extreme deflection of the instrument is required. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the SuperPulse Tm fiber laser in the management of lower pole small calyceal stones during flexible ureteroscopy (F-URS). METHOD: s. The SuperPulse Tm fiber laser device (Urolase 2, IRE Polus, Fryazino, Russia) has been cleared for clinical use by the Ministry of Health of Russian Federation. Study protocol has been approved by the Ethical Review Committee. Between January 2018 and February 2019, 130 patients with kidney stones have undergone Thulium fiber laser lithotripsy during F-URS. We retrospectively analyzed 15 of this patients with a single radiopaque lower pole calculus that were included in the present study. Stone size, stone density, lithotripsy time (from the first to last footswitch press) and "lasering" (laser emission) time were measured. The SP TFL was used for stone disintegration with different settings in dusting and fragmentation modes (0.1 - 4J, 7-300Hz, 6-40W) via a fiber with a 200-m core diameter. Low dose CT scanning was performed on POD 90 to assess SFR. RESULTS: Stone size ranged from 4 to 17 mm and stone density varied from 350 to 1459 HU. The average lithotripsy time was 12 min (3-30 min). The average "lasering" time was 1.3 min (0.4-2.5 min) and the mean hospital stay was 1.1+/-0.3 days. In all cases we reached the lower pole stone containing calyx with a laser fiber. The complication rates were evaluated by using the Clavien-Dindo grading system and did not exceed GII (6.6%). SFR on POD 90 was achieved in 86.6% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: F-URS with SuperPulse Tm fiber laser is safe and effective option in the management of lower pole small calyceal stones. The possibility of using small laser fibers gives better instrument deflection which make possible to reach lower pole calyceal stones even with acute lower pole infundibulopelvic angle (IPA).

[Markers of stem cells and their prognostic values for urothelial carcinomas of the urinary tract].

The fundamental question about the origin of cancer stem cells of urothelial carcinomas with luminal remains open. So far, no convincing evidence has been found to determine whether these events occur in a single cell, presumably basal, or are realized in different precursor cells of the urothelium. The potential of a number of potential stem markers as cancer stem cells in urothelial carcinomas and their prognostic significance are currently being investigated. AIM: Our aim was to carry out a comparative analysis of the expression of stem markers in the molecular subtypes of urothelial carcinomas, including ALDH1A1, CXCR4, CD24, CD82, CD105, CD133, NANOG, OCT4 and SOX-2. In addition, the relationship between the pattern of expression and the pathological features of the tumor was determined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Surgical specimens from 196 patients with a diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis and bladder were studied. Immunohistochemical study was performed on paraffin sections using the standard protocol. Antibodies against ALDH1A1, CD82, CD133, CXCR4, NANOG, OCT4, SOX2 ("Abcam"), CD24, CD105 ("Invitrogen"), CD31, CD34 ("Novocastra") were used. RESULTS: The stem cell markers used in the study were expressed in all molecular subtypes of urothelial carcinoma and there were no differences in frequency and intensity of expression between different phenotypes. However, the frequency and intensity of expression of the markers correlated with the tumor stage and the grade of cellular anaplasia. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that cancer stem cells with basal phenotype are not an exclusive subpopulation in urothelial tumors. Other progenitor cells with the immunophenotype of intermediate and/or umbrella cells can serve as cancer stem cells. These features of the expression in cancer stem cell markers will allow to develop new approaches to the treatment of urothelial carcinomas.

[Zero-ischemia nephron-sparing interventions for renal tumor. do we need 3D-modeling?]

INTRODUCTION: our aim was to assess and compare a zero ischemia enucleation and enucleoresection of tumor, as well as classical partial nephrectomy. In addition, we defined a role of a three-dimensional reconstruction of the tumor for the planning of intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: a total of 83 patients with localized renal tumors were included in the study. There were 48 men (57.8%) and 35 women (42.2%), with mean age 56.8+/-11.9 years. The patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the type of intervention. The enucleation, enucleoresetion and classical partial nephrectomy with removal of 0.5-1 cm margin of normal parenchyma was performed in Group 1 (n=41), Group 2 (n=31) and Group 3 (n=11), respectively. A computer program Amira was used for the reconstruction of 3D-model of tumor during preoperative planning. On the basis of 3D-model, an information about the structures situated beneath the tumor was obtained, as well as anatomy of vessels and relationship between the renal pelvis system and the tumor. RESULTS: In all cases the interventions were performed laparoscopically. Transperitoneal access was used in 34 (41%) cases, while retroperitoneal access was chosen in 49 patients (59%). The amount of blood loss was higher in 23 patients (27.7%) with tumors located in renal sinus (205.7+/-29.1 ml), than in patients with exophytic and endophytic tumors (142.3+/-15.2 and 208.2+/-35.9 ml, respectively; p=0.005). The duration of the surgery was less in those cases where parenchyma was under the bottom of the tumor, according to the 3D-model (58.3+/-6.8 min), compared to the patients with collecting system or vessels located under the tumor (87,6+/-5.2 min, p=0.005). The amount of blood loss was 179.4 +/- 41.8 ml in patients with one vessel located beneath the tumor, according to the 3D-model, in comparison with those cases with three vessels (360.0+/-87.2 ml). There was no need for clamping of the renal vessels or conversion to the open surgery. In the enucleation group, neither intraoperative nor postoperative complications were observed. CONCLUSION: According to the results, we can conclude that 3D modeling undoubtedly gives clear advantages for the urologist during the planning of the intervention. Tumor enucleation seems to be the optimal method of partial nephrectomy, which allows to perform a dissection near to the renal sinus with the small risk of complications.