The association between intron 4 VNTR, E298A and IVF 23+10 G/T polymorphisms of ecNOS gene and sildenafil responsiveness in patients with erectile dysfunction.

The objective of the study was to determine the association between intron 4 variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR), E298A and IVF 23+10 G/T polymorphisms of ec-NOS gene and sildenafil responsiveness in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). Ninety-six patients who were evaluated for ED between November 2003 and June 2004 and 167 healthy individuals representing the normal population as controls were included in the present study. The patients were evaluated by medical history, five-item version of International Index of Erectile Function, serum glucose, testosterone levels and lipid profiles. Sixty-seven patients received four consecutive doses of sildenafil from 25 to 100 mg according to the response. The ec-NOS gene intron 4 VNTR, E298A and IVF 23+10 G/T polymorphisms were evaluated in the isolated DNA blood samples obtained from the patient group with ED (n=96), from the group received sildenafil (n=67) and from the healthy group (n=167). Genotype distributions of ec-NOS gene intron 4, E298A and IVF 23+10 G/T polymorphisms in the patient group were similar to those in the healthy group. The frequency of the ec-NOS gene intron 4 genotype were found as bb=41.7%, ab=50% and aa=8.3% in the sildenafil responders and bb=93.5% and ba=6.5% in the sildenafil non-responders. This finding was statistically significant. Statistical analysis of ec-NOS gene E298A and IVF 23+10 G/T polymorphisms did not reveal any significant difference between sildenafil responders and non-responders. These findings may indicate that 'a' allele of ec-NOS gene intron 4 VNTR polymorphism associates with a better sildenafil response.

Detection of urinary interleukin-2, interleukin-2 receptor, and tumor necrosis factor levels in patients with superficial bladder tumors after intravesical BCG immunotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the presence of urinary cytokines, after bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy, in order to provide further insight into the mechanisms of action of intravesical BCG therapy. METHOD: Urine levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) levels were determined in 34 patients with superficial bladder tumors after a six-week course of intravesical BCG therapy. The urine samples were obtained at the fifth hour following the sixth course of therapy and the determinations were made by using an (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)) technique. RESULTS: The pre-BCG levels of IL-2, IL-2R, and TNF (32.1 ng/L, 21.1 ng/L, 37.6 micrograms/L, respectively) were increased significantly after therapy (175.2 ng/L, 54.4 ng/L, 625.9 micrograms/L, respectively). These levels remained significantly increased after all patients were stratified according to tumor and patient characteristics. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide further evidence for the immunologic basis of the mechanism of action of intravesical BCG therapy.

Percutaneous sclerotherapy of a giant benign renal cyst with alcohol.

We report a case of giant, benign renal cyst that was treated with percutaneous aspiration and sclerotherapy using 95% alcohol. A seven French catheter was inserted into the cyst under ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic guidance, and was then left in place to drain the cyst contents. Approximately 4 l of fluid was drained the first day. The following day, a gravity sinogram was obtained, which showed there were no connections between the cyst and the collecting system. The alcohol treatment involved repeated injections of decreasing amounts of alcohol, with volumes selected in accordance with follow-up sinograms. The patient's symptoms resolved and cyst drainage stopped after 3 successive days of therapy. Totally 600 ml alcohol has given. Follow-up ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) studies showed no recurrent disease; with only a small remnant of the cyst wall. We encountered no major complications during follow-up.

Efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in hemodialysis patients.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is more frequent among end-stage renal failure patients than the normal population. Sildenafil citrate has been successfully used for the symptomatic treatment of erectile dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in the treatment of ED in patients on hemodialysis. Fifty-five hemodialysis patients above 18 years suffering from ED with steady sexual partners were included in the study. The first five and fifteenth questions of the International Index of Erectile Function were employed to evaluate ED in the patient group. A Single 50-mg sildenafil citrate tablet was prescribed for each patient. The patients were encouraged to take it on the day after hemodialysis and 1 hour before sexual intercourse. The erectile function of the patients after the treatment was re-evaluated in the same manner by International Index of Erectile Function. The ages of the patients ranged between 30 and 73 years (mean 50.6 +/- 10.9). The overall response rate was 74.5% (38/51). Side effects were nausea (n = 2), palpitation (n = 2), flushing (n = 1), and angina (n = 1). Sildenafil citrate (50 mg) was observed to be safe and effective for treatment of hemodialysis patients with careful evaluation and proper patient selection.

Renal transplantation experience following endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux.

The most efficacious treatment for end-stage renal disease is renal transplantation. Because high-grade vesicoureteral reflux forecasts potential future complications, the patients studied were subjected to bilateral nephroureterectomy before transplantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the posttransplantation results of a subureteral injection performed before transplantation to treat high-grade vesicoureteral reflux in end-stage renal disease patients. Renal transplantation was performed on 14 of 52 end-stage renal disease patients that had undergone prior subureteral injection. Subureteral injection had been performed in 24 refluxing renal units of these 14 patients. Ten patients had bilateral and 4 patients unilateral reflux. The treatment criterion was reflux of at least grade III; however, when low-grade reflux was present in the contralateral renal unit, it was also treated during the same session. Success was determined as no (complete) or decrease to grade I (partial) reflux. The patient ages ranged between 13 and 46 years (mean 29.3 years). The reflux resolved in 20 of 24 renal units (83%) and was reduced to grade I in 3 of the others (12%), namely resulting in a total response rate of 95%. Except for 1 patient who was lost to follow-up, the other recipients were observed for 6 to 47 months (mean 23 months). Only 1 patient experienced symptomatic urinary tract infection or asymptomatic bacteriuria after renal transplantation. Acute rejection occurred in 5 and chronic rejection in 3 patients. In conclusion, subureteral injection instead of nephroureterectomy seems to be an efficient and minimally invasive alternative for renal transplant recipients with high-grade vesicoureteral reflux.

Choice of open surgery for varicocele.

To compare the two conventional surgical methods for varicocelectomy, 50 patients with varicocele were operated by using either the retroperitoneal or the inguinal techniques. Compliance with local anaesthesia was found to be poor in the retroperitoneal group. The operative time was significantly shorter (p = 0.00038), and the postoperative analgesic demand significantly lower (p = 0.012) in the inguinal group. While the inguinal approach for varicocelectomy appears more advantageous than the retroperitoneal technique, alternative methods are also discussed.

Scrotal thrill: an unusual finding in high-grade varicocele.

An unusual case of high-grade varicocele with scrotal thrill is present ed and the possible significance of peritesticular turbulence with relevance to subclinical disease is discussed.

An unusual presentation of upper tract urothelial carcinoma: a visible abdominal mass.

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma is rare when compared to frequent vesical involvement. An unusual case of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma who presented with a visible abdominal mass is reported.

Stone fragility in shock wave lithotripsy can be predicted in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of stone size, chemical structure, radiologic appearance, stone weight and stone mineral density on in vitro stone fragility. METHODS: A total of 216 stones obtained by open surgery were stratified according to their size, chemical structure (X-ray crystallography), radiologic appearance, mineral content and density (dual photon absorptiometry) and weight. Stone fragility was measured by the number of shock waves needed to completely fragment the stones in a phantom model by Dornier. RESULTS: Stone weight increased according to stone size and mineral density varied in relation to chemical composition. The radiologic appearance was not predictive of the chemical content. The most significant variable to predict the number of shock waves needed for full fragmentation was the stone weight. The stone weight could be formulated as a function of mineral content and the equation had statistical significance (p = 0.000). The necessary number of shock waves for complete disintegration also could be estimated by using stone weight, stone size and mineral density. This equation was also statistically significant (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Stone weight which is a function of stone mineral content seems to be the single most important parameter to predict stone fragility in vitro. Stone weight can be estimated by using the stone mineral content. Prediction of the necessary number of shock waves for full fragmentation seems possible and is formulated into an equation that proved to be statistically significant in vitro. In vivo application of this estimation awaits further research.

The significance of serum lipid-bound sialic acid in bladder tumours.

Tumour markers with high sensitivity and specificity for bladder cancer are still lacking and several markers have been investigated up to now. Serum lipid-bound sialic acid (LSA) was claimed to be a tumour marker by some investigators and this study tried to assess the value of LSA as a tumour marker in patients with bladder cancer. The results obtained from 27 patients and 30 controls showed that serum LSA levels remained within the suggested normal limits of the method used but they were significantly higher than in the controls. The value of serum LSA is questionable as an initial tumour marker for bladder cancer, but variations from the basal level may indeed be helpful in monitoring the efficacy of the therapy and in detecting relapses during follow-ups.

Immunohistochemical detection of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin in urothelial carcinoma.

Histologic sections from the specimens of 60 patients with urothelial carcinoma were stained immunohistochemically to search for beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (B-HCG) production. There were 6 doubtful, 5 weak and 1 strong positive B-HCG stainings among 65 sections from 60 patients. De novo acquisition of B-HCG production capability of tumour cells seemed to be predictive for early haematogenous dissemination of the disease, but the data obtained in this particular study were insufficient to suggest B-HCG as a routine prognostic marker.

Diagnostic value of creatine phosphokinase in testicular torsion.

In an experimental study on 36 male guinea pigs testicular torsion was induced in 10, epididymitis in 10, surgical trauma in 6 and only ether anaesthesia was given to 10 animals. Serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels at 0, 4, 8, 20, 28 and 40 hours were determined in each group. Serum CPK levels were found to rise significantly in the torsion group. Determination of serum CPK levels may be an auxiliary alternative in the diagnosis of testicular torsion.

Scrotal calcinosis.

Calcinosis is a rare benign lesion of the scrotum. A new case with scrotal calcinosis is presented and the relevant literature is reviewed.

Traumatic rupture of the corpus cavernosum.

Penile fracture is a rare entity. Twelve patients with penile fractures were treated surgically with a very low complication rate. Our results were compared with those reported in the literature.

Traumatic rupture of corpus cavernosum.

Penile fracture is a rare entity. Twelve patients with penile fractures were treated surgically with a very complication rate. Our results were compared with those reported in the literature.

The fate of contralateral ureter after ipsilateral reimplantation in unilateral vesicoureteric reflux.

Four patients out of 23 girls and 7 boys who were treated by successful ureteroneocystostomies for unilateral reflux had postoperative contralateral reflux (13.33%). Three of these 4 refluxing ureters resolved with medical treatment. A second surgery was needed in only 1 case (3.33%) who did not respond to medical treatment. There was no correlation between the preoperative severity of ipsilateral reflux, intravenous urography findings and the onset of contralateral reflux after unilateral reimplantations. Data from this study and previous works indicated that bilateral reimplantations are not warranted for unilateral refluxing renal units unless there are position and shape anomalies at the ureterovesical angle and a very careful preoperative evaluation of the patients is mandatory in this regard.

Sperm retrieval and live birth rates in presumed Sertoli-cell-only syndrome in testis biopsy: a single centre experience.

We aimed to investigate sperm retrieval rates (SRR) by testicular sperm extraction (TESE), factors affecting SRR, and fertilization rate (FR), implantation rate (IR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR) in patients with presumed Sertoli-cell-only syndrome in testis biopsy (SCOS). We retrospectively evaluated files of 134 patients with SCOS who underwent TESE. Group I were patients in whom spermatozoa were retrieved and Group II were patients in whom no spermatozoa could be retrieved. SRR, Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone levels, and the volume of testicles were compared between groups. In addition, FR, IR, CPR and LBR were determined. Sperm retrieval was achieved in 37 (27.6%) patients (Group I), and the remaining 97 (72.4%) patients made Group II. There were no significant differences in age, infertility time, testicular volume, serum FSH, LH and testosterone levels between Groups I and II (p > 0.05). Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was performed in 36 patients. FR, IR, and CPR were 60.86 ± 23.03, 36.53 ± 41.78 and 51.3% respectively. Cycle and patient based LBRs were 37.8 and 45.1% respectively. SRR in SCOS is lower than patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) in general. No parameters to predict spermatozoa retrieval were determined. In patients with SCOS, ICSI achieves similar live birth rate to other patients with NOA.