Exploring the Multifactorial Landscape of Penile Cancer: A Comprehensive Analysis of Risk Factors.

Penile cancer, while rare, is a critical public health issue due to its profound impact on patients and the complexities of its management. The disease's multifactorial etiology includes risk factors such as HPV infection, poor hygiene, smoking, genetic predispositions, and socioeconomic determinants. This article provides a comprehensive review and analysis of these diverse risk factors, aiming to enhance understanding of the disease's underlying causes. By elucidating these factors, the article seeks to inform and improve prevention strategies, early detection methods, and therapeutic interventions. A nuanced grasp of the multifactorial nature of penile cancer can enable healthcare professionals to develop more effective approaches to reducing incidence rates and improving patient outcomes.

Comparison of Current International Guidelines on Premature Ejaculation: 2024 Update.

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common male sexual dysfunction that can cause significant distress in the patient and partner. This study aimed to compare the current international guidelines on PE to highlight their similarities and differences. We examined the latest guidelines from the European Association of Urology (EAU), American Urological Association/Sexual Medicine Society of North America (AUA/SMSNA), and International Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM) by comparing definitions, classifications, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and recommendations on diagnosis and therapy. The quality of guidelines was assessed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) Global Rating Scale (GRS). We found significant variations in the definitions of PE and recommendations on management of patients. The EAU guidelines were the most recent, the AUA/SMSNA guidelines lacked detail in some areas, and the ISSM guidelines were the most complete but also the least updated. The search for a unified definition and the development of standardized diagnostic and therapeutic pathways remain concrete issues to improve the management of patients with PE worldwide.

Cognitive Targeted Prostate Biopsy Alone for Diagnosing Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer in Selected Biopsy-Naïve Patients: Results from a Retrospective Pilot Study.

(1) Background: To identify a particular setting of biopsy-naïve patients in which it would be reasonable to offer only cognitive targeted prostate biopsy (PBx) with a transrectal approach. (2) Methods: We designed an observational retrospective pilot study. Patients with a prostatic specific antigen (PSA) level > 10 ng/mL, either a normal or suspicious digital rectal examination (DRE), and a lesion with a PI-RADS score ≥ 4 in the postero-medial or postero-lateral peripheral zone were included. All patients underwent a transrectal PBx, including both systematic and targeted samples. The detection rate of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) (Gleason Score ≥ 7) was chosen as the primary outcome. We described the detection rate of csPCa in systematic PBx, targeted PBx, and overall PBx. (3) A total of 92 patients were included. Prostate cancer was detected in 84 patients (91.30%) with combined biopsies. A csPCa was diagnosed in all positive cases (100%) with combined biopsies. Systematic PBxs were positive in 80 patients (86.96%), while targeted PBxs were positive in 84 men (91.30%). Targeted PBx alone would have allowed the diagnosis of csPCa in all positive cases; systematic PBx alone would have missed the diagnosis of 8/84 (9.52%) csPCa cases (4 negative patients and 4 not csPCa) (p = 0.011). (4) Conclusions: Cognitive targeted PBx with a transrectal approach could be offered alone to diagnose csPCa in biopsy-naïve patients with PSA ≥ 10 ng/mL, either normal or suspicious DRE, and a lesion with PI-RADS score ≥ 4 in the postero-medial or postero-lateral peripheral zone.

Early and late post-procedural complications in different orthotopic neobladder surgical approaches: A systematic review.

Bladder cancer (BCa) represents the second most common malignancy of the genitourinary tract. The major risk factors include age, gender, smoking attitude, and occupational exposure, while the exact etiopathogenesis is still uncertain. Patients diagnosed with a BCa showing invasion of the muscle layer below the submucosa must undergo radical cystectomy (RC) with urinary diversion (UD). Many different surgical approaches to UD have been developed. Packaging an orthotopic neobladder (ON) with a bowel tract represents the gold standard when certain patient selection criteria are satisfied. Using PRISMA guidelines, we performed a systematic review assessing early (within 90 days) and late (beyond 90 days) post-procedural complications of different ON surgical approaches. A comprehensive systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to identify papers starting from 2012 using dedicated keywords ("neobladder", "orthotopic neobladder", "complications'' and "outcomes"). A total of 27 articles were found to satisfy the inclusion criteria and selected. Although the ON is a safe procedure that guarantees the patient the best quality of life (QoL), it is not free from risks. Many complications could occur during and after the surgical time which imposes the necessity of strict follow-up and careful checks over time, which should be properly discussed with patients before.

Long-term functional outcomes and predictors of efficacy in thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): a retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological condition affecting aging men worldwide. Among the treatment options available for BPH, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold-standard invasive intervention. To reduce the TURP-related non-negligible morbidity, loss-of-ejaculation rate, hospitalization, blood loss and catheterization time several laser techniques have been developed, such as the Thulium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (ThuLEP). To investigate the efficacy outcomes of the ThuLEP as a treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) we performed a retrospective observational study at Moriggia Pelascini Hospital (Como, Italy) between January 2015 and September 2018. METHODS: We included 265 patients who underwent ThuLEP at a specific hospital between defined dates. Data on various parameters, including post-void residue volume, peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) for urinary symptoms, IPSS Quality of Life (QoL) score, and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score for erectile dysfunction, were collected at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS: The analysis revealed significant improvements in voiding efficiency, urinary flow, urinary symptoms, quality of life, and erectile function following ThuLEP. Furthermore, certain baseline characteristics, such as post-void residue, peak urinary flow rate, age, prostate volume, and aspirin usage, were found to influence treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the study's limitations, these findings contribute to understanding ThuLEP's effectiveness in managing BPH and can aid in making informed clinical decisions for patient care. Prospective studies with longer follow-up periods are recommended to validate and extend these results.

Advances in Urinary Diversion: From Cutaneous Ureterostomy to Orthotopic Neobladder Reconstruction-A Comprehensive Review.

Bladder cancer ranks as the 10th most prevalent cancer globally with an increasing incidence. Radical cystectomy combined with urinary diversion represents the standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, offering a range of techniques tailored to patient factors. Overall, urinary diversions are divided into non-continent and continent. Among the first category, cutaneous ureterostomy and ileal conduit represent the most common procedures while in the second category, it could be possible to describe another subclassification which includes ureterosigmoidostomy, continent diversions requiring catheterization and orthotopic voiding pouches and neobladders. In this comprehensive review, urinary diversions are described in their technical aspects, providing a summary of almost all alternatives to urinary diversion post-radical cystectomy.

Prostate and gut: Any relationship? A narrative review on the available evidence and putative mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Gut microbiome is a community of microorganisms that lives in the human intestine and exerts various functions on the host, including metabolic, immunoregulatory, and control over cell proliferation. Gut microbiome alterations have been associated with various pathological conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Gut-prostate axis is explained by the association between gut microbiome quantitative and functional alterations along with increased intestinal epithelial permeability with prostatediseases. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical importance of this association are not completely clarified yet. METHODS: We conducted a narrative review of the most relevant articles in the Medline (US National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA), Scopus (Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and Web of Science Core Collection (Thomson Reuters, Toronto, ON, Canada) databases. No chronological restrictions were applied, and the most related papers published until December 2023 were included. RESULTS: Gut microbiota (GM) and its metabolites are capable of modifying host androgen level, as well as prostate cancer (PCa) therapy response. Moreover, patients with inflammatory bowel disease have higher rates of prostatitis-like symptoms and a potential risk of developing PCa. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that interventions on the GM and its metabolites have a high potential to serve as diagnostic and therapeutic tools for prostate diseases, including PCa.

Iron homeostasis alterations and erectile dysfunction: A new issue in erectile disfunction treatment?

To the Editor, Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most prevalent conditions affecting men globally, with significant psychological and social consequences. The prevalence varies across different populations, and it is estimated around 50% in men aged between 40 to 70. The etiology of ED is multifactorial, involving a complex crosstalk between psychological, hormonal, neurogenic, vascular, and structural factors [...].

Quality of bladder cancer treatment information on YouTube: May the user's profile affect the quality of results?

BACKGROUND: Social media are widely used information tools, including the medical/health field. Unfortunately, the levels of misinformation on these platforms seem to be high, with a medium-low quality of the proposed content, as evidenced by previous studies. You Tube is one of the most important platforms for audio/video content. It shows content to users through a recommendation algorithm system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have classified in two cohorts the first results obtained by researching "bladder tumor treatment" on You Tube through two different user profiles: "Cohort A" with a not logged-in session in incognito mode (46 videos enrolled) and "Cohort B" with a logged-in session with a physician profile (50 videos enrolled). The videos were evaluated using validated instruments such as DISCERN and PEMAT-AV Furthermore, we used a Likert's scale for the evaluation of levels of misinformation. RESULTS: Overall quality of information was moderate to poor (DISCERN 3) in 54% of Cohort A and 24% of Cohort B. Moreover, a high degree of misinformation (Likert score 3) was found in 52% of Cohort A cases and 32% of Cohort B. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of misinformation in both cohorts are positively correlated to the number of views per month. Globally, the levels of information quality, understandability and actionability are lower for the results obtained from searches performed with anonymous user profile (Cohort A).

Peri-operative desmopressin combined with pharmacokinetic-guided factor VIII concentrate in non-severe haemophilia A patients.

INTRODUCTION: Non-severe haemophilia A patient can be treated with desmopressin or factor VIII (FVIII) concentrate. Combining both may reduce factor consumption, but its feasibility and safety has never been investigated. AIM: We assessed the feasibility and safety of combination treatment in nonsevere haemophilia A patients. METHODS: Non-severe, desmopressin responsive, haemophilia A patients were included in one of two studies investigating peri-operative combination treatment. In the single-arm DAVID study intravenous desmopressin (0.3 µg/kg) once-a-day was, after sampling, immediately followed by PK-guided FVIII concentrate, for maximally three consecutive days. The Little DAVID study was a randomized trial in patients undergoing a minor medical procedure, whom received either PK-guided combination treatment (intervention arm) or PK-guided FVIII concentrate only (standard arm) up to 2 days. Dose predictions were considered accurate if the absolute difference between predicted and measured FVIII:C was ≤0.2 IU/mL. RESULTS: In total 32 patients (33 procedures) were included. In the DAVID study (n = 21), of the FVIII:C trough levels 73.7% (14/19) were predicted accurately on day 1 (D1), 76.5% (13/17) on D2. On D0, 61.9% (13/21) of peak FVIII:C levels predictions were accurate. In the Little DAVID study (n = 12), on D0 83.3% (5/6) FVIII:C peak levels for both study arms were predicted accurately. Combination treatment reduced preoperative FVIII concentrate use by 47% versus FVIII monotherapy. Desmopressin side effects were mild and transient. Two bleeds occurred, both despite FVIII:C > 1.00 IU/mL. CONCLUSION: Peri-operative combination treatment with desmopressin and PK-guided FVIII concentrate dosing in nonsevere haemophilia A is feasible, safe and reduces FVIII consumption.

Desmopressin to prevent and treat bleeding in pregnant women with an inherited bleeding disorder: a systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: Although desmopressin (DDAVP) is an accessible and inexpensive hemostatic drug, its use in pregnancy is still debated due to safety uncertainties. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to review the safety and effectiveness of DDAVP in women with an inherited bleeding disorder during pregnancy and delivery. METHODS: Databases were searched for articles up to July 25, 2022, reporting maternal and/or neonatal outcomes. PRISMA methodology for systematic reviews and meta-analyses was followed (PROSPERO CRD42022316490). RESULTS: Fifty-three studies were included, comprising 273 pregnancies. Regarding maternal outcomes, DDAVP was administered in 73 women during pregnancy and in 232 during delivery. Safety outcome was reported in 245 pregnancies, with severe adverse events reported in 2 (1%, hyponatremia with neurologic symptoms). Overall, DDAVP was used as monotherapy in 234 pregnancies, with effectiveness reported in 153 pregnancies (82% effective; 18% ineffective). Regarding neonatal outcomes, out of 60 pregnancies with reported neonatal outcomes after DDAVP use during pregnancy, 2 children (3%) had a severe adverse event (preterm delivery n = 1; fetal growth restriction n = 1). Of the 232 deliveries, 169 neonates were exposed to DDAVP during delivery, and in 114 neonates, safety outcome was reported. Two children (2%) experienced a moderate adverse event (low Apgar score n = 1; transient hyperbilirubinemia not associated with DDAVP n = 1). CONCLUSION: DDAVP use during pregnancy and delivery seems safe for the mother, with special attention to the occurrence of hyponatremia and for the child, especially during delivery. However, due to poor study designs and limited documentation of outcomes, a well-designed prospective study is warranted.

Lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: A cross-sectional observational study.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), Crohn's Disease (CD), and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) may have extraintestinal manifestations, including disorders of the urinary tract. The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in IBD patients remains unclear. AIMS: Assess the prevalence of LUTS in patients with CD or UC, evaluate the variables implicated in any difference in LUTS prevalence between CD or UC, and assess any relationship between disease activity and LUTS METHODS: LUTS were evaluated in 301 IBD patients through standardised questionnaires: Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (BFLUTS), NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). IBD activity was determined through the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI), Partial Mayo Score (PMS), and Total Mayo Score (TMS). RESULTS: BFLUTS total score for females was 6 (3-11). Patients with a higher age at diagnosis had worse filling symptoms (p = 0.049) and a worse quality of life (p = 0.005). In males, 67.1% had mild, 28.5% moderate, and 4.4% severe IPSS symptom grades. The overall NIHCPSI prevalence of chronic prostatitis-like symptoms was 26.8%. The questionnaires revealed some significant differences in the subgroups analysed. CONCLUSION: LUTS should be evaluated in IBD patients by urologic-validated questionnaires for prompt diagnosis and early treatment.

Desmopressin in nonsevere hemophilia A: patient perspectives on use and efficacy.

Background: Desmopressin increases plasma factor VIII and von Willebrand factor levels in persons with nonsevere hemophilia A. Patients' perspectives on desmopressin are relevant to increase and optimize its suboptimal use. However, patients' views on desmopressin are not reported. Objectives: To evaluate the perspectives of persons with nonsevere hemophilia A on desmopressin use, barriers for its use, side effects, and their knowledge about desmopressin's efficacy and side effects. Methods: Persons with nonsevere hemophilia A were included in a cross-sectional, national, multicenter study. Questionnaires were filled out by adult patients and children aged ≥12 years themselves. Caretakers filled out questionnaires for children aged <12 years. Results: In total, 706 persons with nonsevere hemophilia A were included (544 mild, 162 moderate, [age range, 0-88 years]). Of 508 patients, 234 (50%) patients reported previous desmopressin use. Desmopressin was considered as at least moderately effective in 171 of 187 (90%) patients. Intranasal administration was the modality of choice for 138 of 182 (76%) patients. Flushing was the most reported side effect in 54 of 206 (26%) adults and 7 of 22 (32%) children. The most frequently reported advantage and disadvantage were the convenience of intranasal, out-of-hospital administration by 56% (126/227) and side effects in 18% (41/227), respectively. Patients' self-perceived knowledge was unsatisfactory or unknown in 28% (63/225). Conclusion: Overall, desmopressin was most often used intranasally and considered effective, with flushing as the most common side effect. The most mentioned advantage was the convenience of intranasal administration and disadvantage was side effects. More information and education on desmopressin could answer unmet needs in patients with current or future desmopressin treatment.

Sexual dysfunctions of rheumatological patients are a neglected issue: Results from a national survey of Italian Society of Rheumatology.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunctions (SD) are frequently encountered in patients with rheumatologic diseases. In this scenario, a multidisciplinary approach to rheumatologic diseases is often mandatory. The aim of this survey was to assess whether Italian rheumatologists routinely explore sexual health of their patients, their knowledge on the topic, and the barriers to discussing SD in clinical practice. METHODS: A 32-items anonymous questionnaire was mailed to members of the Italian Society of Rheumatology (rheumatologists and residents in rheumatology training) in February 2023. The questionnaire aimed to determine attitudes, knowledge, and practice patterns regarding the discussion of SD with rheumatologic patients. A descriptive analysis of responses was performed. RESULTS: A total of 162 responses were received. Overall, 50.0% of respondents occasionally asked patients about SD related to their rheumatologic pathologies, while 37.1% never did so. Respondents declared that patients occasionally (82.3%) or never (16.1%) reported SD related to rheumatologic diseases. The main barriers to discussing sexual health were lack of time during medical examination (46.6%), patients' discomfort (44.8%), and lack of knowledge/experience (39.7%). Overall, 41.9% and 33.9% of respondents respectively totally and partially agreed that rheumatologists should routinely investigate patients' sexual health. Most of the respondents (79.0%) thought that discussing sexual health problems could help patients cope with their rheumatologic diseases. Of all respondents, 74.2% felt the need to broaden their personal knowledge about SD. Finally, 45.9% and 34.4% of respondents respectively partially and totally agreed that training courses for rheumatologists could be helpful in the management of sexual health in rheumatological patients. CONCLUSIONS: SD was not routinely discussed in rheumatology practice, still remaining a neglected issue. The most frequent explanations for the lack of attention toward SD were lack of time, patients' discomfort, and lack of knowledge/experience. Most of the respondents expressed the possible usefulness of attending SD courses to improve knowledge about these conditions.

A factor IX variant that functions independently of factor VIII mitigates the hemophilia A phenotype in patient plasma.

BACKGROUND: Recombinant factor (F)IX-FIAV has previously been shown to function independently of activated FVIII (FVIIIa) and ameliorate the hemophilia A (HA) phenotype in vitro and in vivo. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of FIX-FIAV in plasma from HA patients using thrombin generation (TG) and intrinsic clotting activity (activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT]) analyses. METHODS: Plasma obtained from 21 patients with HA (>18 years; 7 mild, 7 moderate, and 7 severe patients) was spiked with FIX-FIAV. The FXIa-triggered TG lag time and APTT were quantified in terms of FVIII-equivalent activity using FVIII calibration for each patient plasma. RESULTS: The linear, dose-dependent improvement in the TG lag time and APTT reached its maximum with approximately 400% to 600% FIX-FIAV in severe HA plasma and with approximately 200% to 250% FIX-FIAV in nonsevere HA plasma. The cofactor-independent contribution of FIX-FIAV was therefore suggested and confirmed by the addition of inhibitory anti-FVIII antibodies to nonsevere HA plasma, resulting in a FIX-FIAV response similar to severe HA plasma. Addition of 100% (5 µg/mL) FIX-FIAV mitigated the HA phenotype from severe to moderate (from <0.01% to 2.9% [IQR 2.3%-3.9%] FVIII-equivalent activity), from moderate to mild (3.9% [IQR 3.3%-4.9%] to 16.1% [IQR 13.7%-18.1%] FVIII-equivalent activity), and from mild to normal (19.8% [IQR 9.2%-24.0%] to 48.0% [IQR 34.0%-67.5%] FVIII-equivalent activity). No substantial effects were observed when combining FIX-FIAV with current HA therapies. CONCLUSION: FIX-FIAV is capable of increasing the FVIII-equivalent activity and coagulation activity in plasma from HA patients, thereby mitigating the HA phenotype. Hence, FIX-FIAV could serve as a potential treatment for HA patients with or without inhibitors.

Sexual dysfunction: Time for a multidisciplinary approach?

Sexual health impairment is one of the most important issues worldwide, with an increasing number of men and women affected. Specifically in male sexual dysfunction (SD), several risk factors were established such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking or obesity. The co-presence of more than one of risk factors identifies a condition, defined as the metabolic syndrome (MetS), related directly to the SD. However, not all the physicians involved in the MetS management routinely discussed the sexual impairment, increasing the bothering feelings of patients. Furthermore, the lack of knowledge, insufficient time, lack of attention, ambiguities about responsibility, insufficient training and experience, shared among physicians, regarding the communication and treatment of sexual dysfunction, are all reported factors involved in under-valuation of SD. The current paper represents a warning to the experts, with the aim of increasing the awareness of SD among clinicians and to promote the education, training and collaboration with sex therapists, through a multidisciplinary team, that can lead to a holistic approach in SD assessment and treatment.

Population pharmacokinetics of nadroparin for thromboprophylaxis in COVID-19 intensive care unit patients.

AIMS: Nadroparin is administered to COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) patients as thromboprophylaxis. Despite existing population pharmacokinetic (PK) models for nadroparin in literature, the population PK of nadroparin in COVID-19 ICU patients is unknown. Moreover, optimal dosing regimens achieving anti-Xa target levels (0.3-0.7 IU/mL) are unknown. Therefore, a population PK analysis was conducted to investigate different dosing regimens of nadroparin in COVID-19 ICU patients. METHODS: Anti-Xa levels (n = 280) from COVID-19 ICU patients (n = 65) receiving twice daily (BID) 5700 IU of subcutaneous nadroparin were collected to perform a population PK analysis with NONMEM v7.4.1. Using Monte Carlo simulations (n = 1000), predefined dosing regimens were evaluated. RESULTS: A 1-compartment model with an absorption compartment adequately described the measured anti-Xa levels with interindividual variability estimated for clearance (CL). Inflammation parameters C-reactive protein, D-dimer and estimated glomerular filtration rate based on the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation allowed to explain the interindividual variability of CL. Moreover, CL was decreased in patients receiving corticosteroids (22.5%) and vasopressors (25.1%). Monte Carlo simulations demonstrated that 5700 IU BID was the most optimal dosing regimen of the simulated regimens for achieving prespecified steady-state t = 4 h anti-Xa levels with 56.7% on target (0.3-0.7 IU/mL). CONCLUSION: In our study, clearance of nadroparin is associated with an increase in inflammation parameters, use of corticosteroids, vasopression and renal clearance in critically ill patients. Furthermore, of the simulated regimens, targeted anti-Xa levels were most adequately achieved with a dosing regimen of 5700 IU BID. Future studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of found covariate relationships.

The impact of prostate biopsy on erectile and ejaculatory function: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact on erectile and ejaculatory function following transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies of the prostate (TRUS-Bx) in sexually active men. METHODS: Monocentric prospective study from May 2021 to January 2022 of consecutive patients with suspected prostate cancer [elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) level and/or abnormal digital rectal examination] undergoing TRUS-Bx. The 15-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15), Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PDET) and short form of Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ-EjD Short Form) were assessed before, one and three months after TRUS-Bx. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the risk of temporary post-biopsy erectile and/or ejaculatory dysfunctions. The statistical significance was set as p value < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 276 consecutive patients were included in the study. The median age, PSA and biopsy cores were 65 years (IQR 59-69), 7 ng/ml (IQR 5-9.7) and 16 (IQR 12-16), respectively. We compared the IIEF subdomains before TRUS-Bx vs. one or three months: the erectile function (EF) decreased after one month (p<0.001) but recovered after three months (p=0.833); the Orgasmic Function (OF), the Sexual Desire (SD), the Intercourse Satisfaction (IS), the Overall Satisfaction (OS), and Total IIEF decreased significantly after both one and three months compared to pre-biopsy values (p < 0.05). As for ejaculatory function (EjF), PDET, MSHQ-EjD Short Form 1, 2, 3 and MSHQ-EjD Short Form 4 scores decreased significantly after one month (p < 0.001), but they returned to pre-biopsy values after 3 months: p = 0.538, p = 0.071 and p = 0.098, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study proved that EF, assessed through IIEF- 15, and ejaculatory function, assessed through PDET and MSHQ-EjD Short Form, were negatively affected by TRUS-Bx one month after the procedure and recovered after three months. Interestingly, the other IIEF-15 subdomains (OF, SD, IS, OS and Total) resulted as significantly reduced also after 3 months: this issue highlights the importance of carefully considering the indication to TRUS-Bx.

Preoperative Fibrinogen-to-Albumin Ratio as Potential Predictor of Bladder Cancer: A Monocentric Retrospective Study.

Background and objective: Fibrinogen and albumin are two proteins widely used, singularly and in combination, in cancer patients as biomarkers of nutritional status, inflammation and disease prognosis. The aim of our study was to investigate the preoperative fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) as a preoperative predictor of malignancy as well as advanced grade in patients with bladder cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent TURBT at our institution between 2017 and 2021 was conducted. FAR was obtained from preoperative venous blood samples performed within 30 days from scheduled surgery and was analyzed in relation to histopathological reports, as was the presence of malignancy. Statistical analysis was performed using a Kruskal−Wallis Test, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, assuming p < 0.05 to be statistically significant. Results: A total of 510 patients were included in the study (81% male, 19% female), with a mean age of 71.66 ± 11.64 years. The mean FAR was significantly higher in patients with low-grade and high-grade bladder cancer, with values of 80.71 ± 23.15 and 84.93 ± 29.96, respectively, compared to patients without cancer (75.50 ± 24.81) (p = 0.006). Univariate regression analysis reported FAR to be irrelevant when considered as a continuous variable (OR = 1.013, 95% CI = 1.004−1.022; p = 0.004), while when considered as a categorical variable, utilizing a cut-off set at 76, OR was 2.062 (95% CI = 1.378−3.084; p < 0.0001). Nevertheless, the data were not confirmed in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Elevated preoperative FAR is a potential predictor of malignancy as well as advanced grade in patients with bladder cancer. Further data are required to suggest a promising role of the fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio as a diagnostic biomarker for bladder tumors.

Modifications of Behavior and Inflammation in Mice Following Transplant with Fecal Microbiota from Children with Autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder displaying the modification of complex human behaviors, characterized by social interaction impairments, stereotypical/repetitive activities and emotional dysregulation. In this study, fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) via gavage from autistic children donors to mice, led to the colonization of ASD-like microbiota and autistic behaviors compared to the offspring of pregnant females exposed to valproic acid (VPA). Such variations seemed to be tightly associated with increased populations of Tenericutes plus a notable reduction (p < 0.001) of Actinobacteria and Candidatus S. in the gastrointestinal region of FMT mice as compared to controls. Indeed altered behaviors of FMT mice was reported when evaluated in the different maze tests (light dark, novel object, three chamber tests, novel cage test). Contextually, FMT accounted for elevated expression levels of the pro-inflammatory factors IL-1ß, IL-6, COX-1 and TNF-α in both brain and small intestine. Villous atrophy and inflammatory infiltration (Caspase 3 and Ki67) were increased in the small intestine of FMT and VPA mice compared to controls. Moreover, the observed FMT-dependent alterations were linked to a decrease in the methylation status. Overall, findings of the present study corroborate a key role of gut microbiota in ASD. However, further investigations are required before any possible manipulation of gut bacteria with appropriate diets or probiotics can be conducted in ASD individuals.