Serum prolidase activity, oxidative stress, and antioxidant enzyme levels in patients with prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify serum prolidase activity, oxidative stress, and antioxidant enzyme levels in patients with prostate cancers and to evaluate their relationships with each other. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 34 male patients with prostate cancer and with a mean age of 64.2 ± 4.4 were included in the study. The control group comprising 36 male patients (mean age 61.2 ± 3.4) was randomly selected among the volunteers. Serum samples for measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and prolidase levels were kept at -20°C until they were used. RESULTS: Serum prolidase activity and MDA levels were significantly higher in prostate cancer patients than in controls (all, P < 0.05), while SOD, GPx, and CAT levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that increased prolidase seems to be related to increased oxidative stress along with decreased antioxidant levels in prostate cancer.

Evaluating the Oncological and Functional Outcomes in 167 Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: Could Laparoscopy Still be a Viable Option in Suitable Patients?

Aim: To evaluate the oncological and functional outcomes of 167 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP). Materials and Methods: The retrospective study included 167 patients who were treated with LRP due to clinically localized prostate cancer between January 2007 and April 2012. Most of the patients were treated with the extraperitoneal approach. Preoperative evaluations included age, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and biopsy Gleason score. Perioperative evaluations included duration of operative time and anastomosis time, blood loss (milliliter), and complications. Postoperative evaluations included length of hospital stay and catheterization time. Continence and erectile function were evaluated both pre- and postoperatively. The patients who used no pads or no more than one pad daily and the ones who had only a few urine leakages on effort or exertion were accepted as continent. Postoperative potency was defined as the ability to achieve sexual intercourse with or without the use of PDE-5 inhibitors. Results: Mean age and mean operative time were 62.4 ± 6.0 years and 220.5 ± 45.6 minutes, respectively. Mean anastomosis time was 35.6 ± 9.8 minutes. Mean serum PSA level and mean Gleason score were 17.5 ± 9.97 ng/mL and 6.16 ± 0.42, respectively. Pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed in 94 patients and nerve-sparing procedures in 61 patients. The pathological analysis revealed positive surgical margin in 35 patients (20.9%). Bilateral and unilateral nerve-sparing LRP procedures were performed in 51 (30.5%) and 10 (6%) patients, respectively. At 12 months after surgery, 3 (1.8%) patients were using 2 or more pads per day, 19 (26.4%) patients were satisfied with erection, hardness, and duration of intercourse, and 9 (12.5%) patients had an erection with insufficient hardness and duration. Conclusion: LRP is an acceptable method in localized prostate cancer due to its perioperative and early postoperative results.

The relationship between microRNAs and bladder cancer: are microRNAs useful to predict bladder cancer in suspicious patients?

PURPOSE: Recent studies indicate that circulating micro RNAs (miRNAs) are novel class of non-invasive biomarkers with diagnostic and prognostic information. We evaluated the miRNA expressions in bladder cancer (BC) and their associations with disease diagnosis. METHODS: We profiled the expressions of 379 miRNAs in the plasma samples from patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) (n = 34) and non-malignant urological diseases as a control group (n = 32). Patients were evaluated regarding with age, miRNA expressions, by using descriptive statistics. miRNA expression in extracted RNA was quantified using the NanoString nCounter Digital Analyzer. RESULTS: The analysis of plasma miRNA levels in the marker identification cohort indicated that plasma (miR-1260a, let-7a-3p miR-196b-5p, miR-196a-5p, miR-99a-5p, miR-615-5p, miR-4301, miR-28-3p, miR-4538, miR-1233-3p, miR-4732-5p, miR-1913, miR-1280) levels were increased in NMIBC patients compared to control subjects. There were no significant differences other parameters studied between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of serum plasma miRNA (miR-1260a, let-7a-3p miR-196b-5p, miR-196a-5p, miR-99a-5p, miR-615-5p, miR-4301, miR-28-3p, miR-4538, miR-1233-3p, miR-4732-5p, miR-1913, miR-1280) levels could be useful plasma biomarkers for BC.

What Is the Ideal Treatment for 20-30 mm Kidney Stones? Comparative Outcomes of 1197 Patients.

Background: The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPNL), and standard-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (stPNL) for the treatment of 20-30 mm kidney stones. Methods: The records of 1197 patients (SWL = 149, RIRS = 205, mPNL = 525, and stPNL = 318) from 8 centers were reviewed retrospectively. Four procedures were compared for stone-free rates (SFRs), auxiliary treatment, and associated complications. Results: Initial SFRs were 43.6%, 54.6%, 86.7%, and 87.7% in SWL, RIRS, mPNL, and stPNL, respectively (P < .001), whereas the final SFRs were 71.8%, 80%, 90.5%, and 89.6% (P < .001). The rate of auxiliary treatment in the groups was 38.3%, 26.8%, 5%, and 4.4%, respectively (P < .001). The initial and final SFRs in the mPNL and stPNL groups were higher than those in SWL and RIRS groups (P < .001). The rate for auxiliary treatment was lower in the mPNL and stPNL groups (P < .001). The operation time was longer in the RIRS group (P = .005). According to the Clavien-Dindo classification, the complication rate in the SWL group was lower than that in the surgical approaches (P < .001); however, no statistical difference was detected between RIRS, mPNL, and stPNL groups. mPNL and stPNL had a higher success rate than RIRS or SWL for treating 20-30 mm kidney stones. Conclusion: In the treatment of 2-3 cm renal stones, RIRS and PNL were more effective than SWL to obtain a better SFR and less auxiliary treatment rate. Compared with RIRS, mPNL and stPNL provided a higher SFR with similar complication rates.

Dietary advices for patients with metabolic syndrome and obesity.

Obesity and metabolic syndrome are two important health problems that have increased in incidence in recent years in all around world. Stone occurrence and recurrence risks are increased in these diseases. Apart from general dietary recommendations for stone patients, metabolic evaluation and personalized dietary recommendations are important in these patients. Achieving a normal BMI also reduces the risks of stone occurrence and recurrence. In these patients, the Mediterranean diet and DASH diet, in which the lower animal protein intake and the higher consumption of vegetables and fruits, can be considered as suitable options in the diets to be applied to lose weight.

Attitudes of urologists on metabolic evaluation for urolithiasis: outcomes of a global survey from 57 countries.

Although stone disease is an important health problem with high incidence and recurrence rates, it is a preventable disease. Attitudes and practices of urologists regarding the prevention of recurrence continue to be a subject of debate. In this context, an online survey study was conducted involving 305 urologists from 57 different countries. The first 7 questions collected demographic data about the urologists and the remaining 23 questions were about the recurrence and metabolic evaluation, medical treatment, and follow-up of urinary stone disease. Most urologists (85.2%) thought that metabolic examination was important. Approximately one-third of the participants (34.1%) performed 24-hour urine analysis and stone analysis was ordered by 87.5% of the urologists. Metabolic analysis was performed for all patients by 14.7% of the participants. For pediatric patients this rate was 68.5%, and for adults with recurrence the rate was 81.6%. Reasons cited by the urologists for not performing metabolic analysis included not feeling confident doing so (18.3%), having limited facilities in their hospital (26.5%), having an excessive daily workload (31.8%), patient-related factors (27.5%), and referring patients to other departments for metabolic evaluation (20.9%). Although majority of the responding urologists do consider the metabolic analysis as vital important, they seemed not to be willing to perform these tests with the same degree of enthusiasm in their daily practice. Our results show that urologists need support in performing and interpreting 24-hour urine analysis, improving their knowledge levels, and communicating with patients. Urology residency training should focus more on the prevention of urinary stone recurrence in addition to the surgical training.

Could retrograde intrarenal surgery be a safe and effective alternative to mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the management of relatively large (20-30 mm) stones? A critical evaluation.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in patients with renal stones sizing 2-3 cm. METHODS: A total of 566 patients from 6 institutions who underwent mPCNL (n = 440) and RIRS (n = 126) procedures were enrolled in our study. The retrospective patient cohort was reviewed and compared. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors predicting success in the RIRS group. RESULTS: The stone-free rates were 91.1 and 77% for the mPCNL and RIRS groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The auxiliary procedure rates were 4.5 and 39.7% in the mPCNL and RIRS groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Mean values of hemoglobin decrease, fluoroscopy time, and hospitalization time were significantly higher in the mPCNL group (p < 0.001). While the Clavien grade 1-2 complication rates were 10.9 and 34.1% (p < 0.001) in two groups, these values were 2.7 and 1.6% (p = 0.539), respectively, for Clavien grade 3-4 complication rates. Although three patients in the mPCNL group received blood transfusions, none of the patients in the RIRS groups were transfused. The stone location and stone density parameters were found to be the independent predictive factors for RIRS success. CONCLUSIONS: mPCNL provided a higher stone-free rate, less need for the auxiliary procedure, and lower complication rates compared to RIRS in patients with 2-3 cm stones. Blood loss, radiation exposure, and a hospital stay of mPCNL can be significantly reduced with the RIRS technique in selected patients.

Evaluation of the optimal duration for retrograde intrarenal stone surgery to prevent postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) outcomes and to determine the effect of operative time on complications of RIRS. METHODS: Patients undergoing RIRS for renal stones were evaluated. These patients were divided into two groups according to the operation time (Group 1<60 minutes and Group 2>60 minutes). Peroperative outcomes such as fluoroscopy time, stone-free rates, complications and duration of hospitalization were compared. RESULTS: Group 1 consisted of 264 patients and Group 2 consisted of 297 patients. SFR rates, duration of hospitalization, and postoperative urinary tract infection rates were similar in both groups. Fluoroscopy time was 7.8±7.3 (0-49) sec in group 1 and 13.1±9.8 (0-81) sec in group 2. Complications according to modified Clavien-Dindo classification system (MCDCS) were 13 and 32 patients (Grade 1), 31 and 63 patients (Grade 2), 1 and 1 patient (Grade 3) in group 1 and 2, respectively. There was statistical difference between the two groups in terms of duration of fluoroscopy time and the MCDCS. Although duration of hospitalization and UTI rates were higher in group 2, no statistical significance was observed among groups. CONCLUSION: Limiting the operation time to 60 minutes in RIRS seems to be important in reducing postoperative complications.

Is Access Sheath Essential for Safety and Effective Retrograde Intrarenal Stone Surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) with flexible ureteroscope (f-URS), using ureteral access sheath and without the sheath. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Kesan State Hospital, Edirne, Turkey, between February 2019 and May 2020. METHODOLOGY: Patients treated with RIRS for renal and proximal ureteral stone were evaluated. Two groups were formed that used ureteral access sheath or not. Operation and fluoroscopy times, postoperative complications and stone-free rates were compared. RESULTS: Group 1 consisted of 51 patients were operated with, using ureteral access sheath; and Group 2 having 62 patients, were operated without using ureteral access sheath. The mean volume of the stones was 1135 mm3 (73-7491 mm3) in the group without access sheath and 1273 mm3 (251-3635 mm3) in the group with access sheath. The mean operation time was 55 minutes (20-115 min) in the group without access sheath, and 70 minutes (30-125 min) in the group with access sheath. Postoperative febrile UTI was found in 5 (8%) of the patients without access sheath, and in 4 (8%) of the patients with access sheath (p=0.733). The stone-free rate of the patients with radiological controls was 58 (93%) in the group without access sheath and 46 (90%) in the group with access sheath (p=0.306). Fluoroscopy timings were 2.7 seconds (0-8 sec) in the group without access sheath and 8.4 seconds (2-20 sec) in the group with access sheath (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: UAS usage has no marked impact on SFR, complication rate and operation time. RIRS can be performed safely and effectively without using UAS. Key Words: Flexible ureteroscope, ITO score, Ureteral access sheath, Intrarenal stones.

Can serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 and SMAD-2 levels predict lamina propria invasion in bladder urothelial carcinoma?

INTRODUCTION: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has a role in the destruction of lamina propria (LP) of the bladder wall and SMAD-2 promotes cell-to-cell adhesion. This study aimed to investigate the association between LP invasion and serum protein and mRNA expression levels of MMP-9 and SMAD-2 in bladder cancer (BC) patients. METHODS: Serum samples were taken from 57 patients with suspicious BC before TUR-BT (Group 1) and 20 patients with benign diseases as control (Group 2). The mRNA expression and serum protein levels of MMP-9 and SMAD-2 were analyzed using Real-Time PCR and ELISA methods, respectively. The comparison of protein and mRNA expression levels of MMP-9 and SMAD-2 were done statistically between Group 1 and 2, as well as for different T stages of BC. RESULTS: The protein levels of MMP-9 (2448 vs 637.5 pg/mL, P = .0001) and SMAD-2 (6.85 vs 1.61 P = .0001) were significantly higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2. The mRNA expression levels of MMP-9 (P = .89) and SMAD-2 (P = .99) did not significantly differ between the groups. The protein levels of MMP-9 in T1 patients were significantly higher from both of pTa patients (P = .018) and pT2 (P = .02). The protein levels of SMAD-2 were not statistically different between T stages. Similarly, the mRNA expression levels of MMP-9 and SMAD-2 were not different between T stages. CONCLUSIONS: The protein levels of MMP-9 and SMAD-2 were increased in BC patients while mRNA expressions were not different. Furthermore, the increased protein level of MMP-9 in T1 patients was more pronounced which may be related to LP invasion of the tumor.

The clinical predictive factors and postoperative histopathological parameters associated with upgrading after radical prostatectomy: A contemporary analysis with grade groups.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Upgrading after radical prostatectomy (RP) is an ongoing problem since first description of Gleason score. In this retrospective study, our aim is to investigate upgrading after RP in grade groups (GG) and clinical predictive, and postoperative histopathological factors associated with GG upgrading (GGU). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 753 patients undergoing RP between January 2006 and June 2019 at our institution were investigated. Overall cohort were divided into two groups according to GGU status after RP as nonupgrading and upgrading. Retrospectively documented preoperative clinical and postoperative histopathological parameters were compared between two groups. Furthermore, we investigated a subgroup of institutional cohort (n = 398) whose prostate biopsy (Pbx) and RP were performed in our institution and we also divided this cohort into two groups according to GGU status. χ2 and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for comparative analyses. The independent preoperative predictive and postoperative histopathological factors associated with GGU were investigated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The total GGU was 55.8% in overall cohort and 45.2% in institutional cohort. The GGU was found as the most common in bioptic GG1 group in both overall (64.0%), and institutional (54.5%) cohorts. In multivariate analyses, the noninstitutional Pbx (odds ratio [OR] = 2.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.86-3.51; P < .001), tumor positive core numbers in Pbx (OR = 1.11; 95%CI: 1.04-1.19; P = .003), increased prostate specific antigen (PSA) density (OR = 3.59; 95%CI: 1.03-12.52, P = .045) and age (OR = 1.03; 95%CI: 1.00-1.05, P = .046) were independent clinical predictors of GGU in overall cohort whereas only increased PSA density (OR = 5.94; 95%CI: 1.28-27.50; P = .023) was independent predictor in institutional cohort. Among postoperative histopathological factors, perineural invasion (OR = 1.57; 95%CI: 1.70-3.87; P < .001 and OR = 2.53; 95%CI: 1.46-4.40; P = .001, respectively), increased maximum tumor diameter (OR = 1.46; 95%CI: 1.23-1.73; P < .001 and OR = 1.33; 95%CI: 1.07-1.66; P = .010, respectively), and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) existence at tumor surrounding tissue (OR = 1.96; 95%CI: 1.32-2.90; P = .001 and OR = 1.87; 95%CI: 1.10-3.21; P = .022, respectively) were independently associated with GGU after RP, in both of overall and institutional cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Noninstitutional prostate biopsy, increased PSA density, higher tumor positive cores in Pbx and older age are the clinical predictors of upgrading after RP in contemporary GG. Perineural invasion, increased maximum tumor diameter, and HGPIN existence at tumor surrounding tissue are postoperative histopathological factors associated with GGU.

Diabetes mellitus is the only independent predictor of both postoperative and long term renal functions in elective laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with limited or overextended warm ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive factors of renal functional change at postoperative period and at last follow-up in patients undergoing elective and clamped laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) with limited (≤20 minutes) and overextended (≥40 minutes) warm ischemia time (WIT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: From our prospectively collected LPN database, elective and warm ischemia-applied LPNs were retrospectively analyzed in two groups: limited (n=55, Group 1, WIT≤20 minutes) and overextended (n=28, Group 2, WIT≥40 minutes) WITs. Preoperatively, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 in all patients. Demographic, clinical, perioperative and renal functional parameters were compared between two groups. Age, diabetes mellitus (DM), pathological tumor size, preoperative eGFR and WIT were used in multivariable analyses to investigate the independent predictors of de novo Stage 3 or greater chronic kidney disease (CKD) (eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73m2) at postoperative period and at the last follow-up. RESULTS: Preoperative (p=0.009) and pathological (p=0.011) tumor size, PADUA (p=0.001) and R.E.N.A.L. Nephrometry (p=0.006) scores and operative time (p<0.001) were significantly higher in Group 2. Preoperative eGFR (86 vs. 88 mL/min/1.73 m2, p=0.328) was similar between two groups. In postoperative period, compared to Group 1, decreased eGFR (86 vs. 62.5 mL/min/1.73 m2, p<0.001) and percent preserved eGFR (97.2 vs. 77.2%, p<0.001) were found in Group 2. After median follow-up of 33 and 30 months (p=0.732) for Groups 1 and 2, respectively, eGFR at the last follow-up (84 vs. 80.0 mL/min/1.73 m2, p=0.347) and percentage preserved eGFR at last follow-up (97.7 vs. 92.5%, p=0.806) were similar between two groups. Overextended WIT (≥40 minutes), preoperative decreased eGFR (<77.5 mL/min/1.73m2) and DM were the independent predictors of de novo Stage 3 or greater CKD at postoperative period, while DM and age were the predictors of de novo Stage 3 or greater CKD at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Overextended WIT (≥40 minutes) caused significant postoperative renal functional loss in elective LPN but this functional loss recovers at long term follow-up. However, diabetes mellitus is the only predictor of renal functional loss both in the postoperative period and at the last follow-up.

The pathological upgrading after radical prostatectomy in low-risk prostate cancer patients who are eligible for active surveillance: How safe is it to depend on bioptic pathology?

BACKGROUND: Active surveillance (AS) is one of the treatment alternatives in low-risk prostate cancer (PCa). The pathological upgrading after radical prostatectomy (RP) were investigated in patients who were eligible for AS in the present study. METHODS: Between August 2006 and July 2017, 627 patients underwent RP in our institution. One hundred and thirty-six patients who were eligible for AS at the time of RP were included in this study. The previously defined AS criteria Gleason 3 + 3=6 adenocarcinoma at maximum two biopsy cores, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) < 10 ng/mL and clinical T stage ≤ 2a were used in the study. The demographics, clinical, and histopathological outcomes were retrospectively compared between two groups, which were divided in accordance with the upgrading status at final pathology as Group 1 (n = 67, upgrading) and Group 2 (n = 69, nonupgrading). RESULTS: Gleason upgrading (GU) was found in 67 (49.3%) patients, and 17 patients (12.5%) were upstaged to pT3a. The upgrading to Gleason 3 + 4 was reported in 38.7% of patients, however, 7.4%, and 3.7% of the patients were upgraded to Gleason 4 + 3, and Gleason 4 + 4, respectively. The 10.3% of the patients had extraprostatic involvement, and the rate (19.4% vs 1.4%, P = .002) was significantly higher in Group 1. PSA density (P = .001), tumor size (P < .001), tumor percentage (P < .001), apical involvement (P = .013), and perineural invasion (P < .001) in RP specimen were higher in Group 1. Multivariate analysis showed that perineural invasion (OR = 4.26; 95%CI: 1.76-10.33; P = .001) and pathologic T stage (OR = 5.45; 95%CI: 1.08-27.4; P = .04) were independently associated with GU. CONCLUSIONS: Since 12.5% of the patients upstaged to pT3a disease, and there is a possible risk of Gleason 4 pattern, upgrading of the tumor should carefully be kept in mind before offering AS to low-risk patients with PCa.

Warm Ischemia-Related Postoperative Renal Dysfunction in Elective Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy Recovers During Intermediate-Term Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: To analyze the impact of warm ischemia time (WIT) on early postoperative and ultimate renal function after elective laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-seven patients who underwent elective, ischemia-applied LPN were investigated in this study. The study patients were without stage 3 or greater chronic kidney disease (CKD) (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) before LPN. Initially, the patients were grouped using the criteria of postoperative de novo stage 3 or greater CKD: Group A (n=104, eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) and group B (n=23, eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). The patients were also divided into two groups using 27.75 minute cutoff value obtained by receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis for WIT: Group 1 (n=69, WIT <27.75 min) and group 2 (n=58, WIT ≥27.75 min). The groups were compared with regard to demographic, perioperative, histopathologic, and renal functional outcomes. RESULTS: The decreased preoperative eGFR (P<0.001) and increased WIT (P=0.007), operative time (P=0.015), diabetes mellitus (DM) rate (P=0.019) and pathologic tumor size (P=0.031) were significantly different in group B. Multivariate analysis determined that independent predictors of de novo stage 3 or greater CKD in the early postoperative period were preoperative eGFR (P<0.001), WIT (P=0.014), and DM (P=0.030); meanwhile, preoperative eGFR (P=0.006) was the only independent predictor at last follow-up. Decreased median postoperative eGFR (P=0.018) and percent preserved postoperative eGFR (P=0.001) were significantly different in the increased WIT group, as well as elevated median postoperative eGFR loss (P=0.001). After similar follow-up (26 vs 23.5 months, P=0.913), the increased and limited WIT groups were not significantly different with regard to final eGFR (P=0.936), final eGFR loss (P=0.749) and percent preserved final eGFR (P=0.690). CONCLUSIONS: In elective LPN, increased WIT plays an important role in renal functional loss in the early postoperative period. This functional loss, however, recovered after an intermediate term follow-up period, similar to that of patients undergoing limited WIT.