Role of PTEN gene in progression of Prostate Cancer

The aim of this study was to clarify the role of PTEN gene in progression of prostate cancer. A total of 51 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens of prostate cancer were analyzed for PTEN mutations. Tissue microdissection and polymerase chain reaction/ single-strand conformation polymorphism methods were used. Clinical and pathologic data of the patients were reviewed with regard to PTEN mutation. The Gleason score [GS] was less than 7 in 29 [56.8%], 7 in 11 [21.6%], and greater than 7 in 11 [21.6%]. Tumor stage was IIa, IIb, IIc, and IV in 14 [27.4%], 4 [7.8%], 21 [41.2%], and 12 [23.6%] patients, respectively. Eleven of 12 stage IV tumors had metastases at the time of presentation. Six of 51 cases [11.6%] showed mutation in PTEN which had involved exones 1,2, and 5. Two of these cases had localized and the others had advanced prostate cancer. One case of the tumors with PTEN mutation had a GS of 7 and 5 had GSs greater than 7. Patients with a positive mutation of PTEN had a significantly greater GS [P<.001], lower survival rate [P=.001], higher tendency to metastasis [P=.002], and higher prostate-specific antigen [p=.03]. Cox proportional hazard model showed that only GS was significantly correlated with mortality [P=.03]. Patients with prostate cancer who had PTEN mutation had also a significantly greater GS, poorer prognosis, and higher rate of metastasis. However, this mutation cannot predict the prognosis and the GS is a more precise factor

Improvement of erectile dysfunction after kidney transplantation the role of the associated factors

The aim of this study was to evaluate erectile dysfunction [ED] in hemodialysis patients and the factors influencing ED after a successful kidney transplantation. A total of 64 patients on hemodialysis were evaluated before and 6 months after the kidney transplantation. They were all recipients of their first kidney allografts from living unrelated donors and had a functional kidney allograft during the follow-up. The 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF-5] was used to assess their erectile function. A group of age-matched controls were compared with them before transplantation. The effects of pretransplant IIEF-5 score, age at transplantation, the artery used for anastomosis, and duration of the dialysis prior to transplantation on ED were also studied. Fifty-six of the patients [87.5%] and 23 of the controls [35.9%] had ED [P < .001]. The prevalence of ED was 87.5% in the hemodialysis patients. There was no relationship between the duration of dialysis and the severity of ED. Successful transplantation improved IIEF-5 score significantly [13.6 +/- 5.2 before and 19.2 +/- 5.0 after transplantation; P < .001]. Based on the IIEF-5 scores, the severity of ED increased in 6 [9.4%] patients; 8 [12.5%] experienced no change in their erectile function; and 50 [78.1%] reported an improved erectile function. Preoperative IIEF-5 score and age at transplantation had statistically significant associations with ED improvement [P < .001; P = .02]. Erectile dysfunction is highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients and significantly improves after successful kidney transplantation. Younger patients with a less severe ED have the most improvement after transplantation

Urinary Tamm-Horsfall protein and citrate: a case-control study of inhibitors and promoters of calcium stone formation

This study aimed to compare urinary Tamm-Horsfall protein [THP], citrate, and other inhibitors and promoters of stone formation in calcium stone formers with those in healthy individuals. From January 2002 to June 2004, 100 calcium stone formers [mean age, 38.6 +/- 10.3 years] who had at least 2 episodes of calcium stone formation were compared with 100 healthy individuals [mean age, 33.8 +/- 9.7 years]. Their 24-hour urine THP [using the sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis method], citrate, calcium, uric acid, oxalate, and magnesium values were measured and compared. The mean 24-hour urine THP was 3.3 +/- 8.1 mg in patients in the study group and 4.6 +/- 19.2 mg in controls [P=0.5]. However, THP in individuals with and without bacteriuria was significantly different [15.8 +/- 33.6 versus 2.6 +/- 10.2, P<0.001]. Mean 24-hour urinary calcium, citrate, and oxalate values were 232.6 +/- 95.3 mg and 177.8 +/- 82.7 mg [P<0.001], 132 +/- 103.2 mg and 395 +/- 258.5 mg [P<0.001], and 18.9 +/- 22.5 mg and 10.4 +/- 8.5 mg [P<0.001] in patients in the study and control groups, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between urinary citrate and promoters of stone formation, including urinary calcium, oxalate, and uric acid, in patients in the control group, but not in patients in the study group. THP in the urine of stone formers is not quantitatively different from that of healthy individuals, but it is different in patients with bacteriuria. Increased urinary excretion of calcium, oxalate, and uric acid in stone formers with no increase in urine citrate may play a role in the pathogenesis of recurrent stone formation