CD47 (don't eat me signal) expression levels and its relationship with clinicopathologic features in early-stage prostate carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is a cancer with poor host immune response and could be defined as a non-T-cell inflamed tumor. Therefore, immunotherapy treatments could not be included in the treatment of prostate cancer until recently. Inadequate antitumoral response is one of the main reasons why tumor cells multiply rapidly and cause lethal results. It was shown that CD47 molecule, which is secreted at high levels by leukemia cells, reduces macrophage-mediated phagocytosis and thus facilitates escape from the antitumoral immune response. The aim of this study was to show don't eat me signaling in prostate carcinoma tissues and its relationship with macrophage polarization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 263 patients with a diagnosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma after radical prostatectomy between 2015 and 2020 at our institute were included in the study. CD47, CD68, and CD163 expression levels were examined immunohistochemically (IHC) in these tissues. The relationship of these expression levels with unfavorable prognostic factors and survival for prostate carcinoma was investigated. RESULTS: In this study, all the operated prostate carcinoma cases had CD47 expression in tumor tissue, but only 52.5% had a high level of expression. Of 263 prostate cancer tissues, 135 (51.3%) showed high expression of CD68 protein and 189 (71.9%) showed high expression of CD163 protein. There was a statistically strong relationship between CD47, CD68, and CD163. CONCLUSIONS: The CD47 molecule is basically a molecule that inhibits macrophage activation. CD68 is mostly used for macrophage classification, while CD163 is used for tumor-associated macrophage classification. Unlike others, we IHC examined CD47, CD68, and CD163 expressions in the surgical materials of patients who were operated for prostate carcinoma. In addition, we concluded that strong CD47 expression was closely associated with strong CD68 and CD163 expression in all tumor samples. However, a significant relationship between these expression levels and survival could not be demonstrated.

Efficacy of various laser devices on lithotripsy in retrograde intrarenal surgery used to treat 1-2 cm kidney stones: A prospective randomized study.

AIMS: To compare the efficacy of different laser devices and power ranges on lithotripsy in retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for 1-2 cm kidney stones. METHODS: A total of 223 participants undergoing RIRS for 1-2 cm kidney stones at our clinic between January 2015 and January 2017 were recruited for this prospective study (NCT02451319). Two hundred and four participants included in our study were randomly allocated into either ≤20 W with 20 W laser device (group 1) or ≤20 W with 30 W laser device (group 2) or >20 W with 30 W laser device (group 3). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic and stone characteristics. Operation and fluoroscopy times were significantly longer (P = .003 and P < .001, respectively) and stone-free rate (SFR) was significantly lower in group 1 (P = .002). Complications were similar in all three groups (P = .512). However, post-operative pain scores were significantly higher in group 1 (P < .001). The multivariate analysis revealed that stone size (95% CI: 0.654-0.878, OR = 0.758, P < .001), ureteral access sheath use (95% CI: 1.003-20.725, OR = 4.560, P = .049), and lithotripsy with 30 W laser device (95% CI: 1.304-11.632, OR = 3.895, P = .015; 95% CI: 1.738-17.281, OR = 5.480, P = .004, groups 2 and 3, respectively) were independent factors predicting SFR for RIRS used in 1-2 cm kidney stones. CONCLUSION: The 30 W laser device used in RIRS for 1-2 cm kidney stones had shorter operation times, higher SFRs, and lower post-operative pain scores compared with the 20 W device. The 30 W laser device is safe and more efficient in RIRS for treatment of 1-2 cm kidney stones.

The effect of the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic on urology practice and anxiety scores of patients awaiting surgery.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the effect COVID-19 pandemic on the daily urology practice of the level 3 centre located in one of the most affected regions in Turkey. We also aimed to assess anxiety and depression levels of patients whose procedures and surgeries had to be postponed due to COVID-19-related restrictions. METHODS: The number of patients admitted to the outpatient clinic, outpatient procedures, emergency consultation requests, hospitalised patients and the total number of surgeries between March 10, 2020 and June 15, 2020 were evaluated. These numbers were compared with the same period of 2019. Subsequently, patients who could not be operated or whose elective surgeries were postponed between March 10, 2020 and June 15, 2020 were determined(n:96). These patients were asked to fill out Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI). The presence of difference between the baseline anxiety levels and the anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic was investigated. Afterwards, these patients were divided into two groups based on planned procedures as oncological group (group1) and non-oncological group (group2). The presence of a difference between the anxiety and depression levels between the groups was investigated. RESULTS: There was a drastic decline in number of patients in all assessed parameters. The least amount of change was seen in the number of emergency consultations. The evaluation of anxiety and depression scores of the patients showed a significant difference between their STAI-S and STAI-T scores (51.8 ± 9.3, 38.2 ± 7.5, respectively)(P < .001). STAI-S scores of the patients were found to be compatible with severe anxiety. The patients' mean BDI score was found to be 15 ± 8.9, which indicated mild depression. However, the age and STAI-S values were significantly higher in group1. CONCLUSION: We noted that anxiety and depression levels increased in patients whose operations were delayed because of pandemic-related restrictions, especially in oncological patients. We believe that an important contribution can be made to the protection of public health by planning advance psychosocial interventions for high-risk groups during pandemics.

A risk grouping algorithm for predicting factors of persistently elevated prostate-specific antigen in patients following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: After radical prostatectomy, prostate-specific antigen(PSA) value measuring ≥0.1 ng/mL is defined as persistent PSA(pPSA) and in many studies, it was found to be associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis. Our aim in this study is to point out the pathological and clinical factors affecting pPSA among the patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy(RARP) in an experienced academic centre and to make a useful risk grouping algorithm that can predict pPSA value based on operative data. METHODS: We examined records of 1273 patients who underwent RARP retrospectively. Preoperative, operative and postoperative data were collected. Based on the PSA values (ng/mL) measured after 4-to-8 weeks of RARP, patients were divided into two groups as pPSA group (Group1)(n = 97) with PSA values ≥0.1 ng/mL and undetectable PSA group (Group2)(n = 778) with PSA values <0.1 ng/mL. Later on, Group1 was further divided into Group1a (PSA:0.1-0.2 ng/mL) and Group 1b (PSA≥0.2 ng/mL) to evaluate biochemical recurrence(BCR). RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analyses of the collected data revealed that preoperative PSA≥20 ng/mL, operation time, a postoperative international society of urological pathology (ISUP) grade of ≥4, pT 3-4 and pN were independently associated with pPSA. Based on these results, a risk grouping algorithm predicting pPSA was developed. By looking at the risk grouping algorithm pPSA was found in 98.9% of the cases with a preoperative PSA value of ≥20 ng/mL, an operation time of 150 min, a postoperative ISUP grade of 4-5, a positive lymphovascular invasion (LVI) status, pT3-T4, and pN+; while pPSA was found in 25.5% of the cases with a preoperative PSA value of <20 ng/mL, an operation time of 100 min, a postoperative ISUP grade of <4-5, a negative LVI status, pT<3-4 and pN-. The estimated BCR-free survival time was 16.3 months in Group 1a and 57.0 months in Group2 (P < .001). Adjuvant treatment ratio was 64.9% in Group1 and 7.1% in Group2 (P < .001). CONCLUSION: For the patients who underwent RARP, factors associated with aggressive disease can predict the PSA persistence. To plan our treatment modalities accurately, an applicable risk grouping algorithm in daily practice would be useful.

Nation-wide analysis of the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on daily urology practice in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To present a nation-wide analysis of the workload of urology departments in Turkey week-by-week during Covid-19 pandemic. METHODOLOGY: The centres participating in the study were divided into three groups as tertiary referral centres, state hospitals and private practice hospitals. The number of outpatients, inpatients, daily interventions and urological surgeries were recorded prospectively between 9-March-2020 and 31-May-2020. All these variables were recorded for the same time interval of 2019 as well. The weekly change of the workload of urology during pandemic period was evaluated, also the workload of urology and the distributions of certain urological surgeries were compared between the pandemic period and the same time interval of the year 2019. RESULTS: A total of 51 centres participated in the study. The number of outpatients, inpatients, urological surgeries and daily interventions were found to be dramatically decreased by the 3rd week of pandemics in state hospitals and tertiary referral centres; however, the daily urological practice were similar in private practice hospitals throughout the pandemic period. When the workload of urology in pandemic period and the same time interval of the year 2019 were compared, a huge decrease was observed in all variables during pandemic period. However, temporary measures like ureteral stenting, nephrostomy placement and percutaneous cystostomy have been found to increase during Covid-19 pandemic compared with normal life. CONCLUSIONS: Covid-19 pandemic significantly affected the routine daily urological practice likewise other subspecialties and priority was given to emergent and non-deferrable surgeries by urologists in concordance with published clinical guidelines.

Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis in Patients With Erectile Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Although there are no sufficient data on association between oxidative stress and erectile dysfunction (ED), numerous studies have reported that imbalance between the formation of reactive oxygen species and body's antioxidant defenses may play a role in the pathogenesis of ED. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine and compare the oxidant and antioxidant status in patients with ED and healthy controls with a novel automated assay for thiol/disulphide homeostasis test. METHODS: Our study included 123 patients with ED and 90 healthy individuals. ED was evaluated by asking questions 1-5 and 15 of the International Index of Erectile Function form. In this study, we used Erel and Neselioglu's thiol/disulfide homeostasis test, which is one of the novel methods that can measure both variables of the oxidative/antioxidative balance individually and collectively. OUTCOMES: This method measured serum antioxidant (total thiol [toSH], native thiol [SH]) and oxidant (disulfide [SS]) levels. The statistical comparisons were performed between patients with ED (ED+ group) and without ED (ED- group) first and then within the ED+ group. After toSH, SH, and SS levels were determined; SS/toSH%, SS/SH%, and SH/toSH% levels were analyzed separately and compared statistically. RESULTS: We found a significant difference between ED- and ED+ groups in terms of toSH, SH, SS/toSH%, and SS/SH% ratios. SS parameters were increased in patients with ED, but there was no significant difference in terms of SS and SH/toSH% values. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Clarification of the factors involved in the etiology of ED such as oxidative/antioxidative balance may open new grounds in the early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: It is a prospective, randomized clinical study with the use of a novel, reliable, and fully automated technique. The limitations of the study are use of a subjective tool such as the International Index of Erectile Function, obtaining blood samples from the peripheral vein instead of penile cavernosal tissue, and relatively small sample size. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that thiol/disulfide homeostasis is altered in ED, and this imbalance may be a factor in its pathophysiology. We determined that as ED gets more severe, toSH and SH parameters decrease, whereas SS parameter increases. Micoogullari U, Karatas OF, Kisa E, et al. Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis in Patients With Erectile Dysfunction. J Sex Med 2020;17:1934-1941.

The Role of Hematological Parameters in Predicting Fuhrman Grade and Tumor Stage in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Nephrectomy.

Background and objective: We investigated the ability of preoperative serum values of red blood cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and plateletcrit (PCT) to predict Fuhrman grades (FG) and tumor stages of renal cell carcinoma in patients who underwent radical nephrectomy. Materials and methods: Records of 283 patients that underwent radical or partial nephrectomy of renal masses at our clinic between January 2010 and April 2018, whose pathology results indicated renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and who had their FG and T1-4 N0M0 identified were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups based on their FG as low (I-II) and high (III-IV) and their T stages were similarly grouped as limited to kidney (pT1-pT2) and not limited to kidney (pT3-pT4). Results: Mean RDW, NLR, PCT cut-off values of the patients for FG and T stage were 15.65%, 3.54, 0.28% and 14.35%, 2.69, 0.28%, respectively. The RDW and NLR were determined to be statistically significant predictors of a pathologically high FG, whereas the PCT value was not a statistically significant predictor of high FG (p = 0.003, p = 0.006, p = 0.075, respectively). The relationship of RDW, NLR and PCT values with a limited to the kidney pathological T stage revealed statistically significant correlations for all three values. Conclusions: We determined that only RDW and NLR were markers predicting FG, while PCT had no prognostic value. On the other hand, all three of these values were associated with a limited to the kidney pathological T stage in patients who underwent nephrectomy due to renal masses and whose pathologies suggested RCC.

The sufficiency of 6 core sextant prostate biopsy in patients with prostate specific antigen (PSA) values over 20 ng/mL.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate sufficiency of 6 core prostate biopsy in patients with PSA levels elevated above 20 ng/mL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical record of the patients who received prostate biopsy at our institution between August 2011 to August 2016 who had serum total PSA values above 20 ng/mL, were reviewed retrospectively. In this study, we included 40 patients who received 6 core prostate biopsy and 40 patients who received 12 core prostate biopsy. A total number of 80 patients were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups, a 6 core biopsy group and a 12 core biopsy group. These groups are compared according to age, total PSA, prostate volume and final pathological diagnosis. RESULTS: Based on final pathological diagnosis, 2 patients (5%) had benign pathology and 38 patients (95%) had PCa in both group 1 and 2. The cancer detection rate in both groups was 95%. Although there were higher values of mean age, mean total PSA, and mean prostate volume in group 1, there was no statistically significantly difference at this variables in both groups. CONCLUSION: Although taking 6 core biopsies is not recently recommended, we proved that 6 core biopsy is adequate for patients with PSA values above 20 ng/mL.

Predictive factors of successful salvage microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) after failed mTESE in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia: Long-term experience at a single institute.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical practice of salvage microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and to determine the factors that may predict the presence of spermatozoa in preoperative salvage mTESE. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 445 patients with the diagnosis of NOA, who had undergone the mTESE operation consecutively in our institution between the dates of March 2008 and June 2017. The study included a total of 49 patients with failure to detect spermatozoa in the first mTESE and who had then undergone salvage mTESE. In order to investigate the factors that predict the result of salvage mTESE, the patients were classified into two groups according to the outcome of salvage mTESE, as those with and without spermatozoa retrieval. Patients in these two groups were compared with regard to age, body mass index, history of varicocele, history of cryptorchidism, duration of infertility, outcomes of genetic analysis, results of hormone profiles and the testicular histopathology results of the first mTESE. RESULTS: The sperm retrieval rate following salvage mTESE was observed to be 42.8%. Statistically a significant difference was determined between the mean follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) values of the groups (p = 0.013). No significant difference was observed between the groups with regard to the remaining parameters. CONCLUSION: It was observed that among the factors that predict the success of sperm retrieval in salvage mTESE in patients with NOA and previous unsuccessful sperm retrieval in mTESE operation, only the pre-operative FSH level was observed to significantly correlate with the success in salvage mTESE.

The effect of the American Society of Anesthesiology classification scores on complications associated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the effect of American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classification scoring and age on complications and surgical outcomes during and after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) operation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The records of 263 patients, above the age of 18 years, that underwent PCNL surgery between October 2014 and May 2017 were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into three groups based on their ASA risk scores (ASA 1, 2, 3) and into two groups based on their age (younger and older than 65 years). Postoperative complications were assessed according to the ASA groups and age and according to the Clavien classification system. RESULTS: The number of patients in the ASA 1, 2, and 3 groups were 97 (36.8%), 131 (49.8%) and 35 (13.3%), respectively. Four patients in ASA4 were not included in the study. There was no significant difference in ASA 1, 2, 3 groups in terms of changes in Hgb values, mean duration of operation, and mean hospital stay. When ASA1 was compared to ASA3 and ASA2 was compared to ASA3, there was no significant difference in the incidence of all complication rates. There were 159 (60.4%) patients in the young group and 104 (39.5%) patients in the elderly group. Postoperative PCNL complications of these 2 groups were compared according to Clavien classification system and no significant difference was found in incidence of complications. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that PCNL operation can be performed effectively and safely in both ASA3 patients and patients above the age of 65 years.

Pathology outcomes in patients with transurethral bladder tumour resection in a Turkish population: A retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Transurethral bladder tumour resection (TURBT) is the common surgical method used in the diagnosis, staging and treatment of patients with bladder tumour. Most of the rare tumours other than the urothelial carcinomas of the bladder are in advanced stage on diagnosis and necessitate aggressive treatment. In our study, we aimed to the histologic types of bladder cancer and to determine the regional incidence of rare bladder cancer types in our region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 815 patients who underwent TURBT surgery between January 2010 and March 2016 in our clinic with a diagnosis of bladder cancer and at least 1 year follow-up. Patients with tumour histopathological examination including histological tumour type, grade and were reported. Thirty-nine patients with an unclear pathology report (neighboring organ invasion, cautery artifact, etc) and 17 patients whose data could not be accessed were excluded from the study. The patients who had received chemotherapy or radiotherapy due to any type of malignancy (23) were also excluded from the study. RESULTS: The outcomes of 736 patients operated in our clinics due to bladder tumour were evaluated. The mean age was 65.2 ± 8.4; 135 were female and 601 were male. Among them 711 patients with urothelial carcinoma were reported (94.2%). According to TNM classification, stage Ta was observed in 270 patients (37.9%), stage T1 in 297 (41.7%), and stage T2 in 144 (20.3%). Non-urothelial cancers were reported in 25 cases (3.3%). CONCLUSION: The incidence of bladder carcinoma varies between regions. The results of our study are similar to those of the western countries. Increased smoking and exposure to environmental carcinogenetic agents may lead to altered incidences and histological types of bladder tumours. Revision of regional tumour records may be useful to develop and evaluate future treatment strategies.

Fosfomycin: a good alternative drug for prostate biopsy prophylaxis the results of a prospective, randomized trial with respect to risk factors.

PURPOSE: To determine the risk factors and the efficiency of rectal swab samples to prevent infectious complications in prostate biopsy, and compare fosfomycin with ciprofloxacin use in prophylaxis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May and October 2014, pre-biopsy risk factors and their effect in ciprofloxacin and fosfomycin prophylaxis were determined. Pre-biopsy urinalysis, urine culture and rectal swab samples were obtained from all of the patients. Rectal swabs were obtained upon admission, and biopsy was performed in the following 3-7 days. The place of rectal swab samples and efficiency of fosfomycin use was evaluated. RESULTS: Pre-biopsy rectal swabs were obtained from 110 patients who revealed 60.9% fluoroquinolone resistance (FQR), and 32.7% fluoroquinolone sensitivity (FQS). Fosfomycin resistance was present in 3 patients. Ciprofloxacin use in last 6 months was the only risk factor for FQR. Antibiotic prophylaxis was given to both groups with and without risk factors, according to swab results, and no infective complications were observed. Among the group where fosfomycin was used empirically, one patient had an infection needing hospitalization, however this constitutes no statistical difference between the Group that fosfomycin used empirically or according to swab results (p=0.164). CONCLUSIONS: In prostate biopsy prophylaxis, ciprofloxacin may be used liberally in patients without risk factors, but it should be given according to the rectal swab results in the patients with risk, and fosfomycin may be used independently of risk factors and rectal swab results.

Predictors of Metastasis in 68GA-Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Pet-CT in the Primary Staging of Prostate Cancer.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate factors influencing Gallium 68 Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography (Ga68 PSMA PET-CT) uptake for primary staging in prostate cancer. Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted on 499 non-metastatic and 243 de novo metastatic prostate cancer cases undergoing Ga68 PSMA PET-CT. Demographic, clinical, and imaging data were collected and analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression determined independent risk factors for metastasis detection on Ga68 PSMA PET-CT. Results: Metastatic cases showed higher levels of total PSA, PSA density (dPSA) and biopsy ISUP grade group compared to non-metastatic cases. Multivariate analysis identified cT2 stage and dPSA as independent predictors of metastasis detection on Ga68 PSMA PET-CT. Conclusions: Ga68 PSMA PET-CT plays a crucial role in prostate cancer staging, with identified factors such as clinical T stage and dPSA significantly impacting its diagnostic accuracy. These findings underscore the importance of Ga68 PSMA PET-CT in refining clinical staging and guiding treatment decisions for prostate cancer patients.

The Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI): A New Biomarker for Determining Prognosis in Metastatic Castration-Sensitive Prostate Carcinoma.

Prognostic nutritional index (PNI), which is calculated using the albumin level reflecting nutritional status and lymphocyte count reflecting immune status, is useful in showing nutritional and immunological status related to survival and prognosis in many cancers. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the biomarker potential and effect of PNI in determining the prognosis of metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). This retrospective observational study included the complete data of 108 patients with mCPSC who were treated for at least three months between 1 January 2010, and 1 June 2021. The relationships between cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and PNI were evaluated. The Kaplan-Meier method for OS, PFS, and CSS, as well as univariate and multivariate Cox regression models, were used for the statistical analyses. The median age of 108 patients included in the study was 68.54 (61.05-74.19) years. A value of 49.75 was determined to be the best cut-off point for the PNI. OS (months) was found to be significantly lower in patients with low PNI (median: 34.93, 95% CI: 21.52-48.34) than in patients with high PNI (median: 65.60, 95% CI: 39.36-91.83) (p = 0.016). Patients with high PNI (median: 48.20, 95% CI: 34.66-61.73) had significantly better CSS (months) than patients with low PNI (median: 27.86, 95% CI: 24.16-31.57) (p = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in PFS between patients with high PNI values (median: 24.60, 95% CI: 10.15-39.05) and patients with low PNI values (median: 20.03, 95% CI: 11.06-29.03) (p = 0.092). The PNI is a good predictor of OS and CSS in patients with mCSPC. The prediction of PFS, albeit showing a trend towards significance, was not statistically significant, probably due to the small number of cases.

Malignant mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis: Two extremely rare case reports.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) of tunica vaginalis is a very rare tumor and it has a poor prognosis. It is not easy to diagnose the disease preoperatively because there is a lack of comprehensive studies and information about the disease. We would like to present our two cases with severe scrotal edema and hydrocele, which were debrided perioperatively due to scrotal necrosis, followed by radical inguinal orchiectomy and subsequently diagnosed as MM of tunica vaginalis. CASE 1: A 74-year-old male patient with bilateral scrotal swelling for 6 months. Right radical inguinal orchiectomy was performed. The pathology result of right radical inguinal orchiectomy material was compatible with malignant mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis. CASE 2: A 90-year-old male patient with complaints of right scrotal swelling for 3 years. A right radical inguinal orchiectomy was performed. The pathology result of right radical inguinal orchiectomy material was compatible with malignant mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: MM has a very poor prognosis therefore early treatment plan should be made. Surgery is the main treatment for malignant mesothelioma of the testis. Although chemotherapy and radiotherapy play an active role in the treatment of metastatic disease, surgery is the first-line therapy in the treatment of the tumor. Also; long-term hydrocele, recurrent epididymitis, scrotal edema can make it harder to detect the tumor diagnosis. MM should be considered in such patients. Necrosis and abscess appearance was not mentioned before in published case reports. In this respect, it should not be ignored the long-term hydrocele situation and the appearance of abscess-epididymitis that cannot be treated properly.

What Is Your Choice for Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Metastatic Prostate Carcinoma: Surgical or Medical?

OBJECTIVE: At the time of diagnosis, approximately 16.5% of prostate cancer patients are metastatic. The main framework of metastatic prostate cancer treatment is androgen deprivation therapy, which is performed surgically or medically. The aim of this study is to evaluate the attitudes of medical oncologists and urologists about orchiectomy as androgen deprivation therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 387 physicians working in the Departments of Urology (n=217) and Medical Oncology (n=170) were included in this descriptive study. Data were collected through an electronic survey. RESULTS: Only 7.5% of participants indicated that they offered surgical castration to their patients. Urologists preferred surgical castration more than oncologists for the treatment of metastatic castration-sensitive prostate carcinoma (P=.003). The reasons why medical oncologists preferred surgical castration less are that it is an invasive procedure, has risk of morbidity and mortality, high cost of hospitalization, and may cause deterioration of the patient's body image (P < .05). CONCLUSION: This study showed that physicians were less likely to perform orchiectomy as an androgen deprivation therapy. Although the most important reason for this is the patient preference, the biased presentation of treatment options to patients, the lack of knowledge of physicians about orchiectomy, and the effect of the pharmaceutical industry should also be kept in mind.

Effects of severe hydronephrosis on the outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy with one-shot dilation method.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the presence of severe hydronephrosis on percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) outcome in patients who underwent PNL operation with one-shot dilatation technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical data of 989 patients underwent PNL operation in our clinic between 2012 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. We included 373 of the patients underwent PNL operation due to renal pelvic stone, who were older than 18 years of age, who did not have any urinary tract abnormality, and had no previous history of open renal stone operation. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of severe hydronephrosis and absence of hydronephrosis. These two groups were compared in terms of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), number of stones, stone burden, operation duration, fluoroscopy time, hospitalization time, hemoglobin and creatinine change, complications, and stone free rate. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, BMI, stone number, stone size, stone density, operation duration, fluoroscopy time, and hospitalization duration. The mean change in hemoglobin was 1.5 g/dL in group 1 and 1.1 g/dL in group 2. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.006). Postoperative blood transfusion was required for 3 patients (2.1%) in group 1 and 12 patients (5.1%) in group 2. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Only the presence of severe hydronephrosis was found to be associated with the change in hemoglobin and postoperative blood transfusion.

Evaluation of the role of thiol / disulfide homeostasis in the etiology of idiopathic male infertility with a novel and automated assay.

Idiopathic male infertility (IMI) is the absence of a reason to explain a patient's infertility, and it occurs at a frequency of %31. In this study we aimed to investigate the oxidant/antioxidant status of patients with IMI and compare their results to those of healthy controls.A total of 79 patients with IMI (group 1) and 90 healthy individuals (group 2) were included in the study. We used Erel & Neselioglu's thiol/disulfide homeostasis test. Collective and individual measurements of oxidative/antioxidative balance components were carried out by this novel thiol/disulfide homeostasis test. Serum antioxidant (total thiol (toSH), native thiol (SH)) and oxidant (disulfide (SS)) levels of all study participants were measured. The results from both groups were compared and analyzed statistically. After toSH, SH, and SS levels were determined, SS/toSH% and SS/SH% levels for each group were analyzed separately and compared statistically.The toSH, SH levels, and SS/SH%, SS/toSH% ratios were significantly different between the groups (p < 0.05).While antioxidant parameters (toSH and SH values) decreased in group1, oxidant parameters (SS/SH%, SS/toSH%) increased significantly. Although SS values were higher in group 1, the difference was not significant (p = 0.214). The SH cutoff value of 507.15 µmol/L predicted the probability of IMI development with 72.2% sensitivity and 74.4% specificity and toSH cutoff value of 545.45 µmol/L predicted IMI development with 70.9% sensitivity and 73.3 specificity (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the only independent risk factor for the development of IMI is SH. Patients with IMI had a significant change in their thiol/disulfide homeostasis, which suggests the involvement of this imbalance in the pathophysiology of IMI. Furthermore, these results also support the notion of the involvement of oxidative stress in sperm dysfunction. It also points to the possibility of using antioxidants in IMI treatment.Abbreviations: IMI: idiopathic male infertility; toSH: total thiol; SH: native thiol; SS: disulfide; OS: oxidative stress; ROS: reactive oxygen species; DCF: dichlorofluorescein; MiOXSYS: male infertility oxidative system; MOSI: male oxidative stress infertility; LC: L-carnitine; LAC: L-acetylcarnitine; Vit: vitamin; OAT: oligoasthenozoospermia; TMSC: total motile sperm count; WHO: World Health Organization; BMI: body mass index; DTNB: 5,5'-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid; CV: coefficient variation; ROC: receiver operating characteristic; PR: progressive, NP: non-progressive.