Apheresis training in Turkey.

Continuing education and standardization are of utmost importance in apheresis science as every field in medicine. Especially, the last 5 years witnessed remarkable progress in apheresis science in Turkey, both in terms of increased numbers of therapeutic apheresis centers, therapeutic apheresis procedures performed per year, and also in terms of quality and standardization. This brief report summarizes the current status of apheresis training in Turkey and milestones of its development.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation activity of Turkey in 2014: Ongoing increase in HCT rates.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation is an established treatment option with curative potential for a variety of clinical conditions. The last decade especially witnessed a remarkable increase in HCT activity in Turkey. In 2014, 696 pediatric and 2631 adult (total 3327) HCT were performed in Turkey. Corresponding transplant rates per 10 million inhabitants for autologous-HCT and allogeneic-HCT were 226 and 202, respectively. Total HCT procedures in Turkey increased 177% in the last 5 years and 791% in the last 14 years. This report focuses mainly on HCT activity of Turkey in 2014 based on the national HCT registry and presents a general picture of national HCT activity.

Outcomes of Flexible Ureterorenoscopy for Solitary Renal Stones in the CROES URS Global Study.

PURPOSE: We determined the efficacy and safety of flexible ureterorenoscopy for single intrarenal calculi and further stratified efficacy by stone burden. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CROES collected prospective data on consecutive patients with urinary stones treated with ureterorenoscopy at 114 centers worldwide for 1 year. Only patients who underwent flexible ureterorenoscopy for a solitary renal stone were included in study. Preoperative and intraoperative characteristics, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Relationships between stone size and the stone-free rate, operative time, complications, hospital stay and need for re-treatment were determined. RESULTS: A total of 1,210 patients with a solitary kidney stone less than 10 (52.2%), 10 to 20 (43.2%) and greater than 20 mm (4.6%) were treated with flexible ureterorenoscopy. The stone-free rate negatively correlated with stone size when adjusted for body mass index. Operative time positively correlated with stone size when adjusted for body mass index. The single session stone-free rate was 90% and 80% for stones less than 10 and less than 15 mm, respectively. Patients with stones greater than 20 mm achieved a 30% stone-free rate, more often needed re-treatment and were more often rehospitalized. There was no difference in the overall complication rate by stone size. However, patients with a stone greater than 20 mm showed a higher probability of fever after flexible ureterorenoscopy than those with a smaller stone. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that flexible ureterorenoscopy for a single intrarenal stone is a safe procedure. Best results after single session flexible ureterorenoscopy were obtained for stones less than 15 mm.

Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Global GreenLight Laser Study: Outcomes from a contemporary series of 713 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome in patients undergoing photoselective vaporization of the prostate for benign prostatic obstruction as part of the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Global GreenLight Laser Study. METHODS: Data were collected on 713 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction undergoing photoselective vaporization of the prostate at 25 centers worldwide, between April 2010 and April 2012. Three types of GreenLight laser powers were used: 80 W, 120 W or 180 W. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Outcome parameters measured at baseline, 6-12 weeks, 6 months and 12 months were: uroflow measurements, International Prostate Symptom Score; prostate-specific antigen and International Index of Erectile Function. RESULTS: Operating time was shortest with the 180-W laser at 53.8 min. Intraoperatively, bleeding occurred in 3.1% of patients. Statistically significant changes were reported in maximum flow rate, postvoid residual urine, International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life score and prostate-specific antigen (P < 0.01) at each time-point assessed for the 80- and 120-W lasers as well as for the 180-W laser, with the exception of prostate-specific antigen at 6 months and 12 months. There were 14 Clavien-Dindo grade III-A complications and two grade III-B. The incontinence rate at 12 months was 6.3%, 4.5%, and 2.6% for the 80, 120 and 180 W lasers, respectively. The overall blood transfusion rate was 0.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Objective and subjective improvement after GreenLight laser treatment worldwide was significant at 1-year follow up. Morbidity and complications were low. Although not a randomized control study, the data can provide an indication of the outcome of the different GreenLight laser powers.

Bladder dysfunction in peripheral neuropathies.

Normal bladder function depends on the complex interaction of sensory and motor pathways. Bladder dysfunction can develop as a result of several neurological conditions. It can happen in a number of ways, including diabetic cystopathy, detrusor overactivity, bladder outlet obstruction, and urge and stress urinary incontinence. Diabetic neuropathy is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy-associated bladder dysfunction. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated neuropathy, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), and amyloid neuropathy are other major causes. The diagnosis of bladder dysfunction should be established by the history of neurological symptoms, neurological examination, and urological evaluation. Functional evaluation of the lower urinary tract includes cystometry, sphincter electromyography, uroflowmetry, and urethral pressure profilometry. Management of urinary symptoms in patients with bladder dysfunction is usually supportive. In some cases, alpha-blocker and/or anti-muscarinic agents are needed to help improve urinary dysfunction. Intermittent self-catheterization is needed occasionally for patients with slow and/or poor recovery.

The evaluation of clitoral blood flow and sexual function in elite female athletes.

INTRODUCTION: Clitoral blood flow measurements using clitoral color Doppler ultrasound have been performed with increasing frequency either in order to assessment of female sexual function/dysfunction. The trials to evaluate the sexual function in healthy subjects, especially in the subgroup of female elite athletes, are limited. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether elite female athletes and sedentary healthy females differ in their clitoral blood flow and sexual function as an expression of their physical fitness status. METHODS: Twenty-five female elite athletes (Group I) and healthy female subjects (Group II) were enrolled as volunteers in the study. All women were instructed to complete the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. Each subject underwent high definition color Doppler ultrasonography to measure the clitoral blood flow parameters. Main Outcome Measures. The effect of physical activity on clitoral blood flow and sexual life in women. RESULTS: Mean age, mean age of menarche, mean marriage age, and body mass index were similar for both groups. In Group I, the mean peak systolic velocity and end-diastolic velocity were higher than those of Group II, whereas the mean RI was similar for both groups. There were statistically significant differences for total FSFI score and all domain scores, except desire domain, between both groups. CONCLUSION: In elite female athletes as compared with sedentary healthy females, better clitoral blood flow and better sexual function were demonstrated. Therefore it seems superior physical fitness correlates with better sexual function.

Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in patients with chronic prostatitis: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the possible relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). The rate of seropositivity for antibodies against H. pylori was determined in a cohort of subjects with CP/CPPS and prostatitis-free control subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-four consecutive patients with CP/CPPS and 55 randomly selected asymptomatic men were recruited to the study. Blood samples from enrolled patients and control subjects were analysed using an enzyme-linked Immulite analyser immunoglobulin G serological test for H. pylori diagnosis. Prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen level, maximum urinary flow rate, and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) score of the subjects were also determined. The results were analysed with chi-squared and Student's t test and statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age and social status between the CP/CPPS and control groups (p > 0.05). Total NIH-CPSI score was significantly higher in the CP/CPPS group. Seropositivity for antibody against H. pylori was higher in the CP/CPPS than the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study supports the hypothesis that H. pylori may play a role in CP/CPPS. The infection may be related to the immune response and increased cytokines in seminal plasma and/or expressed prostatic secretion. However, no study has investigated the relationship between CP/CPPS and H. pylori stool antigen positivity. This study showed that H. pylori seropositivity is high in CP/CPPS patients, but this needs to be confirmed by other studies.

Ovarian apoptosis after shock wave lithotripsy for distal ureteral stones.

The objective of this study is to identify any apoptotic effect of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) for distal ureteral stones on ovarian tissue. Twenty-one female New Zealand White rabbits were divided into three groups of seven rabbits each: I (control), and II, III (treated and killed 14 and 28 days after SWL, respectively). The left distal ureteral segment of the anesthetized (ketamine HCl, 20 mg/kg) animals in groups II and III was exposed to 1,500 shock waves at 17 kV. Localization of the distal ureteral segments was achieved following contrast medium (Iohexol 300 mg of I/ml) injection. The animals were killed on day 14 or 28 after SWL, and the ovaries were removed. The follicle number with apoptotic changes in ovarian tissue was compared with control group. Apoptotic changes were determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method. No increased apoptosis was detected in all groups. The mean number of TUNEL-positive follicle in groups I, II and III was 9.3 +/- 2.9, 8.1 +/- 2.6 and 8.7 +/- 2.9, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences among all groups regarding the number of TUNEL-positive follicle (P = 0.647). Also, no histomorphological change other than apoptosis was detected in the study groups. In conclusion, SWL treatment for distal ureteral stones does not induce apoptotic changes on ovarian tissue.

Oral beta-glucan protects kidney against ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is one of the leading causes of acute renal failure. Beta-(1-->3)-glucans are glucose polymers with a variety of stimulatory effects on the immune system. We designed this study to determine the possible protective effect of the orally administered soluble beta-glucan against I/R injury. METHODS: 30 rats were randomly divided into 5 experimental groups (control, sham operated, beta-glucan, I/R and I/R+beta-glucan groups, n = 6 each). Beta-glucan was administered orally to 6 rats of the beta-glucan and I/R+beta-glucan groups. The rats were subjected to bilateral renal ischemia followed by reperfusion in the I/R and I/R+beta-glucan groups. All of the rats were then sacrificed and kidney function tests, serum and tissue oxidants and antioxidants were evaluated. RESULTS: The serum urea and cystatin C levels were significantly higher in the I/R group compared to the I/R+beta-glucan group (p < 0.01). The serum and tissue antioxidant markers (SOD, GSH-Px) were significantly lower in the I/R group than the I/R+beta-glucan group (p < 0.01). The serum oxidant markers (NO and PC) were significantly higher in the I/R group than the I/R+beta-glucan group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Based on the present data, we conclude that increased antioxidants and decreased oxidants modulated by beta-glucan attenuated the renal I/R injury.

Nigella sativa protects against ischaemia/reperfusion injury in rat kidneys.

BACKGROUND: Renal ischaemia followed by reperfusion leads to acute renal failure in both native kidneys and renal allografts, which is a complex pathophysiologic process involving hypoxia and free radical (FR) damage. The oil of Nigella sativa (NSO) has been subjected to considerable pharmacological investigations that have revealed its antioxidant activity in different conditions. But there is no previously reported study about its effect on ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of kidneys. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of NSO in I/R-induced renal injury in rats. METHODS: Thirty healthy male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: control, sham, I/R, NSO+I/R, I/R+NSO and NSO. I/R, NSO+I/R and I/R+NSO rats were subjected to bilateral renal ischaemia followed by reperfusion and then all the rats were killed and kidney function tests, serum and tissue oxidants and antioxidants were determined and histopathological examinations were performed. RESULTS: Pre- and post-treatment with NSO produced reduction in serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine caused by I/R and significantly improved serum enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px) and also tissue enzymatic activities of catalase (CAT), SOD and GSH-Px. NSO treatment resulted in lower total oxidant status (TOS) and higher total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels and also significant reduction in serum and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and protein carbonyl content (PCC) that were increased by renal I/R injury. The kidneys of untreated ischaemic rats had a higher histopathological score, while treatment with NSO nearly preserved the normal morphology of the kidney. CONCLUSIONS: In view of previous observations and our data, with the potent FR scavenger and antioxidant properties, NSO seems to be a highly promising agent for protecting tissues from oxidative damage and preventing organ damage due to renal I/R.

Antioxidant and protective effects of silymarin on ischemia and reperfusion injury in the kidney tissues of rats.

BACKGROUND: Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major cause of acute renal failure. Silymarin is extracted from Silybum marianum and Cynara cardunculus seeds and fruits. The aim of this study is to investigate whether silymarin administration prevents the damage induced by I/R in rat kidneys. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups (n = 6, each) as follows; control group, sham-operated group, I/R group, silymarin group, and I/R + silymarin group. In the I/R and I/R + silymarin groups, both renal arteries were occluded using nontraumatic microvascular clamps for 45 min. Then, at the end of 24 h of reperfusion, the animals were killed. Kidney function tests, the serum and tissue antioxidant enzymes and oxidant products were determined. RESULTS: Animals that were subjected to I/R exhibited significant increase in serum urea, creatinine, and cystatin C levels compared with the rats treated with silymarin prior to the I/R process (P < 0.001). The serum enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase significantly decreased in the I/R group; however, this reduction was significantly improved by the treatment with silymarin (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Renal I/R produced a significant increase in serum and tissue malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and protein carbonyl as compared with controls. Treatment with silymarin resulted in significant reduction in these markers (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, silymarin protects the kidneys against I/R injury. This finding may provide a basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for protection against the damages caused by I/R.

Spontaneous rupture of the renal pelvis caused by calculus: a case report.

Rupture of the urinary collecting system associated with peripelvic extravasation of the urine is an unusual condition and commonly associated with obstructing calculus. We report a patient, recently given chemotherapy due to lymphoma, with acute abdomen symptoms. He had a renal pelvis rupture with perirenal extravasation of urine, an uncommon condition due to a stone in the ureter. Diagnosis was suspected on serial ultrasonography, and confirmed by computed tomograhy. Diagnosis, follow-up, and therapeutic approach are discussed.

Prognostic factors effecting on recurrence of urinary stone disease: a multivariate analysis of everyday patient parameters.

INTRODUCTION: Since comprehensive urometabolic analyses are currently more preferred for the patients with recurrent stones and with high risk of stone recurrence, we have tried to determine simple patient data increasing stone recurrence to limit sophisticated analyses to certain cases at least in particularly deprivation districts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the study 173 with first-time or recurrent urinary stone were taken. After stone treatment, various empirical metaphylaxis methods were counselled to the patients. The parameters evaluated were (a) age at onset of the disease, (b) gender, (c) urinary pH and (d) specific gravity, (e) serum calcium and (f) uric acid, (g) stone burden, (h) side, and (i) location, (j) treatment modality and (k) recurrence history. New stone formation or growing of the existing stone was considered as stone recurrence. In statistics, independent samples t, chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier, Log rank and Cox regression tests were used. RESULTS: The mean age was 35 years. The male to female ratio was 88/85. Recurrence occurred in 49 (28%) cases at a mean of 30 months. Stone burden was significantly larger in patients with recurrent stone. In subjects treated with open surgery and with previous recurrence history, stone recurrence rate was significantly higher. In survival analyses, higher serum calcium level, larger stone burden, renal stones and previous recurrence influenced stone prognosis poorly. However in multivariate analysis, none of them was the most significant independent factor. CONCLUSIONS: According to our study, detailed urometabolic analyses may be somewhat reserved for the patients with ordinary factors increasing risk of stone recurrence including relatively high serum calcium level, large stone burden, upper urinary stone, history of recurrence and open surgery. As a result, it has been thought that the stone risk evaluation guiding detailed laboratory examination may be partially performed with first-line clinical data under limited conditions.

The comparison of the influence between two different bowel preparation methods on sepsis after prostate biopsies.

INTRODUCTION: Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) guided prostate needle biopsy has been performed to diagnose and stage prostate cancer for many years. There are many different bowel preparation protocols to diminish the infectious complications, but there is no standardized consensus among urologists. Therefore, we aimed to assess two different bowel preparation methods on the rate of infectious complications in patients who underwent TRUS-guided prostate biopsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 387 cases of TRUS-guided prostate biopsy were included in this retrospective study. All patients received antibiotic prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin (500 mg) twice a day orally for 7 days starting on the day before the biopsy. The patients were divided into two groups according to the bowel preparation method used. Patients (Group 1, n = 164) only received self-administrated phosphate enema) on the morning of the prostate biopsy. Other patients (Group 2, n = 223) received sennasoid a-b laxatives the night before the prostate biopsy. Infectious complications were classified as sepsis, fever (greater than 38°C) without sepsis, and other clinical infections. RESULTS: Major complications developed in 14 cases (3.8%), including 3 cases (0.8%) of urinary retention, and 11 (3%) infectious complications, all of which were sepsis. There were 3 and 8 cases of urosepsis in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between both Groups regarding to the rates of urosepsis (p = 0.358). CONCLUSIONS: Despite both methods of bowel preparation, sodium phosphate enema or sennasoid a-b calcium laxatives, before TRUS-guided prostate biopsy have similar effect on the rate of urosepsis, so both methods of bowel preparation can be safely used.

Abnormalities in event-related potential and brainstem auditory evoked response in children with nocturnal enuresis.

UNLABELLED: To evaluate central nervous system functioning involvement in nocturnal enuresis, P300 and N200 event-related brain potentials and brainstem auditory-evoked potentials (BAER) were assessed in a group of 35 enuretic boys aged 7-9 years. The measurements of enuretic group were compared to those of age and sex matched non-enuretics. P300 latency in the enuretic group was significantly longer than in non-enuretic group (420 ms at parietal scalp (Pz), 414 ms at central scalp (Cz) versus 386 ms at Pz, 376 ms at Cz; P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). Both enuretic and non-enuretic subjects were divided into three subgroups his age. There was no significant difference in terms of both P300 amplitude and N200 latency and N200 amplitude between non-enuretic age subgroups. But, P300 latency over central scalp in 8 years old non-enuretic subgroup was significantly longer than in 9 years old non-enuretic subgroup (P < 0.01). No significant difference was found in latency and amplitude of P300 and N200 latency between enuretic subgroups. However, N200 amplitude at Cz in 8 years old enuretic subgroup was significantly lower than both in 7 years old enuretic subgroup and in 9 years old enuretic subgroup (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). There were significant topographical differences in latency and amplitude of P300 and in N200 latency in enuretic age subgroups, only. There was no significant difference in interpeak latencies I-III, I-V and III-V and wave latencies I, III and V of BAERs between enuretic group and non-enuretic subgroup. Longer interpeak and wave latencies of BAERs were found both in 8 years old enuretic subgroup and 8 years old non-enuretic subgroup. CONCLUSION: Longer P300 latency in primer enuretics compare to non-enuretics is an evidence of a maturational delay of central nervous system functioning.

Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis mimicking a pelvic tumor: a case of pericystitis plastica.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis was first described in 1905 by Albarran, a French urologist, who performed ureterolysis for ureteral compression produced by the disease. However, this disease became an established clinical entity by Ormond's account in the English literature in 1948. Pericystitis plastica has been used the define an extremely rare type of Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRF) constricting the bladder. In this study, we discussed the recovery of 29-year-old woman with pericystitis plastica who was misdiagnosed as pelvic malignancy or a chronic/subacut pelvic inflammation at the first evaluation.

The association between serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels and the success of microdissection testicular sperm extraction in patients with azoospermia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictive power of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, testicular biopsy histology and male age were evaluated with respect to the success of sperm retrieval in a microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE) procedure, pregnancy and live birth rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the data of 131 infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia, who have undergone microTESE operation. The men were classified into two groups based on serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels ≤ 15 mIU/mL (group 1) and > 15 mIU/mL (group 2). RESULTS: Group 1 consisted of 59 patients (mean age 36.2 ± 6.2 years) and group 2 consisted of 72 (mean age 38.8 ± 7.4 years) patients. Sperm retrieval and pregnancy rates were 66.1% and 16.9% in normal FSH group, respectively. These parameters were higher than those of men with FSH > 15 (43% and 8.3%, respectively). Only 128 patients had histopathological diagnosis. Sperm was retrieved from 12/30 (40%) patients with maturation arrest, 9/29 (31.03%) patients with seminiferous tubules atrophy, 14/40 (35%) patients with sertoli cell only syndrome and 13/13 (100%) of patients with hypospermatogenesis. There was no statistically significant difference in pathological diagnosis between pregnancy and live birth rates. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that there is a significant difference with sperm retrieval, pregnancy rates and live birth rates comparing the FSH levels. Histopathological findings did not associate with successful microTESE, pregnancy rates and live birth rates.

Is polycystic ovarian syndrome a risk factor for urolithiasis?

Urinary stone disease is a complex multifactorial disorder influenced by both intrinsic and environmental factors. It is generally known that age and sex are risk factors for urinary stone disease. Also men have higher mean urinary oxalate concentrations than women. In addition, in animal and human studies, testosterone has been shown to increase the formation of urinary stones. This suggests that sex hormones are considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of stone disease. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most frequent endocrine disorders of women in the reproductive age, affecting 5-10 % of women in this life span. It is characterized with chronic anovulation\oligo-ovulation, clinical or biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound examination. Hyperandrogenism, the main feature of PCOS, may trigger the urinary stone formation besides hirsutism, alopecia and acne. Therefore, we hypothesize that PCOS accompanied by hyperandrogenism may be a risk factor in the formation of urinary stone disease.

An insidious risk factor for cardiovascular disease: benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) have a considerably higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than the general population in old age. Many hypotheses have been created to explain traditional clinical risk factors of CVD, including age, male gender, cigarette smoking, inheritance, high blood pressure (BP), obesity, elevated fasting plasma glucose, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, decreased physical activity and metabolic syndrome; or nontraditional risk factors such as oxidative stress, inflammation, vascular calcification, malnutrition, homocysteine and genetic variation. Although these risk factors are important in CVD pathophysiology and clinical presentation, there is still no single theory sufficient to provide an adequate explanation for all the properties of CVD. We speculate that by causing nocturia-induced sleep disturbances, BP variability, increased sympathetic activity, non-dipping BP variations; BPH may be an insidious risk factor for CVD. Benign prostate hyperplasia may be related to increased BP, coronary ischemic hearth disease or other cardiovascular pathologic conditions. This attention on BPH may produce a new approach to the diagnosis and treatment of CVD. Although the underlying mechanisms are still exactly unclear, further prospective randomized controlled studies are needed to identify if patients with BPH/LUTS is higher risk for CVD.