Left-Ventricular Function After 3 Months of Sacubitril-Valsartan in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

There is limited data on the effect of sacubitril-valsartan on the echocardiographic parameters in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). We prospectively enrolled 68 consecutive patients with ADHF who received sacubitril-valsartan (N = 34, S/V group) or angiotensin inhibition-based therapy (N = 34, ACEi/ARB group). Two-dimensional echocardiography with speckle tracking (2D-STE) was performed at baseline and after 3 months of treatment. Changes in 2D-STE parameters, including global longitudinal strain (GLS), were compared between the groups by t test and ANCOVA. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. Following 3 months of treatment, LVEF and GLS significantly improved in the S/V group (mean LVEF from 27 to 34.5% and GLS from - 6.6 to - 9.4%) but not in ACEi/ARB group. The improvement in LVEF and GLS was more prominent in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. In patients with ADHF 3-month treatment with sacubitril-valsartan, compared to guideline directed medical therapy without sacubitril, improves LVEF and GLS. Graphical Abstract A typical change in GLS in a patient with acute decompensated heart failure after 3 months of sacubitril-valsartan.

IS TESTOSTERONE PROGNOSTIC IN PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT? THE UROLOGICAL STANDPOINT.

Prostate cancer (PC) is known as an androgen-dependent tumor with testosterone as its natural growth factor, its action is mediated by the androgen receptor (AR) important for the biology and progression of PC. During aging a progressive decline in testosterone levels begins, caused by disability of aged Leydig cells to produce testosterone in response to luteinizing hormone. Surgical treatment of PC can influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis with less impact on it compared to patients treated with radiation. Patients with pre-operative low baseline testosterone level had mean Gleason score higher and AR expression was higher; significantly lower testosterone levels were recorded in patients with lymph node metastases. But some data are conflicting, and some results are opposite to those mentioned before. These data show that there is no significant association between all sex hormone in men and lethal PC or total mortality. In patients with metastatic PC, results showed that elevation of baseline androstenedione levels was predictive of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response; higher baseline androstenedione levels were associated with an improved overall survival. In these patients, the relationship between serum testosterone and PC prognosis varies in different clinical settings and according to androgen deprivation therapy administration.

Clinical and Biochemical Influence of Prostatic Stones.

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to explore clinical influence of prostatic stones on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), seminal plasma cytokines, and serum biomarkers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 70 men aged ≤50 years with LUTS divided into 2 groups: group with stones (GSt) and group without prostatic stones (GNoSt). All subjects completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire and National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) scoring questionnaire. Pre- and post-prostate massage test and uroflowmetry were performed. The serum concentration of total prostate specific antigen (PSA), free PSA, and free/total PSA (f/t PSA) ratio, seminal concentration of cytokines interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were measured. RESULTS: GSt subjects had significantly more severe symptoms based on IPSS answers (p = 0.0289). All domains in NIH-CPSI scores were significantly higher in the GSt group: pain (p = 0.001), urinary symptoms (p = 0.023), quality of life (p = 0.008), and with overall (p = 0.003). GSt subjects also had significantly lower maximum urinary flow (Qmax; p = 0.011), lower f/t PSA ratio (p = 0.048), and higher concentration of IL-1ß (p = 0.011) and IL-8 (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Prostatic stones may influence the severity of LUTS and the symptoms of chronic prostatitis. They might reduce Qmax rate and lead to reduction of the f/t PSA ratio and produce more severe inflammation causing increased seminal concentration of IL-1ß and IL-8.

Giant testicular mixed germ cell tumor. a case report.

OBJECTIVE: We report a case that we believe to be the largest example of a testicular mixed germ cell tumor with a clearly defined histology pattern. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTIONS: A 21-year-old patient consulted a urologist concerning a giant testicular mass. At the time of presentation the tumor measured 29 x 20 x 16 cm, with a weight of 4,850 g. Serum alpha-fetoprotein was over 15,000 ng/ml, while beta-human chorionic gonadotropin was normal. Chest X-ray and CT revealed multiple bilateral metastases. Histopathology revealed a mixed germ cell tumor containing 80% of yolk sack tumor, 10% of teratoma and 10% of embryonal carcinoma. Orchiectomy and chemotherapy were successful in the treatment of primary tumor and bilateral lung metastases. CONCLUSION: This tumor grew to extraordinary dimensions because of the patient's failure, due to fear, lack of knowledge and embarrassment, to seek medical help and to health professionals' negligence when performing regular check-ups.

New modification of transurethral incision of the prostate in surgical treatment of bladder outlet obstruction: prospective study.

AIM: To analyze long-term effects of short and shallow incision of the prostate, a new modification of transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP), as a method of resolving bladder outlet obstruction and preserving anterograde ejaculation and potency. METHOD: Fifty patients with symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction caused by a small benign prostate tumor of less than 30 g estimated weight were included in a nonrandomized, prospective study and underwent transurethral incision of the prostate. In the patients with normal sexual activity (n=28), short and shallow incisions were made, limited to the prostatic urethra and reaching to the fibrous capsule. In sexually inactive men (n=22), longer and deeper incisions were made, extending from below the urethral orifice upward to the verumontanum and in depth to the perivesical and periprostatic fat. All incisions were made at 5 and 7 o clock. Preoperative and postoperative evaluations performed 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 40, 48, 54, 60, 66, and 72 months after surgery were based on the International Prostate Symptom Scores (I-PSS), uroflowmetry, patients overall assessment of surgery outcome, and a sexual function questionnaire. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 42 months (6-72 months). There was a significant improvement in urinary peak flow rates and I-PSS decreased significantly during the follow-up period in both groups (p<0.05). Surgery outcome was rated satisfactory by all patients, with no difference between the groups. All 28 patients sexually active before the surgery retained their sexual activity after surgery; only one developed retrograde ejaculation. Two patients, one from each group, underwent further urologic treatment (transurethral resection of the prostate) 36 and 42 months after transurethral incision of the prostate, respectively. CONCLUSION: Transurethral short and shallow incision at 5 and 7 o clock is an effective method for long-term relief of bladder outlet obstruction in patients with small, benign prostate tumor. It has equally good long-term outcome as the classic long and deep transurethral incision but with fewer complications. None of the patients operated by this new method had lost potency and only a single one developed retrograde ejaculation.