The association between the severity of erectile dysfunction and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with and without cardiovascular disease.

PURPOSE: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is considered a microvascular disorder and serves as an indicator for the potential development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) reflects early myocardial damage caused by microvascular disorders, the association between ED and LVDD remains poorly elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 123 patients with ED. They underwent RigiScan, and conventional echocardiography, and attempted International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. ED severity was evaluated by measuring changes in the penile base circumference and duration of penile rigidity (≥70%) during erection. The early diastolic velocity of mitral inflow (E) and early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus (e') were measured using echocardiography. The patients were grouped based on the presence of CVD. RESULTS: Among 123 patients, 29 had CVD and 94 did not. Patients with CVD exhibited more pronounced ED and more severe LVDD. Associations between increased penile circumference with echocardiographic parameters were more prominent in patients with CVD than in those without CVD (ΔTtop and e' wave, r=0.508 and r=0.282, respectively, p for interaction=0.033; ΔTbase and E/e' ratio, r=-0.338 and r=-0.293, respectively, p for interaction <0.001). In the multivariate linear regression, the increase of penile base circumference was an independent risk factor for LVDD (e', B=0.503; E/e' ratio, B=-1.416, respectively, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ED severity correlated well with LV diastolic dysfunction, particularly in the presence of CVD. This study highlighted the potential role of ED assessment as early indicator of CVD development.

Preclinical evaluation of a regenerative immiscible bioglue for vesico-vaginal fistula.

Currently, there are no clinically available tissue adhesives that work effectively in the fluid-rich and highly dynamic environments of the human body, such as the urinary system. This is especially relevant to the management of vesico-vaginal fistula, and developing a high-performance tissue adhesive for this purpose could vastly expand urologists' surgical repertoire and dramatically reduce patient discomfort. Herein, we developed a water-immiscible mussel protein-based bioadhesive (imWIMBA) with significantly improved properties in all clinical respects, allowing it to achieve rapid and strong underwater adhesion with tunable rheological properties. We evaluated in vivo potential of imWIMBA for sealing thermally injured fistula tracts between the bladder and vagina. Importantly, the use of imWIMBA in the presence of prolonged bladder drainage resulted in perfect closure of the vesico-vaginal fistula in operated pigs. Thus, imWIMBA could be successfully used for many surgical applications and improve treatment efficacy when combined with conventional surgical methods. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) is an abnormal opening between the bladder and the vagina, which is a stigmatized disease in many developing countries. Leakage of urine into internal organs can induce serious complications and delay wound repair. Conventional VVF treatment requires skillful suturing to provide a tension-free and watertight closure. In addition, there is no clinically approved surgical glue that works in wet and highly dynamic environments such as the urinary system. In this work, for potential clinical VVF closure and regeneration, we developed an advanced immiscible mussel protein-based bioglue with fast, strong, wet adhesion and tunable rheological properties. This regenerative immiscible bioglue could be successfully used for sealing fistulas and further diverse surgical applications as an adjuvant for conventional suture methods.

Initial experience of magnetic resonance imaging/ultrasonography fusion transperineal biopsy: Biopsy techniques and results for 75 patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to describe the technique and to report early results of transperineal magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography (MRI-US) fusion biopsy. Materials and Methods: A total of 75 patients underwent MRI-US fusion transperineal biopsy. Targeted biopsy via MRI-US fusion imaging was carried out for cancer-suspicious lesions with additional systematic biopsy. Detection rates for overall and clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) were evaluated and compared between systematic and targeted biopsy. In addition, further investigation into the detection rate according to prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) score was done. Results of repeat biopsies were also evaluated. Results: Overall cancer detection rate was 61.3% (46 patients) and the detection rate for csPCa was 42.7% (32 patients). Overall detection rates for systematic and targeted biopsy were 41.3% and 57.3% (p<0.05), respectively. Detection rates for csPCa were 26.7% and 41.3%, respectively (p<0.05). The cancer detection rates via MRI fusion target biopsy were 30.8% in PI-RADS 3, 62.1% in PI-RADS 4 and 89.4% in PI-RADS 5. Rates of csPCa missed by targeted biopsy and systematic biopsy were 0.0% and 25.0%, respectively. The cancer detection rate in repeat biopsies was 61.1% (11 among 18 patients) in which 55.5% of cancer suspected lesions were located in the anterior portion. Conclusions: Transperineal MRI-US fusion biopsy is useful for improving overall cancer detection rate and especially detection of csPCa. Transperineal MRI-US targeted biopsy show potential benefits to improve cancer detection rate in patients with high PI-RADS score, tumor located at the anterior portion and in repeat biopsies.

Detection and recurrence rate of transurethral resection of bladder tumors by narrow-band imaging: Prospective, randomized comparison with white light cystoscopy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of narrow-band imaging (NBI) as a diagnostic tool for detecting bladder tumors during cystoscopy compared with white light cystoscopy (WLC). Materials and Methods: From December 2013 to June 2017, a randomized prospective study was conducted on 198 patients underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor by a single surgeon. The patients were divided into two groups according to diagnostic method. In Group I, WLC only was performed. In Group II, NBI was additionally performed after WLC. We analyzed the rate of detection of bladder tumors as a primary endpoint. In addition, we evaluated rates of recurrence in each group. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in characteristics except hypertension. In the analysis of rates of detection, the probability of diagnosing cancer was 80.9% (114/141) in the WLC group, and the probability of diagnosing cancer using WLC in the NBI group was 85.5% (159/186). After switching from WLC to NBI for second-look cystoscopy in the NBI group, NBI was shown to detect additional tumors with a detection rate of 35.1% (13/37) from the perspective of the patients and 42.2% (27/64) from the perspective of the tumors. The 1-year recurrence-free rate was 72.2% in the WLC group and 85.2% in the NBI group (p=0.3). Conclusions: NBI had benefits for detecting tumors overlooked by WLC. Although the difference in the 1-year recurrence-free rate was not statistically significant, our results showed a trend for higher recurrence in the NBI group.

The clinical significance of a second transurethral resection for T1 high-grade bladder cancer: Results of a prospective study.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to estimate the value of a second transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) procedure in patients with initially diagnosed T1 high-grade bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 2009 and January 2013, a total of 29 patients with T1 high-grade bladder cancer prospectively underwent a second TURBT procedure. Evaluation included the presence of previously undetected residual tumor, changes to histopathological staging or grading, and tumor location. Recurrence-free and progression-free survival curves were generated to compare the prognosis between the groups with and without residual lesions by use of the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Of 29 patients, 22 patients (75.9%) had residual disease after the second TURBT. Staging was as follows: no tumor, 7 (24.1%); Ta, 5 (17.2%); T1, 6 (20.7%); Tis, 6 (20.7%); Ta+Tis, 1 (3.4%); T1+Tis, 1 (3.4%); and ≥T2, 3 (10.3%). The muscle layer was included in the surgical specimen after the initial TURBT in 24 patients (82.7%). In three patients whose cancer was upstaged to pT2 after the second TURBT, the initial surgical specimen contained the muscle layer. In the group with residual lesions, the 3-year recurrence-free survival and 3-year progression-free survival rates were 50% and 66.9%, respectively, whereas these rates were 68.6% and 68.6%, respectively, in the group without residual lesions. This difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Initial TURBT does not seem to be enough to control T1 high-grade bladder cancer. Therefore, a routine second TURBT procedure should be recommended in patients with T1 high-grade bladder cancer to accomplish adequate tumor resection and to identify patients who may need to undergo prompt cystectomy.