Is there a difference in fecal microbiota of children with and without voiding dysfunction?

OBJECTIVE: Voiding dysfunction (VD), which encompasses many urinary symptoms that are not caused by neurological or anatomical anomalies, is a frequently encountered functional urinary bladder disorder in children. It was reported that there was an association between lower urinary tract symptoms and fecal microbiota in adult patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the differences in fecal microbiota between children with or without VD. METHODS: Two patient groups, including 30 patients, were compared. Group 1 included patients with VD, while Group 2 consisted of healthy children. All study participants were asked to fill lower urinary tract and voiding dysfunction symptom score forms with the assistance of their parents. Subsequently, uroflowmetry tests and postvoiding residual urine measurements were performed. Fresh stool samples were collected from all children and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. General bacterial load and presence of Roseburia intestinalis, Clostridium difficile, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Bacteroides clarus were tested. RESULTS: The two groups were significantly different regarding general bacterial load; the presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum. Clostridium difficile and Bacteroides clarus was not detected in the fresh stool samples of the patients in Group 2; the counts of Roseburia intestinalis were less in Group 1 than in Group 2, although there was no statistically significant difference. There was a negative correlation between symptom scores, general bacterial load, and the presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum. However, there was no correlation between the presence of Roseburia intestinalis and symptom scores. CONCLUSIONS: There is a potential relationship between VD and a deviation in the fecal microbiota in the pediatric population.

Can Aortic and Renal Arteries Calcium Scores Be New Factors to Predict Post-Operative Renal Function After Nephron Sparing Surgery?

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to investigate whether the calcification of renal arteries and aorta may be risk factors for developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) after Nephron sparing surgery (NSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients that underwent either open or laparoscopic NSS from 2000 to 2019 in 4 different centers were retrospectively assessed. Of these patients, 328 had a non-contrast-enhanced computer tomography. Calcium scores of the renal arteries and abdominal aorta were measured in the non-contrast-enhanced images with the calcium score plugin (version 2.0) of Horos™. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine significant risk factors for developing CKD at the last check-up. Roc curve analysis was performed to determine the optimal cut-off values of age and abdominal aorta calcium scores. RESULTS: A total of 302 patients, of which 52 (16,6%) with CKD and 252 (83,4%) without CKD at the last check-up, were included in the analysis. The mean warm ischemia duration was significantly higher in patients with CKD (18,79±6,72 vs 16,38±5,57 minutes, p=0,016). The mean size of the tumor diameter and the number of the patients with ≥stage T1b were higher in the group with CKD (p=0,024 and 0,005, respectively). The median calcium scores of the aorta and renal arteries were higher in the group with CKD (p<0,001 and p<0,001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, age >60 years (OR:3,65, p=0,022), calcium score of the aorta (OR:4,07, p=0,029), tumor diameter (OR:1,03, p=0,026) and pre-operative CKD stage (OR:10,13, p<0,001) found the be significant factors for predicting last check-up CKD. CONCLUSION: The calcium score of the aorta may be used as an additional risk factor to predict post-operative CKD risk after NSS with sensitivity over 80%.

Is endothelial glycocalyx damage a cause of renal scarring in vesicoureteral reflux with febrile urinary tract infection?

INTRODUCTION: Endothelial glycocalyx is a luminal layer which can be damaged by inflammatory agents or pathogens. The endothelial glycocalyx damage is thought to have a role in the formation of renal scars in children who have febrile urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux. This study aimed to compare the blood levels of endothelial glycocalyx components heparan sulfate and Syndecan-1 in children with and without renal scarring due to vesicoureteral reflux-associated febrile urinary tract infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of the patients diagnosed with vesicoureteral reflux without renal scarring (Group 1), patients with vesicoureteral reflux and renal scarring (Group 2), and completely healthy children (Group 3) were retrospectively reviewed. Blood levels of heparan sulfate and Syndecan-1 were measured and the results were compared. RESULTS: The entire cohort consisted of 90 patients; there were 30 patients in each group. Mean patient age was 49.7±18.0 months. Mean serum heparan sulfate (42.90±18.90 ng/mL) and Syndecan-1 (37.59±13.77 ng/mL) levels of Group 2 were significantly higher than those of other groups. The cut-off value for heparan sulfate was 35.17 ng/mL, with a 63% sensitivity and 86% specificity. The cut-off value for Syndecan-1 was 29.99 ng/mL with a 70% sensitivity and 80% specificity. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that blood levels of heparan sulfate and Syndecan-1 could be related with renal scarring in patients with vesicoureteral reflux, especially in the setting of febrile urinary tract infection. However, due to their low sensitivity, these biomarkers should be used along with clinical data.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect audience's attitudes in webinars?

INTRODUCTION: Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the face-to-face meetings are delayed to a future date, which is still not clear. However, seminars, meetings and conferences are necessary for updating our knowledge and skills. Web-based seminars (webinars) are the solutions to this issue. This study aimed to show the participant behaviour when webinars present at the COVID-19 pandemic era. METHODS: From December 2017 to July 2020, 58 webinars were broadcasted via the Uropedia, electronic library of SUST. Data of all webinars were collected with the YouTube analytics and application of the Uropedia. Data of streaming webinars included participant behaviours such as content views, engagement time, total unique attendees, average engagement time and the number of audience to leads. Data were split into two groups; group-1 is webinars before COVID-19 (before March 2020) and group-2 is the webinars during COVID-19. RESULTS: Total broadcast time and total page view number were found to be 112.6 hours (6761 minutes) and 15 919, respectively. The median participant age was 40.1 y. Median content view and median engagement time were found to be 261.0 and 12.2 minutes, respectively. Comparison of two groups revealed a significant increment in the content views (group-1; 134.0 range = 86.0-87.0 and group-2; 414.0 range = 296.0-602.0, P < .001) and the number of the unique attendees (group 1; 18.0 range = 10.0-26.0 and group-2; 57.0 range = 27.0-100.0, P < .001) following COVID-19. However, the median engagement time of the audience did not seem to change with the COVID-19 pandemic (group-1; 11.5 range = 10.0-13.3 minutes and group-2; 13.2 range = 9.4-18.1 minutes, P = .12). CONCLUSION: The webinars are effective ways to share information and have many advantages, including low cost, reaching a high number of audiences. Audience number and page visits seemed to increase following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this era did not seem to affect the critical attitude of the audience, which is engagement time.

Mysterious visitor in the bladder: Ureteral fibroepithelial polyp. / Visitante misterioso en la vejiga: pólipo fibroepitelial ureteral.

OBJECTIVES: We present a unique case with a ureteral fibroepithelial tumor originating from the ureter, which could be confused with a bladder tumor on ultrasound examination due to its movement in and out of the bladder. METHODS: In cystoscopy, a papillary tumor lesion emerging from the right ureteral orifice was seen. After scanning the other quadrants, however, the tumor was not observed at the right ureteral orifice. It was then protruded back into the bladder. The tumor was seen several times to protrude into the bladder and return to the ureter, possibly due to ureteral peristalsis. Then, a semi-rigid ureteroscope was introduced through the right ureteric orifice, and the tumor was excised in one piece using Holmium laser fiber with 365µm of diameter. The size of the removed tumor was approximately 8 cm long. A double-j stent of 4.8 Fr was placed in the ureter. RESULTS: The patient was discharged on the first day without complications. The fibroepithelial polyps of the ureter, which consist of the stroma of mesoderm origin, covered with histologically normal or hyperplastic urothelial epithelial cells, are extremely rare tumors. It is important to distinguish these polyps from urothelial cancers, since these two entities are different in treatment and prognosis, although similar in symptoms and imaging procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive treatment techniques can be safely applied in the treatment of such exceedingly rare tumors.

OBJETIVO:  Presentamos un caso único de tumor fibroepitelial ureteral originado en el uréter que se puede confundir con un tumor vesical por ecografía debido al movimiento dentro y fuera de la vejiga. MÉTODOS: En la cistoscopia, se vió una lesión tumoral papilar saliendo del meato ureteral. Después de mirar el resto de zona de la vejiga, dejamos de ver el tumor en el meato ureteral derecho. Una vez más, protuía después, en la vejiga. Se realizó una ureteroscopia semirrígida y se quitó el tumor en una pieza con laser holmium de 365. El tumor tenía una longitud de 8 cm. Se colocó un catéter doble J 4.8 Fr en el uréter. RESULTADOS: El paciente fue dado de alta en el primer día postoperatorio sin complicaciones. El pólipo fibroepitelial del uréter consiste en estroma del mesodermo cubierto de histológica normal o hiperplásica. Estos tumores son extremadamente raros. Es importante diferenciarlos de los tumores uroteliales ya que el tratamiento y pronóstico es diferente, aunque los síntomas y las técnicas de imagen son parecidas. CONCLUSIONES:  Las técnicas mínimamente invasivas se pueden aplicar a estos tumores tan poco comunes.

Mysterious visitor in the bladder: ureteral fibroepithelial polyp / Visitante misterioso en la vejiga: pólipo fibroepitelial ureteral

Objetives: We present a unique casewith a ureteral fibroepithelial tumor originating from theureter, which could be confused with a bladder tumor onultrasound examination due to its movement in and out ofthe bladder.Methods: In cystoscopy, a papillary tumor lesion emerging from the right ureteral orifice was seen. After scanningthe other quadrants, however, the tumor was not observedat the right ureteral orifice. It was then protruded back intothe bladder. The tumor was seen several times to protrudeinto the bladder and return to the ureter, possibly due toureteral peristalsis. Then, a semirigid ureteroscope was introduced through the right ureteric orifice, and the tumorwas excised in one piece using Holmium laser fiber with 365μm of diameter. The size of the removed tumor wasapproximately 8 cm long. A doublej stent of 4.8 Fr wasplaced in the ureter.Results: The patient was discharged on the first day without complications. The fibroepithelial polyps of the ureter,which consist of the stroma of mesoderm origin, coveredwith histologically normal or hyperplastic urothelial epithelial cells, are extremely rare tumors. It is important to distinguish these polyps from urothelial cancers, since these twoentities are different in treatment and prognosis, althoughsimilar in symptoms and imaging procedures.Cconclusions: Minimally invasive treatment techniquescan be safely applied in the treatment of such exceedinglyrare tumors.(AU)

Objetivo: Presentamos un caso único detumor fibroepitelial ureteral originado en el uréter que sepuede confundir con un tumor vesical por ecografía debido al movimiento dentro y fuera de la vejiga.Métodos: En la cistoscopia, se vió una lesión tumoralpapilar saliendo del meato ureteral. Después de mirar elresto de zona de la vejiga, dejamos de ver el tumor en elmeato ureteral derecho. Una vez más, protuía después,en la vejiga. Se realizó una ureteroscopia semirrígida yse quitó el tumor en una pieza con laser holmium de 365.El tumor tenía una longitud de 8 cm. Se colocó un catéterdoble J 4.8 Fr en el uréter.Resultados: El paciente fue dado de alta en el primerdía postoperatorio sin complicaciones. El pólipo fibroepitelial del uréter consiste en estroma del mesodermo cubiertode histológica normal o hiperplásica. Estos tumores sonextremadamente raros. Es importante diferenciarlos de lostumores uroteliales ya que el tratamiento y pronóstico esdiferente, aunque los síntomas y las técnicas de imagenson parecidas.Conclusiones: Las técnicas mínimamente invasivas sepueden aplicar a estos tumores tan poco comunes.(AU)

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.

Could trop-2 overexpression indicate tumor aggressiveness among prostatic adenocarcinomas?

BACKGROUND: TROP-2, a novel marker of trophoblastic cells, is being widely analyzed for its possible role in carcinogenesis and clinical behavior of various carcinomas. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between clinicopathologic parameters and TROP2 expression in prostatic adenocarcinomas. METHODS: 101 prostatic adenocarcinomas treated by radical prostatectomy in our hospital between 2013 and 2018 were reviewed retrospectively for histopathological features, and one representative block of each case was stained with TROP2 antibody. Histopathologic prognostic features were assessed for their relationship with TROP2 expression. RESULTS: The mean age was found as 64.11 year. TROP2 was stained in over 10% of the tumoral cells in 64 (63.4.%) cases. Gleason grade group, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, ganglionic and seminal vesicle involvement, lateral and basal surgical margin positivity showed a significant relationship with TROP2 staining. CONCLUSION: TROP2 is overexpressed in various human cancers and TROP2 overexpression appears to correlate with poor prognosis leading to the suggestion that TROP2 could be a therapeutic target for various carcinomas. Our results suggest that TROP2 expression is higher in advanced tumors and these results need to be supported by larger studies.

Can we predict vesicoureteral reflux resolution in patients with non-neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors influencing reflux resolution in patients with the coexistence of non-neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction and vesicoureteral reflux. METHODS: The data of 153 children who were diagnosed with vesicoureteral reflux and accompanying non-neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction between 2010 and 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with neurogenic and anatomical malformations, monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis, previous history of vesicoureteral reflux surgery, irregular and/or incomplete follow-up data were excluded. After exclusion of 55 patients, 98 patients were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of spontaneous vesicoureteral reflux resolution during the follow-up period. Group 1 consisted of 54 children with spontaneous vesicoureteral reflux resolution, whereas group 2 included 44 children without resolution. Medical history, physical examination, urinalysis, uroflowmetry combined with electromyography, ultrasonography, as well as the Dysfunctional Voiding and Incontinence Symptom Score questionnaire were also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age at presentation was 7.57 ± 0.23 years (range 5-13 years), and the mean follow-up period was 28.3 months. Significant differences were noted between the two groups in terms of dysfunctional voiding and incontinence symptom score, bladder wall thickness, and the post-void residual urine volumes. In addition, lower urinary tract symptoms, namely frequency, urgency and daytime incontinence, were found to be higher in group 2. In multivariate analysis, post-void residual urine volume and Dysfunctional Voiding and Incontinence Symptom Score were found to affect reflux resolution rates (P = 0.002, P = 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The absence of significant post-void residual urine volume, and a low Dysfunctional Voiding and Incontinence Symptom Score increase the likelihood of spontaneous resolution rates of vesicoureteral reflux in children with non-neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Listening to music during shock wave lithotripsy decreases anxiety, pain, and dissatisfaction : A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the effects of music on pain, anxiety, and overall satisfaction in patients undergoing a shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) procedure. METHODS: A total of 200 patients scheduled to undergo SWL were included in this study. Group 1 consisted of 95 patients who listened to music during the SWL session while group 2 included 105 patients who did not listen music during the procedure. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to assess state and trait anxiety (STAI-S/T). A visual analog scale (VAS) was used at the end of the session in order to assess pain, willingness to repeat the procedure, and overall patient satisfaction. Hemodynamic parameters including systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded before and after the session. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of stone characteristics, SWL parameters, pre-SWL STAI-T/S scores, and pre-SWL hemodynamic parameters. Post-SWL STAI-S scores were found to be lower in patients who listened to music (p = 0.006). At the end of the SWL, VAS scores of pain, satisfaction, and willingness to repeat procedure were significantly different in favor of the music group (p = 0.007, p = 0.001, p = 0.015, respectively). SBP, DBP, and HR were significantly higher in patients who did not listen to music (p = 0.002, p = 0.024, p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Music can be an ideal adjunctive treatment modality for patients undergoing SWL treatment. It has the potential to enhance patient compliance and treatment satisfaction by reducing the procedure-related anxiety and pain perception.

Comparison of intraperitoneal and intratesticular ozone therapy for the treatment of testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

We compare the efficacy of intratesticular ozone therapy with intraperitoneal ozone therapy in an experimental rat model. For this purpose, 24 rats were divided into four groups including sham-operated, torsion/detorsion, torsion/detorsion plus intraperitoneal ozone (O-IP), and torsion/detorsion plus intratesticular ozone (O-IT). The O-IP ozone group received a 4 mg kg-1 intraperitoneal injection of ozone, and the O-IT group received the same injection epididymally. At 4 h after detorsion, the rats were sacrificed and orchiectomy materials were assessed histopathologically. Spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules and damage to the Sertoli cells were histopathologically evaluated in the testes using the Johnsen scoring system. i-NOS and e-NOS activities in the testis tissue were also evaluated. Torsion-detorsion caused a decreased Johnsen score and increased apoptosis of spermatogonial and Sertoli cells. Ozone injection prevented increases in Johnsen score and i-NOS level. e-NOS level of the O-IP group was significantly lower than that of the O-IP group, and i-NOS level of the O-IT group was significantly lower than that of the O-IP group. Local ozone therapy is more effective than systemic ozone therapy at improving IRI-related testicular torsion. Our study is the first to show that the efficacy of intratesticular implementation of ozone therapy is higher than that of intraperitoneal ozone therapy.

The effect of abdominal fat parameters on percutaneous nephrolithotomy success.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity has been suggested to lower the success of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). However, the relationship between abdominal fat parameters, such as visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue, and PCNL success remained unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of abdominal fat parameters on PCNL success. METHODS: A total of 150 patients who underwent PCNL were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Group 1 consisted of patients who had no residual stones or residual stone fragments <3 mm in diameter while group 2 included patients with residual stone fragments ≥3 mm. PCNL procedure was defined as successful if all stones were eliminated or if there were residual stone fragments <3 mm in diameter confirmed by non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) performed postoperatively. Preoperative NCCT was used to determine abdominal fat parameters. RESULTS: Group 1 consisted of 117 (78.0%) patients while group 2 included 33 (22.0%) patients. On univariate analysis, stone number, stone surface area (SSA), visceral fat area (VFA), abdominal circumference on computerized tomography (ACCT), and duration of procedure were found to be predictive factors affecting PCNL success. Logistic regression analysis revealed that ACCT and SSA were independent prognostic factors for PCNL success. CONCLUSIONS: PCNL success was not affected by VFA, subcutaneous fat area (SFA) and body mass index (BMI) in our series. However, ACCT and SSA had negative associations with PCNL success. We conclude that both ACCT and SSA can be used as tools for predicting PCNL outcomes.

Toilet training age and influencing factors: a multicenter study.

To determine toilet training age and the factors influencing this in our country, 1500 children who had completed toilet training were evaluated in a multicenter study. The mean age of toilet training was 22.32 ± 6.57 months. The duration it took to complete toilet training was 6.60 ± 2.20 months on the average. In univariant analysis, toilet training age increased as the parental education level, specifically that of the mother, increased. The training age of children whose mothers had over 12 years of education differed significantly from that of children of mothers with less education. There was no significant difference in toilet training age with regard to the education level of the father, or the employment status of the mother. We also found significant differences with respect to family income level, toilet type and training method. In multivariant analysis, family income >5000 TL and use of a potty chair were determined to be factors affecting toilet training age. In conclusion, toilet training age in Turkey, a developing country, was found to be lower than that in developed countries.

Visceral obesity: A new risk factor for stone disease.

INTRODUCTION: We examined the relationship between stone disease and the amount of visceral adipose tissue measured with unenhanced computed tomography (CT). METHODS: We included 149 patients with complaints of flank pain and kidney stones detected by CT, from August 2012 to April 2013. In addition, as the control group we included 139 healthy individuals, with flank pain within the same time period, with no previous history of urological disease and no current kidney stones identified by CT. Patients were analyzed for age, gender, body mass index, amount of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue, and serum level of low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride. RESULTS: There were no differences between groups in terms of gender and age (p = 0.27 and 0.06, respectively). Respective measurements for the stone and control groups for body mass index were 29.1 and 27.6 kg/m(2); for visceral fat measurement 186.0 and 120.2 cm(2); and for subcutaneous fat measurements 275.9 and 261.9 cm(2) (p = 0.01; 0.01 and 0.36, respectively). Using multivariate analysis, the following factors were identified as increasing the risk of kidney stone formation: hyperlipidemia (p = 0.003), hypertension (p = 0.001), and ratio of visceral fat tissue to subcutaneous fat tissue (p = 0.01). Our study has its limitations, including its retrospective nature, its small sample size, possible selection bias, and missing data. The lack of stone composition data is another major limitation of our study. CONCLUSION: The ratio of visceral to subcutaneous adipose tissue, in addition to obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, was identified as an emerging factor in the formation of kidney stones.

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin versus chemohyperthermia for high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) need adjuvant intravesical treatment after surgery. Although bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is highly effective, new adjuvant treatments to decrease recurrences and toxicity have been studies. We performed a retrospective propensity score-matched study to compare the efficacy of BCG and chemohyperthermia (C-HT). METHODS: We included 1937 patients diagnosed with bladder cancer between January 2004 and January 2014. The primary efficacy endpoint was recurrence-free interval. Patients treated with C-HT were matched with patients treated with BCG using propensity score-matched analysis. Cox-regression models were used to estimate the association between intravesical treatments and the presence of recurrence and progression. RESULTS: Of the 710 patients treated with intravesical treatments, 40 and 142 were eligible for inclusion in C-HT and BCG groups, respectively. Following case matching, there were no differences in patient or tumour characteristics between treatment groups. The 2-year recurrence-free interval in C-HT and BCG groups were 76.2% and 93.9%, respectively (p = 0.020). C-HT treatment (hazard ratio [HR] 5.42; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-26.43; p = 0.036) and high-grade tumour (HR 4.60; 95% CI 1.01-20.88; p = 0.048) are associated with an elevated odds of tumour recurrence. In multivariate Cox-regression analysis, there was no significant difference between C-HT and BCG in the odds of recurrence (p = 0.054). There were no differences in progression between C-HT and BCG. CONCLUSION: C-HT is not as effective treatment as BCG in high-risk NMIBC patients who are BCG-naive. Although, there were no significant difference in the odds of recurrence, recurrence-free interval is significantly improved by the administration of BCG.

Results of Intravesical Chemo-Hyperthermia in High-risk Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer.

PURPOSE: To examine the effectiveness of mitomycin-C and chemo-hyperthermia in combination for patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2011-September 2013, 43 patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer undergoing adjuvant chemo-hyperthermia in two centers were evaluated retrospectively. Treatment consisted of 6 weekly sessions, followed by 6 sessions. Recurrence and progression rate, recurrence-free interval and side effects were examined. Analyzed factors included age, gender, smoking status, AB0 blood group, body mass index, T stage and grade, concominant CIS assets. The associations between predictors and recurrence were assessed using multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients completed induction therapy. Thirteen (32.5%) were diagnosed with tumor recurrence. Median follow-up was 30 months (range 9-39). Median recurrence-free survival was 23 months (range 6-36). The Kaplan-Meier-estimated recurrence-free rates for the entire group at 12 and 24 months were 82% and 61%. There was no statistically significant difference between patient subgroups. Cox hazard analyses showed that an A blood type (OR=6.23, p=0.031) was an independent predictor of recurrence- free. Adverse effects were seen in 53% of patients and these were frequently grades 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: Intravesical therapy with combination of mitomycin-C and chemohyperthermia seems to be appropriate in high-risk patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer who cannot tolerate or have contraindications for standard BCG therapy.

Anterior apical cores in the initial prostate biopsy does not increase detection of significant prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of routine sampling anterior apical cores in the initial prostate biopsy among patients that 14-cores of prostate biopsy (PB) planned. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five-hundred twenty-eight patients with increased prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and/or abnormal digital rectal examination underwent transrectal ultrasound and initial PB between November 2012 and October 2013. We performed routine 12-cores extended PB, plus 2 anterior apex samples that were taken from the junction of urethra and apex of the prostate. Site-specific and unique cancer detection rate, tumor characteristics, the presence of clinically insignificant prostate cancer (PCa) (clinical stage ≤ T1, serum PSA level of < 10 ng/mL, biopsy Gleason score ≤ 6, number of positive biopsy cores ≤ 3 and no core with > 50% involvement) and biopsy-related pain were evaluated. RESULTS: PCa was detected in 147 of 451 patients (32.6%). The lateral base of the prostate was the most affected area with 128 of 451 patients (28.3%), followed by unique cancer detection, with 17 of 40 patients (43.5%). Anterior apex (n = 6) was in third place after the lateral apex (n = 8). The patients diagnosed by anterior apex cores were all clinically insignificant PCa. The cancer diagnosis rate would be 31% if 12-cores biopsy was used, but the rate was found to be 32.6% in 14-cores biopsy (P = .016). Average biopsy pain, right anterior apex biopsy pain, and left anterior apex biopsy pain were found to register at 0.61, 1.06 and 1.08 points in the visual analog scale pain score, respectively. When right and left anterior apex biopsy pain is compared to average biopsy pain, the pain level was found to be statistically significantly higher in the biopsies of right and left anterior apex (P = .040 and P = .042, respectively). CONCLUSION: The gold standard for the diagnosis of PCa is at least 8 cores PB. According to our results, although most PCa diagnosis is carried out with 14-cores PB, it should not be forgotten that these patients might have clinically insignificant PCa.

To evaluate the etiology of erectile dysfunction: What should we know currently?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to develop normal erection or an hardening problem at various extent that causes inability to maintain the erection for the sufficient time required for a complete sexual activity. It can be the result of neurologic, psychogenic, vascular, urogenital and hormonal abnormalities. It is reported that it affects 52-67% of men between 40 and 70 years old. Numerous theories and opinions are issued in the literature in order to explain the hemodynamic changea that occur during erection and detumescence. Especially the effects of chronic diseases and psychogenic factors on the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction are common matters of discussion in recent years. In this review, we will evaluate the current developments in the literature about the etiology of erectile dysfunction.

A case with primary signet ring cell adenocarcinoma of the prostate and review of the literature.

Primary signet cell carcinoma of the prostate is a rare histological variant of prostate malignancies. It is commonly originated from the stomach, colon, pancreas, and less commonly in the bladder. Prognosis of the classical type is worse than the adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Primary signet cell adenocarcinoma is diagnosed by eliminating the adenocarcinomas of other organs such as gastrointestinal tract organs. In this case report, we present a case with primary signet cell adenocarcinoma of the prostate who received docetaxel chemotherapy because of short prostate specific antigen doubling time.