The effect of hexanic extract of Serenoa repens on prostatic inflammation: results from a randomized biopsy study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of hexanic extract of Serenoa repens (HESr) on prostatic inflammation in patients with diagnosed prostatic inflammation. METHODS: Patients with prostatic inflammation histologically confirmed by TRUS prostatic biopsy were randomized either to receive HESr (320 mg/day) or no treatment. A second biopsy was performed 6 months later according to standard clinical practice. Inflammation was assessed by the Irani's score and immunohistochemical staining using the CD3, CD4 and CD8 (for T-leucocytes), CD20 (for B-leucocytes) and CD163 (for macrophages) antibodies. RESULTS: Overall 97 patients were eligible for analysis. In the HESr group the mean inflammation grading and aggressiveness grading score significantly decreased from 1.55 and 1.55 at baseline to 0.79 (p = 0.001) and 0.87 (p = 0.001) at the second biopsy, respectively. In the control group the mean inflammation grading score was 1.44 at first biopsy and 1.23 at the second biopsy. The mean aggressiveness gradings core was 1.09 and 0.89, respectively. No statistical significance was found (p = 0.09 and p = 0.74).The mean decrease in all inflammation scores was statistically higher in the HESr patients compared to controls. The immunohistochemical staining showed a significant change in the expression of the analyzed antibodies for the HESr patients compared to the first biopsy. In the nontreatment group, no significant difference was found at the second biopsy. The change in expression of each antibody in the HESr group was statistical significant compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: HESr seems to reduce prostatic inflammation in terms of histological and immunohistochemical parameters in this specific patients population.

Feasibility and safety of radical cystectomy under combined spinal and epidural anesthesia in octogenarian patients with ASA score ≥3: A case series.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of open radical cystectomy (RC) under combined regional anesthesia (CRA) in high-risk octogenarian patients. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of high-risk, octogenarian bladder cancer patients submitted to open RC with CRA. Demographic and clinical data, intraoperative parameters and perioperative and postoperative complications were recorded using the Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: In total, 14 male and 4 female patients, with a median age of 82.5 years were enrolled. Ureterocutaneostomy was performed in 15 patients and Bricker ileal conduit in the remaining 3. Operative time ranged from 97 to 184 minutes. Five patients were transfused and no major intraoperative complications occurred. Postoperative complications 30 days later included ileus (Grade II) in 3 patients, surgical trauma infection in 1 patient (Grade II), respiratory infection in 2 patients (Grade III), and hydronephrosis with concurrent urinary tract infection in 3 patients (Grade III). No deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that octogenarian, high-risk bladder cancer patients with indications for RC can safely undergo the surgical procedure under CRA, without apparent increase in major complications.

Endothelin-1 overexpression: a potential biomarker of unfavorable prognosis in non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a multifunctional peptide exerting its effects via receptors A and B. ET-1 and its receptors, endothelin axis (ET axis), play a promoting role in cancer biology. Alterations of proteins of ET axis have been detected in non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMMIBC). The objective of this study is to investigate the potential role of ET-1 tumor expression as a biomarker of prognosis, compared to other prognostic parameters (epidemiologic and pathologic), in NMMIBC. We prospectively included 40 consecutive, primary, high-grade NMMIBC patients. Tumor specimens after initial transurethral resection were stained immunohistochemically for ET-1. The ET-1 evaluation of expression was based on staining intensity (SI) of ET-1. SI was classified according to an arbitrary four-tiered scale (negative = 0, mild = 1, moderate = 2, strong = 3). Epidemiologic and pathologic parameters were analyzed, using univariate and multivariate statistics, for disease progression, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). ET-1 overexpression (SI = 3) was the unique parameter which associated significantly, both in univariate (log-rank test, p = 0.033) and multivariate (Cox regression analysis, p = 0.045, HR = 4.849, 95 % CI: 1.039-22.624) analysis, with an increased hazard ratio of progression. ET-1 overexpression (SI = 3) was also the unique parameter which associated, marginally significantly in univariate analysis (log-rank test, p = 0.056) and highly significantly in multivariate analysis (Cox regression analysis, p = 0.005, HR = 7.001, 95 % CI: 1.782-27.501), with an increased hazard ratio of death. Overexpression of ET-1 may be a potential biomarker of unfavorable prognosis in NMMIBC patients.

Age-related prevalence of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and anticoagulation therapy use in a urolithiasis population and their effect on outcomes: the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Ureteroscopy Global Study.

PURPOSE: This study examined the prevalence of risk factors for urological stone surgery and their possible influence on outcome and complications following ureteroscopy (URS). METHODS: The Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Ureteroscopy Global Study collected prospective data on consecutive patients with urinary stones treated with URS at centers around the world for 1 year. The prevalence of common comorbidities and anticoagulation therapy and their relationship with complications and age were examined. RESULTS: Of 11,719 patients, 2,989 patients (25.8%) had cardiovascular disease, including 22.6% with hypertension, and 1,266 patients (10.9%) had diabetes mellitus. Approximately six percent of patients were receiving oral anticoagulation therapy, including aspirin (3.7%) and clopidogrel (0.8%). The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus and the proportion of patients receiving anticoagulant medication and/or antidiabetes treatment increased with age. Elderly were more likely to develop a postoperative complication when they had diabetes, a cardiovascular disease or received anticoagulation therapy. Post-operative bleeding was higher in patients receiving anticoagulants than those not receiving them (1.1 vs. 0.4%; p < 0.01). Patients with risk factors for stone formation had more complications than those without (4.9 vs. 3.0%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study confirming in a global population that URS can effectively and safely be performed in a population with high comorbidity. The risk of a complication was highest among elderly patients presenting with comorbidities.

Previous Bladder Cancer History in Patients with High-Risk, Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer Correlates with Recurrence and Progression: Implications of Natural History.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation of previous bladder cancer history with the recurrence and progression of patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with adjuvant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and to evaluate their natural history. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were divided into two groups based on the existence of previous bladder cancer (primary, non-primary). A logistic regression analysis was used to identify the possible differences in the probabilities of recurrence and progression with respect to tumor history, while potential differences due to gender, tumor size (> 3 cm, < 3 cm), stage (pTa, T1), concomitant carcinoma in situ (pTis) and number of tumors (single, multiple) were also assessed. Univariate and multivariate models were employed. In addition, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare recurrence- and progression-free survival between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 192 patients were included (144 with primary and 48 with non-primary tumors). The rates of recurrence and progression for patients with primary tumors were 27.8% and 12.5%, respectively. The corresponding percentages for patients with non-primary tumors were 77.1% and 33.3%, respectively. The latter group of patients displayed significantly higher probabilities of recurrence (p=0.000; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.067 to 18.804) and progression (p=0.002; 95% CI, 1.609 to 7.614) in a univariate logistic regression analysis. Previous bladder cancer history remained significant in the multivariate model accounting for history, age, gender, tumor size , number of tumors, stage and concomitant pTis (p=0.000; 95% CI, 4.367 to 21.924 and p=0.002; 95% CI, 1.611 to 8.182 for recurrence and progression respectively). Kaplan-Meier curves revealed that the non-primary group hadreduced progression- and recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSION: Previous non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer history correlates significantly with recurrence and progression in patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive disease treated with adjuvant BCG.

Evaluation of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, interleukin-18, and cystatin C as molecular markers before and after unilateral shock wave lithotripsy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) on renal tissues using neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), cystatin C, and interleukin 18 (IL-18) levels in serum and urine and to examine the relationship of these biomarkers with patient and calculus characteristics as well as SWL treatment parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with renal calculi were included in this study. Blood and urine samples were attained from each patient at 4 time points; immediately before SWL, 6 hours after, 3 days after, and 10 days after the SWL. A new generation lithotripter was used for all cases. Serum and urine NGAL concentrations were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits according to manufacture's protocol. The concentration of cystatin C was measured in serum, whereas IL-18 concentration was assessed in urine. RESULTS: There were no statistically significantly differences in the levels of NGAL in serum and urine before and after SWL. The mean levels of cystatin C in serum appeared significantly higher 3 and 10 days after SWL. No statistically significant differences were identified between levels of IL-18 before and after SWL. Patients with diabetes mellitus demonstrated significantly higher baseline cystatin C levels. There was no correlation between calculus characteristics or treatment parameters and the levels of all 3 biomarkers after SWL. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that SWL is associated with minimal acute injury to renal tissues. Our findings support the safety profile of new generation lithotripters, provided orthodox indications and treatment principles are followed.

The impact of stapling devices use on patients with increased body mass index treated with radical cystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the impact of stapling devices use on overweight and obese bladder cancer patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two overweight and 24 obese patients underwent open RC for muscle invasive bladder cancer. Bladder removal was performed using standard suture technique (SST) or multifire autosuture articulated vascular Endo-GIA (eG). Twenty-three overweight and 11 obese patients formed the SST arms and the remaining 29 overweight and 13 obese patients formed the eG arms. Intra and postoperative parameters and early postoperative complications (30 days) using the Clavien-Dindo classification were recorded. RESULTS: SST and eG arms of overweight and obese patients were comparable in intra and postoperative parameters. Both overweight and obese eG arms had significantly lower estimated blood loss, lower number of transfused packed red blood cells units (PRBC) and lower cystectomy intraoperative time compared with the SST ones (p < 0.05). In obese patients, staplers use led to significantly lower total length of stay compared with SST (p = 0.041). Complications rate was significantly higher in the obese group compared with the overweight group (58.33% versus 30.77%, p = 0.042). No difference in complications was found between the SST and eG arms of the overweight and obese patients. No deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Staplers use in RC in overweight/obese patients is accompanied by significantly shorter intraoperative time, lower blood loss and lower number of transfused PRBC units, compared with SST. In obese patients, eG use led to shorter length of stay.

Tumor size and T stage correlate independently with recurrence and progression in high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients treated with adjuvant BCG.

We conducted a retrospective study to determine the prognostic significance of age, gender, associated carcinoma in situ, stage, number of tumors, and tumor size for patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder tumors treated with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Data were evaluated on 144 high-risk patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with BCG immunotherapy after the initial treatment with transurethral resection. According to their response to BCG, patients were divided into groups, and the differences in factors, associated with recurrence and progression, were evaluated. Patients were categorized into two groups: group A, complete responders without recurrence and without progression, and group B, patients with recurrence and with progression. Furthermore, group B was divided into two subgroups: group B1, patients with recurrence, and group B2, patients with progression. Univariate analysis of group B showed that only tumor size of >3 cm diameter (hazard ratio (HR) 11.99; 95% confidence interval (CI) range 5.69-25.3; p < 0.001) is associated with recurrence. After multivariate analysis, the same factor appeared to be prognostic for recurrence as well. In addition, group B2 was statistically correlated with group B1. Univariate analysis proved that tumor stage (Ta or T1) is the unique factor associated with progression (HR 6.4; 95% CI 1.29-31.9; p = 0.02). Tumor stage seems to be associated with disease's progression after the multivariate analysis too. Tumor size and stage may serve as prognostic factors, because of its independent correlation with recurrence and progression for patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder tumors treated with BCG.

Lack of association between the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) gene polymorphism and the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia in Caucasian men.

Glucuronidation, mediated by the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) enzyme, is an important metabolic process during which steroids are converted to more easily excreted compounds in steroid target tissues, such as the prostate. The aim of our study was to investigate the possible correlation between UGT1A1 promoter gene polymorphism and benign prostatic hyperplasia. 421 blood samples were obtained from 138 consecutive patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hypeplasia (BPH group) and 283 healthy volunteers (control group). A(TA)6TAA promoter polymorphism of UGT1A1 gene was studied using the Fragment Analysis Software of an automated DNA sequencer and three genotypes (homozygous 7/7, heterozygous 6/7 and normal homozygous 6/6) were identified. No significant differences were observed between the BPH group and controls regarding the genotyping distribution of the three UGT1A1 promoter genotypes (P = 0.39). Also, no association was found between overall disease risk and the presence of the polymorphic homozygous genotype (TA(7)/TA)7) vs. TA(6)/TA(7) + TA(6)/TA(6)) (P = 0.31). Our data suggest that the TA repeat polymorphism of UGT1A1 is not associated with increased BPH risk susceptibility in Caucasian men.

Lithotrites and postoperative fever: does lithotrite type matter? Results from the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Global Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the risks of fever from different lithotrites after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) PNL database is a prospective, multi-institutional, international PNL registry. Of 5,803 total patients, 4,968 received preoperative antibiotics, were supplied with complete information and included in this analysis. The lithotrites assessed included no fragmentation, ultrasonic, laser, pneumatic and combination ultrasonic/pneumatic. Risk of fever was estimated using multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for diabetes, steroid use, a history of positive urine culture, the presence of staghorn calculi or preoperative nephrostomy, stone burden and lithotrite. RESULTS: The overall fever rate was 10%. Pneumatic lithotrites were used in 43% of the cohort, followed by ultrasonic (24%), combination ultrasonic/pneumatic (17.3%), no fragmentation (8.4%) and laser (7.3%). Fever rates were no different between patients who underwent no or any fragmentation (p = 0.117), nor among patients when stratified by lithotrite (p = 0.429). On multivariate analysis, fragmentation was not significantly associated with fever [Odds Ratio (OR) 1.17, p = 0.413], while diabetes (OR 1.32, p = 0.048), positive urine culture (OR 2.08, p < 0.001), staghorn calculi (OR 1.80, p < 0.001) and nephrostomy (OR 1.65, p < 0.001) increased fever risk. Fever risk among lithotrites did not differ (p ≥ 0.128). CONCLUSIONS: Risk of post-PNL fever was not significantly different among the various lithotrites used in the CROES PNL study.

Two-step minipercutaneous ureterolithotripsy under multimodal analgesia for complicated impacted calculi in proximal ureter.

OBJECTIVE: To suggest minipercutaneous ureterolithotripsy using the mininephroscope as an alternative process for impacted stones of the upper ureter because these stones can be challenging to treat and can produce severe symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report our results of cases in which the percutaneous approach using 2-step minipercutaneous ureteroscopy with the mininephroscope was used to achieve relief from the stone, with minimal anesthesia risks. A total of 54 patients (33 men and 21 women) presented with impacted stones in the proximal ureter. The mean stone size was 16.2 mm (range 10-21). All patients were treated with 2-step minipercutaneous antegrade ureterolithotripsy under multimodal analgesia. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 49 minutes (range 40-110). Placement of the percutaneous drainage tube was quick and was performed with the patient under local anesthesia. The minipercutaneous session followed several days later, with the patient under multimodal anesthesia. The initial stone-free rate was 94%. The stone-free rate 2 months after the procedure was 100%. All procedures were well tolerated by the patients (group mean visual analog scale score 3.1 ± 0.7 standard deviation). No severe adverse events were noted. The mean hospital stay was 5.3 days (range 3-12). CONCLUSION: In selected emergency cases of impacted proximal ureteral stones, the approach of the initial insertion of a nephrostomy tube followed by a second session of antegrade ureterolithotripsy using the mininephroscope is a safe and effective alternative treatment, especially, because it can be accomplished with minimal anesthesia requirements.

A giant inguinoscrotal bladder hernia as a cause of chronic renal failure: A rare case.

INTRODUCTION: Giant inguinoscrotal bladder hernias are very rare and require surgical intervention. They usually do not cause any specific symptoms and thus, they are often misdiagnosed. If left untreated though, they might lead to severe medical conditions, such as renal failure. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present the case of a 71-year-old male patient suffering from a giant inguinoscrotal mass, accompanied by symptoms of the lower urinary track (LUTS) and chronic renal failure. DISCUSSION: In our case, the patient presented with bladder hernia causing non specific symptoms of renal failure. In contrast to acute renal failure, a chronic renal impairment most often comes with no specific symptoms and thus, it can be present for many years before the diagnosis is made. It is evident that such serious conditions should be suspected and treated. CONCLUSION: Inguinoscrotal bladder hernias may be associated with severe medical conditions, such as renal deterioration, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of renal failure, when accompanied by any inguinal, scrotal, or low abdominal wall hernia.

The impact of parental bonding on sexual distress in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Psychosomatic and social issues have been found to be determinants of sexual distress in diabetic and non-diabetic populations. However, the role of parental bonding as a determinant for sexual distress has not been studied in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM-1). AIM: To study the role of parental care and overprotection, in the pathogenesis of sexual distress in women with DM-1. METHODS: Seventy-seven women with uncomplicated DM-1 and 77 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), the General Health Questionnaire-28, and the Parental Bonding Instrument were used to evaluate sexual distress, general health and bonding with parents, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To assess the role of parental bonding as risk factor for sexual distress, in women with DM-1. RESULTS: Women with DM-1 had significantly higher FSDS scores compared with controls. Furthermore, women with DM-1 had significantly higher maternal and paternal care, and lower maternal overprotection in comparison with the healthy ones. Paternal overprotection and general health were similar in both groups (P > 0.05). Sexual distress was more frequent in women with DM-1 (31.43% vs. 8.57% of controls, P < 0.05). Diabetic women with sexual distress had lower maternal care, higher maternal overprotection and lower paternal overprotection compared to diabetics without sexual distress (P < 0.05). No difference was found in the paternal care between the two groups (P > 0.05). Moreover, sexually distressed DM-1 women had worse general health parameters in comparison with the non-sexually distressed diabetics (P < 0.05). In the DM-1 group, low maternal care and low paternal overprotection were significant risk factors for sexual distress (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Parental care and overprotection can lead to sexual distress and, therefore, to Female Sexual Dysfunction in DM-1 women. Evaluation of parental bonding is necessary in DM-1 women with distressing sexual problems.

Expression of neutral endopeptidase, endothelin-1, and nuclear factor kappa B in prostate cancer: interrelations and associations with prostate-specific antigen recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

Objective. To study the impact of the neutral endopeptidase (NEP)/neuropeptides (NPs) axis and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) as predictors of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP). Patients and Methods. 70 patients with early-stage PC were treated with RP and their tumor samples were evaluated for expression of NEP, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and NFκB (p65). Time to PSA recurrence was correlated with the examined parameters and combined with preoperative PSA level, Gleason score, pathological TNM (pT) stage, and surgical margin (SM) assessment. Results and Limitations. Membranous expression of NEP (P < 0.001), cytoplasmic ET-1 (P = 0.002), and cytoplasmic NFκB (P < 0.001) were correlated with time to PSA relapse. NEP was associated with ET-1 (P < 0.001) and NFκB (P < 0.001). ET-1 was also correlated with NFκB (P < 0.001). NEP expression (P = 0.017), pT stage (P = 0.013), and SMs (P = 0.036) were independent predictors of time to PSA recurrence. Conclusions. There seems to be a clinical model of NEP/NPs and NFκB pathways interconnection, with their constituents following inverse patterns of expression in accordance with their biological roles and molecular interrelations.

Is there a learning curve for photodynamic diagnosis of bladder cancer with hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride?

INTRODUCTION: To assess the learning curve for fluorescence cystoscopy using hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride (HAL) in patients with bladder cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients underwent bladder instillation with HAL. Two senior residents inspected separately the bladder using white light cystoscopy, followed by fluorescence cystoscopy and mapped the lesions. An experienced with photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) urologist also performed both cystoscopies, mapped, resected or cold biopsied suspect lesions under the supervision of another experienced urologist. To evaluate the learning curve, patients were divided into five subgroups, including group 1 (patients 1-10), group 2 (11-20), group 3 (21-30), group 4 (31-40) and group 5 (41-50). The kappa statistics was calculated to assess interobserver agreement between the physicians and the false positive rates of urologists and residents were also compared. RESULTS: Histologically verified tumors were diagnosed in 103 of 142 lesions identified by PDD. The interobserver agreement between urologists and residents was moderate, moderate, good, excellent, and excellent for group 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Both residents had increased false positive rates compared to urologists in all subgroups of patients but this difference did not reach statistical significance. In addition, false positive rate of residents was declining as the number of procedures was increasing. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that 20 cases of HAL PDD are required to achieve a good interobserver agreement between inexperienced and experienced operator, and excellent agreement is achieved after 30 cases. The false positive rate of inexperienced operators was comparable to the experts and showed a gradual decrease.

Sexual functioning and distress among premenopausal women with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Current studies indicate that women with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) have a high prevalence of sexual disorders although data on the prevalence of sexual dysfunction are limited when sexual distress is included. AIM: The frequency and the possible correlates of distressful sexual disorders in a highly selected group of type 1 diabetic women. METHODS: The sexual function, sexual distress, and general health status were assessed in 44 premenopausal women with uncomplicated T1DM and 47 healthy controls, using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), and the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The impact of sexual distress on the frequency of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). RESULTS: The frequency of sexual disorders according to the FSFI was significantly higher in diabetic compared to control women (25% vs. 8.5%, respectively, P < 0.05). Diabetic women had significantly lower median (first to third quartile) total FSFI score compared to control group (30.55 [26.08-33.08] vs. 33.50 [30.70-34.30], P = 0.001). Desire, arousal, and satisfaction were the sexual domains significantly affected in the diabetic group. Diabetic women had significantly higher median (first to third quartile) FSDS score compared to control group (6.5 [2.3-15.8] vs. 4.0 [1.0-10.5] P = 0.043). FSD (combined pathological FSFI and FSDS scores) was present in higher proportion of diabetic women (15.9%) compared to controls (2.1%) (P = 0.020). GHQ-28 score was comparable between the groups. However, in the diabetic group, FSD was related with anxiety, depression, and low educational level. Diabetes-related factors were not associated with FSD. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-menopausal women with uncomplicated T1DM have significantly higher frequency of FSD compared to healthy controls, when the criterion of sexual distress is included. Psychosomatic and contextual factors implicated in sexual distress are correlates of FSD.

CD10 is inversely associated with nuclear factor-kappa B and predicts biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The cell surface endopeptidase CD10 (neutral endopeptidase) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) have been independently associated with prostate cancer (PC) progression. We investigated the correlations between these two factors and their prognostic relevance in terms of biochemical (prostate-specific antigen, PSA) relapse after radical prostatectomy (RP) for localized PC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The immunohistochemical expression of CD10 and NF-κB in samples from 70 patients who underwent RP for localized PC was correlated with the preoperative PSA level, Gleason score, pathological stage and time to PSA failure. RESULTS: CD10 expression was inversely associated with NF-κB expression (p < 0.001), stage (p = 0.03) and grade (p = 0.003), whereas NF-κB was directly related with stage (p = 0.006) and grade (p = 0.002). The median time to PSA failure was 56 months. CD10 and NF-κB were directly (p < 0.001) and inversely (p < 0.001) correlated with biochemical recurrence-free survival, respectively. CD10 expression (p = 0.022) and stage (p = 0.018) were independently associated with time to biochemical recurrence. CONCLUSION: Low CD10 expression is an adverse prognostic factor for biochemical relapse after RP in localized PC, which is also associated with high NF-κB expression. Decreased CD10 expression which would lead to increased neuropeptide signaling and NF-κB activity may be present in a subset of early PCs.

Feasibility and efficacy of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy using a new modified lateral position for the treatment of renal stones in obese patients.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ESWL using a modified lateral position in obese patients with renal stones. Nineteen obese patients with renal stones were enrolled (group A). The mean stone diameter was 1.3 cm (0.7-1.9 cm). The mean BMI was 35.1 kg/m² (31-41 kg/m²). Patients were placed in the lateral position, with the energy source facing their body posteriorly and the site where the stone was located in direct contact with the water cushion. Success rate (defined as the percentage of patients who were stone-free or with insignificant fragments after 3 months), mean number of ESWL sessions, mean duration of ESWL session and complications were recorded. The results were compared with those of 17 obese patients (Group B) with similar baseline characteristics treated in the standard supine position. All ESWLs were performed using the Dornier lithotripter SII. Both success rate (68.4 vs. 64.7% for groups A and B, respectively) and mean number of sessions (2.2 vs. 2.6) did not differ significantly between the two groups (p = 0.5). Interestingly, the time required to complete ESWL was significantly shorter for group A patients (56 min) compared to group B (73 min) (p = 0.001). No severe complications (including hematoma, pyelonephritis) were recorded. Our data indicate that ESWL in the modified lateral position for renal calculi in obese patients seems to be feasible and safe. In addition, it is faster than in the supine position since it overcomes technical difficulties. Further studies with a large number of patients are required to support our findings.