Effects of mirabegron on JJ stent-related symptoms: A multicentric study.

AIMS OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effect of mirabegron 50 mg/daily for JJ stent-related symptoms after ureteroscopic stone surgery. METHODS: Medical records of 145 patients who were given a single daily oral dose of 50 mg of mirabegron for relieving stent-related symptoms were retrospectively analysed. Demographic and clinical data and stone parameters were recorded. All participants completed the Turkish version of the Ureter Symptom Score Questionnaire (USSQ-T) on the postoperative 7th day, and again after at least 3 weeks, before JJ stent removal. The severity of stent-related symptoms was statistically compared before and after the mirabegron treatment. RESULTS: The mean urinary symptoms score decreased significantly from 30.87 ± 9.43 to 22.61 ± 6.78 (P < .0001), mean body pain score decreased significantly from 21.82 ± 11.22 to 14.03 ± 7.52 (P < .0001), mean work performance score decreased from 10.50 ± 8.61 to 7.02 ± 6.51 (P < .0001) and mean general health score decreased significantly from 15.43 ± 6.50 to 11.12 ± 3.70 (P < .0001). The mean sexual matters score significantly decreased from 3.88 ± 3.40 to 2.48 ± 2.03 (P < .0001), the additional problem score decreased from 9.31 ± 4.61 to 6.51 ± 2.83 (P < .0001) and the overall quality of life (QoL) score decreased from 5.18 ± 1.94 to 4.23 ± 1.71 after mirabegron use (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Daily use of 50 g of mirabegron significantly improved stent-related symptoms, sexual matters and quality of life.

Mechanisms and grading of nocturia: Results from a multicentre prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the pathophysiological mechanisms of nocturia and the correlation of these mechanisms with nocturia severity. METHODOLOGY: After approval by the local ethics committee, all patients with nocturia (≥1 nocturnal void/night) were included and filled the Overactive Bladder questionnaire, Nocturia Quality of Life, Incontinence Questionnaire - Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (male), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (female) and 3-day frequency-volume chart. Patients were divided into three groups according to the severity of nocturia: group 1 consisted of patients with mild (1-2 voids/night), group 2 with moderate (3-4 voids/night) and group 3 with severe nocturia (>4 voids/night). Comparative analysis was performed between groups, and P < .05 was deemed as statistically significant. RESULTS: About 68.1%, 64.1% and 8.7% of the patients had nocturnal polyuria (NP), reduced bladder capacity and global polyuria, respectively. 42.7% of the patients had mixed nocturia. 6.1% of the patients did not comply with the aforementioned subtypes and defined as isolated nocturia. Regarding the severity of nocturia, 155 (41%) patients had mild, 167 (45%) patients had moderate and 57 (15%) patients had severe nocturia. Increased nocturia severity was related with decreased quality of life; higher age, urinary tract symptom scores, nocturnal urine volume, evening fluid consumption and beta-blocker medication rates. Increased nocturia severity was also associated with higher NP, global polyuria and reduced bladder capacity rates. CONCLUSIONS: Nocturia mechanisms may vary between mild and moderate to severe nocturia groups according to the present study. Nocturia grading with identification of subtypes may help for better standardisation of the diagnostic and treatment approaches as well as for the design of future clinical trials.

Factors affecting the success of pediatric extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy therapy: 26-year experience at a single institution.

Despite its widespread use, few studies have evaluated the success of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in pediatric patients with several parameters and a large group of patients. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the factors that affect the outcomes of pediatric ESWL treatment, which we have practiced for 26 years. This study included 1012 pediatric patients who underwent ESWL between March 1991 and November 2017. Pre-procedure radiological evaluations were performed using kidney-ureter-bladder and/ or urinary system ultrasonography. Demographic data, stone characteristics, and ESWL treatment data and complications were recorded and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for the stone-free rate (SFR). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the cut-off values for stone size to predict ESWL success for both kidney and ureteral stones. Age, body mass index (BMI), congenital renal anomaly, stone location, stone size, number of stones, and stone composition significantly affected the SFRs in univariate analysis; however, only age, BMI, stone location, and stone size were significant in the multivariate analysis. If no residual fragments were detected after three sessions of ESWL application, the procedure was considered successful. The cut-off stone size values for the kidney and ureter that predicted treatment success were 96.28 mm2 and 44.16 mm < sup > 2 < /sup > , respectively. ESWL is an effective and safe treatment in the pediatric age group that provides high SFRs. Age, BMI, and stone location, size, and composition are particularly critical factors that can predict the success of ESWL.

The evaluation of the effectiveness of Gilaburu (Viburnum opulus L.) extract in the medical expulsive treatment of distal ureteral stones.

OBJECTIVE: Medical expulsive therapy is an important non-invasive treatment modality that facilitates the passage of ureteral stones. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of Gilaburu (Viburnum opulus) extract in the treatment of distal ureteral stones <10 mm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data of 103 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: those given V. opulus 1000 mg peroral 3×2 and diclofenac 50 mg peroral on-demand (n=53) and those given only diclofenac sodium 50 mg peroral on-demand (n=50). Comparisons of stone expulsion rates and the elapsed time until the expulsion between the groups were determined as primary outcome measures. The comparison of the need for additional treatment [ureteroscopy (URS) or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)], the need for emergency admission, analgesic requirement, and the complication rates in additional treatment were determined as secondary outcome measures. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 45.8±14.5 years. The rate of stone expulsion was significantly higher (82% vs. 66%, p=0.026), and elapsed time to stone expulsion was significantly shorter (9±1.8 vs. 14±2.3 day, p=0.018) in the V. opulus group. The need for additional treatment (URS and ESWL) and analgesic requirement was less in the V. opulus group (9.4% vs. 20%, p=0.038 and 24.5% vs. 44%, p=0.042, respectively). CONCLUSION: V. opulus is an herbal treatment alternative that facilitates the passage of ureteral stones <10 mm. Prospective, randomized studies are needed to support these results.

Periorbital Soft Tissue Anthropometric Analysis of Young Adults.

The authors aim to determine the periorbital soft tissue anthropometric norms for Turkish young adults for right and left eyes using a noninvasive two-dimensional photogrammetric analysis. Anthropometric measurements of the periorbital soft tissue were taken from 172 female and 56 male Turkish adults aged between 18 and 24 years. The periorbital soft tissue profiles (ocular and palpebral) for males and females were digitally analyzed using linear measurements made with standardized photographic records, taken in a natural head position. Statistically significant differences were found for ocular soft tissue measurements according to gender except inner intercanthal distance (P = 0.125) and right horizontal palpebral aperture (P = 0.240). Statistically significant differences were found for palpebral soft tissue measurements according to gender except right pretarsal skin height (P = 0.112) and left pretarsal skin height (P = 0.056). Results were compared with other ethnic groups. Normal periorbital soft tissue measurements are fundamental anatomical parameters utilized in ophthalmology, optometry, ophthalmic industry, oculoplastic surgery, clinical genetics, dermatocosmetology. Further, normal anthropometric measurements generate reference data for studies in craniofacial dysmorphology, oculoplastic surgery, dermatocosmetology, and comparative physical anthropology.

Contributions to the moss flora of Gümüshane Province (Torul and Kürtün districts, Turkey).

Some moss specimens were collected from Gümüshane Province between September and October 2008. As a result of field and laboratory studies, 92 taxa belonging to 22 families were identified. These taxa are presented in a list. All taxa are new to the study area (Gümüshane Province). Eight taxa are (Ditrichum flexicaule (Schwaegr.) Hampe, Ditrichum pusillum (Hedw.) Hampe, Grimmia lisae De Not., Grimmia montana Bruch and Schimp., Herzogiella seligeri (Brid.) Z. Iwats., Leskea polycarpa Hedw., Pohlia melanodon (Brid.) J. Shaw, Trichostomum tenuirostre (Hook and Taylor) Lindb. var. tenuirostre) new records for A4 Square (40-42 degrees N, 38-42 degrees E) were determined. The aim of the study was to determine the moss taxa growing in Gümüshane Province (Torul and Kürtün districts) and to make a contribution to the moss flora of Turkey.

Contributions to the moss flora of Artvin region (Hatila Valley National Park-Turkey).

Field studies were organized for exploring the moss flora of Hatila Valley National Park of Artvin (Turkey) during spring-summer period in 2005-2006. The taxonomic survey yielded eighty-five moss taxa o(comprises of seventy-nine species, six varieties) belonging to 44 genera of 16 families in Hatila Valley National Park of Artvin, Turkey. Bryum rubens Milt., Dicranodontium uncinatufm (Harv.) A. Jaeger., Eurhynchium hians var. rigidum (Boul.) Düll., Hypnum jutlandicum Holmen and Warncke, Rhynchostegiella jacquinii (Garov.) Limpr. and Pseudocrossidium hornschuchianum (Schultz) R. H. Z ander are new records for A4 grid square (40 degrees-42' N, 38 degrees-42' E) determined. All taxa were found for the first time in Artvin. For every each taxon, the habitat pattern and distribution data are presented.