The Possible Role of XRCC1 Gene Polymorphisms with Idiopathic Non-obstructive Azoospermia in Southeast Turkey.

PURPOSE: X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) plays a role in repairing DNA damage during spermatogenesis. We examined the effects the possible role of two single nucleotide polymorphisms of XRCC1 Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln in DNA repair gene XRCC1 with risk of idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia (INOA) in a south-east Turkey population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The genotype and allele frequencies of two observed polymorphisms of XRCC1 Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 102 infertile men with INOA and 102 fertile controls. RESULTS: In our study, all the observed genotype frequencies are in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The genotype frequencies of the XRCC Arg194Trp were 84% (CC), 16% (CT) and 2% (TT) among the men with INOA, while the frequencies of those genotypes in the controls were found to be 88% (CC), 12% (CT) and 2% (TT) (?2 test: P < .05). Similarly, the genotypes frequencies of GG, GA, and AA of the XRCC1 Arg399Gln were 44%, 39%, and 19% in the group of men with INOA, whereas these frequencies were 42%, 45%, and 15% in the control group, respectively. No significant difference between the control group and the men with INOA were found in the frequencies of genotypes and allele of XRCC1 Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Neither Arg194Trp nor Arg399Gln polymorphisms in the XRCC1 gene influenced risk of INOA in our study. However, these findings may be helpful in improving the understanding of the etiology of male infertility.

Efficacy of peripheral lidocaine application (neural therapy) in the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity in multiple sclerosis patients.

AIMS: Many agents and treatments are used in the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in MS patients, but no study has been conducted on the use of peripheric lidocaine (neural therapy-NT) on MS patients. We evaluated the effects of local administration of lidocaine on NDO in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. METHODS: For each patient local anesthetic lidocaine was injected at each session. Sessions were held once a week for 5 weeks. At each session, Th 10-L1, urogenital segment intradermal injections, Frankenhauser, and sacral epidural injections were given. The patients had clinical and urodynamic assessment 1 month before and 3, 9, and 12 months after NT. In addition, multiple sclerosis quality of life inventory (MSQL-54) and bladder control scale (BLCS) was performed for patients. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were included in the study (8 males, 20 females). The patients' average age was 31.7 ± 8.1 years. The injection therapy significantly improved volume at first involuntary bladder contraction (FCV), maximal detrusor pression during filling (P det. max.), maximal cystometric bladder capacity (MCC) after 3 months. Also, the MSQL-54 and BLCS scores were improved with treatment. However, these improvements reached a maximum 3 months after treatment, but from the 9 month a regression was seen in the parameters, and after 12 months the findings were seen to be slightly above their basal levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that NDO treatment in MS patients could be an effective treatment which is easy and has very few side effects, and is cost effective.

Histopathologic and Urodynamic Effects of the Anticholinergic Drugs Oxybutynin, Tolterodine, and Trospium on the Bladder.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of intravesical instillation of the anticholinergic drugs oxybutynin, tolterodine, and trospium on bladder capacity and histopathological changes in the bladder mucosa. METHODS: The study included 20 male New Zealand white rabbits that were randomly allocated to four groups of five. In the oxybutynin, tolterodine, and trospium groups, the drugs used were 1 mg/kg of crushed tablet mixed with 5 mL of saline, instilled intravesically once per day for 4 weeks. The control group was administered only 5 mL of saline once per day for 4 weeks. Urodynamic measurement of the bladder was made before and after treatment. At the end of the treatment the animals were killed and the bladders were evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between pre- and post-treatment bladder capacity in any of the groups (P > 0.05). Histopathological evaluation showed that the mucosal epithelium was intact and there was minor inflammation in the control group and oxybutynin group (P > 0.05), whereas there was destruction of the mucosal epithelium and findings of diffuse inflammation in the tolterodine (P = 0.014) and trospium (P = 0.014) groups. CONCLUSION: Intravesical oxybutynin treatment was observed to be safe; however, a single daily dose of oxybutynin may not be sufficient to increase bladder capacity. Intravesical use of trospium and tolterodine at high doses caused epithelial destruction and diffuse inflammation in the bladder mucosa. The irritation associated with epithelial destruction and inflammation prevented an increase in bladder capacity.

Which Surgical Technique Should be Preferred to Repair Benign, Primary Vesicovaginal Fistulas?

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the outcomes of benign, primary vesicovaginal fistulas (VVFs) treated using the transabdominal transvesical technique and the transvaginal technique without tissue interposition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 53 consecutive women with VVF who were treated between September 1999 and October 2014 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with a malignant etiology and/or prior irradiation were excluded because they required a more complex repair. In the first group, the repair was performed using the transabdominal transvesical technique (n = 28). After one of our fellows had completed his urogynecology training, he began to perform the repairs using the transvaginal technique (n = 25). All included VVF patients were treated without a tissue interposition. RESULTS: Vesicovaginal fistula repair was performed in 53 patients, with a mean age of 41.4 ± 15.2 years. There was no significant difference in terms of the patients' age, fistula size, and the number of deliveries between the groups. All cases failed in terms of conservative management. The size of the fistulas ranged from 15 to 20 mm. The admission time was between 3 days and 21 years, and it was longer in less educated patients. The success rate was 96.4% (27/28) in the transabdominal transvesical group and 100% (25/25) in the transvaginal group (P = 1.00). The hospitalization period and complications were significantly reduced in the transvaginal group (P = .00 and P = .004, respectively). No patients converted from a transvaginal to a transabdominal repair. There was only one recurrence in the transabdominal transvesical group.The patients were followed up for 1 year. CONCLUSION: Transvaginal repair of benign, primary VVFs is more advantageous than transabdominal transvesical repair. There was a significant decrease in the hospitalization period and complications rates using the transvaginal technique without tissue interposition.

Does the histopathologic pattern of the ureteropelvic junction affect the outcome of pyeloplasty.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of the histopathologic pattern of obstructed ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) specimens, including collagen type 3, elastin, fibrosis and Cajal cells, on the outcome of pyeloplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Histopathological specimens obtained following Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty from 52 patients with intrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) between January 2005 and January 2008 were evaluated histopathologically. Patients with extrinsic or secondary UPJO were excluded. Preoperative and postoperative radiographic evaluations were performed either via diuretic renography or intravenous pyelography, or both. Six months post-surgery the patients were divided into 2 groups, as successful surgery (group 1) and unsuccessful surgery (group 2). Histopathological findings (collagen type 3, elastin, fibrosis and Cajal cells) in each group were statistically compared. RESULTS: The study included 52 patients (21 female and 31 male). Mean age of the entire study population was 39.42 ± 14.5 years, versus 39.63 ± 14.9 years in group 1 (n = 47) and 37.4 ± 10.0 years in group 2 (n = 5). Median follow-up was 18 months. There weren't any significant differences in collagen type 3, elastin, fibrosis, or Cajal cells between the 2 groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The histopathologic pattern of UPJ was not a factor associated with the success of pyeloplasty. Based on the present findings, we conclude that surgical technique is more important than the histopathologic pattern of UPJ for the successful treatment of UPJO.

The diagnosis and treatment of penile fracture: our 19-year experience.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate our approach to the diagnosis and treatment of penile fracture. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the results of 107 patients with penile fracture treated in our clinic between January 1990 and January 2009. Patient age, etiology of each fracture, history, physical examination results, radiologic findings, type of treatment, and postoperative complications were recorded. In 5 cases cavernosography was performed and in 8 cases retrograde urethrography. RESULTS: The most common etiologies of penile fracture were coitus and manually bending the penis for detumescence. Diagnoses were made based on history and physical examination in 102 patients and cavernosography in 5 patients. In order to evaluate urethral injury in 8 cases, retrograde urethrography was performed. Rupture was repaired surgically in 101 patients, but 6 patients were treated conservatively. Among the 6 conservatively treated patients, 3 developed penile curvature 6 months post-treatment; no complications occurred in the surgically treated patients. CONCLUSION: Cavernosography should be performed only when history and physical examination are insufficient for diagnosis, and retrograde urethrography should be performed when urethral injury is suspected. In order to prevent the development of penile curvature and to ensure rapid recovery, early surgical repair is advised.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in pediatric patients: is computerized tomography a must?

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the results of pediatric percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) cases, and discuss the results and necessity of non-contrast computerized tomography (CT) in these cases. In all, 48 pediatric patients who underwent PNL were retrospectively evaluated. Before PNL, either intravenous urography or CT was performed. In all patients, we evaluated the PNL time, scopy time with stone burden, and complications. During the PNL procedure, we switched to open surgery in two cases: in one because of renal pelvis perforation and in the other because of transcolonic access. In one patient who was scheduled to undergo PNL, we performed open surgery, primarily because we detected a retrorenal colon with CT. The stone burden in 45 patients who underwent PNL was 445 ± 225 mm(2), the PNL time was 51 ± 23 min, and the scopy time was 6.1 ± 2.7 min. We removed nephrostomy tubes 1-4 days after the procedure. In two patients, 24 h after removal of nephrostomy tubes, we inserted double J stents because of prolonged urine extravasation from the tract. In all, 34 of the 45 patients were stone-free, 5 patients had clinically insignificant stone fragments, and 6 patients had residual stones. PNL is a safe and effective method in the treatment of pediatric patients with kidney stones. Clinical experience is the most important factor in obtaining stone-free results. CT should be performed in all pediatric patients in order to prevent colon perforation.

FSHR single nucleotide polymorphism frequencies in proven fathers and infertile men in Southeast Turkey.

The influence of FSH receptor (FSHR) variants on male infertility is not completely understood. The present investigation is the first screening study for SNP at nucleotide position -29 in the core promoter region and codon 680 in exon 10 of the FSHR and the effect of the serum levels of FSH on male infertility in Southeast Turkey. The SNPs in codon 680 and at position -29 of the FSHR gene were analyzed by PCR-RFLP technique in 240 men with proven fathers, and 270 infertile men (150 nonobstructive azoospermic and 120 severe oligozoospermic). The separate analysis for SNP at nucleotide position -29 did not show any difference in genotypic frequencies and serum FSH levels. The genotype distribution of SNP at position 680 was different but does not influence serum FSH levels. Together the two SNPs form four discrete haplotypes (A-Thr-Asn, G-Thr-Asn, A-Ala-Ser, and G-Ala-Ser) occurring in 10 combinations. A statistically significant difference in the allelic distribution of G-Asn/G-Ser and G-Ser/G-Ser genotype between proven fathers and infertile men but there were not any statistically significant difference in the overall frequency of the four FSHR haplotypes. We conclude that the FSHR haplotype does not associate with different serum FSH levels but it is differently distributed in proven fathers and infertile men.

Is procalcitonin valuable in the differential diagnosis of testicular torsion and epididymo-orchitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of procalcitonin (PCT) in the differential diagnosis of testicular torsion and epididymo-orchitis. METHODS: This experimental study was performed in the research laboratory of Dicle University, School of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey between March and June 2008. The study included 24 male rats randomized equally in 3 groups: sham, epididymo-orchitis, and torsion groups. Blood samples were obtained from all rats at the beginning of the study. After torsion and infection occurred in the testes, new blood samples were obtained for PCT measurement. Then, all the right testes of the rats were excised for histopathological evaluation. The Wilcoxon signed test was used for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: Pre- and post PCT levels were statically compared, and PCT levels were significantly higher in the epididymo-orchitis group. CONCLUSION: Procalcitonin could be an easy, fast, and safe marker for use in the differential diagnosis of testicular torsion and epididymo-orchitis.

Oxybutynin effects on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm production.

BACKGROUND: Oxybutynin is a tertiary amine and has chemical similarities like protamine sulfate. Protamine sulfate's effect on bacterial viability has been shown in some studies; however, there is scanty data regarding the effect of oxybutynin on bacterial viability. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of oxybutynin on bacterial viability. METHODS: Twenty of Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) strains were isolated from patients who had catheter-associated urinary tract infection. These strains were exposed to 5 different concentrations of oxybutynin in tryptic soy broth (TSB) media (max: 5 mg/mL, min: 0.05 mg/mL). Quantitative growth patterns were measured by spectrophotometer. Under the same media conditions, biofilm production of individual strains was measured by Deighton's micromethod at the end of the 6-hour incubation period. RESULTS: After the incubation period, weak and strong slime-producing bacteria groups were obtained and both groups' slime productions were extensively low at 5 mg/mL concentration of oxybutynin. Slime production of S. epidermidis was inversely correlated with oxybutynin concentrations. CONCLUSION: Although there was a dose-dependent reduction of biofilm production, there seemed to be no bactericidal effect of oxybutynin on S. epidermidis.

Semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy in children without ureteral dilatation.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to retrospectively review the efficiency of ureterorenoscopy (URS) applied without ureteral dilatation for evaluating pediatric ureteral pathologies. METHODS: The files of pediatric patients hospitalized in our clinic between January 2000 and June 2006 due to ureteral stone disease were reviewed and evaluated retrospectively. The ages, medical histories, physical examination results, preoperative routine blood and urinary tests, and culture results were recorded. Ureteral orifice dilatation was not needed in any of the patients. Due to the risk of mucosal trauma and edema development in the ureteral orifice and intramural ureter, 3F and 4F catheters were applied in all patients following the ureterorenoscopy. These catheters were removed 24 h after the procedure. RESULTS: The files of 54 pediatric patients with a mean age of 8.5 years (range 1-16 years) were evaluated retrospectively. While diagnostic URS was applied in 12 (22.2%) of the patients, ureteral calculi were determined in 42 (77.8%) patients and the stones were fragmented by pneumatic lithotripter. Twenty-five of the stones were localized in the lower ureter, 16 in the mid-ureter, and 3 in upper ureter. The mean stone size was found to be 7.1 mm (range 4-12). None of the stones migrated to the proximal region. In 2 patients open ureterolithotomy was applied; stones were localized in the upper ureter in both of these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ureterorenoscopy can be successfully and safely applied without the need for ureteral dilatation in ureteral pathologies of children.

Body mass index, body fat percentage, and the effect of body fat mass on SWL success.

OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we investigated the effects of the Body Mass Index (BMI), the Body Fat Percentage (BFP), and the Body Fat Mass (BFM) on success of SWL, prospectively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The BMI, BFP, BFM values of patients, who were treated by SWL due to upper urinary system stone disease (pelvis renalis, upper ureter, kidney lower and upper calices) between January and December 2005 in our hospital's urolithiasis center, were measured. Patients with stones smaller than 5 mm or larger than 20 mm and patients who had a stone localized somewhere other than in the upper urinary system, were not included in the study. Patients evaluated to be clinically successful according to the SWL were put in group 1, and the other patients who were not successful were included in group 2. RESULTS: About 158 (97 male, 61 female) patients aged between 16 and 92 (mean 36.69 (+/-13.22) years), put on SWL therapy due to presence of upper urinary system stone disease, were included in the study. While the mean BMI was 23.97 +/- 0.4 in group 1 and 25.98 +/- 0.5 (P = 0.02) in group 2, BFP was 23.85 +/- 0.8 in group 1 and 29.19 +/- 1.1 (P = 0.001) in group 2, and BFM was determined to be 16.74 +/- 0.7 and 21.19 +/- 1.01 (P = 0.001) in group 2. Regarding all the parameters (BMI, BFP, BFM), the statistical analyses carried out between the groups showed significant differences. CONCLUSION: BFP and BFM parameters are also important factors along with the BMI in providing a successful SWL treatment. All the parameters should be considered regarding the success of the treatment and the patients should be informed.

Risk factors for lower urinary tract infection and bacterial stent colonization in patients with a double J ureteral stent.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the potential risk factors for lower urinary tract infection and bacterial stent colonization in patients with double-J stents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 195 double-J stents from 190 patients (95 men and 95 women, mean age 40.22 years) were examined. In all patients, prophylactic antimicrobial therapy was administered at the time of stenting. The stents and urine samples were removed aseptically and the proximal and distal tip segments of the stents were obtained. Three culture specimens were obtained from each stent segment and urine sample. Chi-square tests, odds ratio, and relative risk were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Bacterial colonies were found in 24% (47 of 190) of the urine samples, 31% (61 of 195) of the proximal stent segments, and 34% (67 of 195) of the distal stent segments. Of the pathogens identified, Escherichia coli (34 of 47) was the most common. Diabetes mellitus (P < 0.01), chronic renal failure (P < 0.001), and pregnancy (P < 0.01) were found to be risk factors for lower urinary tract infection in patients with stents. An increased stent colonization rate was associated with implantation time, age, and female sex, but these were not statistically significant for lower urinary tract infection CONCLUSION: Diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, and pregnancy are associated with a higher risk of lower urinary tract infection. Therefore, patients in these categories should be monitored carefully for infectious complications.