Proteomics in Psoriasis: Recent Advances.

Psoriasis continues to affect a large percentage of patients worldwide and strongly appears to be a systematic disease. Efforts are being made to understand its etiology, which have led to research extended to genomic analysis with a focus on the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which play a major role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Plasma proteomic analysis in various diseases has provided promising results for choosing the right treatment for psoriasis, suggesting that it could play a key role in the prevention, prognosis, and treatment of the disease by individualizing treatment choices based on the proteomic profile of each patient. In this review, we focus on existing data in the bibliography on proteomic analysis in psoriasis and relevant approaches to future targeted therapies.

Review on the Role of BRCA Mutations in Genomic Screening and Risk Stratification of Prostate Cancer.

(1) Background: Somatic and germline alterations can be commonly found in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. The aim of our present study was to perform a comprehensive review of the current literature in order to examine the impact of BRCA mutations in the context of PCa as well as their significance as genetic biomarkers. (2) Methods: A narrative review of all the available literature was performed. Only "landmark" publications were included. (3) Results: Overall, the number of PCa patients who harbor a BRCA2 mutation range between 1.2% and 3.2%. However, BRCA2 and BRCA1 mutations are responsible for most cases of hereditary PCa, increasing the risk by 3-8.6 times and up to 4 times, respectively. These mutations are correlated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis. Gene testing should be offered to patients with metastatic PCa, those with 2-3 first-degree relatives with PCa, or those aged < 55 and with one close relative with breast (age ≤ 50 years) or invasive ovarian cancer. (4) Conclusions: The individualized assessment of BRCA mutations is an important tool for the risk stratification of PCa patients. It is also a population screening tool which can guide our risk assessment strategies and achieve better results for our patients and their families.

Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy Performed in a Patient With Zinner's Syndrome: The First Case Described in the Literature.

Zinner's syndrome is a rare congenital disorder presenting with unilateral renal agenesis or dysgenesis, ipsilateral seminal vesicle cysts, and ejaculatory duct obstruction. Treatment of this syndrome can be conservative or surgical. In this case report, we describe the case of a 72-year-old patient who was diagnosed with Zinner's syndrome and underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer treatment. The peculiarity of our case was that the patient's ureter emptied ectopically into the left seminal vesicle, which was notably enlarged and multicystic in appearance. Although many minimally invasive procedures have been reported for treating symptomatic Zinner's syndrome, to our knowledge, this is the first reported case of prostate cancer in a patient with Zinner's syndrome who was treated with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy can be safely and efficiently performed in patients with Zinner's syndrome and synchronous prostate cancer by urological surgeons with extensive experience in laparoscopy in high-volume centers.

"Laparoscopic pyeloplasty for treating ureteropelvic junction obstruction in a patient with Fontan physiology: The first case described in literature".

The Fontan procedure is a palliative operation for patients with single ventricle congenital heart disease. In this case-report, we present the case of a 36-years-old man, with Fontan physiology and ureteropelvic junction obstruction, undergoing laparoscopic pyeloplasty. He presented with right flank pain and mild hydronephrosis of his right kidney. Although few laparoscopic operations have been described in the literature, this, to our knowledge, is the first laparoscopic urological procedure described in a patient with Fontan physiology. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty in patients with Fontan physiology, is an efficient and safe technique when performed in centers with extensive experience in laparoscopic procedures.

Rezum water vapor therapy for the treatment of patients with urinary retention and permanent catheter dependence secondary to benign prostate hyperplasia: a systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Recurrent urinary retention due to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), requiring permanent catheterization, represents one of the most challenging issues geriatric patients can face. Rezum, as a minimal invasive treatment for BPH, takes the advantage of sterile water vapor injections directly into the prostate. The purpose of this Systematic Review is to report the safety and the efficacy of Rezum regarding urinary retention relief and permanent catheter withdrawal. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane databases were meticulously screened using the keywords "Rezum", "retention" and "permanent catheter". Only human studies and articles in English were included. Rezum should be the only intervention employed in patients. Patients of included studies should not have been submitted to any prior interventions, such as transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) for the relief of their symptoms. Patients' baseline characteristics along with intraoperative and postoperative parameters were collected and analysed. Catheter relief was the primary outcome. RESULTS: Five studies fulfilled all the criteria and were included in the final qualitative synthesis. Four studies were retrospective and one was prospective. All studies were non-comparative. The success rate ranged from 70.3 to 100%, while no grade ≥ III Clavien-Dindo complications were reported in any of the studies. CONCLUSION: Rezum Water Vapor Therapy Treatment seems to be a feasible, safe and efficient minimally-invasive procedure for catheterized patients with urinary retention secondary to BPH, especially for frail ones with comorbidities who cannot undergo general anesthesia.

Nondetectable Prostate Carcinoma (pT0) after Radical Prostatectomy: A Narrative Review.

(1) Background: Following radical prostatectomy (RP), the absence of a demonstrable tumor on the specimen of a previously histologically proven malignancy is known as the pT0 stage. The aim of our present study is to perform a narrative review of current literature in order to determine the frequency and oncological outcomes in patients with pT0 disease. (2) Methods: A narrative review of all available literature was performed. (3) Results: The incidence of pT0 ranges between 0.07% and 1.3%. Predictors of the pT0 stage are only a single biopsy core with low-grade cancer, a cancer length not exceeding 2 mm and a high prostate volume. Biochemical recurrence ranges between 0 and 11%. (4) Conclusions: The absence of malignancy in the RP specimen despite a previous positive biopsy is a rare and unpredictable finding. Although the prognosis is considered to be excellent in most of the cases, a continued close follow-up is warranted.

Impact of three-dimensional vision in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To compare three-dimensional (3D) with standard two-dimensional (2D) laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) with respect to intra- and postoperative outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 112 patients who underwent transperitoneal LPN from 2012 to 2014 by a single experienced surgeon were collected. Sixty patients (group 1) underwent conventional 2D LPN and 52 patients (group 2) 3D LPN. Perioperative patient, procedure, and tumor data were recorded. The follow-up period was 1-5 years. RESULTS: The two groups had similar patient age (p=0.834) and body mass index (p=0.141). The total laparoscopy time (LT) was shorter in group 2 (119.0 vs. 106.0 min; p=0.009). Warm ischemia times (WITs) were also shorter in group 2 (11.5 vs. 10.0 min; p=0.032). The estimated blood loss (EBL) (350.0 vs. 250.0 mL; p<0.001) and hemoglobin (Hb) decrease (1.55 vs. 1.35 g/dL; p=0.536) were lower in the 3D LPN group. Creatinine (0 vs. 0 g/dL; p=0.610) increase and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decrease (0 vs. 0 mL/min/1.73 m2; p=0.553) did not demonstrate statistically significant differences. Duration of hospitalization (7 vs. 7 days; p=0.099) and complication rates (p=0.559) were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The new-generation 3D laparoscope has a great impact on significant LPN intraoperative parameters, mainly LT, WIT, and EBL. Hb decrease is also in favor of 3D vision, although not dramatically altered. Therefore, 3D LPN appears to be superior to conventional 2D LPNs.

Initial experience in combined ultra-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy with the use of 120-W laser and the anti-retropulsion "Moses effect": the future of percutaneous nephrolithotomy?

The purpose is to present our preliminary results where ultra-mini PCNL (UMPCNL) with the new 120-watt laser with the anti-retropulsion (Lumenis® MOSES Pulse™120H Holmium: YAG laser) was used for the first time to our knowledge. Twelve patients underwent ultra-mini PCNL in prone position under general anesthesia using a 12-F nephroscope with a 14-F Access sheath in our tertiary center. The fragmentation was performed with a 500 µm laser fiber using the 120-watt Lumenis® MOSES Pulse™120H Holmium: YAG laser). Efficacy was considered in terms of stone-free rates (SFR), complication rate, duration of the operation, and hospital stay. Our SFR was 91.6% with 11 patients out of 12 being completely free of any residual stone. The duration of the operation was 86.4 ± 36.8 (40-165) min, whereas the mean laser time (real stone fragmentation laser time) was 755.7 ± 954.7(241-3425) sec. The total laser energy used was 39.7 ± 52 KJoules (11.3-182). The fluoroscopy time and radiation doses were 358.5 ± 180.4 (154-750) sec and 64.7 ± 41.2 (14.7-159.0) mGy, respectively. The mean reduction in levels of hemoglobin postoperatively was 0.6 ± 0.3 (0.1-0.9) g/dL, and no complications were observed. The combination of UMPCNL with the new 120-watt laser and the unique anti-retropulsion technology (Lumenis® MOSES Pulse™120H Holmium: YAG laser) delivered very promising results and it could be the future of PCNL.

Merkel cell carcinoma with kidney metastasis in a 81-year-old man. A rare case report.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. The prognosis of the disease is considered poor. Secondary metastasis is common, however a secondary metastasis to kidney from Merkel cell is a very rare phenomenon. We report a case of a man with a MCC metastasis to the right kidney. The suggested management is surgery and afterwards a platinum-based chemotherapy.

Will Stone Density Stop Being a Key Factor in Endourology? The Impact of Stone Density on Laser Time Using Lumenis Laser p120w and Standard 20 W Laser: A Comparative Study.

Introduction and Objectives: Ureteroscopy is the gold standard for most urinary tract calculi. Our institute recently incorporated a powerful 120 W holmium laser machine integrating innovative technology (Lumenis® MOSES PulseTM120H Holmium:YAG laser; Lumenis Ltd.). In this retrospective comparative study, we evaluated the influence of stone density on laser dusting time in a high-power 120 W laser machine vs a standard 20 W machine (Dornier Medilas® H20 Holmium:YAG laser; Dornier Ltd.) Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of patients who underwent ureteroscopy during the years 2013-2018 for a solitary stone. Stone and clinical characteristics, among other parameters, have been evaluated, including the total laser time until complete stone dusting. Results: Among 631 eligible patients, 462 were treated with a 20 W standard laser and 169 patients with a p120w laser machine. Overall laser time was less than half with p120w laser vs d20w (195 seconds vs 397.14 seconds, p-value <0.001). Multivariate regression demonstrated 234.91 seconds shorter laser time with a p120w laser while controlling confounders such as stone volume, hydronephrosis, and location (p value <0.0001). This pattern was demonstrated in all stone densities. The association between laser dusting time per stone volume and stone density demonstrated relatively constant laser time when using p120w laser, even for hard stones. When the standard 20 W laser was used, laser time was longer in each stone density. Moreover, a stone density of 1164 HU and more demonstrated an upward shift of laser time to stone density curve in standard d20w laser group only. Conclusions: Time to complete stone dusting using p120w laser is extremely shorter, approximately half, comparing with the standard 20 W laser. This pattern is robust and even exponential when evaluating laser time per stone density, especially in hard stones. A new horizon of powerful innovative laser technology will enable to improve endourology practice and patients' care.

Is emergency percutaneous antegrade drainage of the upper urinary tract useful for future percutaneous nephrolithotomy access?

PURPOSE: To compare percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) operations between patients with a preoperative nephrostomy tube and patients that the renal access was obtained at the time of the surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated PCNL cases. Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 - a non-nephrostomy tube (percutaneous nephrostomy, PCN) group and Group 2 - patients with a PCN placed before the procedure. All preoperatively placed PCN's were performed in emergency situations by interventional radiologists (IR). Complications were classified according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. We compared stone characteristics, operation time, complications, efficacy and PCN usability at surgery. RESULTS: Five hundred twenty-seven patients who were submitted to PCNL for renal stones were included in the study. In 73 patients (13.9%) the PCNs were placed before the surgery. Patients and stone characteristics, mean operative time (p=0.830), complications (p=0.859) and stone-free rates (93.0%) were similar between the groups. There was a trend toward higher complication rates in Group 1, but the difference was not statistically significant. Only 21 (29.0%) of preoperatively placed PCNs were used during PCNL for establishing a tract. The reasons for not using PCN tract were: pelvic or infundibular insertion (30.0%) and suboptimal anatomic location (70.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative emergency inserted PCNs by IR usage rates were low during PCNL. Its placement neither affects the incidence of complications nor affects the operation time and outcomes. As such, when emergency renal drainage is indicated, the need for a future definitive PCNL should not influence the decision about the modality of renal drainage.

Postoperative Delirium after Urological Surgery: A Literature Review.

PURPOSE: We aimed to thoroughly search and identify studies referring to risk factors associated with postoperative delirium (POD) in patients undergoing open as well as en-doscopic urological surgery. METHODS: The review after a systematic literature search included 5 studies. RESULTS: The incidence of POD was reported to be between 7.8 and 30% depending on the type of the urologic surgery, while in the majority of the studies the onset happened on the first postoperative day and the symptoms lasted 3 ± 0.8 days. Seventeen different risk factors for POD were identified and presented in detail. CONCLUSION: The Mini-Mental State Examination score and older age were significantly associated with the development of POD. However, the Confusion Assessment Method is very well validated against the diagnosis of delirium from the specialists.

Role of coagulation factors in urological malignancy: A prospective, controlled study on prostate, renal and bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To study the behavior of specific coagulation factors in different types of non-metastatic urological cancers, and to identify their possible role as diagnostic and prognostic markers. METHODS: This was a prospective controlled study, which included three cancer patient groups and a control group of healthy individuals. The cancer subgroups consisted of renal (n = 44), prostate (n = 56) and bladder cancer (n = 47). We excluded patients receiving anticoagulant therapy, or with significant comorbidity. In all patients, certain coagulation parameters were measured (prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, partial thromboplastin time, D-dimers, fibrinogen, F1 + 2, thrombin-antithrombin complex). Statistical analysis was carried out to explore the association of hemostasis markers with tumor-nodes-metastasis stage, Gleason score, transitional cell carcinoma grade, Fuhrman grade and prostate-specific antigen. RESULTS: Our final sample consisted in 58 control patients and 147 patients with urological cancer. We found specific patterns of increased coagulation factors in the different cancers that were statistically significant. Renal cancer showed increased levels of D-dimers, partial thromboplastin time and fibrinogen. D-dimers and fibrinogen were increased in prostate cancer; whereas in bladder cancer, only fibrinogen was elevated. Correlations were found between certain factors and tumor stage and grading, with D-dimers being independently associated with higher tumor grade. Thrombin-antithrombin complex was associated with Gleason score. Furthermore, D-dimers, fibrinogen and F1 + 2 were associated with higher tumor stages (II-IV). CONCLUSIONS: The coagulation pathway seems to be activated in urological malignancies. Specific panels of coagulation factors might play a role as screening or prognostic tools in earlier stages of renal, prostate and bladder cancer. Further research should also focus on their role in the association of cancer with thromboembolic events.

Detection of circulating tumor cells in bladder cancer using multiplex PCR assays.

AIM: The aim of this study was to develop multiplex-PCR assays for the detection of circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood and urine samples of patients with bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood and urine samples were collected from 208 patients (169 patients and 39 healthy volunteers). After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, the samples were analyzed for the expression of cytokeratin 19 (CK19), CK20 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA in blood and for SURVIVIN, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), cytokeratin 20 (CK20) mRNA in urine, using multiplex-PCR assays. RESULTS: EGFR and CK20 alone or in combination as well as all urine markers correlated well with histological grade. hTERT correlated well with primary tumor size T≥3. Patients with positive urine markers had significantly worse progression-free survival. CONCLUSION: Multiplex-PCR assays can be a useful tool for staging and monitoring purposes in patients with bladder cancer.

A Cough Deteriorating Gross Hematuria: A Clinical Sign of a Forthcoming Life-Threatening Rupture of an Intraparenchymal Aneurysm of Renal Artery (Wunderlich's Syndrome).

Macroscopic hematuria regards the 4% to 20% of all urological visits. Renal artery aneurysms (RAAs) are detected in approximately 0.01%-1% of the general population, while intraparenchymal renal artery aneurysms (IPRAAs) are even more rarely detected in less than 10% of patients with RAAs. We present a case of a 58-year-old woman that came into the emergency room (ER) complaining of a gross hematuria during the last four days. Although in the ER room the first urine sample was clear after a cough episode, a severe gross hematuria began which led to a hemodynamically unstable patient. Finally, a radical nephrectomy was performed, and an IPRAA was the final diagnosis. A cough deteriorating hematuria could be attributed to a ruptured intraparenchymal renal artery aneurysm, which even though constitutes a rare entity, it is a life-threatening medical emergency.

Radical cystectomy over the age of 75 is safe and increases survival.

BACKGROUND: Radical cystectomy (RC) is probably underused in elderly patients due to a potential increased postoperative complication risk, as reflected by their considerable comorbidities. Our objective was to estimate the overall complication rate and investigate a potential benefit to patients over the age of 75 subjected to RC in terms of disease-free survival. METHODS: A total of 81 patients, 61 men and 20 women, from two urological departments, with a mean age of 79.2 ± 3.7 years, participated in the study. The mean follow-up period was 2.6 ± 1.6 years. All patients underwent RC with pelvic lymphadenectomy. An ileal conduit, an orthotopic ileal neobladder and cutaneous ureterostomies were formed in 48.1%, 6.2% and 45.7% of the patients, respectively. The perioperative and 90-day postoperative complications were recorded and classified according to the modified Clavien classification system. Survival plots were created based on the oncological outcome and several study parameters. RESULTS: The perioperative morbidity rate was 43.2%; the 90-day morbidity rate was 37%, while the 30-day, 90-day and overall mortality rates were 3.7%, 3.7% and 21%, respectively. Overall mortality rates were recorded at the final year of data gathering (2009). Increased age, increased body mass index (BMI), longer hospitalization and age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) more than six, were associated with greater hazard for 90-day morbidity. The cumulative mortality / metastasis-free rates for one, two, three and five years were 88.7%, 77.5%, 70.4%, and 62.3%, respectively. Tumour stage and positive nodes were prognostic predictors for oncological outcome. CONCLUSIONS: RC in patients over 75 is justified and feasible, due to acceptable complication rates and high 5-year cancer-specific survival, which support an aggressive approach. Prospective studies are needed for the verification of the above results.

Recurrent urethrovesical anastomotic strictures following artificial urinary sphincter implantation: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: The management of an anastomotic stricture after a radical prostatectomy can become a complex and difficult situation when an artificial urinary sphincter precedes the formation of the stricture. The urethral narrowing does not allow the passage of the routinely used urological instruments and no previous reports have suggested alternate approaches. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 68-year-old Greek man diagnosed as having a recurrent anastomotic stricture approximately two years after a radical prostatectomy and three years after the implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter, and propose novel alternate methods of treatment. Our patient was first subjected to stricture incision with the use of a rigid ureteroscope with a holmium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser fiber, which was followed by a second successful attempt with the use of a pediatric resectoscope. After a one-year follow-up, our patient is doing well, with no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the management of recurrent urethral strictures following an artificial urinary sphincter implantation. Minimal invasive techniques with the use of small caliber instruments may offer efficient treatment options, diminishing the danger of urethral corrosion.