Intraoperative calculus or hemorrhage in transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy as a risk factor for recurrent hemospermia.

We have summarized our experience regarding transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy (TUSV) and analyzed both its recurrence status and the risk factors for recurrence. From January 2010 to December 2020, 48 patients with intractable hemospermia received successful TUSV at Taichung Invalids General Hospital. Upon analysis of the intraoperative findings, the five-year disease-free Survival rates (DFS) were 74.1% in the no calculus group compared to 37.1% in the calculus group with a significant difference (log-rank p = 0.015), 75.0% in the no hemorrhage or no blood clot group compared to 43.2% in the hemorrhage or blood clot group with significant difference (log-rank p = 0.032). Univariate analysis showed intraoperative calculus (p = 0.040; HR: 2.94, 95% CI: 1.05-8.21) to be significantly associated with recurrence (p < 0.05). Patients with intractable hemospermia who were diagnosed with stones or blood clots found during TUSV experienced a higher rate of hemospermia recurrence.

Prophylactic Robotic-assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy for Preoperative Suspicion of Prostate Cancer: Experience with 55 Cases.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Expanded indications are not yet reported for robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) performed by experienced surgeons for patients with preoperative suspicion of prostate cancer. We report our experience with 55 cases of prophylactic RARP for preoperative suspicion of prostate cancer, including postoperative pathological characteristics and outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed data of a subset of 55 consecutive patients among 1,060 patients who underwent RARP for preoperative suspicion of prostate cancer. Pathological characteristics and outcomes of patients with suspected prostate cancer were analyzed and preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative parameters were compared between three groups. Patients were stratified by final pathology reports of RARP specimens: Group I: Prostate cancer, N=22 (40%); group II: abnormal (prostate intraepithelial neoplasia; atypical small acinar proliferation), N=18 (32.7%); and group III: benign (nodular hyperplasia or inflammation), N=15 (27.3%). RESULTS: Mean preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 16.04±2.21 ng/ml. Twenty-two patients with adenocarcinoma had pathology stage pT2a/T2b/ T2c/T3a/T3b (6/7/2/6/1 patients, respectively), with positive surgical margins in 18.2% (4/22). Preoperative incidence of PSA velocity >0.75 ng/ml/yr was significantly higher in group I than in groups II and III (81.8% vs. 38.9% vs. 33.3%, p=0.004). Predictive parameters of prostate cancer showed that PSA velocity (>0.75 vs. ≤0.75 ng/ml/yr) had crude odds ratio of 9.0 for group I vs. group III, p=0.005. Posteperatively, statistically significant improvements were found in uroflow rate, post-voiding residual urine and symptom scores (all p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic RARP with bilateral neurovascular bundle preservation performed by experienced surgeons is a safe and viable option for preoperative suspicion of prostate cancer.

[Influence of selenium-rich rice on transformation of umbilical blood B lymphocytes by Epstein-Barr virus and Epstein-Barr virus early antigen expression].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Selenium (Se), an antioxidant, is an essential trace element to human body. It can be used as an anti-aging agent and a tumor cell proliferation inhibitor. To further investigate the effect of selenium in cancer prevention, the authors observed the influence of Se-rich rice extract on the transformation of umbilical blood B lymphocytes stimulated by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and expression of EBV early antigen(EBV-EA) in Raji cells. METHODS: (1) Se-rich rice and general rice extract (dilution of 1:4 or 1:8) were added to mixture of EBV, and then umbilical blood mononuclear cells were added. Lymphoblasts transformation test was then performed. The inhibition rate of B lymphocytes transformation was calculated. (2) Raji cells stimulated by butyrate and croton oil were incubated with Se-rich rice extract. The EBV-EA positive expression rate and the inhibition rate were counted using indirect immunological flurescence method. RESULTS: The transformation of umbilical blood B lymphocytes stimulated by EBV was significantly inhibited by Se-rich rice extract at a concentration of 0.11 g/ml (1:8 diluted). The inhibition rate was 83.4% (P < 0.01), which was significantly higher than that of the control rice (63.1%) (P < 0.05). Se-rich rice extract showed significant inhibition on EBV-EA in Raji cells. As the extract concentration was at 0.016 microgram/ml, 0.078 g/ml, and 0.388 microgram/ml, the inhibition rates of EA were 2.85%, 12.88%, and 20.75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The transformation of umbilical blood B lymphocytes stimulated by EB virus and expression of EBV-EA in Raji cells may be significantly inhibited by Se-rich rice extract, suggesting that Se-rich rice can be used for preventing nasopharyngeal carcinoma.