How do vegetable oils (hazelnut and canola) affect the reproductive system in male rats?

OBJECTIVE: Vegetable oils have an important place in our daily diet. This study starts from this point to investigate the effects of canola oil and hazelnut oil in the male reproductive system in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 30 male rats were used in this 16-week study. The animals were divided into three groups: the animals in group I served as the control group, while the animals in group II and group III were fed with hazelnut and canola oil, respectively. The testes of all rats were excised for histopathologic evaluation and immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation with a standard method. Blood samples were obtained for determination of serum hormone levels. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted with respect to behavior or weight among the three groups. Rats in the canola oil group (group III) had higher luteinizing hormone (LH) and higher testosterone levels than rats in the control group. Rats who received hazelnut oil (group II) exhibited similar findings, with these levels being higher than they were in the control group. No statistical differences were shown for histopathology or IHC testosterone antibody levels across all treatment groups. Conclussion: Canola oil was shown to have a greater effect on serum LH and testosterone compared to the control group and the group fed with hazelnut oil. Further investigation is required into how these oils affect serum hormone and sperm activity.

Comparison of the results of pediatric percutaneous nephrolithotomy with different sized instruments.

We aim to compare the outcomes, including the morbidity and success rates in children undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using different sized devices. According to the size of instruments used during surgery, three different groups (ultra-mini-PCNL, mini-PCNL and adult size PCNL) were composed and the outcomes were compared between the groups. PCNL was applied to 225 renal units of 220 children, including 5 patients with bilateral kidney stones. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed using adult instruments (24 F) in 82 renal units, using pediatric instruments (18 F) in 89 and using minimal-size instruments (9.5 F) in 50. One-hundred and twenty-four girls and 96 boys with a mean age of 8.33 (<17) years were assessed. Stone-free rates were 78 % in group 1 (n = 39) using 9.5 F nephroscope, 75.8 % in group 2 (n = 69) using 18 F nephroscope and 71.4 % in group 3 (n = 60) using 24 F nephroscope. Time to access the collecting system, operative time, duration of nephrostomy and average postoperative hospital stay did not differ between the groups. However, mean hematocrit drop and stone burden were significantly lesser in ultra-mini-PCNL group. There was no significant difference in the complication rates between the groups, according to the modified Clavien classification system. As the important complication of PCNL, bleeding seems to be associated with diameter of dilatation, calibre of nephroscopes and stone burden. To reduce the certain complications, pediatric type of instruments is suitable but the use of adult instruments and techniques may achieve equal results.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in children with pediatric and adult-sized instruments.

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric stone disease is a significant health issue which has increased in incidence because of lifestyle changes, dietary habits, and obesity. The incidence of urolithiasis among pediatric age groups varies according to region and is high in Turkey. The management of stone disease in children has improved dramatically over the last two decades. The high success rate of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) have led modern researchers to suggest that it be used as a first-line treatment of kidney stones greater than 2 cm in size. This study compared the outcomes, including morbidity and success rates, of different groups of pediatric patients who underwent PNL via pediatric- and adult-sized instruments. METHODS: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed in 194 children in a clinical setting between the years 2000 and 2015. Patients were categorized into 2 groups (group 1: pediatric-sized devices used, n = 90 [46.4%]; group 2: adult-sized devices used, n = 104 [53.6%]). The children in group 2 were further divided into subgroups: a 24 F nephroscope was used for group 2a (n = 84 [43.3%]) and a 26 F nephroscope was used for group 2b (n = 20 [10.3%]) (Figure). RESULTS: For this study, a total of 194 pediatric patients (99 boys and 95 girls ranging from 8 months to 17 years of age, with a mean age of 9.43 years) underwent PNL for the removal of kidney stones in a clinical setting. Between the examined groups, there were no significant differences in patient height or weight, stone site or localization, pre- and post-operative creatinine levels, duration of nephrostomy, or hospitalization time. There was also no significant variation in minor complications such as fever or urinary infection. However, the stone burden was notably smaller in the group wherein pediatric-sized nephroscopes were used. Additionally, the incidence of hemorrhage was markedly lower in groups where a 17 F nephroscope was used than in groups where treatment was administered via 24 and 26 F nephroscopes. CONCLUSIONS: Stone disease is considered to be relatively rare in childhood, but recent studies have indicated that it presents a considerable health problem. According to some researchers, a decrease in instrument size has not meaningfully reduced complication rates. In contrast, some studies have reported that the use of smaller sized nephroscopes may reduce rates of morbidity and mortality. In this study, success rates of PNL were similar across all groups, regardless of nephroscope size. However, the use of a 17 F nephroscope significantly decreased the rate of hematocrit level reduction (p < 0.001). While instrument size does not affect the success of PNL, smaller instruments can be used to reduce various complications such as bleeding.

Protective Effects of Molsidomine Against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin, an effective chemotherapeutic agent, is used for the treatment of several types of cancers. However, cisplatin has some severe side effects such as nephrotoxicity. On the other hand, molsidomine, a NO donor, has anti-oxidative and vasodilator effects. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate the protective effects of molsidomine on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into 4 groups as follows: (1) control; (2) received a single-dose intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 5 mg/kg cisplatin; (3) received single i.p. dose of molsidomine (4 mg/kg/day) for 3 consecutive days before cisplatin treatment; (4) received single i.p. dose of molsidomine (4 mg/kg/day) for 3 consecutive days. The specific biochemical markers, including antioxidants, and the histopathological alterations were evaluated. RESULTS: Cisplatin significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels and decreased glutathione peroxidase (GPX) level. Molsidomine significantly decreased MPO level nearly to control level; however, its ameliorating effects on MDA, SOD, CAT and GPX did not reach to significant levels. Cisplatin-induced elevation of blood-urea-nitrogen and serum-creatinine were diminished after molsidomine administration. Cisplatin also induced severe tubular degeneration, nuclear condensation, apoptosis and scattered patchy inflammation in the histological examination. Molsidomine improved all of these histological damages. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the beneficial effect of molsidomine against cisplatin nephrotoxicity has been evaluated for the first time.

The protective effect of apocynin on testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury.

PURPOSE: We investigated the protective effect of the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin on testicular damage induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Controls underwent left scrotal exploration only. The 3 groups with ischemia-reperfusion underwent 4-hour torsion followed by 1-hour detorsion. The ischemia-reperfusion only group underwent left testicular torsion and detorsion. The ischemia-reperfusion plus saline group underwent left testicular torsion, received 10 ml/kg saline intraperitoneally at minute 210 of ischemia and then underwent detorsion. The ischemia-reperfusion plus apocynin group underwent left testicular torsion, received 20 mg/kg apocynin intraperitoneally at minute 210 of ischemia and then underwent detorsion. We determined histopathological findings and performed specific biochemical analyses. RESULTS: In the ischemia-reperfusion only and the ischemia-reperfusion plus saline groups malondialdehyde, total oxidative capacity and the oxidative stress index were significantly higher. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione were significantly lower. Apocynin significantly decreased malondialdehyde, total oxidative capacity and the oxidative stress index, and significantly increased superoxide dismutase and catalase. There was a significantly increase in the number of giant, degenerated and desquamated cells in the ischemia-reperfusion group. Apocynin significantly improved these histological alterations. CONCLUSIONS: These histopathological and biochemical findings show the beneficial effects of apocynin on testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Primary Small Cell Carcinoma in Urinary Bladder: A Rare Case.

Small cell carcinoma of bladder, which does not have a common and accepted treatment protocol, is a rare and highly aggressive tumor. It is mostly pulmonary originated; however, it can rarely be seen in extrapulmonary sites. We presented an interesting and uncommon case, in which the transitional cell tumor was found in the transurethral resection specimen, but the small cell carcinoma was detected in the final radical cystectomy material.

The importance of instrument type in paediatric percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

We reported our experience with percutaneous nephrolithotomy in children and compared the outcomes, including the morbidity and success rates, regarding the instruments of different sizes. One hundred and seventy-three paediatric patients, who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy in our clinic between 1999 and 2013, were assessed. According to the size of instruments used during surgery, three different groups were formed and the pre- and postopeartive outcomes were compared between the groups. 76 girls and 97 boys with a mean age of 9.24 (≤ 17) years were assessed. Stone-free rates were 75.6 % in group 1 (n = 82) using 17 F nephroscope, 79.4 % in group 2 (n = 73) using 24 F nephroscope and 72.2 % in group 3 (n = 18) using 26 F nephroscope. Postoperative fever was seen in four, five and one patient in group 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Urinary infection was seen in one patient in group 1 and four patients in group 2. Mean haematocrit drop and stone burden were significantly lesser in group 1. No significant difference was seen in the duration of nephrostomy and hospitalization between the groups. The success rates obtained in the groups using different instrument types (paediatric or adult) were similar. However, age, weight, height, stone burden and bleeding were significantly lesser in group 1 that used paediatric type of instrument. As the most frequent complication of PNL, bleeding seems to be associated with stone burden, the diameter of dilatation and the calibre of instrument. To decrease the particular complications, paediatric type of instruments are convenient and do not affect the success.

Factors affecting complication rates of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in children: results of a multi-institutional retrospective analysis by the Turkish pediatric urology society.

PURPOSE: We assessed factors affecting complication rates of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated data on 1,205 renal units in 1,157 children treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy at 16 Turkish centers between 1991 and 2012. Of the patients 28.3% had a history of urolithiasis. Complications were evaluated according to the Satava classification system and modified Clavien grading system. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to determine predictive factors affecting complication rates. RESULTS: A total of 515 females and 642 males were studied. Mean ± SD patient age was 8.8 ± 4.7 years (range 4 months to 17 years). Mean ± SD stone size, operative time and postoperative hospital stay were 4.09 ± 4.06 cm(2), 93.5 ± 48.6 minutes and 5.1 ± 3.3 days, respectively. Postoperative stone-free rate was 81.6%. A total of 359 complications occurred in 334 renal units (27.7%). Complications were intraoperative in 118 cases and postoperative in 241. While univariate analysis revealed that stone history, positive urine culture, operative time, length of hospitalization, treatment success, punctured calyx and location of the stone significantly affected the complication rates (p <0.05), operative time, sheath size, mid calyceal puncture and partial staghorn formation were the statistically significant parameters affecting complication rates on multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is the treatment of choice for most renal calculi in children. The technique is effective and safe in children, with a high success rate and a low rate of major complications. The significant factors identified should be considered by clinicians to decrease associated complication rates.

Assessment of urinary incontinence in the women in eastern Turkey.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aims of the present study were to determine the types of UI among women visiting the urology department, to identify the potential risk factors associated with each type of UI, and to identify healthcare-seeking behaviors of affected women in our region. METHODS: The data of 617 community-dwelling women, who were at least 18 years of age or older and who presented with a complaint of UI ongoing over a year, and those without UI, who were admitted for any other reason, from June 2010 to April 2012, were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean age was 51.29 years (range 18-110 years); median parity was 3.54 (range 0-11) and 88.2% of the women were married. Mean BMI was 28.01 kg/m(2). Very few women (18.5%) accepted UI as a disease and searched for medical help by themselves; however, the remaining women (81.5%) were brought or directed for evaluation by someone else. Stress UI was reported by 43 women (10.5%), urge UI and mixed UI were noted by 153 (37.5%) and 212 (52%) women respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent type of UI was mixed UI in our region. Age, BMI, multiparity, and hypertension were identified to have a different importance for each type of UI, but diabetes mellitus, birth trauma, gynecological surgery, lumbar disc hernia (LDH), and multiple sclerosis (MS) were the other important related factors. However, a small number of patients accepted UI as a disease and searched for therapy. This reveals that the public should be informed in detail about female UI in developing countries.

The protective effects of apocynin on kidney damage caused by renal ischemia/reperfusion.

PURPOSE: This experimental study was designed to explore the protective effect of apocynin, the NADPH-oxidase inhibitor, on kidney damage induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in a rat model. METHODS: Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into a control group and three I/R groups (1-hour ischemia followed by 23-hour reperfusion). Three I/R groups were treated by apocynin (20 mg/kg, i.p.) at two different time points (before ischemia and during ischemia). The histopathological findings, including apoptotic changes, and also tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathion peroxidase (GPX), reduced glutathione (GSH), myeloperoxidase (MPO), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (Cr) levels, were determined. RESULTS: Kidney tissue MDA and MPO, and serum BUN and Cr levels were found to be significantly higher in the I/R group, but there was no statistically significant difference in the levels of SOD, CAT, GPX, and GSH between the I/R and the control groups. Although apocynin significantly reduced MDA and MPO in group 3 and increased GPX in both treatment groups when compared to the I/R group, the elevated BUN and Cr levels were significantly reduced in treatment groups. Renal I/R injury also induced extensive tubular necrosis, glomerular damage, and apoptosis in the histological evaluation. Apocynin, especially when used during ischemia, ameliorated these histological damages in different amounts in treatment groups. CONCLUSION: The beneficial effects of apocynin on renal I/R injury were evaluated for the first time.

Minimally invasive approaches and their efficacy in pediatric urolithiasis.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the frequency of usage and success of minimally invasive approaches in the management of pediatric urolithiasis in our clinic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from pediatric patients (≤16 years of age) who had undergone percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL), ureterorenoscopy (URS), and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) between January 2001 and December 2011 were retrospectively investigated. RESULTS: In this study, 415 pediatric patients, who were treated for 291 renal, and 124 ureteral stones, were evaluated. The patients were treated with PNL (n=148; 82 boys, 66 girls), URS (n=99; 58 boys, and 41 girls) or ESWL (n=168; 91 boys, and 77 girls). The mean patient ages were 7.3 (1-16), 9.1 (1-16), and 8.8 (1-16) years in the PNL, URS, and ESWL groups, respectively. The stone-free rates after treatment with PNL, URS, and ESWL were 77, 83.8 and 88.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: It is important that selected therapies are properly planned, and the use of minimally invasive approaches is important in pediatric patients due to potentially high recurrence rates. Currently, ESWL, PNL and URS are performed with high success rates for the treatment of stones, and open surgery is rarely used due to the success obtained with minimally invasive approaches.

Protective effect of dexpanthenol on ischemia-reperfusion-induced renal injury in rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This experimental study was designed to investigate protective and therapeutic effects of Dexpanthenol (Dxp), an alcoholic analogue of pantothenic acid, on kidney damage induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats. METHODS: Forty rats were randomly divided into a control group and 4 I/R groups (1 h ischemia followed by 23 h reperfusion). Three I/R groups were treated by Dxp (500 mg/kg, i.p.) at 3 different time points (before ischemia, during ischemia and late reperfusion). The histopathological findings including apoptotic changes, and also tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Cr) and albumin (Alb) levels were determined. RESULTS: Kidney tissue MDA levels were found to be significantly higher in the I/R group, whereas the values of GPX were lower when compared to the control group. The levels of SOD and CAT did not reach to statistical meaning level in I/R group. Dxp given during ischemia reduced the elevated MDA levels to the nearly control levels and this ameliorating effect was found as parallel to the result of GPX. Serum levels of BUN and Cr were significantly higher in I/R group. Dxp given during ischemia significantly reduced the elevated BUN and Cr levels when compared to I/R group. Renal I/R injury also induced extensive tubular necrosis, glomerular damage and apoptosis in the histological evaluation. Dxp ameliorated these histological damages in different amounts in all treatment groups. CONCLUSION: In this study the protective effects of Dxp against renal I/R injury has been evaluated for the first time.

Protective effect of decorin on acute ischaemia-reperfusion injury in the rat kidney.

INTRODUCTION: Transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) has a crucial role in collagen synthesis and fibrosis. TGF-ß1 can be antagonized and/or reduced by the action of certain agents. We propose to identify the role of decorin in treatment of tubular and interstitial fibrosis and in the inhibition of TGF-ß1 in an acute ischaemic kidney. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We grouped 34 female Sprague Dawley type rats into 3 groups as 9 sham, 9 ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) and 16 I/R + decorin respectively. The rats in the I/R + decorin group had decorin administered intraperitoneally at the dose of 0.1 mg/kg for 9 days after reperfusion. After 9 days, all the rats in the 3 groups were unilaterally nephrectomized. The TGF-ß1 level was measured immunohistochemically in the nephrectomized material. RESULTS: The TGF-ß1 level was lower in the I/R + decorin group. Evaluation of apoptotic activity level by caspase staining showed a statistically significant difference between the 3 groups. The number of caspase stained cells was lower in the I/R + decorin group. The amount of collagen in interstitial tissue was higher in the I/R group than in the I/R + decorin group, but this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the TGF-ß1 level - the so-called initiator of fibrotic activity - and apoptotic activity were low in the I/R + decorin group. Additional studies must be performed to understand the role of decorin in inhibition of TGF-ß1 and to assess decorin's routine use in acute renal ischaemia.

Efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for isolated lower caliceal stones in children compared with stones in other renal locations.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy for isolated lower caliceal calculi in a pediatric age group and compare it with that for isolated middle/upper caliceal and renal pelvic calculi. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 151 renal units in 126 children treated with ESWL for isolated caliceal and renal pelvic stones from March 1992 to February 2004. The stones were localized in the lower, middle/upper calices, and renal pelvis in 50, 26, and 75 renal units, respectively. The results were compared with respect to renal location and stone burden. RESULTS: The median patient age was 8 years (range 1 to 16). The median stone burden in the lower and middle/upper caliceal groups was significantly lower than in the renal pelvis group at 0.6, 0.6, and 1 cm2, respectively (P = 0.002). The overall stone-free rate was 62% for lower calices, 65.3% for middle/upper calices, and 80% for renal pelvis stones. For the group with a stone size greater than 2 cm2, the stone-free rate decreased to 33% in both lower and middle/upper calices; however, it was almost the same in the renal pelvis (81.8%). A highly significant relation was found between the stone burden and number of sessions (P < 0.001), but none between the stone burden and stone-free rate. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, ESWL was equally effective for stones in all locations. We recommend ESWL as the primary treatment of choice for stones less than 2.0 cm2 in all caliceal locations. For the management of caliceal stones greater than 2.0 cm2, prospective randomized trials comparing ESWL and percutaneous nephrolithotomy are necessary.

The impact of caliceal pelvic anatomy on stone clearance after shock wave lithotripsy for pediatric lower pole stones.

PURPOSE: The clearance rather than stone disintegration of lower pole stones after shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is significantly inferior according to the other localizations of the kidney. We retrospectively evaluated the impact of caliceal pelvic anatomy on stone clearance after SWL for pediatric lower pole stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 163 renal units (RUs) in children 16 years old or younger with SWL between March 1992 and February 2002. In 36 RUs stones were localized in the lower calices. All patients were treated with sedoanalgesia except 3 (8%) who were treated under general anesthesia. Patients were evaluated by excretory urography and ultrasonography 12 weeks after the last session, and were designated as stone-free or with residual stone. The lower infundibular length, width, length-to-width ratio, pelvic caliceal height and lower infundibulopelvic angle were determined on standard excretory urography before SWL. All measurements were done by 1 urologist who was unaware of the results. Statistical analysis was performed with chi-square, Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney U tests. ROC analysis was done to determine the cutoff points of caliceal anatomy measurements for stone clearance. RESULTS: We treated 36 RUs in 23 males and 10 females with isolated lower caliceal stones. Median patient age was 10.5 years (range 2 to 16). Median stone burden was 0.7 cm (range 0.2 to 4), and median number of shock waves and energy used for the entire patient population was 1,500 and 17.2 kV, respectively. Overall stone-free rates for the 36 RUs were 61% after a median treatment session of 1 (range 1 to 7) and retreatment rates were 39%. Of the patients rendered free of stones 13 (59%) were treated in a single SWL session and 9 (41%) underwent 2 or more sessions. Median lower infundibular length, width, length-to-width ratio and pelvic caliceal height in the stone-free and residual stone group were 25.5, 28.0 mm, 4.5, 5.0 mm, 6.4, 5.5 mm and 21.5, 21.5 mm, respectively (p = 0.810, 0.327, 0.511 and 0.511). Median lower infundibulopelvic angle in the stone-free and residual stone groups was 92.50 and 92.50 degrees, and 60.0 and 54.50 degrees, respectively (p = 0.860 and 0.089). On ROC analysis no parameter predicting stone-free rate and cutoff points of caliceal anatomy measurements for stone clearance was found. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that caliceal pelvic anatomy in pediatric lower pole stones has no significant impact on stone clearance after SWL. There was a highly significant relation between retreatment rates and stone burden, which should be considered for determining the treatment modality.