Malignant mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis: an extremely rare case presenting without risk factors.

Testicular tumours have many different manifestations, including hydrocele formation. Herein, we present an extremely rare case of testicular mesothelioma presenting with left hydrocele, but without risk factors. Left radical inguinal orchidectomy was performed, and pathological examination revealed a malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis of the testis. No infiltration of the spermatic cord was evident, and upon advanced radiological evaluation, no sign of metastasis was detected. Follow-up was still ongoing in our urology outpatient clinic at the time of this report. Although hydrocele is a simple and common condition that is easy to diagnose, a detailed investigation should be performed. Thus, when encountering a patient with hydrocele, the clinician should evaluate the possibility of the presence of an underlying testicular/paratesticular tumour, including a rare one such as mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis.

Histomorphometric evaluation of the effect of systemic and topical ozone on alveolar bone healing following tooth extraction in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of systemic and topical ozone applications on alveolar bone healing following tooth extraction. One hundred and twelve male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups of 14 rats each; seven groups were experimental (A-G) and one formed the control group (K). The experimental groups were further divided into two sub-groups, with seven rats in each - sacrificed on days 14 and 28 (subgroups 1 and 2). The maxillary right central incisors were extracted under general anaesthesia following the administration of local anaesthesia. After sacrifice, semi-serial histological sections were prepared, and mineralized and trabecular bone and osteoid and osteoblast surfaces were measured. Measurements of the trabecular bone showed statistically higher values in the groups treated with systemic ozone (D(2): 50.01 ± 2.12; E(2): 49.03 ± 3.03; F(2): 48.76 ± 2.61; G(2): 50.24 ± 3.37) than in the groups that underwent topical ozone administration (A(2): 46.01 ± 3.07; B(2): 46.79 ± 3.09; C(2): 47.07 ± 2.12; P = 0.030 (G(2)-A(2), G(2)-B(2), G(2)-C(2))). Within the limitations of the current study, it may be concluded that postoperative long-term systemic ozone application can accelerate alveolar bone healing following extraction. However, additional studies are required to clarify the effects of the different ozone applications on new bone formation.

Indications for intraoperative frozen section in robot assisted radical prostatectomy: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate indications for intraoperative frozen section (IFS) during robot assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) in our series. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospectively documented 80 patients with prostate cancer (PCa) who underwent RALRP were evaluated between June 2010 and July 2012. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether systematically IFS was performed or not. Group 1 (n=66) consisted of patients on whom systematic IFS was performed, Group 2 (n=14) consisted of patients on whom IFS was not performed. All recorded data evaluated and statistical analyses were performed for determining indications and predictive factors for IFS during RALRP. All patients were operated by single surgeon and IFS, pathological assessments were performed by experienced uro-pathologist. Statistical significant p value was p < 0.05. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 15±6 (25-4) months. Pre-operative prostate volume in trans- rectal ultrasonography (TRUS) was statistically higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (p = 0.037). The other parameters were statistically similar in both groups. According to outcomes of our study IFS was a dependent factor for positive surgical margin. Additionally, the cut off value of prostate volume in TRUS for IFS was 55.5 cc for IFS. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative measured prostate volume in TRUS may be an indicator of IFS. Therefore, more accurate information may be given to patients with prostate cancer (Pca) before RALRP by using preoperative prostate volume in TRUS.

The consistency of Gleason scores may effect the operation outcomes for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a single surgeon and a single pathologist data.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the effects of consistency in preoperative and postoperative Gleason scores to the operation outcomes in patients who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 204 of 347 patients were included the study. 143 patients whose preoperative prostate biopsies were evaluated in the other Institute were not included into the study. The preoperative data of patients and operation outcomes were investigated from institute's files of patients. Patients were divided to three groups by using consistence of pre and postoperative Gleason scores. The tumor, node and metastasis classification were used for staging prostate cancer. RESULTS: Mean age was 63 and the mean PSA level was 11 ng/dl overall. In statistical analysis PSA levels, Gleason score and rate of positive score were significantly low in Group I (p < 0.05). As in operative data, nerve sparing surgical technique was performed statistical significance higher in Group 1 than other Groups. External bleeding rate of Group II was significantly lower than the other Groups. In univariate and multivariate analysis, postoperative pathologic stage was statistical significant for consistency of pre and postoperative Gleason scores. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Gleason scoring system is safe and usable for evaluating prostate biopsies and operative specimens. The consistency in pre and postoperative Gleason score effect the operation technique and also operation outcomes. Working with an experienced uro-pathologist provides to inform patients more accurate and better.

Therapeutic effect of combination of alagebrium (ALT-711) and sildenafil on erectile function in diabetic rats.

Recently, the relationship between advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and erectile dysfunction (ED) has been reported. The present study aimed to investigate whether a combination of an AGE cross-link breaker (alagebrium/ALT-711) and sildenafil could enhance the erectile capacity in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Additionally, we assessed the effect of that treatment option on some molecules that have been suggested to have crucial roles in AGE-related ED pathways. Four groups of animals were utilized: (1) age-matched control rats, (2) STZ-induced diabetic rats (40 mg kg(-1) i.p.), (3) STZ rats+sildenafil (5 mg kg(-1) p.o.), (4) STZ rats treated with a combination of sildenafil (5 mg kg(-1) p.o)+alagebrium/ALT-711 (10 mg kg(-1) p.o.) for the final 1 month of the 2 months of diabetes period. At 2 months after i.p. injection of STZ, all animals underwent cavernosal nerve stimulation (CNS) to assess erectile function. Penile tissue AGEs, MDA (malondialdehyde), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) (ELISA), endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS), inducible NO synthase (iNOS) (western blot), nuclear factor (NF)-κB, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (immunohistochemistry) and apoptosis (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling) analyses were performed in all groups of rats. STZ diabetic rats had a significant decrease in erectile function as determined by the peak intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and total ICP (area under the erectile curve) after CNS when compared with control rats (P<0.05). The increase in both ICP and area under the erectile curve of STZ diabetic rats treated with a combination of sildenafil+alagebrium/ALT-711 as well as in STZ diabetic rats treated with sildenafil alone was significantly greater than STZ diabetic rats. Additionally, combination treatment decreased AGE, MDA, iNOS, NF-κB, MAP kinase and apoptosis levels, whereas it preserved cGMP contents in diabetic penile tissue. Decreased AGE, MDA, iNOS, NF-κB, MAP kinase and increased cGMP levels at the combination (sildenafil+alagebrium/ALT-711) therapy group increased both the peak ICP and total ICP to CNS in the STZ diabetic rats, which was similar to the response observed in control rats. These results may explain the role of AGEs in diabetes-related ED and the effect of an AGE cross-link breaker alagebrium/ALT-711+sildenafil therapy on some critical molecules related to AGE-related ED pathways.

Varicocele-induced testicular dysfunction may be associated with disruption of blood-testis barrier.

The objective of this study was to examine E-cadherin and alpha-catenin expression at the junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells in testicular specimens from patients with varicocele in order to determine the presence of a possible link between blood-testis barrier and pathophysiology of varicocele. A total of 51 testicular biopsies were obtained from 28 infertile men with unilateral or bilateral varicocele. Twenty-three patients had bilateral and 5 had unilateral varicocele, Grade I varicocele was detected in 30 (59%), grade II in 15 (29%) and grade III in 6 (12%) patients. Abnormal expression of E-cadherin and alpha-catenin at the junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells was demonstrated in 100% and 90% of the patients with varicocele, respectively. In those with grade I-III varicocele, the mean E-cadherin and alpha-catenin expression were 7.6 +/- 11.4 and 39 +/- 36; 7.6 +/- 0.0 and 49 +/- 30; 8.3 +/- 9.3 and 58 +/- 33, respectively, but the difference was not significant. Reduced E-cadherin and alpha-catenin expression at the junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells may be associated with disruption of blood-testis barrier in varicocele.