Introducing a New Smartphone Applied Semen Analyzer, SpermCell™: A Cross-Sectional Validation Study with a Comparative Analysis and a Mini Patient Questionnaire on a Large Sample Cohort.

(1) Background: Standard semen analysis methods may exhibit variability between observers and/or human error; therefore, additional methods are needed to overcome these handicaps. We aimed to present a new smartphone-applied semen analyzer, Sperm Cell™, investigate its diagnostic efficacy by comparing it with the standard analysis method, and determine its user-friendly nature. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a large sample cohort, including 102 men. Three semen analyses were performed for each semen sample. The first employed the standard manual method, whereas the others were smartphone-based analyses performed by technicians and patients. We compared major semen parameters between the three semen analyses. The user-friendly nature of the analyzer was also evaluated with a mini-questionnaire completed by the participants. (3) Results: The determined median sperm count, motile sperm count, and percentage of motile sperms, on standard manual semen analysis, were 50.00 × 106/mL (0-160 × 106/mL), 23.94 × 106/mL (0-108 × 106/mL) and 50.00% (0-73.00%), respectively. Median sperm count and motile sperm count were 50.52 × 106/mL (<1-150 × 106/mL) vs. 55.77 × 106/mL (<1-160 × 106/mL) and 23.34 × 106/mL (0-105 × 106/mL) vs. 23.53 × 106/mL (0-104 × 106/mL) for SpermCell™-based semen analysis performed by a technician and patients themselves, respectively. The percentages of motile sperms were 47.40% (0-67.00%) vs. 47.61% (0-80.20%), respectively. All the parameters were statistically similar between the three semen analysis methods (p > 0.05 for each). The SpermCell™ analysis results were correlated with the standard manual method with up to 0.85 correlation coefficients. Moreover, substantial diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were obtained in determining the oligospermia and asthenozoospermia via the device-based analyses performed by technician and patients. The mini-questionnaire results revealed that the analyzer is useful. (4) Conclusions: The novel smartphone-applied semen analyzer is a helpful tool with acceptable diagnostic accuracy in determining the major semen parameters. It can be used as an efficient at-home point-of-care testing method in the initial assessment of couples with infertility concerns.

The Significance of Serum C-Reactive Protein and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in Predicting the Diagnostic Outcomes of Renal Mass Biopsy Procedure.

This study aimed to investigate the predictive role of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on renal mass biopsy outcomes. A total of 71 patients with suspected kidney masses who underwent renal mass biopsy procedure between January 2017 and January 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. Pathological results after the procedure were obtained and pre-procedural serum CRP and NLR levels were extracted from the patients' data. The patients were grouped into benign and malignant pathology groups according to the histopathology results. The parameters were compared between the groups. Diagnostic role of the parameters in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values was also determined. Additionally, Pearson correlation analysis, and univariate and multivariate cox proportional hazard regression analyses were also performed to investigate the above association with tumor diameter and pathology results, respectively. At the end of the analyses, a total of 60 patients had malignant pathology on histopathological investigations of the mass biopsy specimens, whereas the remaining 11 patients had a benign pathological diagnosis. Significantly higher CRP and NLR levels were detected in the malignant pathology group. The parameters positively correlated with the malignant mass diameter, as well. Serum CRP and NLR determined the malignant masses before the biopsy with sensitivity and specificity of 76.6 and 81.8%, and 88.3 and 45.4%, respectively. Moreover, univariate and multivariate analyses showed that serum CRP level had a significant predictive value for malignant pathology (HR: 0.998, 95% CI: 0.940-0.967, P < 0.001 and HR: 0.951, 95% CI: 0.936-0.966, P < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, serum CRP and NLR levels were significantly different in patients with malignant pathology after renal mass biopsy compared to the patients with benign pathology. Serum CRP level, in particular, diagnosed malignant pathologies with acceptable sensitivity and specificity values. Additionally, it had a substantial predictive role in determining the malign masses prior the biopsy. Therefore, pre-biopsy serum CRP and NLR levels may be used to predict the diagnostic outcomes of renal mass biopsy in clinical practice. Further studies with larger cohorts can prove our findings in the future.

Prognostic Role of Long-Chain Acyl-Coenzyme A Synthetase Family Genes in Patients with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysis Confirmed with External Validation Cohorts.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to determine the prognostic role of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases (ACSLs) as a disease marker for kidney clear cell carcinoma (KIRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data were accessed via open access LinkedOmics database for KIRC. Provisional datasets were used for analysis as previously described and gene expression quantification data were downloaded. The corresponding clinical information of patients also were obtained from the database. Five ACSL family members, ACSL1, ACSL3, ACSL4, ACSL5, and ACSL6, were investigated in the TCGA-KIRC cohort. Xena browser, cBioPortal and UALCAN, and Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) databases were also used to confirm the results. External validation was performed using patient cohorts from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO-NCBI) database. Finally, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) was constructed based on the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database and visualized using Cytoscape software. RESULTS: Pathological T3-T4 stage tumors had significantly lower ACSL1 mRNA expression (P = .009). Patients with pathologically confirmed metastasis exhibited significantly lower expression, as well (P = .02). ACSL1 mRNA expression was associated with overall survival (OS) and negatively correlated with OS time. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that lower ACSL1 mRNA expression level was associated with mortality. Moreover, ACSL1 mRNA expression was exhibited significant difference in some VHL gene region mutations and PBRM1_p.R1010 mutation, and negatively correlated with HIF1-alpha mRNA expression (P < .001). Confirmatory analyses and external validation also revealed similar findings. CONCLUSION: Lowered ACSL1 mRNA expression is associated with worse tumor histopathology and poor overall survival in KIRC. It may be used for prognostic marker for KIRC.

Traditional Serrated Adenoma of the Urinary Bladder: The First Report.

A 71-year-old woman was hospitalized with hematuria and underwent cystourethroscopy. Cystourethroscopy revealed a polypoid bladder tumor. Histopathologic examination showed complex villiform growth pattern, slit-like serrations, and ectopic crypts lined by epithelium with eosinophilic cytoplasm, pseudostratified elongated nuclei, consistent with traditional serrated adenoma. Nephrogenic and intestinal metaplasia with severe inflammation were present in adjacent bladder mucosa. Molecular study of the polyp revealed mutation (p.G12V) in codon 12 of exon 2 of the KRAS gene. Traditional serrated adenoma is a rare type of colonic serrated polyp, making up less than 1% of the colonic polyps with a predilection to distal colon. In the literature, there is no traditional serrated adenoma reported outside the gastrointestinal tract. Here in we report the first extra-gastrointestinal traditional serrated adenoma within the bladder and bladder diverticulum, arising from intestinal metaplasia. The present study reports an additional information on molecular background of this unusual bladder polyp.

Altered kidney function induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection and acute kidney damage markers predict survival outcomes of COVID-19 patients: a prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Literature with regard to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated morbidities and the risk factors for death are still emerging. In this study, we investigated the presence of kidney damage markers and their predictive value for survival among hospitalized subjects with COVID-19. METHODS: Forty-seven participants was included and grouped as: 'COVID-19 patients before treatment', 'COVID-19 patients after treatment', 'COVID-19 patients under treatment in intensive care unit (ICU)', and 'controls'. Kidney function tests and several kidney injury biomarkers were compared between the groups. Cumulative rates of death from COVID-19 were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. The associations between covariates including kidney injury markers and death from COVID-19 were examined, as well. RESULTS: Serum creatinine and cystatin C levels, urine Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1)/creatinine ratio, and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI), CKD-EPI cystatin C, and CKD-EPI creatinine-cystatin C levels demonstrated significant difference among the groups. The most significant difference was noted between the groups 'COVID-19 patients before treatment' and 'COVID-19 patients under treatment in ICU'. Advancing age, proteinuria, elevated serum cystatin C, and urine KIM-1/creatinine ratio were all significant univariate correlates of death (p < 0.05, for all). However, only elevated urine KIM-1/creatinine ratio retained significance in an age, sex, and comorbidities adjusted multivariable Cox regression (OR 6.11; 95% CI: 1.22-30.53; p = 0.02), whereas serum cystatin C showing only a statistically non-significant trend (OR 1.42; 95% CI: 0.00-2.52; p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings clearly demonstrated the acute kidney injury related to COVID-19. Moreover, urine KIM-1/creatinine ratio was associated with COVID-19 specific death.

Effects of systemic androgens on late-stage urethral wound healing: An animal study.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data regarding the effects of systemic androgens on late-stage urethral wound healing. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of systemic androgens on fibrosis and scar formation in late-stage urethral wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups. First group consisted of 15 rats that were castrated on 23 days of age and were given 5 mg/kg testosterone undecanoate with 1/25 ml cottonseed oil intraperitoneally at weekly intervals for 3 weeks (castrated and replaced with testosterone rats [CAS+T] group). The castrated rats (CAS) group included 15 castrated rats. The remaining 15 rats underwent sham surgery. CAS and sham groups also received 1/25 ml cottonseed oil intraperitoneally at weekly intervals for 3 weeks. Furthermore, all groups were divided into three subgroups after testosterone/placebo administration (urethroplasty performed after first, second, and third weeks) in accordance with the urethroplasty timing. All animals were sacrificed 6 weeks after urethroplasty. Serum testosterone level was measured, tissue samples were investigated using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome. Alpha-SMA, Coll 1 and Coll 3 primary antibodies were applied for immunohistochemical examination. Expression of cytokines and growth factors, such as Bax, Bcl2, IL-10, IP-10, TNF-alpha, TGFb1, MMP9, Col-I, Col-III, TIMP-1, fibronectin, fibroblast growth factor 10, platelet-derived growth factor, alpha-SMA, were also evaluated in the tissues. RESULTS: The blood testosterone levels were significantly higher in CAS+T group at the time of urethroplasty compared with the levels in CAS group; however, this difference was not observed at the time of sacrification (p < 0.001 and 0.97, respectively). Histological analysis with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining revealed a significantly higher fibrosis in the sham group compared with the others. Significantly lower fibrosis was detected in the CAS group in the pairwise comparison of the pathological fibrosis area between the CAS and CAS+T groups (p < 0.001). Furthermore, tissue collagen-1, collagen-3, and alpha-SMA expression levels were statistically different between CAS and CAS+T groups (p < 0.001, <0.05, and <0.001, respectively). The tissue levels of BAX, TIM-1, MMP-9, Coll-I, Coll-III, TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-10 mRNA expressions in the CAS+T group were different than the levels in CAS group (as <0.5-fold and >1.5-fold changes, respectively). The expressions of all these markers were significantly higher in the sham group. The subgroup analysis of CAS+T group (urethroplasty performed after first, second, and third weeks) revealed similar histopathological wound healing findings. DISCUSSION: Debate continues on the effects and benefits of androgen use regarding urethral healing. There are two main routes for administration as systemic or local. This study focuses on the late-stage histologic and biochemical effects of systemic androgens. CONCLUSION: Systemic androgens adversely affect wound healing and cause abnormal extracellular matrix as well as scar formation.

Tissue neutrophil elastase contributes to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy-induced kidney damage and the neutrophil elastase inhibitor, sivelestat, attenuates kidney damage with gratifying immunohistopathological and biochemical findings: an experimental study.

Although the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has been well established within the literature, debate continues on the safety of the procedure while focusing on cellular injury and its long-term consequences. Here, we describe the role of neutrophil elastase (NE) in ESWL-related rat kidney damage and investigate the protective effects of sivelestat, an inhibitor of NE, during the early and late phases. Four groups including control, ESWL alone, ESWL with sivelestat 50 mg/kg and ESWL with treatment of 100 mg/kg, each consisting of ten rats were created. Biochemical parameters of kidney function and damage and immunohistopathological findings were compared in the early (72 h after ESWL) and late (1 week after ESWL) periods between the groups. During the early period, serum and urine creatinine levels and urine kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) levels and the KIM-1/creatinine ratio increased in rats treated with ESWL compared to the control group. Furthermore, increased tissue inflammation, ductal dilatation and hemorrhage, and glomerular, tubular, and interstitial damage with increased NE staining were also detected in the ESWL treatment group. During the late phase, although urine KIM-1 levels remained stable at high levels, other parameters showed significant improvements. On the other hand, the administration of sivelestat 50 mg/kg decreased serum creatinine and urine KIM-1 and KIM-1/creatinine levels significantly in rats treated with ESWL, during the early and late periods. Significant decreases in tissue inflammation, tubular, and interstitial tissue damage were also observed during the early period. In conclusion, ESWL-related kidney tissue damage occurs primarily during the early period, and NE is involved in this process. On the other hand, the NE inhibitor sivelestat attenuated this ESWL-induced kidney damage.

The clinical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily urological practice: first 3-month multicenter results from Istanbul

Background/aim: The aim of this paper was to determine the general tendencies of urology patients and effect of COVID-19 pandemic on daily urological practice at tertiary centers located in the most affected area in Turkey. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 39,677 patients (group 1) that applied to 6 different large-volume tertiary centers in Istanbul for outpatient consultation, surgery, or other procedures in the 3-month period between March 16 and June 14, 2020. The distribution of the number of patients who applied to subspecialty sections of urology outpatient clinics and inpatient services were recorded by weeks. That data was compared to data obtained from 145,247 patients that applied to the same centers in the same period of the previous year (group 2). The reflection of worldwide and Turkish COVID-19 case distribution on the daily urological practice was analyzed. Results: There was a decrease in the number of patients in all subspecialty sections the in group 1 compared to group 2; however, there was a significant proportional increase in urooncology and general urology admissions. A decrease of approximately 75% was observed in the total number of surgeries (p < 0.001). We detected a negative correlation between the numbers of admission to all outpatient clinics and COVID-19 cases or deaths in Turkey (p < 0.05). The same negative correlation was present for all surgical procedures and consultations (p < 0.05). The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the number of cases in Turkey, and the number of deaths worldwide affect the number of outpatient clinic admissions (R2 = 0.38, p = 0.028) and urological surgery (R2 = 0.33, p = 0.020) in Turkey negatively. Conclusion: This novel pandemic has implications even for urology practice. Urological surgical procedures were more affected by COVID-19-related deaths in Turkey and worldwide. Outpatient admissions and urological surgeries decreased significantly by increasing COVID-19 case numbers in Turkey and worldwide deaths.

Effects of ozone treatment on penile erection capacity and nitric oxide synthase levels in diabetic rats.

We aimed to determine the effects of ozone treatment on functional and biochemical changes in corpus cavernosum of diabetic rats. A total of 18 rats were included in the study. The rats were divided into the three groups as control, diabetes mellitus, and diabetes mellitus + ozone therapy groups. In the latter, ozone gas mixture was administered intraperitoneally for 2 weeks after the induction of experimental diabetes model. Erectile response was evaluated by determining mean intracavernosal pressure. Tissue neuronal, inducible and endothelial nitric oxide synthase levels were evaluated with commercial ELISA kits. Immunohistochemical evaluation was also performed to determine the expression levels of nitric oxide synthases semiquantatively. Mean intracavernosal pressure and intracavernosal pressure/systemic arterial blood pressure ratio were significantly higher in the diabetes mellitus + ozone therapy group than those of diabetes mellitus group (24.57 ± 6.36 mmHg vs. 5.98 ± 2.04 mmHg, p = 0.005 and 0.81 ± 0.16 vs. 0.26 ± 0.11, p = 0.0001, respectively). The level of penile tissue endothelial nitric oxide synthase was significantly higher in diabetes mellitus + ozone therapy group compared with others (19.28 ± 3.40 ng/mL vs. 13.47 ± 2.06 ng/mL and 13.28 ± 1.48 ng/mL, P = 0.01). Endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression increased significantly with ozone therapy. Our results suggest that ozone therapy may be beneficial in reducing the negative effects of diabetes on erectile dysfunction as a result of enhanced enzymatic activity in endothelial nitric oxide synthase levels.

Conservative Management of the Duodenal Injury during Percutaneous Nephrostomy Placement: A Few and Far between Complications of the Urological Literature.

Herein, we reported a duodenal perforation case as an intestinal injury during a percutaneous nephrostomy procedure. A 73-year-old woman with bilateral nephrostomy catheters was applied to the emergency service with right flank pain. Early in the day, her bilateral nephrostomy catheters had been changed. On physical examination, she had a defense and rebound at her right quadrant, and costovertebral angle tenderness was also positive. In the contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography scan, the right nephrostomy catheter was located in the second part of the duodenum, and the contrast agent did not leak into the peritoneum from the injury area. We decided on conservative management of the case with active surveillance using daily blood tests and physical examinations. The nephrostomy catheter in the duodenum was left to prevent fistula between the duodenum and the skin, and a new one was placed in the right kidney. The broad spectrum antibiotherapy regime was applied, and the patient was followed up closely. The catheter in the duodenum was removed on the 20th day, uneventfully, and the patient was discharged successfully on the 24th day with her permanent bilateral nephrostomy tubes. On the first follow-up, one month later, the patient had no active medical complaint.

Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 in semen samples and the effects of COVID-19 on male sexual health by using semen analysis and serum male hormone profile: A cross-sectional, pilot study.

The study investigated whether there is a male reproductive system coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) phenomenon. Thirty participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study between April and May 2020. The participants were assigned in one of the three groups including COVID-19 patients before and after treatment, and controls. Presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within the semen samples was investigated. Additionally, participant's demographics, semen parameters and serum sex hormone levels were compared between the groups. SARS-CoV-2 was not detected within the semen samples. Sperm morphology and serum sex hormone levels were significantly different between the groups. In the post hoc analysis, sperm morphology was significantly lower in the COVID-19 patients. Patients before treatment had significantly lower serum FSH, LH and T levels than controls. However, patients after treatment had similar serum FSH, LH and T levels with controls and patients before treatment. In our opinion, COVID-19 and its treatment had no specific deteriorative effect on male sexual health at a short-time period. In the patients before treatment, decreased serum of T, FSH and LH levels was consistent with acute patient stress due to COVID-19. Similarly, it seems that decreased sperm morphology was associated with the acute fever.

The urological practice and contribution to the general health system of the EBU accredited urology clinic during the first month of COVID-19 pandemic: An analysis from a tertiary center declared as a national COVID-19 pandemic hospital in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the overall healthcare performance of our re-organized urology clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review of our department data was conducted between March 20, 2020, and April 16, 2020. All consecutive patients who received healthcare in both urology and emergency COVID-19 clinics by urologists during this period were included. We classified our healthcare into 4 categories: 1) Standard urological outpatient clinic procedures, 2) Urological emergency procedures, 3) Standard inpatient treatment clinic procedures and specific inpatient treatment clinic procedures for COVID-19 suspected cases, and 4) Specific emergency clinic procedures for COVID-19. Epidemiologic data and patient characteristics were analyzed using independent t test and chi-square test. RESULTS: Overall, the data of 990 patients were evaluated. Of these patients, 344 were seen in standard urology outpatient clinic and 212 were transferred from COVID-19 emergency clinic and hospitalized because of suspected COVID-19 infection. In the COVID-19 emergency clinic, 361 patients were seen by urologists in different shifts. Our workload was on behalf of COVID-19 cases. In our COVID-19 experience, there were no statistically significant differences between our suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients in terms of mean age, sex and age periods (p=0.30, p=0.77, and p=0.78, respectively). CONCLUSION: We successfully contributed to the national COVID-19 management program. In our opinion, each department should create a customized action plan instead of a standardized approach during the COVID-19 pandemic or potential public emergencies in the future.

Prediction of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer recurrence during intravesical BCG immunotherapy by use of peripheral blood eosinophil count and percentage: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether there is an association between blood eosinophil count and percentage with the recurrence of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) during Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) maintenance therapy with our preliminary results. METHODS: A total of 53 patients with NMIBC underwent BCG immunotherapy between January 2015 and September 2018, and met our inclusion criteria were included in the study. The parameters age, gender, smoking status, comorbidity, blood neutrophil, lymphocyte and eosinophil counts, blood eosinophil percentage, previous single postoperative intravesical chemotherapy instillation, tumor characteristic, and total and maintenance dose numbers of BCG were extracted from our medical records and compared between patients with response and with recurrence. RESULTS: Blood eosinophil count and percentage were significantly higher in patients with recurrence compared to patients with response (0.263 ± 0.37 vs. 0.0134 ± 0.021, p = 0.01 and 0.31 ± 0.29 vs. 0.17 ± 0.27, p = 0.01). Other parameters were similar in patients with recurrence and response. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed a considerable diagnostic value of blood eosinophil count and percentage in the prediction of bladder cancer recurrence during BCG immunotherapy. CONCLUSION: Blood eosinophil count and percentage in patients with NMIBC can predict the disease recurrence during the BCG immunotherapy. Our research raised new questions and assumptions about the role of eosinophils during BCG immunotherapy.

Effects of flexible ureteroscopy on kidney: A prospective clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of flexible ureteroscopy (F-URS) on the operated side of a kidney by assessing the renal damage markers, urine neutrophil gelatinase-related lipocalin (NGAL) and serum cystatin-C (Cys-C), and overall kidney function with the measurements of standard serum creatinine and urine albumin and protein levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients who underwent F-URS for treatment of upper urinary stone disease were prospectively evaluated. Preoperative serum urea, creatinine, and Cys-C levels were noted. Levels of urine albumin, protein, creatinine, and NGAL in spot urine samples from the operated side of a kidney obtained through the access sheath preoperatively and through the ureteral catheter 1 and 24 hours postoperatively were also measured. Preoperative and postoperative parameter levels were statistically compared. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 46.6±15.9 years. The mean operative and fluoroscopy times were 90.67±32.5 and 3.15±1.43 minutes, respectively. The urine creatinine, albumin, protein, albumin/creatinine, and protein/creatinine levels were similar in preoperative and postoperative periods. Postoperative serum urea, creatinine, and Cys-C levels and urine NGAL and NGAL/creatinine levels were not also found with remarkable changes from the baseline levels. CONCLUSION: F-URS is a safe therapeutic intervention in the treatment of urolithiasis, especially regarding renal damage, and functional outcomes.

Laparoscopic and robotic transperitoneal repair of retrocaval ureter: A comparison of the surgical outcomes from two centres with a comprehensive literature review.

Background: The use of minimally invasive surgical approaches for the repair of retrocaval ureter (RCU) has been increased in time. However, the results of the robotic approach have not yet been compared with those of open or laparoscopic approaches. We aimed to compare the results of laparoscopic and robotic transperitoneal repair of RCU from two centres. Patients and Methods: Initially, we performed a systemic literature search using MEDLINE/PubMed and Google Scholar about the RCU. Finally, a comparison of the efficacy and outcomes of the laparoscopic and robotic transperitoneal approaches for RCU repair was performed with the results of two centers. Results: The mean age was 27.5 ± 3.6 years. The mean operative time was 147 ± 63.6 min. The median estimated blood loss was 100 (20-423.9) ml. The median drain removing time and hospital stay were 2 (2-3) and 3 (2-4) days, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 17.85 ± 14.6 months. All of the parameters were similar between the laparoscopic and robotic repair groups except for the mean operative time. It was significantly shorter in robotic repair group than those of laparoscopic repair group (P = 0.02). Furthermore, a ureteral stricture of the anastomotic segment was detected in a patient treated with laparoscopy during the follow-up. Conclusions: Robotic transperitoneal approach may shorten the operative time enabling a greater comfort in repair of RCU.

Improving the diagnosis of high grade and stage bladder cancer by detecting increased urinary calprotectin expression in tumor tissue and tumor-associated inflammatory response.

Purpose: To investigate whether measurement of urinary calprotectin can serve as a biomarker in the diagnosis of primary bladder cancer and to confirm its diagnostic role in determining high grade and stage disease. Materials and Methods: Urinary calprotectin was measured in spot urine samples from patients with primary bladder cancer and control subjects. To confirm levels in urine, tissue samples were also obtained from bladder tumor and healthy trigone of bladder by transurethral resection in both groups. Finally, calprotectin levels in tissue and urine of the patients and control subjects were compared and their diagnostic potential was investigated in high grade and stage bladder cancers. Results: Of 82 participants, 52 were patients with bladder cancer and 30 were control subjects. The two groups were comparable in terms of age, smoking status, and comorbidities. Tissue and urinary calprotectin levels were significantly higher in the bladder cancer group. In subgroup analyses, urinary calprotectin levels were significantly higher in patients with high-grade, muscle-invasive tumors. After receiver operating characteristic analyses, the sensitivity and specificity of urinary calprotectin was 100% and 96.7%, respectively, in the diagnosis of primary bladder cancer. High grade and stage bladder cancers were detected with sensitivity and specificity of 70% and 74.2%, and 80% and 84.8%, respectively. Conclusions: Urinary calprotectin may be a valuable parameter in the diagnosis of primary bladder cancer with high sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, it may be useful in the prediction of high grade and stage disease. However, more investigations are needed.

The Use of Three Different Hemostatic Agents during Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy: A Comparison of Surgical and Early Renal Functional Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effects of three different hemostatic agents on surgical and early renal functional outcomes after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 126 cases of LPN performed between November 2008 and September 2016 were enrolled in this study. Spongostan™ Absorbable Hemostatic Gelatin Sponge (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ, USA) or Surgicel® Original Absorbable Hemostat (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ, USA), or a total of 5 mL of Floseal® Hemostatic Matrix (Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield, IL) was used for additional hemostasis. According to the hemostatic agent used, patients were divided into three groups; and patient characteristics, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, tumor characteristics, perioperative parameters, serum creatinine levels, and complications were compared among these three groups. RESULTS: Age, BMI, ASA score, tumor characteristics, operative time, warm ischemia time, complication rates, and length of hospital stay were similar among the groups, whereas estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the Floseal Group (p=0.01). Postoperative serum creatinine levels and differences between preoperative and postoperative serum creatinine levels were also similar among the groups. CONCLUSION: The type of hemostatic agent used in LPN may affect the estimated blood loss. However, it has no substantial effect on other surgical parameters and early renal functional outcomes.

The use of serum zinc to prostate-specific antigen ratio as a biomarker in the prediction of prostate biopsy outcomes.

AIM: To generate a combination of serum zinc (Zn) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in an attempt to provide better prediction of prostate biopsy outcomes with Zn/PSA ratios. MATERIALS & METHODS: Diagnostic performances of PSA and Zn/PSA were investigated using receiver operating characteristic and the area under the curve analysis and McNemar test in 480 men. Decision curve analysis was also used to determine the net clinical benefits of the two parameters. RESULTS: The receiver operating characteristic-area under the curve analysis established a similar diagnostic performance for both parameters. Although Zn/PSA had a higher diagnostic sensitivity, PSA was superior in terms of specificity and net clinical benefits. CONCLUSION: Zn/PSA has no substantial superiority in the prediction of prostate biopsy outcomes.