Incidence of benign results after laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Studies of patients with benign pathologic lesions who underwent laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) with preoperative suspicion of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma are lacking. The aim of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to evaluate the incidence of benign pathologic lesions on laparoscopic RNU for upper urinary tract tumors that are presumed to be urothelial carcinoma. The clinicopathologic characteristics of these lesions were also determined.

METHODS

Between January 2004 and December 2010, 244 patients underwent laparoscopic RNU for possible upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma at our institute. Seven (2.9%) had benign lesions at the final pathologic examination. The preoperative features of these patients were investigated, including imaging findings, urine cytologic results, and ureteroscopic findings.

RESULTS

The 7 patients comprised 5 men and 2 women. The lesions were located in the ureter in 5 patients and in the renal pelvis in 2. All patients underwent preoperative voided urine cytology and cystoscopy. Two patients underwent preoperative ureteroscopy. In 1 patient, definite pathologic lesions were not identified in the surgical specimen. Urinary tract tuberculosis was diagnosed in 1 patient, inflammatory pseudotumor in 2, and fibroepithelial polyps in 1. In 2 patients, stones were detected (stone with atypical papillary urothelial hyperplasia and polypoid ureteritis with ureter stone, respectively) after laparoscopic RNU.

CONCLUSION

Benign pathologic lesions were detected in 7 patients (2.9%) who had undergone laparoscopic RNU for upper urinary tract tumors that were presumed to be urothelial carcinoma. The description of these false-positive cases will help improve the preoperative counseling of these patients.

Three-Dimensional Printing: Basic Principles and Applications in Medicine and Radiology

The advent of three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology has enabled the creation of a tangible and complex 3D object that goes beyond a simple 3D-shaded visualization on a flat monitor. Since the early 2000s, 3DP machines have been used only in hard tissue applications. Recently developed multi-materials for 3DP have been used extensively for a variety of medical applications, such as personalized surgical planning and guidance, customized implants, biomedical research, and preclinical education. In this review article, we discuss the 3D reconstruction process, touching on medical imaging, and various 3DP systems applicable to medicine. In addition, the 3DP medical applications using multi-materials are introduced, as well as our recent results.

Comparison of renal functional outcomes in exactly matched pairs between robot-assisted partial nephrectomy using warm ischemia and open partial nephrectomy using cold ischemia using diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid renal scintigraphy

PURPOSE

To compare renal functional outcomes in patients with a small renal mass undergoing robot-assisted partial nephrectomy using warm ischemia (wRAPN) or open partial nephrectomy using cold ischemia (cOPN).

METHODS

This study included 185 patients who underwent partial nephrectomy and were assessed by preoperative and postoperative diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid renal scintigraphy. Variables associated with postoperative operated-side glomerular filtration rate decrement (ΔGFR) were assessed using multivariate analysis. Exact 1:1 propensity score matching was performed using variables related to ΔGFR. Furthermore, 30 patients who underwent wRAPN were matched with 30 patients who underwent cOPN, and their differences in ΔGFR were calculated.

RESULTS

Patients who underwent cOPN were older (p = 0.025) and had shorter ischemia time (p < 0.001) than patients who underwent wRAPN. Multivariate analysis showed that surgical method, preoperative operated-side GFR and RENAL nephrometry score were significantly associated with operated-side ΔGFR. After propensity score matching, postoperative 3-month (14.8 vs. 7.3 mL/min/1.73 m(2), p = 0.057) and 1-year operated-side ΔGFR (11.4 vs. 2.8 mL/min/1.73 m(2), p = 0.031) was higher after wRAPN than after cOPN in patients with ischemia time ≥25 min, but did not differ in patients with ischemia time <25 min. Within the matched pairs, cOPN resulted in lower operated-side ΔGFR than wRAPN in patients with ischemia time ≥25 min (-6.9 mL/min/1.73 m(2), p = 0.047). Moreover, total GFR decrement was slightly lower with cOPN than with wRAPN (-7.2 mL/min/1.73 m(2), p = 0.086).

CONCLUSIONS

cOPN was superior to wRAPN in patients with a small renal mass and ischemia time ≥25 min. However, wRAPN yielded renal functional outcomes comparable to those of cOPN when ischemia time was <25 min.

Impact of tumor location on local recurrence after nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma: Implications for adjuvant radiotherapy

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Background: To date, risk factors for local recurrence after complete removal of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) have not been clearly identified. We evaluated the impact of tumor location on local recurrence in UTUC patients underwent radical nephroureterectomy. Methods: Among UTUC patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy between 1998 and 2012, 192 (54.4%) patients with renal pelvic tumor and 161 (45.6%) patients with ureter tumor were included. Local recurrence was divided into regional lymph node recurrence (LNR) and surgical bed recurrence (SBR). The significance of tumor location and other variables on local recurrence were evaluated. Results: Lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.003), carcinoma in situ (p = 0.006) and high grade tumor (p < 0.001) were more common in ureter tumor. During median follow-up period of 73 months, local recurrence was occurred in 33 (9.3%) patients. Among subtype of local recurrence, SBR (8.1 vs. 2.1%, p = 0.011) were more common in patients with ureter tumor compared to renal pelvic tumor although the probability of regional LNR was not significantly different according to tumor location (7.5% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.088). 5-year local recurrence-free survival (80.5% vs. 94.2%, p = 0.002), LNR-free survival (89.8 vs. 96.5%, p = 0.046) and SBR-free survival (88.3% vs. 97.6%, p = 0.005) were inferior in ureter tumor compared to renal pelvic tumor. Ureter tumor (HR; 2.552, p = 0.017), high grade tumor (HR; 3.064, p = 0.016) and advanced tumor stage (≥T3) (HR; 3.236, p = 0.002) were associated with local recurrence. Ureter tumor (HR; 4.704, p = 0.002) and advanced tumor stage (HR; 4.840, p = 0.006) were risk factors for SBR. However, tumor location was not associated with LNR although lymphovascular invasion (HR; 5.451, p < 0.001) and high grade tumor (HR; 4.191, p = 0.012) were related with LNR. Conclusions: Ureter located tumor was associated with local recurrence which comes from the SBR. Adjuvant radiotherapy or surgical technique for reducing the risk of SBR should be considered in patients with ureter tumor.

Interband cascade lasers with long lifetimes

Narrow-ridge interband cascade lasers were subjected to accelerated aging. The aging curves were statistically evaluated by a log-normal distribution of the failure time, and by the mixed effects of the degradation parameters. Based on 10,000 h of output power trend data for lasers operating at 90°C and the maximum cw power, an unexpectedly long lifetime is predicted. The projected lifetimes range from about 500,000 h (57 years) for the linear degradation model to 183,000 h (21 years) for the exponential one.

Generation of Charged Nanoparticles During Thermal Evaporation of Silver at Atmospheric Pressure

The generation of charged silver nanoparticles in the gas phase during thermal evaporation of silver at atmospheric pressure was confirmed by the nano-differential mobility analyzer (DMA). Effects of the evaporation temperature, the nitrogen gas flow rate and the amount of silver to be evaporated on the size distribution of charged nanoparticles (CNPs) were examined. Both positively and negatively-charged nanoparticles were generated under all processing conditions adopted in this study. The deposition behavior of CNPs was affected by the gas flow, which is affected by the temperature gradient in the reactor and by the applied electric bias. The electric bias, which not only enhanced the film growth rate but also produced a much denser film surface, turned out to be an important process parameter under the condition where an appreciable amount of CNPs is generated.

Gain and loss as a function of current density and temperature in interband cascade lasers

We characterize the internal efficiency, internal loss, and optical gain versus current density in 7-stage interband cascade lasers operating at λ=3.1 and 3.45 μm using a cavity-length study of the external differential quantum efficiency (EDQE) and threshold current density at temperatures between 300 and 345 K. We find that the pronounced efficiency droop of the EDQE at high current densities is primarily due to an increase in the internal loss rather than a reduction in the internal efficiency. On the other hand, if the current density J is fixed, the temperature variation of the EDQE at that J is due primarily to a decrease of the internal efficiency. The gain versus current density is fit well by a logarithmic relationship, although the magnitude of the experimental gain is >20% below the theoretical estimate.

Synergistic anticancer efficacy of MEK inhibition and dual PI3K/mTOR inhibition in castration-resistant prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

PTEN deletion, mutation or reduced expression occurs in 63% of metastatic prostate tumors, resulting in the activation of PI3K and its downstream targets, AKT and mTOR. Inhibition of the PI3K pathway results in upregulation of the MAPK pathway. Therefore, co-administration of inhibitors of both pathways, GSK2126458 as a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, and AZD6244 as a MEK inhibitor, is able to overcome resistance and increase anti-tumor efficacy.

METHODS

PC3, DU145, LNCaP, and CRPC patient-derived cells were used to assess apoptosis upon exposure to the drug combination. The human DU145 and PC3 tumor xenograft mouse model was employed to evaluate in vivo efficacy. CellTiter Glo® luminescent assay, annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection, cell cycle analysis, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were conducted. Statistical evaluation of the results was performed by one-way ANOVA.

RESULTS

The combination of GSK2126458 and AZD6244 inhibited the growth of DU145 and PC3 prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. GSK2126458 decreased phospho-AKT while increasing phospho-ERK and AZD6244 decreased phospho-ERK efficiently while increasing phospho-AKT. The combination of GSK2126458 and AZD6244 decreased both phospho-AKT and phospho-ERK effectively in vitro and in vivo. The combination treatment synergistically induced annexin V-positive cells, sub-G1 cells, and cleavage of caspase-9, caspase-3 and poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) in DU145 cells in vitro. Moreover, the combination decreased the level of Ki-67, and increased TUNEL-positive cells and cleaved caspase-3 in DU145 xenograft tumors implanted in mice. In addition, this combination treatment inhibited both the PI3K and MEK pathway primary in cultures from CRPC patients harboring PTEN loss, leading to synergistic anti-tumor effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of GSK2126458 and AZD6244 blocks both the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways simultaneously and is an effective strategy for the treatment of CRPCs.

Diagnosis of prostate cancer via nanotechnological approach

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among the Caucasian adult males in Europe and the USA. Currently available diagnostic strategies for patients with prostate cancer are invasive and unpleasant and have poor accuracy. Many patients have been overly or underly treated resulting in a controversy regarding the reliability of current conventional diagnostic approaches. This review discusses the state-of-the-art research in the development of novel noninvasive prostate cancer diagnostics using nanotechnology coupled with suggested diagnostic strategies for their clinical implication.

Acute Kidney Injury After Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer is Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease and Mortality

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) after radical cystectomy, and evaluate its impact on chronic kidney disease (CKD) and mortality.

METHODS

The medical records of 866 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer were reviewed. AKI was assessed within 7 days after surgery according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria. The prevalence of AKI after surgery was examined, and the significance of AKI for CKD and mortality was analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 866 patients, 269 (31.1 %) developed AKI in the first week after surgery. Of these, 231 (85.9 %) were at stage 1, 32 (11.9 %) at stage 2, and 6 (2.2 %) at stage 3. Of 722 patients with a preoperative Modification of Diet in Renal Disease estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of >60 ml/min/1.73 m(2), CKD developed in 23.0 % (118/513) of patients in the non-AKI group and 32.5 % (68/209) of patients in the AKI group. Independent factors predicting new-onset CKD were a preoperative eGFR (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.011), urinary tract complication (p < 0.001) and AKI (p = 0.015). In all, 297 patients died (191 in the non-AKI group and 106 in the AKI group). AKI also correlated significantly with overall survival (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

AKI is not only commonly encountered after radical cystectomy but is also associated with higher CKD rates and mortality. There is a critical need for strategies to increase the identification of patients at risk of postoperative AKI, and to improve the management of patients, with an aim toward preventing AKI and improving the treatment of AKI once it occurs.

Metabolic Syndrome and Chronic Laryngitis: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008 to 2010

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with a higher risk of morbidity and/or mortality for various chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of chronic laryngitis (CL) with MetS and its components in a representative Korean population.Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2010) were analyzed. A total of 10,360 adults who had undergone otolaryngological examination were evaluated.The prevalence of CL in the study population was 3.1%. The prevalence of MetS was significantly higher in patients with CL than in those without CL for both sexes (men: 34.7 ± 4.0% versus 25.9 ± 0.8%, P = 0.0235; women: 40.6 ± 5.3% versus 23.7 ± 0.7%, P = 0.0003). Elevated fasting glucose, triglycerides, and blood pressure, however, were only significantly associated with CL in women. After controlling for confounders, CL was only significantly associated with MetS in women (odds ratio: 2.159; 95% confidence interval: 1.2974, 3.594). Furthermore, the association between CL and MetS was most robust in women who were classified as obese.In Korea, MetS and its components are significantly associated with CL in women.

Human turbinate mesenchymal stromal cell sheets with bellows graft for rapid tracheal epithelial regeneration

Rapid functional epithelial regeneration on the luminal surface is essential when using artificial tracheal grafts to repair tracheal defects. In this study, we imposed human turbinate mesenchymal stromal cell (hTMSC) sheets for tracheal epithelial regeneration, and then assessed their potential as a new clinical cell source. In vitro, hTMSCs sheets showed high capacity to differentiate into tracheal epithelium. We fabricated a poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) tracheal graft by indirect three-dimensional (3D) printing technique and created a composite construct by transplanting the hTMSC sheets to its luminal surface of the tracheal graft, then applied this tissue-engineered tracheal graft to non-circumferential tracheal reconstruction in a rabbit model. 4 weeks after implantation, the luminal surface of tissue-engineered tracheal graft was covered by a mature and highly-ciliated epithelium, whereas tracheal grafts without hTMSC sheets were covered by only a thin, immature epithelium. Therefore, hTMSC sheets on the luminal surface of a tissue-engineered tracheal graft can accelerate the tracheal epithelial regeneration, and the tissue-engineered tracheal graft with hTMSC sheets provides a useful clinical alternative for tracheal epithelial regeneration.

Percutaneous Kidney Biopsy for a Small Renal Mass: A Critical Appraisal of Results

PURPOSE

We report the diagnostic accuracy of renal mass biopsy for a small renal mass (4 cm or less) and identify predictors of successful renal mass biopsy in a contemporary cohort of patients from 2 large tertiary referral centers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 442 biopsies of renal tumors 4 cm or less at 2 tertiary centers between 2008 and 2015 were included in study. Biopsy outcomes (malignant, benign or nondiagnostic) and concordance rates between renal mass biopsy and final surgical pathology were determined. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors indicative of nondiagnostic biopsy.

RESULTS

The initial biopsy was diagnostic in 393 cases (88.9%) and nondiagnostic in 49 (11.1%). Of diagnostic biopsies 76% revealed renal cell carcinoma and 24% were benign. Renal cell carcinoma histological subtyping and grading was possible in 90.2% and 31.3% of cases, respectively. A second biopsy was performed in 11 of the 49 nondiagnostic cases and a diagnosis was possible in 100%, including renal cell carcinoma in 10 and oncocytoma in 1. Small tumor size, cystic nature of tumors and biopsy during the initial years of the study were independent predictors of nondiagnostic biopsy. The rates of accuracy in identifying malignancies, histiotyping and 2-tier grading between renal mass biopsy and surgical pathology were 97.1%, 95.1% and 68.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Renal mass biopsy for a small renal mass can be performed accurately. Nondiagnostic renal mass biopsy was common for smaller masses and cystic masses, and during the initial years of the study. A second biopsy should be considered in nondiagnostic biopsy cases.

KML001 Induces Apoptosis and Autophagic Cell Death in Prostate Cancer Cells via Oxidative Stress Pathway

We investigated the effects of KML001 (NaAsO₂, sodium metaarsenite, Kominox), an orally bioavailable arsenic compound, on the growth and death of human prostate cancer cells and its mechanism of action. Growth inhibition was assessed by cytotoxicity assays in the presence or absence of inhibitor of apoptosis, inhibitor of autophagy or antioxidant N-Acetyl-_L-cysteine to study mechanism of cell death induced by KML001 in PC3, DU145 and LNCaP prostate cancer cell lines. Electron microscopy, flow cytometry and Western blotting were used to study apoptotic and autophagic mechanisms. The DU145 xenograft model was used to determine the efficacy of KML001 in vivo. KML001 decreased the viability of cells and increased the percentage of annexin V-positive cells dose-dependently in prostate cancer cells, and LNCaP cells were more sensitive to KML001 than PC3 or DU145 cells. Electron microscopy revealed typical apoptotic characters and autophagic vacuoles in cells treated with KML001. Exposure to KML001 in prostate cancer cells induced apoptosis and autophagy in a time- and dose-dependent manner. KML001 induced dose-dependent accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and scavenging the reactive oxygen species with N-Acetyl-_L-cysteine reduced LC3 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. KML001 significantly inhibited tumor growth in the DU145 xenograft model. In addition, significant decrease of proliferation and significant increases of apoptosis and autophagy were observed in KML001-treated tumors than in vehicle-treated tumors. Exposure of human prostate cancer cells to KML001 induced both apoptosis and autophagic cell death via oxidative stress pathway. And KML001 had an antiproliferative effect on DU145 cells in xenograft mice.

Differences in the aggressiveness of prostate cancer among Korean, Caucasian, and African American men: A retrospective cohort study of radical prostatectomy

PURPOSE

We aimed to compare the pathologic aggressiveness of clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa) treated by radical prostatectomy in Korean and Western (Caucasian and African American [AA]) men by analyzing data from representative hospitals in the capitals of Korea (Seoul) and the United States (Washington, DC).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 1,939 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy for clinically localized PCa in the Asan Medical Center and Washington Hospital Center. After adjusting for confounding clinical variables, we used multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess differences in the aggressiveness of PCa.

RESULTS

We analyzed 1,152 Korean, 473 Caucasian, and 314 AA patients. There were significant differences between Korean and Western patients in terms of age at surgery, preoperative levels of prostate-specific antigen, and clinical stage (P<0.001). Overall, high-grade PCa (Gleason score≥8) was more common in Korean (19.4%) than in AA (6.1%) or Caucasian (5.5%) patients (P<0.001). The incidence of advanced-stage PCa (pT3 or higher) was higher in Korean (34.8%) than in AA (18.2%) or Caucasian (13.3%) patients (P<0.001). After adjusting for age, prostate-specific antigen, prostate volume, and clinical stage, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Korean men had a high risk of high-grade PCa (Korean vs. Caucasian, odds ratio [OR] = 3.48, P<0.001; Korean vs. AA, OR=3.14, P<0.001) or advanced-stage PCa (Korean vs. Caucasian, OR=2.40, P<0.001; Korean vs. AA, OR = 1.59, P = 0.009) than Western men.

CONCLUSIONS

There are differences in PCa aggressiveness between Korean and Western men. The incidence of high-grade or advanced-stage PCa is higher in Korean men.

Effects of statin use on the response duration to androgen deprivation therapy in metastatic prostate cancer

Purpose

To determine whether statin use delays the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) in patients with metastatic prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

Materials and Methods

A total of 171 patients with metastatic prostate cancer at the time of diagnosis who were treated with ADT between January 1997 and December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were classified into two groups: the nonstatin use group (A group) and the statin use group (B group). Multivariate analysis was performed on statin use and other factors considered likely to have an effect on the time to progression to CRPC.

Results

The mean patient age was 67.1±9.1 years, and the mean follow-up period was 52 months. The mean initial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 537 ng/mL. Of the 171 patients, 125 (73%) were in group A and 46 (27%) were in group B. The time to progression to CRPC was 22.7 months in group A and 30.5 months in group B, and this difference was significant (p=0.032). Blood cholesterol and initial PSA levels did not differ significantly according to the time to progression to CRPC (p=0.288, p=0.198). Multivariate analysis using the Cox regression method showed that not having diabetes (p=0.037) and using a statin (p=0.045) significantly increased the odds ratio of a longer progression to CRPC.

Conclusions

Statin use in metastatic prostate cancer patients appears to delay the progression to CRPC. Large-scale, long-term follow-up studies are needed to validate this finding.

Mid-infrared multi-mode absorption spectroscopy using interband cascade lasers for multi-species sensing

An interband cascade laser (ICL) operating at 3.7 μm has been used to perform multimode absorption spectroscopy, MUMAS, at scan rates up to 10 kHz. Line widths of individual modes in the range 10-80 MHz were derived from isolated lines in the MUMAS signatures of HCl. MUMAS data for methane covering a spectral range of 30 nm yielded a detection level of 30 μbar·m for 1 s measurement time at 100 Hz. Simultaneous detection of methane, acetylene, and formaldehyde in a gas mixture containing all three species is reported.

Clinical features and prognosis of prostate cancer with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical features and biochemical recurrence (BCR) in prostate cancer (PCa) with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN).

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 893 patients who underwent a radical prostatectomy for PCa between 2011 and 2012 at Asan Medical Center; 752 of these patients who did not receive neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy and were followed up for more than 1 year were included. The cohort was divided into two groups-patients with and without HGPIN-and their characteristics were compared. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze factors affecting BCR.

Results

In total, 652 study patients (86.7%) had HGPIN. There were no significant differences in preoperative factors between the two groups, including age (p=0.369) and preoperative prostate-specific antigen concentration (p=0.234). Patients with HGPIN had a higher Gleason score (p=0.012), more frequent multiple tumor (p=0.013), and more perineural invasion (p=0.012), but no other postoperative pathologic characteristics were significantly different between the two groups. There were no significant differences in BCR (13.0% vs. 11.5%, p=0.665) and HGPIN was not associated with BCR (p=0.745). In multivariate analysis, only the T stage (p<0.001) was associated with BCR.

Conclusions

PCa patients with HGPIN have a higher Gleason score, more frequent multiple tumors, and more perineural invasion than those without HGPIN. The presence of HGPIN is not an independent predictor of BCR.

Epidemiology of prostate cancer in South Korea

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in male. In South Korea, PCa incidence has increased significantly, while its mortality rate has decreased steadily. To optimize the distribution of public medical resources, it is essential to analyze the contemporary epidemiology of PCa.

Methods

National population data from the National Health Insurance Statistical Yearbook and the annual report of national cancer registration and statistics in Korea were assessed. From the data, the incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates of PCa were calculated. The data were presented with reference to other types of cancers occurring in various countries from different continents.

Results

From 2007 to 2013, PCa incidence doubled (from 5,516 per year to 10,855 per year), while its prevalence in Korean men tripled (from 18,830 to 51,411) during the same period. The mortality rate increased slightly, from 4.2 in 2000 to 5.9 in 2007 and 6.0 in 2013 (per 100,000, age adjusted). PCa incidence increased significantly faster in men aged < 70 years than in the older age group.

Conclusion

PCa prevalence in South Korea has increased significantly, mainly due to the rise in its incidence. As the country is facing major changes, including westernization of dietary habits and rapid population aging, its prevalence would continue to increase in near future.

Prognostic impact of preoperative statin use after radical nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

Purpose

The objective was to investigate the impact of statin use on prognosis after radical nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Materials and Methods

A retrospective review of medical records identified 277 patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy for primary UTUC at Asan Medical Center between January 2006 and December 2011. Information on preoperative statin use was obtained from patient charts in an electronic database. We assessed the impact of statin use on recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS).

Results

Of these 277 patients, 62 (22.4%) were taking statin medications. Compared to the statin nonusers, the statin users were older, had a higher body mass index, and had higher rates of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The 5-year RFS rates of statin users and nonusers were 78.5% and 72.5%, respectively (p=0.528); the 5-year CSS rates were 85.6% and 77.7%, respectively (p=0.516); and the 5-year OS rates were 74.5% and 71.4%, respectively (p=0.945). In the multivariate analysis, statin use was not an independent prognostic factor for RFS (hazard ratio, 0.47; p=0.056), CSS (hazard ratio, 0.46; p=0.093), or OS (hazard ratio, 0.59; p=0.144) in patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy for UTUC.

Conclusions

Statin use was not associated with improved RFS, CSS, or OS in the sample population of patients with UTUC.

Antibiotic prophylaxis with intravenous ceftriaxone and fluoroquinolone reduces infectious complications after transrectal ultrasound-guided prostatic biopsy

Purpose

To assess the rates of infectious complications before and after the change of prophylactic antibiotic regimens in prostate needle biopsy.

Materials and Methods

The records of 5,577 patients who underwent prostate needle biopsy at Asan Medical Center between August 2005 and July 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Group 1 (n=1,743) included patients treated between 2005 and 2009 with fluoroquinolone for 3 days, group 2 (n=2,723) included those treated between 2009 and 2012 with ceftriaxone once before the biopsy and fluoroquinolone before biopsy and continue therapy for 3 days, and group 3 (n=1,111) received the same treatment for more than 7 days after the biopsy. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models addressed risk factors associated with infectious complication after prostate needle biopsy.

Results

Infectious complication after prostate needle biopsy developed in 18 (group 1), seven (group 2), and two patients (group 3) (p=0.001). In group 1, seven patients with infectious complication had positive blood cultures and harbored fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli, four had ceftriaxone susceptible isolates, and three had extended spectrum beta-lactamase-positive E. coli. Two patients in group 1 required intensive care because of septic shock. In multivariable analysis, the patients with combination of fluoroquinolone and ceftriaxone had significantly lower infectious complication rate than the fluoroquinolon alone (p=0.003).

Conclusions

Antibiotic prophylaxis with ceftriaxone and fluoroquinolone before prostate needle biopsy decreased the risk of potentially serious infectious complications.

Comparative study of autologous stromal vascular fraction and adipose-derived stem cells for erectile function recovery in a rat model of cavernous nerve injury

The abilities of intracavernous injection of autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to facilitate recovery of erectile function in a rat model of cavernous nerve (CN) injury were compared. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham and control groups (intracavernous injection of phosphate-buffered saline), SVF group (intracavernous injection of SVF), and ADSC group (intracavernous injection of ADSCs). Rats in the latter three groups underwent bilateral CN injury prior to injection. The evaluation of erectile function and histomorphometric studies were performed 4 weeks after injection. The ratio of maximal intracavernous pressure to mean arterial pressure was significantly lower in the control group than in the sham group (0.18 vs. 0.56, p < .001). Intracavernous injection of SVF (0.36, p = .035) significantly improved erectile function compared with that in the control group, whereas the ADSC group (0.35, p = .052) showed marginally significant improvement. The smooth muscle/collagen ratio, smooth muscle content, number of neuronal nitric-oxide synthase-positive nerve fibers, and expression of von Willebrand factor were significantly higher in the SVF and ADSC groups than in the control group. Expression of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase was significantly increased in the SVF group. The increases in the smooth muscle/collagen ratio and von Willebrand factor expression were larger in the SVF group than in the ADSC group. Intracavernous injection of SVF or ADSCs was equally effective in recovering penile erection in a rat model of CN injury.