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The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the secondary biological treatment plant effluent administration on the kidneys, urinary bladder, and testis of Wistar rats in relation to lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) accumulation, since such an effluent is used for irrigation of edible plants. Male Wistar rats, randomly assigned into 5 groups, were treated with domestic sewage effluent (DSE) for 24 months. Cadmium and lead concentrations in the DSE, rats' tissues, and urine were estimated by means of atomic spectroscopy. Lead was rapidly accumulated in high amounts in rats' kidney and to a lesser extent in the testis whereas Cd concentration was raised in all tissues examined. Deposition of Cd and Pd in the kidney of the rats resulted in profound damage over time. The results showed that long-term administration to DSE as drinking water exposes living organisms to urogenital stress related to heavy metal concentration and pH of the effluent.

Vanillylmandelic acid, a catecholamine end-metabolite, has been shown to have several biological properties in previous studies, despite considered biologically inactive. We examined the potential effects of vanillylmandelic acid on the ischemic heart following myocardial infarction and reperfusion on a rat model. Thirty-four female Wistar rats were randomized into two groups, control and experimental. They were anesthetized and subjected to myocardial infarction through left anterior descending artery ligation. A previously studied dose of vanillylmandelic acid (10 mg/kg) was administered and the following parameters were studied during ischemia and reperfusion: a) mortality b) severity of ventricular tachyarrhythmias c) premature ventricular contractions and d) heart rate. Administration of vanillymandelic acid significantly reduced the severity of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and mortality rate during reperfusion, while it did not affect any other of the parameters studied. In conclusion, reperfusion injury was blunted through vanillylmandelic acid administration, which seems to be mediated by parasympathetic activation., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Infections in immunocompromised-neoplastic patients represent a severe complication. Among bacteria, Enterococcus species constitute a common causative pathogen of urinary tract infections (UTIs), especially among hospitalized patients with or without urinary tract carcinoma, related commonly to urinary tract abnormalities, urinary catheters or prolonged antibiotic treatment. Although enterococci have been considered more commonly as colonization bacteria in the intestine than virulent agents, they are frequently implicated in UTIs. The high incidence of enterococcal UTIs is associated with several risk factors including age, female gender, previous UTI, diabetes, pregnancy, immunosuppression due to cancer development and progression, renal transplantation and spinal cord injury. Clinical manifestations are usually absent or mild in enterococcal UTIs, which may also become an important source for both bacteremia and endocarditis. Over the last years, the prevalence of multidrug resistant enterococci, particularly vancomycin-resistant E. faecium and E. faecalis has significantly risen worldwide, associated with increased morbidity, limited treatment options and increased health-care costs. In this review, the current knowledge on enterococcal UTIs epidemiology and influence in the corresponding immunocompromised patients is highlighted.

Background. Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of various cancers. Although it represents an effective regimen, its application is accompanied by side effects to normal tissues, especially to the kidneys. Cisplatin generates free radicals and impairs the function of antioxidant enzymes. Modulation of cisplatin-induced oxidative stress by specific antioxidant molecules represents an attractive approach to minimize side effects. Methods. We studied the ability of curcumin to sensitize leiomyosarcoma (LMS) cells to cisplatin. Assays for cell proliferation, mitochondrial function, induction of apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest were performed using various concentrations of cisplatin and a concentration of curcumin that caused a nonsignificant reduction in cell viability. Moreover, the effect of curcumin was examined against cisplatin-induced experimental nephrotoxicity. Renal injury was assessed by measuring serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and the kidney's relative weight. Oxidative stress was measured by means of enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the rats' blood and malondialdehyde levels in rats' urine. Results. In our study, we found that curcumin sensitizes LMS cells to cisplatin by enhancing apoptosis and impairing mitochondrial function. In an in vivo model of cisplatin-induced experimental nephrotoxicity, intraperitoneal administration of curcumin failed to preserve blood's antioxidant enzyme activity and decrease lipid peroxidation. Nevertheless, curcumin was able to protect nephrons' histology from cisplatin's toxic effect. Conclusion. Our results showed that curcumin can act as chemosensitizer, but its role as an adjunctive cisplatin-induced oxidative stress inhibitor requires further dose-finding studies to maximize the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is the most widely known screening test to detect prostate cancer (PCa). However, PSA testing has been recently put under the microscope mainly due to its weak correlation with prostate malignancy. In several clinical trials the PSA-screening validity for the diagnosis of PCa was evaluated. PSA lacks the ability to define the progression potential of the disease usually resulting in overdiagnosis and overtreatment of patients. Therefore, the development of new "multivariate" prediction models for PCa that would combine the PSA screening marker (and probably PSA metrics) with better biomarkers and imaging techniques has become an evolving field. New screening tests and/or methods with increased specificity could reduce the number of men undergoing prostate biopsy - thus alleviating patients from the anxiety and the distress experienced by an unnecessary (negative) biopsy- and minimizes the healthcare cost. Herein, we reviewed the information on PSA and other novel tests that can assist in diagnosing clinically meaningful prostate cancer.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the arthropod-borne flaviviruses (arboviruses) which are mainly transmitted by blood-sucking mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. ZIKV infection has been known to be rather asymptomatic or presented as febrile self-limited disease; however, during the last decade the manifestation of ZIKV infection has been associated with a variety of neuroimmunological disorders including Guillain⁻Barré syndrome, microcephaly and other central nervous system abnormalities. More recently, there is accumulating evidence about sexual transmission of ZIKV, a trait that has never been observed in any other mosquito-borne flavivirus before. This article reviews the latest information regarding the latter and emerging role of ZIKV, focusing on the consequences of ZIKV infection on the male reproductive system and the epidemiology of human-to-human sexual transmission.

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive neoplasm. Many chromosomal and gene alterations have been identified in OSCC, including structural and numerical changes. In this study, we implemented a molecular assay of chromosome 7 (Chr7) in order to investigate the level of its numerical instability in OSCC., Materials and Methods: Using tissue microarray technology, 30 primary OSCCs were cored and re-embedded into one recipient block. Chromogenic in situ hybridization assay was performed based on Chr7 centromeric probedetection., Results: Chr 7 numerical analysis detected polysomy (trisomy/ tetrasomy) in 4/30 (13.3%) of the examined tissue OSCC cores. Statistical significance was assessed correlating Chr7 numerical aberrations with stage (p=0.015), especially detected in cases not related to human papillomavirus (HPV) (p=0.01)., Conclusion: Although Chr7 polysomy is a relatively rare gross genetic event in OSSC, it affects their biological behavior leading toa progressively aggressive phenotype (advanced stage). Furthermore, Chr7 polysomy is observed more frequently in non-viral (HPV) cases., (Copyright© 2018, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Objective: The purpose of our study was to investigate the potential role of MRI in the preoperative characterization of the histologic type of testicular tumors and, more specifically, to differentiate seminomatous from nonseminomatous testicular neoplasms., Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients with histologically proven germ cell testicular tumors underwent MRI of the scrotum on a 1.5-T unit. T2- and T1-weighted sequences before and after i.v. administration of gadolinium chelate were performed. MRI studies were retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists and findings were correlated with the histopathologic diagnosis. An attempt was made to differentiate seminomatous from nonseminomatous testicular tumors on the basis of signal intensity and homogeneity of the lesions, presence of fibrovascular septa, tumor encapsulation, and patterns of contrast enhancement. Interobserver agreement was assessed using weighted kappa statistics., Results: MRI findings correctly characterized 19 (91%) of 21 testicular neoplasms (nine seminomatous and 10 nonseminomatous testicular tumors), with excellent interobserver agreement. The presence of an intratesticular lesion of predominantly low signal intensity on T2-weighted images, with septa enhancing more than tumor tissue after contrast material administration, was more suggestive for the diagnosis of a seminoma. Tumors that were markedly heterogeneous both on unenhanced and contrast-enhanced images were indicative of a nonseminomatous neoplasm., Conclusion: Our study shows that MRI provides a credible preoperative differentiation of seminomatous from nonseminomatous testicular tumors, with excellent interobserver agreement.

In this review article adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies in patients at high risk for localized prostate cancer are presented in some detail. Adjuvant hormone therapy by antiandrogens as well as antineoplastic chemotherapeutic agents such as estramustine and taxanes are referred. Neoadjuvant therapies in addition to systemic therapy before or after local treatment for prostate cancer may improve the outcome of high risk patients otherwise destined to treatment fail. Data regarding some substances used in neoadjuvant therapies such as androgen deprivation therapy and use of rapamycin with its analogs, as well as some novel therapeutic approach strategies are also discussed.

Throughout the past six decades, our understanding of cancer of the prostate and the treatment of the disease using endocrine therapy has been centred on the classical investigations of Charles Huggins, which established that tumor tissue of the prostate as well as the normal tissue of the gland retained some degree of androgen dependence. Attention must now be focussed on the 20-40% of patients who are resistant to endocrine therapy. These patients are non-responders to conventional endocrine treatment after 3 to 6 months, quickly progress and die of the disease. In terms of molecular endocrinology related to the progressive stage of the disease, it would be expected that the cancer is being driven by the uncontrolled action of growth factors. Experiments combining oligonucleotide treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents demonstrated a marked increase in the sensitivity of the prostate cancer cells. Results indicate that despite the presence of Bcl-x pre-mRNA in a number of cell types, the effects of modification of its splicing by antisense oligonucleotides vary depending on the expression profile of the treated cells. The transition from androgen-dependent to androgen non-dependent prostate cancer is accompanied by a number of molecular genetic changes, including overexpression of the Bcl-2 gene. Overexpression of Bcl-2 protein decreases the pro-apoptotic response to such cellular insults as irradiation, chemotherapy, and androgen withdrawal. The future looks promising and this kind of treatment offers a novel approach to alternative therapeutic options for advanced prostate cancer. Although numerous chemotherapeutic regimens have been evaluated for patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer, none has improved survival.

Prostate cancer is a major health concern for Western patients who are facing important decisions, alongside with the physicians, concerning their treatment. Additionally, the physician has to take into account the potential side effects of the disease and the treatment itself. Treatment for advanced prostate cancer produces problematic physical and psychosocial side effects. The patient should be asked by the physician for information concerning daily life activities, overall satisfaction voiding ability, and sexual activity in a standardized questionnaire assessing the quality of life (QoL) of the patient. Many such questionnaires and studies have been evaluated or are still in progress. Modern QoL questionnaires are considered to be more than a necessity nowadays for the improvement of the treatment administered from the physician and the performance and functional status of the patient.

In the present review the role of lymph node dissection in association to the prognosis of renal cell carcinoma is discussed in some details. The distribution of lymph node metastases, the extend of the lymph node dissection as well as the relation between histologic type and the incidence of nodal metastases are the points that must be well investigated. Nowdays, it seems that the complete lymph node dissection does not demonstrate any survival benefit over the radical nephrectomy alone.

Prostate cancer is the second leading malignancy in men associated with an enormous research interest in all aspects of the disease. It is well recognized that the regulation of prostatic growth is a complicated biological process. Further more the androgenic dependence of the advanced prostate cancer is well know and in the last 50 years significant progresses regarding the principle of deprivation of androgens for the treatment of the disease occured. Prostate cancer is now diagnosed in earlier stages and treatment results in increased potential for cure or extension of overall survival. Unfortunately, every treatment for prostate cancer has adverse effects with negative impact in health-related quality of life. Surgical or pharmacological castration has a significant negative impact on quality of life in patients with prostate cancer (loss of sexuality, osteoporosis, and loss of muscle mass, e.g.). Antiandrogen monotherapy is considered to be a treatment in well-informed patients who wish to remain sexually active, can be administered orally, and is well tolerated by patients with prostate cancer. This review is focused on antiandrogen monotherapy in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

In the present review article, the penetration of antimicrobial agents into prostatic fluid and tissue was examined. Three major factors determining the diffusion and concentration of antimicrobial agents in prostatic fluid and tissue are the lipid solubility, dissociation constant (pKa) and protein binding. The normal pH of human prostatic fluid is 6.5-6.7, and it increases in chronic prostatitis, ranging from 7.0 to 8.3. A greater concentration of antimicrobial agents in the prostatic fluid occurs in the presence of a pH gradient across the membrane separating plasma from prostatic fluid. Of the available antimicrobial agents, beta-lactam drugs have a low pKa and poor lipid solubility, and thus penetrate poorly into prostatic fluid, expect for some cephalosporins, which achieve greater than or equal to the inhibitory concentration. Good to excellent penetration into prostatic fluid and tissue has been demonstrated with many antimicrobial agents, including tobramycin, netilmicin, tetracyclines, macrolides, quinolones, sulfonamides and nitrofurantoin., (Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel)

Production of DNA damage is the basis of cancer treatments such as chemo- and radiotherapy. Such treatments induce mitotic catastrophe, a form of cell death resulting from abnormal mitosis and leading to the formation of interphase cells with multiple micronuclei. In this study, we compared apoptosis induction and micronuclei formation to assess the DNA damage provoked in vivo by cytotoxic agents in established 9L rat gliosarcoma tumors expressing a mutated p53 gene. Results from TUNEL assays revealed the efficiency of local gamma-irradiation at the tumor site to induce apoptosis within 9L tumor mass. However, little or no apoptosis was detected after systemic (ip) injection of cisplatin (1 mg/kg). Interestingly, the micronuclei assays showed that not only gamma-irradiation but also cisplatin treatment led to an increase in the emergence of binucleated cells with micronuclei. Apoptosis induction and micronuclei emergence are thus not absolutely correlated. However, micronuclei assays, rarely performed on solid tumors, appear more sensitive than apoptosis assays in evaluating DNA damage linked to chemotherapy.

Objective: TUNA has been demonstrated to be a safe and effective therapy for BPH. However the major criticism, as with all alternative treatments for BPH, was the lack of long-term data. We present the clinical outcome of patients treated by TUNA and followed for 5 years., Methods: 188 consecutive patients with symptomatic BPH treated with TUNA were followed for five years in three different centers. All patients were treated using the TUNA II or TUNA III catheters under local anesthesia only without general or spinal anesthesia. Baseline and 5-year follow-up evaluation included urinary peak flow, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and post-void residual urine (PVR). The number of patients requiring additional medical or surgical treatment was recorded. Statistics were performed using the t-test., Results: At a mean follow-up of 63 months, mean urinary peak flow rate increased from 8.6 ml/s to 12.1 ml/s (p<0.01, t-test), IPSS and PVR decreased from 20.9 and 179 ml to 8.7 and 122 ml, respectively (both p<0.001, t-test). The percentage of patients who improved by at least 50% their peak uroflow and IPSS was 24% and 78% respectively. Mean prostate volume and PSA levels did not change significantly (53.9 cc vs. 53.8 cc and 3.3 vs. 3.6 ng/ml, respectively at 5 years, both p values > 0.05, t-test). Two patients died of unrelated comorbidities and 10 were lost for follow-up. Medical treatment was given to 12 patients (6.4%), a second TUNA performed in 7 patients (3.7%) and surgery indicated in 22/186 (11.1%). Overall 41/176 patients (188 at start, 2 deaths and 10 lost to follow-up) or 23.3% required additional treatment at 5 years follow-up following the original TUNA procedure., Conclusions: TUNA is effective and provides good long-term clinical improvement at 5-year follow-up. TUNA treatment stands the test of time at 5-year follow-up with low and acceptable failure rates. More than 75% of the patients do not need additional treatment for BPH on the long run.

A rare case of orbital metastasis from carcinoma of the prostate in a 76-year-old man who presented with pain in his left eye, mild proptosis and reduced visual acuity is reported. Cranial CT scanning demonstrated large bone metastases in the left orbit. The patient underwent orbital evisceration. The histopathological studies that were based on the morphological and immunohistochemical findings confirmed the histological diagnosis of orbital metastasis arising from prostatic carcinoma with neuroendocrine features., (Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel)

N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT-2) and Glutathione-S-transferase M1 and T1 (GSTM1 and GSTT1) polymorphism have been implicated in the detoxification of urothelial carcinogens, such as arylamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The results of epidemiological studies examining the role of NAT-2, GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes on the risk factors for bladder cancer were controversial, although suggesting that there may be an increased risk of the disease associated with these genotypes. The aim of the present study was to examine the independent effect and a possible interaction of NAT-2, GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes on the risk of bladder carcinogenesis, in the frame of a case-control study. We also investigated the possible association of specific genotype combinations with more aggressive disease in terms of tumor grading and local staging at the time of initial diagnosis. Between August 1996 and May 1998, 89 newly-diagnosed bladder cancer patients (transitional cell type) and 147 controls were included in the study. All patients were selected at the time of first diagnosis, done in the Department of Urology at the University Hospital of Ioannina, in north-western Greece. GSTM1 and NAT-2 deficient genotypes were found to be independently associated with the risk of bladder cancer (odds ratios 2.87 and 2.64, respectively). The GSTT1 genotype did not present any significant association with bladder cancer risk. We did not find a significant interaction between genotypes. These results could be explained by the independent activity of the two enzymes. Studies that will simultaneously examine the role of several genetic and environmental factors involved in bladder carcinogenesis are needed to give a global picture for the risk factors of bladder cancer and their potential interaction.

We herein present a case of formation of a large infectious bladder calculous resulted from placement of a double pigtail catheter for an extensive period. The concomitant poor function of the corresponding renal unit made selection of nephroureterectomy unavoidable in the management of our patient.

Objectives: This study was conducted (1) to examine whether the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes are risk factors for bladder cancer, and (2) to study a possible association of these genotypes with disease severity., Methods: This case-control study was undertaken over a 21-month period and included 89 newly diagnosed transitional cell bladder cancer patients and 147 controls; both patients and controls originated from a defined population (residents of the loannina region, Northwestern Greece) and were similar with regard to mean age, male to female ratio and smoking habits. The GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction on peripheral blood DNA samples. Genotype frequencies among patients and controls were assessed and the association of the genotypes with tumor grade and stage at presentation were statistically evaluated by the chi(2) test., Results: The GSTM1 null genotype was strongly associated with bladder cancer. The odds ratio, attributable and population attributable risks were estimated at 2.76, 0.64 and 0.40, respectively. The correlation between the GSTM1 null genotype with stage, although not statistically significant, was estimated at an odds ratio of 2.6 for invasive disease. The correlation of GSTM1 null genotype with tumor grade did not yield a statistically significant result. The GSTT1 null genotype was not statistically associated with bladder cancer., Conclusion: According to our study, individuals with the GSTM1 null genotype carry a substantially higher risk for bladder carcinogenesis. The GSTM1 null genotype is not associated with more aggressive disease in terms of tumor grade, although there is a correlation between this genotype and stage of the disease.

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine whether certain slow N-acetylation genotypes could be risk factors for bladder cancer, and the possible association between specific genotypes and the severity of the disease at first diagnosis., Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 89 patients with transitional cell bladder cancer (diagnosed over a period of 21 months) and 147 controls. N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT-2) genotypes were identified by allele specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on peripheral blood DNA samples. The x2 test was used for statistical evaluation to compare the differences observed between patients and controls and the different genotypes with tumor grading and local staging at presentation. Relative, attributable and population attributable risks were estimated for the genotypes found to present a significantly increased frequency for bladder cancer., Results: A statistically significant difference in the frequency of genotypes was found between the two groups. The patient group had the higher frequency of slow acetylation genotypes (p = 0.0016). Among slow acetylators, homozygotes 341C/341C and compound heterozygotes 341C/857A had the most excessive risk for bladder cancer (p = 0.0041 and 0.0031, respectively). The 341C/341C genotype was found to be associated with more aggressive disease, in terms of tumor grading at presentation (p <0.05)., Conclusions: According to our data, slow acetylators with 341C/341C and 341C/857A genotypes carry a substantially higher odds ratio (3.73 and 12.46, respectively) for bladder carcinogenesis. Additionally, among the slow acetylators, 341C/341C homozygotes are likely to have a higher risk for more aggressive disease.

In this paper, we compare the performance of five prominent neural or adaptive algorithms designed for Independent Component Analysis (ICA) and blind source separation (BSS). In the first part of the study, we use artificial data for comparing the accuracy, convergence speed, computational load, and other relevant properties of the algorithms. In the second part, the algorithms are applied to three different real-world data sets. The task is either blind source separation or finding interesting directions in the data for visualisation purposes. We develop criteria for selecting the most meaningful basis vectors of ICA and measuring the quality of the results. The comparison reveals characteristic differences between the studied ICA algorithms. The most important conclusions of our comparison are robustness of the ICA algorithms with respect to modest modeling imperfections, and the superiority of fixed-point algorithms with respect to the computational load.

We hereby present a rare case of a 46,XY/45,XO/47,XXY mosaic male patient with a predominance of the XY cell line. The patient, who exhibited phenotypic stigmata of both XO gonadal dysgenesis and Klinefelter syndromes, suffered from infertility and multiple urogenital abnormalities, as our investigation revealed.