bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydrolysis of androgen receptor by cathepsin D: its biological significance in human prostate cancer
Authors: Mordente  , Choudhury  , Tazaki  , Mallouh  , Konno  
Published: March 2003

Objective To elicit the biological role of a lysosomal protease, cathepsin D (CatD) in prostate cancer, by investigating its regulatory effect on the androgen receptor (AR) using human prostate cancer LNCaP cells and prostate tissue specimens.Materials and methods Cell extracts were prepared from LNCaP or prostate specimens by cell lysis and tissue homogenization. Proteolytic assays were performed by incubating these extracts in acidic buffer (pH 3–4) at 37°C. The resulting effects on AR and CatD were then analysed using Western immunoblots.Results The Western blots showed that AR was virtually hydrolysed with acid treatment, because endogenous CatD was activated; this activation only occurred at pH 3.2–3.5, but no specific acid appeared to be required. Further analyses suggested that CatD activation could be attributed to acid‐induced autoproteolysis of mature CatD. Similar assays were also performed on prostate tissues, including normal and malignant specimens. These studies revealed that CatD‐mediated AR hydrolysis was observed only in cancer specimens, while no such hydrolysis occurred in normal specimens.Conclusion Endogenous CatD can hydrolyse AR, thereby possibly modulating AR function/metabolism in LNCaP cells, and in cancer specimens. CatD activity also appears to differ significantly between normal and malignant tissue. Thus, CatD may play a pivotal role as a growth modulator in androgen‐dependent prostate cancer.
The predictive value of baseline variables in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia using high‐energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy
Authors: D’ancona  , Francisca  , Hendriks  , Debruyne  , De La Rosette  
Published: March 2003

Objective To evaluate the combination of patient age, prostate size, grade of outlet obstruction and total amount of energy, all independent predictive variables of treatment outcome in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treated with high‐energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy (HE‐TUMT), and thus provide nomograms for predicting treatment outcome after HE‐TUMT.Patients and methods Between October 1993 and July 1996, 247 patients with LUTS and BPH were treated with HE‐TUMT using the ProstatronTM device, software version 2.5 (EDAP Technomed, Lyon, France). The World Health Organisation Response Evaluation Criteria were used to evaluate the outcome. Patient age, prostate volume, total amount of energy and grade of outlet obstruction were categorized using the Akaike information criterion (AIC). The probabilities of a good/intermediate vs a poor response at 26 weeks according to the AIC were calculated.Results Nomograms are presented providing the estimated probability (95% confidence interval) for a good/intermediate response of the evaluation of the International Prostate Symptom Score at 26 weeks by categories of prostate volume, total amount of TUMT energy and age, and of maximum urinary flow rate by categories of bladder outlet obstruction (linear passive urethral resistance ratio, linPURR) and total amount of energy, and of linPURR by categories of prostate volume and total amount of energy. The total amount of energy appeared to have the most impact in the prediction of good/intermediate and poor response in all three response evaluation criteria.Conclusions These nomograms may assist urologists in making clinical recommendations for the treatment of men with LUTS and BPH using HE‐TUMT.
Is the ratio of transition zone to total prostate volume higher in African‐American men than in their Caucasian or
Authors: Kaplan  , Reis  , Staimen  , TE  
Published: March 2003

Objective To determine if the transition zone index (TZI, the ratio between transition zone volume, TZV, and total prostate volume, as estimated by transrectal ultrasonography, TRUS) differs among African‐American (AA), Hispanic and Caucasian men.Patients and methods The study group consisted of 104 age‐matched men (36 AA, 34 Hispanic and 34 Caucasian) with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A control group of 55 age‐matched men, equally distributed among the three ethnic groups, but with no BPH (based on a digital rectal examination) were also evaluated. All men completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and a measurement of peak urinary flow rate (Qmax ), prostate volume and TZV (by TRUS) and the TZI calculated.Results In the control group, the mean prostate volume was 20.9, 18.2 and 19.8 mL, the TZV 6.9, 4.9, and 5.4 mL and the TZI 0.33, 0.27 and 0.25 for AA, Hispanic and Caucasian men, respectively. The TZI was significantly higher in AA than in either Hispanic or Caucasian men (P<0.03). Although there were no differences in prostate volume among the three ethnic groups with BPH, the mean (sd) TZV and TZI were significantly higher in AA men than in either their Hispanic or Caucasian counterparts, at 15.8 (7.6) mL and 0.43, 12.7 (8.1) mL and 0.37, and 13.8 (6.7) mL and 0.37, respectively. For all groups, age correlated with the IPSS (r=0.22, P<0.04); the mean (sd) IPSS was 14.3 (5.7), 10.2 (2.9) and 10.6 (4.9) for AA, Hispanic and Caucasian men, respectively. There was no correlation between the IPSS and either prostate volume or TZV, but there was a strong correlation with the TZI (r=0.29, P<0.01), regardless of race.Conclusions These results suggest that AA men have a greater TZV and a higher TZI than their Caucasian or Hispanic counterparts, regardless of the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms. Studies are underway to determine if these differences are clinically significant and correlate with either subjective and/or objective parameters of BPH.
Changes in urinary output during laparoscopic adrenalectomy
Authors: Nishio  , Takeda  , Yokoyama  
Published: March 2003

ObjectiveTo better understand the physiological effects of pneumoperitoneum, by examining changes in urinary output during gaseous and gasless laparoscopic adrenalectomy.Patients and methodsLaparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed with gas in six patients and without in three. Urinary output was measured during insufflation and after desufflation.ResultsIn all patients who received gas, the urinary output was significantly decreased during insufflation and significantly increased after desufflation. However, there were no changes in urinary output in patients who did not receive gas.ConclusionFor the safety of laparoscopic surgery it is important to recognise that oliguria occurs during pneumoperitoneum, although the changes in urinary output caused no complications in renal function.
MUC1 mucin as a tumour marker in bladder cancer
Authors: Simms  , Hughes  , Limb  , Price  , Bishop  
Published: March 2003

ObjectiveTo evaluate serum MUC1 levels (a high molecular weight glycoprotein which is upregulated and abnormally glycosylated in bladder cancer and other carcinomas) in patients with a variety of stages and grades of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder, to assess its potential as a tumour marker.Patients and methodsBlood samples were taken before treatment in 87 patients with TCC of the bladder and in 31 controls undergoing cystoscopy for benign conditions. Serum MUC1 levels were estimated with an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay using the C595 monoclonal antibody.ResultsOf patients with T4 tumours, 47% had MUC1 levels above the normal range (P<0.001); patients with T3 tumours also had significantly higher MUC1 levels than controls. The overall sensitivity was only 24% for all tumours when the upper limit of normal was defined as 4.8 U/mL; the specificity was 97%.ConclusionSerum MUC1 is not as useful tumour marker for screening, as it has a low sensitivity. However, MUC1 levels are high in advanced disease and serum MUC1 levels may be useful for disease monitoring.
The importance of measuring the prostatic transition zone: an anatomical and radiological study
Authors: Zlotta  , Djavan  , Damoun  , Roumeguere  , Petein  , Entezari  , Marberger  , Schulman  
Published: March 2003

Objective To assess the accuracy and reliability of measurements of the volume of the transition zone (TZ, representing the hypertrophied benign component) and whole prostate by TRUS in patients with BPH or cancer, by comparing the radiological with pathological findings after surgery.Patients and methods The study comprised 36 patients with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy and 34 patients with symptomatic BPH treated using retropubic adenectomy. The weights of the radical prostatectomy specimens and of the enucleated adenomas were correlated with the corresponding volumes of the TZ and of the whole prostate, respectively, measured by TRUS using the prolate ellipsoid method.Results The mean (sd) TZ volume measured by TRUS was 36.9 (25.48) mL, whereas the weight of the enucleated specimen was 42.7 (33.58) g (correlation coefficient r=0.95, P<0.001). The TRUS estimate of the volume of the whole prostate was 29.2 (9.24) mL, while the radical prostatectomy specimens weighed 34.5 (10.76) g (r=0.78, P<0.001). The variability in the TZ volume estimate ranged from −17% to +18%, whereas the variability for whole prostate was −21% to +30% (P<0.05).Conclusions Measurements of the TZ of the prostate by TRUS are more accurate than those for the whole prostate. An assessment of the TZ volume may be sufficiently reliable to be used in the clinical management of BPH and to detect prostate cancer using the prostate‐specific antigen density of the TZ as a marker.
Assessment of a new bone anchor system for the treatment of female genuine stress incontinence
Authors: El‐Toukhy  , Tolba  , Davies  
Published: March 2003

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of the In‐Tac bone‐anchor system (using shape‐memory metal bone anchors, Influence Medical Technologies, Lancs, UK) as a vaginal procedure for the treatment of female genuine stress incontinence (GSI).Patients and methods Between January 1997 and April 1998, 30 patients with GSI were recruited into the study (age range 36–74 years); patients who had undergone previous failed continence surgery were not excluded. All patients underwent a urodynamic assessment before and 3 months after surgery. All In‐Tac bone‐anchor procedures were performed under general anaesthesia. Patients were reviewed after surgery at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months, and yearly thereafter.Results The mean (range) operative duration was 42 (20–75) min and the blood loss 60 (10–200) mL (median 30). There were no intraoperative complications and minimal analgesia was required postoperatively. At 6 weeks, 27 patients (90%) were subjectively cured. The urodynamic assessment at 3 months revealed that 22 patients (73%) were objectively cured; at 6 months and one year the subjective cure rate was 80%.Conclusion The In‐Tac bone‐anchor system is simple and safe, the procedure easily learned and the operation brief. It offers promise as an incision‐less vaginal procedure that may have wide application for the treatment of women with GSI. A longer follow‐up is needed to fully confirm its durability and effectiveness.
Chromosomal aberrations in transitional cell carcinoma that are predictive of disease outcome are independent of polyploidy
Authors: Bartlett  , Adie  , Watters  , Going  , Grigor  
Published: March 2003

Objective To determine whether aneusomy for chromosomes 7, 9 and 17 (reported to predict recurrence in up to 65% of patients with superficial transitional cell bladder cancer and thus providing the opportunity for early and effective treatment) reflects specific genetic events on these chromosomes or merely wider unspecific genetic damage to the cell, e.g. that increased copy numbers for 7 and 17 reflect tumour polyploidy.Materials and methodsThe study comprised 25 primary tumours; 6 μm thick sections from formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded tumours were analysed. Chromosome copy numbers were determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using pericentromeric probes for chromosomes 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 17. A minimum of 200 nuclei per tumour area were scored by two independent observers.ResultsEight of the 25 tumours examined (32%) showed no evidence of chromosomal abnormalities as detected by FISH for any chromosomes analysed. Twelve tumours (48%) showed abnormalities for one or two chromosomes, five tumours (20%) showed abnormalities for multiple chromosomes and one tumour showed abnormalities for all chromosomes analysed, suggestive of polyploidy.ConclusionsChromosomal abnormalities predictive of recurrence occur largely in the absence of other gross chromosomal lesions. In a small proportion of cases other chromosomes are affected, but this is almost always distinct from tumour polyploidy.
Laparoscopic ureterolithotomy: the Edinburgh experience
Authors: Keeley  , Gialas  , Pillai  , Chrisofos  , Tolley  
Published: March 2003

Objective To review our experience with laparoscopic ureterolithotomy.Patients and methods Since 1993, we have performed laparoscopic ureterolithotomy in 14 patients with ureteric stones. Laparoscopy was carried out in nine patients as a salvage procedure after failed ureteroscopy (six), shock wave lithotripsy (two), or both (one), and in five patients as a primary procedure for large stones (mean 27.2 mm, range 18–40). Patients in the former group had already undergone a mean of 1.88 procedures (range 1–4). Laparoscopic ureterolithotomy was carried out via a transperitoneal approach. Associated ureteric strictures were incised at the time of ureterotomy.Results All procedures were completed laparoscopically and all patients were rendered stone‐free after a single procedure. The mean operative duration was 105 min. Ureteric strictures were incised in three patients, in two of whom dilatation was subsequently required; all three had a successful result. There were three minor complications.Conclusions Laparoscopic ureterolithotomy can be a safe and effective procedure; it should be considered as a primary procedure for large mid‐ and upper ureteric stones.
An interstitial light assembly for photodynamic therapy in prostatic carcinoma
Authors: Lee  , Whitehurst  , Pantelides  , Moore  
Published: March 2003

Objective To develop an interstitial laser light delivery system using multiple optical fibres for photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of prostate cancer.Patients and methods A laser beam was divided equally with a 1×4 fibre splitter to deliver PDT simultaneously through four 2‐cm long, flexible cylindrical optical diffusers. Biplanar transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and a template were used to position the optical fibres percutaneously. In vivo measurements of light penetration depth (1/μeff ) in prostate tissue were made in seven patients, using a sheathed isoprobe to measure light fluence rates at varying radial distances from the diffuser. The prostate was fixed with stabilization needles to minimize displacement during needle placement.Results The mean (sd, range) μeff in the prostates of the seven patients was 0.35 (0.07, 0.22–0.44) mm−1 , which produced closely parallel slopes of light attenuation. However, there was up to a 10‐fold variation in absolute light levels at the same diffuser–detector separation distances amongst the seven patients, probably caused by blood pooling around the diffuser light source. A similar problem around the isoprobe detector was overcome by sheathing the probe in clear plastic tubing. By stabilizing the prostate, the optical fibre positioning was precise to within 2 mm.Conclusion Although this light delivery and TRUS assembly were developed for clinical PDT in the prostate, the same instrumentation can be used reliably for in vivo light‐penetration studies. Haemorrhage was unpredictable and highlighted one of the main problems which needs to be overcome.
How is follow‐up after transurethral prostatectomy best performed?
Authors: Puri  , Smaling  , Lloyd  
Published: March 2003

Objective To evaluate the role of the nurse practitioner (NP) in screening patients for potential discharge after routine transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) or bladder neck incision (BNI) where, although urologists continue to follow such patients, the trend is away from clinic attendance.Patients and methods The NP telephoned 70 patients 4 weeks after surgery; information about expected postoperative problems, change in symptoms and the need to visit their general practitioner (GP) was recorded. A doctor then saw all the patients in a clinic 3 months after TURP or BNI.Results Complete records were available for 66 patients (TURP 56, BNI 10). Four weeks after their operation, 39 (59%) patients still had one or more significant symptoms but only nine (23%) had consulted their GP. After a telephone interview the NP considered that 38 of the 66 patients were fit to be discharged. At the 3‐month outpatient appointment, 37 of these 38 patients were subsequently discharged. Of the remaining 29 patients, 15 (seven with carcinoma of the prostate and eight with significant symptoms) were given follow‐up appointments.Conclusions The persistence of significant symptoms in 12% of patients 3 months after TURP justifies the follow‐up of all patients. A telephone interview by the NP at one month is recommended. This could result in safe discharge of more than half the patients and allow follow‐up of those who need specialist input.
To determine whether the temperature of 2% lignocaine gel affects the initial discomfort which may be associated with its instillation into the male urethra
Authors: Thompson  , Thompson  , O’Brien  , Young  , Mccleane  
Published: March 2003

ObjectiveTo determine whether the temperature of 2% lignocaine hydrochloride gel affects the initial discomfort during instillation into the male urethra.Patients and methodsSixty consenting men were randomized to receive 11 mL of 2% lignocaine hydrochloride gel (Instillagel, Farco‐Pharma GmbH, Cologne, Germany) at 4°C, 22°C or 40°C. The three groups were well matched for age and numbers of previous flexible cystoscopies. The gel was instilled by one operator and the patients were then immediately asked to score the pain on instillation using a 100‐mm nongraphical visual analogue scale.ResultsCompared with the control group (at 22°C), there was a statistically significant reduction in pain score in the group receiving cold gel (Student’s t‐test, P<0.05).ConclusionThe cooling of 2% lignocaine gel significantly reduced the initial discomfort associated with its delivery into the male urethra before any form of urethral instrumentation.
Does proximal genitofemoral nerve division induce testicular maldescent or ascent in the rat?
Authors: Shono  , Zakaria  , Imajima  , Suita  
Published: March 2003

ObjectiveTo investigate whether the division of the proximal genitofemoral nerve (GFN) in neonatal rats induces testicular undescent or ascent in adulthood.Materials and methodsNeonatal Wistar King A rats underwent a unilateral proximal GFN transection on either the right or left side. At the age of 30 days, testicular descent was examined in all rats and the position of the testis recorded. The animals were allowed to develop further and the position of the testis re‐examined at the age of 90–180 days, when the testes were removed and weighed. Sham‐operated rats were used as controls.ResultsAt the age of 30 days, four of the 46 (9%) operated rats showed a unilateral undescended testis on the operated side. At the age of 90–180 days, 43 rats were re‐examined (three rats died before re‐examination); 34 (79%) of these rats showed undescended testes on the operated side. The occurrence of cryptorchidism was significantly higher in the 90–180‐day‐old mature rats than in 30‐day‐old prepubertal rats (P<0.01). The mean (sd) weight of the undescended testes, at 2.36 (0.21) mg/g body weight, was significantly less than that of the contralateral scrotal testes, at 3.83 (0.23) mg/g; P<0.01) and of the control testes at the age of 90–180 days. In the sham‐operated rats, all testes were located at the bottom of the scrotum at 30 days of age and no rats showed any testicular ascent thereafter.ConclusionsThe proximal division of the GFN in neonatal rats not only causes inguinoscrotal testicular maldescent but may also induce testicular ascent in adulthood. Testicular ascent may thus be caused by some intrauterine disorders of the GFN in patients with ascending testis.
Antitumour effects of the angiogenesis inhibitor AGM‐1470 on rat urinary bladder tumours induced by N‐butyl‐N‐(4‐hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine
Authors: Osawa S. , Terashima Y. , Kimura G. , Akimoto M. 
Published: March 2003

ObjectiveTo examine the antitumour effects of the angiogenesis inhibitor AGM‐1470 (TNP‐470) on rat urinary bladder tumours induced by N‐butyl‐N‐(4‐hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN).Materials and methodsFischer‐344 rats were allocated to one of four groups of 15 rats each; in group 1, rats were administered AGM‐1470 intraperitoneally, with group 2 acting as the control and given only saline; in group 3, AGM‐1470 was instillation intravesically and group 4 acting as control (intravesical saline). All rats were given 0.05% BBN in their drinking water for 8 weeks and then given water with no BBN. AGM‐1470 was administered at a dose of 30 mg/kg every other day for 6 weeks in group 1 and at 15 mg/kg once a week for 6 weeks in group 3. This treatment was commenced at 21 weeks after the start of BBN treatment, when tumorigenesis was apparent in all rat bladders; ≈70–80% of the tumours were carcinomas. All rats were killed in the 27th week. The antitumour effects of AGM‐1470 on the BBN‐induced bladder tumours were evaluated macroscopically and histologically. The inhibitory effect of AGM‐1470 on endothelial cell proliferation was assessed in groups 1 and 2 by immunohistochemical staining for Factor VIII‐related antigen and by counting the microvessels.ResultsThe number and volume of bladder tumours were significantly less in group 1 than group 2. In the latter, at least one bladder tumour developed in each of the 15 rats. Histologically, transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) was found in 13 rats and papilloma in two, with invasive cancer in three of the 13 TCCs. Bladder tumours developed in only four of the 15 rats in group 1. Carcinomas were found in three of these four rats and no invasive cancer was detected. The rats in group 1 had significantly fewer microvessels than the controls. The rats in group 4 also showed slightly but insignificantly less tumour growth and fewer carcinomas. In neither experiment were any major side‐effects seen except for mild weight loss after AGM‐1470 treatment.ConclusionAGM‐1470 inhibited the growth and malignant progression of BBN‐induced bladder tumours in rats, apparently mainly by the inhibition of tumour vessel development. The intraperitoneal administration of AGM‐1470 produced better results than did intravesical instillation. These results suggest that the angiogenesis inhibitor AGM‐1470 is a promising agent for the treatment of human bladder cancer.