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Purpose: Stress urinary incontinence is a postoperative complication occurring in patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Although the 1-hour pad test measures the degree of urinary incontinence qualitatively and quantitatively, some elderly women undergoing POP surgery do not have the daily activities of living to perform the pad test. Therefore, we examined whether the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF) could be used as an alternative tool for pad tests. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 132 patients with POP. In our hospital, 57 patients were treated by laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC), whereas 75 were treated by transvaginal mesh surgery (TVM). We measured the changes in symptoms preand postoperatively using the ICIQ-SF and 1-hour pad weight testing, and investigated the correlation between the total plus component question scores of the ICIQ-SF and 1-hour pad weight. Results: The preoperative ICIQ total scores in all patients decreased significantly as the amount of leakage on the 1-hour pad weight decreased. The component question scores also decreased significantly with decreasing levels of 1-hour pad weight. The LSC and TVM groups had decreased ICIQ-SF total and component question scores as pad weight decreased. At 12 months postoperatively, the ICIQ total scores in all patients significantly declined as the amount of leakage on the 1-hour pad weight decreased. In the LSC group, the ICIQ-SF total and component question scores also decreased with decreased pad weight, but the differences were not always significant between ICIQ scores and pad weight. In the TVM group, the ICIQ-SF total and component question scores also significantly decreased as the pad weight decreased. Conclusions: The ICIQ-SF could be an appropriate substitute for the 1-hour pad weight testing in predicting the severity of urinary incontinence. In the future, we hope to predict the level of urine leakage based on the ICIQ-SF score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of concomitant squamous metaplasia (SM), the initial histological change from normal urethra to urethral stricture, in bulbar urethral strictures and to investigate the associated clinical factors. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 165 male patients with bulbar urethral strictures who underwent excision and primary anastomosis (EPA) between 2010 and 2020, for whom complete clinical data and excised urethral specimens were available. An experienced pathologist histologically evaluated concomitant SM in paraffin sections of the proximal end of the excised urethra blinded to the clinical data. Disease duration was calculated as the period from the initial diagnosis of urethral stricture to the date of EPA. The association between concomitant SM and clinical background was investigated. Results: SM was identified in 86 (52.1%) patients. The median disease duration in patients with SM (38 months) was significantly longer than that in patients without SM (9 months, p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, the longer disease duration, non-traumatic stricture etiology, and failure to maintain urethral rest with urinary diversion via a suprapubic tube for more than 90 days were independent factors predicting concomitant SM. No significant difference was observed in success rates of EPA between patients with SM (93.2%) and those without SM (97.5%, p = 0.18). Conclusions: Reconstructive urologists need to be aware that concomitant SM is frequent in patients with bulbar urethral stricture, especially in those with long disease duration and those who were voiding volitionally during the period of urethral rest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological factors affecting discrepancies between multi‐parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and histopathological evaluation for diagnosis of extraprostatic extension (EPE) of prostate cancer. Methods: One hundred‐and‐three lesions from 96 cases with suspected EPE on preoperative mpMRI, of which 60 and 43 showed bulging and frank capsular breach, respectively, were grouped according to pathological (p)EPE in radical prostatectomy specimens. Additionally, clinicopathological/immunohistochemical findings for periostin reflecting a desmoplastic stromal reaction were compared between these groups. Results: pEPE was detected in 49 (48%) of the 103 lesions. Of these, 25 (42%) showed bulging and 24 (56%) showed frank capsular breach on MRI. In the total cohort, the absence of pEPE was significantly associated with a lower Gleason Grade Group (GG) (p < 0.0001), anterior location (p = 0.003), absence of intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC‐P) (p = 0.026), and high stromal periostin expression (p < 0.0001). These trends were preserved in subgroups defined by MRI findings, except for anterior location/IDC‐P in the bulging subgroup. Conclusions: GG, anterior location, and periostin expression may cause mpMRI–pathological discrepancies regarding EPE. Periostin expression was a significant pEPE‐negative factor in all subgroup analyses. Our results indicate that patients with suspected EPE on MRI, regardless of their pEPE results, should be followed as carefully as those with definite pEPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Paris System for Reporting Urine Cytology (TPS) recommends diagnostic criteria for urinary tract cytology, focusing primarily on the detection of high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) in the lower urinary tract. The second edition of TPS (TPS 2.0), published in 2022, extends these recommendations to the upper urinary tract (UUT); however, there is a lack of comprehensive data on this subject. Methods: In total, 223 consecutive UUT cytology specimens from 137 patients were retrieved and reclassified according to TPS 2.0 criteria and were compared with the original diagnosis based on the conventional system (CS). Histologic follow‐up within a 3‐month period was conducted for 43 patients. Results: Histologic follow‐up revealed 30 HGUCs, five low‐grade urothelial carcinomas (LGUCs), and eight nonneoplastic fibrotic tissues. The risk of high‐grade malignancy for each TPS diagnostic category was 16.7% for nondiagnostic/unsatisfactory, 2.3% for negative for HGUC (NHGUC), 42.1% for atypical urothelial cells, 50.0% for suspicious for HGUC (SHGUC), and 81.8% for HGUC. In all five cases of histologically diagnosed LGUC, the cytologic diagnosis was NHGUC. When SHGUC/HGUC was considered positive, the diagnostic accuracy of TPS had 63% sensitivity, 95% specificity, a 90% negative predictive value, and a 79% positive predictive value, which were better than those of CS. In addition, the TPS indices did not differ significantly between the specimens obtained before and after the application of contrast reagents. Conclusions: TPS implementation improved the accuracy of UUT cytology in predicting histologic HGUC, which was unaffected by the application of contrast reagents. These data indicate the usefulness of TPS for UUT cytology in routine clinical settings. This retrospective study of 223 consecutive upper urinary tract cytology specimens from 137 patients revealed that adaptation of The Paris System for Reporting Urine Cytology improved the accuracy of selective upper urinary tract cytology in predicting histologic high‐grade urothelial carcinoma, which was unaffected by the application of contrast reagents. The current data indicate the usefulness of this system for upper urinary tract cytology in routine clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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α‐Actinin4 (ACTN4), an isoform of non‐muscular α‐actinin, is involved in enhancing cell motility and promoting cancer infiltration and metastasis in various cancers. However, information remains limited regarding the pathological significance of ACTN4 expression in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas (UUTUCs). We obtained tumor samples from 168 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed UUTUCs (92 with renal pelvic cancers and 76 with ureteral cancers), who were treated with nephroureterectomy or partial ureterectomy, and analyzed the expression of the ACTN4 protein and the amplification of ACTN4 using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), respectively. The median follow‐up duration was 65 months. Among 168 cases, 49 (29%) showed ACTN4 protein overexpression and 25 (15%) showed copy number gain (≥4 copies per cell) of ACTN4. The copy number gain of ACTN4 detected using FISH significantly correlated with ACTN4 protein overexpression and several adverse clinicopathological factors, including higher pathological T stage, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, positive surgical margin, concomitant subtype histology, and non‐papillary gross finding. Cox univariate regression analyses revealed that both copy number gain of ACTN4 and ACTN4 protein overexpression were significant risk factors for extraurothelial recurrence and death (each p < 0.0001), but multivariate analysis revealed that only copy number gain of ACTN4 was an independent risk factor for extraurothelial recurrence and death (p = 0.038 and 0.027, hazard ratio = 2.16 and 2.17, respectively). This is the first study demonstrating the aberrant expression status of ACTN4 in UUTUC and indicating its putative usefulness as a prognostic indicator in patients with UUTUC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Large mucosal defects following gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) cause postoperative bleeding. To address this limitation and ensure closure of large mucosal defects, we developed the reopenable clip‐over‐the‐line method (ROLM) using a reopenable clip and nylon line. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the ROLM for closure of large mucosal defects following gastric ESD in a prospective, consecutive series of cases. Methods: We performed the ROLM on 50 consecutive patients with gastric mucosal defects at the Ise Red Cross Hospital and Mie Prefectural Shima Hospital. The time to complete the ROLM, numbers of clips and lines required, size of defect, and closure success rate were measured, and postoperative adverse events were recorded. Results: In all, 50 lesions were included in this study period between July 2021 and March 2022. The success rates of defect closure and defect closure without submucosal dead space of the ROLM were both 100% (50/50), with a median ROLM time of 30 (range, 14–35) min and a median resected specimen major axis of 45 (range, 31–73) mm. The median number of reopenable clips used was 31 (range, 10–93). Following gastric ESD, two cases of post‐ESD bleeding were observed during the follow‐up periods. Conclusion: Our results suggest that ROLM is a feasible strategy for complete closure of mucosal defects post‐ESD without submucosal dead space. Future comparative studies with post‐ESD bleeding rate as the main outcome are desirable to evaluate the efficacy of ROLM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We report our experience with urethral reconstruction for hypospadias surgery‐related urethral stricture in terms of surgical and patient‐reported outcomes. Methods: Twenty‐nine adult males who underwent urethral reconstruction for hypospadias surgery‐related urethral stricture between August 2008 and January 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Uroflowmetry and patient‐reported outcomes were evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months, and annually thereafter. Surgical success was defined as the absence of additional procedures. Patients were asked to rate their satisfaction with urethral reconstruction as "very satisfied", "satisfied", "unsatisfied", or "very unsatisfied". Results: The median patient age at referral was 43 years. The median number of previously performed hypospadias surgeries was three, and 18 patients (62.8%) had been treated with repeated transurethral procedures. The median stricture length was 54 mm (interquartile range 36–81). Performed urethral reconstruction included staged urethroplasty in 22 (75.9%), one‐stage onlay augmentation in 3 (10.2%), and perineal urethrostomy in 4 (13.8%) cases. Urethral reconstruction was successful in 26 patients (89.7%) over a median postoperative period of 31 months. Patient‐reported outcomes were assessed in 25 (86.2%) patients. The mean maximum flow rate, international prostate symptom score total score, international prostate symptom score quality of life score, and EuroQol‐5 dimensions index significantly improved postoperatively. Twenty‐three patients (92%) were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with the outcome of their urethral reconstruction. Conclusions: Urethral reconstruction is a highly successful and patient‐satisfying treatment for hypospadias surgery‐related urethral stricture in adult patients. Perineal urethrostomy is a reasonable alternative for elderly patients and for patients with complicated hypospadias surgery‐related urethral strictures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We report our surgical experience of transperineal bulbovesical anastomosis (BVA) for extensive posterior urethral stenosis (PUS). Methods: Six male patients who had extensive PUS extending from the bulbomembranous urethra to the bladder neck due to prostatic disease treatment and underwent transperineal BVA between 2014 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. BVA was performed according to the elaborate perineal approach for pelvic fracture urethral repair with minor modifications. After confirming the absence of recurrent stenosis 6 months postoperatively, the patients were offered artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement for subsequent urinary incontinence (UI). Results: Median patient age was 68, and the etiology of PUS was radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer in four patients, brachytherapy for prostate cancer in one, and transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia in one. All patients had been previously treated with multiple transurethral procedures such as urethrotomy and dilation. Median operative time and blood loss were 211 min and 154 ml, respectively. Five cases (83.3%) had no recurrent stenosis with a median follow‐up of 45 months, but a single direct vision internal urethrotomy was performed in one (16.7%) due to restenosis. Four (66.7%) patients underwent AUS placement via transcorporal approach for subsequent UI, but two had it removed due to urethral erosion. Conclusion: Transperineal BVA could effectively manage extensive PUS after prostatic disease treatment. Staged AUS placement could be a viable option for subsequent UI, but the risk of urethral erosion seemed high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We investigated the efficacy of urethral reconstruction in male patients with iatrogenic urethral stricture after transurethral prostate surgery. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 82 patients who underwent urethral reconstruction for iatrogenic urethral stricture caused by transurethral prostate surgery between August 2011 and July 2021. Patients were followed up postoperatively with uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine measurement, and questionnaires using Peeling's picture score, International Prostate Symptom Score, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, Sexual Health Inventory for Men, EuroQol‐5 dimensions, and EuroQol‐5 dimensions visual analog scores. Successful urethral reconstruction was defined as the absence of a postoperative decrease in urinary force and any additional treatment. Results: The median patient age was 72 years, and the stricture site was the urethral meatus in eight (9.8%) patients, penoscrotal junction in 42 (51.2%), and proximal bulbar urethra in 26 (31.7%). Six patients (7.3%) had synchronous urethral strictures. Urethral reconstruction was successful in 78 patients (95.1%), with a median follow‐up of 43 months. The mean maximum flow rate (P < 0.0001), postvoid residual urine (P = 0.004), Peeling's picture score (P < 0.0001), the score for each question and total International Prostate Symptom Score and International Prostate Symptom Score‐quality of life scores (P < 0.0001 for all comparisons), and EuroQol‐5 dimensions and EuroQol‐5 dimensions visual analog scores (P < 0.0001 for both) significantly improved postoperatively. However, the Sexual Health Inventory for Men and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form scores remained unchanged (P = 0.09 and 0.70, respectively). Conclusions: Urethral reconstruction was effective for urethral stricture due to transurethral prostate surgery in both subjective and objective aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of male pelvic fracture urethral injury remains a urological challenge. Pelvic fracture urethral injury can be associated with sequelae, such as urethral gap, erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. Delayed anastomotic urethroplasty, the gold standard treatment for urethral gaps caused by pelvic fracture urethral injuries, is technically demanding, and reconstructive urologists should preoperatively obtain as much detailed anatomical information as possible. A combination of antegrade and retrograde urethrography is the fundamental preoperative evaluation, but it cannot accurately assess the urethral gap length, the degree of lateral prostatic displacement, the anatomical relationship of the urethra with its surrounding structures (such as the rectum and dorsal venous complex) or periurethral problems (such as minor fistulae or cavitation). To make up for these limitations of urethrography, magnetic resonance imaging has emerged as a non‐invasive, multiplanar and high‐resolution modality for the evaluation of pelvic fracture urethral injury. Magnetic resonance imaging has excellent soft‐tissue contrast, and can clearly show the urethra and periurethral tissues without the effects of radiation, thus enabling clinicians to anticipate the required ancillary techniques for delayed anastomotic urethroplasty and to predict functional outcomes, such as erectile function and urinary continence, after delayed anastomotic urethroplasty. This review discusses the role of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of pelvic fracture urethral injury and its impact on patient management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Periostin is an extracellular matrix protein that has been known to be implicated in fibrillogenesis and cell migration, including cancer metastasis. Periostin overexpression in cancer cells and/or intervening stroma is usually related to tumor progression and poor patient outcomes in various human cancers; however, its role in urothelial carcinoma, especially upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUCs), remains inconclusive.Methods: Samples from 126 consecutive cases of invasive UTUC (69 renal pelvic cancers and 57 ureteral cancers) were histologically reviewed and analyzed for periostin expression using immunohistochemistry. The intensities of immunoreactivity and the fraction of positive cancer cells and stroma (i.e., epithelial and stromal expression, respectively) were classified into four categories each (intensity, 0-3; fraction, 0-25% = 1; 26-50% = 2; 51-75% = 3; and > 75% = 4). The overall score was determined by multiplying both scores, and overall scores ≥ 6 were considered to indicate high periostin expression.Results: Among 126 UTUCs, 55 (44%; 27 renal pelvic and 28 ureteral cancers) showed high stromal periostin expression. None of the cases were considered to have high epithelial periostin expression. High stromal periostin expression was associated with non-papillary gross findings, higher pathological T category, lymphovascular invasion, concomitant carcinoma in situ, subtype histology, lymph node metastasis, positive surgical margins, high tumor budding, and high tumor-associated immune cell status. Multivariate analysis revealed that high stromal periostin expression was an independent predictor of overall survival (p = 0.00072, hazard ratio = 3.62), and lymphovascular invasion and high stromal periostin expression were independent predictors of cancer-specific survival (p = 0.032 and 0.020, hazard ratio = 2.61 and 3.07, respectively).Conclusions: Stromal periostin expression was often observed in invasive UTUCs with adverse clinicopathological factors and may be a useful predictor of patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Up to 0.3% of Japanese have hypouricaemia. Most cases appear to result from a hereditary disease, renal hypouricaemia (RHUC), which causes exercise-induced acute kidney injury and urolithiasis. However, to what extent RHUC accounts for hypouricaemia is not known. We therefore investigated its frequency and evaluated its risks by genotyping a general Japanese population. Methods A cohort of 4993 Japanese was examined by genotyping the non-functional variants R90H (rs121907896) and W258X (rs121907892) of URAT1/SLC22A12 , the two most common causative variants of RHUC in Japanese. Results Participants' fractional excretion of uric acid and risk allele frequencies markedly increased at lower serum uric acid (SUA) levels. Ten participants (0.200%) had an SUA level ≤2.0 mg/dl and nine had R90H or W258X and were likely to have RHUC. Logistic regression analysis revealed these URAT1 variants to be significantly and independently associated with the risk of hypouricaemia and mild hypouricaemia (SUA ≤3.0 mg/dl) as well as sex, age and BMI, but these URAT1 variants were the only risks in the hypouricaemia population (SUA ≤2.0 mg/dl). W258X was only a risk in males with SUA ≤3.0 mg/dl. Conclusion Our study accurately reveals the prevalence of RHUC and provides genetic evidence for its definition (SUA ≤2.0 mg/dl). We also show that individuals with SUA ≤3.0 mg/dl, especially males, are prone to RHUC. Our findings will help to promote a better epidemiological understanding of RHUC as well as more accurate diagnosis, especially in males with mild hypouricaemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the ability of photocurable gelatin to prevent stricture recurrence after urethral dilation in a rabbit urethral stricture model. Methods: We created urethral strictures in the bulbar urethras of 10 male Japanese white rabbits using electrocoagulation. After 1 month, the rabbits were randomly divided into Group A (n = 5; urethral stricture dilation and the local application of photocurable gelatin using a ruthenium photoinitiator and irradiation with a light‐emitting diode light [λ = 455 nm, 50 mW/cm2] for 1 min) and Group B (n = 5; dilation only). Urethral stricture status was evaluated 1–2 months later by retrograde urethrography and urethroscopy. The lumen ratio (urethral width at the stricture site to the normal urethral width on retrograde urethrography) was calculated. Urethral patency was considered to be improved when the urethral lumen could accommodate a 10‐Fr urethroscope without resistance. Urethral specimens were harvested for histopathological examination. Results: The mean lumen ratio did not differ significantly between Groups A and B before dilation (25.8% vs 23.4%; P = 0.40), but differed significantly after dilation (65.5% vs 27.3%, respectively; P = 0.03). Urethral patency improved in all rabbits in Group A (100%) versus one rabbit in Group B (20%; P = 0.02). The mean circumference of the regenerated urethral epithelium at the stricture site was larger in Group A than in Group B (14 mm vs 6.6 mm; P = 0.06). Conclusions: Photocurable gelatin can reduce urethral stricture recurrence after dilation in a rabbit model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We studied the impact of membranous urethral length (MUL) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on post-urethroplasty continence in male patients with pelvic fracture urethral injury (PFUI). Methods: Of 169 male patients with PFUI who underwent delayed anastomotic urethroplasty between 2008 and 2020, 85 who underwent preoperative MRI, had no recurrent stenosis on cystoscopy, and underwent a 1-h pad test 1 year after surgery were included. MUL was defined as the distance from the distal end of the disrupted proximal urethra to the apex of the prostate, as measured using T2-weighted MRI. Urinary incontinence (UI) was defined as a 1-h pad test weight > 2.0 g. Results: None of the patients had UI before a pelvic fracture. Eighty-two patients (96.5%) had a measurable MUL, and the median length was 8.1 (interquartile range [IQR], 5.2–10.8) mm. The median weight of the 1-h pad test was 1.0 (IQR, 0.0–4.0) g, and 26 (30.6%) patients had UI. An open bladder neck (odds ratio [OR], 4.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0–22.0; p = 0.04) and a short measurable membranous urethra (for every extra mm: OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0–1.3; p = 0.04) were significant UI predictors on multivariate analysis. Conclusions: A long MUL is significantly positively associated with urinary continence in male patients with PFUI. This could be of potential value to reconstructive urologists when counseling patients regarding post-urethroplasty continence before urethroplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the incidence of overactive bladder in men with anterior urethral stricture and to evaluate the impact of urethroplasty on its improvement. Methods: A total of 104 men with anterior urethral stricture who underwent urethroplasty between 2016 and 2020 completed a validated urethral stricture surgery patient‐reported outcome measure comprising six lower urinary tract symptoms questions on voiding symptoms and overactive bladder symptom score before and 3, 6, and 12 months after urethroplasty. Patients with an urgency score of ≥2 for overactive bladder symptom score question 3, and a total overactive bladder symptom score of ≥3 were considered to have overactive bladder. An improvement in overactive bladder was defined as a decrease in the total overactive bladder symptom score by at least three points. Results: Thirty‐nine patients (37.5%) were considered to have overactive bladder, and improvement in overactive bladder after urethroplasty was found in 30 (76.9%). Maximum flow rate on uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine volume, lower urinary tract symptoms total score, and total overactive bladder symptom score were all significantly improved after urethroplasty (P < 0.0001 for all variables). There was a positive correlation between changes in lower urinary tract symptoms total score and total overactive bladder symptom score (Spearman's correlation 0.48, P < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that greater change in lower urinary tract symptoms score was an independent predictor of improvement in overactive bladder (odds ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval 1.06–1.59; P = 0.002). Conclusions: Overactive bladder is prevalent in patients with anterior urethral stricture, and can be effectively improved after urethroplasty. Improvement of voiding symptoms are key for improving overactive bladder symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We previously demonstrated a genetic evidence of the progression from seminoma to embryonal carcinoma in mixed testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). This process, the "reprogramming" of seminoma cells, is crucial for pathological tumorigenesis and should be kept in mind while designing clinical therapeutic strategies. We hypothesized that a comparison between pure-type seminomas and seminoma components in mixed tumors (mixed-type seminomas) could reveal early changes in the reprogramming process. In the present study, we performed gene expression microarray analysis of six pure-type and six mixed-type seminomas. Hierarchical clustering analysis properly grouped each type of seminomas into a separated cluster. Supervised analysis between pure-type and mixed-type seminomas revealed 154 significantly dysregulated genes (Storey-adjusted q < 0.05). The genes with the highest overexpression in mixed-type seminomas compared with the pure-type seminomas included MT1 isoforms, PRSS8, TSC22D1, and SLC39A4; downregulated genes included DEFB123, LMTK2, and MYRF. Functional annotation analysis of the differentially expressed genes revealed that the top-ranked functional categories were related to cellular zinc metabolism and consisted of MT1 isoforms and SLC39A4, the results of which were validated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis. In conclusion, this research provides further evidence that pure and mixed types of seminomas are molecularly different, which may contribute to elucidate the reprogramming mechanism in the progression of TGCTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the efficacy of perineal urethrostomy (PU) in patients with anterior urethral stricture. Methods: Patients who underwent PU for anterior urethral stricture between 2013 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed (n = 56). Surgical success was defined as no need for additional intervention. Uroflowmetry and measurement of residual urine volume (PVR) were examined postoperatively, and the patients were asked to fill out sexual health inventory for men (SHIM) and the validated Urethral Stricture Surgery Patient-reported Outcome Measure questionnaires before and after PU. The overall patient satisfaction was also assessed. Results: PU was successful in 92.9% of patients (n = 52), with a median follow-up of 34 months. Two of four were salvaged by re-do PU, and one was salvaged by forming a composite stoma using a penile skin graft. Thirty-nine patients (69.6%) filled out the questionnaires 6 months after surgery. The mean maximum flow rate, PVR, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)-total score, LUTS-specific quality of life, and EuroQol-visual analog scale scores improved significantly from 3.8 mL/s, 77.6 mL, 12.9, 2.6, and 53.6 at baseline to 17.6 mL/s, 21.3 mL, 4.1, 0.9, and 74.9 postoperatively (p = 0.003, p = 0.004, p = 0.005, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively). The SHIM score did not change significantly (from 2.6 at baseline to 2.3 postoperatively; p = 0.59). As for patient satisfaction, 84.6% of patients (33/39) were "satisfied" (46.1%) or "very satisfied" (38.5%) with the outcome. Conclusions: PU had a high surgical success rate, and significantly improved patients' subjective symptoms and achieved a high level of satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the outcomes of deep lateral incision for vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis after radical prostatectomy and its impact on postoperative urinary incontinence. Methods: We retrospectively investigated 43 men who underwent deep lateral incision for non‐obliterated vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis after radical prostatectomy between 2011 and 2020. The bladder neck was deeply incised through its circular fibers into the surrounding perivesical fat at 3 and 9 o'clock through electrocautery incision using needle‐type electrodes. Successful deep lateral incision was defined as the absence of additional treatment, including self‐dilatation. The postoperative urinary incontinence status was evaluated based on the number of pads used daily. Results: Deep lateral incision was successful in 35 (81.4%) patients, with a median follow‐up period of 43 months (interquartile range 15–80 months). There was no significant association of age (P = 0.66), body mass index (P = 0.49) and history of diabetes mellitus (P = 0.39), radiation therapy (P = 0.89) or previous vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis treatment (P = 0.71) with the incision outcomes; however, there were significantly more unsuccessful cases in those with preoperative urinary retention (P = 0.04) or indwelling urinary catheters for >5 days post‐incision (P = 0.01). A second incision was carried out in eight patients and a third incision in two patients, resulting in 42 (97.7%) successful incisions. A total of 37 (88.1%) patients had urinary incontinence and used at least one pad daily; seven (16.7%) underwent artificial urinary sphincter implantation after the last incision. Conclusions: Deep lateral incision is highly effective for treating vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis after radical prostatectomy. Appropriate treatment is required for urinary incontinence, which occurs frequently after incision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report our experience with excision and primary anastomosis (EPA) for bulbar urethral stricture. Methods: Patients who underwent EPA for bulbar stricture between 2012 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed (n = 308). Successful urethroplasty was defined as the absence of the need for additional treatment. For follow-up, uroflowmetry was performed and the patients completed the validated Urethral Stricture Surgery Patient-reported Outcome Measure and Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaires before (baseline) and 6 months after EPA. Overall patient satisfaction after urethroplasty was also evaluated. Results: Urethroplasty was successful in 97.1% of patients (n = 299) with a median follow-up of 37 months. A total of 215 patients (69.8%) completed the questionnaires at 6 months postoperatively. The mean maximum flow rate, lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS)-total score, Peeling's picture score, LUTS-specific quality of life, and EuroQol-visual analog scale scores improved significantly from 7.7 ml/s, 11.6, 3.3, 2.4, and 58.0 at baseline to 24.1 ml/s, 2.7, 1.9, 0.4, and 82.1 postoperatively (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons). However, five-point or greater deterioration in the SHIM score was found in 41 patients (19.1%). Regarding patient satisfaction, 98.6% of patients (212/215) were "satisfied" (32.6%) or "very satisfied" (66.0%) with the outcome. A low postoperative LUTS-total score and Peeling's picture score were independent predictors of a "very satisfied" patient (p = 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: EPA had a high success rate and was associated with significant benefits in both subjective and objective outcomes. Contrarily, a high incidence of postoperative erectile dysfunction was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To verify the utility of triangular extension of a hinge flap in buccal mucosal staged urethroplasty to resolve stomal stenosis after the first stage and ultimately prevent restenosis. Methods: A total of 23 patients (triangular extension group) were studied in 2013–2019. In the first stage, buccal mucosa was transplanted, and an extended triangle portion of the mucosa was placed beside the proximal and/or distal stoma that was created when the stricture segment of the urethra was resected. In the second stage, during tubularization of the urethral plate, an incision was made at the stoma to increase the caliber to which the triangular extension was inserted. The procedure was considered successful when a 17‐Fr flexible cystoscope passed through the reconstructed urethra at 6 months after the second‐stage urethroplasty and no additional surgery or bougie dilation required. The clinical course of the triangular extension group was compared with 24 patients who underwent conventional staged urethroplasty (control group). Results: In total, 20 patients from each group underwent second‐stage surgery. No patients in the triangular extension group required additional revision surgery because of stomal stenosis after first‐stage surgery, whereas five (20%) control patients did. Urethroplasty was successful in 19 patients (95%) in the triangular extension group and in 19 patients (95%) in the control group. Uroflowmetry after the second‐stage surgery indicated that the mean maximum urinary flow rate was 21.5 and 15.8 mL/s after triangular extension and the control procedure, respectively (P = 0.027). Conclusions: The triangular extension technique reduces the need for revision surgery and prevents postoperative restenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor budding, defined as a single cancer cell or clusters of fewer than five cancer cells observed at the tumor invasion front, has been reported to be associated with poor prognosis in various types of cancers. However, limited information regarding the pathological and prognostic significance of tumor budding in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUTUC) is available. We investigated 135 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed invasive UUTUCs (73 with renal pelvic cancers and 62 with ureteral cancers) treated with nephroureterectomy or partial ureterectomy between 1999 and 2018 in our hospital. Under a × 200 magnification, tumors with 10 or more budding foci were defined as "high tumor budding". The median follow-up period was 53.6 months. Among the 135 patients, 41 (30%; 16 with renal pelvic cancers and 25 with ureteral cancers) showed high tumor budding. High tumor budding was related to adjuvant chemotherapy status, higher pathological T stage, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, tumor location, concomitant variant histology, and non-papillary gross finding. The multivariate Cox analysis revealed that LVI and high tumor budding were independent predictors for extraurothelial recurrence (P = 0.039 and 0.014, hazard ratio = 2.50 and 2.88, respectively), and high tumor budding was an independent predictor for overall survival (P = 0.024, hazard ratio = 2.33). Tumor budding can be easily introduced in clinical practice with no need for immunohistochemical analysis, may be an important clinicopathological factor of UUTUC, and is suggested to be useful as a novel predictive prognostic factor of patients with invasive UUTUC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of re‐do urethroplasty for post‐traumatic urethral stricture in terms of anatomical and functional outcomes. Methods: A total of 48 patients who underwent re‐do urethroplasty for post‐traumatic urethral stricture due to perineal trauma (n = 21) and pelvic fracture urethral injury (n = 27) between October 2010 and March 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were followed by uroflowmetry, post‐void residual volume assessment and 17‐Fr flexible cystoscopy after re‐do urethroplasty. Successful urethroplasty was defined as having a urethral caliber adequate for the passage of a cystoscope and requiring no additional treatments. Patients completed a validated patient‐reported outcome measure for urethral stricture surgery, including overall satisfaction, and the sexual health inventory for men. Results: The type of re‐do urethroplasty was anastomotic urethroplasty in 45 (94%) patients and buccal mucosa urethroplasty in three (6%) patients. Urethroplasty was successful in 47 (98%) patients (median follow up 35 months, interquartile range 21–75). The patient‐reported outcome measure for urethral stricture surgery and Sexual Health Inventory for Men were assessed in 36 (75%) patients, and the mean lower urinary tract symptom‐specific quality of life, EuroQol‐5D and EuroQol‐visual analog scale scores improved from 2.86, 0.63 and 54.17 preoperatively to 0.78 (P < 0.001), 0.86 (P < 0.001) and 76.94 (P < 0.001) postoperatively, respectively. The pre‐ and postoperative mean Sexual Health Inventory for Men scores (5.92 and 4.94, respectively) did not significantly differ (P = 0.318). All 36 patients were satisfied with their urethroplasty outcomes, with 20 (56%) very satisfied patients. Conclusions: Re‐do urethroplasty for post‐traumatic urethral stricture shows a high success rate and beneficial effects on both anatomical and functional outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A very common way to classify bacteria is through microscopic images. Microscopic cell counting is a widely used technique to measure microbial growth. To date, fully automated methodologies are available for accurate and fast measurements; yet for bacteria dividing longitudinally, as in the case of Candidatus Thiosymbion oneisti, its cell count mainly remains manual. The identification of this type of cell division is important because it helps to detect undergoing cellular division from those which are not dividing once the sample is fixed. Our solution automates the classification of longitudinal division by using a machine learning method called residual network. Using transfer learning, we train a binary classification model in fewer epochs compared to the model trained without it. This potentially eliminates most of the manual labor of classifying the type of bacteria cell division. The approach is useful in automatically labeling a certain bacteria division after detecting and segmenting (extracting) individual bacteria images from microscopic images of colonies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objectives: To evaluate whether the management of anterior urethral strictures prior to definitive urethroplasty is appropriate. Methods: Of a total of 419 men diagnosed with anterior urethral strictures at hospitals across Japan and thereafter referred to our institution for definitive urethroplasty between 2004 and 2019, the medical records of 371, for whom data on stricture characteristics at the initial diagnosis and pre‐referral management were available, were retrospectively reviewed. A pre‐referral single transurethral procedure, such as direct vision internal urethrotomy or urethral dilation, was considered appropriate only for favorable stricture, defined as a single nontraumatic untreated bulbar urethral stricture ≤2 cm in size, and repeat transurethral procedures were considered inappropriate in any circumstances. The association between the appropriateness of the pre‐referral management strategy and patient and clinical characteristics was analyzed. Results: A total of 242 patients (65.2%) had a pre‐referral history of at least one transurethral procedure, and performing the procedure was considered inappropriate for 221 patients (59.6%). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, location of the patient's residence far from our institution (outside of the Kanto area; odds ratio 3.35, 95% confidence interval 1.86–6.04; P < 0.0001), voiding with intermittent dilation (odds ratio 2.38, 95% confidence interval 1.38–4.12; P = 0.002), iatrogenic stricture (odds ratio 11.18, 95% confidence interval 5.30–23.61; P < 0.0001), and stricture longer than 20 mm (odds ratio 3.05, 95% confidence interval 1.47–6.38; P = 0.003) were the independent predictors of inappropriate use of transurethral procedures. Conclusions: Transurethral procedures are often inappropriately used. There is a clear need to promote appropriate management strategies for urethral strictures among general urologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report our experience with urethroplasty for bulbar stricture due to a straddle injury based on surgical and patient-reported outcomes. Methods: Patients who underwent urethroplasty for bulbar stricture due to a straddle injury between 2010 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed (N = 132). Successful urethroplasty was defined as the absence of the need for additional treatment. The patients completed the validated Urethral Stricture Surgery Patient-reported Outcome Measure and Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaires before (baseline) and 1 year after urethroplasty. Results: The median (interquartile range) age was 50 (36–62) years; urethral stricture length estimated from urethrograms, 8.6 (5.1–12.5) mm; and postoperative follow-up, 41 (22–56) months. Urethroplasty was performed through excision with primary anastomosis in 95.5% (n = 126) and onlay augmentation with a buccal mucosa graft in 4.5% (n = 6). Urethroplasty was successful in 98.5% (n = 130). The 2 failures due to periurethral abscess were successfully salvaged with another urethroplasty. Eighty-four patients (63.6%) completed the questionnaires at 1 year postoperatively. The mean lower urinary tract (LUT)-specific quality of life, SHIM, and EuroQol-visual analog scale scores all improved significantly from 2.6, 8.5, and 57.5 at baseline to 0.3, 11.6, and 84.6 postoperatively (p < 0.0001, p = 0.004, p < 0.0001, respectively). All patients were either "satisfied" (19/84, 22.6%) or "very satisfied" (65/84, 77.3%). Lower postoperative LUT symptom score was an independent predictor of a "very satisfied" patient (odds ratio 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.67–0.98, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Urethroplasty for bulbar stricture due to a straddle injury has a high success rate and is beneficial for both subjective and objective symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choriocarcinoma (CC) is the rarest but most aggressive histological component of adult testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT). Although we previously reported a putative role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) alterations in the progression of CC, little is known about the kinase‐activating mutation status of EGFR, which predicts the response to EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors. In this study, we clinicopathologically reviewed a total of 12 cases of mixed TGCTs with CC components. Immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and direct sequencing was performed to investigate EGFR expression, EGFR copy number alterations, and functional mutation of EGFR in these CC components, respectively. Four (33%) of 12 cases exhibited predominant CC components (>50%), and all these patients died due to disease within 62 months. Overexpression of EGFR, higher copy number of EGFR, and amplification of EGFR was observed in 12 (100%), 10 (83%), and 9 (75%) of 12 CC components, respectively. None of the cases showed any mutational events in exons 18 to 24, which encode the tyrosine kinase domain of EGFR. These results confirm an important role of EGFR in the tumor aggressiveness of testicular CCs and may suggest its possible innate resistance against conventional anti‐EGFR therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Various endoscopic defect closure methods following endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) of submucosal tumors have been developed [1][2]; however, there is no established endoscopic defect closure method that can close a full-thickness defect as reliably as surgical suturing. As the omental fat was endoscopically visible, the reopenable clip could grasp the omental fat, serosal muscle layer, and mucosa. [Extracted from the article]

Defect closure was performed using the ROLM, a defect closure technique using a line and reopenable clip (SureClip 8 mm, 16 mm; MicroTech, Nanjing, China) [3]. Mucosal defect closure after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is challenging because of the thick mucosal and muscle layers [1]; it is particularly difficult in the gastric antrum. [Extracted from the article]

There is still no standard treatment for non‐clear cell renal cell carcinomas. Sunitinib is the most examined drug because of its effectiveness in retrospective studies and clinical trials, and is the preferred first‐line drug in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guideline. Temsirolimus is an option as a first‐line drug, especially for poor‐risk non‐clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients. Everolimus, pazopanib, axitinib and nivolmab might also be viable options. Clinical trials are still required to gather evidence regarding non‐clear cell renal cell carcinoma treatment. Because each non‐clear cell renal cell carcinoma has a different genetic background and molecular features, specific treatment for each non‐clear cell renal cell carcinoma should be established. From the results of a Japanese multicenter study, tyrosine kinase inhibitors might be better used for metastatic papillary renal cell carcinoma in both first‐ and second‐line settings. Both tyrosine kinase inhibitors and mammalian target of rapamicin inhibitors are effective for metastatic chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, but the preferred first‐line drug has not been determined. Platinum‐based chemotherapies are currently recommended for metastatic collecting duct carcinoma, and anti‐angiogenic drugs are effective in some cases. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, especially sunitinib, appear to be effective for X11.2 translocation renal cell carcinoma among the microphthalmia‐associated transcription family of translocation renal cell carcinomas. Evidence is still lacking regarding the treatment for other rare non‐clear cell renal cell carcinomas. Appropriate sequential therapies using antivascular endothelial growth factor therapies, mammalian target of rapamicin inhibitors and immuno‐oncology drugs should be established for each non‐clear cell renal cell carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By allelotyping analysis, we previously reported a putative progression pathway from germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS) to seminoma, then to embryonal carcinoma in mixed-type testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs), and detected that loss of heterozygosity events in seminoma components in mixed tumors were more frequent than those in pure seminomas. To elucidate a role of chromosomal instability in the progression of non-seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT), we performed fluorescence in situ hybridization with centromeric probes for chromosomes 1, 7, 8, 12, 17, and X on a cohort of 52 TGCT cases with 103 histologically distinct components: 39 GCNIS lesions (16 and 23 in tumors with and without NSGCT components, respectively), 39 seminomas (27 as pure seminomas and 12 in mixed tumors), and 25 embryonal carcinomas. On a total component basis, both the mean copy number per tumor cell nucleus and the deviations from the modal number of all chromosomes examined significantly increased from GCNIS to seminoma, then to embryonal carcinoma with few exceptions. Seminoma components in mixed tumors showed a significantly greater extent of chromosomal instability in chromosomes 8 and 12 than pure seminomas, whereas no statistically significant difference was observed between GCNIS lesions with and without NSGCT components. These results suggest that not only aneuploidy, but also the cell-to-cell variation of chromosomal number is a sensitive indicator of chromosomal instability and would be implicated in the progression of NSGCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common condition among elderly patients and has been reported to be a biomarker for the presence of malignant disease. In addition, unfavorable outcomes for patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) undergoing radical nephroureterectomy can be due to independent clinical factors. Therefore, the present study analyzed the clinicopathological data of patients with UTUC, who underwent radical nephroureterectomy at our institution, to clarify whether preoperative CKD and other factors are independent predictors of the shorter disease-specific and/or recurrence-free survival time of these patients. A retrospective review of 187 patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy was conducted, and patients were followed for at least 3 months postoperatively. The clinicopathological factors that are thought to have potentially significant roles in the progression and metastasis of malignant tumors and for disease-specific and recurrence-free survival were evaluated. Positive surgical margins and an estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 were independent factors for the shorter disease-specific survival time in multivariate analysis with Cox's proportional hazards model [hazard ratio (HR), 2.401: 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.044–5.255; and HR, 2.371: 95% CI, 1.024–5.898, respectively]. Another multivariate analysis also revealed that positive surgical margins (HR, 4.477; 95% CI, 2.042–9.469), and preoperative eGFR <60 (HR, 2.362; 95% CI, 1.067–5.592) were independent factors for the worse recurrence-free survival rate in all patients. Patients with UTUC who had eGFR <60 as well as positive surgical margins had significantly shorter time to disease-specific mortality and extraurothelial recurrence. The present study demonstrated that patients with UTUC undergoing radical nephroureterectomy who have CKD as well as positive surgical margins should be carefully followed up postoperatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the preventive effect of an insulin‐like growth factor 1 sustained‐release collagen urethral catheter on urethral stricture after urethral injury in a rabbit model. Methods: We made urethral catheters coated either with insulin‐like growth factor 1 impregnated collagen or with only collagen, and we divided 19 male Japanese white rabbits into three groups according to the kind of catheter inserted immediately after the rabbit's urethra was injured by electrocoagulation. Group 1 (n = 7) had a catheter coated with insulin‐like growth factor 1 impregnated collagen inserted; group 2 (n = 7) had a catheter coated with only collagen inserted; and group 3 (n = 5) had an uncoated catheter inserted. A total of 14 days later, the injured urethras were evaluated by urethrography and urethroscopy, and were also histologically examined. Results: Urethrography showed that the ratio of the urethral lumen diameter in injured urethra to that in normal urethra was the largest in group 1 (P < 0.0001). In addition, five of the seven rabbits in group 1 (71.4%) had a urethral lumen large enough for passage of a urethroscope, a fraction larger than the corresponding fractions in groups 2 (57.1%) and 3 (20%). On histological analysis, the injured area not covered with regenerated urethral epithelium tended to be smaller in group 1 than the other two groups, but the mean difference was not significant (P = 0.19). Conclusions: An insulin‐like growth factor 1 sustained‐release collagen urethral catheter significantly improves wound healing and prevents urethral stricture after urethral injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report our experience with delayed anastomotic urethroplasty for pelvic fracture urethral injury (PFUI) during the last 10 years and evaluate both surgical and patient-reported outcomes. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 115 patients undergoing delayed anastomotic urethroplasty for PFUI between 2008 and 2017 by a single surgeon (AH) was performed. Success was defined as a urethral lumen large enough for passage of a 17-Fr flexible cystoscope. We asked patients to complete questionnaires before (baseline) and 1 year after urethroplasty and compared by paired t and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests the answers to a question about LUTS-specific QOL and the health-related QOL indicated by EQ-5D index and visual analogue scores (EQVAS). Overall patient satisfaction 1 year after urethroplasty was also evaluated. Results: Urethroplasty was successful in 108 patients (93.9%), and failed urethroplasty was significantly associated with greater intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.009) and smaller surgical experience (p = 0.018). Sixty-six patients (57.4%) completed questionnaires 1 year after urethroplasty, and 65 of those 66 (98.5%) were "satisfied" (36.4%) or "very satisfied" (62.1%) with the outcome of their urethroplasty. The LUTS-specific QOL scores (p < 0.0001), EQ-5D index scores (p < 0.0001), and EQVAS scores (p < 0.0001) all improved significantly after urethroplasty. Conclusions: Delayed anastomotic urethroplasty has a high success rate and significant beneficial effects on both LUTS-specific and health-related QOL, resulting in high patient satisfaction. Careful manipulation in a bloodless operative field by experienced surgeons could be the key to successful urethroplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To better understand our urethroplasty outcome, we translated the English version of a urethral stricture surgery patient-reported outcome measure (USS-PROM) into Japanese and used it to evaluate the effect of urethroplasty for anterior urethral strictures. Methods: The PROM quantifies lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D), and it evaluates overall satisfaction by asking patients to choose "very satisfied", "satisfied", "unsatisfied", or "very unsatisfied". 93 Japanese-speaking male patients with anterior urethral stricture who underwent urethroplasty completed it before (baseline) and 6 months after urethroplasty. The psychometric criteria evaluated in the present study were the PROM's internal consistency, test–retest reliability, criterion validity, and responsiveness. Results: Qmax was negatively correlated with the LUTS-total scores (r = − 0.61). Cronbach's alpha was 0.80 and the test–retest intraclass correlation coefficient for the LUTS-total score was 0.82. 83 patients (89.2%) achieved stricture-free, which was defined as no re-stricture on cystoscopy and no need for additional treatment. The mean total LUTS-score improved from 12.4 at baseline to 3.7 postoperatively (p < 0.0001). The mean EQ-5D visual analogue scores and EQ-5D index improved from 61.2 and 0.76, respectively, at baseline to 77.9 and 0.89 postoperatively (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001). 55 patients (59.1%) were "very satisfied" with the outcome of their urethroplasty and 33 (35.5%) were "satisfied". Conclusions: The Japanese version of the USS-PROM has adequate psychometric properties. Urethroplasty improved not only objective data but also voiding symptoms and health-related QOL, and it resulted in a high rate of patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the urinary bladder is highly aggressive and portends a poor outcome. Herein, we report a patient with recurrent SCC of the urinary bladder who experienced an unusually long-term disease-free duration after radical cystectomy. The patient was a 60-year-old woman who had undergone transurethral resection followed by radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (high-grade urothelial carcinoma with adenocarcinomatous differentiation) 6 years prior; the surgical specimen had a negative surgical margin. She was referred to our hospital because of continuous bleeding from her vagina. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass located at the anterior wall of her residual vagina, a biopsy of which confirmed a pathological diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. The vaginal tumor and a section of the sigmoid colon were resected en bloc and were pathologically diagnosed as adenocarcinoma and SCC. We reevaluated the initial transurethral resection specimen and found SCC with foci of adenocarcinoma concomitant with high-grade urothelial carcinoma. Local recurrence and metastasis at the pelvic bone occurred 4 months later; although radiation therapy was performed, she died of the progressive disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrillation (AF), especially asymptomatic cases, is often detected by medical checkups. We investigated the outcome of AF ablation in cases detected by medical checkups. We reviewed the data of 735 patients with AF (56 ± 10 years, paroxysmal: 441 patients) who underwent initial catheter ablation. All patients were divided into two groups based on their AF being diagnosed either by a medical checkup (group M) or not (group NM). AF was diagnosed by medical checkups in 263 (36%) patients. In Group M, the age was younger, time from the diagnosis to ablation shorter, left atrium dimension larger, and left ventricular ejection fraction lower than in Group NM. Male gender, persistent AF, and asymptomatic AF were more frequently seen in Group M than in Group NM. A mean of 13 ± 11 months after the initial ablation procedure, AF recurrence was more frequently observed in group M compared to group NM (P = 0.018). While the AF recurrence rate was similar in both groups in persistent AF patients (P = 0.87), it was more frequently observed in Group M than in Group NM in paroxysmal AF patients (P = 0.005). AF diagnosed by medical checkups was often associated with a worse outcome of catheter ablation, especially in paroxysmal AF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bonding technology using a Ag nanoparticle paste has been a promising substitute for high-Pb-containing solder joining. However, it has some drawbacks, such as high cost and low compatibility, due to its high sintering temperature. Recently, the bonding process using the micro-sized Ag particle paste has been studied for cost-effectiveness, but it is limited in terms of high applied pressure or relatively low joint strength. In this study, a low pressure of 0.4 MPa was applied during bonding by micro-sized Ag particle paste for lower bonding temperature and higher joint strength. The micro-sized Ag paste was composed of chestnut-burr-like and spherical particles. Under low applied pressure, the joint with a high shear strength of 54.6 MPa was achieved when the bonding temperature and time were 260 °C and 10 min, respectively. It was also possible to reduce the bonding temperature and time for the joints having similar strength to that of the pressureless process. The microstructure showed a linear relationship to the shear strength, regardless of the bonding conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]