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Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the miRNA-371a-3p for the primary diagnosis of germ cell tumors (GCT) and to investigate its relationship with pathological factors and clinical stage in the Turkish population. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, a total of 60 patients with GCTs, and 40 healthy male controls were examined for serum levels of miRNA-371a-3p before orchiectomy and again two weeks after surgery. The miRNA-371a-3p, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (bHCG) levels in the preoperative and postoperative periods were compared at different clinical stages. Receiver operating characteristics curve analyses were performed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of miRNA-371a-3p. Clinical and pathological factors such as clinical stage (CS), tumor size, histology, rete testis invasion, and lymphovascular invasion, potentially impacting miRNA-371a-3p expression levels (relative quantity, RQ), were evaluated statistically. Results: The sensitivity of miR-371a-3p in GCT patients was 98.3%, and the specificity was 95% (AUC = 0.997 [95%Cl:0.99–1], p < .001). miR-371a-3p expression was not detected in two patients with teratoma. The median miR-371a-3p RQ was 489 times in GCT and 2.2 times in the Control group (p < .001). In the postoperative period, there was a significant decrease in AFP and bHCG levels in all CS-1 (p = .01) and 30% of the other CS (p = .3). Throughout this time there was a decrease of 19 times at the miR-371a-3p RQ in CS-1(p < .001) and 1.6 times in the other CS (p < .001). The miR-371a-3p RQs were correlated with tumor size and CS. Conclusion: The miR-371a-3p seems to have higher diagnostic accuracy than classical serum tumor markers in GCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a gender-specific metabolic index that indirectly measures visceral adipose function and distribution using waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol values. To assess visceral fat in the diagnostic pathway of urinary stone patients, we investigated the relationship between the VAI and nephrolithiasis as well as the relationship between the VAI and stone and surgery-related parameters. Material and methods Patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery for kidney stones were included in the study. The control group comprised of healthy individuals who volunteered to take part in study and did not have urolithiasis as confirmed by abdominal computed tomography imaging. A total of 148 patients were divided into the nephrolithiasis (n = 103) and the control (n = 45) groups. Weight, height, BMI, waist circumference measurements, and VAI were among the metabolic parameters measured. Stone and surgical parameters were evaluated. Results VAI (4.57 vs 2.76), waist circumference (92.1 vs 87.1), and BMI (28.31 vs 26.51) values were higher in the nephrolithiasis group(p = 0.02,p = 0.04, p <0.001, respectively). The VAI was statistically significant in the multivariate analysis for the presence of nephrolithiasis (p <0.001). The VAI negatively correlated with the stone Hounsfield unit (HU) and positively correlated with very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), blood creatinine, and calcium levels. The relationship between VAI and surgical parameters was not significant. Conclusions A significant relationship was detected between nephrolithiasis and VAI, a new gender-specific metabolic index that distinguishes between subcutaneous and visceral adipose mass and demonstrates metabolic syndrome. No significant effect of this relationship on surgical parameters was demonstrated in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual activity is important role in life of men. Decreased sexual function has a negative impact on the quality of life of the patients and their partners. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship of erectile dysfunction (ED) with self‐esteem, symptom severity and depression. The 80 patients were evaluated prospectively. Group 1 (cases group) included 40 patients who with ED an age range of up to 18–70 years. Group 2 (healthy control group) included 40 patients who apply to the urology clinic for various reasons without ED. All patients were filled international index of erectile function‐5 (IIEF‐5), Beck Depression questionnaire (BDI‐2) and Rosenberg self‐esteem questionnaires (RESQ). Demographic characteristics and inventory results of the patients were compared between the two groups. Significant differences were found between the two groups in IIEF‐5, RESQ and BDI‐2 scores. In Group 1, IIEF‐5 score was low, RESQ, BDI‐2 scores were significantly higher (All scores p < 0.001). As a result people significantly reflect their sexual satisfaction in their social life. The patients with mild ED are not entirely satisfied in spite of normal sexual frequency. This situation causes significantly low the self‐esteem of men. Prevention of ED will contribute to increased self‐esteem and happy lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]