Can Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Lymph Node Density Be Used as Prognostic Factors in Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy?

Objective. To assessment the role of preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and postoperative lymph node density in predicting prognosis in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Material and Methods. Preoperatively, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts as well as neutrophil-lymphocyte ratios were recorded in 201 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Patients with an infection were excluded. Based on the pathology reports, the number of positive lymph nodes was divided by the total number of lymph nodes to calculate lymph node density. Results. The mean follow-up duration was months in patients without lymph node involvement and months in those with lymph node involvement (). Median lymph node density was 17% (4–80) in patients with lymph node involvement. There was no difference according to lymph node density lower than 17% and greater than 17% . There was no significant difference between patients with an NLR below or above 2.5 in terms of overall survival (). Pathological T stage was associated with survival (). Conclusion. In patients undergoing RC for bladder cancer, lymph node density and preoperative NLR were not found to be independent predictors of prognosis

A rare case: Congenital Megalourethra in prune belly syndrome

Introduction: Prune Belly syndrome is a disease characterized by abdominal muscle defect, bilateral cryptorchidsim and urinary system anomalies (reflux megaureter, hydronephrosis, etc.). Pulmonary, cardiac, and gastrointestinal anomalies may also be present. Management of these rare cases is very important. In this case, the clinical course of a patient with Prune Belly syndrome with megaurethra is presented. Case: The patient from the first gestation and parturition with birth weight of 2500 g and 38 weeks was hospitalized because of the bilateral hydronephrosis. His physical examination revealed undescended testicles and a large penis. The abdominal muscles were not very atrophic. The size of the kidney was small, bilateral hydroureteronephrosis and wide posterior urethra on the ultrasound. Renal function tests were progressively disturbed and the patient underwent cystourethroscopy for diagnostic purposes in terms of posterior urethral valve. A large diverticulum was found in anterior urethra. Prune Belly Syndrome was thought because the orifices were in appearance of reflux. The vesicostomy was applied. After vesicostomy the renal function tests got better but he was hospitalized due to urosepsis two times. In cystoscopic examination, the diverticulum in the urethra was filled with urine and the drainage was very slow. Phimosis was opened with dorsal slit technique. Cutaneous urethrostomy was proximal to the anterior diverticulum. Conclusion: Prune Belly syndrome should be considered in patients with megaurethra and postrenal or renal insufficiency although there are no obvious clinical findings. In Prune Belly cases, via a large penis with obstruction signs, anterior urethral diverticulum should be considered

The Protective Role of Poplar Propolis Against Alcohol-Induced Biochemical and Histological Changes in Liver and Testes Tissues of Rats

Objective: This study evaluated the biochemical and histopathological effects of propolis oil extract on liver and testiculartissue in rats subjected to alcohol toxicity.Materials and Methods: Sixty Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups: Control, Ethanol (EtOH: 20%ethanol) Propolis-1 (PR1: 100 mg/kgbw) Propolis-2 (PR2: 200 mg/kgbw) EtOH+PR1, and EtOH+PR2. Rats were administeredethanol and propolis by gastric tube for 15 days. Hematological, biochemical, and histopathological (liver and testes)parameters were examined. In addition, sperm concentration and motility were determined.Results: Increased deterioration of complete blood count parameters was statistically significant in the EtOH group whencompared to the control group. Propolis was preventative for some effects of EtOH. The most pronounced preventive effectof propolis on ethanol-induced damage was observed in nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) and mean corpuscular hemoglobinconcentration (MCHC) parameters (p&lt;0.01). Cholesterol and triglyceride levels were found to be highest in the EtOH group,and propolis was found to reduce these effects of ethanol (p&lt;0.01). While the highest value for the testosterone hormonewas seen in the PR2 group, propolis was found to decrease the hormone level decline caused by ethanol especially in theEtOH+PR2 group. Although it was not statistically significant, giving rats ethanol showed reduced sperm motility and epididymalsperm concentration, whereas co-administering propolis and ethanol showed an increase in these values.Conclusion: It was found that ethanol caused negative effects on the biochemical parameters studied, and histopathologicalassessments also showed negative effects on liver and testicular tissue. Propolis (200 mg/kgbw), on the other hand, wasfound to have a mitigating effect on these values.Keywords: Ethanol, alcohol, propolis, liver, testes, semen</p

Association between Body Mass Index, Lipid Profiles, and Types of Urinary Stones

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in body mass index (BMI), levels of cholesterol, and levels of triglycerides (TGs) among urolithiasis patients with different stone compositions. Materials and methods: Forty-nine patients who had a diagnosis of nephrolithiasis and had undergone open surgery or percutaneous surgery were included, and patients without urolithiasis were randomly selected as controls. Urinary stones were collected and analyzed using infrared spectroscopy. Data relating to patient's age, BMI at diagnosis, serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were collected. The stone groups including calcium oxalate monohydrate-calcium oxalate dihydrate (COM-COD), COM, and uric acid were compared with one another and with the control group. In addition, the stone formers group (COM-COD, COM, uric acid, calcium phosphate, and mixed-type stones) was compared to the control group. Results: BMI, TC, and TG levels were significantly higher in stone formers compared with the control group; this association of BMI and TC with stone formation was more prominent in uric acid and COM-COD stone formers, but there was no such prominence for COM stones. LDL-C levels in COM-COD stone formers were significantly higher when compared with COM stone formers. Conclusion: Elevated BMI, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperlipidemia, which are leading components of metabolic syndrome, may be associated with different types of urinary stone formation

Primary Obstructive Megaureter with Giant Ureteral Stone: A Case Report

A 19-year-old male patient was admitted with flank pain, which had lasted intermittently for four years. In X-ray, there was a radiopacity with a dimension of 6 × 4 cm on the left pelvic bone. Intravenous pyelography revealed a huge left megaureter with a stone in the lower end and grade V hydronephrosis. A left ureterolithotomy, left nipple ureteroneocystostomy, and psoas hitch operation was performed. A voiding cystourethrogram taken three months after the operation showed no reflux, and in IVP there was reduced dilatation of the collecting system when compared to the ureter before the operation