Identification of early stage and metastatic prostate cancer using electrochemical detection of beta-2-microglobulin in urine samples from patients

Abstract To improve prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis, it is imperative to identify novel biomarkers and establish effective screening techniques. Here, we introduce electrochemical biosensing of β-2-Microglobulin (β2M) in urine as a potential diagnostic tool for PCa. The immunosensor is composed of a screen-printed graphene electrode coated with anti β2M antibodies. The sensor is capable of detecting the protein directly in urine without any sample pretreatment within 45 min including sample incubation and a lower limit of detection of 204 µg/L. The sensor demonstrated a significant difference in the β2M-creatinine ratio in urine between control and both local- and metastatic PCa (mPCa) (P = 0.0302 and P = 0.0078 respectively), and between local- and mPCa (P = 0.0302). This first example of electrochemical sensing of β2M for the diagnosis of PCa may set the stage for an affordable, on-site screening technique for PCa

Endoscopic observations as a tool to define underlying pathology in kidney stone formers

PURPOSE: Advancements in endoscopy offer the possibility of inspection of intrarenal anatomy and pathology. The aim of the study was to evaluate renal papillary appearance in kidney stone formers and to correlate papillary findings with stone type and patient metabolic data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A consecutive cohort of 46 kidney stone formers undergoing retrograde intrarenal surgery was enrolled. During surgery, renal papillae were characterized in the domains of ductal Plugging (DP), surface Pitting, Loss of papillary contour, and Amount of Randall's plaque (RP, PPLA scoring). Stone material was analyzed using micro-CT and infrared spectroscopy, and blood and urine were collected for metabolic evaluation. RESULTS: In all patients, renal papillae had changes in at least one of the domains of the PPLA score. Examining the total population, it was evident that patients with predominantly plugging (DP > 0) all had very low RP scores. There were no significant trends between mean PPLA scores and urinary analytes for the total group. CONCLUSION: Efforts to prevent renal stone formation have so far been insufficient in majority of patients. Digital endoscopy reveals that kidney stone formers have different and distinct papillary morphologies that seem to be linked to specific stone-forming pathways. Since renal papillary abnormalities may be easily identified during endoscopy, this may in the future prove to be an important method for tailoring prevention strategies in kidney stone patients

Consultation on UTUC, Stockholm 2018 aspects of risk stratification: long-term results and follow-up

Purpose: To summarize current knowledge on upper urinary tract carcinoma (UTUC) regarding risk stratification, long-term results, and follow-up. Methods: A scoping review approach was applied to search literature in Pubmed, Web of Science, and Embase. Consensus was reached through discussions at Consultation on UTUC, September 2018, Stockholm. Results: To optimize oncological outcome considering both cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS), it is essential to identify pre- and postoperative prognostic factors. In low-risk UTUC, kidney-sparing surgery (KSS) and radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) offer equivalent CSS, whereas RNU may result in poorer OS due to nephron loss. For more aggressive tumours, undergrading can lead to insufficient treatment. The strongest prognostic factors are tumour stage and grade. Determining grade is best achieved by ureterorenoscopy (URS) with focal samples, biopsy and cytology. Staging is more difficult but can be indirectly achieved by multiphase computed tomography urography (CTU) or tumour grade determined by cytology and histopathology. Patients treated with KSS should be monitored closely with regular follow-ups (URS and CTU). Conclusion: KSS should be offered in low-risk UTUC when feasible, whereas RNU is the treatment of choice in organ-confined high-risk UTUC. Intravesical recurrence (IVR) is common after RNU, but a single postoperative dose of mitomycin instillation decreases IVR. Endourological management has high local and bladder recurrence rates; however, its effect on CSS or overall survival OS is unclear. RNU is associated with significant risk of chronic kidney disease. Careful selection of patients and risk stratification are mandatory, and patients should be followed according to strict protocols

Bladder Neck Contracture after Transurethral Resection of the Prostate for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treated with a Thermo-Expandable Metal Stent (Memokath® 045)

Bladder neck contracture following transurethral resection of the prostate is a rare but feared complication. Treatment is often challenging with significant recurrence rates. In this report, we present a complicated case treated with a simple procedure. A 75-year-old male developed urinary retention due to bladder neck contracture after transurethral resection of the prostate. He was initially treated with several transurethral incisions, but the obstruction recurred few months after each incision. At urethroscopy, the bladder neck was completely obstructed. Using both retrograde and antegrade endoscopy, it was possible to place a through-and-through guidewire, after which the length of the stricture could be measured. Subsequently, the stricture was slightly dilated, and a double-cone thermo-expandable metal stent (Memokath 045) could be placed. The correct position was monitored with antegrade and retrograde endoscopy, securing the proximal cone expanded above the stricture and the distal cone above the sphincter. The patient was discharged the same day with spontaneous voiding and minimal residual urine. Twenty-one months after stent placement, the patient still had no complaints of his urination. Thus, the double-cone thermo-expandable metal stent, Memokath 045, may be a durable option for treatment of complicated bladder neck contracture after TURP for benign prostatic hyperplasia

Healthcare Professionals’ Experiences and Perspectives of Facilitating Self-Management Support for Patients with Low-Risk Localized Prostate Cancer via mHealth and Health Coaching

Introduction: Self-monitoring of self-management interventions with the use of mobile health (mHealth) can enhance patients’ well-being. Research indicates that mHealth and health coaching act symbiotically to providing a more constructive outcome. Nurse coaches seem to have a significant role in translating the patients’ tracked data. Objective: The objective was to explore healthcare professionals’ experiences of an intervention offering self-management support through mHealth and health coaching for patients with prostate cancer. Methods: We used the interpretive description methodology, combining semi-structured individual and focus group interviews and participant observations of patient-coach interactions and use of mHealth in coaching sessions. The study was conducted between June 2017 and August 2020. Results: The nurse coaches experienced motivation and autonomy when possessing the right competences for coaching. Furthermore, the nurse coaches experienced conflicting expectations of their roles when having to integrate mHealth. Conclusion: The experience of being competent, autonomous, and confident is important for the nurse coaches to be mentally present during the coaching sessions. On the other hand, the findings indicate that having the sense of not being confident in one’s own ability to perform leads to reduced motivation

Pharmacological Relaxation of the Ureter When Using Ureteral Access Sheaths during Ureterorenoscopy: A Randomized Feasibility Study in a Porcine Model

Objective. High intraluminal pressure during ureterorenoscopy (URS) increases risk of infectious and haemorrhagic complications. Intrarenal pressure may be reduced by the use of ureteral access sheaths (UASs), which on the other hand may cause ureteral damage. We have previously shown that the β-agonist isoproterenol (ISO), when administered topically in the irrigation fluid, is able to inhibit ureteral muscle tone and lower intrarenal pressure during URS. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of ISO on the success rate of UAS insertion in a porcine model. Materials and Methods. 22 pigs in which a UAS could not initially be placed were randomized to endoluminal irrigation with either ISO (0.1 μg/mL) or saline before a new insertion trial. Subsequently, it was registered whether the UAS could be passed without resistance. During extraction of the sheath, any ureteral lesions were characterized ureteroscopically using the PULS classification system. Surgeons were blinded to randomization. Results. In the ISO group, the observed effect of irrigation was 63% successful UAS insertions, compared to 27% in the saline group. No serious lesions (<PULS grade 2) were observed in the ISO group. Conclusions. Endoluminal irrigation with ISO may facilitate UAS insertion and potentially decrease UAS related ureteral lesions