BACKGROUND: It is easy and feasible to treat anterior urethral stricture using internal urethrotomy, however, its drawback is high recurrence in the long-term follow-up. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of submucosal injected verapamil on prevention of anterior urethral stricture recurrence after internal urethrotomy. METHODS: Totally 60 consecutive males with anterior urethral stricture underwent internal urethrotomy with or without urethral submucosal injection of verapamil, in the Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, from December 2006 to April 2008, were selected. All cases were followed up at least 24 months.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All cases were followed up for 24-39 months, with an average of 28.5 months. Urethral stricture recurred in two cases in the verapamil-treated group but 8 cases in the untreated group. This difference in stricture recurrence between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that submucosal injection of verapamil at the stricture site significantly reduces the stricture recurrence rate after internal urethrotomy. Further studies involving larger number of cases and longer follow-up are warranted to confirm the efficacy and safety of this therapy.

Objective To analyse the operation technique and therapeutic effect of "inserting" uretero-intestinal anastomosis in orthotopic bladder substitution.Methods Thirty-eight patients undergoing orthotopic bladder substitution operations were followed up,and the way of uretero-intestinal anastomosis in all Datients was the "inserting"uretero-intestinal anastomosis.The therapeutic effect was observed by radiation,cystoscopy,pathologic biopsy and blood test.Results The average follow-up time was(3 1.65±14.14)montll8.and the stricture rate was 4%(3/75),but no vesicoureteric reflux was found.The rate of leakage was 0.Nipples were formed at the site of anastomosis under the view of cystoscope,and among the 7 patients whose nipples were taken to be examined by histology,2 cases were intestinal epithelium which were taken at the base of nipple8.while the others were transitional epithelium which were taken at the top of nipples.The renal function of all patients was normal (Cr 54-135 μmol/L,BUN 3.2-9.4 mmol/L).Conclusion "Inserting"uretem-intestinal anastomosis is an ideal antireflux uretero-intestinal anastomosis method.

Objective Detrusor overactivity (DO) is one known cause of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).In this study,OAB symptoms suggestive of DO in BPH were treated with α1-blocker monotherapy or α1-blocker and antimuscarinics add-on therapy,and the efficacy and safety were assessed.Methods BPH patients who suffered from OAB symptoms for at least 3 month were enrolled in a prospective self-control study from August 2010 to April 2012.The inclusion criteria are total international prostate symptom score (IPSS) ≥8,OAB Symptom Score (OABSS) ≥3,OABSS urgency score ≥2,Postvoid residual volume (PVR) ＜ 100 ml,and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) ≥ 5 ml/s.All the patients who met the inclusion criteria were treated with α1-blocker ( tamsulosin 0.2 mg/day or doxazosin 4 mg/day) for 2 weeks.After 2 weeks,patients with no symptomatic improvement ( OABSS≥3) underwent pressure-flow test,and those whose Pdet≥ 40 cm H2O and DO presented more than one time were added antimuscarinics (solifenacin 5 mg/day or tolterodine 4 mg/day) for an additional 2 weeks.OABSS,IPSS,QOL,Qmax and PVR were re-evaluated every 2 weeks.Results Ninety-four cases of BPH/OAB patients met the inclusion criteria and completed 4 weeks treatment.The baseline of total OABSS was 7.0 ± 1.3,IPSS was 17.0 ± 1.7,QOL was 5.0 ±0.7,Qmax was (8.8 ±2.5) ml/s and PVR was (86.0 ± 16.5) ml.After 2 weeks treatment with α1-blocker alone,OABSS was 5.2 ± 0.8,IPSS was 14.2 ± 1.9,QOLwas4.O±0.8,Qmaxwas (11.4±2.4) ml/s and PVR was (67.9±12.9) ml.After another2 weeks treatment with α1-blocker plus antimuscarinics,OABSS was 3.1 ± 0.8,IPSS was 11.1 ± 1.9,QOL was 3.1 ± 0.7,Qmax was ( 10.8 ± 2.4) ml/s and PVR was (71.8 ± 11.9 ) ml.Compared with baseline values,OABSS,IPSS,QOL,Qmax and PVR significantly improved (P ＜ 0.01 ) in α1-blocker monotherapy group and α1-blocker plus antimuscarinic group.The improvement of OABSS,IPSS,QOL scores of α1-blocker plus antimuscarinic group were greater than α1-blocker monotherapy group (p ＜ 0.05 ),while Qmax and PVR showed no differences between the two groups.No acute urinary retention (AUR) was deteted.Conclusion Both of α1-blocker monotherapy and α1-blocker with antimuscarinics add-on therapy can improve OAB symptoms.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of mitomycin (MMC) intravesical chemotherapy for superficial bladder carcinoma by in vitro chemosensitivity using histoculture drug response assay (HDRA).Methods Forty-one cases of superficial bladder transitional cell carcinoma(TCC) were obtained,including 30 males and 11 females with mean age of 55 years.Of them,10 cases were Ta and 31 were T1 according to TNM stage system (UICC 2002) while 9 cases were G1,22 were G2 and 10 were G3 (WHO1973).All cases had no chemotherapy history before operation and were operated to retain bladder.Tumor specimens were cultured by three-dimensional histoculture.HDRA with im-proved MTT assay was utilized for chemosenstivity test of MMC with 1 g/L concentration and 2 hours exposure.Growth inhibition rate (GI) exceeding 70% was defined as high-sensitive while less than 50% GI was defined as insensitive,others were moderate-sensitive.All cases were performed standard intravesical chemotherapy with MMC 40 mg plus 40 mt saline.Every case was followed up every 3 months.The patients were followed up for 5 years or untill recurrence.Results The MMC chem-osensitivity was different among 41 patients.Thirteen cases were insensitive including 1 of Ta,12 of T1 (P=0.009) and 1 of G1,7 of G2,5 of G3(P=0.101).Total recurrence rate was 39%(16/41) af-ter 3 to 5 years follow-up.There were 1 of Ta,15 of T1 (P=0.059) and 10 of G2 6 of G3 (P=0.016).Insensitive group recurrence rate was 77% (10/13) while sensitive group was 21% (6/28,P= 0.004).Patients in sensitive group showed a longer median time(49.2 months) than patients in insen-sitive group (16.5 months,P<0.001) according to Kaplan-Meier analysis with Log-rank test.The MMC chemosensitivity was independent prognostic factor examed by Cox regression analysis (P= 0.008).There was a 78% correlation rate of chemosensitivity by HDRA to clinical effect of MMC in-travesical chemotherapy.Conclusion HDRA could evaluate MMC intravesical chemotherapy for su-perficial bladder TCC,improve therapeutic effect and lower tumor recurrence rate.

Objective To study the application of pediculated skin flaps in the treatment of com-plicated long urethratresia. Methods From March 1999 to May 2006, a total of 18 male patients with complicated long urethratresia were treated by using the pediculated skin flaps. The causes of urethratresia were 7 cases of postoperative pelvic fractures with posterior urethral stricture, 4 cases of transurethral intravesical chemotherapy, 3 cases of postoperative bulbar urethral stricture, 2 cases of gonorrhea, and 2 cases of long-time urethral catheter placement. Four cases were urethratresia nf cor-pus penis, 7 cases were anterior urethral obliteration, 7 cases were posterior urethral and anterior ure-thral obliteration. Urethro-perineal fistulas were found in 8 cases, posterior urethrorectal fistulas in 7 cases, false passage formations in 8 cases. The average length of urethratresia was 15.1 cm (range 8. 7 to 23. 0 cm). The urethral scar was rasected, the posterior urethrorectal fistula was repaired, and different kinds of pediculated skin flaps depending on the length of urethratreaia was used. Results All the patients were followed up for 12 to 18 months (mean 14 months). Fifteen patients voided well 3 months postoperatively, none of the urography showed stricture. The mean peak urinary flow rate was 16. 9 ml/s (range from 16. 5 to 21.7 ml/s). Of the other 3 cases, 1 case experienced difficult voi-ding due to the long and circuitous tabularized skin flap but recovered after proper shortening;1 case had restenosis for the infection of anastomosis but voided well after excision and reanastomnsis;1 casehad a urinary fistula resulting from hematoma and infection, but was successfully treated by the neo-plasty of the urinary fistula. The mean peak urinary flow rate was 17.0 ml/s (range 15.0 to 22.0 ml/s) for 17 patients 6 months postoperatively, except for one who experienced genuine urinary incon-tinence. At 9-18 months after operations, the mean peak urinary flow rate was 17.5 ml/s (range 15.8 to 22.5 ml/s) for 17 patients. Conclusion The single-stage urethroplasty based on pediculated skin flaps is a reliable and durable method for complicated long urethratresia.

Objective: To explore the effects of various forms of prostatic apex on positive apical margin rate (PAM) and biochemical recurrence (BCR) after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 309 patients (aging (65±6) years) who were experienced laparoscopic radical prostatectomy from January 2010 to December 2016 at the Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. According to the relationship between prostate apex and membrane urethra at the mid-sagittal plane of preoperative MRI, all patients were classified into 4 categories. There were 31 patients for type 1, apex covering both anterior and posterior aspects of membranous urethra, 139 patients for type 2, apex covering anterior side of membranous urethra, 63 patients for type 3, apex covering posterior aspect of membranous urethra, 76 patients for type 4, apex not covering membranous urethra. PAM and BCR after operation were compared between this four groups respectively. The χ² test was used to compare PAM among the 4 types. Logistic regression analysis were undertaken to analyze the factors affecting PAM. Cox′s proportional hazards regression model was undertaken to identify the variables influencing BCR. Results: There was no significant difference in the 4 groups concerning age, body mass index, prostate volume, preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value, postoperative Gleason score and pathological stage (P>0.05).The median follow-up time was 32 months (ranged from 12 to 60 months).The data showed that the apical type 3 patients has the highest PAM. There was statistical difference among the 4 groups in PAM (χ²=15.592, P=0.001). Preoperative level of PSA (OR=20.356, 95% CI: 2.440 to 169.810, P=0.005), postoperative Gleason score (OR=4.113, 95% CI: 1.911 to 8.849, P=0.001), pathological stage (OR=3.422, 95% CI: 1.600 to 7.319, P=0.002) and apical type 3 (OR=6.134, 95% CI: 2.196 to 17.132, P=0.001) were independent relactive factors of PAM. Preoperative level of PSA (HR=1.362, 95% CI: 1.006 to 1.843, P=0.045), postoperative Gleason score (HR=1.920, 95% CI: 1.384 to 2.665, P=0.001), pathological stage (HR=1.476, 95% CI: 1.098 to 1.983, P=0.010), PAM (HR=3.497, 95% CI: 2.407 to 5.081, P=0.001)and apical type 3 (HR=1.828, 95% CI: 1.266 to 2.639, P=0.001) were independent prognosis factors of BCR. Conclusion Prostate apical type 3 could be a significant independent predictor of PAM, and an independent prognosis factor for BCR.

AIM:To investigate the role of Rho-associated kinase ( ROCK) inhibitor fasudil in the formation of rabbit urethral stricture after injury and to observe the cell activity , migration and extracellular matrix synthesis in the rabbit urethra fibroblasts.METHODS:The rabbit model of urethral stricture was established by microsurgical techniques .The rabbits were divided into sham operation group , operation group and fasudil (3 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg) groups.The diameter of the stenosis was measured by retrograde urethrography 3 months after surgery .The fibroblasts were isolated from urethral scar, and then incubated with fasudil (12.5 μmol/L, 25 μmol/L, 50 μmol/L) in the presence of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1, 10 μg/L).The untreated cells were used for control .The cell activity was measured by MTT assay.The cell migration ability was tested by the method of Transwell chambers .The protein expression of ROCK , α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) , collagen I and collagen III was determined by Western blot analysis .RESULTS:Fasudil significantly reduced formation of urethral stricture after injury (P<0.05).Cultured rabbit fibroblasts with different con-centrations of fasudil inhibited the cell activity and cell migration ability (P<0.05).The protein expression of ROCK,α-SMA, collagen I and collagen III was also inhibited by treatment with fasudil in a dose -dependent manner ( P<0.05 ) . CONCLUSION:Fasudil inhibits the formation of extracellular matrix and reduces the incidence of urethral stricture after injury by down-regulating TGF-β1-induced Rho/ROCK pathway activation in the rabbit urethra fibroblasts .

Objective To evaluate the predictors of gleason score pathological downgrading after radical prostatectomy in patients with biopsy-proven level 2 of grading groups (Gleason Score 3 + 4 =7).Methods Data of 252 patients,diagnosed with level 2 of grading groups(Gleason score 3 + 4 =7) prostate cancer by biopsy,with subsequent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy,were retrospectively analyzed.The mean age was 64.3,ranged from 46 to 82 years.The average body mass index (BMI) was 23.2 kg/m2,ranged from 15.2 to 30.4 kg/m2.The median prostate volume,transition zone volume(TZV) and transition zone index(TZI) were 48.9 ml (30.3-73.1 ml),21.4 ml(13.5-31.2 ml) and 0.46％ (0.37％-0.58％),respectively.The median value of tPSA,fPSA and PSAD were 1.53 ng/ml(0.67-3.92 ng/ml),9.65 ng/ml (4.13-18.68 ng/ml) and 0.18 ng/(ml · cm3) [0.09-0.50 ng/ (ml · cm3)],respectively.Clinical T stage was also evaluated,including 153 (60.7％) diagnosed as T1e stage,78 (3 1.0％) diagnosed as T2 stage,and 21 (8.3％) diagnosed as T3 stage.There were 58(23.0％) with extracapsular extension,47 (18.7％) patients with seminal vesicle invasion,and 2(0.8％) with lymph node metastasis.Pathological T stage includes 112 (44.4％) diagnosed as T2 stage,55 (21.8％) diagnosed as T3a stage,35 (13.9％) diagnosed as T3b stage,and 50(19.8％) diagnosed as T4 stage.The patients were assigned Prostate ImagingReporting and Data System version 2 scores of 1,2,3,4,and 5 were 45 (17.9％),36 (14.3％),51 (20.2％),68(27.0％)and 52(20.6％),respectively.The patients were categorized into 2 groups with and without pathological downgrading,including downgrade and no downgrade group.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were done to determine the predictors of pathological downgrading.Results The patients were categorized into downgrade(n =31) and no downgrade group(n =221) of 252 patients.The pathological downgrading was identified in 31 (12.3％).The tPSA,PSAD and PI-RADS scores in patients with downgrade group which were lower than those in without downgrade group (P ＜ 0.05).The logistic regression analysis revealed PI-RADS score was the independent predictor of downgrading(OR =0.364,95％ CI 0.253-0.522,P ＜ 0.01).The area under the ROC curve of PI-RADS score was 0.810 and the diagnostic value was the best.Conclusions These findings suggested that PI-RADS scores was predictor for pathological downgrading after radical prostatectomy in patients with biopsy-proven level 2 of grading groups,reduced PI-RADS score (PI-RADS score ≤ 3) is correlated with increased pathological downgrading after radical prostatectomy.

AIM:This study was performed to investigate the impact of neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs)on scar formation following urethral trauma.METHODS:(1)Clinical samples were derived from patients of Department of Urology,The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University,from June 2021 to December 2022.Levels of NETs in the blood and urine were compared between patients with urethral trauma(n=20)and those without urethral trauma(controls,n=20).The relationship between NETs and scar formation was analyzed.(2)Urethral fibroblasts were isolated from urethral scar tissues,and neutrophils were induced to produce NETs in vitro.The urethral fibroblasts were treated with normal saline,0.5 mg/L NETs,or 1.5 mg/L NETs to investigate the effects of NETs on activation and collagen syn-thesis of urethral fibroblasts.Additionally,a rabbit model of urethral trauma was established and the animals were dioided into four groups to explore the therapeutic potential of deoxyribonuclease I(DNase I)in preventing urethral scar forma-tion:control,operation + transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),operation + normal saline,and operation+DNase I.RESULTS:The level of NETs in urine increased after urethral trauma(P<0.05),but the level of NETs in blood did not change(P>0.05).In the animal models,the urethral scar became more severe as the level of NETs in the urine increased(P<0.05).At the cellular level,NETs promoted the viability,migration,and collagen synthesis of urethral fibroblasts(P<0.05)..Additionally,urethral injection of DNase I after trauma reduced the level of NETs and inhibited the formation of urethral scar tissue in the animal models(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Infiltration of NETs promotes activation of urethral fibroblasts and scar formation after urethral trauma.

Objective:To construct a prognostic nomogram based on epithelial-stromal interaction protein 1(EPSTI1)and predict the pro-gnosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed from January 2012 to December 2015 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University,on 221 patients with ccRCC who underwent surgical treatment in our center and 533 patients with ccRCC in The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database.Immunohistochemical(IHC)staining was performed on adjacent nor-mal and cancerous tissues to analyze the expression level of EPSTI1 and its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed for the overall survival(OS)and disease-free survival(DFS)of patients with high and low EPSTI1 expression levels.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the prognostic factors for OS,and a nomogram model was constructed and verified.Results:The IHC scores and mRNA expression levels of EPSTI1 were significantly higher in ccRCC tissues than in normal tissues(all P<0.001).EPSTI1 was expressed at higher levels in cancer tissues at higher T stages(P=0.036,P=0.006).The EPSTI1 protein expression level was related to the maximum tumor diameter and TNM stage(P=0.002,P=0.032,respectively).The OS and DFS were higher in the low-EPSTI1-expression group than the high-EPSTI1-expression group(P=0.046,P=0.003,P=0.001).Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that a high EPSTI1 protein expression level,WHO/ISUP grade,and AJCC/TNM stage were independent risk factors for poor prognosis(P=0.009,P=0.039,P<0.001).The prognostic nomogram model constructed based on the above variables was su-perior to the AJCC/TNM stage in predicting the 5-year OS,and the calibration curve showed that the predicted value of the model was con-sistent with the actual value.Conclusions:The nomographic model based on EPSTI1,AJCC/TNM staging and WHO/ISUP staging has a strong predictive ability for the prognosis of renal clear cell carcinoma.