Objective To compare seminal carnitine levels between normal males and asthenozoospermic patients,evaluate its correla-tion with progressive motility(PR)of sperm,and observe the effects of exogenous carnitine supplementation on asthenozoospermic pa-tients.Methods Semen samples were collected from 511 normal fertile males and asthenozoospermic patients.Seminal was measured using a fixed-time assay kit and the levels of carnitine were compared between the two groups.The consistency between seminal carni-tine and PR was assessed.Additionally,77 asthenozoospermic patients received L-carnitine(1 g/time,3 times/day,30 days/course).The levels of seminal carnitine and PR alteration pre-and post-treatment were monitored.Results The seminal L-carnitine level in the patients with asthenospermia([194.34±65.41]μmol/L)was significantly lower than that in normal fertile males([405.43±72.12]μmol/L)(P＜0.01).When the seminal L-carnitine level ≥325 μmol/L was set as the threshold,the statistical results showed that Kappa value was 0.81,with a diagnostic coincidence rate of 93.74％.After one course of administration of L-carnitine,the concentra-tion of seminal L-carnitine([356.03±84.87]μmol/L)and PR([32.69±8.35]％)were significantly higher those that before treat-ment([183.61±79.54]μmol/L and[16.56±7.74]％,P＜0.01).Conclusion The seminal carnitine assay kit could be used for ac-curate and high-throughput quantification of clinical samples,facilitating asthenozoospermia diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy evalua-tion.Exogenous carnitine supplementation may elevate seminal carnitine levels and sperm motility in asthenozoospermic patients and po-tentially improve their fertility.

Background and purpose:The association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is still unknown. The aim of this study was to elucidate how MS correlates with the prevalence and malignancy of RCC.Methods:This study enrolled 398 RCC patients (350 clear cell RCC patients, 5 XP11.2 transloca-tion RCC patients, 16 papillary RCC patients and 27 chromophobe RCC patients), 160 normal persons, and 32 benign renal tumor patients. The metabolic status of the patients was assessed, and the link between MS and the prevalence or malignancy of RCC was calculated.Results:Clear cell RCC patients had signiifcantly higher rates of hypertension, higher body mass index (BMI) and longer waist circumference. Forty-eight percent clear cell RCC patients had MS, while the number was 33% for papillary RCC, 26% for chromophobe RCC, 0% for XP11.2, 17% for AML, and 25%for normal people. MS patients had signiifcant higher rates of having clear cell RCC than no-MS patients, however this kind of difference was not seen in other types of RCC. Clear cell RCC patients with higher Furhman grade had lower rates of MS.Conclusion:Patients with MS are more likely to develop clear cell RCC. Patients with high Furhman grade tumors have low MS rates, indicating that high grade tumor may have other originating mechanisms other than metabolic disorders.

Background and purpose:Laparoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy makes access to the adrenal glands easier and less invasive than open surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efifcacy of laparoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy.Methods:A total of 130 patients who underwent retroperitoneal adrenalectomy for adrenal mass from Jan. 2007 to Dec. 2012 in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were retrospectively assessed. Their clinicopathological factors, perioperative complications and short-term prognostic data were retrieved from the medical records.Results:One hundred and twenty-seven of 130 patients underwent retroperitoneal adrenalectomy successfully, and 3 patients were converted to open surgery due to severe bleeding. Among 130 patients, 63 were male and 67 were female, with the mean age 50.0 years. The pathological results of the 130 patients indicated adrenocortical adenoma in 68, pheochromocytoma in 15, medullary lipoma in 13, adrenal cysts in 10 , ganglioneuroma in 7, metastatic cancer in 5, adrenal hyperplasia in 4, schwannoma in 3, lymphangioma in 2, adrenal hematoma in 1, adrenal cortical carcinoma in 1, adrenal angiosarcoma in 1 and the deputy spleen in 1 (one patient suffering from both pheochromocytoma and ganglioneuroma). The maximum diameters were ranging from 0.5 to 9.0 cm, and mean diameter was 3.48 cm. The average blood loss in surgery was 62.73 mL. Mean length of stay in hospital was 7 d. GradeⅠ complications occurred in 5 patients, including 2 of fever, 1 of food allergy, 1 of drug allergy and 1 of hypokalemia.Conclusion: Retroperitoneal adrenalectomy should be considered as the procedure of choice for the resection of most adrenal tumors in skilled centers with the advantages of minimal invasion, increased safety and faster recovery.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the alterations in renal function after radical nephrectomy (RN) and partial nephrectomy (PN) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and to determine the risk factors for the onset of postoperative renal function impairment.

METHODSWe assessed the renal function of 429 T1a RCC patients by investigating the time-dependent changes of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after surgery from August 2003 to August 2010. Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to determine the risk factors for the onset of an eGFR < 60 ml · min⁻¹ · 1.73 m⁻² function, and to evaluate the prognosis for the two groups.

RESULTSThe mean eGFR values (ml · min⁻¹ · 1.73 m⁻²) at postoperative 1, 7 days, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months were 51.4 ± 12.6, 52.1 ± 17.8, 53.2 ± 19.5, 54.6 ± 20.2, 53.8 ± 16.6, 52.7 ± 22.3 and 51.5 ± 18.4 in the RN group and 69.6 ± 18.3, 70.3 ± 19.5, 71.5 ± 21.4, 76.2 ± 22.8, 75.4 ± 19.7, 74.3 ± 16.3 and 73.1 ± 23.2 in the PN group, respectively. The eGFR of the radical nephrectomy group was significantly lower than that of the partial nephrectomy group (P < 0.05). Multivariable analysis revealed that radical nephrectomy and age were risk factors for the onset of postoperative chronic renal dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONSRenal function recovered partially after partial and radical nephrectomy and is maintained constantly after 3 months. Surgical mode and age are risk factors for the onset of postoperative eGFR < 60 ml · min⁻¹ · 1.73 m⁻² impairment. Compared with radical nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy can preserve renal function and reduce the incidence of postoperative chronic renal dysfunction.

Age Factors ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Nephrectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; physiopathology ; Postoperative Period ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Risk Factors

Objective To evaluate the alterations in renal function after radical nephrectomy ( RN) and partial nephrectomy ( PN) for renal cell carcinoma ( RCC) and to determine the risk factors for the onset of postoperative renal function impairment. Methods We assessed the renal function of 429 T1a RCC patients by investigating the time?dependent changes of the estimated glomerular filtration rate ( eGFR) after surgery from August 2003 to August 2010. Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to determine the risk factors for the onset of an eGFR<60 ml·min-1 ·1.73 m-2 function, and to evaluate the prognosis for the two groups. Results The mean eGFR values ( ml·min-1 ·1.73 m-2 ) at postoperative 1, 7 days, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months were 51. 4 ± 12. 6, 52. 1 ± 17. 8, 53. 2 ± 19. 5, 54. 6 ± 20. 2, 53. 8 ± 16. 6, 52.7±22.3 and 51.5±18.4 in the RN group and 69.6±18.3, 70.3±19.5, 71.5±21.4, 76.2±22.8, 75.4± 19.7, 74.3±16.3 and 73.1±23.2 in the PN group, respectively. The eGFR of the radical nephrectomy group was significantly lower than that of the partial nephrectomy group ( P<0.05) . Multivariable analysis revealed that radical nephrectomy and age were risk factors for the onset of postoperative chronic renal dysfunction. Conclusions Renal function recovered partially after partial and radical nephrectomy and is maintained constantly after 3 months. Surgical mode and age are risk factors for the onset of postoperative eGFR<60 ml· min-1 ·1.73 m-2 impairment. Compared with radical nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy can preserve renal function and reduce the incidence of postoperative chronic renal dysfunction.

Objective To evaluate the alterations in renal function after radical nephrectomy ( RN) and partial nephrectomy ( PN) for renal cell carcinoma ( RCC) and to determine the risk factors for the onset of postoperative renal function impairment. Methods We assessed the renal function of 429 T1a RCC patients by investigating the time?dependent changes of the estimated glomerular filtration rate ( eGFR) after surgery from August 2003 to August 2010. Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to determine the risk factors for the onset of an eGFR<60 ml·min-1 ·1.73 m-2 function, and to evaluate the prognosis for the two groups. Results The mean eGFR values ( ml·min-1 ·1.73 m-2 ) at postoperative 1, 7 days, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months were 51. 4 ± 12. 6, 52. 1 ± 17. 8, 53. 2 ± 19. 5, 54. 6 ± 20. 2, 53. 8 ± 16. 6, 52.7±22.3 and 51.5±18.4 in the RN group and 69.6±18.3, 70.3±19.5, 71.5±21.4, 76.2±22.8, 75.4± 19.7, 74.3±16.3 and 73.1±23.2 in the PN group, respectively. The eGFR of the radical nephrectomy group was significantly lower than that of the partial nephrectomy group ( P<0.05) . Multivariable analysis revealed that radical nephrectomy and age were risk factors for the onset of postoperative chronic renal dysfunction. Conclusions Renal function recovered partially after partial and radical nephrectomy and is maintained constantly after 3 months. Surgical mode and age are risk factors for the onset of postoperative eGFR<60 ml· min-1 ·1.73 m-2 impairment. Compared with radical nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy can preserve renal function and reduce the incidence of postoperative chronic renal dysfunction.

Background and purpose:To perform whole mount technique in the diagnosis of the prostate cancer could provide orientation to the specimen. Whole mount technique has great value in pathologic diagnosis and morphological research. However, limited by the specimen-making technique, shortage of equipment and heavy workload, this technique has not been generally accepted in China. The aim of this study was to evaluate the signiifcance of whole mount technique in the diagnosis of the prostate cancer by comparing the clinical and pathological variables between whole mount patients and conventional ones after radical prostatectomy (RP).Methods:A total number of 229 patients’ whole mount RP specimens were recruited in the study from Dec. 2012 to Feb. 2014. The control group included 393 patients’ specimens which underwent conventional sampling from Jan. 2010 to Jun. 2012. We compared the clinical and pathological variables between the groups, including age, preoperative PSA level, methods of diagnosis, preliminary diagnostic Gleason score, clinical T stage, postoperative Gleason score, pathological T stage, positive surgical margin, extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion and pelvic lymph node metastasis.Results:Two groups shared similar preoperative parameters. Also there was no signiifcant difference between the whole mount and the conventional sampling groups in postoperative Gleason score, pathological T stage, extraprostatic extension and pelvic lymph node metastasis. However, positive surgical margin and seminal vesicle invasion rates were much higher in the whole mount group than the control one and both of the differences reached statistical signiifcance (26.2%vs 17.6%, 23.1%vs 17.0%;P=0.010, 0.025)Conclusion:After compared the clinical and pathological variables, we could conclude that whole mount technique has prevalence in the diagnosis of the positive surgical margin and seminal vesicle invasion compared with the conventional sampling technique. Thus, whole mount technique should be strongly recommended in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Background and purpose:Bladder cancer radical surgery is dififcult with many perioperative complications, and the learning curve is long. To introduce the clinical application of complete retrograde radical cystectomy and consequent abdominal cavity reconstruction in male bladder cancer, and to provide a standardized surgical procedure with minimum perioperative complications and short learning curve. Methods:From Apr. 2012 to Apr. 2013, 110 cases of male patients with bladder cancer received this procedure in our department, with a median age of 64 (35-83) years;Preoperative characters, surgical parameters, perioperative complications, pathology, long-term complications and short-term prognosis were collected and analyzed. Results:The median number of lymph nodes resected in operation was 12 (8-16);Neurovascular bundles were reserved bilaterally in 65 cases, and unilaterally in 31 cases;The complete procedure including urinary diversion took 4.4 (2.2-6.0) hours, with a median time of opened abdominal cavity of 43.0 (5.0-75.0) minutes;The median blood loss was 140.0 (50.0-600.0) mL, and 4 patients needed transfusion; Median time of abdominal and pelvic drainage was 10.0 (6.0-15.0) days, the median gastrointestinal recovery time was 2.5 (1.0-12.0) days, and the median postoperative hospital stay was 17.0 (10.0-39.0) days;Grade 2 Clavien-Dindo classiifcation (CDC) of surgical complications that required medical intervention were found in 19 cases, CDC grade 3 or above were found in 8 cases;Mild to moderate postoperative ileus happened in 5 cases, all recovered in median 2 (1-4) weeks with supportive treatments;There were no perioperative deaths. All samples were sent to pathological analyses. After a median follow-up of 9 (3-15) months, no complications of or above CDC grade 3 happened, and there were no recurrence. Conclusion:Complete retrograde radical cystectomy in male bladder cancer provided clear anatomical approach, reliable neurovascular bundle preservation, less blood loss, limited abdominal organs disturbance and better surgical exposure; With respect to tumor control, more peritoneal was retained for subsequent abdominal cavity reconstruction. The introduced procedure effectively speeded up gastrointestinal recovery, reduced postoperative complications, especially the incidence of ileus and its severity, and shortened hospital stay. The learning curve of this procedure for urologists was short, and further investigation was warranted.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of androgen receptor splice variant 7 (AR-V7) expression on overall survival for patients with metastatic prostate cancer.

METHODSThe data of 113 diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer patients from January 2002 to June 2010 were collected retrospectively, including patient's age at diagnosis, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level at diagnosis,Gleason score, clinical stage, PSA nadir during hormonal therapy, the time to PSA nadir, vital status, survival time and cause of death. The expression of AR-V7 in prostate cancer tissue was detected by using immunohistochemical staining. The correlation of AR-V7 expression and patient clinicopathological characteristics in all patients were analysed using Student t-test or Chi-square test. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the predictive role of AR-V7 expression and patient characteristics for overall survival.

RESULTSThe median PSA nadir was 0.7 µg/L (ranged from 0.0 to 143.0 µg/L). The median time to PSA nadir was 8.1 months (ranged from 0.9 to 71.0 months). The follow-up was performed until March 12, 2014. During the follow-up period, 67 of 113 metastatic prostate cancer patients (59.3%) died and the median overall survival was 96 months (ranged from 5 to 135 months). The AR-V7 detection rate was 20.4% (23/113). The serum PSA level in patients with positively expression of AR-V7 was significantly higher than that without AR-V7 expression (t = 2.521, P = 0.013). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the expression of AR-V7 (HR = 2.421, P = 0.002) and time to PSA nadir (HR = 1.019, P = 0.022) were independent prognostic factors of overall survival for metastatic prostate cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of AR-V7 in prostate cancer tissues and time to PSA nadir during hormonal therapy are independent prognostic factors of overall survival for metastatic prostate cancer patients. Therapy targeting AR-V7 may improve prognosis of metastatic prostate cancer patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Protein Isoforms ; metabolism ; Receptors, Androgen ; metabolism ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To evaluate the efficiency and clinical value of modular flexible ureteroscope combined with Holmium laser litho-tripsy on the treatment for upper ureteral calculi of solitary kiden. Methods There were 26 cases of upper ureteral calculi of solitary kidney, including 12 cases of left ureter calculi and 14 cases of right ureter calculi. The diameter of the calculi ranged from 0. 6~2. 2 cm, averagely (1. 38 ± 0. 22) cm. F6 double-J tubes were indwelled postoperatively for 4 weeks, and catheters were indwelled postoperatively for one week. Examine with KUB one day after operation to evaluate the effective rate. Results The Ureteral guiding sheath were successfully implanted in 23 cases, 2 cases underwent second lithotripsy after indwelling D-J tubes 2 weeks later, D-J tubes failed to be implanted only in one case, which has changed to percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for ureter stricture. The stone free rates was 88. 5%(23/26)after the first ses-sion,and it was 100%(26/26)at the end of the session. The operation time was 15~45 min, meanly (27 ± 3. 2) min. One patient had ureter perforation during the operation, and one patient had severe infection after operation. Conclusion The modular flexible ureteroscopy com-bined with Holmium laser lithotripsy is an effective and safe treatment, especially for upper ureteral calculi of solitary kideny, and it should be considered as the first choice for solitary kidney calculi.