Purpose: We evaluated the feasibility, safety, and learning curve of extraperitoneal single-port robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (SP-RARP) and introduced innovative surgical techniques to maintain the instrument positions during the procedures. Materials and Methods: A cohort of 100 patients underwent extraperitoneal SP-RARP at our institution from December 2021 to April 2023. The procedures were performed by an experienced urology surgeon utilizing two surgical techniques for dissecting the posterior aspect of the prostate—“changing instrument roles” and “using camera inversion”—to prevent positional shifts between the camera and instruments. Results: The mean operation time for SP-RARP was 93.58 minutes, and the mean console time was 65.16 minutes. The mean estimated blood loss during the procedures was 109.30 mL. No cases necessitated conversion to multi-port robot, laparoscopy, or open surgery, and there were no major complications during the hospital stay or in the short-term follow-up. Early outcomes of post-radical prostatectomy indicated a biochemical recurrence rate of 4.0% over a mean follow-up duration of 6.40 months, with continence and potency recovery rates of 92.3% and 55.8%, respectively. Analysis of the learning curve showed no significant differences in operation time, console time, and positive surgical margin rates between the initial and latter 50 cases. Conclusions Extraperitoneal SP-RARP is a feasible and safe option for the treatment of localized prostate cancer in skilled hands.Continued accrual of cases is essential for future comparisons of SP-RARP with multiport approaches.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of red ginseng oil (RXGIN) in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Materials and Methods: Men aged between 40 and 75 years with a total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of 8 to 19 points were recruited from April 2020 to December 2020. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the RXGIN group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio and received either RXGIN or placebo daily for 12 weeks. For the primary outcome, changes in IPSS scores at 6 and 12 weeks from baseline were analyzed. The secondary outcomes were changes in International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), maximum urinary flow rate, and post-void residual volume at weeks 6 and 12 compared to baseline. Urine analysis and blood tests were additionally performed for safety assessment. Results: A total of 88 subjects (RXGIN group, 46; control group, 42) completed the study. The total IPSS and IPSS subscores (residual urine sensation, frequency, intermittency, urgency, weak stream, straining, nocturia, and quality of life) were significantly improved in the RXGIN group compared to the control group at weeks 6 and 12. Total IIEF and sexual desire were significantly improved in the RXGIN group at week 6 and week 12, respectively, but there were no significant changes in the level of serum testosterone or dihydrotestosterone. The serum prostate-specific antigen showed significant decrease at weeks 12. No serious adverse events leading to discontinuation of the study drug were observed in the RXGIN group. Conclusions Red ginseng oil (RXGIN) appears to be safe and effective in improving lower urinary tract symptoms in men and may also improve some aspects of sexual function.

Purpose: Various predictive tools have been developed to predict insignificant prostate cancer (PCa) for active surveillance, however, these models cannot reflect all the refinements of current medicine. Thus, we aimed to develop a novel model to predict clinically insignificant PCa incorporating these factors. Materials and Methods: We developed a novel nomogram to predict the probability of insignificant PCa (total tumor volume less than 2.5 cm3, index tumor volume less than 1.3 cm3, organ confined disease and no Gleason pattern 4 or 5) using preoperative data of 790 Korean patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. To evaluate the predictive accuracy, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated. Next, the predicted probability versus the actual probability was compared. This examination was performed by calibration plotting using 1,000 bootstrap resamples. Results: Of the 790 patients, 668 (84.6%) had clinically significant PCa, and 122 (15.4%) had insignificant PCa. We developed a novel predictive model for clinically insignificant PCa using clinical stage less than T2a, biopsy Gleason sum less than 7, ratio of positive biopsy cores less than 10%, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) visibility, which discriminated patients with clinically insignificant PCa from those with significant PCa with an AUC of 0.9135 (95% confidence interval, 0.9127–0.9143). The calibration plot showed a well-calibrated prediction that had little over- or underestimation. Conclusions We proposed a novel predictive model for insignificant PCa to more accurately select patients for active surveillance using the results from mpMRI and prebiopsy laboratory marker.

Purpose: Various predictive tools have been developed to predict insignificant prostate cancer (PCa) for active surveillance, however, these models cannot reflect all the refinements of current medicine. Thus, we aimed to develop a novel model to predict clinically insignificant PCa incorporating these factors. Materials and Methods: We developed a novel nomogram to predict the probability of insignificant PCa (total tumor volume less than 2.5 cm3, index tumor volume less than 1.3 cm3, organ confined disease and no Gleason pattern 4 or 5) using preoperative data of 790 Korean patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. To evaluate the predictive accuracy, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated. Next, the predicted probability versus the actual probability was compared. This examination was performed by calibration plotting using 1,000 bootstrap resamples. Results: Of the 790 patients, 668 (84.6%) had clinically significant PCa, and 122 (15.4%) had insignificant PCa. We developed a novel predictive model for clinically insignificant PCa using clinical stage less than T2a, biopsy Gleason sum less than 7, ratio of positive biopsy cores less than 10%, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) visibility, which discriminated patients with clinically insignificant PCa from those with significant PCa with an AUC of 0.9135 (95% confidence interval, 0.9127–0.9143). The calibration plot showed a well-calibrated prediction that had little over- or underestimation. Conclusions We proposed a novel predictive model for insignificant PCa to more accurately select patients for active surveillance using the results from mpMRI and prebiopsy laboratory marker.

PURPOSE: In this study, we attempted to characterize capsaicin's effects with regard to the apoptosis of murine bladder cancer cells (MBT-2) as well as the pharmacodynamics of nano-encapsulated capsaicin formulation for intravesical instillation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed the viability of the MBT-2 cells via MTT staining, agarose gel electrophoresis, and flow cytometric apoptosis analysis. Intravesical reagents were instilled into 3 groups of male white New Zealand rabbits. Instillation agents were nano-encapsulated capsaicin dissolved in saline, capsaicin dissolved in saline, and capsaicin dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). We also determined the pharmacokinetics of urine, plasma, and bladder tissue after intravesical capsaicin instillation. RESULTS: Capsaicin treatment was determined to reduce cell viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The capsaicin concentrations in the urine of the rabbits decreased in each of the treatment groups, but we noted a more profound reduction of capsaicin concentration in the nano-encapsulated capsaicin group. Plasma concentrations were definitely lower as compared with the levels measured in the bladder tissue and urine. We noted distinctive differences in patterns of concentration change between the capsaicin with normal saline solution (NSS) or DMSO and the nano-encapsulated capsaicin groups. The concentration of nano-encapsulated capsaicin in the tissue appeared to increase directly with tissue depth. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that capsaicin can induce apoptosis in MBT-2 cells, as well as the excellent permeation properties of nano-encapsulated capsaicin. Treatment with intravesical capsaicin may be a promising alternative therapeutic modality for the treatment of bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of a multi-herbal formula known as WSY-1075 in the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental chronic bacterial prostatitis was induced in 32 Wistar rats by instillation of a bacterial suspension (Escherichia coli, 10⁸ colony-forming units [CFU]/mL) into the prostatic urethra. After the induction of prostatitis, the rats were randomly divided into one of 4 treatment groups: control (n=8), ciprofloxacin (n=8), WSY-1075 (400 mg/kg) (n=8), and WSY-1075 (400 mg/kg)+ciprofloxacin (n=8). After 4 weeks of treatment, microbiological data from prostate tissue cultures, level of prostatic pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interleukin [IL]-6, and IL-8), anti-oxidant effects (superoxide dismutase [SOD]), and histological findings were noted. RESULTS: The WSY-1075, ciprofloxacin, and WSY-1075+ciprofloxacin groups showed fewer CFUs in prostate tissue cultures than the control group. The WSY-1075, ciprofloxacin and WSY-1075+ciprofloxacin groups showed statistically significantly lower levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 than the control group. SOD levels in the WSY-1075, ciprofloxacin and WSY-1075+ciprofloxacin groups were significantly higher than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that WSY-1075 had anti-microbial effects, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-oxidative effects in a chronic bacterial prostatitis rat model. We expect the WSY-1075 may be useful for the clinical treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Ciprofloxacin ; Cytokines ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukin-8 ; Interleukins ; Models, Animal* ; Necrosis ; Prostate ; Prostatitis* ; Rats* ; Rats, Wistar ; Stem Cells ; Urethra