New Advances in Urology and Nephrology Disease: From Diagnosis to Treatment

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Urology & Nephrology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2024 | Viewed by 7101

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Urology, “Prof. Dr. Theodor Burghele” Clinical Hospital, 050659 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: kidney stone; prostate cancer; renal cancer; bladder cancer; chronic kidney disease; urinary tract infections; laparoscopy and endourology

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Guest Editor
Department of Urology, “Saint John” Clinical Emergency Hospital, 077160 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: endourology; lasers; renal cancer; bladder cancer; kidney stones; upper tract urinary tumor
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Urology, “Prof. Dr. Theodor Burghele” Clinical Hospital, 050659 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: laparoscopic and robotic surgery; prostate cancer; renal cancer; bladder cancer; kidney stones

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are organizing a Special Issue, entitled “New Advances in Urology and Nephrology Disease: From Diagnosis to Treatment”, to be published in the journal Medicina (ISSN: 1648-9144, IF 2.6).

The modern era has brought about both technological and molecular advancements to the field of medicine. Regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and progression of a variety of diseases, new frontiers and horizons have emerged over time. All of these occurrences have occurred very rapidly, and medical personnel are frequently confronted with the challenge of rapidly acquiring new information for the patient's benefit.

Urology and nephrology are two closely related specialties in which collaboration is frequently the key to effective treatment. In the disciplines of surgery and medicine, the rate of new discoveries is likely at its peak. By enhancing medical equipment robotics, laparoscopy, and endourology, as well as further training personnel, these factors can contribute to improved postoperative outcomes. Increasingly, new imaging technologies shorten the duration of the diagnostic process and enhance patients' prognoses. In the battle against chronic diseases, the emergence of new biomarkers and diagnostic schemes, as well as new treatment modalities, help urological and nephrological patients, improving their chances of recovery or their quality of life.

Modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, human augmentation, and brain science will enable greater advancements and will demonstrate their efficacy in assisting physicians in providing better medical care.

This Special Issue solicits studies that will expand the teaching and clinical application of these recent advances or their results in the fields of urology and nephrology. In addition to research that has steadily improved existing problems, we embrace papers that present new opportunities.

We cordially invite you to submit a paper to this Special Issue, and we would greatly appreciate it if you would recommend it to your colleagues. If you are interested in contributing an article, please let us know as soon as possible.

Please provide a working title and brief abstract in advance so that we can conduct a suitability check. The final submission deadline is 31 August 2024.

Sincerely,
Dr. Razvan-Ionut Popescu
Prof. Dr. Bogdan Florin Geavlete
Dr. Daniel George Radavoi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • prostate cancer
  • bladder cancer
  • renal cancer
  • kidney stones
  • urinary tract infections
  • chronic kidney disease
  • dialysis

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 2670 KiB  
Article
Deciphering the Role of ERBB3 Isoforms in Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis
by Mingyu Kim, Hyung Ho Lee, So Dam Won, YeonSue Jang, Baek Gil Kim, Nam Hoon Cho, Young Deuk Choi, Jin Soo Chung and Hyun Ho Han
Medicina 2024, 60(1), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60010181 - 20 Jan 2024
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Abstract
ERBB3, a key member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family, is implicated in the progression and development of various human cancers, affecting cellular proliferation and survival. This study investigated the expression of ERBB3 isoforms in renal clear cell carcinoma (RCC), utilizing data from [...] Read more.
ERBB3, a key member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family, is implicated in the progression and development of various human cancers, affecting cellular proliferation and survival. This study investigated the expression of ERBB3 isoforms in renal clear cell carcinoma (RCC), utilizing data from 538 patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Firehose Legacy dataset. Employing the SUPPA2 tool, the activity of 10 ERBB3 isoforms was examined, revealing distinct expression patterns in RCC. Isoforms uc001sjg.3 and uc001sjh.3 were found to have reduced activity in tumor tissues, while uc010sqb.2 and uc001sjl.3 demonstrated increased activity. These variations in isoform expression correlate with patient survival and tumor aggressiveness, indicating their complex role in RCC. The study, further, utilizes CIBERSORTx to analyze the association between ERBB3 isoforms and immune cell profiles in the tumor microenvironment. Concurrently, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was applied, establishing a strong link between elevated levels of ERBB3 isoforms and critical oncogenic pathways, including DNA repair and androgen response. RT-PCR analysis targeting the exon 21–23 and exon 23 regions of ERBB3 confirmed its heightened expression in tumor tissues, underscoring the significance of alternative splicing and exon utilization in cancer development. These findings elucidate the diverse impacts of ERBB3 isoforms on RCC, suggesting their potential as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. This study emphasizes the need for further exploration into the specific roles of these isoforms, which could inform more personalized and effective treatment modalities for renal clear cell carcinoma. Full article
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13 pages, 596 KiB  
Article
Prevention of Postoperative Urethral Strictures by Irrigation with 5-Fluorouracil via a Modified Urinary Catheter
by Yerbol Kairambayev, Tolkyn Bulegenov, Nazarbek Omarov, Muratkan Kuderbayev, Marat Syzdykbayev, Natalya Glushkova, Dinara Akhmetzhanova, Alida Kaskabayeva, Zhanna Muzdubayeva, Kuat Akimzhanov and Lyudmila Pivina
Medicina 2024, 60(1), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60010102 - 05 Jan 2024
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Abstract
Background and Objectives: Urethral strictures are the most common complications after surgical treatments of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Despite various preventive measures, the search for medications with antiproliferative activity and the development of surgical procedures to prevent the development of urethral strictures are [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Urethral strictures are the most common complications after surgical treatments of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Despite various preventive measures, the search for medications with antiproliferative activity and the development of surgical procedures to prevent the development of urethral strictures are still relevant. We evaluated the preventive efficacy of 5-fluorouracil against urethral strictures in patients undergoing surgery for BPH. Materials and Methods: A non-randomized clinical trial including 246 male patients with an average age of 70.0 ± 8.0 years was conducted. The main study group included 124 patients who, in addition to the standard treatment, received lavage with a 5-fluorouracil solution (1000 mg/20 mL per 500 mL of 0.9% isotonic saline) using a modified three-way urethral catheter. The monitoring of clinical, laboratory, and instrumental parameters was carried out 10 days, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. Results: The evaluation of severity for dysuria symptoms in patients using the IPSS scale throughout the entire follow-up period showed a statistically significant decrease in ischuria and stranguria, prolongation of the interval between urinations, a decrease in intermittent urination, urinary incontinence, and straining before urination in the main group in comparison with the control patients. The patients of both study groups noted an improvement in the quality of life. It was found statistically significant decrease in the maximum urinary flow rate in the main group (p < 0.001). In the control group, after three months, four cases of urethral strictures and stenosis were recorded; after six months, this rate reached nine cases (7.3%), while in the main group, only one patient with infravesical obstruction was found (0.8%) (χ2 = 3.855, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of our study could indicate the effectiveness of the antiproliferative drug 5-fluorouracil in combination with use of a modified catheter in relation to the development of postoperative urethral strictures. Full article
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12 pages, 336 KiB  
Article
Management of Pediatric Urolithiasis in an Italian Tertiary Referral Center: A Retrospective Analysis
by Francesco Lasorsa, Claudia Caliolo, Antonia Silecchia, Nicola Laricchiuta, Michele Raguso, Pasquale Ditonno and Giuseppe Lucarelli
Medicina 2023, 59(12), 2165; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59122165 - 14 Dec 2023
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Abstract
Background and Objectives: In recent years, the prevalence of pediatric urolithiasis has increased in North America and Western countries, though it is endemic in developing countries. The aim of this study is to describe the experience of a tertiary pediatric referral center [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: In recent years, the prevalence of pediatric urolithiasis has increased in North America and Western countries, though it is endemic in developing countries. The aim of this study is to describe the experience of a tertiary pediatric referral center in the surgical management of pediatric urolithiasis. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the experience of patients ≤ 16 years old affected by urinary stones who underwent surgery. Results: From April 2021 to September 2023, 31 pediatric patients underwent surgical procedures for stone diseases at our department: 13 preschool-aged (1–5 years) and 18 school-aged (6–16 years) children. During this period, 12 URSs, 17 RIRSs, and 2 PCNLs were recorded. Five patients had residual fragments at first, so three of them underwent a second endourological lithotripsy (2 RIRSs and 1 URS). Complete clearance was finally achieved in 27 patients. The stone composition was evaluated in 25 cases. Conclusions: Numerous innovations in the surgical treatment of pediatric urolithiasis have resulted from the development of smaller devices and new technology. Our results show how, in experienced centers, retrograde and percutaneous lithotripsy are safe and effective procedures for use in pediatric populations. Full article
11 pages, 495 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study
by Shivam Sharma, Darpan Kalra, Ishfaq Rashid, Sudhir Mehta, Manish Kumar Maity, Khushi Wazir, Sumeet Gupta, Siddique Akber Ansari, Obaid S. Alruqi, Roohi Khan, Imran Khan and Sirajudheen Anwar
Medicina 2023, 59(10), 1788; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59101788 - 08 Oct 2023
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Abstract
Background: Health-related quality of life is rapidly becoming recognized as an important indicator of how a disease affects patient lives and for evaluating the quality of care, especially for chronic conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). Objectives: This study is an attempt [...] Read more.
Background: Health-related quality of life is rapidly becoming recognized as an important indicator of how a disease affects patient lives and for evaluating the quality of care, especially for chronic conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). Objectives: This study is an attempt to assess the quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease at MMIMSR and also identify characteristics that may be associated with their worsening quality of life. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional investigation was conducted at the in-patient department (IPD) of the MMIMSR hospital. This study included 105 CKD patients and used a systematic random sampling method for quantitative analysis. This study utilized a 36-item short-form SF-36 (v1.3) questionnaire to assess HRQoL in CKD patients. Descriptive statistics were employed at the baseline. Chi square and ANOVA were used to draw comparisons between two groups or more than two groups, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify the potential QoL determinants. A p value of 0.05 or lower was used to determine statistical significance. Results: Among a total of 105 participants, the mean (±standard deviation) age was found to be 54.53 ± 13.47 years; 48 were male patients, and 57 were female patients. Diabetes Mellitus (61.9%), hypertension (56.2%), chronic glomerulonephritis (7.6%), chronic pyelonephritis (6.7%), and polycystic kidney disease (5.7%) were identified to be the most frequent disorders associated with CKD. The current study also demonstrated that the HRQoL score domains such as symptom problem list, the effect of kidney disease, and the burden of kidney disease decline significantly and progressively as the patient advances into higher stages of CKD (p = 0.005). A similar pattern was observed in work status, sleep, and general health (p < 0.005). Additionally, a statistically significant difference was noted for cognitive function, quality of social interaction, overall health, dialysis staff encouragement, patient satisfaction, social support, physical functioning, role of physical health, pain, emotional well-being, role of emotional health, social functioning, and energy fatigue (p < 0.005). The mean difference for PCS and MCS based on CKD stages was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.005). The PCS and MCS showed a positive correlation with GFR (r = 0.521), and Hb (r = 0.378), GFR (r = 0.836), and Hb (r = 0.488), respectively. Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrated that a significant decrease in HRQoL was observed among CKD patients, with a progressive deterioration of HRQoL dimensions as the patient advances to end-stage renal disease. This study also revealed that CKD imposes various restrictions on patients’ day-to-day lives, particularly in terms of their physical and mental functioning, even in the initial stages of the disease. Full article
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Review

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17 pages, 5386 KiB  
Review
Sacral Neuromodulation: Device Improvement and Current Applications in Urology
by Marco Spilotros, Salvatore Gerbasi, Francesco Lasorsa, Gaetano de Rienzo, Lorenzo Balducci, Pasquale Ditonno and Giuseppe Lucarelli
Medicina 2024, 60(3), 509; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60030509 - 20 Mar 2024
Viewed by 902
Abstract
Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) offers a therapeutic approach to urological patients suffering from idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome, with or without incontinence and non-obstructive urinary retention (NOR), who are not responding to or are not compliant with conservative or medical therapies. The exact mechanism [...] Read more.
Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) offers a therapeutic approach to urological patients suffering from idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome, with or without incontinence and non-obstructive urinary retention (NOR), who are not responding to or are not compliant with conservative or medical therapies. The exact mechanism of action of SNM is not fully understood but modulation of the spinal cord reflexes and brain networks by peripheral afferents is regarded as the main pathway. Over the years, surgical techniques improved, leading to the development of the modern two-stage implantation technique. The quadripolar lead is positioned percutaneously under fluoroscopy guidance through the third sacral foramen following the trajectory of S3. The procedure can be performed under local or general anesthesia with the patient in prone position. Current applications of sacral neuromodulation in urology are increasing thanks to the recent improvements of the devices that make this a valuable option not only in conditions such as overactive bladder and non-obstructing urinary retention but also neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. Full article
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Other

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16 pages, 2979 KiB  
Systematic Review
Poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
by Zheng Chao, Zefeng Wang, Le Li, Yi Jiang, Yunxing Tang, Yanan Wang, Xiaodong Hao, Chunyu Zhang, Xiangdong Guo, Weimin Yu, Fan Cheng and Zhihua Wang
Medicina 2023, 59(12), 2198; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59122198 - 18 Dec 2023
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Abstract
Context: Several recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported on the survival benefits of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) compared to standard-of-care (SOC) treatment (enzalutamide, abiraterone, or docetaxel) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). However, there is a limited integrated [...] Read more.
Context: Several recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported on the survival benefits of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) compared to standard-of-care (SOC) treatment (enzalutamide, abiraterone, or docetaxel) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). However, there is a limited integrated analysis of high-quality evidence comparing the efficacy and safety of PARPi and SOC treatments in this context. Objective: This study aims to comprehensively analyze the survival benefits and adverse events associated with PARPi and SOC treatments through a head-to-head meta-analysis in mCRPC. Evidence acquisition: A systematic review search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Clinical trials, and the Central Cochrane Registry in July 2023. RCTs were assessed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The systematic review was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023441034). Evidence synthesis: A total of 8 studies, encompassing 2341 cases in the PARPi treatment arm and 1810 cases in the controlled arm, were included in the qualitative synthesis. The hazard ratio (HR) for radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) and overall survival (OS) were 0.74 (95% CI, 0.61–0.90) and 0.89 (95% CI, 0.80–0.99), respectively, in the intention-to-treatment patients. For subgroup analysis, HRs for rPFS and OS in the BRCA-mutated subgroup were 0.39 (95% CI, 0.28–0.55) and 0.62 (95% CI, 0.38–0.99), while in the HRR-mutated subgroup, HR for rPFS was 0.57 (95% CI, 0.48–0.69) and for OS was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.64–0.93). The odds ratio (OR) for all grades of adverse events (AEs) and AEs with severity of at least grade 3 were 3.86 (95% CI, 2.53–5.90) and 2.30 (95% CI, 1.63–3.26), respectively. Conclusions: PARP inhibitors demonstrate greater effectiveness than SOC treatments in HRR/BRCA-positive patients with mCRPC. Further research is required to explore ways to reduce adverse event rates and investigate the efficacy of HRR/BRCA-negative patients. Full article
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