<b><i>Objective:</i></b> To provide an updated systematic review of randomized control trials (RCTs) to investigate the clinical and microbiological efficacy of nitrofurantoin compared to other antibiotics or placebo for treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTI). A secondary aim is to assess whether nitrofurantoin use is associated with increased side effects compared to other treatment regimens. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> The review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. We searched 4 databases for articles published from database inception to May 6, 2020: (1) PubMed electronic database of the National Library of Medicine, (2) Web of Science, (3) Embase, and (4) Cochrane Library. Nine RCTs were selected for the review. RCTs were a mixture of double-blind, single-blind, and open-label trials. The most common comparators were trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and fosfomycin tromethamine. Overall study quality was poor with a high risk of bias. The clinical cure rates in nitrofurantoin ranged from 51 to 94% depending on the length of follow-up, and bacteriological cure rates ranged from 61 to 92%. Overall the evidence suggests that nitrofurantoin is at least comparable with other uUTI treatments in terms of efficacy. Patients taking nitrofurantoin reported fewer side effects than other drugs and the most commonly reported were gastrointestinal and central nervous system symptoms. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> Evidence on the clinical and bacteriological efficacy of nitrofurantoin is sparse, with a lack of new data, and hampered by high risk of bias. Although no firm conclusions can be made on the current base of evidence, the studies generally suggest that nitrofurantoin is at least comparable to other common uUTI treatments in terms of clinical and bacteriological cure. More robust research with well-designed double-blinded RCTs is needed.
A high percentage of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) require a second-line option. We aimed to summarize available evidences about the clinicopathological profile of mRCC patients who receive a second-line therapy. A systematic review was performed in August 2020. We included papers that met the following criteria: original research; English language; human studies; enrolling mRCC patients entering a second-line therapy. Twenty-nine studies enrolling 7650 patients (73.5% male, mean age: 55 to 70 years) were included. Clear cell histology was reported in 74.4% to 100% of cases. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immunotherapy, bevacizumab, mTOR inhibitors, and chemotherapy were adopted as first line option in 68.5%, 29.2%, 2.9%, 0.6%, and 0.2% of patients, respectively. Discontinuation of first-line therapy was due to progression and toxicity in 18.4% to 100% and in 17% to 48.8% of patients, respectively. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score was 0 or 1 in most cases. Most prevalent prognostic categories according to the International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium and Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Centre score were intermediate and good. About 77.8% of patients harboured ≥2 metastatic sites. In conclusion, patients who enter a second-line therapy are heterogeneous in terms of a clinical-pathological profile. Tailoring of second-line treatment strategies is strongly advocated.
Context Male patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) may develop bilateral testicular adrenal rest tumours (TARTs). These tumours, in most cases, regress with glucocorticoid therapy and their histological differentiation from Leydig-cell tumors is quite difficult. Objective The aim of this study was to differentiate the histological and clinical features of the TARTs from those of the Leydig-cell tumours. Methods The authors report a case of bilateral Leydig-cell tumour associated with giant bilateral adrenal myelolipoma in a male with adrenogenital syndrome who was submitted to a bilateral orchiectomy. Results Testicular neoplasia continue to grow despite adequate hormonal treatment and a bilateral orchiectomy was performed. The histopathological examination of the specimen ultimately confirmed the diagnosis of bilateral Leydig-cell tumour. Conclusions This case shows the importance of all the relevant examinations, blood chemistry analysis, and instrumental tests in the differential diagnosis of TARTs and other testicular tumours.
Objective To evaluate the treatment of patients with erectile dysfunction and who were unresponsive to intracavernosal injections of prostaglandin E‐1 (PGE‐1) alone with a combination of PGE‐1 and ketanserin, a peripheral vasodilator antagonizing 5‐hydroxytryptamine receptors and with mild alpha‐blocking effects. Patients and methods The study comprised 98 men with erectile dysfunction all of whom received an intracavernosal injection of 5–40 μg of PGE‐1. The 45 patients unresponsive to the maximum dose of 40 μg were selected for further treatment using a combined dose of 40 μg PGE‐1 and 2–7 mg of ketanserin. Their erectile response was assessed both subjectively, by interviewing the patient and their partner, and objectively using the ‘Rigiscan’ monitor. Results The combined therapy was effective in producing an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse in 34 (76%) of the patients. The combined dose was tolerated well and there were no adverse effects. Conclusions The results of this preliminary study suggest that the combination of PGE‐1 and ketanserin may be a therapeutic alternative to the implantation of a prosthesis in patients unresponsive to PGE‐1.
Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of tamsulosin and silodosin in the context of medical expulsive therapy (MET) of distal ureteric stones. Patients and methods: Observational data were collected retrospectively from patients who received silodosin (N = 50) or tamsulosin (N = 50) as MET from January 2012 to January 2013. Inclusion criteria were: patients aged ≥ 18 years with a single, unilateral, symptomatic, radiopaque ureteric stone of 10 mm or smaller in the largest dimension located between the lower border of the sacroiliac joint and the vesico-ureteric junction. Stone expulsion rate, stone expulsion time, number of pain episodes, need for analgesics use, incidence of side effects were compared. Results: Stone-expulsion rate in the silodosin and in the tamsulosin groups were 88% and 82%, respectively (p not significant). Mean expulsion times were 6.7 and 6.5 days in the silodosin and tamsulosin group, respectively (p not significant). Mean number of pain episodes were 1.6 and 1.7 in the silodosin and tamsulosin group, respectively (p not significant). The mean number of analgesic requirement was 0.84 and 0.9 for the silodosin and tamsulosin group, respectively (p not significant). Overall, incidence of side effects was similar in both groups. Patients taking silodosin experienced an higher incidence of retrograde ejaculation but a lower incidence of side effects related to peripheral vasodilation when compared to patients taking tamsulosin. Subgroup analysis demonstrated significantly lower mean expulsion times and pain episodes in patients with stones ≤ 5 mm in both groups. Conclusions: Tamsulosin and silodosin are equally effective as MET for distal ureteric stones sized 10 mm or smaller. MET with silodosin is associatd with a lower incidence of side effects related to peripheral vasodilation but an higher incidence of retrograde ejaculation when compared to tamsulosin.
Telemedicine is a most used tools in various medical and surgical scenarios. The aim of the present study was to explore attitudes and perceptions by urologic patients toward the use of telemedicine in the context of patient-physicians communication during the post-operative follow-up in a large academic tertiary urology referral department in Italy.An anonymous questionnaire consisting of 15 multiple choice questions was designed including three sections: respondents' demographics, attitudes, and perceptions towards the use of telemedicine. Invitations to participate to this anonymous questionnaire was given to outpatients attended at Urology Department, University of Naples Federico II.In total 697 responses were received (participation rate 73%). The frequency of telemedicine use was described as frequently, occasional, rarely, and never by 41.6%, 30.4%, 15.1%, and 12.6% of respondents, respectively. WhatsApp messenger used by 59.5% of respondents and telephone call (34.3%) were the most common type of tools. Satisfaction in using telemedicine was reported as very satisfied, satisfied, neutral, dissatisfied, and very dissatisfied by 39.6%,41.4%,10%,7% and 2% of respondents respectively. Overall, 43.7%% of participants individuated limited interaction and risk of misdiagnosis as the major limit of telemedicine.Telemedicine represents the future of medical practice due to several benefits as well as convenience, increased access to care and decreased healthcare costs.
Journal of Men's HealthVol. 7, No. 3 AbstractNo accessPublished Online: 18 November 2013 Share on Evaluating the efficacy in improving male sexual function with a new natural compound made of Tribulus Terrestris, Biovis and Alga Ecklonia Cava and its synergic anti-aging action: ISMH World Congress 2010 Abstract 078Authors: F. Iacono, D. Prezioso, G. Iapicca, A. Ruffo, L. Romis, G. Di Lauro, and V. MironeAuthors Info & AffiliationsPublication: Journal of Men's HealthVolume 7, Issue Number 3https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jomh.2010.09.079 Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Get Access
Growing evidence supports the pivotal role played by periprostatic adipose tissue (PPAT) in prostate cancer (PCa) microenvironment. We investigated whether PPAT can affect response to Docetaxel (DCTX) and the mechanisms associated. Conditioned medium was collected from the in vitro differentiated adipocytes isolated from PPAT which was isolated from PCa patients, during radical prostatectomy. Drug efficacy was studied by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide citotoxicity assay. Culture with CM of human PPAT (AdipoCM) promotes DCTX resistance in two different human prostate cancer cell lines (DU145 and PC3) and upregulated the expression of BCL-xL, BCL-2, and TUBB2B. AG1024, a well-known IGF-1 receptor inhibitor, counteracts the decreased response to DCTX observed in presence of AdipoCM and decreased TUBB2B expression, suggesting that a paracrine secretion of IGF-1 by PPAT affect DCTX response of PCa cell. Collectively, our study showed that factors secreted by PPAT elicits DCTX resistance through antiapoptotic proteins and TUBB2B upregulation in androgen independent PCa cell lines. These findings reveal the potential of novel therapeutic strategies targeting adipocyte-released factors and IGF-1 axis to overcome DCTX resistance in patients with PCa.
