Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm among men. Since it often resembles benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), biomarkers with a higher differential value than PSA are required. Epigenetic biomarkers in liquid biopsies, especially miRNA, could address this challenge. The absolute expression of miR-375-3p, miR-182-5p, miR-21-5p, and miR-148a-3p were quantified in blood plasma and seminal plasma of 65 PCa and 58 BPH patients by digital droplet PCR. The sensitivity and specificity of these microRNAs were determined using ROC curve analysis. The higher expression of miR-182-5p and miR-375-3p in the blood plasma of PCa patients was statistically significant as compared to BPH (p = 0.0363 and 0.0226, respectively). Their combination achieved a specificity of 90.2% for predicting positive or negative biopsy results, while PSA cut-off of 4 µg/L performed with only 1.7% specificity. In seminal plasma, miR-375-3p, miR-182-5p, and miR-21-5p showed a statistically significantly higher expression in PCa patients with PSA >10 µg/L compared to ones with PSA ≤10 µg/L. MiR-182-5p and miR-375-3p in blood plasma show higher performance than PSA in discriminating PCa from BPH. Seminal plasma requires further investigation as it represents an obvious source for PCa biomarker identification.

<p>The aim of this review is to provide a brief overview of some current approaches regarding diagnostics, pathologic features, treatment, and genetics of prostate carcinoma (PCa). Prostate carcinoma is the most common visceral tumor and the second most common cancer-related cause of death in males. Clinical outcomes for patients with localized prostate cancer are excellent, but despite advances in prostate cancer treatments, castrate-resistant prostate cancer and metastatic prostate cancer patients have a poor prognosis. Advanced large-scale genomic studies revealed a large number of genetic alterations in prostate cancer. The meaning of these alterations needs to be validated in the specific prostate cancer molecular subtype context. Along these lines, there is a critical need for establishing genetically engineered mouse models, which would include speckle type BTB/POZ protein and isocitrate Dehydrogenase (NADP (+)) 1 mutant, as well as androgen receptor neuroendocrine subtypes of prostate cancer. Another urgent need is developing highly metastatic prostate cancer models, as only up to 17% of available models dis- play bone metastases and exhibit a less typical neuroendocrine prostate cancer or sarcomatoid carcinoma. Moreover, androgen deprivation and relapse should be mimicked in the genetically engineered mouse models, as androgen independence may yield a better model for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. The development of such refined animal models should be guid- ed by comparative genomics of primary versus corresponding metastatic tumors. Such an approach will have the potential to illuminate the key genetic events associated with specific molecular prostate cancer subsets and indicate directions for effective therapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong>. Despite excellent results in the treatment of localized prostatic carcinoma, castrate-resistant prostate can- cer and metastatic prostate cancer have a poor prognosis. Advanced large-scale genomic studies revealed a large number of ge- netic alterations in PCa. Experimental models of prostate carcinoma in genetically modified mice could provide new data about the genetic changes in such cancers and help in developing better animal models for treatment resistant prostate carcinomas.</p>

High prevalence and mortality of prostate cancer (PCa) are well known global health issues. Novel biomarkers for better identifying patients with PCa are the subject of extensive research. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) shows low specificity in screening and diagnostics, leading to unnecessary biopsies and health costs. Eighty patients with PCa and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) were included in the study. We analyzed CAV1 gene expression and methylation in tissue. CAV1 cfDNA methylation from blood and seminal plasma was accessed as a potential PCa biomarker. Although methylation in blood plasma did not differ between PCa and BPH patients, methylation in seminal plasma showed better PCa biomarker performances than tPSA (AUC 0.63 vs. AUC 0.52). Discrimination of BPH and Gleason grade group 1 PCa patients from patients with higher Gleason grade groups revealed very good performance as well (AUC 0.72). CAV1 methylation is useful biomarker with potential for further seminal plasma cfDNA research, but its diagnostic accuracy should be improved, as well as general knowledge about cfDNA in seminal plasma.

Hyponatraemia is an electrolyte disorder, defined as a serum sodium concentration (Na) <136 mmol/L. It occurs in up to 30% of hospitalised patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of hyponatraemia among all patients during a one month period in the emergency unit. During the one month period in 2014, 570 patients were included in this study. The study was approved by local ethics committees and patients provided written informed consent. Out of the 570 patients, 41 (7%) had hyponatraemia. The median age was 67 (65.02±14.09) years and the majority of the patients were men (M:F = 23:18; 56.1:43.9%). Mild hyponatraemia (serum Na 130-135 mmol/L) was found in 71% (29/41), moderate (serum Na 125-129 mmol/L) in 17% (7/41), severe (serum Na 120-124 mmol/L) in 5% (2/41), and extremely severe (serum Na< 120 mmol/L) in 7% (3/41) of patients. The treatment options included the restriction of fluid intake by administering hypertonic saline and loop diuretics. We should be alert to acute hyponatraemia, especially in elderly patients with neurological manifestations and poor prognosis. The presented data are an important contribution to the better understanding of the epidemiology of hyponatraemia in Croatia.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Diagnosis of prostate cancer poses a significant challenge, due to several different key parameters that need to be evaluated, such as age, history of prostate specific antigen (PSA), clinical examination and more recently magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The current diagnostic pathway for prostate cancer has resulted in overdiagnosis and overtreatment as well as underdiagnosis and missed diagnoses in many men. Multiparametric MRI (mp-MRI) of the prostate has been identified as a test that could alleviate these diagnostic errors. Before prostate cancer treatment pathological confirmation is mandatory. Prostate biopsy is an invasive procedure with rare but not negligible potential complications. There are several methods of prostate biopsy of which most common are systemic or planar prostate biopsy and cognitive or targeted MRI-guided prostate biopsy. Multiparametric MRI has demonstrated better accuracy and reproducibility in detecting, locating and evaluating prostate cancer and also sparing some men unnecessary biopsies. Recent studies have shown a mpMRI benefit for better procedure planning regarding prostate cancer location, extent of disease and length of the urethra. There are still some challenges ahead, such as ensuring high-quality execution and reporting of mpMRI and ensuring that this diagnostic pathway is cost-effective. According to the latest urological clinical guidelines mpMRI became fundamental tool in management of prostate cancer. The aim of this study is to give a brief insight in use of mpMRI in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment