I have put a mini‐review into this section this month; this is from one of the leading experts in this field, and gives an up‐to‐date overview of the contemporary management of renal and ureteric calculi.

Purpose-Use of partial nephrectomy for renal cortical tumors appears unacceptably low in the United States according to population-based data. We examined the use of partial nephrectomy at our tertiary care facility in the contemporary era.Methods-Using our prospectively maintained nephrectomy database, we identified 1,533 patients treated for a sporadic and localized renal cortical tumor between 2000 and 2007. Patients with bilateral disease or solitary kidneys were excluded and an elective operation required an estimated GFR ≥45 ml/min/1.73m 2 . Predictors of partial nephrectomy were evaluated using logistic regression models.Results-Overall, 854 (56%) and 679 (44%) patients were treated with partial and radical nephrectomy, respectively. Among the 820 patients treated electively for a tumor ≤4cm, the frequency of partial nephrectomy use steadily increased from 69% in the year 2000 to 89% in 2007. Among the 365 patients treated electively for a tumor 4-7cm, the frequency of partial nephrectomy use also steadily increased from 20% in the year 2000 to 60% in 2007. In a multivariate analysis, male gender (p=0.021), later year of surgery (p<0.001), younger age (p=0.004), smaller tumor size (p<0.001), and open surgery (p<0.001) were significant predictors of receiving a partial nephrectomy. ASA score, race, and body mass index were not significantly associated with type of treatment.Conclusions-Use of partial nephrectomy is increasing and is now utilized for ~90% of patients with T1a tumors at our institution. For reasons that remain unclear, certain groups of patients are less likely to be treated with partial nephrectomy.

Radiation cystitis is a recognised complication of pelvic radiotherapy. Incidence of radiation cystitis ranges from 23 to 80% and the incidence of severe haematuria ranges from 5 to 8%. High quality data on management strategies for radiation cystitis is sparse. Treatment modalities are subclassified into systemic therapies, intravesical therapies, and hyperbaric oxygen and interventional procedures. Short-term cure rates range from 76 to 95% for hyperbaric oxygen therapy and interventional procedures. Adverse effects of these treatment strategies are acceptable. Ultimately, most patients require multimodal treatment for curative purposes. Large randomised trials exploring emergent management strategies are required in order to strengthen evidence-based treatment strategies. Urologists encounter radiation cystitis commonly and should be familiar with diagnostic modalities and treatment strategies.

No abstract

The performance of the risk calculators in the present cohort shows that the ERSPC-RC is a superior tool in the prediction of PCa; however the performance of the ERSPC-RC in this population does not yet warrant its use in clinical practice. The incorporation of the PHI score into the ERSPC-PHI risk calculator allowed each patient's risk to be more accurately quantified. Individual patient risk calculation using the ERSPC-PHI risk calculator can be undertaken in order to allow a systematic approach to patient risk stratification and to aid in the diagnosis of PCa.

. Mechanical stretch regulates cell survival in human bladder smooth muscle cells in vitro. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 283: F1192-F1199, 2002. First published August 6, 2002 10.1152/ajprenal.00168.2002-Our understanding of the pathophysiology of the overactive bladder is poor. It has been proposed that localized contractions result in the abnormal stretching of bladder smooth muscle. We hypothesize that stretch regulates the cellular processes that determine tissue size. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of stretch on apoptosis, proliferation, cell hypertrophy, and growth factor production in human bladder smooth muscle cells in vitro. Normal human detrusor muscle was obtained from patients undergoing radical cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer, and primary cultures were established. Cells were mechanically stretched on flexible plates at a range of pressures and times. Apoptosis was assessed by propidium iodide incorporation and flow cytometry. Radiolabeled thymidine and amino acid incorporation were used to assess proliferation and cell hypertrophy. ELISA and RT-PCR were used to assess growth factor production. Mechanical stretch inhibits apoptosis in a time-and dose-dependent manner and was associated with increases in the antiapoptotic proteins heat shock protein-70 and cIAP-1. Stretch also increases smooth muscle cell proliferation and hypertrophy, but hypertrophy is the more dominant response. These changes were associated with increases in IGF-1 and basic FGF and a decrease in transforming growth factor-␤1. Mechanical stretch regulates apoptosis, proliferation, and cell hypertrophy in human bladder smooth muscle cells. overactive bladder; apoptosis; heat shock proteins; hypertrophy

In an in vitro human detrusor cell culture model, cells demonstrate a resistance to hypoxia-induced apoptosis but proliferation is inhibited. We suggest that the anti-proliferative effects of hypoxia may limit the ability of detrusor cells to respond to, and compensate for, alterations in their environment contributing to bladder dysfunction.

These in vitro studies demonstrate a role for tectorigenin and irigenin in regulating prostate cancer cell number by inhibiting proliferation through cell cycle regulation.