No abstract

In our study cohort the Argus suburethral sling was associated with serious mechanical and infectious complications, and sparse functional results with negative impact on patient quality of life. Based on the results of this study significant changes are warranted in the sling system and in the implantation technique.

We report a case of ileal neobladder rupture after radical cystectomy due to mucus obstruction of the bladder neck. Since mucus production in bowel neobladders cannot be sufficiently influenced pharmacologically, patients with a continent urinary diversion connected to the urethra should learn self-catheterization.

Expression of cytochromes P450 CYP1A1, CYP1B1, CYP2E1 and CYP4B1 was analysed on the transcript level in human urothelial cells obtained by various methods. As a source of urothelial cells, exfoliated cells in urine samples were used. Their expression profiles were determined either immediately after centrifugal enrichment (n=4) or after their cultivation and propagation (n=8). Another source of urothelial cells were ureter specimens from surgical subjects (n=4). Generally, expression was most prominent for CYP1B1 and CYP4B1 among the CYP transcripts analysed. CYP1B1 mRNA was detected in all samples investigated except for one ureter specimen. CYP4B1 mRNA was present in cell cultures from three out of eight healthy subjects, in three out of four directly investigated urinary sediments and in the cells of all five ureter specimens of four donors investigated after resection and subsequent cell culture. In most cases, CYP2E1 transcript levels were lower than those of CYP1B1 and CYP4B1. CYP2E1 mRNA was detected in cell cultures of six out of eight healthy subjects, in one out of four urinary sediments and in three out of five ureter specimens. CYP1A1 mRNA was clearly observed only in cells from resected ureters. In cell cultures the relative mRNA expression levels varied with subjects interindividually, intraindividually and also during the time of cell culture. The study demonstrates constitutive mRNA expressions of xenobiotic metabolising CYP enzymes in human urothelial cells obtained by different methods. In particular, transcripts of CYP1B1 and CYP4B1 are present, coding for enzymes which are active in the metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and arylamines, respectively.

Currently, there is no established occupational risk factor for prostate cancer. However, in the 1980s, a hospital-based case-control study in the greater Dortmund area showed an elevated risk for hard coal miners and, based on few cases, for painters and varnishers. Therefore, approximately 10 yr later, a similar study regarding prostate cancer was performed in this area. In total, 292 patients with prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy and 313 controls who underwent transurethral resection of a benign prostatic hyperplasia were investigated by questionnaire. All of them were operated on between 1995 and 1999. This study showed a decreased risk for prostate cancer in hard coal miners (odds ratio [OR] = 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.44-1.03). Occupational exposures related to an elevated risk for prostate cancer were exposures to combustion products (20% cases vs. 11% controls), colorants and dyes (19 vs. 13%), and cutting fluids (8 vs. 6%). The different prostate cancer risks for underground coal miners in two studies with a time interval of approximately 10 yr are striking. Factors to be discussed are the introduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer and investigation of cases that underwent radical prostatectomy, where the disease in general is locally confined. Working conditions in the local underground coal mines improved over time but did not change markedly in the period of interest. In essence, the present study does not corroborate an elevated prostate cancer risk in former underground hard coal miners from the greater Dortmund area.

Human bladder cancer is a common malignant tumor that may be produced by factors such as lifestyle, environment and occupation. The aim of this study was to evaluate parameters related to the viability of exfoliated urothelial cells. Exfoliated urothelial cells were obtained from 83 urine samples of 22 healthy participants (20-53 yr). From 67 of these samples, cells were transferred to collagen-coated 24-well plates. Parameters including sample volume, pH, osmolality and participant age and gender were examined on cell viability. In successive cultures, the numbers of cell colonies and cells per cell colony were determined. The number of viable cells in the urinary sediments of males varied from 0 to 6.5 x 10(3) cells per sample (mean 1 x 10(3)). Higher cell numbers in urine samples from females (6 x 10(3)) were due to considerable amounts of exfoliated vaginal cells. Cell numbers in males were positively related to volume, osmolality, and pH of the samples, as well as to the retention time of urine in the bladder. Cell proliferation was achieved in 25 out of 67 samples and was positively related to sample osmolality and pH. Participant age and content of urinary oxalates exerted negative effects on cell proliferation in vitro. The mean number of cell colonies per sample was 1.7. The mean cell number per colony was 11.7 x 10(3). It appears that high variability in individual excretion of urothelial cells able to proliferate is a limiting factor for routine use of these cells for in vitro toxicology.

No abstract

Prostate growth seems to be influenced by paracrine factors like endothelin-1 (ET-1), originating from the microvascular endothelium. Recently, we reported on the first isolation and primary culture of microvascular endothelial cells (HPEC) derived from tissue of human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Therefore, direct investigation of growth factor secretion by HPEC is now possible. BPH tissue was cut into small cubes and gently squeezed after incubation with dispase. HPEC were cultured from the resulting cell suspension after a stepwise selection by use of superparamagnetic beads coated with antibodies against endothelial specific antigens. HPEC were characterized by flow cytometry. After the incubation of HPEC either with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), or adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the secretion of ET-1 was measured by ELISA. HPEC showed a typical endothelial morphology. They were positive for von Willebrand factor and CD31. The ET-1 secretion of HPEC was inhibited by VEGF, but was unaffected by TNF-alpha or ATP. Furthermore, histochemistry revealed that in vivo microvascular endothelial cells were negative for ET-1. Because of the suppression by the widespread VEGF, it is unlikely that ET-1 from the microvascular endothelium acts as a growth factor in human BPH.