Introduction Vasoactive peptides, such as bradykinin, C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), and endothelin 1 (ET-1), are assumed to be involved in the control of female genital vascular and nonvascular smooth muscle. Tissue levels of said peptides are controlled by the activity of endopeptidase enzymes. Theoretically, in female genital tissues, inhibiting the degradation of bradykinin, CNP, and VIP, or the conversion of Big ET-1 into ET-1 should result in an enhancement in smooth muscle relaxation and, thus, an improvement in sexual response. Aim Elucidate the effects of the endopeptidase inhibitor KC 12615 on the contraction/relaxation response of isolated human vaginal smooth muscle to Big ET-1, bradykinin, CNP, or VIP. Methods Tissue bath experiments were carried out to ascertain the responses of human vaginal tissue challenged by ET-1 (0.1 μM) to increasing concentrations of bradykinin, CNP, and VIP (0.01 μM, 0.1 μM, and 1 μM, respectively). The effects were also evaluated following preexposure to KC 12615 (10 μM, for 20 minutes). Main Outcome Measures Measure the effects of KC 12615 on the relaxation of isolated human vaginal smooth muscle brought about by bradykinin, CNP, or VIP and the contraction mediated by Big ET-1. Results The tension induced by ET-1 was reversed by bradykinin, CNP, or VIP (−25 ± 6.6%, −13.3 ± 2.2%, and −17.6 ± 10%, respectively). Big ET-1 induced contraction of the vaginal tissue. Preexposure of the tissue to KC 12615 increased the relaxation exerted by bradykinin, CNP, or VIP (to −39.2 ± 5.8%, −40.7 ± 7.3%, and −44.6 ± 19%, respectively). The contraction induced by Big ET-1 was attenuated in the presence of KC 12615 (to approximately 25% of the initial response). Conclusion Inhibition of endopeptidase activity can antagonize the contraction of human vaginal tissue induced by Big ET-1 and increase the relaxation induced by vasoactive endogenous peptides.

Introduction Endogenous peptides, such as vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), and bradykinin (BK), have been proposed to play a role in the female sexual arousal response by exerting relaxation of clitoral, labial, and vaginal smooth muscle. While the effects of endogenous peptides on the human male erectile tissue have already been described, only very few studies have been conducted to investigate the peptidergic control of female genital tissues, including the vagina. Aims To elucidate the expression of mRNA specifically encoding for peptide receptors in the human vagina and the effects of VIP, CNP, and BK on the tension induced by endothelin-1 (ET-1) of isolated human vaginal wall smooth muscle. The production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in response to exposure of the tissue to the peptides was also measured. Methods The expression of mRNA encoding for receptor proteins specific for VIP, CNP, and BK were investigated by means of molecular biology (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] analysis). Using the organ bath technique, the effects of VIP, CNP, and BK (0.1 nM to 1 µM) on the tension induced by 0.1 µM ET-1 of human vaginal strips were investigated. The tissue was also exposed to three different concentrations of VIP, CNP, and BK (0.01 µM, 0.1 µM, 1 µM) and the production of cAMP and cGMP determined by means of radioimmunoassays. Main Outcome Measures Characterize the expression of peptide receptors in the human vagina and measure the relaxation exerted by BK, CNP, and VIP on the contraction induced by ET-1 of isolated human vaginal tissue. In addition, the effects of the peptides on the production of cAMP and cGMP were also elucidated. Results RT-PCR analysis revealed the expression of mRNA transcripts encoding for the VIP receptors VIP1R/vasoactive intestinal polypeptide receptor type 1 (VPAC1) and VIP2R/VPAC2, CNP receptors natriuretic peptide receptor type A (NPRA), natriuretic peptide receptor type B (NPRB) and natriuretic peptide receptor type C (NPRC), and BK receptor B2R. The tension induced by ET-1 was reversed by the peptides with the following rank order of efficacy: BK (21.7%) > VIP (20.9%) > CNP (13.3%). The relaxing effects of VIP and BK were paralleled by a 4.8-fold and fivefold increase in cAMP, while the production of cGMP was stimulated 38-fold and 119-fold in the presence of CNP or BK, respectively. Conclusions Our results are in support of the hypothesis that endogenous peptides may contribute to the control of human vaginal smooth muscle tone through the involvement of the cyclic nucleotide-dependent pathways.

ABSTRAK ABSTRACTOveractive bladder (OAB) is a common condition that is experienced by around 455 million people (11% of the world population) and associated with significant impact in patients' quality of life. The first line treatments of OAB are conservative treatment and anti-muscarinic medication. For the refractory OAB patients, the treatment options available are surgical therapy, electrical stimulation, and botulinum toxin injection. Among them, percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is a minimally invasive option that aims to stimulate sacral nerve plexus, a group of nerve that is responsible for regulation of bladder function. After its approval by food and drug administration (FDA) in 2007, PTNS revealed considerable promise in OAB management. In this review, several non-comparative and comparative studies comparing PTNS with sham procedure, anti-muscarinic therapy, and multimodal therapy combining PTNS and anti-muscarinic had supportive data to this consideration.

Introduction: Gynecological malignancies are one of the most common causes of death from cancer in women. Hydronephrosis or obstructive uropathy is the most common finding in patients with gynecological malignancy. This study aimed to describe the profile of obstructive uropathy patients causes of gynecology malignancies treated in our center from 2019 to 2021. Method: From January 2019 to January 2021, obstructive uropathy patients with gynecological malignancies who underwent DJ stent or nephrostomy insertion procedures at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital were included in this prospective study. Patients with a history of urinary diversion or other diseases that may cause urinary tract obstruction were excluded. Result: One hundred and twenty-one patients with gynecological malignancies with obstructive uropathy were included. Cervical carcinoma was the most common cause, followed by ovarian carcinoma and endometrial carcinoma. The percentages of bilateral, right-, and left-sided stenting were 72%, 18%, and 10%, respectively. Most of them were grade 3 or grade 4 hydronephrosis. Percutaneous nephrostomy was mainly used for 69,4%, and only 17% of patients experienced a polyuria episode. Conclusion: Most cases of obstructive uropathy were caused by cervical malignancies, with bilateral obstruction due to cervical cancer occurring in most cases. Nephrostomy is the method of choice for urinary drainage in our center.

BACKGROUND Cranberries are the most widely used nonantibiotic prophylaxis for recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) in women; however, their efficacy still remains uncertain. Hence, this meta-analysis was aimed to assess the effectiveness, safety, and adherence of cranberry as a prophylactic drug for treating rUTI. METHODS Literature search was conducted using PubMed, EBSCO, Science Direct, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. Studies were screened for duplication, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then reviewed by two authors independently. This included all randomized controlled trials of cranberry derivatives versus placebo and antibiotic prophylaxis. Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tools were used to evaluate the quality of the study. Quantitative analysis was performed using the Review Manager 5.0 software. RESULTS Nine studies were included. Among 1,542 participants, cranberry consumption reduced incidence of rUTI in women compared with placebo (p = 0.02). The subgroup analysis revealed that only cranberry capsules were superior to placebo (relative risk [RR] = 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.45–0.98), but not for cranberry juice (RR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.7–1.04). Antibiotics had better outcome than cranberry for rUTI (RR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.70–0.98). Most of the participants experienced minor adverse events such as rash and gastrointestinal symptoms. There was also a good adherence rate, ranging from 90.3–99% monthly dose. CONCLUSIONS Cranberry, especially cranberry capsule consumption, had a significant effect in reducing the incidence of rUTI compared with placebo, with good adherence rates, and minor adverse events. In contrast, although antibiotic use had a greater efficacy, it was associated with a higher risk of severe adverse events.

Metastasis of prostate carcinoma to the testis is seldom reported. The tumour may spread from the prostatic urethra by retrograde venous extension, arterial embolism or through direct invasion into the lymphatics and lumen of the vas deferens. Clinical manifestations of secondary testicular tumours from the prostate are most often unsuspected clinically and are instead detected incidentally during orchidectomy. Less frequently, a palpable mass is detected, which may be confused with a primary testicular neoplasm. We report a case of a 66-year-old patient with adenocarcinoma of the prostate, and a left testicular tumour that was diagnosed as metastases from prostate carcinoma after radical orchidectomy.

Purpose:This study was performed to describe and evaluate the management of male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by general practitioners (GPs) in Jakarta.Methods:This observational cross-sectional study was peformed between January 2013 and August 2013 in Jakarta. We developed a questionnaire consisting of 10 questions describing the management of male LUTS suggestive of BPH by GPs in their daily practice in the previous month. We collected questionnaires from 200 GPs participating in 4 urology symposiums held in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta.Results:Most GPs were aged between 25 and 35 years (71.5%) and had worked for more than 1 year (87.5%). One to 5 cases of male LUTS suggestive of BPH were treated by 81% of GPs each month. At diagnosis, the most common symptoms found were urinary retention (55.5%), frequency (48%), and nocturia (45%). The usual diagnostic workup included digital rectal examination (65%), scoring system (44%), measurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level (23.5%), and renal function assessment (20%). Most GPs referred their male patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH to a urologist (59.5%) and 46.5% of GPs prescribed drugs as an initial therapy. Alpha-adrenergic antagonist monotherapy (71.5%) was the most common drug prescribed. Combination therapy with α-adrenergic antagonists and 5α-reductase inhibitors was not routinely prescribed (13%). Thirty-eight percent of GPs referred their patients when recurrent urinary retention was present and 33% when complications were present.Conclusions:Our study provides evidence that the management of male LUTS suggestive of BPH by GPs in Jakarta suggests referral in part to available guidelines in terms of diagnostic methods and initial therapy. However, several aspects of the guidelines, such as PSA level measurement, renal function assessment, urinalysis, ultrasound examination, and prescription of combination therapies, are still infrequently performed.

No abstract