Study Type – Therapy (case control) Level of Evidence 3b What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Recently European Association of Urology 2011 guidelines on urolithiasis recommended retrograde intrarenal surgery as the second‐line therapy for the treatment of kidney stones <10 mm in diameter. This study shows that retrograde intrarenal surgery may be an alternative therapy to percutaneous nephrolithotomy, with acceptable efficacy and low morbidity for 2–4 cm stones. OBJECTIVE Currently, the indications for retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) have been extended due to recent improvements in endoscopic technology. In this study, we compare the outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and RIRS in the treatment of 2–4 cm kidney stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between September 2008 and January 2011, 34 patients who had renal stones ranging from 2 to 4 cm in diameter were treated with RIRS. The outcomes of these patients were compared with patients who underwent PCNL using matched‐pair analysis (1:1 scenario). The matching parameters were the size, number and location of the stones as well as age, gender, body mass index, solitary kidney, degree of hydronephrosis, presence of previous shock wave lithotripsy and open surgery. Data were analysed using Fisher's exact test, Student's t test and the Mann–Whitney U test. RESULTS Stone‐free rates after one session were 73.5% and 91.2% for RIRS and PCNL respectively (P= 0.05). Stone‐free rate in the RIRS group improved to 88.2% after the second procedure. Mean operation duration was 58.2 (±) 13.4 min in the RIRS group but 38.7 (±) 11.6 min in the PCNL group (P < 0.0001). Blood transfusions were required in two patients in the PCNL group. Overall complication rates in the PCNL group were higher, but the differences were not statistically significant. Hospitalization time was significantly shorter in the RIRS group (30.0 + 37.4 vs 61.4 + 34.0 h, respectively; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Satisfactory outcomes can be achieved with multi‐session RIRS in the treatment of 2–4 cm renal stones. RIRS can be used as an alternative treatment to PCNL in selected cases with larger renal stones.

Sulbactam-ampicillin and cefuroxime antibiotics can be used safely for prophylaxis of PCNL. Single dose administration is sufficient.

At long-term followup renal function was maintained or improved in greater than 80% of patients with chronic kidney disease who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Stones recurred or residual stones grew in approximately 25% of these patients.

In almost 80% of patients with staghorn stones renal function was improved or maintained after percutaneous nephrolithotomy, as documented during long-term followup. Stones recurred in a third of the patients with staghorn calculi.

Aim: There is much evidence of an association between cancer and irisin that is an adipokine. This study researched on the relationship between prostate cancer (PCa) and irisin levels, and whether irisin can be used as a biomarker in the diagnosis of PCa. Materials and Methods: For the study groups, 50 primary PCa patients and 30 healthy male subjects were included in the PCa and healthy control groups, respectively. All volunteers in the healthy control group were screened for prostate cancer and other malignancies and chronic diseases. Volunteers who were determine to be completely healthy were included for healthy control group. In the serum samples of the subjects were measured free PSA, total PSA and irisin levels. Irisin levels were compared separately in terms of the Gleason scores and T stage. In addition to intergroup comparisons, the ROC curve for the irisin was plotted and power analysis was performed. Results: Free and total PSA levels in the PCa group were significantly higher compared to the healthy control group (p<0.05). In addition, irisin levels in the PCa group were significantly lower than in the healthy control group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between irisin levels in the groups classified in terms of Gleason scores (p>0.05). When the cutoff value was taken as 8.1, the sensitivity and specificity of irisin for PCa were as 80.5% and 90%, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the levels of irisin in the PCa group are considerably reduced and irisin may be used as a biomarker as well as free and total PSA.

BackgroundOxidative DNA damage is associated with male infertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative DNA damage of sperm cells and blood leukocytes and to determine the levels of MDA and NO levels in seminal and blood plasma of idiopathic infertile men.Material/MethodsThe study enrolled 52 patients, including 30 infertile and 22 fertile men. MDA, NO, and 8-OHdG/106dG were estimated using spectrophotometry and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based methods in seminal and blood plasma. The association with the sperm parameters was assessed, particularly sperm counts and motility.ResultsThe mean sperm concentration and sperm motility of the fertile men were significantly higher than that of the infertile men. The mean MDA and NO concentration in the seminal and blood samples of the infertile men were higher than that of fertile men. Also, the mean numbers of sperm cells and leukocytes 8-OHdG/106dG of the infertile men were significantly higher than that of fertile men (p=0.04 and p<0.001, respectively). Sperm motility and sperm count were negatively correlated with leukocyte and sperm cell 8-OHdG/106dG ratio. However, progressive motility was significantly negatively correlated with sperm cell and leukocyte 8-OHdG/106dG ratio (R=−0.357, p=0.026; R=−0.388, p=0.024, respectively).ConclusionsOxidative stress is an important factor in male infertility. Therefore, biochemical detection of 8-OHdG/106dG in sperm cells and blood leukocytes may be an additional tool in the diagnosis of male infertility.

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The changes in trace element levels are related to the etiopathogenesis of PD. We think that our study is the first from this aspect.