Opioid-induced androgen deficiency (OPIAD) was initially recognized as a possible consequence of opioid use roughly four decades ago. Long-acting opioid use carries risks of addiction, tolerance, and systemic side effects including hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with consequent testosterone depletion leading to multiple central and peripheral effects. Hypogonadism is induced through direct inhibitory action of opioids on receptors within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes as well as testosterone production within the testes. Few studies have systematically investigated hormonal changes induced by long-term opioid administration or the effects of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in patients with OPIAD. Clomiphene citrate, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), is a testosterone enhancement treatment which upregulates endogenous hypothalamic function. This review will focus on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of OPIAD, including summary of literature evaluating OPIAD treatment with TRT, and areas of future investigation.

Panel tests may be particularly useful for patients who lack distinguishing clinical characteristics of known hereditary kidney cancer syndromes. The current results support the use of early age of onset for genetic counseling and/or testing. Cancer 2017;123:4363-71. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Macrophages (MΦs) with mutations in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) have blunted induction of PI3K/AKT signaling in response to TLR4 activation, leading to hyperinflammation, a hallmark of cystic fibrosis (CF) disease. Here, we show that Ezrin links CFTR and TLR4 signaling, and is necessary for PI3K/AKT signaling induction in response to MΦ activation. Because PI3K/AKT signaling is critical for immune regulation, Ezrin-deficient MΦs are hyperinflammatory and have impaired Pseudomonas aeruginosa phagocytosis, phenocopying CF MΦs. Importantly, we show that activated CF MΦs have reduced protein levels and altered localization of the remaining Ezrin to filopodia that form during activation. In summary, we have described a direct link from CFTR to Ezrin to PI3K/AKT signaling that is disrupted in CF, and thus promotes hyper-inflammation and weakens phagocytosis.

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Penile prosthesis implant surgery is an effective management approach for a number of urological conditions, including medication refractory erectile dysfunction (ED). Complications encountered post-operatively include infection, bleeding/hematoma, and device malfunction. Since the 1970s, modifications to these devices have reduced complication rates through improvement in antisepsis and design using antibiotic coatings, kink-resistant tubing, lock-out valves to prevent autoinflation, and modified reservoir shapes. Device survival and complication rates have been investigated predominately by retrospective database-derived studies. This review article focuses on the identification and management of post-operative complications following penile prosthetic and implant surgery. Etiology for ED, surgical technique, and prosthesis type are variable among studies. The most common post-operative complications of infection, bleeding, and device malfunction may be minimized by adherence to consistent technique and standard protocol. Novel antibiotic coatings and standard antibiotic regimen may reduce infection rates. Meticulous hemostasis and intraoperative testing of devices may further reduce need for revision surgery. Additional prospective studies with consistent reporting of outcomes and comparison of surgical approach and prosthesis type in patients with variable ED etiology would be beneficial.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the personal protective equipment (PPE) utilized in common urologic procedures before and during the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. As elective urologic procedures are being reduced to conserve resources, we sought to quantify the PPE used per case to determine the impact on potentially limited resources needed for protecting healthcare providers treating COVID-19 patients. METHODSAn IRB approved retrospective analysis of all urologic procedures in March 2019 and March 2020 was performed. Additionally, all urologic procedures performed by vascular interventional radiology (VIR) in May 2019 and March 2020 were included in the analysis. Case length, surgical and operating room staff present and number of articles of PPE were quantified. Articles of PPE were defined as surgical bonnet/hat and mask, and disposable or reusable gown with 1 pair of surgical gloves. RESULTSFour hundred and thirty-seven urologic and VIR procedures were included in the analysis. The mean PPE per case varied significantly between endoscopic and robotic categories. Robotic assisted laparoscopic cystectomy required the most hats and masks (14.5 per case in March 2019) whereas percutaneous nephrostomy tube placement by VIR required the fewest (3.1 in May 2019 and March 2020). CONCLUSION PPE consumption varied significantly across urologic procedures. Robotic-assisted cases require the most PPE and percutaneous nephrostomy placement by VIR requires the fewest. While PPE shortages are currently being addressed national and internationally, our results provide a baseline benchmark for articles of PPE required should another pandemic or global disaster requiring careful attention to resource allocation occur in the future. UROLOGY 141: 1−6, 2020.

Background Morbidity and mortality from prostate cancer (PCa) are known to vary heavily based on socioeconomic and demographic risk factors. We sought to describe prescreening PSA (prostate‐specific antigen) counseling (PPC) rates amongst male‐to‐female transgender (MtF‐TG) patients and non‐TG patients using the behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS). Methods We used the survey data from 2014, 2016, and 2018 BRFSS and included respondents aged 40–79 years who completed the “PCa screening” and “sexual orientation and gender identity” modules. We analyzed differences in age, education level, income level, marital status, and race/ethnicity using Pearson's χ2 tests. The association of PPC with MtF‐TG status and other patient characteristics was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 175,383 respondents were included, of which 0.3% identified as MtF‐TG. Overall, 62.4% of respondents reported undergoing PPC. On univariate analysis, PPC rates were lower among MtF‐TG respondents when compared to the non‐TG group (58.3% vs. 62.4%, p = 0.03). MtF‐TG respondents were also more likely to report lower education level (p < 0.01), lower‐income level (p < 0.01), and were less likely to be white (p < 0.01) than non‐TG respondents. However, multivariate analysis adjusting for these respondent features demonstrated an association between higher income and higher education levels with increased odds of PPC, but no association was demonstrated between MtF‐TG status and PPC rates. PPC rates for the MtF‐TG and non‐TG populations did not change significantly over time. Conclusions Although PPC was less frequently reported among MtF‐TG respondents than in the non‐TG group on univariate analysis, this association was not demonstrated when controlling for confounders, including education and income levels. Instead, on multivariate analysis, low education and income levels were more predictive of PPC rates. Further research is needed to ensure equivalent access to prescreening counseling for patients across the socioeconomic and gender identity spectrum.