Hubertus Himmerich^1,2,5, Gerd D. Willmund¹, Peter Zimmermann¹, Jörg-Egbert Wolf¹, Antje H. Bühler¹, Lesca M. Holdt³, Daniel Teupser³, Kenneth C. Kirkby⁴, Ulrich Wesemann¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.26, No.3, pp. 57-60, 2015, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2015.0366

Abstract Growing evidence suggests involvement of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α system in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Research into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has investigated serum levels of TNF-α, but not to date its soluble receptors sTNF-R p55 and sTNF-R p75. We examined serum levels of TNF-α, sTNF-R p55 and sTNF-R p75 in 135 male German soldiers 70 of whom had been deployed abroad and 65 in Germany only. Post-traumatic stress symptoms were measured using the Post-traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS) and the Trier Inventory for the Assessment of Chronic Stress (TICS). Correlational analysis controlling… More >

Ozen Oz Gul¹, Soner Cander², Bulent Gul³, Ebru Açıkgoz⁴, Emre Sarandol⁴, Canan Ersoy¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.26, No.4, pp. 73-78, 2015, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2015.0370

Abstract This study was designed to evaluate insulin resistance and plasma levels of visfatin and resistin in obese and non-obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).A total of 37 premenopausal PCOS patients with (n = 18, mean (SD) age: 27.5 (5.7 years) or without obesity (n = 19, mean (SD) age: 23.7 (3.1) years) and healthy volunteers (n = 18, mean (SD) age:29.8 (4.1) years) were included in this study. Data on clinical characteristics, glycemic parameters and lipid parameters were recorded for each subject as were plasma visfatin and resistin levels. Mean (SD) HOMA-IR values were… More >

Julie G. Burel^1,2, Simon H. Apte¹, Denise L. Doolan^1,2

European Cytokine Network, Vol.26, No.4, pp. 67-72, 2015, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2015.0369

Abstract Polyfunctional T cells that simultaneously produce the cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF have been correlated with better clinical outcomes in various diseases. To date, cytokine polyfunctionality within T cells has been exclusively studied by intracellular cytokine staining coupled with flow cytometric analysis. Thus, further downstream interrogation of polyfunctional T cell characteristics such as transcriptomic analysis has not been possible. Here, we report the use of a flow cytometric method based on cytokine secretion assay technology to detect and isolate, for the first time, viable human polyfunctional T cells directly from in vitro stimulated whole blood More >

Daniel C. Parker¹, Jay Simhan^1,2

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.22, Suppl.5, pp. 88-92, 2015

Abstract instruction: Introduction: Lower urinary tract symptoms are a common complaint. Surgery to debulk hyperplastic prostate tissue is indicated for men with symptoms refractory to medical therapy, or for those who cannot tolerate first-line medications. In recent decades, new endoscopic techniques have been developed to reduce the morbidity of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Nonetheless, complications are still frequently encountered in the immediate, early, and remote postoperative setting.
instruction: Materials and methods: In this review, we perform an in-depth examination of contemporary treatment strategies for long term complications of surgical outlet reduction procedures. Complications encountered in the… More >

Shiva Madhwan Nair, Marie Adrianne Pimentel, Peter J. Gilling

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.22, Suppl.5, pp. 82-87, 2015

Abstract instruction: Introduction: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common and are often caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Traditional surgical methods of open enucleation and transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) have been efficacious in alleviating these symptoms however, these are operator dependent and often come with significant side effects. In this review, we will discuss upcoming new surgical techniques in management of BPH.
instruction: Materials and methods: A systematic search of SCOPUS, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were carried out using relevant key words.
instruction: Results: Intra-prostatic injections with a variety of agents have been explored as these… More >

Charles C. Peyton, Gopal H. Badlani

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.22, Suppl.5, pp. 75-81, 2015

Abstract instruction: Introduction: Elderly men with multiple comorbidities may be unfit to undergo surgical management of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). Permanent and temporary prostatic stents have been developed as an alternative to chronic indwelling catheters in men unfit for surgery.
instruction: Materials and methods: Herein we review the past and present literature on the role and effectiveness of prostatic stents in the treatment of BPO.
instruction: Results: Permanent prostatic stents have largely been abandoned in North America due to unfavorable outcomes and improved technologies to allow for treatment of BPO. Currently, the temporary Spanner stent is the only available More >

Daniel B. Rukstalis

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.22, Suppl.5, pp. 67-74, 2015

Abstract instruction: Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an obligate disorder of the aging male prostate with close associations to other metabolic conditions of aging including obesity. Clinical manifestations of this chronic disorder increase as men age suggesting that a growing number of older men will require intervention for progressive voiding symptoms or bladder dysfunction.
instruction: Materials and methods: The Prostatic Urethral Lift (PUL) procedure represents a new endoscopic approach in which small permanent intraprostatic implants are positioned to correct bladder outlet obstruction without tissue destruction. An overview of the treatment modality, review of recent literature, and analysis… More >

Mark Ferretti, John Phillips

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.22, Suppl.5, pp. 60-66, 2015

Abstract instruction: Introduction: Prostatectomy for benign disease, also known as a 'simple prostatectomy', is neither simple in indication nor approach. In the post-Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms (MTOPS), NCT00021814 trial era, the medical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and consequent bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) has shifted surgical intervention to those patients who are medical-non responders, present with advanced signs of BOO and obstructive uropathy, and those with prostate gland volumes beyond the size normally approachable with standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Simple prostatectomy through an open surgical approach is associated with improvements in BOO… More >

Lori B. Lerner, Archana Rajender

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.22, Suppl.5, pp. 53-59, 2015

Abstract instruction: Introduction: Laser treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) through enucleation techniques has become increasingly more utilized in the field of urology. Laser enucleation of the prostate (LEP) is a transurethral procedure that employs several different types of lasers to dissect the adenoma from the surgical capsule in a retrograde fashion.
instruction: Materials and methods: We review basic laser physics and current laser prostate enucleation techniques. Holmium-LEP (HoLEP), Thulium-LEP (ThuLEP), Greenlight-LEP (GreenLEP) and Diode-LEP (DiLEP) applications are discussed. We summarize the current literature with respect to functional outcomes and complications.
instruction: Results: Although each laser device used for… More >

Côme Tholomier, Roger Valdivieso, Pierre-Alain Hueber, Kevin C. Zorn

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.22, Suppl.5, pp. 45-52, 2015

Abstract instruction: Introduction: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is still considered the gold standard to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) has gained widespread acceptance as an alternative option requiring preoperative patient selection. Four laser systems are currently in use: holmium, thulium, diode and GreenLight.
instruction: Materials and methods: The goal of this article is to review the physics and the basics behind laser prostatectomies, as well as to present the most current literature concerning the results, advantages, disadvantages and international recommendations for each vaporization procedure.
instruction: Results: Holmium laser ablation of… More >