Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP) is one of the most common, progressive diseases in elderly men. It is very important to diagnose this disease in its early stages. The international prostate symptom score (IPSS) is a very helpful tool to be used for this purpose. Aims: The main goal of this study was to analyze the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia and its impact on a patient's quality of life. Patients and Methods: This descriptive randomized study included 112 male examinees aged 50-70 years. We used IPSS as a survey tool. Results: The average age of the examinees was 61.02 (± 6,18). 56.3% of examinees had mild symptoms, 31.3% had moderate symptoms and 12.5% of our examinees had severe lower urinary tract symptoms. Nocturia was the most common symptom. Irritative symptoms were present in 76.8% of examinees compared to obstructive symptoms which occurred in 8.9%, and 14.3% had both types of symptoms. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity (in 50.9% of cases). The majority of examinees answered that they would be satisfied with their quality of life if their symptoms do not change in the future. Conclusions: Assessment of symptoms and signs of benign prostatic hyperplasia using IPSS in clinical practice has proven to be useful in the timely approach of clinical physicians.

Background: The Lung adenocarcinoma, a subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, exhibits diverse histopathological patterns, impacting prognosis and therapeutic outcomes. Objective: This study explores the correlation between smoking habits and the prevalence of different histopathological subtypes in invasive lung adenocarcinoma (IAC). Methods: A single-center, cross-sectional study included 140 patients with surgically treated, histopathological verified lung adenocarcinoma. The patients were classified based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) histopathological patterns, and smoking status data were collected from medical records. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. Results: The predominant histopathological subtypes were acinar (47.9%) and solid (30.7%) IAC. Smokers constituted 84.3% of the patients, with a majority (61.7%) consuming more than 20 cigarettes per day. A weak, statistically significant correlation was found between histopathological patterns and smoking habits among smokers (rho=0.054; p=0.04). Acinar IAC was more common in those consuming up to 20 cigarettes daily, while the solid pattern predominated in those smoking more than 20 cigarettes (rho=0.189; p=0.04). No significant correlation was observed with the duration of smoking history. Conclusion: The study reveals a predictive relationship between smoking habits, including the number of cigarettes consumed, and the histopathological pattern of IAC in resected specimens. Acinar and solid subtypes were more prevalent, with distinct associations to smoking behaviors. Understanding these relationships can contribute to personalized treatment approaches and further research on lung adenocarcinoma.

Introduction The optimal management of distal ureteral stones remains a matter of debate since current guidelines favor ureteroscopy over extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). We aimed to evaluate the efficiency of ESWL for distal ureteral stones and to identify factors that affect treatment outcomes. Materials and methods The retrospective study included records of 115 patients with distal ureteral stones, 5 mm to 18 mm in size, undergoing 223 ESWL sessions as an outpatient procedure. Early fragmentation and three-month follow-up stone-free rate (SFR) was assessed through radiographic imaging. Treatment was successful if there were no residual fragments or they were ≤4 mm, three months after the last session. Results The mean ±standard deviation (range) stone size was 9.68 ±3.10 (5.00-18.0) mm. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.3 ±2.67 (18.4-29.8) kg/m² with a significant correlation between BMI and stone size (r2 =0.324, p <0.001). Patients underwent ESWL an average of 1.7 ±1.36 times (1-5), while 68 patients (59.1%) became stone-free after one session. The overall SFR was 82.6%; for patients with stone sizes ≤10 mm and >10 mm, it was 99% and 9.4%, respectively. Cumulative SFR after the second session was 77%. In 20 (17%) patients the treatment was a failure. Complications occurred in 10.4%, while auxiliary procedures were needed in 8.7% of cases, both significantly affected by the stone size (p <0.001). The efficiency quotient (EQ) was 0.76. Treatment outcome was significantly different depending on stone size, BMI, number of sessions, complications, and auxiliary procedures (p <0.001, p =0.022, p <0.001, p <0.001, p <0.001, respectively). Univariate regression analysis identified stone size and BMI as significant predictors of treatment outcome (odds ratio (OR) 3.84, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.31-8.97, p =0.001, and OR 1.25, 95% CI: 1.04-1.54, p =0.024, respectively). Conclusions Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy continues to be a safe and effective option for managing simple calculi in distal ureters with a diameter of ≤10 mm. The stone size and BMI remain significant predictors of treatment outcome.

Introduction: The invasion of blood and lymph vessels with tumor tissue represents a negative prognostic factor of the disease course in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the marker value of a preoperatively determined size of pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma and its impact on lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in resected lung tissue. Materials and Methods: The conducted observational cross-sectional study included 322 patients with a complete resection of confirmed squamous cell lung carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma. Preoperative size and type of tumor were determined by a preoperative chest computed tomography scan and cytological/histological analysis of obtained samples, while LVI status was determined by pathohistological analysis of resected tumor lung tissue. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess whether tumor size could serve as a reliable marker for LVI. P < 0.05 was considered statically significant. Results: A statistically significant difference in the frequency of tumor size (P = 0.580) along with LVI (P = 0.656) was not established between the patients with squamous cell lung cancer and lung adenocarcinoma. A ratio between the size of lung adenocarcinoma and LVI status (P < 0.001) was determined as statistically significant, while such a difference was not established in squamous cell lung cancer (P = 0.052). The ROC analysis revealed that tumor size >39 mm in patients with lung adenocarcinoma has obtained a sensitivity of 70.8% and a specificity of 60.9% to differentiate patients with a LVI (areas under the curve [AUC] = 0.70; 95% CI 0.60‒0.79; P < 0.001). A tumor size >4.6 cm in patients with squamous cell lung cancer obtained a sensitivity of 56.5% and a specificity of 60.3% to differentiate patients with a LVI (AUC = 0.59; 95% CI 0.50‒0.67; P = 0.043). Conclusion: The preoperative size of lung adenocarcinoma could be an acceptable marker of LVI presence in resected lung tissue, while in the squamous cell lung cancer, a potential biomarker role of the preoperative size of the tumor was inadequate.

SuMMAry – Introduction. Ocular microvascular changes can be related to kidney deterioration in chronic kidney disease (CKd). We aimed to identify the association between retino-choroidal parameters and kidney deterioration in diabetics and non-diabetics. Methods. The study group consisted of CKd patients (cross-sectional study) with arterial hypertension with different stages of CKd. Complete eye examination was completed with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCtA) scans of the macular region. According to the value of glomerular filtration rate (gfr) and albuminuria, patients were divided into groups: low gfr (<60ml/min) and high gfr (>60ml/min) and CKd patients without albuminuria and CKd with micro or macroalbuminuria. Results. One hundred and six eyes of 106 chronic kidney disease patients were evaluated. The mean retinal thickness in gfr <60 ml/min group was 275,73±9,65 micron (µ), whereas in a gfr >60 ml/min group was 274,36±10,77 µ. OCtA showed lower deep vascular density (dvd) in CKd with albuminuria versus CKd without albuminuria group (p < 0.001). Albuminuria was inversely related to choroidal and retinal thickness measures of superficial (Svd) and dvd. Conclusions. CKd is associated with retinal diluting and decreasing kidney function with reduction of retinal and choroidal vascular density.

Crossed fused renal ectopia (CFRE) is a rare congenital abnormality of the urinary tract where the kidneys are fused on one side, while the ureter of the ectopic kidney crosses the midline with the normal entrance in the bladder on the contralateral side. Congenital anomalies are associated with a stone formation whose management represents a real challenge. To our knowledge, we report the second case of CFRE associated with ureteral stone, which has been successfully resolved with Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) and the first of its kind where a sufficient degree of stone disintegration has been achieved after a single session with a complete stone clearance during the follow-up. Radiological examination showed an inferior type of CFRE with stone in the proximal part of the ureter of the upper kidney. ESWL is an acceptable and effective treatment option in CFRE patients due to the minimally invasive approach, potentially high stone-free rate, and rare complications.

Introduction: Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE) is considered the gold standard method for surgical sperm retrieval among patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between histopathological findings after failed microTESE procedure and outcomes of the „second-look“ procedure and to provide insight into the most common histopathological patterns after testicular biopsy within our population. Methods: The retrospective study included 33 selected patients with NOA, who had undergone unsuccessful sperm retrieval. The diagnosis of NOA was made after the assessment of the patient’s history data, a physical examination, semen analysis, the hormonal profile, and genetic studies. After negative sperm retrieval, histopathological report has been analyzed for „second-look“ microTESE attempt. Results: Five testicular histopathological patterns were found: hypospermatogenesis (9,1%), Sertoli cell-only syndrome (43%), germ cell maturation arrest (15%), seminiferous tubule hyalinization (15%), mixed pattern (21%). Y-microdeletions were detected in 5 patients, of which 3 patients showed AZFc region deletions. Only 3 patients (9,1%) underwent a „second-look“ procedure after the evaluation of histopathological reports. After the stimulation therapy and „second-look“ procedure, we had a positive outcome in a single patient (33,3%). Mean FSH value in patients with confirmed spermatogenesis was 17.26±3.11IU/l, while mean FSH value in patients without presence or germ cell statistically significantly exceeded and was 24.28±4.71IU/L (p=0.038). Conclusion: Histopathological reports following the microTESE procedure are obligatory for the proper selection of patients who are candidates for the „second-look“ microTESE attempt. Patients with Sertoli cell-only syndrome and hypospermatogenesis particularly can benefit from the “second-look” procedure.

Abstract Introduction. Bladder cancer is the most common malignancy involving the urinary system. Recent research tends to emphasize the role of oxidative stress products in the carcinogenesis of bladder cancer. The level of oxidative stress can be measured by assessing the MDA levels. This study aimed to evaluate serum MDA levels in patients with bladder cancer, as well as to determine its potential role as a biomarker in the diagnosis of the disease and progression risk considerations. Methods. The study was designed as a cross-sectional study and included 90 patients, divided into three groups with 30 patients each: Ta, T1and T2–T4 group, based on histopathological findings after transurethral resection of the tumor. The control group included 30 healthy volunteers. MDA level was determined using the spectrophotometric method. Results. Serum MDA level in patients with bladder cancer [0.86 (0.78–1.05) μmol/L] was significantly higher than the serum MDA level in control group [0.70 (0.69–0.72) μmol/L] (p < 0.001). Serum MDA level in Ta group [0.73 (0.70–1.05) μmol/L], T1 group [0.85 (0.80–1.12) μmol/L] and in T2–T4 group [0.91 (0.84–1.04) μmol/L] was significantly higher than the serum MDA level in control group [0.70 (0.69–0.72) μmol/L] (p < 0.01). MDA level in T1 and T2–T4 group was significantly higher than the MDA level in Ta group (p < 0.01). No significant difference was observed in MDA level between T1 and T2–T4 group (p = NS). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between tumor size and serum MDA level in patients with bladder cancer (rho = 0.254 p < 0.01). Conclusions. The results of the present study suggest that MDA serum level might play a significant role as a biomarker in the diagnosis of bladder cancer, as well as in the monitoring of its progression.