Most kidney neoplasms are found incidentally and qualify for nephron-sparing surgery. Laparoscopic approach is beneficial to these patients because of its minimally invasive approach. However, these operations are both difficult and require plenty of experience and extended training. Some stages of the operation are limited by permissible time of transient ischemia. We applied three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to create individual silicone models of kidney to be used for training in laparoscopic procedures before the actual surgeries. Three patients who qualified for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy were selected. Digital models of their kidneys with tumors were designed based on computed tomography scans, followed by creation of silicone models. These were cast into the forms printed in 3D. The proper surgery was preceded by an operation carried out in a silicone model of laparoscopic simulator in which the tumor was excised and lodged after tumorectomy was filled. Average time of the live kidney tumor operation was slightly shorter than that of the silicone model (16 versus 17 minutes). Relatively short period of ischemia did not exceed 9 minutes. One patient underwent surgery without closing the vascular pedicle. Experience gained during training with these silicone models improved the actual surgery and can reduce the need for/duration of intraoperative renal ischemia. We believe this training method can be successfully used in other procedures.

Genetic factors associated with the risk of smoking related cancers have until recently remained elusive. Since the publication of a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on lung cancer new genetic loci have been identified that appear to be associated with disease risk. In this replication study we genotyped 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located at the 5p12.3-p15.33, 6p21.3-p22.1, 6q23-q27 and 15q25.1 loci in 874 lung, 450 bladder, 418 laryngeal cancer cases and cancer-free controls, matched by year of birth and sex to the cases. Our results revealed that loci in the chromosome region 15q25.1 (rs16969968[A], rs8034191[G]) and 5p15 (rs402710[T]) are associated with lung cancer risk in the Polish population (smoking status adjusted OR = 1.45, 1.35, 0.77; p≤0.0001, 0.0005, 0.002; 95%CI 1.23–1.72, 1.14–1.59, 0.66–0.91 respectively). None of the other regions analyzed herein were implicated in the risk of lung, bladder or laryngeal cancer. This study supports previous findings on lung cancer but fails to show association of SNPs located in 15q25.1 and 5p15 region with other smoking related cancers like bladder and laryngeal cancer.

It has been suggested that individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS) may be prone to developing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but the direction of causality remains uncertain. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the association between BPH and MetS in men who were referred to surgery for BPH. We were interested in identifying the anthropometric, metabolic, and hormonal factors that potentially influence the risk of both conditions. The study was conducted on 128 males with BPH and 141 without BPH (the control group). Fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profiles, total and free testosterone, estradiol, sex-hormone binding protein (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) index, and lipid accumulation product (LAP) were all evaluated. The prevalence of MetS was higher in patients with BPH than in the controls (58 vs. 41 %; P = 0.007). In comparison to the controls, patients with BPH had higher levels of cholesterol, low density lipoproteins, DHEA-S, insulin, and HOMA-IR, but lower levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), estradiol, and SHBG. The significant predictors of BPH were MetS (OR = 1.961), age (OR = 0.11), HDL (OR = 0.91), insulin (OR = 1.224), SHBG (OR = 0.98), and estradiol (OR = 0.978). Waist circumference and LAP inversely correlated with total and free testosterone and SHBG. Our study confirmed the frequent coexistence of MetS and BPH. This association seems to be a consequence of the MetS-related metabolic derangements, changes in the sex-hormone milieu, and lowered SHBG levels.

The process of crystallization in the urinary tract occurs when the equilibrium between promoting and inhibiting factors is broken. Many theories have been published to explain the mechanism of urinary stones formation; however, none of these theories has paid attention to trace elements. Their role in lithogenesis is still unclear and under debate. The findings of some studies may support the thesis that some major and trace elements may take part in the initiation of stone crystallization for instance as a nucleus or nidus for the formation of the stone, or simply contaminate the stone structure. This review presents a comprehensive account of the basic principles of the basic data and the role of major and trace elements in lithogenesis.