Kidney stone disease (KSD) is a complex disease. Besides the high risk of recurrence, its association with systemic disorders contributes to the burden of disease. Sufficient water intake is crucial for prevention of KSD, however, the mineral content of water might influence stone formation, bone health and cardiovascular (CVD) risk. This study aims to analyse the variations in mineral content of bottled drinking water worldwide to evaluate the differences and describes the possible impact on nephrological and urological diseases. The information regarding mineral composition (mg/L) on calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium, sodium and sulphates was read from the ingredients label on water bottles by visiting the supermarket or consulting the online shop. The bottled waters in two main supermarkets in 21 countries were included. The evaluation shows that on a global level the mineral composition of bottled drinkable water varies enormously. Median bicarbonate levels varied by factors of 12.6 and 57.3 for still and sparkling water, respectively. Median calcium levels varied by factors of 18.7 and 7.4 for still and sparkling water, respectively. As the mineral content of bottled drinking water varies enormously worldwide and mineral intake through water might influence stone formation, bone health and CVD risk, urologists and nephrologists should counsel their patients on an individual level regarding water intake.

Sustained and dysregulated inflammation, concurrent tumor-induced immune suppression, and oxidative stress are profoundly involved in cancer initiation, presentation, and perpetuation. Within this prospective study, we simultaneously analyzed the preoperative indices of systemic inflammatory response and the representative byproducts of oxidative DNA, protein, and lipid damage with the aim of evaluating their clinical relevance among patients diagnosed with testicular germ-cell tumors (GCT). In the analytical cohort (n = 88, median age 34 years), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly altered in patients with a higher tumor stage (p < 0.05). Highly suggestive correlations were found between NLR, dNLR, and SII and modified nucleoside 8-OHdG. CRP and albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) significantly correlated with thiols group level and maximal tumor dimension (p < 0.05). Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses, all the evaluated pre-orchiectomy inflammation markers demonstrated strong performance in predicting metastatic disease; optimal cut-off points were determined for each indicator. Although further large-scale studies are warranted, inflammatory and redox indices may both complement the established tumor markers and standard clinicopathological prognostic variables and contribute to enhanced personalized risk-assessment among testicular GCT patients.

Members of the omega class of glutathione transferases (GSTs), GSTO1, and GSTO2, catalyze a range of reduction reactions as a part of the antioxidant defense system. Polymorphisms of genes encoding antioxidant proteins and the resultant altered redox profile have already been associated with the increased risk for testicular germ cell cancer (GCT) development. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the individual, combined, haplotype, and cumulative effect of GSTO1rs4925, GSTO2rs156697, and GSTO2rs2297235 polymorphisms with the risk for testicular GCT development, in 88 patients and 96 matched controls, through logistic regression models. We found that carriers of the GSTO1*C/A*C/C genotype exhibited an increased risk for testicular GCT development. Significant association with increased risk of testicular GCT was observed in carriers of GSTO2rs2297235*A/G*G/G genotype, and in carriers of combined GSTO2rs156697*A/G*G/G and GSTO2rs2297235*A/G*G/G genotypes. Haplotype H7 (GSTO1rs4925*C/GSTO2rs2297235*G/GSTO2rs156697*G) exhibited higher risk of testicular GCT, however, without significant association (p > 0.05). Finally, 51% of testicular GCT patients were the carriers of all three risk-associated genotypes, with 2.5-fold increased cumulative risk. In conclusion, the results of this pilot study suggest that GSTO polymorphisms might affect the protective antioxidant activity of GSTO isoenzymes, therefore predisposing susceptible individuals toward higher risk for testicular GCT development.

Background and Objectives: Radical prostatectomy (RP) stands as the predominant instigator of postoperative stress urinary incontinence. Techniques such as the preservation of the neurovascular bundles, bladder neck preservation, and ensuring longer postoperative urethral length have shown positive impacts on continence. The posterior reconstruction is another method that aids in early continence recovery. Anterior suspension as simulator of puboprostatic ligaments is another factor. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Clinic of Urology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, between December 2014 and January 2020, employing a prospective, non-randomized comparative design. Data were meticulously gathered from 192 consecutive patients. The process of regaining continence was monitored at intervals of 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. The main criterion for assessing the level of urinary continence was the number of pads used daily. Results: The distribution of overall continence rates in the BNP vs. no-BNP group at 3, 6 and 12 months was 86% vs. 60% (p < 0.0001), 89% vs. 67% (p < 0.0001), 93% vs. 83% (p = 0.022). Continence rates in non-posterior reconstruction group (10%, 22%, 34%, and 54% at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months) were statistically significantly lower (p < 0.0001). The patients who underwent urethral suspension exhibited significantly higher rates of overall continence at 1 mo (73% vs. 29%, p < 0.0001), 3 mo (85% vs. 53%, p < 0.001), 6 mo (89% vs. 62%, p < 0.0001), 12 mo (95% vs. 76%, p < 0.0001), and 24 mo (93% vs. 81%, p = 0.007). Patients who underwent urethral suspension had a four-fold greater likelihood of regaining continence (p = 0.015). Conclusions: Patients who underwent urethral suspension or BNP or posterior reconstruction had higher continence rates. Only the urethral suspension was found to be a significant prognostic factor of continence recovery.