Advances in the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Management of Urinary Disease

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2024) | Viewed by 4250

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
Interests: prostate cancer; kidney cancer; bladder cancer; advanced imaging for urologic cancer
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Guest Editor
Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Interests: bladder cancer; radical cystectomty; radical nephroureterectomy; transurethral resection of bladder tumor; upper urinary tract urothelian carcinoma
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The urinary system plays a vital role in maintaining the body's internal equilibrium by regulating fluid balance, electrolytes and waste excretion. However, when dysfunction occurs within this intricate system, it can lead to a myriad of disorders with varying degrees of severity.

Recent studies have shown the development of newer screening, diagnostic assays that can be very precise in discovering and discriminating the characteristics of many urological conditions. New advanced treatment approaches and therapeutic modalities for those diseases have also been developed, while several others are currently being evaluated in preclinical or clinical trials.

In this Special Issue, we delve into the latest advancements, challenges and emerging trends in the diagnosis, treatment and management of urinary diseases, from common conditions such as urinary tract infections and kidney stones to more complex disorders such as kidney, bladder and prostate cancer.

We prioritize high-quality original studies, encourage multidisciplinary works and welcome well-designed meta-analyses and reviews. Articles about malignant diseases such as kidney cancer, bladder cancer and prostate cancer are especially welcome.

Prof. Dr. Nicola Longo
Prof. Dr. Massimiliano Creta
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • urinary disease
  • diagnosis
  • prognosis
  • kidney disease
  • prostate disease
  • malignant diseases like kidney cancer, bladder cancer and prostate cancer

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 8589 KiB  
Article
Is Immunohistochemical Galectin-3 Expression Associated with the Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in High- and Low-Grade Invasive Urothelial Carcinomas of the Bladder?
by Merve Cin, Ayşenur Akyıldız İğdem, Sibel Bektaş, Özgecan Gündoğar, Selçuk Cin, Neslihan Komut and Buğra Çetin
Diagnostics 2024, 14(20), 2270; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14202270 - 12 Oct 2024
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Bladder cancer, predominantly urothelial carcinoma, is an important malignancy of the urinary system. Despite the same histologic grade and stage, some patients seem to have a worse prognosis. In this context, the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), characterized by the loss of E-cadherin [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Bladder cancer, predominantly urothelial carcinoma, is an important malignancy of the urinary system. Despite the same histologic grade and stage, some patients seem to have a worse prognosis. In this context, the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), characterized by the loss of E-cadherin and gain of vimentin expression, is an important process in tumor progression. Galectin-3, a lactose-binding protein involved in various cellular processes, has been associated with increased tumor cell migration, invasion, and treatment resistance. Methods: In this study, 223 bladder cancer cases were examined, and E-cadherin, vimentin, and galectin-3 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining in tumor budding areas and invasive components. These markers were also correlated with clinicopathological parameters, including tumor grade and stage. Results: The results indicated a significant decrease in E-cadherin expression and an increase in vimentin staining in higher-grade and higher-stage tumors, supporting EMT involvement. Galectin-3 expression was notably higher in T1 high-grade tumors but decreased in T2 stage tumors. Despite this, no significant correlation was found between galectin-3 and E-cadherin or vimentin, suggesting a complex role of galectin-3 in EMT. Conclusions: High galectin-3 expression in T1 high-grade tumors highlights its potential role in early tumor progression and as a therapeutic target. However, the decrease in its expression in advanced stages underscores the need for further research to understand its multifaceted involvement in bladder cancer. These findings suggest that while galectin-3 may contribute to the EMT and early tumor progression, its exact role and potential as a therapeutic target require more detailed investigation. Full article
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9 pages, 324 KiB  
Communication
Internal Overview of Prostatic Cancer Cases and Quality of BRCA1 and BRCA2 NGS Data from the FFPE Tissue
by Enrica Antolini, Alessandra Filosa, Matteo Santoni, Elena Antaldi, Elisa Bartoli, Lidia Sierchio, Federica Giantomassi, Alessandra Mandolesi and Gaia Goteri
Diagnostics 2024, 14(18), 2067; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14182067 - 18 Sep 2024
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Abstract
Background: Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) has gained an important role in patients with advanced prostate cancer following the introduction of PARP inhibitors in daily clinical practice. Here, we report an overview of CGP results, specifically of BRCA1 and BRCA2 HRD-repair system genes, from [...] Read more.
Background: Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) has gained an important role in patients with advanced prostate cancer following the introduction of PARP inhibitors in daily clinical practice. Here, we report an overview of CGP results, specifically of BRCA1 and BRCA2 HRD-repair system genes, from patients with prostate cancer analyzed in our institution, and we compare our results with those available from more recent scientific literature. Methods: The study cohort consisted of 70 patients. Somatic DNA was extracted from Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) tissue using a MagCore Genomic DNA FFPE One-Step Kit for MagCore System. The DNA was quantified by EasyPGX® Real-Time qPCR and EasyPGX® Analysis Software (version 4.0.13). Tissue somatic DNA libraries were prepared with Myriapod® NGS BRCA1-2 panel-NG035 and sequenced in a Mi-Seq® System. The sequence alignment in hg19 and the variant calling were performed using Myriapod® NGS Data Analysis Software version 5.0.8 NG900-SW 5.0.8 with a software detection limit (LoD) of 95%. Variants with a coverage of 500 and VAF% ≥ 5 were evaluated. Results: Tumor tissue NGS was unsuccessful in 46/70 patients (66%). Mutations of the BRCA2 gene were detected in 4 of the samples: (1) BRCA2 ex10 c.1244A>G p.His415Arg VAF = 51.03%; (2) BRCA2 ex11 c.5946delT p.Ser1982fs VAF = 72.1%; (3) BRCA2 ex11 c.3302A>G p.His1101Arg VAF = 52.9%; and (4) BRCA2 ex11 c.3195_3198delTAAT p.Asn1066fs VAF = 51.1%. Conclusions: The results from our internal overview seem to support the data and to confirm the performance of the technical issues reported in the literature. Considering the advanced age of our patients, with 84% of men over the age of 65, the application of alternative and less invasive procedures such as liquid biopsy, could be a more suitable solution for some cases. Full article
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15 pages, 1907 KiB  
Article
Persisting Hypercalcemia and Hyperparathyroidism after Kidney Transplantation Have a Negative Impact on Graft and Patient Survival
by Hannes Egli, Naomi Burla, Eva Breuer, Camilla Baron, Kerstin Hübel, Olivier de Rougemont, Harald Seeger and Diana Vetter
Diagnostics 2024, 14(13), 1358; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14131358 - 26 Jun 2024
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Abstract
Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) with hypercalcemia, often deemed irreversible and detrimental to graft survival post-kidney transplantation (KT), prompts pre-transplant parathyroidectomy in hypercalcemic patients. In this retrospective analysis of 1212 kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) between 2006 and 2019, the incidence and effect of persistent HPT and [...] Read more.
Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) with hypercalcemia, often deemed irreversible and detrimental to graft survival post-kidney transplantation (KT), prompts pre-transplant parathyroidectomy in hypercalcemic patients. In this retrospective analysis of 1212 kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) between 2006 and 2019, the incidence and effect of persistent HPT and hypercalcemia on graft and patient survival, and risk factors for persistence were analyzed until 60 months of follow up (FU). At KT, 5.7% (n = 69) had no HPT, 32.7% (n = 396) had HPT without hypercalcemia and 37.0% (n = 448) had HPT with hypercalcemia. At 2 years FU, 26.4% (n = 320) of patients had no HPT and 6% (n = 73) had HPT with hypercalcemia. Dialysis and dialysis duration were linked to HPT development, while dialysis, KT waiting time and donor type correlated with persisting hypercalcemia after KT. KTRs with normalized PTH and recovered hypercalcemia had improved death-censored graft survival (p < 0.001) and overall patient survival (p < 0.001). HPT with hypercalcemia is frequent at time of KT with normalization of PTH and calcium in a substantial proportion of patients after a KT. These findings question the routine pre-KT parathyroidectomy for suspected parathyroid autonomy. Persisting HPT, especially with hypercalcemia, adversely affects graft and patient survival, suggesting the need for more aggressive treatment of HPT, especially in cases of persisting hypercalcemia. Full article
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16 pages, 2510 KiB  
Article
A Pilot Comparative Study between Creatinine- and Cystatin-C-Based Equations to Estimate GFR and Kidney Ultrasound Percentiles in Children with Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract
by Ruxandra Maria Steflea, Ramona Stroescu, Mihai Gafencu, Emil Robert Stoicescu, Raluca Isac, Ioana-Cristina Olariu, Andrada Mara Micsescu-Olah, Septimiu Radu Susa, Mircea Murariu and Gabriela Doros
Diagnostics 2024, 14(10), 994; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14100994 - 10 May 2024
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Abstract
Congenital anomalies affecting the kidneys present significant challenges in pediatric nephrology, needing precise methods for assessing renal function and guiding therapeutic intervention. Bedside Schwartz formula with the cystatin-C-based Full Age Spectrum formula and Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) U 25 formula used [...] Read more.
Congenital anomalies affecting the kidneys present significant challenges in pediatric nephrology, needing precise methods for assessing renal function and guiding therapeutic intervention. Bedside Schwartz formula with the cystatin-C-based Full Age Spectrum formula and Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) U 25 formula used in estimating glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and also to assess if the eGFR in association with kidney length percentiles can be a monitoring parameter for the progression of chronic kidney disease in children with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). A total of 64 pediatric patients (median age at diagnostic was 12 months with an interquartile range of 2 to 60) were diagnosed with congenital anomalies in the kidney and urinary tract between June 2018 and May 2023 at “Louis Turcanu” Emergency Hospital for Children in Timisoara, Romania. Baseline characteristics, CAKUT types, associated pathologies, CKD staging, and eGFR using creatinine and cystatin C were analyzed. The mean age at the moment of examination was 116.50 months; (65, 180). Chronic kidney disease staging revealed a predominance of patients in CKD stages G1 and A1. Analysis of eGFR methods revealed a small mean difference between eGFR estimated by creatinine and cystatin C, with a moderate-strong positive correlation observed between the eGFR and ultrasound parameters. Using cystatin-C-based formulas for eGFR, in conjunction with ultrasound measurements, may offer reliable insights into renal function in pediatric patients with congenital anomalies affecting the kidney and urinary tract. However, the economic aspect must be taken into consideration because cystatin C determination is approximately eight times more expensive than that of creatinine. An interdisciplinary approach is crucial for managing patients with CAKUT. Full article
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