Critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning when assessing problems with the genitourinary system

Urological conditions have become increasingly common and early diagnosis is key to achieving better outcomes. This article discusses the importance of having a comprehensive understanding of urological disorders, having the skills to interpret relevant information, and recognising the relationships among given elements to make an appropriate clinical diagnosis.

Consultation and clinical assessment of the genitourinary system for advanced clinical practitioners

Assessment of symptoms affecting the genitourinary system is in high demand as they can significantly impact on quality of life. Nurses with advanced skills in communication, consultation and specialist knowledge play a key role in improving the experience for patients presenting with genitourinary symptoms.

Influence of infectious factors on changes in hormonal indicators in women in the early period of miscarriage

The work studied the influence of infectious factors on changes in immunological and hormonal parameters in women who have a full pregnancy without infections of the genitourinary system and women with an infection of the genitourinary system and have miscarriages in the early stages of up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. It was concluded that in women in early pregnancy, the presence of infections of the genitourinary system, with insufficient corrective effect of protease inhibitors and TGF-?1. The formation of a pronounced pro-inflammatory immune response is possible, which can contribute to an imbalance of sex hormones. It manifests itself in a slight decrease in prolactin, FSH, LH, but at the same time a pronounced and reliable decrease in the value of progesterone and an increase in the level of estradiol. Thus, all this can contribute to the unfavorable course of early pregnancy and the development of miscarriages.

Urological Manifestations of the Systemic Vasculitides—A Scoping Review

Background: Vasculitides are specific inflammations of the blood vessel wall that can take place in any organ system of the human body. They may occur as a primary process (primary systemic vasculitides, PSV) or may be secondary to another underlying disease. In general, in association with the specific type of vasculitis, affected vessels vary in size, type, and location. In the following scoping review, we present clinical characteristics and manifestations of PSV with reference to the genitourinary system. Materials and methods: A non-systematic search of the relevant literature was conducted using three electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science) up to 29 October 2021. Results: Urogenital manifestations of PSV are infrequent, with the most commonly reported findings as prostatic or testicular involvements. However, almost all other organs of the genitourinary system can be affected. Conclusions: Because of the clinical heterogeneity and non-specific symptoms, the proper diagnosis of PSV is often delayed and constricted. Fast identification of urological manifestations of vasculitides is essential in implementing appropriate therapy and avoiding unnecessary, harmful, and invasive surgery.

Possibilities of Early Ultrasound Diagnostics of the Herlin — Werner — Wunderlich syndrome (Case Report)

Herlin — Werner — Wunderlich syndrome or OHVIRA (Obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly) is a rare type of uterine and vaginal doubling defect (0,1 – 10,0 % of all uterine abnormalities) which is characterized by a triad of symptoms: uterus didelphys, unilateral obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal dysgenesis. The manifestation of the disease usually present after menarche, is accompanied by severe pain syndrome, leads to redoubted complications and organ-carrying operations with decreasing the fertility. At an earlier age, it can manifest itself as an infection of the genitourinary system. The diagnosis is based on clinical and anamnestic data using instrumental methods, the most accessible and safe of which is ultrasound. This article presents three clinical cases of patients 5 – 6 years old with a description of the ultrasound picture of the OHVIRA syndrome.

Susceptibility to Clotrimazole of Candida spp. Isolated from the Genitourinary System—A Single Center Study

The aim of this study was to determine the susceptibility to clotrimazole of 125 isolates of Candida spp. originated from the genitourinary system of hospitalized patients as well as outpatients, tested in the mycological laboratory of Wroclaw Medical University in the years 1999–2018. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of clotrimazole and fluconazole were determined with the use of the microdilution method according to EUCAST, and the MFC was determined by subsequent subculture on Sabouraud agar. For the tested population of Candida yeasts, the MIC values of clotrimazole ranged from 0.008 to 8 mg/L, and MIC90 was 1 mg/L, whereas MIC50 was 0.008 mg/L. The minimal fungicidal concentration ranged between 1 and >8 mg/L. The great majority of the isolates (88%; 110/125) displayed MIC < 1 mg/L and were classified as WT (wild-type), whereas MIC ≥ 1 mg/L was determined for 2/61 (3.2%) isolates of C. albicans, 9/38 (23.6%) of C. glabrata, 1/2 of C. tropicalis, and 3/3 of C. guilliermondii. Six isolates (four of C. glabrata and two of C. albicans), defined as non-WT for clotrimazole, were classified as resistant to fluconazole, according to CBP from EUCAST. The isolates with elevated MIC to clotrimazole originated mostly from patients of the pediatric hematology unit, and their proportion in this population amounted to 17.8% (13 out of 73 isolates). In contrast, among strains from ambulatory patients, the highest observed MIC value was 1 mg/L (1 out of 37 isolates; 2.7%). The data obtained correlate well with those of most published studies on the in vitro susceptibility of Candida spp. to clotrimazole, which is usually very high. However, the existence of reports regarding the growing prevalence of resistant isolates has also to be noted. These results support the need for routinely checking the susceptibility of Candida clinical isolates to this imidazole derivative.

Advances in Research on Bladder Cancer Targeting Peptides: a Review

Bladder cancer (Bca) is the second most common malignant tumor of the genitourinary system in Chinese male population with high potential of recurrence and progression. The overall prognosis has not been improved significantly for the past 30 years due to the lack of early theranostic technique. Currently the early theranostic technique for bladder cancer is mainly through the intravesical approach, but the clinical outcomes are poor due to the limited tumor-targeting efficiency. Therefore, the targeting peptides for bladder cancer provide possibility to advance intravesical theranostic technique. However, no systematic review has covered the wide use of the targeting peptides for intravesical theranostic techniques in bladder cancer. Herein, a summary of original researches introduces all aspects of the targeting peptides for bladder cancer, including the peptide screening, the targeting mechanism and its preclinical application.