To differentiate ureteral stones and phleboliths by measuring density [as Hounsfield unit (HU)] and volume (as mm) of the opacities in the bony pelvis on unenhanced computerized tomography (U-CT). A total of 52 patients, who underwent semirigid ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy for distal ureteral stone and had isochoronous phleboliths in U-CT, were included. Images were reviewed for density and volume of the opacities. Data were compared, and a cut-off value was defined with receiver operating characteristics curve analysis to differentiate the nature of the opacity. Using the cut-off values of 171 mm³ for volume (sensitivity 75 %, specificity 100 %) and 643 HU for density (sensitivity 75 %, specificity 93 %), differentiation between stone and phlebolith was achieved. Differentiation of pelvic opacities needs meticulous observation with certain signs on U-CT. On the other hand, our study offers a new method, with certain cut-off values, such as 643 HU and 171 mm, which can be used to precisely predict the actual nature of opacities of interest.

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Smoking has negative reproductive consequences. This study investigated the effect of smoking cessation on the main semen parameters. We included 90 participants who applied to our infertility clinic and smoked at least 20 cigarettes a day for at least 1 year. Of the 90 participants, 48 were in the study group and 42 were in the control group. Semen analysis was performed before and at least 3 months after quitting smoking in the study group. Semen analysis was repeated at baseline and at least 3 months later in the control group. Semen parameters such as volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, morphology, and motility were evaluated according to the World Health Organization criteria. Patient characteristics as well as the duration of the smoking period, the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the time elapsed since smoking cessation were recorded. The mean age of the participants was 34.69 ± 5.3 years, and the duration of infertility was 34.12 ± 12.1 months ( n = 90). The number of cigarettes smoked per day was 30.14 ± 6.69, and the smoking time was 8.31 ± 3.53 years. The average time to quit smoking was 104.2 ± 11.51 days ( n = 48). A significant increase in semen volume, sperm concentration and total sperm count was observed 3 months after smoking cessation (2.48 ± 0.79 ml vs. 2.90 ± 0.77 ml, p = 0.002; 18.45 × 10 6 /ml ± 8.56 vs. 22.64 × 10 6 /ml ± 11.69, p = 0.001; 45.04 ± 24.38 × 10 6 vs. 65.1 ± 34.9 × 10 6 , p < 0.001, respectively). This study showed that smoking cessation had a positive effect on sperm concentration, semen volume, and total sperm count. Although smoking cessation contributed positively to sperm motility and morphology, the difference was not statistically significant.

Objectives: T1 bladder cancer has a wide range of tumor behavior and lamina propria invasion depth has a high potential risk of disease progression. To evaluate the patient outcome according to the tumor invasion to the muscularis mucosae-vascular plexus (MM-VP) in pT1 bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC). Materials and methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of patients consecutively recorded from 2007 to 2013. A total of 93 patients with a history of primary pT1 BUC and complete follow-up were included. We used a pathological substaging system according to the tumor invasion regarding the MM-VP: pT1a (invasion above MM-VP) and pT1b (MM-VP invasion). We evaluated recurrence-free survival (RFS), progression- free survival (PFS), disease-specific-survival (DSS) based on this sub-staging system. Results: Pathological evaluation regarding the MM-VP invasion revealed 53 patients (57%) as pT1a BUC and 40 patients (43%) as pT1b BUC. The mean follow-up was 78.8 months. During the follow-up period; 60 patients (64.5%) had tumor recurrences, 32 patients (34.4%) had progression to invasive disease, 18 patients (19.4 %) died during follow-up related to the BUC. In 29 (54.7%) of pT1a and in 31(77.5%) of pT1b tumors, the recurrent disease was recorded during the followup period (p = 0.023). DSS rates at 5 years for pT1a and pT1b were 80.2% and 60.8%, respectively. PFS, RFS, and DSS rates were similar for pT1a/pT1b and did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Sub-staging of pT1 BUC according to the MM-VP invasion showed a limited impact on the outcome in our patient cohort. However, the presence of pT1b disease caused a significantly higher rate of recurrence.