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Electrogenic chloride and bicarbonate secretion by cultured rat epididymal epithelia was studied using the short‐circuit current (ISC) technique. When incubated in normal solution, 8‐(4‐chlorophenylthio)‐adenosine 3',5'‐cyclic monophosphate (cpt‐cAMP) caused a rise in the ISC, which was attributable to Cl‐ and HCO3‐ secretion. Cl‐ secretion was found to contribute to the initial transient phase, whereas HCO3‐ secretion contributed to the sustained phase of the response. HCO3‐ secretion involves a basolaterally placed Na(+)‐H+ exchanger and apical anion channel, most probably the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). There is also evidence that an apical electrogenic Na(+)‐HCO3‐ cotransporter is involved in HCO3‐ exit. CFTR accounted for 70% of HCO3‐ secretion, while the Na(+)‐HCO3‐ cotransporter accounted for 30%. The possibility that the cotransporter may serve as an alternative pathway for HCO3‐ secretion in cystic fibrosis is discussed.

Transrectal ultrasound-guided (TRUS) prostate biopsy is an established procedure for diagnosis of prostate cancer. Complications after TRUS biopsy are not well reported in Hong Kong. This study evaluated the 5-year incidences of TRUS biopsy complications and potential risk factors for those complications. Methods: This was a retrospective review of biopsies performed from 2013 to 2017 in two local hospitals, using data retrieved from electronic medical records. The primary outcome was the occurrence of complications requiring either emergency attendances or hospitalisations within 30 days after biopsy. Potential risk factors were examined using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: In total, 1699 men were included (mean age ± standard deviation: 67 ± 7 years; median prostatespecific antigen level: 7.9 µg/L [interquartile range, 5.5-12.6 µg/L]); 4.3% had pre-biopsy bacteriuria. Overall, 5.7% and 3.8% of post-biopsy complications required emergency attendances and hospitalisations, respectively. Gross haematuria and rectal bleeding requiring emergency attendances developed in 2.1% and 0.4% of men; 0.8% and 0.4% required hospitalisations. Furthermore, 1.5% of men developed acute urinary retention requiring hospitalisations; 1.9% and 1.2% had post-biopsy infections requiring emergency attendances and

The objective was to investigate the changes in urology practice during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with a perspective from our experience with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003. Methods:Institutional data from all urology centres in the Hong Kong public sector during the COVID-19 pandemic (1 Feb 2020-31 Mar 2020) and a non-COVID-19 control period (1 Feb 2019-31 Mar 2019) were acquired. An online anonymous questionnaire was used to gauge the impact of COVID-19 on resident training. The clinical output of tertiary centres was compared with data from the SARS period. Results:The numbers of operating sessions, clinic attendance, cystoscopy sessions, prostate biopsy, and shockwave lithotripsy sessions were reduced by 40.5%, 28.5%, 49.6%, 44.8%, and 38.5%, respectively, across all the centres reviewed. The mean numbers of operating sessions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were 85.1±30.3 and 50.6±25.7, respectively (P=0.005). All centres gave priority to cancer-related surgeries. Benign prostatic hyperplasia-related surgery (39.1%) and ureteric stone surgery (25.5%) were the most commonly delayed surgeries. The degree of reduction in urology services was less than that during SARS (47.2%, 55.3%, and 70.5% for operating sessions, cystoscopy, and biopsy, respectively). The mean numbers of operations performed by residents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were 75.4±48.0 and 34.9±17.2, respectively (P=0.002). Conclusion:A comprehensive review of urology practice during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed

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