Abbreviations & AcronymsResults: Eight patients each underwent primary transcorporal cuff placement and revision surgery. Complete data for analysis were available in 15 patients at a median follow up of 45 months (range 23-91 months). The success rate (defined as use of 0-1 pads per day) was 80% (12/15 patients). Average voiding score was 2/20 (standard deviation 1.88), average irritative score was 3/24 (standard deviation 4.92) and the mean Quality-of-Life score was 0.66 (standard deviation 1.04). Conclusions: Transcorporal placement of an artificial urinary sphincter is both safe and efficacious in patients with a small caliber or atrophic urethra, either as a primary or salvage procedure. Efficacy and level of satisfaction in this subset of patients is equivalent to those undergoing traditional artificial urinary sphincter cuff placement.

Urinary incontinence (UI) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are both very prevalent conditions. Insertion of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) and penile prosthesis (PP) is an effective and proven method of treatment for both conditions. With advancing age, as well as with increasing populations of patients radically treated for prostate cancer, the occurrence of both conditions found in the same patient is increasing. The purpose of this article was to analyze the available evidence for simultaneous surgical management of male ED and UI using prosthetic devices. The existing literature pertaining to dual implantation of AUS and PP was reviewed. The concomitant insertion of the PP with the male perineal sling was also considered. Concurrent ED and UI are increasingly seen in the post radical prostatectomy population, who are often younger and less willing to suffer with these conditions. Insertion of an AUS and PP, either simultaneously or as a two-stage procedure, appears to be a safe, efficacious and long-lasting method of treatment. The improvements in design of both the AUS and PP as well as the development of the single transverse scrotal incision have made simultaneous insertion of these prostheses possible. Dual implantation of the PP and male sling looks promising in a selected population. In conclusion, the insertion of the AUS and PP for the treatment of concurrent UI and ED is safe and effective. Simultaneous insertion of these prostheses in the same patient offers potential advantages in operative and recovery time and is associated with high patient satisfaction. Combination therapy should therefore be included in the arsenal of treatment of these conditions.

Sera from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis inhibit the activity of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. We utilized this effect to develop a simple, miniaturized, semiautomated spectrophotometric assay as a diagnostic aid. The sera studied were from 71 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and 62 other subjects. The assays included enzyme inhibition, immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using recombinant pyruvate dehydrogenase complex-E2 and immunoblotting on bovine heart mitochondria. With the 71 primary biliary cirrhosis sera, on which M2 antibody was detected by immunofluorescence in 64 (90%), antibodies against pyruvate dehydrogenase complex were detected in 53 (83%) by means of enzyme inhibition, in 57 (89%) by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and in 60 (94%) by means of immunoblotting. Of the 64 sera positive by immunofluorescence, 60 reacted with pyruvate dehydrogenase complex-E2 on immunoblotting, and the miniaturized enzyme inhibition assay was positive in 53 of these. The enzyme inhibition assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were calibrated to give a specificity of 100%. At this level, the sensitivities for detection of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex antibody were 83% and 87%, respectively. We found no significant changes in levels of reactivity with the enzyme inhibition assay or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay according to disease stage. Treatment with cyclosporine was accompanied by a significant decrease in levels of antibody to pyruvate dehydrogenase complex-E2 that matched improved indexes of biochemical liver function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Objectives To summarize the available literature regarding bacillus Calmette‐Guerin (BCG) administration, severe acute respiratory syndrome conoravirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), and the resulting clinical condition coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) in light of recent epidemiologic work suggesting decreased infection severity in BCG immunized populations while highlighting the potential role of the urologist in clinical trials and ongoing research efforts. Materials and methods We reviewed the available literature regarding COVID‐19 and BCG vaccination. Specifically, the epidemiologic evidence for decreased COVID‐19 morbidity in countries with BCG vaccination programs, current clinical trials for BCG vaccination to protect against COVID‐19, potential mechanisms and rationale for this protection, and the role of the urologist and urology clinic in providing support and/or leading ongoing efforts. Results Epidemiologic evidence suggests that the crude case fatality rates are lower for countries with BCG vaccination compared to those without such programs. Four prospective, randomized clinical trials for BCG vaccination were identified including NCT04348370 (BADAS), NCT04327206 (BRACE), NCT04328441 (BCG‐CORONA), and NCT04350931. BCG administration may contribute to innate and adaptive immune priming with several opportunities for translational research. Conclusions The urologist’s expertise with BCG and the infrastructure of urologic clinics may afford several opportunities for collaboration and leadership to evaluate and understand the potential role of BCG in the current COVID‐19 pandemic.

The prevalence of renal tract calculi in the population is such that patients may present acutely not only to urologists, but in the setting of any medical specialty. This article aims to enable all practitioners to be able to recognize the condition and instigate early investigation and management before referring to the urologist for definitive treatment.