The findings reported strongly suggest abnormal differentiation in the IC bladder. The disruption of ZO-1 is similar to that reported in feline IC. Elevated E-cadherin may represent an adaptation to increased bladder permeability.

Endometriosis occurs when a tissue resembling endometrial glands and stroma grows in ectopic sites, commonly causing infertility and pain. This condition is most often seen in women of reproductive age, involving pelvic sites such as the ovaries, broad ligaments, uterosacral ligaments, and posterior cul-de-sac. Very rarely, endometriosis has also been found in the lower genitourinary tract of men. A 40-year-old man presented to his primary care physician with abdominal pain. Further imaging discovered a midline mass. Surgical removal of the mass and histological investigations led to the diagnosis of endometriosis. There are multiple theories on the etiology of both female and male endometriosis. The prevailing risk factor proposed in previous cases of male endometriosis is prolonged exposure to estrogen therapy. Should endometriosis become symptomatic, cessation of estrogen therapy and careful surgical intervention may successfully relieve the associated symptoms.

The pathogenesis and transition of normal urothelium into bladder carcinoma are multifactorial processes. Chronic inflammation causes initiation and progression of the underlying pathophysiology of invasive and metastatic cancer. A dichotomy is observed in the role of immune cells in bladder cancer. While the immune response defends the host by suppressing neoplastic growth, several immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and T-lymphocytes, promote tumor development and progression. The levels of human neutrophil peptide-1, -2, and -3, produced by neutrophils, increase in bladder cancer and might promote tumor angiogenesis and growth. The effect of macrophages is primarily mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-α. Additionally, the underlying immunological mechanisms of two treatments, BCG and cytokine gene-modified tumor vaccines, and future directions are critically discussed.

Introduction Sexual dysfunction (SD) status post-orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) for end-stage liver disease (ESLD) has long been recognized. To date, there are no studies examining how sexually related personal distress (SRPD) impacts sexual function in this population. Aims To assess SD and SRPD in men and women who have undergone OLT for ESLD and to compare them with previously published reports on subjects without SD. Methods 283 subjects (182 men and 101 women) who underwent OLT since 2005 were mailed a survey. Men received the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Female Sexual Distress Scale—Revised (FSDS-R). Women received the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the FSDS-R. All surveys asked about the presence of a current sexual partner. Main Outcome Measures Total and subscale scores on the IIEF, the FSFI, and the FSDS-R. Results Ninety-six patients (33.9%) completed and returned the surveys consisting of 34 women (33.7%) and 62 men (34.0%). Also, 83.9% of men and 88.2% of women reported having an available sexual partner. Two-thirds of men and three-quarters of women were sexually active. In all domains, IIEF demonstrates that men have mild to moderate SD. FSFI demonstrates that women also have SD. Both genders reported relatively mild SRPD based on FSDS-R. Compared to previously published controls, all domain values were lower in both genders. Conclusion The IIEF, FSFI, and SDS-R results demonstrate that men and women who undergo OLT do exhibit mild to moderate SD. Their distress, though, is also mild to moderate, as evidenced by a high rate of continued sexual activity after OLT. Therefore, although SD may be widely prevalent in people who undergo OLT, aggressive intervention may not be warranted so long as the level of sexual distress remains low.

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