Previous study of experimental varicocele models in rats documented HIF-1alpha and VEGF expression combined with angiogenesis in the testis. The results of this study show that varicocele can lead to tissue hypoxia and related pathophysiological events, such as angiogenesis.

Objective: Although urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common hospital-acquired infections, the epidemiology of these UTIs is not well defined in Turkey. The aim of this surveillance study was to determine micro-organisms responsible for UTI, their antibiotic sensitivities and to describe the incidence and risk factors of nosocomial urinary tract infections (NUTI). Subjects and Methods: This was a prospective surveillance study including cases of NUTI in intensive care units and various inpatient clinics. This study was carried out between November 2000 and January 2002. The following information was recorded: patients' age, gender, type of infection (hospital-acquired), presence of urinary catheter, intensive care unit admission, duration of hospital stay, type of organisms isolated and their antimicrobial susceptibility. The diagnosis of NUTI was based on criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta. Mini Api and conventional culture methods were used to determine the causative agents. The agents were isolated on eosin methylene blue agar and 5% sheep blood agar. Statistical analyses of data were by chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: In this study, 618 (2.1%) nosocomial infections (NIs) were determined in 29 778 patients, and 178 of these infections were NUTI (28.8%, 178/618). The mean age of NUTI patients was 61.0 ± 19.4 years (0-91 years) and 82 NUTI patients (46.1%) were male and 96 (53.9%) were female. The most frequently isolated micro-organism was Escherichia coli (31.4%) followed by Candida spp (21.3%), Klebsiella spp (10.6%) and Enterococcus spp (6.9%). Compared to the rate of other NIs, the rate of NUTI increased by 1.011 times per year of age, by 2.052 times in females and by 3.83 times in patients with urinary catheters (p < 0.05). The most effective antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria were found to be imipenem and meropenem. Conclusions: Important factors to prevent NUTI are to avoid unnecessary urethral catheterization, to choose narrow spectrum antibiotics according to antibiotic sensitivities, to investigate regularly the causative micro-organisms and their resistance patterns and to update the treatment protocols.

Vesicouterine fistula without vaginal leakage of urine, cyclic hematuria and amenorrhea is a rare condition, referred to as Youssef's syndrome. The most common cause of this syndrome is trauma during a cesarean section. Herein a new case is reported.

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Introduction: To demonstrate the relationship between testicular microlithiasis and testicular tumor development. Patients and Methods: Between January 1996 and March 2004, bilateral testicular microlithiasis was found in 40 of the 5,263 patients who underwent scrotal ultrasonography yielding a prevalence of 0.76%. Of the 40 patients, 4 patients with concomitant testicular tumors were excluded from the study. The remaining 36 patients were enrolled into the study and followed by ultrasonography at 6-month intervals. Results: Patient ages ranged between 1 and 69 years (mean 31 ± 14 years). The median ultrasonography follow-up was 34 months (range, 1–96). Testicular tumor development was not observed in any of these 36 patients during the follow-up period. Conclusions: Extensive evaluation including computerized tomography, testicular tumor markers and testicular biopsyof patients with testicular microlithiasis is unnecessary and also increases patient anxiety. Yet annual ultrasonography and physical examination should be performed if ever until testicular microlithiasis is completely accepted as a nonpremalignant disease.