Introduction: Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE) is considered the gold standard method for surgical sperm retrieval among patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between histopathological findings after failed microTESE procedure and outcomes of the „second-look“ procedure and to provide insight into the most common histopathological patterns after testicular biopsy within our population. Methods: The retrospective study included 33 selected patients with NOA, who had undergone unsuccessful sperm retrieval. The diagnosis of NOA was made after the assessment of the patient’s history data, a physical examination, semen analysis, the hormonal profile, and genetic studies. After negative sperm retrieval, histopathological report has been analyzed for „second-look“ microTESE attempt. Results: Five testicular histopathological patterns were found: hypospermatogenesis (9,1%), Sertoli cell-only syndrome (43%), germ cell maturation arrest (15%), seminiferous tubule hyalinization (15%), mixed pattern (21%). Y-microdeletions were detected in 5 patients, of which 3 patients showed AZFc region deletions. Only 3 patients (9,1%) underwent a „second-look“ procedure after the evaluation of histopathological reports. After the stimulation therapy and „second-look“ procedure, we had a positive outcome in a single patient (33,3%). Mean FSH value in patients with confirmed spermatogenesis was 17.26±3.11IU/l, while mean FSH value in patients without presence or germ cell statistically significantly exceeded and was 24.28±4.71IU/L (p=0.038). Conclusion: Histopathological reports following the microTESE procedure are obligatory for the proper selection of patients who are candidates for the „second-look“ microTESE attempt. Patients with Sertoli cell-only syndrome and hypospermatogenesis particularly can benefit from the “second-look” procedure.

Abstract Introduction. Bladder cancer is the most common malignancy involving the urinary system. Recent research tends to emphasize the role of oxidative stress products in the carcinogenesis of bladder cancer. The level of oxidative stress can be measured by assessing the MDA levels. This study aimed to evaluate serum MDA levels in patients with bladder cancer, as well as to determine its potential role as a biomarker in the diagnosis of the disease and progression risk considerations. Methods. The study was designed as a cross-sectional study and included 90 patients, divided into three groups with 30 patients each: Ta, T1and T2–T4 group, based on histopathological findings after transurethral resection of the tumor. The control group included 30 healthy volunteers. MDA level was determined using the spectrophotometric method. Results. Serum MDA level in patients with bladder cancer [0.86 (0.78–1.05) μmol/L] was significantly higher than the serum MDA level in control group [0.70 (0.69–0.72) μmol/L] (p < 0.001). Serum MDA level in Ta group [0.73 (0.70–1.05) μmol/L], T1 group [0.85 (0.80–1.12) μmol/L] and in T2–T4 group [0.91 (0.84–1.04) μmol/L] was significantly higher than the serum MDA level in control group [0.70 (0.69–0.72) μmol/L] (p < 0.01). MDA level in T1 and T2–T4 group was significantly higher than the MDA level in Ta group (p < 0.01). No significant difference was observed in MDA level between T1 and T2–T4 group (p = NS). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between tumor size and serum MDA level in patients with bladder cancer (rho = 0.254 p < 0.01). Conclusions. The results of the present study suggest that MDA serum level might play a significant role as a biomarker in the diagnosis of bladder cancer, as well as in the monitoring of its progression.

Introduction: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is usually effectively treated with transurethral resection (TUR), most often followed by intravesical instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) or intravesical chemotherapy. Although the precise mechanism of BCG immunotherapy is still unclear, a local immune response is presumed. However, a number of severe side effects and complications are related to intravesical immunotherapy. AIM: Aim of this report is to present rare case of the renal granulomatous disease in a patient previously treated with intravesical instillation of BCG immunotherapy, following TURBT. In addition, we performed review of previously reported cases of renal granulomas following intravesical BCG immunotherapy. Case report: A 79-year-old man was presented to Urology Clinic due to clinically verified tumor of the urinary bladder. After transurethral resection of bladder tumor, histopathological analysis revealed the diagnosis of papillary urothelial high-grade pT1 carcinoma. Intravesical BCG immunotherapy was initiated, according to protocol currently used in our institution. Upon completion of therapy with BCG, we re-examined the patient and, using ultrasound, found a change in the right kidney, resembling moth bites not seen on CT scan before TURBT. Additionally, CT-guided core-needle biopsy of the affected kidney was performed, and the specimen was sent for histopathological analysis, which revealed chronic necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. Antituberculotic therapy was initiated for 6 months. Upon completion of antituberculotic therapy, control CT-scan was performed at follow-up, indicating regression of changes on the right kidney. Conclusion: This case report emphasizes the importance of consistent implementation of follow-up protocol and the identification of lesions during the asymptomatic period and enables the proper treatment of the disease. To reduce the incidence of adverse effects of BCG treatment for bladder tumors, an individualized approach is needed.

Introduction: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is important, but often neglected complication of diabetes, that substantially contributes to diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. The majority of diabetic patients have subclinical CAN. Therefore, screening for CAN in patients with diabetes is essential. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of subclinical CAN in real-life clinical setting at primary health care institution. We also aimed to determine, which routine clinical and laboratory parameters could serve as predictors of CAN. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, prospective, observational study that included 50 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes treated in the primary health care institution. Gender, age, duration of diabetes, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, electrocardiogram, blood pressure, the presence of paresthesia, deep and superficial neuropathy, foot skin lesions and the presence of pulselessness of artery dorsalis pedis and tibialis posterior were recorded. The diagnosis of CAN was made if the patients met two out of three criteria: postural hypotension, increased resting heart rate and corrected QT interval prolongation. Results: Patients had a median age of 59.0 (51.0 – 64.0) years and median duration of diabetes of 9.0 (6.0 – 11.0) years. CAN was present in 19 patients (38%). Patients with CAN had greater duration of diabetes and 2% higher HbA1c. They also had higher prevalence of peripheral neuropathy, foot skin lesions and peripheral artery disease. The presence of peripheral deep neuropathy was the best predictor of CAN with a specificity of 64.5% (45.4 80.8) and sensitivity of 79.0% (54.4 93.9). Conclusion: CAN is a common complication in our cohort of patients with diabetes. Simple routine clinical and laboratory parameters may be useful in detecting patients at high risk for CAN. 1 Public Educationional Healthcare Center Tuzla –Family Medicine Teaching Center 2 Public Healthcare Center GracanicaDepartment of Family Medicine; 3 General Hospital Gracanica; 4 University Clinical Center Tuzla and European University Kallos Tuzla. Azijada Beganlic1, Albina Softic2, Jasmin Alic2, Menedin Causi3, Senada Selmanovic1, Fuad Pasic4, Munevera Becarevic4 Corresponding author: Azijada Beganlic, M.D., PhD, Professor of medicine, Public Educationional Healthcare Center Tuzla, Family Medicine Teaching Center; Albina i Franje Herljevica 1, Tuzla 75000; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Phone number: 00387 63 992 465; E-mail: azijada_beganlic@yahoo.com DOI: 10.21040/eom/2016.2.3.1 Received: September 1st 2016 Accepted: September 9th 2016 Published: September 15th 2016 Copyright: © Copyright by Association for Endocrine Oncology and Metabolism. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Funding: None. Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Data Availability Statement: All relevant data are within the paper.