To investigate the effects of refined nursing on postoperative recovery, inflammatory cytokine levels, and quality of life in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer (PCa). A total of 116 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy in the Department of Urology of our hospital from October 2021 to October 2025 were retrospectively included. According to the different nursing methods documented in the medical records, patients were divided into a control group (n = 56, routine nursing) and a study group (n = 60, refined nursing). Postoperative recovery indices, urinary function, serum IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 levels, the incidence of postoperative complications, and quality of life scores (physical, psychological, and social functions) were compared between the two groups. The study group exhibited significantly shorter times to first postoperative exhaust, drainage tube removal, and hospital stay compared to the control group (p < 0.05), whilst the time to first defecation showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) scores of patients in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group(p < 0.05). On postoperative day 1, serum IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α levels were comparable between groups. By day 5, the study group demonstrated lower IL-6 and TNF-α and higher IL-10 levels compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The incidences of nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, and urinary tract infection (UTI) were significantly lower in the study group (p < 0.05), while the incidence of fever showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). Following the nursing care, the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) scores increased in both groups, with the scores of the study group showing significantly higher scores than the control group (p < 0.05). Refined nursing may facilitate improved postoperative recovery in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for PCa, potentially benefiting urinary function, mitigating inflammatory responses and postoperative complications, and enhancing short-term quality of life.

Urological malignancies, primarily including renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer and prostate cancer, underscore the critical importance of early screening, diagnosis and treatment in inhibiting disease progression and improving patient prognosis. Advancements in molecular biology have established urinary biomarkers as promising noninvasive tools with considerable potential for early tumour detection and screening high-risk populations, potentially overcoming limitations associated with traditional invasive procedures and imaging. This review systematically summarises urinary biomarkers related to renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer and prostate cancer. It focuses on protein biomarkers (e.g., cytokeratin and nuclear matrix protein 22), epigenetic and transcriptional biomarkers (e.g., microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs), genetic biomarkers (e.g., telomerase reverse transcriptase and fibroblast growth factor receptor 3) and emerging biomarkers (metabolomic markers, circulating tumour DNA and mass spectrometry-based high-throughput proteomics). This review provides an in-depth exploration of the molecular mechanisms, diagnostic performance (sensitivity and specificity), current clinical applications and limitations of various biomarkers, placing a particular emphasis on comparing the differential expression of the same biomarker across different cancer types. By building on this foundation, this review further outlines future development pathways, including multibiomarker combination strategies, AI-assisted analysis and standardised testing protocols, to offer comprehensive references for the early, noninvasive and precise diagnosis of urological tumours.

Recent advances in paediatric vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) have focused on risk-stratification models to better identify patients at risk for complications such as renal scarring, persistent VUR, or breakthrough urinary tract infections (UTIs). By addressing critical clinical questions-such as predicting VUR presence, assessing the likelihood of spontaneous resolution, and determining the risk of breakthrough UTIs despite antibiotic prophylaxis-these tools enhance decision-making. Predictive models like the VURx score and ureteral diameter ratio integrate clinical, demographic, and imaging data to provide personalised risk assessments. Additionally, machine-learning techniques have advanced predictive accuracy by analysing complex interactions among risk factors, enabling tailored treatment plans. These stratification methods help clinicians minimise unnecessary procedures whilst ensuring early intervention for high-risk patients. In terms of management, continuous antibiotic prophylaxis (CAP) remains a common strategy for preventing UTIs in children with VUR. Guidelines from the American Urological Association (AUA) and European Society for Paediatric Urology (ESPU) emphasise a risk-based approach, recommending CAP primarily for high-risk patients. Alternatives to CAP include behavioural interventions, such as managing constipation and encouraging regular voiding, to reduce UTI recurrence. They should be considered as the initial step for all patients with suspected VUR. For patients with persistent reflux or recurrent UTIs despite conservative measures, surgical options, including endoscopic injection or ureteral reimplantation, offer effective solutions to mitigate long-term complications.

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a prevalent urological condition affecting men's health. This study aims to investigate the clinical efficacy of Qianlie Shutong (QLST) capsule in the treatment of CP/CPPS. The medical records of patients with CP/CPPS who were admitted to our hospital from January 2023 to January 2024 were retrospectively analysed. They were divided into observation and control groups according to treatment modality received. The control group received levofloxacin (0.5 g, qd) in combination with tamsulosin hydrochloride (0.2 mg, qd). The observation group received an additional supplementation of QLST capsule (0.4 g, tid) alongside the treatment administered to the control group. Both groups underwent treatment for 28 days. Baseline data and clinical outcomes were compared between the groups, including the National Institute of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), maximum urine flow rate (Qmax), urine volume (UV), prostate-specific extracellular vesicle protein (PSEP) and International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15). A total of 117 patients were enrolled in this study, comprising 60 in the observation group and 57 in the control group. No significant differences in baseline characteristics were found between the two groups (p > 0.05). Before intervention, no significant differences in NIH-CPSI, Qmax, UV, PSEP and IIEF-15 were found between the two groups (p > 0.05). Following intervention, both groups exhibited significant reductions in NIH-CPSI and PSEP, and the levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Qmax, UV and IIEF-15 increased in both groups, and the levels in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that QLST effectively alleviates the clinical symptoms in patients with CP/CPPS, reduces PSEP levels and improves erectile function, supporting its clinical application.

This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) in patients with ischaemic stroke and provide a scientific basis for developing targeted preventive and nursing measures. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to study patients with ischaemic stroke and indwelling catheterisation admitted to the Emergency Department of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University from December 2023 to February 2025. During hospitalisation, quality control was carried out in strict accordance with the consistent nursing operation of the patient's urethral catheter insertion and daily maintenance of the urinary catheter. According to the occurrence of urinary tract infection recorded by the medical record system, the patients were divided into infected group and non-infected group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the general information and relevant risk factors of the two patient groups. A total of 998 patients with ischaemic stroke were hospitalised and received indwelling urinary catheter care. Among them, 87 patients developed CAUTI, yielding an incidence rate of 8.72%. A total of 376 pathogenic bacteria were identified from the 87 patients with ischaemic stroke who developed CAUTI. The patients were divided into an infected group (n = 87) and a non-infected group (n = 911) according to the occurrence of CAUTI. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age ≥60 years (odds ratio (OR) = 0.525, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.314-0.877), body mass index (BMI) ≥28.1 kg/m2 (OR = 3.219, 95% CI = 1.446-5.630), diabetes (OR = 2.901, 95% CI = 2.238-3.386), parenteral nutrition support (OR = 2.943, 95% CI = 2.113-3.223), indwelling urinary catheter time ≥6 days (OR = 0.689, 95% CI = 0.193-0.985), number of catheter intubations ≥2 times (OR = 1.733, 95% CI = 0.345-3.513) and time to use antimicrobials ≥7 days (OR = 0.756, 95% CI = 0.418-1.356) were all risk factors for the development of CAUTI in patients with ischaemic stroke (p < 0.05). Age, BMI, diabetes mellitus, parenteral nutrition support, time of indwelling urinary catheter, number of catheter intubations and time of antimicrobial use are the risk factors for CAUTI in patients with ischaemic stroke. Preventive measures and care strategies considering these risk factors can be taken to reduce the risk of infection.

To explore the impact of Tripterygium wilfordii glycosides (TWG) on glomerulosclerosis within a rat model of chronic kidney disease (CKD), as well as the role of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway in this mechanism. Twenty-four clean Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into Sham group (n = 8), model group (n = 8) and TWG group (n = 8). Adriamycin nephropathy (ADRN) rat model was established by jugular vein injection of adriamycin (ADR). TWG rats were given TWG 50 mg/kg intragastrically once a day for 6 weeks. After 10 weeks, the ratio of total cell number to glomerulus, extracellular matrix (ECM) and collagen (Coll) deposition, a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA), type I collagen (Col1) expression, TGF-β1, p-Smad2/3mRNA expression and TGF-β1, p-Smad2/3 protein expression were compared in each group. Masson staining revealed that in the model group, there was an increase in glomerular fibrosis, a heightened deposition of collagen fibers, and an expansion of interstitial spaces; Conversely, in the electroacupuncture group, the deposition of glomerular collagen fibers diminished. The intensity of a-SMA and ColI immunofluorescence staining in the kidney tissue of rats from the model group was markedly higher than that observed in the Sham group (p < 0.0001, < 0.0001 respectively). In contrast, the a-SMA and ColI immunofluorescence staining intensity in the TWG group was reduced compared to the model group (p = 0.009, 0.016 respectively). Furthermore, the expression levels of TGF-β1 and Smad3 messenger RNA (mRNA) in the kidney tissue of rats in the TWG group were lower than those in the model group (p = 0.013, 0.008, respectively), while the Smad7 mRNA was elevated compared to the model group (p = 0.019, 0.011, respectively). Additionally, the protein expression levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad2/3 in the kidney tissue of rats in the TWG group were diminished compared to those in the model group (p < 0.0001, 0.006 respectively). TWG can improve glomerulosclerosis and delay its progression, which may be achieved by down-regulating TGF-β1/Smad signal pathway.

The literature on the exact incidence of equipment failure during urological surgery is rather heterogeneous. Although failure rates are unacceptably high in other surgical disciplines, more compelling evidence is needed in urology. The present study provides case examples to illustrate several instances of urological instrument malfunction encountered in daily surgical practice, from the field of endourology to the newer robotic systems. Five cases of endourological device failures involving a resectoscope, a semi-rigid ureteroscope and alligator forceps and one case involving monopolar scissors of the Hugo RAS robotic system are presented, without any resultant complications to patients. Urologists and surgical personnel need to become acquainted with various equipment utilised in their field. Initiatives aimed at improvement of handling, inspection and prompt replacement of defective devices, rigorous adherence to manufacturers' guidelines, implementation of evaluative checklists for quality control and the adoption of incident-specific reporting forms are commendable actions toward enhancing operational efficiency. In the context of robotic surgery, a team of technical experts possessing sufficient knowledge of the equipment should offer continuous assistance in accordance with troubleshooting protocols. By implementing a standardised problem-solving strategy, they could diagnose and rectify emerging errors promptly and efficiently. Overall, failure in the theatre demands collective understanding and prompt management. Urologists need to communicate such events and collaborate to improve overall surgical efficiency.

This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of five categories of intracorporeal lithotripsy devices in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL): Pneumatic lithotripters, ultrasonic lithotripters, double-probe dual-energy lithotripters, single-probe dual-energy (SPDE) lithotripters and lasers. A network meta-analysis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane were utilised to search for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) up to 10 August 2024. Surface under cumulative ranking area technique was used to rank interventions. Outcomes of interest included baseline characteristics, stone-free rate (SFR), complications, operative time and fragmentation time. Fourteen RCTs comprising 1516 procedures were included. No statistically significant difference was found in complications after using the devices. SPDE lithotripters (ratio of ratios (RR) = 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (1.11 to 3.28)) and lasers (RR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.09 to 2.84) were associated with significantly higher SFR than pneumatic lithotripters. SPDE lithotripters significantly outperformed in decreasing operation time and fragmentation time. Based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) value, lasers and SPDE lithotripters performed better in SFR. In addition, SPDE lithotripters exhibited superior performance in terms of few complications and shortest fragmentation time and operative time. All five categories of devices were found to be equally safe for PCNL. SPDE lithotripters and lasers had higher efficacy. Moreover, SPDE lithotripters exhibited the shortest fragmentation time and operative time. These findings suggest that SPDE lithotripters have potential to be next-generation efficient lithotripsy devices.

Postpartum urinary retention (PUR) poses a risk of uterine contraction issues and postpartum vaginal bleeding. This research sought to examine the factors associated with PUR in primiparous women. This study was case-control one involving all first-time mothers in our hospital between June 2022 and June 2024. The study cohort comprised 338 mothers with PUR, whereas the control cohort included 338 mothers without PUR. By conducting univariate analysis and logistic regression analyses, we identified the independent factors contributing to PUR in primiparous women. The discriminative ability of each risk factor, individually and in combination, in predicting the occurrence of PUR amongst first-time mothers was assessed through the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC). Univariate analysis results displayed notable variances between the observation and control groups concerning the percentage of patients receiving labour analgesia, the duration of the second stage of labour, the incidence of episiotomy, the utilization of forceps delivery, the occurrence of manual rotation of the foetal head, average self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) score, and numeric rating scale (NRS) score (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis unveiled that labour analgesia (OR (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 1.528 (1.070-2.317)), prolonged second stage of labour (OR (95% CI) = 1.022 (1.009-1.034)), undergoing episiotomy (OR (95% CI) = 1.609 (1.313-1.803)), using forceps delivery (OR (95% CI) = 1.499 (1.182-2.718)), and higher NRS scores (OR (95% CI) = 1.387 (1.181-2.201)) all emerged as significant independent risk factors for PUR in primiparas. ROC analysis demonstrated that the AUC for the individual and combined predictive capacities of factors for predicting PUR in primiparas were 0.583, 0.607, 0.574, 0.558, 0.571, and 0.896. The combined prediction method had notably superior efficacy compared with the individual prediction using each factor. The risk of PUR in primiparas is closely associated with the receipt of labour analgesia, a prolonged second stage of labour, episiotomy, the use of forceps delivery, and higher NRS scores. For primiparas with the above high-risk factors, early intervention during pregnancy and the perinatal period should be considered to reduce the incidence of PUR.

Ureteral stones are a common urological disorder that often requires surgical intervention. However, preoperative anxiety is a prevalent issue among surgical patients and can negatively affect their postoperative recovery. As a form of nursing intervention, preoperative visits have been shown to effectively alleviate preoperative anxiety; However, research on their effect on patients undergoing ureteral stone surgery is limited. This study aims to assess the effect of preoperative visits on preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing ureteral stone surgery. This retrospective cohort study involved patients who underwent ureteral stone surgery at Changxing Hospital of Zhejiang Medical and Health Group between January 2022 and November 2024. The patients were divided into an observation group (48 cases) and a control group (59 cases) according to whether they received a preoperative visit. Preoperative anxiety was assessed using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS). Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the effect of preoperative visits. The observation group showed significantly lower total anxiety scores, total information demand scores and overall APAIS scores 48 hours before surgery compared with the control group (p < 0.05 for all). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that preoperative visits had a significant impact on the APAIS anxiety score (β = -1.560, p < 0.001), APAIS information demand score (β = -1.058, p = 0.002) and overall APAIS score (β = -2.610, p < 0.001). Female patients, rural residents and patients with low education levels had high anxiety scores and may require additional support. Preoperative visits are effective in reducing preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing ureteral stone surgery, particularly for female patients, rural residents and those with low educational levels. Preoperative visits should be widely implemented in clinical practice.