Fabio Machiella

Bacterial prostatitis (BP) is a common prostatic infection characterized by pain and urinary symptoms, often with negative bacterial cultures from prostatic secretions. It affects young and older men bimodally and impacts quality of life (QoL) significantly. Background and Objectives: Treatment typically involves antibiotics, but a multimodal approach with additional nutraceuticals may enhance outcomes. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Butirprost^® in association with fluoroquinolones in patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP). Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with prostatitis (positive Meares–Stamey test and symptom duration > 3 months) at the University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy, from March 2024 to July 2024 were included in this study. All patients underwent bacterial cultures. Patients were randomized into two groups: Group A received antibiotics plus Butirprost^® (sodium hyaluronate plus Plantago major) for one month, while Group B received antibiotics alone. International Prostatic Symptoms Score (IPSS) and National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) questionnaires were administered at baseline and at 15 and 30 days. Results: Out of 60 patients (Group A: 30, Group B: 30), Group A showed significant improvement in IPSS and NIH-CPSI scores at 15 and 30 days compared to Group B. Notable improvements were observed in pain, urinary symptoms, and QoL. Conclusions: The administration of Butirprost^® along with fluoroquinolones resulted in a significant improvement in pain, urinary symptoms, and quality of life along with improvements in both IPSS and NIH-CPSI scores, in patients affected by chronic bacterial prostatitis compared with fluoroquinolones alone.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains a formidable diagnostic challenge, especially in the context of small renal masses. The quest for non-invasive screening tools and biomarkers has steered research towards liquid biopsy, focusing on microRNAs (miRNAs), exosomes, and circulating tumor cells (CTCs). MiRNAs, small non-coding RNAs, exhibit notable dysregulation in RCC, offering promising avenues for diagnosis and prognosis. Studies underscore their potential across various biofluids, including plasma, serum, and urine, for RCC detection and subtype characterization. Encouraging miRNA signatures show correlations with overall survival, indicative of their future relevance in RCC management. Exosomes, with their diverse molecular cargo, including miRNAs, emerge as enticing biomarkers, while CTCs, emanating from primary tumors into the bloodstream, provide valuable insights into cancer progression. Despite these advancements, clinical translation necessitates further validation and standardization, encompassing larger-scale studies and robust evidence generation. Currently lacking approved diagnostic assays for renal cancer, the potential future applications of liquid biopsy in follow-up care, treatment selection, and outcome prediction in RCC patients are profound. This review aims to discuss and highlight recent advancements in liquid biopsy for RCC, exploring their strengths and weaknesses in the comprehensive management of this disease.

Urinary tract infections represent a common and significant health concern worldwide. The high rate of recurrence and the increasing antibiotic resistance of uropathogens are further worsening the current scenario. Nevertheless, novel key ingredients such as D-mannose, chondroitin sulphate, hyaluronic acid, and N-acetylcysteine could represent an important alternative or adjuvant to the prevention and treatment strategies of urinary tract infections. Several studies have indeed evaluated the efficacy and the potential use of these compounds in urinary tract health. In this review, we aimed to summarize the characteristics, the role, and the application of the previously reported compounds, alone and in combination, in urinary tract health, focusing on their potential role in urinary tract infections.