Abstract

Introduction: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) are the main methods of minimally invasive treatment of patients with nephrolithiasis. Each of these minimally invasive techniques has both advantages and disadvantages, which are the subject of intensive current research. According to the literature, limited prospective evidence exists regarding the quality of life of patients with kidney stones up to 2 cm after PCNL or RIRS.

Objective: We aimed to compare the impact of PCNL and RIRS on the quality of life of patients with kidney stones up to 2 cm in diameter.

Materials and Methods: We included 157 patients with kidney stones sized 0.9–2.0 cm (1.6±0.4 cm). PCNL was performed in 77 (49.0%) patients and RIRS in 80 (51.0%). Ureteral stenting with double J-stents was performed in all patients selected for RIRS. After RIRS, all patients received combination therapy with tamsulosin 0.4 mg+tadalafil 5 mg in the postoperative period to alleviate stent-associated symptoms. The SF-36 questionnaire, developed by Ware & Sherbourne in 1992, was used to assess quality of life (QOL). The surveys were conducted on the 4th week after minimally invasive treatment. A two-sample t-test was used. A p-value < 0.05 indicated a significant statistical difference.

Results: The total score reflecting physical functioning was higher in the RIRS group: 72 (71–73) vs 61 (60–62), p<0,001. Role-physical functioning was better in patients who underwent RIRS than in the PCNL group: 56 (55–57) vs 45 (43–46), respectively, p<0.001. Bodily pain after RIRS was less than after PCNL: 53 (52–54) vs 43 (42–44.5), p<0.001. The domains of social functioning and role-emotional functioning showed better values ​​in patients with RIRS. General health, vitality, and mental health were similar across the comparison groups.

Conclusions: Using the SF-36 questionnaire, we found that retrograde intrarenal surgery was associated with better short-term quality-of-life outcomes than PCNL in patients with kidney stones up to 2.0 cm in diameter.

Abstract

This collective opinion paper, based on presentations delivered during the two-day European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) Strategic Conference 2026, “Laboratory Medicine for Society” (Prague, Czech Republic, 24–25 April 2026) offers a forward-looking overview of the Federation’s strategic priorities, ongoing initiatives, and future projects aimed at enhancing the value, visibility, and societal contribution of laboratory medicine, thereby ensuring a bright and sustainable future for the profession. By generating actionable information that supports clinical decision-making across the entire continuum of care, laboratory medicine contributes substantially to improving patient outcomes, enhancing healthcare efficiency, and promoting population health.

UDC 547.655.6:612.112.94:615.35:612.015.11

It is known that 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives form the basis of a wide range of pharmaceuticals with diverse biological activities. A newly synthesized compound of this group – 11-(furan-2-yl)-9-hydroxy-3,11-dihydro-2H-benzo[6,7]thiochromeno[2,3-d]thiazole-2,5,10-trione, designated by Les-6400 laboratory code, is noteworthy for its drug-like properties. The aim of the study was to determine the parameters of glutathione antioxidant system in isolated human peripheral blood lymphocytes treated with Les-6400. Saponin-permeabilized lymphocytes from the blood samples of healthy male volunteers aged 20–44 years were used in the study. A significant dose-dependent increase in the lipid peroxidation process was observed upon lymphocytes exposure to Les-6400 at concentrations of 10^–5–10^–3 M. At the concentrations studied no effect of Les-6400 on GSH level was observed, while in the 10^–4–10^–3 M concentration range the activity of glutathione antioxidant enzymes was markedly affected: the activity of both glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase was increased, while that of glutathione-S-transferase was reduced. Thus, Les-6400 had a pronounced effect on the pro/antioxidant status of blood lymphocytes.

UDC 615.69-008.3-092-02:355.422-057]-085.214:615.036-042.2

Premature ejaculation is one of the most common male sexual disorders and occurs with a frequency of 21-33% in various populations. The etiology of premature ejaculation is practically not established, although it is a fairly common type of sexual dysfunction. According to various data, sexual dysfunction occurs in 49.1-80% veterans of combat-actions with post-traumatic stress disorder. Premature ejaculation can interfere with sexual satisfaction, leading to a reduced quality of life for men and their partners. It has been shown that serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be the drugs of choice in the treatment of premature ejaculation. The aim of the work was to improve methods of treating sexual dysfunction accompanied by premature ejaculation in men injured as a result of hostilities. 56 men injured as a result of hostilities with sexual dysfunction and complaints of premature ejaculation were examined. Patients were divided into two groups depen­ding on the selected selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors – venlafaxine (n=24) and dapoxetine (n=32) which they had been receiving for at least 1.5 months. After treatment with both serotonin reuptake inhibitors, reactive and personality anxiety symptoms objectively decreased, as assessed by the Spielberger-Hanan scale. Treatment with venlafaxine and paro­xetine resulted in a significant reduction in depressive symptoms in men with premature ejaculation. They turned out to be relatively balanced drugs with satisfactory efficacy and relatively few side effects. However, venlafaxine, compared to dapoxetine, produced 2.1 times fewer side effects and 20% fewer relapses. The average duration of sexual intercourse after treatment with both drugs positively correlated with the overall improvement of sexual function according to the IIEF-5 scale (r=0.70; p<0.05 for the first group; r=0.85; p<0.05 for the second group). An inverse correlation was found between the average duration of sexual intercourse and the score of anxiety symptoms on the Spielberger-Hanin scale in patients of both study groups (r= -0.69; p<0.05 for the first group; r= -0.68; p<0.05 for the second group). Although dapoxetine is considered the “gold standard” among serotonin reuptake inhibitors for the treatment of premature ejaculation, the drug is used by the patient only on demand, and other drugs in this group, which are antidepressants, may have a more positive effect on patients with depression and concomitant premature ejaculation, who have suffered as a result of hostilities. The study demonstrates that the neurotransmitter serotonin plays a key role in the modulation of ejaculation, as the use of its reuptake inhibitors, in particular dapoxetine and venlafaxine, contributes to an increase in intravaginal latency time to ejaculation.

УДК: 612.015.11:616.69-008.1:616-001

Introduction. To study the predictive ability of using the quantitative value of the level of a single indicator to detect oxidative stress, ROC analysis was performed with the calculation of the optimal cut-off threshold selected according to the criterion of maximum balance between sensitivity and specificity.The aim of this research is to analyze the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of pro- and antioxidant system indicators in men injured as a result of combat operations.Materials and methods. 116 samples of peripheral blood lymphocytes and serum from men, which were divided into two groups by age, were analysed for the sensitivity and specificity of pro- and antioxidant system indicators.Results. The results of ROC analysis for indicators of the pro- and antioxidant system of lymphocytes and peripheral blood serum demonstrated their predictive ability for detecting oxidative stress. Malondialdehyde of blood lymphocytes for the age group 20–39 years, reduced serum glutathione and total glutathione of blood lymphocytes for all examined men were characterized by excellent discriminatory ability. Malondialdehyde of blood lymphocytes for the age group 20–39 years showed itself as a highly sensitive marker with a slightly lower specificity value. Reduced glutathione of blood serum of men of all age groups is characterized as a highly specific marker with a slightly lower sensitivity value. Total glutathione of blood lymphocytes is simultaneously characterized by high sensitivity and specificity for all examined men.Conclusions. The concentration of malondialdehyde in blood lymphocytes and the levels of total and reduced glutathione in blood serum were the most significant predictors for the detection of oxidative stress based on the ROC analysis. These markers demonstrate high sensitivity and specificity as indicators of the pro- and antioxidant balance.Keywords: erectile dysfunction, combat trauma, pro- and antioxidant system, ROC analysis.