Nerve-sparing techniques in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy - anatomical approach.

Introduction: Nerve-sparing (NS) techniques in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) are foundational to preserving sexual function and urinary continence in prostate cancer (PCa) patients.

Areas Covered: This article aims to classify nerve-sparing (NS) techniques in RARP based on an anatomical approach to the prostate. We have identified three main NS approaches in RARP: anterior, lateral, and posterior.

The Effects of Lead and Cross-Talk Between Lead and Pea Aphids on Defence Responses of Pea Seedlings.

The main goal of this study was to investigate the effect of lead (Pb) at various concentrations, as an abiotic factor, and the cross-talk between Pb and pea aphid ( (Harris)) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), as a biotic factor, on the defence responses of pea seedlings ( L. cv. Cysterski).

Fine-Tuning the Photocatalytic Activity of the Anatase {1 0 1} Facet through Dopant-Controlled Reduction of the Spontaneously Present Donor State Density.

The present study highlights the importance of the net density of charge carriers at the ground state on photocatalytic activity of the faceted particles, which can be seen as a highly underexplored problem. To investigate it in detail, we have systematically doped {1 0 1} enclosed anatase nanoparticles with Gd ions to manipulate the charge carrier concentration. Furthermore, control experiments using an analogical Nb doped sample were performed to discuss photocatalytic activity in the increased range of free electrons.

Encapsulation of Imidazole into Ce-Modified Mesoporous KIT-6 for High Anhydrous Proton Conductivity.

Imidazole molecules entrapped in porous materials can exhibit high and stable proton conductivity suitable for elevated temperature (>373 K) fuel cell applications. In this study, new anhydrous proton conductors based on imidazole and mesoporous KIT-6 were prepared. To explore the impact of the acidic nature of the porous matrix on proton conduction, a series of KIT-6 materials with varying Si/Al ratios and pure silica materials were synthesized.

Investigation of spectroscopic and electrical properties of doped poly(pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid).

The spectroscopic and electrical properties of poly(pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid) doped with p-TSA (p-toluenesulfonate) and AQS (anthraquinone sulfonate) were investigated. The variation in electrical conductivity as a function of temperature shows that the systems have semiconductor-like electrical characteristics. The investigated polymers exhibit 3D conductivity and less than 0.

To trust or not to trust: evaluating the reliability and safety of AI responses to laryngeal cancer queries.

Purpose: As online health information-seeking surges, concerns mount over the quality and safety of accessible content, potentially leading to patient harm through misinformation. On one hand, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare could prevent it; on the other hand, questions raise regarding the quality and safety of the medical information provided. As laryngeal cancer is a prevalent head and neck malignancy, this study aims to evaluate the utility and safety of three large language models (LLMs) as sources of patient information about laryngeal cancer.

Synthesis and Characterization of Proton-Conducting Composites Prepared by Introducing Imidazole or 1,2,4-Triazole into AlPO-5 and SAPO-5 Molecular Sieves.

The present work concerns proton-conducting composites obtained by replacing the water molecules present in aluminophosphate and silicoaluminophosphate AFI-type molecular sieves (AlPO-5 and SAPO-5) with azole molecules (imidazole or 1,2,4-triazole). Both the introduction of azoles and the generation of Brønsted acid centers by isomorphous substitution in aluminophosphate materials were aimed at improving the proton conductivity of the materials and its stability. In the presented study, AlPO-5 and several SAPO-5 materials differing in silicon content were synthesized.

Feasibility and accuracy of prostate cancer risk calculators in prediction of prostate cancer, extraprostatic extension as well as the risk of lymph nodes metastasis.

Introduction: The aim of this article was to evaluate the accuracy of European Randomized study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC 4) and Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT 2.0) risk calculator on predicting high-grade prostate cancer (HGPCa) and accuracy of Partin and Briganti nomograms on organ confined (OC) or extraprostatic cancer (EXP), seminal vesicles invasion (SVI) and risk of lymph nodes metastasis.

Material And Methods: A cohort of 269 men aged between 44-84 years, who underwent radical prostatectomy was retrospectively analysed.

Structural studies and selected physical investigations of LiCoO obtained by combustion synthesis.

Nanocrystalline powders of LiCoO were synthesized using a modified solution combustion method, and the effects of the annealing temperature (450-900 °C) on structure and composition were investigated using various methods, including XRD, SEM, EPR, and electrical studies. It was found that, as the process temperature increases, the value of the specific surface area decreases, and, hence, the size of the crystallites increases. XRD analysis showed that phase-pure LiCoO material was maintained without additional phases.

Synthesis, characterization, and application of 2D/2D TiO-GO-ZnFeO obtained by the fluorine-free lyophilization method for solar light-driven photocatalytic degradation of ibuprofen.

In this study, we report the potential of 2D/2D TiO-GO-ZnFeO photocatalyst obtained using the fluorine-free lyophilization technique for the degradation of ibuprofen belonging to the group of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). The improved ibuprofen degradation under simulated solar light was achieved in the presence of a composite of 2D TiO combined with GO and embedded ZnFeO, which additionally provides superparamagnetic properties and enables photocatalyst separation after the photodegradation process. After only 20 min of the photodegradation process in the presence of 2D/2D TiO-GO-ZnFeO composite, more than 90% of ibuprofen was degraded under simulated solar light, leading to non-toxic and more susceptible to biodegradation intermediates.

Influence of Antibiotic Administration on the Urinary Bladder Cancer Early Recurrence Rate.

Bladder cancer tends to recur, making treatment one of the most expensive in oncology. The limited efficacy and high cost of adjuvant therapies in the treatment of bladder cancer prompt research on new drugs which could replace them. In vitro studies have established that antibiotics can have a cytostatic and cytotoxic effect on urinary bladder cancer cells.

inPhocus: Current State and Challenges of Phage Research in Singapore.

Bacteriophages and phage-derived proteins are a promising class of antibacterial agents that experience a growing worldwide interest. To map ongoing phage research in Singapore and neighboring countries, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU) and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS) recently co-organized a virtual symposium on Bacteriophage and Bacteriophage-Derived Technologies, which was attended by more than 80 participants. Topics were discussed relating to phage life cycles, diversity, the roles of phages in biofilms and the human gut microbiome, engineered phage lysins to combat polymicrobial infections in wounds, and the challenges and prospects of clinical phage therapy.

Sarcoidosis of the spermatic cord - case report and literature review.

Background: Sarcoidosis is a multi-system disease characterized by the formation of non-caseating granulomas in various organs. The lungs remain the most frequently affected organ, whereas lesions in the genitourinary system affect around 0.2% of patients.

A Comprehensive Approach to Clinical Staging of Bladder Cancer.

Background: A significant number of patients with advanced urothelial cell carcinoma are under- or over-staged. Implementation of clinical variables could be useful for improving the accuracy of clinical staging.

Aim: To explore the differences between clinical and pathological diagnosis in patients with UCC, and to identify clinical variables that might play a role in under- or overstating.

Age and risk of major complications in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Introduction: Radical cystectomy is the treatment of choice for patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), but it may be unsafe in older patients.

Aim: In this study, we investigated whether age and selected clinical characteristics were associated with outcomes of radical cystectomy.

Material And Methods: We enrolled 434 patients with MIBC who underwent radical cystectomy between 2012 and 2016, and we classified them into three age groups: < 65, 66-74, and ≥ 75 years.

Zinner Syndrome-A Rare Cause of Recurrent Epididymitis and Infertility.

Zinner syndrome (ZS) is a rare disorder that affects only men. It is characterized by a triad of abnormalities, including unilateral renal agenesis, ipsilateral seminal vesicle cysts, and atresia of the ejaculatory tract. Unfortunately, there is no consensus on the best treatment modality.

Complication Rate after Radical Cystectomy Depends on the Surgical Technique and Patient's Clinical Status.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the complication rates of radical cystectomy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer and identify potential risk factors.

Methods: A total of 553 patients were included: 131 were operated on via an open approach (ORC), 242 patients via a laparoscopic method (LRC), and 180 by a robot-assisted procedure (RARC). Patient age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, urinary diversion type, preoperative albumin level, body mass index (BMI), pathological (TNM) stage, and surgical times were collected.

Impact of the Geometrical Parameters of Dolomite Coarse Aggregate on the Thermal and Mechanic Properties of Preplaced Aggregate Concrete.

The article shows investigations on the behavior of preplaced aggregate concrete with regular and irregular coarse aggregates. The thermal properties, compressive strength, and internal structure were analyzed based on computed tomography images. The regular and irregular shapes of aggregates were obtained according to patented technology, which is possible to produce in both laboratory and industrial conditions.

Unraveling Origins of EPR Spectrum in Graphene Oxide Quantum Dots.

Carbon nanostructures are utilized in a plethora of applications ranging from biomedicine to electronics. Particularly interesting are carbon nanostructured quantum dots that can be simultaneously used for bimodal therapies with both targeting and imaging capabilities. Here, magnetic and optical properties of graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) prepared by the top-down technique from graphene oxide and obtained using the Hummers' method were studied.

Can laparoscopic cystectomy become the method of choice in the treatment of invasive urothelial urinary bladder cancer?

Background: Radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy is the method of choice for muscle-invasive urothelial cell cancer (UCC) treatment and provides the best cancer-specific survival. It can be performed as an open radical cystectomy (ORC), laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) or robot-assisted surgery (RARC).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic and open radical cystectomy in terms of perioperative and oncological results.

Application of three-dimensional ultrasonography (3D ultrasound) to pretreatment evaluation of plastic induration of the penis (Peyronie's disease).

Aim: Peyronie's disease (PD) or plastic induration of the penis, require complete evaluation of plaques in order to decide the best therapeutic option for patient. The purpose of this study is to compare the findings of three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US) and two-dimensional ultrasound (2D US) in patients with PD.

Materials And Methods: Twenty patients with PD aged 30 to 72 years were included in study.

Urinary bladder hypertrophy and overactive bladder determine urinary continence after radical prostatectomy.

Background: Several clinical and biological factors exacerbate urinary incontinence (UI) and reduce the patient's quality of life after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of urinary bladder hypertrophy and overactive bladder (OAB) on UI in patients after RP.

Material And Methods: Seventy patients were enrolled in the study and were divided into 2 groups: patients with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) but without OAB (group I; n = 20) and patients with BOO and OAB (group II; n = 50).