Responses of fish to nationwide improvements in the water quality of a densely populated and heavily modified country over four decades.

Globally, fish have been severely affected by the widespread, chronic degradation of fresh waters, with a substantial proportion of species declining in abundance or range in recent decades. This has especially been the case in densely populated countries with an industrial heritage and intensive agriculture, where the majority of river catchments have been affected by deteriorations in water quality and changes in land use. This study used a spatially and temporally extensive dataset, encompassing 16,124 surveys at 1180 sites representing a wide range of river typologies and pressures, to examine changes in the fish populations of England's rivers over four decades (1980s-2010s).

Prostatic stents: a systematic review and analysis of functional outcomes and complication rate.

Background: This review aims to identify and summarize the current literature on the use of prostatic stents or nitinol devices as minimally invasive techniques for the management of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) resulting from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods: A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted until October 2023. Only original articles written in English were considered for inclusion.

Gene Therapy with Chitosan Nanoparticles: Modern Formulation Strategies for Enhancing Cancer Cell Transfection.

Gene therapy involves the introduction of exogenous genetic material into host tissues to modify gene expression or cellular properties for therapeutic purposes. Initially developed to address genetic disorders, gene therapy has expanded to encompass a wide range of conditions, notably cancer. Effective delivery of nucleic acids into target cells relies on carriers, with non-viral systems gaining prominence due to their enhanced safety profile compared to viral vectors.

Impairment in Right Ventricular-Pulmonary Arterial Coupling in Overweight and Obesity.

The association of obesity with right ventricular function and the interplay between right heart and pulmonary circulation is incompletely understood. We evaluate the role of obesity as a determinant of right ventricular-pulmonary artery coupling (RVAC). We retrospectively studied consecutive subjects without overt cardiovascular or pulmonary disease.

Prostatic stents: a narrative review of current evidence.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common chronic urologic condition affecting approximately 50% of men above the age of 60. As per European Association of Urology Guidelines, BPH can be treated according to a stepwise approach starting from a conservative management, a pharmacologic approach, and finally surgery. Both medical and surgical therapies have side effects, impacting on ejaculation and sexual function and patients with multiple comorbidities might not be considered surgically suitable candidates.

Comprehensive and personalized approach is a critical area for developing remote cardiac rehabilitation programs.

In the evolving landscape of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), adopting digital technologies, including synchronous/real-time digital interventions and smart applications, has emerged as a transformative approach. These technologies offer real-time health data access, continuous vital sign monitoring, and personalized educational enhanced patient self-management and engagement. Despite their potential benefits, challenges and limitations exist, necessitating careful consideration.

Safety and long-term outcomes of remote cardiac rehabilitation in coronary heart disease patients: A systematic review.

Objective: To systematically review the safety and the long-term mortality and morbidity risk-rates of the remotely-delivered cardiac rehabilitation (RDCR) interventions in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients.

Methods: The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42023455471). Five databases (Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in the Cochrane Library, Cinahl and Web of Science) were reviewed from January 2012 up to August 2023.

The psychophysiology of Mastermind: Characterizing response times and blinking in a high-stakes television game show.

Television game shows have proven to be a valuable resource for studying human behavior under conditions of high stress and high stakes. However, previous work has focused mostly on choices-ignoring much of the rich visual information that is available on screen. Here, we take a first step to extracting more of this information by investigating the response times and blinking of contestants in the BBC show Mastermind.

Education and training evolution in urolithiasis: A perspective from European School of Urology.

Objective: With the worldwide increase in urolithiasis prevalence, the present study aimed to delineate and summarise recent evolutions in training for the management of urolithiasis.

Methods: A PubMed search using the key words "simulation", "training", "ureteroscopy", "RIRS", "URS", "percutaneous nephrolithotomy", "PCNL", "virtual reality", "augmented reality", "artificial intelligence", "healthcare", "curriculum", and "assessment" was used to examine how education and training in urolithiasis have adapted over recent years. Focus was placed on the role of high- and low-fidelity simulation models, virtual reality and artificial intelligence, and standardised assessment and curriculum.

Efficacy of supervised home-based, real time, videoconferencing telerehabilitation in patients with type 2 diabetes: a single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: Exercise-based interventions prevent or delay symptoms and complications of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and are highly recommended for T2D patients; though with very low participation rates. Τelerehabilitation (TR) could act as an alternative to overcome the barriers preventing the promotion of T2D patients' well-being.

Aim: Determine the effects of a six-week TR program on glycemic control, functional capacity, muscle strength, PA, quality of life and body composition in patients with T2D.

Ureteroscopy in Patients with Urinary Diversion: Outcomes and Lessons Learned from Two European Centres.

Background: Ureteroscopy (URS) in patients with urinary diversion is technically challenging. Common difficulties include anastomotic strictures, tortuosity, and failure to cannulate the ureteric orifice. There are few studies reporting outcomes in this special population.

Surgical Outcomes for Elderly Patients Undergoing Transurethral Resection of the Prostate for Chronic Urinary Retention and Proposal of a Management Algorithm.

Chronic urinary retention (CUR) is a major problem in elderly patients and leads to high levels of morbidity. CUR can be treated surgically with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), but surgery is frequently avoided in elderly patients due to increased perioperative risks and the presence of detrusor underactivity, which can lead to surgical failure. We report on contemporary outcomes for catheterized elderly patients undergoing TURP from a high-volume university teaching hospital.

Role of Phytotherapy in the Management of BPH: A Summary of the Literature.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) describes the non-malignant enlargement of the prostate. It is both common and growing in incidence. Treatment is multimodal, involving conservative, medical, and surgical interventions.

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Validation of the Greek Version of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS-GR): What Are the Barriers in South-East Europe?

Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is a secondary prevention intervention proven to improve quality of life, yet with low participation. The Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS) was developed to assess multi-level barriers to participation. This study aimed at the translation, and cross-cultural adaptation of the CRBS into the Greek language (CRBS-GR), followed by psychometric validation.

Tele-Assessment of Functional Capacity through the Six-Minute Walk Test in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2: Validity and Reliability of Repeated Measurements.

A tele-assessed 6MWT (TL 6MWT) could be an alternative method of evaluating functional capacity in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of a TL 6MWT. The functional capacity of 28 patients with DM2 (75% men) aged 61 ± 13 years was evaluated twice via an indoor, center-based 6MWT (CB 6MWT) and twice outside each patient's home via a web-based platform TL 6MWT.

Association of gut microbiota composition and their metabolites with subclinical atheromatosis: A systematic review.

Study Objective: The present systematic review investigates the hypothesis that specific components of the intestinal microbiome and/or their metabolites are associated with early stages of subclinical arterial damage (SAD).

Design: Based on the MOOSE criteria, we conducted a systematic review of the literature (Scopus, Medline) investigating the potential association between gut microbiota and the most widely applied arterial biomarkers of SAD.

Participants: All studies included individuals without established cardiovascular disease, either with or without SAD.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Group Exercise Intervention for Fall Risk Factors Reduction in Nursing Home Residents.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a multidimensional exercise intervention on improving fall risk deterrent factors, such as overall strength and flexibility in nursing home residents.

Methods: A multi-centre, randomized controlled trial was finally utilized in 40 older adults (>65 years) who were randomly allocated to the intervention or the control group (20 subjects in each). The intervention group attended an exercise program twice a week for eight weeks, to improve functional mobility.

Effectiveness of Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation, Using Wearable Sensors, as a Multicomponent, Cutting-Edge Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is a highly recommended intervention towards the advancement of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients' health profile; though with low participation rates. Although home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) with the use of wearable sensors is proposed as a feasible alternative rehabilitation model, further investigation is needed. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of wearable sensors-assisted HBCR in improving the CVD patients' cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and health profile.

Efficacy, efficiency and safety of a cardiac telerehabilitation programme using wearable sensors in patients with coronary heart disease: the TELEWEAR-CR study protocol.

Introduction: Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a beneficial tool for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases with, however, low participation rates. Telerehabilitation, intergrading mobile technologies and wireless sensors may advance the cardiac patients' adherence. This study will investigate the efficacy, efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness of a telerehabilitation programme based on objective exercise telemonitoring and evaluation of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Lithotripsy devices for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) - new developments.

Purpose Of Review: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) is the mainstay of surgery for renal calculi>2 cm or complex multiple calculi and is a technique that has been around since 1976. We review recent literature surrounding novel lithotripsy devices and technology used in PNL.

Recent Findings: At present, the Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser is widely accepted as the gold standard laser lithotripsy for PNL.

Topical and Oral Oestrogen for Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection-Evidence-based Review of Literature, Treatment Recommendations, and Correlation with the European Association of Urology Guidelines on Urological Infections.

Context: Urinary tract infection (UTI) represents a significant disease for women, with 20-40% suffering from recurrent UTIs (rUTIs) across their lifetime.

Objective: This review aims to provide evidence for current European Association of Urology (EAU) guidance that topical, but not oral, oestrogen is a worthwhile preventative therapy for rUTIs in postmenopausal women. We also aim to establish whether a relationship exists between oestrogen dosage and treatment efficacy.

Safety of home-based cardiac rehabilitation: A systematic review.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation is an evidence-based intervention that aims to improve health outcomes in cardiovascular disease patients, but it is largely underutilized. One strategy for improving utilization is home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR). Previous research has shown that HBCR programs are feasible and effective.

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programs in the era of COVID-19: a critical review.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Increased rates of morbidity and mortality have led to the increased need for the implementation of secondary prevention interventions. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) represents a multifactorial intervention, including elements of physical exercise and activity, education regarding healthy lifestyle habits (smoking cessation, nutritional habits), to improve the physical capacity and psychological status of cardiac patients.