Publications by authors named "Brandon Levin"

The earliest recorded efforts to biopsy prostate, in the early 20th century, were made through transperineal (TP) approach, with open perineal prostate biopsy (PBx) being considered the gold standard for prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis in that era. Later, to minimize morbidity and increase diagnostic accuracy, several technical modifications and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) assistance were incorporated. However, in the 1980s, the transrectal (TR) approach became the predominant PBx method following the introduction of TRUS-TR PBx with sextant sampling, providing a convenient and efficacious method for prostate sampling.

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Purpose: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) targeted biopsy has emerged as an augmentation to systematic prostate biopsy (SBx) with improved diagnostic accuracy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether biopsy modality impacted management of prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients with newly diagnosed non-metastatic PCa at our institution (2014-2020).

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There are limited data on how stone factors relate to flexible ureteroscopy (f-URS) laser lithotripsy efficiency and outcomes when using the Moses Technology Ho:YAG system. We examined the relationship of stone volume and density to lithotripsy, lasing times, and energy used to treat a single renal stone. We also assessed short-term clinical outcomes.

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High-power holmium lasers have become popular for ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy and dusting. Our aim was to investigate the effect of pulse duration and pulse energy on fiber-tip degradation when using high-power settings for popcorn lithotripsy. BegoStones were fragmented in a glass bulb to simulate renal calyx, using a 120 W Ho:YAG laser.

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Rationale: Systemic administration of the tobacco smoke constituent nicotine stimulates brain reward function in rats. However, it is unknown if the inhalation of tobacco smoke affects brain reward function.

Objectives: These experiments investigated if exposure to smoke from high-nicotine SPECTRUM research cigarettes increases reward function and affects the rewarding effects of nicotine in adult male and female Wistar rats.

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Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of disease, disability, and death in the world. Despite the negative health consequences of smoking and the fact that most people would like to quit, very few people are able to maintain abstinence. Nicotine, the main psychoactive component of tobacco, is mildly rewarding and plays a role in the initiation and maintenance of smoking.

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Introduction: Tobacco use improves mood states and smoking cessation leads to anhedonia, which contributes to relapse. Animal studies have shown that noncontingent nicotine administration enhances brain reward function and leads to dependence. However, little is known about the effects of nicotine self-administration on the state of the reward system.

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Among cathinone drugs known as bath salts, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) exerts its potent actions via the dopamine (DA) system, and at intoxicating doses may produce adverse behavioral effects. Previous work by our group suggests that prolonged alterations in correlated neural activity between cortical and striatal areas could underlie, at least in part, the adverse reactions to this bath salt drug. In the present study, we assessed the effect of acute MDPV administration on brain functional connectivity at 1 and 24 h in rats.

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