Establishment and Evaluation of Patient-Specific Virtual Ureteroscopy in Assisting Flexible Ureteroscopy for Urolithiasis.

Objectives: To establish virtual ureteroscopy (VU) through computed tomography urography (CTU) data from patients with upper urinary tract (UUT) stones indicated for flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) and to validate its effectiveness.

Methods: Patient-specific VU generation was accomplished through incorporating CTU data into specialized software (Crusher) developed on the open access Visualization Tools Kit (VTK). These were then presented to fURS experts and novice urologists for evaluation and comparison using modified Likert-type questionnaire of 10-point rating scales (1 = not at all useful/not at all realistic/poor, 10 = very useful/very realistic/ excellent).

Evaluation of three-dimensional printing for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy of renal tumors: a preliminary report.

Objectives: To investigate the impact of three-dimensional (3D) printing on the surgical planning, potential of training and patients' comprehension of minimally invasive surgery for renal tumors.

Methods: Patients of a T1N0M0 single renal tumor and indicated for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy were selected. CT data were sent for post-processing and output to the 3D printer to create kidney models with tumor.

Validation of a novel non-biological bench model for the training of percutaneous renal access.

Purpose: The percutaneous renal access (PRA) is the most critical step of percutaneous renal surgery (PRS). For the training of PRA in the lab, a novel non-biological bench model was developed and set for validation test.

Materials And Methods: Experts in PRS (> 60 cases) and novices were included to perform fluoroscopy guided PRA on the model.

A prospective comparative study between minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy in supine position and flexible ureteroscopy in the management of single large stone in the proximal ureter.

Objective: To investigate the difference and relative advantages between minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) in supine position and flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) in the management of surgically indicated single large stone in the proximal ureter.

Methods: Patients with single large stone in the proximal ureter with slight to moderate hydronephrosis were prospectively selected and assigned into groups of MPCNL and FURS on the basis of the patient's choice. Demographic data, operative duration, postoperative hospital stay, complication rate, and stone-free rate were recorded and compared.

Effectiveness of the UroMentor virtual reality simulator in the skill acquisition of flexible cystoscopy.

Background: Virtual reality (VR) has been recognized as a useful modality in the training of surgical skills. With respect to basic endoscopic skill training of urology, we sought to investigate the effectiveness of the UroMentor(TM) virtual reality simulator (VRS) in the skill acquisition of flexible cystoscopy.

Methods: Urologists familiar with rigid cystoscopy procedures were selected to take part in a virtual training course of flexible cystoscopy.

Training for percutaneous renal access on a virtual reality simulator.

Background: The need to develop new methods of surgical training combined with advances in computing has led to the development of virtual reality surgical simulators. The PERC Mentor(TM) is designed to train the user in percutaneous renal collecting system access puncture. This study aimed to validate the use of this kind of simulator, in percutaneous renal access training.

Virtual reality simulator for training urologists on transurethral prostatectomy.

Background: A virtual reality simulator provides a novel training model for improving surgical skills in a variety of fields. They can simulate a variety of surgical scenarios to improve the overall skills required for endoscopic operations, and also record the operative process of trainees in real-time and allow for objective evaluation. At present, some simulators for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are available.

[Face and content validation of the virtual reality transurethral prostatic resection simulator].

Objective: To evaluate the face and content validation of the virtual reality transurethral resection of the prostate simulator (TURPSim(TM)).

Methods: The 60 urology doctor aged 26 - 50 years old all over the country were enrolled for virtual reality training of TURP from September 2010 to June 2011. Participants classified as experts (more than 50 procedures performed) and novices (50 or fewer procedures performed) performed TURPs on TURPSim(TM) involving resection of 25 - 80 g prostate.

[Analysis of serum electrolytes in urolithiasis patients].

Objective: To define the difference of serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), carbon dioxide combining power (CO2CP), hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of urine and urine specific gravity (SG) between those patients suffering from urolithiasis and non-urolithiasis at the same time period.

Methods: Data from 1 164 patients admitted to the Department of Urology, Peking University People's Hospital from January, 2005 to July, 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Seven hundred fourteen patients suffered from urolithiasis, and 450 patients were diagnosed as non-urolithiasis.

[Effect of nanobacteria on cell damage and crystal retention in renal tubular epithelial cells].

Objective: To study the damage of nanobacteria on HK-2 cells, the possible principles, the effect of crystals (COM) adhering to HK-2 cells after the damage.

Methods: Four groups were chosen for the study: control group, NB group, nHAP group and COM group. Morphological changes of the HK-2 cells were observed after HE stain and with TEM after 12 hours and 24 hours.

[Establishment nephrolithiasis rat model induced by nanobacteria and analysis of stone formation].

Objective: To establish nephrolithiasis rat model induced by nanobacteria and to determine the relationship of nanobacteria with nephrolithiasis.

Methods: Thirty adult male SD rats were randomized into 3 groups (n=10 each): group A, given an intravenous injection of nanobacteria; group B, given an intravenous injection of nanobacteria and taken tetracycline; group C, as normal control. Eight weeks later, all rats were sacrificed and the kidneys were examined for pathology and the 24-h urine N-acetyl-beta-D-aminoglycoside enzyme (NAG) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were detected.

[Effects of urotensin II on isolated rat hearts under normal perfusion and ischemia reperfusion].

To shed light on cardiac effects of the potent vasoconstrictive peptide urotensin II (U II), Langendorff-perfused isolated rat hearts were consecutively perfused with 0.1, 1 and 10 nmol/L U II, for 5 min at each dose, followed by 5-min washout. Moreover, isolated hearts subjected to 20-min global no-flow ischemia were reperfused with U II (1 or 10 nmol/L) for 20 min.