Predicting Peak Productivity in Urologic Medicare Practice via Work-Relative Value Units.

Objective: To explore factors associated with productivity in urologic practice. Work-relative value units (wRVUs), the basis for Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and private payer reimbursements, commonly serve to estimate physician productivity. Limited data describes which practice factors predict increased wRVU productivity.

Understanding the Urology Program Directors Perspective on the Current Resident Selection Process: The Society of Academic Urologists National Survey of Urology Program Directors.

Objective: The traditional residency selection process was altered dramatically by the SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. For the 2020-2021 application cycle in-person interviews were transitioned to the virtual format. What was thought to be a temporary transition has now become the new standard with continued endorsement from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Society of Academic Urologists (SAU) for virtual interviews (VI).

The Impact of the Virtual Interview on Candidate Experience and Outcomes: Society of Academic Urologists National Survey of Interns Who Participated in the 2020-2021 Urology Match.

Objective: To examine retrospective experiences with the virtual interview (VI) process among postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) urology residents who participated in the 2020-2021 American Urologic Association (AUA) Match cycle.

Methods: A 27-question survey created by a Society of Academic Urologists Taskforce on VI was distributed to PGY1 residents from 105 institutions between February 1, 2022 and March 7, 2022. The survey asked respondents to reflect on the VI process, cost concerns, and how experiences at their current program aligned with prior VI representation.

The role of in-person focus groups in the management of urinary incontinence in women from a mixed-methods, randomized pilot study.

Purpose: To assess the quantitative and qualitative components of in-person focus groups as a potential intervention for female patients with urinary incontinence.

Methods: Women over the age of 18 seeking treatment for UI were randomized to standard care with focus group participation or to standard care alone. All participants completed validated questionnaires: MESA, UDI-6, OAB-SAT-q, PGI-S, PGI-I, SQoL-F, PHQ-9, IPAQ at the beginning and conclusion of the study.

Personality Traits and Burnout: A Survey of Practicing US Urologists.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of personality traits and institutional factors on burnout among a population of practicing urologists.

Methods: From 2017-2019 a voluntary survey was distributed to practicing urologists across the United States. The survey evaluated demographics, education, social factors, practice types and work satisfaction.

Characterization of Urethral Diverticula in Women.

Objective: Urethral diverticulum is a rare, yet important condition for the female pelvic surgeon. We aimed to characterize the women who have been seen for this condition across the three Mayo Clinic locations.

Methods: Medical record review was performed for patients across all three Mayo Clinic sites (Rochester, Arizona, Florida) that had International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, (ICD-9) and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, (ICD-10) codes corresponding to urethral diverticulum (ICD-9, 599.

Evaluating the Prevalence of Pelvic Floor Disorders in Women in Nonmetropolitan Communities.

Introduction: Prevalence rates of pelvic floor disorders in women in nonmetropolitan communities compared with metropolitan communities are unknown. We hypothesize that the rates are higher in women in nonmetropolitan communities.

Methods: We accessed the health survey data from the NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) from 2009 to 2010 divided by geocodes into nonmetropolitan (<50,000 inhabitants) and metropolitan communities (>50,000).

Investigations of ion transport through nanoscale polymer membranes by fluorescence quenching of CdSe/CdS quantum dot/quantum rods.

Detailed steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence quenching measurements give deep insight into ion transport through nanometer thick diblock copolymer membranes, which were assembled as biocompatible shell material around CdSe/CdS quantum dot in quantum rods. We discuss the role of polymer chain length, intermolecular cross-linking and nanopore formation by analysing electron transfer processes from the photoexcited QDQRs to Cu(II) ions, which accumulate in the polymer membrane. Fluorescence investigations on single particle level additionally allow identifying ensemble inhomogeneities.

Analysis of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Patients' Perspective Through a Third Party-administered Survey.

Objective: To assess patient-reported functional and quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes associated with various surgical treatments for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

Materials And Methods: An independent third-party survey was sent to all patients who underwent any surgical treatment for BPH at our institution from January 2007 through January 2013. Overall satisfaction and urinary and sexual outcomes were evaluated using Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM), International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) for urinary function, and International Continence Society-Short Form (ICSmaleSF) questionnaires.

Clustering of CdSe/CdS Quantum Dot/Quantum Rods into Micelles Can Form Bright, Non-blinking, Stable, and Biocompatible Probes.

We investigate clustered CdSe/CdS quantum dots/quantum rods, ranging from single to multiple encapsulated rods within amphiphilic diblock copolymer micelles, by time-resolved optical spectroscopy. The effect of the clustering and the cluster size on the optical properties is addressed. The clusters are bright and stable and show no blinking while retaining the fundamental optical properties of the individual quantum dots/quantum rods.

A universal approach to ultrasmall magneto-fluorescent nanohybrids.

Seeded emulsion polymerization is a powerful universal method to produce ultrasmall multifunctional magnetic nanohybrids. In a two-step procedure, iron oxide nanocrystals were initially encapsulated in a polystyrene (PS) shell and subsequently used as beads for a controlled assembly of elongated quantum dots/quantum rods (QDQRs). The synthesis of a continuous PS shell allows the whole construct to be fixed and the composition of the nanohybrid to be tuned.

Tailoring the ligand shell for the control of cellular uptake and optical properties of nanocrystals.

In this short review, the main challenges in the use of hydrophobic nanoparticles in biomedical application are addressed. It is shown how to overcome the different issues by the use of a polymeric encapsulation system, based on an amphiphilic polyisoprene-block-poly(ethylene glycol) diblock copolymer. On the basis of this simple molecule, the development of a versatile and powerful phase transfer strategy is summarized, focusing on the main advantages like the adjustable size, the retained properties, the excellent shielding and the diverse functionalization properties of the encapsulated nanoparticles.

Polymer-assisted self-assembly of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles into well-defined clusters: controlling the collective magnetic properties.

The combination of superstructure-forming amphiphilic block copolymers and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles produces new nano/microcomposites with unique size-dependent properties. Herein, we demonstrate the controlled clustering of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs) ranging from discretely encapsulated SPIOs to giant clusters, containing hundreds or even more particles, using an amphiphilic polyisoprene-block-poly(ethylene glycol) diblock copolymer. Within these clusters, the SPIOs interact with each other and show new collective properties, neither obtainable with singly encapsulated nor with the bulk material.

CdSe/CdS-quantum rods: fluorescent probes for in vivo two-photon laser scanning microscopy.

CdSe/CdS-Quantum-dots-quantum-rods (QDQRs) with an aspect ratio of ∼ 6 are prepared via the seeded growth method, encapsulated within a shell of crosslinked poly(isoprene)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PI-b-PEG) diblock copolymer, and transferred from the organic phase into aqueous media. Their photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 78% is not compromised by the phase transfer. Within a period of two months the PLQY of QDQRs in aqueous solution at neutral pH decreases only slightly (to ∼ 65%).

Fluorescence spectroscopy of individual semiconductor nanoparticles in different ethylene glycols.

The optical properties of single colloidal semiconductor nanoparticles (NPs) are considerably influenced by the direct environment of the NPs. Here, the influence of different liquid and solid glycol matrices on CdSe-based NPs is investigated. Since the fluorescence of individual NPs varies from one NP to another, it is highly desirable to study the very same individual NPs in different matrices.

A comparison of 30-day surgical outcomes for minimally invasive and open sacrocolpopexy.

Aims: Minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy (MISC) has gained widespread acceptance without randomized or population-based data to support its use. This study compares 30-day outcomes after MISC and open sacrocolpopexy (OSC) using population-based data.

Methods: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was used to acquire 1,786 sacrocolpopexy operations (659 OSC and 1,127 MISC) performed from 2005 to 2011.

Comparison of midurethral sling outcomes with and without prolapse repair.

Introduction: To compare the outcome of single incision and retropubic midurethral slings when performed with and without concomitant repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all midurethral slings performed with and without concomitant POP repair by a single provider from September 2008 to April 2010. Prolapse was repaired transvaginally with light-weight polypropylene mesh or robotically via sacrocolpopexy based on the nature of the prolapse and surgeon preference.

Controlling the physical and biological properties of highly fluorescent aqueous quantum dots using block copolymers of different size and shape.

The phase transfer of fluorescent CdSe based quantum dots (QDs) while retaining their properties and offering some advantages concerning the stability and functionalization characteristics is an important and intensively investigated field of research. Here we report how to tune and control the properties of CdSe/CdS/ZnS core-shell-shell QDs in water, using poly(isoprene-block-ethylene oxide) (PI-b-PEO) as a versatile system of amphiphilic diblock copolymers for the micellular encapsulation of nanoparticles (NPs). We show the synthesis of a novel PI-b-(PEO)2 miktoarm star polymer and how this different architecture besides the variation of the polymers' molecular weight gives us the opportunity to control the size of the built constructs in water between 24 and 53 nm.

Temporary prostatic urethral stenting as a provocative tool to determine surgical eligibility in complex bladder outlet obstructed patients: our initial experience.

Background/aims: To evaluate the usefulness of a temporary prostatic urethral stent to determine which complex surgical patients would benefit from definitive surgical management of their benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed our benign prostatic hyperplasia database and identified all patients that received at least one temporary prostatic urethral stent between April 2008 and December 2010.

Results: Forty Spanner(TM) stents were placed in 20 patients.

Bladder capacity on preoperative urodynamics may impact outcomes on transobturator male slings.

Aims: Stress incontinence is frequently seen after prostate surgery. We sought to evaluate preoperative urodynamic (UDS) parameters on functional outcomes after transobturator male sling placement.

Methods: 49 male patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate underwent transobturator sling (TOS) placement from December 2008 through June 2011 (AdVance® and Virtue®).

Early outcomes of the transobturator male sling based on body mass index.

Introduction: Little is known regarding factors that contribute to the long term success or failure of the transobturator male sling for stress urinary incontinence. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of the transobturator male sling for stress urinary incontinence based on body mass index (BMI).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 31 transobturator male slings placed at a single institution from 2008 to 2010.

Older age does not impact perioperative complications after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

To determine whether men aged 70 years and older had more perioperative complications after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) compared with younger patients, a retrospective review was performed on patients who underwent RARP between March 2004 and September 2009. Subjects were stratified according to age into four groups (age 30-49, 50-59, 60-69, and ≥70 years). American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores were obtained.

Urologic surgical simulation: an endoscopic bladder model.

Introduction: With the explosion of endoscopic techniques in urology as well as the increasing work restrictions with resident duty hours, training programs are faced with the challenges of how to adequately train residents while still being proficient and safe in the operating room. Surgical simulation with models is an excellent tool to help bridge the gap between practice and experience and allow residents to learn basic skills in a low stress environment that can be later transferred to the operating room.

Methods: We present a high-fidelity endoscopic boar bladder model for first-year urology resident training in preparation for real-time experience in the operating room.