Open vs. Robot-Assisted Artificial Urinary Sphincter Implantation in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Multicenter Comparative Study.

The artificial urinary sphincter has been an effective treatment for stress urinary incontinence caused by intrinsic sphincter deficiency in women. However, the use of this device has been limited by the technical difficulties and risks associated with the open implantation procedure. Preliminary studies using robotic techniques have shown promising results, but only one small study has compared robotic to open procedures.

Impact of Robotic Artificial Urinary Sphincter Implantation in Female Patients on Quality of Life and Patient-reported Outcomes.

Background And Objective: Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is commonly used in France in female patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD). However, it has never been assessed using patient-reported outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes of robotic AUS implantation using validated questionnaires.

Difficulties in Manipulating the Female Artificial Urinary Sphincter Pump: Prevalence and Management.

Purpose: While pump manipulation is rarely problematic in male patients with artificial urinary sphincters (AUSs), the situation may differ in female patients due to anatomical or cultural factors. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of difficulties in pump manipulation among female AUS patients, identify associated risk factors, and explore management strategies for this challenging issue.

Methods: Data were collected from all female patients who underwent a robotic AUS implantation at a single academic center between 2014 and 2022.

Hepatocellular carcinoma hosts cholinergic neural cells and tumoral hepatocytes harboring targetable muscarinic receptors.

Background & Aims: Owing to unexplained interpatient variation and treatment failure in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), novel therapeutic approaches remain an urgent clinical need. Hepatic neurons, belonging to the autonomic nervous system (ANS), mediate liver/whole body crosstalk. Pathological innervation of the ANS has been identified in cancer, nurturing tumor stroma and conferring stronger carcinogenic properties.

Direct Evidence of Breakdown of Spin Statistics in Ion-Atom Charge Exchange Collisions.

Recent experimental studies have questioned the validity of spin statistics assumptions, particularly in charge exchange processes occurring in atomic MeV collisions. Here, we study spin-resolved single electron capture processes in collisions between C^{3+} ions and helium within an energy range of 1.25-400  keV/u.

Estimation of Scattering Properties Modifications Caused by In Vivo Human Skin Optical Clearing Using Line-Field Confocal Optical Coherence Tomography.

The image contrast and probing depth of optical methods applied to in vivo skin could be improved by reducing skin scattering using the optical clearing method. The aim of this study was to quantify, from line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) 3D images, the modifications of skin scattering properties in vivo during optical clearing. Nine mixtures of optical clearing agents were used in combination with physical and chemical permeation enhancers on the human skin of three healthy volunteers.

Final Results of the GRECCAR-6 Trial on Waiting Period Following Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: 5 Years of Follow-up.

Background: The potential oncological benefit of extending the waiting period between neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy and surgical resection for rectal cancer is debated.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of prolonging this waiting period on the 5-year oncological prognosis and 2-year functional result of locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma.

Design: Phase III, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, controlled trial.

Integrating mental health and psychosocial support into economic inclusion programming for displaced families in Ecuador.

Background: Poverty is a key social determinant of mental health among forcibly displaced persons. This study aimed to design and pilot test a strategy to integrate existing mental health and economic inclusion interventions for displaced families in Ecuador.

Methods: We conducted a series of qualitative interviews (n = 30), focus groups (n = 6), and workshops (n = 3) to develop a set of strategies for integrating cross-cutting and focused mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) strategies into an existing economic inclusion program for displaced families in Quito.

Allogeneic abdominal non-vascularized rectus fascia transplantation without immunosuppression equals syngeneic transplantation in a rabbit model at short-term follow-up.

Complex abdominal wall repair remains a major surgical challenge. In transplant patients, non-vascularized rectus fascia (NVRF) is successfully used to bridge the defect. To extrapolate this to non-transplant patients, we developed a rabbit model of NVRF-transplantation without immunosuppression comparing syngeneic versus allogeneic transplants.

Cryo-PRO facilitates whole blood cryopreservation for single-cell RNA sequencing of immune cells from clinical samples.

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) has enhanced our understanding of host immune mechanisms in small cohorts, particularly in diseases with complex and heterogeneous immune responses such as sepsis. However, PBMC isolation from blood requires technical expertise, training, and approximately two hours of onsite processing using Ficoll density gradient separation ('Ficoll') for scRNA-seq compatibility, precluding large-scale sample collection at most clinical sites. To minimize onsite processing, we developed Cryo-PRO (Cryopreservation with PBMC Recovery Offsite), a method of PBMC isolation from cryopreserved whole blood that allows immediate onsite sample cryopreservation and subsequent PBMC isolation in a central laboratory prior to sequencing.

Robotic female artificial urinary sphincter implantation vs. male artificial urinary sphincter implantation for non-neurogenic stress urinary incontinence.

Purpose: Previous studies suggested better functional outcomes and longer device survival for female artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation compared to male AUS implantation. We hypothesized that the adoption of robotic approaches for female implantation might have influenced these comparisons. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of robotic female AUS and male AUS implantation for non-neurogenic stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Ethograms reveal a fear conditioned visual cue to organize diverse behaviors.

Recognizing and responding to threat cues is essential to survival. In rats, freezing is the most common behavior measured. Previously we demonstrated a threat cue can organize diverse behaviors (Chu et al.

Beyond the 95s: What happens when uniform program targets are applied across a heterogenous HIV epidemic in Eastern and Southern Africa?

The UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets are an important metric for guiding national HIV programs and measuring progress towards ending the HIV epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. Nevertheless, as proportional targets, the outcome of reaching the 95-95-95 targets will vary greatly across, and within, countries owing to the geographic diversity of the HIV epidemic. Countries and subnational units with a higher initial prevalence and number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) will remain with a larger number and higher prevalence of virally unsuppressed PLHIV-persons who may experience excess morbidity and mortality and can transmit the virus to others.

Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography based on tandem interferometry with a focus-tunable lens.

This article introduces an innovative line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) system based on tandem interferometry, featuring a focus-tunable lens for dynamic focusing. The principle of tandem interferometry is first recalled, and an analytical expression of the interferometric signal detected is established in order to identify the influence of key experimental parameters. The LC-OCT system is based on a Linnik-type imaging interferometer with a focus-tunable lens for focus scanning, coupled to a Michelson-type compensating interferometer using a piezoelectric linear translation stage for coherence plane scanning.

Correction of exon 2, exon 2-9 and exons 8-9 duplications in DMD patient myogenic cells by a single CRISPR/Cas9 system.

Duchenne Muscular dystrophy (DMD), a yet-incurable X-linked recessive disorder that results in muscle wasting and loss of ambulation is due to mutations in the dystrophin gene. Exonic duplications of dystrophin gene are a common type of mutations found in DMD patients. In this study, we utilized a single guide RNA CRISPR strategy targeting intronic regions to delete the extra duplicated regions in patient myogenic cells carrying duplication of exon 2, exons 2-9, and exons 8-9 in the DMD gene.

An engineered AAV targeting integrin alpha V beta 6 presents improved myotropism across species.

Current adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy using nature-derived AAVs is limited by non-optimal tissue targeting. In the treatment of muscular diseases (MD), high doses are often required but can lead to severe adverse effects. Here, we rationally design an AAV capsid that specifically targets skeletal muscle to lower treatment doses.

A Participatory Evaluation of an Urban Garden Project in Ecuador: Exploring Factors That Impact the Recovery of People With Severe Mental Health Problems.

For the past years, Ecuador has been transitioning away from a hospital-based model of mental healthcare to one that is community-centred. However, challenges associated with hospital-based models endure, notably financial burden faced by those with severe mental health problems (SMHPs) due to labour market discrimination. Employment access for this group is often disregarded in policy planning, despite evidence of its benefits on mental health.

Imaging nanomagnetism and magnetic phase transitions in atomically thin CrSBr.

Since their first observation in 2017, atomically thin van der Waals (vdW) magnets have attracted significant fundamental, and application-driven attention. However, their low ordering temperatures, T, sensitivity to atmospheric conditions and difficulties in preparing clean large-area samples still present major limitations to further progress, especially amongst van der Waals magnetic semiconductors. The remarkably stable, high-T vdW magnet CrSBr has the potential to overcome these key shortcomings, but its nanoscale properties and rich magnetic phase diagram remain poorly understood.

New insights in immunomodulation for intestinal transplantation.

Tolerance is the Holy Grail of solid organ transplantation (SOT) and remains its primary challenge since its inception. In this topic, the seminal contributions of Thomas Starzl at Pittsburgh University outlined foundational principles of graft acceptance and tolerance, with chimerism emerging as a pivotal factor. Immunologically, intestinal transplantation (ITx) poses a unique hurdle due to the inherent characteristics and functions of the small bowel, resulting in increased immunogenicity.

[Genitourinary complications after pelvic radiotherapy: Diagnosis and management].

Objective: The purpose of this review was to present the different genitourinary complications following pelvic radiotherapy as well as their assessment and treatments.

Methods: A review of literature was conducted using Medline/Pubmed database without period restriction. In order to write this article, we also use the 2016 AFSOS, SFRO and AFU recommendations.