Radiomics-driven spectral profiling of six kidney stone types with monoenergetic CT reconstructions in photon-counting CT.

Objectives: Urolithiasis, a common and painful urological condition, is influenced by factors such as lifestyle, genetics, and medication. Differentiating between different types of kidney stones is crucial for personalized therapy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) in combination with radiomics and machine learning to develop a method for automated and detailed characterization of kidney stones.

Automated Kidney Stone Composition Analysis with Photon-Counting Detector CT, a Performance Study-A Phantom Study.

Background: For treatment of urolithiasis, the stone composition is of particular interest, as uric acid (UA) stones can be treated by chemolitholysis. In this ex vivo study, we employed an advanced composition analysis approach for urolithiasis utilizing spectral data obtained from a photon-counting detector CT (PCDCT) to differentiate UA and non-UA stones. Our primary objective was to assess the accuracy of this analysis method.

[New tumor markers for testicular cancer - in the here and now and in the future].

Germ cell tumors of the testis are the most common tumor entities in young men. Since the introduction of platinum-based chemotherapy in the 1970s, most patients can be cured despite the aggressiveness of germ cell tumors. Optimal serum tumor markers are required for diagnostics, therapy monitoring and aftercare, and these are subject to high requirements.

Radiological Assessment of Different Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Measurements in Stage 1 Testicular Cancer Patients: Impact on Clinical Stage and Treatment.

In staging for testicular germ cell tumor (GCT), current guidelines lack consensus regarding the measurement of retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis, concerning the recommended plane and dimension. This exploratory study aimed to assess its impact on clinical stage (cS) and therapy. We retrospectively examined 154 cSI (retroperitoneal lymph nodes < 10 mm in axial short-axis diameter (SAD)) GCT patients, without adjuvant therapy and a follow-up ≥ 24 months.

Comparison of automated kidney stone size measurement and volumetry in photon counting CT compared to 3rd generation dual energy CT and physically measurements - an ex vivo study.

Purpose: This ex vivo study aimed to compare a newly developed dual-source photon-counting CT (PCCT) with a 3rd generation dual-source dual-energy CT (DECT) for the detection and measurement (stone lengths and volumetrics) of urinary stones.

Methods: 143 urinary stones with a known geometry were physically measured and defined as reference values. Next, urinary stones were placed in an anthropomorphic abdomen-model and were scanned with DECT and PCCT.

[Urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer-data from 17,149 patients from 125 certified centers].

Background: In addition to erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence is the most common functional limitation after radical prostatectomy (RPE) for prostate cancer (PCa). The German S3 guideline recommends informing patients about possible effects of the therapy options, including incontinence. However, only little data on continence from routine care in German-speaking countries after RPE are currently available, which makes it difficult to inform patients.

[Multimodal treatment of testicular cancer: chemotherapy, surgery or radiotherapy?].

Background: Metastatic testicular germ cell tumors patients require histology- and stage-appropriate therapy to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Objectives: This work focuses on the interdisciplinary presentation of current recommendations for the treatment of metastatic germ cell tumor patients.

Materials And Methods: The interdisciplinary recommendations were formulated based on the German S3 guideline and supplemented by recent literature.

Therapy of clinical stage IIA and IIB seminoma: a systematic review.

Purpose: The optimal treatment for clinical stage (CS) IIA/IIB seminomas is still controversial. We evaluated current treatment options.

Methods: A systematic review was performed.

Health-related quality of life in bladder cancer patients: bladder cancer-specific instruments and domains. Part 2.

Purpose Of Review: Several instruments have been designed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with bladder cancer (BC). However, they vary in purpose, domains, and quality. To identify QoL instruments that have been validated for BC patients and to critically assess their domains and limitations.

Health-related quality of life in bladder cancer patients: general and cancer-specific instruments. Part 1.

Purpose Of Review: Although survival outcomes are the primary outcomes to determine the effectiveness of treatment options, quality of life (QoL) is gaining in importance in addition to classic oncological outcomes. The present review aims to state and critically assess the challenges in health-related QoL (HRQoL) assessment especially in bladder cancer (BC) patients.

Recent Findings: General QoL-instruments do not address concerns specific to cancer patients or BC patients.

Management of Germ Cell Tumours of the Testes in Adult Patients: German Clinical Practice Guideline, PART II - Recommendations for the Treatment of Advanced, Recurrent, and Refractory Disease and Extragonadal and Sex Cord/Stromal Tumours and for the Management of Follow-Up, Toxicity, Quality of Life, Palliative Care, and Supportive Therapy.

Objectives: We developed the first German evidence- and consensus-based clinical guideline on diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of germ cell tumours (GCT) of the testes in adult patients. We present the guideline content in 2 separate publications. The present second part summarizes therecommendations for the treatment of advanced disease stages and for the management of follow-up and late effects.

Management of Germ Cell Tumours of the Testis in Adult Patients. German Clinical Practice Guideline Part I: Epidemiology, Classification, Diagnosis, Prognosis, Fertility Preservation, and Treatment Recommendations for Localized Stages.

Introduction: This is the first German evidence- and consensus-based clinical guideline on diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up on germ cell tumours (GCTs) of the testis in adult patients. We present the guideline content in two publications. Part I covers the topic's background, methods, epidemiology, classification systems, diagnostics, prognosis, and treatment recommendations for the localized stages.

Thromboprophylaxis and the route of administration of chemotherapy in testicular cancer patients in German-speaking countries.

Purpose: Due to the excellent cure rates for testicular cancer (TC), focus has shifted towards decreasing therapy-related morbidities. Thrombosis is a frequent complication of cisplatin chemotherapy. Furthermore, the optimal route of administration for chemotherapy is still under debate.

German second-opinion network for testicular cancer: sealing the leaky pipe between evidence and clinical practice.

In 2006, the German Testicular Cancer Study Group initiated an extensive evidence-based national second-opinion network to improve the care of testicular cancer patients. The primary aims were to reflect the current state of testicular cancer treatment in Germany and to analyze the project's effect on the quality of care delivered to testicular cancer patients. A freely available internet-based platform was developed for the exchange of data between the urologists seeking advice and the 31 second-opinion givers.

Predicting metastasized seminoma using gene expression.

Unlabelled: Treatment options for testis cancer depend on the histological subtype as well as on the clinical stage. An accurate staging is essential for correct treatment. The 'golden standard' for staging purposes is CT, but occult metastasis cannot be detected with this method.

A gene signature of primary tumor identifies metastasized seminoma.

Background: The aim of this study was the prediction of metastatic status in seminoma based on examination of the primary tumor.

Methods: Total RNA was isolated from metastasized seminoma (n = 10, T1N1-2M0), non-metastasized seminoma (n = 21, T1-3N0M0), and corresponding normal tissues. Pooled RNA from 10 biopsies of each tissue type was hybridized on whole genome microarrays for screening purposes.

Topical treatment of erectile dysfunction with prostaglandin E₁ ethyl ester.

Background: Prostaglandin E₁ ethyl ester (PGE₁-EE) is a prodrug of prostaglandin E₁ but with much improved transdermal penetration.

Patients And Methods: We performed a randomized, double-blind, controlled study in 34 patients to assess the safety and efficacy of transdermally applied PGE₁-EE for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. In a first single-blinded titration period the most appropriate PGE₁-EE dose (maximum 1000 μg) was determined.

Testis cancer cells have a genetic determination for a high sensitivity to apoptosis inducing stimuli.

Objective: The effect of cytotoxic therapy in testicular tumors (TGCT) has been shown to be mediated mainly by the induction of apoptosis. So far, it is not known which genes play a role for this inherent sensitivity to apoptosis inducing drugs. The aim of this study was to investigate the differential gene expression of apoptosis regulating genes in testicular tumors and in normal testis tissue using a quantitative method.

Correcting false gene expression measurements from degraded RNA using RTQ-PCR.

This paper describes a method allowing correcting false gene expression measured on highly degraded RNA using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RTQ-PCR). RNA was isolated from different models (in vitro cell lines, in vivo models of human and dog) and different tissue types. In vitro RNA degradation and modeling of in vivo degradation were applied on intact and degraded total RNA.

A critical analysis of nonsurgical treatment of Peyronie's disease.

Objective: Because the efficacy of nonsurgical therapy of Peyronie's disease is controversial, this review analyses the current status of conservative therapy of Peyronie's disease.

Method: A systematic survey on results of studies published as original papers in peer-reviewed journals is provided.

Results: Oral drug therapies include potassium para-aminobenzoate (Potaba), vitamin E, colchicine, tamoxifen, propoleum, acetyl-L-carnitine, and propionyl-L-carnitine.

Apoptosis: a key effector mechanism of lymphocyte action in human nonseminomatous testicular carcinoma?

Objective: To correlate the number of tumour-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs) with the extent of apoptosis in testicular germ cell tumours, as TILs are considered to be a favourable prognostic factor of human testicular tumours, especially of seminomas, but the mechanism by which TIL contribute to an improved outcome is unclear.

Materials And Methods: Tissue samples from 47 patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT) and 15 with seminomatous GCT were investigated immunohistochemically for lymphocyte infiltration and apoptosis. The apoptotic index (AI) was assessed in various categories (DNA condensation and fragmentation) using in-situ end-labelling to identify typical apoptotic DNA strand breaks, and nuclear staining to identify typical apoptotic morphology.