Utilization of sperm cryopreservation in patients with testicular cancer.

Purpose: We assessed factors that affect the utilization of sperm cryopreservation before 2021, when patients covered expenses, and the influence on quality of life.

Methods: Between 2011 and 2021, testicular cancer survivors (TCS) at our clinic completed a questionnaire, including EORTC QLQ-TC26, covering sperm cryopreservation, sociodemographic details, post-treatment births, and artificial insemination.

Results: After 5.

Multichannel laser diode to polymer waveguide array coupling with a double-aspheric lens.

An optical system for multichannel coupling of laser arrays to polymer waveguide array probes with a single biconvex lens is developed. The developed cylindrical module with 13 mm and 20 mm in diameter and length, respectively, enables coupling of eight individual optical channels using an aspheric lens. Specific coupling with crosstalk below -13 for each channel and quasi-uniform coupling over all channels is achieved for a waveguide array with 100 µm lateral facet pitch at the incoupling site.

CNT-PUFs: Highly Robust and Heat-Tolerant Carbon-Nanotube-Based Physical Unclonable Functions.

In this work, we explored a highly robust and unique Physical Unclonable Function (PUF) based on the stochastic assembly of single-walled Carbon NanoTubes (CNTs) integrated within a wafer-level technology. Our work demonstrated that the proposed CNT-based PUFs are exceptionally robust with an average fractional intra-device Hamming distance well below 0.01 both at room temperature and under varying temperatures in the range from 23 ∘C to 120 ∘C.

On the Fabrication and Characterization of Polymer-Based Waveguide Probes for Use in Future Optical Cochlear Implants.

Improved hearing restoration by cochlear implants (CI) is expected by optical cochlear implants (oCI) exciting optogenetically modified spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) via an optical pulse generated outside the cochlea. The pulse is guided to the SGNs inside the cochlea via flexible polymer-based waveguide probes. The fabrication of these waveguide probes is realized by using 6" wafer-level micromachining processes, including lithography processes such as spin-coating cladding layers and a waveguide layer in between and etch processes for structuring the waveguide layer.

[Detection of papillomavirus DNA in the prostate: a virus with underestimated clinical relevance?].

Background: Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the most frequent pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases. They have been associated with an increased incidence of several anogenital tumors. Whether oncogenic HPV are involved in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer has been a subject of great controversy.

Comparative diagnostic value of urine cytology, UBC-ELISA, and fluorescence in situ hybridization for detection of transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder in routine clinical practice.

Objectives: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has been reported to have much better sensitivity for the detection of bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) than urine cytology. We comparatively tested cytology, FISH, and the cytokeratin-detection test of urinary bladder cancer (UBC) in routine clinical practice.

Methods: In a prospective study, FISH, the urinary bladder cancer test (UBC-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]), and cytology were used in 166 patients.

[Radical cystectomy in the treatment of bladder cancer always in due time?].

Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine how the survival rates for patients with muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma are influenced by the tumor stage at initial presentation.

Patients And Methods: This study examined the clinical course of 452 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder carcinoma from 1992 to 2004. The patients were divided into three groups according to the histological results of the initial and final transurethral tumor resection (TURB).

Lunar phases and zodiac signs do not influence quality of radical cystectomy--a statistical analysis of 452 patients with invasive bladder cancer.

Objective: To determine the influence of the lunar phases and the position of the moon in the zodiac on the frequency of complications and the survival of bladder cancer patients after radical cystectomy. It has been postulated that radical cystectomy performed during the waxing moon, or particularly at full moon, or at the zodiac sign Libra is associated with a poorer outcome.

Material And Methods: We tested this hypothesis by evaluating the progression-free survival, the complication rate and the re-operation rate for 452 consecutive patients after radical cystectomy.

Endoscopic therapy of a massive rectal bleeding after prostate biopsy.

We report on the case of a 65-year-old man with an indication for a transrectal multibiopsy of the prostate based on a PSA value of 4.5 ng/ml. A massive haemoglobin effective rectal bleeding occurred post-intervention, which due to haemodynamic instability required the administration of erythrocyte concentrates.

How far is the preoperative Kattan nomogram applicable for the prediction of recurrence after prostatectomy in patients presenting with PSA levels of more than 20 ng/ml? A validation study.

Objective: We present an external validation study investigating the applicability of the preoperative Kattan nomogram for predicting recurrence after prostatectomy in a population of patients with serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels exceeding 20 ng/ml.

Materials: In the evaluation of clinical parameters pooled from a total of 191 patients presenting with PSA levels ranging between 20.1 and 100 ng/ml, the PSA-free survival rate 60 months after surgery was calculated according to Kattan nomograms.

Treatment of varicocele with reference to age: a retrospective comparison of three minimally invasive procedures.

Background: This study investigated whether the therapeutic efficacy and morbidity of three minimally invasive techniques for varicocele correction--laparoscopic varicocelectomy (LV), antegrade sclerotherapy (AS), and retrograde embolization (RE)--differed between children and adults.

Methods: During a 10-year period, 356 procedures for varicocele correction, including 122 cases of LV, 108 cases of AS, and 126 cases of RE, were performed for 314 patients at our institution. Of these patients, 223 were 19 years of age or younger (group 1), and 133 were older than 19 years (group 2).

[Gemcitabine and carboplatin chemotherapy in advanced transitional cell carcinoma in regard to patients with impaired renal function].

Purpose: The aim of this analysis is the evaluation of the activity and toxicity of gemcitabine and carboplatin in patients with advanced urothelial transitional carcinoma (TCC) with special regard to patients with impaired renal function.

Patients And Methods: 30 consecutive patients with metastatic TCC [mean age: 68 (range: 47 - 82) years, median ECOG-PS:1] were treated with gemcitabine (1000 mg/m (2) on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day schedule) and carboplatin (AUC 4.5 day 1).

[A benign abdominal schwannoma presenting as postrenal failure--a case report].

Background: Benign schwannomas are uncommon soft-tissue tumors in childhood. The occurrence of an abdominal schwannoma effecting an acute postrenal failure has not been reported thus far.

Patients: It is to describe the case of a 14-year-old male teenager who was admitted to our department because of inappetence and oedema in his face and on both feet.

[Coincidence of testicular germ cell tumor and sarcoidosis: A diagnostic challenge].

Several case reports and small case series have described a total of 66 patients with sarcoidosis and testicular cancer so far. This report describes three additional cases. We highlight the association of sarcoidosis and testicular cancer and comment on the potential impact of this connection on the interpretation of the radiological and pathological findings in suspected cancer relapse.

Penile entrapment in a plastic bottle - a case for using an oscillating splint saw.

Penile entrapment is a rare but serious urological emergency, which can easily lead to stangulation and infarction. We report a case of penile entrapment in a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle in a 49-year-old male. Attempts to cut the bottle with a scalpel or a glass saw were ineffective.

Body size and weight as predisposing factors in varicocele.

Objective: The literature regarding the constitutional type of children and adolescents with varicocele is inconsistent. The aim of this investigation was to examine a possible influence of weight, height and body mass index (BMI) on the formation of varicoceles during childhood and adolescence.

Material And Methods: In a retrospective data analysis, 193 Caucasian children and adolescents aged 9-19 years (mean age 14.

Laparoscopic surgery versus antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy: Retrospective comparison of two different approaches for varicocele treatment.

Objective: Both laparoscopic surgery and antegrade sclerotherapy are effective treatment options in the management of varicoceles. However, very limited data comparing these two approaches are available in the literature. We present our experience regarding outcome and complications with each treatment modality.

Is it possible to provide a prognosis after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer by means of a PSA regression model?

Background: For over 15 years, studies have been done to evaluate the elimination kinetics of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after radical prostatectomy. Even though evaluation of PSA regression in the two-compartment model has become established, no clear data are currently available as to whether a statement can be made with regard to tumor prognosis from a computation of the PSA half-life (PSA-HL). This study focuses on the determination of the PSA-HL in the two-compartment model and on its correlation with the biochemical recurrence-free survival.

[Silica-containing urinary stones--clinical issues to keep in mind].

Formation of calculi in efferent urinary passages is always due to supersaturation of urinary calculi substances and associated increased crystallization. Apart from the typical calculi, consisting of calcium oxalate, inorganic phosphates, uric acid or cystine, there are occasional signs of rare substance classes. Although more than 50 silicate stones have already been reported internationally, this stone entity remains relatively unknown.

Diagnostic value of tumour marker regression models in stage 1 marker-positive testicular cancer.

The decay pattern and half-life period evaluation of serum tumour markers are useful parameters in the management of testicular cancer in clinic stage 1. Alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin serum levels measured after orchiectomy can be used to predict the tumour stage. However, the optimal strategy for marker analysis after orchiectomy has not yet been defined.

[An unusual complication of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: rupture of the kidney with consecutive nephrectomy].

Introduction: Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) plays a major role in the treatment of urolithiasis. It has a high success rate, and spectrum and incidence of treatment-related morbidity are low.

Case Report: A 66-year-old male patient underwent ESWL treatment for an 8 mm medium-sized stone in the left kidney.

Our experience with 23 consecutive patients on gemcitabine/carboplatin chemotherapy for treatment of metastasized transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelium.

Aim: To evaluate the activity and toxicity of gemcitabine plus carboplatin in patients with metastatic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urothelium.

Methods: Twenty-three consecutive patients (from February 1999 to January 2002) with metastatic TCC and no prior chemotherapy were referred to our institution. Each patient was treated with gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) on Days 1 and 8 and carboplatin (area under curve, 4.

[Impact of immunochemotherapy on survival of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. A retrospective study comparing interferon-alpha-2a/vinblastine versus interferon-alpha-2a/interleukin-2/5-fluorouracil].

The prognosis for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains unsatisfactory to date. Combined immunochemotherapy (ICT) strives for a synergistic effect avoiding a substantial increase of therapy-related adverse events. The combination therapy regimes consisting of either interferon-alpha-2a/vinblastine (IFN-alpha2a/VBL) or interferon-alpha-2a/interleukin-2/5-fluorouracil (IFN-alpha2a/IL-2/5-FU) demonstrated objective remission rates, surpassing the results obtained with the administration of single immunotherapeutic agents.

Significance of the time period between diagnosis of muscle invasion and radical cystectomy with regard to the prognosis of transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelium in the bladder.

Objective: Standard treatment of muscle-infiltrated transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urothelium consists of radical cystectomy. In some cases there is a delay between the initial diagnosis and a definitive treatment being administered. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the time window between evidence of muscle invasion and radical cystectomy on the pathological stage and progression-free survival.

[Locally recurrent malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the kidney and spermatic cord].

Objective: In this study, 26 patients with locally recurrent malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the kidney and spermatic cord after initial R0 resection were reviewed with regard to therapeutic options and prognosis.

Patients And Methods: Based on a literature query in the PubMed database, we identified 24 cases with locally recurrent malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the kidney and spermatic cord after initial R0 resection. Two of our own patients were included and afterwards the entire patient group was analyzed with regard to the time period of the first local recurrence and the overall survival rate.