Whole-genome sequence of Pseudomonas sp. strain HOU2 isolated from dangshen (Codonopsis javanica) roots.

Objectives: This study aims to generate a de novo complete whole-genome assembly of Pseudomonas sp. strain HOU2, which is an endophytic bacterium isolated from dangshen roots that shows to improve the growth of in vitro dangshen plants. Further investigation of the whole genome of Pseudomonas sp.

Contributions beyond direct random-phase approximation in the binding energy of solid ethane, ethylene, and acetylene.

The random-phase approximation (RPA) includes a subset of higher than second-order correlation-energy contributions, but stays in the same complexity class as the second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) in both Gaussian-orbital and plane-wave codes. This makes RPA a promising ab initio electronic structure approach for the binding energies of molecular crystals. Still, some issues stand out in practical applications of RPA.

Assessment of random phase approximation and second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory for many-body interactions in solid ethane, ethylene, and acetylene.

The relative energies of different phases or polymorphs of molecular solids can be small, less than a kilojoule/mol. A reliable description of such energy differences requires high-quality treatment of electron correlations, typically beyond that achievable by routinely applicable density functional theory (DFT) approximations. At the same time, high-level wave function theory is currently too computationally expensive.

Cytologic persistence of malignant cells after transurethral resection of bladder tumors: Implications for concomitant manipulation of the urinary tract at the time of endoscopic resection.

Background: The current study was conducted to determine the feasibility of cytologically clearing the bladder of tumor cells after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and aggressive serial bladder washing.

Methods: A prospective pilot sample of 20 patients with known bladder masses was enrolled before undergoing TURBT. Preoperative cytology and 4 postoperative cytology specimens were assessed for malignant cells between serial bladder washes.

Endoscopic Management of Bladder Diverticula.

A 50-year-old man with benign prostatic hyperplasia and urinary retention had a very large diverticulum on the posterior wall of the bladder. The patient was managed with transurethral resection of the prostate and endoscopic fulguration of the bladder diverticulum mucosa using the Orandi technique. There was near-complete resolution of the bladder diverticulum following endoscopic management, obviating the need for bladder diverticulectomy.

Severe gangrene at the glans penis requiring penectomy as the first major complication of Buerger's disease.

We report an interesting case of Buerger's disease that manifested at the glans penis in a 56 year-old former smoker. Penile involvement in Buerger's disease is rare. Our patient had no prior extremity or digit amputations in his 4-year history of Buerger's disease.

Prospective Quality of Life in Men Choosing Active Surveillance Compared to Those Biopsied but not Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: Active surveillance is an important alternative to definitive therapy for men with low risk prostate cancer. However, the impact of active surveillance on health related quality of life compared to that in men without cancer remains unknown. In this study we evaluated health related quality of life outcomes in men on active surveillance compared to men followed after negative prostate needle biopsy.

Transperineal Template Guided Prostate Biopsy Selects Candidates for Active Surveillance--How Many Cores are Enough?

Purpose: Most prostate cancer active surveillance protocols recommend a confirmatory biopsy within 3 to 6 months of diagnosis. Transperineal template guided biopsy is an approach to improve the detection of high grade prostate cancer. However, to our knowledge the optimal technique is unknown.

Prospective quality-of-life outcomes for low-risk prostate cancer: Active surveillance versus radical prostatectomy.

Background: For patients with low-risk prostate cancer (PCa), active surveillance (AS) may produce oncologic outcomes comparable to those achieved with radical prostatectomy (RP). Health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) outcomes are important to consider, yet few studies have examined HRQoL among patients with PCa who were managed with AS. In this study, the authors compared longitudinal HRQoL in a prospective, racially diverse, and contemporary cohort of patients who underwent RP or AS for low-risk PCa.

The Impact of Multiple Prostate Needle Biopsies on Long-Term Erectile Dysfunction.

Introduction: The impact of transrectal ultrasound guided prostate needle biopsy on erectile dysfunction remains uncertain. We examined whether transrectal ultrasound guided prostate needle biopsy contributes to the development or worsening of erectile dysfunction as assessed by IIEF-5 scores in patients who underwent multiple prostate needle biopsies.

Methods: The study population consisted of 826 men who underwent transrectal ultrasound guided 10 to 12-core prostate needle biopsy for suspicion or surveillance of prostate cancer.

Modeling Management Strategies for Clinical Stage I Seminoma: Direct and Indirect Costs for the First 5 Years.

Introduction: Clinical stage I seminoma can be managed with surveillance, chemotherapy or radiotherapy with similar survival rates. However, costs and side effects vary among these treatment modalities. We created a model to estimate the direct and indirect costs during the first 5 years of treatment for the 3 treatment strategies.

Laparoscopic cryoablation for clinical stage T1 renal masses: long-term oncologic outcomes at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Objective: To report the long-term oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic cryoablation for clinical stage T1 renal masses at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed evaluating patients who underwent laparoscopic cryoablation for renal masses at the Medical College of Wisconsin between February 2000 and October 2009.

Results: A total of 171 renal masses in 144 patients were treated by laparoscopic cryoablation during the study period.

Immediate total parenteral nutrition after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion.

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to determine if administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) immediately following radical cystectomy and urinary diversion provides significant recovery benefit when compared to patients who did not receive TPN.

Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent open radical cystectomy and urinary diversion from February 2002 to June 2010. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts-those who received immediate postoperative TPN and those who did not.

V-Loc urethro-intestinal anastomosis during robotic cystectomy with orthotopic urinary diversion.

Introduction: Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is an emerging minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of invasive bladder cancer. The V-loc (Covidien, Mansfield, MA) suture is a unidirectional barbed suture that provides even distribution of tension. We determined the rate of urinary leak at the urethro-intestinal anastomosis following orthotopic neobladder construction performed with V-loc suture.

The effect of body mass index on the outcomes of varicocelectomy.

Purpose: Obesity is recognized as a potential contributor to male factor infertility. There are no studies to date to our knowledge that have examined the success of varicocelectomy in obese men. We determined if body mass index significantly affects the outcome of varicocelectomy.

Preoperative Valsalva voiding increases the risk of urinary retention after midurethral sling placement.

Introduction And Hypothesis: A subset of neurologically normal females void by efficient Valsalva, not detrusor contraction. We determined the incidence of urinary retention following midurethral sling (MUS) placement in women that void by detrusor contraction versus Valsalva.

Methods: Review of patients undergoing MUS insertion between 2002 and 2009 for urodynamic stress incontinence was performed.