Gustave Roussy Immune score as a prognostic biomarker in patients with platinum-refractory metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab: YUSHIMA study.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the Gustave Roussy Immune score (GRIm-score) in platinum-refractory metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) treated with pembrolizumab.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study (YUSHIMA study) evaluated 331 patients with metastatic UC treated with pembrolizumab after platinum-based chemotherapy between January 2018 and June 2023 at 13 institutions. We collected pretreatment variables, including the GRIm-score based on serum albumin, lactate dehydrogenase, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio.

Risk factors for the long-term persistent genitourinary toxicity after stereotactic body radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer: A single-center, retrospective study of 306 patients.

Objectives: To identify risk factors for the long-term persistent genitourinary toxicity (GUT) after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for localized prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: A total of 306 patients who underwent SBRT at our institution between March 2017 and April 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. SBRT was performed at 35 Gy in five fractions over 5 or 10 days.

Delayed centrifugation weakens the in vitro biological properties of platelet-rich fibrin membranes.

Objective: To investigate how delayed blood centrifugation affects the composition of the resultant platelet rich fibrin membrane (PRF, a concentrated growth factor preparation) and its biological effects towards gingival fibroblasts.

Materials And Methods: Blood samples were collected from 18 healthy individuals and centrifuged immediately (T-0), or after a 1-6-minute delay (T-1-6, respectively), to generate PRF. Each PRF membrane was weighed.

Superior detection of significant prostate cancer by transperineal prostate biopsy using MRI-transrectal ultrasound fusion image guidance over cognitive registration.

Background: The BioJet system allows the fusion of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images with real-time transrectal ultrasonography to accurately direct biopsy needles to the target lesions. To date, the superiority of targeted biopsy using the BioJet system over cognitive registration remains unknown.

Methods: This retrospective study included 171 biopsy-naïve men with elevated prostate-specific antigen (2.

Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score and Sarcopenia as Mutually Independent Prognostic Biomarkers in Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma.

Background: While the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score and sarcopenia are objective indices of different aspects of a patient’s general condition, few studies have comprehensively examined their mutual relationship in patients with advanced cancer. Methods: This retrospective study included 200 Japanese patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC). Sarcopenia was diagnosed using Prado’s definition.

Gingival epithelial cell-derived microvesicles activate mineralization in gingival fibroblasts.

Soft tissue calcification occurs in many parts of the body, including the gingival tissue. Epithelial cell-derived MVs can control many functions in fibroblasts but their role in regulating mineralization has not been explored. We hypothesized that microvesicles (MVs) derived from gingival epithelial cells could regulate calcification of gingival fibroblast cultures in osteogenic environment.

Adverse Prognostic Impact of Diagnostic Ureterorenoscopy in a Subset of Patients with High-Risk Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Treated with Radical Nephroureterectomy.

Background: We hypothesized that diagnostic ureterorenoscopy (URS) may adversely affect prognosis in a subset of patients with high-risk upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) undergoing radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Methods: The present retrospective study included 143 patients with UTUC treated between 2010 and 2021 at two tertiary care hospitals, of whom 79 received URS prior to RNU. Subgroups were stratified by clinicopathological variables relevant to prognosis.

Preoperative models incorporating the systemic immune-inflammation index for predicting prognosis and muscle invasion in patients with non-metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Objective: To develop preoperative models as a guide to indications for neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and regional lymph node dissection (LND) before and at radical nephroureterectomy (RNU), respectively, in patients with non-metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) by incorporating the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII).

Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 103 consecutive patients with UTUC undergoing RNU. The SII was calculated as neutrophils × platelets / lymphocytes.

Impact of Serum γ-Glutamyltransferase on Overall Survival in Men with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Treated with Docetaxel.

Background: Reports on the prognostic significance of serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) are limited. In addition, GGT expression status in cancer tissues has not been well characterized regardless of cancer types.

Methods: This retrospective study included 107 consecutive men with mCRPC receiving docetaxel therapy.

Prognostic significance of the controlling nutritional status score in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma diagnosed before an era of first-line immune-oncology combination therapies.

Objective: To explore the prognostic role of the controlling nutritional status score in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 107 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who received their diagnosis between 2007 and 2018 and were treated with or without a first-line interferon or tyrosine kinase inhibitor at a single cancer center. The controlling nutritional status score was based on values for albumin, lymphocyte count and total cholesterol at the metastatic renal cell carcinoma diagnosis.

Novel anatomical apical dissection utilizing puboprostatic "open-collar" technique: Impact on apical surgical margin and early continence recovery.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of modifications to anatomical apical dissection including a puboprostatic open-collar technique, which visualizes the lateral aspect of the apex and dorsal vein complex (DVC) covering the rhabdosphincter while preserving the puboprostatic collar, on positive surgical margin (PSM) and continence recovery.

Methods: One-hundred-and-sixty-seven patients underwent gasless single-port retroperitoneoscopic radical prostatectomy using a three-dimensional head-mounted display system. Sequentially modified surgical techniques comprised puboprostatic open-collar technique, sutureless transection of the DVC, retrograde urethral dissection, and anterior reconstruction.

The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score is a Prognostic Biomarker in Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma Patients Treated with First-Line Platinum-Based Chemotherapy.

Background: The controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score is an objective indicator of general condition from the aspect of nutritional status, calculated from serum albumin, total cholesterol, and total lymphocyte count. The CONUT score is also considered to reflect the degree of tumor-derived chronic inflammation and the host immune status in patients with advanced cancer.

Objective: To examine the prognostic role of the CONUT score in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC) treated with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.

Gelatin Methacryloyl-Riboflavin (GelMA-RF) Hydrogels for Bone Regeneration.

Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) is a versatile biomaterial that has been used in various biomedical fields. UV light is commonly used to photocrosslink such materials; however, its use has raised several biosafety concerns. We investigated the mechanical and biological properties of a visible-wavelength (VW)-light-crosslinked gelatin-based hydrogel to evaluate its viability as a scaffold for bone regeneration in bone-destructive disease treatment.

[IMPACT OF MEMBRANOUS URETHRAL LENGTH IN DE NOVO STRESS URINARY INCONTINENCE FOLLOWING HOLMIUM LASER ENUCLEATION OF THE PROSTATE].

(Purpose) Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is widely performed in recent years; however, difficulties of surgical techniques and high frequency of postoperative stress urinary incontinence (SUI) remain as significant problems. We determined the predictive factors for de novo SUI after HoLEP. (Patients and methods) A total of 303 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia who underwent HoLEP were retrospectively evaluated between July 2013 and April 2019.

Impact of Bladder Neck Involvement on Recurrence in Patients With Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer: An Analysis Based on a Time-dependent Model.

Background: Tumor location in bladder neck has reported to be a prognostic factor for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). We investigated the impact of bladder neck involvement (BNI) on recurrence in NMIBC using time-dependent covariate analysis.

Patients And Methods: We enrolled 585 Japanese patients who underwent transurethral resection for bladder tumors at a single center from 2000 to 2016 and were pathologically diagnosed with Ta and T1 NMIBC.

Age-related changes of CD4 T cell migration and cytokine expression in germ-free and SPF mice periodontium.

Objective: Increasing age is a potential risk factor for periodontal tissue breakdown, which may be affected by commensal flora. The aim of this study evaluated age-related changes in CD4 T cells, C-C chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5), interleukin (IL)-17A, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) expression using germ-free (GF) and conventionally reared (SPF) mice.

Design: GF and SPF mice at 8 (n = 6/group) and 22 weeks old (n = 6/group) were used.

Rheological approach for determining yield stresses in flowable resin composites prior to setting.

The purpose of this study is to develop a method for quantifying the fluidity of flowable resin composites using determinations of yield stress. Five commercially available composites (AliteFlo LV, Flow-it ALC, Venus flow, Tetric N-flow, Revolution Formula2) were investigated. Yield stress values were obtained by plotting shear stresses for a range of shear rates, followed by fitting of Casson fluid models to flow curve data and extrapolation to the stress axis.

DWI as an Imaging Biomarker for Bladder Cancer.

Objective: DWI has been increasingly applied in the management of bladder cancer. In this article, we discuss the role of DWI as an imaging biomarker for bladder cancer.

Conclusion: The DWI signal is derived from the motion of water molecules, which represents the physiologic characteristics of the tissue of interest.

Serum Amyloid A Promotes E-Selectin Expression via Toll-Like Receptor 2 in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the periodontium. Recent studies suggest an association between periodontal and cardiovascular diseases. However, the detailed molecular mechanism is unknown.

Predictive risk factors of postoperative urinary incontinence following holmium laser enucleation of the prostate during the initial learning period.

Purpose: To determine the predictive factors for postoperative urinary incontinence (UI) following holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) during the initial learning period.

Patients And Methods: We evaluated 127 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia who underwent HoLEP between January 2011 and December 2013. We recorded clinical variables, including blood loss, serum prostate-specific antigen levels, and the presence or absence of UI.

Adhesion Properties of Human Oral Epithelial-Derived Cells to Zirconia.

Background: Few studies have examined epithelial attachment to zirconia and the proliferative ability of epithelial cells on zirconia surfaces.

Purpose: To evaluate the adhesion properties of zirconia materials for epithelial cell attachment and compare this with titanium and alumina.

Materials And Methods: Human oral epithelial cells were cultured on smooth-surfaced specimens of commercially pure titanium (cpTi), ceria-stabilized zirconia/alumina nano-composite (P-NANOZR), yttria-stabilized zirconia (Cercon), and alumina oxide (inCoris AL).

High Ki-67 Expression Predicts Favorable Survival in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Patients Treated With Chemoradiation-Based Bladder-Sparing Protocol.

Purpose: To evaluate associations of Ki-67 expression with oncologic outcomes in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT)-based bladder-sparing protocol.

Materials And Methods: Between 1998 and 2011, 190 consecutive MIBC patients were treated with CRT-based bladder-sparing protocol. After transurethral resection of the bladder tumor, the patients underwent induction CRT (40 Gy with concurrent cisplatin) followed by partial cystectomy for bladder preservation or radical cystectomy (RC).