Beached plastic and other anthropogenic debris in the inner Seychelles islands: Results of a citizen science approach.

Masses of plastic and other anthropogenic debris on beaches of inner Seychelles and derived from 53 organised clean-ups have been analysed. Debris and plastic densities ranged from 0.0011 to 0.

Six-Month Prostate Cancer Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) Improves Urinary Function: A Randomized Trial.

This is a secondary analysis examining a six-month home-based Prostate Cancer-Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) on patient-reported urinary, bowel, sexual, and hormonal function in men with curative prostate cancer (PC) against standard of care. In a crossover clinical trial, 128 men scheduled for PC surgery (n = 62) or radiotherapy with/without hormones (n = 66) were randomized to PC-PEP (n = 66) or waitlist-control and received the standard of care for 6 months, and then PC-PEP to the end of the year. PC-PEP included daily emails with video instructions, aerobic and strength training, dietary guidance, stress management, and social support, with an initial PFMT nurse consultation.

A Comprehensive 6-mo Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program Decreases Psychological Distress Among Men Undergoing Curative Prostate Cancer Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Although survival rates for newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients are very high, most of them will likely suffer significant treatment-related side effects, depression, or anxiety, affecting their quality of life.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a 6-mo online home-based physical, mental, and social support intervention, the Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP), on preventing psychological distress among men undergoing curative prostate cancer treatment.

Design, Setting, And Participants: In a crossover randomized clinical trial of 128 men aged 50-82 yr scheduled for curative prostate cancer surgery or radiotherapy (± hormone treatment), 66 received the 6-mo PC-PEP intervention and 62 were randomized to a waitlist-control arm and received the standard of care for 6 mo, and then PC-PEP to the end of the year.

Personality Traits and Urinary Symptoms Are Associated with Mental Health Distress in Patients with a Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer.

Objective: With a prolonged natural history compared with many other cancers, prostate cancer patients have high rates of mental illness over the duration of their treatment. Here, we examine the relationship between personality and mental health distress in a sample of prostate cancer patients.

Methods: This study was conducted in the Canadian Maritime provinces, where a cohort of 189 men with prostate cancer were invited to complete a quality-of-life online survey between May 2017 and December 2019.

Current Mental Distress Among Men With a History of Radical Prostatectomy and Related Adverse Correlates.

Recent reviews and observational studies have reported that patients with prostate cancer (PCa) are at increased risk of mental health issues, which in turn negatively affects oncological outcomes. Here, we examine possible explanatory variables of mental distress in a population-based cohort of men who have undergone radical prostatectomy (RP). Data were derived from a Maritimes-Canada online survey assessing patient-reported quality of life outcomes between 2017 and 2019 administered to 136 men (47-88 years old, currently in a relationship) who have undergone RP for their PCa diagnosis.

An Examination of the Relationship between Mental Distress, Functional and Psychosocial Quality of Life Indicators in a Population Based Sample of Prostate Cancer Survivors Who Received Curative Treatment.

Introduction: Although survival rates are highest among prostate cancer survivors compared to any other forms of cancer, nearly 60% suffer from mental distress. Here we examine urinary function and psychosocial stressors and their association with poor mental health in a younger group of prostate cancer survivors who have undergone curative treatment.

Methods: The study includes 128 men (47 to 70 years old) who received active treatment for prostate cancer, and completed a survivorship online survey between 2017 and 2018.

Kidney transplantation in an adult patient with VACTERL association.

The vertebral, anal, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, renal, and limb birth defects (VACTERL) association is a rare, non-random constellation of congenital abnormalities among which urinary tract anomalies can be included. In the presence of these anomalies, patients are suspected to have a higher rate of renal failure than average. We report a case of a 22-year-old woman with VACTERL association and consequent end stage renal failure.

A classification tree for the prediction of benign versus malignant disease in patients with small renal masses.

Introduction: To develop a classification tree for the preoperative prediction of benign versus malignant disease in patients with small renal masses.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective study including 395 consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment for a renal mass < 5 cm in maximum diameter between July 1st 2001 and June 30th 2010. A classification tree to predict the risk of having a benign renal mass preoperatively was developed using recursive partitioning analysis for repeated measures outcomes.

The impact of vascular anastomosis time on early kidney transplant outcomes.

Background: Most studies have found cold ischemic time to be an important predictor of delayed graft function in kidney transplantation. Relatively less is known about the warm time associated with vascular anastomosis and early outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of 298 consecutive solitary deceased donor kidney recipients from January 2006 to August 2012 was analyzed to examine the association between anastomosis time and delayed graft function (need for dialysis) and length of hospital stay.

Intestinal type villous adenoma of the renal pelvis.

Intestinal type villous adenomas are uncommon in the genitourinary tract. Most reported cases have been located in the urinary bladder or urachus. Villous adenoma arising in the renal pelvis or ureter is very rare.

Blood transfusion in deceased donor kidney transplantation.

Background: Given the unpredictable timing of deceased donor organs and the need for blood transfusion, this study was carried out to determine the rate and risk factors for transfusion in order to identifying a low-risk cohort in the face of a critical blood shortage.

Methods: This retrospective chart review examined 306 consecutive deceased solitary kidney transplant recipients from January 2006 to August 2012.

Results: Records show that 80 (26.

Limits to intensified mycophenolate mofetil dosing in kidney transplantation.

Background: Studies have shown that achieving adequate exposure of mycophenolic acid (MPA) early post transplant is associated with less acute rejection in kidney recipients. Intensified dosing with the equivalent of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) 3 g daily in tacrolimus-treated patients has been shown to increase exposure however about 15% remain below the lower therapeutic threshold of MPA area under the curve (AUC) of 30 mg · hr⁻¹ · L⁻¹ early post transplant. A post hoc analysis of this study showed that a target MPA AUC >40 mg · hr⁻¹ · L⁻¹ was most effective.

Growth kinetics of renal masses: analysis of a prospective cohort of patients undergoing active surveillance.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) represents a treatment option for renal masses in patients who are not surgical candidates either because of existing comorbidities or patient choice. Among renal masses undergoing AS, some grow rapidly and require treatment or progress to metastatic disease. Patient and tumour characteristics related to this more aggressive behaviour have been poorly studied.

Multi-drug resistant E.coli urosepsis in physicians following transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies--three cases including one death.

Three male physicians underwent transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies for elevated prostate-specific antigen levels or irregular digital rectal exam findings. All three of these patients developed urosepsis secondary to multi-drug resistant organisms despite antibiotic prophylaxis. There are increasing reports of infectious complications following prostate biopsy caused by multi-drug resistant organisms.

Prevalence and prognostic factors for erectile dysfunction in renal transplant recipients.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) at our institution in the postrenal transplant population and to compare those patients who had ED with those who did not have ED, with respect to several patient characteristics.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of male renal transplant recipients who were in attendance at the transplant clinic from April 1, 2004, to March 31, 2006. Erectile function was evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function short form questionnaire.

Polymorphisms of multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) and cyclosporine absorption in de novo renal transplant patients.

Background: Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene may play a role in the interindividual variation of cyclosporine A (CsA) absorption in renal transplant patients.

Methods: An analysis of CsA absorption measured by the dose- and weight-adjusted 4 hr area under the time-concentration curve, AUC(0-4)/mg doseCsA/kg, was conducted on day 3 after transplantation, in 69 de novo renal transplant patients who were genotyped for MDR1 SNPs. Follow-up pharmacogenomic analysis at 1 month posttransplant was performed utilizing dose- and weight-adjusted 2-hour postdose CsA concentration (C2).

Renal angiosarcoma: a case report and literature review.

Purpose: In adults renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for over 85% of all diagnosed renal cancers. A much more rare and aggressive malignant tumor of the kidney is angiosarcoma (AS) with less than 25 cases described internationally. Both RCC and AS have similar radiological appearances and thus require histological evaluation for definitive diagnosis.

MDR1 C3435T polymorphisms correlate with cyclosporine levels in de novo renal recipients.

Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene correlate with the intestinal function of P-glycoprotein (PGP). PGP serves as a hydrophobic export pump that extrudes cyclosporine (CsA) across the luminal membrane thus preventing CsA absorption. These genetic variants may predict CsA exposure levels in the early posttransplantation period.

Polyoma virus-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in renal transplantation patient with polyoma virus nephropathy.

We report a biopsy proven case of hemorrhagic cystitis in a cadaveric renal transplant patient with hematuria. Because more and more polyoma virus infection is being diagnosed in kidney transplant recipients, clinicians should be aware that gross hematuria in a recent transplant recipient may represent polyoma virus-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.

Early recurrence of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in an older cadaveric renal allograft recipient resistant to plasmapheresis.

We report an unusual case of recurrent primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in an apparent low-risk cadaveric renal allograft recipient only 2 days after transplantation, who did not respond to repeated courses of plasmapheresis.

Superior outcomes in renal transplantation after early cyclosporine withdrawal and sirolimus maintenance therapy, regardless of baseline renal function.

Background: It has become increasingly important to refine therapeutic strategies according to individual patient characteristics. We evaluated the long-term impact of renal function at the time of withdrawing cyclosporine (CsA) in renal allograft recipients receiving sirolimus (SRL), CsA, and steroids (ST).

Methods: At 3 months+/-2 weeks, 430 of 525 patients were eligible to be randomized to remain on triple-therapy (SRL-CsA-ST, n=215) or to have CsA withdrawn (SRL-ST, n=215).

Impact of mycophenolate mofetil loading on drug exposure in the early posttransplant period.

Unlabelled: Achieving adequate therapeutic levels of immunosuppressive medications is important in rejection prevention. This study examined exposure to mycophenolic acid (MPA) in kidney transplant patients within the first 5 days posttransplantation.

Methods: This single-center, nonrandomized study of first solitary kidney allograft recipients receiving cyclosporine (n = 116) or tacrolimus (n = 50) included patients who received either 1 g or 1.

Treatment of hypercholesterolemia with ezetimibe in the kidney transplant population.

Background: Given the high incidence of lipid abnormalities, high burden of cardiovascular disease, and high proportion who do not achieve target levels despite therapy in the kidney transplant population, additional lipid lowering strategies are needed.

Methods: This was a nonrandomized, open-label, single-cohort evaluation of ezetimibe, a novel cholesterol absorption inhibitor, in 40 stable kidney transplant recipients with hypercholesterolemia.

Results: After 4 weeks of therapy total and LDL cholesterol were reduced by 23 +/- 13% (P < .

Does pretransplant obesity affect the outcome in kidney transplant recipients?

Unlabelled: The effect of obesity on renal transplant outcome remains unclear due to conflicting published studies. The purpose of this study was to assess whether obesity affects the outcome in renal transplant patients.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 33 obese (BMI >30; mean = 34.

Basiliximab lowers the cyclosporine therapeutic threshold in the early post-kidney transplant period.

Early adequate cyclosporine exposure has been shown to predict low acute rejection rate in kidney transplantation. The aim of this study is to determine the importance of exceeding the early cyclosporine therapeutic exposure threshold with basiliximab induction. A retrospective analysis of 166 first cadaveric and non-identical live donor transplant recipients treated with or without basiliximab induction, Neoral, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone, was performed.