Optimality and cooperativity in superselective surface binding by multivalent DNA nanostars.

Weak multivalent interactions govern a large variety of biological processes like cell-cell adhesion and virus-host interactions. These systems distinguish sharply between surfaces based on receptor density, known as superselectivity. Present experimental studies typically involve tens or hundreds of interactions, resulting in a high entropic contribution leading to high selectivities.

Online decision aid for patients with prostate cancer evaluated by 11 290 patients and 91 urologists in Germany.

Objective: To evaluate the nationwide online decision aid 'Entscheidungshilfe Prostatakrebs' (established in 2016, >11.000 users and 60 new users/week) for patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer (PCa), from the perspective of patients and urologists.

Patients And Methods: To provide personalised information, the tool collects most of the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement standard set, personal preferences, psychological features, and a validated rating of the tool.

Encephalopsin (OPN3) is required for normal refractive development and the GO/GROW response to induced myopia.

Purpose: Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common form of refractive error and is increasing in prevalence. While significant efforts have been made to identify genetic variants that predispose individuals to myopia, these variants are believed to account for only a small portion of the myopia prevalence, leading to a feedback theory of emmetropization, which depends on the active perception of environmental visual cues. Consequently, there has been renewed interest in studying myopia in the context of light perception, beginning with the opsin family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs).

[Are there benefits for catheter valves for catheter-associated quality of life? : Results of an investigation in 427 catheter wearers with life-long indication].

Background: In urology, a subset of patients with lifelong urine drainage are fitted with a catheter valve. Data on catheter-related quality of life (crqol) in this subset of patients are missing.

Aim: Clarification of the whether there are advantages for valve-aided catheters in comparison with continuous urine drainage in catheter wearers with a lifelong indication.

[Comparison of catheter-associated quality of life in external urinary diversion: nephrostomy vs. suprapubic catheter].

Introduction: A percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) affects the integrity of the patient due to the requirement of an external drainage bag and regular changes. The catheter-associated quality of life (QOL) was evaluated using a validated assessment and compared to similar patients with suprapubic bladder drainage.

Methods: A validated assessment analyzing catheter-related QOL for 5 domains and 25 individual items (first published by Mary Wilde) was completed during a catheter change appointment by patients who had their unilateral or bilateral PCN for a minimum of 3 months in life-long indication.

[Guidelines for consultations regarding incontinence care products].

An investigation of the German consumer organisation "Stiftung Warentest" in 2017 confirmed significant deficiencies in the information, advice and supply of incontinence care products received by urinary incontinence patients. The German Society of Urology (DGU) thereupon drafted and later published guidelines concerning the consultation of patients in the context of incontinence care. Important aspects of the consultation process include the determination of the type of incontinence as well as its severity, clinical examination, and advice regarding possible curative treatments.

[Quality of life for wearers of a suprapubic or transurethral bladder catheter as lifelong permanent care].

Background: The insertion of a Foley catheter (FC) or a suprapubic catheter (SPC) in lifelong intent is an intervention with significant complications, comorbidities and impact on the further life that has not yet been analyzed.

Methodology: The analysis was based on a validated assessment of catheter-related QoL with 25 items in 5 domains and applied to patients with a Foley or suprapubic catheter in lifelong indication and with the catheter in place for at least 3 months. Assessment data were enriched with information on the type and diameter of the catheter as well as demographic data.

Direct visualization of superselective colloid-surface binding mediated by multivalent interactions.

Reliably distinguishing between cells based on minute differences in receptor density is crucial for cell-cell or virus-cell recognition, the initiation of signal transduction, and selective targeting in directed drug delivery. Such sharp differentiation between different surfaces based on their receptor density can only be achieved by multivalent interactions. Several theoretical and experimental works have contributed to our understanding of this "superselectivity.

Violet-light suppression of thermogenesis by opsin 5 hypothalamic neurons.

The opsin family of G-protein-coupled receptors are used as light detectors in animals. Opsin 5 (also known as neuropsin or OPN5) is a highly conserved opsin that is sensitive to visible violet light. In mice, OPN5 is a known photoreceptor in the retina and skin but is also expressed in the hypothalamic preoptic area (POA).

Crx-L253X Mutation Produces Dominant Photoreceptor Defects in TVRM65 Mice.

Purpose: The cone-rod homeobox (CRX) transcription factor is essential for photoreceptor gene expression, differentiation, and survival. Human CRX mutations can cause dominant retinopathies of varying onset and phenotype severity. In animal models, dominant frameshift Crx mutations introduce a premature termination codon (PTC), producing inactive truncated proteins that interfere with normal CRX function.

[1-(11)C]acetate uptake is not increased in renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of [1-(11)C]acetate (AC) as a metabolic tracer for renal cell cancer in human subjects.

Methods: Twenty-one patients with suspected kidney tumours were investigated with AC and dynamic PET. AC uptake was scored on a five-step scale.

Vaccination of hormone-refractory prostate cancer patients with peptide cocktail-loaded dendritic cells: results of a phase I clinical trial.

Background: Immunotherapies might represent promising alternatives for the treatment of patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). In a Phase I clinical trial, we evaluated a vaccination with dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with a cocktail consisting of HLA-A*0201-restricted peptides derived from five different prostate cancer-associated antigens [prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), survivin, prostein, transient receptor potential p8 (trp-p8)].

Methods: Eight HRPC patients received a total of four vaccinations every other week.

Quantification of disseminated tumor cells in the bloodstream of patients with hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Only very limited data are available on the presence of circulating tumor cells during cytotoxic chemotherapy for hormone-refractory prostate cancer. We analyzed 241 blood samples from 32 patients with hormone-refractory PCa under a chemotherapy schedule. The etoposide, estramustine phosphate and paclitaxel scheme as well as the mitoxantrone and prednisone schedule were used to treat patients with advanced prostate cancer.

[Intratesticular cysts in infancy - case report and review of the literature].

Introduction: Intratesticular cysts in neonates and infants are rare findings compared to other cystic lesions of the testes and can be diagnosed by high-power ultrasonography. In contrast to simple epithelial cysts seen in adults, which are usually small and incidental findings, intratesticular cysts in infants are often diagnosed because of an increase in scrotal size.

Case Report: We report the case of a 6-month-old child with painless swelling of the right scrotum and the ultrasonographic finding of an intratesticular cyst.

Isolation and enrichment of urologic tumor cells in blood samples by a semi-automated CD45 depletion autoMACS protocol.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of an enrichment protocol for the detection of circulating carcinoma cells in the bloodstream of patients with various urologic cancers. Using 16-ml peripheral blood samples (BS) the mononuclear cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation. The CD45 leukocyte depletion method based on a previous study was slightly modified and semi-automated by an immunomagnetic cell separation unit (autoMACS).

Bladder wall thickness in normal adults and men with mild lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic enlargement.

There is evidence that increased bladder wall thickness can be a useful parameter in the evaluation of men with clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, normal values for bladder wall thickness (BWT) in adults have not been established. BWT was measured by suprapubic ultrasonography.