Functional outcomes after prostate cancer treatment: A comparison between single and multiple modalities.

Prostate cancer is a widely common and treatable disease, and functional outcomes can greatly affect survivor quality of life. A retrospective review of the SEER-Medicare database was performed to identify patients who underwent prostate cancer treatment between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2013 and review the rates of diagnosis and treatment of common functional side effects of surgery, radiation, or a combination of the 2 and perform a comparison of the outcomes. A total of 67,527 patients were included in the analysis.

Does significantly elevated lung shunt fraction (LSF >20%) promote extrahepatic progression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with radioembolization?

Purpose: Radioembolization with yttrium-90 (Y-90) is an effective locoregional therapy for primary and metastatic liver tumors, but its use is restricted or contraindicated for patients with elevated lung shunt fraction (LSF) because of an increased risk of developing pulmonary adverse events, including but not limited to radiation pneumonitis. Elevated LSF is also thought to be correlated with liver tumor progression and metastases.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we examine rates of metastasis development, rates of adverse events and overall survival (OS) in 23 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and elevated LSF >20% on Tc-99 m macroaggregated albumin scan treated with Y-90 radioembolization at our institution from 2005 to 2016.

Male Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment in the Era of In Vitro Fertilization and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection.

As assisted reproductive technologies use increases, the evaluation of male factor infertility has often become overlooked. However, male evaluation remains critically important, with benefits seen in overall health, as well as in natural and assisted pregnancy and birth rates. A comprehensive assessment of the male partner should be offered to all couples seeking infertility care.

Fast two-photon imaging of subcellular voltage dynamics in neuronal tissue with genetically encoded indicators.

Monitoring voltage dynamics in defined neurons deep in the brain is critical for unraveling the function of neuronal circuits but is challenging due to the limited performance of existing tools. In particular, while genetically encoded voltage indicators have shown promise for optical detection of voltage transients, many indicators exhibit low sensitivity when imaged under two-photon illumination. Previous studies thus fell short of visualizing voltage dynamics in individual neurons in single trials.

Beyond testosterone cypionate: evidence behind the use of nandrolone in male health and wellness.

Characterized by low serum testosterone levels and diverse symptoms, male hypogonadism is a common condition. Current medical treatment focuses on testosterone supplementation using multiple modalities such as injections, gels and pellets. Interestingly, while testosterone is considered an anabolic androgenic steroid, it has not been saddled with the social stigma that other, similar medications have.

Performance of robotic simulated skills tasks is positively associated with clinical robotic surgical performance.

Objective: To compare user performance of four fundamental inanimate robotic skills tasks (FIRST) as well as eight da Vinci Skills Simulator (dVSS) virtual reality tasks with intra-operative performance (concurrent validity) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and to show that a positive correlation exists between simulation and intra-operative performance.

Materials And Methods: A total of 21 urological surgeons with varying robotic experience were enrolled. Demographics were captured using a standardized questionnaire.

Multi-Institutional Validation of Fundamental Inanimate Robotic Skills Tasks.

Purpose: Our group has previously reported the development and validation of FIRST (Fundamental Inanimate Robotic Skills Tasks), a series of 4 inanimate robotic skills tasks. Expanding on the initial validation, we now report face, content and construct validity of FIRST in a large multi-institutional cohort of experts and trainees.

Materials And Methods: A total of 96 residents, fellows and attending surgeons completed the FIRST exercises at participating institutions.

Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave as a Novel Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction.

The paradigm of erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment was fundamentally altered following the introduction of oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. Unfortunately, a significant number of men exhibit a suboptimal response and require additional management strategies. One of the novel, minimally invasive strategies being developed is low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy.

External validation of Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS).

Background: We demonstrate the construct validity, reliability, and utility of Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS), a clinical assessment tool designed to measure robotic technical skills, in an independent cohort using an in vivo animal training model.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional observational study design, 47 voluntary participants were categorized as experts (>30 robotic cases completed as primary surgeon) or trainees. The trainee group was further divided into intermediates (≥5 but ≤30 cases) or novices (<5 cases).

Current state of practice regarding testosterone supplementation therapy in men with prostate cancer.

Hypogonadal men are characterized by low serum testosterone and symptoms of low energy, decreased libido, and muscle mass as well as impaired concentration and sexual functioning. Men with prostate cancer (PCa) currently on active surveillance or post-therapy, have traditionally been excluded from management paradigms given the decade-old concern that testosterone caused PCa growth. However, there appears to be little or no relationship between serum testosterone concentration and PCa.