Untargeted LC-HRMS applied to microcystin-producing cyanobacterial cultures for the evaluation of the efficiency of chlorine-based treatments commonly used for water potabilization.

Cyanobacteria in water supplies are considered an emerging threat, as some species produce toxic metabolites, cyanotoxins, of which the most widespread and well-studied are microcystins. Consumption of contaminated water is a common exposure route to cyanotoxins, making the study of cyanobacteria in drinking waters a priority to protect public health. In drinking water treatment plants, pre-oxidation with chlorinated compounds is widely employed to inhibit cyanobacterial growth, although concerns on its efficacy in reducing cyanotoxin content exists.

Improvement of Fluorescence Tools for Fast Monitoring of Freshwater Phytoplankton and Potentially Harmful Cyanobacteria.

The use of multi-wavelength spectrofluorometers for the fast detection of algal taxa, based on chlorophyll (Chl-) emission spectra, has become a common practice in freshwater water management, although concerns about their accuracy have been raised. Here, inter-laboratory comparisons using monoalgal cultures have been performed to assess the reliability of different spectrofluorometer models, alongside Chl- extraction methods. Higher Chl- concentrations were obtained when using the spectrofluorometers than extraction methods, likely due to the poor extraction efficiencies of solvents, highlighting that traditional extraction methods could underestimate algal or cyanobacterial biomass.

Receiver-Coil Location Detection in a Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer System for Electric Vehicle Charging.

Receiver position sensing is investigated in a dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) system for electric vehicle (EV) charging. Exploiting the peculiar behaviour of the resonator arrays input impedance, it is possible to identify the position of the receiver coil by exciting the first array resonator with a signal at a proper frequency and measuring the resulting current. An analytical expression of the input impedance of the resonator array coupled with the EV receiver coil placed in a generic position is provided; its sensitivity to different circuit parameters is also analysed.

Production of polyhydroxybutyrate by the cyanobacterium cf. Anabaena sp.

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production by the cyanobacterium cf. Anabaena sp. was here studied by varying the medium composition and the carbon source used to induce mixotrophic growth conditions.

Use of waste carbon dioxide and pre-treated liquid digestate from biogas process for Phaeodactylum tricornutum cultivation in photobioreactors and open ponds.

Phaeodactylum tricornutum is considered a promising source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), in particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). In this study, P. tricornutum cultivation using waste products from anaerobic digestion (i.

Lichen sclerosus: a review of literature and a case of an atypic surgical treatment.

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic immuno-mediated skin disease of the genital region in men and women. The treatment may be pharmacological or surgical, the choice depending on the extension of the involved area, the histological pattern and the level of functional disease complained by the patient. If the biopsy is negative for neoplastic degeneration the treatment may be pharmacological only.

Is antibiotic prophylaxis in invasive urodynamics a useful procedure in postmenopausal subjects?

OBJECTIVES. To define the incidence rate of urinary tract infections (UTI) and the usefulness of antibiotic prophylaxis in postmenopausal female undergoing invasive urodynamics (IU). METHODS.

Postoperative analgesia by epidural infusion of ropivacaine and fentanyl versus intravenous administration of morphine in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy: results of a prospective study.

Objectives: Radical prostatectomy is followed by postoperative pain, that can be linked to potential morbidity. Aim of this study is to compare efficacy of epidural infusion of ropivacaine and fentanyl versus intravenous administration of morphine in terms of reduction of pain and possible complications.

Materials And Methods: We have considered 73 consecutive patients who underwent a retropubic radical prostatectomy.

Massive hematuria after transurethral resection of the prostate: management by intra-arterial embolization.

A case of severe hemorrhage after TURP leading to hypovolemic shock and its successful management by superselective unilateral arterial embolization is described. The authors conclude that arterial embolization is a safe and effective procedure for severe prostatic hemorrhage that may be performed in selected cases when conservative means or fulguration of the prostatic fossa have failed to achieve the control of the bleeding. Adequate selection of the patients, correction of any underlying coagulation defects and a proper resection technique are surely the most important issues in preventing any postoperative bleeding.

Ultrastructural basis for the efficiency of an ileal orthotopic neobladder 27 years after surgery.

The morphological and functional basis of the excellent clinical outcome of ileal orthotopic neobladders are largely unknown. Only long-term follow-up studies will provide an adequate answer to this unsettled question. We have studied a patient who underwent this type of surgery over 27 years ago.

[Pelvic floor rehabilitation as treatment of female urinary incontinence. Our experience].

We refer herein on a simple program of rehabilitation that may be a first approach the treatment of, U.S.I.

Successful management of para-aortic lymphocyst with laparoscopic fenestration.

Para-aortic lymphocyst occasionally follows retroperitoneal para-aortic node dissection for neoplastic diseases. We present a case in which the leakage of chylous fluid and then a para-aortic lymphocyst followed right nephrectomy and para-aortic node dissection for kidney cancer. Our method of treatment utilized conservative management of chylous ascites and laparoscopic internal drainage of the retroperitoneal lymphocyst.

[Repair of vesicovaginal fistula by the Martius technique].

Vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) is still an unpleasant complication of female genital system surgery. We report the case of a 57-years-old woman undergone to neoadjuvant radiotherapy and afterwards abdomino-perineal resection who developed after one months a VVF.

Histological adaptation of orthotopic ileal neobladder mucosa: 4-year follow-up of 30 patients.

Objective: For 4 years we have monitored the histological evolution of ileal neobladders in a single cohort of 30 patients in order to systematically describe the histological changes occurring after surgery. The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term evolution of many histological parameters with functional relevance as to the metabolic outcome of the reservoirs.

Methods: Ileal samples were collected during surgery and by random biopsies during cystoscopy 6, 12, 18, 24, 36 and 48 months later.

Histomorphology of an ileal orthotopic neobladder: 24 Year's follow-up.

No morphological data are so far available about long-term (over 15 years) adaptation and outcome of ileal neobladders. In this single case report we have studied a 72-year-old man who underwent reconstruction of an ileal neobladder 24 years ago. The ileal epithelium shows changes toward a colonic aspect with villous atrophy and increased goblet cell number although, as in normal ileum, sialomucins are the most abundant secretory products.

[The use of early enteral nutrition (EEN) after major urologic surgery].

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of early enteral nutrition in management of patients operated by major urologic surgery and to demonstrate her advantages versus total parenteral nutrition.

Materials And Methods: 20 patients, operated by radical cystectomy and urinary diversion by ureteroileocutaneostomy, Padua ileal bladder or ureterosigmoidostomy are inserted in our study: 12 were treated by early enteral nutrition for 8 days and eight by total parenteral nutrition for the same period: in each group nutritional and immunological parameters at day -1, +3 and +7, the length of postoperatory stay, the incidence of complications, with particular respect for infections have been evaluated and correlated one to each other.

Results: We have no death in each group; in the first group no gastroenteric allergy to the nutrient, less incidence of venous catheter and surgical wound infections (respectively p < 0.

[Correlation between the leak point pressure and the clinical grade of incontinence].

We evaluated one-hundred and forty-six women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), mean age 61.5 years, with clinical examination, urodynamics and patient history, grading the subjective degree of SUI according to SEAPI QMM classification. SUI was grade 1 in 73 pts (mean LPP 107, 7 cmH2O, mean maximal urethral closure pressure 59, 13 cmH2O), grade 2 in 36 (mLPP 55, 4 cmH2O, mMUCP 50, 3 cmH2O), grade 3 in 37 (mLPP 32, 29 cmH2O, mMUCP 33, 76 cmH2O).

[Valsalva leak point-pressure (LPP) and maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI)].

One-hundred and twenty-two women with USI have been evaluated with clinical examination and urodynamics and divided in two groups: only in 74 patients with urinary loss during the Valsalva manoeuvre, LPP was compared to MUCP by linear regression analysis and its ability (cut-off = 60 cmH2O) to predict a MUCP < or = 20 cmH2O was tested. Weak correlations were observed between MUCP and LPP (r = 0.56).

[The mini-invasive surgery of stress urinary incontinence (SUI): the use of the Vesica kit].

From February 1996 to March 1997, we have performed with the Vesica system the percutaneous bladder neck suspension in 13 pts (group 1) and the vaginal wall sling in 7 pts (group 2). After a mean follow-up of 12 months for group 1, 10 patients (76.9%) were "dry", 1 pt "improved" and 2 "failed"; in the group 2 (mean follow-up of 5 months) 6 pts/7 were "dry".

[Gittes' pubovaginal suspension in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI)].

Since the 1993, a series of 22 women with stress urinary incontinence underwent bladder neck suspension, according to Gittes (pubovaginal suspension). No patients had preoperative detrusor instability or intrinsic sphincter dysfunction; 14 pts had a significant cystocele (II-III degree). We followed up 20 pts at 6 months: 9 pts (45%) were cured, 3 were significantly improved and 8 were not improved.

[Rouxel-Coadou method of ileal neobladder: clinico-functional considerations].

Twelve patients are submitted to orthotopic ileal neobladder, performed using staplers. The simplicity and speed of automatic stapling devices in the Rouxel-Coadou's surgical technique are reported. All patients underwent clinical and urodynamic evaluation at 3, 6, 12 months, after surgery (mean follow-up 6 months).

[Polyp fibroangioma of the ureter. Endoscopic treatment].

Fibroangiomatous polyps and its histological variants most often occur in the ureters of young adult. They may be multiple, and rarely occur in the renal pelvis. Microscopically, normal or hyperplastic urothelium cover loose, vascular, edematous, fibrous stroma that may be inflamed.

[Use of terazosin and alfuzosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH): our experience].

Dynamic and static factors cause infravesical obstruction in men with BPH. The dynamic component is determined by alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated contractions of the prostate smooth muscle and bladder neck. Using alpha-receptor-blockers will relieve bladder outlet obstruction, improving urinary flow rates and obstructive and irritative symptoms as well as the physician's global assessment.

[Use of glidewires in urology. Note on endourological technique].

In urology, the use of angiographic wires (glidewires) allows the anterograde, retrograde and "mixed" approach in obstructive and not obstructive uropathies stenting. The Authors reported a case of oligoanuria in a patient with progressing prostatic cancer resolved with endoscopical recanalization and secondary indwelling double-J ureteral stenting.

[Uroflowmetry in the assessment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia].

Uroflowmetry is the most physiologic and non invasive assessing method of lower urinary tract obstruction: it proves to bring objective evidence of the prostatic blockage degree. We performed 1094 urinary flow tests in 264 patients with BPH, suffering from voiding problems; 188 males had undergone surgical treatment and 86 medical therapy. These patients were examined again about 3 months after prostatectomy and about 3, 6, 9 months during pharmacologic treatment.