Comparison of original and new South African formulae for age estimation in African Black and white children and adolescents using dental and hand-wrist methods.

Background: Methods for age estimation in children involve measurements of: (1) the projections of open apices and tooth heights (T), (2) the total area of the carpal bones and the epiphyses of the ulna and radius (HW), and (3) a combination of these parameters (THW). This study aimed to compare the accuracy of the original formulae for T, HW, and THW in Black South African (BSA) and White South African (WSA) samples of children and adolescents.

Materials And Methods: The sample comprised 556 subjects, 164 BSA (71 males and 93 females) and 392 WSA (171 males and 221 females) aged 6 to 16 years.

Assessing Micturition, sexual function, and endoscopic outcomes one year after Aquablation: a single center prospective study.

Introduction: Morphological changes in the prostatic urethra and bladder cavity resulting from Aquablation treatment are still unknown. This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of Aquablation within one-year post-surgery, focusing on both functional and endoscopic outcomes.

Methods: Prospective enrollment of patients undergoing Aquablation (10/2018-04/2023) included those with baseline International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥ 10, prostate volume from 40 to 80 mL, and Qmax ≤ 12 mL/s.

PSMA PET-targeted Biopsy for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: Initial Experience From a Multicenter Cohort.

Objective: To describe the initial experience with PSMA-PET/CT-guided biopsy in European referral centres.

Methods: This multicenter observational cohort study was endorsed by the Young Academic Urologist (YAU) Prostate Cancer Group of the EAU and conducted across 6 tertiary-level European centres. PSMA-guided biopsies were carried out in a cognitive/fusion manner for all the recruited patients with or without MRI-guided biopsies and/or standard biopsy (SB).

Reliability of a forensic odontology method for age-at-death estimation in adults: A Mexican case study.

This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of an age estimation method based on the pulp⁄tooth area ratio by assessing intra- and inter-examiner agreement across five observers at different intervals. Using the same X-ray device and technical parameters, 96 digital periapical X-ray images of upper and lower canines were obtained from 28 deceased people in Central America, whose age at death ranged from 19 to 49 years. Excellent and good agreement of results were achieved, and there were no statistically significant differences.

Urinary PSA-ZINC biomarker outperforms standard of care in early detection of prostate cancer.

Background: Urine is a promising biological fluid for prostate cancer (PCa) diagnostics due to its non-invasive collection and wide range of biomarkers. The aim of this study was to assess the role of urinary PSA (uPSA) and urinary Zinc (uZinc) as biomarkers for the diagnosis of PCa in combination with routine parameters of standard of care (SOC - blood PSA, abnormal DRE, age) and MRI in patients candidates for prostate biopsy.

Methods: Urine samples after prostatic massages were collected from men with suspected PCa scheduled for prostate biopsy.

Development and validation of a clinical decision support system based on PSA, microRNAs, and MRI for the detection of prostate cancer.

Objectives: The aims of this study are to develop and validate a clinical decision support system based on demographics, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), microRNA (miRNA), and MRI for the detection of prostate cancer (PCa) and clinical significant (cs) PCa, and to assess if this system performs better compared to MRI alone.

Methods: This retrospective, multicenter, observational study included 222 patients (mean age 66, range 46-75 years) who underwent prostate MRI, miRNA (let-7a-5p and miR-103a-3p) assessment, and biopsy. Monoparametric and multiparametric models including age, PSA, miRNA, and MRI outcome were trained on 65% of the data and then validated on the remaining 35% to predict both PCa (any Gleason grade [GG]) and csPCa (GG ≥ 2 vs GG = 1/negative).

Initial experience with robot-assisted ureteroscopy with Ily® Robot.

The aim of this study is to present the first Italian experience with robotic-assisted retrograde intrarenal surgery (rRIRS) using the Ily platform. Procedures were performed for renal stones using the Ily Robot (STERLAB, Vallauris, France), which is a ureteroscope holder with multiple degrees of freedom that can be controlled remotely through a wireless controller. In March 2023, consecutive patients with indications for rRIRS were included in the study.

The prognostic role of next-generation imaging-driven upstaging in newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients.

Purpose: Phase III evidence showed that next-generation imaging (NGI), such as prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT), provides higher diagnostic accuracy than bone scan and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (conventional imaging, CI) in the primary staging of intermediate-to-high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients. However, due to the lack of outcome data, the introduction of NGI in routine clinical practice is still debated. Analysing the oncological outcome of patients upstaged by NGI (though managed according to CI) might shed light on this issue, supporting the design of randomised trials comparing the effects of treatments delivered based on NGI vs.

Patient and Context Factors in the Adoption of Active Surveillance for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer.

Importance: Although active surveillance for patients with low-risk prostate cancer (LRPC) has been recommended for years, its adoption at the population level is often limited.

Objective: To make active surveillance available for patients with LRPC using a research framework and to compare patient characteristics and clinical outcomes between those who receive active surveillance vs radical treatments at diagnosis.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This population-based, prospective cohort study was designed by a large multidisciplinary group of specialists and patients' representatives.

Machine-Learning-Based Tool to Predict Target Prostate Biopsy Outcomes: An Internal Validation Study.

The aim of this study is to present a personalized predictive model (PPM) with a machine learning (ML) system that is able to identify and classify patients with suspected prostate cancer (PCa) following mpMRI. We extracted all the patients who underwent fusion biopsy (FB) from March 2014 to December 2019, while patients from August 2020 to April 2021 were included as a validation set. The proposed system was based on the following four ML methods: a fuzzy inference system (FIS), the support vector machine (SVM), k-nearest neighbors (KNN), and self-organizing maps (SOMs).

A Survey on forensic odontologists' activity in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Few information on virus contagion at the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic led to severe restrictions in the dental and forensic activity in Italy, the introduction of procedural guidelines and implementation of preventive measures. A specific survey on Italian forensic odontologists (FOds) activity was conducted to investigate the COVD-19 pandemic impact on daily practices, the preventive measures adopted to manage the risks of contagion procedures performed on living and dead people and the possible peculiar cases that required the intervention of a medical examiner. A total of 122 FOds answered, mostly males over 46 years coming from northern Italy.

A prospective randomized controlled trial comparing target prostate biopsy alone approach vs. target plus standard in naïve patients with positive mpMRI.

Background: In the era of mpMRI guided target fusion biopsy (FB), the role of concomitant standard biopsy (SB) in naïve patients still remains under scrutiny. The aim of this study was to compare the detection rate (DR) of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in biopsy naïve patients with positive mpMRI who underwent FB alone (Arm A) vs FB+SB (Arm B). Secondary objectives were to compare the incidence of complications, the overall PCa DR and the biopsy results with final pathological findings after robotic prostatectomy (RARP).

Third molar maturity index (I) assessment according to different geographical zones: a large multi-ethnic study sample.

Identification of living undocumented individuals highlights the need for accurate, precise, and reproducible age estimation methods, especially in those cases involving minors. However, when their country of origin is unknown, or it can be only roughly estimated, it is extremely difficult to apply assessment policies, procedures, and practices that are accurate and child-sensitive. The main aim of this research is to optimize the correct classification of adults and minors by establishing new cut-off values for four different continents (Africa, America, Asia, and Europe).

MRI/real-time ultrasound image fusion guided high-intensity focused ultrasound: a prospective comparative and functional analysis of different ablative techniques.

Background: The aim of this paper was to compare safety and functional outcomes of total, hemi and focal ablation by the latest focal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) device.

Methods: This is a prospective study including patients with low to intermediate-risk PCa treated with HIFU by Focal One device from 11/2018 to 3/2020. Before the treatment all patients underwent mp-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and subsequent MRI/transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) fusion and standard biopsy.

Technical note: Validity of a non-destructive device for opening dental arches in rigor mortis cadavers.

Forensic dental autopsy is a fundamental procedure for the study of a death under judicial investigation in the search for postmortem (PM) information that can be compared with the antemortem (AM) data available from the cadaver. One of the major difficulties in taking postmortem evidence is the opening of the mouth, limited in many cases by the phenomenon of cadaveric rigidity or rigor mortis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new device designed to facilitate the opening of the dental arches in rigor mortis corpses.

Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine in Italy: Brief State of the Art of the Principal Research Centers.

Regenerative medicine is the branch of medicine that effectively uses stem cell therapy and tissue engineering strategies to guide the healing or replacement of damaged tissues or organs. A crucial element is undoubtedly the biomaterial that guides biological events to restore tissue continuity. The polymers, natural or synthetic, find wide application thanks to their great adaptability.

Development of a novel nomogram to identify the candidate to extended pelvic lymph node dissection in patients who underwent mpMRI and target biopsy only.

Background: Nowadays a tool able to predict the risk of lymph-node invasion (LNI) in patients underwent target biopsy (TB) only before radical prostatectomy (RP) is still lacking. Our aim is to develop a model based on mp-MRI and target biopsy (TB) alone able to predict the risk of LNI.

Methods: We retrospectively extracted data of patients with preoperative positive mp-MRI and TB only who underwent RARP with ePLND from April 2014 to March 2020.

Age Assessment in Children and Adolescents by Measuring the Open Apices in Teeth: A New Sardinian Formula.

Age estimation in children is fundamental in both clinical and forensic fields. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Cameriere’s European and Italian formulae for age estimation in Sardinian children and adolescents, a genetically isolated population. A sample of 202 orthopantomograms of healthy Sardinian children and adolescents (100 females and 102 males) aged between 6 and 17 years was retrospectively evaluated.

New Ultra-minimally Invasive Surgical Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review and Analysis of Comparative Outcomes.

Context: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is diagnosed in up to 80% of men during their lifetime. Several novel ultra-minimally invasive surgical treatments (uMISTs) for BPH/benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) have become available over the past 5 yr.

Objective: To evaluate the perioperative and functional outcomes of recently introduced uMISTs for BPH/BPO, including Urolift, Rezūm, temporary implantable nitinol device, prostatic artery embolization (PAE), and intraprostatic injection.

Artificial intelligence for target prostate biopsy outcomes prediction the potential application of fuzzy logic.

Background: In current precision prostate cancer (PCa) surgery era the identification of the best patients candidate for prostate biopsy still remains an open issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the prostate target biopsy (TB) outcomes could be predicted by using artificial intelligence approach based on a set of clinical pre-biopsy.

Methods: Pre-biopsy characteristics in terms of PSA, PSA density, digital rectal examination (DRE), previous prostate biopsies, number of suspicious lesions at mp-MRI, lesion volume, lesion location, and Pi-Rads score were extracted from our prospectively maintained TB database from March 2014 to December 2019.

Comparison of the third molar maturity index (I) between left and right lower third molars to assess the age of majority: a multi-ethnic study sample.

The diagnostic accuracy of the I to assess the legal age of 18 years has already been tested in several specific-population samples. The left lower third molar has been extensively used for discriminating between minors and adults. This research aimed to compare the usefulness of lower third molar maturity indexes, from both left and right side (IL and IR), in samples originating from four distinct continents in order to examine possible differences in their accuracy values.

The real-time intraoperative guidance of the new HIFU Focal-One platform allows to minimize the perioperative adverse events in salvage setting.

Purpose: To assess the use of the new Focal-One HIFU platform in salvage setting to evaluate the occurrence of postoperative complications.

Methods: Patients who underwent salvage HIFU (sHIFU) with Focal-One platform were enrolled prospectively (Candiolo cancer institute-FPO IRCCS; registry number: 258/2018). Perioperative and postoperative outcomes (in terms of oncological and functional ones) were recorded during the first year of follow-up.

Study of the ethnicity's influence on the third molar maturity index (I) for estimating age of majority in living juveniles and young adults.

Estimation of age of majority has important applications in the forensic daily practice because of the increasing demand for age estimates of unaccompanied minors. Diagnostic accuracy of I to assess legal adult age of 18 years has been already tested in several specific population samples. The aim of this work was to compare the available data about sensitivity and specificity of the third molar maturity index (I) from five different regional groups' radiographic samples to study possible ethnical difference.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Single-plane Biparametric and Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Noninferiority Trial in Biopsy-naïve Men.

Background: Urological guidelines recommend multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in men with a suspicion of prostate cancer (PCa). The resulting increase in MRI demand might place health care systems under substantial stress.

Objective: To determine whether single-plane biparametric MRI (fast MRI) workup could represent an alternative to mpMRI in the detection of clinically significant (cs) PCa.