Materials-based incidence of urinary catheter associated urinary tract infections and the causative micro-organisms: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Both long (> 30 days) and short-term (≤ 30 days) catheterisation has been associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to the invasive nature of device insertion through the urethra. Catheter associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) are common (prevalence of ~ 8.5%) infections which can be treated with antibiotics; however, CAUTIs are both expensive to treat and contributes to the antibiotic usage crisis.

The Use of CD200 in the Differential Diagnosis of B-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders.

B-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders (B-LPDs) are a group of heterogenous disorders characterised by the accumulation of B-cells in peripheral blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes and spleen. They have a variable disease course and outcome and many share similar features making differential diagnosis challenging. Therefore, accurate diagnosis is fundamental in particular for determining treatment options.

Selective biomarkers for inflammation and infection are associated with post-operative complications following transperineal template prostate biopsy (TTPB): a single-centre observational clinical pilot-study.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are the most common prostate disorders in the UK, which cause considerable ill health in older men. Transperineal template prostate biopsy (TTPB) has emerged as a reliable procedure for the histopathological diagnosis of PCa and BPH due to its higher cancer detection rates. Although antiseptic preparation and antibiotic prophylaxis are used to ensure safety in patients undergoing surgical intervention, post-operative complications, such as infection and bleeding are still unavoidable, resulting in re-admissions, with resource implications.

Pre- and peri-operative clinical information, physiological observations and outcome measures following flexible ureterorenoscopy (FURS), for the treatment of kidney stones. A single-centre observational clinical pilot-study in 51 patients.

Background: Kidney stone disease contributes to a significant proportion of routine urological practice and remains a common cause of worldwide morbidity. The main aim of this clinical-pilot study was to investigate the effect of flexible ureterorenoscopy (FURS) on pre- and peri-operative clinical information, physiological observations and outcome measures.

Methods: Included were 51 patients (31 males, 20 females), who underwent elective FURS, for the treatment of kidney stones.

Optimisation and validation of immunohistochemistry protocols for cancer research.

Background: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has become a valuable laboratory technique for diagnosing, evaluating metastasis and informing treatment selection in several cancers. Standardization however remains a limiting factor in IHC. The main aim of this research study was to optimise, validate and standardize antibodies and IHC protocols for cancer research.

The role of phagocytic leukocytes following flexible ureterenoscopy, for the treatment of kidney stones: an observational, clinical pilots-study.

Background: The number of patients undergoing flexible ureterenoscopy (FURS) for the treatment of kidney stones (renal calculi) is increasing annually, and as such the development of post-operative complications, such as acute kidney injury (AKI), haematuria and infection is likely to increase. Phagocytic leukocytes are white blood cells that help fight foreign material such as bacteria and viruses, and they are intrinsically involved in the inflammatory reaction. Investigating the role of phagocytic leukocytes following FURS has not been widely researched.

The role of antibody expression and their association with bladder cancer recurrence: a single-centre prospective clinical-pilot study in 35 patients.

Background: Bladder cancer (BC) is the 10th most common cancer in the UK, with about 10,000 new cases annually. About 75-85% of BC are non-muscle invasive (NMIBC), which is associated with high recurrence and progression rates (50-60% within 7-10 years). There are no routine biomarkers currently available for identifying BC patients at increased risk of developing recurrence.

The role of specific biomarkers, as predictors of post-operative complications following flexible ureterorenoscopy (FURS), for the treatment of kidney stones: a single-centre observational clinical pilot-study in 37 patients.

Background: The number of patients diagnosed and subsequently treated for kidney stones is increasing, and as such the number of post-operative complications is likely to increase. At present, little is known about the role of specific biomarkers, following flexible ureterorenoscopy (FURS) for the surgical treatment of kidney stones. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the role of kidney and infection biomarkers, in patients undergoing FURS.

A pilot study evaluating changes to haematological and biochemical tests after Flexible Ureterorenoscopy for the treatment of kidney stones.

Background: Currently there is limited research documenting the changes in blood parameters, following Flexible Ureterorenoscopy. This study aims to determine whether there are any changes in haematology and biochemistry parameters, following Flexible Ureterorenoscopy for the treatment of kidney stones.

Methods: 40 consecutive patients aged between 27-87 years (median 49 years) undergoing Flexible Ureterorenoscopy for the treatment of kidney stones were recruited (26 male, 14 female).

A Pilot Study to Evaluate Haemostatic Function, following Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL) for the Treatment of Solitary Kidney Stones.

Purpose: The number of patients undergoing shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) in the UK for solitary unilateral kidney stones is increasing annually. The development of postoperative complications such as haematuria and sepsis following SWL is likely to increase. Comparing a range of biological markers with the aim of monitoring or predicting postoperative complications following SWL has not been extensively researched.