Circling the drain: A systems analysis of opportunities for enhanced sewer self-purification technologies in wastewater management.

The shift of discussions on wastewater management to realize a circular water economy requires rethinking of how the existing systems are managed. The collection system, a physical infrastructure that collects and transports wastewater, is often overlooked in innovation studies in wastewater management. Hence, a review of the collection system is required to realize overlooked innovation points, especially those of its functions and configurations.

A synopsis of drugs currently in preclinical and early clinical development for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease among men and significantly impacts quality of life by causing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Current medical therapies are not always adequate in controlling LUTS or slowing disease progression, and there is unmet need for new effective therapeutic options.

Areas Covered: The authors review the standard current medical therapies for BPH which include the use of α-1 blockers, 5-α reductase inhibitors, combination therapy and PDE inhibitors.

Management of pelvic organ prolapse.

Symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse can afflict up to 10% of women. Urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction or difficulty possibly related to bladder outlet obstruction are common symptoms. Infrequently hydronephrosis or defecatory dysfunction can be seen.

Glassy cell carcinoma of the urethra.

Glassy cell carcinoma is a poorly differentiated form of adenosquamous carcinoma that has never been reported in the urinary tract. We present the first case of primary glassy cell carcinoma of the urethra in a 48-year-old woman. She presented with a newly developed bulky mass protruding from her urethra.

Outcomes related to placing an artificial urinary sphincter using a single-incision, transverse-scrotal technique in high-risk patients.

Objective: To determine, in a retrospective review, whether the single-incision technique for placing an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is as effective and as safe as the traditional two-incision approach in high-risk patients, as there have been questions about the efficacy and safety of a single incision, transverse-scrotal technique for placing the AUS.

Patients And Methods: From January 2000 to May 2006, 83 patients had an AUS placed using a single-incision, transverse-scrotal approach. Emphasis was put on placing the cuff around the proximal aspect of the bulbar urethra.

Natural history of biochemical progression after radical prostatectomy based on length of a positive margin.

Objectives: To assess the effect of length of positive margin on prognosis in men after radical prostatectomy.

Methods: The positive surgical margin without either seminal vesicle invasion or lymph node metastases was identified in 117 men undergoing prostatectomy between 1991 and 1999. The length of positive margin was obtained by adding together the lengths of all areas of the tumor in contact with the inked surface.

Recurrent urinary tract infections in women.

The financial, emotional, and personal costs of dealing with urinary tract infections are tremendous. However, these expenditures are multiplied when the infections become recurrent. The categorization, pathogenesis, and treatment strategies of recurrent urinary tract infections have developed significantly during the past 10 years.