Caffeinated chewing gum improves the batting and pitching performance of female softball players: a randomized crossover study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeinated chewing gum on female softball pitching and hitting performance in trained female softball fielders and pitchers.

Methods: Twenty-four trained female softball players (10 pitchers and 14 fielders) were divided into a caffeine chewing gum trial (CAF) or a placebo trial (PLA) in a single-blind, randomized, crossover experimental design. Two pieces of gum containing 100 mg of caffeine (CAF) or without caffeine (PLA) were chewed for 10 minutes and then spit out, followed by a 15-minute warm-up.

Comparisons of cancer detection rate and complications between transrectal and transperineal prostate biopsy approaches - a single center preliminary study.

Background: Prostate biopsy remains the gold standard approach to verify prostate cancer diagnosis. Transrectal (TR) biopsy is a regular modality, while transperineal (TP) biopsy is an alternative for the patients who display persistently high levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and thus have to undergo repeat biopsy. This study aimed to compare the cancer detection rates between TR and TP approaches and assess the post-bioptic complications of the two procedures.

Efficacy of Hydroxychloroquine in Hand Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Objective: To determine the symptom-modifying effect of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in hand osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial, patients with symptomatic hand OA received either HCQ 400 mg once a day or placebo during 24 weeks. The primary outcome was change of pain measured on a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) at 24 weeks.

Determine of the optimal number of cycles of docetaxel in the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

To determine the optimal number of cycles of docetaxel for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, we retrospectively collected 73 patients receiving varying numbers of docetaxel plus prednisolone and analyzed the clinical outcomes including overall survival, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, and adverse events. The study included 33 patients receiving ≤ 10 cycles of docetaxel and 40 patients receiving > 10 cycles. Patients receiving > 10 cycles were younger than those who received ≤ 10 cycles.

Subclassification of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma by the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) improves prediction of oncological outcome.

Objective: To examine the potential role of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for subclassification of localised upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT-UC).

Patients And Methods: From 2004 to 2010, 234 patients with localised UUT-UC underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). NLRs were only obtained under afebrile conditions before RNU.

Clinical Characteristics of Endogenous Cushing's Syndrome at a Medical Center in Southern Taiwan.

From January 1987 to December 2011, over a total of 25 years, 84 patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) were identified at a medical center in southern Taiwan. We observed a higher incidence of ACTH-independent CS (75%) than ACTH-dependent CS (25%). A higher incidence of adrenocortical adenoma (58.

High-intensity diode laser in combination with bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate: a new strategy for the treatment of large prostates (>80 ml).

Background And Objective: The ideal treatment of large prostates with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) remains controversial. We compare the efficacy and safety of monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with high-intensity diode laser in combination with bipolar TURP (DL + b-TURP) in the treatment of large prostates.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to BPH with prostates larger than 80 ml, undergoing monopolar TURP (n = 36) or DL + b-TURP (n = 37) between January 2008 and March 2010.

Adrenal myelolipoma: a 10-year single-center experience and literature review.

Adrenal myelolipoma is a rare, nonfunctioning, and benign tumor. We report our experience of surgically treated patients from a single institute and review the literature. Six patients (three men and three women) were diagnosed and received surgical intervention.

Safety and dose flexibility clinical evaluation of intravesical liposome in patients with interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome.

To present single institution open-label experience with intravesical liposomes (LPs), a mucosal protective agent, in patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) and to assess the safety and efficacy on IC/PBS symptoms. A total of 17 symptomatic IC/PBS patients were treated with intravesical LPs (80mg/40mL distilled water) once a week for 4 weeks (n=12) or twice a week treatment for 4 weeks (n=5). The primary outcome was the change in the O'Leary-Sant Symptom/Problem score and O'Leary-Sant total Score from baseline to Week 4 and Week 8.

Is hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy better than transurethral bladder cuff incision-assisted nephroureterectomy?

Purpose: To compare the perioperative and oncologic outcome between hand-assisted nephroureterectomy (HARNU) and transurethral bladder cuff incision-assisted nephroureterectomy (TUINU), which manage the bladder cuff with different methods.

Patients And Methods: From January 2005 to December 2008, 325 patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT-UC) underwent nephroureterectomy at our institution. A total of 208 patients were enrolled in this retrospective study.

Preliminary results of prostate vaporization in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia by using a 200-W high-intensity diode laser.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 200-W high-intensity diode laser in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Methods: The prostate was vaporized by using a side-firing laser fiber (diode laser: power, 150-200 W; wavelength, 980 nm; Limmer, Germany). The following parameters were assessed at baseline, and after a follow-up period of 1- and 6 months: International Prostate Symptom Score, maximum uroflow rate, postvoid residual urine volume, and quality of life score.

Factors determining cardiovascular and renal outcomes after adrenalectomy in patients with aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma.

Primary aldosteronism is an important cause of secondary hypertension, because it is potentially curable, especially in case of unilateral aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma (APA). However, the information is limited concerning the cardiovascular and renal outcomes in this patient population. We studied 52 patients with APA in order to determine the pre-operative and post-operative factors predicting cardiovascular and renal outcomes.

Comparison of iodixanol and iohexol in patients undergoing intravenous pyelography: a prospective controlled study.

Background: Nephropathy associated with contrast medium exposure is a well-known complication of IVP. However, it is uncertain whether iso-osmolar non-iodinated contrast medium (iodixanol) is less nephrotoxic than low-osmolar contrast medium (iohexol).

Materials And Methods: In this single-center, double-blind, prospective study, 50 patients undergoing IVP were randomized into two groups receiving different contrast medium: iodixanol and iohexol.

Analysis of diacetylmorphine, caffeine, and degradation products after volatilization of pharmaceutical heroin for inhalation.

Pharmaceutical smokable heroin was developed for a clinical trial on medical co-prescription of heroin and methadone. This product, consisting of 75% w/w diacetylmorphine base and 25% w/w caffeine anhydrate, was intended for use via "chasing the dragon", that is, inhalation after volatilization. This procedure involves heating the powder mixture, which may lead to formation of degradation products that could subsequently be inhaled.