Small-molecule-induced epigenetic rejuvenation promotes SREBP condensation and overcomes barriers to CNS myelin regeneration.

Remyelination failure in diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) was thought to involve suppressed maturation of oligodendrocyte precursors; however, oligodendrocytes are present in MS lesions yet lack myelin production. We found that oligodendrocytes in the lesions are epigenetically silenced. Developing a transgenic reporter labeling differentiated oligodendrocytes for phenotypic screening, we identified a small-molecule epigenetic-silencing-inhibitor (ESI1) that enhances myelin production and ensheathment.

Comparing Same-Sitting Bilateral vs Unilateral Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery in the Elderly.

Objective: To compare same-sitting bilateral vs unilateral retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in elderly patients, focusing on postoperative complications and stone-free rates (SFR).

Methods: Data from 2 multicenter databases, FLEXible ureteroscopy Outcomes Registry (FLEXOR) (unilateral RIRS) and same sitting bilateral-retrograde intrarenal surgery (SSB-RIRS) (bilateral RIRS), were analyzed, considering only patients aged 70+ with preoperative computed tomography. Patients were categorized into Group 1 (bilateral RIRS) and Group 2 (unilateral RIRS).

Influence of pre-stenting on RIRS outcomes. Inferences from patients of the Global Multicentre Flexible Ureteroscopy Outcome Registry (FLEXOR).

Background: Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) is recommended as an alternative to percutaneous nephrolithotomy for stones up to 2 cm. Pre-stenting before RIRS remains controversial with various studies differing in outcomes and recommendations. We aim to understand how pre-stenting influences surgical outcomes.

Scratch-AID, a deep learning-based system for automatic detection of mouse scratching behavior with high accuracy.

Mice are the most commonly used model animals for itch research and for development of anti-itch drugs. Most laboratories manually quantify mouse scratching behavior to assess itch intensity. This process is labor-intensive and limits large-scale genetic or drug screenings.

Early outcomes of short-course low intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) for erectile dysfunction: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled study in Malaysia.

Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) has emerged as a promising non-invasive treatment modality for erectile dysfunction (ED) yet the well-designed randomized clinical trials are still lacking to prove its claimed benefits. A randomized, prospective, double-blinded sham-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety profile of short course LiSWT on vasculogenic ED patients. The International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and Erection Hardness Score (EHS) questionnaires were used for evaluation.

Cell Membrane-Coated Electrospun Fibers Enhance Keratinocyte Growth through Cell-Type Specific Interactions.

Although cell membrane-coated fiber scaffolds can be useful for regenerative medicine by presenting both cell surface antigens and topographical cues, it remains unknown whether changes in cellular behavior on cell membrane-coated scaffolds are due to specific cell-cell interactions. In this work, the effects of scaffold fiber diameters and surface charges on the cell membrane coating efficiency were explored. Furthermore, fibroblast membrane-coated scaffolds improved the growth of human keratinocytes as compared to red blood cell membrane-coated and plain scaffolds.

Intravesical Chemohyperthermia vs. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Instillation for Intermediate- and High-Risk Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The efficacy of intravesical chemotherapy maintenance for patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is inferior compared to intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). How intravesical chemohyperthermia (CHT) compares with BCG is under investigation. To compare the oncological outcomes and safety profile between intravesical CHT and BCG treatment for intermediate- and high-risk NMIBC.

Delayed surgery for localised and metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation or deferment of many elective cancer surgeries. We performed a systematic review on the oncological effects of delayed surgery for patients with localised or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the targeted therapy (TT) era.

Method: The protocol of this review is registered on PROSPERO(CRD42020190882).

Oriented and sustained protein expression on biomimicking electrospun fibers for evaluating functionality of cells.

A proper protein orientation is often required in order to achieve specific protein-receptor interaction to elicit a desired biological response. Here, we present a Protein A-based biomimicking platform that is capable of efficiently orienting proteins for evaluating cellular behaviour. By absorbing Protein A onto aligned bio-mimicking polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers, we demonstrate that protein binding could be retained on these fibers for at least 7 days under physiologically relevant conditions.

Telemedicine Usage Among Urologists During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, urology was one of the specialties with the lowest rates of telemedicine and videoconferencing use. Common barriers to the implementation of telemedicine included a lack of technological literacy, concerns with reimbursement, and resistance to changes in the workplace. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic declared in March 2020, the delivery of urological services globally has quickly shifted to telemedicine to account for the mass clinical, procedural, and operative cancellations, inadequate personal protective equipment, and shortage of personnel.

Biomimicking Fiber Platform with Tunable Stiffness to Study Mechanotransduction Reveals Stiffness Enhances Oligodendrocyte Differentiation but Impedes Myelination through YAP-Dependent Regulation.

A key hallmark of many diseases, especially those in the central nervous system (CNS), is the change in tissue stiffness due to inflammation and scarring. However, how such changes in microenvironment affect the regenerative process remains poorly understood. Here, a biomimicking fiber platform that provides independent variation of fiber structural and intrinsic stiffness is reported.

A Global Survey on the Impact of COVID-19 on Urological Services.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The impact of COVID-19 on urological services in different geographical areas is unknown.

Objective: To investigate the global impact of COVID-19 on urological providers and the provision of urological patient care.

Effects of miR-219/miR-338 on microglia and astrocyte behaviors and astrocyte-oligodendrocyte precursor cell interactions.

MiR-219 and miR-338 (miR-219/miR-338) are oligodendrocyte-specific microRNAs. The overexpression of these miRs in oligodendrocyte precursor cells promotes their differentiation and maturation into oligodendrocytes, which may enhance axonal remyelination after nerve injuries in the central nervous system (CNS). As such, the delivery of miR-219/miR-338 to the CNS to promote oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation, maturation and myelination could be a promising approach for nerve repair.

Correction: Scaffold mediated gene knockdown for neuronal differentiation of human neural progenitor cells.

Correction for 'Scaffold mediated gene knockdown for neuronal differentiation of human neural progenitor cells' by Wai Hon Chooi et al., Biomater. Sci.

Scaffold-mediated non-viral delivery platform for CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing.

Genome editing, especially via the simple and versatile type II CRISPR/Cas9 system, offers an effective avenue to precisely control cell fate, an important aspect of tissue regeneration. Unfortunately, most CRISPR/Cas9 non-viral delivery strategies only utilise micro-/nano-particle delivery methods. While these approaches provide reasonable genomic editing efficiencies, their systemic delivery may lead to undesirable off-target effects.

Scaffold-mediated sequential drug/gene delivery to promote nerve regeneration and remyelination following traumatic nerve injuries.

Neural tissue regeneration following traumatic injuries is often subpar. As a result, the field of neural tissue engineering has evolved to find therapeutic interventions and has seen promising outcomes. However, robust nerve and myelin regeneration remain elusive.

Digital Health Professions Education on Diabetes Management: Systematic Review by the Digital Health Education Collaboration.

Background: There is a shortage of health care professionals competent in diabetes management worldwide. Digital education is increasingly used in educating health professionals on diabetes. Digital diabetes self-management education for patients has been shown to improve patients' knowledge and outcomes.

Scaffold mediated gene knockdown for neuronal differentiation of human neural progenitor cells.

The use of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells (hiPSC-NPCs) is an attractive therapeutic option for damaged nerve tissues. To direct neuronal differentiation of stem cells, we have previously developed an electrospun polycaprolactone nanofiber scaffold that was functionalized with siRNA targeting Re-1 silencing transcription factor (REST), by mussel-inspired bioadhesive coating. However, the efficacy of nanofiber-mediated RNA interference on hiPSC-NPCs differentiation remains unknown.

Microfiber drug/gene delivery platform for study of myelination.

Unlabelled: Our ability to rescue functional deficits after demyelinating diseases or spinal cord injuries is limited by our lack of understanding of the complex remyelination process, which is crucial to functional recovery. In this study, we developed an electrospun suspended poly(ε-caprolactone) microfiber platform to enable the screening of therapeutics for remyelination. As a proof of concept, this platform employed scaffold-mediated non-viral delivery of a microRNA (miR) cocktail to promote oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) differentiation and myelination.