Treatment Patterns with Mirabegron and Antimuscarinics for Overactive Bladder: A Prospective, Registry Study in Taiwan and South Korea (FAITH).

Introduction: This study aimed to assess overactive bladder (OAB) treatment patterns and factors associated with effectiveness and persistence.

Methods: A prospective, longitudinal, observational registry study of adults starting OAB therapy with mirabegron or antimuscarinics was undertaken. Primary endpoints were time from treatment initiation to discontinuation/switching; proportion who discontinued/switched; and reasons for discontinuation/switching.

Enhancing DSSC Performance through Manipulation of the Size of ZnO Nanorods.

The synthesis of one-dimensional zinc oxide nanorod photoelectrodes through a chemical solution method and their application in dye-sensitized solar cells are described in this paper. A multiple growth approach was used to fabricate zinc oxide nanorods with varying length-to-diameter ratios, and their dye adsorption properties were characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The zinc oxide photoelectrodes with different length-to-diameter ratios were subsequently incorporated into dye-sensitized solar cells, and their performance and carrier lifetime were analyzed using a solar simulator, monochromatic incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

The Influence of the Solid Solution Formation on Purification of -Menthol from the Enantiomer Mixture by Three-Phase Crystallization.

Three-phase crystallization (TPC) was introduced in this study to purify -menthol from menthol enantiomer mixtures in consideration of the formation of solid solutions. TPC is a new separation technology, which combines melt crystallization and vaporization to result in the desired crystalline product from a liquid mixture along with the unwanted components vaporized via the three-phase transformation by reducing temperature and pressure. The three-phase transformation conditions for the liquid menthol enantiomer mixtures were determined based on the thermodynamic calculations to direct the TPC experiments.

Can the Sandwich Method Be an Alternative Treatment Choice for BPH Patients With Large Prostates?

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of the sandwich method with GreenLight photoselective vaporization (GLPVP) and bipolar transurethral resection (B-TURP) with those of the enucleation method in patients with BPH and a prostate volume ≥ 80 g.

Methods: Patients with BPH who underwent either the sandwich method with GLPVP and B-TURP or the enucleation method between 2014 and 2021 were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was the comparison of uroflowmetry results between the 2 groups.

Suppression of SnS Secondary Phase on CuZnSnS Solar Cells Using Multi-Metallic Stacked Nanolayers.

In CuZnSnS (CZTS) solar cells, it is crucial to suppress the generation of and remove the SnS secondary phase to improve the solar cell characteristics, as the SnS secondary phase affects the barrier for carrier collection and diode characteristics of the device. In this study, the nano-metallic precursor was modified to effectively suppress the generation of the SnS secondary phase on the surface and simultaneously improve the uniformity and quality of the thin film. The CZTS bifacial solar cells prepared via the proposed method exhibited significantly improved junction-rectifying characteristics, as the efficiency was improved to 1.

Detection of Infection in Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Patients by Rapid Immunochromatographic Test.

This study aims to evaluate associations between the immunochromatographic rapid test technique and (TV) infection in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) in Taiwan. All patients received post-prostate massage urine (VB3) Trichomonas rapid tests. The demographic characteristics and urogenital symptoms of CP/CPPS were recorded.

Perioperative Complications and Oncologic Outcomes after Radical Cystectomy in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients with Bladder Cancer Obtained Using a Standardized Reporting System.

Background: We investigated the use of a standardized reporting system to study perioperative complications and oncologic outcomes after radical cystectomy in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with bladder cancer. Methods: We reviewed retrospective outcomes in 141 ESRD patients with bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy between 2004 and 2015. Complications were graded using the Clavien−Dindo classification system with 0−2 classified as “No Major Complications” and Clavien 3−5 as “Major Complications”.

Efficacy and Safety of the Sandwich Method in Patients with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia: Bipolar Transurethral Resection with GreenLight Vaporization.

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) refers to the nonmalignant enlargement of the transition zone of the prostate gland. While holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and open simple prostatectomy are effective in the management of patients with large prostates, they have some limitations. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of the sandwich method of bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (B-TURP) and GreenLight photoselective vaporization of the prostate (GLPVP) in patients with large prostates.

Effectiveness and Safety of Intradetrusor OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection for Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity and Overactive Bladder Patients in Taiwan-A Phase IV Prospective, Interventional, Multiple-Center Study (Restore Study).

We conducted a phase IV, pre/post multi-center study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA injection in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO, = 119) or overactive bladder (OAB, = 215). Patients received either 200U (i.e.

Location-Optoelectronic Property Correlation in ZnO:Al Thin Film by RF Magnetron Sputtering and Its Photovoltaic Application.

In this study, a radio-frequency magnetron sputter system was used to deposit AlO doped ZnO (AZO) thin films at room temperature, and the soda lime glass (SLG) substrates were placed at different zones relative to the center of the sample holder under the target. The samples were then analyzed using an X-ray diffractometer, Hall-effect measurement system, UV-visible spectrophotometer, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the electrical, structural, and optical properties of AZO films strongly depend on the target racetrack.

Risk Factors of Emergency Room Visits for Bleeding Complications Following Transurethral Procedures in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: Transurethral procedures, including transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and laser prostatectomy, are often linked to emergency room (ER) visits for postoperative bleeding. Although some studies have been conducted, the risk factors associated with these ER visits are not completely understood. This retrospective cohort study identified potential risk factors associated with ER visits for postoperative bleeding.

Increased Nectin-4 levels in chronic ketamine abusers and the relationship with lower urinary tract symptoms.

Persistent ketamine use causes susceptibility to addiction and bladder toxicity. We examined the association of lower urinary tract symptoms and levels of Nectin-4, a member of the cell adhesion molecules that is essential for maintaining the urothelium barrier in chronic ketamine abusers. We measured the plasma levels of Nectin-4 in 88 patients with ketamine dependence and 69 controls.

Association of urinary ketamine and APOA1 levels with bladder dysfunction in ketamine abusers revealed via proteomics and targeted metabolite analyses.

Chronic ketamine abuse is associated with bladder dysfunction and cystitis. However, the effects of ketamine abuse on the urinary proteome profile and the correlations among urinary proteins, urinary ketamine (and metabolites) and clinicopathological features of ketamine-induced bladder dysfunction remain to be established. Here, we recruited 56 ketamine abusers (KA) and 40 age-matched healthy controls (HC) and applied the iTRAQ-based proteomics approach to unravel quantitative changes in the urine proteome profile between the two groups.

Advances in intravesical therapy for bladder pain syndrome (BPS)/interstitial cystitis (IC).

Bladder pain syndrome (BPS)/interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic symptom complex that may cause bothersome storage symptoms and pain or discomfort of the bladder, adversely affecting a patient's quality of life. The etiology of IC/BPS remains unclear, and its cause may be multifactorial. Diagnosis of IC/BPS is based on clinical features, and the possibility of other conditions must be ruled out first.

A pilot study on Trichomonas vaginalis in women with recurrent urinary tract infections.

Background: Trichomoniasis and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) shared similar risk factors, age distribution and overlapping symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) in women with recurrent UTIs, attending a urology clinic in a medical center, in order to inform screening and treatment policies.

Methods: Women with recurrent UTIs, defined as the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms (dysuria, frequency and urgency) and three positive urine cultures on voided urine specimens in the previous year, were enrolled prospectively from January 2013 to April 2014.

Intraprostatic Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A Injection for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia-A Spotlight in Reality.

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It inhibits the release of acetylcholine and other neurotransmitters from the nerve terminal. Botulinum toxin, specifically toxin type A (BoNT-A) has been used since the 1970s to reduce the muscular hypercontraction disorders.

Economic Evaluation Study (Cheer Compliant) Laser Prostatectomy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Outcomes and Cost-effectiveness.

To determine which surgical treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms, which is suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is more cost-effective and yields a better patient's preference. Treatment outcome, cost, and perioperative complications to assess the treatment effectiveness of using laser prostatectomy as a treatment for BPH were investigated in this study.This retrospective study included 100 patients who underwent transurethral resection of prostate (TUR-P) and another 100 patients who received high-powered 120 W (GreenLight HPS) laser prostatectomy between 2005 and 2011.

Using a Harmonic Scalpel "Drilling and Clamping" Method to Implement Zero Ischemic Robotic-assisted Partial Nephrectomy: An Observation Case Report Study.

Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) has gradually become a popular minimally invasive nephron-sparing surgical option for small renal tumors. Ischemic injury should be minimized because it impacts renal function outcomes following partial nephrectomy. Herein, the authors detail the technique and present initial perioperative outcomes of our novel harmonic scalpel "drilling and clamping" method to implement zero-ischemic RAPN.

The expression sequence tag is an effective method for screening DNA segments that predict urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma prognosis.

Purpose: We validated the use of expression sequence tags (ESTs) as an effective method of screening for DNA segments that could predict urothelial cell carcinoma and for identifying ESTs with such predictive value.

Patients And Methods: From 2004 to 2009, eleven patients were enrolled in this study: six with high-grade bladder carcinoma and five with low-grade bladder carcinoma. ESTs were used to screen for differential gene expression in a high-grade cell line (MGH-U1) and in a premalignant cell line (MGH-U4).

Use of the SF-36 quality of life scale to assess the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise on aging males who received transurethral prostate surgery.

Purpose: We used the Short Form (SF)-36® Health Survey scale to assess the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFE) on aging males who received transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P).

Methods: From April 2010 to December 2010, a total of 66 patients who underwent TUR-P were enrolled in this study. They were randomized into two groups (with 33 patients in each group) - an experimental group who performed postoperative PFE every day and a control group.

Elevated polyamines in urothelial cells from OAB subjects mediate oxotremorine-evoked rapid intracellular calcium rise and delayed acetylcholine release.

Increased polyamine signaling in bladder urothelial cells (BUC) may play a role in the pathophysiology of overactive bladder (OAB). We quantitated intracellular polyamine levels in cultured BUC from OAB and asymptomatic (NB) subjects. We assessed whether polyamines modulated rapid intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]i) changes and delayed acetylcholine (ACh) release evoked by oxotremorine (OXO, a muscarinic agonist).

Prognostic factors for successful varicocelectomy to treat varicocele-associated male infertility.

The present study identified prognostic factors for successful varicocelectomy for the treatment of varicocele-induced male infertility. All varicoceles were diagnosed and graded by physical examination and ultrasound. Pre- and postoperative analysis of semen specimens measured sperm density, morphology and motility.

Waist circumference is an independent risk factor for prostatic hyperplasia in Taiwanese males.

Purpose: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common disease affecting older males. As obesity becomes an increasing problem worldwide, its role in prostatic hypertrophy has been discussed recently. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between waist circumferences and prostatic hyperplasia in Taiwan.