In this prospective randomized clinical trial, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endourethrotomy with holmium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (HO:YAG) laser and compare the outcomes with the conventional cold-knife urethrotomy. Fifty-one male patients with single, iatrogenic, annular strictures of the urethra were randomly divided into two groups; 21 patients who underwent direct-vision endoscopic urethrotomy with Ho:YAG laser (15 W; 1,200-1,400 mJ; 8-12 Hz) at 12 o'clock position (laser group) and 30 patients who underwent direct-vision endoscopic urethrotomy with cold-knife incision at 12 o'clock position (cold-knife group). The results obtained were analyzed and compared at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months postoperatively by clinical evaluation, uroflowmetry, and retrograde urethrographies. Variables were compared among groups using Fisher's exact and Mann Whitney U tests. There were no differences between two groups in terms of patient age, preoperative Qmax value, stricture location, and length. Operative time was shorter in laser group (16.4 ± 8.04 minutes) when compared with cold-knife group (23.8 ± 5.47 minutes) (p<0.001). Recurrence-free rate at 3 months was similar between two groups (p=0.122). However, recurrence-free rates at 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months were significantly higher in laser group when compared with cold-knife group (p values were 0.045, 0.027, and 0.04, respectively). No intra- or postoperative complications were encountered. Use of Ho:YAG laser in the management of urethral stricture disease is a safe and effective method. In addition, it provides shorter operative time and lower recurrence rate when compared with the conventional technique.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.kjms.2011.06.013 | DOI Listing |
Eur J Orthod
December 2024
Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Section of Orthodontics, University of Catania, Policlinico Universitario 'Gaspare Rodolico-San Marco', Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123, Catania, Italy.
Background/objectives: Evidence suggests nasal airflow resistance reduces after rapid maxillary expansion (RME). However, the medium-term effects of RME on upper airway (UA) airflow characteristics when normal craniofacial development is considered are still unclear. This retrospective cohort study used computer fluid dynamics (CFD) to evaluate the medium-term changes in the UA airflow (pressure and velocity) after RME in two distinct age-based cohorts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Eval Clin Pract
February 2025
California State University Monterey Bay, Seaside, California, USA.
Rationale: Obesity is an increasing medical issue not responding well to behavioural treatments beyond their initial weeks/months.
Aims And Objectives: Before suggesting surgical or pharmacological interventions, medical professionals might consider referrals to cost-effective, community-based behavioural treatments if stronger theoretical/empirical bases were demonstrated. Thus, evaluation of such is warranted.
J Antimicrob Chemother
January 2025
Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana.
Objectives: We assessed HIV-1 drug resistance profiles among people living with HIV (PLWH) with detectable viral load (VL) and on dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Botswana.
Methods: The study utilised available 100 residual HIV-1 VL samples from unique PLWH in Francistown who had viraemia at-least 6 months after initiating ART in Botswana's national ART program from November 2023 to January 2024. Viraemia was categorized as low-level viraemia (LLV) (VL: 200-999 copies/mL) or virologic failure (VF) (VL ≥1000 copies/mL).
J Psychoactive Drugs
January 2025
Center for Critical Public Health, The Institute for Scientific Analysis, Alameda, CA, USA.
This mixed-methods study investigated the role of medicinal cannabis use among younger adults who live in rural communities and experience high levels of cumulative social disadvantage (CSD). Results are based on cross-sectional surveys and online interviews with 153 younger adults (18-35-years old) in rural California. We assessed participants' levels of CSD (high, medium, and low) and examined associations with perceived general physical and mental health and with medicinal use of cannabis (MUC).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPublic Health Nutr
January 2025
Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University, 411 Lafayette St, 5th floor, New York, NY 10003.
Objective: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Online Purchasing Pilot (OPP) authorized the use of SNAP benefits online in Maryland in May 2020. We assessed shopping behavior and intentions associated with uptake and intended future use of online grocery shopping during and after COVID-19 among SNAP-eligible households.
Design: In this mixed-methods study, participants completed a survey on online grocery shopping, and a purposefully sampled subset participated in focus groups or in-depth interviews between November 2020 and March 2021.
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