Music from Noise-Canceling Headphones Is Beneficial against Anxiety in Male Bladder Cancer Patients Undergoing Follow-Up Cystoscopy: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Bladder cancer, with a greater incidence in males than in females, requires frequent cystoscopies. We aimed to evaluate the effect of music played through noise-canceling headphones on male bladder cancer patients during follow-up cystoscopy. METHODS: A total of 160 male bladder cancer patients undergoing follow-up flexible cystoscopy were randomly divided into the noise-canceling headphones without music group and the noise-canceling headphones with music group (groups 1 and 2, respectively; n = 80 per group). The patients' clinical characteristics were examined, and objective and subjective measurements were compared before and after cystoscopy. The primary outcomes that were evaluated included the visual analog scale (VAS, 0-10) and the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI, 20-80). Other outcomes, including vital signs and scores for assessing satisfaction and the willingness to repeat the procedure, were also examined. RESULTS: The characteristics of the patients in groups 1 and 2, and their pre-cystoscopy status, did not differ significantly. Although post-cystoscopy vital signs for the objective parameters and VAS pain scores were similar between the groups, subjective parameters were not. When compared with group 1, post-cystoscopy STAI-state scores were significantly lower in group 2, whereas patients' satisfaction scores and the willingness to repeat the procedure were significantly higher in group 2 (p = 0.002, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). Additionally, in group 2, STAI-state scores changed significantly after the procedure when compared with before the procedure (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Providing music to male bladder cancer patients through noise-canceling headphones was found to reduce anxiety during cystoscopy and to improve patient satisfaction and willingness to undergo repeat cystoscopy.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Exosomes: A Novel Therapeutic Approach for Corneal Diseases.

The cornea, with its delicate structure, is vulnerable to damage from physical, chemical, and genetic factors. Corneal transplantation, including penetrating and lamellar keratoplasties, can restore the functions of the cornea in cases of severe damage. However, the process of corneal transplantation presents considerable obstacles, including a shortage of available donors, the risk of severe graft rejection, and potentially life-threatening complications. Over the past few decades, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has become a novel alternative approach to corneal regeneration. Numerous studies have demonstrated the potential of MSCs to differentiate into different corneal cell types, such as keratocytes, epithelial cells, and endothelial cells. MSCs are considered a suitable candidate for corneal regeneration because of their promising therapeutic perspective and beneficial properties. MSCs compromise unique immunomodulation, anti-angiogenesis, and anti-inflammatory properties and secrete various growth factors, thus promoting corneal reconstruction. These effects in corneal engineering are mediated by MSCs differentiating into different lineages and paracrine action via exosomes. Early studies have proven the roles of MSC-derived exosomes in corneal regeneration by reducing inflammation, inhibiting neovascularization, and angiogenesis, and by promoting cell proliferation. This review highlights the contribution of MSCs and MSC-derived exosomes, their current usage status to overcome corneal disease, and their potential to restore different corneal layers as novel therapeutic agents. It also discusses feasible future possibilities, applications, challenges, and opportunities for future research in this field.

Fosfomycin for Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Men Undergoing a Transrectal Prostate Biopsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background and Objectives: To assess the effects of fosfomycin compared with other antibiotics as a prophylaxis for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in men undergoing transrectal prostate biopsies. Materials and Methods: We searched multiple databases and trial registries without publication language or status restrictions until 4 January 2022. Parallel-group randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies (NRS) were included. The primary outcomes were febrile UTI, afebrile UTI, and overall UTI. We used GRADE guidance to rate the certainty of evidence of RCTs and NRSs. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022302743). Results: We found data on five comparisons; however, this abstract focuses on the primary outcomes of the two most clinically relevant comparisons. Regarding fosfomycin versus fluoroquinolone, five RCTs and four NRSs with a one-month follow-up were included. Based on the RCT evidence, fosfomycin likely resulted in little to no difference in febrile UTIs compared with fluoroquinolone. This difference corresponded to four fewer febrile UTIs per 1000 patients. Fosfomycin likely resulted in little to no difference in afebrile UTIs compared with fluoroquinolone. This difference corresponded to 29 fewer afebrile UTIs per 1000 patients. Fosfomycin likely resulted in little to no difference in overall UTIs compared with fluoroquinolone. This difference corresponded to 35 fewer overall UTIs per 1000 patients. Regarding fosfomycin and fluoroquinolone combined versus fluoroquinolone, two NRSs with a one- to three-month follow-up were included. Based on the NRS evidence, fosfomycin and fluoroquinolone combined may result in little to no difference in febrile UTIs compared with fluoroquinolone. This difference corresponded to 16 fewer febrile UTIs per 1000 patients. Conclusions: Compared with fluoroquinolone, fosfomycin or fosfomycin and fluoroquinolone combined may have a similar prophylactic effect on UTIs after a transrectal prostate biopsy. Given the increasing fluoroquinolone resistance and its ease to use, fosfomycin may be a good option for antibiotic prophylaxis.

Intense pulsed light treatment of the upper and lower eyelids in patients with moderate-to-severe meibomian gland dysfunction.

PURPOSE: We investigated the subjective and objective outcome after intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment and meibomian gland expression on the upper and lower eyelids compared with those after IPL treatment on the lower eyelid alone in patients with moderate-to-severe meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). METHODS: Patients who underwent four IPL treatment sessions with meibomian gland expression were divided into upper and lower treatment group and conventional treatment group treated with lower eyelid alone. All patients underwent an ophthalmologic examination and answered a symptom questionnaire before the first treatment and 1 month after the last treatment. An ophthalmologic examination included tear break-up time (TBUT), fluorescein staining score, Schirmer's test, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), meibum grade, color, consistency, and lid margin telangiectasia. Additionally, visual acuity and adverse effects were checked on every visit. RESULTS: Of 115 patients, 75 in the upper and lower treatment group and 40 in the conventional treatment group were included. TBUT, fluorescein staining score, subjective symptom, and meibum grade were significantly improved in both groups. Additionally, meibum color and consistency of upper and lower eyelids significantly decreased post-treatment in both groups. The lid margin telangiectasia of the upper and lower eyelids significantly decreased post-treatment in the upper and lower treatment group. MMP-9 positivity and grading scores significantly decreased post-treatment in both groups, and no severe adverse effects occurred during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Additional IPL treatment on the upper eyelid using a protective device was proven safe and provided an additive improvement in treating moderate-to-severe MGD.

Effect of preoperative eyedrops on cytokine concentrations in aqueous humor of patients undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the anti-inflammatory activity of preoperatively applied eyedrops, as determined by cytokine concentrations in aqueous humor collected during surgery in patients undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. METHODS: A total of 120 patients undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery were randomly assigned to four groups of 30 patients each. Groups were administered 0.1% fluorometholone eyedrops, 0.45% ketorolac tromethamine eyedrops, both 0.1% fluorometholone and 0.45% ketorolac tromethamine eyedrops, or no eyedrops. Eyedrops were instilled 1 h, 20 min, and just before surgery. After anterior capsulotomy and nuclear fragmentation using a femtosecond laser, 0.1 cc aqueous humor was obtained using a needle and syringe. Cytokine and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations were quantitatively determined. RESULTS: The 120 patients included 59 men and 61 women, of mean age 65.02 years. The mean interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations after treatment did not differ significantly in the four groups. The average interleukin-8 (IL-8) concentrations were significantly lower in the fluorometholone (4.80 pg/mL), ketorolac tromethamine (4.84 pg/mL), and fluorometholone + ketorolac tromethamine (4.68 pg/mL) groups than in the control group (6.83 pg/mL). Furthermore, the average PGE2 concentrations were significantly lower in the ketorolac tromethamine (270.04 pg/mL) and fluorometholone + ketorolac tromethamine (239.00 pg/mL) groups, but not in the fluorometholone (393.16 pg/mL) group, than in the control group (472.36 pg/mL). CONCLUSION: Preoperative fluorometholone instillation reduced IL-8, and ketorolac tromethamine instillation reduced IL-8 and PGE2, in aqueous humor of patients undergoing femtosecond laser surgery, with the combination of both eyedrops being more effective than either alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION: KCT0005717.

Induction of Corneal Endothelial-like Cells from Mesenchymal Stem Cells of the Umbilical Cord.

Because of the limited differentiation capacity of human corneal endothelial cells (CECs), stem cells have emerged as a potential remedy for corneal endothelial dysfunction (CED). This study aimed to demonstrate the differentiation of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) into CECs and to investigate the efficacy of MSC-induced CEC injection into the anterior chamber in a rabbit model of CED. Human UC-MSCs were differentiated into CECs using medium containing glycogen synthase kinase 3ß inhibitor and two types of Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitors. In the MSC-induced CECs, CEC-specific proteins were identified through immunohistochemistry and changes in CEC-specific gene expressions over time were confirmed through quantitative RT-PCR. When MSC-induced CECs were injected into a rabbit model of CED, corneal opacity and neovascularization were improved compared with the non-transplanted control or MSC injection group. We also confirmed that MSC-induced CECs were well engrafted as evidenced by human mitochondrial DNA in the central cornea of an animal model. Therefore, we demonstrated the differentiation of UC-MSCs into CECs in vitro and demonstrated the clinical efficacy of MSC-induced CEC injection, providing in vivo evidence that MSC-induced CECs have potential as a treatment option for CED.

Combination treatment with intense pulsed light, thermal pulsation (LipiFlow), and meibomian gland expression for refractory meibomian gland dysfunction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of combination treatment with intense pulsed light (IPL), LipiFlow thermal pulsation, and manual meibomian gland expression (MGX) for patients with refractory meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). METHODS: A total of 23 eyes from 23 patients who underwent combination treatment with IPL, LipiFlow, and MGX for refractory MGD were included in the study. All patients were followed up for 12 months after the first treatment. All patients were examined prior to treatment and underwent three sessions of IPL, LipiFlow, and MGX, a subsequent three sessions of IPL and MGX, and six subsequent sessions of MGX. Patients were examined 10 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after the first treatment. The ophthalmologic examination included ocular surface disease index (OSDI), non-invasive tearfilm break-up time (NIBUT), lipid layer thickness (LLT), meibomian gland expressibility (MGE), meibomian gland morphology (meiboscore), and tear meniscus height (TMH). RESULTS: OSDI, NIBUT, LLT, and MGE significantly improved with treatment, which was maintained during the follow-up period. TMH and meiboscore remained unchanged throughout follow-up. No serious adverse events occurred during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with IPL, LipiFlow, and MGX was clinically effective and safe for the treatment of refractory MGD. Combination treatment could be considered for patients with insufficient improvement despite conventional MGD treatments, including IPL treatment with MGX.

Early experience with Watson for Oncology: a clinical decision-support system for prostate cancer treatment recommendations.

PURPOSE: Urological oncologists have difficulty providing optimal personalized care due to rapid alterations in scientific research results, medical advancements, and treatment guidelines. IBM's Watson for Oncology (WFO) is an artificial intelligence clinical decision-support system that assists oncologists with evidence-based treatment recommendations. In the present study, we examined the level of concordance between the treatment recommendations for prostate cancer according to WFO and the actual treatments that the patients received in the department of urology. METHODS: We enrolled 201 patients who received prostate cancer treatment between January 2018 and June 2018. WFO provided treatment recommendations using clinical data in three categories: recommended, for consideration, and not recommended. These were compared with the actual treatments received by patients. Prostate cancer treatments were considered concordant if the received treatments were included in the "recommended" or "for consideration" categories by WFO. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 71.2 years. There were 60 (29.9%) and 114 (56.7%) patients with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score ≥ 1 and non-organ confined disease (stage III/IV), respectively. The overall prostate cancer treatment concordance rate was 73.6% ("recommended": 53.2%; "for consideration": 20.4%). An ECOG performance score ≥ 1 and older age (≥ 75 years) were significantly associated with discordance (p = 0.001 and p = 0.026, respectively) on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: In the present study, the treatment recommendations by WFO and the actual received treatments in the department of urology showed a relatively high concordance rate in prostate cancer patients.

Effects of lid debris debridement combined with meibomian gland expression on the ocular surface MMP-9 levels and clinical outcomes in moderate and severe meibomian gland dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effects of lid debris debridement and meibomian gland expression (MGX) on extracellular matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels and clinical outcomes of moderate and severe MGD. METHODS: In this retrospective case series study, a total 48 eyes of 24 patients with moderate and severe MGD underwent one session of lid debris debridement using the BlephEx combined with MGX. We evaluated the tear film break-up time (TBUT), corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining scores, Schirmer 1 test, biomicroscopic examination of lid margins and meibomian gland (MG), ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire score, and extracellular MMP-9 levels using a point-of-care MMP-9 immunoassay device before and 4 weeks after lid debris debridement and MGX. Linear mixed model and generalized estimating equations model were used to evaluate possible differences. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in the TBUT (P = 0.002), SICCA and Oxford staining scores (all P < 0.001), lid margin telangiectasia (P < 0.001 for upper and lower eyelids), lid thickness (P < 0.001 for upper and lower eyelids), MG orifice plugging (P < 0.001 for upper and lower eyelids), meibum color (P = 0.026 for upper eyelid, P < 0.001 for lower eyelid), meibum consistency (P < 0.001 for upper and lower eyelids), meibum grade (P < 0.001), MGD stage (P < 0.001), and OSDI score (P = 0.002). MMP-9 immunoassay positivity rate significantly decreased from 83.3 to 50.0% 4 weeks after treatment (P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with moderate to severe MGD, lid debris debridement using the BlephEx combined with MGX improved clinical findings, subjective symptoms, meibomian gland function, along with ocular surface MMP-9 level. We hereby suggest lid debris debridement using BlephEx combined with MGX as an effective clinical strategy for treatment of moderate to severe MGD.

Association between hand-grip strength and erectile dysfunction in older men.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between handgrip strength and erectile dysfunction (ED) in community-dwelling older men. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 1771 participants of the Dong-gu Study. Handgrip strength was measured with a handheld dynamometer. ED was assessed with the Korean version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). ED was categorized as none to mild (IIEF-EF scores of 13-30) and moderate to severe (IIEF-EF scores of 0-12). Multivariable logistic regression was conducted with adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS: The proportion of men with moderate to severe ED was 48.8%. The age-adjusted ED score increased with increasing quartile of handgrip strength (11.0, 12.4, 13.4, and 14.0 in the lowest, second, third, and highest quartiles, respectively). After adjustment for potential confounders, greater handgrip strength was associated with a lower risk of ED (odds ratio (OR): 0.82 per 5 kg; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.74-0.90). In addition, a high level of moderate to vigorous physical activity was associated with a lower risk of ED (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.61-0.93). CONCLUSION: In this study, aging men with greater handgrip strength had a lower risk of ED. This result suggests that reduced physical functioning may contribute to ED.

Trial Comparing a Combined Regimen of Amikacin and Ciprofloxacin to Ciprofloxacin Alone as Transrectal Prostate Biopsy Prophylaxis in the Era of High Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Rectal Flora.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether addition of amikacin to fluoroquinolone (FQ) antimicrobial prophylaxis reduces infections after transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSPB). METHODS: A total of 503 patients undergoing rectal swab were divided into three groups. Patients with FQ-sensitive rectal flora (group 1, n = 248) were administered ciprofloxacin before TRUSPB, and patients with FQ-resistant rectal flora were either administered ciprofloxacin (group 2, n = 97) or amikacin and ciprofloxacin (group 3, n = 158) before TRUSPB. RESULTS: Based on the rectal swab, FQ resistance was 54.9%, and extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) positivity was 17.2%. The incidence of infectious complication in group 1 was 1.6%. Groups 2 and 3, with FQ-resistant rectal flora, tended to have increased infectious complications (5.2% and 4.4%, respectively) but the difference between those results is not statistically significant. The most common pathogens of infectious complications in patients with FQ-resistant rectal flora were FQ-resistant and ESBL-producing Escherichia coli. E. coli pathogens isolated in Group 3 were amikacin-susceptible species. The operation history and ESBL positivity of rectal flora increased the incidence of infectious complications (odds ratio [OR] = 3.68; P = 0.035 and OR = 4.02; P = 0.008, respectively). DM and antibiotics exposure were risk factors for FQ resistance (OR = 2.19; P = 0.002) and ESBL positivity of rectal flora (OR = 2.96; P = 0.005), respectively. CONCLUSION: Addition of amikacin to ciprofloxacin prophylaxis could not reduce infectious complications in patients with FQ-resistant rectal flora. Despite the amikacin sensitivity of infectious complications, single-dose amikacin addition to ciprofloxacin prophylaxis has limitations.

Efficacy of First-Line Targeted Therapy in Real-World Korean Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Focus on Sunitinib and Pazopanib.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate survival outcomes and prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who received sunitinib (SU) and pazopanib (PZ) as first-line therapy in real-world Korean clinical practice. METHODS: Data of 554 patients with mRCC who received SU or PZ at eight institutions between 2012 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Based on the targeted therapy, the patients were divided into SU (n = 293) or PZ (n = 261) groups, and the clinicopathological variables and survival rates of the two groups were compared. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine the prognostic factors for OS. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 16.4 months (interquartile range, 8.3-31.3). Patients in the PZ group were older, and no significant difference was observed in the performance status (PS) between the two groups. In the SU group, the dose reduction rate was higher and the incidence of grade 3 toxicity was more frequent. The objective response rates were comparable between the two groups (SU, 32.1% vs. PZ, 36.4%). OS did not differ significantly between the two groups (SU, 36.5 months vs. PZ, 40.2 months; log-rank, P = 0.955). Body mass index, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PS > 2, synchronous metastasis, poor Heng risk criteria, and liver and bone metastases were associated with a shorter OS. CONCLUSION: Our real-world data of Korean patients with mRCC suggested that SU and PZ had similar efficacies as first-line therapy for mRCC. However, PZ was better tolerated than SU in Korean patients.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy using the lateral retroperitoneal approach: Is it a safe and feasible treatment option for pheochromocytomas larger than 6 cm?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the surgical feasibility of laparoscopic adrenalectomy using the lateral retroperitoneal approach for the treatment of large pheochromocytomas, and to identify the preoperative risk factors for intraoperative hypertension. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 51 patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy using the lateral retroperitoneal approach for the treatment of pheochromocytomas. Patient characteristics and perioperative outcomes were analyzed and compared between the two study groups based on tumor size: group A (n = 27, ≤6 cm) and group B (n = 24, ˃6 cm). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in preoperative characteristics between the two groups except for tumor size (P = 0.001) and urinary metanephrine (P = 0.011). Group B patients required longer operating time (P = 0.008), had a greater estimated blood loss (P = 0.001) and hemoglobin change (P = 0.002). However, no significant differences were observed in perioperative complications and mortality. Multivariate analysis showed that symptomatic pheochromocytomas (P = 0.004) and tumor size (P = 0.007) were significant risk factors for intraoperative hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy using the lateral retroperitoneal approach for pheochromocytomas can be regarded as a treatment option, even for tumors measuring >6 cm. Symptomatic pheochromocytomas and large tumor size seem to represent risk factors for intraoperative hypertension.

Prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistant rectal flora in patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate needle biopsy: A prospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistant rectal flora in patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate needle biopsy and to identify the high-risk groups. METHODS: From January 2015 to March 2016, rectal swabs of 557 men who underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate needle biopsy were obtained from five institutions. Clinical variables, including demographics, rectal swab culture results and infectious complications, were evaluated. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify the risk factors for fluoroquinolone resistance of rectal flora and infectious complications. RESULTS: The incidence of fluoroquinolone-resistant and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production was 48.1 and 11.8%, respectively. The most common fluoroquinolone-resistant bacteria was Escherichia coli (81% of total fluoroquinolone-resistant bacteria, 39% of total rectal flora), and 16 (2.9%) patients had infectious complications. Univariable and multivariable analysis of clinical parameters affecting fluoroquinolone resistance showed no factor associated with fluoroquinolone resistance of rectal flora. The clinical parameter related to infectious complications after prostate biopsy was a history of operation within 6 months (relative risk 6.60; 95% confidence interval 1.99-21.8, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a risk-based approach by history taking cannot predict antibiotic resistance of rectal flora, and physicians should consider targeted antibiotic prophylaxis or extended antibiotic prophylaxis for Korean patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy because of high antibiotic resistance of rectal flora.

A rare presentation of metastatic prostate cancer, initially a suspect for urothelial cell carcinoma of the ureter: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The most common metastatic sites of prostate cancer are the lymph nodes and bone. Ureteral metastasis from prostate cancer is very unusual and only a few cases have been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 76-year-old male with ureteral metastasis of prostate cancer along with a review of the literature. Initially, based on the diagnostic evaluation, urothelial cell carcinoma of the left distal ureter was suspected. Nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision was performed. The final pathologic diagnosis was prostate cancer metastatic to the ureter. CONCLUSION: Although rare and the mechanistic link between prostate cancer and distant ureteral metastasis has not been clarified on a clinical basis, this would be included in the differential diagnosis of ureteral lesions in patients with a history of prostate cancer. It is important to recognize this unusual manifestation so that timely appropriate treatment can be initiated.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Radical Prostatectomy: Comparison of 2-Day and More than 2-Day Prophylaxis.

The efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in radical prostatectomy (RP) remains to be established. We retrospectively compared the occurrence of perioperative infections after RP between the 2 different antibiotic protocols. This study involved 428 cases of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP). After excluding patients who had no perioperative urine culture data, 313 consecutive patients who underwent LRP for prostate carcinoma were classified into 2 groups according to the duration of antimicrobial prophylaxis. To group 1 (153 patients), a second-generation cephalosporin was administered for less than 2 days, whilst the remaining 160 patients in group 2 were administered the drug for more than 2 days. The overall incidence of postoperative bacteriuria was 50.8%, being significantly higher in group 1 (56.9%) than in group 2 (45%). The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) was significantly higher in group 1 (5.2%) than in group 2 (0.6%). Multivariate analysis revealed that old age, duration of antibiotics for more than 2 days, and duration of Foley catheter placement were independently associated with postoperative infectious complications (all, P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that duration of antibiotics for more than 2 days, duration of Foley catheter placement, and duration of surgical drain placement were independently associated with postoperative SSI (all, P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative bacteriuria and SSI were higher in patients who received antibiotics for a short duration. Based on our results, we demonstrated that the outcome of postoperative infectious complications is dependent on old age, short antibiotic administration duration, and prolonged Foley catheterization. Prolonged drain placement is associated with SSI, whilst a longer duration of antibiotics use and prolonged Foley catheterization are associated with a decrease in the incidence of SSI.

Lamina cribrosa depth according to the level of axial length in normal and glaucomatous eyes.

PURPOSE: To compare the lamina cribrosa (LC) depth of the optic nerve head in normal and glaucomatous eyes over a wide range of axial length (AXL). METHODS: A total of 402 eyes, including 210 normal and 192 glaucomatous eyes, were imaged by spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Normal and glaucomatous eyes were each divided into three subgroups according to the level of AXL; long (> 26 mm), mid-level (23-26 mm), and short (< 23 mm). Visual field mean deviation (VF MD), LC thickness, and LC depth were compared between normal and glaucomatous eyes in each of the AXL subgroups. These parameters were also compared between normal and glaucomatous eyes in the three AXL subgroups. Factors associated with LC depth in each AXL subgroup were evaluated by univariate and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: A comparison of the three AXL subgroups in normal eyes showed that the LC was thinnest in the long AXL subgroup (short; 189.7 ± 24.1 µm, mid-level; 179.9 ± 34.3 µm, long; 149.2 ± 36.2 µm, p < 0.001), but LC depth did not differ significantly in the three subgroups (short; 527.1 ± 144.4 µm, mid-level; 578.2 ± 163.5 µm, long; 594.4 ± 187.5 µm, p = 0.144). In glaucomatous eyes, glaucoma severity assessed by VF MD did not differ significantly among the three AXL subgroups (short; -6.99 ± 8.50 dB, mid-level; -6.40 ± 7.64 dB, long; -4.61 ± 5.22 dB, p = 0.168). However, LC depth was greater in the long than in the short AXL subgroup (679.5 ± 192.7 µm and 555.9 ± 134.1 µm, respectively, p = 0.004), although neither subgroup differed significantly in LC depth from the mid-level AXL subgroup (611.8 ± 162.3 µm, p = 0.385, p = 0.090). LC thickness was significantly different between normal and glaucomatous eyes (p < 0.001). LC depth was not different between normal and glaucomatous eyes in both short and mid-level AXL subgroups (p = 0.297, 0.222), but differed in the long AXL subgroup (p = 0.022). The presence of glaucoma was associated with greater LC depth only in the long AXL subgroup (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: LC depth may vary according to the level of AXL in glaucomatous eyes with a similar level of glaucoma severity, with the greatest LC depth found in eyes with long AXL. Those findings suggest that glaucomatous optic disc cupping would manifest differently according to the level of AXL.

Predicting the presence of adherent perinephric fat using MRI radiomics combined with machine learning.

OBJECTIVES: Adherent perinephric fat (APF) poses significant challenges to surgical procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of machine learning algorithms combined with MRI-based radiomics features for predicting the presence of APF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with renal cell carcinoma who underwent surgery between April 2019 and February 2022 at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital were retrospectively screened, and 119 patients included. Twenty-one and seventeen patients were set aside for the internal and external test sets, respectively. Pre-operative T1-weighted MRI acquired at 60 s following a contrast injection (T1w-60) were collected. For each T1w-60 data, two regions of interest (ROIs) were manually drawn: the perinephric fat tissue and an aorta segment on the same level as the targeted kidney. Preprocessing steps included resizing voxels, N4 Bias Correction filtering, and aorta-based normalization. For each patient, 851 radiomics features were extracted from the ROI of perinephric fat tissue. Gender and BMI were added as clinical factors. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator was adopted for feature selection. We trained and evaluated five models using a 4-fold cross validation. The final model was chosen based on the highest mean AUC across four folds. The performance of the final model was evaluated on the internal and external test sets. RESULTS: A total of 15 features were selected in the final set. The final model achieved the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 81% (95% confidence interval, 61.9-95.2%), 72.7% (42.9-100%), 90% (66.7-100%), and 0.855 (0.615-1.0), respectively on the internal test set, and 88.2% (70.6-100%), 100% (100-100%), 80% (50%-100%), 0.971 (0.871-1.0), respectively on the external test set. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated the feasibility of machine learning algorithms trained with MRI-based radiomics features for APF prediction. Further studies with a multi-center approach are necessary to validate our findings.

Analysis of intraocular lens decentration and tilt after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery using swept-source anterior optical coherence tomography.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the magnitude of intraocular lens (IOL) decentration and tilt following conventional and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) using swept-source anterior optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we enrolled patients who underwent conventional cataract surgery or FLACS with the implantation of hydrophobic 1-piece monofocal IOL. The magnitude of IOL decentration and tilt were measured using SS-OCT. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure, spherical equivalent, axial length, contrast sensitivity, and satisfaction questionnaire were evaluated before and one-month post-surgery. Additionally, postoperative internal cylinder measurements were obtained using a wavefront aberrometer. Correlation factors between each parameter and IOL decentration or tilt were analyzed. Results: This study included 100 eyes from 100 patients. Mean IOL decentration and tilt were 0.21 ± 0.13 mm and 5.01 ± 1.49°, respectively. Conventional cataract surgery (versus FLACS, P = 0.001) and male sex (versus female, P = 0.047) were significantly correlated with higher postoperative decentration. Preoperative lens diameter (P < 0.001), preoperative lens tilt (P = 0.007), and preoperative intraocular pressure (P = 0.027) were correlated with higher postoperative tilt. Fifty eyes that underwent FLACS demonstrated mean postoperative decentration of 0.21 ± 0.13 mm and tilt of 4.64 ± 1.48°. Compared with the conventional surgery group, the FLACS group significantly differed in postoperative decentration (0.30 ± 0.12 mm, P < 0.001) but not in tilt (5.03 ± 1.35°, P = 0.173). Postoperative visual acuity did not significantly differ between the two groups. Conclusion: Patients who underwent FLACS demonstrated better IOL decentration and tilt than those who underwent conventional cataract surgery one-month post-surgery. However, differences in IOL decentration and tilt did not affect postoperative visual acuity.

Effect of Exposure to Particulate Matter on the Ocular Surface in an Experimental Allergic Eye Disease Mouse Model.

In response to the escalating concern over the effect of environmental factors on ocular health, this study aimed to investigate the impact of air pollution-associated particulate matter (PM) on ocular allergy and inflammation. C57BL/6 mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) topically and aluminum hydroxide via intraperitoneal injection. Two weeks later, the mice were challenged with OVA and exposed to PM. Three groups-naive, OVA, and OVA-sensitized with PM exposure (OVA + PM) groups-were induced to an Allergic Eye disease (AED) model. Parameters including clinical signs, histological changes, inflammatory cell infiltration, serum OVA-specific immunoglobulins E (IgE) levels, mast cells degranulation, cellular apoptosis and T-cell cytokines were studied. The results demonstrate that exposure with PM significantly exacerbates ocular allergy, evidenced by increased eye-lid edema, mast cell degranulation, inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-α), cell proliferation (Ki67), and serum IgE, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), and apoptosis and reduced goblet cells. These findings elucidate the detrimental impact of PM exposure on exacerbating the severity of AED. Noticeably, diminished goblet cells highlight disruptions in ocular surface integrity, while increased PMN infiltration with an elevated production of IgE signifies a systemic allergic response with inflammation. In conclusion, this study not only scientifically substantiates the association between air pollution, specifically PM, and ocular health, but also underscores the urgency for further exploration and targeted interventions to mitigate the detrimental effects of environmental pollutants on ocular surfaces.