Alternative statistical modeling for radical prostatectomy data.

Several statistical models have been proposed in recent years, among them is the semiparametric regression. In medicine, there are several situations in which it is impracticable to consider a linear regression for statistical modeling, especially when the data contain explanatory variables that present a nonlinear relationship with the response variable. Another common situation is when the response variable does not have a unimodal shape, and it is not possible to adopt distributions belonging to the symmetric or asymmetric classes. In this context, a semiparametric heteroskedastic regression is proposed based on an extension of the normal distribution. Then, we show the usefulness of this model to analyze the cost of prostate cancer surgery. The predictor variables refer to two groups of patients such that one group receives a multimodal local anesthetic solution (Preemptive Target Anesthetic Solution) and the second group is treated with neuraxial blockade (spinal anesthesia/traditional standard). The other relevant predictor variables are also evaluated, thus allowing for the in-depth interpretation of the predictor variables with a nonlinear effect on the dependent variable cost. The penalized maximum likelihood method is adopted to estimate the model parameters. The new regression is a useful statistical tool for analyzing medical data.

Hypo-Albuminemia and Perioperative Renal Transplant-Related Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: to review the literature regarding the relationship between pre- and post-transplant hypo-Albuminemia with various renal transplant-related infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a systematic review, we included the following keyword in the search: (Albumin*) AND (infection*) AND ("renal transplant" OR "renal transplantation" OR "renal transplants") OR ("kidney transplant" OR "kidney transplantation" OR "kidney transplants") OR "kidney grafting") with investigating databases including ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to May 2023. All adult patients who had renal transplantation were included. Albumin levels of infected (bacterial, fungal, or viral) patients and the type of infection should be reported in the included studies. The search strategy used in this review was reported by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses literature search extension (PRISMA-S). To conduct Meta-analyses, Stata version 17 was used. Also, DerSimonian-Laird random-effects models were used for this study. In our study, heterogeneity was quantified with I2 and τ2 statistics. inconsistency across studies is quantified by I2 statistics, and the impact of heterogeneity on the meta-analysis is assessed by this quantification. RESULTS: Overall, 18 studies were found to be reporting measures of association including risk ratio, odds ratio, and, hazard ratio. Among them, 10 and 8 studies were reporting bacterial and viral types of infection. The combined risk ratios were not statistically significant, in either type of infection. The mean (SD) of ages for bacterial and viral infections were found to be 45.3 (6.4) and 50.5 (7.6) years old, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hypoalbuminemia is not related to post-transplantation infections, and it seems that with adherence to proper pretransplant screening of recipients, vaccination, and post-transplant surveillance and prophylaxis, the impact of infections may be reduced.

Increased expression of miR-320b in blood plasma of patients in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Recent research has demonstrated how epigenetic mechanisms regulate the host-virus interactions in COVID-19. It has also shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are one of the three fundamental mechanisms of the epigenetic regulation of gene expression and play an important role in viral infections. A pilot study published by our research group identified, through next-generation sequencing (NGS), that miR-4433b-5p, miR-320b, and miR-16-2-3p are differentially expressed between patients with COVID-19 and controls. Thus, the objectives of this study were to validate the expression of these miRNAs using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and to perform in silico analyses. Patients with COVID-19 (n = 90) and healthy volunteers (n = 40) were recruited. MiRNAs were extracted from plasma samples and validated using qRT-PCR. In addition, in silico analyses were performed using mirPath v.3 software. MiR-320b was the only miRNA upregulated in the case group com-pared to the control group. The in silico analyses indicated the role of miR-320b in the regulation of the KITLG gene and consequently in the inflammatory process. This study confirmed that miR-320b can distinguish patients with COVID-19 from control participants; however, further research is needed to determine whether this miRNA can be used as a target or a biomarker.

Does the Prone Position During the Shockwave Lithotripsy of Kidney Stones Improve the Stone-Free Rate? Results from a Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the skin-to-stone distance in the supine and prone positions on the outcome of shockwave lithotripsy of kidney stones. METHODS: In a prospective randomized clinical trial study, 81 patients that candidates for shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) of kidney stones were randomly divided into two groups to perform SWL in the prone position (40 patients) or conventional supine position (41 patients). Demographic data, stone characteristics, skin-to-stone distances (SSD) in CT, SSD during SWL with an ultrasound probe in prone and supine positions, total shock wave rate, total energy (kilovolt), visual analog scale (VAS), complications (Clavien-Dindo scale system), and SWL success rate evaluated in two intervention and control groups. All statistical analysis was performed by independent T-test, Chi-Square test, Fisher exact test, paired T-test, and SPSS 22.0 software for windows. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between demographic characteristics, SWL sessions, the median number of SWLs, the median SWL time, median total energy, VAS, and complications in the two groups. The SFR was numerically higher in the prone SWL group than in the supine SWL group (80% vs. 73.2%) but was not significantly different (P = 0.468). Also, the inline ultrasound (US) measuring of the SSD in the prone position was significantly different from US SSD measures in the supine position in the two groups (Ps = 0.001 and 0.024). The mean SSD was lower in the US measurement during the SWL process that measured in supine and prone position than the CT measurement (73.5 vs. 101.1), which means the routine SSD measured by CT scan is higher than SSD in the US probe measurement during SWL. CONCLUSION: The prone position SWL modification could be effective in obese patients with a BMI of more than 30 and increase the stone-free rate (P=0.039) with a similar safety profile and comparable VAS score. It seems the SSD measured by the ultrasound is a more accurate dynamic measurement during the SWL and needs to define the SSD according to the SSD calculation by the US probe of the therapy head. SFR was numerically higher in the prone compared with the supine treatment groups.

Oncologic outcomes of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy in elderly patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: There is a challenge on the medical efficacy of intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy and the power of the immune system boosting, which can be influenced by the age of the non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients. This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of BCG therapy among aged (>70) and younger patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). METHODS: The central database of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were queried until August 4, 2021, by using "BCG," "Bladder Cancer," "AGE," and "efficacy" keywords. After excluding duplicated results, titles and abstracts were evaluated by two independent reviewers. The exclusion criteria included non-English studies, conference abstracts, reviews, editorials, letters, and comments. Three main outcomes, disease-free survival (DFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS), were considered. The statistical analysis was performed using STATA (version 14; Stata Corp, College Station, Texas, USA). RESULTS: From 1115 found documents, the 24 research articles were recruited in the systematic review, and 10 were the candidate for meta-analysis. The overall estimate of H.R. revealed that BCG therapy in those over age 70 is significantly associated with an improved risk of progression and cancer-specific death in studied patients. However, this association was not statistically significant for DFS (1.04 (95% CI: 0.85,1.26)). CONCLUSION: The BCG maintenance therapy improved CSS and PFS oncological outcomes in elderly patients with NMIBC. BCG therapy did not significantly change the DSF.

Sexuality Transmitted Infection in the COVID-19 Pandemic and Non-Pandemic Time.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization recognized the SARS-CoV-2 infection as a pandemic. The pandemic itself in addition to its containment measures affects individuals' lifestyles and welfare including their sexual behaviors. Thus, we hypothesized that sexually transmitted infection (STI) incidence may be changed and so we evaluate urethritis incidence as the most common STI in men and some other related factors. Two cross-sectional surveys during the first 6 months of 2019 and 2020 were undertaken and data were collected from 11 urology offices located in different parts of the capital city. In total, 34,611 male participants were included in our study, and 191 (.55%) patients' clinical diagnoses were urethritis. The urethritis incidence significantly decreased from 149 of 17,950 (.83%) to 42 of 16,661 (.25%) individuals in the same period of the years 2019 and 2020, respectively (p-value < .001). There was a higher percentage of single (p-value = .049) and older (p-value < .001) urethritis patients in the first 6 months of the year 2020 compared with 2019. Our survey provided urethritis incidence, demographics, symptoms, and treatment characterization. As our results show, the proportion of urethritis patients in all populations admitted to urologist offices had dramatically decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with prior. The indirect effects of the pandemic and its containment measures on people's sexual health should be noticed and an appropriate reaction and policy-making are recommended to manage issues properly in different aspects of sexual health.

[Translating questionnaires for use in crosscultural research--are we doing the right thing?]. / Traducción de los cuestionarios para su uso en investigación multicultural--estamos haciendo lo correcto?

The translation of health related QoL (HRQL) instruments for use in another culture is still a science under development and there are situations of more than one version of the same questionnaire. Specialized medical subjects are difficult content area and good professional translators are often incapable of translating medical material. Technical traps may lead to erroneous research conclusions that, although due to methodological flaws, are undetectable as such and considered to be substantive in nature and even those who are aware of the problem find its solution daunting. Although standards for translation of questionnaires do not exist, are we doing the right thing?

[Surgical management of retroperitoneal metastatic testicular tumor with inferior vena caval thrombus using cardiopulmonary bypass, arrested circulation, and profound hypothermia: a case report]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de un tumor testicular retroperitoneal metastásico con trombo en la vena cava inferior mediante derivación cardiopulmonar, paro circulatorio e hipotermia profunda: un caso clínico.

Testicular tumors represent the most common type of solid neoplasia in men aged between 18 and 35 years. Its cure rate is approximately 90% 1,2. In some cases, tumoral vascular invasion can occur and demands surgical resection to stop disease progression and prevent thromboembolic events. That is the only valuable therapeutic choice although it is a high risk procedure. We present a case report of a patient who underwent successful chemotherapy and surgery for a right-sided testicular tumor associated with an inferior vena cava tumor thrombus extending from the renal vein to the right atrium and extensive retroperitoneal lymph node disease.

Tumor renal con trombo en la vena cava inferior. Manejo quirúrgico y pronóstico / Renal tumor with inferior vena cava thrombus. Surgical approach and prognosis

Objetivos: el objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar las estrategias usadas para el manejo quirúrgico del cáncer de renal con extensión de trombo a la vena cava inferior y evaluar el pronóstico del paciente. Métodos: Quince pacientes con cáncer renal y trombo en la vena cava inferior fueron sometidos a una nefrectomía radical y trombectomía y fueron evaluados de forma retrospectiva. Los pacientes fueron seguidos desde 0 a 36 meses (media de 9,5 meses). La tomografía computada con reconstrucción tridimensional fue usada para definir el nivel del trombo. Resultados: La edad media fue de 54 años, con un rango de entre 16 y 79 años. El trombo fue clasificado como de nivel I (13,5%), nivel II (40%), nivel III (26,5%) y nivel IV (20%). La cirugía fue llevada a cabo mediante by pass cardiopulmonar en seis casos, tres de los cuales sin esternotomía. Hubo una muerte intraoperatoria (13%) en un paciente que presentaba enfermedad metastásica con un trombo que alcanzaba la aurícula derecha. Los pacientes con ganglios positivos o enfermedad metastásica como presentación inicial tenían peor supervivencia global en la curva de Kaplan-Meier. Ambos, estadiaje tumoral (p = 0,380), y extensión del trombo (p = 0,174) no tuvieron relación con la supervivencia. Conclusiones: A pesar de su morbilidad y mortalidad, la nefrectomía radical y la trombectomía deberían ser llevadas a cabo en casos de carcinoma renal con trombo tumoral, porque puede ofrecer la posibilidad de control local de la enfermedad. Los pacientes con ganglios linfáticos y enfermedad metastásica tienen peor pronóstico (AU)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate strategies used for surgical management of renal cell carcinoma with tumoral thrombus extension in the inferior vena cava (IVC) and evaluate patient’s prognosis. Metods: Fifteen patients with renal tumor and IVC thrombus, underwent radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy, and were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were followed for 0 to 36 months (mean of 9.5 months). Computed tomography (CT) scan with three-dimensional reconstruction was used to define IVC thrombus level. Results: The mean age was 54 years, range from 16 to 79. The thrombus was classified as level I - 13.5%, level II – 40%,level III – 26.5% and level IV – 20%. Surgery was performed with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in six (40%) cases, three (50%) without sternotomy. There was one (13%) death during the intraoperative period; this patient presented extensive metastatic tumor, with the thrombus reaching the right atrium. Patients with lymph node or metastatic disease at initial presentation had poorer overall survival in Kaplan-Meier curve. Both, tumor stage (p = 0.380), and thrombus extension (p= 0.174) were not related to survival. Conclusions: Despite its morbidity and mortality, radical nephrectomy with thrombectomy should be performed in case of renal cell carcinoma with tumoral thrombus, because it can offers the possibility of local control. Patients with lymph node and distant metastatic disease have poor prognoses (AU)

Tratamiento quirúrgico de un tumor testicular retroperitoneal metastásico con trombo en la vena cava inferior mediante derivación cardiopulmonar, paro circulatorio e hipotermia profunda: un caso clínico / Surgical management of retroperitoneal metastatic testicular tumor with inferior vena caval thrombus using cardiopulmonary bypass, arrested circulation, and profound hypothermia: a case report

Los tumores testiculares son el tipo más frecuente de neoplasia sólida en los varones de 18 a 35 años de edad. Su tasa de curación aproximada es del 90% 1,2. En algunos casos puede producirse invasión vascular del tumor, que exigirá resección quirúrgica para detener la progresión de la enfermedad y prevenir episodios tromboembólicos. La cirugía es la única opción terapéutica válida, aunque el procedimiento entraña un riesgo elevado. Presentamos el caso clínico de un paciente sometido con éxito a quimioterapia y cirugía por un tumor del testículo derecho asociado con un trombo tumoral en la vena cava inferior que se extendía desde la vena renal a la aurícula derecha y linfadenopatía retroperitoneal extensa (AU)

Testicular tumors represent the most common type of solid neoplasia in men aged between 18 and 35 years. Its cure rate is approximately 90% 1,2. In some cases, tumoral vascular invasion can occur and demands surgical ressection to stop disease progression and prevent thromboembolic events. That is the only valuable therapeutic choice although it is a high risk procedure. We present a case report of a patient who underwent successful chemotherapy and surgery for a right-sided testicular tumor associated with an inferior vena cava tumor thrombus extending from the renal vein to the right atrium and extensive retroperitoneal lymph node disease (AU)

Cáncer de próstata: práctica clínica basada en la evidencia / Prostate cancer: evidence based clinical practice

Objetivo: La medicina basada en la evidencia permite la mejor evidencia clínica externa de la que se dispone respecto alas búsquedas sistemáticas en la literatura para determinar la amplitud de su recomendación. Esta guía clínica tiene la intención de asistir a médicos y profesionales de la salud en decisiones clínicas en relación con el tratamiento del cáncer de próstata, particularmente en urología, oncología clínica y radioterapia. Métodos: Las publicaciones usadas como fuentes de información fueron obtenidas de búsquedas en bases electrónicas como CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials) y MEDLINE (online). Cada punto de esta guía clínica deriva de una pregunta original distribuida entre los participantes. Las estrategias de búsqueda fueron preparadas para elegir estudios presentando la mejor calidad metodológica, de acuerdo a los niveles de evidencia predefinidos. Resultados: Todas las recomendaciones fueron seguidas por un nivel de evidencia (NE) y un grado de recomendación (GR).Hemos usado un sistema de ranking formal para ayudar al lector a juzgar la amplitud de la evidencia. Conclusiones: Los parámetros existentes deberían ser vistos como guías clínicas de conducta. El ensayo final en el cual el proceso clínico o plan de tratamiento es más conveniente para un paciente debe ser hecho por un médico, quien discutiría las opciones de tratamiento disponibles con el paciente de acuerdo con el diagnóstico (AU)

Objectives: Evidence-based medicine allows the best available external clinical evidence from systematic literature research to be graded in order to determine the strength of its recommendation. This guideline aims to assist physicians and health professionals in clinical decisions related to prostate cancer treatment, particularly in urology, clinical oncology and radiotherapy. Methods: The publications used as information sources were obtained from structured data search in electronic databases, such as CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials) and MEDLINE (online). Each item of this guideline derived from an original question which was distributed to the participants. Search strategies were prepared to select the studies presenting the best methodological quality, according to predefined levels of evidence. Results: All the recommendations were followed by a level of evidence (LE) and a degree of recommendation (DR). We used a formal ranking system to help the reader to judge the strength of the evidence behind the results published in support of each recommendation. Conclusions: The existing parameters should be viewed as guidelines of conduct. The final trial on which the clinical procedure or treatment plan is most suitable for a particular patient should be done by a physician, who should discuss the available treatment options with the patient according to the diagnosis (AU)

Traducción de los cuestionarios para su uso en investigación multicultural - estamos haciendo lo correcto? / Translating questionnaires for use in crosscultural research - are we doing the right thing?

La traducción de instrumentos relacionados con la calidad de vida (HRQL) para su uso en otra cultura es aún una ciencia en desarrollo y hay situaciones de más de una versión del mismo cuestionario. Los temas médicos especializados son áreas de contenido difícil y los buenos traductores profesionales son a menudo incapaces de traducir material médico. Las trampas técnicas pueden conducir a conclusiones erróneas que, aunque, se deban a fallos metodológicos, son indetectables como tales, y se consideran de naturaleza sustantiva, e incluso aquellos que son conscientes del problema encuentran su solución desalentadora. Aunque las normas para la traducción de los cuestionarios no existen, ¿estamos haciendo lo correcto? (AU)

The translation of health related QoL (HRQL) instruments for use in another culture is still a science under development and there are situations of more than one version of the same questionnaire. Specialized medical subjects are difficult content area and good professional translators are often incapable of translating medical material. Technical traps may lead to erroneous research conclusions that, although due to methodological flaws, are undetectable as such and considered to be substantive in nature and even those who are aware of the problem find its solution daunting. Although standards for translation of questionnaires do not exist, are we doing the right thing? (AU)