Lymph Node Dissection in Testicular Cancer: The State of the Art and Future Perspectives.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving role of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) in the management of testicular cancer (TC). It explores the significance of RPLND as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool, highlighting its contribution to accurate staging, its impact on oncological outcomes, and its influence on subsequent treatment decisions. RECENT FINDINGS: RPLND serves as an essential diagnostic procedure, aiding in the precise assessment of lymph node involvement and guiding personalized treatment strategies. It has demonstrated therapeutic value, particularly in patients with specific risk factors and disease stages, contributing to improved oncological outcomes and survival rates. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of meticulous patient selection and nerve-sparing techniques to mitigate complications while optimizing outcomes. Additionally, modern imaging and surgical approaches have expanded the potential applications of RPLND. In the context of TC management, RPLND remains a valuable and evolving tool. Its dual role in staging and therapy underscores its relevance in contemporary urological practice. This review highlights the critical role of RPLND in enhancing patient care and shaping treatment strategies, emphasizing the need for further research to refine patient selection and surgical techniques.

Finding the Ionospheric Fluctuations Reflection in the Pulsar Signals' Characteristics Observed with LOFAR.

Pulsars' signals reaching the atmosphere can be considered being stable under certain assumptions. In such a case the ionosphere remains the main factor distorting signal from the extraterrestrial sources, particularly if we observe them at long radio waves. In this article we present the results of the analysis of relative peak flux changes for two selected pulsars: PSR J0332+5434 (B0329+54) and PSR J1509+5531 (B1508+55), observed with the long radio wave sensor (The PL612 Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) station in Baldy), together with the analysis of Rate of TEC (ROT) parameter changes measured with the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) sensor (IGS LAMA station (IGS: International GSSN Service)). The main objective of the work is to find if the rapid plasma density (observed with the Rate of Total Electron Content (TEC)) has a counterpart in the pulsar observation characteristics. This focuses the attention on ionosphere influence during pulsar investigations at low radio frequencies. Additionally, what was the aim of this work, our results give reasons for using pulsar signals from LOFAR together with GNSS data as multi instrumental ionosphere state probes. Our results show a clear anti-correlation between the ROT and the pulsar profile's peak flux trends.

Synthesis of new perhydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine derivatives and their evaluation in animal models of epilepsy.

A series of novel stereochemically pure derivatives of the investigative broad-spectrum anticonvulsant ADD408003 was designed and synthesized. Five-center four-component (U-5C-4CR) and four-center three-component (U-4C-3CR) variants of Ugi reaction were used in the key step of the synthetic pathways. The compounds obtained were evaluated for the anticonvulsant activitiy in the maximal electroshock seizure (MES), subcutaneous Metrazole (scMET) and minimal clonic seizure (6 Hz) animal models of epilepsy. The efficacies of most derivatives in the 6 Hz model of pharmacoresistant partial seizures were markedly higher than in the 'classical' MES and scMET models. The most active compounds, (4R,8aR)-3a, and (4S,8aS)-6 displayed median effective doses (ED50) of 47.90 and 126.19 mg/kg, respectively, for the 6 Hz test.

Effect of betulin oil on hair growth in hypothyroidism- a long-term blinded pilot study.

BACKGROUND: One common problem in various patient groups is excessive hair loss on the head. One such group is people struggling with hypothyroidism. The market for preparations for hair growth and hair loss prevention includes betulin. PURPOSE: This pilot study investigated its effect on hair loss in hypothyroid patients. STUDY DESIGN: The study included a group of hypothyroid patients and a control group of people without hypothyroidism. Participants were randomly divided into a group taking placebo and betulin. METHODS: Results were investigated using photographic assessment of hair, trichoscopy and subjective evaluation of participants. CONCLUSION: The study did not conclusively prove that betulin would contribute to the inhibition of hair loss or regrowth.