Nuclear Localization of Yes-Associated Protein Is Associated With Tumor Progression in Cutaneous Melanoma.

Yes-associated protein (YAP), an effector molecule of the Hippo signaling pathway, is expressed at high levels in cutaneous melanoma. However, the role of YAP in melanoma progression according to cellular localization is poorly understood. Tissues from 140 patients with invasive melanoma were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Flow cytometry, western blotting, viability assays, wound healing assays, verteporfin treatment, and xenograft assays were conducted using melanoma cell lines B16F1 and B16F10 subjected to YapS127A transfection and siYap knockdown. Nuclear YAP localization was identified in 63 tumors (45.0%) and was more frequent than cytoplasmic YAP in acral lentiginous and nodular subtypes (P = .007). Compared with cytoplasmic YAP melanomas, melanomas with nuclear YAP had higher mitotic activity (P = .016), deeper invasion (P < .001), and more frequently metastasized to lymph nodes (P < .001) and distant organs (P < .001). Patients with nuclear YAP melanomas had poorer disease-free survival (P < .001) and overall survival (P < .001). Nuclear YAP was an independent risk factor for distant metastasis (hazard ratio: 3.206; 95% CI, 1.032-9.961; P = .044). Proliferative ability was decreased in siYapB16F1 (P < .001) and siYapB16F10 (P = .001) cells and increased in YapS127AB16F1 (P = .003) and YapS127AB16F10 (P = .002) cells. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated relative G1 retention in siYapB16F1 (P < .001) and siYapB16F10 (P < .001) cells and S retention in YapS127AB16F1 cells (P = .008). Wound healing assays showed that Yap knockdown inhibited cell invasion (siYapB16F1, P = .001; siYapB16F10, P < .001), whereas nuclear YAP promoted it (YapS127AB16F, P < .001; YapS127AB16F1, P = .017). Verteporfin, a direct YAP inhibitor, reduced cellular proliferation in B16F1 (P = .003) and B16F10 (P < .001) cells. Proliferative effects of nuclear YAP were confirmed in xenograft mice (P < .001). In conclusion, nuclear YAP in human melanomas showed subtype specificity and correlated with proliferative activity and proinvasiveness. It is expected that YAP becomes a useful prognostic marker, and its inhibition may be a potential therapy for melanoma patients.

Decision regret after prostate biopsy for prostate cancer diagnosis: a Korean multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Many people struggle with the choice in a series of processes, from prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis to treatment. We investigated the degree of regret after the prostate biopsy (PBx) and relevant factors in patients recommended for biopsy for suspected PCa. METHODS: From 06/2020 to 05/2022, 198 people who performed PBx at three institutions were enrolled and analyzed through a questionnaire before and after biopsy. Before the biopsy, a questionnaire was conducted to evaluate the sociodemographic information, anxiety scale, and health literacy, and after PBx, another questionnaire was conducted to evaluate the decision regret scale. For patients diagnosed as PCa after biopsy, a questionnaire was conducted when additional tests were performed at PCa staging work-up. RESULTS: 190 patients answered the questionnaire before and after PBx. The mean age was 66.2 ± 7.8 years. Overall, 5.5% of men regretted biopsy, but there was no significant difference between groups according to the PCa presence. Multivariate analysis, to identify predictors for regret, revealed that the case when physicians did not properly explain what the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test was like and what PSA elevation means (OR 20.57, [95% CI 2.45-172.70], p = 0.005), low media literacy (OR 10.01, [95% CI 1.09-92.29], p = 0.042), and when nobody to rely on (OR 8.49, [95% CI 1.66-43.34], p = 0.010) were significantly related. CONCLUSIONS: Overall regret related to PBx was low. Decision regret was more significantly related to media literacy rather than to educational level. For patients with relatively low media literacy and fewer people to rely on in case of serious diseases, more careful attention and counseling on PBx, including a well-informed explanation on PSA test, is helpful.

Practice Patterns of Korean Urologists Regarding Positive Surgical Margins after Radical Prostatectomy: a Survey and Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: There is no clear consensus on the optimal treatment with curative intent for patients with positive surgical margins (PSMs) following radical prostatectomy (RP). The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions and treatment patterns of Korean urologists regarding the resection margin after RP. METHODS: A preliminary questionnaire was prepared by analyzing various studies on resection margins after RP. Eight experienced urologists finalized the 10-item questionnaire. In July 2019, the final questionnaire was delivered via e-mail to 105 urologists in Korea who specialize in urinary cancers. RESULTS: We received replies from 91 of the 105 urologists (86.7%) in our sample population. Among them, 41 respondents (45.1%) had performed more than 300 RPs and 22 (24.2%) had completed 500 or more RPs. In the question about whether they usually performed an additional biopsy beyond the main specimen, to get information about surgical margin invasion during surgery, the main opinion was that if no residual cancer was suspected, it was not performed (74.7%). For PSMs, the Gleason score of the positive site (49.5%) was judged to be a more important prognostic factor than the margin location (18.7%), multifocality (14.3%), or margin length (17.6%). In cases with PSMs after surgery, the prevailing opinion on follow-up was to measure and monitor prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels rather than to begin immediate treatment (68.1%). Many respondents said that they considered postoperative radiologic examinations when PSA was elevated (72.2%), rather than regularly (24.4%). When patients had PSMs without extracapsular extension (pT2R1) or a negative surgical margin with extracapsular extension (pT3aR0), the response 'does not make a difference in treatment policy' prevailed at 65.9%. Even in patients at high risk of PSMs on preoperative radiologic screening, 84.6% of the respondents said that they did not perform neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy. Most respondents (75.8%) indicated that they avoided nerve-sparing RP in cases with a high risk of PSMs, but 25.7% said that they had tried nerve-sparing surgery. Additional analyses showed that urologists who had performed 300 or more prostatectomies tended to attempt more nerve-sparing procedures in patients with a high risk of PSMs than less experienced surgeons (36.6% vs. 14.0%; P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: The most common response was to monitor PSA levels without recommending any additional treatment when PSMs were found after RP. Through this questionnaire, we found that the perceptions and treatment patterns of Korean urologists differed considerably according to RP resection margin status. Refined research and standard practice guidelines are needed.

Long-term cost comparison between surgical and medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a study using hospital billing data.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse actual long-term medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and compare the incurred cost with that of patients with BPH who underwent early surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who were first diagnosed with BPH from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2010 were identified using the Clinical Data Warehouse. Hospital billing data generated by the electronic hospital management system were collected until December 2015. For outpatient care, only procedures, materials and drugs directly related to the management of BPH were selected for the analysis. For inpatient care, all procedures, materials and drugs ordered on dates with continuity with BPH surgery date were included. The primary endpoint of the study was the total treatment-related direct costs of patients undergoing a long-term curative medical therapy for BPH (Group 1), which was arbitrarily defined as any medical therapy including a 5α-reductase inhibitor with a minimum medication possession ratio of 0.5 during ≥5 consecutive years, or ≥1 year until BPH surgery due to medical therapy failure. In all, 70 patients who underwent BPH surgery at <1 year of initial visit served as controls (Group 2). RESULTS: Amongst 137 patients in the Group 1, four patients underwent BPH surgery at a median of 57.8 months after the initial visit (2.9%). At a median follow-up of 76 months, the mean total treatment cost was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 ($3987 vs $3036 [USA dollars], P < 0.001). Similarly, the mean 'out-of-pocket' cost was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 ($1742 vs $1436, P = 0.005). When a linear increment of annual BPH treatment cost is assumed for Group 1 and all costs are assumed to be produced within the first year for Group 2, the total and out-of-pocket costs became equal at the end of the fifth year of medical treatment. For both total and out-of-pocket costs, medication-related costs occupied the largest proportion, exceeding half of the costs. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest patient counselling at the beginning of BPH treatment should include the likelihood that the cumulative out-of-pocket cost at 5 years of continuous medication will exceed that of early surgery. Our cost study using hospital billing data extractable from the electronic hospital management system may be a good model for cost studies that could provide valuable information to health providers and payers.

Pathological Characteristics of Prostate Cancer in Men Aged < 50 Years Treated with Radical Prostatectomy: a Multi-Centre Study in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Recently, younger prostate cancer (PCa) patients have been reported to harbour more favourable disease characteristics after radical prostatectomy (RP) than older men. We analysed young men (<50 years) with PCa among the Korean population, paying attention to pathological characteristics on RP specimen and biochemical recurrence (BCR). METHODS: The multi-centre, Severance Urological Oncology Group registry was utilized to identify 622 patients with clinically localized or locally advanced PCa, who were treated with RP between 2001 and 2017. Patients were dichotomized into two groups according to age (< 50-year-old [n = 75] and ≥ 50-year-old [n = 547]), and clinicopathological characteristics were analysed. Propensity score matching was used when assessing BCR between the two groups. RESULTS: Although biopsy Gleason score (GS) was lower in younger patients (P = 0.033), distribution of pathologic GS was similar between the two groups (13.3% vs. 13.9% for GS ≥ 8, P = 0.191). There was no significant difference in pathologic T stage between the < 50- and ≥ 50-year-old groups (69.3% vs. 68.0% in T2 and 30.7% vs. 32.0% in ≥ T3, P = 0.203). The positive surgical margin rates were similar between the two groups (20.0% vs. 27.6%, P = 0.178). BCR-free survival rates were also similar (P = 0.644) between the two groups, after propensity matching. CONCLUSION: Contrary to prior reports, younger PCa patients did not have more favourable pathologic features on RP specimen and showed similar BCR rates compared to older men. These findings should be considered when making treatment decisions for young Korean patients with PCa.

Practice pattern of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in Japan, Korea and Taiwan: A Web-based survey.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the treatment pattern of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients among urologists in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, with emphasis on compliance with important treatment guidelines. METHODS: A Web-based questionnaire survey was conceived by representative members of each country's urological oncology society and was open from June 2016 to February 2017 to each society's members. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression analysis were used. RESULTS: A total of 2334 urologists were invited and 701 responded to the survey with a response rate of 30.0%. Instruments used during transurethral resection of bladder cancer varied significantly between countries and depended on their availability. The re-transurethral resection rate for pT1 or high-grade disease >50% of the time was significantly higher in Japan than in the other two countries, but the collective rate was just 49%. The frequency of intravesical therapy in intermediate- to high-risk disease was generally consistent across countries. However, the choice of agent between chemotherapy and bacillus Calmette-Guérin was significantly different between countries. Maintenance bacillus Calmette-Guérin was used <10% of the time by 45% of respondents, the most important reasons being fear of side-effects, followed by a lack of efficacy and shortage of drug supply. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant differences between Japan, Korea and Taiwan in the management of intermediate- to high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. The results of this survey can serve as the basis for joint efforts to develop common clinical guidelines.

Radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer in patients aged 75 years or older: comparison with primary androgen deprivation therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether radical prostatetomy (RP) is suitable for prostate cancer patients with age ≥75 years in comparison to primary androgen deprivation therapy (PADT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cohort study was conducted in clinically localized prostate cancer patients with ≥75 years of age who underwent RP or PADT at six institutions from 2005 to 2013. Patients who had less than 12 months of follow-up, or received neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy were excluded. We compared clinical characteristics, cancer-specific and overall survivals, and post-treatment complication rates between two groups. RESULTS: We included 92 and 99 patients in the RP and PADT groups, respectively. In survival analyses, there were no significant differences in cancer-specific and overall survivals (p = .302 and .995, respectively). The incidence of serious adverse events (cardio- or cerebrovascular event, or bone fracture) was higher in the PADT group (p = .001). Multivariable analysis showed that PADT had a worse effect on the serious adverse events (OR 10.12, p = .038). CONCLUSIONS: In selected elderly patients, RP was safe and effective for treatment of localized prostate cancer, as compared to PADT. Surgical treatment options should be considered in elderly patients with respect to life expectancy, rather than chronological age.

Optical Thermometry Based on Vibration Sidebands in Y2MgTiO6:Mn4+ Double Perovskite.

Mn4+-doped Y2MgTiO6 phosphors are synthesized by the traditional solid-state method. Powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer are employed to characterize the samples. The Mn4+-doped Y2MgTiO6 phosphors show the far-red emission at ∼715 nm, which is assigned to the 2Eg → 4A2 spin-forbidden transition of Mn4+. The temperature-dependent luminescent dynamics of Mn4+ is described by a complete model associated with electron-lattice interaction and spin-orbit coupling. The noncontact optical thermometry of Y2MgTiO6:Mn4+ is discussed based on the fluorescence intensity ratio of thermally coupled anti-Stokes and Stokes sidebands of the efficient ∼715 nm far-red emission in the temperature range of 10-513 K. The maximum sensor sensitivity of Y2MgTiO6:Mn4+ is determined to be as high as 0.001 42 K-1 at 153 K, which demonstrates potential applications for the optical thermometry at low-temperature environments.

Slim coherent backlight unit for holographic display using full color holographic optical elements.

The coherent backlight unit (BLU) using a holographic optical element (HOE) for full-color flat-panel holographic display is proposed. The HOE BLU consists of two reflection type HOEs that change the optical beam path and shape by diffraction. The illumination area of backlight is 150 mm x 90 mm and the thickness is 10 mm, which is slim compared to other conventional coherent backlight units for holographic display systems. This backlight unit exhibits a total efficiency of 8.0% at red (660 nm), 7.7% at green (532 nm), and 3.2% at blue (460 nm) using optimized recording conditions for each wavelength. As a result, we could get a bright full color hologram image.

Prognostic value of the Glasgow Prognostic Score in renal cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) has been reported to predict oncologic outcomes in various type of cancer. However, their prognostic value in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is unclear. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the prognostic significance of GPS in RCC patients. METHODS: We performed comprehensive searches of electronic databases to identify studies that evaluated the prognostic impact of pretreatment GPS in RCC patients. The end points were cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free/disease-free survival (RFS/DFS). Meta-analysis using random-effects models was performed to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Nine retrospective, observational, cohort studies involving 2096 patients were included. Seven studies evaluated CSS, and three evaluated RFS. Our results showed that higher GPS (0 vs. 1 vs. 2) was significantly predictive of poorer CSS (HR 3.68, 95 % CI 2.52-5.40, p < 0.001) and RFS/DFS (HR 2.83, 95 % CI 1.86-4.30, p < 0.001) in patients with RCC. These findings were robust when stratified by sample size, presence of metastasis, and study region. We also conducted subgroup analysis by assessment of Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale (NOS) score, and the HRs were 2.708 (95 % CI 1.969, 3.725) in under 7 points group, 3.685 (95 % CI 2.516, 5.396) in over than 7 points group in CSS. Meta-regression analysis indicated that NOS score group had a significant difference in HRs (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Higher GPS is associated with tumor progression and is predictive of poorer survival in patients with RCC. Therefore, GPS may help to inform treatment decisions and predict treatment outcomes.

Radical Prostatectomy in Korean Men Aged 75-Years or Older: Safety and Efficacy in Comparison with Patients Aged 65-69 Years.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of male cancer worldwide. Although radical prostatectomy (RP) is advised for prostate cancer in patients with a life expectancy of more than 10 years by various guidelines, most elderly men still do not undergo the procedure regardless of increasing life expectancy. This study aimed to determine whether RP is suitable for patients with prostate cancer aged 75 years or older. A retrospective study of patients who underwent RP at 6 institutions between 2005 and 2012 was conducted. Patients were divided into 2 groups at the time of surgery: 65-69 years (younger group) and 75 years or older (older group). We compared clinical characteristics, pathological results, complication rates, and recurrence-free survival between the two groups. Compared with the younger group, the older group had significantly higher preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen level, pre- and postoperative Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status grade, hypertension prevalence, and Gleason score at biopsy and RP. However, except urinary incontinence, there were no statistically significant differences in the peri- and post-operative complications. After median follow-up periods of 36 months (younger group) and 40 months (older group), the biochemical recurrence-free survival rates were not significantly different (P = 0.581). Although the urinary incontinence rate was higher in the older group, RP was a suitable option for selected Korean men aged 75 years or older with limited complication rates and excellent outcomes similar to those for patients aged 65-69 years.

Ultrasensitive prostate specific antigen and its role after radical prostatectomy: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Prostate specific antigen is an important tool to monitor patients with prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy. Ultrasensitive prostate specific antigen assays are increasingly used with a lower limit of detection as low as 0.001 ng/ml. We systematically reviewed currently available ultrasensitive prostate specific antigen technologies and the role of this method in monitoring patients after radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the relevant literature using the MEDLINE® database. For various study objectives the series eligible for review provided serial ultrasensitive prostate specific antigen (lower detection limit less than 0.1 ng/ml) data on men after radical prostatectomy as well as comparative data on standard prostate specific antigen (lower detection limit 0.1 ng/ml or greater). RESULTS: Ultrasensitive prostate specific antigen could potentially detect prostate cancer recurrence years earlier than standard prostate specific antigen assays. The specificity of detectable ultrasensitive prostate specific antigen is low. Ultrasensitive prostate specific antigen kinetics may improve the positive predictive value for detecting cancer recurrence. However, the usefulness of prostate specific antigen doubling time at the ultrasensitive level remains controversial. Undetectable nadir ultrasensitive prostate specific antigen after radical prostatectomy confers a low risk of disease recurrence while a detectable nadir above 0.01 ng/ml requires additional measurement and consideration of other risk factors to determine management and avoid overtreatment. This monitoring method may spare patients with high risk disease adjuvant radiation therapy and enable more selective early salvage radiation. Currently no data demonstrate improved survival after early salvage therapy prompted by ultrasensitive prostate specific antigen surveillance. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasensitive prostate specific antigen is useful in the early diagnosis of cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy but specificity is poor. To date there is a lack of evidence that earlier detection of recurrence translates into prolonged time to metastasis. Integrating ultrasensitive prostate specific antigen with other clinicopathological factors can help determine optimal adjuvant and salvage therapy.

Fabrication of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube or Zinc Oxide Nanorod Arrays for Optical Diffraction Gratings.

We report on new fabrication methods for a transparent, hierarchical, and patterned electrode comprised of either carbon nanotubes or zinc oxide nanorods. Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes or zinc oxide nanorod arrays were fabricated by either chemical vapor deposition or hydrothermal growth, in combination with photolithography. A transparent conductive graphene layer or zinc oxide seed layer was employed as the transparent electrode. On the patterned surface defined using photoresist, the vertically grown carbon nanotubes or zinc oxides could produce a concentrated electric field under applied DC voltage. This periodic electric field was used to align liquid crystal molecules in localized areas within the optical cell, effectively modulating the refractive index. Depending on the material and morphology of these patterned electrodes, the diffraction efficiency presented different behavior. From this study, we established the relationship between the hierarchical structure of the different electrodes and their efficiency for modulating the refractive index. We believe that this study will pave a new path for future optoelectronic applications.

Implementing microfluidic flow device model in utilizing dural substitutes as pulp capping materials for vital pulp therapy.

Vital pulp therapy (VPT) has gained prominence with the increasing trends towards conservative dental treatment with specific indications for preserving tooth vitality by selectively removing the inflamed tissue instead of the entire dental pulp. Although VPT has shown high success rates in long-term follow-up, adverse effects have been reported due to the calcification of tooth canals by mineral trioxide aggregates (MTAs), which are commonly used in VPT. Canal calcification poses challenges for accessing instruments during retreatment procedures. To address this issue, this study evaluated the mechanical properties of dural substitute intended to alleviate intra-pulp pressure caused by inflammation, along with assessing the biological responses of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), both of which play crucial roles in dental pulp. The study examined the application of dural substitutes as pulp capping materials, replacing MTA. This assessment was conducted using a microfluidic flow device model that replicated the blood flow environment within the dental pulp. Computational fluid dynamics simulations were employed to ensure that the fluid flow velocity within the microfluidic flow device matched the actual blood flow velocity within the dental pulp. Furthermore, the dural substitutes (Biodesign; BD and Neuro-Patch; NP) exhibited resistance to penetration by 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HEMA) released from the upper restorative materials and bonding agents. Finally, while MTA increased the expression of angiogenesis-related and hard tissue-related genes in HUVEC and hDPSCS, respectively, BD and NP did not alter gene expression and preserved the original characteristics of both cell types. Hence, dural substitutes have emerged as promising alternatives for VPT owing to their resistance to HEMA penetration and the maintenance of stemness. Moreover, the microfluidic flow device model closely replicated the cellular responses observed in live pulp chambers, thereby indicating its potential use as anin vivotesting platform.

Comparison of Short-Term Outcomes and Safety Profiles between Androgen Deprivation Therapy+Abiraterone/Prednisone and Androgen Deprivation Therapy+Docetaxel in Patients with De Novo Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the short-term outcomes and safety profiles of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT)+abiraterone/prednisone with those of ADT+docetaxel in patients with de novo metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A web-based database system was established to collect prospective cohort data for patients with mHSPC in Korea. From May 2019 to November 2022, 928 patients with mHSPC from 15 institutions were enrolled. Among these patients, data from 122 patients who received ADT+abiraterone/prednisone or ADT+docetaxel as the primary systemic treatment for mHSPC were collected. The patients were divided into two groups: ADT+abiraterone/prednisone group (n=102) and ADT+docetaxel group (n=20). We compared the demographic characteristics, medical histories, baseline cancer status, initial laboratory tests, metastatic burden, oncological outcomes for mHSPC, progression after mHSPC treatment, adverse effects, follow-up, and survival data between the two groups. RESULTS: No significant differences in the demographic characteristics, medical histories, metastatic burden, and baseline cancer status were observed between the two groups. The ADT+abiraterone/prednisone group had a lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression rate (7.8% vs. 30.0%; p=0.011) and lower systemic treatment discontinuation rate (22.5% vs. 45.0%; p=0.037). No significant differences in adverse effects, oncological outcomes, and total follow-up period were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: ADT+abiraterone/prednisone had lower PSA progression and systemic treatment discontinuation rates than ADT+docetaxel. In conclusion, further studies involving larger, double-blinded randomized trials with extended follow-up periods are necessary.

Desmopressin add-on therapy for refractory nocturia in men receiving α-blockers for lower urinary tract symptoms.

PURPOSE: Alpha-blockers improve lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic obstruction. Nocturia, a storage symptom, is a common complaint in men. However, it does not fully respond to α-blocker therapy, likely due to its multifactorial pathophysiology. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of desmopressin as add-on therapy for refractory nocturia in men previously treated with an α-blocker for lower urinary tract symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible patients were men 50 years old or older with lower urinary tract symptoms and persistent nocturia despite α-blocker treatment for a minimum of 4 weeks. The optimum dose of oral desmopressin was determined during a 4-week dose titration period and this dose was maintained for 24 weeks. Flow volume charts, International Prostate Symptom Score total and subscores, uroflowmetry and post-void residual urine volume were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 216 patients were enrolled in the study. Of these patients there were 158 (76%) with nocturnal polyuria, 15 (7.2%) with decreased nocturnal bladder capacity and 35 (16.8%) with nocturia due to both causes. The number of nocturnal voids significantly decreased from a baseline mean of 7.0 to 5.7 episodes for 3 days at the 24-week visit. The average International Prostate Symptom Score total and subscore significantly decreased by 4 weeks and were maintained at 24 weeks. In patients younger than 65 years, International Prostate Symptom Score voiding subscores were significantly improved at 24 weeks compared to those age 65 years or older. CONCLUSIONS: Desmopressin add-on therapy for refractory nocturia in men previously treated with an α-blocker for lower urinary tract symptoms improved voiding symptoms as well as nocturia, storage symptoms.

Triple-layered perovskite niobates CaRNb3O10 (R = La, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb, or Y): new self-activated oxides.

Niobates CaRNb3O10 (R = La, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb, or Y) were prepared by conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction. The formation of a single-phase compound with triple-layered perovskite-type structure was verified through X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The luminescence characteristics such as photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra, X-ray-excited luminescence (XEL), Stokes shift, decay curves, and color coordinates were investigated. The niobates can be efficiently excited by UV light and present luminescence behaviors with rich luminescence colors. Under excitation by ultraviolet radiation, CaRNb3O10 (R = La, Gd, Yb, or Y) exhibits strong blue luminescence due to the self-activation center of the octahedral NbO6 groups, even at room temperature. For the materials of composition CaRNb3O10 (R = Sm, Eu, Dy, or Er), the excitation at the host band produces a characteristic luminescence of rare earth ions, indicating a host-guest energy transfer process. CaRNb3O10 (R = Eu) has the strongest luminescence intensity, which can be efficiently excitated by near UV wavelength. It could be suggested to be a potential candidate for the application on near-UV excited white LEDs.

Predictive factors for bladder recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: To identify predictive factors for developing subsequent bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC) in patients undergoing radical nephroureterectomy for the treatment of upper urinary tract UC (UUT-UC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 78 patients with clinically localized UUT-UC who had undergone operation at our institution between June 1994 and December 2009. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to determine the predictive factors. RESULTS: Out of a total of 78 patients, 14 (17.9%) developed bladder UC after radical nephroureterectomy at a median interval of 10 months (range: 3-46). Of these 14 patients, 11 (78.6%) experienced bladder recurrence within the first 2 years of follow-up. All 14 patients (100%) had non-muscle-invasive bladder UC and 10 patients (71.4%) had high-grade tumors. The univariate analysis identified preoperative voided urine cytology, tumor configuration, and adjuvant systemic chemotherapy as significant predictive factors for bladder recurrence, whereas the multivariate analysis indicated that only preoperative voided urine cytology was an independent predictive factor. CONCLUSIONS: Positive preoperative voided urine cytology is an independent predictor for bladder recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy for UUT-UC. Therefore, closer surveillance of the bladder is necessary, especially in patients with positive preoperative urine cytology.

Improved cell disruption of Pichia pastoris utilizing aminopropyl magnesium phyllosilicate (AMP) clay.

An efficient method for Pichia cell disruption that employs an aminopropyl magnesium phyllosilicate (AMP) clay-assisted glass beads mill is presented. AMP clay is functionalized nanocomposite resembling the talc parent structure Si8Mg6O20(OH)4 that has been proven to permeate the bacterial membrane and cause cell lysis. The recombinant capsid protein of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115 was used as demonstration system for their ability of self-assembly into icosahedral virus-like particles (VLPs). The total protein concentration reached 4.24 mg/ml after 4 min treatment by glass beads mill combined with 0.2 % AMP clay, which was 11.2 % higher compared to glass beads mill only and the time was half shortened. The stability of purified CCMV VLPs illustrated AMP clay had no influence on virus assembly process. Considering the tiny amount added and simple approach of AMP clay, it could be a reliable method for yeast cell disruption.

Construction and performance evaluation of mediator-less microbial fuel cell using carbon nanotubes as an anode material.

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a device that converts chemical energy to electrical energy using the catalytic reaction of microorganisms. We investigated the performance of mediator-less MFC with carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/graphite felt composite electrodes. The addition of CNTs to a graphite felt electrode increases the specific surface area of the electrode and enhances the charge transfer capability so as to cause considerable improvement of the electrochemical activity for the anode reaction in a MFC. The performance of the MFC using CNTs/graphite felt electrode has been compared against a plain graphite felt electrode based MFC. A CNTs/graphite felt electrode showed as high as 15% increase in the power density (252 mW/m2) compared to graphite felt electrode (214 mW/m2). The CNTs/graphite felt anode therefore offers good prospects for application in MFCs.