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1.
Actas urol. esp ; 48(1): 57-70, Ene-Febr. 2024. graf, tab
Article En, Es | IBECS | ID: ibc-229107

Objetivo Identificar los últimos avances en los dispositivos de aspiración para la cirugía retrógrada intrarrenal (CRIR) y la ureteroscopia en el tratamiento de la litiasis, y evaluar los resultados de su aplicación. Procedimiento El 4 de enero de 2023 se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica sistemática en Scopus, PubMed y EMBASE. Solo se incluyeron artículos en inglés; se aceptaron estudios en la población pediátrica y estudios en adultos. Se excluyeron los estudios duplicados, los informes de casos, las cartas al editor y los resúmenes de congresos. Hallazgos principales Se seleccionaron 21 trabajos. Se han propuesto varios sistemas de aspiración para la CRIR: a través de la vaina de acceso ureteral o directamente por el endoscopio. La inteligencia artificial también puede desempeñar un papel, monitorizando los valores de la presión y del flujo de irrigación. Todas las técnicas propuestas mostraron resultados perioperatorios satisfactorios en cuanto a tiempo quirúrgico, tasa libre de cálculos (TLC) y fragmentos residuales. Además, la reducción de la presión intrarrenal (mediante la aspiración) también se asoció a una tasa de infección menor. Incluso los estudios que incluyen cálculos renales con un diámetro de 20mm o superior informan de una mayor TLC y una reducción de las complicaciones postoperatorias. Sin embargo, la falta de parámetros bien establecidos para la presión de la aspiración y el flujo de líquido impide la estandarización del procedimiento. Conclusión Como ha sido demostrado en los estudios incluidos, el uso de dispositivos de aspiración en el tratamiento quirúrgico de los cálculos urinarios favorece la obtención de una TLC mayor y reduce las complicaciones infecciosas. La CRIR con sistema de aspiración podría sustituir a la técnica tradicional, gracias a sus ventajas asociadas al control de la presión intrarrenal y aspiración del polvo fino. (AU)


Objective To identify the latest advances in suction devices and evaluate their effect in Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and ureteroscopy for stones. Basic procedures A systematic literature search was performed on 4th January 2023 using Scopus, PubMed, and EMBASE. Only English papers were included; both pediatric and adult studies were accepted. Duplicate studies, case reports, letters to the editor, and meeting abstracts were excluded. Main findings Twenty-one papers were selected. Several methods have been proposed for suction use in RIRS, such as through the ureteral access sheath or directly to the scope. Artificial intelligence can also regulate this system, monitoring pressure and perfusion flow values. All the proposed techniques showed satisfactory perioperative results for operative time, stone-free rate (SFR), and residual fragments. Moreover, the reduction of intrarenal pressure (induced by aspiration) was also associated with a lower infection rate. Even the studies that considered kidney stones with a diameter of 20mm or higher reported higher SFR and reduced postoperative complications. However, the lack of well-defined settings for suction pressure and fluid flow prevents the standardization of the procedure. Conclusion Aspiration device in the surgical treatment of urinary stones favours a higher SFR, reducing infectious complications, as supported by the included studies. RIRS with a suction system provided to be a natural successor to the traditional technique, regulating intrarenal pressure and aspirating fine dust. (AU)


Humans , Suction/instrumentation , Nephrolithiasis/surgery
2.
Actas Urol Esp (Engl Ed) ; 48(1): 57-70, 2024.
Article En, Es | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37302691

OBJECTIVE: To identify the latest advances in suction devices and evaluate their effect in Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and ureteroscopy for stones. BASIC PROCEDURES: A systematic literature search was performed on 4th January 2023 using Scopus, PubMed, and EMBASE. Only English papers were included; both pediatric and adult studies were accepted. Duplicate studies, case reports, letters to the editor, and meeting abstracts were excluded. MAIN FINDINGS: Twenty-one papers were selected. Several methods have been proposed for suction use in RIRS, such as through the ureteral access sheath or directly to the scope. Artificial intelligence can also regulate this system, monitoring pressure and perfusion flow values. All the proposed techniques showed satisfactory perioperative results for operative time, stone-free rate (SFR), and residual fragments. Moreover, the reduction of intrarenal pressure (induced by aspiration) was also associated with a lower infection rate. Even the studies that considered kidney stones with a diameter of 20 mm or higher reported higher SFR and reduced postoperative complications. However, the lack of well-defined settings for suction pressure and fluid flow prevents the standardization of the procedure. CONCLUSION: Aspiration device in the surgical treatment of urinary stones favours a higher SFR, reducing infectious complications, as supported by the included studies. RIRS with a suction system provided to be a natural successor to the traditional technique, regulating intrarenal pressure and aspirating fine dust.


Kidney Calculi , Ureter , Adult , Humans , Child , Artificial Intelligence , Suction , Treatment Outcome , Kidney Calculi/surgery
3.
Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci ; 27(23): 11201, 2023 Dec.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38095369

Correction to: Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27 (11): 5240-5245-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202306_32642-PMID: 37318498-published online on June 13, 2023. After publication, the authors discovered that Prof. C. Gentili's affiliation was wrong as he has never been a member of the Italian Society of Colposcopy and Cervicovaginal Pathology (SICPCV). The authors never found the mistake during the review process nor requested a correction before publication. Therefore, the second affiliation has been corrected as follows: Pathologist, Independent Practitioner, Carrara, Italy. There are amendments to this paper. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/32642.

4.
Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci ; 27(14): 6876-6881, 2023 Jul.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37522700

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aimed at ascertaining the clinical usefulness of nebulized myo-inositol in the management of patients affected by bronchiectasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 19 patients, aged between 63 and 73 years old, with bronchiectasis, were treated for 15 days with nebulized myo-inositol or placebo. Lung functionality [forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (FEV1)], solid content of expectorate, and surfactant tension were analyzed. RESULTS: All patients treated with nebulized myo-inositol had a significant decrease in the percentage of solid content in the expectorate (T0 7.9±2.8% vs. T1 5.2±2.7%; p<0.001) and surfactant tension (T0 81.5±6.9 mN/m vs. T1 77.4±7.2 mN/m; p<0.001). Among treated patients, these variations correlated with FEV1 (rs=- 0.79; p<0.01) and forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of FVC (FEF25-75%) (rs=-0.81; p<0.01) scores. Also, variation of surfactant tension correlated with FEV1 (rs= -0.74; p<0.05) score. CONCLUSIONS: Nebulized myo-inositol increases lung functionality and mucus clearance in patients affected by bronchiectasis.


Bronchiectasis , Pulmonary Surfactants , Humans , Infant , Retrospective Studies , Bronchiectasis/drug therapy , Forced Expiratory Volume , Surface-Active Agents/pharmacology , Surface-Active Agents/therapeutic use , Inositol/therapeutic use , Lung , Vital Capacity
5.
Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci ; 27(11): 5240-5245, 2023 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37318498

OBJECTIVE: The human papilloma virus (HPV) is the etiological agent of cervical cancer in more than 95% of cases worldwide. Although most HPV infections clear up on their own and most pre-cancerous lesions spontaneously resolve, in some cases, they can persist, leading to lesions which may progress towards invasive cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the effects of the association of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) + folic acid (FA) + vitamin B12 (B12) + hyaluronic acid (HA) on HPV-positive cervical cancer cells (HeLa). RESULTS: The association of EGCG + FA + B12 + HA induced a significant increase of apoptosis and p53 gene expression with a concomitant decrease of E6/E7 gene expression, a marker of HPV infection. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides for the first-time evidence on the potential additive activity of EGCG + FA + B12 + HA in counteracting HPV infection, by increasing apoptosis and p53 expression in HPV-infected cervical HeLa cells.


Papillomavirus Infections , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms , Female , Humans , HeLa Cells , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics , Hyaluronic Acid/pharmacology , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology , Vitamin B 12/pharmacology , Folic Acid/pharmacology , Apoptosis
6.
J Urol ; 209(6): 1157, 2023 06.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37157799
7.
Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci ; 27(7): 3022-3032, 2023 04.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37070905

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to test if oral high hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA) administration was effective in contrasting induced preterm birth (PTB) in female Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 pregnant rats were pretreated with placebo or low (2.5 mg/day)/high dose (5 mg/day) of HMW-HA (day 15) and then induced to delivery with mifepristone plus prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (3 mg/100 µL + 0.5 mg/animal) on the 19th day of pregnancy. The delivery time was recorded and the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)1ß, IL-6] were detected in the uterine tissues by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real PCR). Immunohistochemistry was performed alongside. RESULTS: Oral HMW-HA was well absorbed in the body and was able to significantly delay the timing of delivery and decrease mRNA synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines. CONCLUSIONS: HMW-HA, by acting in the management of PTB, may represent a new approach to protecting physiological pregnancy.


Obstetric Labor, Premature , Premature Birth , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Humans , Rats , Female , Animals , Hyaluronic Acid/adverse effects , Inflammation/pathology , Premature Birth/prevention & control , Molecular Weight , Rats, Wistar , Cytokines/genetics , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/adverse effects , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Hormones
8.
Food Chem ; 393: 133340, 2022 Nov 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35653993

This paper presents, for the first time, a method for the rapid quantification of ß-carotene in olive oil by Raman spectroscopy. Using a 532 nm Raman laser source, our procedure requires only one drop (100 µL) of oil, for ß-carotene content to be determined. Results show that ß-carotene content is associated with the lutein/ß-carotene ratio, a parameter whose value describes how healthy the olives were before processing, specifically whether an olive fly attack occurred. Since olive fly attacks are not always visible to the oil producers, this method gives them the means to control the validity of the prevention strategies they adopted.


Olea , beta Carotene , Antioxidants , Lutein , Olea/chemistry , Olive Oil/chemistry , beta Carotene/chemistry
9.
Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci ; 25(8): 3235-3245, 2021 04.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33928609

OBJECTIVE: The inhibition of the metastatic capability of cancer cells is a pivotal aim of current anticancer strategies. We investigated herein the anti-migrating and anti-invasive properties of Zebrafish embryo extracts (SL) - an integrative formula comprising morphogenetic factors extracted from zebrafish embryos - alone or in association with 5-Fluoro-Uracil (5-FU), when added to metastatic breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and in normal epithelial breast cells (MCF10A) committed toward an inflammatory phenotype upon TGF-ß1 stimulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Invasiveness, migrating capability, cytoskeleton architecture and related molecular factors involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition were studied after treatment with 5-FU, with and without SL. RESULTS: Remarkably, in both circumstances, embryo extracts amplify the migratory inhibition triggered by the anticancer drug 5-Fu. The fact that such an effect is noticed in normal as well as in cancerous cells suggests that the critical target of embryo extracts is specifically represented by the migrating/invasive phenotype. However, while 5-FU was unable in antagonizing the invasiveness of cancerous cells, the association with SL can significantly impair the invasive capability of tumor cells. These findings are noticeably associated with the reversion of the EMT phenotype in SL-treated cells, as documented by the contemporary downregulation of TCTP and some EMT-related molecular effectors, like α-SMA and Vimentin. CONCLUSIONS: Embryo fish extracts significantly counteract the migrating and invasive phenotype of cancerous and inflammatory breast cells treated with the chemotherapeutic drug 5-FU. The availability of a compound able to amplify 5-Fu activity while significantly hampering the invasive phenotype of breast cancer should provide invaluable benefits, namely if we consider that this compound is substantially deprived of side-effects.


Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/pharmacology , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Fluorouracil/pharmacology , Animals , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Cell Line , Cell Movement/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cell Survival/drug effects , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , Female , Humans , Zebrafish/embryology
10.
Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci ; 21(2 Suppl): 43-50, 2017 06.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28724186

OBJECTIVE: Oral treatment with inositol hexaphosphate (InsP6) has shown to be efficient in decreasing adverse effects in patients with breast cancer under chemotherapy. This study was aimed at evaluating and comparing the efficacy of topical InsP6 in improving quality of life in women treated with anticancer drugs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was a double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) with allocation concealment of 20 patients in two groups, one (experimental) applied 4% topical formulation of InsP6 once a day, whereas the second one (control) a gel containing hyaluronic acid. InsP6 therapy started 6 weeks after lumpectomy. Blood tests were monitored in both groups and quality of life was assessed using standardized QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23. RESULTS: Patients who applied InsP6 on the breast significantly improved their quality of life and functional status reducing side effects compared to control group; moreover, after treatment, a significant difference between the two groups was observed in the white blood cells and platelets count values. CONCLUSIONS: Topical InsP6 treatment has demonstrated to be effective and safe in preventing and/or mitigating chemotherapy-induced side effects as well as the preserving quality of life in women with ductal breast cancer.


Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant/adverse effects , Phytic Acid/administration & dosage , Phytic Acid/therapeutic use , Administration, Topical , Adult , Aged , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Leukocyte Count , Middle Aged , Platelet Count , Quality of Life , Treatment Outcome
11.
Int J Surg ; 42: 147-151, 2017 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28476544

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of RIRS in men ≥65 years to those <65 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent RIRS were prospectively collected from March 2013 to March 2014 in 5 European centers. Perioperative outcomes and complications in elderly men were compared with men <65 years. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed for factors predicting overall complications. The groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical variables were compared using chi-squared test and the Yates correction or the Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: A total of 399 patients with renal stones were included, 308 (77.19%) were aged <65 years, 91 (22.8%) were aged ≥65 years. Elderly patients were more likely to have higher ASA scores (35.7% vs 92.3%; p < 001), Charlson Comorbidity Index (1.8 vs. 5.2, p < 0.001), hyperlipidemia (10.06% vs. 30.76%; p = 0,0005) and coronary heart disease (5.51% vs. 17.58; p = 0.005) compared to younger cohort. Perioperative outcomes (stone free rate, operative time and re-intervention rate) did not show differences between the two groups (p > 0.05). Surgical and medical complication rates were similar between the cohorts (14.28% vs 9.89%; p = 0.38). Multivariate analysis did not identify any predictive factors of complications among the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, elderly RIRS patients had comparable short term efficacy and perioperative complications to younger patients, despite a higher prevalence of comorbidity. Age itself should not be considered as a risk factor for the development of complications in patients undergoing RIRS for renal stone.


Kidney Calculi/surgery , Kidney/surgery , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Comorbidity , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Operative Time , Postoperative Complications/etiology
12.
World J Urol ; 35(8): 1277-1283, 2017 Aug.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27987031

BACKGROUND: A new single use digital flexible cystoscope (FC) Isiris α from Coloplast® with an incorporated grasper has been developed to perform double J stent removal. There is a lack of data regarding the comparison of image quality, flexibility and flow between classic cystoscopes and the new Isiris α. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five different FC were used to compare the image quality, the field of view, the loss of flow and the deflection loss. Two standardized grids, three stones of different composition and a ruler's image were filmed in four standardized different scenarios. These videos were shown to thirty subjects that had to evaluate them. Water outflow was measured in ml/sec in all devices with and without the grasper inside, instruments tip deflection was measured using a software. RESULTS: In the subjective analysis of the image quality Isiris α was the second FC best scored. At 3 cm of distance, the field view of Isiris α was the narrowest. Comparing the water flow in the different FCs, we observed a water flow decrease in all cystoscopes when the grasper was loaded in the working channel. Isiris α deflection and flow increase when the grasper is activated. CONCLUSION: In terms of quality of vision and water flow, the FC Isiris α is comparable to the other digital FC tested. Field of view is narrower. The results displayed a valid alternative to the standard procedure for DJ removal.


Cystoscopes , Device Removal/instrumentation , Stents , Ureter , Humans
13.
Urolithiasis ; 45(4): 387-392, 2017 Aug.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27638520

The aim of this study is to evaluate if surgical experience could influence the outcomes of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in terms of stone clearance and complication rate. Patients from five institutions were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1: patients treated by three surgeons in the early phase of learning curve (surgical experience <100 procedures); Group 2: cases operated by two surgeons with great endourological experience (>400 procedures). Patients and stone characteristics, outcome and complications were analyzed. Multivariable regression model was used. Differences between groups were estimated using propensity scores to adjust for the bias inherent to the different characteristics. 381 RIRS were analyzed (Group 1: 150 RIRS; Group 2: 231 RIRS). Clinical data and stone parameters were comparable. The SFR was 70 % in Group 1 and 77.9 % in Group 2 (p = 0.082). Operative time was significantly shorter in the Group 2 (76.3 vs. 53.1 min, p = 0.001). The overall complication rate was significantly lower in Group 2 (20.7 vs. 8.7, p = 0.001). At unadjusted analysis, a non-significant difference was found between centers on SFR (OR 1.51 95 % CI 0.95-2.41). Conversely, a significant difference was found on overall complications (OR 0.36 95 %CI 0.20-0.67) with lower overall complication in Group 2. This study shows that surgeon experience influences the outcomes of RIRS mainly in terms of safety. Further studies will be needed to assess the exact number of procedures necessary to obtain a plateau in the rate of complications and success.


Clinical Competence , Kidney Calculi/surgery , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Ureteroscopy/adverse effects , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Kidney/surgery , Male , Middle Aged , Operative Time , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Propensity Score , Prospective Studies , Surgeons/education , Treatment Outcome , Ureteroscopy/methods , Urology/education
14.
Int J Surg ; 36(Pt D): 681-687, 2016 Dec.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27913238

The advancements in the endourological armamentarium and the evolution of ureteroscopes with the advent of fiberoptic first and then digital technology, the introduction of holmium laser lithotripters, together with the increasing number of requests for minimally invasive procedures has ameliorated outcomes, patients' safety and comfort, making the use of flexible ureteroscopy for urinary calculi increasingly attractive and widespread among urological community. Due to its high stone-free rates and low morbidity, flexible ureteroscopy has become a viable option for the treatment of renal stones. This review describes the contemporary ureteroscopic management of kidney stones.


Kidney Calculi/therapy , Lithotripsy/methods , Ureteroscopes , Ureteroscopy/methods , Humans , Patient Safety
15.
Prog Urol ; 26(2): 108-14, 2016 Feb.
Article Fr | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26611569

AIMS: To evaluate postoperative symptoms after Greenlight™ photovaporisation of the prostate (PVP), through a dedicated questionnaire. METHODS: A retrospective study has been conducted between 2008 and 2014. The questionnaire had 5 sections about pain while voiding, hematuria, urgency, incontinence and urinary stream, and was filled at one-month postoperative. The main outcome criterion was pain while voiding. Descriptive statistical analyses were done to identify predictive factors for pain while voiding. RESULTS: Out of 169 patients, 22% had no pain while voiding, 37% had moderate pain, 30% acceptable pain and 11% intense pain. Patients with pain were significantly older, (P=0.012), had more urgency (P=0.01) and more often hematuria (P=0.0001). Only 7% of patients had no symptoms of urgency, and urgency was painful or bothering in 57% of cases. Hematuria was frequent, with clots in 21% of cases. Ninety three percent felt improvement of urinary stream. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic evaluation of symptoms through a dedicated questionnaire one month after PVP has shown that 41% of patients felt pain while voiding, 57% had urgency and 39% significant hematuria. These results should encourage a more accurate patient information and further studies to better understand postoperative healing after PVP.


Laser Therapy/adverse effects , Prostatectomy/methods , Surveys and Questionnaires , Aged , Early Diagnosis , Humans , Male , Postoperative Complications/diagnosis , Retrospective Studies
16.
Int Urol Nephrol ; 48(2): 207-12, 2016 Feb.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26660955

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and the safety of Resonance(®) stents in patients with ureterocutaneostomies (UCS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled all patients with UCS who presented with impaired ureteral drainage with traditional polymeric ureteral prosthesis. Preoperative and follow-up (1, 3, 6, 12 months) workup, after Resonance(®) placement, included: medical history, physical examination, serum laboratory tests, urinalysis, urine culture and urinary tract imaging by ultrasound, administration of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (QLQ-C30) and an evaluation of patients' satisfaction rate. In addition, the number of emergency department patient admissions and hospitalizations occurred 1 year before and after the stent Resonance(®) placement was noted. RESULTS: Twenty-five renal units in 14 patients with UCS were included. Statistically significant improvements in creatinine serum levels, patients' satisfaction rate, hydronephrosis and number of urinary tract infections (UTI) were found at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up compared to baseline. Statistically significant differences in EORTC QLQ-C30 were detected only in Emotional, Social and Global QoL domains before and after Resonance(®) placement (p < 0.0001). At inclusion, a total of 39 referrals to ED were recorded; at 1-year follow-up, only five cases of ED presentations have been recorded (p < 0.01). At the same endpoints, the number of hospitalizations was 18 and 2, respectively (p < 0.05). Failure rate was 8.3%. CONCLUSION: At 1-year follow-up, Resonance(®) stents are effective and safe in patients with UCS refractory to polymeric ureteral prosthesis, reporting evidence for significant improvements in hydronephrosis rate, renal function, UTI, and patients' satisfaction rate and QoL.


Patient Satisfaction , Stents , Ureter/surgery , Ureteral Obstruction/surgery , Ureterostomy/methods , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prosthesis Design , Retrospective Studies , Time Factors
18.
World J Urol ; 33(3): 309-14, 2015 Mar.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24756177

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for stones up to 2 cm in diameter in patients with solitary kidney. METHODS: From January 2008 to January 2013, we prospectively enrolled all consecutive patients with solitary kidney and renal stones. Plain abdominal computed tomography scan was performed preoperatively and 1 month after the procedure to assess the stone-free rates (SFR). Serum creatinine levels were detected preoperatively, at day 1 postoperatively, at 1 month postoperatively, and then every 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: During the study period, we prospectively enrolled a total of 29 patients. The mean age was 55.7 ± 12.3 years; the mean stone size was 1.3 ± 0.4 cm. The primary SFR was 72.4 %; the secondary SFR was 93.1 %. The mean number of procedures per patient was 1.24. The mean serum creatinine levels were 1.5 ± 0.6, 1.6 ± 0.7, 1.6 ± 0.6, and 1.7 ± 0.7 mg/dl preoperatively, at 1 day after RIRS, at 1 month after RIRS, and at 1 year after RIRS, respectively, without detection of any statistical difference (p = 0.76). Median follow-up time was 35.7 ± 19.3 (12-72) months, but that was available for only 18 patients. The mean serum creatinine level at the last follow-up was 1.7 ± 0.9 mg/dl. No major complications were recorded. Grade I complications occurred in eight patients (27.4 %). CONCLUSIONS: RIRS is safe and effective in the treatment of renal stones in patients with solitary kidney, without worsening renal function.


Kidney Calculi/surgery , Urologic Surgical Procedures/methods , Adult , Aged , Creatinine/blood , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Kidney Calculi/blood , Kidney Calculi/diagnostic imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Retrospective Studies , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Treatment Outcome
19.
Plant Physiol Biochem ; 85: 51-62, 2014 Dec.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25394800

Plants lack the adaptive immunity mechanisms of jawed vertebrates, so they rely on innate immune responses to defense themselves from pathogens. The plant immune system perceives the presence of pathogens by recognition of molecules known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). PAMPs have several common characteristics, including highly conserved structures, essential for the microorganism but absent in host organisms. Plants can specifically recognize PAMPs using a large set of receptors and can respond with appropriate defenses by activating a multicomponent and multilayered response. Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) and lipooligosaccharides (LOSs) are major components of the cell surface of Gram-negative bacteria with diverse roles in bacterial pathogenesis of animals and plants that include elicitation of host defenses. Little is known on the mechanisms of perception of these molecules by plants and the associated signal transduction pathways that trigger plant immunity.Here we addressed the question whether the defense signaling pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana was triggered by LOS from Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), using proteomic and transcriptomic approaches. By using affinity capture strategies with immobilized LOS and LC-MS/MS analyses, we identified 8 putative LOS protein ligands. Further investigation of these interactors led to the definition that LOS challenge is able to activate a signal transduction pathway that uses nodal regulators in common with salicylic acid-mediated pathway. Moreover, we proved evidence that Xcc LOS are responsible for oxidative burst in Arabidopsis either in infiltrated or systemic leaves. In addition, gene expression studies highlighted the presence of gene network involved in reactive oxygen species transduction pathway.


Arabidopsis/immunology , Immunity, Innate , Lipopolysaccharides/metabolism , Respiratory Burst , Xanthomonas campestris/metabolism , Arabidopsis/genetics , Arabidopsis/metabolism , Gene Expression Profiling , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Transcriptome
20.
Urolithiasis ; 42(4): 285-90, 2014 Aug.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24972556

To assess the efficacy and tolerability of D-mannose-containing product (Cystoman(®)) in preventing recurrence in patients who underwent surgical treatment for infection related urinary stones. From January 2011 to February 2013 we have enrolled all consecutive patients affected by staghorn calculi and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). All patients recommended for surgery were scheduled for percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The study agent was administered daily for 5 months after surgical procedure. At baseline and 5-month follow-up all patients underwent abdominal Computed Tomography (CT) scan and they also completed Medical Outcomes Study short-form, 36-item questionnaire (SF-36). They performed urine and urine culture monthly. The primary endpoints were the assessment of the efficacy with regard to infection-related urinary stone recurrence and the tolerability of Cystoman(®). The secondary endpoint was the evaluation of quality-of-life symptoms. During the study period, a total of 27 patients were included in the study. The data from 25 patients were analyzable. Seventeen patients (68%) did not report UTIs during follow-up. Eight patients (32%) remained infected and the average number of UTIs was 2.6 ± 1.6 in 5 months. At 5-month follow-up 17 (68%) patients were free from stones recurrence; in 8 (32%) cases CT scan revealed stone recurrence with an average stone diameter of 1.1 ± 0.4 cm. In nonrecurring patients, 2 (11.7%) reported an average of 1.5 ± 0.7 UTIs episodes; in recurring patients, 6 (75%) showed 3 ± 1.67 of UTIs episodes. Statistically significant differences were seen in the occurrence of UTIs episodes were detected between nonrecurring stone patients and recurring patients (p < 0.05). Moreover, statistically significant changes were detected in SF-36 scores from baseline to month 5 in the categories of physical functioning and energy/fatigue (p < 0.05). Cystoman(®) is effective in preventing infection-related urinary stones.


Mannose/therapeutic use , Urinary Calculi/prevention & control , Urinary Tract Infections/complications , Adult , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Mannose/adverse effects , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Prospective Studies , Recurrence , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urinary Calculi/surgery
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