Robotic assisted partial nephrectomy reduces warm ischemia time and improves renal function acutely compared to the traditional laparoscopic approach; A single surgeon twin centre study.

Herein, we compared peri-operative and post-operative outcomes between robotic-assisted and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Various reviews of the current literature have detailed the lack of single-surgeon studies in this domain. Our study featured a single surgeon experienced in both approaches to reduce this bias seen in other multi-centre studies. We retrospectively analysed data from two hospitals to compare patient demographics, tumour characteristics, peri-operative and post-operative outcomes of all partial nephrectomies undertaken by a single surgeon with extensive experience in both approaches. Statistical analysis was carried out using GraphPad prism software. Warm ischaemia time was significantly reduced in the robotic arm compared to the laparoscopic group. This translated into an improvement in acute renal function. Length of stay was also significantly reduced. This study highlights some benefits of robotic-assisted in comparison to laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Further large-scale prospective studies would be valuable in confirming these findings and justifying their usage against their financial cost.

The efficacy of probiotics in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (an animal model for MS): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Probiotics immunomodulatory properties and their beneficial effects for diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) are reported by several studies. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the favourable effects of probiotics in improving experimental autoimmune/allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) as an animal model of MS. We systematically searched Scopus, Web of Sciences (ISI), and PubMed databases to identify relevant studies from the inception of these databases to December 2019. A total of 15 animal studies met the inclusion criteria, while no human study met the inclusion criteria. The association between consumption of probiotics and each sign was calculated using the producing pooled odd ratios (95% confidence interval [95% CI]) in a random effect model. The meta-analysis revealed the significant effect of probiotics on the incidence of EAE, weight gain, and clinical symptoms. However, the effects of probiotics on the duration of the disease varied by probiotic strain. The administration of probiotics was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of mortality only in female animals. Moreover, the meta-analysis revealed the promising effects of probiotics on the prevention and management of EAE.

Effects of the Serber first step in 3DHZETRN-v2.1.

3DHZETRN-v2 includes a detailed three dimensional (3D) treatment of neutron/light-ion transport based on a quasi-elastic/multiple production assumption allowing improved agreement of the neutron/light-ion fluence compared with results of three Monte Carlo (MC) codes in the sense that the variance with respect to the individual MC results is less than the variance among the MC code results. The current numerical methods are no longer the main limitation to HZETRN code development and further changes in the nuclear model are required. In a prior study, an improved quasi-elastic spectrum based on a solution of the transport approximation to nuclear media effects showed promise, but the remaining multiple-production spectrum was based on a database derived from the Ranft model that used Bertini multiplicities. In the present paper, we will implement a more complete Serber first step into the 3DHZETRN-v2 code, but we retain the Bertini-Ranft branching ratios and evaporation multiplicities. It is shown that the new Serber model in the 3HZETRN-v2 code reduces the variance with individual MC codes, which are largely due to nuclear cross section model differences. The code will be available through the software system, OLTARIS, for shield design and validation and provides a basis for personal computer software capable of space shield analysis and optimization.

Techniques for precise energy calibration of particle pixel detectors.

We demonstrate techniques to improve the accuracy of the energy calibration of Timepix pixel detectors, used for the measurement of energetic particles. The typical signal from such particles spreads among many pixels due to charge sharing effects. As a consequence, the deposited energy in each pixel cannot be reconstructed unless the detector is calibrated, limiting the usability of such signals for calibration. To avoid this shortcoming, we calibrate using low energy X-rays. However, charge sharing effects still occur, resulting in part of the energy being deposited in adjacent pixels and possibly lost. This systematic error in the calibration process results in an error of about 5% in the energy measurements of calibrated devices. We use FLUKA simulations to assess the magnitude of charge sharing effects, allowing a corrected energy calibration to be performed on several Timepix pixel detectors and resulting in substantial improvement in energy deposition measurements. Next, we address shortcomings in calibration associated with the huge range (from kiloelectron-volts to megaelectron-volts) of energy deposited per pixel which result in a nonlinear energy response over the full range. We introduce a new method to characterize the non-linear response of the Timepix detectors at high input energies. We demonstrate improvement using a broad range of particle types and energies, showing that the new method reduces the energy measurement errors, in some cases by more than 90%.

Predictive factors of response to phase I complete decongestive therapy in upper extremity lymphedema following breast carcinoma in Iran.

Post-mastectomy chronic lymphedema as a complication of breast cancer treatment is primarily managed with Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT). We examined various factors for correlating with results of Phase I CDT treatment in controlling the upper extremity lymphedema. Study population consisted of patients with lymphedema referred to the Lymphedema Clinic of the Iranian Breast Cancer Research Center for control of arm edema. After obtaining the demographic and clinical data, patients were treated with CDT for 2 - 3 weeks. One hundred and thirty seven patients (mean age +/- SD; 53.5 +/- 10 years) were studied. In 48.7% of patients, the affected arm was the dominant limb. Fifty percent of patients experienced lymphedema during the first year after surgery, and mean duration of lymphedema was 35 +/- 43 months. Mean volume reduction was 43% +/- 14.87% (p = 0.03). There was a significant relationship between the percent of volume reduction and initial lymphedema volume (p=0.003) as well as duration of lymphedema (p=0.002). Our results demonstrate that Phase I CDT treatment is very effective for post mastectomy lymphedema, and particularly if it is provided in earlier stages of disease. In addition, CDT also has an important role in reducing clinical symptoms and improving limb function. In the appropriate setting, Phase I CDT has been an effective method of controlling post mastectomy lymphedema in this Iranian population.

An image-based skeletal model for the ICRP reference adult male-specific absorbed fractions for neutron-generated recoil protons.

Recoiling hydrogen nuclei are a principle mechanism for energy deposition from incident neutrons. For neutrons incident on the human skeleton, the small sizes of two contrasting media (trabecular bone and marrow) present unique problems due to a lack of charged-particle (protons) equilibrium. Specific absorbed fractions have been computed for protons originating in the human skeletal tissues for use in computing neutron dose response functions. The proton specific absorbed fractions were computed using a pathlength-based range-energy calculation in trabecular skeletal samples of a 40 year old male cadaver.

Detection of atypical cultivable canine gastric Helicobacter strain and its biochemical and morphological characters in naturally infected dogs.

Helicobacter-like organisms are frequently found in canine stomachs, but the relationship between such organisms and gastric pathology has not been established. However, some such organisms have zoonotic importance. The aims of this study were to evaluate the morphological and biochemical characteristics of cultivable canine gastric Helicobacter-like organisms (GHLOs) in pets and stray dogs and their prevalence in these two groups of dogs. Specimens were taken by gastroscopy from 30 clinically healthy stray dogs and 30 pet dogs. Cultures were positive from biopsies of 11/30 of stray and 6/30 of pet dogs. The isolated Helicobacters were observed by light microscopy and studied by biochemical, physiological and PCR analysis. Some of the isolated GHLO's displayed atypical shapes that were similar to Helicobacter pylori or Helicobacter acinonychis in stray dogs' cytological examinations. They had 2-3 helices and were smaller than other canine GHLOs. One of these atypical Helicobacter strains was cultured. It was not possible to distinguish such strains by routine PCR and biochemical evaluations. Electron microscopy showed a smaller Helicobacter (2 microm in length) with 2 or 3 helixes. This study demonstrates that not all canine gastric Helicobacters are 5-15 microm in length, as has been previously proposed, and portrays the need for further investigation of canine GHLOs.

Relationship between beta-hCG levels in cervicovaginal secretions and labor.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether levels of human beta-chorionic gonadotropin hormone (beta-hCG) in cervicovaginal secretions can predict the labor process. METHODS: A total of 150 women admitted in active labor to the urgent delivery unit of a university hospital were enrolled in a prospective study. The beta-hCG level of each woman's cervicovaginal secretions was measured by radioimmunoassay on admission; then, beta-hCG levels were compared between 2 groups of 35 women, one in whom labor progressed normally and another in whom augmentation of labor with oxytocin was required. RESULTS: There were significant differences in beta-hCG levels of cervicovaginal secretions between the spontaneous delivery group and the augmentation of labor group (130.72+/-64.51 mU/mL vs. 93.9+/-65.29 mU/mL) (P<0.05). A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value was 82 mU/mL, with a sensitivity of 66% and a specificity of 60%. CONCLUSION: beta-chorionic gonadotropin hormone levels were significantly higher in the cervicovaginal secretions of women whose labor was progressing normally than in those who required augmentation of labor.