PbS Quantum Dots-Decorated BiVO4 Photoanodes for Highly Efficient Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production.

While metal oxides such as TiO2, Fe2O3, WO3, and BiVO4 have been previously studied for their potential as photoanodes in photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production, their relatively wide band-gap limits their photocurrent, making them unsuitable for the efficient utilization of incident visible light. To overcome this limitation, we propose a new approach for highly efficient PEC hydrogen production based on a novel photoanode composed of BiVO4/PbS quantum dots (QDs). Crystallized monoclinic BiVO4 films were prepared via a typical electrodeposition process, followed by the deposition of PbS QDs using a successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method to form a p-n heterojunction. This is the first time that narrow band-gap QDs were applied to sensitize a BiVO4 photoelectrode. The PbS QDs were uniformly coated on the surface of nanoporous BiVO4, and their optical band-gap was reduced by increasing the number of SILAR cycles. However, this did not affect the crystal structure and optical properties of the BiVO4. By decorating the surface of BiVO4 with PbS QDs, the photocurrent was increased from 2.92 to 4.88 mA/cm2 (at 1.23 VRHE) for PEC hydrogen production, resulting from the enhanced light-harvesting capability arising from the narrow band-gap of the PbS QDs. Moreover, the introduction of a ZnS overlayer on the BiVO4/PbS QDs further improved the photocurrent to 5.19 mA/cm2, attributed to the reduction in interfacial charge recombination.

Quantum Dots, Passivation Layer and Cocatalysts for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production.

Solar-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production is one potential pathway to establish a carbon-neutral society. Nowadays, quantum dots (QDs)-sensitized semiconductors have emerged as promising materials for PEC hydrogen production due to their tunable bandgap by size or morphology control, displaying excellent optical and electrical properties. Nevertheless, they still suffer from anodic corrosion during long-term cycling, offering poor stability. This Review discussed advancements to improve long-term stability of QDs particularly in terms of cocatalysts and passivation layers. The working principle of PEC cells was reviewed, along with all important configurations adopted over recent years. The equations to assess PEC performance were also described. A greater emphasized was placed on QDs and incorporation of cocatalysts or passivation layers that could enhance the PEC performance by influencing the charge transfer and surface recombination processes.

Self-assessed goal achievement (SAGA) after Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP): Association with patients' postoperative satisfaction.

This study aimed to determine serial changes in self-assessed goal achievement (SAGA) and treatment satisfaction after HoLEP, to identify correlations between the two, and to compare them with results assessed by traditional outcome measures. For a total of 170 patients, outcomes were evaluated serially at postoperative 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-months using IPSS, OABSS, SAGA questionnaires and uroflowmetry. The SAGA questionnaire consisted of five questions including one open-ended question (self-assessed goals and degree of SAGA) and another question regarding treatment satisfaction. The number of self-assessed treatment goals was two or more in 74.1% of the patients. Most common treatment goal was relief from straining/hesitancy, followed by increased daytime frequency, nocturia and feeling of incomplete emptying. Degree of achievement for the first or second goal and treatment satisfaction tended to increase with time throughout the follow-up period. Patients with the greatest treatment satisfaction scores showed greater improvement by traditional outcome parameters including quality of life (QOL) index, total OABSS, maximum flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual urine volume (PVR) and bladder voiding efficiency (BVE) compared to those without treatment satisfaction. After adjusting for other influential variables, the improvements in subjective outcome parameters including total IPSS, QOL index and total OABSS were significantly associated with treatment satisfaction, but improvements in objective outcome parameters including Qmax, PVR and BVE were not. In addition, the degree of SAGA for the first goal or second goal was more predictive in determining treatment satisfaction than the traditional outcome measures. In conclusion, treatment goals of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)/BPH vary from individual to individual. The degree of SAGA and treatment satisfaction for HoLEP tends to increase with time throughout the follow-up period. Compared to the traditional outcome measures, the degree of goal achievement can be more predictive when assessing patient-centered outcomes such as treatment satisfaction.

Impact of Detrusor Underactivity on Surgical Outcomes of Laser Prostatectomy: Comparison in Serial 12-Month Follow-Up Outcomes Between Potassium-Titanyl-Phosphate Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate (PVP) and Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate impacts of preoperative detrusor underactivity (DU) on outcomes of photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) or holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia, and to compare them between the two surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1423 men, who underwent PVP (group A) or HoLEP (group B), were categorized into four groups: A1 (239 without DU), A2 (432 with DU), B1 (329 without DU), and B2 (423 with DU). DU was defined as bladder contractility index of <100. Outcomes were assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively using International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, and prostate-specific antigen. Successful outcome was defined as reductions by ≥50% of total IPSS at 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: In all four groups, almost all parameters of IPSS and uroflowmetry improved starting from 1 month. A1 or B1 had greater increases in maximum flow rate than A2 or B2. Decreases of total IPSS in A2 were less than in A1 starting from 1 month after PVP, whereas those in B2 were less than those in B1 as late as 12 months after HoLEP. B2 showed greater improvements in maximum flow rate, subtotal voiding symptom score, bladder voiding efficiency, and total IPSS than A2. In all patients, multivariate regression analysis revealed that the absence of DU, presence of bladder outlet obstruction, and higher baseline total IPSS were independent predictors of successful outcome after surgery, but the type of laser surgery (PVP vs HoLEP) was not. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that micturition symptoms, maximum flow rate, bladder voiding efficiency, and quality of life improve starting from the early period after PVP or HoLEP, irrespective of DU. However, patients with DU may have less degree of improvement in micturition after PVP or HoLEP than those without DU.

Clinical Nomograms to Predict Stone-Free Rates after Shock-Wave Lithotripsy: Development and Internal-Validation.

PURPOSE: Shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL) is accepted as the first line treatment modality for uncomplicated upper urinary tract stones; however, validated prediction models with regards to stone-free rates (SFRs) are still needed. We aimed to develop nomograms predicting SFRs after the first and within the third session of SWL. Computed tomography (CT) information was also modeled for constructing nomograms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2006 to December 2013, 3028 patients were treated with SWL for ureter and renal stones at our three tertiary institutions. Four cohorts were constructed: Total-development, Total-validation, CT-development, and CT-validation cohorts. The nomograms were developed using multivariate logistic regression models with selected significant variables in a univariate logistic regression model. A C-index was used to assess the discrimination accuracy of nomograms and calibration plots were used to analyze the consistency of prediction. RESULTS: The SFR, after the first and within the third session, was 48.3% and 68.8%, respectively. Significant variables were sex, stone location, stone number, and maximal stone diameter in the Total-development cohort, and mean Hounsfield unit (HU) and grade of hydronephrosis (HN) were additional parameters in the CT-development cohort. The C-indices were 0.712 and 0.723 for after the first and within the third session of SWL in the Total-development cohort, and 0.755 and 0.756, in the CT-development cohort, respectively. The calibration plots showed good correspondences. CONCLUSIONS: We constructed and validated nomograms to predict SFR after SWL. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first graphical nomograms to be modeled with CT information. These may be useful for patient counseling and treatment decision-making.

Change in storage symptoms following laser prostatectomy: comparison between photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).

PURPOSE: To compare serial changes of postoperative storage symptoms between PVP and HoLEP, and to identify the predictors influencing postoperative improvement of storage symptoms. METHODS: A total of 486 men (PVP group: 213 cases; HoLEP group: 273 cases), in whom 12-month follow-up data were available, were included in this retrospective study. Surgical outcomes were evaluated at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12 months postoperatively using the IPSS, uroflowmetry with post-void residual urine volume (PVR) and serum PSA levels. Improvement of storage symptoms was defined as a reduction by ≥50 % of the subtotal storage symptom score postoperatively compared to baseline. RESULTS: In both PVP and HoLEP groups, total IPSS, quality-of-life index, frequency score, nocturia score, maximum flow rate and PVR were significantly decreased compared to baseline starting from 1 month after surgery. Whereas urgency score was numerically increased compared to baseline at 1 month after PVP, it was reduced compared to baseline at 1 month after HoLEP. While the subtotal storage symptom score was significantly decreased compared to baseline starting from 3 months after PVP, it was significantly reduced starting from 1 month after HoLEP. On logistic regression analysis, a higher baseline subtotal storage symptom score was the only independent predictor of improvement in storage symptoms after PVP or HoLEP. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that improvement in storage symptoms after HoLEP begins earlier than that after PVP. Also, this study indicates that patients with more severe baseline storage symptoms have a higher likelihood of improvement after PVP or HoLEP compared to those with less severe symptoms.

Current status of renal biopsy for small renal masses.

Small renal masses (SRMs) are defined as radiologically enhancing renal masses of less than 4 cm in maximal diameter. The incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has increased in recent years, which is mainly due to the rise in incidental detection of localized SRMs. However, the cancer-specific mortality rate is not increasing. This discrepancy may be dependent on the indolent nature of SRMs. About 20% of SRMs are benign, and smaller masses are likely to have pathologic characteristics of low Fuhrman grade and clear cell type. In addition, SRMs are increasingly detected in elderly patients who are likely to have comorbidities and are a high-risk group for active treatment like surgery. As the information about the nature of SRMs is improved and management options for SRMs are expanded, the current role of renal mass biopsy for SRMs is also expanding. Traditionally, renal mass biopsy has not been accepted as a standard diagnostic tool in the clinical scenario because of several issues about safety and accuracy. However, current series on SRM biopsy have reported high diagnostic accuracy with rare complications. Studies of modern SRM biopsy have reported diagnostic accuracy greater than 90% with very high specificity. Also, current series have shown very rare morbid cases caused by renal mass biopsy. Currently, renal biopsy of SRMs can be recommended in most cases except when patients have imaging or clinical characteristics indicative of pathology and in cases in which conservative management is not considered.

Serial Changes in Sexual Function Following Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate: A Short-term Follow-up Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the serial changes in sexual function in the short-term period after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and to investigate whether a change in each domain of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) is associated with improvement of micturition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight potent men who underwent HoLEP and in whom complete 12-month follow-up data on the IIEF were available were included in this retrospective study. All patients underwent a baseline evaluation for BPH. The surgical outcome was evaluated at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively by use of the International Prostate Symptom Score, IIEF, and uroflowmetry. RESULTS: The mean age and body mass index of the patients was 64.5±6.2 years and 24.2±2.6 kg/m(2), respectively. Mean total prostate volume and transitional zone volume were 48.8±18.8 ml and 24.2±16.1 ml, respectively. Most IIEF domain scores showed a slight decrease at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery but recovered to the baseline or showed a marginal but nonsignificant increase at 12 months postoperatively compared with baseline. Orgasmic function and the overall sexual satisfaction domain score remained slightly reduced up to 12 months postoperatively. There was no significant correlation between improvement of micturition and change in sexual function throughout the follow-up period after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Although HoLEP achieves significant improvements in micturition, overall sexual function decreases slightly in the early postoperative period, but recovers to the baseline at 12 months postoperatively. Our data suggest that changes in sexual function after HoLEP are not associated with improvement of micturition.

Combined treatment with anticancer vaccine using genetically modified endothelial cells and imatinib in bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: We sought to maximize the antitumor effect of an anticancer vaccine based on genetically modified endothelial cells by combining it with the platelet-derived growth factor receptor inhibitor imatinib. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were infected with 10 MOI of Ad-CMV-mGMCSF to make anticancer vaccines. One million mouse bladder cancer cells (MBT-2) were subcutaneously inoculated in C3H mice. The experimental groups included the following: Group 1 (phosphate-buffered saline), Group 2 (anticancer vaccine and GM-CSF), Group 3 (imatinib), and Group 4 (anticancer vaccine, GM-CSF, and imatinib). Tumor growth and body weight were measured weekly. At 4 weeks, the tumors were immunostained with anti-CD31, and microvessel density (MVD) was measured. To evaluate the immunological mechanism of each treatment, flow cytometry analysis of activated CD4 and CD8 cells was performed. RESULTS: At 4 weeks, the mean body weight of each group, excluding the extracted tumor weight, was not significantly different. Since week 3, the mean tumor volume in Group 4 was the smallest among the treatment groups (p<0.05), and a synergistic suppressive effect on tumor volume was observed in Group 4. The MVD in Group 4 was the most suppressed among the treatment groups (p<0.05), and a synergistic anti-angiogenic effect was observed. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that activated CD4+ and CD8+ cells increased in Group 2 and decreased in Group 3 compared with the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of genetically modified endothelial cell vaccines and imatinib showed a synergistic antiangiogenic effect in bladder cancer.