Ureteral stricture rate after endoscopic treatments for urolithiasis and related risk factors: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: We aimed to accurately determine ureteral stricture (US) rates following urolithiasis treatments and their related risk factors. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines using databases from inception to November 2023. Studies were deemed eligible for analysis if they included ≥ 18 years old patients with urinary lithiasis (Patients) who were subjected to endoscopic treatment (Intervention) with ureteroscopy (URS), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), or shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) (Comparator) to assess the incidence of US (Outcome) in prospective and retrospective studies (Study design). RESULTS: A total of 43 studies were included. The pooled US rate was 1.3% post-SWL and 2.1% post-PCNL. The pooled rate of US post-URS was 1.9% but raised to 2.7% considering the last five years' studies and 4.9% if the stone was impacted. Moreover, the pooled US rate differed if follow-ups were under or over six months. Patients with proximal ureteral stone, preoperative hydronephrosis, intraoperative ureteral perforation, and impacted stones showed higher US risk post-endoscopic intervention with odds ratio of 1.6 (P = 0.05), 2.6 (P = 0.009), 7.1 (P < 0.001), and 7.47 (P = 0.003), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The overall US rate ranges from 0.3 to 4.9%, with an increasing trend in the last few years. It is influenced by type of treatment, stone location and impaction, preoperative hydronephrosis and intraoperative perforation. Future standardized reporting and prospective and more extended follow-up studies might contribute to a better understanding of US risks related to calculi treatment.

Phonon Dispersion and Proton Disorder of Ice VII and VIII.

The phonon dispersion of ice VII and that of its proton-ordered analog ice VIII are investigated through a combination of inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS) measurements and first-principles calculations of the oxygen sublattice dynamic structure factor. Particular attention is devoted to hydrogen-disorder in ice VII, addressed theoretically through a statistical ensemble of fictitious ordered supercell configurations. Similar phonon densities of states are found in both phases but are significantly less structured in the case of ice VII. Our data further show that, despite a full proton disorder, the acoustic phonon branches in this phase clearly inherit the periodicity of its body-centered cubic oxygen lattice. The calculations predict, however, the presence of gap openings in the one-atom phonon dispersion. These predictions are supported by revisiting the analysis of previous single-crystal IXS measurements along the longitudinal [111] branch of ice VII.

Flat Bands and Giant Light-Matter Interaction in Hexagonal Boron Nitride.

Dispersionless energy bands in k space are a peculiar property gathering increasing attention for the emergence of novel electronic, magnetic, and photonic properties. Here, we explore the impact of electronic flat bands on the light-matter interaction. The van der Waals interaction between the atomic layers of hexagonal boron nitride induces flat bands along specific lines of the Brillouin zone. The macroscopic degeneracy along these lines leads to van Hove singularities with divergent joint density of states, resulting in outstanding optical properties of the excitonic states. For the direct exciton, we report a giant oscillator strength with a longitudinal-transverse splitting of 420 meV, a record value, confirmed by our ab initio calculations. For the fundamental indirect exciton, flat bands result in phonon-assisted processes of exceptional efficiency, that compete with direct absorption in reflectivity, and that make the internal quantum efficiency close to values typical of direct band gap semiconductors.

PSMA-PET and micro-ultrasound potential in the diagnostic pathway of prostate cancer

To compare the diagnostic performance of 68Ga-PSMA PET/TC with PRI-MUS (prostate risk identification using micro-ultrasound) in the primary diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). Methods From September till December 2018, we prospectively enrolled 25 candidates to 68Ga-PSMA PET/TRUS (transrectal ultrasound) fusion biopsy and compared them with PRI-MUS. This included patients with persistently elevated PSA and/or PHI (prostate health index) suspicious for PCa, negative digital rectal examination, with either negative or contraindication to mpMRI, and at least one negative biopsy. The diagnostic performance of the two modalities was calculated based on pathology results. Results Overall, 20 patients were addressed to 68Ga-PSMA PET/TRUS fusion biopsy. Mean SUVmax and SUVratio for PCa lesions resulted significantly higher than in benign lesions (p = 0.041 and 0.011, respectively). Using optimal cut-off points, 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT demonstrated an overall accuracy of 83% for SUVmax ≥ 5.4 and 94% for SUVratio ≥ 2.2 in the detection of clinically significant PCa (GS ≥ 7). On counterpart, PRI-MUS results were: score 3 in nine patients (45%), score 4 in ten patients (50%), and one patient with score 5. PRI-MUS score 4 and 5 demonstrated an overall accuracy of 61% in detecting clinically significant PCa. Conclusion In this highly-selected patient population, in comparison to PRI-MUS, 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT shows a higher diagnostic performance (AU)

PSMA-PET and micro-ultrasound potential in the diagnostic pathway of prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic performance of 68Ga-PSMA PET/TC with PRI-MUS (prostate risk identification using micro-ultrasound) in the primary diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: From September till December 2018, we prospectively enrolled 25 candidates to 68Ga-PSMA PET/TRUS (transrectal ultrasound) fusion biopsy and compared them with PRI-MUS. This included patients with persistently elevated PSA and/or PHI (prostate health index) suspicious for PCa, negative digital rectal examination, with either negative or contraindication to mpMRI, and at least one negative biopsy. The diagnostic performance of the two modalities was calculated based on pathology results. RESULTS: Overall, 20 patients were addressed to 68Ga-PSMA PET/TRUS fusion biopsy. Mean SUVmax and SUVratio for PCa lesions resulted significantly higher than in benign lesions (p = 0.041 and 0.011, respectively). Using optimal cut-off points, 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT demonstrated an overall accuracy of 83% for SUVmax ≥ 5.4 and 94% for SUVratio ≥ 2.2 in the detection of clinically significant PCa (GS ≥ 7). On counterpart, PRI-MUS results were: score 3 in nine patients (45%), score 4 in ten patients (50%), and one patient with score 5. PRI-MUS score 4 and 5 demonstrated an overall accuracy of 61% in detecting clinically significant PCa. CONCLUSION: In this highly-selected patient population, in comparison to PRI-MUS, 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT shows a higher diagnostic performance.

Single-atom vibrational spectroscopy in the scanning transmission electron microscope.

Single-atom impurities and other atomic-scale defects can notably alter the local vibrational responses of solids and, ultimately, their macroscopic properties. Using high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy in the electron microscope, we show that a single substitutional silicon impurity in graphene induces a characteristic, localized modification of the vibrational response. Extensive ab initio calculations reveal that the measured spectroscopic signature arises from defect-induced pseudo-localized phonon modes-that is, resonant states resulting from the hybridization of the defect modes and the bulk continuum-with energies that can be directly matched to the experiments. This finding realizes the promise of vibrational spectroscopy in the electron microscope with single-atom sensitivity and has broad implications across the fields of physics, chemistry, and materials science.

Preclinical study for treatment of hypospadias by advanced therapy medicinal products.

PURPOSE: This paper explores the feasibility of a new therapy for the treatment of hypospadias patients. Hypospadias is a very common congenital malformation of male genitals, with very high rate of recurrences after surgery. The field of regenerative medicine, which offers innovative solutions for many pathologies, still does not offer reliable solution for this pathology. Here, we propose quality, safety, and clinical feasibility assessment for an oral mucosa advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) grown on a biocompatible scaffold for a clinical study on urethral reconstruction of hypospadias patients. METHODS: Urethral and oral mucosal epithelia from donor biopsies were cultivated between two fibrin layers, under clinical-grade conditions for cell and tissue characterization and comparison, aimed at tissue engineering. In addition, single-clone analyses were performed to analyze gene expression profiles of the two epithelia by microarray technology. RESULTS: Oral mucosa appeared suitable for urethral reconstruction. The resulting ATMP was proven to maintain stem cells and regenerative potency. The preclinical safety studies were performed on human tissues to assess abnormalities and tumorigenicity, and confirmed the safety of the ATMP. Finally, the patient selection and the clinical protocol for the upcoming clinical trial were defined. CONCLUSIONS: Against this backdrop, in this paper, we are proposing a new reproducible and reliable ATMP for the treatment of hypospadias.

The mechanism for the stabilization and surfactant properties of epitaxial silicene.

Using real-time in situ scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory simulations, we have studied the growth of Si films on Ag(111) beyond the silicene monolayer, evidencing the existence of metastable phases and an original growth mechanism. Above monolayer Si coverage, an initial structure forms, which is identified as an Ag-free Si bilayer with additional Si adatoms. With further deposition, this structure is replaced by a distinct bilayer structure covered by Si trimers and Ag atoms. The formation of these bilayers follows counterintuitive dynamics: they are partially inserted within the Ag substrate and form by expelling, from the underlying substrate, the atoms that reinsert below the adjacent silicene layer. The growth is therefore characterized by an unexpected "surfactant competition" between Ag and silicene: while silicene is a metastable surfactant for the Ag(111) surface, Ag plays the role of a surfactant for thicker diamond-like Si islands. In spite of being thermodynamically unfavoured, the silicene monolayer is, thus, a remarkably stable structure because of the high kinetic barrier for the growth of thicker layers.

Advanced capabilities for materials modelling with Quantum ESPRESSO.

Quantum EXPRESSO is an integrated suite of open-source computer codes for quantum simulations of materials using state-of-the-art electronic-structure techniques, based on density-functional theory, density-functional perturbation theory, and many-body perturbation theory, within the plane-wave pseudopotential and projector-augmented-wave approaches. Quantum EXPRESSO owes its popularity to the wide variety of properties and processes it allows to simulate, to its performance on an increasingly broad array of hardware architectures, and to a community of researchers that rely on its capabilities as a core open-source development platform to implement their ideas. In this paper we describe recent extensions and improvements, covering new methodologies and property calculators, improved parallelization, code modularization, and extended interoperability both within the distribution and with external software.

First-Principles Vibrational Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy of ß-Guanine.

A general approach to model vibrational electron energy loss spectra obtained using an electron beam positioned away from the specimen is presented. The energy-loss probability of the fast electron is evaluated using first-principles quantum mechanical calculations (density functional theory) of the dielectric response of the specimen. The validity of the method is assessed using recently measured anhydrous ß-guanine, an important molecular solid used by animals to produce structural colors. The good agreement between theory and experiments lays the basis for a quantitative interpretation of this spectroscopy in complex systems.

Evidence-based (S3) Guideline on (anogenital) Lichen sclerosus.

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is an inflammatory skin disease that usually involves the anogenital area. All patients with symptoms or signs suspicious of lichen sclerosus should be seen at least once initially by a physician with a special interest in the disease in order to avoid delay in diagnosis, as early treatment may cure the disease in some and reduce or prevent scarring. The diagnosis is made clinically in most cases. Biopsies should only be performed under certain circumstances. The gold standard for treatment remains potent to very potent topical steroids; however, mild and moderate disease in boys and men may be cured by circumcision. Certain triggers should be avoided. http://www.euroderm.org/images/stories/guidelines/2014/S3-Guideline-on-Lichen-sclerosus.pdf http://www.awmf.org/fachgesellschaften/mitgliedsgesellschaften/visitenkarte/fg/deutsche-gesellschaft-fuer-gynaekologie-und-geburtshilfe-dggg.html.

[Assessment of the specific characteristics of urethral stricture according to records of medical republican institution of Uzbekistan].

Urethral stricture in men is a common disorder, negatively affecting the health and therefore the quality of patients life. The aim of the study was to evaluate the nature of the stricture in various segments of male urethra and the incidence rate of urethral stricture in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The study presents the analysis of medical records of 195 men (mean age 40,6+/-13,1 years) who underwent urethroplasty in the Republican Specialized Centre of Urology between February 2013 and March 2015. 46.7% and 53.3% of patients had anterior and posterior urethral strictures, respectively. The most common causes of stricture were trauma (38.5%) and infections (22.6%); 18% of strictures were considered idiopathic, 19% - iatrogenic. In 13.3% of cases, stricture located within the pendulous urethra, in 42.7% - within the bulbar urethra, in 32% - within the posterior urethra. In 28.7% of patients the length of the stricture was more than 6 cm, in 25.6% - 2 cm or less.

Morphological changes of bladder mucosa in patients who underwent instillation with combined sodium hyaluronic acid-chondroitin sulphate (Ialuril®).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate what changes are endoscopically evident after glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) therapy by hyaluronic acid (HA) and chondroitin sulphate (CS) (Ialuril®) in female patients affected by bladder pain syndrome(BPS)/ interstitial cystitis (IC) or recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 21 female patients over 18 years affected by rUTIs or BPS/IC received intravesical instillation of HA and CS (4 weekly instillations followed by 2 instillations every 2 weeks and 2 instillation monthly). Post-treatment evaluation included cystoscopy and patient assessment of improvement in symptoms and satisfaction on a visual analogue scale (VAS) from 0 to 10. RESULTS: The post-treatment endoscopy showed a positive effect on bladder mucosa morphology. In 2 cases, treatment did not change endoscopic findings and clinical symptoms. In the other patients, when macroscopic features of the bladder mucosa normalized, the clinical picture improved. CONCLUSIONS: GAGs therapy by HA and CS (Ialuril) improves the morphology of bladder mucosa in patients with rUTI or BPS/IC.

Controversy over the pharmacological treatments of storage symptoms in spinal cord injury patients: a literature overview.

STUDY DESIGN: Our aim was to locate research and communicate the evidence found from scientific studies pertaining to the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in the chronic stage of spinal cord injury (SCI). OBJECTIVE: To address the controversy over the traditional (antimuscarinics) and the 'new' treatments for NDO and try to offer an insight on the rationale underlying the development of new drugs such as botulinum toxin (BTX), vanilloids, nociceptin/orphanin FQ. As a final point, to provide information on a new class of cation channels, the Degenerin/Epithelial Na(+)Channel (Deg/ENaC) Family that could be future targets for the management of NDO. SETTING: International. METHODS: Overview of English literature on drug management of NDO. RESULTS: Agents that block the 'efferent' function of micturition reflex, such as antimuscarinics, are currently first-line therapy for NDO. They reach the highest level of evidence (1a) and grade of recommendation (A). However, many patients and physicians believe that the 'efferent' pharmacological management of NDO is not completely satisfactory. Consequently, research is trying to address issues of efficacy, tolerability and convenience of new therapeutic strategies targeting the 'afferent' function. CONCLUSION: Antimuscarinic therapy increases the bladder capacity and delays the initial urge to void. However, in some patients they fail to achieve the patient's therapeutic goals. New interesting approaches have been investigated in the last few years. BTX seems to be very promising in treating neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB), but other compounds are now on the horizon.

Controversies in urethral reconstruction.

Urethral strictures are a frequent source of lower urinary tract symptoms in men. Open urethroplasty is regarded as the gold-standard treatment for urethral stricture disease. The treatment for urethral strictures is a continually evolving process and there is renewed controversy over the best approach to take in reconstructing the urethra, since the superiority of one approach over another has not yet been clearly defined. Anterior urethroplasty can be treated, with low morbidity, in an outpatient surgical setting, thus decreasing the impact of urethroplasty. In order to improve outcome in adult patients when the penile shaft is involved, reconstructive urethral surgeons have learned to apply the principles of delicate tissue handling, and the development of minimally invasive techniques. Genital or extra-genital skin has been used as a free graft or harvested as a flap for some time, thanks to its location, hairless skin and durability. Since the early 1990s, the use of oral mucosa was introduced in genital reconstructive surgery and has become popular for urethral reconstructions. Urethral reconstructive surgery is changing rapidly and this change has posed problems for surgeons who see the principles that previously defined their profession becoming obsolete or unworkable. New techniques and new engineered material are a part of our future.

Surgical challenge in patients who underwent failed hypospadias repair: is it time to change?

INTRODUCTION: Our purpose was to evaluate patients who underwent failed hypospadias repair. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated 4 different groups of patients who underwent failed hypospadias repair. Group 1: patients who underwent only urethral surgery; group 2: patients who underwent only corpora cavernosa surgery; group 3: patients who underwent urethral and corpora cavernosa surgery; group 4: patients who underwent complex reconstructive surgery. Success was defined as a functional urethra without fistula, with glandular meatus and acceptable esthetic appearance of the genitalia. RESULTS: Out of 1,176 patients, group 1 included 301 patients (25.5%), group two 60 patients (5.2%), group three 166 patients (14.1%) and group four 649 patients (55.2%). The mean follow-up was 60.4 months. Out of 1,176 cases, 1,036 (88.1%) were considered successful and 140 (11.9%) failures. CONCLUSION: In the majority of patients (55.2%) with failed hypospadias repair, urethral reconstruction is associated with complex surgical procedures to fully resurface glands, penile shaft and genitalia.

Thermal transport in isotopically disordered carbon nanotubes: a comparison between Green's functions and Boltzmann approaches.

We present a study of the phononic thermal conductivity of isotopically disordered carbon nanotubes. In particular, the behaviour of the thermal conductivity as a function of the system length is investigated, using Green's function techniques to compute the transmission across the system. The method is implemented using linear scaling algorithms, which allow us to reach systems of lengths up to L = 2.5 µm (with up to 200 000 atoms). As for 1D systems, it is observed that the conductivity diverges with the system size L. We also observe a dramatic decrease of the thermal conductance for systems of experimental sizes (roughly 80% at room temperature for L = 2.5 µm), when a large fraction of isotopic disorder is introduced. The results obtained with Green's function techniques are compared to results obtained with a Boltzmann description of thermal transport. There is a good agreement between both approaches for systems of experimental sizes, even in the presence of Anderson localization. This is particularly interesting since the computation of the transmission using Boltzmann's equation is much less computationally expensive, so that larger systems may be studied with this method.

Characterization of kinin receptors in human cultured detrusor smooth muscle cells.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Kinins have an important role in inflammatory cystitis and in animal pathophysiological models, by acting on epithelium, fibroblasts, sensory innervation and smooth muscle. The aim of this study was to characterize the receptors responsible for direct motor responses induced by kinins on human detrusor. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Human detrusor cells from biopsies were isolated and maintained in culture. B(1) and B(2) kinin receptors were characterized by means of radioligand and functional experiments (PI accumulation and PGE(2) release). KEY RESULTS: [(3)H]-[desArg(9)]-Lys-BK and [(3)H]-BK saturation studies indicated receptor density (B(max)) and K (d) values of 19 or 113 fmol mg(-1), and 0.16 or 0.11 nM for the B(1) or B(2) receptors, respectively. Inhibition binding studies indicated the selectivity of the B(1) receptor antagonist [desArg(9)Leu(8)]-Lys-BK and of the B(2) receptor antagonists Icatibant and MEN16132. [DesArg(9)]-Lys-BK and BK induced PI accumulation with an EC(50) of 1.6 and 1.4 nM and different maximal responses (E(max) of [desArg(9)]-Lys-BK was 10% of BK). BK also induced prostaglandin E(2) release (EC(50) 2.3 nM), whereas no response was detected with the B(1) receptor agonist. The incubation of detrusor smooth muscle cells with interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) or tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) (10 ng ml(-1)) induced a time-dependent increase in radioligand-specific binding, which was greater for the B(1) than for the B(2) receptor. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Human detrusor smooth muscle cells in culture retain kinin receptors, and represent a suitable model to investigate the mechanisms and changes that occur under chronic inflammatory conditions.