fMRI Analysis of Dissociative Convulsions: A Case-Controlled Study.

Background and Objectives: Dissociative convulsions represent complex biopsychosocial etiopathogenesis and have semiological similarities with epilepsy, which leads to delays in definitive diagnosis as well as treatment. We explored the neurobiological underpinnings of dissociative convulsions using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) design targeting cognitive, affective, and resting state characteristics in our subjects. Materials and Methods: Seventeen female patients with dissociative convulsions without any co-morbid psychiatric or neurological illness and 17 matched healthy controls underwent standardized task-based (affective and cognitive) and resting state fMRI. Blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) activation results were compared across the groups, and correlation with the severity of dissociation was measured. Results: Patients with dissociative convulsions had lower activation in the left cingulate gyrus, left paracentral lobule, right middle and inferior frontal gyrus, right caudate nucleus, and right thalamus. There was increased resting state functional connectivity (FC) between the left posterior superior temporal gyrus and left superior parietal lobule; left amygdala and Default Mode Network (DMN) of right lateral parietal cortex; right supramarginal gyrus and left cuneus in the patient group. Patients also had decreased FC between the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and left thalamus; ACC and right central opercular cortex; DMN of PCC, posterior cingulate gyrus, and right middle temporal lobe. Conclusions: Patients with dissociative convulsions have significant deficits in the areas associated with the processing of emotional, cognitive, memory, and sensory-motor functions. There is a significant correlation between dissociative severity and the functioning of areas involving the processing of emotions, cognition, and memory.

Robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection: a systematic review of perioperative outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and feasibility of robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (R-RPLND) and to compare the perioperative outcomes of R-RPLND with open RPLND (O-RPLND), as RPLND forms an integral part of the management of testis cancer and R-RPLND is a minimally invasive treatment option for this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PubMed® , Scopus® , Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science™ databases were searched for studies reporting perioperative outcomes of primary and post-chemotherapy R-RPLND and studies comparing R-RPLND with O-RPLND. RESULTS: The search yielded 42 articles describing R-RPLND, including five comparative studies. The systematic review included 4222 patients (single-arm studies, n = 459; comparative studies, n = 3763). Of 459 patients in the single-arm studies, 271 underwent primary R-RPLND and 188 underwent post-chemotherapy R-RPLND. For primary R-RPLND, the operative time ranged from 175 to 540 min and the major complication rate was 4.1%. For post-chemotherapy R-RPLND, the operative time ranged from 134 to 550 min and the major complication rate was 8.5%. The conversion rate to open surgery was 2.2% in primary R-RPLND and 9.0% in post-chemotherapy R-RPLND. In comparison with O-RPLND, R-RPLND was associated with a lower transfusion rate (14.5% vs 0.9%, P < 0.001) and a lower complication rate (18.5% vs 7.8%, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted RPLND has acceptable perioperative outcomes in both the primary and post-chemotherapy settings but a notable rate of conversion to open surgery in the post-chemotherapy setting. Compared with O-RPLND, R-RPLND is associated with a lower transfusion rate and fewer overall complications. Given the potential impact of selection bias, the optimal patient selection criteria for R-RPLND remain to be elucidated.

Patency outcomes of primary inferior vena cava repair in radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The reconstruction of inferior vena cava (IVC) during radical nephrectomy and venous tumor thrombectomy (RN-VTT) is mostly performed with primary repair or with a patch/graft. We sought to systematically evaluate the outcomes of IVC patency over short- to intermediate-term follow-up for patients undergoing primary repair of IVC and to assess the association with survival. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergoing RN-VTT between January 2013 and August 2018 was conducted. Patients were followed until death, last available follow-up, or March 2022. The patency outcomes and IVC diameters were studied using follow-up cross-sectional imaging. The χ2 test, Student t test, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were included. The mean age was 59.2 ± 12.2 years and 45.4% had Mayo classification level III thrombus or higher. At a median follow-up of 36.5 months (13.3-60.7 months), the 3-year overall survival (OS) was 64%. Sixty patients underwent primary repair of the IVC and 48 of these patients were assessed for IVC patency. Ten patients (20.8%) developed caval occlusion, either from recurrent tumor (8.3%), new-onset bland thrombus (8.3%), or stenosis (4.2). The IVC patency seemed to be a significant predictor of OS (hazard ratio, 2.85; P = .021). Although the IVC diameters decreased significantly at the 3-month postoperative scan at the infrarenal (P = .019), renal (P < .001), and suprarenal (P < .001) levels, they did not decrease further on long-term follow-up imaging. CONCLUSIONS: IVC reconstruction with primary repair results in an overall patency rate of 80.2% with only a 4.0% rate of stenosis. Recurrence of tumor thrombus (8.3%) or bland thrombus (8.3%) are the predominant reasons for IVC occlusion after RN-VTT, and this outcome is associated with poor OS.

Prevalence of genotoxic bacteria in men undergoing biopsy for prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: New evidence suggests that bacteria-produced DNA toxins may have a role in the development or progression of prostate cancer. To determine the prevalence of these genes in a noninfection (i.e., colonized) state, we screened urine specimens in men before undergoing a biopsy for prostate cancer detection. METHODS: We developed a multiplex polymerase chain reaction using three of the most described bacterial genotoxin gene primers: Colibactin (polyketone synthase [pks] gene island: clbN and clbB), cytotoxic necrotizing factor (cnf1) toxin, and cytolethal distending toxin B (cdtB) represented gene islands. After calibration on Escherichia coli samples of known genotypes, we used a training and validation cohort. We performed multiplex testing on a training cohort of previously collected urine from 45 men undergoing prostate biopsy. For the validation cohort, we utilized baseline urine samples from a previous randomized clinical trial (n = 263) with known prostate cancer outcomes. RESULTS: The prevalence of four common bacterial genotoxin genes detected in the urine before prostate biopsy for prostate cancer is 8% (25/311). The prevalence of pks island (clbN and clbB), cnf1, and cdt toxin genes are 6.1%, 2.4%, and 1.7%, respectively. We found no association between urinary genotoxins and prostate cancer (p = 0.83). We did identify a higher proportion of low-grade cancer (92% vs. 44%) in those men positive for urinary genotoxin and higher-grade cancer in those genotoxin negative (8% vs. 56%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of urinary genotoxins is low and does not correspond to a prostate cancer diagnosis. The urine was taken at one point in time and does not rule out the possibility of previous exposure.

Revisiting current National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) high-risk prostate cancer stratification: a National Cancer Database analysis.

BACKGROUND: High-risk prostate cancer includes heterogenous populations with variable outcomes. This study aimed to compare the prognostic ability of individual high-risk factors, as defined by National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk stratification, in prostate cancer patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. METHODS: We queried the National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2018 for patients with non-metastatic high-risk prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy and stratified them as Group H1: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) > 20 ng/ml alone, Group H2: cT3a stage alone and Group H3: Gleason Grade (GG) group 4/5 as per NCCN guidelines. The histopathological characteristics and rate of adjuvant therapy were compared between different groups. Inverse probability weighting (IPW)-adjusted Kaplan-Meier curves were utilized to compare overall survival (OS) in group H1 and H2 with H3. RESULTS: Overall, 61,491 high-risk prostate cancer patients were identified, and they were classified into Group H1 (n = 14,139), Group H2 (n = 2855) and Group H3 (n = 44,497). Compared to group H1 or H2, pathological GG group > 3 (p < 0.001), pathological stage pT3b or higher (p < 0.001), lymph nodal positive disease (pN1) (p < 0.001) and rate of adjuvant therapy (p < 0.001) were significantly in Group H3. IPW-adjusted Kaplan-Meier curves showed significantly better 5-year OS in group H1 compared to group H3 [95.1% vs 93.3%, p < 0.001] and group H2 compared to group H3 [94.4% vs 92.9%, p < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: PSA > 20 ng/ml or cT3a stage in isolation have better oncologic and survival outcomes compared to GG > 3 disease and sub-stratification of 'High-risk' category might lead to better patient prognostication.

Impact of Finasteride on Survival in Bladder Cancer: A Retrospective Multi-institutional Database Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Androgen suppression therapy has been associated with a lower incidence of bladder cancer (BCa) or improved overall/cancer-specific survival. Results are ofent conflicting; therefore, we aim to assess the impact of use of finasteride on overall survival (OS) for BCa using multi-institutional database. METHODS: The South Texas Veterans Healthcare System from 5 medical centers was queried for patients with BCa with or without use of finasteride after diagnosis of BCa. The primary outcome was the impact of finasteride use after diagnosis on the OS in BCa and in the high-risk Non-muscle invasive BCa (NMIBC) cohort. RESULTS: A total of 1890 patients were included, amongst which 619 (32.8%) men were classified as finasteride users and 1271 (67.2%) men as controls. At a median (IQR) follow up of 53.8 (27.4, 90.9) months, death due to any cause was noted in 272 (43.9%) finasteride-treated, and 672 (49.3%) control groups (P = .028). The patients in the finasteride group had significantly better OS in overall cohort (112.1 months vs. 84.8 months, P < .001) as well as in the NMIBC cohort (129.3months vs. 103.2 months, P = .0046). The use of finasteride was independently associated with improved OS in both, overall cohort (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.63-0.86; P < .001) and in the NMIBC cohort (HR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.55-0.93; P = .011). CONCLUSION: Finasteride use is associated with the improved overall survival in patients with BCa, specifically in patients with NMIBC. We, further, propose a randomized clinical trial to investigate the use of finasteride in BCa patients.

A comparative analysis of radical cystectomy with perioperative chemotherapy, chemoradiation therapy, or systemic therapy in patients with clinically advanced node-positive bladder cancer (cN2/N3).

Introduction: The management of non-metastatic clinically advanced lymph nodal (cN2/N3) bladder cancer (Stage IIIB) could involve radical cystectomy, chemoradiation, or systemic therapy alone. However, a definitive comparison between these approaches is lacking. This study aims to compare the outcomes of patients undergoing radical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection (RC-PLND), chemoradiation therapy (CRT) or systemic therapy (including immunotherapy) (ST) only in patients with stage IIIB bladder cancer. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of the National Cancer Database for patients with stage IIIB urothelial bladder cancer was done from 2004-2019. Patients were classified as Group A: Those who received RC-PLND with perioperative chemotherapy, Group B: Those who received CRT, and Group C: Those who received only ST alone. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Inverse probability weighting (IPW)-adjusted Kaplan Meier curves were utilized to compare overall survival (OS) and cox multivariate regression analysis was used to identify predictors for OS. Results: Overall, 2,575 patients were identified. They were classified into Group A (n=1,278), Group B (n=317) and Group C (n=980). Compared to Group B, patients in Group A were younger (SMD=19.6%), had lower comorbidities (SMD=18.2%), had higher income (SMD=31.5%), had private insurance (SMD= 26.7%), were treated at academic centres (SMD=29.3%) and had higher percentage of N2 disease (SMD=31.1%). Using IPW-adjusted survival analysis, compared to Group C, the median OS was significantly higher in Group A (20.7 vs 14.2 months, p<0.001) and Group B (19.7 vs 14.2 months, p<0.001) but similar between Group A and Group B (20.9 vs 19.7 months, p=0.74). Both surgery (HR=0.72 (0.65-0.80), p<0.001) and CRT (0.70 (0.59-0.82), p<0.001) appeared to be independent predictors for OS on cox-regression analysis. The major limitations include bias due to retrospective analysis and non-assessment of cancer-specific survival. Conclusion: In stage IIIB bladder cancer with advanced lymph nodal disease, both RC and CRT offer equivalent survival benefits and are superior to systemic therapy alone.

Molecular genetic testing does not improve the detection of fluoroquinolone resistance before transrectal prostate biopsy.

Background: Fluoroquinolone-resistant (FQR) Escherichia coli (E. coli) causes transrectal prostate biopsy infections. We seek to further identify fluoroquinolones resistance by the incorporation of genetic profiling to influence antibiotic selection for transrectal prostate biopsy and whether the addition of this genetic testing could improve the prediction of FQR detection at the time of biopsy. Materials and methods: In this prospective observational cohort study, rectal swabs were collected within 30 days of an upcoming prostate biopsy. These swabs were sent for phenotypic and genotypic assessment to predict FQR on the day of the biopsy. Phenotype: Specimens were inoculated onto MacConkey agar containing ciprofloxacin using standard culture techniques to determine FQR status. Genotype: We compared cultures to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequence typing (E.coli- ST131/H30/ST69) and bacterial plasmids (gyrA, qnrQ, and qnrS). The presence of FQR on this testing was compared to the second rectal swab collected just before biopsy (2 hours after ciprofloxacin prophylaxis), which served as the gold standard for FQR. Results: Overall, the FQR rate was 23.6%. The bacterial plasmids (qnr) were present in 54.1% of samples, and multidrug-resistant E. coli ST131 was present in 12.5% of samples. In comparison, phenotypic assessment using rectal culture had a better prediction for the presence of FQR as compared to genotypic testing [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.85 in phenotype arm vs. AUC = 0.45 in genotype arm]. Conclusion: We detected a high prevalence of FQR genes in the rectum, but the addition of PCR-based genotyping did not improve the prediction of culture-based FQR at the time of biopsy.

Predictors of participants' retention-socioeconomic factors or nonadherence: insights from a urological clinical prospective study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate various patient-level variables, specifically socioeconomic status, as risk factors for withdrawal in a recently completed clinical study. We specifically investigated a non-interventional prospective study assessing the role of novel imaging as a biomarker for cancer upgradation in prostate cancer for this objective. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, we assessed the association between various patient-level factors including clinic-demographic factors, socioeconomic status, and the number of non-adherences with the participants' retention or withdrawal from the study. For socioeconomic status (SES), we used the zip code-based Economic Innovation Group Distressed Community Index (DCI) which classifies into five even distress tiers: prosperous, comfortable, mid-tier, at-risk, or distressed. Low SES was defined as those with a DCI Distress tier of at-risk or distressed. We compared values between the two retention and withdrawal groups using t-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 273 men screened, 123 men were enrolled. Among them, 86.2% (106/123) retained through the study whereas 13.8% (17/123) withdrew from the study. The mean (SD) age was 64 (6.4) years. Overall, 31.7% (39/123) were Hispanics and 24.3% (30/123) were African Americans. The median (IQR) DCI score was 34 (10.3, 68.1) and 30.8% (38/123) of patients belonged to low SES. The median DCI score in participants who retained in the study was statistically similar to those who withdrew from the study (p=0.4). Neither the DCI tiers (p=0.7) nor the low SES (p=0.9) were associated with participants' retention or withdrawal of the study. In terms of non-adherence, all participants in the withdrawn group had at least one non-adherent event compared to 48.1% in the retained group (p<0.001). Repetitive non-adherence was significantly higher in participants who withdrew from the study vs those who retained in the study [88.2% vs 16.9%, p <0.001]. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, the number of non-adherences (OR=12.5, p<0.001) and not DCI (OR=0.99, p=0.7) appeared to be an independent predictor for participants' retention or withdrawal from the study. CONCLUSIONS: Expanding diverse inclusion and limiting withdrawal with real-time non-adherence monitoring will lead to more efficient clinical research and greater generalizability of results.

A Decade of Robotic-Assisted Radical Nephrectomy with Inferior Vena Cava Thrombectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Perioperative Outcomes.

PURPOSE: Open radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy (O-CT) is standard management for renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava thrombus. First reported a decade ago, robotic-assisted radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy (R-CT) is a minimally invasive option for this disease. We aimed to perform a systematic review to assess the safety and feasibility of R-CT in terms of perioperative outcomes and compare the outcomes between R-CT and O-CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PubMed®, Scopus®, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of ScienceTM databases were searched using the free-text and MeSH terms "renal cell carcinoma," "inferior vena cava," "thrombosis" or "thrombus," "robot" and "thrombectomy." Studies reporting perioperative outcomes of R-CT and studies comparing R-CT with O-CT were included. The review was done in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. RESULTS: The search retrieved 28 articles describing R-CT, including 7 comparative studies. This systematic review included 1,375 patients, out of which 329 patients were in single-arm studies and 1,046 patients were in comparative studies. Of the 329 patients who underwent R-CT, 14.7% were level I, 60.9% level II, 20.4% level III and 2.5% level IV thrombus. Operative time ranged from 150 to 530 minutes; blood transfusion was administered in 38.2% (126). The overall complication rate was 30.3% (99). R-CT, in comparison to O-CT, was associated with a lower blood transfusion rate (18.4% vs 64.3%, p=0.002) and a lower complication rate (14.5% vs 36.7%, p=0.005). Major complication and 30-day mortality rates were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: R-CT has acceptable perioperative outcomes in carefully selected patients. Compared with O-CT, R-CT is associated with a lower blood transfusion rate and fewer overall complications. In experienced hands with carefully selected patients, R-CT is feasible and safe, with acceptable outcomes; however, selection bias limits definitive inference of these results, and optimal patient selection criteria remain to be described.

Trifecta and Pentafecta Outcomes in Laparoscopic and Robotic Nephron-Sparing Surgery for Highly Complex Renal Tumors: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Analysis.

Purpose: To compare the trifecta and pentafecta outcomes of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) and robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) in highly complex renal tumors (RENAL nephrometry score ≥10) using a matched cohort analysis. Methods: Patients undergoing LPN or RPN for renal tumors with RENAL score ≥10 between January 2014 and December 2019 were matched using 1:2 propensity score match analysis based on age, body mass index, gender, laterality of tumor, RENAL score, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score. The two groups were compared for trifecta and pentafecta outcomes. Results: Thirty patients undergoing LPN (Group A) were matched with 60 patients undergoing RPN (Group B). The mean age (standard deviation) was 53.7 (12.9) years. The median (interquartile range) RENAL score was 10 (10-11). In comparison, the mean warm ischemia time in Group A was significantly longer than that in Group B (26.2 vs 23.0 minutes, p = 0.013). The overall complication rate was 36.7% in Group A as compared with 20% in Group B (p = 0.440). The trifecta outcomes could be achieved in 11 patients (36.7%) in Group A compared with 40 patients (66.7%) in Group B (p = 0.012). Moreover, 10 patients (33.3%) in Group A and 28 patients (46.7%) in Group B achieved pentafecta outcomes (p = 0.227). Conclusions: In a matched cohort of patients undergoing nephron-sparing surgery for highly complex renal tumors (RENAL score ≥10), the robotic approach offers a superior advantage in the achievement of trifecta outcomes as compared with the laparoscopic approach. However, both LPN and RPN can achieve similar pentafecta outcomes.

Raised prostate-specific antigen alone may not be a true predictor in high-risk prostate cancer: A retrospective cohort analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) >20 ng/mL in isolation is a criterion for classification as "high-risk" prostate cancer (PCa). However, among Indian men, PSA elevation is often seen even in the absence of PCa and patients with PSA as the sole criterion for the high-risk disease may have different outcomes from those categorized as high risk due to adverse pathological features. We compared the operative, oncological, and functional outcomes after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in men with high-risk PCa categorized using PSA alone versus clinical and histopathological findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an Institute Review Board-approved study, men undergoing RARP with high-risk PCa with at least 2-year follow-up were categorized into those with PSA >20 ng/ml being the sole criteria for being high risk (Group A) versus those with Gleason score ≥8 or ≥T2c disease but any PSA level (Group B). The two groups were compared for perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients with high-risk disease were included. Twenty-six patients (48.9%) were classified into Group A while 27 patients (50.9%) were classified into Group B. The median PSA was significantly higher in Group A (31 [26-35] ng/ml in Group A vs. 21 [12-34] ng/ml in Group B, P = 0.006) and on histopathology of radical prostatectomy specimen, 24 (92.3%) patients had GG ≤3 disease in Group A versus 10 (37%) patients in Group B (P < 0.001). Patients in both the groups had similar perioperative and continence outcomes. However, Group A had significantly lower biochemical recurrence rate (3/26 [11.5%]) as compared to Group B (11/27 [40.7%]) (P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: PSA >20 ng/ml is the single most common criterion for stratification as high-risk PCa. However, men with PSA >20 ng/ml in isolation, without another adverse criterion, have better outcomes than men with adverse clinical or pathological criteria for high-risk disease.

Impact of previous transurethral resection of prostate on robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a matched cohort analysis.

We aimed to compare surgical, oncological, and functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in prostate cancer patients with and without prior history of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), using a matched cohort analysis. In an IRB-approved protocol, all patients who underwent RARP at our institution between April 2005 and July 2018 with at least 1-year follow-up were included. Among these, patients who had undergone a previous TURP (Group A) were compared with those without TURP (Group B) using the Survival, Continence, and Potency outcomes reporting system. Using propensity score matching for age, PSA and Gleason score, the two cohorts were further subdivided in a 1:2 ratio into Group C (prior TURP from Group A) and Group D (without prior TURP from Group B). Similar comparisons were made between Group C and D. Patients in Group A (n = 40) had lower PSA (p = 0.031) and were more likely to have Gleason grade 1 disease (p = 0.035) than patients in Group B (n = 143). In the propensity-matched group analysis, patients of Group C (n = 38) had higher operative time and blood loss than Group D (n = 76) patients. Group C patients also had lower continence at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. However, oncological and potency outcomes were similar in both the groups. We concluded that previous TURP is a predictor for surgical and continence outcomes following RARP. Even though these patients have a potentially lower stage or grade of disease, they are less likely to achieve social continence than men who have not had a previous TURP. This information would be important in counseling them for treatment options.

Diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive tests for advanced fibrosis in patients with NAFLD: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Liver biopsy is still needed for fibrosis staging in many patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The aims of this study were to evaluate the individual diagnostic performance of liver stiffness measurement by vibration controlled transient elastography (LSM-VCTE), Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4) and NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) Fibrosis Score (NFS) and to derive diagnostic strategies that could reduce the need for liver biopsies. DESIGN: Individual patient data meta-analysis of studies evaluating LSM-VCTE against liver histology was conducted. FIB-4 and NFS were computed where possible. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) were calculated. Biomarkers were assessed individually and in sequential combinations. RESULTS: Data were included from 37 primary studies (n=5735; 45% women; median age: 54 years; median body mass index: 30 kg/m2; 33% had type 2 diabetes; 30% had advanced fibrosis). AUROCs of individual LSM-VCTE, FIB-4 and NFS for advanced fibrosis were 0.85, 0.76 and 0.73. Sequential combination of FIB-4 cut-offs (<1.3; ≥2.67) followed by LSM-VCTE cut-offs (<8.0; ≥10.0 kPa) to rule-in or rule-out advanced fibrosis had sensitivity and specificity (95% CI) of 66% (63-68) and 86% (84-87) with 33% needing a biopsy to establish a final diagnosis. FIB-4 cut-offs (<1.3; ≥3.48) followed by LSM cut-offs (<8.0; ≥20.0 kPa) to rule out advanced fibrosis or rule in cirrhosis had a sensitivity of 38% (37-39) and specificity of 90% (89-91) with 19% needing biopsy. CONCLUSION: Sequential combinations of markers with a lower cut-off to rule-out advanced fibrosis and a higher cut-off to rule-in cirrhosis can reduce the need for liver biopsies.

Survival analysis and predictors of long-term outcomes following radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombectomy in renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) presents with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus in 10%-30% cases and surgical management forms the mainstay of the treatment. The objective of this study is to assess the outcomes of the patients undergoing radical nephrectomy with IVC thrombectomy. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing open radical nephrectomy with IVC thrombectomy between 2006 till 2018 was done. Results: A total of 56 patients were included. The mean (±standard deviation) age was 57.1 (±12.2) years. The number of patients with levels I, II, III, and IV thrombus were 4, 29,10, and 13, respectively. The mean blood loss was 1851.8 mL, and the mean operative time was 303.3 minutes. Overall, the complication rate was 51.7%, while the perioperative mortality rate was 8.9%. The mean duration of hospital stay was 10.6 ± 6.4 days. The majority of the patients had clear cell carcinoma (87.5%). There was a significant association between grade and stage of thrombus (P = 0.011). Using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the median overall survival (OS) was 75 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 43.5-106.5) months, and the median recurrence-free survival (RFS) was 48 (95% CI = 33.1-62.3) months. Age (P = 0.03), presence of systemic symptoms (P = 0.01), radiological size (P = 0.04), histopathological grade (P = 0.01), level of thrombus (P = 0.04), and invasion of thrombus into IVC wall (P = 0.01) were found to be significant predictors of OS. Conclusion: The management of RCC with IVC thrombus poses a major surgical challenge. Experience of a center along with high-volume and multidisciplinary facility particularly cardiothoracic facility provides better perioperative outcome. Though surgically challenging, it offers good overall-survival and recurrence-free survival.

Changing trends in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: Inverse stage migration-A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: With increasing availability of data on outcomes of surgery for prostate cancer, the profile of patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has changed over the past decade. This impacts the decision-making process for surgeons and patients, particularly in low-incidence regions of Asia. Our institution was among the first in Asia to acquire a da Vinci surgical robot in 2005. We evaluated the changes in the clinical and pathology profile of patients undergoing RARP at our institution over the past 15 years (2005-2019). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing RARP between April 2005 and December 2019 was conducted from the hospital database. The patients were divided into two groups; patients undergoing RARP from April 2005 to December 2012 (Group I, first 8 years) and January 2013 to December 2019 (Group II, next 7 years). The perioperative characteristics were compared between these two groups to assess changes in their profile and outcome. RESULTS: Four hundred forty-seven patients were included in this study; 244 (54.6%) in Group I and 203 (45.4%) in Group II. The median prostate specific antigen in Group II was significantly higher than that in Group I (14.5 vs. 11.7 ng/ml, P = 0.016). Unfavorable pathological characteristics, i.e., Gleason Grade ≥3, perineural invasion, and the margin positivity rate increased substantially from 18.5% to 37.5%, 20.5% to 36.9%, and 15.2% to 26.6%, respectively, in Group II compared with Group I. More patients in Group II received adjuvant therapy than in Group I (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There has been a change in profile of patients undergoing RARP and patients with more unfavorable disease characteristics such as higher prostate specific antigen and tumor grade are undergoing surgery. In line with international trends, the number of patients with low-grade disease undergoing surgery has substantially decreased. Multimodal treatment with adjuvant therapy is increasingly used, particularly in high-risk disease.

Glucose- regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in renal cell carcinoma: A novel biomarker for predicting tumor behavior.

OBJECTIVE: To study the mRNA and protein expression of GRP78 in tumor and serum of the RCC patients and compare with the controls and to correlate the expression with the grade and stage of RCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study involving 60 patients planned for radical/partial nephrectomy for primary RCC between July 2017 to June 2019. The RCC and adjacent non-tumorous renal tissues (Control) along with serum samples of patients were collected. Control for the serum samples is from the patients undergoing simple nephrectomy for non-functioning kidney due to benign etiology. The GRP78 expression was studied using RT-PCR for mRNA expression, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for protein expression and using ELISA in serum for both the subjects and controls. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 50.3 years. The mRNA and protein expression of GRP78 in tissue samples were significantly higher in RCC patients as compared to controls (p < 0.001). IHC also demonstrated significantly higher expression in tumour samples as compared to controls (p < 0.001). Circulatory levels of GRP78 in serum samples were also significantly increased (p < 0.0001) in RCC patients in comparison to control subjects. The expression of GRP78 in circulation significantly correlated with the pathological tumor stage (p = 0.03), grade of disease (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The GRP78 in RCC is significantly upregulated both at molecular and protein level expression. The overexpression of GRP78 correlates with the stage and grade of disease, thereby, highlighting its prognostic ability.