Lasers in laparoscopic and robotic surgery: is there a need for them.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The application of lasers in treating urological disorders is a developing area. In the laparoscopic and robotic surgery, laser energy is not so popular as in the treatment of stone disease and benign prostatic hyperplasia. The aim of this review is to clarify the current status of laser applications in laparoscopic and robotic urology. RECENT FINDINGS: Laser welding of the pyeloureteral anastomosis is not performed in routine clinical practice. Most investigation of laser applications in laparoscopic and robotic urology has centered on laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. Much less work has been done with regard to lower tract laser laparoscopic and robotic applications. However, laser laparoscopic radical prostatectomy has been investigated. SUMMARY: Current literature regarding lasers in laparoscopic and robotic surgery is extremely limited. Available data consist mostly of small cohorts providing a low level of evidence. Even though initial studies with currently available laser modalities demonstrated promising results, several drawbacks in each technique need to be addressed before being widely accepted as a standard care. Despite investigation, laser usage during laparoscopic and robotic urological procedures has not gained widespread acceptance and remains experimental at this time.

Randomized, open-label, tolterodine-controlled, comparative study of the novel antimuscarinic agent imidafenacin in patients with overactive bladder.

BACKGROUND: The role of the selective antimuscarinic imidafenacin in Caucasian patients with overactive bladder (OAB) has not been previously assessed. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of imidafenacin 0.2 mg vs tolterodine 4 mg per day in patients with OAB. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This study was a randomized, open-label, tolterodine-controlled, comparative multicenter trial of 300 randomized patients with OAB symptoms for 12 weeks with full analysis of 289 patients. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Based on 5-day bladder diaries, the primary efficacy endpoint was the change in the mean number of micturitions per day. The secondary endpoints were the change in the mean incontinence episodes, voiding frequency, the OAB Awareness Tool score, and the European Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D) score. The superiority of tolterodine over imidafenacin in the mean number of micturitions/24 hours was the null hypothesis. RESULTS AND LIMITATION: The median age was 46.6 years, and 82% of patients were female. After treatment, the change in the mean number of incontinence episodes was -2.1 ± 2.2 in the imidafenacin group and -1.9 ± 1.8 in the tolterodine group (P = .001). The change in the mean number of daytime incontinence episodes was -1.7 ± 1.7 and -1.5 ± 1.4 ( P = .01). The OAB Awareness Tool score decreased by 14.2 ± 8.5 and 14.5 ± 8.0, respectively ( P = 0.5). Most adverse events were mild and resolved without treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical efficacy and safety of imidafenacin are not inferior to those of tolterodine for the treatment of Caucasian patients with OAB. PATIENT SUMMARY: Imidafenacin is as effective as tolterodine for the treatment of OAB.

Autoimmune Effect of Antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleoprotein.

COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 is continuing to spread around the world and drastically affect our daily life. New strains appear, and the severity of the course of the disease itself seems to be decreasing, but even people who have been ill on an outpatient basis suffer post-COVID consequences. Partly, it is associated with the autoimmune reactions, so debates about the development of new vaccines and the need for vaccination/revaccination continue. In this study we performed an analysis of the antibody response of patients with COVID-19 to linear and conformational epitopes of viral proteins using ELISA, chip array and western blot with analysis of correlations between antibody titer, disease severity, and complications. We have shown that the presence of IgG antibodies to the nucleoprotein can deteriorate the course of the disease, induce multiple direct COVID-19 symptoms, and contribute to long-term post-covid symptoms. We analyzed the cross reactivity of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 with own human proteins and showed that antibodies to the nucleocapsid protein can bind to human proteins. In accordance with the possibility of HLA presentation, the main possible targets of the autoantibodies were identified. People with HLA alleles A01:01; A26:01; B39:01; B15:01 are most susceptible to the development of autoimmune processes after COVID-19.

16S rRNA gene sequencing data of the upper respiratory tract microbiome in the SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is a big challenge for humanity. The COVID-19 severity differs significantly from patient to patient, and it is important to study the factors protecting from severe forms of the disease. Respiratory microbiota may influence the patient's susceptibility to infection and disease severity due to its ability to modulate the immune system response of the host organism. This data article describes the microbiome dataset from the upper respiratory tract of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients from Russia. This dataset reports the microbial community profile of 335 human nasopharyngeal swabs collected between 2020-05 and 2021-03 during the first and the second epidemic waves. Samples were collected from both inpatients and outpatients in 4 cities of the Russian Federation (Moscow, Kazan, Irkutsk, Nizhny Novgorod) and sequenced using the 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of V3-V4 region. Data contains information about the patient such as age, sex, hospitalization status, percent of damaged lung tissue, oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory rate, need for supplemental oxygen, chest computer tomography severity score, SARS-CoV-2 lineage, and also information about smoking and comorbidities. The amplicon sequencing data were deposited at NCBI SRA as BioProject PRJNA751478.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic ureteral reconstruction: а systematic review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: To review the literature, as well as to analyze and compare available data on robot-assisted laparoscopic (RAL) surgery versus open surgery, carried out in ureteral reconstructions in terms of different surgical characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible studies, published between 1997 and July 2016, were retrieved through MEDLINE by applying predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria with the English language restriction. Publications on RAL surgeries, carried out in different ureteral reconstructions and of any study design, including case series and comparative studies, were included. The study was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement. RESULTS: A total of 12 retrospective studies (case series and comparative studies) met the systematic review selection criteria involving 245 RAL and 76 open ureteral surgery cases. Main indications for ureter reconstruction were strictures, tumors and injuries. The individual results of comparative studies revealed that the EBL was statistically significantly lower for RAL than for open surgery. As for operation time, length of hospital stay and follow-up time, the data was contradictory. The rate of recurrent stricture in RAL and open groups was similar: -9.0%. The meta-analysis of three comparative studies confirmed that patients lose statistically significantly less blood in RAL, compared to open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of limited data available shows that robot-assisted laparoscopic ureteral reconstruction is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique with high cure rates similar to those of the conventional open approach and, with favorable safety profile. Future well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to strengthen our findings.

Extended robotic salvage lymphadenectomy in patients with 'node-only' prostate cancer recurrence: initial experience.

INTRODUCTION: Biochemical relapse (BR) after a primary radical prostatectomy may occur in up to 40 percent of cases. Salvage lymphadenectomy has been proposed in patients with 'node-only' driven BR, following a definitive treatment of primary prostate cancer (PCa). We present our initial series of 10 consecutive patients who underwent an extended robotic salvage pelvic lymph node dissection (eRSPLND) for 'node-only' recurrent PCa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a prospective study, including patients who presented with biochemical relapse after a primary radical prostatectomy at a median of 3.6 years prior. Clinical work-up that was done, including Magnetic resonance Imaging of chest/abdomen/pelvis and a bone scan, did not reveal any abnormalities. All patients underwent 11Choline PET (Positron Emission Tomography)/CT (Computed Tomography), which identified 'node-only' metastases. RESULTS: The median operative time was 73.4 mins, blood loss of 100 cc and hospital stay of 2 days. No patient had intra-operative complications, required an open conversion or any blood transfusion. Clavien II grade complications occurred in 1 patient (10%) and were managed conservatively. On histopathology, the median number of total and positive nodes per patient was 15 and 6, respectively. Overall, in our 10 patients, of the 157 total excised nodes, 38.8% were positive. Overall the median (range) PSA (prostate specific antigen) pre-operatively was 3.5 (1.6-3.7) ng/ml. At 3 months post-operatively, the median (range) PSA was 1.1 (0.2-3.4) ng/ml. This reflects an overall median PSA decrease of 31.4%. In no patient did the post-eRSPLND (extended Robotic Salvage pelvic lymphadenectomy) PSA reach zero. CONCLUSIONS: eRSPLND allows the majority of patients to postpone hormonal treatment, which can theoretically decrease the cost of the treatment. 11Choline PET/CT identifies patients who are suitable for the eRSPLND. Longer follow-up is necessary to assess the oncologic outcomes.

Efficacy and safety of Afalaza in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia at risk of progression: a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: In order to investigate the efficacy and safety of Afalaza in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) at risk of progression, this multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was performed. Derived by technological treatment of antibodies to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOs), Afalaza was previously proved to modulate its molecular targets. The mechanism of action of the drug is associated with the modulating effect of the antibiodies (RA-Abs) on the molecular targets (PSA and eNOS) by way of conformational changes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 49 patients aged 45-60 years with BPH and moderate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), total prostate volume (TPV) ≥30 cm3, Qmax 10-15 ml/s, and serum PSA<4 ng/ml were randomly assigned to receive either Afalaza (n = 125) or placebo (n = 124) for 12 months. Changes in BPH/LUTS symptoms (according to the International Prostate Symptom Score), Qmax, TPV, PSA, BPH clinical progression, occurrence of acure urinary retention (AUR) events or BPH-related surgery were estimated as the study endpoints. RESULTS: IPSS mean change was -3.7 ±3.0 (95% CI -4.3 to -3.2) after 12 months of Afalaza (vs. -2.9 ±2.4; 95% CI -3.3 to -2.4 in placebo; р = 0.02). Qmax growth was 2.5 ±4.3 ml/s (vs. 1.4 ±3.3 in placebo; p = 0.049), TPV reduced by 11.8 ±16.0% (vs. 6.5 ±14.7%; p = 0.01, and PSA remained unchanged. Afalaza therapy resulted in a significant decrease in the total sum of BPH progression symptoms (p = 0.01). The maximum effect of Afalaza was registered after 12 months without a tendency to form a 'plateau'. During the study, no patients experienced AUR or BPH-related surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A 12-month course of Afalaza therapy is effective and safe for patients with BPH. The results of end points measurements revealed asignificant advantage of Afalaza compared to placebo in the overall symptoms benefit and a decline in the risk of BPH progression.ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01716104.

Current drug therapy of patients with BPH-LUTS with the special emphasis on PDE5 inhibitors.

INTRODUCTION: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common cause of lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) development in men [1]. The intensity of the symptoms may vary from mild to severe, significantly affecting the quality of life. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most challenging issues in modern urology that significantly influences the quality of life in men worldwide. The objective of this literature review was to analyze the current drug therapies of patients with BPH-LUTS, with the special emphasis on PDE5 inhibitors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors searched the literature for the period from 2000 until 2015 in MEDLINE and PubMed. RESULTS: Twenty-three articles were selected based on their reliability. A detailed analysis of the selected papers was performed. Primary attention was given to articles describing the use of PDE5. Works describing the use of different groups of drugs in patients with BPH-LUTS were also selected. CONCLUSIONS: The current literature analysis suggests that the introduction of PDE5 inhibitors in clinical practice for the treatment of patients with BPH-LUTS will allow for significant expansion of the therapeutic options for the treatment of this disease.