Simple prostatectomy using the open and robotic approaches for lower urinary tract symptoms: A retrospective,case-control series

IntroductionWe aimed to assess the outcome of our series of simple prostatectomy at our institution using the open simple prostatectomy (OSP) and robotic-assisted simple prostatectomy (RASP) approaches.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review of men who underwent OSP and RASP at Western University, in London, ON. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected and analyzed.ResultsFrom 2012–2020, 29 men underwent a simple prostatectomy at our institution. Eight patients underwent an OSP and 21 patients underwent a RASP. The median age was 69 years. Preoperative median prostate volume was 153 cm³ (range 80–432). The surgical indications were failed medical treatment, urinary retention, hydronephrosis, cystolithiasis, and recurrent hematuria. The median operative time was 137.5 minutes in OSP and 185 minutes in RASP (p=0.04). Median estimated blood loss was 2300 ml (range 600–4000) and 100 ml (range 50–400) in the open and robotic procedures, respectively (p=0.4). The mean length of hospital stay was shorter in the RASP group, one day vs. three days (z=4.152, p<0.005). Perioperative complication rates were significantly lower in the group undergoing RASP, with no complications recorded in this group (p=0.004). Both groups demonstrated excellent functional results, with most patients reporting complete urinary continence (p=0.8).ConclusionsWe report very good perioperative outcomes, with a minimal risk profile and excellent functional results, leading to marked improvement in patients’ symptoms at followup after both the OSP and RASP approaches. RASP was associated with a shorter length of hospital stay, decreased blood loss, and a lower complication rate.     

Serine‐derivatized gadonanotubes as magnetic nanoprobes for intracellular labeling

Gadonanotubes (GNTs), which are powerful new T₁‐weighted MRI contrast agents, were derivatized with serine amino acid substituents to produce water‐soluble (2 mg ml^?1) ser‐gadonanotubes (ser‐GNs) as magnetic nanoprobes for intracellular labeling. The ser‐GNTs were used to efficiently label MCF‐7 human breast cancer cells (1.5 × 10⁹ Gd³⁺ ions/cell) with no observable cytotoxicity. Cell pellets derived from the ser‐GNT labeled cells give bright T₁‐weighted MR images, confirming that the ser‐GNTs are a promising new nanoprobe technology for magnetic cell labeling and possibly for in vivo cellular trafficking. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

低氧运动对身体功能的影响

目的:综述低氧运动对身体功能的影响,为低氧健身提供理论支持。资料来源:检索Sience Direct 1999-01/2005-12关于低氧运动及身体功能的文章。检索词“Hypoxia Exercise,Body Function,Weight Control”并限定文章的语种类为English。同时检索中国期刊全文数据库1999-01/2006-01的相关文章,限定文章语言种类为中文,检索词“低氧运动,身体功能,控体质量”。资料选择:对资料进行初审,将低氧运动对心肌缺血和组织利用氧功能、造血功能、呼吸系统功能、免疫系统功能和体质量等影响资料纳入选择;排除重复研究和综述类文献。资料提炼:初步检索到50篇关于低氧运动对身体功能影响相关文献,排除重复研究和综述类文献,最终纳入30篇进行综述。资料综合:①在国外,低氧训练作为一种有效提高心、肺功能的训练方法和手段,不仅应用于竞技体育领域,也广泛应用于全民健身,低氧运动使身体产生一系列的适应性变化,从而促进整体健康和体质水平。②低氧运动能改善心肌缺血,加强脑组织和肌肉对氧的利用能力。③低氧可以刺激人体的造血系统,低氧适应后,红细胞、血红蛋白等出现明显的适应性的变化。④在低氧条件下健身,低氧刺激颈动脉体和主动脉体的化学感受器,进而刺激呼吸中枢,从而改善呼吸系统。⑤适宜的低氧刺激浓度、刺激时间与运动方式,能提高免疫能力,且可有效控体质量。结论:低氧运动能改善心肌缺血和组织利用氧的功能、造血功能、呼吸系统功能、免疫系统功能和有效控体质量等,是一种很有发展前景的健身方法。     

GENOMIC INSTABILITY IN COLORECTAL CARCINOMAS: COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT EVALUATION METHODS AND THEIR BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

In order to demonstrate the relationship between microsatellite instability and other types of genomic instability, a series of 56 sporadic colorectal carcinomas was investigated by flow cytometrical ploidy analysis, oligonucleotide fingerprinting, and microsatellite polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Stabilization of the p53 gene product was analysed by immunohistochemistry and proliferative activity was determined flow cytometrically and by silver staining of nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs). Of the 56 carcinomas, 11 (19 per cent) exhibited microsatellite instability; 33 of the cases were aneuploid (59 per cent) and 29 (52 per cent) showed alterations of the oligonucleotide fingerprints. There was a significant correlation of microsatellite instability with localization of these tumours proximal to the splenic flexure, diploid DNA content, and less frequent p53 stabilization. A solid growth pattern, mucinous differentiation, and a Crohn's-like lymphoid infiltrate were also characteristic for those tumours. The results demonstrate for the first time a significantly lower proliferative activity in tumours with microsatellite instability. Data obtained from DNA flow cytometry or from oligonucleotide fingerprinting did not correlate with such tumour characteristics. It is proposed that the use of microsatellite PCR facilitates specifically the detection of a group of colorectal cancers which may differ in pathogenesis and perhaps prognosis.     

Sphincter of Oddi stenosis: diagnosis using hepatobiliary scintigraphy and endoscopic manometry

To determine the role of radionuclide imaging in diagnosing sphincter of Oddi stenosis, 21 patients with symptoms suggesting this disorder underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, cholescintigraphy, and, when possible, endoscopic manometry. Those patients with abnormal hepatobiliary scintigraphy results--based on our criteria of delayed biliary intestinal transit, abnormal duct size, and abnormal time-activity dynamics and obstruction--had a mean basal sphincter pressure of 38.5 mm Hg. Sphincter pressures could not be measured in six patients with sphincters too tight to cannulate. Ten patients who underwent hepatobiliary scanning both before and after sphincter surgery had normal scan results on the repeat study. Hepatobiliary imaging appears useful for diagnosis of sphincter of Oddi stenosis in selected patients in whom manometry cannot be performed and for objective assessment of response to therapy.     

Dystrophins in vertebrates and invertebrates

Members of the dystrophin family of proteins perform a critical but incompletely characterized role in the maintenance of membrane- associated complexes at points of intercellular contact in many vertebrate cell types. They interact with, amongst others, the transmembrane laminin receptor dystroglycan, cytoskeletal actin and, indirectly, the intracellular membrane-associated signalling enzyme neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). Here we describe sequences of a range of dystrophin-related proteins from vertebrate and invertebrate animals (including the important model organism Drosophila melanogaster ) and infer an evolutionary history of this family and its relationship to the distantly related dystrobrevins. It appears that most metazoa possess sequences encoding a single highly conserved dystrophin-like protein in addition to a presumed distinct dystrobrevin, derived from an early duplication of an ancestral gene. In the vertebrates (but not the protochordate Amphioxus), the single invertebrate dystrophin-like gene has undergone serial duplication to generate at least three distinct genes encoding proteins which have adopted specialized roles. It is hoped that this broadening of the biology of the dystrophins will afford further opportunities for the advancement of our understanding of the fundamental defect underlying the variety of human genetic disorders which result from aberrant or absent dystrophin-associated complexes.      

Experiences of the first 493 unrelated marrow donors in the National Marrow Donor Program

More than 410,000 people participated in the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) as of October 1, 1991, and more than 850 volunteers had donated marrow. While the incidence of serious morbidity as a result of bone marrow donation is rare, the incidence of lesser complications and the long-term consequences of marrow donation are not known. To determine the incidence of donor complications and measure the recovery time of volunteer, unrelated marrow donors, we analyzed the results of surveys of the first 493 persons who donated marrow through the NMDP. The marrows were collected at 42 centers. The median age of the donors was 37.9 years (range 19.1 to 55.6 years). The median volume of marrow collected was 1,050 mL (range 180 to 2,983 mL). Autologous red blood cells were transfused to 89.8% (439) of donors but only 0.6% (3) of donors received allogeneic blood. Acute complications related to the collection procedure occurred in 5.9% of donors; but a serious complication, apnea during anesthesia, occurred in only one donor. When donors were questioned approximately 2 days following discharge from their hospitalization, most donors described symptoms related to the collection; 74.8% experienced tiredness, 67.8% experienced pain at the marrow collection site, and 51.6% of the donors experienced low back pain. Donors were surveyed repeatedly until they felt that they had recovered completely. Mean recovery time was 15.8 days; however, 42 (10%) donors felt that it took them > or = 30 days to recover fully. The duration of the marrow collection procedure and duration of anesthesia both positively correlated with donor pain and/or fatigue following the collection; but the duration of the collection procedure had the highest correlation with post-collection pain and fatigue. The volume of marrow collected per unit of donor weight was more weakly correlated with donor pain and/or fatigue than the anesthesia and collection times. When multivariate analysis was used to analyze the correlation between donor recovery time and these variables, only the duration of the collection was found to correlate significantly with donor recovery time (P = .001). This analysis demonstrates that marrow donation is well tolerated with few complications. To decrease further the incidence of donor discomfort and recovery time following donation, the duration of the collection procedure, and probably the duration of anesthesia, and the volume of marrow collected, should be kept to a minimum.