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Purpose: There is not yet satisfactory performance data comparing multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) versus biparametric MRI (bpMRI) for detecting prostate cancer (PCa), particularly in high-risk populations. We compared both protocols for detecting overall PCa and clinically significant PCa (CS-PCa; defined as Grade Group ≥ 2) in a multiethnic urban population. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical record data from men who underwent image-guided fusion prostate biopsy (FB) between 2016 and 2021 at our institution. Patient characteristics, Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores, and FB outcomes were analyzed based on MRI protocol. Multivariate mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to examine associations of bpMRI versus mpMRI for detecting overall PCa and CS-PCa in targeted lesions, among all patients and stratified by race/ethnicity. Results: Overall, 566 men (44.0% Non-Hispanic Black [NHB]; 27.0% Hispanic) with 975 PI-RADS 3–5 lesions on MRI underwent FB. Of these, 312 (55%) men with 497 lesions underwent mpMRI and 254 (45%) men with 478 lesions underwent bpMRI. On multivariate analyses among all men, the odds of detecting overall PCa (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.05–3.11, p = 0.031) and CS-PCa (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.16–4.00, p = 0.014) on FB were higher for lesions identified on bpMRI than mpMRI. When stratified by race/ethnicity, the odds of detecting overall PCa (OR = 1.86; p = 0.15) and CS-PCa (OR = 2.20; p = 0.06) were not statistically different between lesions detected on bpMRI or mpMRI. Conclusion: BpMRI has similar diagnostic performance to mpMRI in detecting overall and CS-PCa within a racially/ethnically diverse population. BpMRI can be utilized for evaluating suspected CS-PCa among NHB and Hispanic men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this review is to highlight the unique factors that predispose geriatric patients to nephrolithiasis and to compare the utility and efficacy of surgical techniques in this specific patient population. Methods: PubMed and EMBASE databases were reviewed, and studies were organized according to surgical treatments. Results: Few prospective studies exist comparing kidney stone removal in the elderly to younger cohorts. In addition, various age cut-offs were used to determine who was considered elderly. Most studies which analyzed Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) found a slightly higher rate of minor complications but comparable stone free rate and operative time. For ureteroscopy (URS) and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), there were minimal complications observed and no difference in clinical success in the elderly. All surgical techniques were presumed to be safe in the elderly and most found no difference in stone-free rates. Conclusions: Unique attributes of the geriatric population contribute to stone formation and must be considered when determining appropriate management modalities. This review provides an overview of the utility and efficacy of PCNL, URS and ESWL in the elderly, as well as a porposed algorithm for management in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients surveilled for clinical non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) from 2013 to 2020 to determine the impact of urine cytology on clinical decision making during NMIBC surveillance. Less than 1% of urine cytology specimens collected during NMIBC surveillance impacted clinical management, none of whom had low-risk disease. The use of urine cytology for surveillance of low-risk NMIBC should continue to be strongly discouraged, as it did not change management in any such cases. Introduction: The use of urine cytology in the surveillance of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is widely variable in clinical practice. We studied the impact of surveillance urine cytology on clinical decision making during NMIBC surveillance. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients surveilled for clinical NMIBC from 2013 to 2020 with at least one follow-up cytology result after diagnosis. Patients were classified into risk categories according to American Urological Association (AUA) NMIBC guidelines. Data were obtained regarding tumor recurrence pathology and the frequency and findings of surveillance cystoscopies and urine cytologies. Positive (suspicious, malignant) and negative (atypical or negative for malignant cells) cytology results were correlated with cystoscopy and pathology findings when obtained within 3 months of the cytology specimen to determine if cytology impacted plan of care. Results: Two hundred fourteen patients with NMIBC were followed for a median of 34 months, with 1045 urine cytologies collectively obtained over the surveillance period. There were no positive urine cytologies among patients with low-risk NMIBC; therefore, cytology did not change management in this cohort. The potential for cytology to escalate management for patients of any risk group (ie, positive cytology in the absence of positive cystoscopy or pathology findings) occurred in 30 (2.9%) cases. However, clinical decision making was only altered in 4 cases (0.4% of all cytologies). Conclusions: Less than 1% of urine cytology specimens collected during NMIBC surveillance impacted clinical management, none of whom had low-risk disease. The use of urine cytology for surveillance of low-risk NMIBC should continue to be strongly discouraged, as it did not change management in any such cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Opioids are often used to manage postoperative pain. Non-narcotic alternatives have increasingly been used to reduce opioid usage. We conducted an open-label randomized non-inferiority clinical trial to compare non-opioid to opioid therapy for pain management after nephrolithiasis surgery. Methods: Patients undergoing elective ureteroscopy or percutaneous nephrolithotomy between July 2018 and May 2021 were randomized to receive ketorolac (non-opioid) or oxycodone-acetaminophen (opioid). Each patient was surveyed one week postoperatively to assess pain outcomes. Patient demographics, surgical variables, number of pills used, constipation, and adverse events were also assessed. We evaluated whether non-opioid analgesia was non-inferior to opioid analgesia for postoperative pain, assuming a non-inferiority margin of 1.3 in pain score between groups. Results: Analyses were based on 90 patients with postoperative pain data: 44 in the ketorolac group and 46 in the oxycodone-acetaminophen group. The groups were similar regarding demographics, type of surgery, ureteral stent placement, and stone burden. Non-inferiority of non-opioids compared to opioids was demonstrated for all outcomes. At follow-up, the average pain scores were 3.20 ± 1.94 (SD) in the non-opioid group and 4.17 ± 1.84 in the opioid group (difference = − 0.96; 95% CI: − 1.76, − 0.17, p = 0.018). The mean proportions of unused pills were similar between groups (p = 0.47) as were rates of constipation (p = 0.32). Conclusions: Non-opioid analgesia was non-inferior to opioid analgesia in pain management after kidney stone surgery. This trial contributes to the evidence that non-opioid analgesics should be considered an effective option for pain management following non-invasive urologic procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between self-reported food security and kidney stone formation. Methods: Data were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a database representative of the United States population. Food security status was assessed using the US Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form. Characteristics of patients were compared using the Chi-square test and the student t-test. Multivariate logistic regression was performed using a multi-model approach. Results: We analyzed 6,800 NHANES survey respondents. 37.2% of respondents were categorized as having "low food security" (scores 2–4) and 24.0% having "very low food security" (scores 5–6). 8.4% of respondents had a history of kidney stones. We found that people with very low food security had a 42% increased likelihood of developing kidney stones compared to those with high or marginal food security, after controlling for race, age, and comorbidities (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.01–1.99). Between the different food security groups, no significant differences were observed in age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, gout history, osteoporosis history, or coronary artery disease history. Lower food security was associated with slightly younger age (< 1 year difference, p = 0.001), higher poverty-income ratio (p = 0.001), and many comorbidities, including kidney stones (p = 0.007). Conclusion: Our study provides evidence for an association between food access and the risk of kidney stone disease. Given these findings, food insecurity should be investigated as a modifiable risk factor for the development of kidney stone disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our goal was to assess the use and perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for kidney stones among a diverse, urban population. This was a cross-sectional study of patients treated for kidney stones in the Bronx, NY. We assessed demographic information, personal history of kidney stones, as well as knowledge and use of CAM for kidney stones. Patient demographics and responses were analyzed using chi-squared, t tests, and binomial logistic regression. 113 patients were surveyed. 90% identified as non-white, of whom 58% indicated Hispanic, 46% Latinx, and 23% Black. 56% of patients were born outside the United States. 56% of patients had heard of CAM for kidney stones and 44% had used CAM for kidney stones. The most common CAM were fruits (N = 42, 84%). Recurrent stone formers were more likely than first-time stone formers to have heard of CAM (68 vs 44% p = 0.013) and to have used CAM (56 vs 30%, p = 0.008). Those identifying as Hispanic were more likely to have both heard of and tried CAM for kidney stones (p = 0.036 and 0.022, respectively) compared to non-Hispanic patients. CAM are commonly used among our diverse, urban patient population. While some remedies are high in citrate and alkali (i.e., lemon, cranberry), others are high in oxalate (i.e., beets) and could potentially contribute to stone formation. These findings underpin the importance that medical providers educate themselves on the CAM used in their specific patient populations and discussing use with patients. Providers should aim to identify and reconcile therapeutics that oppose goals of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of information regarding erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment on YouTube and TikTok. The term "erectile dysfunction" was searched on YouTube and TikTok in July 2021. The first 50 videos on each platform that met inclusion were included. Videos were sorted as reliable or unreliable based on accuracy of video content. Quality of information was evaluated using Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) and 5‐point modified DISCERN. TikTok videos were shorter (0.4 minutes vs. 5.2 minutes, p < 0.001) and had more likes (2294 vs. 1000, p = 0.005), views per month (17,281 vs. 3521, p < 0.001) and subscribers/followers (97,500 vs. 23,000, p = 0.016) than YouTube videos. TikTok videos were less reliable than YouTube videos (TikTok 5/50 [10%] vs. YouTube 21/50 [42%], p < 0.001). YouTube mentioned more about phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (32% vs. 10%, p = 0.007), while TikTok mentioned more about alternative supplements (36% vs. 4%, p < 0.001). YouTube had a higher DISCERN (1.99 vs. 0.98, p < 0.001) and PEMAT actionability scores (64.2% vs. 54.0%, p = 0.039) when compared to TikTok. YouTube videos were of higher quality than TikTok videos. Nevertheless, YouTube had a considerable amount of unreliable information. We recommend a collaborative effort from the medical community to improve information regarding ED treatment on YouTube and TikTok. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the independent and combined effects of body mass index/obesity and diabetes mellitus in relation to the NCCN prostate cancer (PCa) risk groups in a racially-diverse cohort of men from an urban medical center. We found that obesity and diabetes were associated with high-risk PCa; however, most of the association was driven by obesity. Introduction: Obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) have been associated with prostate cancer (PCa) risk, but data examining their combined effects on aggressive PCa are sparse, particularly among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men. We investigated the associations of obesity and DM in relation to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) PCa risk groups in a racially-diverse patient population. Patients and Methods: We abstracted demographic and clinical data from men who underwent radical prostatectomy at our institution between 2005 and 2019. Patients were classified into three NCCN PCa risk-groups: low, intermediate and high-risk. Logistic regression models were used to examine the independent and combined associations of body mass index (BMI)/obesity and DM with risks of intermediate and high-risk PCa, adjusting for age and race/ethnicity. Results: A total of 1303 men with PCa (average age 60 ± 6.9 years) were analyzed. The majority were non-Hispanic Black (N = 493, 38%) or Hispanic (N = 407, 31%). The prevalence of obesity (BMI = 30 kg/m 2) and DM was 29.3% (N = 382) and 28.3% (N = 369), respectively. In multivariate analyses, obesity was independently associated with an odds ratio (OR) = 2.21 of high-risk PCa (95% CI: 1.28-3.81), while DM was associated with an OR = 1.49 (95% CI: 1.05-2.11) of intermediate-risk PCa. Compared to non-obese men without diabetes, men with BMI = 30 and DM had increased risks of both intermediate (OR = 1.93; 95% CI 1.12-3.43) and high-risk PCa (OR = 2.40; 95% CI 1.22-4.73). Interestingly, most of the association of highrisk PCa was driven by obesity. Conclusion: In this multiethnic population both obesity and DM were independently associated with intermediate- and high-risk PCa; however, most of the association for high-risk cancer was driven by obesity. Our results corroborate findings that obesity increases the risk of aggressive PCa; however, results regarding DM need to be confirmed in other large multiethnic populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To perform a systematic review and a retrospective cohort analysis evaluating the rates of surgical downgrading of prostate cancer (PCa) from biopsy (PBx) to radical prostatectomy (RP), and their association with biochemical recurrence (BCR) in a multiethnic population. Methods: A systematic review of PubMed and other databases was performed. We included retrospective studies evaluating the relationship between surgical downgrading and BCR-free survival. Data regarding Gleason score (GL) downgrading were abstracted from the articles and categorized as follows: GL8-10 to GL7, GL7 to GL6, and GL 7(4 + 3) to GL7(3 + 4). We also performed a retrospective cohort review of patients who underwent RP at our institution from 2005 through 2020. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare BCR among downgraded versus non-downgraded men. Results: Systematic review yielded 137 abstracts; of these, 36 full-texts were reviewed, 8 of which were included in our systematic review. Despite substantial variability, all showed that GL at RP is one of the most important factors of BCR-free survival. A total of 1,484 men with PCa were analyzed from our institution. On multivariate analysis, GL7 to GL6 downgrading (HR = 0.50, p = 0.022) and GL8-10 to GL7 downgrading (HR = 0.42, p = 0.011) were associated with reduced risk of BCR when compared to men with GL7 and GL8-10 concordance, respectively. However, GL7(4 + 3) to GL7(3 + 4) downgrading was not significantly associated with reduced BCR (HR = 0.56, p = 0.12), when compared to GL7(4 + 3) concordance, although HR was similar. Conclusion: Surgical downgrading at RP was associated with a reduced risk of BCR compared to GL concordant disease, and these findings have been validated within our multiethnic population. Pathologic downgrading at the time of RP may be a more useful predictor of subsequent BCR in comparison to that associated with GL concordant pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate patient satisfaction and savings, and compare visit outcomes based on chief complaint (CC) of women presenting for a televisit to a female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) clinic at an urban academic center. Methods: A cross‐sectional study of women completing a televisit with an FPMRS specialist at our institution from June 19, 2020 to July 17, 2020 was conducted. A telephone questionnaire was administered to patients to assess satisfaction and savings (travel costs/time avoided). Electronic medical records were reviewed to collect patient demographics and comorbidities, CC, and televisit outcomes (e.g., face‐to‐face (F2F) exam scheduled, orders placed). Logistic regression was used to analyze predictors of satisfaction and need for F2F follow‐up. Results: One hundred eighty‐seven of 290 (64.5%) women called completed the survey, of whom 168 (89.8%) were satisfied with their televisit. Eighty‐eight (48.1%) saved at least an hour and 54 (28.9%) saved more than $25 on transportation. There were no significant associations between patient characteristics, CC, or televisit outcomes and satisfaction. Ninety‐nine (52.9%) televisits resulted in F2F follow‐up, with CC of prolapse (odds ratio [OR] = 4.2 (1.7–10.3); p = 0.002), new patient (OR = 2.2 (1.2–4.2); p = 0.01), and Hispanic ethnicity (OR = 3.9 (1.2–13.6); p=.03) as significant predictors. Conclusion: Most patients were satisfied with FPMRS televisits at our urban academic center. Televisits resulted in patient travel time and cost savings. Women presenting with prolapse and for new patient visits would likely benefit from initial F2F visits instead of televisits. Televisits are an important mode of health care and in some cases can replace F2F visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prostate is a hormone-responsive organ where testicular androgens drive the proliferation and survival of prostatic cells, ensuring the development and functioning of this gland throughout life. Androgen deprivation therapy leads to apoptosis of prostatic cells and organ regression, and is a cornerstone of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hypertrophy treatment. For several decades, androgen deprivation has been used as an adjuvant to external beam radiotherapy, however, emerging data suggests that the low rates of epithelial proliferation in the castrated prostate imparts radio-resistance. As proliferating cells exhibit increased sensitivity to radiation, we hypothesized that short bursts of synchronized epithelial proliferation, which can be achieved by exogeneous testosterone supplementation prior to targeted high-dose radiation, would maximize sustained prostate ablation, while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. To test this hypothesis, we designed a novel computed-tomography (CT)-guided stereotactic prostate radiation therapy (CT-SPRT) technique to deliver a single high-dose 25 Gy fraction of X-ray radiation. Sustained prostatic cell ablation was assessed post CT-SPRT by measuring prostate weight, epithelial cell number, and relative contributions of luminal and basal epithelial populations in control and testosterone-pretreated glands. CT-SPRT was safely delivered with no observed damage to surrounding rectal and bladder tissues. Importantly, castrated mice that received a pulse of testosterone to induce synchronous cell proliferation prior to CT-SPRT exhibited significant sustained gland ablation compared to control mice. These results provide new insights in stereotactic radiotherapy sensitivity to maximize prostatic cell ablation and improve our understanding of prostate gland regeneration that can potentially lead to improved non-invasive therapies for benign prostatic hypertrophy and prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 forced our healthcare system in the Bronx, New York to cancel nearly all scheduled surgeries. We developed a framework for prioritizing postponed urologic surgeries that was utilized once cases were permitted to be rescheduled. As many parts of our country experience first and second waves of this pandemic, our framework may serve as a resource for other centers experiencing restrictions on the scheduling of elective urologic surgeries.Methods: As the COVID-19 pandemic started and peaked in New York, almost all of our scheduled urologic surgeries were cancelled. Each Urologist was asked to rank his/her cancelled surgeries by priority (Level 1-least urgent; Level 2-moderately urgent; Level 3-most urgent). A committee of Urologists assigned a subclass to Level 3 and 2 cases (3a-least urgent; 3b-moderately urgent; 3c-most urgent; 2a-lower priority; 2b-higher priority). The committee then reviewed cases by urgency to derive a final priority ranking.Results: A total of 478 total urologic surgeries were canceled and categorized: 250 Level 1, 130 Level 2, 98 Level 3 (73 adult, 25 pediatric). Level 3c involved renal cell carcinoma ≥ T2b, high-grade bladder urothelial carcinoma, adrenal mass/cancer > 6 cm, testicular cancer requiring radical orchiectomy, and penile cancer. Level 3b involved T2a renal masses requiring nephrectomy, while high-risk prostate cancer and symptomatic nephrolithiasis were classified as 3a. Level 2 included testicular cancer requiring retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and complicated benign prostatic hyperplasia. Surgeries for urologic reconstruction, non-complicated nephrolithiasis, erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence were considered Level 1.Conclusions: Our disease-specific approach to surgical rescheduling offers appropriate guidance for triaging urologic surgeries. Our system can provide guidance to other institutions as COVID-19 cases surge in different regions and with the growing second wave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare renal functional outcomes in patients with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD) to identify predictors of change in renal function after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). We reviewed patients who underwent PCNL by a single surgeon over 3.5 years. Patients' pre- and post-operative Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) was calculated. Baseline GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (stage ≥ 3 CKD) defined our CKD cohort. Patients' baseline renal function, comorbidities, stone parameters, and intra-operative variables were analyzed to determine the relationship with post-operative renal function after PCNL by multivariate analysis. 202 patients were analyzed. Mean follow-up time was 16 months. At baseline, 163 (80.7%) patients were free of CKD and 39 (19.3%) had CKD. Patients without CKD had an overall decrease in GFR from 105.6 to 103.3 ml/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.494). 14/163 (8.6%) non-CKD patients experienced a significant decline in renal function after PCNL; 7/163 (4.3%) developed de novo CKD and 7 had a ≥ 30% decline in GFR. Patients with CKD had an overall increase in mean GFR post-operatively, from 47.3 to 54.0 ml/min/m2 (p = 0.067). Two in this cohort (5.1%) experienced a > 30% decline in renal function post-operatively. Age, gender, African American race, presence of comorbidities and pre-operative CKD were not significant predictors of renal function post-operatively on multivariate analysis. PCNL in this cohort appears GFR neutral in the setting of baseline CKD. CKD was not predictive of renal functional decline after PCNL. Given that stone disease carries a high recurrence rate and that CKD is associated with stone formers, further investigation into predictors of renal function change after PCNL is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: High vesicovaginal fistulas (VVF) in the setting of good apical support are best repaired via a transabdominal approach. Laparoscopic VVF repair was first reported in 1998. Several series of robot-assisted VVF repairs have since been published. The robot-assisted approach allows repair of high apical vaginal fistulas while avoiding the morbidity of laparotomy, shortening convalescence, and facilitating the use of omental interposition flaps. This video presents the technique for robot-assisted extravesical VVF repair utilizing a laparoscopically mobilized omental flap. Methods: A 43-year-old woman developed a VVF after a total abdominal hysterectomy for fibroids. Pre-operative CT urogram and office cystoscopy confirmed the diagnosis and ruled out ureteral involvement. She underwent a robot-assisted extravesical VVF repair utilizing a laparoscopically mobilized omental flap. Results: The surgery was uncomplicated, and the patient was discharged on post-operative day 1. A cystogram 2 weeks post-operatively revealed no evidence of a fistula. At 3 months follow-up, the patient denied any urinary incontinence. Conclusions: Robot-assisted extravesical VVF repair avoids the morbidity of a laparotomy, provides excellent exposure, and avoids a large cystotomy. It maintains vaginal length and allows for significantly better visualization compared with the transvaginal approach. This repair offers improved outcomes for certain patients depending on their history, anatomy, and the surgeon's experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Minimal literature informs the use of robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we evaluated the renal functional outcomes in CKD patients undergoing RPN. Methods: We reviewed a prospective database of patients undergoing RPN 2010 to 2015 and identified 182 patients who had preoperative and postoperative nuclear renal scintigraphy (at 2 and 12 months postop). Preoperative and 12-month postoperative eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m2, by MDRD) were calculated. CKD was defined as eGFR ≤60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (CKD stages III and IV). Changes in creatinine, eGFR, and split function on mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG)-3 scan were compared by baseline CKD status. Correlations between pre- and postoperative eGFR were calculated. Results: Of 182 patients, 30 (16.5%) had baseline CKD. Preoperative eGFR was 48.5 and 99.0 in CKD and non-CKD patients, respectively ( p  < 0.001). From preoperation to 12 months postoperation, eGFR decreased by 2.8 and 1.1 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively ( p  = 0.6). On MAG-3 scan, the contribution of the surgical kidney to overall renal function decreased by 5.0% and 4.8% ( p  = 0.9) in the CKD and non-CKD cohorts, respectively. When comparing renal scans at 2 and 12 months postoperation, in both groups the surgical kidney significantly recovered (both p  < 0.001) and the patterns of kidney function recovery was similar in both groups (CKD +2.0%, non-CKD +1.4%, p  = 0.6). On long-term follow-up (>2 years), eGFR did not change significantly in either the CKD or non-CKD group (−2.8 vs −1.1 mL/min/1.73 m2, p  = 0.6). On pathology, tumors were more frequently malignant in CKD vs non-CKD patients (93.3% vs 73.2%, p  = 0.02) and of higher Fuhrman Grade (grade ≥3: 49.7% vs 28.1%, p  < 0.001). Conclusion: RPN is a reasonable treatment option in patients with CKD, as it did not lead to a greater decline in renal function contributed by the surgical kidney. The patterns of kidney function recovery after surgery are similar between patients with and without CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancements in urologic imaging techniques aim to improve the initial detection of urologic malignancies and subsequent recurrence and to more accurately stage disease. This allows the urologist to make better informed treatment decisions. In particular, exciting advances in the imaging of prostate cancer and bladder cancer have recently emerged including the use of dynamic, functional imaging with MRI and PET. In this review, we will explore these imaging modalities, in addition to new sonography techniques and CT, and how they hope to improve the diagnosis and management of prostate and bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the effects of switching antipsychotic drug-treated patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder who evidenced adverse metabolic side effects as indicated by a triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio (TG/HDL) ≥ 3.5 to aripiprazole (ARIP; 5–30 mg/day, n = 24) or ziprasidone (ZIP; 40–160 mg/day, n = 28). Anthropometric and metabolic measures, psychopathology, quality of life and motor adverse effects were assessed over a 52-week period with evaluations at baseline, 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks. There were statistically significant improvements in body weight, body mass index (BMI), TG, HDL and TG/HDL which did not differ between treatments. However, numerous secondary measures including weight and BMI, and the proportion of patients who lost ≥ 7% or who no longer met criteria for obesity, favored ZIP over ARIP. Decreases in total cholesterol and increases in HDL-cholesterol also favored ZIP. On the other hand, decreases in TG/HDL ratio and reduction in HgbA1c favored ARIP. There were no significant time or group × time interaction effects for most psychopathology measures; however, Global Assessment of Functioning Scores favored ARIP at 6 and 12 months. We conclude that switching patients with evidence of metabolic side effects to either ARIP or ZIP may be beneficial for some, but not all metabolic measures, with minimal risk of worsening of psychopathology and possibly some benefit in that regard as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sick Body Writing: Towards an Affective Genetic Criticism examines the idea that manuscripts can be affected by illness as much as their authors' bodies are. This article aims to highlight a critical gap in the methodology of literary genetic criticism by introducing a new lens of affective genetic criticism. Genetic criticism looks at the archive of drafts and notes related to a literary work-in-progress. The application of affect theory brings focus to the impacts of the author's bodily experience during writing while in different states of un/healthiness. The effects of authors' health on their writing, especially textual non/production and the representations of un/healthiness, can be found in their archive in a variety of forms, whether represented in the narrative or responsible for elements of the narrative's structure. Using two case studies from different literary canons, James Joyce (modernist) and Aidan Chambers (children's and Young Adult), the article concludes that this lens can be productively applied to understand better the embodiment of writing processes and adaptations of writing environments as a result of affective needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on American writer Djuna Barnes’s novel “Nightwood” (1936) and Estonian writer Reed Morn’s novel “The Talented Parasite” (Andekas parasiit, 1927). Specifically, the article analyses how the two novels represent bodies, affects and materiality, relying on the notion of affective modernism (Taylor 2012). English language modernist texts have been frequently portrayed as aiming for impersonality and the rejection of emotions and sentiment. Authors like Julie Taylor have challenged this assumption, demonstrating the presence of emotions, drives and sensations in modernist texts. New research on modernism has shown modernist texts both portraying and theorizing bodies (Watts et al. 2019), discussing the relationship between the human and the non-human (Ryan 2015) as well as the Anthropocene (Adkins 2022). This article focuses on affects and senses, in particular the way affects move between bodies, being simultaneously creative and disruptive (Taylor 2012: 1). Both authors analyzed here employ affective ambivalence (Taylor 2012: 2). The article uses Tim Clarke’s (2021) concept of morbid vitalism to analyse how the two novels engage with a central problem of modernity: how to live in the context of despair. This question is viewed from a gendered perspective. The article builds on Taylor’s and Clarke’s analysis of Barnes, enriching their interpretations with insights from other scholars to bring the notion of affective modernism into the study of Estonian literature. The analysis shows that Barnes’s novel provides an excellent example of morbid vitalism, showing recognizable affective tensions between life and death, felt especially keenly in the social margins where gender trouble does not permit characters to identify with normative social fantasies. Marginality becomes a privilege that permits the characters to see the contradictions in ideologies promising coherent subjecthood and to create modes of being that are oriented towards death while remaining open to the presence of others. The morbidity of Morn’s novel does not come to a similar understanding of affects and embodiment or embrace the vital potential of morbidity. “Nightwood” challenges the binary gender system, while “The Talented Parasite” fails to break out of the culturally prescribed internalized misogyny. However, both novels test the boundaries of affective modernism. Women writers faced the especially difficult task of finding ways of writing about bodies and emotions without being criticized for dated sentimentality. Both texts provide new modes of affective writing, in which the body is present in the text, but not subjected to stereotypical emotional regimes. Barnes is bolder in her project. Morn, despite the pessimism of her final conclusion, addresses the same range of questions about representing the affects created by living outside of social expectation. Barnes does not grant a happy ending to her freak dandies, but affords them considerable vitality. Morn’s conclusion is pessimistic: the marginal can escape only into death. Both novels pose the question of how to live with despair and both conclude that the only answer can be found in affective ambivalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a marked impact on healthcare businesses since 2020. Healthcare organizations suffered greatly from financial stress coupled with disruptions in national and global supply chains. Healthcare workers and patients alike experienced significant downturns in their physical and mental health. Large government and legislative reforms were enacted to combat the progression of the pandemic. This paper explores these areas in detail in order to provide a clearer understanding of the successes and inadequacies that exist within the United States healthcare system as illuminated by the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To review the current and newer, alternative methods for evaluating lymph nodes for tumor involvement in bladder cancer as relapse rates for organ-confined disease remain high despite improvements in surgical technique, suggesting the possibility of understaging. To propose a research agenda based on these findings. A PubMed literature search was performed to identify studies examining the prognostic implications of and outcomes associated with lymph node involvement in bladder cancer as well as those that utilized newer methodologies to identify the possibility for metastatic disease. Lymph node involvement remains one of the strongest predictors of clinical outcome in bladder cancer. Histologic and molecular techniques for identification of lymph node metastasis provide a sensitivity and specificity equal to if not higher than standard pathologic evaluation. Further research into this field would help to elucidate the potential utility of these techniques with regard to proper staging and potential relevance to clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The editors would like to thank the following reviewers for their assistance. Yao Liu Xian Xue Liu Yang. [Extracted from the article]

A list of the participants at the Modern Language Association (MLA) Convention at the Washington State Convention Center in January 2020 is presented, including Victoria Aarons, Mahmoud Ababneh, and Amel Abbady.

The article offers information on Modern Language Association of America (MLA) convention, from January 4-7 in New York City. Topics include MLA prohibits discrimination in employment including harassment; free wireless internet access offered on the attendees in York Hilton and Sheraton New York; and features speakers such as executive director Paula M. Krebs and president Diana Taylor.