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Introduction: The aim of this randomised prospective trial was to evaluate a novel hands-on endourological training programme (HTP) and compare it to the standard endourological colloquium (SC). Methods: A new HTP was created based on a sequence of theoretical, video-based, and practical elements emphasising contemporary teaching methods. An existing SC in which live endourological operations were attended served as a comparison. Medical students were enrolled in a ratio of 1:2 (SC:HTP). Objective knowledge questionnaires (5 questions, open answers) and subjective Likert-type questionnaires (rating 1–3 vs. 4–5) were used for evaluation. Primary endpoint was urological knowledge transfer; secondary endpoints were learning effects, progression, and urological interest. Results: 167 students (SC n = 52, HTP n = 115) were included. The knowledge assessment showed a significant increase in knowledge transfer benefitting the HTP on all 5 surveyed items (mean: n = 4/5/4/3/2 vs. n = 2/3/1/1, p < 0.0001). Interest and duration of the course were rated significantly more positively by HTP students (100.0/95.0% vs. 85.0/70.0%, p < 0.0001). The HTP students were significantly more confident in performing a cystoscopy independently (HTP 43.5% vs. SC 11.5%, p < 0.0001) and significantly claimed more often to have gained interdisciplinary and urological skills during the course (HTP 90.0/96.5% vs. SC 23.1/82.7%, p < 0.0001/p = 0.003). HTP students were also more likely to take the course again (HTP 98.2% vs. SC 59.6%, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Modifying endourological teaching towards hands-on teaching resulted in stronger course interest, greater confidence regarding endourologic procedures, and significantly increased urologic knowledge transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Systematic evaluations focusing on the perception of body image and social support in relation to quality of life (QoL) outcomes in patients radical cystectomy (RC) with urinary diversion (UD) are currently lacking. This study investigated the relationship between body image perception, social support, and QoL in bladder cancer patients who underwent RC with UD. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using validated general oncology tools to assess QoL in relation to newly implemented tools assessing body image perception and social support. Body image perception was assessed with the Self-Image Scale, and social support was assessed using the Illness-Specific Social Support Scale. Logistic regression models were used to analyze factors associated with QoL and body image, respectively. Results: The survey revealed a significant association of body image perception with QoL, as well as social support with body image perception. This is the first study to systematically evaluate these psychosocial factors in the context of QoL for RC patients, highlighting their critical role in patient-reported outcomes. Conclusion: Body image perception and social support are important psychosociological factors that affect QoL of bladder cancer patients post-RC. Targeted psychosocial interventions could be promising for improving QoL patients post-RC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in localized prostate cancer (PC) are insufficient. Treatment stratification relies on prostate-specific antigen, clinical tumor staging and International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grading, whereas molecular profiling remains unused. Integrins (ITG) have an important function in bidirectional signaling and are associated with progression, proliferation, perineural invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, neuroendocrine differentiation, and a more aggressive disease phenotype in PC. However, ITG subunit expression in localized PC and their utility as prognostic biomarkers has not yet been analyzed. This study aimed to fill this gap and provide a comprehensive overview of ITG expression as well as ITG utility as biomarkers., Patients and Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) prostate adenocarcinoma cohorts were analyzed regarding ITG expression in correlation to ISUP, N- and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage and were correlated with disease-free survival (DFS). Statistical tests used included the Mann-Whitney U-test, logrank test and uni- and multivariable cox regression analyses., Results: After grouping for ISUP (1 and 2 vs. 3-5), N0 vs. N1 and AJCC stage (≤2 vs. ≥3), multiple ITGs showed significant expression differences. The most consistent results were observed for ITGα4, ITGαX, ITGα11, ITGβ2 and ITGα2. In multivariable cox regression, ITGα2, ITGα10, ITGαD, ITGαB2 (TCGA), ITGα11 and ITGβ4 (MSKCC) were independent predictors of DFS., Conclusion: The utility of ITGs as PC biomarkers was herein shown., (Copyright © 2023 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)