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The 2-μm thulium laser resection of the prostate-tangerine technique (TmLRP-TT) has been introduced as a minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This study was undertaken to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of TmLRP-TT for the treatment of BPH patients with previously negative transrectal prostate biopsy. A prospective analysis of 51 patients with previously negative transrectal prostate biopsy who underwent surgical treatment using TmLRP-TT was performed from December 2011 to December 2013. Preoperative status, surgical details, and perioperative complications were recorded. The follow-up outcome was evaluated with subjective and objective tests at 1 and 6 months. TmLRP-TT was successfully completed in all patients. Mean prostate volume, operative duration, and catheterization time were 93.3 ± 37.9 ml, 69.5 ± 39.5 min, and 6.5 ± 1.3 days, respectively. The mean International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life score, maximum urinary flow rate, and post-void residual urine volume changed notably at 6-month follow-up (22.5 ± 6.9 vs 6.1 ± 3.2, 4.8 ± 1.3 vs 1.1 ± 0.9, 7.3 ± 4.5 vs 18.9 ± 7.1 ml s-1, and 148.7 ± 168.7 vs 28.4 ± 17.9 ml). Two (3.9%) patients required blood transfusion perioperatively, while 3 (5.9%) patients experienced transient hematuria postoperatively, and 2 (3.9%) patients received 3 days recatheterization due to clot retention. TmLRP-TT is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique for patients with previously negative transrectal prostate biopsy during the 6-month follow-up. This promising technology may be a feasible surgical method for previously negative transrectal prostate biopsy in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the electromechanical behavior of two parallel cracks in functionally graded piezoelectric materials (FGPMs) by using non-local theory is investigated under the electric permeable boundary conditions. To overcome the mathematical difficulty, a one-dimensional non-local kernel is used instead of a two-dimensional one for the fracture problem to obtain the stress and the electric displacement fields near the crack tips. The effects of the crack length, the distance between two parallel cracks, the functionally graded parameter and the lattice parameter of the FGPMs on the stress and the electric displacement fields at the crack tips are discussed. The present solution exhibit no stress and electric displacement singularities at the crack tips. The non-local solutions yield a finite hoop stress and electric displacement at the crack tips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLDH) is a multifunctional oxidoreductase and is well known as an essential component of four mammalian mitochondrial multienzyme complexes: pyruvatedehydrogenase, a-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, branched-chain a-keto acid dehydrogenase, and the glycine cleavage system. In the previous study, we described the cloning, purification, and oxidoreductase activity of recombinant silkworm, Bombyx mori DLDH (BmDLDH) expressed in Escherichia coli. In the present work, the result showed that 1) BmDLDH was present in both mitochondria and cytoplasm, but BmDLDH in mitochondria was more abundant than that in cytoplasm, which indicated the BmDLDH could be dual localized. 2) Both the expression levels and diaphorase activity of BmDLDH in silkworm first instars and moth were higher than those in other development stages. The transcript levels of BmDLDH were not different in developmental stages. 3) The transcription, expression, and activity of BmDLDH in Malpighian tubule were higher than those in other tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thin radar-infrared stealth-compatible structure with reflectivity below −10 dB in the whole radar X wave band and infrared emissivity less than 0.3 in the infrared region of 8 μm–14 μm is reported. The designed stealth-compatible structure consists of metallic frequency selective surface (MFSS), resistive frequency selective surface (RFSS), and metal backing from the top down, and it is only 2.1-mm thick. The MFSS is made up of some divided low infrared emissivity metal copper films, and the RFSS consists of a capacitive array of square resistive patches. They are placed close together, working as an admittance sheet because of a mutual influence between them, and the equivalent admittance sheet greatly reduces the thickness of the whole structure. The proposed stealth-compatible structure is verified both by simulations and by experimental results. These results indicate that our proposed stealth-compatible structure has potential applications in stealth fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endothelial-cell function is important in the healing of damaged endothelium after percutaneous coronary artery damage. In 3 different animal models, we sought to determine whether rapamycin (sirolimus) affects the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor cells. First, after we implanted stents in dogs, we found that re-endothelialization was impeded more by drug-eluting stents than by bare-metal stents, 30 days after percutaneous coronary intervention. Second, in vitro in rats, we found that 1-100 ng/mL of rapamycin time- and dose-dependently inhibited proliferation over 72 hr (with effects evident as early as 24 hr) and also dose-dependently induced endothelial progenitor-cell apoptosis. Finally, in vivo in rats, we observed that vascular endothelial growth factor expression was decreased after 5 days of rapamycin treatment. We conclude that rapamycin impedes reendothelialization after drug-eluting stent implantation by inhibiting the proliferation and migration of coronary endothelial cells, inducing endothelial progenitor-cell apoptosis, and decreasing vascular endothelial growth factor expression in the circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selection cooperation has been shown to be an effective way to implement cooperative diversity in wireless networks. In this letter, we investigate the outage performance of decode-and-forward selection cooperation with optimal maximal ratio combining (MRC) receiver at the destination to combine the signal replicas available from the source and the selected relay in Nakagami-m fading channels with arbitrary real-valued m. In particular, an exact closed-form expression for the outage probability is derived for integer values of fading severity parameter m and an infinite summation expression for the noninteger situation. Our analysis extends previous results pertaining to selection combining (SC) receiver at the destination. Simulation and numerical results are presented to show the validity of the analytical results, as well as the effect of the two hops unbalanced fading conditions on the performance gain of MRC with respect to SC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to explore the influence of ureteral stent on renal pelvic pressure by urodynamic study. 41 patients (with unilateral renal and/or ureteral calculi) after minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) were placed a 4.7-Fr ureteral stent and 16-Fr nephrostomy tube. Renal pelvic pressure of these patients was measured by urodynamic study at the 5–7 days after MPCNL. Renal pelvic pressure (RPP), intraabdominal pressure (IAP), and vesical pressure (VP) during the filling and voiding phases were detected by urodynamic study with intravesical perfusion. At the baseline, intraabdominal pressure (IAP0) was 27.52 ± 7.03 cmH2O, renal pelvic pressure (RPP0) was 33.07 ± 7.04 cmH2O; at the maximum cystometric bladder capacity (MCBC) during the filling phase, vesical pressure (VPvol) was 41.61 ± 10.34 cmH2O, renal pelvic pressure (RPPvol) was 39.44 ± 7.33 cmH2O; at the maximum vesical pressure during the voiding phase, vesical pressure (VPmax) was 74.95 ± 12.79 cmH2O, renal pelvic pressure (RPPmax) was 65.68 ± 17.03 cmH2O. (1) There was a strong relationship between RPP0 and IAP0 ( P = 0.0001); (2) There was statistical significance among RPP0, RPPvol and RPPmax ( P = 0.0001); (3) RPP was higher than 40 cmH2O during the voiding phase, and it was obviously relevant to the VP ( P = 0.0001) but not to the MCBC ( P = 0.2696). RPP increased mildly during the filling phase and dramatically during the voiding phase after stenting. RPP increased higher than the level required for a backflow (40 cmH2O) during the voiding phase. So it was encouraged to remove the stent at earlier stage or decrease using the ureteral stent if possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a prospective, randomized study to evaluate whether postoperative ureteral stenting is necessary after ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy. A total of 115 consecutive patients with distal or middle ureteral calculi amenable to ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy were prospectively randomized into stented group ( n = 58) and nonstented group ( n = 57). The stent was routinely placed in the treated ureter for 2 weeks. The outcomes were measured with postoperative patient symptoms, stone-free rates, early and late postoperative complications, and cost-effectiveness. The postoperative symptoms were measured with Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ). All patients completed a 12-week follow-up. There was no significant difference between two groups with respect to the patient age, stone size, stone location and mean operative time. According to the USSQ, the symptoms of the stented group were significantly worse compared to the nonstented group ( P = 0.0001). In the stented group, two patients had high fever for 1 week after the operation, stent migration was found in two patients, and the stents had to be removed earlier in five patients because of severe pain or hematuria. The cost of the stented group was significantly higher than the nonstented group. The stone-free rate was 100% in both groups. No hydronephrosis or ureteral stricture was detected by intravenous pyelogram in the 12th week postoperative follow-up. In conclsion, we believe that routine stenting after ureteroscopic intracorporeal lithotripsy with the holmium laser is not necessary as long as the procedure is uncomplicated for distal or middle ureteral calculis less than 2 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the stems of Kadsura heteroclita (Roxb.) Craib, a new novel C19 homolignan, heteroclitin N (1), as well as three new lignans, heteroclitins O—Q (2–4), were isolated. Their structures were elucidated based on spectral analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments. There is an additional spirocyclic oxirane system in heteroclitin O (2), which is the first example of a lignan with an oxirane ring in a spirobenzofuranoid dibenzocyclooctene structure in the genus Kadsura. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To present our experience in laparoscopic radical cystectomy with extracorporeal urinary diversion for treatment of Chinese bladder cancer patients. Methods: Between January 2003 and November 2005, 41 men and 5 women with organ-confined muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy with the Bricker-type urinary diversion. The age range was 36–71 years. Laparoscopic radical cystectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy were performed using five fan-shaped ports by a transperitoneal approach. An ileal conduit diversion was created through the site of specimen retrieval which was the second port at the region of the right pararectus. Results: 46 radical cystectomies with Bricker-type ileal conduits were performed. No conversion to open surgery was necessary. Mean operating time was 220 min (range 120–249 min) for laparoscopic radical cystectomy and 75 min (range 65–120 min) for creating the ileal conduits. Mean estimated blood loss was 276 ml (range 155–567 ml). Two of the 46 patients needed blood transfusion (400 ml each). Mean days to ambulation and oral intake was 4.1 (range 3–5 days) and 3.5 (range 3–6 days), respectively. Mean hospital stay was 17.6 days (range 12–35 days). Mean follow-up was 6.1 months (range 3–19 months). Histopathological examination of the specimens revealed stage T2N0M0 in 18 cases, T3aN0M0 in 14, T3bN0M0 in 9 and T3bN1M0 in 5 (TNM staging). WHO grading: G1 in 2 cases, G2 in 26 cases and G3 in 18 cases. Pelvic metastases appeared in one case and 44 patients are alive and free of disease. Intravenous pyelogram at 3 weeks postoperatively shows no evidence of upper urinary obstruction in 45 patients. Conclusion: Despite technical difficulties, laparoscopic radical cystectomy with Bricker-type urinary diversion is feasible. With more experience in the surgical technique, laparoscopic radical cystectomy with extracorporeal urinary diversion can become an alternative treatment of choice in the selected patients with organ- confined bladder cancer in China. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pb-based group-IV chalcogenides including PbTe and PbSe have been extensively studied as high performance thermoelectric materials during the past few decades. However, the toxicity of Pb inhibits their applications in vast fields due to the serious harm to the environment. Recently the Pb-free group-IV chalcogenides have become an extensive research subject as promising thermoelectric materials because of their unique thermal and electronic transport properties as well as the enviromentally friendly advantage. This paper briefly summarizes the recent research advances in Sn-, Ge-, and Sichalcogenides thermoelectrics, showing the unexceptionally high thermoelectric performance in SnSe single crystal, and the significant improvement in thermoelectric performance for those polycrystalline materials by successfully modulating the electronic and thermal transport through using some well-developed strategies including band engineering, nanostructuring and defect engineering. In addition, some important issues for future device applications, including N-type doping and mechanical and chemical stabilities of the new thermoelectrics, are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION Quitting smoking, the critical path to reach the global targets of reducing tobacco use, can bring major and immediate health benefits to smokers. Exploring factors that help individuals to quit smoking is of great importance. The present study explored influencing factors on smoking cessation, in order to provide comprehensive reference for tobacco control policies. METHODS Ex-smokers and current smokers were recruited online in this crosssectional survey, from 1 October to 31 November 2022, in China. The observational data were collected using a questionnaire to collect information with respect to sociodemographic characteristics of smokers, attitudes towards smoking cessation, details of smoking cessation, and different potential factors related to smoking cessation through open-ended questions. RESULTS A total of 638 smokers from 30 provinces were recruited as eligible respondents, with a mean age of 37.3 ± 11.7 years and a mean smoking history of 15.9 ± 13.7 years. The percentage of males was 92.3%. Of the 638 respondents, only 3.9% had no intention to stop smoking. Among 155 subjects who had quitted smoking successfully, willpower (55.5%) was considered as the most important contributing factor. Among 365 subjects who tried to quit but failed, lack of willpower (28.2%), tobacco dependence (16.2%), influence of surrounding smokers or smoking environments (15.9%), bad moods (9.9%), stress from work or life (7.9%), habits (7.1%), socialization (4.1%), and easy availability of tobacco (2.7%) were considered as the adverse factors leading to failure in quitting smoking. CONCLUSIONS Willpower and support from family members were the vital factors that lead to successful smoking cessation. Future tobacco control policies should also focus on addressing withdrawal symptoms and creating smoke-free environments as well as other factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CdS nanocrystals embedded in sodium borosilicate glass were synthesized through sol-gel process. The CdS nanocrystals were usually 10 to 20 nm in size. The microstructure of CdS nanocrystals was determined to be of the hexagonal phase. The morphology and microstructure of the glass were examined using diverse techniques including scanning-probe microscopy (SPM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), energy dispersion x-ray spectra (EDAX), and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM). The linear optical absorption spectrum of the glass showed a blue shift as a result of quantum-size effect. Furthermore, the third-order optical nonlinearities of the glass were studied by Z-scan technique at a wavelength of 770 nm. The results showed that the third-order optical nonlinear refractive index ?, absorption coefficient β, and susceptibility ?(3) were determined to be -2.16 x 10-16 m2/W, 6.32 x 10-11 m/W, and 1.20 x 10-10 esu, respectively, which were greater than those reported previously for CdS nanocrystals embedded in different matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 29-year old female diagnosed with juxtaglomerular cell tumor (JCT) of the kidney. It is noted that the patient underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. It considers surgical excision as the definitive JCT treatment. It concludes the effectivity of retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy as a feasible and safe procedure for JCT.