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Entomopathogenic fungi have been investigated to control stored product pests, as an alternative strategy to chemical insecticides. Although many studies evaluated isolates from various sources, few studies surveyed fungi naturally infecting stored product pests, revealing predominantly Beauveria isolates. This study aimed to reveal the amount of Beauveria carried on the surface of stored wheat kernels, and their pathogenicity against Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae adults. Sixteen wheat samples from different storage facilities in four cities were examined for existence of Beauveria. One-hundred g of wheat was washed in 100 mL of 2% Tween80 solution. After increasing concentration of possible fungi by centrifugation, the liquid was spread on medium with dodine and monitored at 25±2oC. Nine of the isolates were tested for pathogenicity at 500 ppm (w/w) at 25±2oC, 65±5% r.h. in darkness with five replicates. While only four samples did not have Beauveria, others had 17-2992 cfu/100 g wheat. Six samples had 17-50, four samples 150-858, one sample 1625 and one had 2992 cfu/100 g wheat. Mortalities against R. dominica adults ranged between 5-86% and 32-100% in 7 and 14 days, respectively. Mortality of S. oryzae ranged from 3-45% and 8-83% in 7 and 14 days, respectively. This study demonstrated that wheat kernels can naturally carry Beauveria with various levels of pathogenicity. Potential naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungi can be isolated directly from stored commodities to be evaluated as biological control agents for stored product pest control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of two different concentrations of ozone gas (16.7 and 33.3 mg / L) against Blatella germanica adults at different exposure times (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 minutes) were investigated under laboratory conditions. It was determined that the ozone gas had a noticeable effect on mortality of B. germanica adults. In general, ozone gas caused higher paralyisis-mortality rates of B. germanica adults than mortality rates of B.germanica adults at both concentrations and all exposure times. A concentration of 33.3 mg / L of ozone gas with 40 and 50 minute exposure times killed all cockroach adults after 24 hours. On the other hand, 16.7 mg / L concentration of ozone gas with 50 minute exposure time killed 90% of the B. germanica adults after 24 hours. When ozone gas is evaluated in terms of exposure time to B. germanica adults, the concentration of 33.3 mg / L of ozone gas with 10-20 minute exposure times caused 65 % adult mortality, with 30 minute exposure time caused 90% adult mortality and with 50 minute exposure times caused 100 % adult mortality after 24 hours. At a concentration of 16.7 mg / L of ozone gas, as the exposure times increased, the adult mortalities gradually increased after 24 hours and the adult mortality reached 90% with 50 minute exposure times. All these results show that ozone gas (33.3 mg / L) with 40-50 minute exposure times can successfully control B.germanica adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to determine the triggering factors of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in ischemic heart failure (HF) patients with low ejection fraction (EF). METHODS: Sixty patients were included in this study. Echocardiography and 24-hours Holter monitoring were performed after measurement of serum NT-pro BNP concentration. The patients were classified into two groups concerning the occurrence of PAF on Holter recordings. Biochemical and echocardiographic parameters of patients with and without PAF were compared. RESULTS: PAF was detected in 28 (46%) patients. Patients with PAF demonstrated higher NT-pro BNP levels, mitral and aortic regurgitation velocities, E/A, E/E', pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, left atrial volume and volume indices. NT-pro BNP was established as the predictor of PAF (OR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.08–1.42; p=0.001). ROC analysis showed an NT-pro BNP value of 2188 pg/mL as cut-off value with 68% sensitivity and 84% specificity [Area under the ROC curve (AUC)=0.826, CI 95%: 0.724–0.927; p

Abstract Background Papillary squamotransitional cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix is a rare neoplasm, a subtype of transitional cervical carcinoma that appears to be a variation of squamous cervical carcinoma. It has a disposition toward metastasis at an advanced stage and local recurrence. Owing to the difficulty of illustrating the invasion histologically, misdiagnosis is likely to affect the patient’s prognosis. Case presentation We present a case report of an 81-year-old Caucasian patient with squamotransitional cell carcinoma with unusual clinical behavior that was primarily thought to be ovarian cancer. According to the clinical examination and radiologic imaging, the patient had no vaginal bleeding and a normal cervix. Nevertheless, the tumor was already metastasized at the retroperitoneal tissue and at the right ovary. Computed tomography-guided biopsy of the right adnexa gave no further clarification. Although the tumor resembled urothelial cancer, this diagnosis was dismissed because of the results of immunohistochemistry analysis with CK7+, CK5+, and CK20−. Because of the differential diagnosis of ovarian cancer, we decided in favor of an exploratory surgical approach. Hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy, extensive retroperitoneal tumor debulking, and infragastric omentectomy was performed by laparotomy. Histopathology revealed a squamotransitional cervical cancer as the primary tumor with a tumor stage of pT3b, pN1 (1/2), V0, RX, G2, corresponding to International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIIB. Conclusions As far as we are aware, this is the first report of papillary squamotransitional cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix metastatic to the ovary without vaginal bleeding and with a clinically and radiologically unsuspicious cervix. Physicians should always contemplate papillary squamotransitional cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix in unclear cases with ovarian metastasis, especially if the histology indicates a transitional cancer (CK7+ and CK20−), before proceeding with treatment. More cases are needed to illuminate the clinical characteristics and categorization of papillary squamotransitional cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Abstract Background Critical-sized bone defects of the tibia are complex injuries associated with significant problems that are difficult to treat, and they are associated with a significant burden of disease in clinical practice; however, the treatment of these cases has still been a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. The aim of this review was to evaluate the current available studies reporting on classical Ilizarov methods in the treatment of infected or noninfected critical-sized bone defects of the tibia, and to perform an analysis of treatment period and complications. Methods This is a narrative review based on a comprehensive literature search among the studies in Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science articles. The studies included were written in the English language or translated to English and they were published between 2008 and 2018. They were appraised with narrative data synthesis. The primary outcome measures were the external fixation time (EFT), bone union rate, and bone and functional results. Secondary outcomes were complications including docking site problems and solutions. The heterogeneity of the data in the studies which were taken into consideration allowed a narrative analysis. Results Twenty-seven articles with 619 patients were included in this study. These included 6 prospective and 21 retrospective case series. Mean age was 36.1 (range 13–89) years. Of the cases, 88.8% were infected and the remaining 11.2% were noninfected. The external fixation time was 10.75 (range 2.5–23.2) months. The mean bone union rate was 90.2% (range 77–100)%. Radiographic outcome measures were reported in 20 studies. Functional outcome measures were reported in 18 studies. ASAMI (Association for the Study of the Method of Ilizarov) criteria are useful and give reproducible data on patient outcome measurements. Data collected from these studies showed excellent radiological outcomes in 303, good in 143, fair in 31, and poor in 25 patients. Functional outcomes were excellent in 200, good in 167, fair in 58, and poor in 19, where reported. The excellent and good rate in bone results and functional results were 88.8% and 82.6%, respectively. The poor rate in bone results and functional results were 5% and 4.5%. Mean complication rate per patient was 1.22 (range 3–60). The most common complication was pin tract infection (PTI). Its occurrence was 46.6%. Joint stiffness followed PTI with a 25% incidence. The rates of refracture, malunion, infectious recurrence, and amputation, were 4%, 8.4%, 4.58%, and 1%, respectively. Conclusions This narrative review shows that the patients with infected or noninfected critical-sized tibial bone defects treated by Ilizarov methods had a low rate of poor bone and functional results. Therefore, Ilizarov methods may be a good choice for the treatment of infected or noninfected tibial bone defects. The small number of cases in some studies, the absence of homogenity between studies and the fact that most data available are derived from retrospective studies are some of the difficulties encountered in the evaluation of evidence. Level of evidence V.

Time series models have been utilized to make accurate predictions in production. This paper employs a 3 year period of aviation fuel production data of Turkey as experimental data set. To forecast the aviation fuel production amounts, fuzzy time series forecasting based on difference parameters and two-factor time-variant fuzzy time series models are used and the results have been compared in this study. Based on the comparison results in the case of aviation fuel production, we conclude that both of the fuzzy time series models have advantages and disadvantages in use.

Günümüzdeki hızlı değişim ve artan küresel rekabet, işletmelerin giderek daha fazla esnek yapılara sahip olmalarını gerektirmektedir.İşletmelerin, rekabet stratejilerini hayatta kalabilmek uğruna oluşturduğu günümüzde varlıklarını korurken bir yandan da yarışabilmek için ana faaliyet alanları dışında kalan fonksiyonlarını başka firmalara yaptırmaları kaçınılmaz bir hale gelmiştir. Dış kaynak kullanılacak fonksiyonlar seçilirken rutin hale gelmiş, standartları belirlenmiş ve büyük hacimli olan aynı zamanda da olağan işlerden ayrışmamış nitelik taşıyan işler olmalıdır. Böylece işletmeler önemli ve yüksek maliyetli bir iş yükünden kurtularak daha verimli çalışacaktır. İşletmelerin insan kaynakları fonksiyonları bünyesinde dış kaynak kullanım alanlarında işe alım süreci, eğitim ve gelişim, personel faaliyetleri ve bordrolama başta gelmektedir. Bu çalışmada, işletmelerin ana işlerine daha çok odaklanmak için insan kaynakları fonksiyonlarından hangilerini dış kaynaklardan sağladıkları ve dış kaynak kullanırken ne tip yararlar elde etmeyi amaçladıkları belirtilmeye çalışılmıştır.

Background: This study investigated the effect of the discontinuation of vitamin D supplementation on kidney stone formation in children under 2 years of age., Methods: This study involved a retrospective analysis of two patient groups. The first group comprised postoperative patients who were stone-free, while the second group consisted of asymptomatic patients with kidney stones. The patients who discontinued vitamin D supplementation and those who continued were compared in terms of stone formation and stone size progression. The data collected included patient characteristics, stone size measurements, and laboratory results., Results: The findings showed that the discontinuation of vitamin D supplementation was not associated with kidney stone formation or the progression of stone size in either group. For patients who were stone-free on ultrasonography 1 month after the operation, according to the 12-month ultrasonography evaluation, in the group that discontinued vitamin D, 42 (78%) patients had no stones, 6 (11%) patients had stones larger than 3 mm, and 6 (11%) patients had microlithiasis. However, in the group that continued vitamin D, 49 (72%) patients were stone-free, 10 (15%) patients had stones larger than 3 mm, and 9 (13%) patients had microlithiasis. There was no difference between the groups in terms of stone status at 12 months (p = 0.76). For patients with asymptomatic kidney stones, the initial stone sizes were similar between the groups (p = 0.74). During the 6th month of ultrasound, the changes in stone size were 1.76 ± 1.81 mm and 1.79 ± 1.75 mm for the two groups, respectively (p = 0.9). During the 12-month ultrasound measurement, the changes in stone size were 1.98 ± 2.93 mm and 2.60 ± 2.48 mm for the two groups, respectively (p = 0.09)., Conclusions: We believe that more research is needed to make definitive recommendations regarding vitamin D prophylaxis in infants with kidney stones. Although the first objective of our study is not conclusively proven with the current findings, we recommend continued vitamin D prophylaxis in infants with urolithiasis., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest None., (Copyright © 2024 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Hypoglycaemia during sleep is a common and clinically important issue for people living with insulin-treated diabetes. Continuous glucose monitoring devices can help to identify nocturnal hypoglycaemia and inform treatment strategies. However, sleep is generally inferred, with diabetes researchers and physicians using a fixed-overnight period as a proxy for sleep-wake status when analysing and interpretating continuous glucose monitoring data. No study to date has validated such an approach with established sleep measures. Continuous glucose monitoring and research-grade actigraphy devices were worn and sleep diaries completed for 2 weeks by 28 older adults (mean age 67 years [SD 5]; 17 (59%) women) with type 1 diabetes. Using continuous glucose monitoring data from a total of 356 nights, fixed-overnight (using the recommended period of 00:00 hours-06:00 hours) and objectively-measured sleep periods were compared. The fixed-overnight period approach missed a median 57 min per night (interquartile range: 49-64) of sleep for each participant, including five continuous glucose monitoring-detected hypoglycaemia episodes during objectively-measured sleep. Twenty-seven participants (96%) had at least 1 night with continuous glucose monitoring time-in-range and time-above-range discrepancies both ≥ 10 percentage points, a clinically significant discrepancy. The utility of fixed-overnight time continuous glucose monitoring as a proxy for sleep-awake continuous glucose monitoring is inadequate as it consistently excludes actual sleep time, obscures glycaemic patterns, and misses sensor hypoglycaemia episodes during sleep. The use of validated measures of sleep to aid interpretation of continuous glucose monitoring data is encouraged., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Sleep Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Sleep Research Society.)

Background: Most parents have anxiety before a pediatric surgical procedure. Parental anxiety may impair the parents' ability to cope with new or stressful situations while their children are undergoing surgery. By effectively improving the education of parents regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and potential complications of hypospadias and surgical repair, it might be feasible to reduce their anxiety during this process., Objective: To determine whether structured audiovisual information would reduce parents' anxiety levels compared to classic verbal information., Material and Methods: The diagnosis was made and, treatment options were explained, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form - State Anxiety (STAI-I) forms were filled out by parents at the first consultation. In the second consultation, parents were divided into structured audio-visual-information (Group-1) and classic verbal information (Group-2) groups. Following these consultations, all parents in both groups filled out STAI-I again. Parents filled out the forms for the last time on the postoperative-14th-day and the results were compared., Results: A total of 124 (51.2%) parents were informed with structured-audiovisual-informational material and 118 parents (48.8%) were informed with classic verbal information. First STAI-I scores were 57.65 ± 5.17 and 56.91 ± 5.28 for Group-1 and Group-2, respectively, and there was no difference between the groups (p = 0.709). The STAI-I scores after the second consultation were 44.82 ± 5.65 and 49.42 ± 2.81 for Group-1 and Group-2, respectively. Parental anxiety decreased in both groups following the second consultation. Notably, a statistically significant superiority was found between the groups in favor of Group-1 (p = 0.001)., Discussion: Parents whose children will undergo hypospadias surgery experience significant anxiety. We observed that informing patients adequately and in appropriate language using a suitable method was associated with less anxiety. Preoperative parental anxiety is influenced by several variables, including parent age, parent gender, child age, lack of knowledge, and concerns over complications or pain. Although we are unable to alter the factors of child age and parent gender, we can impact parents' concerns regarding postoperative pain and anesthesia by enhancing their comprehension of the procedure via providing them of sufficient and accurate information., Conclusion: Providing parents with structured audio-visual information about the preoperative and postoperative period before hypospadias surgery is associated with lower parental anxiety levels. Supplying structured audiovisual information regarding the preoperative and postoperative periods can help parents have an improved comprehension of the procedure and minimize their anxiety., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest There is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aims: First-generation closed-loop automated insulin delivery improves glycaemia and psychosocial outcomes among older adults with type 1 diabetes in clinical trials. However, no study has previously assessed real-world lived experience of older adults using closed-loop therapy outside a trial environment., Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with older adults who were pre-existing insulin pump users and previously completed the OldeR Adult Closed-Loop (ORACL) randomised trial. Interviews focused on perceptions of diabetes technology use, and factors influencing decisions regarding continuation., Results: Twenty-eight participants, mean age 70 years (SD 5), were interviewed at median 650 days (IQR 608-694) after their final ORACL trial visit. At interview, 23 participants (82%) were still using a commercial closed-loop system (requiring manual input for prandial insulin bolus doses). Themes discussed in interviews relating to closed-loop system use included sustained psychosocial benefits, cost and retirement considerations and usability frustrations relating to sensor accuracy and system alarms. Of the five participants who had discontinued, reasons included cost, continuous glucose monitoring-associated difficulties and usability frustrations. Cost was the largest consideration regarding continued use; most participants considered the increased ease of diabetes management to be worth the associated costs, though cost was prohibitive for some., Conclusions: Almost 2 years after completing a closed-loop clinical trial, closed-loop automated insulin delivery remains the preferred type 1 diabetes therapy for the majority of older adult participants. Chronological age is not a barrier to real-world successful use of diabetes technology. Identifying age-related barriers, and solutions, to diabetes technology use among older adults is warranted., (© 2023 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Diabetes UK.)

Objectives: To determine the effect of intravesical onabotulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) treatment on sexual functions in female patients with refractory interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS)., Methods: Female patients with IC/BPS refractory to previous treatments were included in the study between January 2020 and April 2022. Patients were treated with the trigone-sparing injection (Group 1) or trigone-included injection (Group 2) techniques. 100 Units of BoNT-A was applied submucosally on 20 different points. The patients were evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS), O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI), Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index (ICPI), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaires, 3-day voiding diary, uroflowmetry, and post-voiding residual volume analysis in the preoperative period, as well as on the 30th and 90th days postoperatively. For the repeated measurements, analysis of variance was used to assess the time-dependent variation across groups., Results: The baseline FSFI score of the patients was 15.96 ± 3.82. Following the treatment, the FSFI scores were 22.43 ± 4.93 and 24.41 ± 5.94 on the 30th and 90th days, respectively (p < .001). We observed statistically significant improvement in all FSFI subdomains (p < .05). Statistically significant improvements with treatment on ICSI, ICPI, and VAS scores were achieved (p < .05). Preoperative FSFI scores were similar in Group 1 and Group 2 (p = .147). While the preoperative FSFI scores were 17.00 ± 3.73 and 14.84 ± 3.72 for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively, the scores after the treatment were 22.85 ± 5.01 and 21.98 ± 5.01 on the 30th day, and 24.62 ± 6.06 and 24.19 ± 6.05 on the 90th day postoperatively. Significant improvement was observed in FSFI scores with treatment, and no difference was observed between the two groups in terms of treatment response (p = .706)., Conclusions: Intravesical BoNT-A injection in the treatment of women with refractory IC/BPS improves sexual functions. It also significantly improves pain and symptom scores. Both trigone-sparing and trigone-including injections are similarly safe and effective., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Aim: To explore the lived experience of older adults with type 1 diabetes using closed-loop automated insulin delivery, an area previously receiving minimal attention., Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adults aged 60 years or older with long-duration type 1 diabetes who participated in a randomised, open-label, two-stage crossover trial comparing first-generation closed-loop therapy (MiniMed 670G) versus sensor-augmented pump therapy. Interview recordings were transcribed, thematically analysed and assessed., Results: Twenty-one older adults participated in interviews after using closed-loop therapy. Twenty were functionally independent, without frailty or major cognitive impairment; one was dependent on caregiver assistance, including for diabetes management. Quality of life benefits were identified, including improved sleep and reduced diabetes-related psychological burden, in the context of experiencing improved glucose levels. Gaps between expectations and reality of closed-loop therapy were also experienced, encountering disappointment amongst some participants. The cost was perceived as a barrier to continued closed-loop access post-trial. Usability issues were identified, such as disruptive overnight alarms and sensor inaccuracy., Conclusions: The lived experience of older adults without frailty or major cognitive impairment using first-generation closed-loop therapy was mainly positive and concordant with glycaemic benefits found in the trial. Older adults' lived experience using automated insulin delivery beyond trial environments requires exploration; moreover, the usability needs of older adults should be considered during future device development., (© 2022 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Diabetes UK.)

Background: Intravesical BCG treatment fails inexplicably in 30%-45% of patients for high-grade nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). We aimed to investigate the role of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction on BCG failure of high-grade NMIBC and to identify biomarkers for predicting BCG responsive cases., Methods: Thirty BCG responsive and 29 nonresponsive NMIBCs were included in the study. Expressions of PDL1(SP-263), MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and MLH1 were evaluated on pre- and post-BCG transurethral resection (TUR-B) specimens by immunohistochemistry. PD-L1(SP-263) expression was categorised as negative/low, high. DNA mismatch repair protein (MMR) expressions were classified as "reduced" if ≤30% of nuclei stained, "preserved" if >30% of nuclei stained. Microsatellite instability (MSI) testing was performed by PCR using five mononucleotide markers., Results: Reduced DNA MMR protein expression was found to be significantly higher in the pretreatment biopsies of BCG-responsive group than the BCG nonresponsive tumour group (p = 0.022). PD-L1 expression did not show any significant difference between the pre- and posttreatment TUR-B specimens of the BCG nonresponsive tumour group or between the pretreatment TUR-B specimens of BCG nonresponsive and the BCG responsive groups (p = 0.508, p = 0.708, respectively)., Discussion: Immune escape of tumour cells by PD-1/PD-L1 interaction does not seem to have any role in BCG failure of NMIBCs. Reduced MMR expression may help to determine cases that will respond well to BCG therapy. A better antitumour activity of BCG in NMIBCs with reduced MMR expression may be related to the ongoing accumulation of cancer neoantigens in correlation with increased tumour mutation load as a result of DNA repair defects.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of Ga-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen positron-emission-tomography and computed-tomography(PSMA-PET/CT) in primary nodal staging of prostate cancer (PCa), and the predictive value of volumetric parameters derived from Ga-68- PSMA-PET/CT data in lymph node(LN) metastasis and correlation with histopathological and surgical outcomes., Materials and Methods: Seventy-seven patients with newly diagnosed, biopsy-proven PCa who underwent Ga-68-PSMA-PET/CT for primary staging of disease and underwent radical prostatectomy with extendend pelvic LN dissection were evaluated retrospectively. 2 experienced nuclear medicine specialists have retrospectively reviewed PET/CT images blinded to all histopathological and clinical data. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value(PPV), and negative predictive value(NPV) for the detection of LN metastases were analyzed per-patient. Volumetric and semiquantitative PET parameters of the primary prostate lesions including SUVmax,metabolic tumor volume(MTV), and total lesion uptake(TLU) were measured and recorded., Results: Primary tumor SUVmax, MTV and TLU were found significantly higher in patients who were in higher ISUP Grade groups 3,4,5 after surgical treatment (P = 0.021,P = 0.049,P = 0.032, respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV on LN metastasis detection of Ga-68-PSMA-PET/CT was found 60%, 91%, 82% and 78% respectively. Although the distribution of the measured primary tumor MTV and TLU values were higher in histopathologically proven LN metastasis positive patients compared to negative patients, only TLU was statistically significant(P = 0.023). Increase in primary tumor TLU values were correlated with higher pT stages and surgical margin positivity(P = 0.034)., Conclusion: Ga-68-PSMA-PET/CT is of clinically valuable for primary staging. Measuring and adding these 2 parameters in routine clinical evaluation may increase the prediction power of high-grade disease confirmed by surgery., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest was declared by the authors., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To compare the short-term and 1-year follow-up functional outcomes of modified anatomical structure preserving and Retzius - repairing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (APR-RARP) compared with Retzius-sparing (RS) RARP. Methods: Eighty consecutive patients 40-75 years of age with low-intermediate risk prostate cancer were prospectively randomized to APR-RARP or RS-RARP. Urinary continence (UC) recovery rates were evaluated from catheter removal up to 1 year follow-up. Postoperative UC was defined as 0 pads/one security pad per day. UC recovery rates from catheter removal to 1 year were calculated by Kaplan-Meier curve; log-rank test was used for the curve comparison. Postoperative potency was evaluated at 3 and 12 months after surgeries. Perioperative complications, positive surgical margin (PSM), and biochemical recurrence rates represent secondary outcomes reported in the study. Results: At the catheter removal, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, 52.5% (confidence interval [CI] 95%: 37.6-67), 82.5% (CI 95%: 70.8-94), 95% (CI 95%: 88.3-99.1), 97.5% (CI 95%: 92.5-99.9), and 97.5% (CI 95%: 92.5-99.9) of men undergoing the APR-RARP were continent (0 pads/one security pad per day), compared with 61.5% (CI 95%: 46.5-76.6), 89.7% (CI 95%: 80.3-98.1), 97.5% (CI 95%: 92.6-99.9), 97.5% (CI 95%: 92.6-99.9), and 97.5% (CI 95%: 92.6-99.9) undergoing the RS-RARP, respectively, and the Kaplan Meier curve showed no statistically significant difference for both technique at any time point (log-rank p  = 0.556). The median (95% CI) time to UC recovery was 9.8 (5.2-14.4) days for the APR-RARP vs 6.7 (3.2-10.2) days for the RS-RARP group. Potency rates were similar in both groups at 3 and 12 months after surgeries. The two compared approaches; in terms of rate of complications, PSM was similar. Conclusions: Surgeons can achieve functional results comparable to the RS technique with the modified reconstructive anterior approach, without changing the surgical technique they are used to.

Sleep-related effects of closed-loop therapy among older adults with type 1 diabetes have not been well established. In the OldeR Adult Closed-Loop (ORACL) randomized, crossover trial of first-generation closed-loop therapy (MiniMed 670G), participants wore actigraphy and completed sleep diaries for 14-day periods at stage end. During objectively measured sleep (actigraphy) with closed-loop versus sensor-augmented pump therapy, glucose time-in-range 70-180 mg/dL (3.9-10.0 mmol/L) was greater (90.3% vs. 78.7%, respectively; difference 8.2 percentage points [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.5 to 13.0]; P  = 0.008), and there were fewer sensor hypoglycemia episodes (18 vs. 43, respectively; incident rate ratio 0.40 [95% CI 0.20 to 0.55]; P  = 0.007). Sleep quality recorded daily was worse with closed-loop therapy ( P  = 0.006); Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index did not differ. There were 30% more system alarms during monitored sleep with closed-loop therapy ( P  < 0.001). First-generation closed-loop therapy has important glycemic benefits during sleep for older adults, with deterioration in some sleep quality measures. Sleep quality warrants prioritization and investigation during advancement of closed-loop technology.

Aim: To determine the patients who can be safely exempted from undergoing unnecessary diagnostic procedures for microscopic hematuria (MH) evaluation by using the developed individual-risk-scoring system., Materials and Methods: The patients who underwent a complete urological evaluation for MH were identified retrospectively. The risk factors for urinary malignancy which defined in the 2020 American Urological Association/Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction guidelines were recorded for each patient. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to establish a predictive risk-scoring system. The odds ratios obtained as a result of the logistic regression analysis were scored., Results: A total of 1461 patients who had undergone a complete urological evaluation for MH were identified. The urinary malignancy rate was 3.4% (50 of the 1461 patients). According to the odds ratios, age >40 was calculated as 1 point; male gender, 2 points; smoking history, 4 points; presence of occupational risk factor, 1 point; and presence of macroscopic hematuria, 2 points. For the cut-off risk score, 5 points was found to be the most appropriate score according to the sensitivity and specificity levels. The patients with risk scores of 5 points or lower were considered to be in the low-risk group for urinary tract malignancy., Conclusion: The patients with a risk score of 5 points or above require complete urological evaluation. The results of the present study may reduce the number of patients undergoing unnecessary urological evaluation., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) are still important for both children and pediatric urologists. Urotherapy is recommended in LUTD treatment management. In our country, all citizens under the age of 20 were banned from going out of their homes due to Covid-19 and the homeschooling system has been adopted The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of lockdown and homeschooling on the effectiveness of urotherapy used for LUTD treatment., Methods: 83 patients were included in the study group. Besides 306 patients were determined as the control group (pre-Covid). The patients in the study group and the control group were compared in terms of improvement in Dysfunctional voiding and incontinence scoring system (DVISS), quality of life scores, bladder diary, Bristol stool scale, and treatment responses at 3rd and 6th months., Results: The study group and control group were compared in terms of DVISS, voiding frequency and incontinence in the voiding diary, quality of life score, and Bristol stool scale at admission visit and the group characteristics were similar. During the 6th month visit, the mean DVISS of the study group was found to be significantly lower (7.12 ± 3.48; 8.58 ± 4.06 respectively (p 0.002)). Daily voiding frequency was similar in the study group and the control group during the 2nd and 3rd visit. The study group's mean number of daily incontinence was significantly lower at visit 3 (0.57 ± 0.9; 0.94 ± 0.27, respectively (p 0.02).After six months of treatment, 13.3% of the study group patients had a complete response, 44.6% had a partial response, whereas 42.2% non-responders. In the control group, the response rates were as 5.9%, 39.2% and 54.9% respectively (p 0.02)., Conclusions: LUTD is still very common in pediatric urology. Standard urotherapy is widely used in treatment management. According to our results, the success of standard urotherapy increases with lockdown and homeschooling. We have shown that the success of standard urotherapy can be improved by regulating environmental conditions. In terms of LUTD management, environmental conditions can be regulated to provide a better quality of life and a better cure in a more economical way., (Copyright © 2021 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: In this study, it is aimed to identify the rate of successful placement of a guidewire down through the ureter during PNL and to compare the outcomes of different locations of guidewires in the collecting system following renal puncture in terms of success and complications rates., Patients and Methods: Data of 1052 patients who underwent miniPNL in our institution between January 2014 and November 2020 were analysed. Patients were divided into three groups. Group I consisted of patients with the guidewire coiled within the punctured calyx, group II consisted of patients with the guidewire reaching the renal pelvis and group III consisted of patients with the guidewire passed down through the ureter. The groups were compared for successful tract creation and complication rates., Results: There were 303 (28.8%) patients in group I, 330 (31.4%) patients in group II and 419 (39.8%) patients in group III. Successful tract dilation at the first attempt was established in 298 (94.7%) patients in group I, 328 (99.4%) patients in group II and in all of the 419 (100%) patients in group III. Successful tract creation was established in a second attempt in all of the patients failed in the first attempt. The groups were similar for stone-free and complication rates., Conclusions: Placement of guidewire down through the ureter could not be established in more than 60% of the cases. Location of guidewire prior to dilation did not affect the outcomes. Therefore, we suggest to proceed with tract creation even when the guidewire coils within the punctured calyx., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: To investigate the role of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-induced lipocalin (uNGAL) measurement in the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury that may occur after intraoperative ischemia in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy (PN)., Methods: This prospective study included 86 patients who underwent open laparoscopic or robotic partial nephrectomy between May 2017 and May 2019. During the surgery, whether the patients had ischemia or not, type of vascular clamping and the ischemia time were noted. The definition of acute kidney injury (AKI) was classified according to Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria. Urine samples were collected preoperatively and 3 h after renal pedicle clamp removal and uNGAL was measured., Results: AKI was recorded in 34 (39.5%) of 86 patients after PN. Of the 34 patients, 26 (76.4%) had level 1 and 8 (23.6%) had level 2 AKI. uNGAL levels increased significantly as an early reflection of AKI in patients who underwent intraoperative total or renal artery clamping (p = 0.024). There was no significant postoperative increase in uNGAL in the non-ischemic group (p = 0.163). uNGAL expression was detected well before serum creatinine increase. Patients with AKI after PN had higher uNGAL expression (p = 0.008) However, there was no correlation between the level of AKI and uNGAL expression (r = 0.201, p = 0.066)., Conclusion: Ischemic acute kidney injury after nephron-sparing surgery can be detected early by uNGAL measurement. In future studies comparing outcomes of different surgical techniques on renal functions after PN, uNGAL levels may be used.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of continuous antibiotic prophylaxis (CAP) in patients with JJ stent and tried to identify the group that could specifically benefit from CAP by a prospective randomized study., Methods: A prospective, randomized, controlled, non-blind, non-placebo study was performed in a single center.A total of 105 patients who underwent surgery with JJ stent (PNL, URS, pyeloplasty, UNC) were randomized into two groups. 53 patients in Group A received CAP and 52 patients in Group B were controlled without CAP, during the presence of a JJ stent. Patients with external stents, nephrostomy tubes, indwelling long-term urethral catheters were excluded. History of preoperative use of CAP and lower urinary tract symptoms were noted. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) was used as the initial choice of antibiotic however if there was a history of antibiotic resistance in previous urinary cultures, Nitrofurantoin was administrated. Urinary cultures were obtained before surgery and before stent extraction. JJ stents were sent to culture. Symptomatic febrile urinary tract infections with positive urine cultures (10 5 CFU on a clean catch or 10 3 with urethral catheterization) were compared between groups., Discussion: Our study has some limitations; the study is the single-center, we did not follow-up of patients in terms of scar, there were low number of uncircumcised patients, multiple types of surgical procedures were performed. JJ stent is a frequently used instrument in children. Unfortunately, any randomized prospective on antibiotics administration while using a JJ stent is not available in the current literature. We hope our research will contribute to the existing literature and cause a significant change in clinical practice., Results: The mean age among all patients was 4.8 ± 3.9 years. The mean length of time jj stents stayed inside was 16.34 ± 6.45 days in group A and 15.29 ± 7.71 days in group B. The incidence of febrile urinary tract infections with CAP was significantly reduced (3.8% vs. 19% (p 0.015)). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that a positive history for preop febrile urinary tract infections and/or LUTS has a significantly higher association with the incidence of febrile urinary tract infecitons., Conclusions: CAP in the presence of JJ stents reduced the incidence of febrile urinary tract infections in a short period, especially in children with the previous history of febrile urinary tract infections and lower urinary tract symptoms., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2020 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of prostate volume and lesion size on the clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) detection rates of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsies, performed by a cognitive targeting method for sampling peripheral zone lesions., Material and Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 219 consecutive patients, who underwent multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging with a 3-T scanner and had peripheral zone lesions suspected for prostate cancer. All of these patients underwent combined cognitive targeted biopsy of suspicious lesions and TRUS-guided systematic biopsy. The detection rates of csPCa according to different lesion diameters (<5 mm, 5-9.9 mm, and ≥10 mm) and prostate volumes (<30 mL, 30-49.9 mL, 50-79.9 mL, and ≥80 mL) were calculated per lesion basis. In addition, subgroup analysis of csPCa detection rates was performed according to Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System scores of lesions., Results: The csPCa detection rates according to lesion diameters <5 mm, 5-9.9 mm, and ≥10 mm were 4%, 9.8%, and 33.1%, respectively, and were significantly lower for lesions <10 mm (p<0.001). The csPCa detection rates were 61.5%, 24.1%, 16.2%, and 6.9%, respectively, for prostate volumes <30 mL, 30-49.9 mL, 50-79.9 mL, and ≥80 mL, and were significantly higher for prostate volumes <30 mL (p<0.001)., Conclusions: Clinicians should be very careful when they prefer cognitive targeted prostatic biopsy in patients with periferal zone lesions less than 10 mm and with prostate volumes greater than 30 mL, because of significantly low csPCa detection rates.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) is the primary treatment option for renal stones > 20 mm in diameter. Mini-PNL gained popularity with its minimally invasive nature. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of ballistic and laser lithotripsy with the combined use of both techniques. Data of 312 patients underwent mini-PNL for renal stones with Hounsfield Unit > 1000 was investigated retrospectively. We identified 104 patients underwent combined ballistic and laser lithotripsy. Propensity score technique was used to create the laser and ballistic lithotripsy groups. Groups were matched on stone size, stone density, and Guy's stone score. Primary end point of the study was to compare the stone free rate (SFR), complication rates, and duration of surgery. Mean age of the population was 49.4 ± 6.1, stone size was 24.6 ± 6.3 mm, and stone density was 1215 ± 89 HU. The groups were similar for age, stone size, stone density, and Guy's stone score. The SFR and the complication rates of the 3 groups were similar (p = 0.67). The duration of the surgery was shorter in the combined group (46.1 ± 6.3 min) compared to the laser lithotripsy (54.5 ± 6.6 min) and ballistic lithotripsy (57.2 ± 6.9 min) groups. Both laser and ballistic lithotripsy are effective methods for stone fragmentation during mini-PNL. Combined use of both methods has the potential to improve the fragmentation rates and diminish the operative times in case of high density stones.

Introduction: The main aim of stone surgery is to establish stone free status. Performing fl exible nephroscopy is an effective tool in this manner. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of retrograde fl exible nephroscopy for detection of residual fragments following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) in comparison with antegrade approach., Materials and Methods: Data of 137 patients underwent ECIRS was collected prospectively. In all cases following stone clearance, collecting system was checked for residual fragments. First antegrade than retrograde fl exible nephroscopy was performed and success rates to reach all calices and detection of residual fragments were noted. All patients underwent CT and success rate of antegrade and retrograde approaches were compared. PPV and NPV of retrograde approach to detect residual fragments were calculated., Results: Antegrade and retrograde nephroscopy successfully accessed all of the calices in 101 (73.7%) and 130 (94.9%) patients respectively (p<0.0001). Residual fragments were observed in 18 (13.1%) patients following antegrade fl exible nephroscopy. Retrograde approach identifi ed residual stones in 17 more cases. These cases were treated with fl exible nephroscopy or secondary percutaneous tract. Postoperative CT revealed residual stones in 10 (7.3%) patients. PPV and NPV of retrograde fl exible nephroscopy were 83.3% and 96.2%., Conclusions: Flexible nephroscopy effectively detects residual fragments following PNL. Retrograde approach was more successful than antegrade approach to reach all calices. We recommend performing retrograde fl exible nephroscopy following PNL especially in complex cases as it has the potential to increase SFR, decrease the need for second look surgery and unnecessary postoperative imaging., Competing Interests: None declared., (Copyright® by the International Brazilian Journal of Urology.)