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Purpose The mutation of p53 is considered a pivotal step in bladder cancer pathogenesis. Recently, distinct interactions between p53 and CDK9, a transcription regulator, have been described. In this work, we explored the prognostic role of p53 expression and evaluated its associations with CDK9 in urothelial carcinoma. Materials and methods The research group consisted of 67 bladder cancer samples and 32 normal urothelial mucosa samples. All specimens were analyzed using ImageJ and the IHC profiler plugin. To validate the results, 406 cases from The Cancer Genome Atlas database were analyzed. Results P53 and CDK9 are overexpressed in urothelial cancer tissues when compared to normal urothelial tissues (p p p = 0.046) but did not correlate with prognosis in the muscle-invasive group. In high CDK9 cancers, high p53 expression correlated with the occurrence of high-grade and muscle-invasive tumors (p Conclusion High expression of p53 correlates with unfavorable clinical features of bladder cancer. CDK9 is associated with the expression of p53, possibly through interactions with p53 inhibitors. Since the blockade of CDK9 in other malignancies reactivates wild-p53 activity, confirming the crosstalk between p53 and CDK9 in bladder cancer may be another step to explain the mechanism of tumor progression in its early stages.

Prostate cancer is the leading type of cancer diagnosed in men. Serum prostate-specific antigen levels and digital rectal exam are far from perfect when it comes to differentiation of patients with prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. In this study, we attempt to determine whether amino acids can be used as prostate cancer biomarkers. Concentrations of derivatized amino acids and amines were quantified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 100 urine samples from the two groups including samples provided before and after prostate massage were examined quantitatively for amino acid and amine concentrations with 50 urine samples collected from cancer patients and 50 samples from patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Arginine, homoserine, and proline were more abundant in urine samples of cancer patients compared with arginine, homoserine, and proline levels determined in urine collected from patients with benign growth. We also show that sarcosine is not a definitive indicator of prostate cancer when analyzed in urine samples collected either before or after prostate massage.

Characterization of size of synthesized semiconductor copper indium sulfide (CuInS2) nanoparticles used for doping liquid crystal E7 is presented. The method of production of uniform dispersions of the nanoparticles in liquid crystals avoiding aggregation of the nanoparticles is discussed. It was possible to prepare doped liquid crystal with almost uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in the cell, which are visible as defects in homogenous liquid crystal phase. Electrorefractive and photo-electrorefractive characterizations of the mixtures have been done with pure E7 sample as a reference and the results are discussed.

Micro- and Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) form a group of transducers used for very precise mass sensing (in the range of femtograms) and force detection (in the range of piconewtons) changes. These can be read by the resonant frequency shift or amplitude of mechanical vibration changes. Monitoring of optical path is one of the ways in which this detection can occur. The use of fibre construction makes the read-out system even more attractive. There are two popular types of Fibre Optics Displacement Sensors (FODS). The first – with amplitude of optical wave modulation – intensity sensors. The second – with phase modulation – fibre optics interferometers. In this paper Intensity Fibre Optic Displacement Sensor (I-FODS) for MEMS displacement metrology has been presented. A system formed by simple optical fibre optics, light source and photodetector had been tested and evaluated in order to obtain the highest possible sensitivity and resolution, using low-cost standard telecommunications equipment. The sensor׳s system is dedicated to MEMS amplitude of vibrations metrology and allows displacement monitoring in the range up to 400 μm with the resolution of 15 nm and the sensitivity of 0.19 V/nm for a mirror reflecting surface. The paper shows Quartz Tuning Fork (QTF) as an example of the MEMS with a very rough surface and its resonance frequency is equal to about 32 kHz. The designed I-FODS allows the QTF amplitude measurements with the resolution of 92 nm and the sensitivity of 0.017 mV/nm.

Travelling Wave Tube (TWT) is an electronic vacuum microwave device, which is used as a high power microwave amplifier, mainly in telecommunication purposes and radar systems. TWT's seem to be an alternative and a more reliable solution than semiconductor devices when building high power and high frequency applications. Thermal behaviour of TWT is one of the key aspects influencing its reliability and working parameters. In fact, the standard TWT is treated as a high power device and the supplied power is dissipated mainly through conduction and convection phenomena. In practical applications, depending on a type of TWT, they can be cooled either by a forced liquid or air circulation. The main goal of the presented research was to perform analytical, experimental and numerical analysis of temperature distribution of a low band TWT in case of a typical working condition. Because theoretical analysis seems to be very complex, thus it was decided to support it with experimental measurements and numerical simulations as well as with the simplified analytical formulas. As a first step of the presented research, the analytical analysis and numerical modelling of the helix TWT was carried out. The objective of the thermal analysis was to assess the temperature distribution in different parts of the helix TWT assembly during extreme standard and working conditions. Afterwards, the obtained numerical results were validated by experimental measurements, which were carried out using a custom designed TWT test sample and corresponding experimental measurement tools.

In this work the construction of experimental setup for MEMS/NEMS deflection measurements is presented. The system is based on intensity fibre optic detector for linear displacement sensing. Furthermore the electronic devices: current source for driving the light source and photodetector with wide-band preamplifier are presented.

Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with an elevated risk of prostate cancer risk. It is not established if they are useful in predicting the presence of prostate cancer at biopsy or if they can be used to define a low-risk group of men. In this study, 4,548 men underwent a prostate biopsy because of an elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA; ≥4 ng/mL) or an abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE). All men were genotyped for 11 selected SNPs. The effect of each SNP, alone and in combination, on prostate cancer prevalence was studied. Of 4,548 men: 1,834 (40.3%) were found to have cancer. A positive association with prostate cancer was seen for 5 of 11 SNPs studied (rs1800629, rs1859962, rs1447295, rs4430796, rs11228565). The cancer detection rate rose with the number of SNP risk alleles from 29% for men with no variant to 63% for men who carried seven or more risk alleles (OR = 4.2; p = 0.002). The SNP data did not improve the predictive power of clinical factors (age, PSA and DRE) for detecting prostate cancer (AUC: 0.726 vs. 0.735; p = 0.4). We were unable to define a group of men with a sufficiently low prevalence of prostate cancer that a biopsy might have been avoided. In conclusion, our data do not support the routine use of SNP polymorphisms as an adjunct test to be used on the context of prostate biopsy for Polish men with an abnormal screening test.

BACKGROUND The G84E mutation in the HOXB13 gene has been associated with a high lifetime risk of prostate cancer in North America (about 20-fold). The geographical and ethnic extent of this recurrent allele has not yet been determined. METHODS We assayed for the presence of the G84E mutation in 3,515 prostate cancer patients and 2,604 controls from Poland and estimated the odds ratio for prostate cancer associated with the allele. RESULTS The G84E mutation was detected in 3 of 2,604 (0.1%) individuals from the general population in Poland and in 20 of 3,515 (0.6%) men with prostate cancer (Odds ratio [OR] = 5.0; 95% CI: 1.5–16.7; P = 0.008). The allele was present in 4 of 416 (1.0%) men with familial prostate cancer (OR = 8.4, 95% CI: 1.9–37.7; P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS The G84E mutation predisposes to prostate cancer in Poland, but accounts for only a small proportion of cases. We expect that the G84E founder mutation might be present in other Slavic populations. Prostate 73: 542–548, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Using the orbital angular momentum of light for the development of a vortex interferometer, the underlying physics requires microwave/RF models,1 as well as quantum mechanics for light1, 2 and fluid flow for semiconductor devices.3, 4 The combination of the aforementioned physical models yields simulations and results such as optical lattices,1 or an Inverse Farday effect.5 The latter is explained as the absorption of optical angular momentum, generating extremely high instantenous magnetic fields due to radiation friction. An algorithmic reduction across the computational methods used in microwaves, lasers, quantum optics and holography is performed in order to explain electromagnetic field interactions in a single computational framework. This work presents a computational model for photon-electron interactions, being a simplified gauge theory described using differentials or disturbances (photons) instead of integrals or fields. The model is based on treating the Z-axis variables as a Laplace fluid with spatial harmonics, and the XY plane as Maxwell's equations on boundaries. The result is a unified, coherent, graphical computational method of describing the photon qualitatively, quantitatively and with proportion. The model relies on five variables and is described using two equations, which use emitted power, cavity wavelength, input frequency, phase and time. Phase is treated as a rotated physical dimension under gauge theory of Feynmann's QED. In essence, this model allows the electromagnetic field to be treated with it's specific crystallography. The model itself is described in Python programming language. PACS 42.50.Pq, 31.30.J-, 03.70.+k, 11.10.-z, 67.10.Hk

Background Because of the numerous limitations of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), α-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) and hepsin have recently been suggested as potential biomarkers in prostate cancer (PC). This report presents a comparison study of the presence of AMACR and hepsin in urine collected before and after digital rectal examination (DRE) as a previously suggested diagnostic marker for PC. Methods Seventy-six urine samples (38 before and 38 after prostate massage) from patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and 66 urine samples (33 before and 33 after prostate massage) from patients with PC were analyzed. PC was confirmed by prostate biopsy. Urinary levels of AMACR and hepsin were determined by ELISA and related to the tumor stage, Gleason score and PSA level. Results AMACR and hepsin levels in urine collected after prostate massage were higher only in the PC group. There were no correlations between AMACR levels, hepsin levels, tumor stage and Gleason score. AMACR and hepsin did not differentiate between BPH and PC with better true positive and false negative rates than serum PSA. Conclusions AMACR and hepsin were unable to diagnose PC with better true positive and false negative rates than PSA. An additional procedure combined with other markers should be applied for the reliable diagnosis of PC.

Background: To establish the contribution of eight founder alleles in three DNA damage repair genes (BRCA1, CHEK2 and NBS1) to prostate cancer in Poland, and to measure the impact of these variants on survival among patients. Methods: Three thousand seven hundred fifty men with prostate cancer and 3956 cancer-free controls were genotyped for three founder alleles in BRCA1 (5382insC, 4153delA, C61G), four alleles in CHEK2 (1100delC, IVS2+1G>A, del5395, I157T), and one allele in NBS1 (657del5). Results: The NBS1 mutation was detected in 53 of 3750 unselected cases compared with 23 of 3956 (0.6%) controls (odds ratio (OR)=2.5; P=0.0003). A CHEK2 mutation was seen in 383 (10.2%) unselected cases and in 228 (5.8%) controls (OR=1.9; P

Soft lithography and UV-NIL are important technologies for micro- and nano- structures replication [1]. It is possible to adapt surface structures preparation for many applications regarding e.g. opto-fluidic on-chip microscopy, wetting or reflection properties [2]. Light microscopy has been one of the most common tools in biological research, because of its high resolution and non-invasive nature of the light. Fresnel lens can be used in passive and active high quality polymer-based on-chip components for integrated photonics circuits [3]. In presented soft lithography technique the various materials were used for Fresnel lens replication: PDMS, h-PDMS and thiol-ene-epoxy resin. Mentioned polymers are characterized by high flexibility and transparency with minimal color. The silicon matrices replication process involves two main steps: anti-adhesive layer preparation and polymer deposition. The influence of structures geometry on the optical properties Fresnel lens has been investigated. The topography of obtained replicas was characterized using the atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The efficiency of light focus of the selected wavelength has been checked by intensity measurement using a standard optical microscope. As a result of replication 10□m diameter Fresnel lenses have been prepared.

This study was designed to compare and evaluate the presence of engrailed-2 (EN2) protein in urine collected before and after prostate massage as a diagnostic marker for prostate cancer (PCa). We analysed and compared 76 urine samples (38 before and 38 after prostate massage) from the benign group (BPH) and 66 urine samples (33 before and 33 after prostate massage) from patients with PCa confirmed by prostate biopsy. EN2 levels from the PCa and men with BPH (age range 50-82) were related to the tumour stage, Gleason score and prostate-specific antigen. EN2 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in urine. The median EN2 levels in urine after prostate massage were significantly different from those determined in urine before prostate massage (1.25 ng/ml in the PCa group and 0.34 ng/ml in the BPH). The mean EN2 levels in PCa patients were 3.76-fold higher than those in non-PCa patients after prostate massage. The distinct influence of prostate massage on EN2 levels was found to be related to the Gleason score and tumour stage. EN2 may be considered a marker of PCa with certain limitations, such as those related to tumour staging. The specificity and sensitivity of the protocol are highly dependent on prostate massage.

The G84E mutation in the HOXB13 gene has been associated with a high lifetime risk of prostate cancer in North America (about 20-fold). The geographical and ethnic extent of this recurrent allele has not yet been determined.We assayed for the presence of the G84E mutation in 3,515 prostate cancer patients and 2,604 controls from Poland and estimated the odds ratio for prostate cancer associated with the allele.The G84E mutation was detected in 3 of 2,604 (0.1%) individuals from the general population in Poland and in 20 of 3,515 (0.6%) men with prostate cancer (Odds ratio [OR] = 5.0; 95% CI: 1.5-16.7; P = 0.008). The allele was present in 4 of 416 (1.0%) men with familial prostate cancer (OR = 8.4, 95% CI: 1.9-37.7; P = 0.005).The G84E mutation predisposes to prostate cancer in Poland, but accounts for only a small proportion of cases. We expect that the G84E founder mutation might be present in other Slavic populations.

Introduction This study evaluates the functional outcomes and satisfaction of an initial series of 47 patients after radical perineal prostatectomy performed in our department. Material and methods The first set of 47 consecutive patients underwent perineal prostatectomy during 2008 and 2009. Continence, sexual outcomes, and satisfaction of the treatment were evaluated using a self-reporting questionnaire, which was mailed to all patients after 15 to 33 months of follow-up. 26 patients (55.3%) returned a completed form and participated in the study. Additionally, final outcomes were compared to results reported elsewhere. Results Amid respondents, 91.7% were satisfied with the chosen treatment and 8.3% regret the previous decision. 38.5% patients reported any urine leakage, 15.4% drip up to 100 ml a day, and only one patient (3.8%) was totally incontinent. 76.9% men report a decline in prior sexual function. Six patients (23.1%) patients have any degree of spontaneous erections and undertake sexual activity. However, as erectile outcomes are adjusted to nine nerve-sparing cases, 66.7% have spontaneous erections and 55.5% undertake sexual activity, but only 40% of them describe their sexual function as satisfying. Conclusions Our survey demonstrates that, because of short operating time, fast recovery, low postoperative pain score, early patient mobilization and feeding, and a small (8-10 cm) and inconspicuous skin incision, radical perineal prostatectomy fully deserves to be recognized as a low-morbidity procedure. The perineal approach provides a quality of life and patients satisfaction rate comparable to trendy, highly equipped procedures and emerges as an attractive alternative to them. Even novice "perineal surgeons" may achieve favorable results.

The old model in which the problem of power quality (PQ) involved two partners – the electricity supplier and the customer – is replaced by a new configuration where at least four, mutually dependent parties participate: the customer, supplier of electric power, manufacturer of equipment and electrical installation contractor. The supplier often insists that sources of disturbances are located at the customer's side, whereas the latter complains about causes located in the supply network. It happens that their discussion leads to the conclusion, shared by both parties, that the equipment is not properly installed or adequately designed, to be operated in the given electromagnetic environment. Often, in the case of a significant level of a disturbance in electrical power system, at the customer's supply terminals, there is a need for locating the source of harmonics (e.g. [79,14,21,27,32-35,38,40-43]), voltage fluctuations (e.g. [10-13,36,]), voltage dips (e.g. [17,19,22,25,26,29-31,37,39]), occasionally also asymmetry. With the deregulation of power industry, utilities have become increasingly interested in quantifying the responsibilities for power quality problems. This issue gains particular meaning when formulating contracts for electric power supply and enforcing, by means of tariff rates, extra charges for worsening the power quality.

A group of 98 families were analyzed for CYP1B1 gene 355T/T homozygous genotype frequency because of prostate cancer history. Molecular investigations were performed using the restriction fragment length polymorphism-PCR method. 355T/T genotype was detected in 14 of the 98 prostate cancer patients (14.3%). Among them, it was found in one man (7.1%) from a family suspected of hereditary prostate cancer (his age at prostate cancer diagnosis was 57 years) and in 13 men (92.9%) originating from families that did not strictly fulfill hereditary prostate cancer criteria (the median age at prostate cancer diagnosis was 60.1 years). Among 14 355T/T genotype-positive families, in 10 (71.4%) other types of cancers, for example, breast, uterus, stomach, colon, ovary, lung, larynx, bladder, pancreas and melanoma other than prostate cancer, were present, and in four (28.6%) only one cancer type, that is, prostate cancer, occurred. In the Polish population, the CYP1B1 355T/T genotype seems to be associated with prostate cancer; the frequency of this genotype was 5.9% higher in prostate cancer patients than in the general population (8.4%). However, it is not associated with prostate cancer family history.

Photolithographic processes of multilevel features in microfluidics can be complex and expensive. This paper demonstrates a quick method for manufacturing multilevel patterns, which is based on liquid crystal display masking during a standard lithography process for master mold fabrication for the polydimethysiloxane replica process. An active mask, based on a liquid crystal display, can simplify the process due to the ability to quickly modify designs and reduce the overhead for alignment between mask levels. The possibility of multilevel patterning, with the help of active masking, creates new opportunities for optical lithography processes. We have developed the process for a standard, mercury lamp exposure mask aligner system. The patterning character- istics were evaluated with a step pattern fabricated as an example of three-dimensional patterning for multilevel structuring. The application of a liquid crystal mask for resist contrast measurements was demonstrated. © 2015

The indication for simultaneous bilateral native nephrectomy and the choice of surgical technique is of key importance, as these patients are burdened with a large comorbidity. The paper reports our experience of seven successful and completed simultaneous bilateral native nephrectomy procedures with retroperitoneal approach in the patient’s flank position. Seven patients (mean age 34), were indicated for the removal of both kidneys before the planned transplant. Six patients underwent haemodialysis from 48 to 84 months, and one underwent peritoneal dialysis for 60 months. Two patients had undergone graftectomy. The indications were chronic infection or hypertension. The length of the kidneys ranged from 5.8 to 10cm. All procedures were performed by the laparoscopic technique with retroperitoneal approach, with the patient in the flank position. Three trocars were used on each side. The retroperitoneal space created did not require balloon dilatation. The kidneys were removed through the 10mm trocar hole after splitting. The duration of the procedure ranged from 150 to 240 minutes, average 139 minutes and blood loss ranged from100 to 250mL, average 142mL. There were no complications. In 6 patients, the postoperative dialysis was performed at zero-day. One patient continued peritoneal dialysis. Patients were discharged on the 2nd day, except one with peritoneal dialysis, who was discharged on the 3rd day. Retroperitoneal laparoscopic bilateral native nephrectomy is a safe and effective technique, and it can be considered as an ideal approach for native nephrectomy. It allows for the preservation of peritoneal integrity and vessels for future vascular access.