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Introduction: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is an increasingly utilized surgical intervention for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). It is unclear how pre-HoLEP voiding performance (including pre-HoLEP incontinence) affects post-HoLEP urinary symptom performance and recovery which challenges effective patient counseling. Methods: This is a single-institution retrospective analysis of 266 patients who underwent HoLEP. Pre-HoLEP continence status was determined by patient report. Continence (severity and bother, severity broken into urge and stress) and LUTS (total IPSS score and QoL) were assessed preoperatively and 1 week (1wk), 1 month (1m), 3 months (3m), and 1-year (1y) post-HoLEP using the Michigan Incontinence Symptom Index (MISI) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), respectively. Primary outcome measures were MISI differences between groups at each time point. Results: Of the 376 patients who underwent HoLEP from two surgeons from 11/6/2020 to 12/18/2023, 266 were included in the study. Inclusion criteria were patients undergoing HoLEP during this period. There were no exclusion criteria. A total of 178 participants were continent and 88 were incontinent pre-HoLEP. Average age at time of HoLEP was 70.3 and 70.8 respectively, average preoperative prostate size measured by ultrasound or axial imaging was 109.0 g and 113.7 g, respectively. Based on MISI stress (#1–3) and urge (#4–6) items, pre-HoLEP Stress:Urge ratio in continent pre-HoLEP patients was 1.29:3.02. In the incontinent pre-HoLEP group, Stress:Urge was 2.45:6.18. MISI scores were statistically similar between cohorts at 1wk. Preop incontinent patients had a statistical and clinically significant improvement in MISI severity score at 1y post-HoLEP (5.62 n = 11 vs 10.170 n = 50, p = 0.013). IPSS total scores were statistically similar between cohorts at 1m and IPSS QoL scores were statistically similar at preop. At preop evaluation, urge symptoms were worse than stress symptoms in all cohorts. Conclusions: Preoperative incontinence should not be considered a predictor of poor intermediate or long-term post-HoLEP outcomes. Pre-HoLEP incontinence is likely largely urge-related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigates gender-based disparities in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes among kidney stone patients and explores potential contributing factors. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records at the University of Rochester Medical Center was conducted on 2199 new urolithiasis patients who completed the Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life Questionnaire (WISQOL) standardized on a 0 to 100 scale. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Statistical analyses included univariate tests, chi-squared tests, and multivariate linear regression. Results: Of the 2199 kidney stone patients, 1085 (49.3%) were women. Women reported significantly lower quality of life (QoL) scores compared with men (71.6 vs 80.7; p < 0.001), and this persisted across all domains, including social impact (80.2 vs 86.9; p < 0.001), emotional impact (67.3 vs 77.1; p < 0.001), disease impact (67.3 vs 77.1; p < 0.001), and impact vitality (62.6 vs 72.9; p < 0.001). Female gender was identified as an independent predictor of diminished QoL scores, along with younger age, symptomatic status, number of surgeries, and presence of a psychosocial comorbidity. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that women with kidney stones experience lower HRQOL compared with men, even accounting for clinical and demographic factors. Although this study provides preliminary insights, additional research is needed to validate these findings in broader and more varied populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) are essential enzymes that catalyze the de novo transformation of nucleoside 5- di(tri)phosphates [ND(T)Ps, where N is A, U, C, or G] to their corresponding deoxynucleotides. Despite the diversity of factors required for function and the low sequence conservation across RNRs, a unifying apparatus consolidating RNR activity is explored. We combine aspects of the protein subunit simplicity of class II RNR with a modified version of Escherichia coli class la photoRNRs that initiate radical chemistry with light to engineer a mimic of a class II enzyme. The design of this RNR involves fusing a truncated form of the active site containing α subunit with the functionally important C- terminal tail of the radical- generating β subunit to render a chimeric RNR. Inspired by a recent cryo- EM structure, a [Re] photooxidant is located adjacent to Y356[β], which is an essential component of the radical transport pathway in class I RNRs. Combination of this RNR photochimera with cytidine diphosphate (CDP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and light resulted in the generation of Y356• along with production of deoxycytidine diphosphate (dCDP) and cytosine. The photoproducts reflect an active site chemistry consistent with both the consensus mechanism of RNR and chemistry observed when RNR is inactivated by mechanism- based inhibitors in the active site. The enzymatic activity of the RNR photochimera in the absence of any β metallocofactor highlights the adaptability of the 10- stranded αβ barrel finger loop to support deoxynucleotide formation and accommodate the design of engineered RNRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the temperature impact on electrical conductivity and dielectric properties of HCI-doped polyaniline under different temperatures. It reveals that, by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FT-IR spectra, and X-ray diffraction (XRD), PANI-HCI shows electrical conductivity rise at temperatures below 120oC but drops if temperatures rise to 160oC. PAN-HCI shows dielectric constant below 100oC and a loss tangent tan of 0.35 to 0.49.

Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) is a fundamental mechanism important in a wide range of biological processes including the universal reaction catalysed by ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) in making de novo, the building blocks required for DNA replication and repair. These enzymes catalyse the conversion of nucleoside diphosphates (NDPs) to deoxynucleoside diphosphates (dNDPs). In the class Ia RNRs, NDP reduction involves a tyrosyl radical mediated oxidation occurring over 35 Å across the interface of the two required subunits (β 2 and α 2 ) involving multiple PCET steps and the conserved tyrosine triad [Y 356 (β 2 )-Y 731 (α 2 )-Y 730 (α 2 )]. We report the synthesis of an active photochemical RNR (photoRNR) complex in which a Re(I)-tricarbonyl phenanthroline ([Re]) photooxidant is attached site-specifically to the Cys in the Y 356 C-(β 2 ) subunit and an ionizable, 2,3,5-trifluorotyrosine (2,3,5-F 3 Y) is incorporated in place of Y 731 in α 2 . This intersubunit PCET pathway is investigated by ns laser spectroscopy on [Re 356 ]-β 2 :2,3,5-F 3 Y 731 -α 2 in the presence of substrate, CDP, and effector, ATP. This experiment has allowed analysis of the photoinjection of a radical into α 2 from β 2 in the absence of the interfacial Y 356 residue. The system is competent for light-dependent substrate turnover. Time-resolved emission experiments reveal an intimate dependence of the rate of radical injection on the protonation state at position Y 731 (α 2 ), which in turn highlights the importance of a well-coordinated proton exit channel involving the key residues, Y 356 and Y 731 , at the subunit interface.