Modified atmosphere packaging of hen table eggs: Effects on functional properties of albumen

The aim of this study was to compare technological properties (gel hardness, foam drainage, and meringue crispness) of albumen of nonpacked table eggs (control) with those of eggs packed in high-barrier plastic pouches with 3 modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) conditions (air, 100% N2, and 100% CO2) during 28 d of storage at 25°C. The values of gel hardness for the control sample showed an increasing trend, demonstrating the highest values throughout the experiment duration compared with the other samples. This behavior was probably attributable to the pH increase detected only for this sample during storage (from 8.82 ± 0.06 for fresh egg to 9.96 ± 0.06 at the end of the experiment). Air and N2 samples showed constant and similar hardness values during storage. The hardness of coagulated albumen showed a strict correlation with raw albumen pH (r2 = 0.929; P < 0.001). Other than reducing albumen pH during storage, MAP with CO2 caused the formation of a soft and puffy coagulum with very low hardness, reaching the lowest value of 1.26 ± 0.38 N after 4 d of storage, that slowly increased to 2.11 ± 0.49 N at the end of the experiment. Foam stability decreased during storage for all samples, but CO2 eggs showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher foam stability than fresh eggs until 15 d, reaching values similar to those of the other samples only at the end of the storage time. Packing eggs in CO2 promoted an improvement of meringue crispness. The application of this atmosphere could ameliorate the quality characteristics of albumen-based food products. Commercially, CO2 MAP could provide an albumen-based ingredient tailored to maximize the characteristics needed in the final product (e.g., fresh shell eggs special for meringue preparation) that could give an added value to the product

Collagenase clostridium histolyticum for the treatment of Peyronie's disease: a prospective Italian multicentric study

Peyronie's disease (PD) is a common condition which results in penile curvature making sexual intercourse difficult or impossible. Collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) is the first licensed drug for the treatment of PD and is indicated in patients with palpable plaque and curvature deformity of at least 30° of curvature. However, only few monocentric studies are available in the current literature and this is the first national multicentric study focusing on this new treatment. In five Italian centres, 135 patients have completed the treatment with three injections of CCH using Ralph's shortened modified protocol. The protocol consisted of three intralesional injections of CCH (0.9 mg) given at 4-weekly intervals in addiction to a combination of home modelling, stretching and a vacuum device on a daily basis. An improvement in the angle of curvature was recorded in 128/135 patients (94.8%) by a mean (range) of 19.1 (0–40)° or 42.9 (0–67)% from baseline (p < 0.001). There was also a statistically significant improvement in all IIEF and PDQ questionnaires subdomains (p < 0.001 in all subdomains). This prospective multicentric study confirms that the three-injection protocol is effective enough to achieve a good result and to minimize the cost of the treatment

Surgical and minimally invasive treatment of ischaemic and non-ischaemic priapism : A systematic review by the EAU Sexual and Reproductive Health Guidelines panel

Peer reviewedPostprin

Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction: Clinical management recommendations of the Neurologic Incontinence committee of the fifth International Consultation on Incontinence 2013

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based guidelines for the management of neurological disease and lower urinary tract dysfunction have been produced by the International Consultations on Incontinence (ICI). These are comprehensive guidelines, and were developed to have world-wide relevance. AIMS: To update clinical management of neurogenic bladder dysfunction from the recommendations of the fourth ICI, 2009. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of evidence reviews and updates were performed by members of the working group. The resulting guidelines were presented at the 2012 meeting of the European Association of Urology for consultation, and consequently amended to deliver evidence-based conclusions and recommendations in 2013. RESULTS: The current review is a synthesis of the conclusions and recommendations, including the algorithms for initial and specialized management of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. The pathophysiology is categorized according to the nature of onset of neurological disease and the part(s) of the nervous system affected. Assessment requires clinical evaluation, general investigations, and specialized testing. Treatment primarily focuses on ensuring safety of the patient and optimizing quality of life. Symptom management covers conservative and interventional measures to aid urine storage and bladder emptying, along with containment of incontinence. A multidisciplinary approach to management is essential. DISCUSSION: The review offers a pragmatic review of management in the context of complex pathophysiology and varied evidence base. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:657-665, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

What is the effectiveness of surgical and non-surgical therapies in the treatment of ischemic priapism in patients with sickle cell disease? A systematic review by the EAU Sexual and Reproductive Health Panel

The authors acknowledge the participants for their cooperation Conflict of Interest: None of the authors declare any interest. Formatting of funding sources: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.Peer reviewedPostprin

Surgical activity in the COVID-19 era. Trend of slowdown from a multicentre observational study

COVID-19 outbreak represented an unprecedented event that led to a redefinition of health care systems worldwide. The impact of the emergency required a deviation of the care toward the assistance to COVID-19 patients, with reduction of resources for elective activities, including surgery. We aim to report the decrease of urological surgical activity during the first weeks from the beginning of the pandemic, aiming to highlight the prioritization we applied to select patients for surgery