Nematic liquid crystal reorientation around multi-walled carbon nanotubes mapped via Raman microscopy

We have studied the formation of topological defects in liquid crystal (LC) matrices induced by multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and external electric fields. The defects are ascribable to a distortion of the LC molecular director in proximity of the MWCNT surface. The system is analyzed macroscopically using spectroscopic variable angle ellipsometry. Concurrently, confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy is used to study the system state at the microscale. This allows to acquire a three-dimensional, spatially-resolved map of the topological defect, determining scale length variations and orientation topography of the LC molecules around the MWCNT

Natural treatments for erectile dysfunction: A focus on mobile health applications

To the Editor, Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. ED represents one of the most important male sexual dysfunctions with a prevalence of 52% and affecting more than 150 million men worldwide (estimated to be 322 million worldwide for 2025) [...

Perceptions and attitudes toward the use of telemedicine for the postoperative outpatient urological care during the COVID-19 pandemic in an Academic Hospital in Southern Italy

Introduction: Telemedicine is a most used tools in various medical and surgical scenarios. The aim of the present study was to explore attitudes and perceptions by urologic patients toward the use of telemedicine in the context of patient-physicians communication during the post-operative follow-up in a large academic tertiary urology referral department in Italy. Materials and methods: An anonymous questionnaire consisting of 15 multiple choice questions was designed including three sections: respondents' demographics, attitudes, and perceptions towards the use of telemedicine. Invitations to participate to this anonymous questionnaire was given to outpatients attended at Urology Department, University of Naples Federico II. Results: In total 697 responses were received (participation rate 73%). The frequency of telemedicine use was described as frequently, occasional, rarely, and never by 41.6%, 30.4%, 15.1%, and 12.6% of respondents, respectively. WhatsApp messenger used by 59.5% of respondents and telephone call (34.3%) were the most common type of tools. Satisfaction in using telemedicine was reported as very satisfied, satisfied, neutral, dissatisfied, and very dissatisfied by 39.6%,41.4%,10%,7% and 2% of respondents respectively. Overall, 43.7%% of participants individuated limited interaction and risk of misdiagnosis as the major limit of telemedicine. Conclusions: Telemedicine represents the future of medical practice due to several benefits as well as convenience, increased access to care and decreased healthcare costs

Iron homeostasis alterations and erectile dysfunction: A new issue in erectile disfunction treatment?

To the Editor, Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most prevalent conditions affecting men globally, with significant psychological and social consequences. The prevalence varies across different populations, and it is estimated around 50% in men aged between 40 to 70. The etiology of ED is multifactorial, involving a complex crosstalk between psychological, hormonal, neurogenic, vascular, and structural factors. Recently, the role of iron homeostasis (IH) is emerging. [...

Mobile health applications in kidney stone disease management: A reliable support for patients?

Introduction: Mobile health applications (MHAs) represent an interesting issue to assist and improve the quality of life of patients affected by Kidney Stone Disease (KSD). Despite this, their scientific quality and adherence to guidelines are not yet addressed.Material and methods: On 2 November 2022, we conducted an observational cross-sectional descriptive study of all MHAs on KSD. A search in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store was performed. We reviewed all mobile apps from Apple App Store and Google Play Store for KSD and evaluated their usage in screening, prevention, management, and adherence to EAU guidelines.Results: In total 13 MHA were included in the final analysis. All MHAs, 4 (30.8%) from the Apple App Store and 9 (69.2%) from the Google Play Store are geared towards the patient. Engagement ranged from 1.73 to 4.06; Functionality ranged from 3.17 to 4.75; Aesthetics ranged from 1.9 to 4.12; Information ranged from 2.25 to 4.27, and Subjective quality ranged from 1.58 to 3.23. MHAs reported low and medium adherence to EAU guidelines.Conclusions: MHAs provide a very useful assistance in several medical fields, including KSD. Despite MHAs development is constantly increasing, the scientific validation, content, and quality are not yet solved. Future research is necessary to improve the quality of the apps and promote new user designed, and high-quality apps

Premature ejaculation in the era of mobile health application: A current analysis and evaluation of adherence to EAU guidelines

Introduction: Several mobile health applications (MHAs) have been developed to assist and improve the quality of life of patients affected by premature ejaculation, but the scientific quality and adherence to guidelines are not yet addressed. Materials and methods: On 25 May 2022, we conducted a search in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. We reviewed all mobile apps from Apple App Store and Google Play Store for premature ejaculation and evaluated their usage in screening, prevention, management, and adherence to EAU guidelines. Results: In total 9 MHA were reviewed. All MHAs are geared towards the patient and provide information about diagnoses and treatment of PE. The mean score were 2.87, 3.69, 2.77, 2.55, 2.86 for Engagement, Functionality, Aesthetics, Information, and Subjective quality respectively. MHAs reported low and medium adherence to EAU guidelines. Conclusions: MHAs provide different services in many medical fields, including male sexual dysfunction. Their development is constantly increasing, but the problems of scientific validation, content, and quality are not yet solved. Much future research is necessary to improve the quality of the apps and promote new user designed, and high-quality apps

Reorientation of single-wall carbon nanotubes in negative anisotropy liquid crystals by an electric field

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) are anisotropic nanoparticles that can cause modifications in the electrical and electro-optical properties of liquid crystals. The control of the SWCNT concentration, distribution and reorientation in such self-organized fluids allows for the possibility of tuning the liquid crystal properties. The alignment and reorientation of CNTs are studied in a system where the liquid crystal orientation effect has been isolated. Complementary studies including Raman spectroscopy, microscopic inspection and impedance studies were carried out. The results reveal an ordered reorientation of the CNTs induced by an electric field, which does not alter the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules. Moreover, impedance spectroscopy suggests a nonnegligible anchoring force between the CNTs and the liquid crystal molecules

Male infertility, what Mobile Health Applications "know": quality analysis and adherence to European Association of Urology Guidelines

Introduction: Male infertility (MI) is one of the most important worrying topics for the fertile age population. Nowadays, several mobile health applications (MHAs) have been developed to help and assist patients suffering from male infertility (MI), but their quality and adherence to the guidelines is not solved issue yet. Materials and methods: On 2nd July 2022, an observational cross-sectional descriptive study of all MHAs on male infertility was conducted: a search on both the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store was performed. Our group reviewed all MHAs, evaluating the quality, using Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS), and the adherence to European Association of Urology guidelines, with a special tool created for this manuscript. Results: In the final analysis we included 10 MHAs: 20% (n = 2) from the iTunes App Store and 80% (n = 8) from the Google Play Store. Across the sample, 80% (n = 8) of the apps provided general information on MI, 60% (n = 6) focused on diagnosis and 50% (n = 5) focused on treatment options, respectively. According to MARS tool, the mean score was 2.18 (0.78), 3.78 (0.36), 3.0 (0.53), 3.19 (0.45), 2.18 (0.54) for Engagement, Functionality, Aesthetic, Information and Subjective quality, respectively. According to EAU Adherence Score, the highest score was reported by "Infertilità" with 12/15 points while the lowest score was reported by "Fertility Diet Guide", 0/15 points. Conclusions: Nowadays, MHAs present in the market are not a reliable source of information on MI. An ideal MHAs should be based on scientific evidence, user friendly, respecting privacy and security laws, making patients feel capable and confident to change personal behavior or attitudes

Male Sexual Dysfunction and Infertility in Spinal Cord Injury Patients: State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a relevant medical and social problem. According to the World Health Organization, the commonly estimated worldwide annual incidence of SCI is 40 to 80 cases per million population. After the SCI experience, most men present with sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction (ED) and ejaculatory dysfunction), fertility problems (such as impaired spermatogenesis, abnormalities in sperm viability, motility, and morphology), and systemic disorders such as genitourinary infection and endocrine imbalances. The best options available for managing the ejaculatory disorders in patients suffering from SCI are penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) and electroejaculation (EEJ). Furthermore, the treatment of ED in SCI patients consists of medical therapies including phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5i), intracavernosal injections (ICI), vacuum erection devices (VEDs), and surgical as penile prosthesis (PP). This review provides a snapshot of the current evidence for the mechanisms of sexual dysfunction and infertility in SCI patients, discusses the best management strategies for these conditions, and offers our perspective on the direction of future research