The effect of temporary prostatic stent on sexual function

This study was conducted to explore the effects of the bell-shaped Horizon prostatic stent on sexual function in the treatment of patients with LUTS/BPH

Exploring Health Science Students’ Notions on Organ Donation and Transplantation: A Multicenter Study

The knowledge acquired during university education about organ donation and transplantation (ODT) decisively influences the information future health professionals transmit. This is important in ODT where the participation of the general public is essential to obtain organs. Objective: To determine notions of Spanish medicine and nursing students on ODT and its relationship with attitude toward ODT. Methods and Design: and design. We conducted a sociologic, multicenter, and observational study. The population for our study consisted of medical and nursing students in Spanish universities. Our database was the Collaborative International Donor Project, stratified by geographic area and academic course. A validated questionnaire (PCID-DTO-RIOS) was self-administered and completed anonymously. Our sample consisted of 9598 medical and 10, 566 nursing students (99% confidence interval; precision of ±1%), stratified by geographic area and year of study. Results: The completion rate for our study was 90%. Only 20% (n=3640) of students thought their notions on ODT were good; 41% (n=7531) thought their notions were normal; 36% (n=6550) thought their notions were scarce. Comparing groups, there were differences between those who believed that their notions on ODT were good (44% nursing vs 56% medical students; P < .000), and those who believed it scarce (54% nursing vs 46% medical students; P < .000). Notions on ODT were related with attitude toward the donation of one''s own organs: those who considered their notions were good were more in favor then those who considered it scarce (88% vs 72%; P < .000). Conclusion: Only 20% of Spanish medical and nursing students thought their notions on ODT were good. Having good knowledge is related to a favorable attitude towards ODT. Receiving specific information on the subject could improve their knowledge about ODT during their training

National identity predicts public health support during a global pandemic

Changing collective behaviour and supporting non-pharmaceutical interventions is an important component in mitigating virus transmission during a pandemic. In a large international collaboration (Study 1, N = 49,968 across 67 countries), we investigated self-reported factors associated with public health behaviours (e.g., spatial distancing and stricter hygiene) and endorsed public policy interventions (e.g., closing bars and restaurants) during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-May 2020). Respondents who reported identifying more strongly with their nation consistently reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies. Results were similar for representative and non-representative national samples. Study 2 (N = 42 countries) conceptually replicated the central finding using aggregate indices of national identity (obtained using the World Values Survey) and a measure of actual behaviour change during the pandemic (obtained from Google mobility reports). Higher levels of national identification prior to the pandemic predicted lower mobility during the early stage of the pandemic (r = −0.40). We discuss the potential implications of links between national identity, leadership, and public health for managing COVID-19 and future pandemics.publishedVersio

Advances in diagnosis and follow-up in kidney cancer

Although few changes are evident in the diagnostic imaging of kidney tumors, percutaneous core biopsy has gained attention and in the light of the current results might play an extended role in the preoperative workup of renal masses. New techniques should be investigated for monitoring after ablation therapies in order to reduce toxicity and costs

Follow-up of renal masses after cryosurgery using computed tompgraphy : enhancement patterns and cryolesion size

OBJECTIVES To describe the characteristics of cryolesions as seen on computed tomography (CT), for size and enhancement patterns, and to assess correlations between these imaging findings and histopathological diagnosis, as in renal cryosurgery the tumour is ablated in situ and the follow-up is mainly based on imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-seven patients with a suspicious renal mass of =4 cm had a laparoscopic cryoablation; biopsies were taken during surgery and after cryosurgery the follow-up was by CT at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months. One radiologist reviewed the CT images, measured the diameter of the cryolesions, and described enhancement patterns. RESULTS In 26 patients there were follow-up CT data for =6 months; the mean (range) tumour size was 2.4 (1.3–3.8) cm and the mean follow-up was 17.2 (6–36) months. One cryolesion showed residual tumour on the first scan after treatment. Of the other 25 cryolesions, 20% showed rim enhancement after treatment, including one also showing focal enhancement. This enhancement had disappeared within 6 months. All cryolesions showed non-enhancing infiltration of the perirenal fatty tissue. The mean diameter of the cryolesions decreased by 38% in 12 months. These results were independent of histopathological diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Using CT, there is rim enhancement in 20% of cryolesions in the first 6 months after renal cryoablation, with a mean reduction in the diameter of the cryolesions of 38% in the first year. These findings are independent of the histopathological diagnosis

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the follow-up of cryoablation of renal tumours : a feasibility study

OBJECTIVE To determine whether evaluating perfusion patterns with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography using contrast-pulse sequence imaging (CPS; a new imaging method that enables selective visualization of perfusion) is possible at different times after cryoablation of renal tumours, and to describe the characteristics of CPS in a small group of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS The efficacy of renal cryoablation is mainly judged using imaging. Seven randomly selected patients, each at a different time after laparoscopically assisted cryoablation of a renal tumour, were investigated with CPS and a microbubble-contrast agent. The perfusion characteristics in the lesions were scored by two investigators and described, and the lesions were measured. RESULTS In the seven patients treated with cryoablation for small renal tumours, eight CPS studies were performed. Five lesions showed no enhancement and one lesion, investigated 18 months after treatment was not recognized. In one patient, no enhancement was seen after 1 month but 7 months later, there were minimal contrast signals inside the treated area. The lesions could be measured with a mean standard deviation of 1.1 mm and a mean difference between the two investigators of 0.7 mm. CONCLUSION Our first experiences with CPS imaging for the follow-up of renal cryoablation show that this technique can be used to characterize perfusion defects at different times after cryoablation