Intraoperative cone beam computed tomography for detecting residual stones in percutaneous nephrolithotomy:a feasibility study

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides multiplanar cross-sectional imaging and three-dimensional reconstructions and can be used intraoperatively in a hybrid operating room. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using a CBCT-scanner for detecting residual stones during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Intraoperative CBCT-scans were made during PCNL procedures from November 2018 until March 2019 in a university hospital. At the point where the urologist would have otherwise ended the procedure, a CBCT-scan was made to image any residual fragments that could not be detected by either nephroscopy or conventional C-arm fluoroscopy. Residual fragments that were visualized on the CBCT-scan were attempted to be extracted additionally. To evaluate the effect of this additional extraction, each CBCT-scan was compared with a regular follow-up CT-scan that was made 4 weeks postoperatively. A total of 19 procedures were analyzed in this study. The mean duration of performing the CBCT-scan, including preparation and interpretation, was 8 min. Additional stone extraction, if applicable, had a mean duration of 11 min. The mean effective dose per CBCT-scan was 7.25 mSv. Additional extraction of residual fragments as imaged on the CBCT-scan occurred in nine procedures (47%). Of the follow-up CT-scans, 63% showed a stone-free status as compared to 47% of the intraoperative CBCT-scans. We conclude that the use of CBCT for the detection of residual stones in PCNL is meaningful, safe, and feasible

Do lower urinary tract symptoms predict cardiovascular diseases in older men?:A systematic review and meta-analysis

To study the incidence of CVD in men at risk, with and without LUTS. We searched all longitudinal studies describing the association between LUTS and CVD (mortality) in October 2013 and December 2014 using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library Central Register. PRISMA criteria were met. We included five studies with 6027 men with LUTS and 18,993 men without LUTS in the meta-analyses, with a follow-up period varying from 5 to 17 years. Studies totalled 2780 CVD events. No clear association between CVD and LUTS was demonstrated [pooled effect size: hazard ratio 1.09 (95 % CI 0.90-1.31); p = 0.40]. Two other studies reported the association between nocturia and (CVD) mortality. CVD-specific mortality risk was approximately two times higher for Japanese men with nocturia (357 men aged 70 years and over, 5-year follow-up). A univariable association between nocturia and all-cause mortality was found in Dutch men, but not in age-adjusted analyses (1114 men aged 50-78 years, 13-year follow-up). This meta-analysis conducted on longitudinal studies does not confirm LUTS to be a predictor of CVD in men without a history of CVD, despite the observed association between LUTS and CVD in cross-sectional studies

Seasonal changes in gene expression represent cell-type composition in whole blood

Seasonal patterns in behavior and biological parameters are widespread. Here, we examined seasonal changes in whole blood gene expression profiles of 233 healthy subjects. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis, we identified three co-expression modules showing circannual patterns. Enrichment analysis suggested that this signal stems primarily from red blood cells and blood platelets. Indeed, a large clinical database with 51 142 observations of blood cell counts over 3 years confirmed a corresponding seasonal pattern of counts of red blood cells, reticulocytes and platelets. We found no direct evidence that these changes are linked to genes known to be key players in regulating immune function or circadian rhythm. It is likely, however, that these seasonal changes in cell counts and gene expression profiles in whole blood represent biological and clinical relevant phenomena. Moreover, our findings highlight possible confounding factors relevant to the study of gene expression profiles in subjects collected at geographical locations with disparaging seasonality patterns