Preliminary results of a new tool to evaluate cavernous body fibrosis following radical prostatectomy: penile elastography.

Development of cavernous tissue fibrosis due to neurovascular bundle damage during radical prostatectomy has been shown in many trials with invasive methods. In this study, we evaluated the changes in cavernous tissue elasticity by elastography in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy with or without neurovascular bundle preservation. Data from 65 patients underwent open retropubic radical prostatectomy between April 2014 and December 2015 was collected prospectively. Patients were grouped with respect to nerve-sparing status (non-, unilateral, and bilateral nerve sparing). International Index of Erectile Function scores, penile lengths, and elasticity scores were recorded at preoperative and postoperative follow-up visits (at 3rd and 6th months). The primary endpoint of the study was to evaluate the changes of the elasticity scores in all groups. Elasticity scores were measured with real-time elastography by a single experienced radiologist. Mean age, baseline total testosterone level, IIEF-5 score, elasticity scores of the cavernous body, and penile length were comparable in all groups. At postoperative 3rd and 6th months, statistically significant higher (in favor for fibrosis) mean cavernous body elasticity scores (p = 0.0001), lower mean IIEF-5 scores (p = 0.0001), and shorter penile lengths (p < 0.05) were observed in non-nerve-sparing group compared to other groups while there were no statistically significant differences between unilateral and bilateral nerve-sparing groups. Very strong negative correlation was detected between IIEF-5 and elasticity scores (p = 0.0001). According to our results, preservation of the neurovascular bundle in at least one side mediates lower elasticity scores, better International Index of Erectile Function scores, and penile lengths. Preliminary results of the penile elastography studies are promising for prediction of erectile functions and cavernous tissue fibrosis.

Alkylcyanoacrylate nanocapsules prepared from mini-emulsions: a comparison with the conventional approach.

Polyalkylcyanoacrylate nanocapsules are being prepared using two different types of o/w-emulsions: a conventional emulsion generated by intensive stirring with a home-made device and a mini-emulsion produced by the action of ultrasonic dispersion, using the alkylcyanoacrylate monomer as a hydrophobic agent. The emulsions and the resulting nanocapsule dispersions are compared using various methods of physical characterization. The formation of solid capsules is indicated by solid state NMR spectra and atomic force microscopy. Differences between the results of both synthetic approaches are found in terms of particle size distribution, zeta potential and tendency towards particle agglomeration. Capsules prepared by ultrasound via the mini-emulsion pathway tend to be smaller and more monodisperse. Their zeta potential is negative with larger absolute values as compared to capsules obtained from conventional emulsions, leading to stronger repulsive interactions and a higher stability against capsule agglomeration.