The association between methylmalonic acid, a biomarker of mitochondrial dysfunction, and risk of prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the association between methylmalonic acid (MMA), a biomarker of mitochondrial dysfunction, and the risk of prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS AND MATERIALS: The relevant data were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Weighted univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between MMA and risk of PCa. A stratified analysis was also carried out. The dose-response relationship was elucidated by conducting a restricted cubic spline function. RESULTS: A total of 2451 participants were included, of which 95 were PCa participants. The fully-adjusted model 2 constructed by weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of PCa decreased by 53% when every MMA unit was added [OR: 0.47 (0.22-1.00), P = 0.049]. And a decrease in PCa risk was associated with a higher MMA level in MMA subgroups [OR: 0.34 (0.15-0.82), P = 0.02]. The results from a stratified analysis showed that participants in subgroups of other race, BMI (> 30 kg/m2), smoking (former and now), and hypertension (yes), an increase in every MMA unit was linked to a decrease in PCa risk. MMA and the risk of PCa were negatively correlated in a linear manner. CONCLUSION: It was discovered in the study that an increase in MMA level is connected to a decrease in PCa risk. The serum MMA level may be helpful in assessing PCa risk.

Generative Adversarial Network Technologies and Applications in Computer Vision.

Computer vision is one of the hottest research fields in deep learning. The emergence of generative adversarial networks (GANs) provides a new method and model for computer vision. The idea of GANs using the game training method is superior to traditional machine learning algorithms in terms of feature learning and image generation. GANs are widely used not only in image generation and style transfer but also in the text, voice, video processing, and other fields. However, there are still some problems with GANs, such as model collapse and uncontrollable training. This paper deeply reviews the theoretical basis of GANs and surveys some recently developed GAN models, in comparison with traditional GAN models. The applications of GANs in computer vision include data enhancement, domain transfer, high-quality sample generation, and image restoration. The latest research progress of GANs in artificial intelligence (AI) based security attack and defense is introduced. The future development of GANs in computer vision is also discussed at the end of the paper with possible applications of AI in computer vision.

Comparative Efficacy on Flexible Ureteroscopy Lithotripsy and Miniaturized Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy for the Treatment of Medium-Sized Lower-Pole Renal Calculi.

Objective: To demonstrate the safety and efficacy of flexible ureteroscopy lithotripsy (FURL) and miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) through the comparative studies in treating medium-sized lower-pole renal calculi. Methods: Two hundred and twenty eligible patients with lower-pole renal calculi (1-2 cm) were enrolled and further randomly assigned into FURL group and MPCNL group. Patients' demographics, preoperative characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative complications, stone-free rate, and comfort and pain indicated by Bruggrmann Comfort Scale (BCS) and visual analog scale (VAS) were evaluated and recorded. Trauma index such as white blood cells, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin (IL)-6 were also detected. Results: The stone-free rate and the operating time were comparable in FURL and MPCNL groups. Intraoperative and postoperative complication analysis showed that blood loss and hospital stay were significantly lower in the FURL group compared with MPCNL group. No significant difference in minor pelvic perforation, false passage, hemoglobin drop, persistent hematuria, ureteral perforation, moderate fever, urosepsis, and postoperative serum creatinine level was observed. However, as to comfort and pain indicated by BCS and VAS and stress indicated by CRP and IL-6, FURL was superior to MPCNL. Conclusion: FURL could be a better alternative surgical method to MPCNL with similar curative effect and less blood loss and hospital stay.

Surgical techniques for facilitating laparoscopic intracorporeal orthotopic neobladder: initial experience

ABSTRACT Purpose: To describe our technique and outcomes for laparoscopic intracorporeal ileal neobladder (ICNB) reconstruction. Materials and Methods: From April 2014 to November 2016, 21 patients underwent laparoscopic ICNB at our tertiary referral centre. ICNB with bilateral isoperistaltic afferent limbs and several technique improvements were introduced. Demographics, clinical, and pathological data were collected. Perioperative, 1-year oncologic, 1-year Quality of life and 1-year functional outcomes were reported. Results: ICNB was successfully performed in all 21 patients without open conversion and transfusion. Mean operative time was 345.6±66.9 min, including 106±22 min for LRC and PLND and 204±46.4 min for ICNB, respectively. Mean established blood loss was 192±146 mL. The overall incidence of 90-d complication was 33.3%, while major complication occurred in 4.8%. One-year daytime and night-time continence rates were 85.7% and 57.1%, respectively. One patient died from myocardial infarction six months postoperatively, and two patients had lung metastasis five months and six months respectively. Conclusions: We described our experience of 3D LRC with a novel intracorporeal orthotopic ileal neobladder, and the technique improvements facilitate the procedure. However, further studies are required to evaluate long-term outcomes of the intracorporeal neobladder with bilateral isoperistaltic afferent limbs.

Surgical techniques for facilitating laparoscopic intracorporeal orthotopic neobladder: initial experience.

PURPOSE: To describe our technique and outcomes for laparoscopic intracorporeal ileal neobladder (ICNB) reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 2014 to November 2016, 21 patients underwent laparoscopic ICNB at our tertiary referral centre. ICNB with bilateral isoperistaltic afferent limbs and several technique improvements were introduced. Demographics, clinical, and pathological data were collected. Perioperative, 1-year oncologic, 1-year Quality of life and 1-year functional outcomes were reported. RESULTS: ICNB was successfully performed in all 21 patients without open conversion and transfusion. Mean operative time was 345.6±66.9 min, including 106±22 min for LRC and PLND and 204±46.4 min for ICNB, respectively. Mean established blood loss was 192±146 mL. The overall incidence of 90-d complication was 33.3%, while major complication occurred in 4.8%. One-year daytime and night-time continence rates were 85.7% and 57.1%, respectively. One patient died from myocardial infarction six months postoperatively, and two patients had lung metastasis five months and six months respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We described our experience of 3D LRC with a novel intracorporeal orthotopic ileal neobladder, and the technique improvements facilitate the procedure. However, further studies are required to evaluate long-term outcomes of the intracorporeal neobladder with bilateral isoperistaltic afferent limbs.

The association between metabolic syndrome and the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index: results from 1673 men in China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) in a population-based sample of Chinese men. METHODS: From October 2010 to July 2011, 1896 men, aged between 20 and 50 years, residing in Shijingshan district of Beijing, China, were selected to participate in the Male Reproductive Health Program (a random cross-sectional survey). The Chinese version of the NIH-CPSI questionnaire was used to identify men with prostatitis-like symptoms. The presence of MetS was determined according to the 2005 National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for Asian Americans. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 1673 men. The major domains of NIH-CPSI scores were significantly different among different body mass index (BMI) groups (P <.05). No significant differences were identified in the incidence of prostatitis-like symptoms or each NIH-CPSI scores between patients with MetS and those without MetS. When the age and BMI were adjusted, there was no significant correlation between the components of MetS and each NIH-CPSI scores. CONCLUSION: There was no significant correlation between MetS or components of MetS and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Age and BMI were identified as a risk factor for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Further studies are necessary to confirm our results.