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OBJECTIVE: To examine how representative 24-hour data collection is of the overall patient experience utilizing a home uroflow device in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Home uroflow data were collected with the iO Urology CarePath device from men at a single urology clinic and retrospectively analyzed. Void characteristics were summarized for data collected over 24 hours compared to data collected over several days or weeks with the device (overall study excludes the 24-hour data). A linear mixed-effects model was used to evaluate differences in average Qmax from voids collected during a single 24-hour period compared to the overall study. RESULTS: A total of 486 men (mean age 67.4) used the device resulting in 465 included in the analysis with a total of 15,521 voids in the overall study and 4347 voids in the single-day analysis. Average Qmax from the model was 11.2 mL/s (95% CI: 10.80, 11.65) and 11.2 mL/s (95% CI: 10.81, 11.64) in the 24-hour and overall study groups, respectively. Both groups had similar between (20.3% vs 20.4%) and within-subject (12.0% vs 11.9%) variance. The difference in Qmax was not significantly different (P = .970). A subgroup analysis including voids >150 mL yielded similar results. CONCLUSION: Data show variability in voiding parameters, but similar average Qmax collected in 24 hours as compared to several days/weeks. The combination of home uroflowmetry with frequency-volume chart information can provide objective data and a unique perspective on uroflow variability (UFV) for clinician review to support the development of individualized patient treatment plans.
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The development of bioconjugates is of pivotal importance in medicinal chemistry due to their potential applications as therapeutic agents to improve the targeting of specific diseases, decrease toxicity, or control drug release. In this work we achieved the synthesis and characterization of three novel opioid peptides fluorescently labeled, analogues of cyclic biphalin derivatives, namely 1D, 1C, and 2C. Among them, compound 1D, containing a dansyl-maleimide motif, exhibited an excellent binding affinity and functional potency for the δ-opioid receptor (DOR). 1D also demonstrated a strong fluorescence emission spectrum ranging from 300 to 700 nm. These features could be highly desirable for medical and biological applications needed for targeting the DOR, including in vivo imaging, and as a lead for the design of fluorescent probes.
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OBJECTIVES: This study aims to review some of the basic principles of extracellular electrical stimulation used in spinal cord stimulation therapy for intractable pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spinal cord stimulation has been used therapeutically for more than 40 years. We present the basic principles of extracellular stimulation on which the therapy is based, describe electrode operation and current configurations, and explain the implications of these technological advances for the clinical application of spinal cord stimulation. RESULTS: Computational studies of coupled electric field and neuron models have significantly advanced our understanding of the therapeutic effects of neurostimulation. Neurostimulation is intended to obtain maximal selectivity of desired neural elements while avoiding those resulting in side-effects. Preferential stimulation of the dorsal columns is achieved with a narrow spacing between electrodes using bipolar or tripolar electrode configurations. Stimulus parameters such as amplitude and pulse width may be used to selectively control which neuronal elements are excited during stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: A better understanding of the interaction between electric fields and the targeted neural elements may guide the selection of stimulation parameters in contemporary neurostimulators and lead to continuing advances in engineering solutions for therapeutic spinal cord stimulation.
