Wengang Hu

Preclinical evaluation of a newly designed ureteral stent and magnetic retrieval catheter for minimally invasive stent removal.

OBJECTIVE To develop a simple minimally invasive method for ureteral stent removal that does not require cystoscopy or fluoroscopic guidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS We developed a novel ureteral stent comprising the main body of a stent and an iron oxide-coated net that was woven of processed polyester sutures. The ureteral stent was retrieved by a magnetic retrieval catheter with small hooks on the neck surface. Detailed analysis of the necessary mechanical and magnetic properties was performed, and we conducted retrieval tests of the ureteral stent from a specially designed urinary system model. RESULTS The breaking strength and Young modulus of the processed polyester sutures were 10.12 ± 0.30 N and 9143 ± 7 N/tex, respectively. Thermogravimetric tests showed that the iron (III) oxide powders on the processed sutures accounted for 23% of the total weight. The magnetization value of the magnetic retrieval catheter was 578 emu/g. The dissolution times of polyvinyl alcohol wrapped the net in saline or urine were 24.2 ± 2.0 and 23.6 ± 3.1 hours, respectively. All stents in both the experimental and the control groups were successfully removed from the specially designed urinary model. However, the retrieval time in the experimental group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (38.6 ± 12.6 vs 59 ± 15.7 seconds; P <.05). CONCLUSION Ureteral stent removal using a magnetic retrieval catheter with small capture devices is considered feasible. This technique is easy to learn and should be considered as suitable for use on an outpatient basis.

Uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 2B15 D85Y gene polymorphism is associated with lower prostate cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

UGT2B15 (uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 2B15) catalyzes the conversion of lipophilic C19 steroid androgens such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) into water-soluble metabolites that can be excreted. Studies of the association between the UGT2B15 gene D85Y polymorphism and prostate cancer have yielded contradictory results. We therefore systematically searched in the PubMed, EMBASE, Science Direct/Elsevier, CNKI, and Cochrane Library databases, and identified six relevant studies with which to perform a meta-analysis of the relation between UGT2B15 D85Y polymorphism and prostate cancer risk. Our meta-analysis revealed a significant association between UGT2B15 D85Y gene polymorphism and prostate cancer in all genetic models (P<0.05). The combined odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were as follows: additive model, 0.53 and 0.32-0.88; dominant model, 0.51 and 0.33-0.79; recessive model, 0.76 and 0.60-0.96; co-dominant model, 0.55 and 0.35-0.86; and allele model, 0.70 and 0.55-0.89. These results are consistent with the idea that the UGT2B15 D85Y enzyme variant reduces the risk of prostate cancer by efficiently metabolizing dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is associated with prostate cancer progression.UGT2B15 (uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 2B15) catalyzes the conversion of lipophilic C19 steroid androgens such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) into water-soluble metabolites that can be excreted. Studies of the association between the UGT2B15 gene D85Y polymorphism and prostate cancer have yielded contradictory results. We therefore systematically searched in the PubMed, EMBASE, Science Direct/Elsevier, CNKI, and Cochrane Library databases, and identified six relevant studies with which to perform a meta-analysis of the relation between UGT2B15 D85Y polymorphism and prostate cancer risk. Our meta-analysis revealed a significant association between UGT2B15 D85Y gene polymorphism and prostate cancer in all genetic models (P<0.05). The combined odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were as follows: additive model, 0.53 and 0.32-0.88; dominant model, 0.51 and 0.33-0.79; recessive model, 0.76 and 0.60-0.96; co-dominant model, 0.55 and 0.35-0.86; and allele model, 0.70 and 0.55-0.89. These results are consistent with the idea that the UGT2B15 D85Y enzyme variant reduces the risk of prostate cancer by efficiently metabolizing dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is associated with prostate cancer progression.

Improving doctor-patient communication: content validity examination of a novel urinary system-simulating physical model

Effective doctor–patient communication is essential for establishing a successful doctor–patient relationship and implementing high-quality health care. In this study, a novel urinary system-simulating physical model was designed and fabricated, and its content validity for improving doctor–patient communication was examined by conducting a randomized controlled trial in which this system was compared with photographs. A total of 240 inpatients were randomly selected and assigned to six doctors for treatment. After primary diagnosis and treatment had been determined, these patients were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group. Patients in the experimental group participated in model-based doctor–patient communication, whereas control group patients received picture-based communication. Within 30 min after this communication, a Demographic Information Survey Scale and a Medical Interview Satisfaction Scale (MISS) were distributed to investigate patients’ demographic characteristics and their assessments of total satisfaction, distress relief, communication comfort, rapport, and compliance intent. The study results demonstrated that the individual groups were comparable with respect to demographic variables but that relative to patients in the picture-based communication group, patients in the model-based communication group had significantly higher total satisfaction scores and higher ratings for distress relief, communication comfort, rapport, and compliance intent. These results indicate that the physical model is more effective than the pictures at improving doctor–patient communication and patient outcomes. The application of the physical model in doctor–patient communication is helpful and valuable and therefore merits widespread clinical popularization.

Novel Transparent Urinary Tract Simulator Improves Teaching of Urological Operation Skills at a Single Institution

Objective: This randomized controlled study compared a novel transparent urinary tract simulator with the traditional opaque urinary tract simulator as an aid for efficiently teaching urological surgical procedures. Methods: Senior medical students were tested on their understanding of urological theory before and after lectures concerning urinary system disease. The students received operative training using the transparent urinary tract simulator (experimental group, n = 80) or the J3311 opaque plastic urinary tract simulator (control, n = 80), specifically in catheterization and retrograde double-J stent implantation. The operative training was followed by a skills test and student satisfaction survey. Results: The test scores for theory were similar between the two groups, before and after training. Students in the experimental group performed significantly better than those in the control group on the procedural skills test, and also had significantly better self-directed learning skills, analytical skills, and greater motivation to learn. Conclusion: During the initial step of training, the novel transparent urinary tract simulator significantly improved the efficiency of teaching urological procedural skills compared with the traditional opaque device.