bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methodological approach to spatial analysis of agricultural pest dispersal in olive landscapes
Authors: Moreno A. , Rescia A. J. , Pascual S. , Ortega M.
Published: May 2022

The effectiveness of a Geographical Information Systems cost-distance tool for detecting landscape permeability in relation to the movement of pests in olive landscapes was established. The simplification of agricultural systems is linked to an increased incidence of pests on crops. Therefore, it is important to understand the impact of different land uses surrounding olive groves on pests. In this work, we analysed the effect of the structure of the olive landscape on the movement of two main olive pests—the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and the olive moth, Prays oleae (Bernard) (Lepidopetera: Praydidae). We applied linear mixed effects models to analyse the relationship between pest abundance and cost-distance, using different hypotheses to evaluate those land uses that are favourable or unfavourable for the movement of these pests. The results show that this methodology is effective in detecting possible unfavourable land uses with a barrier effect, such as woodland and artificial land uses, and favourable land uses with a corridor effect such as olive groves. Whether other land uses, such as scrubland or riverbanks, act as a barrier or corridor depends on the pest and its life cycle stage. The effect that different land uses have in maintaining low levels of pest populations and ensuring the long-term sustainability of these agricultural systems are discussed. The implications of landscape permeability for the physical structure of the landscape and the dispersal of organisms, and the potential of that landscape to impact the continuous flow of natural processes are also addressed.
Five-dimensional gauge theories and the local B-model
Authors: Brini Andrea , Osuga Kento
Published: May 2022

We propose an effective framework for computing the prepotential of the topological B-model on a class of local Calabi–Yau geometries related to the circle compactification of five-dimensional $$\mathcal {N}=1$$

N
=
1

super Yang–Mills theory with simple gauge group. In the simply laced case, we construct Picard–Fuchs operators from the Dubrovin connection on the Frobenius manifolds associated with the extended affine Weyl groups of type $$\mathrm {ADE}$$
ADE
. In general, we propose a purely algebraic construction of Picard–Fuchs ideals from a canonical subring of the space of regular functions on the ramification locus of the Seiberg–Witten curve, encompassing non-simply laced cases as well. We offer several precision tests of our proposal for simply laced cases by comparing with the gauge theory prepotentials obtained from the K-theoretic blow-up equations, finding perfect agreement. Whenever there is more than one candidate Seiberg-Witten curve for non-simply laced gauge groups in the literature, we employ our framework to verify which one agrees with the K-theoretic blow-up equations.
Citizen Science in Deliberative Systems: Participation, Epistemic Injustice, and Civic Empowerment
Authors: Herzog Lisa , Lepenies Robert
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we bring together the literature on citizen science and on deliberative democracy and epistemic injustice. We argue that citizen science can be seen as one element of “deliberative systems,” as described by Mansbridge et al. But in order to fulfil its democratic potential, citizen science needs to be attentive to various forms of exclusion and epistemic injustice, as analyzed by Fricker, Medina and others. Moreover, to tap the potentials of citizen science from the perspective of deliberative democracy, it needs to move towards a more empowered approach, in which citizens do not only deliver data points, but also, in invited or uninvited settings, participate in discussions about the goals and implications of research. Integrating citizen science into the deliberative systems approach embeds it in a broader framework of democratic theory and suggests the transmission of certain practical strategies (e.g., randomized sampling). It can also contribute to realism about both the potentials and the limits of citizen science. As part of a deliberative system, citizen science cannot, and need not, be the only place in which reforms are necessary for creating stronger ties between science and society and for aligning science with democratic values.
Improving the efficiency counting of Cherenkov detector by using high transmittance photonic crystal materials
Authors: El-Shemy Shimaa , Eissa M. F. , Sayed Hassan , Alrakshy M. F. , Matar Z. S. , Aly Arafa H.
Published: May 2022

In this study, a new type of photonic crystal (PC) designed as a transmitter. The transmittance spectra of the one-dimensional (1D) photonic crystal which are consist of silicon dioxide/magnesium fluoride (SiO2/MgF2). We are simulated the results using different incident angles, and the results showed a high transmittance (99.5%) within the wavelength range of (200–700 nm). Simulations of two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystals were studied, as well as the transmittance values were investigated. As a transmitter, photonic crystals in a one-dimensional array of SiO2 and MgF2 with periodicities N = 5 were employed around the wall of the Cherenkov counter vial. The high transmittance of the SiO2/MgF2 PC allows Cherenkov light to pass without any losing in its initial incident intensity which improves the Cherenkov counting efficiency, which is utilized in a wide range of applications. By replacing the traditional polyethylene (generally used to fabricate the walls of the counter vial) with the high transmittance photonic crystal SiO2/MgF2 which is allow to the most of the emitted Cherenkov radiation to reach the photomultiplier tube without any losing in its way to the tube. Subsequently, the efficiency of the Cherenkov counter was improved. Comparing the counting efficiency for both the polyethylene and the SiO2/MgF2 photonic crystal, it was found that the counting efficiency will be increased by 15% in one-dimension and 9.5% in two-dimensions if the polyethylene walls of the vial were replaced by SiO2/MgF2.
The Dirichlet Problem for p-minimizers on Finely Open Sets in Metric Spaces
Authors: Björn Anders , Björn Jana , Latvala Visa
Published: May 2022

We initiate the study of finep-(super)minimizers, associated withp-harmonic functions, on finely open sets in metric spaces, where$1 < p < \infty $1<p<∞. After having developed their basic theory, we obtain thep-fine continuity of the solution of the Dirichlet problem on a finely open set with continuous Sobolev boundary values, as a by-product of similar pointwise results. These results are new also on unweightedRn. We build this theory in a complete metric space equipped with a doubling measure supporting ap-Poincaré inequality.
Remembering James Barber (1940–2020)
Authors: Nixon Peter J. , Telfer Alison
Published: May 2022

James Barber, known to colleagues and friends as Jim, passed away in January 2020 after a long battle against cancer. During his long and distinguished career in photosynthesis research, Jim made many outstanding contributions with the pinnacle achieving his dream of determining the first detailed structure of the Mn cluster involved in photosynthetic water oxidation. Here, colleagues and friends remember Jim and reflect upon his scientific career and the impact he had on their lives and the scientific community.
Improvement of Rainwater Harvesting Analysis Through an Hourly Timestep Model in Comparison with a Daily Timestep Model
Authors: Alam Imteaz Monzur , Boulomytis Vassiliki
Published: May 2022

For the analysis of rainwater tank outcomes, some researchers used monthly water balance model, which ignores an important factor such as overflow from the tank. Recently, to improve the accuracy of such analysis facilitated by the availability of daily rainfall data, many researchers started using daily timestep models. In the daily timestep models, the daily rainwater demand is deducted from the available storage, once in a day and there are debates on whether to apply that deduction at the beginning of the day or at the end of the day. Moreover, there is significant diurnal variation of water demand, which can not be accounted for in a daily timestep model. To overcome this, current study investigates an hourly timestep model considering hourly rainfall data and hourly variable rainwater demands. Hourly rainfall data was collected from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology for a raingauge station located in Melbourne. An earlier developed daily water balance model was converted to hourly scale incorporating hourly variable rainwater demands. Model simulated results for three distinct years (dry, average and wet) were compared with the results using a daily timestep model with the same data. Variations of water savings and overflow amounts are presented under four combinations of roof area and daily rainwater demand with tank sizes varying from 2500 L to 20,000 L. It is found that in all the selected years, the daily timestep model underestimated the annual water savings compared to the hourly timestep model and the highest difference was estimated to be 13,750 L for a smaller tank size connected with a bigger roof having higher rainwater demand.
SysML modeling of service-oriented system-of-systems
Authors: Delsing Jerker , Kulcsár Géza , Haugen Øystein
Published: May 2022

The success of the ongoing fourth industrial revolution largely depends on our ways to cope with the novel design challenges arising from a combination of an enormous increase in process and product complexity, as well as the expected autonomy and self-organization of complex and diverse industrial hardware–software installments, often called systems-of-systems. In this paper, we employ the service-oriented architectural paradigm, as materialized in the Eclipse Arrowhead framework, to represent modern systems engineering principles and their open structural principles and, thus, relevance to flexible and adaptive systems. As for adequately capturing the structural aspect, we propose using model-based engineering techniques and, in particular, a SysML-based specialization of systems modeling. The approach is illustrated by a real-life use-case in industrial automation.
Basin-scale spatiotemporal distribution of ayu Plecoglossus altivelis and its relationship with water temperature from summer growth to autumn spawning periods
Authors: Nagayama Shigeya , Sueyoshi Masanao , Fujii Ryoji , Harada Morihiro
Published: May 2022

As climate warming progresses, it becomes necessary to study the effects of water temperature on the basin-scale dynamic distribution of riverine fish. This study examined the spatiotemporal distribution of Plecoglossus altivelis using the environmental DNA approach and its relationship with water temperature from summer growth to autumn spawning periods in the Nagara River basin, central Japan. The overall results of the spatiotemporal distribution of P. altivelis were consistent with the known life history: a wide-range distribution in the basin during summer and aggregation in the middle mainstem during autumn. Additionally, this study found three intriguing distribution patterns depending on water temperature. During summer (August), the warmest period, P. altivelis was distributed in the upper mainstem, one tributary, and the mainstem downstream of the tributary confluences in relation to the relatively colder water (< 25 °C). During early autumn (September–early October), it spread widely in the middle and upper mainstem without the constraint of the upper limit of water temperature. During late autumn (late October–November), it steadily aggregated to the middle mainstem because of downstream migration for spawning at water temperatures below 20 °C. This study suggests the importance of river connectivity for P. altivelis migration to suitable habitats during its freshwater life stages, upper mainstem and tributaries as summer growth habitats, and cooling effects of tributaries on the mainstem during mid-summer.
Agent models of customer journeys on retail high streets
Authors: Torrens Paul M.
Published: May 2022

In this review paper, we aim to make the case that a concept from retail analytics and marketing—the customer journey—can provide promising new frameworks and support for agent-based modeling, with a broad range of potential applications to high-resolution and high-fidelity simulation of dynamic phenomena on urban high streets. Although not the central focus of the review, we consider agent-based modeling of retail high streets against a backdrop of broader debate about downtown vitality and revitalization, amid a climate of economic challenges for brick-and-mortar retail. In particular, we consider how agent-based modeling, supported by insights from consideration of indoor shopping, can provide planning and decision support in outdoor high street settings. Our review considers abstractions of customers through conceptual modeling and customer typology, as well as abstractions of retailing as stationary and mobile. We examine high-level agency of shop choice and selection, as well as low-level agency centered on perception and cognition. Customer journeys are most often trips through geography; we therefore review path-planning, generation of foot traffic, wayfinding, steering, and locomotion. On busy high streets, journeys also manifest within crowd motifs; we thus review proximity, group dynamics, and sociality. Many customer journeys along retail high streets are dynamic, and customers will shift their journeys as they come into contact with experiences and service offerings. To address this, we specifically consider treatment of time and timing in agent-based models. We also examine sites for customer journeys, looking in particular at how agent-based models can provide support for the analysis of atmospherics, artifacts, and location-based services. Finally, we examine staff-side agency, considering store staff as potential agents outdoors; and we look at work to build agent-based models of fraud from customer journey analysis.
Zum Streit verurteilt?
Authors: Weber Sascha
Published: May 2022

Der Beitrag versucht mit Hilfe einer organisationstheoretischen Perspektive auf Soziale Arbeit und Justiz die bislang wenig beachtete Auslöser für die notorischen Probleme bei der Zusammenarbeit zu identifizieren. Dabei werden historische, rechtsstaatliche, politische und funktionssystematische Voraussetzungen und Grenzen einer effektiveren Kooperation mit ihren jeweiligen Präventions- bzw. Repressionsformen aus dem Blick eines system- und differenzierungstheoretischen Bezugsrahmens mit Hilfe des Governance-Ansatzes analysiert.
Lehren und Studieren in der Zukunft
Authors: Domann Sophie , Oelker Birgit
Published: May 2022

Der Beitrag veranschaulicht Ansätze einer informellen Lehrenden-Community aus den Bereichen Sozial- und Organisationspädagogik, die zu Beginn der Corona-Pandemie entstand, um mit adäquaten Szenarien der Studien- und Lehr‑/Lernorganisation seit 2020, also eines nunmehr weitgehend digitalisierten Studienangebots zu entsprechen.
Multiple myeloma with high-risk cytogenetics and its treatment approach
Authors: Hanamura Ichiro
Published: May 2022

Despite substantial advances in anti-myeloma treatments, early recurrence and death remain an issue in certain subpopulations. Cytogenetic abnormalities (CAs) are the most widely accepted predictors for poor prognosis in multiple myeloma (MM), such as t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), gain/amp(1q21), del(1p), and del(17p). Co-existing high-risk CAs (HRCAs) tend to be associated with an even worse prognosis. Achievement of sustained minimal residual disease (MRD)-negativity has recently emerged as a surrogate for longer survival, regardless of cytogenetic risk. Information from newer clinical trials suggests that extended intensified treatment can help achieve MRD-negativity in patients with HRCAs, which may lead to improved outcomes. Therapy should be considered to include a 3- or 4-drug induction regimen (PI/IMiD/Dex or PI/IMiD/Dex/anti-CD38 antibody), auto-transplantation, and consolidation/maintenance with lenalidomide ± a PI. Results from ongoing clinical trials for enriched high-risk populations will reveal the precise efficacy of the investigated regimens. Genetic abnormalities of MM cells are intrinsic critical factors determining tumor characteristics, which reflect the natural course and drug sensitivity of the disease. This paper reviews the clinicopathological features of genomic abnormalities related to adverse prognosis, focusing on HRCAs that are the most relevant in clinical practice, and outline current optimal therapeutic approaches for newly diagnosed MM with HRCAs.
Association Between VACS Index and Health-Related Quality of Life in Persons with HIV: Moderating Role of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
Authors: Campbell Laura M. , Montoya Jessica L. , Fazeli Pariya L. , Marquine Maria J. , Ellis Ronald J. , Jeste Dilip V. , Moore David J. , Moore Raeanne C.
Published: May 2022

Background

The health status of people with HIV (PWH) influences their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Modifiable lifestyle factors may improve HRQOL. This study (1) explores the association between modifiable lifestyle factors (physical activity and nutrition) and HRQOL and (2) examines if these lifestyle factors moderate the association health status and HRQOL.

Methods

Participants included 91 community dwelling PWH (age 36–65 years) from the university lab. Participants reported mental and physical HRQOL via the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36). Physical activity was examined via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and nutrition (i.e., fruit and vegetable consumption) was assessed with the By-Meal Screener. Health status was ascertained via the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) Index.

Results

Aim 1 analyses indicated that neither physical activity nor nutrition was related to mental HRQOL (p’s > .05). However, greater physical activity (β = .33, p < .01) and nutrition (β = .23, p = .03) were each independently related to better physical HRQOL and remained significant after accounting for co-occurring medical conditions. For aim 2, the interaction between health status and nutrition was statistically significant (β = .24, p = .02), such that the association between worse health status and worse physical HRQOL was weaker with better nutrition. There was not a statistically significant interaction between physical activity and health status on physical HRQOL (p > .05).

Conclusion

Physical HRQOL is related to self-reported physical activity and nutrition, with nutrition showing a moderating effect on the association between health status and physical HRQOL. Thus, future interventional studies designed to improve physical HRQOL should target both physical activity and nutrition.
URS: een kostbare aangelegenheid?
Authors: Hendriks Nora , Duijvesz Diederick , Bosmans Judith E. , Maas Daniël C. , Zweers Joep , Pelger Rob C. M. , Beerlage Harrie P. , Kamphuis Guido M. , van den Brink Luna , Schout Barbara M. A.
Published: May 2022

Samenvatting

De kosten van de gezondheidszorg stijgen. Bewustwording van daadwerkelijke kosten (in plaats van gemiddelde DBC-prijzen) is van groot belang om kosten te beteugelen. Hiertoe hebben wij voor 72 ureterorenoscopie (URS) procedures de gegevens over proceduretijd, materiaal, aanwezig personeel op OK, opname en follow-up prospectief geregistreerd. De totale kosten van een URS bedroegen gemiddeld € 2.819. De grootste kostenpost bestond uit chirurgische kosten (€ 2.075; 67,0%), gevolgd door opnamekosten (€ 514; 22,8%) en follow-upkosten (€ 230; 10,2%). Bij acht procedures bleek de steen gepasseerd ten tijde van de operatie en bleek de preoperatieve CT-scan ouder dan één maand. De kosten van deze procedures hadden voorkomen kunnen worden door een extra preoperatieve CT-scan te maken. Het verrichten van deze CT-scan zou een besparing kunnen opleveren van gemiddeld € 62 euro per procedure. De werkelijke kosten van een URS in dit cohort waren € 2.819, met als grootste kostenpost chirurgische kosten (€ 2.075). Het waarborgen van recente preoperatieve beeldvorming zou onnodige operaties en kosten kunnen besparen.
Correction to: The effect of various simultaneous sources of mechanical error in the estimators of correlation causing deflation in reliability: seeking the best options of correlation for deflation-corrected reliability
Authors: Metsämuuronen Jari
Published: May 2022

The article “The effect of various simultaneous sources of mechanical error in the estimators of correlation causing deflation in reliability: seeking the best options of correlation for deflation-corrected reliability”.
Computational intelligence based sustainable computing with classification model for big data visualization on map reduce environment
Authors: Xu Zheng
Published: May 2022

In recent years, the researchers have perceived the modifications or transformations motivated by the presence of big data on the definition, complexity, and future direction of the real world optimization problems. Big Data visualization is mainly based on the efficient computer system for ingesting actual data and producing graphical representation for understanding large quantity of data in a fraction of seconds. At the same time, clustering is an effective data mining tool used to analyze big data and computational intelligence (CI) techniques can be employed to solve big data classification process. In this aspect, this study develops a novel Computational Intelligence based Clustering with Classification Model for Big Data Visualization on Map Reduce Environment, named CICC-BDVMR technique. The proposed CICC-BDVMR technique intends to perform effective BDV using the clustering and data classification processes on the Map Reduce environment. For clustering process, a grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA) with kernelized fuzzy c-means (KFCM) technique is used to cluster the big data and the GOA is mainly utilized to determine the initial cluster centers of the KFCM technique. GOA is a recently proposed metaheuristic algorithm inspired by the swarming behaviour of grasshoppers. This algorithm has been shown to be efficient in tackling global unconstrained and constrained optimization problems. Based on the modified GOA, an effective kernel extreme learning machine model for financial stress prediction was created. Besides, big data classification process takes place using the Ridge Regression (RR) and the parameter optimization of the RR model is carried out via the Red Colobuses Monkey (RCM) algorithm. The design of GOA and RCM algorithms for parameter optimization processes for big data classification shows the novelty of the study. A wide ranging simulation analysis is carried out using benchmark big datasets and the comparative results reported the enhanced outcomes of the CICC-BDVMR technique over the recent state of art approaches. The broad comparison research illustrates the CICC-BDVMR approach’s promising performance against contemporary state-of-the-art techniques. As a result, the CICC-BDVMR technique has been demonstrated to be an effective technique for visualising and classifying large amounts of data.
085 Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Improves Erectile Function: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Poulios E , Mykoniatis I , Pyrgidis N , Zilotis F , Kapoteli V , Kotsiris D , Kalyvianakis D , Hatzichristou D
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Animal studies postulate that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections improve key elements of the pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to erectile dysfunction (ED).

Objectives

To conduct the first double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy and safety of PRP injections in patients with mild and moderate ED.

Methods

Sixty sexually active patients with mild and moderate ED were randomly assigned to two sessions, with a one-month difference, of 10 mL PRP (n=30) or placebo (n=30) intracavernosal injections. An FDA-approved separation system was used. Patients were evaluated at one, three and six months after completion of the treatment protocol. A per-protocol analysis was applied. All participants withheld any ED treatment during the trial. The primary outcome was the achievement of minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in the International Index of Erectile Function – Erectile Domain (IIEF-EF) from baseline to six months after final treatment. Erectile function at all time points, as well as safety of PRP injections, were also evaluated.

Results

At six months, a MCID was achieved by 20/29 (69%) patients in the PRP group compared to 7/26 (27%) in the placebo group. The risk difference between the two groups was 42% (95%CI: 18-66), p<0.001 and the baseline-adjusted mean between-group-difference in the IIEF-EF score was 3.9 points (95%CI: 1.8-5.9). Similarly, a statistically significant difference of both the number of participants attaining a MCID and the IIEF-EF score was also observed at the one- and three-month evaluation between the two groups. Accordingly, patients receiving PRP were more satisfied with the treatment. No adverse events were observed during the study period.

Conclusions

Intracavernosal PRP injection therapy used as outlined in this trial appears to be a safe and effective short-term treatment for the management of mild to moderate ED. Therefore, it may be a promising addition to the urologist's armamentarium for the management of ED. Still, further high-quality studies are warranted to corroborate our findings.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no.
088 Acetyl-L-Carnitine Improves Erectile Function in Bilateral Cavernous Nerve Injury Rats Via Promoting Cavernous Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Wang J , Song J , Song G , Hu P , Sun T , Liu K , Xu W , Liu J , Ruan Y
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR), an acetyl derivative of L-carnitine, has been proven to promote nerve repair and regeneration in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. Neurogenic erectile dysfunction (NED) caused by CN injury is a common complication after radical prostatectomy, which lacks efficient curative treatments.

Objective

Although attempts have been made to apply ALCAR to treatment of peripheral neuropathy, the effects of ALCAR on NED remain unknown. Therefore, we intend to explore the potential role of ALCAR in the treatment of NED.

Methods

A rat model of bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI) was established by crushing the CN 5 millimeters distal to the major pelvic ganglion (MPG). Twenty-four BCNI rats were randomly divided into BCNI group, BCNI+ALCAR-LD (50 mg/kg/day) group, and BCNI+ALCAR-HD (100 mg/kg/day) group, whereas the remaining eight age-matched rats were sham-operated as controls. Fourteen days after intraperitoneal injection of ALCAR, erectile function was evaluated by measuring intracavernosal pressure and mean arterial pressure. The penile tissues and CNs at the distal damage point were collected from each group of rats for subsequent histological and molecular biological analysis. Rat Schwann cell line S16 was used for CCK-8 and wound healing assay, and the expressions of SC markers Pmp22 and nerve growth factor (NGF) were verified by PCR.

Results

First, we found that the erectile function of rats in the BCNI model group was severely impaired, which was improved considerably in both BCNI+ALCAR-LD and BCNI+ALCAR-HD groups. Then, we observed that the penis was fibrotic after denervation in the BCNI group, which was manifested as decreased smooth muscle content and increased collagen content in the corpus cavernosum, and high expression of fibrosis indicators including TGF-beta, CTGF, and Smad 2/3. The above changes were alleviated after the administration of low and high-dose ALCAR. Meanwhile, our results also showed that after ALCAR treatment, the NO/cGMP pathway was promoted and the RhoA/ROCK pathway was inhibited in the corpus cavernosum of BCNI rats. Further, rats treated with ALCAR had high expression of ATF3 and S100 in the distal nerve tissues of the CN extrusion site, indicating the repairing effect of ALCAR on the CN. In vitro experiments showed that ALCAR promoted the proliferation and migration of SC, and increased the expression of Pmp22 and NGF.

Conclusions

ALCAR could boost CN repair and regeneration, thereby suppressing penile fibrosis and improving penile erection. ALCAR could inhibit penile fibrosis and improve penile erection by promoting proliferation and migration of SC and secretion of NGF to promote nerve repair and regeneration. Our study provides new insight into the therapeutic effect of ALCAR and preclinical evidence for a potential treatment strategy for NED.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no.
103 To Drain or Not to Drain an Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Implantation? A Multi-Institutional Experience Tracking Scrotal Hematoma and Infection Occurrence
Authors: Osmonov D , Ragheb A , Romero-Otero JR , Bettocchi CB , van Renterghem K , Jünemann K , Wilson S
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Although the placement of a drain after inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) implantation has become a current recommendation by many surgeons, some institutions still disagree believing drainage to be a potential source of infection.

Objectives

We hereby present our data to defy this belief and to add to the body of evidence supporting postoperative (PO) drainage. Furthermore, we attempt to define the optimal duration for drainage.

Methods

Our subjects underwent IPP implantation by three European high volume surgeons. All implantations were performed via the penoscrotal access using the Coloplast Titan Touch device. Only patients without a previous penile implantation were included. We divided our patients into 3 groups: Group 1: no-drain (n=60), Group 2: 24-hour drain (n=60) and Group 3: 72-hour drain (n=60). All patients received similar perioperative antibiotics accordingly to clinical guidelines. Surgical outcomes such as presence or absence of PO scrotal hematoma and infection were evaluated and compared between the 3 groups. We defined hematoma as a scrotal swelling correlated with evidence of scrotal free floating fluid on ultrasound examination. The ultrasound was done after 24 hours and on the 3rd and 10th PO days. Overall PO follow up was for 80 days.

Results

There were no significant differences in age, BMI, operative time, medical comorbidities among our study groups. The patients from Group 3 developed significantly less hematoma compared to Groups 1 and 2. The exact distribution of hematoma incidence was greatest in Group 1: n=12 (20%, p=0.005) followed by Group 2: n=8 (13.3%, p=0.05) and least in Group 3: n=1 (1.7%, p=0.002). Four patients in the no-drain group (6.7% p=0.005) developed IPP associated infection requiring device removal. All four had a hematoma prior to the infection. Groups 2 and 3 were infection-free.

Conclusion

Prolonged drainage up to 72 hours after virgin IPP implantation significantly reduces hematoma rates without the increased risk of drain-associated infections. Moreover, we believe that the development of a scrotal hematoma, by itself, may be a potential cause for surgical site infection.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no. A consultant, employee (part time or full time) or shareholder is among the authors (Coloplast).
110 Global Trends in Prevalence, Treatments, and Costs of Penile Prosthesis for Erectile Dysfunction in Men
Authors: Kohn T , Nguyen HMT , Rajanahally S , Hellstrom W , Hsieh T , Raheem O
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Penile prosthesis is a durable and effective treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). Even as other treatment options for ED have been brought to market, penile prosthetic surgery remains a mainstay for urologists treating ED. No systematic study has yet summarized the global trends in penile prosthetic surgery.

Objective

To systematically review studies of trends in penile prosthetic surgery to determine global movements in implantation rates, malleable vs inflatable prosthetic surgery, inpatient vs outpatient implantation surgery, the proportion of men with ED undergoing penile prosthetic surgery, and prosthetic cost.

Methods

A systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov was performed for studies assessing trends in penile prosthetic surgeries and costs associated with penile prosthetic device and inclusive surgical costs.

Results

Twenty-seven studies were identified during the systematic review, comprising 447,204 penile prosthetic surgeries reported from 1988 to 2019. Trend analysis demonstrates that rates of penile prosthetic surgery dramatically declined in the late 1980s and early1990s but has demonstrated modest growth since the mid-2000s. Outpatient inflatable penile prosthetic surgery has strongly trended upward. Penile prostheses device costs have matched the rate of inflation, but inclusive surgical cost has radically outpaced inflation. Growth has mainly been seen in the United States, with a more modest global growth.

Conclusion

Penile prosthesis remains a viable option for the treatment of ED. Trends such as outpatient surgery and inflatable penile prosthesis placement may be driving the recent steady growth of penile prosthetic surgeries but surging inclusive surgical cost may present a barrier for some patients without insurance coverage.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no.
116 Anti-Inflammatory Mechanism of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1 Inhibition for Autoimmune Induced Chronic Prostatitis
Authors: Ohira S , Tone S , Nakatsuka T , Morinaka H , Takasaki H , Hirata K , Shimizu S , Nagai A
Published: May 2022

Introduction and Objectives

Evidence-based treatment for chronic prostatitis (CP) has not been established so far. Innovative therapy for CP is needed to establish evidence-based therapy. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase1 (IDO1) catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step of tryptophan catabolism through the kynurenine pathway. IDO1 expression in prostate is higher than that of other organs. IDO1 is induced in various tissues during inflammatory disease. Furthermore, protective effect of IDO1 inhibition for inflammation was indicated in some reports. We hypothesize that IDO1 plays a central role for immunological reaction in CP. We investigated the relevance between IDO1 inhibition and CP using autoimmune induced CP model mice. This study was approved by the safety committee for DNA experiments and the animal research committee of our facility (Approval No.18-07 and 20-89).

Materials and Methods

Ten to twelve weeks old, IDO1 knock out (IDO1 KO) mice were used through the research. Same conditional wild type (WT) mice were set as control. Prostate gland extracted from Wister rat were used as prostate antigen (Pag) for mice. PAg 100µg / 100µl were injected into mice subcutaneously. After creating autoimmune induced CP model mice, inflammatory change in the prostate was investigated using histological, biochemical and immunohistochemical analysis.

Results

Histological analysis showed suppressive effect of inflammatory cells infiltration and interstitial fibrosis were observed in IDO1 KO CP model mice compared with that of WT CP model mice. Proteomic analysis showed decreased effect of lymphocyte and monocyte related cytokines (CCL2, CCL3) and fibrosis related cytokine (TIMP-1) in IDO1 KO CP model mice compared with that of WT CP model mice. Same results were obtained from immunohistochemical analysis using immunofluorescent stain.

Conclusions

IDO1 is involved in chronic inflammation via cytokines/chemokines in the prostate. IDO1 inhibition contribute to suppressive effect of chronic inflammation and fibrosis in the prostate. Therefore, IDO1 inhibition might be a novel target therapy for chronic prostatitis.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no.
122 Defining Factors Predictive of Persistent Climacturia after Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Martinez J Flores , Benfante N , Schofield E , Mulhall JP
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Climacturia (Cl) is defined as the involuntary leakage of urine around the time of orgasm. Cl is a common clinical condition after radical prostatectomy (RP). Cl is a barrier to sexual satisfaction. Rates as high as 60% have been reported with little data on the chronology of recovery.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the natural history of CI after RP.

Methods

Men who underwent RP and completed a proprietary sexual incontinence questionnaire at 12 and 24 months (±3 months) constituted the study sample. Pre or postop ADT or radiation therapy were exclusions. We assessed demographics, comorbidities, baseline testosterone (T), pre-RP prostate specific antigen (PSA), Gleason group, nerve sparing status (NSS), and the presence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) post-RP. Primary end-point was Cl rate at 12 and 24 months post-RP. Predictors of Cl were analyzed using a series of logistic regression models. Factors entered into the model included age, diabetes, smoking history, baseline T, baseline PSA, Gleason score sum, and NSS score.

Results

Data on 152 men were analyzed. Mean age 61±8 years. 45% had hypertension, 60% hyperlipidemia, 10% had diabetes, 18% obstructive sleep apnea, 8% were current smoker, and 27% former smokers. Baseline T and PSA were 421±176 ng/dL and 7±6 ng/mL. The median Gleason score was 7, 82% of patients had bilateral NSS, 13% unilateral. Median NSS score was 3 (IQR 2, 4). Cl prevalence at 12 and 24 months post-surgery were 38% and 39%. No patient characteristics were associated with CI at either 12 or 24 months post-RP.

Conclusion

Cl is highly prevalent at 12 months post RP and when present at this juncture appears to be unlikely to recover.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no.
125 Characteristics of Testicular Atrophy During Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
Authors: Suetomi T , Ichioka D , Iimura T , Kojo K , Ikeda A , Kimura T , Kawahara T , Hoshi A , Kandori S , Negoro H , Nishiyama H
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a common treatment for late-onset hypogonadism. In addition to adverse events such as polycythemia, it is reported that TRT may cause testicular atrophy due to decreased gonadotropin; however, there are no reported studies that have actually observed the degree of atrophy. We investigated changes in testicular size in patients undergoing TRT and examined the characteristics of testicular atrophy.

Subjects and Methods

Testicular size was measured before treatment and at 3 months, 6 months, and every 6 months after treatment up to 24 months in 121 patients undergoing TRT for more than 3 months. The size of each testicle was measured using a punched-out elliptical ring orchidometer, and the average testicular volume was calculated. Patients showing testicular atrophy at 3 months after the start of TRT were classified as the atrophy group, and cases with no change were classified as the unchanged group.

Results

The age of the subjects ranged from 38 to 81 (mean 53.7 years). Overall, testicular volume decreased over time, from a mean of 16.5 ml before treatment to 13.7 ml at 24 months, with atrophy becoming significant from 6 months. In the atrophy group (60 cases), the atrophic tendency persisted after 6 months, whereas in the unchanged group, no atrophic tendency was seen after 24 months. The background factors of the two groups were compared. Among age, baseline testicular volume, testosterone, and method of TRT administration (injection or ointment), the items that showed significant differences between the two groups were baseline testicular volume and method of administration. Testicular atrophy was more likely to occur in patients with larger baseline testicular size or those treated with injectable formulations.

Conclusion

For patients with large testicular volume or anxiety about testicular atrophy, it may be better to recommend TRT in ointment form rather than injectable formulations.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no.
167 Clinical Analysis on the Pharmaceutical Formulation of VIAGRA OD Film
Authors: Shimoyama H. , Sasaki H. , Ogushi Y. , Niikura A. , Ota T. , Ichimura Y. , Hshimoto Y. , Kurokawa I. , Sugishita H. , Tanifuji S. , Yamagishi M. , Imamura Y. , Ota M. , Ishikawa K. , Hayashi K.
Published: May 2022

VIAGRA was first placed on the Japanese market in 1999. Since then, PDE5 inhibitors, such as VIAGRA, have been widely used as the first alternative therapeutic medication to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). A new form of VIAGRA called VIAGRA OD Film was launched in the Japanese market on October 21st, 2016. OD film is taken orally without water and is fast dissolving. It is therefore expected to be easier to consume. Moreover, this medication is packaged in thin aluminum sheets to improve portability compared to the original tablets. For this study, we surveyed 25 patients to analyze the OD film formulation.

These patients desired ED treatment and used the VIAGRA OD Film. All the participants answered our survey. They were aged between 21 and 79. Thirteen patients switched from the tablets to the OD film and 12 patients only used the OD film.

The survey items included: 1) portability, 2) storage, 3) ease of consumption, 4) comfortableness, 5) level of self-consciousness with their partner, 6) thoughts on taking the film formulation, 7) comparison with the tablets, and 8) efficacy and adverse reaction.

We observed that 61.5% of the patients who switched from tablets to film found that storage and portability were improved. Additionally, 61.5% of the patients who switched from tablets to film and 75.0% of the patients who were prescribed film only were able to comfortably swallow them. We also found that 69.2% who switched from tablets to film and 75.0% who were prescribed film only felt more at ease using it and 61.5% who switched from tablets to film and 66.7% who were prescribed film only felt more comfortable with the film. Finally, 28.0% of the individuals stated a negative opinion on the ease of consuming the OD film. The efficacy of the film was the same as the tablets. We identified two cases of adverse reactions with mild hot flashes and headache but no severe adverse reaction.

This survey indicates that the ease of intake and portability was improved with OD film.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no.
173 Penile Implants in Japan
Authors: Nagao K. , Nakajima K.
Published: May 2022

Introduction

In Japan, APSSM's founding president Shirai developed a silicon single rod that is inserted into the outside corpora in 1971. In the 1990s penile prostheses started to be sold in Japan. However, sales stopped in 2007. Since then, it has been up to doctors to order them individually.

Objective

we performed 141penile prothesis surgeries between 1992 and 2019.9. Age is 25-81 years average 62 ± 8 years old. the causes of ED are Diabetes 57 cases, arteriosclerosis (hypertension) 24 cases, failure of prosthesis surgery 17 cases, intrapelvic surgery (prostate ca, bladder Ca, rectal Ca) 16 cases, brain disease (bleeding, infarction, Parkinson, meningitis) 12 cases, Renal failure 7 cases, Peyronie ’s disease 5 cases, priapism 2 cases, wrong masturbation habit 1 case. Diabetes was the most common cause. Diagnosis is vasculogenic and neurogenic 88 cases, vasculogenic 54 cases, vasculogenic and curvature 3 cases, neurogenic 6 cases.

Methods

Anesthesia method is local anesthesia (penile block) 128 cases, general anesthesia 13 cases. Penile prostheses were AMS 700CXM 6 cases, Titan OTR narrow base (Coloplast) 2 case, hydroflex 1 case, AMS Dura II 26 cases, AMS 600 17 cases, Genesis (Coloplast) 84 cases, Koken (Japan) 5 cases. We have used AMS since 1992, The sale of penile protheses in Japan was halted in 2007. Since 2008, Our University doctors have been ordering Coloplast prostheses Implanted penile prosthesis size is 11-19.5cm length average 15.9cm, median 16cm. The diameter is Dura II 1cm (26 cases), AMS 600 0.95cm (15 cases) 1.15cm (2 cases), Genesis 1.1cm (28 cases), Genesis 0.95cm (56 cases). Day surgeries are popular therefore 94% of patients prefer a non-inflatable prosthesis. We devised a single-implant procedure and performed surgery for the following indications:1. Narrow cavernosum because of congenital abnomarity or re-operations. 2. Small penis. 3. Uncontrolled diabetes. 4. ED caused by corporal veno-occlusive dysfunction (CVOD) in a young man. 5. Patient preference for a warm erect penis (with a PDE5 inhibitor). Single implant surgery has a high satisfaction rate of 98% with no complications, but there are still many enlargement operations and use of PDE5 inhibitors.

Results

Intercourse was possible 137 cases (97.0%) and impossible 4 cases (3.0%). Ejaculation was possible 100cases (77%), impossible 32 cases (24%) (prostate or rectal surgery, retrograde ejaculation due to DM). Complication rate is 7.8%, exposure of one side prosthesis to urethra 2.8%, exposure of one side prosthesis to skin 0.7%, Exposure of tube (AMS700CXM) 0.7%, persistent pain 2.1%, infection 1.4%. Satisfaction rate is 95.0%

Conclusions

The penile prosthesis is still considered to be the surgical gold standard for treatment of ED. All other available treatments for ED should be compared with the results of penile prosthesis surgery. In Japan, 95% of day surgeries use non-inflatable prostheses.

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no.
180 The Efficacy of Amoxapine for Ejaculatory Dysfunction
Authors: Watanabe A. , Kitamura H.
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Amoxapine, as a tricyclic antidepressant, inhibits noradrenalin reuptake and is often used in the treatment for retrograde ejaculation in Japan.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of amoxapine for ejaculatory disorder in our hospital, retrospectively.

Methods

Seventeen men (age 38.4 ± 5.2 y) complaining with infertility or decrease of ejaculated semen volume who received amoxapine (25-75 mg/day) for retrograde ejaculation or emission less were included. The changes of semen analysis parameters before and after amoxapine therapy were examined. When the semen volume increased after therapy, it was considered to be effective. Wilcoxson signed-ranks test was used for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. This study was approved by the ethical committee of Toyama university hospital.

Results

It was diagnosed retrograde ejaculation in 15 patients (complete type 3, partial type 12 cases), and emission less in two patients. The causes of ejaculatory disorders were diabetes mellitus in 4 patients, urethral trauma in 1 patient, antidepressants in 1 patient, anti-androgenetic alopecia drugs in 1 patient, sigmoidectomy for dolichocolon and proctopexy for rectal prolapse in 1 patient, and unknown cause in 9 patients. The average value of BMI in patients was 25.0 ± 4.18. Each patient had normal level of the total testosterone in blood. The average score of International Index of Erectile Function score and Erection hardness score before treatment showed 49.8 ± 17.9, 3.13 ± 0.62, respectively. The efficacy rate of amoxapine was 78.6%. Before and after amoxapine therapy, semen volume increased significantly from 0.29 ± 0.31 ml to 1.23 ± 1.56 ml, sperm concentration did from 19.5 ± 34.7 × 106/ml to 99.3 ± 172.7 × 106/ml, and total sperm count did from 7.83 ± 14.0 × 106 to 94.8 ± 149.7 × 106, respectively. By the amoxapine therapy, the antegrade ejaculated sperm count ratio* significantly increased from 28.1 ± 37.6 to 65.7 ± 40.1%. The average duration of amoxapine therapy was 13.0 ± 20.6 months and the maximum duration was 80 months. No side effects were observed. Of all patients, 15 patients would hope to have baby. There were 3 spontaneous pregnancies and 2 pregnancies due to assisted reproductive technology. All 5 pregnancies resulted in delivery.

Conclusions

It was suggested that amoxapine is an effective drug for ejaculatory disorder and might not only increase ejaculation volume but also improve sperm concentration and total sperm count.

*(total sperm counts in ejaculated semen / (total sperm counts in ejaculated semen + total sperm counts in urine after orgasm)) × 100%

Disclosure

Work supported by industry: no.