Laparoscopic adrenalectomy in urological centres - the experience of the German Laparoscopic Working Group
Study Type – Practice patterns (retrospective cohort) Level of Evidence 2b OBJECTIVE • To evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) performed in several German centres with different laparoscopic experience, as LA has become the gold-standard approach for benign surgical adrenal disorders; however, for solitary metastasis or primary adrenal cancer its precise role is uncertain. PATIENTS AND METHODS • The data of 363 patients who underwent a LA were prospectively collected in 23 centres. • All centres were stratified into three groups according to their experience: group A ( 20 LAs/year). • In all, 15 centres used a transperitoneal approach, four a retroperitonea…
Psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Experience in Close Relationship Scale 12 (ECR-12): An exploratory structural equation modeling study
The Experiences in Close Relationship Scale (ECR) is one of the most commonly used self-report instruments of adult attachment and has been widely adopted in psychotherapy research. Composed of two subscales, namely Attachment Avoidance and Anxiety, the ECR was recently shortened to a 12-items version, called the ECR-12. Given the importance of extending knowledge on its applicability in understudied populations, our aim was to validate the ECR-12 in a large sample of Italian native-speakers. A total of 1197 participants (73.2% females; mean age=28.53±11.37 years) completed the ECR-12. Each participant also completed other measures of attachment, psychopathology, interpersonal distress, cop…
Hand-assisted laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy versus open surgery: evaluation of surgical trauma and late graft function in 82 patients
Abstract Objective We evaluated and quantified surgical trauma and late graft function in cases of hand-assisted laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy (HALLDN) versus open living-donor nephrectom (OLDN). Methods This study is a retrospective nonrandomized single-center analysis. Between 1995 and January 2008, 82 patients with end-stage renal disease received kidney transplantations from living donors. Open living-donor nephrectomy was performed in 37 donors, and 45 underwent laparoscopic hand-assisted nephrectomy. Demographic data and perioperative and postoperative data, such as markers of acute phase (C-reactive protein; serum amyloid A) and biochemical markers of glomerular filtration (s…
How Can the COVID-19 Pandemic Lead to Positive Changes in Urology Residency?
The COVID-19 outbreak, in a few weeks, overloaded Italian hospitals, and the majority of medical procedures were postponed. During the pandemic, with hospital reorganization, clinical and learning activities performed by residents suffered a forced remodulation. The objective of this study is to investigate how urology training in Italy has been affected during the COVID-19 era. In this multi-academic study, we compared residents' training during the highest outbreak level with their previous activity. Overall 387 (67.1%) of the 577 Italian Urology residents participated in a 72-h anonymous online survey with 36 items sent via email. The main outcomes were clinical/surgical activities, soci…
Huge isolated port-site recurrence after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: a case report.
A 66-yr-old man with pain and swelling in the right flank was referred to our clinic for diagnosis. In 2005, the patient underwent a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal cancer of the lower pole of the right kidney. A computed tomography scan revealed a 20-cm tumor in the right abdominal wall, resulting in a suspected diagnosis of port-site metastasis from the first laparoscopic operation. The patient underwent open surgery, which confirmed the diagnosis. After the operation, the patient recovered rapidly.
Nanostructured CdO thin films for water treatments
Abstract CdO was the very first transparent conducting metal oxide discovered. CdO thin films show electrical and optical properties of interest as photosensitive anode materials for photochemical cells, phototransistors, photodiodes, window electrodes in liquid crystal displays, IR detectors, antireflection coatings, gas sensors and in other solar energy applications. In the present study we report on the spectroscopic, microscopic, electrical and photo-catalytic properties of CdO thin films prepared by a metal organic chemical vapor method. The degenerate semiconducting CdO thin films are useful as photocatalysts for water treatments.
Self-reported reflective functioning mediates the association between attachment insecurity and well-being among psychotherapists.
Objective: Subjective well-being is a crucial variable for mental health practitioners. This study examines the influence of therapists’ attachment dimensions and self-reported reflective functioning on their perceived well-being. Further, it examines if reflective functioning mediates the association between attachment insecurity and well-being. Method: A total of 416 experienced psychotherapists were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, and completed self-report measures of attachment insecurity, reflective functioning, and well-being. We tested the hypothesized mediation model with path analysis that examined indirect effects. Results: Both attachment anxiety and avoidance dimensions …