This paper presents Artificial Neural Network (ANN) implementation for the Radio Frequency (RF) and Mechanical modeling of lateral RF Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) series micro machined Single pole double through (SPDT) switch. We propose an efficient approach based on ANN for analyzing the losses in ON and OFF state of lateral RF MEMS series switch by calculating the S-parameters. The double beam structure has been analyzed in terms of its return, isolation and insertion losses with the variation of its passive circuit component values. The effect of design parameters has been analyzed and the lateral switch was realized with low insertion loss, high return and isolation losses. ANN model were trained with five different training algorithms namely Levenberg-Marquart (LM), Bayesian Regularization (BR), Quasi - Newton (QN), Scaled Conjugate Gradient (SCG) and Conjugate Gradient of Fletcher - Powell (CGF) to obtain better performance and fast convergence. The results from the neural model trained by Levenberg-Marquardt back propagation algorithm are highly agreed with the theoretical results available in the literature. The neural networks shows the better results with the highest correlation coefficient which measures the strength and direction of linear relation between two variables (actual and predicted values) (0.9998) along with lowest root mean square error (MSE) of (0.0039).

PURPOSE: Many urologists recommend a six-week time interval between a prostate biopsy and a total prostatectomy (TP) to allow the biopsy induced inflammation to subside. Our aim was to assess whether the time interval between prostate biopsy and TP has an impact on the surgical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on data from patients who underwent a TP by a single surgeon from 1992 to 2008. The patients were divided into two groups according to the time interval between biopsy and TP, Group 1 ≤ 6 weeks and Group 2 > 6 weeks. Relevant perioperative variables and outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: 923 patients were included. There was a significant difference between the two groups in the surgeons' ability to perform a bilateral nerve sparing procedure. Those who had a TP within six weeks of the biopsy were less likely to have a bilateral nerve sparing procedure. No significant difference was noted in the other variables, which included Gleason score, surgical margin status, estimated blood loss, post-operative infection, incontinence, erectile function, and biochemical recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: TP can be safely performed without any increase in complications within 6 weeks of a prostate biopsy. However, a TP within six weeks of a biopsy significantly reduced the surgeon's perception of whether a bilateral nerve sparing procedure was performed.

PURPOSE: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has a propensity to propagate into the renal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC). Due to inherent differences in the venous anatomy of the right and left kidneys, tumor thrombus involvement of IVC may vary. The aim of this study is to compare clinical presentation and outcome of right vs. left RCC with IVC thrombus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent radical nephrectomy and IVC thrombectomy between 1997 and 2008 were identified. All relevant data were collected and analyzed. Results: Eight-seven patients were included. Sixty patients (69%) had a right sided tumor. Mean tumor size was 10.2 (± 4) cm and was not significantly different on either side. Fifty-six percent of right sided tumors had level-III (intra-hepatic) or higher tumor thrombus, while 22% of left sided tumors had similar level thrombus extension (p < 0.0001). Nearly 50% of left sided tumors showed level-I thrombus compared to 10% of right side tumors. A comparison of age, estimated blood loss and transfusion rate was not significantly different. The recurrence free (p = 0.9) and disease specific survival (p = 0.4) were not significantly different between the right and left side tumors with IVC thrombus. Conclusion: A level-III IVC tumor thrombus is more frequently seen with a right side tumor. However, clinical and operative characteristics among the left and right sided tumors with IVC thrombus were not different. More significantly, recurrence rate and survival did not differ with the laterality of the tumor.

Purpose: Standard radical nephrectomy for large masses is significantly facilitated by liver transplantation techniques, which have been successfully employed over the last ten years at our institution. Large and locally-advanced urothelial carcinoma of the kidney with or without extension into the inferior vena cava is rare. The purpose of this study was to present the surgical management of large and locally-advanced urothelial tumors arising from the renal pelvis using liver transplantation techniques and to evaluate patient outcome. Materials and Methods: Diagnostic work-up and surgical management of 4 patients with large and locally-advanced renal urothelial carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Two out of four patients with urothelial carcinoma presented with inferior vena cava thrombus. Mean tumor size was 11.6 cm. All patients underwent surgery, 2 patients with the presumed diagnosis of renal cell cancer. Liver transplantation techniques were an integral part in all radical nephrectomies. Results: No intraoperative complications and postoperative mortality occurred. Mean operative time was 7.5 hours, estimated blood loss was 1.5 L, and an average of 4.8 units of blood was transfused intraoperatively. Three patients succumbed to cancer recurrence at a mean postoperative time of 6.3 months; 1 patient is still alive 24 months after surgery. Conclusions: Large and locally-advanced renal masses of urothelial origin can be successfully removed by a combination of radical nephrectomy with liver transplantation techniques. Since long-term outcome of such patients has been poor, accurate preoperative diagnosis is essential to consider neoadjuvant treatment and to plan nephroureterectomy.

Prostate cancer (PC) is one of leading cause of cancer related deaths in men. Various aspects of cancer epigenetics are rapidly evolving and the role of 2 major epigenetic changes including DNA methylation and histone modifications in prostate cancer is being studied widely. The epigenetic changes are early event in the cancer development and are reversible. Novel epigenetic markers are being studied, which have the potential as sensitive diagnostic and prognostic marker. Variety of drugs targeting epigenetic changes are being studied, which can be effective individually or in combination with other conventional drugs in PC treatment. In this review, we discuss epigenetic changes associated with PC and their potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications including future areas of research.

OBJECTIVE: We examined our database of patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) with orthotopic neobladder (NB) to determine whether adjuvant chemotherapy in this group is safe. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent radical cystectomy and urinary diversion between 1992 and 2004. Relevant clinical and therapeutic data were entered into a database. High-risk bladder cancer patients who underwent NB were identified. They were stratified into 2 groups, those who received adjuvant chemotherapy and those who did not. The incidence of complications between the 2 groups was analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Over the 12-year period, 136 patients underwent RC and NB construction for bladder cancer. Of these, 83 patients were at high risk for recurrence. Nineteen patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and 64 did not. The complication rate in the adjuvant chemotherapy group was 53% and it was 23% in those who did not receive chemotherapy. There were no perioperative or treatment related death. There were 2 patients with grade 4 toxicity in the adjuvant chemotherapy group. There was a statistical difference between these two groups with regard to the incidence of complications. However, none of these complications was life-threatening, required only conservative treatment and caused no long-term disability. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant chemotherapy is a safe treatment for patients undergoing RC and NB substitution. Hence, the option of orthotopic NB should not be denied in selected bladder cancer patients with high risk for recurrent disease.

Radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) is an operation historically associated with the potential for significant blood loss. Patients who refuse a blood transfusion, such as Jehovahs witnesses, may be only offered radiation therapy as potentially curative treatment for prostate cancer because of the potential for a transfusion. Intraoperative cell salvage (IOCS) is an effective blood managient strategy for patients who are not willing to accept predonated autologous or allergenic blood. We present our managient for Jehovah's Witness patients with clinically localized prostate cancer, iphasizing our blood managient approach. This is the first such report.

Labelling of scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus concanesis Pocock) venom was successfully achieved with Tc 99m using direct tin reduction procedure. Biodistribution studies were carried out in Wistar rats at different time intervals after i.v. administration of the labelled venom. Scintiimages were obtained after scorpion envenoming using a large field of view gamma camera to ascertain the pharmacological action of venom in the body. Within 5 min of administration, labelled venom was found in the blood (27.7%), muscle (30.11%), bone (13.3%), kidneys (11.5%), liver (10.4%), and other organs. The level of venom in the kidneys was higher than in the liver. The labelled venom was excreted through renal and hepatobiliary pathways. An immunoreactivity study was carried out in rabbits after i.v. injection of labelled scorpion venom followed by the injection of the species specific antivenom. A threefold increase in uptake by the kidneys was observed compared with that seen with scorpion venom alone. The neutralisation of the venom in the kidneys was higher than in the liver.