Standardized evaluation of satisfaction within urology residents during clinical training: Implementation of a new urological residency rotation program at the university hospital Frankfurt

Background

Structured curricula are demanded to improve training programs of future urologists. This study aimed to evaluate the acceptance of the newly implemented residency rotation program at the University Hospital Frankfurt. Primary endpoint was resident's satisfaction with the current residency rotation program. Secondary endpoint was the fulfilment of the objectives and expectations by residents.

Methods

A standardized 15-item, online-based survey was sent to every urologic resident of the University Hospital Frankfurt, completing their rotation between August 2020 and August 2022. In addition to baseline characteristics, training and working conditions were assessed. Descriptive statistics were applied.

Results

In total 15 rotations of the Residency Rotation Program at the University Hospital Frankfurt were evaluated, including urologic practice (5/15), Intermediate Care Unit (4/15), urooncology (4/15) and clinical exchange to St. Gallen (2/15). Overall, the majority were very (67%) or rather satisfied (2%) with their rotation. Of the pre-rotation defined objectives, 71% were fulfilled, 18% partially fulfilled and 8% not fulfilled. With respect to the expectations, 67% were fulfilled, 19% partly fulfilled and 4% were not fulfilled. All residents would recommend their respective rotations.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that the residency rotation program at the University Hospital Frankfurt enjoys a high level of acceptance as well as a positive impact on urologic training. Satisfaction with the completed rotation was convincing, most of the expectations and objectives for the respective rotation could be fulfilled. These results help to ensure the quality of urologic curricula and to improve the structure of training programs for future urologists.

A global analysis of Y-chromosomal haplotype diversity for 23 STR loci

In a worldwide collaborative effort, 19,630 Y-chromosomes were sampled from 129 different populations in 51 countries. These chromosomes were typed for 23 short-tandem repeat (STR) loci (DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385ab, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635, GATAH4, DYS481, DYS533, DYS549, DYS570, DYS576, and DYS643) and using the PowerPlex Y23 System (PPY23, Promega Corporation, Madison, WI). Locus-specific allelic spectra of these markers were determined and a consistently high level of allelic diversity was observed. A considerable number of null, duplicate and off-ladder alleles were revealed. Standard single-locus and haplotype-based parameters were calculated and compared between subsets of Y-STR markers established for forensic casework. The PPY23 marker set provides substantially stronger discriminatory power than other available kits but at the same time reveals the same general patterns of population structure as other marker sets. A strong correlation was observed between the number of Y-STRs included in a marker set and some of the forensic parameters under study. Interestingly a weak but consistent trend toward smaller genetic distances resulting from larger numbers of markers became apparent.

Acridones as antiviral agents: synthesis, chemical and biological properties

Acridones are a class of compounds that have attracted attention in recent years for their wide range of biological properties, including selective inhibition of diverse human pathogenic viruses. The wide spectrum of antiviral activity includes DNA and RNA viruses, such as herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, hepatitis C virus, dengue virus, and Junin virus, among others, indicative of the involvement of cellular factors as potential targets of acridone derivatives. At the present, their precise mode of action is not clearly determined, although the predominant action seems to be centered on the synthesis of nucleic acids. Regarding this point, inhibitory activity against cellular and viral enzymes and the ability to intercalate into nucleic acid molecules was demonstrated for some acridone compounds. Then, the possibility of a multiple effect on different targets renewed interest in these agents for virus chemotherapy allowing a potent inhibitory effectiveness associated to less feasibility of generating antiviral resistance. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the methods of synthesis, the antiviral properties of acridone derivatives, their mechanism of action, and structural characteristics related to antiviral activity as well as the perspectives of this class of compounds for clinical application against human viral infections.

An antiviral disulfide compound blocks interaction between arenavirus Z protein and cellular promyelocytic leukemia protein

The promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) forms nuclear bodies (NB) that can be redistributed by virus infection. In particular, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) influences disruption of PML NB through the interaction of PML with the arenaviral Z protein. In a previous report, we have shown that the disulfide compound NSC20625 has antiviral and virucidal properties against arenaviruses, inducing unfolding and oligomerization of Z without affecting cellular RING-containing proteins such as the PML. Here, we further studied the effect of the zinc-finger-reactive disulfide NSC20625 on PML-Z interaction. In HepG2 cells infected with LCMV or transiently transfected with Z protein constructs, treatment with NSC20625 restored PML distribution from a diffuse-cytoplasmic pattern to punctate, discrete NB which appeared identical to NB found in control, uninfected cells. Similar results were obtained in cells transfected with a construct expressing a Z mutant in zinc-binding site 2 of the RING domain, confirming that this Z-PML interaction requires the integrity of only one zinc-binding site. Altogether, these results show that the compound NSC20625 suppressed Z-mediated PML NB disruption and may be used as a tool for designing novel antiviral strategies against arenavirus infection.

Zn finger containing proteins as targets for the control of viral infections

The zinc finger proteins have fascinated many research groups because of their modular assembly, broad range of biological functions and more recently because they are attractive targets for antiviral therapy. The zinc finger domain is a very stable structural element whose hallmark is the coordination of a zinc ion by several amino acid residues, usually cysteines and histidines. These structural motifs are associated with protein-nucleic acid recognition as well as protein-protein interactions. The biological function of the zinc finger proteins is strongly dependent on the zinc ion, which assure integrity and stability. Thus, the disruption of critical zinc finger viral proteins represents a fundamentally new approach to inhibit viral replication in the absence of mutations leading to drug resistance phenotypes. This review summarizes the drug design and potential therapeutic applications of viral zinc fingers disrupting agents for the control of viral diseases.

Virucidal activity of essential oils from aromatic plants of San Luis, Argentina

Essential oils obtained from eight aromatic plants of San Luis Province, Argentina, were screened for virucidal activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), Junin virus (JUNV) and dengue virus type 2 (DEN-2). The most potent inhibition was observed with the essential oil of Lippia junelliana and Lippia turbinata against JUNV with virucidal concentration 50% (VC(50)) values in the range 14-20 ppm, whereas Aloysia gratissima, Heterotheca latifolia and Tessaria absinthioides inhibited JUNV in the range 52-90 ppm. The virucidal activity was time- and temperature-dependent. The essential oils of A. gratissima, Artemisia douglasiana, Eupatorium patens and T. absinthioides inactivated HSV-1 at 65-125 ppm. However, only A. douglasiana and E. patens had any discernible effect on DEN-2 infectivity with VC(50) values of 60 and 150 ppm, respectively.

Mode of inactivation of arenaviruses by disulfide-based compounds

Several disulfide-based compounds, including intermolecular aromatic disulfides of the type Ph-S-S-Ph and dithianes with the sulfur atoms tethered in a ring structure, have shown effective inhibitory activity against the arenaviruses Junin (JUNV), agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever, and Tacaribe (TCRV). These compounds showed a strong virucidal effect with inactivating concentration 50% (IC(50)) values in the range 0.6-5.0 microM, and also were effective to reduce virus yields from infected cells. The mode of inactivating action of two active compounds, the aromatic bis disulfide NSC20625 and the dithiane NSC624152, was further studied. Both compounds were able to inactivate arenaviruses after a few minutes of direct contact with virions, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The ability of drug-treated virus to perform several steps of the replication cycle was analyzed. The killed virus particles were found to bind and enter to Vero cells with the same efficacy as infectious native virions, but the ability of inactivated virions to synthesize viral proteins in Vero cells was abolished. Thus, treatment of JUNV and TCRV with these compounds destroyed virion infectivity, generating particles which entered the host cell but were unable to complete the viral biosynthetic processes.

Evaluation of the antiviral activity against Junin virus of macrocyclic trichothecenes produced by the hypocrealean epibiont of Baccharis coridifolia

Four macrocyclic trichothecenes, roridin A, roridin E, verrucarin A and verrucarin J, produced by the hypocrealean epibiont of Baccharis coridifolia, were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against the arenavirus Junin (JUNV), the etiological agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever. The trichothecenes achieved a dose-dependent inhibition of JUNV multiplication at concentrations not affecting cell viability. The 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC50) values determined by a virus yield inhibition assay were in the range 1.2 - 4.9 ng/ml. The most active compound was verrucarin J which reduced JUNV yield more than 2 log units and had a similar effect against the arenavirus Tacaribe. The trichothecenes lacked virucidal effects on JUNV virions. From time of addition and removal experiments, it can be concluded that verrucarin J inhibited a late stage in the replicative cycle of JUNV, after 5 h of adsorption.

Time-resolved laser-induced plasma spectrometry for determination of minor elements in steelmaking process samples

A pulsed Nd:YAG laser operating on the fourth (266 nm) and second (532 nm) harmonics has been used to generate plasmas on the target surface in air at atmospheric pressure. The influence of wavelength on quantitative analysis of 4 minor elements in stainless steel samples (Si, Ti, Nb and Mo) was investigated. Stainless steel samples with different elemental concentrations were prepared and analyzed by laser-induced plasma spectrometry (LIPS). The effect of laser wavelength on analytical figures of merit (calibration curves, correlation coefficients, linear dynamic ranges, analytical precision, and accuracy values) was found to be negligible when internal standardization (an Fe line) and time-resolved laser-induced plasma are employed. For both wavelengths, the calibration curves presented a good linearity and an acceptable linear dynamic range in the concentration interval investigated. For the four elements studied, limits of detection lower than 150 microg g(-1) were achieved. To evaluate the influence of wavelength on precision and accuracy, a set of fifteen high-alloyed steel samples from different stages of steelmaking process have been analyzed. Finally, the long-term stability of the analytical measurements for Mo with 532 nm wavelength has been discussed. RSD values were lower than 5.3% for the elements studied.

Effect of fatty acids on arenavirus replication: inhibition of virus production by lauric acid

To study the functional involvement of cellular membrane properties on arenavirus infection, saturated fatty acids of variable chain length (C10-C18) were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against the multiplication of Junin virus (JUNV). The most active inhibitor was lauric acid (C12), which reduced virus yields of several attenuated and pathogenic strains of JUNV in a dose dependent manner, without affecting cell viability. Fatty acids with shorter or longer chain length had a reduced or negligible anti-JUNV activity. Lauric acid did not inactivate virion infectivity neither interacted with the cell to induce a state refractory to virus infection. From mechanistic studies, it can be concluded that lauric acid inhibited a late maturation stage in the replicative cycle of JUNV. Viral protein synthesis was not affected by the compound, but the expression of glycoproteins in the plasma membrane was diminished. A direct correlation between the inhibition of JUNV production and the stimulation of triacylglycerol cell content was demonstrated, and both lauric-acid induced effects were dependent on the continued presence of the fatty acid. Thus, the decreased insertion of viral glycoproteins into the plasma membrane, apparently due to the increased incorporation of triacylglycerols, seems to cause an inhibition of JUNV maturation and release.

Antiviral and virucidal activities against arenaviruses of zinc-finger active compounds

Fifteen antiretroviral Zn-finger active compounds with diverse chemical structures, including azoic compounds, hydrazide derivatives, disulphide-based reagents and others were screened in vitro against Junin virus (JUNV), the aetiological agent of Argentine haemorrhagic fever, by a virus yield inhibition assay in Vero cells. Cytotoxicity was evaluated simultaneously by the MTT method. Of the compounds, three were totally inactive as antivirals, nine presented moderate anti JUNV-activity and three were truly active with EC50 (effective concentration 50%) values in the range 6.5-9.3 microM and with selectivity indices greater than 10. The most active inhibitors, named NSC20625, 3-7 and 2-71, demonstrated a broad range of action against arenaviruses, including several attenuated and pathogenic strains of JUNV as well as the antigenically related Tacaribe virus (TACV) and Pichinde virus (PICV). The direct treatment of JUNV and TACV virions with the compounds showed two types of behaviour: the aromatic disulphide NSC20625 was a very potent virucidal agent, whereas the other two compounds exhibited moderate or negligible virus-inactivating properties.