Jinxian Bai, Yao Fan^*, Zhiwei Zhao, Lizhi Zheng

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.78, No.1, pp. 999-1025, 2024, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2023.044612 - 30 January 2024

Abstract Recently, deep learning-based image inpainting methods have made great strides in reconstructing damaged regions. However, these methods often struggle to produce satisfactory results when dealing with missing images with large holes, leading to distortions in the structure and blurring of textures. To address these problems, we combine the advantages of transformers and convolutions to propose an image inpainting method that incorporates edge priors and attention mechanisms. The proposed method aims to improve the results of inpainting large holes in images by enhancing the accuracy of structure restoration and the ability to recover texture details. This… More >

Eric Robinson¹, Alex Wang², Solange Bassale³, Jyoti D. Chouhan²

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.30, No.1, pp. 11414-11418, 2023

Abstract Introduction: To evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized multimodal pain pathway for gender affirming orchiectomy (GAO) in adequately addressing postoperative pain while reducing the prescribing of unnecessary opioids.
Materials and methods: A standardized discharge pain pathway for GAO +/- scrotectomy or testicular implants was implemented between May 2020 and March 2022. A retrospective analysis was performed on all consecutive patients who underwent GAO with a single surgeon. Patients answered five questions on postoperative pain management at their 3 week follow up.
Results: A total of 69 patients were included in the study. Mean age was 34.3 years (SD… More >

Bertie Zhang¹, Arinze J. Ochuba², Gregory R. Mullen³, Arun Rai³, Tareq Aro³, David M. Hoenig³, Zeph Okeke³, Jared S. Winoker^1,3

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.30, No.4, pp. 11639-11643, 2023

Abstract Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the gold-standard treatment for large and complex renal stones. Though associated with higher stone-free rates compared to other minimally invasive stone procedures, this comes at the expense of increased morbidity including postoperative pain and discomfort. We describe our enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol for PCNL with emphasis on the use of erector spinae plane blocks to improve patient satisfaction and reduce postoperative opioid use and bother. More >

Stephanie Jensen^*, Akin S. Amasyali^*, Mohamed Keheila, Ashley Feldkamp, Jonathan Maldonado, Hillary J. Wagner, D. Duane Baldwin, Andrea Staack

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.30, No.5, pp. 11703-11707, 2023

Abstract Introduction: Liposomal bupivacaine (LB) is a depot formulation of bupivacaine, which releases the drug over 72 hours to prolong local pain control. This retrospective study compares the effect of using LB versus plain bupivacaine on postoperative pain control, length of hospital stay and cost among patients undergoing vaginal reconstructive surgery.
Materials and methods: Patients who underwent vaginal reconstructive surgery with levatorplasty and received an injection of 20 cc of either plain bupivacaine or LB for pudendal nerve block were included. The primary outcomes included postoperative narcotic use and subjective pain score. The secondary outcome was postoperative length… More >

Haitao Hu¹, Hongmei Ma², Shuli Mei^1,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.76, No.3, pp. 3813-3832, 2023, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2023.041416 - 08 October 2023

Abstract Biological slices are an effective tool for studying the physiological structure and evolution mechanism of biological systems. However, due to the complexity of preparation technology and the presence of many uncontrollable factors during the preparation processing, leads to problems such as difficulty in preparing slice images and breakage of slice images. Therefore, we proposed a biological slice image small-scale corruption inpainting algorithm with interpretability based on multi-layer deep sparse representation, achieving the high-fidelity reconstruction of slice images. We further discussed the relationship between deep convolutional neural networks and sparse representation, ensuring the high-fidelity characteristic of… More >

Meng Wang^*, Yixuan Shao, Haipeng Liu

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.75, No.3, pp. 5229-5254, 2023, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2023.036631 - 29 April 2023

Abstract In recent years, deep generative models have been successfully applied to perform artistic painting style transfer (APST). The difficulties might lie in the loss of reconstructing spatial details and the inefficiency of model convergence caused by the irreversible en-decoder methodology of the existing models. Aiming to this, this paper proposes a Flow-based architecture with both the en-decoder sharing a reversible network configuration. The proposed APST-Flow can efficiently reduce model uncertainty via a compact analysis-synthesis methodology, thereby the generalization performance and the convergence stability are improved. For the generator, a Flow-based network using Wavelet additive coupling… More >

Jacob R. Stephens¹, Kenneth M. Peters^1,2

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.29, No.1, pp. 11032-11035, 2022

Abstract Vulvodynia is a debilitating disorder which can prove extremely difficult to treat. Neuromodulation is increasingly becoming a frontline therapy in various chronic pain syndromes. We present a relatively simple surgical technique utilizing targeted neuromodulation leading to the successful treatment of vulvodynia. More >

Tyler Overholt^1,2, Robert J. Evans¹, Gopal Badlani¹, Catherine A. Matthews¹, Stephen J. Walker^1,2

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.29, No.1, pp. 11012-11019, 2022

Abstract Introduction: To further facilitate understanding of disease pathophysiology and patient stratification in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), we utilized molecular phenotyping to compare three clinically distinct IC/BPS patient subgroups.
Materials and methods: Total RNA (miRNA and mRNA) was isolated via standard protocols from IC/BPS patient bladder biopsies and assayed on whole genome and microRNA expression arrays. Data from three patient subgroups (n = 4 per group): (1) low bladder capacity (BC; ≤ 400 cc) without Hunner’s lesion, (2) low BC with Hunner’s lesion, and (3) non-low BC (> 400 cc) were used in comparative analyses to evaluate… More >

Larissa Bresler^1,2, Lauren C. Westbay², Lauren Hekman³, Cara Joyce⁴, Colleen M. Fitzgerald^2,5

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.29, No.3, pp. 11154-11161, 2022

Abstract Introduction: Growing evidence supports acupuncture for several pain conditions including chronic prostatitis. This study aimed to determine the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing pain in women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).
Materials and methods: This prospective randomized single-blinded study compared electro-acupuncture (EA) to minimal acupuncture (MA) after 6 weekly treatments and again after 6 weeks of no treatment. Pain was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (worst pain, average pain, pain severity, pain interference) and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Physical exams evaluated pelvic floor muscle tenderness. Mixed-effects models were used to… More >

Rathika R. Ramkumar¹, Sasha Vereecken², Tyler Williams³, Smita De¹

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.29, No.4, pp. 11231-11242, 2022

Abstract Introduction: Ureteral stent-related symptoms are common after stent placement. Various characteristics of stent design have been previously investigated to mitigate this issue. Our review summarizes available literature on stent design parameters (diameter, material, position, length, distal loop modifications) and their effect on stent-related symptoms, including pain.
Materials and methods: We identified articles from PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Grey Literature using a search strategy employing MESH search headings (i.e., ureteral stent diameter, length, composition, material, durometer, and stent-related pain).
Results: Out of 2,970 identified studies, 26 met eligibility criteria. Most diameter studies found patients with >… More >