Publications by authors named "Alfonso Falcone"

Introduction: Mobile health applications (MHAs) represent a tool to assist patients affected by different disease including bladder cancer (BCa), although the scientific quality and adherence to guidelines are not yet addressed.

Materials And Methods: On September 2024, we conducted a search in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. We reviewed all mobile apps from Apple App Store and Google Play Store for BC and evaluated their usage in screening, prevention, management, and adherence to EAU guidelines.

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Bacterial prostatitis (BP) is a common prostatic infection characterized by pain and urinary symptoms, often with negative bacterial cultures from prostatic secretions. It affects young and older men bimodally and impacts quality of life (QoL) significantly. : Treatment typically involves antibiotics, but a multimodal approach with additional nutraceuticals may enhance outcomes.

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Background: Black men residing in Western countries are more likely to develop prostate cancer (PCa), have higher mortality and are younger than the general population at initial diagnosis. In addition to genetic and environmental factors, the reasons for these racial disparities can also be attributed to social determinants of health such as low health literacy of this population and poor awareness of health services. Little is known about laboratory tests for PCa in black men.

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The process-of-male reproduction is intricate, and various medical conditions-have the potential to disrupt spermatogenesis. Moreover, infertility in males can serve as an indicator of-potential future health issue. Numerous conditions with systemic implications have been identified, encompassing genetic factors (such as Klinefelter Syndrome), obesity, psychological stress, environmental factors, and others.

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Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains a formidable diagnostic challenge, especially in the context of small renal masses. The quest for non-invasive screening tools and biomarkers has steered research towards liquid biopsy, focusing on microRNAs (miRNAs), exosomes, and circulating tumor cells (CTCs). MiRNAs, small non-coding RNAs, exhibit notable dysregulation in RCC, offering promising avenues for diagnosis and prognosis.

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Article Synopsis
  • Peyronie's disease, affecting 9% of men, involves inflammation leading to fibrosis and is associated with pain and erectile dysfunction; there's a need for better understanding of its onset and progression.
  • Researchers created a systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and identified a neutrophil-to-eosinophil ratio (NER) as potential biomarkers to help evaluate the disease's inflammation.
  • A study comparing 49 men with Peyronie's to 50 controls found significant differences in NER and eosinophil counts, with a higher prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension in patients; the NER was most effective at distinguishing between groups.
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Objective: To evaluate the quality of apps for prostate cancer antigen (PSA) dosage, available for downloading on the iOS and Android platforms, discussing the potential role of mobile health applications (MHAs) in update the screening protocol.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional descriptive study of all smartphone apps for PSA dosage was performed through the most used platforms (iOS and Android). On 10 February 2023, a total of 457 apps were found according to the search criteria.

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Urinary tract infections represent a common and significant health concern worldwide. The high rate of recurrence and the increasing antibiotic resistance of uropathogens are further worsening the current scenario. Nevertheless, novel key ingredients such as D-mannose, chondroitin sulphate, hyaluronic acid, and -acetylcysteine could represent an important alternative or adjuvant to the prevention and treatment strategies of urinary tract infections.

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Introduction: Bacterial prostatitis (BP) is a common prostatic infection characterized by a bimodal distribution in young and older men, with a prevalence between 5-10% among all cases of prostatitis and a high impact on quality of life. Although the management of bacterial prostatitis involves the use of appropriate spectrum antibiotics, which represent the first choice of treatment, a multimodal approach encompassing antibiotics and nutraceutical products in order to improve the efficacy of chosen antimicrobial regimen is often required.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Flogofilm in association with fluoroquinolones in patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP).

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Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-cutaneous malignancy in men worldwide, and it represents the fifth leading cause of death. It has long been recognized that dietary habits can impact prostate health and improve the benefits of traditional medical care. The activity of novel agents on prostate health is routinely assessed by measuring changes in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Bladder cancer (BC) is the second most common type of cancer affecting the urinary tract, with major risk factors including age, gender, smoking, certain occupations, and infections, though the full causes of BC are still unclear.
  • - Diet, especially high consumption of red and processed meats, may significantly increase the risk of developing BC due to the formation of carcinogens during high-temperature cooking.
  • - Literature reviews indicate a positive link between certain meats (like salami and bacon) and BC risk, suggesting that reducing red and processed meat intake could help lower BC risk, though more research is needed to confirm these findings.
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Introduction: Several mobile health applications (MHAs) have been developed to assist and improve the quality of life of patients affected by premature ejaculation, but the scientific quality and adherence to guidelines are not yet addressed.

Materials And Methods: On 25 May 2022, we conducted a search in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. We reviewed all mobile apps from Apple App Store and Google Play Store for premature ejaculation and evaluated their usage in screening, prevention, management, and adherence to EAU guidelines.

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Bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer worldwide. Over 75% of non-muscle invasive cancer patients require conservative local treatment, while the remaining 25% of patients undergo radical cystectomy or radiotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent a novel class of immunotherapy drugs that restore natural antitumoral immune activity via the blockage of inhibitory receptors and ligands expressed on antigen-presenting cells, T lymphocytes and tumour cells.

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