The monolithic three-dimensional integration of memory and logic circuits could dramatically improve the performance and energy efficiency of computing systems. Some conventional and emerging ...memories are suitable for vertical integration, including highly scalable metal-oxide resistive switching devices （＂memristors＂）. However, the integration of logic circuits has proven to be much more challenging than expected. In this study, we demonstrated memory and logic functionality in a monolithic three-dimensional circuit by adapting the recently proposed memristor-based stateful material implication logic. By modifying the original circuit to increase its robustness to device imperfections, we experimentally showed, for the first time, a reliable multi-cycle multi-gate material implication logic operation and half-adder circuit within a three- dimensional stack of monolithically integrated memristors. Direct data manipulation in three dimensions enables extremely compact and high-throughput logic- in-memory computing and, remarkably, presents a viable solution for the Feynman Grand Challenge of implementing an 8-bit adder at the nanoscale.
OBJECTIVE
To validate the Italian version of two questionnaires for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), i.e. the long (LF) and the short form (SF) of the International Consultation on Incontinence ...Questionnaire (ICIQ).
METHODS
Two native Italian speakers and a native English speaker collaborated with clinical investigators through a multistep process to obtain a consensus version of the questionnaires. The resulting Italian versions were then pre‐tested during a pilot study on 16 women for the LF and 10 for the SF. The final versions of the ICIQ‐LF and ICIQ‐SF were administered to two samples of consecutive female patients, aged ≥ 18 years, who had been having LUTS for ≥ 3 months, with respectively 82 and 50 women. Internal consistency and test‐retest reliability were then assessed; to evaluate the latter, a subset of patients (25 for the ICIQ‐LF and 42 for ICIQ‐SF) was re‐rated. To test the capacity of the questionnaires to discriminate women with or without LUTS (respectively cases and controls), a sample of healthy women was also enrolled and assessed.
RESULTS
Both scales showed good psychometric properties overall. The correlation coefficient between ratings was > 0.75 in both questionnaires, and the discriminant power between cases and controls was confirmed for both scales. The ICIQ‐SF showed good internal consistency for the total score (Cronbach's α 0.90). The sections of the ICIQ‐LF ‘impact of incontinence on everyday life’, ‘emotional aspects’, ‘urinary symptoms’ and the degree of bother seemed to be internally consistent (Cronbach's α > 0.70); there was a weak relationship for items related to ‘sexual matters’ (Cronbach's α 0.38).
CONCLUSION
The Italian version of both questionnaires is a valid and robust instrument which can now be used reliably both in daily practice and in clinical research.
To assess the effect of neoadjuvant hormone treatment before radical prostatectomy on: tumor/prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and testosterone levels, surgical margin status and tumor ...stage, and the ease of surgery following treatment.
Patients with clinically localized prostatic carcinoma were randomized to receive leuprolide acetate depot 3.75 mg once a month for 3 months and cyproterone acetate 300 mg once a week for 3 weeks prior to surgery (group A). A control group of patients had surgery without any pretreatment (group B).
167 patients were evaluated for the efficacy parameters. In group A, 31% of patients had a reduction in tumor/prostate volume following hormone therapy. PSA and testosterone levels were significantly reduced (p = 0.0001) in patients in group A compared to basal values. Centralized histopathological data evaluated in 145 patients (group A and 75 group B) showed that more patients in group B had tumors at stages T3A and T3B than in group A; this difference was close to significance (p = 0.057). Positive surgical margins were more common in group B (60% of patients) compared to group A (39% of patients). Similarly lymph node involvement was more common in group B compared to group A (11 versus 3%). There was little difference between the 2 study groups for the other surgical parameters assessed (ease of dissection, duration of surgery, blood loss).
Neoadjuvant hormone therapy before radical prostatectomy has some effects in the treatment of prostate cancer. However, long-term follow-up of patients is needed to assess the impact of this therapy on morbidity and mortality.
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