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DNA-functionalized nanomaterials for optical biosensors: Mechanisms, applications, and design perspectives

2026-06-01T00:00:00Z

Title: DNA-functionalized nanomaterials for optical biosensors: Mechanisms, applications, and design perspectives Authors: Han, Chaewon; Park, Soye; Park, Sehyeon; Lee, Dakyeon; Jo, Hyunda; Seo, Sejeong; Han, Hyunho; Jeong, Sanghwa; Kwon, Woosung Abstract: Background: DNA-functionalized nanomaterials have emerged as a powerful platform for optical biosensing, where DNA's intrinsic molecular recognition imparts high sensitivity and selectivity. However, the integration of DNA with optically active nanomaterials introduces new opportunities and challenges in signal transduction, stability, and application-specific optimization. Despite growing interest in this hybrid field, a unified framework for evaluating and comparing different nanomaterial platforms in the context of DNA-guided sensing is lacking. This review addresses this gap by systematically analyzing the mechanisms and applications of DNAfunctionalized optical biosensors. Results: We provide a comprehensive and critically integrated overview of DNA-functionalized nanomaterials across six major platforms: carbon dots, carbon nanotubes, metal nanoparticles, quantum dots, graphene quantum dots, and silicon-based nanoparticles. Each system is examined in terms of its optical sensing mechanisms, such as fluorescence, FRET, and colorimetric response, and its performance in detecting targets including metal ions, small molecules, nucleic acids, proteins, and pathogens. A direct comparison is presented based on practical criteria such as detection wavelength, detection range, functionalization efficiency, and biocompatibility. We further discuss recent applications in disease diagnostics, point-of-care testing, environmental monitoring, and food safety, along with challenges including signal reproducibility, surface DNA quantification, and stability in complex matrices. Significance: This review establishes a comparative foundation for evaluating DNA-guided optical biosensors and identifies emerging trends and design strategies across material classes. The insights provided are expected to inform the rational development of next-generation biosensors with enhanced precision, accessibility, and real-world applicability.

Oncological outcomes of concurrent nephroureterectomy during radical cystectomy: A propensity score-matched analysis with multivariable adjustment from Korean multicenter database

2026-04-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Oncological outcomes of concurrent nephroureterectomy during radical cystectomy: A propensity score-matched analysis with multivariable adjustment from Korean multicenter database Authors: Song, Sang Hun; Park, Jong Ho; Lee, Sangchul; Jeong, Seung-Hwan; Ku, Ja Hyeon; Kim, Kyung Hwan; Nam, Jong Kil; Lim, Bumjin; Hong, Bumsik; Nam, Wook; Kang, Sung Gu; Kang, Seok Ho; Kwon, Tae Gyun; Kim, Tae-Hwan; Heo, Jieun; Ham, Won Sik; Song, Geehyun; Seo, Ho Kyung; Song, Wan; Sung, Hyun Hwan; Jeong, Byong Chang; Oh, Jong Jin Abstract: Background: Oncological safety and prognostic implications of concurrent nephroureterectomy (RNU) performed during radical cystectomy (RCx) for bladder cancer remain controversial due to potential selection bias in previous studies. Objectives: To evaluate oncological outcomes of concurrent RNU during RCx using propensity score matching (PSM) and multivariable Cox regression to minimize selection bias and identify independent prognostic factors. Materials and methods: We analyzed 2944 patients who underwent RCx from a Korean multicenter database (2000-2022). Patients were stratified into RCx only (n = 2627) and concurrent RCx + RNU (n = 317) groups. PSM was performed using age, sex, BMI, ASA score, and clinical TNM stage, creating 284 matched pairs. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was performed adjusting for demographic, clinical, and pathologic variables. Primary outcomes were recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS). Results: After PSM, recurrence remained significantly higher in RCx + RNU (60.4% vs 40.9%, p < 0.001), with 5-year RFS of 32.8% vs 51.6% (p = 0.0005). However, CSS (68.4% vs 71.6%, p = 0.408) and OS (52.9% vs 55.4%, p = 0.830) at 5 years showed no significant differences. Multivariable Cox regression confirmed that concurrent RNU was not an independent prognostic factor (RFS: HR 1.38, p = 0.106; CSS: HR 1.27, p = 0.223; OS: HR 1.11, p = 0.443). Independent adverse prognostic factors included pathologic N+ disease (CSS: HR 2.69, p < 0.001; OS: HR 1.88, p < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (RFS: HR 1.81, p = 0.014; CSS: HR 1.92, p = 0.002; OS: HR 1.67, p = 0.002), and ASA score >= 3 (RFS: HR 1.85, p = 0.002). Conclusion: Concurrent RNU during RCx is associated with higher recurrence rates but does not compromise cancer-specific or overall survival and is not an independent prognostic factor after adjusting for pathologic characteristics. The higher recurrence reflects more aggressive underlying disease biology rather than adverse surgical effects. One-stage concurrent RNU is oncologically safe in appropriately selected patients but necessitates intensive surveillance.

Combined therapy with dutasteride and tadalafil vs dutasteride or tadalafil monotherapy in benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomised phase III trial

2026-04-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Combined therapy with dutasteride and tadalafil vs dutasteride or tadalafil monotherapy in benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomised phase III trial Authors: Lee, Seung Wook; Lee, Seung Hwan; Kim, Jae Heon; Noh, Joon Hwa; Lee, Jun Ho; Ha, U-syn; Oh, Cheol Young; Kang, Taek Won; Lee, Gyeongseop; Lee, Sangchul; Han, Deok Hyun; Han, Jun Hyun; Song, Sang Hoon; Park, Hyun Jun; Chung, Byung Ha; Min, Gyeong Eun; Jeong, In Gab; Moon, Kyung Hyun; Kim, Won Tae; Lee, Ji Youl; Kim, Choung-soo Abstract: Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of dutasteride and tadalafil vs monotherapy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Patients and Methods This phase III trial enrolled 667 patients. After screening and washout, eligible patients were stratified by the baseline International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and randomised (1:1:1) to receive FDC dutasteride 0.5 mg/tadalafil 5 mg (FDC 0.5/5 mg), dutasteride 0.5 mg, or tadalafil 5 mg for 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in total IPSS from baseline to Week 48. Efficacy and safety were assessed at 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48 weeks. Results In total, 619 patients were analysed for efficacy. The least squares (LS) mean (standard error [se]) change in total IPSS at 48 weeks from baseline was -9.49 (0.37) for the FDC 0.5/5 mg group vs -4.40 (0.37) for dutasteride 0.5 mg group (LS mean difference [LSMD] -5.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] -6.13 to -4.50; P < 0.001), and -9.53 (0.36) for the FDC 0.5/5 mg group vs -4.24 (0.37) for tadalafil 5 mg group (LSMD -5.29, 95% CI -6.30 to -4.27; P < 0.001). The FDC 0.5/5 mg group demonstrated the most pronounced improvement in quality of life. Although the maximum urinary flow rate and post-void residual volume improved in all groups, differences were not statistically significant. In the comparison between the FDC 0.5/5 mg and dutasteride 0.5 mg groups, the LSMD (95% CI) of change from baseline to Week 48 in the international index of erectile function - erectile function (IIEF - EF) total score was 4.03 (2.35 to -5.71) (P < 0.05). Among the 655 patients analysed for safety, treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 32.88% (FDC 0.5/5 mg) vs 21.20% (dutasteride 0.5 mg) and 26.48% (tadalafil 5 mg), with few serious adverse events observed. Conclusions The FDC 0.5/5 mg demonstrated superior efficacy, and an acceptable safety profile compared with dutasteride and tadalafil monotherapies in patients with BPH.

Preoperative selective arterial embolization followed by transurethral resection of bladder tumor for large bladder tumors: Early clinical experiences

2026-03-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Preoperative selective arterial embolization followed by transurethral resection of bladder tumor for large bladder tumors: Early clinical experiences Authors: Bang, Sungun; Joo, Seung-Moon; Kim, Do Kyung; Kwon, Jong Kyou; Bang, Seokhwan; Shin, Dongho; Jeon, Jinhyung; Hong, Sung-Hoo; Cho, Kang Su; 방성은 Abstract: Purpose: Transurethral resection of bladder tumor for large tumors (>= 5 cm) is challenging, even for experienced surgeons, due to increased risks of transfusion, bladder perforation, and incomplete resection. We developed a sequential strategy involving preoperative selective arterial embolization (SAE) followed by transurethral resection to address these challenges. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study evaluated patients who underwent preoperative SAE followed by transurethral resection for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer at two tertiary hospitals between 2021 and 2024. Potential candidates were patients newly diagnosed with large bladder tumors (longest diameter of the main mass >= 5 cm) and suspected non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer on preoperative studies. Results: Eleven patients (mean age, 73.2 years) were included in this study. The mean tumor size was 5.78 cm (range, 5.0-8.0 cm). SAE was performed on the day of surgery in seven cases (63.6%) and 1-4 days before surgery in four cases (36.4%), and complete tumor resection was successfully achieved in all cases. The mean operative time was 78.8 minutes (range, 33-149 minutes). No complications related to transurethral resection or SAE, including the need for transfusion or reoperation, were observed. Pathology results revealed Ta in six cases and T1 in five cases. Disease recurrence occurred in six patients (54.5%); however, none demonstrated disease progression during a median follow-up of 24 months (range, 6-44 months). Conclusions: Our early experiences demonstrated that preoperative SAE followed by transurethral resection for large non-muscle-invasive bladder cancers may be a feasible approach for achieving complete resection without complications.