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<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) diagnostics on the T stage in final histology specimen of patients undergoing radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) due to upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) at a large tertiary care center. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent RNU at our center between 2008 and 2020. Inclusion criteria were RNU due to UTUC. Urine cytologies were used for FISH analysis to detect chromosomal abnormalities. Pre-FISH group was defined as patients without access to routine preoperative urinary FISH testing (2008–2014), and FISH group was defined as patients with access to routine FISH testing. Primary outcome was T stage in final histology. Statistical analysis was performed by χ² test and Mann-Whitney <i>U</i> test. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Out of 212 patients who underwent RNU at our center between 2008 and 2020, 155 patients were included into the final analysis. The median age was 71 (range 33–90) years, and 108 (69.7%) patients were male and 47 (30.3%) female. Age and gender were not differently distributed in both groups (age: <i>p</i> = 0.925; gender: <i>p</i> = 0.682). Organ-confined disease was found in 37/72 patients in the pre-FISH cohort and in 48/83 patients in the FISH cohort (<i>p</i> = 0.422). Within organ-confined disease, 18/37 patients revealed a T stage smaller than T1 in the pre-FISH cohort and 35/48 patients in the FISH cohort (<i>p</i> = 0.022). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Preoperative FISH diagnostics add important information to preoperative diagnostic workup of patients with UTUC. Within organ-confined disease, a significant shift toward T stages lower than T1 is observed. Further research is required to determine the impact of this shift on survival in UTUC.

The use of prefabricated bridge elements (PBEs) is becoming more common as bridge owners strive to construct robust bridges with minimal impacts on the traveling public. Concrete PBEs offer advantages with regards to quality and construction safety; however, to perform adequately, the installed structural system must include strong, durable connections between the components. Typically, field-cast cementitious grouts are used to connect the PBE. This type of material has at times shown serviceability problems associated to dimensional instability, primarily in the form of shrinkage cracking. A direct consequence is the potential bond degradation between the grout connections and the concrete PBE. This study investigated the use of colloidal nanosilica suspensions as a surface preparation technique to increase the bond strength between the precast components and the field-cast grout. Experimental results, including pull-off bond data and a careful microstructural analysis, strongly suggest that nanosilica coatings interact at the concrete–grout interface to increase the bond strength. A simple initial cost analysis is also discussed.

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> This study aimed to evaluate the impact of chronological and biological age on perioperative complications and survival after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Elderly patients with upper-tract urothelial carcinoma might be overtreated by RNU. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing RNU. To evaluate the perioperative risk, patients were divided into four groups (&#x3c;75; 75–79; 80–84; ≥85 years). The endpoints are perioperative complications and survival (overall survival [OS]). We calculated a risk score including chronological and biological age (Eastern cooperative oncology group performance status). Statistical analysis was performed by Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, χ², log-rank, and Breslow tests. <b><i>Results:</i></b> 194 patients were included in the study. Median follow-up was 25.5 months. Elderly cohorts ≥2 presented a higher number of days in intensive care unit following RNU (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). Complication rates increased from cohort 1–4 with rates of 48.8%; 55.2%; 92.0%; 85.7% (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). Median survival was 115, 55, 28, and 20 months for cohorts 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The combined risk score revealed a significant 5-year OS benefit for patients with score 0 (82.3%) compared to score 1 (46.0%) and score 2 (15.0%; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> We evaluated the impact of chronological and biological age on perioperative complications and survival after RNU. A combined risk score of chronological and biological age correlates with survival after RNU.

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