Purpose While central nervous system (CNS) tumors account for only 10% of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancers, they are the leading cause of cancer death in this age group. Using national data for Australia, we describe the presentation, treatment, and survival for AYAs diagnosed with CNS tumors. Methods A population-based study of 15-24 year-olds diagnosed with CNS tumors (low- and high-grade glioma [LGG, HGG], medulloblastoma [MB], primitive neuroectodermal tumors [PNET], ependymoma [EP]) or other (e.g., low-grade neuronal tumor) between 2007 and 2012. Clinical details were extracted from hospital medical records for each patient. Treatment centers were classified as pediatric or adult services. Results Two hundred seventy-five patients (129 LGG, 77 HGG, 23 MB, 10 PNET, 19 EP, 17 other) were identified, with 17% treated at pediatric hospitals. Symptoms (headache [53%], nausea [31%]) were present for a median of 3 weeks before consulting a health professional. Of LGG patients, 15% had radiotherapy (RT) and 12% chemotherapy (CT). Of HGG patients, 81% had RT and 75% CT. All MB and PNET were managed with surgery, and 74% of MB and 80% of PNET had both RT and CT. Treatment did not differ by treatment center type. Five-year survival for LGG and EP was over 80%, but was 42% for HGG and 20% for PNET. Conclusions This national, population-based study indicates similar treatment for AYA patients with CNS tumors between pediatric and adult services. Poor outcomes for HGG and PNET patients highlight the need for clinical trials of novel approaches for these tumors. Encrustation is a common phenomenon that can occur following placement of a ureteral stent into the urinary tract, and it can lead to serious complications. The following review addresses the mechanism of encrustation, the management of these stents and the newest technology developed to mitigate this issue. We performed a comprehensive literature search on stent encrustation including peer-reviewed publications, public product listings, and material on current and future stent technology. The mechanism of encrustation is complex and multifaceted, including dwell time, patient specific risk factors, conditioning film formation, biofilm formation and mineral deposition. Several technological developments in stent materials and coatings may have a role in reducing the risk of stent encrustation. It is important to identify the extent of stent encrustation and plan treatment strategies accordingly. We propose a novel treatment algorithm for the management encrusted ureteral stents. The ubiquity of ureteral stents in urology practice mandates updated knowledge about the prevention of stent encrustation, identification of high risk patients and preparedness for removal using multimodal techniques. The ubiquity of ureteral stents in urology practice mandates updated knowledge about the prevention of stent encrustation, identification of high risk patients and preparedness for removal using multimodal techniques. Current serum tumor markers for testicular germ cell tumor are limited by low sensitivity. Growing evidence supports the use of circulating miR-371a-3p as a superior marker for malignant (viable) germ cell tumor management. We evaluated the real-world application of serum miR-371a-3p levels in detecting viable germ cell tumor among patients undergoing partial or radical orchiectomy. Serum samples were collected from 69 consecutive patients before orchiectomy. Performance characteristics of serum miR-371a-3p were compared with conventional serum tumor markers (⍺-fetoprotein β-human chorionic gonadotropin lactate dehydrogenase) between patients with viable germ cell tumor and those without viable germ cell tumor on orchiectomy pathology. Relative miR-371a-3p levels were correlated with clinical course. The Kruskal-Wallis test and linear and ordinal regression models were used for analysis. For detecting viable germ cell tumor, combined conventional serum tumor markers had a specificity of 100%, sensitivers to aid clinical decision making. A positive miR-371a-3p test in patients after preoperative chemotherapy or with solitary testes could potentially guide subsequent orchiectomy or observation. The dogma that urine is sterile has been overturned and dysbiosis of the urinary microbiome has been linked to many urological disorders. We tested the hypothesis that the urinary microbial composition may be different between men with or without bladder cancer in catheter collected urines, bladder washouts and midstream voided urines, and may be dependent on tumor staging. Liquid samples were collected from male patients with bladder cancer, and sex and age matched nonneoplastic controls. Total DNA was extracted and processed for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Bioinformatic analysis for microbial classification was performed to assess diversity and variations. The urinary microbiome associated with catheter collected urine samples of patients with bladder cancer was characterized by a significantly increased abundance of (p=0.04) and (p=0.03), and decreased (p=0.03) compared to controls, with differences exacerbating with disease progression. https://www.selleckchem.com/ Compared to catheterized urines, bladder cancer washouts showed the specific increase of some taxa, like (p=0.014), whereas midstream urines were enriched in (p <0.0001), (p <0.0001), (p=0.038) and (p <0.0001). The bladder is colonized by endogenous bacteria and microbial modifications characterize the microbiome of patients with bladder cancer. Different microbial compositions can be characterized by changing sampling strategy. These results pave the way for exploring new diagnostic and therapeutic options based on the manipulation of the bacterial community. The bladder is colonized by endogenous bacteria and microbial modifications characterize the microbiome of patients with bladder cancer. Different microbial compositions can be characterized by changing sampling strategy. These results pave the way for exploring new diagnostic and therapeutic options based on the manipulation of the bacterial community.