Transurethral assistant transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site radical prostatectomy

The laparoendoscopic single-site （LESS） technique is the latest technical innovation in laparoscopic surgery to undergo exponential development in urology. This study undertaken to illustrate our initial experience LESS radical prostatectomy （RP） and analyze early outcomes. Nineteen patients diagnosed with prostate cancer underwent LESS-RP in our institute. The patients were divided into two groups： conventional LESS and transurethral assistant LESS. Preoperative, perioperative, postoperative, pathologic, and functional outcomes data were assessed. With the help of a transurethral assistant, the mean operation and anastomosis time were decreased markedly. No focal positive margins were encountered. No prostate-specific antigen recurrence was detected 1 month postoperatively. Complete continence recovery （no pad） was observed in 32% of the patients at 1 month after the operation. No intraoperative and postoperative complications were reported, LESS-RP is a feasible and effective surgical procedure for treatment of prostate cancer. Moreover, transurethral assistant LESS could reduce the difficulty of LESS-RP and shorten the operation time.

Identification of Legionella species by the composition of cellular fatty acids

One hundred andfifty-three isolates from the environment and 36 reference strains of the Legionella were studied with regards to their composition of cellular fatty acids as determined by gas chromatography,and then were classified into 41 groups by numerical analysis.Most reference strains formed only a single group,except L.micdadei,L.jamestowniensis,L.parisiensis,L.jorda-nis,L.feeleii and L.longbeachae,which were clustered into two or three groups.Even serological types of L.pneumophila could be clearly identified.Therefore,in this study,numerical analysis of cellular fatty acid composition is an effective method for identifying Legionella species.

Research advances of Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease

Legionella is a causative agent of legionellosis or Legionnaires’disease.Infection with Legionella spp.is an important cause of community and hospital-acquired pneumonia.Moreover,infection with Legionella is one of the most common causes of severe pneumonia in community settings,and Legionella is isolated in 40%of hospital-acquired pneumonia cases.The clinical features of legionellosis or Legionnaires’disease are not unique,which makes the diagnosis challenging.Macrolides andfluoroquinolones are the most widely used drugs in treatment.Early recognition,treatment and effective measures for prevention and control of the disease are important and required.Although there have been a lot of methods for diagnosis of Legionella infection,they were often time-consuming or complex,not suitable for clinical purposes.This review summarizes available information regarding the microbiology,taxonomy,epidemiology,pathogenesis and diagnosis of Legionnaires’disease,with an emphasis on the laboratory diagnosis of infection with Legionella spp.