JU Open Plus: American Urological Association Annual Meeting 2023: Time With Our Science and the Mentors that Make It Happen

April 2023: Issue Review Three new articles were uploaded in April 2023—all in original research categories. The paper by Venigalla et al1 posed the simple question on potential causality between vasectomy and benign hypertrophy with associated lower urinary tract symptoms (BPH/LUTS)—perhaps a timely article with the increased attention on vasectomy requests in the recent year. The linkage discussed relates to the potential inflammatory pathways set up by the obstruction of the ducts. The authors used the health services research approach with a large insurance claims database (US origin). Granted, the vasectomy requesting population (40s) may be younger than a typical BPH/LUTS population (60s and older). With a 5-year window around vasectomy (yes/no) and downstream BPH/LUTS diagnoses or related medical or surgical therapy, there was no association observed. As with many health services research designs, the samples sizes are large: 162,153 men who underwent vasectomy and 6,094,147 control men. The paper by Post Wilke et al2 is an interesting concept in combining multiple genome-wide association studies from the United States and Europe to investigate the molecular landscape around stress urinary incontinence. The authors document their methods carefully both within the article and using supplemental materials (always a nice feature for a digital-only journal without page count concerns). The efforts combine into a single figure that illustrates the landscape by cellular type and functional themes—nice to have a computer image to magnify as needed. They continue with a detailed discussion on the featured role of altered beta-catenin signaling in this disease pathway. Finally, the paper by Sadun et al3 moves us into the emerging field of qualitative research—an area of focus by some of our editorial board members, including Bruce Jacobs. This paper worked with focus groups comprising women with recurrent urinary tract infections. Because these are recurrent disease themes, multiple themes emerged from the areas of consistency of care, patient frustration/fear, and education. Table 3 from the reference shows a qualitative research summary of illustrative patient quotes around key themes. The authors then construct a patient-centered model for care that centers around the patient and the primary care physician and integrate specialty input from infectious disease and/or urology/urogynecology. Appendix 1 in the reference shows more about their interview process. An interesting highlight of the peer-review comments was around the timing of the research relative to guidelines (always hard to control). Although multiple guidance works were available at the time of the interviews in this paper, the American Urological `Association/Canadian Urological Association/Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction (AUA/CUA/SUFU) 2022 guidelines are now published and would be an important update to this paper. We look forward to another set of articles for May. We now turn to our pictorial/essay section that is authored by our associate editor Marisa Clifton. This section is designed to celebrate our culture as urologists through novel images, ideas, and events. She includes images in the “people” and “things” categories. I will add one from “places:” Figure 1 shot from my hotel room in Chicago for the 2023 AUA meeting.Figure 1.: Places. The 2023 AUA meeting took place in Chicago. For many participants, this would be a typical hotel room view leaving for the meeting at the crack of dawn for a full day of science and networking.April 2023: People, Places, and Things April is one of the most exciting times of the year for urologists as it is not only the opportunity to showcase our groundbreaking research but also a chance to reconnect with colleagues throughout the field at the annual AUA meeting. Last year's AUA was the first in-person event since the pandemic; however, COVID-19 affected our ability to fully embrace the totality of the conference. #AUA23 was a refreshing and re-energizing opportunity to network, meet mentors, and become sponsors. The Diversity & Inclusion Committee introduced the FUTURE (Future Urology Talent from UnderRepresented Entities) Program under the leadership of Dr. Larissa Bresler. This unique experience partnered mentors with approximately 50 medical students who joined their mentors in all events throughout the day to expose them to our dynamic field and cultivate longitudinal relationships. I was privileged to be paired with Manaka Sato (@manaka_sato), a medical student at Carle Illinois College of Medicine (CIMED) in Urbana-Champaign, IL. After a brief orientation, Manaka joined us for the JU Open Plus Editorial Board meeting, which was the first in-person experience we have had together as an editorial board. As per Jennifer Regala's (@JenniferARegala) request, pink was the color of the day (Figure 2).Figure 2.: People. Jennifer Regala, Susan MacDonald (@smacdonald_md), Manaka Sato, Marisa Clifton (@MCliftonMD) at the @JUOpenPlus Board Meeting at #AUA23.We took a circumlocutious path to return to the scientific meeting, which allowed Manaka to meet some leaders in the field and social media. After a quick lunch, we joined the SUFU program (@sufuorg) in time to see Dr. Seth Cohen (@DrSCohen) and others lead lively discussions of FPMRS and reconstructive urology controversies. To ensure we maximized our step count, we took a brief excursion to watch the AUA Resident's Bowl. The MidAtlantic Section of the AUA (@MidAtlanticAUA) resident team, the Fournier's Gang, successfully defended their championship title and in the following days retained their position as Resident Bowl Champions! It always seems that the evening social events at the AUA are destined to conflict with one another. To my good fortune, I chose to attend the Publications Voice of Urology AUA 2023 Reception. After awards were distributed to the exceptional reviewers who ensure top notch content for the AUA journals, I was able to meet with an unspoken hero of the meeting, Robert, an AUA event photographer (Figure 3). I was impressed with his delicate efficiency but also his persistence in capturing the spirit of the event. Although we spoke for a few minutes, I wanted to learn more about him. Before becoming a photographer, Robert taught philosophy. Although his field is much different than ours, he compared surgeons with choreographers who coordinate complex movements, but do not always receive the acknowledgment of a successful ballet. When I asked him if he enjoyed his time at the meeting, he told me the crowd was welcoming and a great group to work with. I heartily agree.Figure 3.: People. Robert Shiverts, one of our #AUA23 meeting photographers.On my return from Chicago, I resumed my recent creative endeavor to acknowledge one of my mentors. As surgeons, many of us have hobbies that use our dexterity and creativity, and I have become known as a crafter. The pandemic inspired me to create practical gifts that I can force on unsuspecting learners and colleagues. One of my urology mentors, Dr. Alan Partin, passed away in March at the age of 62 years after being diagnosed with a glioblastoma. It was humbling seeing his strength and perseverance over the past year. When his wife, Vicky, asked me to design and create glasses for his remembrance celebration, I could think of no better way to honor him (Figure 4).Figure 4.: Things. An etched monogram on glass—a tribute for Alan Partin.Through the past month's events, I am reminded of the importance of networking, mentoring, sponsoring, and caring for the wonderful people around us. Take a moment over the next few weeks to celebrate those in your life who sponsor your passion.

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