Does the Testicular Apoptotic Index Vary with Serum Gonadotropins and Testicular Histopathology in Infertile Men?

Aims: Testicular apoptosis has been shown in human specimens, but its correlation with serum gonadotropins and testosterone levels has not been studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of apoptosis with serum hormone levels and testicular histopathological findings in infertile men. Methods: Testis biopsy specimens were obtained for routine clinical purposes from 41 azoospermic men. The biopsy material was divided into two parts: one part was fixed in Bouin's solution and processed using paraffin embedding and HE staining, and the other was fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin for the detection of apoptosis using TUNEL. To determine the apoptotic index, the number of apoptotic cells was divided by the total number of the counted cells and multiplied by 100 to calculate the percentage. Results: The apoptotic index was significantly higher in specimens with maturation arrest than in those with normal spermatogenesis (p = 0.016), hypospermatogenesis (p = 0.05), and Sertoli-cell-only specimens (p < 0.001). A significant negative correlation was found between serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels and the apoptotic index (r = -0.356, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate there is a relationship between increased apoptosis and testicular dysfunction, and indicate a prominent role for apoptosis in human male infertility. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Base

Congenital agenesis of scrotum and labia majora in siblings

Congenital agenesis of the scrotum and labia majora is very exceptional. To date, only 6 cases of scrotal agenesis have been reported. To our knowledge, the anomalies of the labioscrotal folds in siblings have not yet been reported. We report the complete agenesis of the scrotum and labia majora within the 3 members of the same family. Additionally, successful reconstruction of the neoscrotum was performed for the first time for congenital scrotal agenesis. UROLOGY 81: 421-423, 2013. Crown Copyright (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Inc

Congenital Agenesis of Scrotum and Labia Majora in Siblings

Congenital agenesis of the scrotum and labia majora is very exceptional. To date, only 6 cases of scrotal agenesis have been reported. To our knowledge, the anomalies of the labioscrotal folds in siblings have not yet been reported. We report the complete agenesis of the scrotum and labia majora within the 3 members of the same family. Additionally, successful reconstruction of the neoscrotum was performed for the first time for congenital scrotal agenesis. UROLOGY 81: 421-423, 2013. Crown Copyright (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Inc

Flow boiling enhancement in microtubes with crosslinked pHEMA coatings having different coating thicknesses

In this experimental study, flow boiling in mini/microtubes was investigated with surface enhancements provided by crosslinked polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (pHEMA) coatings, which were used as a crosslinker coating type with different thicknesses (50 nm, 100 nm and 150 nm) on inner microtube walls. Flow boiling heat transfer experiments were conducted on microtubes (with inner diameters of 249 µm, 507 µm and 998 µm) coated with crosslinked pHEMA coatings. pHEMA nanofilms were deposited with initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) technique. De-ionized water was utilized as the working fluid in this study. Experimental results obtained from coated microtubes were compared to their plain surface counterparts at two different mass fluxes (5,000 kg/m2s and 20,000 kg/m2s), and significant enhancements in Critical Heat Flux (up to 29.7 %) and boiling heat transfer (up to 126.2 %) were attained. Thicker pHEMA coatings resulted in larger enhancements in both CHF and boiling heat transfer

"Snodgraft" Technique for the Treatment of Primary Distal Hypospadias: Pushing the Envelope

Purpose: "Snodgraft" modification has been proposed to reduce the risk of meatal/neourethral stenosis in distal hypospadias. We applied the Snodgraft technique by using inner preputial graft in primary distal hypospadias repair

The Relationship Between Female Sexual Dysfunction and Myofascial Pain Syndrome and the Effect of Interferential Current Therapy on Female Sexual Function

Objective: To investigate the relationship between female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and the effect of interferential current therapy (ICT) for MPS on FSD. Material and methods: A total of 37 premenopausal patients aged between 18-50 years who had regular menstrual cycles and sexual relationships and trigger points on their upper trapezius muscles were included in the study. Thirty healthy volunteer participants were selected as the control group. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Visual Analog Scales (VAS) scores of both groups were compared. Subsequently, ICT was used to treat MPS patients. In ICT, a current intensity of 4.000 Hz, and 40-100 Hz AMF was delivered; the intensity was adjusted to the bearable sensorial threshold of each patient. Using VAS, BDI, and FSFI scores, the MPS patients were reevaluated 1 and 2 months after completing the therapy. Results: FSD was detected in 64.9% of the MPS patients and in 30% of the control group; there was a significant intergroup difference (p = 0.005). Overall FSFI score was significantly lower in the MPS patients than in the healthy control group. After treatment, the VAS, BDI, and FSFI scores improved in the MPS group. Pretreatment and post-treatment, the 1st and 2nd month mean FSFI scores were 23.20 +/- 4.75, 24.80 +/- 4.30 and 25.10 +/- 4.90, respectively (p<0.0001). As for FSFI subscale scores, a statistically significant improvement was detected only in the pain during intercourse, orgasm and sexual arousal scores. Conclusions: Our results have demonstrated that MPS involving only a restricted anatomical region adversely affects female sexual function. A significant improvement was observed in FSFI scores following the treatment of MPS

A Rare Renal Epithelial Tumor: Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma Case Report and Review of the Literature

Primary renal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma is a very rare lesion of kidney which originates from the metaplasia of the renal pelvic uroepithelium. Only one case with primary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma has been reported in the English literature. We report second case of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma which was radiologically classified as type-IIF Bosniak cyst in peripheral localization. We aimed to present this extreme and unusual entity with its radiological, surgical, and pathologic aspects under the light of literature