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

Metabolic risk factors in pediatric and adult calcium oxalate urinary stone formers: Is there any difference?

Objectives: Urolithiasis in children is recognized with an increasing frequency, while exact etiological factors remain to be determined. The aim of this study is to compare the metabolic risk factors and saturation of urine in pediatric and adult calcium oxalate (Ca-Ox) stone formers. Methods: A total of 33 pediatric (mean age: 6.8 +/- 3.1 years) and 120 adult patients (mean age: 39.7 +/- 5.7 years), with documented Ca-Ox urinary stone disease, underwent a comprehensive metabolic evaluation at our institution. Beside a broad serum analysis, concentrations of calcium, oxalate, magnesium, uric acid and citrate were measured in 24-hour collected urine. Saturation of urine was calculated by Marshall-Robertson's nomograms. Results: Hypocitraturia, observed in 60.6%, and hypomagnesuria, detected in 39.4%, but not hypercalciuria, were the most common metabolic risk factors in the pediatric group. In adults, hypercalciuria still represented one of the major metabolic risk factors, detected in 44.1%, although hypocitraturia, observed in 45.8%, was the most prevalent metabolic risk factor, as it was in the pediatric group. Pediatric cases had significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence of hypocitraturia, hypomagnesuria and supersaturated urine when compared to adults. Metabolic abnormalities could be detected in a high percentage (82%) of primary and recurrent pediatric Ca-Ox stone formers, but not in primary adult stone formers. Conclusions: Metabolic risk factors significantly differ in pediatric and adult Ca-Ox stone formers. Hypocitraturia and hypomagnesuria seem to play a major role in stone formation, and metabolic abnormalities can be detected in a significant percentage of both primary and recurrent pediatric stone formers. Thus, a comprehensive metabolic evaluation is of utmost importance for all children with Ca-Ox stones. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

Effects of extra-corporeal shock waves on penile hemodynamics and histopathology in rats

Aim: To study the effect of extra-corporeal shock wave (ESW) on the penile hemodynamics and histopathology in rats. Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided at random into 3 groups. ESW application was performed with a Siemens Lithostar With the rats under anesthesia lying prone on the balloon probe. Rats in Group I received a total of 1000 shocks at 18 kV and immediately underwent hemodynamic evaluation performed by direct electrostimulation of the cavernous nerve and measurement of intracavernous pressure (ICP). Rats in Group II received 3 times 1000 shocks at 18 kV at weekly intervals and hemodynamic evaluation was performed 1 month after the last ESW application. Group III served as the control. Histopathological examinations of penile tissues were done on Masson's trichrome and hematoxylin and eosin stained sections. Results: Penile hemodynamic evaluation showed a trend toward a diminished mean maximal ICP, duration of erection, ICP during the plateau phase and maximal ICP/ blood pressure ratio in Group I, although there was no significant significance. The mean latency period in Groups I and II was prolonged. Petechial bleeding within tunical layers and small foci of hemorrhage within the corpora cavernosa were observed in Group I. However, histopathological examination failed to reveal any significant differences between the groups in terms of smooth muscle content, tunical thickness, organization of collagen bundles and elastic fiber-lattice framework. Conclusion: ESW has certain damaging effects on the penis

Does sexual dysfunction correlate with deterioration of somatic sensory system in diabetic women?

To evaluate genital and extragenital somatic sensory system in diabetic women using biothesiometry and investigate the relation with sexual dysfunction. A total of 30 diabetic women and 20 normal sexually active women as a control group were evaluated with a detailed medical and sexual history including Index of Female Sexual Function (IFSF) questionnaire. Somatic sensory system of all women enrolled to the study was assessed by biothesiometry and threshold sensory values of nine genital sites and 14 extragenital sites were analyzed. The IFSF score in diabetic women was 23.6 while it was 38.3 in the control group ( <0.0005). For each genital as well as extragenital sites, the mean biothesiometric values were significantly higher in diabetics. The sensation of introitus vagina, labium minora and clitoris were found to be the most deteriorated genital sites in diabetic women. The difference between diabetic women with or without female sexual dysfunction ( FSD) was not significant for biothesiometric values. Our data indicate that, somatic sensory system is affected by diabetes however sexual dysfunction does not always manifest

Comparison of Fatal Injuries Resulting from Tractor and High Speed Motorcycle Accidents in Turkey: A Multicenter Study

Aim. Injuries are among the main causes of mortality and morbidity all over the world, and effective initial triage of these patients can determine the thin line between death and life. Tractor accidents and related injuries are significant problems particularly in rural areas. However, major trauma classification systems do not include tractor accidents as a criterion for trauma team activation or transportation of the patients to a trauma center. This study evaluated the general characteristics and outcomes of tractor accidents in comparison to motorcycle accidents, which are considered as a comparison criterion for major trauma. Materials and Methods. This is a multicenter study conducted in 6 emergency departments in 4 cities over a six month period. All cases over 18 years of age who were admitted to emergency service due to tractor or motorcycle accidents and meet the criteria were included in the study. The general characteristics and outcomes of both trauma types were compared to determine whether tractor accident should be considered as major traumas. Results. Eighty-eight patients had a tractor accident, and 339 patients had a motorcycle accident. The tractor accident victims were significantly younger (p<0.001), and the proportion of females was higher in this group (p=0.001). Glasgow coma score (p=0.062), revised trauma score (p=0.201), duration from incident to admission (p=0.481), and route of admission (p=0.810) were similar between both accident types. The rates of thoracic traumas (42% versus 23%, p<0.001) and spinal injuries (17% versus 5.9%, p=0.002) were significantly higher in tractor accidents. The hospitalization rates of the patients were significantly higher in tractor accidents (p=0.008). Conclusion. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that tractor accidents should be included in the criteria of ATLS major trauma classification system and trauma team activation procedures