Body mass index and age correlate with antioxidant supplementation effects on sperm quality: Post hoc analyses from a double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Spermatozoa are vulnerable to lack of energy and oxidative stress as a result of elevated levels of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, it is essential that appropriate nutrients are available during maturation. This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effect of 6-month supplementation with carnitines and other micronutrients on sperm quality in 104 subjects with oligo- and/or astheno- and/or teratozoospermia with or without varicocele. Semen analyses were done at the beginning and end of the treatment. In addition to main analyses, post hoc analyses for age and body mass index (BMI) were carried out. Results were interpreted by dividing the population into two age and BMI classes. In 94 patients who completed the study, all sperm parameters increased in supplemented patients compared to the placebo group. A significant (p = .0272) difference in supplementation efficacy was observed for total motility on patients with varicocele and BMI < 25. In the same group, also the progressive motility was significantly superior (p = .0159). For Responder analysis, total motility results were confirmed in both the cited group (p = .0066) and in the varicocele group with BMI < 25 and age < 35 (p = .0078). This study suggests that supplementation is more effective in subjects with varicocele younger than 35 years with BMI < 25

Identification of New Genes Related to Virulence of Xanthomonas axonopodis Pv. Citri during Citrus Host Interactions

A mutant library of the bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri strain 306 pathotype A (Xac), the causative agent of most aggressive Asiatic type A citrus canker, was screened regarding altered canker symptoms after inoculations into Citrus sinensis and Citrus limonia host leaves. Twenty-six mutants have shown phenotypic virulence changes and have respectively knocked out gene identified by sequencing. In vivo growth curves were obtained for nine mutants to quantify how the mutations could affect pathogen's adaptability to growth inside and attack host plant infected tissue. Among identified genes in mutated strains, we could find those that until now had not been reported as being involved in Xac adaptation and/or virulence, such as predicted to encode for xylose repressor-like protein (XAC Delta xylR), Fe-S oxidoredutase (XAC Delta aslB), helicase IV (XAC Delta helD), ubiquinol cytochrome c oxidoreductase iron-sulfur subunit (XAC Delta petA), chromosome partitioning protein (XAC Delta parB) and cell division protein FtsB (XAC Delta ftsB), in addition to genes predicted to encode for hypothetical proteins. The new genes found in this study as being relevant to adaptation and virulence, improve the understanding of Xac fitness during citrus plant attack and canker symptoms development.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo-FAPESPCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior-CAPESCNPqFundo de Defesa da Citricultura (FUNDECITRUS)CAPESFUNDECITRUSFAPESPSao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Fac Agr Sci & Vet, Dept Technol, Jaboticabal, SP, BrazilCitriculture Res Ctr Sylvio Moreira IAC Campinas, Campinas, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Ouro Preto, Inst Exact & Biol Sci, Dept Biol Sci, Ouro Preto, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Ouro Preto, Res Ctr Biol Sci NUPEB, Inst Exact & Biol Sci, Dept Biol Sci, Ouro Preto, MG, BrazilSao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Fac Agr Sci & Vet, Plant Hlth Dept, Jaboticabal, SP, BrazilFed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Biol Sci, Diadema, SP, BrazilFed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Biol Sci, Diadema, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 04/02006-7Web of Scienc

Body mass index and age correlate with antioxidant supplementation effects on sperm quality: Post hoc analyses from a double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Spermatozoa are vulnerable to lack of energy and oxidative stress as a result of elevated levels of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, it is essential that appropriate nutrients are available during maturation. This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effect of 6-month supplementation with carnitines and other micronutrients on sperm quality in 104 subjects with oligo- and/or astheno- and/or teratozoospermia with or without varicocele. Semen analyses were done at the beginning and end of the treatment. In addition to main analyses, post hoc analyses for age and body mass index (BMI) were carried out. Results were interpreted by dividing the population into two age and BMI classes. In 94 patients who completed the study, all sperm parameters increased in supplemented patients compared to the placebo group. A significant (p = .0272) difference in supplementation efficacy was observed for total motility on patients with varicocele and BMI < 25. In the same group, also the progressive motility was significantly superior (p = .0159). For Responder analysis, total motility results were confirmed in both the cited group (p = .0066) and in the varicocele group with BMI < 25 and age < 35 (p = .0078). This study suggests that supplementation is more effective in subjects with varicocele younger than 35 years with BMI < 25

Distal corporal anchoring stitch: a technique to address distal corporal crossovers and impending lateral extrusions of a penile prosthesis

Background: Unidentified distal crossovers, delayed distal crossovers, and impending lateral extrusion are complications of penile prosthesis implant insertion but are not as common as prosthesis infection or mechanical failure. Aim: To evaluate results of a surgical technique, the distal corporal anchoring stitch, that addresses fixation of the penile prosthesis in patients with these complications. Methods: A lateral sub-coronal incision is used on the side where the crossover or laterally extruding cylinder should be positioned. Dissection is carried through the Buck fascia, followed by a transverse incision of the tunica albuginea, where the distal aspect of the affected cylinder is delivered. A 4-0 PDS suture is threaded through the distal cylinder ring of the implant. A new, properly positioned intracorporal channel is created and the suture is passed through the distal end of the channel. Once the suture is through the glans and the cylinder is in the correct position, a small cruciate incision is made on the glans at the location of the anchor stitch. The suture is tied with the knot buried in the glans tissue. Outcomes: Fifty-three patients underwent treatment of their distal penile implant crossover with a distal corporoplasty using this method and their anatomic and functional outcomes and overall satisfaction were evaluated. Results: This technique ensured that the cylinder remained in the newly created, appropriately positioned channel. No patients developed infections, wound-healing defect, glandular hypoesthesia, anesthesia, or altered sensation or pain in the glans related to the suture and only two reported recurrence of a lateral herniation that did not require further treatment. Clinical Implications: Distal fixation of the penile prosthesis is a useful surgical adjunct to treating patients with prosthetic lateral extrusions or crossovers that can be applied in almost all cases. Strengths and Limitations: Considering these rare complications, our experience is based on a relatively large number of patients and showed a low incidence of complications and a high satisfaction rate. The main limitation of this study is the retrospective nature of the data and the series included patients from two high-volume surgeons that might not be generalizable to all practices. Conclusion: The distal corporal anchoring stitch is safe and effective in securing distal fixation of the extruding inflatable penile prosthesis

Proteomics-based identification of differentially abundant proteins reveals adaptation mechanisms of Xanthomonas citri subsp citri during Citrus sinensis infection

Background: Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xac) is the causal agent of citrus canker. A proteomic analysis under in planta infectious and non-infectious conditions was conducted in order to increase our knowledge about the adaptive process of Xac during infection. Results: For that, a 2D-based proteomic analysis of Xac at 1, 3 and 5 days after inoculation, in comparison to Xac growth in NB media was carried out and followed by MALDI-TOF-TOF identification of 124 unique differentially abundant proteins. Among them, 79 correspond to up-regulated proteins in at least one of the three stages of infection. Our results indicate an important role of proteins related to biofilm synthesis, lipopolysaccharides biosynthesis, and iron uptake and metabolism as possible modulators of plant innate immunity, and revealed an intricate network of proteins involved in reactive oxygen species adaptation during Plants'Oxidative Burst response. We also identified proteins previously unknown to be involved in Xac-Citrus interaction, including the hypothetical protein XAC3981. A mutant strain for this gene has proved to be non-pathogenic in respect to classical symptoms of citrus canker induced in compatible plants. Conclusions: This is the first time that a protein repertoire is shown to be active and working in an integrated manner during the infection process in a compatible host, pointing to an elaborate mechanism for adaptation of Xac once inside the plant.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao PauloFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas GeraisBIGA grant-CAPESUniv Fed Ouro Preto, Inst Ciencias Exatas & Biol, Dept Ciencias Biol DECBI, Ouro Preto, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Ouro Preto, Nucleo Pesquisas Ciencias Biol NUPEB, Ouro Preto, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Quim, Dept Bioquim DBq, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Dept Tecnol, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet Jaboticabal, Jaboticabal, SP, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Inst Quim, Campinas, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Quim, Dept Bioquim, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Ciencias Biol, Diadema, SP, BrazilVirginia Tech, Biocomplex Inst, Blacksburg, VA USAUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Quim, Dept Bioquim, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Ciencias Biol, Diadema, SP, BrazilCAPESFAPESP: 04/02006-7Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais: CBB-APQ-04425-10BIGA grant-CAPES: 3385/2013Web of Scienc

Endometriosis and Organochlorinated Environmental Pollutants: A Case–Control Study on Italian Women of Reproductive Age

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a common gynecologic disease characterized by the ectopic growth of endometrial tissue. In industrialized countries, it affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age. Its etiology is unclear, but a multifactorial origin is considered to be most plausible. Environmental organochlorinated persistent pollutants, in particular dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), have been hypothesized to play a role in the disease etiopathogenesis. However, results of studies carried out on humans are conflicting. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the exposure to organochlorinated persistent pollutants as a risk factor for endometriosis. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study in Rome on 158 women comprising 80 cases and 78 controls. In all women, serum concentrations of selected non-dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs) and dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs), 1,1-dichloro-2,21-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-ethene (p p'-DDE), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were determined by ion-trap mass spectrometry. DR-CALUX bioassay was employed to assess the 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxicity equivalent (TEQ) concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and DL-PCBs. RESULTS: We found an increased risk of endometriosis for DL-PCB-118 (odds ratio (OR) = 3.79; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.61-8.91), NDL-PCB-138 (OR = 3.78; 95% CI, 1.60-8.94), NDLPCB-153 (OR = 4.88; 95% CI, 2.01-11.0), NDL-PCB-170 (OR = 3.52; 95% CI, 1.41-8.79), and the sum of DL-PCBs and NDL-PCBs (OR = 5.63; 95% CI, 2.25-14. 10). No significant associations were observed with respect to HCB or to the sum of PCDDs, PCDFs1 and DL-PC13s given as total TEQs. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that an association exists between increased PCB and p,p'-DDE serum concentrations and the risk of endometriosis

The prognostic role of circulating tumor cells (ctc) in high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) could represent a promising, noninvasive prognostic and predictive marker in high-risk patients with nonemuscle-invasive bladder cancer. We retrospectively evaluated 155 patients with pT1G3 bladder cancer who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor after a blood withdrawal for CTC evaluation. In our analysis, the presence of CTCs was significantly associated with time to first recurrence and time to progression. Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as a prognostic marker in patients with high-risk nonemuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and assess the efficacy and reliability of 2 different CTC isolation methods. Materials and Methods: Globally, 155 patients with a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of high-risk NMIBC were included (pT1G3 with or without carcinoma in situ) and underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB) after a blood withdrawal for CTC evaluation. A total of 101 patients (Group A) had their samples analyzed with the CellSearch automated system, and 54 (Group B) had their samples analyzed with the CELLection Dynabeads manual system. Results: Patients were followed for 28 months, and during this interval, there were a total of 65 (41.9%) recurrences, 27 (17.4%) disease progressions, and 9 (5.8%) lymph node and/or bone metastasis. In our CTC analysis, there were 20 (19.8%) positive patients in Group A and 24 in Group B (44.4%). In our analysis, we found a strong correlation between CTC presence and time to first recurrence; in Group A, we observed an incidence of recurrence in 75% of CTC-positive patients and in Group B of 83% of CTC-positive patients. The time to progression was also strongly correlated with CTCs: 65% and 29%, respectively, of those patients who progressed in those with CTCs in Group A and B. Conclusion: The study demonstrates the potential role of CTCs as a prognostic marker for risk stratification in patients with NMIBC, to predict both recurrence and progression

Postoperative vacuum therapy following AMS™ LGX 700® inflatable penile prosthesis placement: penile dimension outcomes and overall satisfaction

Penile shortening after inflatable penile prosthesis for erectile dysfunction is a common postoperative patient complaint and can reduce overall satisfaction with the procedure. In this prospective study we report our results regarding penile dimensions and patient satisfaction outcomes after 1 year of follow-up from AMS™LGX700® penile prosthesis implant with 6 months of vacuum erectile device therapy. Seventy-four selected patients with medically refractory erectile dysfunction underwent AMS™ LGX 700® IPP placement. Postoperatively, patients were assigned vacuum device therapy for 5 min twice daily. Follow-up continued for 1 year after surgery. Dimensional and functional results were assessed. Baseline median preoperative stretched penile length and girth were 14 cm (range 10–17) and 9 cm (range 7–12), respectively. At the end of the study penile median dimensional outcomes were 17 cm (range 13–23) for length and 11 cm (range 10–13) for girth while a median number of 24 pumps (range 18–29) to fully inflate the device was seen. Baseline median International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score was 9 (range 5–11), at 6 months 20 (range 18–26) and at 1 year was 25 (range 20–27) (p < 0.0001). Median Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) score at the end of the follow-up was 74 (range 66–78). Our postoperative rehabilitation program is feasible and should be recommended after prothesis surgery in order to increase overall satisfaction with the procedure. Penile postoperative dimensional outcomes were statistically significant improved and complications were negligible