Shear wave elastography in varicocele patients. Prospective study to investigate correlation with semen parameters and histological findings

Aims: Shear wave elastosonography (SWE) is a non-invasive ultrasound imaging modality used to assess the mechanical properties of tissues such as rigidity and elasticity. In this prospective study, we investigated the effect of laparoscopic varicocelectomy on the elasticity, degree of fibrosis and function of the testes through SWE and we evaluated the correlation with semen parameters and histology findings. Methods: Male patients with monolateral left varicocele and a progressive alteration of the semen quality were enrolled prospectively. Patients were evaluated before varicocelectomy,3 and 6 months after surgery with semen analysis, ecocolordoppler US and SWE. In all patients a left testicular biopsy was performed at the time of varicocelectomy and it was repeated after 6 months in 55% of patients in order to investigate the histological findings and to correlate with SWE results. Results: The study was conducted on 82 patients. SWE showed a statistically significant difference between left and right testicles. Three months after surgery the mean left testicular volume increased, mean left SWE features decreased, and sperm count increased (p values < 0.0001). The SWE parameters, testicular volume and semen analysis values showed a statistically significant positive correlation between the pre and post-operative results (p value < 0.0001). The histological alterations were significantly changed 6 months postoperative with a complete morphology recovery in accordance with SWE results. Conclusions: SWE showed a statistically significant positive correlation with testicular volume, semen analysis, and histological findings. This study represents the first investigation that correlates the varicocele, the testis volume, the quality of the seminal fluid ant the histological findings with the ultrasound and SWE values

Higher testosterone serum levels are associated with a higher childbirth in patients treated for testicular cancer

Aim of our study was to assess fertility of patients treated with orchifunicolectomy for testicular cancer. A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing orchifunicolectomy for testicular cancer was conducted in three centers from 2000 to 2019. Demographic, clinical and histological characteristics of the patients were recorded. Adjuvant treatments were recorded. Number of pregnancies, number of children, cryopreservation, in vitro fertilization were recorded as well as postoperative testosterone serum level. Risk factors for pregnancy were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to evaluate factors influencing pregnancy rates

Sexual and functional outcomes of prostate artery embolisation. A prospective long-term follow-up, large cohort study.

Among minimally invasive procedures for treating benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) prostate artery embolisation (PAE) is described as safe and effective. Aim of this study is to report our results, focusing on sexual outcomes (erectile and ejaculatory functions sparing) of PAE in patients suffering from bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) secondary to BPH

Sexual function after pelic organ prolapse surgery. Trocarless Transvaginal Mesh (TTMS) vs. laparoscopic transperitoneal pelvic organ prolapse suspension

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and low urinary tract symptoms related to pelvic organs prolapse represent a common condition that negatively impacts on female sexuality (FS). The repair of this anatomical/functional condition could affect female sexual function. Laparoscopic approach known as “pelvic organ prolapse surgery” (POPs) or the anterior repair with a trocar-less trans-vaginal mesh (TTMs) represent two different surgical techniques to reach functional and sexual improvements. This study aimed to compare the results of minimally invasive approach (POPs) with open trans-vaginal mesh tape repair for the correction of SUI and to evaluate the different outcomes on sexual activity and urinary symptoms

Radiogenomics in clear cell renal cell carcinoma: Correlations between advanced CT imaging (texture analysis) and microRNAs expression

A relevant challenge for the improvement of clear cell renal cell carcinoma management could derive from the identification of novel molecular biomarkers that could greatly improve the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment choice of these neoplasms. In this study, we investigate whether quantitative parameters obtained from computed tomography texture analysis (CTTA) may correlate with the expression of selected oncogenic microRNAs (miRNA). To the best of our knowledge, a possible correlation between CT texture parameters and miRNAs expression in ccRCC was not investigated yet

Effect of vacation on urinary symptoms in healthcare workers. An Italian multicenter study

Aim of our study was to assess the impact of vacation on urinary symptoms in health care workers. Between March 2018 to October 2019 a survey was carried out by enrolling health care system workers in three centers. Demographic and clinical characteristics of health care workers (i.e. age, smoking status, medical history) were collected. Urinary symptoms work related quality of life and health were assessed before and after two weeks’ vacation with validated questionnaires: Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form (OABqsf), nocturia episodes,Work-relatedQuality of Life (WRQOL) and SF-36 questionnaires. As well, NS workers (NSWs), defined as working at least one time aweek from 8 pmto 8 am,were compared to traditional workers (TWs). Wilcoxon rank test was performed to test significant differences before and after vacation. Mann Whitney test was performed to assess differences between NSWs and TWs

Rotterdam mobile phone appincluding MRI data for the prediction of prostate cancer. A multicenter external validation

The Rotterdam Prostate Cancer Risk calculator (RPCRC, available as mobile phone app) has been extensively validated in the past years. Recently, a new version including MRI data has been released. The aim of our study was to analyze the performance of the MRI RPCRC app in a multicenter cohort of patients undergoing prostate biopsies

Regulatory T Cells in the Pathogenesis and Healing of Chronic Human Dermal Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania (Viannia) Species

The immune inflammatory response is a double edged sword. During infectious diseases, regulatory T cells can prevent eradication of the pathogen but can also limit inflammation and tissue damage. We investigated the role of regulatory T cells in chronic dermal leishmaniasis caused by species of the parasite Leishmania that are endemic in South and Central America. We found that although individuals with chronic lesions have increased regulatory T cells in their blood and at skin sites where immune responses to Leishmania were taking place compared to infected individuals who do not develop disease, their capacity to control the inflammatory response to Leishmania was inferior. However, healing of chronic lesions at the end of treatment was accompanied by an increase in the number and capacity of regulatory T cells to inhibit the function of effector T cells that mediate the inflammatory response. Different subsets of regulatory T cells, defined by the expression of molecular markers, were identified during chronic disease and healing, supporting the participation of distinct regulatory T cells in the development of disease and the control of inflammation during the healing response. Immunotherapeutic strategies may allow these regulatory T cell subsets to be mobilized or mitigated to achieve healing