Posterior Urethral Valves and Fertility: Insight on Paternity Rates and Seminal Parameters.

Background: Posterior urethral valves (PUVs) represent the most common cause of male congenital lower urinary tract obstruction, often responsible for renal dysplasia and chronic renal failure. Despite recent improvements in patients' outcomes thanks to prenatal ultrasound early diagnosis, PUVs can still impact sexual function and fertility. This study aims to review the available evidence on fertility in PUV patients, examining paternity rates and semen parameters.

The influence of seminal microbiota on human testicular steroidogenesis: a prospective study.

Objective: Preclinical evidence has demonstrated that gut microbiota composition can influence steroid hormone biosynthesis and spermatogenesis. This study aims to investigate the association of seminal microbiota and testicular steroidogenesis.

Patients And Methods: One hundred adult eugonadal men were consecutively enrolled.

Chemerin and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Its Role as a Biomarker and Therapeutic Target.

Chemerin, an adipokine implicated in inflammatory, metabolic, and adipogenic processes, has been detected in high serum concentration in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and seems to play a role in PCOS pathogenesis. Moreover, at present, no comprehensive and critical document is available in the literature on this topic. The aim of the current study was to comprehensively review the latest available data to confirm the evidence about the association between chemerin and PCOS, highlighting its potential role as an upcoming biomarker and therapeutic target.

A Deep Learning Model for Estimating the Quality of Bimetallic Tracks Obtained by Laser Powder-Directed Energy Deposition.

During the fabrication of Inconel 718-AISI 316L bimetallic components via laser powder-directed energy deposition, understanding the relationships between processes, microstructures, and material properties is crucial to obtaining high-quality parts. Physical-chemical properties, cooling rates, and thermal expansion coefficients of each material may affect the microstructure of parts, generating segregations and cracks. This paper analyzes how the process parameters affect the dimensions, chemical composition, and microhardness of bimetallic tracks.

Effects of Switching FSH Preparations on Sperm Parameters and Pregnancy: A Prospective Controlled Study.

To study the effect of switching to a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) preparation other than that to which infertile male patients have not had an effective response. Seventy-four normogonadotropinemic, non-obstructive, oligozoospermic patients who were poor responders to the administration of highly purified FSH (hpFSH) (Group 1 (n = 22) and Group 3 (n = 15)) or to recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) (Group 2 (n = 22) and Group 4 (n = 15)) were selected for this prospective study. After 3 months of washout from treatment with the first FSH preparation of choice, rhFSH was administered to patients in Groups 1 and 4 and hpFSH to those in Groups 2 and 3.

Prostate Cancer: Emerging Modifiable Risk Factors and Therapeutic Strategies in the Management of Advanced Cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the third highest cause of cancer death in men. PCa is a very heterogeneous tumor form in terms of grade, phenotypes, and genetics, often accompanied by complex networks. PCa is characterized by slow growth that does not compromise the patient's quality of life, unlike more aggressive forms showing rapid growth and progression.

Can nutraceuticals counteract the detrimental effects of the environment on male fertility? A parallel systematic review and expert opinion.

Introduction: Male fertility relies on a complex physiology that may be negatively influenced by lifestyle, diet, and environment. The beneficial effect of nutraceuticals on male fertility is a debated claim. The aim of this study was to assess if the positive effect of nutraceuticals can counteract the negative effects of the environment on male fertility.

Psychometric validity of the sum score of the Sniffin' Sticks-Extended Test.

A common tool to measure olfactory function is the Sniffin' Sticks Test extended version (SSET). The SSET evaluates olfactory ability by summing the scores of three subtests: Threshold, Discrimination, and Identification. Recent meta-scientific literature revealed that many psychometric instruments currently in use have not been adequately validated, leading to a measurement crisis that raises concerns about the validity of the conclusions drawn with these instruments.

The Missense Variant in the Signal Peptide of Gene, c.13 A/G, Promotes Endoplasmic Reticular Stress and the Related Pathway's Activation.

Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) is an X-linked multisystemic disorder with a heterogeneous phenotype, resulting from deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) and leading to globotriaosylceramide systemic accumulation. Lysosomal storage is not the unique player in organ failure and different mechanisms could drive tissue damage, including endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and its related signaling pathway's activation. We identified a new missense variant in the signal peptide of gene, c.

Healthcare professionals' perspectives towards the digitalisation of paediatric growth hormone therapies: expert panels in Italy and Korea.

Introduction: To analyse the perspectives of healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding the acceptance of digital health solutions for growth hormone (GH) deficiency care. This study identified factors impacting HCPs' intent to use and recommend digital solutions supporting recombinant-human growth hormone (r-hGH) therapy in Italy and Korea with a use case of connected drug delivery system (Aluetta with Smartdot™) integrated in a platform for GH treatment support (the Growzen™ digital health ecosystem).

Methods: Participatory workshops were conducted in Rome, Italy, and Seoul, Korea, to collect the perspectives of 22 HCPs on various predefined topics.

Semaglutide and obesity: beyond the nutritional and lifestyle intervention?

Semaglutide is the second marketed glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist that can be used safely and efficiently in non-diabetic people with excess weight, providing a new milestone in the pharmacological treatment of obesity. This narrative review aims to describe the clinical actions of this new drug in weight management in non-diabetic patients along with possible side-effects and dropout reasons. To accomplish this, the PubMed database was searched to retrieve the most relevant clinical studies published to date on this topic, using the following keywords "semaglutide and obesity".

Safety and efficacy of burosumab in improving phosphate metabolism, bone health, and quality of life in adolescents with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets.

Background And Objective: X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) is due to loss-of-function mutations in the phosphate-regulating endopeptidase homologue on the X chromosome (PHEX) that lead to increased fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) production. FGF23 excess causes renal phosphate wasting and insufficient 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)D) synthesis with reduced intestinal phosphate absorption, ultimately resulting in chronic hypophosphatemia. Children with XLH show typical skeletal lesions of rickets, deformities of the lower limbs, stunted growth with disproportionate short stature, bone pain, and physical dysfunctions.

Psychometric Characteristics of the Italian Version of the Revised Sociosexual Orientation Inventory.

Sociosexuality refers to the tendency to engage in uncommitted sexual behavior and has been dissected into three domains: sociosexual behavior, attitudes, and desire (Penke & Asendorpf, 2008), which led to the revised Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI-R), which was validated on a German sample. The current research aimed at translating and validating an Italian version (I-SOI-R), administered to three distinct Italian participant groups. In the first sample (N = 710, females = 521, age = 18-59 years), we found evidence for a bifactor model, articulated in a general sociosexuality factor and three specific factors (behavior, attitudes, desire).

The Effects of Caloric Restriction on Inflammatory Targets in the Prostates of Aged Rats.

Numerous animal models have demonstrated that caloric restriction (CR) is an excellent tool to delay aging and increase the quality of life, likely because it counteracts age-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. The aging process can affect the prostate in three ways: the onset of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, and prostate cancer. In this study, we used 14 aged male Sprague Dawley rats, which were allocated into two groups, at the age of 18 months old.

Directed energy deposition of 18NiM300 steel: effect of process and post processing conditions on microstructure and properties.

This current study investigates the effect of Direct Energy Deposition (DED) process conditions on the properties and microstructure of M300 maraging steel samples. The investigation centers on two key factors: laser power and deposition environment. The microstructure of this tool steel is analyzed by computing the Primary Cellular Arm Spacing.

In-Vitro Effects of Perfluorooctanoic Acid on Human Sperm Function: What Are the Clinical Consequences?

: Lifestyle and environmental pollution harm male fertility. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are bio-accumulates in the environment as well as in several human tissues, and one of the most common PFAS is perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effects of PFOA with hydrophobic and waterproofing properties on motility and bio-functional sperm parameters.

Coexistence of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Post-Operative Monitoring of Anti-Thyroglobulin Antibodies and Assessment of Treatment Response.

Introduction: Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is frequently found in conjunction with autoimmune thyroid disorders, particularly Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). This study investigates the impact of coexisting HT on the persistence of an indeterminate response to therapy due to positive anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (AbTg), measured via competitive immunoassay, in a consecutive patient series from Calabria, Southern Italy.

Methods: This retrospective longitudinal study analyzed 259 consecutive DTC patients managed at the Endocrinology Unit of Renato Dulbecco Hospital (Catanzaro, Italy) up to 2023.

Microsurgical Resection of Giant Radio-Induced Cavernous Malformation: 2- Dimensional Video.

Radioinduced cavernous malformations (RICMs) are low-flow, angiographically occult vascular lesions. Giant radioinduced cavernous malformations (GRICMs) are a subtype of RICMs that are characterized by their large size. GRICMs are defined as RICMs that are larger than 3 cm in diameter.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid Reduces Cell Growth, Inhibits Autophagy, and Counteracts Prostate Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion: Evidence from In Vitro Studies.

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a natural antioxidant dithiol compound, exerting antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects in various cancer cell lines. In our study, we demonstrated that ALA reduces the cell growth of prostate cancer cells LNCaP and DU-145. Western blot results revealed that in both cancer cells, ALA, by upregulating pmTOR expression, reduced the protein content of two autophagy initiation markers, Beclin-1 and MAPLC3.

Relationship between Iron Deficiency and Thyroid Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Iron deficiency (ID) is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency worldwide. Low levels of serum ferritin (SF) could affect the thyroid gland and its functioning. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize the main currently available evidence and analyze data on the relationship between ID and thyroid function.

Lifestyle and sexual habits of students in a Southern Italian region.

Background: Incorrect or harmful lifestyle during youth may impact negatively gonadal function later in life. To reduce the development of risky behaviors a series of health prevention and intervention campaigns have been conducted in Italy. The present study is part of a Sicily Region (Italy) health surveillance program that was carried out on a sample of late adolescents.

Predictive role of 17α-hydroxy-progesterone serum levels of response to follicle-stimulating hormone in patients with abnormal sperm parameters.

Objectives: To study the possible role of serum 17α-hydroxy-progesterone (17αOH-P) levels in predicting favorable responses to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) administration in patients with normal serum FSH levels and idiopathic abnormal sperm parameters.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: University-affiliated fertility center.

Investigational follicle-stimulating hormone receptor agonists for male infertility therapy.

Introduction: According to estimates by the World Health Organization, about 17.5% of the adult population - roughly 1 in 6 globally - experience infertility. The causes of male infertility remain poorly understood and have yet to be fully evaluated.