Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals transcriptomic landscape and potential targets for human testicular ageing.

Study Question: What is the molecular landscape underlying the functional decline of human testicular ageing?

Summary Answer: The present study provides a comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic atlas of testes from young and old humans and offers insights into the molecular mechanisms and potential targets for human testicular ageing.

What Is Known Already: Testicular ageing is known to cause male age-related fertility decline and hypogonadism. Dysfunction of testicular cells has been considered as a key factor for testicular ageing.

Combination of High Ligation and Intraoperative Embolization using Polidocanol for Treatment of Varicoceles.

Varicoceles are dilated veins within the pampiniform plexus and are relatively common in the general male population. The spermatic vein has many branches in the scrotal segment and then gradually merges into 1-2 trunks after passing through the internal inguinal ring. The key to a successful varicocelectomy is to ligate all the spermatic veins while protecting the testicular arteries and spermatic lymphatic vessels from damage.

Altered transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles of testicular interstitial fluid during aging in mice.

The testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) that bathes seminiferous tubules and testicular interstitial cells is the main microenvironment of the testis and involved in crosstalk between testicular cells. TIF also provides a new mean to investigate dysfunctional states of testis such as spermatogenic disorder and aging. In this study, we performed integrative omics analysis on the exosomal transcriptomics and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) based non-targeted metabolomics in TIF by comparison between 21-month-old and 3-month-old male mice.

Altered small non-coding RNA expression profiles of extracellular vesicles in the prostatic fluid of patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) and chronic prostatitis (CP) is difficult to distinguish from each other, herein termed CP/CPPS. The present study aimed at gaining further insight into the change in extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the prostatic fluid of males with CPPS. From December 2019 to November 2020, after clinical screening, 24 patients with CPPS without obvious urinary symptoms and 13 healthy male participants were included.

[Human urine-derived stem cell-derived exosomes improve diabetic erectile dysfunction in rats].

Objective: To investigate the improving effect of human urine-derived stem cell-derived exosomes (USC-Exo) on the endothelial function and erectile function of male rats with diabetic ED (DED) and explore their action mechanism.

Methods: USC-Exo were extracted from the culture medium of USC by ultracentrifugation and identified. Cavernous sinus endothelial cells (CCEC) were collected from SD male rats and cultured in endothelial cell growth medium-2 (EGM-2) (the normal control group), EGM-2 + L-glucose at 25 mM (the high glucose group), EGM-2 + L-glucose at 25 mmol/L) + USC-Exo at 10 μg/ml (the Exo group), and EGM-2 + L-glucose at 25 mmol/L + USC-Exo at 10 μg/ml) + 3-methyladenine at 2 mmol/L (the 3-MA group), respectively.

Intratunical injection of human urine-derived stem cells derived exosomes prevents fibrosis and improves erectile function in a rat model of Peyronie's disease.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of intratunical injection of exosomes derived from human urine-derived stem cells (USC-exo) on plaque formation and erectile function in a transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) induced Peyronie's disease (PD) rat model. Twenty-four SD rats were randomly assigned equally to three groups: (I) Sham group (50 μl phosphate-buffered saline [PBS] injected into the tunica albuginea [TA]), (II) PD group (0.5 μg TGF-β1 in 50 μl PBS injected into the TA) and (III) USC-exo group (0.

[Oxidative stress induces damage to epididymal epithelial tight junction protein ZO-1 and impairs epididymal function in varicocele rats].

Objective: To investigate oxidative stress-mediated damage to the epididymal epithelial tight junction protein ZO-1 and its impact on epididymal function in varicocele rats.

Methods: We randomly divided 45 male adolescent SD rats into three groups of equal number: sham operation (left renal vein exposed and isolated), experimental (left renal vein constricted and collaterals of the left spermatic vein fully ligated), and treatment (60-day intragastric administration of vitamin E at 150 mg/kg/d after modeling). At 60 days after modeling, we observed the histological changes in the left epididymis, detected the expressions of ZO-1 and other tight junction-related proteins by real-time quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting, determined sperm motility, and measured the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), methylene dioxyamphetamine (MDA) and α-glucosidase (α-Glu) in the epididymal tissue of the rats.

[Protective effect of urine-derived stem cells on erectile dysfunction in rats with cavernous nerve injury].

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of human urine-derived stem cells (USCs) on erectile function and cavernous structure in rats with cavernous nerve injury (CNI).

Methods: Sixty adult male SD rats with normal sexual function were randomly divided into four groups of equal number: sham operation, bilateral CNI (BCNI) model control, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and USC. The BCNI model was established in the latter three groups of rats by clamping the bilateral cavernous nerves.

Erectile Dysfunction in Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: Outcomes from a Multi-Center Study and Risk Factor Analysis in a Single Center.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and explore the influence of UPOINT domains, National Institutes of Health-CP symptom index (NIH-CPSI) and other factors on ED prevalence. This was a prospective study of consecutive patients with CP/CPPS seen at 11 tertiary hospitals during January-July 2014. ED was diagnosed as a score of<21 on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5).

Transplantation of Human Urine-Derived Stem Cells Transfected with Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor to Protect Erectile Function in a Rat Model of Cavernous Nerve Injury.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether intracavernous injection of urine-derived stem cells (USCs) or USCs genetically modified with pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) could protect the erectile function and cavernous structure in a bilateral cavernous nerve injury-induced erectile dysfunction (CNIED) rat model. USCs were cultured from the urine of six healthy male donors. Seventy-five rats were randomly divided into five groups ( n = 15 per group): sham, bilateral cavernous nerve (CN) crush injury (BCNI), USC, USC, and USC groups.

Who will benefit from surgical repair for painful varicocele: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of different surgical approaches and techniques for resolving varicocele-related pain and factors that predict surgical outcomes.

Methods: The PubMed and Embase databases were searched with the terms "varicocele", "varicocelectomy" and "pain". Manual searches by reviewing the references of included studies were performed.

The effect of the degree of left renal vein constriction on the development of adolescent varicocele in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Experimental models have allowed inquiry into the pathophysiology of varicocele (VC) beyond that possible with human patients. A randomized controlled study in rats was designed to clarify the influence of the degree of left renal vein constriction on the development of adolescent VC. Fifty adolescent male Sprague-Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus) were randomly assigned to five groups of 10: the experimental groups (I-IV) underwent partial ligation of left renal veins with 0.

[Anatomical variability of the left spermatic vein and establishment of the experimental left varicocele model in adolescent rats].

Objective: To identify the anatomical variability of the left spermatic vein (LSV) and determine its effect on the induction of experimental left varicocele (ELV) in adolescent rats.

Methods: We equally randomized 30 adolescent male SD rats to groups A (LSV collaterals fully ligated and the left renal vein constricted), B (only the left renal vein constricted), and C (sham operation), observed the courses of the LSVs and measured their diameters. At 30 days after operation, we analyzed the changes in the left kidneys and the diameters of the LSVs.

Human urine-derived stem cells alone or genetically-modified with FGF2 Improve type 2 diabetic erectile dysfunction in a rat model.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of improving erectile dysfunction using cell therapy with either human urine-derived stem cells (USCs) or USCs genetically-modified with FGF2 in a type 2 diabetic rat model.

Methods: Human USCs were collected from 3 healthy donors. USCs were transfected with FGF2 (USCs-FGF2).

[Qilin pills combined with levofloxacin for asthenospermia accompanied with accessory sex gland infection: a clinical observation].

Objective: To observe the efficacy of the combination of Qilin Pills and levofloxacin in the treatment of asthenospermia accompanied with accessory sex gland infection.

Methods: We randomly assigned 80 asthenospermia patients with accessory sex gland infection to groups 1 and 2 of equal number, the former treated with Qilin Pills + levofloxacin, and the latter with levofloxacin only. Qilin Pills were administered at the dose of 6 g tid for 30 days, and levofloxacin at the dose of 0.