Tissue structure-specific distribution of glycosaminoglycans in the human penis.

The aim of this work was to isolate and characterise the glycosaminoglycans present in the different tissue structures of the human penis in view of their potentially significant role in the physiology of erection. Penile tissue samples were obtained from patients who underwent penectomy and were subsequently dissected into individual tissue structures. Total glycosaminoglycans were isolated and purified from tunica albuginea, corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum, following tissue mincing, ultrasonication, lipid extraction, extensive digestion with pronase and DNase, treatment with alkali-borohydride and ethanol precipitation.

Sildenafil versus intracavernous injection therapy: efficacy and preference in patients on intracavernous injection for more than 1 year.

Purpose: To our knowledge comparative data on the effectiveness of and patient preference for intracavernous injection therapy and sildenafil are still not available. We evaluated the efficacy of sildenafil as well as patient preference in a group of impotent men on intracavernous injection for more than a year.

Materials And Methods: Patients on intracavernous injection therapy for more than a year without neurological disease and/or a contraindication to sildenafil treatment were recruited for study.

Benign hyperplasia of the human prostate is associated with tissue enrichment in chondroitin sulphate of wide size distribution.

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) involves qualitative and quantitative alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM) components affecting stromal-epithelial interactions. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are polysaccharide components of the ECM whose role in the development of BPH is under investigation.

Methods: GAGs were extracted from human prostates of normal and BPH origin and were subsequently fractionated through DEAE-sephacel anion exchange chromatography.

Hemodynamic characterization of a functional erection. Arterial and corporeal veno-occlusive function in patients with a positive intracavernosal injection test.

Objectives: To characterize hemodynamically a functional/rigid erection and study the hypothesis that a positive intracavernosal injection test indicates normal arterial and corporeal veno-occlusive function.

Methods: 33 patients (mean age 39.5 +/- 9 years), who developed rigid erection during pharmacocavernosometry, included in the present study.

Spontaneous pregnancy following therapeutic approach of an infertile man with aspermia/obstructive azoospermia.

The combination of aspermia and obstructive azoospermia in the same infertile man is a rather rare entity. In the case reported here, all diagnostic criteria as well as subsequent recovery following two operations are compatible with an inflammatory origin. In such cases assisted reproduction should be recommended.

Management of nocturnal enuresis in children with desmopressin and bladder physiotherapy.

In the last 2 years, 29 children with nocturnal enuresis were treated in the outpatient departments of the Departments of Urology and Pediatric Surgery of the Aristotle University, Thessaloniki. There were 22 boys and 7 girls aged 7 to 12 years. The clinical examination was normal in all cases.

Nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity monitoring in young potent volunteers: reproducibility, evaluation criteria and the effect of sexual intercourse.

Purpose: We studied the reproducibility of nocturnal penile tumescence, rigidity evaluation criteria and the possible effects of sexual intercourse in young, healthy, potent male volunteers.

Materials And Methods: We recruited 12 male medical students 21 to 24 years old into the study. A disorder-free medical history, availability of a sexual partner and normal erectile function were the inclusion criteria.