A systematic review and meta-analysis of the placebo effect on both semen quality and male infertility.

Introduction: Placebo influence on such objective indicators, as sperm quality and infertility, has not been studied previously, but some studies report that placebo may distort even objective outcomes. The aim of current study is to assess the placebo effect on fertility in patients suffering from sperm abnormalities and/or infertility.

Evidence Acquisition: We conducted a search of two databases (Scopus and MEDLINE) and identified placebo-controlled clinical trials which focused on sperm abnormalities and/or male infertility treatment.

Association between Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Abnormalities in Semen Parameters and Sexual Function: A Pilot Study.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting patients of reproductive age. Although HS shares risk factors with male infertility, only 1 epidemiological study has evaluated this association. To further evaluate this potential association, findings on semen and hormonal analysis, testicular ultrasound, and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) were compared between 28 men attending a tertiary HS clinic during the period April 2019 to April 2021, and 44 healthy controls, spouses of infertile women undergoing semen evaluation before in vitro fertilization.

Prostate-specific antigen level association with COVID-19 infection and vaccination.

Introduction: The associations among SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination and total serum prostate serum antigen (PSA) levels in men undergoing screening for prostate cancer are unknown.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of data from a large health maintenance organization. Records of individuals aged 50 to 75 years with two serum PSA tests taken between March 2018 and November 2021 were included.

Sexual dysfunction among adolescent and young adult cancer patients: diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Purpose Of Review: We present a review for healthcare professionals, formulated by a multidisciplinary team, for screening and interventions, describing common sexual impairments encountered by adolescent and young adult cancer patients (AYACP), and suggest a comprehensive evidence-based assessment approach and interventions for treatment of sexual dysfunction (SD).

Recent Findings: We discuss the various aspects of SD in AYACP, including causes, challenges and etiologies, and then go on to recommend increased awareness and guidance in healthcare workers, in order to optimize diagnosis and treatment of SD.

Summary: Although the extent of SD among AYACP is widely recognized, oncological clinicians rarely address SD in their routine practice, lacking a clear approach of interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

The absence of spermatogenesis in radical orchiectomy specimen is associated with advanced-stage nonseminomatous testicular cancer.

Background: To assess if clinical, pathological, and spermatogenesis factors are associated with clinical staging in patients with testicular germ cell tumors.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the pathology reports and slides from 267 men who underwent radical orchiectomy for testicular cancer at our institution during 1998-2019. Histologic slides were reviewed and the presence of mature spermatozoa was documented.

Trends in urological emergencies in the Era of COVID-19.

Purpose: To evaluate trends in emergency room (ER) urological conditions during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analyses of renal colic, hematuria, and urinary retention in ER's admissions of a tertiary hospital during the lockdown period (March 19 to May 4, 2020) in Israel. Patient's demographics and clinical characteristics were compared to those in corresponding periods during 2017-2019, with estimated changes in ER arrival and waiting times, utilization of imaging tests, numbers of hospitalizations, and urgent procedure rates.

Peyronie's disease - Watch out for the bend.

Background: Peyronie's disease is a relatively common condition in urological practice, but is still poorly identified and understood in the wider medical community and by most of the public. Identifying the condition and appropriate referral for expert opinion can significantly lessen the physical and psychological effect on patients.

Objective: The objective of this article is to provide general practitioners with a concise and updated review of Peyronie's disease, with the aim of helping them to provide appropriate advice to their patients.

Urolithiasis - Ten things every general practitioner should know.

Background: Upper urinary tract stones are a common problem in Australia, with an incidence of 0.13% per year, and a lifetime prevalence of up to 15% in males and 8% in females. Many of these patients first present to general practitioners (GPs), so a thorough understanding of the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of stone disease is an important part of any GP's arsenal.

Male infertility - The other side of the equation.

Background: A male factor contributes to infertility in approximately 50% of couples who fail to conceive, causing significant psychosocial and marital stress.

Objective: This article reviews the general practitioner's (GP's) evaluation of male infertility and indications for referral to a male infertility specialist, and gives an overview of the specialist management of male infertility.

Discussion: Male infertility can result from anatomical or genetic abnormalities, systemic or neurological diseases, infections, trauma, iatrogenic injury, gonadotoxins and development of sperm antibodies.

Much more than prescribing a pill - Assessment and treatment of erectile dysfunction by the general practitioner.

Background: Erectile dysfunction is a common but often neglected condition. Prevalence increases with age, but is not insignificant in younger men.

Objective: This article will broadly describe the epidemiology, classification and risk factors of erectile dysfunction.

Post-thaw recovery of rare or very low concentrations of cryopreserved human sperm.

Objective: To analyze cases in which no sperm could be identified after thawing among cryopreserved samples of rare or very low concentrations of sperm.

Design: Retrospective, single-institution, cross-sectional.

Setting: Male infertility clinic.

Outcomes of anastrozole in oligozoospermic hypoandrogenic subfertile men.

Objective: To determine whether the change in sperm parameters in subfertile hypoandrogenic men treated with anastrozole is correlated to the magnitude of increase in testosterone (T) to estrogen ratio in men responding to treatment.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Male fertility clinic.

Predictors of spermatogenesis in radical orchiectomy specimen and potential implications for patients with testicular cancer.

Objective: To assess the ability of semen analysis and other patients' characteristics to predict the presence of spermatozoa in radical orchiectomy pathological specimen, and describe potential implications for patients with azoospermia and testis cancer.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary hospital.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy for infection stones: what is the risk for postoperative sepsis? A retrospective cohort study.

The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative course of patients with positive stone culture (SC) to patients with sterile SC, and to analyze the predictors for post percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) sepsis; and to describe the type and resistance patterns of bacteria responsible for post PCNL sepsis. From a cohort of 206 consecutive patients undergoing PCNL, we identified 45 patients with a positive SC (group A) and compared them to patients with a sterile SC (group B). Association between different groups was assessed using Chi square, two-tailed Student's t test and Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts progression and recurrence of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Objective: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) predicts advanced stage disease and decreased survival in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. The predictive value of NLR in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has not been well studied. We aimed to evaluate whether NLR predicted disease recurrence and progression in NMIBC.

Presence of detrusor muscle in bladder tumor specimens--predictors and effect on outcome as a measure of resection quality.

Objectives: To identify predictors of the absence of detrusor muscle in bladder tumor specimens and analyze its effect on clinical outcome as an indicator of resection quality.

Methods: The bladder cancer database of a tertiary medical center was queried for patients who underwent complete transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) between 2008 and 2009. Study end points were absence of detrusor muscle in the surgical specimen and its association with disease recurrence/progression.

Resection of ureteral orifice during transurethral resection of bladder tumor: functional and oncologic implications.

Purpose: We assessed the risk of upper urinary tract obstruction and tumor recurrence following ureteral orifice resection during transurethral resection of bladder tumor.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients treated with transurethral resection of bladder tumors involving the ureteral orifice from 2008 to 2011. Patients with preoperative hydronephrosis or prior ipsilateral nephrectomy and those in whom a ureteral stent was placed during the procedure were excluded from analysis.