Morphokinetic features in human embryos: Analysis by our original high-resolution time-lapse cinematography-Summary of the past two decades.

Background: The pioneering work by Dr. Payne et al. in time-lapse cinematography for observation of the morphokinetic features of human embryos inspired us to develop a new in vitro culture system with high-resolution time-lapse cinematography (hR-TLC) back in 2001.

Impact of Advanced Paternal Age on Fertility and Risks of Genetic Disorders in Offspring.

The average age of fathers at first pregnancy has risen significantly over the last decade owing to various variables, including a longer life expectancy, more access to contraception, later marriage, and other factors. As has been proven in several studies, women over 35 years of age have an increased risk of infertility, pregnancy problems, spontaneous abortion, congenital malformations, and postnatal issues. There are varying opinions on whether a father's age affects the quality of his sperm or his ability to father a child.

Translation and Validation of the Intermittent Catheterization Difficulty Questionnaire (ICDQ) into Greek.

Purpose: Clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) is a safe and effective alternative to managing incomplete bladder emptying in patients afflicted with neurogenic bladder conditions. The Intermittent Catheterisation Difficulty Questionnaire (ICDQ) is a validated questionnaire concerning the assessment of catheter use and patient difficulties during CISC. The present study aimed to translate and validate the ICDQ into the Greek language.

Evaluation of Overactive Bladder Symptoms in Patients Recovering from Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome.

Purpose: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a multi-organ viral infection with many manifestations. However, its impact on the genitourinary system is nowadays under investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the consequences on bladder function in patients suffering from post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) transferred to inpatient rehabilitation for long-term care after initial treatment for COVID-19 pathophysiology.

Varicoceles in Men With Non-obstructive Azoospermia: The Dilemma to Operate or Not.

The knowledge on male reproduction is constantly expanding, especially in treating infertility due to non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Varicocele is occasionally diagnosed in a subpopulation of males with NOA. Varicocele repair in NOA-men may contribute to the reappearance of spermatozoa in semen.

PDE5 inhibitors and male reproduction: Is there a place for PDE5 inhibitors in infertility clinics or andrology laboratories?

The objective of this review study is to evaluate the therapeutic role of PDE5 inhibitors (PDE5is) in the amelioration of oligoasthenospermia in infertile males. PDE5is have a beneficial influence on the secretory function of the Leydig and Sertoli cells, the biochemical environment within the seminiferous tubule, the contractility of the testicular tunica albuginea, and the prostatic secretory function. In several studies, the overall effect of sildenafil and vardenafil increased quantitative and qualitative sperm motility.

Early effects of adipose-derived stem cell sheets against detrusor underactivity in a rat cryo-injury model.

Aims: This study investigated the effects of adipose-derived stem cell sheets on a rat model of detrusor underactivity.

Main Methods: Adipose-derived stem cell sheets were prepared from the subcutaneous adipose tissue of male Lewis rats. Female Lewis rats were assigned into four groups: control, sham operation, cryo-injury, and cryo-injury+sheet (n = 8 per group).

Efficacy of Combination Chemotherapy With Docetaxel, Estramustine and Carboplatin in Men With Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer.

Background: The efficacy of docetaxel and carboplatin with oral estramustine was evaluated in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Patients And Methods: Patients were treated with intravenous docetaxel at 30 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of a 28-day cycle. Intravenous carboplatin (area under the curve, 6 mg/ml/min) was administered on day 1.

Extent of pelvic lymph node dissection improves early oncological outcomes for patients with high-risk prostate cancer without lymph node involvement after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Background: We investigated the effect of the extent of pelvic lymph node dissection (LND) on biochemical recurrence (BCR) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) without lymph node involvement (LNI) treated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 378 patients who underwent RARP with LND at our hospital between October 2010 and June 2019. The BCR-free survival rate was determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox regression analysis was used to investigate BCR prognostic factors.

Longitudinal, 5-year long-term outcomes for urinary continence and quality of life after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in Japanese patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal 5-year long-term outcomes for urinary continence and quality of life (QOL) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), particularly nerve-sparing.

Methods: Among patients who underwent RARP between October 2010 and October 2015, postoperative urinary symptoms were retrospectively examined using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), QOL index, and number of pads used. Patients were divided into nerve-sparing and non-nerve-sparing groups, and all data were evaluated before and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months after surgery.

Influence of the time interval between biopsy and surgery on the biochemical recurrence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in Japanese patients.

Objective: We evaluated the impact of the duration between the biopsy and surgery on the biochemical recurrence (BCR) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 302 patients who underwent RARP in our institution from April 2010 to December 2017. Patients were categorized into 2 groups, an interval between biopsy and surgery of 180 days or less (Group A) and longer than 180 days (Group B).

Potential role of ghrelin on the micturition reflex in rats.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intravenous ghrelin administration on the micturition reflex in rats.

Material And Methods: Continuous cystometrograms were performed with female Sparague-Dawley rats under urethane anesthesia. Stable micturition cycles were established, and ghrelin was then administered intravenously to evaluate changes in bladder activity.

Impact of positive surgical margin status in predicting early biochemical recurrence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Background: We investigated the association between positive surgical margin (PSM) status and biochemical recurrence (BCR) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) to develop a prognostic factor-based risk stratification model for BCR.

Methods: We analyzed the data of 483 patients who underwent RARP at our hospital between October 2010 and April 2019; 435 patients without neoadjuvant therapy were finally included. The BCR-free survival rate was determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Mirabegron Alleviates the Degree of Burden Experienced by Caregivers of Older Females with Mixed or Urge Incontinence: A Prospective Study.

Purpose: Older people, especially women, have the highest known prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) of any other age-group. Continual care provision for elderly incontinent females is an incredibly arduous process, yet only very few studies have investigated the issue. Aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of mirabegron's treatment on the degree of burden experienced by caregivers of elderly female patients with UI.

Administration of Antioxidants in Infertile Male: When it may have a Detrimental Effect?

Background & Objective: Significant advances in the field of male infertility have been witnessed during the last years. Given the well-known detrimental effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the administration of antioxidants has emerged as a promising solution for oxidative stress (OS)-induced male infertility. Nevertheless, this perception seems largely oversimplified, and the existing literature fails to recognize a notable superiority of the excessive use of these widely available nutritional compounds.

Intravesical prostatic protrusion may affect early postoperative continence undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Background: In this study, we investigated the effect of preoperative prostate morphology, especially intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP), on continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Methods: Retrospective analysis was applied to patients who underwent RARP between October 2010 and July 2014. The following parameters were assessed in all patients: age, body mass index (BMI), prostate-specific antigen, magnetic resonance imaging and pressure-flow studies findings.

Small-volume lymph node involvement and biochemical recurrence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with extended lymph node dissection in prostate cancer.

Background: We investigated prognostic factors for biochemical recurrence (BCR) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with extended pelvic lymph node (LN) dissection.

Methods: We included 173 patients who underwent RARP with extended pelvic LN dissection without neoadjuvant therapy at our hospital between October 2010 and April 2018. BCR was defined as prostate serum antigen (PSA) levels ≥ 0.

Therapeutic Effects of Micronutrient Supplements on Sperm Parameters: Fact or Fiction?

Background: Despite the limited evidence about the effect of micronutrient supplementation on the semen quality, many micronutrient supplements have been used to improve male fertility. Approximately, 40%- 50% of male infertility cases in general and up to 80% in men with idiopathic infertility cases are caused by oxidative stress and decreased level of seminal total antioxidant capacity.

Objective: To investigate the beneficial effects of micronutrient supplementation on sperm concentration, motility and morphology.

The Effect of PDE5 Inhibitors on the Male Reproductive Tract.

The therapeutic range of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5) inhibitors is getting wider in the last years. This review study focuses on the potential employment of PDE5 inhibitors as an adjunct tool for the therapeutic management of male infertility. The literature tends to suggest a beneficial effect of PDE5 inhibitors on Leydig and Sertoli cells secretory function.

Correction: The circadian rhythm of bladder clock genes in the spontaneously hypersensitive rat.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Oxidative Stress Alterations in the Bladder of a Short-period Type 2 Diabetes Rat Model: Antioxidant Treatment Can Be Beneficial for the Bladder.

Background/aim: A short-period type 2 diabetes model was established in order to identify changes in oxidative stress in the bladder at the initiation of the disease. The effect of antioxidant treatment was examined.

Materials And Methods: Diabetes was induced in adult male Wistar rats with a single dose of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg; i.

Effects of intravesical administration of sensory neuron-specific receptor agonist on voiding function in rats with cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the urodynamic effects of intravesical administration of bovine adrenal medulla 8-22 (BAM8-22), a selective rat sensory neuron-specific receptor 1 agonist, on the micturition reflex in normal rats and rats with cyclophosphamide-induced bladder overactivity.

Material And Methods: Continuous cystometrograms (0.04 ml/min) were performed in urethane-anesthetized rats.

The circadian rhythm of bladder clock genes in the spontaneously hypersensitive rat.

Circadian expression rhythms of clock gene products in the bladder are reportedly hindered by clock gene abnormalities. However, the role of clock gene products in various pathological lower urinary tract conditions is unknown. The present study examined the relationship between clock genes and voiding dysfunction in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR).

Long-Term Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Modified Intravesical Oxybutynin Chloride for Neurogenic Bladder in Children.

Background: Children with spinal cord disorders can present with neurogenic bladder, a condition in which the bladder partly or completely loses its ability to store urine and void at low pressure. A bladder with low compliance may cause urinary incontinence, which negatively impacts quality of life and renal function. Long-term high pressure neurogenic bladder can increase the risk of deterioration in renal function.

Evaluation of a Program of Clean Intermittent Catheterization for Underactive Bladder After Radical Hysterectomy.

Background: Dysfunction of the lower urinary tract is the most common complication of radical hysterectomy (RH). However, there are no established treatment protocols for postoperative underactive bladder (PUB). We developed our own new program for the treatment of underactive bladder (UB) after RH and evaluated it retrospectively.