The complex structure of the smooth muscle layer of spermatic veins and its potential role in the development of varicocele testis.

Objectives: Varicocele, a dilatation of the pampiniform venous plexus, is considered to cause male infertility. The exact mechanism of varicocele development is not clarified yet. This study focused on the structure of varicocele veins, compared with normal spermatic veins, and its potential role in varicocele development.

Baseline follicle-stimulating hormone is a strong predictor for the outcome of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone test in young men with unilateral medium- or high-grade varicocele.

Objective: To investigate whether the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) test is an adequate diagnostic tool to identify testicular dysfunction in men with strictly unilateral varicocele and defined testicular volume; and to identify any peripheral venous variable which would predict the result of the GnRH test.

Patients And Methods: In all, 102 GnRH tests were done in men with a left-sided varicocele. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were determined.

Lipid class distribution of fatty acids including conjugated linoleic acids in healthy and cancerous parts of human kidneys.

In this study the FA compositions of healthy and cancerous human renal tissues from the same patients are compared with special reference to the CLA and PUFA content. CLA was preferentially incorporated into neutral lipid compared with phospholipid classes. Its distribution profile was similar to that of monounsaturated FA, but unlike that found with 18:2n-6.

Distribution of conjugated linoleic acid in total and subcellular fractions from normal and cancerous parts of human testes.

The objective of the present study was to examine differences in the fatty acid composition of subcellular fractions from normal and cancerous parts of human testes. The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content was significantly higher in total testicular carcinoma (TC), but significantly lower in the mitochondrial fraction of TC in comparison to normal testicular tissue. The subcellular distribution pattern of CLA was similar to that of monounsaturated fatty acids, but different to that of 18:2n-6 (linoleic acid), underlining the different physiological properties of CLA and 18 : 2n-6.

Distribution of polyunsaturated fatty acids including conjugated linoleic acids in total and subcellular fractions from healthy and cancerous parts of human kidneys.

Differences in the FA composition of subcellular fractions from healthy and cancerous kidney tissues from the same patients were examined. Only minor differences in CLA content were found between the healthy and the cancerous tissue portions. Regarding the distribution pattern, CLA incorporation into nuclei and cytosol was significantly higher than incorporation into plasma membranes and mitochondria, which could be correlated to the neutral lipid content of these fractions.

New application of a subcellular fractionation method to kidney and testis for the determination of conjugated linoleic acid in selected cell organelles of healthy and cancerous human tissues.

To clarify the mechanism of the anticarcinogenic effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), its intracellular distribution needs to be determined. Subcellular fractionation using centrifugation techniques is a method that is frequently used for isolation of cell organelles from different tissues. But as the size and density of the organelles differ, the method needs to be optimised for every type of tissue.

Phlebography: why it is important to study radiological imaging of spermatic veins.

Objectives: We delineate the role of phlebography which is a standard procedure during antegrade and retrograde sclerotherapy of idiopathic varicoceles.

Material And Methods: Based on our experience with antegrade sclerotherapy in 5,254 adults and adolescents we present typical phlebographies of the internal spermatic vein and radiological images after irregular cannulation of different arteries and veins on the scrotal floor. The sequalae of misinjections and paravascular application of the sclerosing agent polidocanol are discussed.

Transurethral resection for bladder cancer using 5-aminolevulinic acid induced fluorescence endoscopy versus white light endoscopy.

Purpose: Endoscopy done under fluorescence induced by 5-aminolevulinic acid has proved to be a procedure with high sensitivity for detecting transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. In this multicenter, parallel group, phase III study we compared 5-aminolevulinic acid fluorescence endoscopy guided transurethral bladder resection with transurethral bladder resection done using only white light endoscopy. The proportion of tumor-free resected cases in the 2 groups was evaluated.