Dexamethasone is a regulator of clock genes in testicular peritubular cells.

Background: We recently found that peritubular cells of the human testis are a dominant site of expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR; encoded by NR3C1). Activation of GR by dexamethasone (Dex) strongly influences the phenotype of cultured human testicular peritubular cells (HTPCs), causing massive changes of their proteome and secretome. As glucocorticoids (GC) are also known to set the internal clock of peripheral organs by regulating clock genes, we tested such an influence of Dex in HTPCs.

Identification of Catecholamine and Drug Target α-Adrenoceptor in Human Testis and Human Testicular Peritubular Cells.

Clonidine has been used in clinical medicine, e.g., to treat high blood pressure and other conditions.

Profound Effects of Dexamethasone on the Immunological State, Synthesis and Secretion Capacity of Human Testicular Peritubular Cells.

The functions of human testicular peritubular cells (HTPCs), forming a small compartment located between the seminiferous epithelium and the interstitial areas of the testis, are not fully known but go beyond intratesticular sperm transport and include immunological roles. The expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) indicates that they may be regulated by glucocorticoids (GCs). Herein, we studied the consequences of the GC dexamethasone (Dex) in cultured HTPCs, which serves as a unique window into the human testis.

Asymptomatic bacteriospermia and infertility-what is the connection?

Objective: To determine the impact of asymptomatic bacteriospermia on semen quality in subfertile men.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-centre cohort study in 1300 subfertile men. In those diagnosed with asymptomatic bacteriospermia we performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to evaluate the strain-specific association with semen parameters.

Validation of a CE-IVD, urine exosomal RNA expression assay for risk assessment of prostate cancer prior to biopsy.

Improved risk stratification of patients suspected of prostate cancer prior to biopsy continues to be an unmet clinical need. ExoDx Prostate (IntelliScore) "EPI" is a non-invasive urine test utilizing RNA from exosomes to provide a risk score that correlates with the likelihood of finding high grade prostate cancer at biopsy. Here, we present the results from a prospective clinical validation study of EPI-CE, a CE-marked in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) assay, specifically developed for use in European clinical laboratories.

Testicular adenosine acts as a pro-inflammatory molecule: role of testicular peritubular cells.

Extracellular ATP has been described to be involved in inflammatory cytokine production by human testicular peritubular cells (HTPCs). The ectonucleotidases ENTPD1 and NT5E degrade ATP and have been reported in rodent testicular peritubular cells. We hypothesized that if a similar situation exists in human testis, ATP metabolites may contribute to cytokine production.

Impact of antiangiogenic treatment on the erectile function in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

We longitudinally assessed erectile function as well as the willingness to use pro-erectile treatment in a cohort on AAT for advanced RCC. Thirty-seven patients with advanced RCC completed the five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and other interview items before (T0) and 12 weeks into therapy (T12) with AAT. Patients were further asked if they were willing to use and pay out-of-pocket for on-demand treatment with phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitors (PDE-5i).

Hydrogen in methanol catalysts by neutron imaging.

Although of pivotal importance in heterogeneous hydrogenation reactions, the amount of hydrogen on catalysts during reactions is seldom known. We demonstrate the use of neutron imaging to follow and quantify hydrogen containing species in Cu/ZnO catalysts operando during methanol synthesis. The steady-state measurements reveal that the amount of hydrogen containing intermediates is related to the reaction yields of CO and methanol, as expected from simple considerations of the likely reaction mechanism.

Palmitic Acid Targets Human Testicular Peritubular Cells and Causes a Pro-Inflammatory Response.

Palmitic acid (PA) is a major fatty acid, derived from diet and endogenous production, which is being linked to inflammation. While such actions of PA at the level of the testis remain difficult to examine, we reasoned that studies in human testicular cells may be instructive. Human testicular peritubular cells (HTPCs) can be isolated from men and cultured.

How do elevated levels of testosterone affect the function of the human fallopian tube and fertility?-New insights.

Excess testosterone levels affect up to 20% of the female population worldwide and are a key component in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome. However, little is known about how excess testosterone affects the function of the human fallopian tube-the site of gamete transport, fertilization, and early embryogenesis. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize alterations caused by long-term exposure to male testosterone levels.

Should We Use Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) for the Characterization of Nonpalpable Testicular Lesions? An Analysis from a Cost-Effectiveness Perspective.

Purpose:  Accurate characterization of testicular lesions is crucial to allow for correct treatment of malignant tumors and to avoid unnecessary procedures in benign ones. In recent years, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) proved to be superior in specifying the dignity of small, nonpalpable testicular lesions (< 1.5 cm) compared to native B-mode and color Doppler ultrasound which were previously regarded as the primary imaging method.

Splenogonadal fusion evaluation using Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound and Elastography. A case report.

We present the case of splenogonadal fusion in a 53-year-old male patient assessed by ultrasound and MRI, confirmed by pathologic examination. In addition to B-mode and colour-coded Doppler ultrasound, shear wave elastography and CEUS were performed and are presented in detail. Splenogonadal fusion is a rare congenital anomaly presumably caused by an abnormal attachment of splenic tissue to the gonad during gestation.

Scaling Up Electrodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting: Fabrication Process and Performance of 40 cm LaTiO N Photoanodes.

A scalable process for fabrication of particle-based photoanodes is developed. The electrodes are versatilely made of photocatalytically active semiconductor particles, in this case LaTiO N, and optionally coated with cocatalysts and protecting components, all immobilized on a conducting substrate. The involved fabrication steps are restricted to scalable processes such as electrophoretic deposition, annealing in air, and dip coating.

Depth-Profiling Microanalysis of CoNCN Water-Oxidation Catalyst Using a λ = 46.9 nm Plasma Laser for Nano-Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

Nanoscale depth profiling analysis of a CoNCN-coated electrode for water oxidation catalysis was carried out using table-top extreme ultraviolet (XUV) laser ablation time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The self-developed laser operates at λ = 46.9 nm and represents factor of 4 reduction in wavelength with respect to the 193 nm excimer laser.

Long-term kinetics of Zika virus RNA and antibodies in body fluids of a vasectomized traveller returning from Martinique: a case report.

Background: The magnitude of the current Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic has led to a declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO. Findings of viable viral particles in semen for several weeks are corroborating reports of sexual transmission of ZIKV. Serious consequences of a positive diagnostic result particularly in the pregnant patient are calling for precise diagnostic tools also at later time points after infection.

Effects of Elevated β-Estradiol Levels on the Functional Morphology of the Testis - New Insights.

Elevated estradiol levels are correlated with male infertility. Causes of hyperestrogenism include diseases of the adrenal cortex, testis or medications affecting the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. The aim of our study was to elucidate the effects of estradiol treatment on testicular cellular morphology and function, with reference to the treatment regimen received.

Controlled Design of Functional Nano-Coatings: Reduction of Loss Mechanisms in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting.

Efficient water splitting with photoelectrodes requires highly performing and stable photoactive materials. Since there is no material known which fulfills all these requirements because of various loss mechanisms, we present a strategy for efficiency enhancement of photoanodes via deposition of functional coatings in the nanometer range. Origins of performance losses in particle-based oxynitride photoanodes were identified and specifically designed coatings were deposited to address each loss mechanism individually.

Drug use among men with unfulfilled wish to father children: a retrospective analysis and discussion of specific drug classes.

Purpose: Male infertility is a multifactorial state. Among other risk factors, drugs can adversely affect male fertility and male sexual function. In a retrospective study we aimed to analyse how many involuntarily childless men seeking fertility evaluation consume drugs, which drugs and if these are potentially affecting male reproductive function.

Transfer of knowledge into clinical practice: an ongoing problem. An example of adverse drug reactions impairing male fertility.

There is still a gap between the information available on the desired and adverse effects of drugs, and the use of these drugs in clinical practice. We present an enquiry from a patient with a wish to father a child. He asked if carbamazepine and/or lercanidipine might be the cause of his raised prolactin level; his urologist had denied this.

Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE): a preclinical investigation of the male genital tract.

The aim of this study was to assess the potential of probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) as a new diagnostic imaging technique for the male genital tract. For this purpose, testes, epididymides, and vasa deferentia were obtained during transsexual surgery of healthy patients (n = 10, 26-52 years). Prior to this, testes of rats (n = 10, Sprague-Dawley) and mice (n = 8, wild-type) were examined.

Design Guidelines for High-Performance Particle-Based Photoanodes for Water Splitting: Lanthanum Titanium Oxynitride as a Model.

Semiconductor powders are perfectly suited for the scalable fabrication of particle-based photoelectrodes, which can be used to split water using the sun as a renewable energy source. This systematic study is focused on variation of the electrode design using LaTiO2 N as a model system. We present the influence of particle morphology on charge separation and transport properties combined with post-treatment procedures, such as necking and size-dependent co-catalyst loading.

Increased chromosome 16 disomy rates in human spermatozoa and recurrent spontaneous abortions.

Objective: To investigate if unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) are associated with increased rates of aneuploidy in spermatozoa of RSA partners ("RSA-men").

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Academic research center.

Ex vivo investigations on the potential of optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a diagnostic tool for reproductive medicine in a bovine model.

Routine infertility investigations in the male and female include imaging techniques such as ultrasonography and endoscopy (fertiloscopy). However, these techniques lack the resolution to localize vital sperm or to reveal detailed morphological analysis of the oviduct which is often the cause of infertility in females. Therefore we set out to evaluate the efficiency of optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a diagnostic imaging tool for micron-scale visualization of the male and female genital tract.

Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) - a new imaging technique for in situ localization of spermatozoa.

In azoospermic patients, spermatozoa are routinely obtained by testicular sperm extraction (TESE). However, success rates of this technique are moderate, because the site of excision of testicular tissue is determined arbitrarily. Therefore the aim of this study was to establish probe-based laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) a noval biomedical imaging technique, which provides the opportunity of non-invasive, real-time visualisation of tissue at histological resolution.