Spontaneous Iliac Vein Ruptures: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Spontaneous iliac vein rupture is a rare, but frequently lethal condition. It is important to timely recognize its clinical features and immediately start adequate treatment. We aimed to increase awareness to clinical features, specific diagnostics, and treatment strategies of spontaneous iliac vein rupture by evaluating the current literature.

The impact of the origin of surgical sperm retrieval on placental and embryonic development: The Rotterdam Periconception cohort.

Background: In patients with azoospermia, pregnancy can be achieved after surgical techniques using sperm retrieved from the testis or epididymis, which can impact on DNA integrity and epigenetics. DNA of the fetus and placenta is equally derived from both parents; however, genes important for placental development are expressed from the paternal alleles. Therefore, the origin of sperm may affect fetal and placental development.

CRIPTO and miR-371a-3p Are Serum Biomarkers of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors and Are Detected in Seminal Plasma from Azoospermic Males.

miR-371a-3p is currently the most informative reported biomarker for germ cell tumors (GCTs). Another developmental-related biomarker, CRIPTO, is involved in the regulation of pluripotency and germ cell fate commitment. We aimed to assess the value of CRIPTO as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of testicular GCTs (TGCTs) and also to assess its presence in seminal plasma samples, compared with miR-371a-3p.

VASA mRNA (DDX4) detection is more specific than immunohistochemistry using poly- or monoclonal antibodies for germ cells in the male urogenital tract.

VASA, also known as DDX4, is reported to be specifically expressed in cells belonging to the germ cell lineage, both in males and females. Therefore, it could be an informative protein biomarker to be applied on semen to differentiate between obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia (OA and NOA, respectively). In addition, it could be of value to predict sperm retrieval based on testicular sperm extraction.

Body mass index and central adiposity are associated with sperm quality in men of subfertile couples.

Background: The incidence of overweight and obesity in men of reproductive ages is rising, which may affect fertility. Therefore, this study aims to assess the associations between BMI, central adiposity and sperm parameters in men of subfertile couples.

Methods: Ejaculate volume (ml), sperm concentration (millions per ml), percentage of progressive motile and immotile spermatozoa and total motile sperm count (millions) were measured in 450 men of subfertile couples visiting a tertiary outpatient clinic for reproductive treatment and preconception counseling.

Management of single large nonstaghorn renal stones in the CROES PCNL global study.

Purpose: We compared stone characteristics and outcomes in patients with a single large nonstaghorn renal calculus treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the Clinical Research Office of Endourological Society global study.

Materials And Methods: Two statistical analyses were done, including one comparing renal stone size (20 to 30, 31 to 40 and 41 to 60 mm) and the other comparing renal stone site (pelvis, or upper, mid or lower calyx). Surgical outcomes, including operative time, hospital stay, stone-free rate and postoperative fever, were compared between groups.

Gonadal dysfunction in male cancer patients before cytotoxic treatment.

Male patients diagnosed with cancer are often referred for semen cryopreservation before gonadotoxic treatment but often have low semen quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate which type of cancer affects gonadal function and proposes a risk factor for low pre-treatment semen quality. Between January 1983 and August 2006, 764 male cancer patients were referred for semen cryopreservation prior to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Heterogeneous distribution of ITGCNU in an adult testis: consequences for biopsy-based diagnosis.

Carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the testis, also referred to as intratubular germ cell neoplasia unclassified (ITGCNU), is currently accepted as the common precursor for all malignant germ cell tumors of adolescents and adults- that is, the seminomatous and nonseminoma cancers. These preinvasive cells have specific cellular characteristics, which can be used for the early diagnosis-routinely done by morphological analysis, sometimes supported by immunohistochemistry-of tissue obtained by an open surgical biopsy. False-negative biopsy results can occur mostly because of the nonrandom distribution of ITGCNU within the testis, misdiagnosis, or suboptimal tissue treatment and analysis.