Clinical effectiveness of unilateral single-armed vasoepididymostomy in obstructive azoospermia: a single-center experience.

Background: Vasoepididymostomy (VE) is an important surgical treatment to achieve natural conception for patients with obstructive azoospermia (OA), and only unilateral VE can be performed under certain conditions, such as OA patients with congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens (CUAVD) and some acquired OA. There is a lack of relevant reports assessing the clinical outcomes of unilateral VE in OA patients with different causes. This study is aimed to describe the clinical features and evaluate treatments and outcomes of unilateral single-armed VE in OA patients.

Molecular and spatial signatures of human and rat corpus cavernosum physiopathological processes at single-cell resolution.

The composition and cellular heterogeneity of the corpus cavernosum (CC) microenvironment have been characterized, but the spatial heterogeneity at the molecular level remains unexplored. In this study, we integrate single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptome sequencing to comprehensively chart the spatial cellular landscape of the human and rat CC under normal and disease conditions. We observe differences in the proportions of cell subtypes and marker genes between humans and rats.

Urban meteorological drought comprehensive index based on a composite fuzzy matter element-moment estimation weighting model.

Due to rapid urbanization and climate change, cities face hidden drought risks. A single drought index may inadequately reflect urban meteorological drought. The indicator weight combination method does not fully consider index correlation and weight.

Datasets of Great Britain primary substations integrated with household heating information.

The growing demand for electrified heating, electrified transportation, and power-intensive data centres challenge distribution networks. If electrification projects are carried out without considering electrical distribution infrastructure, there could be unexpected blackouts and financial losses. Datasets containing real-world distribution network information are required to address this.

Experimental Investigation of Reflectarray Antennas for High-Power Microwave Applications.

The power capacity of reflectarray antennas (RAs) is investigated through full-wave simulations and high-power microwave (HPM) experiments in this paper. In order to illustrate the results in detail, two RA elements are designed. The simulated power handling capacity of two RA elements are 7.

Artificial cavernosa-like tissue based on multibubble Matrigel and a human corpus cavernous fibroblast scaffold.

Ex vivo tissue culture of the human corpus cavernosum (CC) can be used to explore the tissue structural changes and complex signaling networks. At present, artificial CC-like tissues based on acellular or three-dimensional (3D)-printed scaffolds are used to solve the scarcity of primary penis tissue samples. However, inconvenience and high costs limit the wide application of such methods.

Evaluating the social benefits and network costs of heat pumps as an energy crisis intervention.

Fuel poverty, a pressing issue affecting social prosperity, has been exacerbated during the energy crisis triggered by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This problem can be more severe for off-gas regions. Our study investigates heat pumps (HPs) as a cost-effective alternative to off-gas heating to alleviate fuel poverty in England and Scotland.

Single-Layer Wide-Angle Scanning Linear Phased Arrays Based on Multimode Microstrip Patch Elements.

This paper introduces a novel single-layer microstrip patch element designed to achieve a wide beamwidth, in order to address the growing demand for wide-angle scanning capabilities in modern phased array systems. The proposed element, comprising a slot-etched circular patch and an array of metallized holes arranged in square rings, offers a unique approach to beam shaping. By carefully adjusting parameters such as the slot structure and feeding position, our element is engineered to simultaneously excite both the TM and TM modes, a key feature that contributes to its wide beamwidth characteristics.

Further Improvement Based on Traditional Nanocapsule Preparation Methods: A Review.

Nanocapsule preparation technology, as an emerging technology with great development prospects, has uniqueness and superiority in various industries. In this paper, the preparation technology of nanocapsules was systematically divided into three categories: physical methods, chemical methods, and physicochemical methods. The technological innovation of different methods in recent years was reviewed, and the mechanisms of nanocapsules prepared via emulsion polymerization, interface polymerization, layer-by-layer self-assembly technology, nanoprecipitation, supercritical fluid, and nano spray drying was summarized in detail.

Severe anemia, severe leukopenia, and severe thrombocytopenia of amphotericin B deoxycholate-based induction therapy in patients with HIV-associated talaromycosis: a subgroup analysis of a prospective multicenter cohort study.

Background: This study's objective was to investigate the predictors for severe anemia, severe leukopenia, and severe thrombocytopenia when amphotericin B deoxycholate-based induction therapy is used in HIV-infected patients with talaromycosis.

Methods: A total of 170 HIV-infected patients with talaromycosis were enrolled from January 1st, 2019, to September 30th, 2020.

Results: Approximately 42.

Research Progress on the Pathogenesis of Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection in Metabolism.

Aortic aneurysm and dissection are complicated diseases having both high prevalence and mortality. It is usually diagnosed at advanced stages and posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to the limitations of current detecting methods for aortic dissection used in clinics. Metabonomics demonstrated its great potential capability in the early diagnosis and personalized treatment of several diseases.

Network pharmacology analysis of Icariside II against bladder cancer.

As a global health threat, bladder cancer (BC) is a common urological disease characterized by a high risk of progression and recurrence. Icariside II (ICA-II), a flavonol glycoside, exhibits antitumor ability in various tumors. However, there is no systematic study exploring the pharmacological mechanism of ICA-II in BC.

The applications and techniques of organoids in head and neck cancer therapy.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is one of the most common cancers on the planet, with approximately 600,000 new cases diagnosed and 300,000 deaths every year. Research into the biological basis of HNC has advanced slowly over the past decades, which has made it difficult to develop new, more effective treatments. The patient-derived organoids (PDOs) are made from patient tumor cells, resembling the features of their tumors, which are high-fidelity models for studying cancer biology and designing new precision medicine therapies.

Quantitative Analysis of Seed Saponins and Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction and Separation.

At present, the technology used for the extraction and purification of saponins generally has the problems of high cost and low purity, and the quantitative detection of saponins also has the problems of low sensitivity and easy interference from impurities. To solve these problems, this paper aimed to use liquid chromatography for the quantitative detection of saponins, and to adjust and optimize the related conditions. In our study, the average recovery of saponins obtained was 100.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ni-20Cr-EuO Composites Prepared by Vacuum Hot Pressing.

Ni-20Cr-EuO composites were designed as new control rod materials and were synthesized from Ni, Cr, and EuO mixture powders via ball milling and vacuum hot pressing. During ball milling, EuO was fined, nano-crystallized, amorphized, and then dissolved into matrix. The effect of EuO content on the microstructure and mechanics was researched, and the corresponding mechanism was discussed.

A complex wireless sensors model (CWSM) for real time monitoring of dam temperature.

The following work is based on real-time temperature monitoring during the construction and during the operation of a dam. For this purpose, we have proposed a sensing model named: the "complex wireless sensors model (CWSM)" for measuring the value of different factors like temperature, humidity and pressure on the dam. The installation of the proposed model has been discussed with its wireless networking.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound ameliorates erectile dysfunction induced by bilateral cavernous nerve injury through enhancing Schwann cell-mediated cavernous nerve regeneration.

Background: Cavernous nerve injury-induced erectile dysfunction caused by pelvic surgery or trauma is refractory to conventional medications and required an alternative treatment. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound is a noninvasive mechanical therapy that promotes nerve regeneration.

Objectives: To investigate the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in the treatment of neurogenic erectile dysfunction.

Cisplatin causes erectile dysfunction by decreasing endothelial and smooth muscle content and inducing cavernosal nerve senescence in rats.

Introduction: Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II, CDDP), a drug widely used for cancer worldwide, may affect erectile function, but its side effects have not received enough attention. To investigate the effect of CDDP on erectile function and its possible mechanism.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally administered CDDP (CDDP group) or the same volume of normal saline (control group).

High expression of CD73 contributes to poor prognosis of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma by promoting cell proliferation and migration.

Background: Accumulating data have shown that high expression of CD73 is associated with poor prognosis in various cancers, however the role and significance of CD73 in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) still remain unclear. The present study aims to evaluate the prognostic significance of CD73 in ccRCC and explore the potential function and .

Methods: Firstly, the expression of CD73 in ccRCC was detected using clinical tissues and verified using TCGA and GEO data.

A Novel Metasurface-Based Monopulse Antenna with Improved Sum and Difference Beams Radiation Performance.

This paper proposes a novel metasurface-based monopulse antenna. A multimode pyramidal horn with four ports is selected as the feed of the proposed monopulse antenna. The 3-dB couplers and the optimized waveguide phase shifters are employed to design the monopulse comparator.

The effect of SSRIs on Semen quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used for a variety of diseases, and their impact on semen quality is unclear. We performed a systematic search in PubMed and Embase, and after a strict screening, we included 4 studies with a total of 222 male participants. In result, SSRIs reduced normal sperm morphology (95% CI [-16.

Effects of dam on temperature, humidity and precipitation of surrounding area: a case study of Gomal Zam Dam in Pakistan.

Dams are studied not only for potential advantages but also for possible environmental repercussions. The objective of this case study is to see the effects caused by Gomal Zam Dam on temperature, humidity and precipitation in their surroundings, both spatially and temporally. The meteorology parameters' characteristics have been detected using two different approaches, Mann-Kendall statistical test and Sen's slope estimator.

Bacterial Infections Confer a Risk of Progression to Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure in Patients with HBV-Related Compensated Cirrhosis During Severe Hepatitis Flares.

Introduction: The aims of this study were to investigate the risk factors for bacterial infections (BIs) and the association of BIs with the progression to acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related compensated liver cirrhosis and severe hepatitis flares.

Methods: A total of 237 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline biochemical characteristics were compared between patients with and without the occurrence of BIs and progression to ACLF.

Development and validation of a nomogram for risk prediction of nephrolithiasis recurrence in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Nephrolithiasis is a common complication of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), and the recurrence of nephrolithiasis in patients with PHPT is also an urgent concern. What is worse, there is a scarcity of recommended evaluation to predict the risk of nephrolithiasis recurrence in patients with PHPT. This study was aimed to develop and validate a nomogram to facilitate risk assessment in patients with PHPT.