Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor gene polymorphisms influence Body Mass Index, metabolism, and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

Background: Covering a significant part of a woman's life, the postmenopausal phase is often associated with the onset of obesity, metabolic dysfunction, osteoporosis, and their most disabling complications. In this context, scant evidence from both preclinical and clinical studies suggests that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene might be involved in the etiopathogenesis of these conditions, posing them as possible molecular predictors of their development. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the role of the FSHR gene SNPs c.

Impact of Varicocele Repair on Assisted Reproductive Technique Outcomes in Infertile Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated assisted reproductive technology (ART) success in infertile men with clinical varicocele and abnormal semen parameters who underwent varicocele repair (VR) before the ART procedure as compared to those who did not.

Materials And Methods: A comprehensive search of the Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted using a specific query string to identify studies examining the impact of VR on ART outcomes, including fertilization rate, clinical pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and live-birth rate, until October 2023. Outcomes were analyzed based on the type of ART.

Association of Aggression with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Overactive Bladder in Men: Observations from a Large Population-representative Study.

Background And Objective: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and overactive bladder (OAB) intimately affect the psychological wellbeing and mental health of men. However, to date, the association of aggression with LUTS and OAB has not been investigated. To address this knowledge gap, we evaluated the association of aggression with LUTS and OAB in a large representative cohort of men at the population level.

Sperm-carried IGF2: towards the discovery of a spark contributing to embryo growth and development.

Spermatozoa have been shown to carry key RNAs which, according to animal evidence, seem to play a role in early embryo development. In this context, a potential key growth regulator is insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), a highly conserved paternally expressed imprinted gene involved in cell growth and proliferation which, recent observations indicate, is expressed in human spermatozoa. We herein hypothesized that sperm IGF2 gene expression and transmission at fertilization is required to support early embryo development.

Experiences and Outcomes of the Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons Fellowship Training: Growth in Fellowships Mirrors the Evolution of the Discipline.

Objective: To describe experiences and outcomes of the Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons (GURS) fellowship match. In 2012, GURS developed a centralized fellowship match which has grown from 13 to 30 programs.

Methods: GURS match statistics and case logs were reviewed from 2013-2024.

Testicular sperm extraction for fertility preservation in young patients with cancer.

Background: Cancer survivors in the adolescent and young adult generation often experience marriage, pregnancy, and childbirth after treatment; thus, fertility preservation is very important. In male patients, testicular sperm extraction (TESE) is sometimes performed due to azoospermia. Such a procedure is called oncological TESE (onco-TESE).

Single-Port Extraperitoneal vs. Multiport Transperitoneal Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Since the introduction of the purpose-built Single Port (SP) robotic platform, there has been an ongoing debate regarding its advantages compared to the established multi-port (MP) system. The goal of this present study is to compare the perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes of SP Extraperitoneal robotic radical prostatectomy (RARP) versus that of MP Transperitoneal RARP approach at a high-volume tertiary center. Based on a retrospective review of the prospectively maintained IRB-approved database, 925 patients successfully underwent RARP by a single experienced robotic surgeon.

MRI and active surveillance: thoughts from across the pond.

In the United States (US), urological guidelines recommend active surveillance (AS) for patients with low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) and endorse it as an option for those with favorable intermediate-risk PCa with a > 10-year life expectancy. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is being increasingly used in the screening, monitoring, and staging of PCa and involves the combination of T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and dynamic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging. The American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines provide recommendations about the use of mpMRI in the confirmatory setting for AS patients but do not discuss the timing of follow-up mpMRI in AS.

External Validation Demonstrates Machine Learning Models Outperform Human Experts in Prediction of Objective and Patient-reported Overactive Bladder Treatment Outcomes.

Objective: To predict treatment response for overactive bladder (OAB) for a specific patient remains elusive. We sought to develop accurate models using machine learning for prediction of objective and patient-reported treatment response to intravesical botulinum toxin (OBTX-A) injection. We sought to validate the models in a challenging setting using an external dataset of a markedly different patient cohort and dosing regimen.

Videourodynamics - role, benefits and optimal practice.

Videourodynamics (VUDS) is an advanced diagnostic procedure that simultaneously combines functional and anatomical evaluation of the lower urinary tract. The goal of this synchronous assessment is to promote accurate diagnosis of the aetiology responsible for patient symptoms, improving therapeutic decision-making. Overall, high-quality VUDS is advocated when other tests such as traditional urodynamics might not provide sufficient data to guide therapy, particularly in patients with complex, persistent or recurrent dysfunctions of the lower urinary tract.

Androgen production, uptake, and conversion (APUC) genes define prostate cancer patients with distinct clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUNDProstate cancer (PC) is driven by aberrant signaling of the androgen receptor (AR) or its ligands, and androgen deprivation therapies (ADTs) are a cornerstone of treatment. ADT responsiveness may be associated with germline changes in genes that regulate androgen production, uptake, and conversion (APUC).METHODSWe analyzed whole-exome sequencing (WES) and whole-transcriptome sequencing (WTS) data from prostate tissues (SU2C/PCF, TCGA, GETx).