Aromatase activity has commonly been associated with male infertility characterized by testicular dysfunction with low serum testosterone and/or testosterone to estradiol ratio.In this subset of patients,and particula...Aromatase activity has commonly been associated with male infertility characterized by testicular dysfunction with low serum testosterone and/or testosterone to estradiol ratio.In this subset of patients,and particularly in those with hypogonadism,elevated levels of circulating estradiol may establish a negative feedback on the hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis by suppressing follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)and luteinizing hormone(LH)production and impaired spermatogenesis.Hormonal manipulation via different agents such as selective estrogen modulators or aromatase inhibitors to increase endogenous testosterone production and improve spermatogenesis in the setting of infertility is an off-label option for treatment.We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature of the past 30 years in order to evaluate the benefits of the use of aromatase inhibitors in the medical management of infertile/hypoandrogenic males.Overall,eight original articles were included and critically evaluated.Either steroidal(Testolactone)or nonsteroidal(Anastrozole and Letrozole)aromatase inhibitors were found to statistically improve all the evaluated hormonal and seminal outcomes with a safe tolerability profile.While the evidence is promising,future prospective randomized placebo-controlled multicenter trials are necessary to better define the efficacy of these medications.展开更多
Background:Recently,an innovative tool called“proficiency score”was introduced to assess the learning curve for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy(RARP).However,the initial study only focused on patients with low-...Background:Recently,an innovative tool called“proficiency score”was introduced to assess the learning curve for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy(RARP).However,the initial study only focused on patients with low-risk prostate cancer forwhompelvic lymph node dissection(PLND)was not required.To address this issue,we aimed to validate proficiency scores of a contemporarymulticenter cohort of patients with high-risk prostate cancer treated with RARP plus extended PLND by trainee surgeons.Material andmethods:Between 2010 and 2020,4 Italian institutional prostate-cancer datasets weremerged and queried for“RARP”and“high-risk prostate cancer.”High-risk prostate cancer was defined according to the most recent European Association of Urology guidelines as follows:prostate-specific antigen>20 ng/mL,International Society ofUrological Pathology≥4,and/or clinical stage(cT)≥2c on preoperative imaging.The selected cohort(n=144)included clinical cases performed by trainee surgeons(n=4)after completing their RARP learning curve(50 procedures for low-risk prostate cancer).The outcome of interest,the proficiency score,was defined as the coexistence of all the following criteria:a comparable operation time to the interquartile range of the mentor surgeon at each center,absence of any significant perioperative complications Clavien-Dindo Grade 3–5,no perioperative blood transfusions,and negative surgical margins.A logistic binary regression model was built to identify the predictors of 1-year trifecta achievement in the trainee cohort.For all statistical analyses,a 2-sided p<0.05 was considered significant.Results:A proficiency score was achieved in 42.3%patients.At univariable level,proficiency score was associated with 1-year trifecta achievement(odds ratio,8.77;95%confidence interval,2.42–31.7;p=0.001).After multivariable adjustments for age,nerve-sparing,and surgical technique,the proficiency score independently predicted 1-year trifecta achievement(odds ratio,9.58;95%confidence interval,1.83–50.1;p=0.007)展开更多
BACKGROUND The differences in histopathology and molecular biology between right colon cancer(RCC)and left colon cancer(LCC)were first reported in the literature by Bufill in 1990.Since then,a large number of studies ...BACKGROUND The differences in histopathology and molecular biology between right colon cancer(RCC)and left colon cancer(LCC)were first reported in the literature by Bufill in 1990.Since then,a large number of studies have confirmed their differences in epidemiology,clinical presentation,comorbidities and biological behaviours,which may be related to the difference in prognosis and overall survival(OS)between the two groups.AIM To investigate statistically significant differences between Greek patients with LCC and RCC.METHODS The present observational study included 144 patients diagnosed with colon cancer of any stage who received chemotherapy in a Greek tertiary oncology hospital during a 2.5-year period.Clinical information,comorbidities,histopathologic characteristics and molecular biomarkers were collected from the patients’medical records retrospectively,while administered chemotherapy regimens,targeted agents,progression-free survival(PFS)periods with first-and second-line chemotherapy and OS were recorded retroactively and prospectively.Data analysis was performed with the SPSS statistical package.RESULTS Eighty-six males and 58 females participated in the study.One hundred(69.4%)patients had a primary lesion in the left colon,and 44(30.6%)patients had a primary lesion in the right colon.Patients with RCC were more likely to display anaemia than patients with LCC[odds ratio(OR)=3.09],while LCC patients were more likely to develop rectal bleeding(OR=3.37)and a feeling of incomplete evacuation(OR=2.78)than RCC patients.Considering comorbidities,RCC patients were more likely to suffer from diabetes(OR=3.31)and coronary artery disease(P=0.056)than LCC patients.The mucinous differentiation rate was higher in the right-sided group than in the left-sided group(OR=4.49),as was the number of infiltrated lymph nodes(P=0.039),while the percentage of high-grade differentiation was higher in the group of patients with left-sided colon cancer than in RCC patients(OR=2.78).RAS wild-type patients who received anti-epid展开更多
AIM:To determine whether magnified observation of short-segment Barrett’s esophagus(BE)is useful for the detection of specialized intestinal metaplasia(SIM).METHODS:Thirty patients with suspected short-segment BE und...AIM:To determine whether magnified observation of short-segment Barrett’s esophagus(BE)is useful for the detection of specialized intestinal metaplasia(SIM).METHODS:Thirty patients with suspected short-segment BE underwent magnifying endoscopy up to×80.The magnified images were analyzed with respect to their pit-patterns,which were simultaneously classified into five epithelial types[Ⅰ(small round),Ⅱ(straight),Ⅲ(long oval),Ⅳ(tubular),Ⅴ(villous)]by Endo’s classification.Then,a 0.5%solution of methylene blue(MB)was sprayed over columnar mucosa.The patterns of the magnified image and MB staining were analyzed.Biopsies were obtained from the regions previously observed by magnifying endoscopy and MB chromoendoscopy.RESULTS:Three of five patients with a typeⅤ(villous)epithelial pattern had SIM,whereas 21 patients with a non-typeⅤepithelial patterns did not have SIM.The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of pit-patterns in detecting SIM were 100%,91.3%,92.3%,60%and100%,respectively(P=0.004).Three of the 12 patients with positive MB staining had SIM,whereas 14patients with negative MB staining did not have SIM.The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of MB staining in detecting SIM were 100%,60.9%,65.4%,25%and100%,respectively(P=0.085).The specificity and accuracy of pit-pattern evaluation were significantly superior compared with MB staining for detecting SIM by comparison with the exact McNemar’s test(P=0.0391).CONCLUSION:The magnified observation of a shortsegment BE according to the mucosal pattern and its classification can be predictive of SIM.展开更多
AIM:To ascertain the role of cardiovascular risk factors,cardiovascular diseases,standard treatments and other diseases in the development of ischemic colitis(IC).METHODS:A retrospective,case-control study was designe...AIM:To ascertain the role of cardiovascular risk factors,cardiovascular diseases,standard treatments and other diseases in the development of ischemic colitis(IC).METHODS:A retrospective,case-control study was designed,using matched data and covering 161 incident cases of IC who required admission to our hospital from 1998 through 2003.IC was diagnosed on the basis of endoscopic findings and diagnostic or compatible his-tology.Controls were randomly chosen from a cohort of patients who were admitted in the same period and required a colonoscopy,excluding those with diagnosis of colitis.Cases were matched with controls(ratio 1:2),by age and sex.A conditional logistic regression was performed.RESULTS:A total of 483 patients(161 cases,322 con-trols)were included;mean age 75.67±10.03 years,55.9%women.The principal indications for colonos-copy in the control group were lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage(35.4%),anemia(33.9%),abdominal pain(19.9%)and diarrhea(9.6%).The endoscopic findings in this group were hemorrhoids(25.5%),diverticular disease(30.4%),polyps(19.9%)and colorectal cancer(10.2%).The following variables were associated with IC in the univariate analysis:arterial hypertension(P= 0.033);dyslipidemia(P<0.001);diabetes mellitus(P =0.025);peripheral arterial disease(P=0.004);heart failure(P=0.026);treatment with hypotensive drugs(P=0.023);angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors;(P=0.018);calcium channel antagonists(P=0.028);and acetylsalicylic acid(ASA)(P<0.001).Finally,the following variables were independently associated with the development of IC:diabetes mellitus[odds ratio(OR)1.76,95%confidence interval(CI):1.001-3.077,P=0.046];dyslipidemia(OR 2.12,95%CI:1.26-3.57,P=0.004);heart failure(OR 3.17,95%CI:1.31-7.68,P=0.01);peripheral arterial disease(OR 4.1,95%CI:1.32-12.72,P=0.015);treatment with digoxin(digitalis)(OR 0.27,95%CI:0.084-0.857,P=0.026);and ASA(OR 1.97,95%CI:1.16-3.36,P=0.012).CONCLUSION:The development of an episode of IC was independently associated with diabetes,dyslipid-emia,presence of hear展开更多
Aim： To evaluate for the first time the frequency of Y chromosome microdeletions and the occurrence of the partial deletions of AZFc region in Moroccan men, and to discuss the clinical significance of AZF deletions. ...Aim： To evaluate for the first time the frequency of Y chromosome microdeletions and the occurrence of the partial deletions of AZFc region in Moroccan men, and to discuss the clinical significance of AZF deletions. Methods： We screened Y chromosome microdeletions and partial deletions of the AZFc region of a consecutive group of infertile men （n = 149） and controls （100 fertile men, 76 normospermic men）. AZFa, AZFb, AZFc and partial deletions of the AZFc region were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） according to established protocols. Results： Among the 127 infertile men screened for microdeletion, four subjects were found to have microdeletions： two AZFc deletions and two AZFb＋AZFc deletions. All the deletions were found only in azoospermic subjects （4/48, 8.33%）. The overall AZFc deletion frequency was low （4/127, 3.15%）. AZF microdeletions were not observed in either oligoasthenoteratozoospermia （OATS） or the control. Partial deletions of AZFc （gr/gr） were observed in a total of 7 of the 149 infertile men （4.70%） and 7 partial AZFc deletions （gr/gr） were found in the control group （7/176, 3.98%）. In addition, two b2/b3 deletions were identified in two azoospermic subjects （2/149, 1.34%） but not in the control group. Conclusion： Our results suggest that the frequency of Y chromosome AZF microdeletions is elevated in individuals with severe spermatogenic failure and that gr/gr deletions are not associated with spermatogenic failure.展开更多
文摘Aromatase activity has commonly been associated with male infertility characterized by testicular dysfunction with low serum testosterone and/or testosterone to estradiol ratio.In this subset of patients,and particularly in those with hypogonadism,elevated levels of circulating estradiol may establish a negative feedback on the hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis by suppressing follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)and luteinizing hormone(LH)production and impaired spermatogenesis.Hormonal manipulation via different agents such as selective estrogen modulators or aromatase inhibitors to increase endogenous testosterone production and improve spermatogenesis in the setting of infertility is an off-label option for treatment.We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature of the past 30 years in order to evaluate the benefits of the use of aromatase inhibitors in the medical management of infertile/hypoandrogenic males.Overall,eight original articles were included and critically evaluated.Either steroidal(Testolactone)or nonsteroidal(Anastrozole and Letrozole)aromatase inhibitors were found to statistically improve all the evaluated hormonal and seminal outcomes with a safe tolerability profile.While the evidence is promising,future prospective randomized placebo-controlled multicenter trials are necessary to better define the efficacy of these medications.
文摘Background:Recently,an innovative tool called“proficiency score”was introduced to assess the learning curve for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy(RARP).However,the initial study only focused on patients with low-risk prostate cancer forwhompelvic lymph node dissection(PLND)was not required.To address this issue,we aimed to validate proficiency scores of a contemporarymulticenter cohort of patients with high-risk prostate cancer treated with RARP plus extended PLND by trainee surgeons.Material andmethods:Between 2010 and 2020,4 Italian institutional prostate-cancer datasets weremerged and queried for“RARP”and“high-risk prostate cancer.”High-risk prostate cancer was defined according to the most recent European Association of Urology guidelines as follows:prostate-specific antigen>20 ng/mL,International Society ofUrological Pathology≥4,and/or clinical stage(cT)≥2c on preoperative imaging.The selected cohort(n=144)included clinical cases performed by trainee surgeons(n=4)after completing their RARP learning curve(50 procedures for low-risk prostate cancer).The outcome of interest,the proficiency score,was defined as the coexistence of all the following criteria:a comparable operation time to the interquartile range of the mentor surgeon at each center,absence of any significant perioperative complications Clavien-Dindo Grade 3–5,no perioperative blood transfusions,and negative surgical margins.A logistic binary regression model was built to identify the predictors of 1-year trifecta achievement in the trainee cohort.For all statistical analyses,a 2-sided p<0.05 was considered significant.Results:A proficiency score was achieved in 42.3%patients.At univariable level,proficiency score was associated with 1-year trifecta achievement(odds ratio,8.77;95%confidence interval,2.42–31.7;p=0.001).After multivariable adjustments for age,nerve-sparing,and surgical technique,the proficiency score independently predicted 1-year trifecta achievement(odds ratio,9.58;95%confidence interval,1.83–50.1;p=0.007)
文摘BACKGROUND The differences in histopathology and molecular biology between right colon cancer(RCC)and left colon cancer(LCC)were first reported in the literature by Bufill in 1990.Since then,a large number of studies have confirmed their differences in epidemiology,clinical presentation,comorbidities and biological behaviours,which may be related to the difference in prognosis and overall survival(OS)between the two groups.AIM To investigate statistically significant differences between Greek patients with LCC and RCC.METHODS The present observational study included 144 patients diagnosed with colon cancer of any stage who received chemotherapy in a Greek tertiary oncology hospital during a 2.5-year period.Clinical information,comorbidities,histopathologic characteristics and molecular biomarkers were collected from the patients’medical records retrospectively,while administered chemotherapy regimens,targeted agents,progression-free survival(PFS)periods with first-and second-line chemotherapy and OS were recorded retroactively and prospectively.Data analysis was performed with the SPSS statistical package.RESULTS Eighty-six males and 58 females participated in the study.One hundred(69.4%)patients had a primary lesion in the left colon,and 44(30.6%)patients had a primary lesion in the right colon.Patients with RCC were more likely to display anaemia than patients with LCC[odds ratio(OR)=3.09],while LCC patients were more likely to develop rectal bleeding(OR=3.37)and a feeling of incomplete evacuation(OR=2.78)than RCC patients.Considering comorbidities,RCC patients were more likely to suffer from diabetes(OR=3.31)and coronary artery disease(P=0.056)than LCC patients.The mucinous differentiation rate was higher in the right-sided group than in the left-sided group(OR=4.49),as was the number of infiltrated lymph nodes(P=0.039),while the percentage of high-grade differentiation was higher in the group of patients with left-sided colon cancer than in RCC patients(OR=2.78).RAS wild-type patients who received anti-epid
文摘AIM:To determine whether magnified observation of short-segment Barrett’s esophagus(BE)is useful for the detection of specialized intestinal metaplasia(SIM).METHODS:Thirty patients with suspected short-segment BE underwent magnifying endoscopy up to×80.The magnified images were analyzed with respect to their pit-patterns,which were simultaneously classified into five epithelial types[Ⅰ(small round),Ⅱ(straight),Ⅲ(long oval),Ⅳ(tubular),Ⅴ(villous)]by Endo’s classification.Then,a 0.5%solution of methylene blue(MB)was sprayed over columnar mucosa.The patterns of the magnified image and MB staining were analyzed.Biopsies were obtained from the regions previously observed by magnifying endoscopy and MB chromoendoscopy.RESULTS:Three of five patients with a typeⅤ(villous)epithelial pattern had SIM,whereas 21 patients with a non-typeⅤepithelial patterns did not have SIM.The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of pit-patterns in detecting SIM were 100%,91.3%,92.3%,60%and100%,respectively(P=0.004).Three of the 12 patients with positive MB staining had SIM,whereas 14patients with negative MB staining did not have SIM.The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of MB staining in detecting SIM were 100%,60.9%,65.4%,25%and100%,respectively(P=0.085).The specificity and accuracy of pit-pattern evaluation were significantly superior compared with MB staining for detecting SIM by comparison with the exact McNemar’s test(P=0.0391).CONCLUSION:The magnified observation of a shortsegment BE according to the mucosal pattern and its classification can be predictive of SIM.
文摘AIM:To ascertain the role of cardiovascular risk factors,cardiovascular diseases,standard treatments and other diseases in the development of ischemic colitis(IC).METHODS:A retrospective,case-control study was designed,using matched data and covering 161 incident cases of IC who required admission to our hospital from 1998 through 2003.IC was diagnosed on the basis of endoscopic findings and diagnostic or compatible his-tology.Controls were randomly chosen from a cohort of patients who were admitted in the same period and required a colonoscopy,excluding those with diagnosis of colitis.Cases were matched with controls(ratio 1:2),by age and sex.A conditional logistic regression was performed.RESULTS:A total of 483 patients(161 cases,322 con-trols)were included;mean age 75.67±10.03 years,55.9%women.The principal indications for colonos-copy in the control group were lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage(35.4%),anemia(33.9%),abdominal pain(19.9%)and diarrhea(9.6%).The endoscopic findings in this group were hemorrhoids(25.5%),diverticular disease(30.4%),polyps(19.9%)and colorectal cancer(10.2%).The following variables were associated with IC in the univariate analysis:arterial hypertension(P= 0.033);dyslipidemia(P<0.001);diabetes mellitus(P =0.025);peripheral arterial disease(P=0.004);heart failure(P=0.026);treatment with hypotensive drugs(P=0.023);angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors;(P=0.018);calcium channel antagonists(P=0.028);and acetylsalicylic acid(ASA)(P<0.001).Finally,the following variables were independently associated with the development of IC:diabetes mellitus[odds ratio(OR)1.76,95%confidence interval(CI):1.001-3.077,P=0.046];dyslipidemia(OR 2.12,95%CI:1.26-3.57,P=0.004);heart failure(OR 3.17,95%CI:1.31-7.68,P=0.01);peripheral arterial disease(OR 4.1,95%CI:1.32-12.72,P=0.015);treatment with digoxin(digitalis)(OR 0.27,95%CI:0.084-0.857,P=0.026);and ASA(OR 1.97,95%CI:1.16-3.36,P=0.012).CONCLUSION:The development of an episode of IC was independently associated with diabetes,dyslipid-emia,presence of hear
文摘Aim： To evaluate for the first time the frequency of Y chromosome microdeletions and the occurrence of the partial deletions of AZFc region in Moroccan men, and to discuss the clinical significance of AZF deletions. Methods： We screened Y chromosome microdeletions and partial deletions of the AZFc region of a consecutive group of infertile men （n = 149） and controls （100 fertile men, 76 normospermic men）. AZFa, AZFb, AZFc and partial deletions of the AZFc region were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） according to established protocols. Results： Among the 127 infertile men screened for microdeletion, four subjects were found to have microdeletions： two AZFc deletions and two AZFb＋AZFc deletions. All the deletions were found only in azoospermic subjects （4/48, 8.33%）. The overall AZFc deletion frequency was low （4/127, 3.15%）. AZF microdeletions were not observed in either oligoasthenoteratozoospermia （OATS） or the control. Partial deletions of AZFc （gr/gr） were observed in a total of 7 of the 149 infertile men （4.70%） and 7 partial AZFc deletions （gr/gr） were found in the control group （7/176, 3.98%）. In addition, two b2/b3 deletions were identified in two azoospermic subjects （2/149, 1.34%） but not in the control group. Conclusion： Our results suggest that the frequency of Y chromosome AZF microdeletions is elevated in individuals with severe spermatogenic failure and that gr/gr deletions are not associated with spermatogenic failure.
