Development of a Training Program for Meta-Analytical Research: A Novel Approach to Minimizing Errors in Medical Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

Purpose: The Global Andrology Forum (GAF) has developed an innovative training method to equip novice researchers with the fundamental skills to conduct high-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs) under the supervision of senior experts. This article aims to describe and evaluate the effectiveness of the GAF training program in enhancing these skills.

Materials And Methods: A six-module training program was designed to cover the key steps in SRMA studies, enabling GAF members to conduct high-quality SRMAs.

Global Andrology Forum (GAF) Clinical Guidelines on the Management of Infertile Men with Varicocele.

Purpose: Varicocele is among the most common reversible causes of male infertility. Although varicocele is prevalent and there is a growing body of literature on the subject, there are still numerous debates surrounding the matter. This study presents Global Andrology Forum (GAF) clinical guidelines on the management of infertile men with varicocele.

The Role of Different Modalities of Regenerative Therapies in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: A Global Survey and Global Andrology Forum Expert Recommendations.

Purpose: There is increased interest in regenerative therapies (RTs) to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). However, the need for society's guidelines has led to varied practices. This study aims to investigate current global practices, address the heterogeneity in treatment protocols and evaluations, and establish expert recommendations in clinical practice.

Enhancing Male Fertility Through AI-Based Management of Varicoceles.

Review Purpose: The clinical management of subclinical and symptomatic varicoceles in male infertility remains challenging. Current guidelines focus on treating men with abnormal semen analyses, but a more precise approach to identify, stratify, and prognosticate men with varicoceles and fertility issues is essential.

Recent Findings: Multiple studies have utilized Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyze clinical-demographic characteristics, semen analyses, pre-operative imaging findings, and intra-operative clinical data.

Pharmacological therapies for male infertility.

Male factor infertility is a multifaceted problem that affects approximately 50% of couples suffering from infertility. Causes of male infertility include endocrine disturbances, gonadotoxins, genetic abnormalities, varicocele, malignancies, infections, congenital or acquired urogenital abnormalities, iatrogenic factors, immunological factors, and idiopathic reasons. There are a variety of treatment options for male infertility, depending on the underlying cause(s).

Oxidative stress affects sperm health and fertility-Time to apply facts learned at the bench to help the patient: Lessons for busy clinicians.

Background: Increased oxidative stress (OS), resulting from the delicate balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defense, is closely linked to sperm abnormalities and male subfertility. Elevated ROS levels particularly affect sperm quality. The vulnerability of spermatozoa to ROS is due to the absence of DNA repair mechanisms and the high presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids in their membranes.

Impact of Varicocele Repair on Semen Parameters in Infertile Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: Despite the significant role of varicocele in the pathogenesis of male infertility, the impact of varicocele repair (VR) on conventional semen parameters remains controversial. Only a few systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs) have evaluated the impact of VR on sperm concentration, total motility, and progressive motility, mostly using a before-after analytic approach. No SRMA to date has evaluated the change in conventional semen parameters after VR compared to untreated controls.

Corona and Reproduction, or Why the Corona Vaccination Does Not Result in Infertility.

As the COVID-19 pandemic persists and new vaccines are developed, concerns among the general public are growing that both infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and vaccinations against the coronavirus (mRNA vaccines) could lead to infertility or higher miscarriage rates. These fears are voiced particularly often by young adults of reproductive age. This review summarizes the current data on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and corona vaccinations on female and male fertility, based on both animal models and human data.

Sexual function in male cancer survivors is not correlated to sperm quality.

Purpose: Both infertility and erectile dysfunction (ED) are known long-term consequences of cancer treatment in young male cancer survivors. In the present study, we aimed to assess whether sperm quality and sexual function in male cancer survivors are associated.

Methods: In this prospective study, n = 244 patients male cancer survivors who underwent sperm analysis and cryopreservation between 2008 and 2018 prior to the initiation of gonadotoxic treatment were invited.

Testosterone Deficiency Is a Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19.

Background: Male sex is related to increased COVID-19 severity and fatality although confirmed infections are similarly distributed between men and women. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to investigate the impact of sex hormones on disease progression and immune activation in men with COVID-19.

Patients And Methods: We studied for effects of sex hormones on disease severity and immune activation in 377 patients (230 men, 147 women) with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections hospitalized at the Innsbruck University Hospital between February and December 2020.

Sperm banking before gonadotoxic treatment: is it worth the effort?

We aimed to compare the sperm quality in different cancer types and benign diseases before gonadotoxic treatment, and assess the usage rate of cryopreserved sperm for assisted reproductive treatment (ART). This retrospective study was conducted at two university clinics between January 2008 and July 2018. A total of 545 patients suffering from cancer or benign diseases were included in the study.

Are urologists in trouble with SARS-CoV-2? Reflections and recommendations for specific interventions.

Objective: To assess the risk of viral infection during urological surgeries due to the possible hazards in tissue, blood, urine and aerosolised particles generated during surgery, and thus to understand the risks and make recommendations for clinical practice.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed the available literature on urological and other surgical procedures in patients with virus infections, such as human papillomavirus, human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B, and current publications on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Results: Several possible pathways for viral transmission appear in the literature.

Contrast-enhanced colour Doppler-targeted prostate biopsy: correlation of a subjective blood-flow rating scale with the histopathological outcome of the biopsy.

Objective: To correlate a subjective blood-flow rating scale from contrast-enhanced colour Doppler (CECD) transrectal ultrasonography-targeted prostate biopsy with the histopathological outcome of the biopsy.

Patients And Methods: In all, 760 men with a serum total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of ≥ 1.25 ng/mL and a free-to-total PSA ratio of < 18% were included.

Ultrasound of the prostate.

Ultrasound is a widely used imaging modality for evaluation of the prostate. The main topic of diagnostic imaging is an improvement of prostate cancer diagnosis. The current available systematic prostate biopsy is performed only under ultrasound guidance, but new imaging techniques allow prostate cancer visualization and therefore improved detection.

Penile strangulation in a patient with Parkinson's disease: a case report.

Introduction: Aberrant sexual behaviour such as hypersexuality or exhibitionism has been reported in patients with Parkinson's disease and its therapy.

Case Presentation: We report a case of a 67-year-old man with a 10-year history of Parkinson's disease, currently under therapy with L-dopa and bromocriptine, who presented with his wedding ring constricting the base of his penis. The ring could be removed with a ring cutter without complications.

Contrast-enhanced colour Doppler-targeted vs a 10-core systematic repeat biopsy strategy in patients with previous high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.

Objective: To compare the results of contrast-enhanced colour Doppler (CECD)-targeted prostate biopsy with a systematic 10-core grey-scale biopsy scheme in patients initially diagnosed with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), as although HGPIN is thought to be a precursor to invasive adenocarcinoma, its diagnosis is no longer considered an indication for repeat prostate biopsy and patients should be followed by prostate-specific antigen levels and a digital rectal examination.

Patients And Methods: In all, 104 patients (aged 45-78 years) diagnosed with HGPIN on initial prostate needle biopsy were referred for a repeat biopsy within 6 months. Two independent examiners evaluated each patient; one used CECD-targeted biopsy (up to five cores) into hypervascular regions in the peripheral zone only, and subsequently the second took a systematic 10-core grey-scale biopsy.

Allen key completely in male urethra: a case report.

Introduction: Various cases of self-inflicted foreign bodies in the male urethra have been reported. Most of them are associated with autoerotic stimulation, psychiatric disorders or intoxication.

Case Presentation: We report the first case of a patient who put an Allen key completely in his urethra.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography using cadence-contrast pulse sequencing technology for targeted biopsy of the prostate.

Objective: To evaluate contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (US) using cadence-contrast pulse sequencing (CPS) technology, compared with systematic biopsy for detecting prostate cancer, as grey-scale US has low sensitivity and specificity for detecting prostate cancer.

Patients And Methods: In all, 44 men with suspicious prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and CPS findings were assessed; all had CPS-targeted and systematic biopsy. Transrectal CPS images were taken with a low mechanical index (0.

Anatomical approach for surgery of the male posterior urethra.

Objective: To investigate, in a morphological study, the anatomy of the male rhabdosphincter and the relation between the membranous urethra, the rhabdosphincter and the neurovascular bundles (NVBs) to provide the anatomical basis for surgical approach of the posterior urethra as successful outcomes in urethral reconstructive surgery still remain a challenging issue.

Materials And Methods: In all, 11 complete pelves and four tissue blocks of prostate, rectum, membranous urethra and the rhabdosphincter were studied. Besides anatomical preparations, the posterior urethra and their relationship were studied by means of serial histological sections.

Real-time virtual ultrasonographic radiofrequency ablation of renal cell carcinoma.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of real-time virtual ultrasonography (RVS) as a new navigational tool for percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of solid renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Patients And Methods: Ten patients with 13 RCCs were treated with percutaneous RFA using RVS, which displays ultrasonograms and corresponding multiplanar reconstruction images of computed tomography in parallel.

Results: RVS allowed excellent anatomical visualization and precise navigation of RFA for RCC.

Female sexual dysfunction: a new urogynaecological research field.

Objective: To critically review published data on the urogynaecological aspects of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), as FSD is a developing multidisciplinary issue associated with several biological, medical and psychological factors.

Methods: The reported prevalence of FSD is 19-50% and women with lower urinary tract symptoms or urinary incontinence (UI) not only complain of a deteriorating of quality of life but also of sexual life with an incidence as high as 26-47%. Furthermore, urogynaecological surgery represents an important but underestimated cause of FSD.