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Objective. The publications of application and development of shock wave therapy showed consistent growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the global status and trends in the shock wave therapy field. Methods. Publications about shock wave therapy from 1990 to 2019 were collected from the Web of Science database. The data were studied and indexed by using bibliometric methodology. For a visualized study, VOSviewer software was used to conduct bibliographic coupling analysis, coauthorship analysis, cocitation analysis, and co-occurrence analysis and to analyze the publication trends in shock wave therapy. Results. A total of 3,274 articles were included. The number of publications was increasing per year globally. The USA made the largest contributions to the global research with the most citations (the highest h-index). The Journal of Urology had the highest publication number. The University of California System was the most contributive institution. Studies could be divided into seven clusters: urology, hepatology, cardiology, orthopedics, mechanism research of shock wave therapy, andrology, and principle of shock wave therapy. Orthopedics, andrology, and mechanism research of shock wave therapy could be the next hot topics in this field. Conclusions. Base on the trends, shock wave therapy is the theme of a globally active research field which keeps developing and extends from bench to bedside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Male factor accounts for about 30–50% of infertility. A common cause of male infertility is drug abuse; either illicit or prolonged use of prescribed drugs. This study provides a review of the physiology of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis and recent literature on drugs that have been linked to male infertility and the associated mechanisms. Relevant peer‐reviewed papers were assessed online using PubMed/PubMed Central, Scopus, AJOL, Google Scholar and DOAJ databases using Medical Subjects Headings (MeSH) indexes and relevant key word searches. Although drugs are beneficial when used at therapeutic levels, the abuse leads to impairment of hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal functions, increased sperm DNA fragmentation and apoptosis, and reduced sperm quality. A good knowledge of the physiology of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis and the influence of drugs on male fertility will guide healthcare providers in managing cases of infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beside cytotoxic drugs, other drugs can impact men's fertility through various mechanisms. Via the modification of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hormones or by non-hormonal mechanisms, drugs may directly and indirectly induce sexual dysfunction and spermatogenesis impairment and alteration of epididymal maturation. This systematic literature review summarizes existing data about the negative impact and associations of pharmacological treatments on male fertility (excluding cytotoxic drugs), with a view to making these data more readily available for medical staff. In most cases, these effects on spermatogenesis/sperm maturation/sexual function are reversible after the discontinuation of the drug. When a reprotoxic treatment cannot be stopped and/or when the impact on semen parameters/sperm DNA is potentially irreversible (Sulfasalazine Azathioprine, Mycophenolate mofetil and Methotrexate), the cryopreservation of spermatozoa before treatment must be proposed. Deleterious impacts on fertility of drugs with very good or good level of evidence (Testosterone, Sulfasalazine, Anabolic steroids, Cyproterone acetate, Opioids, Tramadol, GhRH analogues and Sartan) are developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection and quantification of spermine in clinical practice is important for early diagnosis of many diseases. Chromatographic and immunoassay-based methods are commonly used. However, a fluorescence-based assay could provide real-time detection. Herein, the synthesis and aggregation properties of a dicationic perylene probe ( N1-dodecyl- N3-(4-phenyl)benzimidazolium-functionalized perylenediimide ( DAB-PDI)) used to develop a fluorescent 'turn-on' ensemble for the detection of spermine are discussed. The fluorescence of DAB-PDI (10 μ m, Φ=0.55) is efficiently quenched by negatively charged sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) through the formation of ionic self-assembled aggregates (charge ratio of negative (N) in SDS to positive (P) in DAB-PDI (N/P)=9). This negatively charged ionic self-assembly between DAB-PDI and SDS has been characterized by using photophysical, microscopic, dynamic light scattering, isothermal titration calorimetry, and HRMS techniques. The addition of spermine to this ensemble solution results in the breakdown of the DAB-PDI-SDS ensemble owing to strong binding of spermine with SDS and, as a result, the fluorescence of DAB-PDI is recovered. This ensemble exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity for spermine detection in water, urine, and blood serum. The lowest limit of detection is 27.5 n m, which is at least about 36 times lower than that required for early diagnosis of cancer (1 to 10 μ m for urinary spermine). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bladder leiomyoma is a rare benign tumor and it could be easily misdiagnosed with many other pelvic diseases, especially obstetrical and gynecological diseases; abdominal, laparoscopic, and transurethral resection of bladder leiomyoma have been reported. Herein, we present a case of bladder leiomyoma misdiagnosed with a vaginal mass preoperatively; the mass was isolated, enucleated from the bladder neck, and removed transvaginally; to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of intramural leiomyoma of bladder neck that has been enucleated transvaginally only without cystotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Most physicians use digital rectal examination (DRE) to help detect prostate cancer and to estimate the prostates' size. The accuracy of DRE is known to be limited. We evaluate the ability of doctors to palpate the whole prostate with DRE. Methods. At time of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) the distances from the anus to the apex and base of prostates were measured. The TRUS's distances were compared to the mean index finger length of our clinic doctors. Results. The ability of the urologist to reach and examine the apex, half, three quarters and the whole prostate was in 93.7%, 66.3%, 23.2% and 3.2% of cases respectively. Conclusions. In most cases it was impossible to palpate the whole prostate. Anatomical location and volume of the examined prostate, as well as the length of his own index finger limit DRE and allow the examination of only a small portion of the prostate [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Most physicians use digital rectal examination (DRE) to help detect prostate cancer and to estimate the prostates' size. The accuracy of DRE is known to be limited. We evaluate the ability of doctors to palpate the whole prostate with DRE. Methods. At time of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) the distances from the anus to the apex and base of prostates were measured. The TRUS's distances were compared to the mean index finger length of our clinic doctors. Results. The ability of the urologist to reach and examine the apex, half, three quarters and the whole prostate was in 93.7%, 66.3%, 23.2% and 3.2% of cases respectively. Conclusions. In most cases it was impossible to palpate the whole prostate. Anatomical location and volume of the examined prostate, as well as the length of his own index finger limit DRE and allow the examination of only a small portion of the prostate [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to apply photoacoustic imaging (PAI) to monitor high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) process in real-time for accurate evaluation of thermal ablation outcomes.Methods: A photoacoustic (PA) imaging system was used to monitor HIFU ablation process in this study. Single-element, spherically focused ultrasonic transducers with center frequencies of 5 and 10 MHz were used to generate HIFU lesions and detect PA signals in beef kidney during HIFU treatments, respectively. A 25-μm diameter, T-type thermocouple was used to measure the temperature rise during the treatment as well. Thermal dose, which was used to indicate the coagulation of soft tissue, was calculated with the temperature measured by the thermocouple. Detected PA signals were then related to the coagulation of soft tissue through thermal dose calculations. In addition, PA signals from beef kidney coagulating under a constant temperature was obtained to show the changes of PA signals under a constant temperature during soft tissue coagulation.Results: PA amplitude increases during the HIFU process and tends to have a saturation stage after the soft tissue is completely coagulated, which is indicated by a 240 or more TD43 minutes. Also, a linear relation between the PA signal amplitude changes and temperature was observed when monitoring the sole effect of temperature. In addition, PA amplitude changes finally reached a constant value during soft tissue coagulation under a constant temperature.Conclusions: Through measurement of the photoacoustic signal, the authors demonstrated that monitoring thermal dose may be a more appropriate method in HIFU treatment than monitoring temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Assessment of effects of zoledronic acid therapy on bone metabolic indicators in hormone-resistant prostate cancer patients with bone metastasis. Material and Methods. Hormone-resistant prostate cancer patients who were identified to have metastases in their bone scintigraphy were taken to trial group. Before administration of zoledronic acid, routine tests for serum calcium, total alkalen phosphates were studied. Sample sera for bone metabolic indicators BALP, PINP, and ICTP were collected. Bone pain was assessed via visual analogue scale and performance via Karnofsky performance scale. Four mg zoledronic acid was administered intravenously once a month. Results. When serum levels of bone forming indicators PINP; BALP were compared before and after therapy, there were insignificant decreases (P = .33, P = .21, resp.). Serum levels of bone destruction indicator ICTP was compared, and there was a significant decrease after zoledronic acid therapy (P = .04). When performances of the patients were compared during therapy period, performances decreased significantly due to progress of illness (P = .01). All patients had ostalgia caused by bone metastases at various degrees. Significant decrease in pain scores was observed (P < .01). Conclusion. Zoledronic acid therapy decreased bone destruction and was effective in palliation of pain in patient with bone metastasis. Using bone metabolic indicators during followup of zoledronic acid therapy might be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the open surgical management of renal cell carcinoma in the era of minimally invasive kidney surgery. Evidence showing that nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) for patients with small tumors is equivalent to total radical nephroctomy in terms of long-term survival; Safety and efficacy of NSS; Clinical factors determining prognosis and survival in the management of the disease.

To determine the value of ipsilateral adrenalectomy with radical nephrectomy, by investigating the clinical aspects of adrenal involvement and adrenocortical function in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).The demographic, clinical and pathological data of adrenal involvement were reviewed in 247 patients with RCC. To evaluate adrenocortical function, 14 patients (adrenalectomy in eight, adrenal-sparing in six) had a rapid adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test before and 2 weeks after surgery.There was adrenal involvement with RCC in seven of the 247 (2.8%) patients (a solitary adrenal metastatic tumour in four and direct extension into the adrenal gland in three). All adrenal involvement was detectable on abdominal computed tomography before surgery, and these patients had a large primary renal tumour of> pT2 and/or distant metastasis. Plasma cortisol levels declined significantly more in response to the rapid ACTH stimulation test in those treated by adrenalectomy than in those with spared adrenal glands at 2 weeks after surgery (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between the groups before surgery.These results suggest that unconditional ipsilateral adrenalectomy with radical nephrectomy for RCC should be avoidable, and thus preserve the reserve of adrenocortical function, as preoperative imaging, especially thin-slice multidetector helical computed tomography, can detect adrenal involvement with RCC in most cases. Unilateral adrenalectomy might cause an irreversible impairment of the reserve of adrenocortical function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts of medical research. They include "The fetal neurology clinic. A multidisciplinary approach for the assessment of the fetus with suspected nervous system pathology," "Fetal cerebral abnormalities: is MRI more efficient than ultrasound?," and "Magnetic resonance imaging should be an integral part of the evaluation of isolated mild ventriculomegaly."

The program for the 13th World Congress on Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology is presented.

Presents abstracts of articles pertaining to urinary incontinence, featured in the September 2002 issue of the 'British Journal of Urology.' 'Regulated Sling Operation in Male Urinary Incontinence,' by V. Dutov, M. Trapeznikova, V. Bazaev; 'Pure Testosterone Producing Virilizing Adrenocortical Tumors in Young Women,' by M. Gayed, U. Chaudhary, M. Bisada, C. Hermayer.

Objective To examine adrenal invasion by renal cell carcinoma (RCC), particularly by adrenal micrometastasis, to determine whether adrenalectomy should be performed during radical nephrectomy. Patients and methods From 1987 to 1994, 129 patients with RCC (90 men and 39 women, mean age 61.4 years, range 22-81) underwent radical nephrectomy with associated adrenalectomy because they had risk factors for adrenal invasion (tumour size >5 cm, or tumour of the superior pole). Pathological examinations were carried out systematically and records of these examinations reviewed. The tumour size was recorded and the frequency of invasion calculated. Results There were 10 cases where the gland was invaded; one was a synchronous contralateral metastasis and nine (7%) were ipsilateral invasions of which two were tumours in the superior pole that invaded the gland by direct extension and the other seven invaded the gland by distant metastasis, six being micrometastatic (4.7%). A single micrometastasis was found in two cases (1.5%). There was no adrenal invasion by tumours of <5 cm in diameter from the superior pole. When only tumours >5 cm in diameter were considered, the ipsilateral invasion rate was 11% (9/80) and the micrometastatic rate was 7.5% (6/80). Conclusion Adrenalectomy need not be performed routinely in small tumours which are detected early, but the possibility of adrenal micrometastasis from larger tumours (>5 cm) should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Assessment of effects of zoledronic acid therapy on bone metabolic indicators in hormone-resistant prostate cancer patients with bone metastasis. Material and Methods. Hormone-resistant prostate cancer patients who were identified to have metastases in their bone scintigraphy were taken to trial group. Before administration of zoledronic acid, routine tests for serum calcium, total alkalen phosphates were studied. Sample sera for bone metabolic indicators BALP, PINP, and ICTP were collected. Bone pain was assessed via visual analogue scale and performance via Karnofsky performance scale. Four mg zoledronic acid was administered intravenously once a month. Results. When serum levels of bone forming indicators PINP; BALP were compared before and after therapy, there were insignificant decreases (P = .33, P = .21, resp.). Serum levels of bone destruction indicator ICTP was compared, and there was a significant decrease after zoledronic acid therapy (P = .04). When performances of the patients were compared during therapy period, performances decreased significantly due to progress of illness (P = .01). All patients had ostalgia caused by bone metastases at various degrees. Significant decrease in pain scores was observed (P < .01). Conclusion. Zoledronic acid therapy decreased bone destruction and was effective in palliation of pain in patient with bone metastasis. Using bone metabolic indicators during followup of zoledronic acid therapy might be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]