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World Journal of Urology Sep 2023Acute epididymo-orchitis (AEO) is a common urological condition characterised by pain and swelling of the epididymis which can affect men of any age. The aetiology and...
PURPOSE
Acute epididymo-orchitis (AEO) is a common urological condition characterised by pain and swelling of the epididymis which can affect men of any age. The aetiology and to some extent the management of the patient differ between paediatric and young and older adult groups.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was performed at the University Hospital Limerick from 2012 to 2016. Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) data were obtained for all patients diagnosed with orchitis, epididymitis, epididymo-orchitis or testicular abscess over this 5-year period.
RESULTS
140 patients were identified, the age range was 0-89, median age 35.6. These were then split into 3 clinical groups, pre-pubertal (Group 1, 0-15-year-olds), sexually active young men (Group 2a, 16-35-year-olds) and men over 35 (Group 2b). Nine patients had an abscess on ultrasound investigation. There was a significant correlation between the presence of an abscess and the need for an orchidectomy (2 patients, P = 0.035). Two patients were reported as having an atrophic testis following AEO and both were in Group 2b.
CONCLUSION
Overall, 7/131 (5%) patients had loss or atrophy of a testicle following an episode of AEO. Nineteen patients had further readmissions with AEO (14%).
Topics: Male; Humans; Child; Aged; Adult; Orchitis; Retrospective Studies; Abscess; Epididymitis; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37452204
DOI: 10.1007/s00345-023-04500-1 -
The World Journal of Men's Health Mar 2024Recent studies on male infertility reveal a growing worry: more infertile men are dealing with inflammation in the testis. Analyzing testicular biopsies from infertile... (Review)
Review
Recent studies on male infertility reveal a growing worry: more infertile men are dealing with inflammation in the testis. Analyzing testicular biopsies from infertile men highlights a significant presence of inflammation. This connection, supported by clinical and pathological evidence, emphasizes that testicular inflammation hampers sperm production, leading to lasting declines in sperm count and quality. However, the exact reasons behind male infertility due to orchitis, a type of testicular inflammation, are still uncertain. Understanding these fundamental aspects of molecular signals and cellular mechanisms in testicular inflammation is crucial. Our review delves into recent literature with a dual objective: elucidating potential mechanisms involving immune cells, non-immune cells, and cytokines that link orchitis to male infertility, while also paving the way for precise interventions and solutions to address the challenges of male infertility.
PubMed: 38449458
DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.230270 -
International Cancer Conference Journal Oct 2023Testicular abscesses are rarer than epididymitis and orchitis. Here, we report a case of testicular seminoma with testicular abscess caused by . A 41-year-old male was...
Testicular abscesses are rarer than epididymitis and orchitis. Here, we report a case of testicular seminoma with testicular abscess caused by . A 41-year-old male was referred for painful enlargement of the right scrotal content and fever for 1 week. With the diagnosis of epididymitis, he was administered levofloxacin (LVFX) but the fever and painful enlargement persisted. Because of the poor response to antimicrobial agents and the undeniable complications of testicular malignancy, radical orchiectomy was performed. The testis was enlarged to 7 cm, weighed approximately 100 g, and was filled with pus. A substantial portion of the tumor was seminoma, and pus culture revealed . Although testicular tumors are the most common differential diseases for testicular abscess, there are few reports of testicular abscess accompanying testicular tumors. Here, we report a case of testicular seminoma with testicular abscess caused by .
PubMed: 37577346
DOI: 10.1007/s13691-023-00609-7 -
Infectious Diseases Now Jun 2024For the first time, the accuracy and proficiency of ChatGPT answers on urogenital tract infection (UTIs) were evaluated.
INTRODUCTION
For the first time, the accuracy and proficiency of ChatGPT answers on urogenital tract infection (UTIs) were evaluated.
METHODS
The study aimed to create two lists of questions: frequently asked questions (FAQs, public-based inquiries) on relevant topics, and questions based on guideline information (guideline-based inquiries). ChatGPT responses to FAQs and scientific questions were scored by two urologists and an infectious disease specialist. Quality and reliability of all ChatGPT answers were checked using the Global Quality Score (GQS). The reproducibility of ChatGPT answers was analyzed by asking each question twice.
RESULTS
All in all, 96.2 % of FAQs (75/78 inquiries) related to UTIs were correctly and adequately answered by ChatGPT, and scored GQS 5. None of the ChatGPT answers were classified as GQS 2 and GQS 1. Moreover, FAQs about cystitis, urethritis, and epididymo-orchitis were answered by ChatGPT with 100 % accuracy (GQS 5). ChatGPT answers for EAU urological infections guidelines showed that 61 (89.7 %), 5 (7.4 %), and 2 (2.9 %) ChatGPT responses were scored GQS 5, GQS 4, and GQS 3, respectively. None of the ChatGPT responses for EAU urological infections guidelines were categorized as GQS 2 and GQS 1. Comparison of mean GQS values of ChatGPT answers for FAQs and EAU urological guideline questions showed that ChatGPT was similarly able to respond to both question groups (p = 0.168). The ChatGPT response reproducibility rate was highest for the FAQ subgroups of cystitis, urethritis, and epididymo-orchitis (100 % for each subgroup).
CONCLUSION
The present study showed that ChatGPT gave accurate and satisfactory answers for both public-based inquiries, and EAU urological infection guideline-based questions. Reproducibility of ChatGPT answers exceeded 90% for both FAQs and scientific questions.
Topics: Humans; Urinary Tract Infections; Reproducibility of Results; Surveys and Questionnaires; Cystitis; Male; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Urethritis; Epididymitis; Orchitis; Female
PubMed: 38460761
DOI: 10.1016/j.idnow.2024.104884 -
Microbiology Spectrum Apr 2024is a zoonotic intracellular bacterium that poses threats to human health and economic security. Intracellular infection is a hallmark of the agent and a primary cause...
is a zoonotic intracellular bacterium that poses threats to human health and economic security. Intracellular infection is a hallmark of the agent and a primary cause of distress, through which the bacterium regulates the host intracellular environment to promote its own colonization and replication, evading host immunity and pharmaceutical killing. Current studies of intracellular processes are typically premised on bacterial phenotype such as intracellular bacterial survival, followed by biochemical or molecular biological approaches to reveal detailed mechanisms. While such processes can deepen the understanding of -host interaction, the insights into host alterations in infection would be easily restricted to known pathways. In the current study, we applied CRISPR Cas9 screen to identify host genes that are most affected by infection on cell viability at the genomic level. As a result of CRISPR screening, we firstly identified that knockout of the negatively selected genes , , , and attenuate the viability of both the host cells and intracellular , suggesting these genes to be potential therapeutic targets for control. In particular, knockout of diminished intracellular survival by altering host cell autophagy. Conversely, knockout of positive screening genes promoted intracellular proliferation of . In summary, we screened host genes at the genomic level throughout infection, identified host genes that are previously not recognized to be involved in infection, and provided targets for intracellular infection control.IMPORTANCE is a Gram-negative bacterium that infects common mammals causing arthritis, myalgia, neuritis, orchitis, or miscarriage and is difficult to cure with antibiotics due to its intracellular parasitism. Therefore, unraveling the mechanism of -host interactions will help controlling infections. CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene editing technology that directs knockout of individual target genes by guided RNA, from which genome-wide gene-knockout cell libraries can be constructed. Upon infection with , the cell library would show differences in viability as a result of the knockout and specific genes could be revealed by genomic DNA sequencing. As a result, genes affecting cell viability during infection were identified. Further testing of gene function may reveal the mechanisms of -host interactions, thereby contributing to clinical therapy.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Brucella; Brucellosis; Gene Editing; Mammals
PubMed: 38376367
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03383-23 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2023Spermatogenesis is a complex process related to male infertility. Till now, the critical genes and specific mechanisms have not been elucidated clearly. Our objective...
Spermatogenesis is a complex process related to male infertility. Till now, the critical genes and specific mechanisms have not been elucidated clearly. Our objective was to determine the hub genes that play a crucial role in spermatogenesis by analyzing the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) present in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) compared to OA and normal samples using bioinformatics analysis. Four datasets, namely GSE45885, GSE45887, GSE9210 and GSE145467 were used. Functional enrichment analyses were performed on the DEGs. Hub genes were identified based on protein-protein interactions between DEGs. The expression of the hub genes was further examined in the testicular germ cell tumors from the TCGA by the GEPIA and validated by qRT-PCR in the testes of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute orchitis mice with impaired spermatogenesis. A total of 203 DEGs including 34 up-regulated and 169 down-regulated were identified. Functional enrichment analysis showed DEGs were mainly involved in microtubule motility, the process of cell growth and protein transport. PRM2, TEKT2, FSCN3, UBQLN3, SPATS1 and GTSF1L were identified and validated as hub genes for spermatogenesis. Three of them (PRM2, FSCN3 and TEKT2) were significantly down-regulated in the testicular germ cell tumors and their methylation levels were associated with the pathogenesis. In summary, the hub genes identified may be related to spermatogenesis and may act as potential therapeutic targets for NOA and testicular germ cell tumors.
Topics: Humans; Male; Animals; Mice; Gene Expression Profiling; Spermatogenesis; Testis; Infertility, Male; Computational Biology; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal
PubMed: 37891374
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45620-3 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023Epidemiological and clinical analyses of brucellosis are vital for public health leaders to reinforce disease surveillance and case management strategies.
INTRODUCTION
Epidemiological and clinical analyses of brucellosis are vital for public health leaders to reinforce disease surveillance and case management strategies.
METHODS
In this study, we aimed to analyse the epidemiology and clinical features of 1,590 cases of human brucellosis.
RESULTS
Approximately 72.08% (1,146) of the patients were male and 27.92% (444) were female. At least 88.18% (1,402/1,590) of the patients had a history of contact with sheep/goats and cattle, which was identified as the main risk factor for infection. The most common age group affected was 30-69 years, comprising 83.90% of all cases, with a median age of 47.3 years. Meanwhile, 75.03% (1,193/1,590) of the patients were farmers, followed by workers (10.50%, 167/1,590). The spectrum of clinical manifestations varied, and the major symptoms were fatigue (42.96%), joint pain (37.30%), and fever (23.33%). Arthritis was diagnosed in 989 patients, spondylitis was diagnosed in 469 patients, and external genital complications were found in at least 53.96% (858/1,590) of patients. In addition, approximately 41.25% (625/1,515) and 24.53% (390/1,590) of cases exhibited elevated CRP and D-dimer levels, respectively. Conversely, a significant decrease was observed in fibrinogen, total protein, and albumin levels, affecting 48.36% (769/1,590), 77.30% (1,226/1,586), and 91.80% (1,456/1,586) of the patients, respectively. These data demonstrate that brucellosis is a severe wasting disease that leads to an imbalance in nutritional metabolism and a decline in immunity. In total, 86.73% (1,379/1,590) of patients showed improvement with antibiotic therapy, while 13.27% (211/1,590) of patients experienced relapses or treatment failure.
CONCLUSION
Brucellosis often presents with non-specific symptoms and laboratory findings, accompanied by multiple organ invasions, as well as being a vital challenge for diagnosis and treatment; thus, it is essential for a high degree of suspicion to be placed on brucellosis for a timely diagnosis and treatment. This study provides basic data and resources for developing tailored countermeasures to curb its further spread.
PubMed: 38088960
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1259479 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jul 2024When exacerbated, inflammatory processes can culminate in physical and emotional disorders and, if not stopped, can be lethal. The high prevalence of inflammation has... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
When exacerbated, inflammatory processes can culminate in physical and emotional disorders and, if not stopped, can be lethal. The high prevalence of inflammation has become a public health problem, and the need for new drugs to treat this pathology is imminent. The use of medicinal plants has emerged as an alternative, and a survey of data that corroborates its application in inflammatory diseases is the starting point. Furthermore, Brazil harbors a megadiversity, and the traditional use of plants is relevant and needs to be preserved and carefully explored for the discovery of new medicines.
AIM OF THE STUDY
This review sought to survey the medicinal plants traditionally used in Brazil for the treatment of inflammatory processes and to perform, in an integrative way, a data survey of these species and analysis of their phytochemical, pharmacological, and molecular approaches.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Brazilian plants that are traditionally used for inflammation (ophthalmia, throat inflammation, orchitis, urinary tract inflammation, ear inflammation, and inflammation in general) are listed in the DATAPLAMT database. This database contains information on approximately 3400 native plants used by Brazilians, which were registered in specific documents produced until 1950. These inflammatory disorders were searched in scientific databases (PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, Scielo, Virtual Health Library), with standardization of DECS/MESH descriptors for inflammation in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, without chronological limitations. For the inclusion criteria, all articles had to be of the evaluated plant species, without association of synthesized substances, and full articles free available in any of the four languages searched. Duplicated articles and those that were not freely available were excluded.
RESULTS
A total of 126 species were identified, culminating in 6181 articles in the search. After evaluation of the inclusion criteria, 172 articles representing 40 different species and 38 families were included in the study. Comparison of reproducibility in intra-species results became difficult because of the large number of extraction solvents tested and the wide diversity of evaluation models used. Although the number of in vitro and in vivo evaluations was high, only one clinical study was found (Abrus precatorius). In the phytochemical analyses, more than 225 compounds, mostly phenolic compounds, were identified.
CONCLUSION
This review allowed the grouping of preclinical and clinical studies of several Brazilian species traditionally used for the treatment of many types of inflammation, corroborating new searches for their pharmacological properties as a way to aid public health. Furthermore, the large number of plants that have not yet been studied has encouraged new research to revive traditional knowledge.
Topics: Brazil; Humans; Plants, Medicinal; Ethnopharmacology; Medicine, Traditional; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Animals; Phytotherapy; Inflammation; Phytochemicals; Plant Preparations; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38574778
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118137 -
Journal of Infection in Developing... Sep 2023The genito-urinary system is one of the most common areas of involvement in brucellosis. To present the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of...
INTRODUCTION
The genito-urinary system is one of the most common areas of involvement in brucellosis. To present the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of patients with testicular involvement associated with brucellosis, together with the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
METHODOLOGY
Patients followed up for brucellosis-related testicular involvement between January 2012 and November 2022 were included in the study. Brucellosis is defined as the production of Brucella spp. in cultures, or clinical symptoms together with the serum standard tube agglutination test titer of ≥ 1/160. Inflammation in scrotal Doppler ultrasonography was based on testicular involvement.
RESULTS
A retrospective evaluation was made of the data of 194 patients with brucellosis-related testicular involvement. The rate of determination of testicular involvement in brucellosis was 2.57%. The most affected patients were determined in the 16-30 years age range. On presentation, brucellosis was in the acute stage in 83.7% of patients. The most common symptoms on presentation were swelling and/or pain in the testes (86.6%). In the patients where a spermiogram could be performed, oligospermia was determined in 41.7%, and aspermia in 8.3%. When the testicular involvement of brucellosis was evaluated, epididymo-orchitis was present at the rate of 55.7%, epididymitis at 27.3%, and testis abscess at 5.1%.
CONCLUSIONS
Although epididymo-orchitis was the most frequently determined form of involvement in this study, there was also seen to be a significant number of patients presenting with epididymitis. Male patients presented with the clinical status of brucellosis should be questioned about swelling and pain in the testes to avoid overlooking testicular involvement.
Topics: Humans; Male; Epididymitis; Orchitis; Retrospective Studies; Brucellosis; Pain
PubMed: 37824350
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.18084 -
Health Expectations : An International... Oct 2023Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15-44 years in many countries. Most men with testicular cancer present with a lump. Testicular symptoms are more...
INTRODUCTION
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15-44 years in many countries. Most men with testicular cancer present with a lump. Testicular symptoms are more likely to occur secondary to benign diseases like epididymo-orchitis, a common sexually transmitted infection. Gender and sexual minorities are at an increased risk of testicular diseases and health disparities. The aim of this study was to co-design an inclusive community-based campaign to promote testicular awareness.
METHODS
This study uses the World Café methodology. Participation was sought from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ friendly organisations, testicular cancer survivors, health policy makers, media and marketing experts and graphic designers. Participants engaged in three rounds of conversations to co-design the campaign. Data were collected using drawing sheets, artefact cards, sticky notes, coloured markers and a voice recorder. Deductive thematic analysis was conducted.
RESULTS
Seventeen individuals participated in the study. Six themes emerged from the analysis as follows: (i) online communication; (ii) offline communication; (iii) behavioural targeting and education; (iv) campaign frequency and reach; (v) demographic segmentation; and (vi) campaign identity. The use of social media for campaign delivery featured strongly in all conversations. Participants also recommended offline communication using posters and radio/television advertisements to scale up the campaign and achieve wider reach. Advertisements to overcome embarrassment surrounding testicular health were particularly recommended. Participants emphasised that campaign delivery must be dynamic whilst ensuring that the health-promoting messages are not diluted or lost. They stressed the importance of being inclusive and tailoring the campaign to different age groups, gender identities and sexual orientations.
CONCLUSIONS
Study recommendations will be used to design and deliver the campaign. Future research will be needed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, cost and effect of the campaign on promoting testicular awareness and early detection of testicular diseases.
PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION
A participatory research approach was used to co-design the campaign with members of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ (LGBTQ+) friendly organisations, LGBTQ+ student bodies, LGBTQ+ staff networks, LGBTQ+ sports clubs, men's health organisations, testicular cancer survivors, health policy makers, media and marketing experts and graphic designers.
PubMed: 37877701
DOI: 10.1111/hex.13898