• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.85-90
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• 2021

We present data from three Caucasian men with Zinner syndrome who attended our center for the treatment of primary couple's infertility. Each patient was scheduled for conventional testicular sperm extraction (cTESE) and cryopreservation. Sperm analysis confirmed absolute azoospermia. Patient 1 had right and left testis volumes of 24 mL and 23 mL, respectively; left seminal vesicle (SV) agenesis, severe right SV hypotrophy with right renal agenesis. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was 3.2 IU/L. Patient 2 exhibited right and left testis volumes of 18 mL and 16 mL, respectively; a left SV cyst of 32 × 28 mm, ipsilateral kidney absence, and right SV agenesis. FSH was 2.8 IU/L. Patient 3 showed a testicular volume of 10 mL bilaterally, a 65 × 46 mm left SV cyst, right SV enlargement, and left kidney agenesis. FSH was 32.0 IU/L. Sperm retrieval was successful in all patients. Nevertheless, cTESE should be performed on the day of oocyte retrieval.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.170-176
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• 2018

Objective: To assess whether the "testicular pool" could be used for histological analysis and whether it gave more accurate information than the standard testicular biopsy. Methods: Between January 2017 and March 2018, this single-center prospective study included 60 azoospermic men undergoing conventional bilateral testicular sperm extraction. Six samples were excised from each testicle and transferred to an embryologist. One additional biopsy was randomly taken from each testis for a histological analysis. After processing, the testicular pool was also sent for a histological analysis, which showed normal spermatogenesis (NS), hypospermatogenesis (HYPO), maturation arrest (MA), Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS), and tubular atrophy (TA). Results: Twenty of the 60 patients (33.3%) had obstructive azoospermia (OA), while the remaining 40 (66.6%) had nonobstructive azoospermia. Their mean age was 40.5 years. All patients with OA had previously undergone unsuccessful testicular fine-needle aspiration. Successful sperm retrieval (SSR) occurred in 93.3% of patients. Histological analysis of the testicular biopsy revealed NS in 12 patients (20%), HYPO and TA in 28 patients (46.6%), MA in eight patients (13.3%), and SCOS in 12 patients (20%). The testicular pool analysis showed NS in 12 patients (20%), HYPO and TA in 44 patients (73.3%), MA in four patients (6.6%), and SCOS in no patients. In four patients with MA (6.6% of the total sample) and 12 patients with SCOS (20% of the total sample) according to the standard testicular biopsy, the embryologist found SSR with cryopreservation. Overall, in 44 patients (73.3%), the testicular pool analysis confirmed the histological findings of the standard testicular biopsy. In the 16 cases (26.6%) with a discrepancy between the single-biopsy histological findings and SSR, the testicular pool analysis confirmed the embryological data on SSR. Conclusion: The testicular pool proved to be easily analyzable, practical, manageable, and more accurate for predicting sperm retrieval than standard testicular biopsy.

• Proceedings of the Korean Magnestics Society Conference
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• 2008.12a
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• pp.39.2-40
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• 2008

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.343-345
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• 1989

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2022

The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2) appears to be widely expressed in cells in the testes, predominantly in spermatogonia, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells, and its co-expression with transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) is essential for the entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). For this reason, the male reproductive system could be considered a potential target for SARS-CoV-2, as well as a possible reservoir of infection. However, to date, there is very little evidence about the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen and testicular samples. The aim of this paper was to review the current evidence regarding the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on male fertility and sexual health, with a particular focus on reproductive hormones, the presence of the virus in seminal fluid and testis, and its impact on fertility parameters. We found very limited evidence reporting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen and testicular samples, and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on reproductive hormones and fertility parameters is unclear. The quality of the examined studies was poor due to the small sample size and several selection biases, precluding definitive conclusions. Hence, future well-designed prospective studies are needed to assess the real impact of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproductive function.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1357-1362
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• 2014

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a potentially modifiable risk factor that may be targeted for breast cancer (BC) prevention. It may also be related to prognosis after diagnosis and treatment. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency as measured by serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels in patients with BC and to evaluate its correlations with life-style and treatments. Materials and Methods: This study included 186 patients with stage 0-III BC treated in our breast center between 2010-2013. The correlation between serum baseline 25-OHD levels and supplement usage, age, menopausal status, diabetes mellitus, usage of bisphosphonates, body-mass index (BMI), season, dressing style, administration of systemic treatments and radiotherapy were investigated. The distribution of serum 25-OHD levels was categorized as deficient (<10ng/ml), insufficient (10-24 ng/ml), and sufficient (25-80 ng/ml). Results: The median age of the patients was 51 years (range: 27-79 years) and 70% of them had deficient/insufficient 25-OHD levels. On univariate analysis, vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency was more common in patients with none or low dose vitamin D supplementation at the baseline, high BMI (${\geq}25$), no bisphosphonate usage, and a conservative dressing style. On multivariate analysis, none or low dose vitamin D supplementation, and decreased sun-exposure due to a conservative dressing style were found as independent factors increasing risk of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency 28.7 (p=0.002) and 13.4 (p=0.003) fold, respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence of serum 25-OHD deficiency/insufficiency is high in our BC survivors. Vitamin D status should be routinely evaluated for all women, especially those with a conservative dressing style, as part of regular preventive care, and they should take supplemental vitamin D.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2005.09a
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• pp.147-148
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• 2005

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5171-5174
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• 2014

Background: The increase in breast cancer awareness and widespread use of mammographic screening has led to an increased detection of (non-palpable) breast cancers that cannot be discovered through physical examination. One of the methods used in the diagnosis of these cancers is vacuum-assisted core biopsy, which prevents a considerable number of patients from undergoing surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to present the results of stereotactic vacuum-assisted core biopsy for suspicious breast lesions. Materials and Methods: Files were retrospectively scanned and data on demographic, radiological and pathological findings were recorded for patients who underwent stereotactic vacuum-assisted core biopsy due to suspicious mammographic findings at the Interventional Radiology Centre of the Florence Nightingale Hospital between January 2010, and April 2013. Statistical analysis was carried out using Pearson's Chi-square, continuity correction, and Fisher's exact tests. Results: The mean age of the patients was 47 years (range: 36-70). Biopsies were performed due to BIRADS 3 lesions in 8 patients, BIRADS 4 lesions in 77 patients, and BIRADS 5 lesions in 3 patients. Mammography elucidated clusters of microcalcifications in 73 patients (83%) and focal lesions (asymmetrical density, distortion) in 15 patients (17%). In terms of complications, 1 patient had a hematoma, and 2 patients had ecchymoses (3/88; 3.3%). The histopathologic results revealed benign lesions in 63 patients (71.6%) and malignant lesions in 25 patients (28.4%). The mean duration of the procedure was 37 minutes (range: 18-55). Although all of the BIRADS 3 lesions were benign, 22 (28.6%) of the BIRADS 4 lesions and all of the BIRADS 5 lesions were malignant. Among the malignant cases, 80% were in situ, and 20% were invasive carcinomas. These patients underwent surgery. Conclusions: In cases where non-palpable breast lesions are considered to be suspicious in mammography scans, the vacuum-assisted core biopsy method provides an accurate histopathologic diagnosis thus preventing a significant number of patients undergoing unnecessary surgical procedures.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.23.1-23.10
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• 2024

Objectives: Previous in vitro studies determined the whitening effects of bleaching products on stained resin composite surfaces. This in vitro study aimed to verify the effectiveness of a whitening system on composite resin previously subjected to pigmentation, specifically examining the depth of whitening effectiveness within the material structure. Materials and Methods: A commercially available nano-filled composite resin was used. Specimens were stained using a coffee-based solution and a 10% carbamide peroxide-based gel was employed as the whitening agent. The pigment's penetration and the effect of the bleaching gel were evaluated by measuring color (CieLab values) from the outer edge to the inner part of the specimens. Color measurements were taken at 14 points, starting from 0.1 mm from the external perimeter up to 3.0 mm. Results: Analysis of variance tests showed a statistically significant difference between the Control Group (CG), Pigmentation Group, and Whitening Group. The whitening agent was effective up to 1.5 mm in depth, with Whiteness index (W) values not statistically different from those of CG up to 0.5 mm in depth. Conclusions: Whitening agents on nano-filled resin composite previously pigmented appear effective in restoring the W to values similar to the original, particularly in the superficial layers of the sample.

• The Korean Nurse
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• v.3 no.4 s.12
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• pp.94-101
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• 1964