Low serum zinc concentration is associated with low serum testosterone but not erectile function.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between serum zinc concentration and several factors, including serum testosterone concentration and the score of questionnaires on sexual function in patients with sexual problems. METHODS: This study comprised 720 men (age, 46.3 [21-83] years) with some kind of sexual problem. Age, scores of the Sexual Health Inventory for Men and the Erection Hardness Score, and endocrinologic data including serum concentrations of testosterone, prostate-specific antigen, and zinc were included in this study. After serum zinc concentration of the men was classified into 5 groups (<70, 70≤ <80, 80≤ <90, 90≤ <100, ≤100 µg/dl), the relation of each parameter with serum zinc concentration was assessed for a trend analysis. Finally, the relation between serum concentrations of zinc and testosterone as well sexual function evaluated by the scores of the questionnaires was investigated. RESULTS: Only serum testosterone concentration (ptrend = 0.028) and serum cortisol concentration (ptrend = 0.003) showed a statistically significant relation to serum zinc concentration by trend analysis. Interestingly, trend analysis between serum concentrations of testosterone and zinc still showed a significant association after adjustment for serum cortisol concentration (ptrend = 0.032). However, no significant association was found in the relation between serum zinc concentration and the scores of the questionnaires after adjustment for serum concentrations of testosterone and cortisol. CONCLUSION: We clearly showed that after adjustment for serum cortisol concentration by trend analysis, serum testosterone concentration decreased as serum zinc concentration decreased, although sexual symptoms were not associated with this decrease.

Evaluation of the efficacy of creatine chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging in assessing testicular maturity.

Purpose: Microscopic testicular sperm extraction is the most effective treatment for NOA, but the sperm retrieval rate is low and depends on testicular maturity. However, there are limited useful tests to assess testicular maturity. Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging is a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that can image the distribution of trace substances in vivo. We focused on the potential role of creatine (Cr) in testes and hypothesized that Cr-CEST could indicate intratesticular spermatogenesis. Methods: We performed Cr-CEST by using 7T MRI on wild-type C57B6/J mice and several types of male infertility models such as Sertoli-cell only (SCO) (Kitw/Kitwv), maturation arrest (MA) (Zfp541 knockout mouse and Kctd19 knockout mouse), and teratozoospermia (Tbc1d21 knockout mouse). After performing Cr-CEST, histological analysis was performed. Results: The SCO and MA models showed decreased CEST signal intensity (p < 0.05), while no reduction was observed in the teratozoospermia model (p = 1.0). CEST signal intensity increased as the spermatogenesis stage progressed from the SCO model to the MA and teratozoospermia models. Furthermore, CEST signal intensity was reduced in 4-week-old wild-type mice with immature testes (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study suggests that Cr-CEST evaluates intratesticular spermatogenesis noninvasively and provides a new therapeutic strategy for treating male infertility.

[A Case of Remission of Metastatic Germ Cell Tumor in an Elderly Patient by Multimodal Treatment].

There have been few reports of multimodal treatment such as chemotherapy and surgical resection for testicular tumors over 40 years old. In this case, a 64-year-old man with nonseminoma, pT2N2M1aS1, stage IIIb, IGCCC good prognosis completed induction chemotherapy, followed by retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and resection of lung metastases. Chemotherapy (4 courses of etoposide and cisplatin therapy) was completed without serious adverse events other than grade 4 neutropenia. Resection of the residual tumor confirmed no viable tumor cells. There was no evidence of recurrence or elevation of tumor markers in the following 6 months. Similar cases could increase with the increase of testicular tumors in the elderly.

[A Case of Successful Selective Arterial Embolization for Traumatic Priapism].

The first-line treatment for arterial (traumatic) priapism is follow-up, but no recommended duration has been established. We report a case of traumatic priapism that did not improve after one year of follow-up and was cured by arterial embolization. The patient was a 21-year-old male with a urethral injury caused by traffic trauma, and a urethral catheter was placed under fluoroscopic guidance. Magnetic resonance imaging (T2-weighted image) showed a low-signal area in the right penile corpus cavernosum. The urethral catheter was removed 1 month after the injury, but the erection persisted, and the patient was referred to our department 8 months after the injury. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed enhancement effect of the right penile corpus cavernosum, which was diagnosed as traumatic priapism, and selective arterial embolization was performed 1 year after the injury. Angiography revealed an extravascular leak from the right patent ductus arteriosus into the cavernous sinus of the penis, and a gelatin sponge (Serescue®ï¸Ž) was injected as an embolization material into the distal portion of the right patent ductus arteriosus. Immediately after the operation, the penis became fully erect, but gradually softened. One month after embolization, priapism improved, and 6 months after embolization, contrast-enhanced CT confirmed the disappearance of the enhancement effect of the right corpus cavernosum. There has been no relapse of symptoms for 10 months after embolization. Selective arterial embolization for traumatic priapism is considered to be a useful treatment even after a certain period of follow-up.

[A Rare Case of Adrenal Metastasis Diagnosed before Discovery of Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer which was Confirmed to Be the Primary Site].

A 54-year-old female underwent open left adrenalectomy for a left adrenal tumor in 2013. The pathology showed metastatic poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Despite a close examination, the primary tumor could not be identified. During the follow-up, a computed tomographic scan showed a hyper vascular tumor in the left breast in2015. A left mastectomy was performed for diagnosis and treatment. The pathology showed invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Comparing the histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the breast tumor with the adrenal tumor, the adrenal tumor was finally confirmed as metastatic invasive ductal carcinoma. Adrenal gland metastasis from invasive ductal carcinoma is said to be extremely rare. To our knowledge, there have been no reports of cases in which metastatic invasive ductal carcinoma of the adrenal gland was found before the primary site. We report this case with some literature review.

The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio of the human gut microbiota is associated with prostate enlargement.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of the prostate enlargement underlying lower urinary tract symptoms is unknown. Meanwhile, the gut microbiota can contribute to various host conditions. We hypothesized that the gut microbiota plays a role in prostate enlargement. METHODS: We included 128 patients who underwent prostate biopsies at our hospitals between December 2018 and March 2020, excluding those who had used antibiotics within the past 6 months and those who were diagnosed with prostate cancer of cT3 or higher. Patients with prostate volumes ≥30 ml were defined as the prostate-enlargement (PE) group; those with prostate volumes <30 ml were defined as the non-PE group. Their gut microbiotas were analyzed via 16S rRNA metagenomic analyses of rectal swab samples and were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The PE group included 66 patients; the non-PE group included 62 patients. Age, body mass index, and prostate-specific antigen levels did not significantly differ between the groups. Linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis indicated a higher proportion of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria in the PE group and a higher proportion of Bacteroidetes in the non-PE group. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio was significantly higher in the PE group than in the non-PE group (2.21 ± 0.39 vs. 1.61 ± 0.40, p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: The F/B ratio of the gut microbiota was associated with prostate enlargement. Although the detailed mechanisms are unclear, the gut microbiota might affect prostate enlargement.

The expression of human testis-specific actin capping protein predicts in vitro fertilization outcomes: A novel biomarker of sperm function for assisted reproductive technology.

PURPOSE: Sperm function tests do not adequately assess fertilization potential, and new indices are required. We have previously reported that human testis-specific actin capping proteins may be involved in both sperm morphology and function. This study aimed to determine whether testis-specific actin capping proteins can be a predictive marker of IVF success. METHODS: Ninety-seven infertile couples who underwent IVF at an infertility clinic were included. Sperm were immunohistochemically stained to evaluate capping protein expression, and the percentage of sperms with normal staining was calculated. The relationship between actin capping protein expression and IVF outcomes was examined. RESULTS: The couples were divided into four groups according to the percentage of normally expressing actin capping protein as follows: ≥90% Group Ⅰ, 80%-90% Group Ⅱ, 70%-80% Group Ⅲ, and <70% Group Ⅳ. Multiple regression analysis showed a significant trend in fertilization rates across the 4 groups (p for trend =0.008).There was no significant trend in pregnancy rates (p for trend =0.276). CONCLUSION: The human testis-specific actin capping protein may be a marker of male contributing factors that predict IVF outcomes.

[A Case of Urinary Incontinence Due to Ectopic Ureter with Complete Urteral Duplication Successfully Treaeted by Transcatheter Arterial Embolization (TAE)].

A 22-year-old woman who was referred to our hospital presented with a complaint of urinary incontinence since childhood. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed complete duplication of the left ureter. In addition, the upper half of the left kidney showed poor contrast, accompanied by signs of hydronephrosis. Magnetic resonance urography failed to show an opening between the upper half of the left kidney and the ectopic ureter. Cystoscopy revealed two normally positioned ureteral orifices. After intravenous injection of indigo carmine, however, the dye became evident in the vagina. Thus, she was diagnosed to have urinary incontinence due to complete duplication of the left ureter and an ectopic ureteral opening into the vagina. Transcatheter arterial embolization of the upper half of the kidney, the origin of the ectopic ureter, immediately relieved the patient of urinary incontinence. At the 6-month follow-up, the patient had experienced no recurrence or complications.

[A Case of Para-Aortic Lymph Node Metastasis 10 Years after Transurethral Resection for Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer].

A 67-year-old man with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) underwent transurethral resection (TUR) in January 2008. The pathological diagnosis was urothelial carcinoma (UC), grade 2, pT1. A second TUR was performed 2 months later, and no evidence of malignancy was found. After surgery, he was followed up via cystoscopy and urine cytology for 9 years, with no recurrence of the bladder tumor. In November 2017, he visited our orthopedic department complaining of pain in his left leg. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an enlarged para-aortic lymph node (a suspected metastasis). Computed tomography (CT) revealed several enlarged lymph nodes but no recurrence in the bladder. A CT-guided biopsy was performed, and histopathological examination revealed a metastasis of the urothelial carcinoma. After definitive diagnosis, he received four cycles of gemcitabine-cisplatin chemotherapy. NMIBC with no local progression rarely causes distant metastases, but the possibility is always there.

[A Case of Presacral Paraganglioma Resected by Laparoscopic Surgery].

A 25-year-old woman, with chief complaints of palpitation and vomiting, was suspected of having acute myocarditis and was taken to our critical care center. She was diagnosed with Takotsubo syndrome based on the results of echocardiography, coronary angiography, and myocardial biopsy. The 24-hour urine test showed high levels of normetanephrine and noradrenaline. The abdominal computed tomographic scan showed a presacral tumor (26 mm) just below the aortic bifurcation, and ¹³¹I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy showed abnormal accumulation in the tumor. Finally, she was diagnosed with Takotsubo syndrome associated with presacral paraganglioma. The hemodynamics became stable with conservative treatment. Then she underwent elective laparoscopic surgery. The histopathological analysis revealed paraganglioma. The immunohistochemistry for succinate dehydrogenase was negative in the tumor cells. There has been no recurrence as of 15 months after surgery.

[Pediatric Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2B with Pheochromocytoma Diagnosed after Perforation of a Colonic Diverticulum : A Case Report].

A 12-year-old girl was found to have decending colon diverticulum perforation and retroperitoneal abscess on computed tomography (CT) carried out to determine the cause of fever and stomachache. CT-guided drainage tube placement was performed. She was suspected of having MEN2B from her specific facial appearance, Marfan-like body shape and lingual mucosa neuroma. Cervical ultrasonography and serum tumor marker revealed medullary thyroid carcinoma and metastasis to cervical lymph node. Genetic examination revealed a mutation of RET gene codon 918. Therefore, she was diagnosed as having MEN2B. Laboratory data showed elevated urinary catecholamines. Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) adrenal scintigraphy showed bilateral adrenal uptake and a definitive diagnosis of bilateral adrenal pheochromocytomas was made. Discharge from the drainage tube persisted and it was difficult to continue conservative treatment. Therefore, laparoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy and transverse colon colostomy were performed. Subsequently, total thyroidectomy and cervical lymph node dissection were performed. At five years of follow up, bilateral lung metastases were observed, but the serum calcitonin level was normal and the patient is under observation.

Failure to achieve castrate level of serum testosterone during luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist therapy in a patient with prostate cancer.

We report the failure to achieve castrate level of serum testosterone during luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist therapy in a patient with prostate cancer. A 76-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of an elevated serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level (191.10 ng/ml) in August 2011. He was diagnosed with T3aN0M1b prostate adenocarcinoma. A combined androgen blockade using luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (the 1-month depot of leuprorelin acetate) and antiandrogen was administered. Due to liver dysfunction, antiandrogens, both bicalutamide and flutamide, were stopped. The 1-month depot was switched to the 3-month depot in May 2013, but the patient complained of induration and abscess at the infection site. Leuprorelin acetate was replaced by goserelin acetate. Because no adverse event appeared after injection of the 1-month depot of goserelin acetate, the 3-month depot was administered in October 2013. The PSA level increased gradually, and the testosterone level was greater than 50 ng/dl, that is, above castrate range. The 3-month depot of both leuprorelin acetate and goserelin acetate was not effective for this patient. For this reason, the 1-month depot of leuprorelin acetate was started resulting in a rapid decrease in PSA and testosterone levels. Thereafter, androgen depriving therapy could be continued. Androgen deprivation therapy is the standard treatment for patients with advanced prostate cancer and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone aims to suppress serum testosterone to castrate range. We recommend assessing the serum testosterone levels during luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist therapy for monitoring treatment efficacy and verifying progression when the PSA level increases.

[A Case of 18FDG PET/CT-Positive Adrenal Adenoma Suspected of Being Adrenal Metastasis of Synchronous Triple Cancer].

A 66-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of positive fecal occult blood test. Gastric and rectal cancers were diagnosed by upper and lower endoscopic biopsy, respectively. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) indicated a pulmonary tumor and a left adrenal mass with a diameter of 15 mm presenting heterogenous enhancement. The pulmonary tumor was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma by bronchoscopic biopsy. F18 fluoro-2-deoxy D-glucose (FDG) PET/CT showed abnormal FDG accumulation (maximum standardized uptake value=26. 1) in the left adrenal mass consistent with a metastatic adrenal tumor. Although radical surgical therapy was performed for the synchronous triple cancers of gastric, colon, and lung cancer, the patient refused adrenalectomy for the left adrenal tumor. One year after surgery, CT revealed an increase in the adrenal tumor diameter to 18 mm without development of new metastases. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed for the left adrenal tumor which was strongly suspected of being a metastatic tumor. Pathological diagnosis was adrenal cortical adenoma. There has been no recurrence for 5 years after surgery for simultaneous triple cancer.

[A Case of Spermatic Cord Liposarcoma Difficult to Distinguish from Inguinal Hernia].

A 53-year-old man visited a doctor due to left inguinal enlargement. He was diagnosed with left inguinal hernia with omentum as the content by a computed tomography (CT)scan. He underwent open inguinal hernia repair ; however, an inguinal tumor was diagnosed intraoperatively and was resected as much as possible. Although the tumor resection was macroscopically incomplete, he was followed up without any treatment because the tumor was histologically diagnosed as lipoma. Sixteen months after surgery, a 15 cm inguinal mass and a 7 cm left intrascrotal mass were detected by follow-up CT, and he was referred to our hospital. He underwent open surgery for wide excision of the tumor with a diagnosis of spermatic cord liposarcoma and left hydrocele of testis. The spermatic cord tumor was histologically diagnosed as well differentiated liposarcoma. He has been alive without recurrence for more than 10 months after surgery. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish a spermatic cord liposarcoma from inguinal hernia by imaging examinations.

[A Case of Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Tumor (PEComa) of the Uterus Associated with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Diagnosed by Intra-Abdominal Bleeding from the Uterus].

We report a case of perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) of the uterus associated with tuberous sclerosis complex discovered as a result of intraabdominal bleeding. A 54-year-old woman visited the department of obstetrics and gynecology with chief complaints of genital bleeding and abdominal pain lasting three weeks. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed intraabdominal bleeding from the uterine corpus. She had a history of bilateral renal angiomyolipoma, which was treated with partial bilateral nephrectomy at age 25. Moreover, pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis was diagnosed at age 43. Both conditions were detected by the CT scan during this hospitalization. Immediately after the CT scans, the patient entered a state of hemorrhagic shock, and we performed an emergency simple total hysterectomy. Histopathological examination on the resected specimen yielded a diagnosis of uterine perivascular epithelial cell tumor (PEComa). After making a definitive diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), systemic evaluation was performed. As a result, multiple skin and intracranial lesions characteristic of TSC were identified and we stated administration of everolimus.

[A Case of Urethral Carcinoma in Situ Resected by Urethrectomy of Anterior Urethra].

A 62-year-old man had been treated for urethral stricture developed after his right kidney was harvested for donation to his sister 34 years ago. Transurethral biopsy was performed because of positive urinary cytology and squamous cell carcinoma was detected from the site of urethral stricture. The patient with the desire to preserve the penis was referred to our department. Magneticresonanc e imaging showed no evidence of invasion to subepithelial tissue. Re-biopsy from the site of urethral stricture revealed squamous cell carcinoma in situ. Under the diagnosis of urethral carcinoma cTisN0M0, urethrectomy of anterior urethra with perineal urethrostomy was performed. Histopathological diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma of the urethra pTis and surgical margins were negative. The patient reported complete urinary continence, normal erections and ejaculation from his urethrostomy. He showed no evidence of recurrence at 28 months after surgery.

Intravesical ATP instillation induces urinary frequency because of activation of bladder afferent nerves without inflammatory changes in mice: A promising model for overactive bladder.

ATP in the suburothelial layer is released from the bladder urothelium by mechanical stimuli. ATP directly activates purinergic receptors that are expressed on primary bladder afferent neurons and induces the micturition reflex. Although ATP is also released to the bladder lumen from the bladder urothelium, the role of ATP in the bladder lumen is unknown. Recently, clinical studies have reported that urinary ATP levels are much higher in patients with an overactive bladder than healthy controls. These results suggest that ATP in the bladder lumen is also involved in the micturition reflex. In this study, we performed intravesical ATP instillation in the mouse bladder. We evaluated urinary function with novel reliable methods using improved cystometry and ultrasonography, which we previously established. We found that intravesical ATP instillation induced urinary frequency because of activation of bladder afferent nerves without inflammatory changes in the bladder or an increase in post-void residual urine. These results suggest that not only ATP in the suburothelial layer, but also ATP in the bladder lumen, are involved in enhancement of the micturition reflex.

[Midline Cyst of the Prostate with Increased Urinary Frequency and Urgency : A Case Report].

A 40-year-old man presented to our institution with a few-month history of increased urinary frequency, urgency and voiding difficulty. He had severe lower urinary tract symptoms with an International Prostate Symptom Score of 28 and quality of life score of 6. The mean urinary frequency and voided volume was 20 times per day and 150 ml, respectively. Abdominal ultrasonography and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging revealed the prostate measuring 15 cm3 with a 3 cm midline cyst which compressed the posterior of the bladder wall. A subsequent examination indicated that his lower urinary tract symptoms could be attributed to the cystic mass which mainly affected his storage symptoms. The patient underwent transurethral unroofing of the prostate cyst. Immediately after the surgery, his storage symptoms were improved greatly. The voiding volume was increased to 250 ml, and the frequency of urination was decreased to 8 times. No recurrent symptoms were found for seven months after the surgery.

[A Case of Bilateral Angiomyolipoma Accompanied by Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Successfully Treated with Transcatheter Arterial Embolization Using Functional Kidney Mapping Images Consisting of SPECT-CT and Contrast Enhanced CT Images].

Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) and aneurysm are common in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and represent the main causes of morbidity in adults with TSC. Herein, we report a 22-year-old woman with TSC-associated AMLs and renal aneurysms. She was referred to our hospital for the treatment of multiple renal aneurysms larger than 5 mm in diameter. The previous hospital considered that transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of bilateral renal aneurysms would cause deterioration of renal function. To estimate the impact of TAE on renal function, we superimposed contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) over single-photon emission CT (SPECT)-CT. This fusion image, referred to as functional kidney mapping image, revealed the location of renal arteries and aneurysms, and normal renal parenchyma simultaneously. Functional kidney mapping image was useful to distinguish the AML region from the normal renal parenchyma, and revealed that the planned embolization site was a non-functioning parenchyma. Therefore, TAE for her multiple renal aneurysms was successfully performed without deterioration of her renal function.

[A Case of Adrenal Leiomyosarcoma].

A 61-year-oldman presentedwith a chief complaint of abdominal pain. Enhancedcomputed tomography andmagnetic resonance imaging showeda left adrenal mass with a diameter of 7 cm with heterogeneous enchancement. He was referredto our hospital for further treatment. No endocrinological abnormality was detected. The tumor showed abnormal uptake on fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scan. Preoperative diagnosis was left adrenocortical carcinoma (cT2N0M0). Tumor excision was performedandpathological findings on the resectedspecimen revealedleiomyosarcoma of the left adrenal grand. The patient has been followed up for 16 months with no additional treatment. No evidence of local recurrence or metastasis was seen.