Do Strength and Anthropometric Size of the Lower Body Correlate with Serum Testosterone Levels?

PURPOSE: Although lower body strength and size are often regarded as symbols of masculinity, their relationship to testosterone is unclear. This study aimed to determine the correlation between lower body strength, size, and testosterone levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum testosterone levels, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) were measured in 69 men with erectile dysfunction (age >40 years). The circumferences of the thigh and calf were measured, and the muscle strength of the knee joints was evaluated using an isokinetic dynamometer. Patients were classified into three groups according to testosterone levels (group 1, <230 ng/dL; group 2, 230 to 350 ng/dL; group 3, >350 ng/dL). Differences in calf and thigh circumference, bilateral knee extension, and flexion strength between the three groups were investigated using a one-way analysis of variance. Pearson's chi-square test was used to assess differences in lifestyle habits and underlying diseases. A partial correlation analysis was conducted to determine the association between testosterone levels and lower body size and strength. RESULTS: There was no difference in BMI among the three groups, but waist circumference was significantly larger in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. When comparing weight-adjusted values, bilateral thigh circumference showed a significant difference among the three groups. There was also a significant difference between the three groups in the weight-adjusted left calf circumference and in the weight-adjusted right knee extension strength. The partial correlation test showed a significant positive correlation between thigh and calf circumference values adjusted for weight and serum testosterone levels. Weight-adjusted knee extension strength demonstrated a significant positive correlation with serum testosterone levels. CONCLUSIONS: Weight-adjusted thigh and calf circumferences, along with the thigh-to-waist ratio, showed a positive correlation with testosterone levels. Weight-adjusted knee extension strength was positively correlated with testosterone levels. Therefore, a robust thigh and strong lower body are related to testosterone.

Modified apical dissection during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) has improved patient recovery, but achieving optimal functional outcomes remains a challenge, especially early urinary continence. The Modified Apical Dissection (MAD) technique has been suggested to improve early continence compared to conventional RALP. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases was conducted to identify studies on MAD from inception to March 2024. The risk of bias was evaluated using the ROBINS-I tool. Primary outcomes assessed included urinary continence, positive surgical margin rate, biochemical recurrence rates, and complication rates. Out of 789 studies screened initially, we selected 8 studies that met our inclusion criteria. Our analysis showed that patients who underwent the MAD technique had a significantly higher likelihood of achieving early urinary continence compared to those undergoing conventional RALP at the initial follow-up (Odds Ratio [OR] = 4.0, 95% CI = 1.87-8.57). This advantage continued at 1 month (OR = 5.44, 95% CI = 2.98-9.92), 3 months (OR = 5.36, 95% CI = 2.26-12.71), and 6 months (OR = 5.18, 95% CI = 1.51-17.75), though no significant difference was noted at 12 months. There were no significant differences in positive surgical margin rate or biochemical recurrence rate between MAD and conventional RALP. The overall complication rate was 10.9% (95% CI = 8.10-14.06), with most complications being classified as minor (Clavien-Dindo I-II). In summary, our meta-analysis suggests that the MAD technique may lead to earlier recovery of urinary continence without compromising oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing RALP. While there are published studies on the outcomes of MAD, only a few have the appropriate design with a comparison group needed for meta-analysis and discussing various endpoints. More randomized controlled trials are necessary, but the current literature still lacks retrospective studies with comparison groups.

Comparación de la sensibilidad a antibióticos de E coli entre prostatitis aguda bacteriana adquirida en la comunidad y la secundaria a biopsia de próstata / Comparison of antibiotic susceptibility of Escherichia coli between community-acquired and post-prostate biopsy acute bacterial prostatitis

OBJETIVOS: Comparar la sensibilidad de Escherichia coli (E. coli) entre la prostatitis aguda bacteriana adquirida en la comunidad (PBA- AC) y la secundaria a biopsia de prostata guiada por ecografia transrectal (PBA- Bx). MÉTODOS: Un total de 4.383 pacientes fueron sometidos a biopsia de próstata entre enero 2005 y junio 2014. De estos pacientes, 34 presentaron PBA-Bx. De ellos en 22 se identificó E. coli en cultivos de orina o hemocultivos. También se identificó E. coli en orina o sangre en 91 de los 209 pacientes con PAB-AC.Investigamos las características de los pacientes y la microbiología. RESULTADOS: El grupo de pAB-Bx mostró una prevalencia mayor de bacteriemia que el de PAB-AC (59,1% frente a 13,2%) (p<0,001). Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos en la sensibilidad a antibióticos para fluorquinolonas, cefalotina y gentamicina. La sensibilidad a fluorquinolonas en el grupo de PBA-Bx fue sólo del 27,3%. La sensibilidad a amikacina, imipemem, meropenem, amoxicilina/ácido Clavulánico y piperacilina/tazobactam era mayor del 95% en ambos grupos. En el análisis multivariante, la PAB-BX era un factor predictivo independiente para bacteriemia. CONCLUSIONES: E. coli mostró una incidencia mayor de resistencias antibióticas y bacteriemia en las PAB-BX en comparación con las PAB-AC. En los pacientes con sospecha de sepsis, carbapenem puede ser el tratamiento de elección. Considerando la reciente aparición de bacterias resistentes a carbapenem, se pueden considerar piperacilina/tazobactam o amikacina

OBJETIVOS: Comparar la sensibilidad de Escherichia coli (E. coli) entre la prostatitis aguda bacteriana adquirida en la comunidad (PBA- AC) y la secundaria a biopsia de prostata guiada por ecografía transrectal (PBA- Bx). MÉTODOS: Un total de 4.383 pacientes fueron sometidos a biopsia de próstata entre enero 2005 y junio 2014. De estos pacientes, 34 presentaron PBA-Bx. De ellos en 22 se identificó E. coli en cultivos de orina o hemocultivos. También se identificó E. coli en orina o sangre en 91 de los 209 pacientes con PAB-AC. Investigamos las características de los pacientes y la microbiología. RESULTADOS: El grupo de pAB-Bx mostró una prevalencia mayor de bacteriemia que el de PAB-AC (59,1% frente a 13,2%) (p<0,001). Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos en la sensibilidad a antibióticos para fluorquinolonas, cefalotina y gentamicina. La sensibilidad a fluorquinolonas en el grupo de PBA-Bx fue sólo del 27,3%. La sensibilidad a amikacina, imipemem, meropenem, amoxicilina/ácido Clavulánico y piperacilina/tazobactam era mayor del 95% en ambos grupos. En el análisis multivariante, la PAB-BX era un factor predictivo independiente para bacteriemia. CONCLUSIONES: E. coli mostró una incidencia mayor de resistencias antibióticas y bacteriemia en las PAB-BX en comparación con las PAB-AC. En los pacientes con sospecha de sepsis, carbapenem puede ser el tratamiento de elección. Considerando la reciente aparición de bacterias resistentes a carbapenem, se pueden considerar piperacilina/tazobactam o amikacina