Safety evaluation of single-sperm cryopreservation technique applied in intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a technique that directly injects a single sperm into the cytoplasm of mature oocytes. Here, we explored the safety of single-sperm cryopreservation applied in ICSI. This retrospective study enrolled 186 couples undergoing ICSI-assisted pregnancy. Subjects were allocated to the fresh sperm (group A)/single-sperm cryopreservation (group B) groups based on sperm type, with their clinical baseline/pathological data documented. We used ICSI-compliant sperm for subsequent in vitro fertilization and followed up on all subjects. The recovery rate/cryosurvival rate/sperm motility of both groups, the pregnancy/outcome of women receiving embryo transfer, and the delivery mode/neonatal-related information of women with successful deliveries were recorded. The clinical pregnancy rate, cumulative clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, premature delivery rate, live birth delivery rate, neonatal birth defect rate, and average birth weight were analyzed. The two groups showed no significant differences in age, body mass index, ovulation induction regimen, sex hormone [anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)/luteinizing hormone (LH)] levels, or oocyte retrieval cycles. The sperm recovery rate (51.72%-100.00%) and resuscitation rate (62.09% ± 16.67%) in group B were higher; the sperm motility in the two groups demonstrated no significant difference and met the ICSI requirements. Group B exhibited an increased fertilization rate, decreased abortion rate, and increased safety versus group A. Compared with fresh sperm, the application of single-sperm cryopreservation in ICSI sensibly improved the fertilization rate and reduced the abortion rate, showing higher safety.

The efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) can negatively affect men's mental health, interpersonal relationships, and overall well-being. ED has affected >150 million men worldwide, and this number will reach approximately 322 million by 2025. Although PDE5-Is is a landmark in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, it may have side effects such as penile pain, cardiovascular dysfunction, and deafness. Some studies have shown that acupuncture may have a positive effect on the pathophysiology of ED. Therefore, we will select all randomized controlled trials related to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment of ED. METHODS: This study will systematically search 7 digital databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP, China Biology Medicine, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase for randomized controlled trials without language restrictions. Two researchers will independently read the title, abstract, and full text to screen for studies that can be included in the meta-analysis. If there is any dispute, the third party will be required to reach a consensus. RESULTS: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of ED and the difference in the impact of different types of acupuncture on ED. CONCLUSION: Judge whether acupuncture and moxibustion can help improve the symptoms of ED by evaluating relevant literatures, and make up for the lack of relevant research. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY 202140040.

Effectiveness of acupuncture for asthenozoospermia: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: According to the World Health Organization, the global incidence of infertility is about 15%, and more than 50% of infertility cases are caused by male infertility. Asthenozoospermia is caused by male fertility decline and male infertility. Due to work pressure, environmental pollution, sexual diseases, and other factors, the number of patients with asthenozoospermia has increased in recent years. It has been confirmed that acupuncture has a certain effect on patients with asthenozoospermia. Acupuncture and moxibustion can be an adjuvant treatment plan for the treatment of asthenozoospermia in addition to drug treatment. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for asthenozoospermia will be searched in the relevant database, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database). The studies of electronic searches will be exported to EndNote V.9.1 software. We will run meta-analyses using the Review Manager (RevMan) V.5.3 software. Any disagreements will be solved in consultation with a third reviewer. RESULTS: Our study aims to explore the efficacy of acupuncture for asthenozoospermia and to provide up-to-date evidence for clinical of asthenozoospermia. CONCLUSION: This study will perform a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of acupuncture for asthenozoospermia, making up for the lack of relevant evidence of the clinical use of acupuncture. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY 202140032.

Impacts of preoperative maximum detrusor pressure on minimally invasive surgery effect on patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the impacts of preoperative maximum detrusor pressure (Pdet.max) on minimally invasive surgery effect on patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: The clinical data of a total of 156 patients receiving minimally invasive surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia in Hospital of Nanchang Institute of Medical Sciences from August 2014 to June 2017 were retrospectively reviewed and summarized. The patients were divided into three groups according to different Pdet.max in the urodynamic examination results before the surgery, namely, group A (Pdet.max <50 cmH2O), group B (50≤ Pdet.max <90 cmH2O) and group C (Pdet.max ≥90 cmH2O). The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Quality-of-Life score (QOLS) were compared. RESULTS: Compared with those in group A, the IPSS and QOLS of the patients in group B and group C at 1 month, 3 months and 12 months after the surgery were decreased notably (all P<0.05). Moreover, the IPSS and QOLS of the patients in group C were obviously lower than those in group B (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that as the preoperative Pdet.max was increased, the symptoms of the patients receiving minimally invasive surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia were ameliorated more significantly, and the patients had higher quality of life. The preoperative Pdet.max can judge the treatment effect of minimally invasive surgery on the patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and help to guide the patients' prognosis. The greater the preoperative Pdet.max is, the better the treatment effect of the patients after the surgery will be, and the higher the quality of life will be.