obstetrics and gynecology

An integrated investigation of oocyte developmental competence: expression of key genes in human cumulus cells, morphokinetics of early divisions, blastulation, and euploidy

Purpose: To investigate the association of cumulus cell (CC)-related expression of a selected cluster of key genes (PTGS2, CAMK1D, HAS2, STC1, and EFNB2) with embryo development to blastocyst. Methods: Exploratory study at a private clinic. Eighteen advanced maternal age patients were enrolled (37.3 ± 4.0 years). Seventy-five cumuli were collected, whose oocytes resulted in either developmental arrest (N = 33) or blastocyst formation (N = 42).

Testing a conceptual model for men's sexual desire referring to automatic thoughts, emotions, sexual function, and sexism

Introduction: Literature lacks biopsychosocial models of men's sexuality. Regarding sexual desire, Carvalho and Nobre (J Sex Med 2011;8:754-763.) presented a cognitive-affective model including age, medical factors, dyadic adjustment, psychopathology, restrictive attitudes toward sexual activity, erection concerns, lack of erotic thoughts (LET), sadness, and shame as predictors. In particular, automatic thoughts were highlighted as the main predictors of sexual desire in men.

Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire (SDBQ). Translation and psychometric properties of the Italian version

The Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire (SDBQ) is a validated and widespread measure to assess dysfunctional sexual beliefs. The study aimed to test the psychometrics of the Italian version of the SDBQ. A total of 1009 participants (422 men and 587 women, 739 healthy and 270 complaining about sexual problems) took part in the current study. Principal component analysis identified 3 factors in the male version: macho beliefs, sexual conservatism and control over sexuality.

Conseils sexuels par téléphone et technologies actuelles. Les lignes d’assistances téléphoniques sont-elles encore efficaces à l’ère des médias sociaux?

Les lignes d’assistance sont des services de conseil communs pour hommes etfemmes cherchant des conseils de santé, et sur des problèmes psychologiques et sexuels.Avec l’avènement des réseaux sociaux, les utilisateurs ont maintenant plus de possibilitésd’informations sur la santé sexuelle qu’auparavant.

Sexual Modes Questionnaire (SMQ). Translation and psychometric properties of the italian version of the Automatic Thought Scale

Background: The Sexual Modes Questionnaire (SMQ) is a validated and widespread used tool to assess the association among negative automatic thoughts, emotions, and sexual response during sexual activity in men and women. Aim: To test the psychometric characteristics of the Italian version of the SMQ focusing on the Automatic Thoughts subscale (SMQ-AT). Methods: After linguistic translation, the psychometric properties (internal consistency, construct, and discriminant validity) were evaluated.

Pelvic floor muscle training for prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence during pregnancy and after childbirth and its effect on urinary system and supportive structures assessed by objective measurement techniques

Purpose: During the second and the third trimesters of pregnancy and in the first 3 months following childbirth, about one-third of women experience urinary incontinence (UI). During pregnancy and after delivery, the strength of the pelvic floor muscles may decrease following hormonal and anatomical changes, facilitating musculoskeletal alterations that could lead to UI. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) consists in the repetition of one or more sets of voluntary contractions of the pelvic muscles.

Autoimmune diseases. Role of steroid hormones

Autoimmune diseases (AIDs)are a heterogeneous group of disorders in terms of clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and prevalence, and there is no agreement to date on a common classification. Adaptive immune responses are responsible for the existence of AIDs, although innate immunity is also involved in misguiding the immune response against self-antigens. Hormones, in general, and in particular steroid hormones, play a critical role in the physiology and pathology of the immune system, especially in adaptive immunity.

PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in ovarian cancer treatment: are we on the right track?

.The high recurrence rate and the low overall survival in ovarian cancer suggest that a more specific therapeutic approach in addition to conventional treatment is required. Translational and clinical research is investigating new molecular targets in order to find an alternative way to affect tumor growth and to minimize the overlap of toxicity of antiblastic agents.

Comparison of infrapubic vs penoscrotal approaches for 3-piece inflatable penile prosthesis placement. do we have a winner

Background: The 3-piece inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) is the gold standard treatment for male erectile dysfunction when other less invasive approaches are contra-indicated or unacceptable for the patient. There are currently 2 surgical approaches for IPP implantation: the penoscrotal (PS) and the infrapubic (IP) incision.
Aim: To assess the most recent evidence on the impact of surgical approach for 3-piece IPP implantation in patients with erectile dysfunction.

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