Androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), commonly used to treat prostate cancer, can worsen heart risk factors and may increase the risk of heart attack and/or cardiac death, although the relationship between ADT and heart attack or cardiac death has not been definitively established, according to a science advisory published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

The advisory, produced by a writing group of experts from the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Urological Association and American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, is an evaluation of published research about the relationship between ADT and cardiovascular events and risk factors in patients with prostate cancer.

Considerable data show that ADT can increase fat mass, increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — the “bad” cholesterol — and cause blood sugar abnormalities, according to the writing group.

A recent study at University of California compared the types of treatments prostate cancer patients received from county hospitals and private providers as part of a statewide public assistance program.

It was evaluated a cohort study of 559 men enrolled in a state-funded program for low-income patients known as Improving Access, Counseling, and Treatment for Californians With Prostate Cancer (IMPACT). Multinomial regression was used to compare types of treatments patients received from different providers.

The study concluded that in this economically disadvantaged cohort, prostate cancer treatments differed significantly between county hospitals and private providers. All data evaluated reveal significant variations in treatment patterns between different types of healthcare institutions that-given the implications for health policy and quality of care-merit further scrutiny.

Radical prostatectomy is the treatment of choice for prostate cancer; although novel techniques have significantly reduced its side effects, the procedure can provoke urinary incontinence of various degrees and/or erectile dysfunction

A recent study at University of Modena, Italy, evaluated the effect of a complete pelvic floor rehabilitation program on both incontinence and erectile dysfunction, including climacturia, in a preliminary case series.

In their final report, researchers claim that this paper presents “the first clinical case series dealing with this topic.” According to study conclusions, pelvic floor muscles exercises seem to result in an improved urinary continence and erectile function after radical prostatectomy. Since this is the first clinical case series dealing with this topic, our outcomes are encouraging and suggest the potential usefulness of such noninvasive treatment modality.

Sperm’s motility is in fact short lived. Scientists have long known that sperm’s activity level, that swimming with quick movements of their “tail” or flagella, depends on their internal pH. Recently, researchers from University of California, San Francisco, reported that have finally found the channel that allows the tiny cells to rid themselves of protons. Once in the female reproductive tract, that proton release changes their internal environment from acidic to alkaline and begins their race to the finish line.

According to the researchers the findings offer new insight into a critical event in human fertilization and may lead to new ways of controlling male fertility.

The study conclusions are published in the February 5th issue of the journal Cell, a Cell Press publication

Researchers from the University of California in San Francisco revealed a mechanism which starts sperm swimming when they get near the egg could one day lead to new forms of male contraception.

According ti study findings, tiny pores on the sperm’s surface allow it to change its internal pH, which in turn starts its tail movements. Sperm do not start swimming from the moment of ejaculation - they have only limited resources, and to stand much chance of reaching the egg, need to delay their frantic dash until they are closer to the egg.

Researchers said the study might also explain why marijuana makes men infertile.

According to a new study published in Human Reproduction, men with no sperm in their ejaculate - a condition known as azoospermia - may no longer need invasive procedures to determine if they have sperm in their testes.
The study concluded that a simple metabolic scan that combines the use of H Spectroscopy with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) n-known as MR Spectroscopy - can be used to determine the likelihood of finding sperm in men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). [ continue to read ]

A committee at University of Toronto, was charged with the responsibility of reviewing and evaluating all published data relating to surgical treatment of male urinary incontinence since the previous consultation in 2004.

Researchers concluded that specialist evaluation of the patient is primarily a clinical approach with history, frequency-volume chart, physical examination, and post-void residual urine. At the same time, they consider that other investigations such as radiographic imaging of the lower urinary tract, cystoscopy, and urodynamic studies can provide important information for the clinician.

The study investigation revealed some points:

• For stress incontinence of various etiologies the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) has the longest record of satisfactory results.
• Consideration must be given to the need for revisions for mechanical breakdown, erosion/infection, and recurrent incontinence, as well as cost.
• Sling procedures are increasingly being reported to have good outcomes for mild to moderate incontinence.
• Injectable agents have not shown durable results but newer technologies such as volume-adjustable balloons have shown favorable early results.
• Incontinence following cystectomy with neobladder and pelvic trauma has been treated most commonly with the AUS.

The committee has also concluded that further research is also needed to elucidate the mechanism of post-prostatectomy incontinence.

Researchers agree that data from prospective studies on blood pressure and prostate cancer risk are limited, and results are inconclusive.

A recent study at Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden evaluated measurements of height, weight, and blood pressure were available in 336,159 men in the Swedish Construction Workers cohort.

Researchers  have reported that is possible a link between high blood pressure (hypertension) and subsequent decreased risk for incident (i.e., localized, non-aggressive) prostate cancer. However, they also state that they have no clinical or scientific explanation for this possible association. Hypertension did not appear to predict a decreased risk for aggressive forms of prostate cancer in this analysis. This study also provided support for an association between a high body mass index (BMI) and risk for fatal prostate cancer.

Researchers from the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health have found older male Italian immigrants are almost twice as likely to suffer from depression as their Australian-born counterparts.
 
Researchers have concluded the higher rate of depression among Italian-born Australian men aged over 70 is due in large part to a greater reliance on the government pension and different perceptions of social support networks. Their results point to a potentially major health issue for older Italian immigrants, currently a growing part of Australia’s ageing population.

The research findings have been published in the latest edition of the Medical Journal of Australia.

According to new data from researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center, if a specific gene quits functioning normally, prostate cancer cells are more likely to spread to other parts of the body

Reserachers found certain prostate cancer cells can be held in check by the DAB2IP gene. The gene’s product, the DABIP protein, acts as scaffolding that prevents many other proteins involved in the progression of prostate cancer cells from over-activation. When those cells miss the DAB2IP protein, however, they become free and able to metastasize, or spread, within the body. This condition results in drastically increasing of the risk of cancer progression in other organs as the cells travel through the bloodstream or lymph system.

The study findings are available in the Jan. 11 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,