Tomoteru Kishimoto

Effects of exposure to a mobile phone on testicular function and structure in adult rabbit.

The accumulating effects of exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted by a conventional mobile phone (standby position) on the testicular function and structure are not yet fully investigated. To study these effects longitudinally, a total of 24 adult male rabbits were randomly and equally divided into three groups. Rabbits in the first (phone) group were exposed, in specially designed cages, to radio frequency emitted from the mobile phone (800 MHz) in a standby position opposite to that of testes for 8 h daily for 12 weeks. The second group consisted of the stress controls which were kept in the same kind of cages to appreciate any cage-induced anxiety. The third group included the ordinary controls which were kept in the conventional roomy cages. Semen analysis and sperm function tests (viability, hypo-osmotic swelling and acridine orange) were conducted weekly. Histological testicular sections and serum total testosterone were also evaluated. A drop in the sperm concentration appeared in the phone group at week 6. This became statistically significant at week 8, compared with the two control (stress and ordinary) groups (133, 339 and 356 x 106/mL, respectively) and to the initial sperm count (341 x 106/mL) of this group. Motile sperm population showed similarity amongst the three study groups until week 10 when it declined significantly, and thereafter in the phone and stress control groups, with more significant decline in the phone animals (50, 61 and 72.4%, respectively). Histological examination showed also a significant decrease in the diameter of seminiferous tubules in the phone group vs. the stress and ordinary controls (191 microm vs. 206 and 226 microm, respectively). The other study points did not show any difference. In conclusion, low intensity pulsed radio frequency emitted by a conventional mobile phone kept in the standby position could affect the testicular function and structure in the adult rabbit.

Role of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt pathway in bladder cancer cell apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand

TRAIL/Apo2L is a pro‐apoptotic cytokine that is capable of inducing apoptosis in a wide variety of cancer cells but not in normal cells. Among various molecular strategies by which cancer cells evade apoptosis, PI3K/Akt signaling represents a dominant survival pathway. In this report, we investigated the role of PI3K/Akt pathway in TRAIL‐induced apoptotic death in human bladder cancer cells. We observed that RT4 cells had very low level of constitutively active Akt and were sensitive to TRAIL, whereas UM‐UC‐3 and T24 cells had higher levels of constitutively active Akt and were resistant to TRAIL. Downregulation of constitutively active Akt by PI3K inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, reversed cellular resistance to TRAIL. However, transfecting constitutively active Akt into RT4 cells increased Akt activity and inhibited TRAIL‐induced apoptosis. These results suggest that elevated Akt activity protects UM‐UC‐3 and T24 cells from TRAIL‐induced apoptosis, and the PI3K/Akt signaling might inhibit apoptotic signals. Thus, the modulation of Akt activity by combining pharmacological drugs or genetic alterations of the Akt expression could induce cellular responsiveness to TRAIL and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway could serve as a novel target for therapeutic intervention in bladder cancer. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 1093–1098)

The mobile phone decreases fructose but not citrate in rabbit semen: a longitudinal study.

RETRACTED

Bilateral adrenal myelolipoma associated with adrenogenital syndrome

Abstract  Adrenal myelolipoma is a rare benign tumor, occasionally reported in association with endocrine disorders. We report herein a case of bilateral adrenal myelolipoma associated with adrenogenital syndrome caused by 21‐hydroxylase deficiency. A diagnosis of 21‐hydroxylase deficiency was confirmed by mutation analysis of the CYP21 gene. Our case represents only the second case of bilateral adrenal myelolipoma associated with adrenogenital syndrome caused by 21‐hydroxylase deficiency.

Transperitoneal versus retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: a comparative study.

Objectives:  To compare perioperative outcome of transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches during laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) and to identify selection criteria for each approach.

Variations of the internal pudendal artery as a congenital contributing factor to age at onset of erectile dysfunction in Japanese

Associate Editor

Indications for laparoscopic adrenalectomy for non-functional adrenal tumor with hypertension: usefulness of adrenocortical scintigraphy.

Aim:  Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is currently indicated for biochemically and clinically functional adrenal tumors and potentially malignant tumors of the adrenal glands. Non‐functional adenomas greater than 5 cm in diameter of the adrenal gland are generally considered to represent potentially malignant tumors. The present study shows indications of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for non‐functional adrenal tumors with hypertension in a retrospective fashion.

Low Transscrotal Orchidopexy Is a Safe and Effective Approach for Undescended Testes Distal to the External Inguinal Ring

Objectives: To review the results of a low transscrotal orchidopexy in patients with palpable undescended testes located distal to the external inguinal ring. Methods: Between July 1998 and June 2005, transscrotal orchidopexy with a single low scrotal incision was performed in 32 patients for 49 undescended testes. The indication was an undescended testis that lay distal to the external ring and could be pulled down manually into the scrotum under general anesthesia. Results: All testes that were treated with the low transscrotal approach were successfully fixed in the middle or lower portion of the scrotum. The mean operative time was significantly shorter for the low transscrotal orchidopexy (45.2 min) than for the inguinal orchidopexy (66.6 min) for 107 undescended testes at similar locations. The median follow-up duration was 39.1 months; all testes except 1 (97.7%) were located in a good position within the scrotum and had a good consistency; 1 testis ascended postoperatively and required inguinal orchidopexy. No inguinal hernias or hydroceles occurred after the surgery. Conclusions: Low transscrotal orchidopexy appears to be an excellent alternative to the standard inguinal orchidopexy for undescended testes located distal to the external inguinal ring.

Three-dimensional CT cavernosography: reconsidering venous ligation surgery on the basis of the modern technology

Study Type – Therapy (case series) 
Level of Evidence 4

Effect of aldosterone on isolated human penile corpus cavernosum tissue

To clarify the physiological effects of aldosterone on human penile corpus cavernosum (hPCC) tissue, as aldosterone has a wider physiological action than just the maintenance of electrolyte balance, and there are mineralocorticoid receptors, i.e. aldosterone receptors, in hPCC tissue.