Erectile Dysfunction is a Transient Complication of Prostate Biopsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Because the association between erectile dysfunction and prostate biopsy is variable in the available literature, we sought to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of sexual dysfunction in males within 6 months of prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search in 4 databases: MEDLINE® (via PubMed®), Embase® (via Ovid®), Web of Science™ and the Cochrane Library. We included studies focused on sexual dysfunction in men of all age groups undergoing transrectal or transperineal prostate biopsy for suspicion of prostate cancer. We included studies with International Index of Erectile Function 5 scores pre-biopsy and post-biopsy at 1, 3 or 6 months. We performed an effect size meta-analysis comparing patient baseline International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) scores with post-biopsy IIEF-5 scores. RESULTS: We identified 9 studies that met our inclusion criteria, of which 6 examined transrectal prostate biopsy, 2 examined transperineal prostate biopsy and 1 examined both. At 1 month after biopsy, the mean IIEF-5 score decreased by approximately 2.2 points as determined by the effect size (-0.43, p=0.002). However, at 3 and 6 months after biopsy, there was no difference compared to baseline (effect size=-0.08, p=0.52 and effect size=-0.11, p=0.18, respectively). An exploratory subgroup analysis examining transrectal prostate biopsy at 3 months showed a statistically significantly lower mean IIEF-5 score compared to baseline (p=0.047), corresponding to an approximately 1.25-point decrease in IIEF-5. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate biopsy does cause a mild, transient decrease in average IIEF-5 scores at 1-month post-biopsy. However, this resolves at 3 months on average, and average IIEF-5 remains at baseline at 6 months post-biopsy.

Pharmacological study of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) extract on isolated guinea pig trachea smooth muscle.

Mushroom farm workers suffer from respiratory symptoms during the farming of mushrooms. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) extract (OME) on isolated guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle in vitro. Isolated guinea pig tracheal tissue from 27 nonsensitized guinea pigs were studied. The OME was obtained from indoor mushroom growing fields and prepared as a 1:10 w/v aqueous solution. Dose-related contractions of nonsensitized guinea pig trachea were demonstrated using these extracts. The OME contained significant quantities of bacterial components (eg., endotoxin: 43,072.92 EU/mg). Parallel, pharmacological studies were performed by pre-treating the tissues with mediator-modifying agents including atropine, indomethacin, pyrilamine, BPB, acivicin, NDGA, captopril, TMB8 and capsaicin. Atropine consistently and strikingly reduced the contractile effects of this extract. These observations suggest an interaction of the OME with parasympathetic nerves or more directly with muscarinic receptors. Pretreatment with TMB8 (inhibitor of intracellular calcium mobilization) also significantly blocked the constrictor effect of OME, indicating a role of calcium mobilization in the constricting effect of OME. Inhibition of contraction by blocking of other mediators was less effective and varied depending on the drug. We conclude that OME causes a dose-related airway smooth muscle constriction by nonimmunological mechanisms involving a variety of airway mediators and possibly cholinergic receptors. This effect is not dependent on pre-sensitization of the guinea pigs.

Ulysses radio and plasma wave observations at high southern heliographic latitudes.

Ulysses spacecraft radio and plasma wave observations indicate that some variations in the intensity and occurrence rate of electric and magnetic wave events are functions of heliographic latitude, distance from the sun, and phase of the solar cycle. At high heliographic latitudes, solartype Ill radio emissions did not descend to the local plasma frequency, in contrast to the emission frequencies of some bursts observed in the ecliptic. Short-duration bursts of electrostatic and electromagnetic waves were often found in association with depressions in magnetic field amplitude, known as magnetic holes. Extensive wave activity observed in magnetic clouds may exist because of unusually large electron-ion temperature ratios. The lower number of intense in situ wave events at high latitudes was likely due to the decreased variability of the high- latitude solar wind.

Ulysses radio and plasma wave observations in the jupiter environment.

The Unified Radio and Plasma Wave (URAP) experiment has produced new observations of the Jupiter environment, owing to the unique capabilities of the instrument and the traversal of high Jovian latitudes. Broad-band continuum radio emission from Jupiter and in situ plasma waves have proved valuable in delineating the magnetospheric boundaries. Simultaneous measurements of electric and magnetic wave fields have yielded new evidence of whistler-mode radiation within the magnetosphere. Observations of aurorallike hiss provided evidence of a Jovian cusp. The source direction and polarization capabilities of URAP have demonstrated that the outer region of the lo plasma torus supported at least five separate radio sources that reoccurred during successive rotations with a measurable corotation lag. Thermal noise measurements of the lo torus densities yielded values in the densest portion that are similar to models suggested on the basis of Voyager observations of 13 years ago. The URAP measurements also suggest complex beaming and polarization characteristics of Jovian radio components. In addition, a new class of kilometer-wavelength striated Jovian bursts has been observed.

Plasma diagnosis from thermal noise and limits on dust flux or mass in comet giacobini-zinner.

Thermal noise spectroscopy was used to measure the density and temperature of the main (cold) electron plasma population during 2 hours (1.5x10(5) kilometers perpendicular to the tail axis) around the point of closest approach of the International Cometary Explorer (ICE) to Comet Giacobini-Zinner. The time resolution was 18 seconds (370 kilometers) in the plasma tail and 54 seconds (1100 kilometers) elsewhere. Near the tail axis, the maximum plasma density was 670 per cubic centimeter and the temperature slightly above 1 electron volt. Away from the axis, the plasma density dropped to 100 per cubic centimeter (temperature, 2x 10(4) K) over 2000 kilometers, then decreased to 10 (1.5x 10(5)K) over 15,000 kilometers; outside that region (plasma tail), the density fluctuated between 10 and 30 per cubic centimeter and the temperature between 1x 10(5) and 4 x10(5) K. The relative density of the hot population rarely exceeded a few percent. The tail was highly asymmetrical and showed much structure. On the other antenna, shot noise was recorded from the plasma particle impacts on the spacecraft body. No evidence was found of grain impacts on the antennas or spacecraft in the plasma tail. This yields an upper limit for the dust flux or particle mass, indicating either fluxes or masses in the tail smaller than implied by the models or an anomalous grain structure. This seems to support earlier suggestions that these grains are featherlike. Outside the tail, and particularly near 10(5) kilometers from its axis, impulsive noises indicating plasma turbulence were observed.

Determining the solar wind speed above active regions using remote radio-wave observations.

A new technique has made it possible to measure the velocity of portions of the solar wind during its flow outward from the sun. This analysis utilizes spacecraft (ISEE-3) observations of radio emission generated in regions of the solar wind associated with solar active regions. By tracking the source of these radio waves over periods of days, it is possible to measure the motion of the emission regions. Evidence of solar wind acceleration during this outward flow, consistent with theoretical models, has also been obtained.

Radio Tracking of Solar Energetic Particles through Interplanetary Space.

Energetic particles ejected from the sun generate radio waves as they travel out through the interplanetary medium. Satellite observations of this emission at long radio wavelengths provide a means of investigating properties of the interplanetary medium, including the gross magnetic field configuration over distances of 1 astronomical unit. Results of such observations are illustrated.