AIMTo improve workflow and usability by introduction of a new electronic patient record (EPR) and database.

METHODSEstablishment of an EPR based on open source technology (MySQL database and PHP scripting language) in a tertiary care andrology center at a university clinic. Workflow analysis, a benchmark comparing the two systems and a survey for usability and ergonomics were carried out.

RESULTSWorkflow optimizations (electronic ordering of laboratory analysis, elimination of transcription steps and automated referral letters) and the decrease in time required for data entry per patient to 71%+/-27%, P<0.05, lead to a workload reduction. The benchmark showed a significant performance increase (highest with starting the respective system: 1.3+/-0.2 s vs. 11.1+/-0.2 s, mean+/-SD). In the survey, users rated the new system at least two ranks higher over its predecessor (P<0.01) in all sub-areas.

CONCLUSIONWith further improvements, today's EPR can evolve to substitute paper records, saving time (and possibly costs), supporting user satisfaction and expanding the basis for scientific evaluation when more data is electronically available. Newly introduced systems should be versatile, adaptable for users, and workflow-oriented to yield the highest benefit. If ready-made software is purchased, customization should be implemented during rollout.

Andrology ; organization & administration ; Benchmarking ; Databases as Topic ; standards ; Ergonomics ; Germany ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records Systems, Computerized ; standards ; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital ; organization & administration ; Systems Analysis ; User-Computer Interface ; Work Simplification ; Workload ; statistics & numerical data

AIMAlthough epidermal growth factor receptors are expressed in the testes, whether they signal through epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8 (Eps8) is unknown. Here we evaluated the expression pattern of Eps8 in the maturing testis.

METHODSThe expression of Eps8 was analysed by Northern blotting, immunocytochemistry and Western blotting in primary Sertoli cell cultures and in testicular tissue of rodents.

RESULTSEps8 is specifically expressed in gonocytes, Leydig and Sertoli cells of the neonatal rats and in Leydig and Sertoli cells of the adult rats and mice. Although gonocytes express Eps8, no signal was found in prepubertal or mature spermatogonia and the expression level of Eps8 in Sertoli cells increases with age. No regulation of Eps8 expression in primary immature rat Sertoli cells by Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was detected by Western blotting.

CONCLUSIONEps8 seems to be involved in the growth factor-controlled regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation in the seminiferous epithelium. Eps8 is a possible marker for gonocytes and in Sertoli cells it could be involved in crosstalk with other growth factor pathways.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Blotting, Northern ; Cell Line ; DNA Primers ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leydig Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Male ; Proteins ; genetics ; RNA ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sertoli Cells ; physiology ; Sexual Maturation ; Spermatocytes ; cytology ; physiology ; Testis ; growth & development

AIMTo specifically express the Asp567Gly human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) under the control of its promoter to evaluate the phenotypic consequences in the presence of normal pituitary function.

METHODSWe produced transgenic mice overexpressing the Asp567Gly human FSHR under the control of a 1.5kb 5'-flanking region fragment of its promoter.

RESULTSMice were phenotypically normal and fertile. In males, mRNA could be detected in the testis and the brain, indicating that the 1.5kb promoter fragment drives expression not only in the gonads. The testis weight/body weight ratio and the testosterone levels in transgenic and non-transgenic littermates were similar. By in situ hybridisation we found that the transgenic FSHR was highly expressed in Sertoli cells, spermatocytes and round spermatids. However, a radioligand receptor assay failed to show a significant difference in total FSHR binding sites in testis homogenates of transgenic and wild type animals, suggesting that the transgenic FSHR is probably not translated into functional receptor protein.

CONCLUSIONA 1.5kb 5'-region of the human FSHR drives mRNA expression of the transgene in the testis but leads to ectopic expression in germ cells and in the brain. No phenotypic consequences could be documented due to the lack of protein expression.

Animals ; Body Weight ; Brain Chemistry ; Gene Expression ; Gene Targeting ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred DBA ; Mice, Transgenic ; Mutagenesis ; Organ Size ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Receptors, FSH ; chemistry ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sertoli Cells ; chemistry ; Testis ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood

Testosterone (T) as a compound for treatment of T deficiency has been available for almost 70 years, but the pharmaceutical formulations have been less than ideal. Traditionally, injectable T esters have been used for treatment, but they generate supranormal T levels shortly after the 2-3 weekly injection interval. T levels then decline very rapidly, becoming subnormal during the days preceding the next injection. The rapid fluctuations in plasma T are subjectively experienced as disagreeable. T undecanoate (TU) is a new injectable T preparation with a considerably better pharmacokinetic profile. After two initial injections separated by a 6-week interval, the following intervals between two injections are generally 12 weeks, eventually amounting to a total of four injections per year. Plasma T levels with this preparation are nearly always in the range of normal men, as are its metabolic products estradiol and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It reverses the effects of hypogonadism on bone and muscle and metabolic parameters, and on sex functions. It is suitable for male contraception. Its safety profile is excellent because of the continuous normalcy of plasma T levels. No polycythemia has been observed and no adverse effects on lipid profiles. Prostate safety parameters are well within reference limits. TU is a valuable treatment option of androgen deficiency.
Contraceptive Agents, Male ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; drug therapy ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Male ; Testosterone ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Testosterone Congeners ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use