Purpose: Medicinal and recreational cannabis use has grown exponentially, however, its effect on testicular function and spermatogenesis remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between cannabis use and semen parameters in a cohort of Asian-American men with unknown fertility. Materials and Methods: Asian men were recruited to complete an online survey and submit a semen sample. Semen analysis, demographic data, lifestyle factors, and cannabis use habits were collected. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to determine. Results: Among the 112 men included in this study, 51 used cannabis at least once in their lifetime, 30 men used cannabis at least once in the last 12 months, and 26 men used cannabis at least once in the last 30 days. Adjusted linear regression analyses identified an association between cannabis use in the previous 30 days and worse sperm morphology (β: -0.45, p=0.025) and sperm motility (β: -1.64, p=0.016). However, when stratifying by subfertile semen quality (i.e., WHO criteria), no association was identified between semen quality and cannabis use. Lower sperm morphology and motility are partially associated with recent cannabis use, while all other semen parameters are not. Conclusions We did not observe any consistent associations between cannabis use on any semen parameters in Asian-American men. Further studies within the field are needed to explore racial and ethnic differences in semen quality and lifestyle factors.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term clinical results of a new approach of lumbar-pelvic fixation for lumbosacral reconstruction after resection of sacral tumors.

METHODSFifteen patients with sacral tumors underwent lumbar-pelvic fixation using TSRH-3D, CDH-M8 or ISOLA with iliac screws. The lumbosacral stability was evaluated according to the X-ray result to assess the feasibility and therapeutic effect of this approach.

RESULTSX-ray showed that high lumbosacral stability was achieved in all the 15 cases after the operation, and satisfactory therapeutic effect was obtained.

CONCLUSIONLumbar-pelvic fixation with iliac screw is feasible for lumbosacral reconstruction after resection of the sacral tumors, which provides strong internal fixation and produce good clinical outcomes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvis ; surgery ; Sacrum ; Spinal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to provide an overview of published mathematical estimation approaches to quantify the duration of the preclinical detectable phase (PCDP) using data from cancer screening programs. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed and Embase was conducted for original studies presenting mathematical approaches using screening data. The studies were categorized by mathematical approach, data source, and assumptions made. Furthermore, estimates of the duration of the PCDP of breast and colorectal cancer were reported per study population. RESULTS: From 689 publications, 34 estimation methods were included. Five distinct types of mathematical estimation approaches were identified: prevalence-to-incidence ratio (n=8), maximum likelihood estimation (n=16), expectation-maximization algorithm (n=1), regression of observed on expected (n=6) and Bayesian Markov-chain Monte Carlo estimation (n=5). Fourteen studies used data from both screened and unscreened populations, whereas 19 studies included only information from a screened population. Estimates of the duration of the PCDP varied between 2 years and 7 years for breast cancer in the Health Insurance Plan study (annual mammography and clinical breast examinations in women aged 40-64 years) and 2 years and 5 years for colorectal cancer in the Calvados study (a guaiac fecal occult blood test in men and women aged 45-74 years). CONCLUSIONS Different types of mathematical approaches lead to different estimates of the PCDP duration. We advise researchers to use the method that matches the data available, and to use multiple methods for estimation when possible, since no method is perfect.

Background/Aims: It is a common belief that constipated patients have hard feces that contributes to the difficulties defecating. To the best of our knowledge, no studies had been published on controlled evacuation of simulated feces with different consistencies. Methods: Twelve normal subjects were recruited for studies with the simulated feces device “Fecobionics” of different consistency (silicone shore 0A-40A corresponding to Bristol stool form scale types 2-4). The subjects filled out questionnaires and had the balloon expulsion test and anorectal manometry done for reference. The Fecobionics probes were inserted in rectum in random order with +20 minutes between insertions. The bag was filled to urge-to-defecate and evacuations took place in privacy. Non-parametric statistics with median and quartiles are provided. Results: One subject was excluded due to technical issues, and another had abnormal anorectal manometry–balloon expulsion test. The 4 females/6 males subjects were aged 23 (range 20-48) years. Most differences were observed between the 0A and 10A probe (duration, maximum bag pressure, duration x maximum bag pressure, and relaxation of the front pressure and the bend angle during evacuation), eg, the duration was 9 (8-12) seconds at 0A and 18 (12-21) seconds at 10A (P < 0.05), and maximum bag pressure was 107 (96-116) cmH 2 O at 0A and 140 (117-162) cmH 2 O at 10A (P < 0.05). The bend angle before evacuation differed between the probes whereas only the 10A differed from 40A during defecation. The 10A was harder to evacuate than the 0A probe. Except for the bend angles, no further significant change was observed from 10A to 40A. Conclusion Fecal consistency affects defecatory parameters.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; China ; Consensus ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; metabolism