A bibliometric perspective with research trends and global productivity on the modernization of andrology from the founder of modern clinical andrology Edward Martin to the present

OBJECTIVE

The number of studies in the field of andrology is increasing day by day, but a bibliometric study covering the entire literature on andrology has not yet been conducted. This bibliometric study aims to shed light on the question of where we came from and where we are going in andrology from past to present. It also aimed to summarize the intellectual structure of andrology to reveal global productivity and identify and map the latest trends of scientific articles published in the field of andrology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

16,659 articles published between 1980 and 2022 were extracted from the Web of Science and analyzed using various statistical methods. Bibliometric network visualization maps revealed trending topics, global productivity, the most influential studies, and international collaborations. Spearman's correlation analysis was used for determining correlations.

RESULTS

The top three productive countries were United States of America (3,452; 20.7%), China (2,300; 13.8%), and Germany (1,069; 6.4%). The top two most productive authors were Agarwal A. (n=130) and Nieschlag E. (n=130). The most productive institution was the Egyptian Knowledge Bank (n=422). From past to present, the most studied subjects were testis, male infertility, spermatozoa, testosterone, infertility, erectile dysfunction, spermatogenesis, sperm, prostate cancer (PCA)/neoplasms, oxidative stress, fertility/fertilization, semen, rat(s), apoptosis, azoospermia, sperm motility, human and varicocele.

CONCLUSIONS

The trend topics that have been researched more in recent years include erectile dysfunction, oxidative stress, prostate cancer, sperm quality, sperm parameters, infertility, premature ejaculation, diabetes mellitus, obesity, prognosis, sperm DNA fragmentation/damage, antioxidant, asthenozoospermia, varicocelectomy, COVID-19, inflammation, prostatectomy, metabolic syndrome, hypogonadism, benign prostatic hyperplasia, lower urinary tract symptoms, meta-analysis, sexual dysfunction, peyronie's disease, and proliferation. We identified the research leadership of China, Japan, Turkey and India, in addition to Western countries, such as the USA and European countries.

Investigation of the effectiveness of prone ventilation in patients followed up for acute respiratory distress syndrome in the intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

Prone positioning has been found to improve oxygenation in most patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the prone position in patients with ARDS.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The prone position is one of the ventilator techniques included in recent guidelines for acute respiratory distress syndrome. This study was a retrospective evaluation of the records of 100 ARDS patients who were administered prone position mechanical ventilation in our intensive care unit. All patients were placed in the prone position for a total of 12 hours per day at 4-hour intervals (supine-prone) while admitted to the intensive care unit.

RESULTS

This study included 100 participants. These patients were divided into two groups as survivors [(n=38, 16 females, 22 males, median age: 60 (24-86)] and non-survivors [(n=62, 19 females, 43 males, median age: 64 (21-93)], according to their intensive care follow-ups. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score, the sequential organ failure assessment score (SOFA), and inflammation markers were statistically significantly higher in the non-survivor group. Between the two groups, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of fundamental characteristics. In the sub-group evaluation of the subjects in patients with ARDS with and without novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) groups, the patients in the COVID-19 (+) group were older, had shorter hospital stays, had higher APACHE II and SOFA scores, and higher rates of cardiovascular disease and sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

Applying prone-position mechanical ventilation in the cohorts of our patients with ARDS resulted in a demonstrable significant improvement in the oxygenation levels of our patients.

The usefulness of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine the utility of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) for the early diagnosis and prognosis of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients presented with STEMI arrived at the hospital within 45 minutes after the onset of chest pain were included in this study. Blood samples for TWEAK, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB), and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-TnT) levels were obtained at the time of arrival at the hospital. Subsequent samples were drawn at 4 h after primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

RESULTS

The study cohort comprised patients with confirmed STEMI between January 2022 and September 2022, for a total of 45 enrolled STEMI patients. Plasma TWEAK levels were markedly elevated at hospital arrival, followed by a decrease at 4 hours after successful primary percutaneous coronary revascularization (PPCI). High-sensitive troponin T (Hs-TropT), CK-MB, and CRP were found within normal limits at the hospital arrival. Conversely, increased levels of CRP, CKMB, and hs-TropT were observed at 4 hours after PPCI.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma TWEAK levels were elevated earlier in the acute phase and decreased earlier after PPCI than other classic myocardial biomarkers.

A new marker of coronary collateral flow in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

Multimerin-2 is an adhesion substrate between pericytes and basal membranes during angiogenesis. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between serum Multimerin-2 and coronary collateral flow grade.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between April 2022 and August 2022, 88 patients with subacute ST-elevation myocardial infarction were included in this study. The main inclusion criteria were patients who present 12-48 hours after symptom onset and aged between 18 and 90 years. The patients were divided into two groups according to the Rentrop classification: poor collateral group (Rentrop grade 0-1) and good collateral group (Rentrop grade 2-3). Biochemical and hematological parameters were measured before coronary angiography.

RESULTS

Serum Multimerin-2 levels were found to be significantly different between the two groups, and levels were higher in the Rentrop 2-3 group than in the Rentrop 0-1 group (3,527.9 ± 1,194.2 pg/ml and 946.7 ± 249.1 pg/ml; p < 0.00). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve was 0.918 (p = 0.001), and the best cut-off value of 849 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 90.1% and a specificity of 84.1% for predicting Rentrop grade 2-3 coronary flow. The number of patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiography at 30 days was significantly higher in patients with poor collateralization.

CONCLUSIONS

Multimerin-2 levels were found to be higher in patients with Rentrop grade 2-3 coronary flow than Rentrop grade 0-1 coronary flow after myocardial infarction. We detected a potential relationship between MMR-2 and good coronary collateral formation.

Methods for increasing distal radial artery diameter

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to find the maximum rate of increase in distal radial artery size.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Diameter measurements were obtained on transverse and sagittal sections of the artery with a high-frequency linear transducer (Philips ClearVue L12-4 Mhz). In the baseline evaluation, radial artery and distal radial artery diameters were measured. The patients were divided into two groups: patients with flow-mediated dilatation in Group I and patients with 30 mg Topical Nitroglycerin in Group II. Group II patients were divided into two groups 30 minutes after topical nitroglycerin; patients with flow-mediated dilatation (FDM) in Group IIa, patients with wrist warming plus FMD in Group IIb.

RESULTS

A significant increase was found between baseline and second measurements in the radial artery (2.64±0.46 and 2.36±0.39 mm; p=0.02 in Group I, 2.78±0.38 and 2.39±0.25 mm; p=0.01 in Group II) and distal radial artery (2.29±0.49 and 1.93±0.37 mm; p=0.02 in Group I, 2.32±0.28 and 1.96±0.44 mm; p=0.04 in Group II) diameters. Radial (3.02±0.55 and 2.78±0.38 mm; p<0.01) and distal radial artery (2.55±0.32 and 2.32±0.28 mm; p=0.01) diameters increased compared to the second measurements in Group IIa. Radial (3.25±0.35 and 2.78±0.38 mm; p<0.01) and distal radial artery (2.88±0.12 and 2.32±0.28 mm; p<0.01) diameters increased compared to the second measurements in Group IIb. The results of the final evaluations of the two groups were compared, radial (3.02±0.55 and 3.25±0.35 mm; p=0.04) and distal radial artery (2.55±0.32 and 2.88±0.12 mm; p=0.03) diameters were found to be significantly higher in Group IIb than Group IIa. When comparing baseline and final evaluations, the radial artery diameter was increased by 37%, and the distal radial artery diameter was increased by 49% in Group IIb.

CONCLUSIONS

We increased the radial artery diameter higher proportion than defined in the literature.

The relationship between intracoronary thrombus burden and atherogenic index in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

Increased coronary thrombus load is a strong predictor of adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. Identifying predictors of intracoronary thrombus burden may contribute to the management of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed at evaluating the relationship between the atherogenic index (ATI) and coronary thrombus burden in patients presenting with STEMI.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

139 patients who presented with STEMI and underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention were included in this study. Angiographic thrombus burden was classified as previously defined in the myocardial infarction (TIMI) study group.

RESULTS

The patients were divided into two groups as those with high and low thrombus load. Independent predictors of high thrombus burden were ATI (OR: 4.23, 95% CI: 2.38-7.5; p<0.001), serum creatinine level (OR: 17.4, 95% CI: 3.03-101.4; p=0.001) and non-LAD involvement (OR: 0.363, 95% CI: 0.14-0.92; p=0.034). The association of ATI with thrombus load was independent from HDL and TGL levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The atherogenic index can be used as a reliable marker for increased coronary thrombus burden, which is associated with adverse CV outcomes.

The effects of tranexamic acid and 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solution (130/0.4) on postoperative bleeding in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery

BACKGROUND

The addition of 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) into Ringer lactate priming solution may have adverse effects on hemostasis in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with or without the use of tranexamic acid.

METHODS

In a prospective, randomized clinical trial, 132 patients were assigned to receive 20 ml/kg of Ringer priming solution with or without tranexamic acid (TA) (Group RS-TA, n=34 and Group RS-noTA, n=32) or 10 ml/kg of 6% HES plus 10 ml/kg of RS priming solution with or without intravenous tranexamic acid (Group HES-TA, n=35 and Group HES-noTA, n=31). Estimated blood loss, chest tube drainage, amount of blood products, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet and coagulation parameters were examined before and 24 hour after surgery.

RESULTS

For Group HES with tranexamic acid, when compared to other groups, estimated blood loss, postoperative 24 hour drainage loss and blood product transfusions were less (P=0.023; P=0.003; P=0.001; respectively) and hemoglobin, hematocrit values at 12 and 24 hours after surgery increased in comparison to other groups (P=0.041, P=0.034, P=0.004, P=0.001; respectively). Platelet concentrations were similar between groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In CABG, the administration of tranexamic acid in HES 130/0.4 prime solution study group decreased estimated blood loss and chest tube drainage in comparison to patients receving Ringer prime solution with or without tranexamic acid postoperatively however, no effects on renal functions or postoperative complications were shown.

Clinical evaluation of submerged and non-submerged implants for posterior single-tooth replacements: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiographic results of submerged and non-submerged implants for posterior single-tooth replacements and to assess patient-based outcomes. Twenty patients were included in the study. A split-mouth design was used; implants inserted using a submerged technique were compared to those inserted with a non-submerged technique. Implants were restored with metal-ceramic crowns after 3 months. Reconstructions were examined at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months. Standardized radiographs were made. Radiographic crestal bone level changes were calculated, as well as soft tissue parameters, including pocket probing depth, bleeding on probing, plaque index, and gingival index. Results were analyzed by two-way repeated measures of variance (ANOVA). To evaluate patient-based outcomes, patients were asked to complete a questionnaire at the 6-month follow-up; the Wilcoxon paired signed rank test was used to compare scores. The data of 18 patients were reviewed. During 24 months, non-submerged implants (0.57 ± 0.21 mm) showed significantly lower bone loss than submerged implants (0.68 ± 0.22 mm) (P<0.01). Patient satisfaction with non-submerged implants (median 87.5) was significantly higher than with submerged implants (median 81.5) (P<0.01). Non-submerged implants showed comparable clinical results to submerged implants and resulted in higher patient satisfaction due to decreased surgical intervention.

Evaluation of tenoxicam on prevention of arachnoiditis in rat laminectomy model

Post laminectomy arachnoiditis has been shown by experiments with rats and post operative radiological imaging in humans. The purpose of this experimental study was to determine the efficacy of tenoxicam in preventing arachnoiditis in rats. Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into two groups, and L3 laminectomy was performed. In the tenoxicam group, 0.5 mg/kg tenoxicam was applied intraperitoneally. Normal saline was applied intraperitoneally in the control group. Later, the rats were killed at weeks 3 and 6, and the laminectomy sites were evaluated pathologically for arachnoiditis. The results showed that 6 weeks after surgery, the tenoxicam group showed lowest arachnoiditis grades. However, statistically significant difference was not found in arachnoiditis between the control group and the tenoxicam group. Based on these findings it is concluded that application of the tenoxicam after lumbar laminectomy did not effectively reduce arachnoiditis. Performing the most effective surgical technique without damage around tissue in a small surgical wound and having meticulous hemostasis in surgery seem to be the key for preventing arachnoiditis effectively.