Introducing a New Smartphone Applied Semen Analyzer, SpermCell™: A Cross-Sectional Validation Study with a Comparative Analysis and a Mini Patient Questionnaire on a Large Sample Cohort

(1) Background: Standard semen analysis methods may exhibit variability between observers and/or human error; therefore, additional methods are needed to overcome these handicaps. We aimed to present a new smartphone-applied semen analyzer, Sperm Cell™, investigate its diagnostic efficacy by comparing it with the standard analysis method, and determine its user-friendly nature. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a large sample cohort, including 102 men. Three semen analyses were performed for each semen sample. The first employed the standard manual method, whereas the others were smartphone-based analyses performed by technicians and patients. We compared major semen parameters between the three semen analyses. The user-friendly nature of the analyzer was also evaluated with a mini-questionnaire completed by the participants. (3) Results: The determined median sperm count, motile sperm count, and percentage of motile sperms, on standard manual semen analysis, were 50.00 × 106/mL (0-160 × 106/mL), 23.94 × 106/mL (0-108 × 106/mL) and 50.00% (0-73.00%), respectively. Median sperm count and motile sperm count were 50.52 × 106/mL (<1-150 × 106/mL) vs. 55.77 × 106/mL (<1-160 × 106/mL) and 23.34 × 106/mL (0-105 × 106/mL) vs. 23.53 × 106/mL (0-104 × 106/mL) for SpermCell™-based semen analysis performed by a technician and patients themselves, respectively. The percentages of motile sperms were 47.40% (0-67.00%) vs. 47.61% (0-80.20%), respectively. All the parameters were statistically similar between the three semen analysis methods (p > 0.05 for each). The SpermCell™ analysis results were correlated with the standard manual method with up to 0.85 correlation coefficients. Moreover, substantial diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were obtained in determining the oligospermia and asthenozoospermia via the device-based analyses performed by technician and patients. The mini-questionnaire results revealed that the analyzer is useful. (4) Conclusions: The novel smartphone-applied semen analyzer is a helpful tool with acceptable diagnostic accuracy in determining the major semen parameters. It can be used as an efficient at-home point-of-care testing method in the initial assessment of couples with infertility concerns.

Quality and content analysis of female urethroplasty videos on YouTube

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we aimed to analyze scientific quality and content of female urethroplasty videos on YouTube.

METHODS

We searched YouTube using the "female urethroplasty", "female urethral stricture", and "urethroplasty" keywords on February 22, 2022. The quality and content of videos were analyzed using the Global Quality Score (GQS) and Female Urethroplasty-Specific Checklist Score (FUSCS) which was developed by our clinic. Video analysis was performed by two independent urologists. The relationship between the video characteristics and GQS and FUSCS was examined.

RESULTS

A total of 38 videos were analyzed. Fourteen (36.8%) videos were uploaded by academic sources such as urology societies and universities/hospitals, while 24 (63.2%) videos were uploaded by urologists. The median GQS was 3 (range, 2-4) and the median FUSCS was 8 (range, 5-9) for all videos. The Cohen's kappa was 0.834 for GQS and 0.899 for FUSCS, indicating a high level of agreement between the observers. The median GQS was 4 (range, 4-5) and the median FUSCS was 9 (range, 8-10) for academic videos, indicating a statistically significantly higher scores than the urologists videos (p = .002 and p < .001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Academic videos on female urethroplasty on YouTube have adequate scientific quality and content for both patients and healthcare professionals. The number of videos by academic sources on female urethroplasty should be increased and individuals should be encouraged to search such videos on search engines.

Altered kidney function induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection and acute kidney damage markers predict survival outcomes of COVID-19 patients: a prospective pilot study

BACKGROUND

Literature with regard to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated morbidities and the risk factors for death are still emerging. In this study, we investigated the presence of kidney damage markers and their predictive value for survival among hospitalized subjects with COVID-19.

METHODS

Forty-seven participants was included and grouped as: 'COVID-19 patients before treatment', 'COVID-19 patients after treatment', 'COVID-19 patients under treatment in intensive care unit (ICU)', and 'controls'. Kidney function tests and several kidney injury biomarkers were compared between the groups. Cumulative rates of death from COVID-19 were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. The associations between covariates including kidney injury markers and death from COVID-19 were examined, as well.

RESULTS

Serum creatinine and cystatin C levels, urine Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1)/creatinine ratio, and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI), CKD-EPI cystatin C, and CKD-EPI creatinine-cystatin C levels demonstrated significant difference among the groups. The most significant difference was noted between the groups 'COVID-19 patients before treatment' and 'COVID-19 patients under treatment in ICU'. Advancing age, proteinuria, elevated serum cystatin C, and urine KIM-1/creatinine ratio were all significant univariate correlates of death (p < 0.05, for all). However, only elevated urine KIM-1/creatinine ratio retained significance in an age, sex, and comorbidities adjusted multivariable Cox regression (OR 6.11; 95% CI: 1.22-30.53; p = 0.02), whereas serum cystatin C showing only a statistically non-significant trend (OR 1.42; 95% CI: 0.00-2.52; p = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings clearly demonstrated the acute kidney injury related to COVID-19. Moreover, urine KIM-1/creatinine ratio was associated with COVID-19 specific death.

High visceral adiposity index is associated with female orgasmic disorder in premenopausal women: a cross-sectional study

This study aimed to evaluate the association between the visceral adiposity index (VAI) and female sexual dysfunction (FSD). This cross-sectional study included 165 premenopausal, sexually active women admitted to the gynaecology outpatient clinic between January 2021 and April 2021. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to assess the sexual function of the women. After measuring body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), biochemical serum analysis was performed. The VAI was calculated for all participants. The relationship between VAI and total FSFI and subdomain scores was investigated. Of the participants, FSD was detected in 65.5%. There was no relationship between the total FSFI scores and age, BMI, WC and VAI (p = .126, p = .675, p = .790, p = .220, respectively). Increased VAI levels were associated with dysfunction in orgasm (p = .008). Although VAI seems not to be directly related to FSD, it may predict the orgasmic disorder in women.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Obesity and female sexual dysfunction (FSD) are common health problems which adversely affect the biopsychosocial well-being. Although the relationship between FSD and obesity, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) has been widely discussed in the literature to date, there is not enough evidence for the link between FSD and visceral adiposity index (VAI) which is a reliable indicator of visceral fat dysfunction.What do the results of this study add?The results of this study showed that none of the factors indicating obesity such as BMI, WC and VAI were correlated with the total FSFI scores. However, a significant positive correlation was found between the VAI and female orgasmic disorder (FOD).What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The VAI may be a useful tool for detecting FOD patients. Diagnosis and treatment of orgasmic disorder would significantly improve the patient's quality of life and general well-being. Further large-scale and high-evidence studies are needed to clarify the impact of obesity on FSD and the relationship between VAI and FOD.

Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 in semen samples and the effects of COVID-19 on male sexual health by using semen analysis and serum male hormone profile: A cross-sectional, pilot study

The study investigated whether there is a male reproductive system coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) phenomenon. Thirty participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study between April and May 2020. The participants were assigned in one of the three groups including COVID-19 patients before and after treatment, and controls. Presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within the semen samples was investigated. Additionally, participant's demographics, semen parameters and serum sex hormone levels were compared between the groups. SARS-CoV-2 was not detected within the semen samples. Sperm morphology and serum sex hormone levels were significantly different between the groups. In the post hoc analysis, sperm morphology was significantly lower in the COVID-19 patients. Patients before treatment had significantly lower serum FSH, LH and T levels than controls. However, patients after treatment had similar serum FSH, LH and T levels with controls and patients before treatment. In our opinion, COVID-19 and its treatment had no specific deteriorative effect on male sexual health at a short-time period. In the patients before treatment, decreased serum of T, FSH and LH levels was consistent with acute patient stress due to COVID-19. Similarly, it seems that decreased sperm morphology was associated with the acute fever.