Introduction-Impotence, or erectile dysfunction (ED), is a major complication of type-II diabetes... more Introduction-Impotence, or erectile dysfunction (ED), is a major complication of type-II diabetes, and many diabetic men with ED are refractory to common ED therapies.
OBJECTIVE-To investigate the neurotrophic effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ... more OBJECTIVE-To investigate the neurotrophic effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cultured major pelvic ganglia (MPG) derived from young and aged rats.
Cigarette use is an independent risk factor for the development of erectile dysfunction (ED). Whi... more Cigarette use is an independent risk factor for the development of erectile dysfunction (ED). While the association between chronic smoking and ED is well established, the fundamental mechanism(s) of cigarette-related ED are incompletely understood, partly due to no reliable animal model of smoking-induced ED. The present study was designed to validate an in vivo rat model of chronic cigarette-induced ED. Forty 12-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups. Ten rats served as control group and were exposed only to room air. The remaining 30 rats were passively exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) for 4 weeks (n = 10), 12 weeks (n = 10), and 24 weeks (n = 10). At the 24-week time point all rats were assessed with intracavernous pressure (ICP) during cavernous nerve electrostimulation. Blood and urine were collected to measure serum testosterone and oxidative stress, respectively. Corporal tissue was assessed by Western blot for neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). Peni...
Improved vascular function after the incorporation of walnuts into controlled or high-fat diets h... more Improved vascular function after the incorporation of walnuts into controlled or high-fat diets has been reported; however, the mechanism(s) underlying this effect of walnuts is(are) poorly defined. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the acute and short-term effects of walnut intake on changes in microvascular function and the relationship of these effects to plasma epoxides, the cytochrome-P450-derived metabolites of fatty acids. Thirty-eight hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women were randomized to 4 weeks of 5 g or 40 g of daily walnut intake. All outcomes were measured after an overnight fast and 4 h after walnut intake. Microvascular function, assessed as the reactive hyperemia index (RHI), was the primary outcome measure, with serum lipids and plasma epoxides as secondary measures. Compared to 5 g of daily walnut intake, consuming 40 g/d of walnuts for 4 weeks increased the RHI and Framingham RHI. Total cholesterol and low- and high-density cholesterol did n...
The purpose of this guideline is to provide a clinical framework for the diagnosis and treatment ... more The purpose of this guideline is to provide a clinical framework for the diagnosis and treatment of Peyronie's disease. A systematic review of the literature using the PubMed®, EMBASE® and Cochrane databases (search dates 1/1/1965 to 1/26/15) was conducted to identify peer-reviewed publications relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of PD. The review yielded an evidence base of 303 articles after application of inclusion/exclusion criteria. The systematic review was used to create guideline statements regarding treatment of PD. When sufficient evidence existed, the body of evidence for a particular treatment was assigned a strength rating of A (high quality evidence; high certainty), B (moderate quality evidence; moderate certainty), or C (low quality evidence; low certainty). Evidence-based statements of Strong, Moderate, or Conditional Recommendation were developed based on benefits and risks/burdens to patients. Additional consensus statements related to the diagnosis of PD ...
This case study describes a 23-year-old woman who had an unintentional blind placement of a 16 Fr... more This case study describes a 23-year-old woman who had an unintentional blind placement of a 16 Fr Foley catheter into her right ureter with inflation of the balloon in the right renal pelvis. Pertinent medical history/presentation, clinical interactions, and clinical implications are discussed.
Midurethral slings have proven to be efficacious in the surgical treatment of stress urinary inco... more Midurethral slings have proven to be efficacious in the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women. A relatively new approach to the midurethral sling technique is the transobturator route for placement of the sling. This approach offers the theoretical safety advantage of avoiding the retroperitoneal space. The procedure has been pioneered in Europe and is now being practiced in the United States. In this article, we describe the theory behind urethral slings for SUI, the anatomy of the obturator canal, and early data on the safety and efficacy of transobturator urethral slings in the treatment of SUI.
Nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision (NU) may not be sufficient as monotherapy for patie... more Nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision (NU) may not be sufficient as monotherapy for patients with pT3N0M0 upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). The efficacy of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in this setting remains controversial. We evaluated the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with pT3N0M0 UTUC in overall, cancer-specific and recurrence-free survival. We retrospectively reviewed records on 171 consecutive patients with pT3N0M0 UTUC treated with NU between 2004 and 2014 at two branches of the same institution. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was gemcitabine/cisplatin or cisplatin/flurouracil/leucovorin. Overall, cancer-specific and recurrence-free survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The values of prognostic factors were evaluated by Cox regression analysis. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was administered in 60 patients versus non-adjuvant therapy in 111 patients. The median follow-up period was 35.8 months. Between the...
Urologists routinely deal with sensitive issues of urinary function as well as sexuality in daily... more Urologists routinely deal with sensitive issues of urinary function as well as sexuality in daily practice. Even experienced urologists may encounter patients who engage in sexual practices that are novel, unknown, or perhaps disturbing to the provider. This primer will serve as an introduction to sexual practices and lifestyle choices that may be foreign to many practicing urologists. It is by no means an exhaustive description of alternative sexualities, but will hopefully serve as a useful introduction to the topic and will enhance the ability of providers to care for, or appropriately refer, patients whose sexual practices and lifestyles may differ from their own.
Incorporation of intestinal tissue into urinary tract elicits many metabolic and mechanical compl... more Incorporation of intestinal tissue into urinary tract elicits many metabolic and mechanical complications due to anatomical and physiological differences. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) improve vascularity and functional outcomes by a paracrine mechanism. In a pilot study we investigated whether ADSCs can survive in the augmented bladder and improve its function. Autologous ADSCs were harvested from rat paragonadal fat and cultured before injection into a rat model of augmentation ileocystoplasty (study group). Control augmented bladders were injected with cell-free saline. Eight weeks later, rats underwent abdominal ultrasonography for upper tract changes and were examined by conscious cystometry to determine bladder function. After extirpation, augmented bladders were examined using Masson trichrome staining for connective tissue and muscle content, immunohistochemistry for α-smooth muscle actin, and rat endothelial cell antigen staining for endothelial cells. Changes in the extracellular matrix were assessed by determining the elastin content. ADSCs were labelled and tracked by 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine nuclear staining. Abdominal ultrasonography showed better preservation of upper tract function in the ADSC group than in the saline-treated group (P = 0.007). After 2 months there were no differences in the variables assessed by conscious cystometry between the ADSC and saline-treated groups. However, the bladder weight was significantly greater in the ADSC-treated group. On immunohistochemistry, the implanted ADSCs survived up to 8 weeks but did not transdifferentiate into smooth muscle or endothelial cells. These results suggested a potential role of ADSCs in modifying the intestinal segment in augmented bladders; this role has to be further elucidated.
The International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) Ad Hoc Committee for the Definition of Prema... more The International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) Ad Hoc Committee for the Definition of Premature Ejaculation developed the first evidence-based definition for lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) in 2007 and concluded that there were insufficient published objective data at that time to develop a definition for acquired PE. The aim of this article is to review and critique the current literature and develop a contemporary, evidence-based definition for acquired PE and/or a unified definition for both lifelong and acquired PE. In April 2013, the ISSM convened a second Ad Hoc Committee for the Definition of Premature Ejaculation in Bangalore, India. The same evidence-based systematic approach to literature search, retrieval, and evaluation used by the original committee was adopted. The committee unanimously agreed that men with lifelong and acquired PE appear to share the dimensions of short ejaculatory latency, reduced or absent perceived ejaculatory control, and the presence of...
In 2009, the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) convened a select panel of experts ... more In 2009, the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) convened a select panel of experts to develop an evidence-based set of guidelines for patients suffering from lifelong premature ejaculation (PE). That document reviewed definitions, etiology, impact on the patient and partner, assessment, and pharmacological, psychological, and combined treatments. It concluded by recognizing the continually evolving nature of clinical research and recommended a subsequent guideline review and revision every fourth year. Consistent with that recommendation, the ISSM organized a second multidisciplinary panel of experts in April 2013, which met for 2 days in Bangalore, India. This manuscript updates the previous guidelines and reports on the recommendations of the panel of experts. The aim of this study was to develop clearly worded, practical, evidenced-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of PE for family practice clinicians as well as sexual medicine experts. A compreh...
To investigate the relationship of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) to urinary tract infection... more To investigate the relationship of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) to urinary tract infection, prostatitis, sexually transmitted infection, lifetime sexual partner count, and recreational drug use in a population of men who have sex with men. LUTS in men are a source of considerable morbidity, distress, and medical expense.
Desmopressin diacetate arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) is a synthetic analogue of the mammalian argi... more Desmopressin diacetate arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) is a synthetic analogue of the mammalian arginine vasopressin used in the treatment of central diabetes insipidus, bleeding disorders, and incontinence. The primary adverse reaction associated with DDAVP is hypotonic hyponatremia. Hyponatremia has been reported in adults treated with DDAVP for Von Willebrand's disease and hemophilia and in children treated for enuresis, but as yet few cases of hyponatremia developing in enuretic adults treated with DDAVP have been reported. We report the cases of two elderly women taking DDAVP for nocturnal polyuria who developed severe hyponatremia. One patient died in the hospital.
Priapism is defined as a persistent penile erection (typically 4 h or longer) that is unrelated t... more Priapism is defined as a persistent penile erection (typically 4 h or longer) that is unrelated to sexual stimulation. Priapism can be classified as either ischemic or nonischemic. Ischemic priapism, the most common subtype, is typically accompanied by pain and is associated with a substantial risk of subsequent erectile dysfunction. Prompt medical attention is indicated in cases of ischemic priapism. The initial management of choice is corporal aspiration with injection of sympathomimetic agents. If medical management fails, a cavernosal shunt procedure is indicated. Stuttering (recurrent) ischemic priapism is a challenging and poorly understood condition; new management strategies currently under investigation may improve our ability to care for men with this condition. Nonischemic priapism occurs more rarely than ischemic priapism, and is most often the result of trauma. This subtype of priapism, which is generally not painful, is usually initially managed with conservative treatment.
Introduction-Impotence, or erectile dysfunction (ED), is a major complication of type-II diabetes... more Introduction-Impotence, or erectile dysfunction (ED), is a major complication of type-II diabetes, and many diabetic men with ED are refractory to common ED therapies.
OBJECTIVE-To investigate the neurotrophic effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ... more OBJECTIVE-To investigate the neurotrophic effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cultured major pelvic ganglia (MPG) derived from young and aged rats.
Cigarette use is an independent risk factor for the development of erectile dysfunction (ED). Whi... more Cigarette use is an independent risk factor for the development of erectile dysfunction (ED). While the association between chronic smoking and ED is well established, the fundamental mechanism(s) of cigarette-related ED are incompletely understood, partly due to no reliable animal model of smoking-induced ED. The present study was designed to validate an in vivo rat model of chronic cigarette-induced ED. Forty 12-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups. Ten rats served as control group and were exposed only to room air. The remaining 30 rats were passively exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) for 4 weeks (n = 10), 12 weeks (n = 10), and 24 weeks (n = 10). At the 24-week time point all rats were assessed with intracavernous pressure (ICP) during cavernous nerve electrostimulation. Blood and urine were collected to measure serum testosterone and oxidative stress, respectively. Corporal tissue was assessed by Western blot for neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). Peni...
Improved vascular function after the incorporation of walnuts into controlled or high-fat diets h... more Improved vascular function after the incorporation of walnuts into controlled or high-fat diets has been reported; however, the mechanism(s) underlying this effect of walnuts is(are) poorly defined. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the acute and short-term effects of walnut intake on changes in microvascular function and the relationship of these effects to plasma epoxides, the cytochrome-P450-derived metabolites of fatty acids. Thirty-eight hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women were randomized to 4 weeks of 5 g or 40 g of daily walnut intake. All outcomes were measured after an overnight fast and 4 h after walnut intake. Microvascular function, assessed as the reactive hyperemia index (RHI), was the primary outcome measure, with serum lipids and plasma epoxides as secondary measures. Compared to 5 g of daily walnut intake, consuming 40 g/d of walnuts for 4 weeks increased the RHI and Framingham RHI. Total cholesterol and low- and high-density cholesterol did n...
The purpose of this guideline is to provide a clinical framework for the diagnosis and treatment ... more The purpose of this guideline is to provide a clinical framework for the diagnosis and treatment of Peyronie's disease. A systematic review of the literature using the PubMed®, EMBASE® and Cochrane databases (search dates 1/1/1965 to 1/26/15) was conducted to identify peer-reviewed publications relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of PD. The review yielded an evidence base of 303 articles after application of inclusion/exclusion criteria. The systematic review was used to create guideline statements regarding treatment of PD. When sufficient evidence existed, the body of evidence for a particular treatment was assigned a strength rating of A (high quality evidence; high certainty), B (moderate quality evidence; moderate certainty), or C (low quality evidence; low certainty). Evidence-based statements of Strong, Moderate, or Conditional Recommendation were developed based on benefits and risks/burdens to patients. Additional consensus statements related to the diagnosis of PD ...
This case study describes a 23-year-old woman who had an unintentional blind placement of a 16 Fr... more This case study describes a 23-year-old woman who had an unintentional blind placement of a 16 Fr Foley catheter into her right ureter with inflation of the balloon in the right renal pelvis. Pertinent medical history/presentation, clinical interactions, and clinical implications are discussed.
Midurethral slings have proven to be efficacious in the surgical treatment of stress urinary inco... more Midurethral slings have proven to be efficacious in the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women. A relatively new approach to the midurethral sling technique is the transobturator route for placement of the sling. This approach offers the theoretical safety advantage of avoiding the retroperitoneal space. The procedure has been pioneered in Europe and is now being practiced in the United States. In this article, we describe the theory behind urethral slings for SUI, the anatomy of the obturator canal, and early data on the safety and efficacy of transobturator urethral slings in the treatment of SUI.
Nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision (NU) may not be sufficient as monotherapy for patie... more Nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision (NU) may not be sufficient as monotherapy for patients with pT3N0M0 upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). The efficacy of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in this setting remains controversial. We evaluated the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with pT3N0M0 UTUC in overall, cancer-specific and recurrence-free survival. We retrospectively reviewed records on 171 consecutive patients with pT3N0M0 UTUC treated with NU between 2004 and 2014 at two branches of the same institution. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was gemcitabine/cisplatin or cisplatin/flurouracil/leucovorin. Overall, cancer-specific and recurrence-free survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The values of prognostic factors were evaluated by Cox regression analysis. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was administered in 60 patients versus non-adjuvant therapy in 111 patients. The median follow-up period was 35.8 months. Between the...
Urologists routinely deal with sensitive issues of urinary function as well as sexuality in daily... more Urologists routinely deal with sensitive issues of urinary function as well as sexuality in daily practice. Even experienced urologists may encounter patients who engage in sexual practices that are novel, unknown, or perhaps disturbing to the provider. This primer will serve as an introduction to sexual practices and lifestyle choices that may be foreign to many practicing urologists. It is by no means an exhaustive description of alternative sexualities, but will hopefully serve as a useful introduction to the topic and will enhance the ability of providers to care for, or appropriately refer, patients whose sexual practices and lifestyles may differ from their own.
Incorporation of intestinal tissue into urinary tract elicits many metabolic and mechanical compl... more Incorporation of intestinal tissue into urinary tract elicits many metabolic and mechanical complications due to anatomical and physiological differences. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) improve vascularity and functional outcomes by a paracrine mechanism. In a pilot study we investigated whether ADSCs can survive in the augmented bladder and improve its function. Autologous ADSCs were harvested from rat paragonadal fat and cultured before injection into a rat model of augmentation ileocystoplasty (study group). Control augmented bladders were injected with cell-free saline. Eight weeks later, rats underwent abdominal ultrasonography for upper tract changes and were examined by conscious cystometry to determine bladder function. After extirpation, augmented bladders were examined using Masson trichrome staining for connective tissue and muscle content, immunohistochemistry for α-smooth muscle actin, and rat endothelial cell antigen staining for endothelial cells. Changes in the extracellular matrix were assessed by determining the elastin content. ADSCs were labelled and tracked by 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine nuclear staining. Abdominal ultrasonography showed better preservation of upper tract function in the ADSC group than in the saline-treated group (P = 0.007). After 2 months there were no differences in the variables assessed by conscious cystometry between the ADSC and saline-treated groups. However, the bladder weight was significantly greater in the ADSC-treated group. On immunohistochemistry, the implanted ADSCs survived up to 8 weeks but did not transdifferentiate into smooth muscle or endothelial cells. These results suggested a potential role of ADSCs in modifying the intestinal segment in augmented bladders; this role has to be further elucidated.
The International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) Ad Hoc Committee for the Definition of Prema... more The International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) Ad Hoc Committee for the Definition of Premature Ejaculation developed the first evidence-based definition for lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) in 2007 and concluded that there were insufficient published objective data at that time to develop a definition for acquired PE. The aim of this article is to review and critique the current literature and develop a contemporary, evidence-based definition for acquired PE and/or a unified definition for both lifelong and acquired PE. In April 2013, the ISSM convened a second Ad Hoc Committee for the Definition of Premature Ejaculation in Bangalore, India. The same evidence-based systematic approach to literature search, retrieval, and evaluation used by the original committee was adopted. The committee unanimously agreed that men with lifelong and acquired PE appear to share the dimensions of short ejaculatory latency, reduced or absent perceived ejaculatory control, and the presence of...
In 2009, the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) convened a select panel of experts ... more In 2009, the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) convened a select panel of experts to develop an evidence-based set of guidelines for patients suffering from lifelong premature ejaculation (PE). That document reviewed definitions, etiology, impact on the patient and partner, assessment, and pharmacological, psychological, and combined treatments. It concluded by recognizing the continually evolving nature of clinical research and recommended a subsequent guideline review and revision every fourth year. Consistent with that recommendation, the ISSM organized a second multidisciplinary panel of experts in April 2013, which met for 2 days in Bangalore, India. This manuscript updates the previous guidelines and reports on the recommendations of the panel of experts. The aim of this study was to develop clearly worded, practical, evidenced-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of PE for family practice clinicians as well as sexual medicine experts. A compreh...
To investigate the relationship of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) to urinary tract infection... more To investigate the relationship of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) to urinary tract infection, prostatitis, sexually transmitted infection, lifetime sexual partner count, and recreational drug use in a population of men who have sex with men. LUTS in men are a source of considerable morbidity, distress, and medical expense.
Desmopressin diacetate arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) is a synthetic analogue of the mammalian argi... more Desmopressin diacetate arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) is a synthetic analogue of the mammalian arginine vasopressin used in the treatment of central diabetes insipidus, bleeding disorders, and incontinence. The primary adverse reaction associated with DDAVP is hypotonic hyponatremia. Hyponatremia has been reported in adults treated with DDAVP for Von Willebrand's disease and hemophilia and in children treated for enuresis, but as yet few cases of hyponatremia developing in enuretic adults treated with DDAVP have been reported. We report the cases of two elderly women taking DDAVP for nocturnal polyuria who developed severe hyponatremia. One patient died in the hospital.
Priapism is defined as a persistent penile erection (typically 4 h or longer) that is unrelated t... more Priapism is defined as a persistent penile erection (typically 4 h or longer) that is unrelated to sexual stimulation. Priapism can be classified as either ischemic or nonischemic. Ischemic priapism, the most common subtype, is typically accompanied by pain and is associated with a substantial risk of subsequent erectile dysfunction. Prompt medical attention is indicated in cases of ischemic priapism. The initial management of choice is corporal aspiration with injection of sympathomimetic agents. If medical management fails, a cavernosal shunt procedure is indicated. Stuttering (recurrent) ischemic priapism is a challenging and poorly understood condition; new management strategies currently under investigation may improve our ability to care for men with this condition. Nonischemic priapism occurs more rarely than ischemic priapism, and is most often the result of trauma. This subtype of priapism, which is generally not painful, is usually initially managed with conservative treatment.
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Papers by Alan Shindel