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Inositol is involved in several aspects of reproduction. It affects overall embryogenesis, may prevent neural tube defects, and stimulates the production of lung surfactant. This article will review the involvement of inositol in reproduction. After describing the biologic function of inositol and its derivatives, studies are quoted in which the role of inositol in fertility, embryogenesis, fetal development, and pregnancy outcome are examined.

Enhancement of synaptic noradrenaline concentrations contributes to the psychomotor stimulant effect of d-amphetamine, but not cocaine or apomorphine. In addition, noradrenergic neurotransmission is not critically involved in the induction of psychostimulant sensitization.

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OBJECTIVES To describe the characteristics of cryolesions as seen on computed tomography (CT), for size and enhancement patterns, and to assess correlations between these imaging findings and histopathological diagnosis, as in renal cryosurgery the tumour is ablated in situ and the follow‐up is mainly based on imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty‐seven patients with a suspicious renal mass of ≤4 cm had a laparoscopic cryoablation; biopsies were taken during surgery and after cryosurgery the follow‐up was by CT at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months. One radiologist reviewed the CT images, measured the diameter of the cryolesions, and described enhancement patterns. RESULTS In 26 patients there were follow‐up CT data for ≥6 months; the mean (range) tumour size was 2.4 (1.3–3.8) cm and the mean follow‐up was 17.2 (6–36) months. One cryolesion showed residual tumour on the first scan after treatment. Of the other 25 cryolesions, 20% showed rim enhancement after treatment, including one also showing focal enhancement. This enhancement had disappeared within 6 months. All cryolesions showed non‐enhancing infiltration of the perirenal fatty tissue. The mean diameter of the cryolesions decreased by 38% in 12 months. These results were independent of histopathological diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Using CT, there is rim enhancement in 20% of cryolesions in the first 6 months after renal cryoablation, with a mean reduction in the diameter of the cryolesions of 38% in the first year. These findings are independent of the histopathological diagnosis.

• Survival data were analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Best estimates for the overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and metastatic-free survival (MFS) were made for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and for patients with RCC or non-diagnostic biopsy. RESULTS• A total of 92 patients (100 tumours; mean size 2.5 ± 0.8 cm) were treated in 95 sessions. The mean follow-up was 30.2 ± 16.6 months (Mean values are ± SD).• Intraoperative biopsy showed RCC in 51 patients (53.7%), benign lesion in 23 patients (24.2%) and was non-diagnostic in 21 patients (22.1%). Three tumour persistences and four radiological recurrences were detected.• The estimated mean RFS time and 3-year OS and RFS in patients with RCC exclusively were 47.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 44.1-51.1) months, 86.1% (95% CI: 71.2-93.6) and 91.8% (95% CI: 76.3-97.3), respectively. The figures were slightly higher in the group of patients with RCC or unknown pathology. The actual CSS and MFS rates were 100%.• Renal function was preserved in 84.5% of patients with normal preoperative eGFR.• Baseline eGFR was the only predictor of renal insufficiency development at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONLaparoscopic cryoablation with multiple ultrathin cryoprobes is oncologically and functionally effective at mid-term follow-up. KEYWORDS cryoablation, kidney, renal cancer, laparoscopy, survivalWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Laparoscopic Cryoablation of renal masses has a low persistence and recurrence rates at short term follow-up albeit higher than Partial Nephrectomy. Long term results are scarcely reported. It is however a NSS technique suitable for high-risk that preserves renal function.The study provides (1) mid-term oncological outcomes of laparoscopic cryoablation of renal masses stratified by primary pathology (RCC, benign mass or undetermined biopsy) and (2) data on renal function evolution up to one year of follow-up supporting the fact that the only predictor of (moderate)renal insufficiency development after Laparoscopic cryoablation is the eGFR at baseline.Study Type -Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4

No statistical significant correlation was found between biopsy outcome and tumor or biopsy characteristics. More biopsies were taken in larger tumors, and larger tumors contained more nonenhancing areas that were suspect for necrosis.

In cryosurgery it is crucial that the performance of cryoprobes is predictable and constant. In this study we tested the intra- and interneedle variation between 17-gauge cryoprobes in two homogeneous mediums. Also, a multiprobe setup was tested. Cryoprobe performance was defined as the time it takes one cryoprobe to lower the temperature from 0 to -20 degrees C as measured by four thermosensors each at 3 mm distance from the cryoprobe. In agar eight cryoprobes were tested during six freeze cycles, and in gel four cryoprobes during four freeze cycles; each freeze cycle in a different cup of agar or gel. Using more accurate 'bare' thermosensors three cryoprobes were tested in gel during two freeze cycles. A multiprobe configuration with four cryoprobes was tested during two freeze cycles in both agar and gel. Statistical analyses were done using ANOVA for repeated measures. There was no significant intraneedle variation, whereas both in agar and gel there was a significant interneedle variation (p<0.05). Mean performance in gel was better than in agar (p<0.001). Also, there was a significant variation between the four thermosensors (p<0.001). Using bare thermosensors mean performance was 2.7 times faster compared to measurements by regular thermosensors (p<0.001). In a multiprobe configuration, overall performance seems less variable and more reproducible compared to a single cryoprobe. In conclusion, the performance of cryoprobes differs depending on the medium and measuring device used. Cryoprobes deliver reproducible freeze cycles, although there is variation between different cryoprobes. In a multiprobe configuration performance seems less variable.