The relationship between varicoceles and obesity

PURPOSE: To determine if a relationship between weight and varicocele occurrence exists, the prevalence of varicoceles was determined in a population of patients presenting with infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of 3,213 males presenting with infertility were examined. Patients underwent physical examinations for varicocele presence and grade. Body mass index was calculated. Patients were categorized as normal weight, overweight and obese using National Institutes of Health criteria. Means were compared with Student's t test. Frequencies were compared by chi-square analysis and statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 1,093 (34%) patients had varicoceles. The mean body mass index of those without varicoceles was 28.5 (+/- 5.6) kg/cm2, which was greater than the body mass index of those with varicoceles (26.7 [+/- 4.0] kg/cm2) (p < 0.001). Varicocele frequency was calculated for each body mass index group. In the normal weight group (body mass index less than 25) 378 of 884 patients (43%) had varicoceles. In the overweight group (body mass index 25 to less than 30) 540 of 1,549 patients (35%) had varicoceles. In the obese group (body mass index 30 or greater) 175 of 780 patients (22%) had varicoceles (p < 0.001). Analysis comparing varicocele frequency based on varicocele grade per body mass index group was performed. Prevalence of varicocele decreased with increasing body mass index for all varicocele grades (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of varicocele decreases with increasing body mass index. One explanation is increased adipose tissue preventing compression of the left renal vein. Another explanation is decreased detection due to adipose tissue in the spermatic cord. The decrease in varicocele prevalence as a function of body mass index regardless of varicocele grade suggests this explanation is less likely.     

骨髓脂肪组织与疾病相关性及机制的研究进展

骨强度不仅与骨密度(BMD)、骨微结构相关,还受骨髓微环境的影响。骨髓脂肪组织(MAT)与骨小梁、造血细胞、神经血管组织共同存在于骨髓腔中,对骨重建、骨髓造血、维持骨髓微环境的稳定起重要作用。近年研究表明,MAT可通过分泌脂联素等细胞因子参与介导代谢性疾病、血液系统肿瘤、癌症等疾病的发生发展,为疾病预防、治疗及监测提供了新的思路。本文拟对MAT生物学特性、影像学测量方法、MAT与疾病相关性及可能的作用机制予以综述。     

Cardiac adipose tissue and its relationship to diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease

Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) plays a central role in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, its relationship to epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) in particular is important in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease. Owing to its close proximity to the heart and coronary vasculature, EAT exerts a direct metabolic impact by secreting proinflammatory adipokines and free fatty acids, which promote CVD locally. In this review, we have discussed the relationship between T2DM and cardiac fat deposits, particularly EAT and PAT, which together exert a big impact on the cardiovascular health.     

The relationship between atherogenic index of plasma and epicardial adipose tissue in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients

Abstract

Introduction: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is the true visceral fat depot of the heart. The relationship between coronary artery disease and EAT was shown in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. One of the established risk factor in this population is dyslipidemia. We aimed to determine the relationship between atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and EAT in ESRD patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 76 ESRD patients receiving PD or HD for ≥6 months and 42 healthy subjects. EAT was measured by using an electrocardiogram-gated 64-multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Atherogenic index of plasma was calculated as the logarithmically transformed ratio of the serum trigliseride to HDL-cholesterol. Results: The etiology of ESRD patients was diabetic nephropathy (n?=?16), chronic glomerulonephritis (n?=?10), hypertensive nephropathy (n?=?23), polycystic kidney disease (n?=?7), nephrolithiasis (n?=?5) and unknown (n?=?15). There were no differences with respect to the following variables between ESRD patients and healthy subjects: age; sex; BMI; predialysis levels of DBP; serum levels of albumin, HDL-cholesterol and hemoglobin. However, ESRD patients had higher serum levels of trigliseride, hs-CRP and AIP when compared to healthy subjects. There was a statistically significant relationship between EAT, BMI and AIP in ESRD patients (r?=?0.42, p?<?0.001 and r?=?0.25, p?=?0.028, respectively). The stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that age, as well as BMI were independent predictors of EAT. Conclusion: We found a relationship between EAT as defined by MDCT and AIP in ESRD patients. Further clinical and experimental studies are needed.     

Read my hips: Measuring trochanteric soft tissue thickness

Summary There is considerable uncertainty about which factors best predict hip fractures in the elderly. We have previously shown that a global measure of body habitus, the body mass index (BMI), is an important predictor of hip fracture in this age group. BMI may serve as a surrogate measure of trochanteric soft tissue thickness. To determine a more local assessment of trochanteric soft tissue, we compared trochanteric soft tissue thickness by ultrasound to other local measures of trochanteric soft tissue thickness (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA] and hip circumference) and global measures of body habitus [body mass index (BMI), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), hip/waist circumference] in 50 healthy, community-dwelling women [72±4 years old (mean±SD)]. Ultrasound was highly correlated with DXA trochanteric soft tissue (r²=0.815, P<0.0001), hip circumference (r²=0.810, P<0.0001), BMI (r²=0.721, P<0.0001), and BIA (r²=0.743, P<0.0001). Trochanteric soft tissue thickness measured by DXA was also significantly (P<0.0001) correlated with BMI and BIA. We conclude that local assessments of trochanteric soft tissue thickness, including DXA and hip circumference, provide an easy and noninvasive technique to assess trochanteric soft tissue thickness.     

Role of testicular tissue telomerase assay for the prediction of the presence of testicular spermatozoa in azoospermic men with varicoceles, pre- and post-varicocelectomy

We evaluated the reproductive potential of frozen/thawed testicular spermatozoa of azoospermic men with left varicocele. The role of testicular tissue telomerase assay (TTA) in the prediction of the presence of testicular spermatozoa pre- and post-varicocelectomy was investigated, as well. Therapeutic testicular biopsy and TTA were performed in 82 nonobstructed azoospermic (NOA) men with varicoceles. Testicular spermatozoa were found in 33 men and processed for cryopreservation. Oocytes were later recovered from the spouses of the latter azoospermic men with varicoceles and injected with frozen/thawed testicular spermatozoa. Among the 49 men who were negative for testicular spermatozoa, 22 men underwent subsequently subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy. A total of 198 mature oocytes were successfully injected and 101 were normally fertilized and subsequently cleaved. Transfer of these 101 embryos in 26 women resulted in nine full-term pregnancies. Thirteen healthy babies were delivered. A cut-off value of TTA of 39 TPG U microg(-1) protein had an overall diagnostic accuracy equal to 90.2% to predict the presence of testicular spermatozoa pre-varicocelectomy. Within the group of men who were negative for testicular spermatozoa a cut-off value of TTA equal to 28 TPG U microg(-1) protein (pre-varicocelectomy) had a 84.2 % diagnostic accuracy to recognize the men who would become positive for either ejaculated or testicular spermatozoa post-varicocelectomy. Testicular spermatozoa can be found in 40% of NOA men with left varicocele. Ooplasmic injections with frozen/thawed testicular spermatozoa have a role in the therapeutic management of non-obstructive azoospermia associated with varicocele. Pre-varicocelectomy, a TTA cut-off value equal to 39 TPG U microg(-1) protein has a 90.2% diagnostic accuracy to indicate the men positive/negative for testicular spermatozoa. In addition, pre-varicocelectomy, a cut-off value equal to 28 TPG U microg(-1) protein has a 84.2% diagnostic accuracy to identify those men with varicoceles without testicular spermatozoa, who will become positive/negative for spermatozoa (either ejaculated or testicular) post-varicocelectomy.     

Nationwide survey to evaluate the prevalence of varicoceles in South Korean middle school boys: A population based study

Objective: We carried out a nationwide epidemiological study to evaluate the prevalence and effect of varicoceles on testicular volume in South Korean adolescents. We also investigated the correlation between varicoceles and body mass index (BMI). Methods: In this prospective study, physical examinations were carried out to assess the presence and severity of varicoceles in middle school boys from six regions of South Korea. Testicular volume, height and weight of all boys were measured. The prevalence of varicoceles was assessed. The associations between age, testicular volume, BMI, and the presence and severity of varicoceles were examined. Results: A total of 1938 boys with a mean age of 14.1 years (range 13–16 years) were screened. A varicocele was found on the left side in 295 (15.2%) boys and on the right side in 8 (0.4%) boys. Bilateral varicoceles were found in 17 (0.9%) individuals. Of the subjects with a left varicocele, 151 (51.2%), 80 (27.1%) and 64 (25.1%) boys had a grade 1, 2 or 3 varicocele, respectively. The prevalence of varicoceles did not increase with age. The proportion of boys with testicular size discrepancies increased with the severity of the varicocele. After adjusting for age, BMI had a negative correlation with the presence of varicoceles. Conclusions: The prevalence of varicoceles in South Korean middle school boys is 16.5%. The presence of varicoceles seems to have a negative effect on testicular growth. BMI has a significant inverse relationship with the occurrence of varicoceles.     

Comparison of the clinical efficacy of medical treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia between normal and obese patients

We aimed to investigate the difference in efficacy of medical treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) between normal and obese patients with BPH; obesity was determined by either body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC). In this 12-week prospective observational study, a total of 175 patients aged ≥40 years with International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS) ≥12 points and prostate volume ≥20 ml were prospectively enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups according to BMI or WC. Patients received the doxazosin gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) at a dose of 4 mg once per day for 12 weeks. The changes from baseline in the IPSS, maximal urinary flow rate (Q_max), post-void residual volume, quality of life (QoL) scores and adverse events (AEs) were analysed. Of the 175 enrolled patients, 132 completed the study. Sixty-seven patients had BMI >23 kg m⁻², and 43 had WC >90 cm. Obese patients represented by WC >90 cm or BMI ≥23 kg m⁻² had a significantly greater prostate volume compared with non-obese patients at baseline. Total IPSS was significantly higher in the WC >90 cm group compared to the WC ≤90 cm group. Total IPSS was positively correlated with prostate volume (P=0.031) and WC (P=0.045). All groups showed significant improvements in total IPSS and QoL at 12 weeks. However, the improvement of total IPSS was greater in the high-BMI and high-WC groups. The most frequent AE was dizziness (n=13), and it was significantly lower in the obese BPH patients. Obesity was associated with increased prostate volume and lower urinary tract symptoms. Alpha-blockers appear to be efficacious for controlling symptoms, especially in obese men.     

脂肪脱细胞基质联合封闭式负压引流对猪创面炎症反应的影响研究

目的初步探讨脂肪脱细胞基质(decellularized adipose tissue,DAT)联合封闭式负压引流(vacuum sealing drainage,VSD)对猪创面炎症反应的影响。方法取自愿捐赠人脂肪组织,经反复冻融、胰蛋白酶消化及异丙醇萃取制备DAT。大体观察冻干前后DAT外观,HE染色观察其结构和脱细胞效果。取雄性巴马小型猪18只,于每只猪背部制备4个直径4 cm皮肤软组织创面,并随机分为4组;其中,DAT/VSD组创面DAT覆盖联合VSD治疗,DAT组创面单纯DAT覆盖,VSD组创面采用VSD治疗,对照组创面无菌纱布覆盖。治疗后第3、7、10、14天取创面组织,HE染色观察中性粒细胞浸润情况,实时荧光定量PCR检测炎性因子IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α以及M1型、M2型巨噬细胞表型标记物诱导性一氧化氮合酶(inducible nitric oxide synthase,iNOS)、精氨酸酶1(arginase 1,ARG-1)mRNA的表达情况,ELISA检测iNOS、ARG-1含量。结果大体及HE染色观察示DAT呈疏松多孔结构,未见细胞残留。动物实验组织学观察显示,治疗后第3天DAT/VSD组中性粒细胞计数低于对照组和DAT组(P<0.05),与VSD组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);第7、10、14天,DAT/VSD组中性粒细胞计数明显低于其他组(P<0.05)。实时荧光定量PCR检测显示,治疗后第3、7、10、14天,DAT/VSD组创面组织IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α和iNOS mRNA表达均低于其他组,而ARG-1 mRNA表达升高(P<0.05)。ELISA检测显示,DAT/VSD组治疗后第3、7、10、14天创面组织iNOS含量均低于其他组(P<0.05),ARG-1含量高于其他组(P<0.05)。结论DAT联合VSD治疗猪皮肤软组织创面,可以减少继发于炎症反应的组织损害,效果优于二者单独使用以及常规换药。     

Modified extended pancreatoduodenectomy: en bloc resection of the peripancreatic retroperitoneal tissue and the head of pancreas

Malignant periampullary tumours often invade into retroperitoneal peripancreatic tissues and a positive resection margin following pancreatoduodenectomy is associated with a poor survival. For complete extirpation of the tumour, en bloc resection of the pancreatic head with all retroperitoneal peripancreatic tissue is essential to achieve negative resection margin. A modified radical pancreatoduodenectomy technique that aims to resect all peripancreatic retroperitoneal tissue en bloc with the head of the pancreas is described. We have used this new technique in the last 30 consecutive cases of pancreatoduodenectomy with excellent results as presented in this paper. This technique allows complete en bloc resection of retroperitoneal peripancreatic tissues while preserving normal functional tissue. This technique's advantage is that the resection can be carried out without breaching the retroperitoneal tumour extension plane, thereby minimizing tumour cell spillage.     

基于CT定量心外膜脂肪组织与冠状动脉疾病的关系:Meta分析

目的 采用Meta分析评价CT定量心外膜脂肪组织（EAT）与冠状动脉疾病（CAD）的相关性。方法 检索中国知网、万方医学网、维普网及PubMed、Web of science、Medline数据库中自建库至2019年12月31日关于CT定量EAT与CAD相关性的病例对照研究,以Stata 12.0软件分析CAD组与非CAD组之间标准化均数差（SMD）及95% CI。结果 纳入19篇文献,CAD组5 129例,非CAD组7 434例;CAD组EAT厚度[SMD=0.46,95% CI（0.26,0.66）,P<0.01）]和容积[SMD=0.65,95% CI（0.46,0.86）,P<0.01）]均大于非CAD组。结论 CT定量EAT与CAD存在相关性。     

Relation between male obesity and male infertility in a Tunisian population

Obesity is associated with significant disturbance in the hormonal milieu that can affect the reproductive system. Male infertility affects approximately 6% of reproductive‐aged men. It has been suggested that overweight men or men with obese body mass index (BMI) experience prolonged time to pregnancy, although the influence of male BMI on fertility remains understudied. We hypothesised that BMI is inversely correlated with fertility, manifested by reduced sperm concentration and varicocele. Males of mean age 32.74 ± 6.96 years with semen analyses and self‐reported BMI were included (n = 98). Patient parameters analysed included age, BMI, pubertal timing, the development of varicocele, and leutinizing hormone, follicle‐stimulating hormone and testosterone (n = 18). The mean age of the study population was 32.74 ± 6.96 years. The incidence of azospermia, oligozoospermia, normospermia and the development of varicocele did not vary across BMI categories. Male obesity is not associated with the incidence of sperm concentration and the development of varicocele.     

冠心病患者冠脉病变程度与心外膜脂肪脂联素表达的关系

目的 探讨冠心病患者心外膜脂肪(EAT)脂联素(APN)表达与冠脉病变程度的关系.方法 两组患者冠心病组52例,瓣膜病组54例,获取静脉血和心外膜脂肪,冠心病组按Gensini's评分分为＜30分、30～90分、＞90分3组.采用酶联免疫吸附试验(EUSA)、逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT- PCR)和免疫印迹分析(Western blot)检测APN血清mRNA和蛋白表达.结果 血清APN瓣膜病组(14.1±4.2) mg/L,冠心病组(9.3±4.5) mg/L (P＜0.01);冠心病3组血清APN分别为(10.9±5.5) mg/L(n=16)、(8.4±4.2) mg/L(n=20)、(6.2±5.3) mg/L(n=18) (P ＜0.05);心外膜脂肪RT-PCR和Western blot法检测APN显示随着Gensini's积分增加APN呈下降趋势.结论 冠心病心外膜脂肪APN表达下降与冠状动脉病变程度相关.     

冠状动脉周围脂肪CT衰减与斑块类型的关系

目的观察冠状动脉周围脂肪组织(PCAT)CT衰减与斑块类型之间的关系。方法选取101例冠心病患者共196个斑块,包括非钙化斑块55个(A组)、混合斑块70个(B组)、钙化斑块71个(C组),比较3组斑块解剖特性指标及PCAT CT值,分析斑块周围PCAT CT值的影响因素,观察其与斑块中高衰减成分百分比之间的相关性。结果 3组间斑块最大横截面积、斑块体积、重构指数、病变狭窄程度、斑块中高衰减成分百分比、斑块平均CT值差异均有统计学意义(P均0.05);A、B、C组斑块中高衰减成分百分比、平均CT值及PCAT CT值均依序增加,两两比较差异均有统计学意义(P均0.05)。PCAT CT值与斑块中高衰减成分百分比呈正相关(r=0.677,P0.05)。斑块中高衰减成分百分比是PCAT CT值升高的独立影响因素(OR=1.041,P0.001)。结论伴随冠状动脉粥样硬化进展,病变周围PCAT发生细胞组成成分及间质纤维化等组织重塑,影像学表现为CT值逐渐增加。     

Adipose tissue and the physiologic underpinnings of metabolic disease

Adipose tissue dysfunction underlies the pathogenesis of metabolic disease. The metrics used to quantify adiposity and its association with metabolic disease, including body mass index, have limitations with important clinical implications. An understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which adipose tissue regulates systemic metabolism and contributes to metabolic disease will lead to next-generation adipose tissue–based therapy.     

体重及体质量指数与骨质疏松性骨折发生的关系研究

目的探讨骨质疏松性骨折的发生与身高、体重及体质量指数(body mass index,BMI)的关系。方法回顾性分析我院自2012年以来符合骨质疏松诊断的患者1936例,诊断为骨质疏松性骨折患者472例,分析骨质疏松性骨折组与非骨折组之间身高、体重及BMI的差异,并根据不同部位骨折分组以及不同年龄层分析身高、体重、BMI与骨质疏松性骨折发生的关系。结果骨质疏松性骨折组体重、BMI均低于非骨折组(P0.01),而两组间身高比较差异无统计学意义。不同部位骨折分组中脊柱压缩性骨折组的BMI最高,而髋部骨折组的BMI最低(P0.05)。依不同BMI分组发现低体重组中髋部骨折占56.5%,而在超体重组中脊柱压缩性骨折占43.01%,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。骨密度T值随BMI的增加而增加,两者呈显著正相关关系(P0.01)。结论体重、BMI对于骨质疏松性骨折的发生存在相关关系,BMI虽与骨密度T值呈正相关关系,但由于不同部位骨折的受力机制不同,其体重、BMI的增加与减少所造成的影响也不同,如低BMI易造成髋部骨折,高BMI易造成脊柱压缩性骨折。