GENETIC ANOMALIES DETECTED IN PATIENTS WITH NON-OBSTRUCTIVE AZOOSPERMIA AND OLIGOZOOSPERMIA

Genetic factors have a major importance in male infertility etiology. Numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities seem to be frequent inoligospermia and azoospermia cases with unknown etiology. In this study, 819 patients with azoospermia (383) and oligospermia (436) who attended the infertility department between 1995–2005 were evaluated. Spermogram and basic hormone proties (FSH-testosterone) were studied two times in a one month interval from each patient, and all the cases were evaluated cytogenetically. The 47 (12%) of 383 azoospermia patients and the 20 (4%) of 436 oligospermia patients were found to have chromosomal abnormalities. The 9 (19%) of the chromosomal abnormalities found in azoospermia patients were autosomal and the 38 (80%) were gonosomal. In oligospermia cases, the 8 (40%) of the chromosomal abnormalities were autosomal and 12 (60%) were gonosomal. Cytogenetic analysis and genetic counseling would be helpful in infertile males with azoospermia and oligospermia by determining the genetic factors causing infertility and by assessing the genetic risks of the offsprigs provided by assisted reproductive techniques.     

CHROMOSOMAL ABNORMALITIES AND POLYMORPHISMS IN MEXICAN INFERTILE MEN

A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of chromosome abnormalities and normal variable chromosome features (polymorphisms) in infertile men from northeastern Mexico. Karyotyping was carried out in 326 men with diagnosis of infertility. The sperm counts showed 204 patients with oligozoospermia, 87 with azoospermia and 35 normozoospermia. Five patients with oligozoospemia and two with azoospermia presented chromosome abnormalities. Nonzoospermic men did not show chromosomal abnormalities. Polymorphisms of heterochromatin and satellite length showed a significant increased in oligozoospermic and azoospermic men with respect to normozoospermic men, respectively. This study reports the prevalence of chromosome abnormalities, polymorphisms of heterochromatin length, and polymorphisms in satellites in Mexican infertile men. The prevalence in this study was similar to other studies in world literature.     

ERYTHROCYTE ABNORMALITIES IN EXPERIMENTAL MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY

Changes in erythrocyte membrane morphology have been found to accompany the hemolytic anemia of magnesium deficiency.     

中西医结合治疗婴幼儿疱疹性口炎的效果探讨

目的探讨中西医结合治疗婴幼儿疱疹性口炎的临床效果。方法 120例婴幼儿疱疹性口炎患者被随机分为实验组(n=60)和对照组(n=60),对照组给予西药及对症治疗,实验组在对照组基础上加用中药方剂。结果两组在总有效率、显效率、临床症状改善时间等方面均有显著性差异(p<0.05),实验组疗效显著优于对照组。结论中西医结合应用于婴幼儿疱疹性口炎的治疗,能显著提高疗效,缩短治疗时间,减轻患儿痛苦,值得在临床上应用和推广。     

The zoapatle II — Botanical and ecological determinants

A collection of $\text{Montanoa}$(Cerv) specimens was conducted throughout Mexico. Twenty-one specimens were classified, some of them grown in the greenhouse and transplanted in an agricultural experimental field station in the Valley of Mexico. $\text{In vitro}$uterotonic potency was assayed and the results expressed as equivalents of oxytocine, by using estrogenized guinea pig uterine strips. A great variation of uterotonic potency was observed among the wild plants. A clear decrease and uniformity of uterotonic potency was found in plants grown in the experimental field. The study points out the importance of ecological variations in expression of the plant's biological activity.     

CYTOGENETIC ANALYSES IN INFERTILE MEN

In order to assess the significance of chromosome abnormalities and polymorphic chromosomal variants in male infertility, the results of cytogenetic studies of 90 patients (32 azoospermic and 58 oligozoospermic men) were compared with those of 30 control fertile men in Estonia. Total chromosome alterations were revealed in 47.8% of infertile men. Major chromosomal abnormalities had a 10-fold increase (13.4%) in infertile males (15.6% in azoospermics and 12% in oligozoospermics) compared to the control group. In azoospermics, the most prevalent were sex chromosomal abnormalities (47,XXY)(12%), whereas a Robertsonian translocation, t(13;14) was found in one patient (3.1). In contrast, in the oligospermia group the most frequent abnormalities were autosomal (10%), of which 6.9% were translocations. Sex chromosomal abnormalities were found very rarely (1.7%). Incidence of chromosomal variants was high (38%), but similar in all groups. The most frequently observed polymorphisms involved chromosome 9. In conclusion, chromosomal abnormalities found with a high frequency in infertile males are a major cause of male infertility, and justify the requirement of cytogenetic analysis in every infertile man.     

Inicio de relaciones sexuales con penetración y factores asociados en chicos y chicas de México de 14-19 años de edad con escolarización en centros públicos

ObjectiveTo estimate the mean age of sexual intercourse debut (SID) and associated family and individual factors in 14-19-year-olds of both sexes in the 32 states of Mexico in 2007.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted of a representative sample of 9,893 students aged between 14 and 19 years old. The data were collected through a self-administered, anonymous and voluntary questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) by category: no SID, SID at 10-15 years and SID at 16-19 years.ResultsThe national mean age of SID was 16 years, being 15 years for boys (95%CI: 15.88-16.11) and 16 years for girls (95%CI: 15.26-15.42). Factors associated with SID in boys were disadvantaged socioeconomic level (OR = 0.66; 95%CI: 0.46-0.94), living with parents (OR = 0.65; 95%CI: 0.56-0.75), less offensive communication between parents and boys/girls (OR = 0.66; 95%CI: 0.57-0.77), and high social self-esteem (OR = 1.68; 95%CI: 1.35-1.77). Factors associated with SID in girls were traditional gender beliefs (OR = 0.49; 95%CI: 0.32-0.74), high depressive symptoms (OR = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.19-2.99), and high family self-esteem (OR= 0.50; 95%CI: 0.38-0.65).ConclusionsIn Mexico, SID occurred early in boys. In addition, the findings of this study show that in Mexico, the age of SID and associated factors differ in boys and girls. The age of SID is strongly influenced by gender and cultural beliefs.     

Effects of synthetic steroid contraceptives on biliary lipid composition of normal Mexican women

The effects of two hormonal contraceptives upon the biliary lipid composition of Mexican women were evaluated in a prospective study. Twenty-one healthy volunteers of reproductive age were allocated into three groups (7 subjects each). Group I served as the experimental control (all subjects were bearing a non-medicated IUD), group II received i.m. norethisterone enanthate (NET-e) 200 mg every two months, and group III received an oral combination of 1-norgestrel 150 μg and ethinyl estradiol 30 μg. The bile lithogenic index as assessed by the relative proportion of cholesterol to bile acids and lecithin was determined in duodenal bile samples obtained before (baseline), during (4 months), and after (12 months) contraceptive administration. The results indicated that NET-e administration resulted in a slight although significant increase of the lithogenic index while the oral formulation did not. The overall data were interpreted as demonstrating that administration of these steroid contraceptives does not constitute a risk factor in terms of gallstone formation in the population studied. The estrogen-like behavior exhibited by NET-e is discussed.     

PROBABILITY OF SPERM RECOVERY IN NON-OBSTRUCTIVE AZOOSPERMIC PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH TESTES VOLUME LESS THAN 10 ml/FSH LEVEL EXCEEDING 20 mIU/ml

We evaluated the sperm recovery rate in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients presenting with bilateral testicular atrophy characterized by testes volume of less than 10 ml and FSH levels exceeding 20 mIU/ml (group NOA-1), and compared the results to those NOA cases displaying unilateral testis volume exceeding 10 ml or FSH levels less than 20 mIU/ml (group NOA-2). Sperm retrieval was conducted in 261 azoospermic patients from April 1995 to December 2002. Forty-six NOA-1 and 37 NOA-2 individuals underwent microdissection TESE or 3–4 standard biopsies. Sperm recovery was achieved in 11 (24%) and 12 (32%) cases in NOA-1 and NOA-2, respectively. All couples received ICSI. Four clinical pregnancies (36.3%) in NOA-1 and two (17%) in NOA-2 resulted. Five subsequent healthy deliveries were obtained. NOA patients presenting with bilateral severe atrophic testes volume and obviously elevated FSH levels exhibited approximately 24% probability of sperm recovery. On the other hand, NOA characterized by testicular atrophy or elevated FSH levels displayed probability of approximately 32%. Differences in sperm recovery were not evident between NOA-1 and NOA-2. No successful pre-operative predictors of sperm recovery were identified.     

中西医结合治疗高血压病合并高脂血症46例总结

[目的]观察中西医结合治疗高血压病合并高脂血症的临床疗效。[方法]共观察高血压病合并高脂血症患者78例;采用中西医结合治疗高血压病合并高血脂症46例,并与西医常规治疗的32例进行对照,主要观察两组治疗前后中医临床证候、血压、血脂的改善情况。[结果]治疗组显效28例,有效16例,无效2例,总有效率97.2%;对照组显效16例,有效11例,无效5例,总有效率85.7%。两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P﹤0.05)。两组治疗前后治疗证候和HDL-C变化情况比较,差异均有统计学意义(P﹤0.05)。[结论]提示以中医方药为主治疗高血压病合并高脂血症取得满意疗效。     

Organochlorine Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls Levels in Human Milk from Chelem,Yucatán,México

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in human milk from Chelem, Yucatan, Mexico were analyzed. Relatively high levels of p,p′-DDE, γ-chlordane, β-hexacyclohexane (β-HCH) and PCB congeners 170, 28, and 44 were found. Concentration profiles by OCP groups followed the next order: ΣDDTs > ΣChlordanes > ΣHCHs > ΣChlorobenzenes > ΣDrins. Total OCPs showed a decreasing tendency with number of births (primipara and multipara and age ranks) but these differences were not significant. ΣDDT levels were lower than in other studies in Mexico, but 36% of the samples exceeded the JMPR-FAO/WHO acceptable daily intake (ADI). About 60.53% of samples exceeded the ADI value for heptachlors.     

OXALURIA IN PATIENTS WITH ILEAL DYSFUNCTION

Studies with patients suffering from acquired oxaturia following ileal resection appear to show that the defect is caused by enhanced absorption of oxalate from the intestine, and can be controlled by feeding a low-oxalate diet.     

Urinary levels of 1-hydroxypyrene and health risk assessment in children living in Mexican communities with a high risk of contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Health complications have been associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure, a widespread environmental pollutants family. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to develop a probabilistic health risk evaluation (using Monte-Carlo simulation) in an infantile population living in areas with a high risk of pollution by PAHs (indoor wood combustion, brick kiln industry, municipal landfill, and low and high vehicular traffic) in Mexico. Urine samples were obtained from Mexican children (n = 135) and urinary 1-OHP concentrations (used as a PAHs biomarker) were quantified. Highest urinary 1-OHP concentrations were detected in children living in areas that use wood combustion as the principal indoor fuel (3.50 ± 0.95 µg/L). Nevertheless, estimated hazard quotients (HQ) lower than 1 were found in all assessed sites after Monte-Carlo analysis. Although HQ <1.0 (a toxic effect is not expected), more data are necessary to determine the real impact of PAHs exposure on children health status.     

HIV prevention and men who have sex with women and men in México: Findings from a qualitative study with HIV‐positive men

Unprotected sex between men is the major risk factor for HIV infection in México and many other Latin American countries. There is a substantial body of literature demonstrating that the relationship between sexual identity and sexual practice is not binary or causal — men who have sex with other men do not necessarily perceive themselves as gay — and there is increasing interest in HIV prevention with men who have sex with both men and women. In México, HIV prevention with men who have sex with women and men and who are not socially affiliated or identified with gay men is lacking. This paper explores the sexual histories and HIV‐risk perception of HIV‐positive Mexican men who indicated that they have sex with women in a screening interview and then in the context of an in‐depth interview also reported having had sex with men. We consider the sexual practices and sexual and social identities of these men, examining their explanations for having sex with other men, the strategies used to affirm their masculinity, the management of their sexual identity in their social networks, HIV‐risk perception before diagnosis and sexual practices after diagnosis. Recommendations are made to improve HIV prevention for men who have sex with men as well as women and who do not assume a gay or bisexual identity.     

POWER DOPPLER ULTRASOUND MAPPING IN NONOBSTRUCTIVE AZOOSPERMIC PATIENTS PRIOR TO TESTICULAR SPERM EXTRACTION

This study was conducted to localize the testicular regions, which have better blood circulation by power Doppler ultrasonography in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia before testicular sperm extraction (TESE), and to investigate whether these vascularized areas have a high sperm retrieval rate or not. We evaluated 110 testes of 55 cases that were diagnosed as nonobstructive azoospermia. The mean age of the study group was 33 years (range 26 to 42). Patients with Y chromosome microdeletions, karyotype and hormonal abnormalities (except elevated FSH levels) were excluded from the study. In all cases, testes were evaluated by power Doppler ultrasonography before testicular sperm extraction. Testis was divided vertically into five equal parts and the area with maximum vascularity was determined subjectively. During testicular sperm extraction, starting from best-perfused areas, biopsies were done. If no motile or sufficient amount of sperm was found, TESE procedure was tried on the contralateral testis. TESE were performed from 82 testes and for the regions that show good and poor vascularity. The sperm finding rate was 38% and 14%, respectively (OR = 3.55)(p = 0.001). Power Doppler ultrasound mapping of the testis in nonobstructive azoospermic cases is a reliable and informative method to assess spermatogenic foci. It is a noninvasive technique that minimizes the unnecessary removal of hormone producing tissue and gives chance to end the TESE earlier than currently practiced procedures.     

中西医结合治疗对婴儿湿疹的疗效观察

目的探讨中药外洗加穴位按摩联合雅漾三重修护特润霜对婴儿湿疹的治疗效果。方法将临床诊断为湿疹的0⁶个月婴儿随机分为对照组和干预组各50例,对照组采用激素加雅漾三重修护特润霜治疗,干预组采用中药外洗、穴位按摩联合雅漾三重修护特润霜治疗,于治疗后7天、14天和治愈后一周观察其临床疗效。结果治疗7天两组症状严重程度、有效率和治愈率均无统计学意义的差异(p>0.05)、治疗14天干预组的症状严重程度低于对照组,有效率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(p<0.05),治愈后一周干预组的复发率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(p<0.05)。结论中西医结合治疗对婴儿湿疹具有较好的作用,且可降低复发,家长易于接受,值得推广。     

脑卒中病人血液流变学指标的变化

对３０例脑缺血病人进行四项血流变学指标即低与高切变率下全血粘度、血浆粘度及血球压积的测定，并以３０例年龄与性别相匹配的老年人作为对照，缺血后早期脑缺血组病人高切变率下全血粘度和对照组存在统计学显著差别。为评估这四项指标对预测脑缺血发作的意义，对脑缺血及对照组病人在一年左右前测定的这四项指标数据进行回顾性分析，结果发现脑缺血组病人低切变率下全血粘度明显增高。因此，可将之认为是脑缺血可预测的危险因素。     

COPPER METABOLISM IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER DISEASE

Kayser-Fleischer rings have been described in liver disease states other than Wilson's disease, primarily in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). In patients with PBC, hepatic copper, serum copper, urine copper and serum ceruloplasmin concentrations are significantly elevated. In Wilson's disease, excessive copper release from liver cells can cause intravascular hemolysis.     

MALNUTRITION AND WEIGHT LOSS IN PATIENTS WITH AIDS

Weight loss in AIDS is most evident when lymphocyte levels are dropping and opportunistic infections are present. The weight loss may be attributable to changes in lipid metabolism induced by tumor necrosis factor.     

中西医结合治疗酒精性肝炎的疗效观察

目的观察中西医结合治疗酒精性肝炎的临床疗效。方法将52例患者随机分为2组,各26例。对照组予常规治疗,观察组予思美泰(S-腺苷蛋氨酸)和自拟酒癖方治疗。疗程3个月,观察治疗前后临床疗效、r-GT、肝纤四项[透明质酸(HA)、Ⅲ型前胶原(PC-Ⅲ)、Ⅳ型胶原(Ⅳ-C)、层粘蛋白(LN)]。结果观察组总有效率92.3%,对照组总有效率73.1%,2组比较,差异有显著意义。2组治疗后r-GT、肝纤四项[透明质酸(HA)、Ⅲ型前胶原(PC-Ⅲ)、Ⅳ型胶原(Ⅳ-C)、层粘蛋白(LN)]均有降低,治疗组降低幅度明显高于对照组(p<0.05),差异有显著性。结论中西医结合对酒精性肝炎有良好的治疗效果。