Melatonin hormone profile in infertile males

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland. There is much controversy about its relationship to the male reproductive process. In this study, seminal plasma as well as the serum melatonin levels were studied in different infertile male groups and were correlated with their semen parameters and hormonal levels. One hundred twenty male cases subdivided into six equal groups were consecutively included; fertile normozoospermic men, oligoasthenozoospermia (OA), OA with leucocytospermia, OA with varicocele, non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) with high serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and NOA with normal FSH. Semen analysis, estimation of melatonin, FSH, testosterone (T) and prolactin (PRL) hormone was carried out. Mean level of serum melatonin was higher than its corresponding seminal concentrations in all investigated groups with a positive correlation between their levels (r = 0.532, p = 0.01). Serum and seminal plasma melatonin levels in all infertile groups were reduced significantly compared with their levels in the fertile group. The lowest concentrations were in OA with leucocytospermia group. Melatonin in both serum and semen demonstrated significant correlation with sperm motility (r = 607, 0.623 respectively, p = 0.01). Serum melatonin correlated positively with serum PRL (r = 0.611, p = 0.01). It may be concluded that melatonin may be involved in the modulation of reproductive neuroendocrine axis in male infertility. Also, low levels of melatonin in semen were observed in infertile groups having reduced sperm motility, leucocytospermia, varicocele and NOA.     

Pediatric vocal fold paralysis: a long-term retrospective study

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience of pediatric vocal fold paralysis (VFP), with particular emphasis on etiological factors, associated airway pathologic conditions, and treatment and prognostic outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective case review of a cohort of patients presenting with VFP. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: A consecutive sample of 102 patients presenting with VFP to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, England, over a 14-year period from 1980 to 1994. RESULTS: There was an almost equal distribution of unilateral (52% [n = 53]) and bilateral (48% [n = 49]) VFP. Iatrogenic causes (43% [n = 44]) formed the largest group, followed by idiopathic VFP (35% [n = 36]), neurological causes (16% [n = 16]), and finally birth trauma (5% [n = 5]). Associated upper airway pathologic conditions were noted in 66% (n = 23) of patients who underwent tracheotomy. Tracheotomy was necessary in only 57% (n = 28) of children with bilateral VFP. Prognosis was variable depending upon the cause, with neurological VFP having the highest rate of recovery (71% [5/7]) and iatrogenic VFP the lowest rate (46% [12/26]). CONCLUSION: Recovery after an interval of up to 11 years was seen in idiopathic bilateral VFP; this has significant implications when considering lateralization procedures in these patients.     

Validation of day 1 drain fluid amylase level for prediction of clinically relevant fistula after distal pancreatectomy using the NSQIP database

Background

The role of postoperative day 1 drain fluid amylase level in predicting clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula is under investigation. In a previous multicenter study conducted on 338 patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy, day 1 drain fluid amylase level has been correlated to the development of a clinically relevant pancreatic fistula and an amylase value of 2,000 U/L was found to be most predictive of the development of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula. Our objective was to validate the previously established cutoff level for drain fluid amylase on postoperative day 1 after distal pancreatectomy as a predictor for clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula using a different patient population from the National Surgery Quality Improvement Program database.

Epidemiology of acute kidney injury in surgical intensive care at University Hospital in Egypt. A prospective observational study

IntroductionThe acute kidney injury (AKI) incidence in ICU patients varies widely from 3% to 30%, with mortality ranging from 36% to 90%, depending on the type of ICU, study population, the period during which the study is conducted, and the criteria used to define AKI.There have been many studies about the epidemiology and risk factors of AKI in critically ill patients in the different regions of the world. However, little data on the epidemiology of AKI in critically ill patients are available in Egypt.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the incidence of AKI among critical ill patients using RIFEL [risk (R), injury (I), failure (F), loss (L), and end-stage kidney disease (E)] classification and to determine the risk factors and outcome of patients who developed AKI in our surgical ICU.MethodsWe conducted a 6-month prospective observational study in the surgical ICU. Patients were classified daily using the RIFLE criteria. Patients were considered as having new AKI if they did not have AKI on ICU admission and subsequently reached at least class risk during their follow-up. Deterioration of AKI was diagnosed if the patient had increased in RIFLE class compared to the initial classification.ResultsOne hundred and twelve patients were studied. AKI occurred in 40 (35.7%) of patients. The most common risk factors for AKI are APACHE II score (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation score, version II.) and sepsis. APACHEII was lower in non-AKI group than AKI group (17.3 ± 7.5 versus 22.4 ± 7.4, p = 0.001), and sepsis was more common in AKI patients than non-AKI patients (77.5% versus 49% p = 0.004). Patients with AKI had a mortality rate of 67.5% which was more in patients with failure compared with risk patients. APACHEII, AKI, and needs for mechanical ventilation were independent risks for mortality.     

A clinicopathologic study of gynecologic organ involvement at radical cystectomy for bladder cancer

Objective

To report the clinicopathologic analysis of women who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in Egypt from 1997 to 2005.

Methods

Clinicopathologic data for 250 women who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer at 3 centers in Cairo were retrospectively reviewed from hospital charts and pathology sheet records. Cystectomy specimens were evaluated pathologically for involvement of internal genitalia.

Results

The uterus was not available for histopathologic examination in 11 specimens; 1 ovary was absent from 18 specimens; and both ovaries were absent from 2 specimens. Uterine involvement was observed in 1 case of transitional cell carcinoma. Benign uterine pathology was detected in 25 cases. All patients had normal ovaries, and the vagina was involved in 11 cases. There was urethral involvement in 10% of patients. Of the 50 patients available for follow-up, 11 had 1 ovary preserved and 2 had the uterus plus both ovaries preserved. None of them experienced late ovarian or uterine recurrence.

Conclusion

Involvement of female internal genitalia in bladder cancer is uncommon. Thus, preservation of these organs in young women undergoing radical cystectomy should be considered in selected cases after careful preoperative assessment.