Seminal plasma zinc and magnesium levels and their relation to spermatozoa parameters in semen of diabetic men

There is a growing body of evidence that diabetic conditions are associated with sexual problems. Metabolism of trace elements is altered in diabetic mellitus, and they may have a specific role in the pathogenesis and progression of the disease. The aims of this study are to investigate the levels of zinc and magnesium in semen of patients with diabetes mellitus and to find out if there is any association between trace elements and semen parameters in these diabetic subjects. Semen samples from 25 diabetic men and 25 nondiabetic were analyzed for physical and biochemical parameters. Zinc (Zn) and magnesium (Mg) levels were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Zn and Mg concentrations in seminal plasma of nondiabetic men were more elevated than in diabetic groups. Zn showed positive and significant correlations with sperm motility (p?<?0.05, r?=?0.52) and morphology (p?<?0.05, r?=?0.44). Mg was significantly correlated with sperm motility (p?<?0.05, r?=?0.51) and morphology (p?<?0.05, r?=?0.48). Seminal plasma Zn and Mg showed a negative correlation with HbA1c, which was statistically significant (r?=??0.380 and r?=??0.367, p?<?0.05). Zn and Mg deficiencies become visible as an additional risk factor in the development of diabetes, and they are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and its complications. Adequate administration of these elements may be an effective therapeutic intervention in the prevention of the progression of the diabetes and its complications, along with a glycemic control and control of other risk factors.     

Outcomes of stenting with overlapping drug-eluting stents versus overlapping drug-eluting and bare-metal stents for the treatment of diffuse coronary lesions

Introduction

We investigated the outcomes of stenting with overlapping drug-eluting stents (DES) versus overlapping stenting with a combination of drug-eluting and bare metal stents (BMS) in very long ≥(≥ 25 mm).

Methods and Results

Fifty-two patients treated with either overlapping DES-DES (n = 22) or DES-BMS (n = 30) were selected from a registry of 588 patients with very long coronary lesions. Patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) within the preceding 48 hours were excluded. The DES-DES combination was more frequently used for longer lesions compared with the DES-BMS group (47.95 ± 9.25 vs 39.98 ± 9.15 mm, p = 0.003). Left anterior descending artery lesions were also more frequently treated with the DES-DES combination (95.5 vs 66.7%, p = 0.02). In four patients in the DES-BMS group, overlapping stents were used for the coverage of dissections. Peri-procedural non-Q-wave MI occurred in one patient in the DES-BMS group. On follow up, only one case of non-fatal MI occurred in a patient with overlapping DES-DES.

Conclusion

Overlapping a BMS in the proximal part of a long DES instead of exclusive deployment of two or more overlapped DES seems to be a safe and feasible therapeutic strategy in our practice.     

A review of gastrointestinal disorders in patients with primary antibody immunodeficiencies during a 10-year period (1990-2000), in children hospital medical center

One of the most prevalent manifestations of primary antibody deficiencies is gastrointestinal disorders. In this study we reviewed 83 patients including 25 with X-Linked agammaglobulinemia, 40 with common variable immunodeficiency, 14 with IgA deficiency and 4 with IgG subclass deficiency. The mean age of patients was 10 year (1-28 years). The ratio of male to female was 1.5. Gastrointestinal system was affected in more than half (57.8%) of them. The most common symptom was diarrhea (56.6%) and the most prevalent pathogen was. G. Lamblia. Other disorders were chronic active hepatitis in 6 patients, ulcerative colitis in 2, small intestinal villus atrophy in 5, nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of small intestine in 3 and chronic gastritis in 4 patients. One patient suffered from abdominal lymphoma. We found a direct correlation between failure of patients to thrive and the duration of the delay in diagnosing the underlying disease. This difference was more apparent in those with both antibody deficiency and gastrointestinal involvement.     

Importance of hyperglycemia in COVID-19 intensive-care patients: Mechanism and treatment strategy

This review reported that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infected patients with short time bed rest or quarantine and airway inflammation are at more risk of developing hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. This condition can induce oxidative stress, decrease immune system function, impair endothelial function, induce apoptosis, and reduce antioxidant in the lungs. We provide a possible mechanism in severe COVID-19 patients and recommend treatment strategy to reduce mortality rate and prevent adverse outcomes after intensive care unit (ICU).     

Unfractionated versus fractionated heparin for percutaneous coronary intervention

Since the advent of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), intravenous unfractionated heparin has been the primary antithrombotic therapy to prevent periprocedural ischemic complications. As compared with unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) have a greater bioavailability and a more predictable therapeutic response. In several recent studies of patients undergoing PCI, LMWHs have been shown to be as safe and effective as unfractionated heparin; given their better pharmacokinetic profile and the lack of need for coagulation monitoring, they have the potential to replace unfractionated heparin during coronary interventions. This article reviews the current status of anticoagulation therapy with unfractionated heparin and LMWHs in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.