The emancipation of testosterone from niche hormone to multi-system player

It is no exaggeration to say that our conceptualization of the (patho-) physiological functions of testosterone has undergone a revolutionary development over the last three decades. The traditional thinking was that the biological functions of testosterone were restricted mainly to the area of reproduction and male sexuality. However, scientific research has clearly demonstrated that testosterone is a multi-system hormone serving a wide range of hitherto unsuspected biological functions.In line with this, it will be argued in this contribution that the physiological role of testosterone has been underestimated, while the risks of testosterone administration have been overstated. Space does not permit to elaborate extensively on all new insights of the role of testosterone in the biology of the male. Three areas will be addressed: (1) the role that testosterone can play in body weight management of hypogonadal men; (2) the role of testosterone in inflammatory processes; (3) the strategy required to let patients benefit from the recent insights that testosterone is a multi-system hormone whose use should not be limited to reproductive/sexual medicine.     

Aztreonam for treating meningitis caused by gram-negative rods

10 patients with meningitis due to unusual gram-negative organisms (Pseudomonas, Proteus, Salmonella and Klebsiella) were effectively treated with aztreonam. A detailed history and a thorough physical examination combined with careful laboratory testing resulted in accurate diagnosis and cure of all patients.     

Dexamethasone adjunctive treatment for tuberculous meningitis

During a 5-year period, 280 of 2010 patients admitted to the meningitis ward of a referral hospital in Cairo, Egypt, were clinically diagnosed as having tuberculous meningitis and were treated with either antituberculous chemotherapy and dexamethasone or antituberculous chemotherapy alone. Fatality rates and neurologic sequelae were compared for the 2 treatment groups in the 160 patients who had cerebrospinal fluid cultures positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The overall mortality rate of 51% reflects the delay in receiving appropriate therapy (79% with symptoms for more than 2 weeks) and the severity of illness on admission (56% in coma, 39% drowsy). The fatality rate was significantly lower in the group receiving dexamethasone (43% vs. 59%, P less than 0.05), particularly in the drowsy patients (15% vs. 40% P less than 0.04), and in patients surviving long enough to receive at least 10 days of treatment (14% vs. 33%, P less than 0.02). Development of neurologic complications after initiation of therapy (4 vs. 10) and permanent sequelae (6 vs. 13) were significantly lower in the dexamethasone-treated group (P less than 0.02).     

Attempted suicide in bipolar disorder pedigrees: evidence for linkage to 2p12.

BACKGROUND: We are interested in identifying susceptibility genes that predispose subjects to attempted suicide. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of genome-wide linkage data from 162 bipolar pedigrees that incorporated attempted suicide as a clinical covariate. RESULTS: The strongest covariate-based linkage signal was seen on 2p12 at marker D2S1777. The logarithm of odds (LOD) score at marker D2S1777 rose from 1.56 to 3.82 after inclusion of the suicide covariate, resulting in significant chromosome-wide empirically derived p-values for the overall linkage finding (p = .01) and for the change in LOD score after the inclusion of the covariate (p = .02). CONCLUSIONS: The finding on chromosome 2 replicates results from two previous studies of attempted suicide in pedigrees with alcohol dependence and in pedigrees with recurrent early-onset depression. Combined, these three studies provide compelling evidence for a locus influencing attempted suicide on 2p12.     

Attitudes toward male fertility control: results of a multinational survey on four continents

BACKGROUND: Following extensive research activity to develop an effective agent to control male fertility, such a product may be available for use within approximately 5 years. However, little is known concerning contraceptive knowledge, desires and attitudes of men in different countries, and their acceptance of male fertility control (MFC). METHODS: A survey of >9000 males aged 18-50 years was performed in nine countries on four continents in 2002. The objective was to compare, on a cross-cultural basis, the knowledge, attitudes and acceptability of MFC among men and assess their willingness to use such a method. RESULTS: Between 50 and 83% of the male respondents currently use contraceptive methods, and 55-81.5% reported that both partners participate in selecting the method of contraception employed. Overall acceptance of hormonal MFC was high (>55%), with 28.5-71.4% of survey participants of various nationalities expressing the willingness to use such a method. CONCLUSION: While MFC appears to be well accepted overall, the willingness to use this type of contraception varies widely between differing population groups. The specific characteristics and profile of any MFC product will have to be carefully evaluated to accurately assess its acceptance, both by men and their female partners.