The effect of vitamin E on sperm motility and viability in asthenoteratozoospermic men: In vitro study

Induction of oxidative stress during the sperm preparation process for assisted reproductive techniques (ART) in men can weaken sperm parameters. Vitamin E (VE) is considered a factor in boosting male fertility. This experimental study (in vitro) aimed to assess the impact of VE supplementation on sperm quality and lipid peroxidation during sperm sampling at different times. For this mention, semen samples were collected from 50 asthenoteratozoospermic men. Samples were divided into control and test groups for 2, 4 and 6 hr that the test group was incubated with VE (2 mM). In two groups, total motility, progressive motility and viability based on the WHO 2010 criteria were assessed. Moreover, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were evaluated in each group. In the control group, total and progressive motility and sperm viability were decreased significantly after 2 hr; however, MDA levels were increased significantly after 6 hr. Also, in the test group, sperm parameters were increased significantly after 2 hr, and MDA levels were decreased significantly after 6 hr compared to the control group. In outcome, in vitro VE supplementation may protect spermatozoa from the adverse effect of oxidative stress during sperm preparation via preservation antioxidant processes in normal condition.     

Isolated Ruptured Inter‐Atrial Septal Cystic Echinococcosis during Pregnancy

Herein, we present a case of asymptomatic isolated cardiac cystic echinococcosis localized entirely to the inter‐atrial septum in a pregnant woman. The patient underwent successful surgery. Cardiac cystic echinococcosis is rarely seen in pregnancy. A high index of suspicion is necessary for the diagnosis of a cardiac cyst hydatid. The treatment of cardiac cyst hydatid is surgical and should not be delayed during pregnancy. Early surgery might prevent septic embolization and cardiac life‐threatening complications and save the lives of both mother and baby as in the present case.     

Delineation of an Octopus‐Like Thrombus Attached to the Eustachian Valve

Eustachian valve (EV) is a vestige of the valve of the inferior vena cava which directs the umbilical vein blood through open foramen ovale in fetal life. Following birth it gradually regresses, but it may persist in variable size, shape, and thickness as a functionless and benign structure. However, there are reports suggesting that persistent EV may not be completely innocent. It has been accused of being a predisposing cause of patent foramen ovale and paradoxical embolism and also interfering with transseptal interventional procedures. It may serve as a site of infective vegetations and be mistaken as a tumor or thrombus. In the present case, an octopus‐like thrombus attached to the EV was delineated with the utility of two‐dimensional and real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. EV was considered to play an essential role in preventing potential pulmonary embolism.     

Treatment of skin necrosis after radiation synovectomy with yttrium-90: a case report

Chronic synovitis, unresponsive to systemic medical therapy including agents, anti-inflammatory drugs and remission-inducing agents, and intra-articular administration of corticosteroids can be treated with surgical, chemical and radiation synovectomy. We reported a case of a 23 years old male. Skin radiation necrosis (4 x 5 cm) developed after an injection of Yttrium-90 (Y-90). Full-thickness skin graft had been applied but we were not able to succeed. Skin radiation necrosis was treated with Limberg's flap. As a result we recommend flap surgery instead of skin graft in skin radiation necrosis.     

Intimate Partner Violence and Food Insecurity Predict Early Behavior Problems Among South African Children over 5-years Post-Birth

Households experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) and food insecurity are at high risk of lifelong physical and behavioral difficulties. Longitudinal data from a perinatal home-visiting cluster-randomized controlled intervention trial in South Africa townships were used to examine the relationships between household settings and mothers’ histories of risk and children’s behavior problems at 3 and 5 years of age. IPV, food insecurity, maternal depressed mood, and geriatric pregnancy (at age of 35 or older) were consistently associated with children’s internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. Aggressive behavior was more prevalent among 3- and 5-year olds boys, and was associated with maternal alcohol use. The effects of these factors on child behavior were more prominent than maternal HIV status. There is a continuing need to reduce IPV and household food insecurity, as well as supporting older, depressed, alcohol using mothers in order to address children’s behavioral needs.

     

Association of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Gene Polymorphism with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Iranian Azeri Turkish Patients

Background/Aim:

Previous studies have shown the association of some genetic factors, such as Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G polymorphism, with the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to study this polymorphism as a risk factor in IBD patients in this cohort.

Patients and Methods:

One hundred and fifteen IBD patients and 95 healthy controls were selected from Iranian Azeri Turks and -6754G/5G polymorphism of PAI-1 gene was tested by polymerase chain reaction using allele-specific primers confirmed by sequencing.

Results:

There was no significant difference of PAI-1 polymorphism between IBD patients and the control group (P > 0.05). Furthermore, these data showed no significant difference between Crohn''s disease and ulcerative colitis patients. However, 4G/4G homozygotes have reduced probability to progression of loss of appetite, whereas 5G/5G genotypes have increased risk for development of chronic diarrhea without blood, nausea, and loss of appetite.

Conclusions:

Although our study showed no significant association of PAI-1 polymorphism between patients and control group, the carriers of 4G/4G genotype and 4G allele had reduced risk for the progression of IBD features in this cohort.     

Carbohydrate antigen-125 and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels: compared in heart-failure prognostication

Carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA-125) is emerging as a prognostic biomarker of risk in heart failure. In a prospective study, we compared the prognostic values of CA-125 and amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with stable heart failure.We enrolled 102 consecutive chronic, stable, systolic-heart-failure patients (68 men and 34 women; median age, 71 yr) from November 2008 through February 2010. We measured baseline NT-proBNP and CA-125 levels and compared their prognostic values. The primary endpoint was all-cause death and other major adverse events, defined as hospitalization for decompensated heart failure or acute coronary syndrome.During a mean follow-up period of 14 ± 2 months, 12 patients died and 35 others sustained major adverse events. We found that CA-125 level significantly correlated with New York Heart Association functional class, pulmonary artery pressure, microalbuminuria, creatine kinase-MB fraction, and hemoglobin, albumin, and NT-proBNP levels. Upon receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, CA-125 and NT-proBNP had similar accuracy in predicting major adverse events and death: for major adverse events, area under the curve (AUC) was 0.699 for CA-125 (P=0.002) and 0.696 for NT-proBNP (P=0.002); for death, AUC was 0.784 for CA-125 (P=0.003) and 0.824 for NT-proBNP (P=0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that CA-125 levels greater than 32 U/mL and NT-proBNP levels greater than 5,300 pg/mL had independent prognostic value for major adverse events and death.We conclude that baseline CA-125 and NT-proBNP levels are comparably reliable as heart-failure markers, and that CA-125 can be used for prognosis prediction in heart failure.     

Chondrosarcoma of the mandible: a case report

Chondrosarcomas are malignant tumours of cartilaginous origin. They range from a well-differentiated growth resembling a benign cartilage tumour to a high-grade malignancy with aggressive local behaviour and the potential to metastasize. Only 5% to 10% of chondrosarcomas are known to occur in the head and neck region. A case of chondrosarcoma of the anterior region of the mandible is presented, along with a review of the relevant literature.     

Tuberculin skin test screening in a military school in Istanbul city center

To investigate the reason of high incidence of annual patients with tuberculosis (TB) in a military school previously known by screening tuberculin skin test (TST) and finding out the proportion of annual infection risk (PAIR), the prevalance of TB infection and the distribution for each grades. Our study is a cross-sectional epidemiologic study made about TB infection. TST were screened for all students in the school. 5 TU PPD was injected to every student and after 72 hours, the results were evaluated by measuring the diameter of enduration. Test was repeated after 10 days for negative reactions. Age, sex, the number of BCG wound, smoking and dwelling for last 5 years were asked from the students and their answers were recorded. More than 10 mm enduration for cases who had no BCG and 15 mm enduration for cases who had BCG were accepted positive. Chest roentgenogram was taken for each student enrolled into the study. Infection prevalance and PAIR were calculated after tests and measurements. The total number of students was 948. Of 917 (96.7%) were male and 31 (3.3%) were female. The mean age was 19.72 +/- 1.25. The mean of TST was 12.79 +/- 5.96 mm for all students. According to the number of BCG scar, the numbers of students, percentage and the mean of TST were like that 70 (7.3%) cases no BCG scar 8.41 +/- 7.87 mm, 393 (41.4%) students one BCG scar, 11.94 +/- 6.26 mm, 343 (36.1%) cases two BCG scars, 13.74 +/- 5.12 mm, 142 (14.9%) students three or more then three scars, 14.97 +/- 4.11 mm. In the students who had no BCG, TST positivity was 50%. TB infection prevalance of entire school and PAIR were 46% and 3.44% (respectively). In this study, we found that increased number of BCG wound associated with the increased diameter of TST enduration. The proportion of unvaccinated students was similar to the same age population in our country but it showed differences in the distribution of regions. The students who started first grade had serious TB infection risk in their first school year. We think that PAIR values derived from TST conversions done in high risky community by screening annual TST could show all aspects of TB infection risk in those community.