Does being overweight affect seminal variables in fertile men?

The effect of being overweight on seminal variables was assesed in 165 fertile men. Participants were divided into three groups: fertile men with normal body mass index (BMI) (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), fertile overweight men (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2) and fertile obese men (BMI >30 kg/m2). Medical history was taken, a clinical examination conducted. Semen analysis was undertaken and BMI measured. Seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) was estimated by chemiluminescent assay, sperm vitality by the hypo-osmotic swelling test and sperm DNA fragmentation by propidium iodide staining with flowcytometry. Fertile obese men had significantly lower sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility and sperm normal morphology, with significantly higher seminal ROS and sperm DNA fragmentation compared with fertile normal-weight men and overweight men (all P < 0.05). BMI was negatively correlated with sperm concentration (r = -0.091; P = 0.014), progressive sperm motility (r = -0.697; P = 0.001), normal sperm morphology (r = -0.510; P = 0.001), sperm vitality (r = -0.586; P = 0.001), but positively correlated with sperm DNA fragmentation percentage (r = 0.799; P = 0.001) and seminal ROS (r = 0.673; P = 0.001). Increased BMI was found to affect semen parameters negatively even in fertile men.

Field-scale remediation of a metolachlor-contaminated spill site using zerovalent iron

Pesticide spills are common occurrences at agricultural cooperatives and farmsteads. When inadvertent spills occur, chemicals normally beneficial can become point sources of ground and surface water contamination. We report results from a field trial where approximately 765 m3 of soil from a metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl) acetamide] spill site was treated with zerovalent iron (Fe0). Preliminary laboratory experiments confirmed metolachlor dechlorination by Fe0 in aqueous solution and that this process could be accelerated by adding appropriate proportions of Al2(SO4)3 or acetic acid (CH3COOH). The field project was initiated by moving the stockpiled, contaminated soil into windrows using common earth-moving equipment. The soil was then mixed with water (0.35-0.40 kg H2O kg(-1)) and various combinations of 5% Fe0 (w/w),2% Al2(SO4)3 (w/w), and 0.5% acetic acid (v/w). Windrows were covered with clear plastic and incubated without additional mixing for 90 d. Approximately every 14 d, the plastic sheeting was removed for soil sampling and the surface of the windrows rewetted. Metolachlor concentrations were significantly reduced and varied among treatments. The addition of Fe0 alone decreased metolachlor concentration from 1789 to 504 mg kg(-1) within 90 d, whereas adding Fe0 with Al2(SO4)3 and CH3COOH decreased the concentration from 1402 to 13 mg kg(-1). These results provide evidence that zerovalent iron can be used for on-site, field-scale treatment of pesticide-contaminated soil.

Erectile dysfunction in patients with first-episode psychosis

Sexual dysfunction is more prevalent in psychotic patients than in the nonpsychotic population. The objective of this study was to identify correlations between serum prolactin levels, testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction in patients with first-episode psychosis (n = 40) compared to age-matched healthy controls (n = 40). All subjects underwent clinical evaluation, international index of erectile function (IIEF5) score assessment and measurement of serum prolactin and total testosterone levels. In first-episode psychotic patients, the IIEF-5 score and total testosterone levels were significantly lower, while serum prolactin levels were higher. We concluded that men with first-episode psychosis are at an increased risk for development of erectile dysfunction, and increased duration of untreated psychosis leads to a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction and hyperprolactinemia.

[Mechanism of the autocatalytic formation of ferrihemoglobin by dimethylaniline oxide: analysis of the explanation of the structure of 2-dimethylamino-4-(N-methylanilino)phenol]

1. The autocatalytic oxidation of haemoglobin to ferrihaemoglobin (methaemoglobin) by dimethylaniline N-oxide (DANO) has been further investigated with special emphasis on the condensation product of 2-dimethylaminophenol and N-methylaniline. 2. From incubations of DANO with ferrihaemoglobin or ferricytochrome c, N-methylaniline, N,N-dimethylaniline, formaldhyde, 2-dimethylaminophenol, and 4-dimethylaminophenol were identified as reaction products. 3. The structure of the leuco compound, which is also formed in the incubation mixture, was shown by X-ray analysis to be 2-dimethylamino-4-(N-methylanilino)phenol, a condensation product of N-methylaniline and 2-dimethylaminophenol. Chemical and physicochemical investigations confirmed this assignment. 4. The purple dye produced from the leuco compound by withdrawal of two electrons, and also found in the incubation mixtures, may be considered as a resonance hybrid of the two structures, 2-dimethylamino-N-methyl-N-phenyl-1,4-benzoquinone-4-imonium and 4-(methylphenylamino)-N,N-dimethyl-1,2-benzoquinone-2-imonium. 5. With clarification of the structures of the leuco compound and the purple dye, and of the mechanism of their formation, the autocatalytic formation of ferrihaemoglobin by DANO can now be described as shown in figure 5 (cf. Kiese and Renner 1976).

Biotransformation and some effects of 2-dimethylamino-4-(N-methylanilino)-phenol in dogs

2-Dimethylamino-4-(N-methylanilino)-phenol (MP), an active metabolite of N,N-dimethylaniline-N-oxide in the autocatalytic formation of ferrihemoglobin, reacted quickly in dogs after intravenous injection. A dose of 14C-labeled MP which oxidized 40% of the hemoglobin disappeared from the blood in 20 min. During this period of time MP transferred catalytically electrons from ferrohemoglobin to oxygen, reacted with sulfotransferases to form the sulfuric acid ester, and was covalently bound in blood and other tissues. In the urine, in addition to the sulfuric acid ester of MP (25%), methylamine, dimethylamine, and N-methylaniline were found. Their amount indicated that most of the MP not esterified with sulfuric acid had lost a nitrogen by hydrolysis of the quinonimine. The metabolites which were covalently bound in blood and other tissues disappeared slowly, traces of radioactivity being found in blood and urine 7 days after i.v. injection of MP, 15 mg/kg. The formation of methylamines as well as N-methylaniline from MP in vivo and in blood in vitro proves that the oxidation product of MP, a purple dye, is a resonance hybrid of the two structures 2-dimethylamino-N-methyl-N-phenyl-1,4-benzoquinone-4-imonium and 4-(N-methylanilino)-N,N-dimethyl-1,2-benzoquinone-2-imonium. In addition to ferrihemoglobin MP produced numerous Heinz bodies in red cells and caused hemolytic anemia. After lethal doses necroses in the kidney tubules were found.

Chlamydia trachomatis Infection: its relation to semen parameters and sperm DNA integrity

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection on semen quality and sperm DNA integrity. The study included 60 infertile male patients with CT infection and 25 age matched controls. Diagnosis of patients was based on detection of CT IgA by ELISA in seminal plasma and CT plasmid DNA in the semen sediment. All patients and controls were subjected to the following investigations: history taking, conventional semen analysis, detection of CT IgA, Plasmid DNA in semen samples, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and percentage of DNA fragmentation. There was significant increase in semen ROS levels and the percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation in the CT patient group when compared to the control group (P<0.05) and in those with leukocytospermia when compared to those without leukocytospermia (P<0.05). In the patient group with CT infection there was a positive correlation between the percentage of DNA fragmentation, ROS (r = 0.82 with P<0.0001) and pus cell count. (r = 0.7 with P<0.0001). In patients with leukocytospermia, there was a positive correlation between the percentage of DNA fragmentation, ROS (r = 0.9 with P<0.0001) and pus cell count (r = 0.83 with P<0.0001). In conclusion, sperm concentration, mobility, and viability, are significantly decreased in patients with CT compared to controls. ROS levels and the percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation significantly increased in CT patients especially patients with leukocytospermia.

Cardiac deformation imaging in differentiation between patients with ischemic versus non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy presented with Left bundle branch block

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Differentiation between ischemic (IDCM) and non-ischemic(NIDCM) cardiomyopathy using non-invasive image modalities is a clinical dilemma. Left bundle branch block (LBBB) imparts additional challenges into the etiologic diagnosis of DCM. This study employed 2D-strain imaging to characterize myocardial deformation and extent of mechanical discoordination in IDCM and NIDCM in presence of LBBB and their possible value for etiologic diagnosis.

Methods

We examined myocardial longitudinal& circumferential strain at segmental & global levels and LV twist [derived from basal and apical rotation] and electromechanical dyssynchrony in 36 DCM patients with LBBB. Of these patients, 16 were diagnosed with IDCM and 20 with NIDCM using coronary angiography, they were compared to 30 healthy controls.

Results

NIDCM were younger in age (45.7 ± 14 versus 61.5 ± 7.5, P&lt;.0001) had larger LV end systolic (P&lt;.03), end diastolic (P&lt;.02) dimensions, LAV (P&lt;.003), more mitral regurgitation(P&lt;.02) and lower EF (31% vs 39%, P&lt;.04). Compared with IDCM, patients with NIDCM had lower longitudinal strain of septal, lateral, inferior walls and global longitudinal strain (GLS), P&lt;.001 and lower LV twist (1.64 ± 1.4º vs. 3.25 ± 2.1º, p&lt; 0.01). IDCM had prevalent typical contraction activation (38% versus 5%) and higher electromechanical delay compared with NIDCM (P&lt;.01). However, there was no significant difference in circumferential strain between LBBB groups. Using ROC analysis value of GLS &lt;3.4% predicted NIDCM with 87.5% sensitivity and 78.9% specificity, area under curve is 0.836 and p &lt; 0.001.

Conclusion

In dilated cardiomyopathy with LBBB, deformation imaging is offering newer mechanistic insights and enables detailed characterization of ischemic and non-ischemic etiologies in heart failure patients.

Chlamydia trachomatis Infection: its relation to semen parameters and sperm DNA integrity

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection on semen quality and sperm DNA integrity. The study included 60 infertile male patients with CT infection and 25 age matched controls. Diagnosis of patients was based on detection of CT IgA by ELISA in seminal plasma and CT plasmid DNA in the semen sediment. All patients and controls were subjected to the following investigations: history taking, conventional semen analysis, detection of CT IgA, Plasmid DNA in semen samples, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and percentage of DNA fragmentation. There was significant increase in semen ROS levels and the percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation in the CT patient group when compared to the control group (P<0.05) and in those with leukocytospermia when compared to those without leukocytospermia (P<0.05). In the patient group with CT infection there was a positive correlation between the percentage of DNA fragmentation, ROS (r = 0.82 with P<0.0001) and pus cell count. (r = 0.7 with P<0.0001). In patients with leukocytospermia, there was a positive correlation between the percentage of DNA fragmentation, ROS (r = 0.9 with P<0.0001) and pus cell count (r = 0.83 with P<0.0001). In conclusion, sperm concentration, mobility, and viability, are significantly decreased in patients with CT compared to controls. ROS levels and the percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation significantly increased in CT patients especially patients with leukocytospermia.