Abnormalities of semen parameters among male partners of infertile couples in a sub-urban tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Background: Infertility is a common reason for gynecological clinic visits in Nigeria. Men contribute significantly to the cause of infertility; however male factor infertility remain underreported compared to commonly reported female factor infertility. This study aimed to evaluate the abnormalities of semen parameters among male partners of infertile couples in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of 285 semen samples of male partners of infertile couples was conducted at Irrua specialist teaching hospital. The laboratory staff carried out analysis of the semen samples using set parameters outlined by the World Health Organization laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen. Socio-demographic data of the participants was also taken in a proforma. The data obtained was then analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results: The age range of participants in this study was 20 to 65 years, with a mean age of 33.38 years. A total of 80.7% of the cases reviewed had one or more abnormal semen parameters. In 45.6%, 51.6%, and 47.0% of the analyzed samples, sperm cell count, morphology and total motility were below the WHO reference level, respectively. The severe forms of abnormal semen analysis findings detected in this study were asthenozoospermia (47%), oligozoospermia (15.8%), azoospermia (45.6%), and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (15.5%). There was also statistically significant finding of rising cases of oligospermia with increasing age among the participants Conclusions: Male factor infertility although grossly under reported, contributes significantly to the burden of infertility in our setting. There is a need to raise awareness so that men are properly evaluated and treated

Mortality of emergency abdominal surgery in high-, middle- and low-income countries

Background: Surgical mortality data are collected routinely in high-income countries, yet virtually no low- or middle-income countries have outcome surveillance in place. The aim was prospectively to collect worldwide mortality data following emergency abdominal surgery, comparing findings across countries with a low, middle or high Human Development Index (HDI). Methods: This was a prospective, multicentre, cohort study. Self-selected hospitals performing emergency surgery submitted prespecified data for consecutive patients from at least one 2-week interval during July to December 2014. Postoperative mortality was analysed by hierarchical multivariable logistic regression. Results: Data were obtained for 10 745 patients from 357 centres in 58 countries; 6538 were from high-, 2889 from middle- and 1318 from low-HDI settings. The overall mortality rate was 1⋅6 per cent at 24 h (high 1⋅1 per cent, middle 1⋅9 per cent, low 3⋅4 per cent; P < 0⋅001), increasing to 5⋅4 per cent by 30 days (high 4⋅5 per cent, middle 6⋅0 per cent, low 8⋅6 per cent; P < 0⋅001). Of the 578 patients who died, 404 (69⋅9 per cent) did so between 24 h and 30 days following surgery (high 74⋅2 per cent, middle 68⋅8 per cent, low 60⋅5 per cent). After adjustment, 30-day mortality remained higher in middle-income (odds ratio (OR) 2⋅78, 95 per cent c.i. 1⋅84 to 4⋅20) and low-income (OR 2⋅97, 1⋅84 to 4⋅81) countries. Surgical safety checklist use was less frequent in low- and middle-income countries, but when used was associated with reduced mortality at 30 days. Conclusion: Mortality is three times higher in low- compared with high-HDI countries even when adjusted for prognostic factors. Patient safety factors may have an important role. Registration number: NCT02179112 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)

Concentrations and probable health risks of potentially toxic metals (Pb, Cd and Cr) in some Nigerian lipstick products

Background: Lipstick is one of the widely used cosmetic items that are produced from both natural and processed materials and they are one of the sources of metals and metalloids released among the users. This study measured concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr in some brands of Nigerian lipstick products and assessed their probable health risks to the users. Methods: A total of twenty (L1 - L20) brands of lipstick products were purchased from the central cosmetic stores and the samples were prepared, digested and concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The probable health risk was assessed via average daily dose (ADD) by ingestion route, hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), cancer risks (CR), and relative intake index (RII). Results: The ranges of concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr were 5.6 - 25.1, 2.5 - 21.5 and 5.0 - 61.7 μg g−1, respectively. The ranges of ADD values of Pb, Cr and Cd were 1.2 × 10−3 - 5.7 × 10−3; 1.3 × 10−3 - 5.7 × 10−3 and 5.1 × 10−3 - 1.4 × 10−3 µg day−1, respectively. Among the samples Cr had HQ values 1.3 to 9.6. The HQ values of Cd for L2, L6, L12 and L14 ranges between 1.1 and 1.5. Then HQ values of Pb for L1 -L20 were 1.0 - 4.1. The HI values of Pb, Cr and Cd in each lipstick brands range from 2.8 to 12.5, indicating a non-carcinogenic health risk. The CR values for Cr and Cd are from 6.6 × 10−4 to 6.9 × 10−4 and from 2.0 × 10−2 to 2.5 × 10−2, respectively and they were within the acceptable limit value of 1.0 × 10−4. The RII of Pb, Cd and Cr were 4.50 - 20.1, 2.0 – 19.2 and 1.9 – 23.0 %, respectively. Conclusion: All the health indices indicated non-carcinogenic health risks. The continuous exposure and unintentional ingestion of such lipstick products can pose high risks to the users due to bioaccumulation of Pb, Cd and Cr which may lead to negative health conditions

Are mycotoxins relevant to be studied in health care environments?

Project EXPOsE, nº 23222 (02/SAICT/2016)Mycotoxins are fungi metabolites produced by specific fungal genera and although the reported evidence about the health effects there is still a gap about data in health care environments. This study aimed to investigate if mycotoxins presence should be monitored in health care facilities by searching for studies that reported fungal contamination by toxigenic fungi in different health care environments. The study involved a systematic search of available information/data published on PubMed during the period of 2010 until 31st December 2018. Among the 26 papers analyzed, only in two the Aspergillus genera were not reported as the most prevalent. Additionally, other genera also with toxigenic potential were observed, namely Fusarium and Penicillium. The information gathered with this review allowed to conclude about the importance to assess mycotoxins in health care environments. Moreover, the analytical methods used should allow detecting low concentrations and multiple mycotoxins.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio