Evaluation of sexual functional status and consistency of scales in patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism before and after testosterone replacement therapy: a single-center experience

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to investigate the frequency of sexual dysfunction and the effect of short-term testosterone replacement therapy on sexual functions in congenital hypogonadism patients. Furthermore, we sought to reveal the consistency of the self-report scales used for the diagnosis of sexual dysfunction and the relationship between biochemical parameters. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 47 young male patients aged above 18 years who were diagnosed with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Short (IIEF-5) and long (IIEF-15) forms of the International Index of Erectile Function and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) were applied before treatment under the supervision of a physician. The patients’ blood pressure, height, and weight were measured, and their luteinizing hormone (LH), FSH, and total testosterone levels were recorded. Patients who started their treatments were called for a follow-up checkup after 6 months. Their blood pressure, height, and weight were measured by reapplying the ASEX, IIEF-5, and IIEF-15. In addition, their LH, FSH, and total testosterone levels in the biochemical tests were rerecorded. Results: In this study, the sexual dysfunction status of patients diagnosed with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism before and after treatment was evaluated using the ASEX, IIEF-15, and IIEF-5 scales. A decrease in sexual dysfunction was observed in all three scales after treatment compared with that before treatment. The IIEF-5 and IIEF-15 scales were found to be uncorrelated in terms of the pretreatment values but were correlated in terms of the post-treatment values. Although a correlation was observed between ASEX and IIEF-5 before treatment, no correlation was detected between ASEX and IIEF-15. After the treatment, ASEX was found to be correlated with both IIEF-5 and IIEF-15. The results of the scales indicated the correlation in all categories, except the pretreatment results of the IIEF-15 scale. Conclusion: The results of the current study demonstrated a significant improvement in the sexual function of hypogonadism patients undergoing short-term testosterone therapy. The ASEX, IIEF-5, and IIEF-15 scales used in the diagnosis and follow-up of sexual dysfunction were useful for evaluating sexual functions in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism patients

Štetni učinci pušenja tijekom trudnoće na DNA i razine reaktivnih oblika kisika (ROS) u krvi majke i novorođenčeta

Some of the genotoxic/carcinogenic substances or metabolites in cigarette smoke are capable of passing through the placenta and harming a newborn’s health. Smoking is also known as a factor in the formation of oxidative damage and the main mechanism involved in the carcinogenic process. Predetermining this genotoxic risk can be successfully achieved by measuring certain parameters of oxidative stress. The comet assay is considered an important biomarker for the evaluation of genotoxic substances and is effective for detecting DNA damage caused by smoking. This study examined third trimester bloods and the cord blood of 28 actively smoking and 22 non-smoking mothers in terms of DNA damage and oxidative stress parameters. Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), plasma nitrite/nitrates (NO2•/NO3•), selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx), Cu, and Zn levels were measured as indicators of oxidative damage. There were no significant increases in DNA damage of the actively smoking pregnant group in comparison with the non-smoking pregnant group, either in the third trimester or cord blood. Oxidative stress parameters of smoker and non-smoker groups were statistically different for MDA (p<0.05), CuZn-SOD (p<0.01), Se-GPx (p<0.05) values while the difference was not significant for NO2•/NO3•, CAT, Zn, and Cu values. The same values were also investigated in cord blood, and only NO2•/NO3• (p<0.01), Se-GPx (p<0.01 and CAT (p<0.001) values were found statistically different. Smoking mothers may have been exposed to more oxidative stress than non-smoking mothers.Pojedine genotoksične/kancerogene supstancije ili metaboliti u cigaretnom dimu mogu proći kroz posteljicu i naštetiti zdravlju novorođenčeta. Pušenje je također poznato kao čimbenik pri nastanku oksidacijskog oštećenja DNA i u procesu kancerogeneze. Ovaj genotoksični rizik može se uspješno odrediti mjerenjem određenih parametara oksidacijskog stresa. Komet-test smatra se važnim biološkim biljegom pri evaluaciji genotoksičnih supstancija i iznimno učinkovitim sredstvom pronalaženja oštećenja DNA uzrokovanih pušenjem. Ova studija proučava krv trudnica u trećem tromjesečju trudnoće i fetalnu krv 28 majki aktivnih pušačica te 22-ju majki nepušačica vezano za oksidacijska oštećenja DNA i parametre oksidacijskog stresa. Razine Cu/Zn superoksidne dismutaze (CuZn-SOD), malondialdehida (MDA), katalaze (CAT), nitrita/nitrata u plazmi (NO2-/NO3-), selenijeve glutation peroksidaze (Se-GPx), Cu i Zn mjerene su kao pokazatelji oksidacijskog oštećenja. Nije bilo značajnih povećanja oštećenja DNA u skupini trudnica aktivnih pušačica u usporedbi sa skupinom trudnica nepušačica, ni u krvi iz trećeg tromjesečja ni u fetalnoj krvi. Parametri oksidacijskog stresa pušačke i nepušačke skupine bili su statistički različiti za vrijednosti MDA (p<0,05), CuZn-SOD (p<0,01), Se-GPx (P<0,05), dok razlika nije bila značajna za vrijednosti NO2-/NO3-, CAT, Zn i Cu. Iste su vrijednosti ispitane i u fetalnoj krvi, a jedino su vrijednosti NO2-/NO3- (p<0,01), Se-GPx (p<0,01) i CAT (p<0,001) bile statistički različite. Vjerojatno je da su majke pušačice bile izložene većem oksidacijskom stresu od majki nepušačica

A Prospective Study of Etiology of Childhood Acute Bacterial Meningitis, Turkey

Vaccines to prevent bacterial meningitis in this region must provide reliable protection against serogroup W-135

On the methods of pricing American options: case study

In this study, a comparative analysis of numerical and approximation methods for pricing American options is performed. Binomial and finite difference approximations are discussed; furthermore, Roll-Geske-Whaley, Barone-Adesi and Whaley and Bjerksund-Stensland analytical approximations as well as the least-squares Monte Carlo method of Longstaff and Schwartz are presented. Applicability and efficiency in almost all circumstances, numerical solutions of the corresponding free boundary problem is emphasized. Methods used in pricing American options are also compared on dividend and non-dividend paying assets; and their pros and cons are discussed along with numerical experiments

Heavy Exercise Induced Macroscopic Hematuria-Proteinuria

Hematuria must be regarded as a serious finding until proven otherwise. It can be originated from simple urinary tract infection, but also can be a first sign due to urinary tract tumor. Hematuria can be detected as well as the only isolated finding, it can also accompany other urinary system pathologies.Infection, trauma, and menstruation should be ruled out primarly. In this case, we have tried to emphasize again the importance of detailed medical history as well as the use of laboratory tests in primary care by revising the clinical features of macroscopic hematuria and accompanying proteinuria. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2012; 11(5.000): 647-650

Investigation of DNA repair genes XPD and hOGG1 in type 2 Diabetes mellitus

Increased oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes cause to the accumulation of DNA damage and results diabetic complications. Xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group D (XPD) and human oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (hOGG1) are genes involved in the repair of oxidative DNA damage. In this study, we aimed to evaluate association between XPD Lys751Gln and hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphisms with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Turkish population. Seventy-one T2DM patients and 54 healthy individuals were incorporated into this study. DNA was extracted from whole blood. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) techniques were used. There was statistically significant difference between patient and control groups in the genotype distribution of XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism (p&#706;0.05). While the Lys/Lys genotype was found significantly higher in control group, the Lys/Gln was higher in patients. (p&#706;0.05). There was no significant difference between groups in the genotype distribution of hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism. Despite the small number of subjects included in the study, it could be interpreted that the Lys/Gln genotype of XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism may be contributing to the development of diabetes. [Med-Science 2018; 7(2.000): 326-9

The prevalence and sociodemographic risk factors of enuresis nocturna among elementary school-age children

Introduction and Aim: Many etiological reasons are blamed for enuresis nocturna (EN). The aim of this study was to research prevalence and severity of EN among elementary school-age children and sociodemographic risk factors related to it. Materials and Methods: The study was performed in three elementary schools in Ankara, Turkey between January and May 2011. It was planned to have 2500 students of 6-14 ages in the study. The questionnaire, which consisted of questions, aiming to evaluate the EN condition of participants and their characteristics, were distributed to the parents. It was observed that 2314 participants′ questionnaires (92.56%) were in accordance with evaluation criteria. Statistical Analysis: The relation between EN and the sociodemographic factors was evaluated through Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: The mean age of 2314 participants was 9.21 ± 2.08. 48.5% (n = 1123) of the students were male and 51.5% (n = 1191) were female. While the general EN prevalence was 9.9% (n = 230); 10.7% (n = 120) for males, as 9.2% (n = 110) for females. Statistical significant difference was determined between the two groups, with EN and without EN, regarding age groups (P < 0.001), education level of parents (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), and the number of sibling (P = 0.002), income level (P < 0.001), and positive family history (P < 0.001). However, logistic regression analysis revealed that there was a significant difference only between EN and age groups (odds ratio [OR] =4.42, P < 0.001), education level of mother (OR = 2.13, P = 0.017) and family history (OR = 0.12, P < 0.001). Conclusions: As a consequence, such factors as age groups, education level of parents, positive family history could be accepted as a risk of concerning EN. It is important to perform a detailed evaluation on population, carrying risk of having EN