Impaired Reverse Cholesterol Transport is Associated with Changes in Fatty Acid Profile in Children and Adolescents with Abdominal Obesity.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal obesity is an important cardiovascular disease risk factor. Plasma fatty acids display a complex network of both pro and antiatherogenic effects. High density lipoproteins (HDL) carry out the antiatherogenic pathway called reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), which involves cellular cholesterol efflux (CCE), and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activities. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to characterize RCT and its relation to fatty acids present in plasma in pediatric abdominal obesity. METHODS: Seventeen children and adolescents with abdominal obesity and 17 healthy controls were studied. Anthropometric parameters were registered. Glucose, insulin, lipid levels, CCE employing THP-1 cells, LCAT and CETP activities, plus fatty acids in apo B-depleted plasma were measured. RESULTS: The obese group showed a more atherogenic lipid profile, plus lower CCE (Mean±Standard Deviation) (6 ± 2 vs. 7 ± 2%; P < 0.05) and LCAT activity (11 ± 3 vs. 15 ±5 umol/dL.h; P < 0.05). With respect to fatty acids, the obese group showed higher myristic (1.1 ± 0.3 vs. 0.7 ± 0.3; P < 0.01) and palmitic acids (21.5 ± 2.8 vs. 19.6 ± 1.9; P < 0.05) in addition to lower linoleic acid (26.4 ± 3.3 vs. 29.9 ± 2.6; P < 0.01). Arachidonic acid correlated with CCE (r = 0.37; P < 0.05), myristic acid with LCAT (r = -0.37; P < 0.05), palmitioleic acid with CCE (r = -0.35; P < 0.05), linoleic acid with CCE (r = 0.37; P < 0.05), lauric acid with LCAT (r = 0.49; P < 0.05), myristic acid with LCAT (r = -0.37; P < 0.05) ecoisatrienoic acid with CCE (r = 0.40; P < 0.05) and lignoseric acid with LCAT (r = -0.5; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with abdominal obesity presented impaired RCT, which was associated with modifications in proinflammatory fatty acids, such as palmitoleic and myristic, thus contributing to increased cardiovascular disease risk.

The European Academy of Andrology (EAA) ultrasound study on healthy, fertile men: An overview on male genital tract ultrasound reference ranges.

BACKGROUND: So far, male genital tract color-Doppler ultrasound (MGT-CDUS) was not standardized. Recently, the European Academy of Andrology (EAA) published the results of a multicenter study assessing the CDUS characteristics of healthy-fertile men (HFM) to obtain normative parameters. OBJECTIVES: To report the EAA US study (i) standard operating procedures (SOPs) for assessing MGT-CDUS, (ii) main MGT-CDUS normative parameters, and (iii) compare the EAA and previously published "normal" CDUS values. METHODS: A cohort of 248 HFM (35.3 ± 5.9 years) was studied, evaluating MGT-CDUS before and after ejaculation following SOPs. RESULTS: SOPs for MGT-CDUS assessment are summarized here. All subjects underwent scrotal CDUS and 188 men underwent transrectal ultrasound before and after ejaculation. The main CDUS reference ranges and characteristics of the HFM-MGT are reported here. The mean testicular volume was ∼17 mL. The lower limit for right and left testis was 12 and 11 mL, defining testicular hypotrophy. The upper limit for epididymal head, body, tail, and vas deferens was 11.5, 5, 6, and 4.5 mm, respectively. Testicular and epididymal arterial reference ranges are reported. The EAA varicocoele classification is reported. CDUS-varicocoele was detected in ∼37% of men. Prostate mean volume was ∼25 mL, while lower and upper limits were 15 and 35 mL, defining hypotrophy and enlargement, respectively. Prostate arterial reference ranges are reported. Prostate calcifications and inhomogeneity were frequent; midline prostatic cysts were rare and small. Ejaculatory duct abnormalities were absent. The upper limit for periprostatic venous plexus was 4.5 mm. Lower and upper limits of seminal vesicles (SV) anterior-posterior diameter were 6 and 16 mm, defining hypotrophy or dilation, respectively. Seminal vesicle volume and ejection fraction reference ranges are reported. SV-US abnormalities were rare. Deferential ampullas upper limit was 6 mm. A discussion on the EAA and previously published "normal" CDUS values is reported here. CONCLUSIONS: The EAA findings will help in reproductive and general male health management.

The European Academy of Andrology (EAA) ultrasound study on healthy, fertile men: Prostate-vesicular transrectal ultrasound reference ranges and associations with clinical, seminal and biochemical characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) parameters are not standardized, especially in men of reproductive age. Hence, the European Academy of Andrology (EAA) promoted a multicenter study to assess the TRUS characteristics of healthy-fertile men (HFM) to establish normative parameters. OBJECTIVES: To report and discuss the prostate and seminal vesicles (SV) reference ranges and characteristics in HFM and their associations with clinical, seminal, biochemical parameters. METHODS: 188 men (35.6 ± 6.0 years) from a cohort of 248 HFM were studied, evaluating, on the same day, clinical, biochemical, seminal, TRUS parameters following Standard Operating Procedures. RESULTS: TRUS reference ranges and characteristics of the prostate and SV of HFM are reported herein. The mean PV was ∼25 ml. PV lower and upper limits were 15 and 35 ml, defining prostate hypotrophy and enlargement, respectively. PV was positively associated with age, waistline, current smoking (but not with T levels), seminal volume (and negatively with seminal pH), prostate inhomogeneity, macrocalcifications, calcification size and prostate arterial parameters, SV volume before and after ejaculation, deferential and epididymal size. Prostate calcifications and inhomogeneity were frequent, while midline prostatic cysts were rare and small. Ejaculatory duct abnormalities were absent. Periprostatic venous plexus size was positively associated with prostate calcifications, SV volume and arterial peak systolic velocity. Lower and upper limits of SV anterior-posterior diameter after ejaculation were 6 and 16 mm, defining SV hypotrophy or dilation, respectively. SV total volume before ejaculation and delta SV total volume (DSTV) positively correlated with ejaculate volume, and DSTV correlated positively with sperm progressive motility. SV total volume after ejaculation was associated negatively with SV ejection fraction and positively with distal ampullas size. SV US abnormalities were rare. No association between TRUS and time to pregnancy, number of children or history of miscarriage was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings will help in better understanding male infertility pathophysiology and the meaning of specific TRUS findings.

Efecto de la suplementación con ácidos grasos n-3 sobre el perfil de lípidos séricos de ratas

RESUMEN La grasa alimentaria influye en la modulación de las funciones inmunitarias y los procesos inflamatorios; la mayor parte del impacto se atribuye a los ácidos grasos poliinsaturados de cadena larga (AGPI). Los ácidos grasos esenciales (AGE), como el Ácido Linoleico (AL; 18:2n-6) y el Ácido α-Linolénico (AAL; 18:3n-3), que deben ser incorporados con la dieta, son precursores de otros ácidos grasos de gran importancia para el organismo. El AAL, perteneciente a la familia n-3, da origen a los ácidos Eicosapentaenoico (EPA; 20:5n-3) y Docosahexaenoico (DHA; 22:6n-3). Ellos confieren flexibilidad, fluidez y permeabilidad a las membranas, que favorece la salud cardiovascular, reduce el riesgo de deficiencias en la visión y el desarrollo neural de bebés y niños y de demencia en adultos mayores; algunos son precursores en la síntesis de prostaglandinas. También se han observado efectos en la prevención y tratamiento de enfermedades coronarias, hipertensión, diabetes, artritis, inflamaciones, desórdenes autoinmunes y cáncer. Estos efectos pueden explicarse a través de las acciones específicas de cada uno de ellos. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar el efecto de una dieta a base de manteca, con y sin la suplementación de AGPI n-3 sobre los lípidos y perfil de AG séricos, de ratas en período de crecimiento activo. Ratas Wistar al destete, recibieron durante 10 días una dieta normocalórica a base de manteca (M). Los otros grupos recibieron la misma dieta suplementada con 24 mg/día de aceite de pescado (MP) -aportador de EPA y DHA- o aceite de chía (MCh)- que proporciona ácido α-linolénico (AAL). El control recibió dieta según AIN´93. Se determinó colesterol total y triglicéridos por métodos enzimáticos y el perfil de ácidos grasos sérico, por cromatografía gaseosa. Resultados: Los grupos M, MP y MCh mostraron niveles más bajos de linoleico y más altos de oleico serie n-9, comparados con C. Sólo M y MP presentan valores bajos de AAL. Los grupos MP y MCh presentaron altos niveles de EPA y DHA. La suplementación con aceite de chía, es más beneficiosa que con aceite de pescado, incrementando el EPA y DHA sérico junto con el AAL. Conclusión: No sólo es importante el porcentaje de lípidos dietarios que se consumen sino también el perfil de ácidos grasos que componen los alimentos.

ABSTRACT Dietary fat influences the modulation of immune functions and inflammatory processes; most of the impact is attributed to long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Essential fatty acids, such as Linoleic Acid (AL) and α-Linolenic Acid (ALA), which must be incorporated in the diet, are precursors of other fatty acids of great importance for the body. ALA, belonging to n-3 family, gives rise to Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids. They confer flexibility, fluidity and selective permeability to the membranes, which favor cardiovascular health, reduce the risk of deficiencies in vision and neural development in infants and children, and dementia in older adults; some are precursors in the synthesis of prostaglandins. Effects have also been observed in the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, inflammation, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. These effects can be explained through the specific actions of each of them. The objective was to analyze the effect of a butter-based diet, with and without n-3 fatty acid supplementation, on the lipids and serum fatty acid profile of rats in a period of active growth. Wistar rats at weaning received a normo-caloric butter-based diet for 10 days (M). The other groups received the same diet supplemented with 24 mg / day of fish oil (MP) -providing EPA and DHA- or chia oil (MCh)- containing linolenic acid (ALA). The control (C) received a diet according to AIN'93. Total cholesterol and triglycerides were determined by enzymatic methods and the serum fatty acid profile, by gas chromatography. Results: M, MP and MCh groups showed lower levels of linoleic and higher levels of oleic-n-9, compared to C. Only M and MP have low values of ALA. The MP and MCh groups presented high levels of EPA and DHA. Chia oil supplementation is more beneficial than fish oil, increasing serum EPA and DHA along with ALA. Conclusion: Not only the dietary lipids percentage is important but also the fatty acid profile of the source too.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sexual behavior of the population. The vision of the east and the west

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed the way of life around the World. The state of alarm has forced the population to stay at home, radically changing both interpersonal and partner relationships; work at home, social distancing, the continued presence of children at home, fear of infection and not being able to physically meet with others have changed most people's sexual habits. We conducted a review by exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual behavior in the population from three different countries: Iran, Italy and Spain from each country's perspective. The impact of the coronavirus will be very important in the sexual life of the people and we will attend in the next months or years, to some changes in the relationships at all the levels. The pandemic will negatively affect sexual behaviors due to multiple contact restrictions. In the future, we will be able to assess these effects in more detail.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sexual behavior of the population. The vision of the east and the west.

The COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed the way of life around the World. The state of alarm has forced the population to stay at home, radically changing both interpersonal and partner relationships; work at home, social distancing, the continued presence of children at home, fear of infection and not being able to physically meet with others have changed most people's sexual habits. We conducted a review by exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual behavior in the population from three different countries: Iran, Italy and Spain from each country's perspective. The impact of the coronavirus will be very important in the sexual life of the people and we will attend in the next months or years, to some changes in the relationships at all the levels. The pandemic will negatively affect sexual behaviors due to multiple contact restrictions. In the future, we will be able to assess these effects in more detail.

The European Academy of Andrology (EAA) ultrasound study on healthy, fertile men: clinical, seminal and biochemical characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Infertility affects 7%-12% of men, and its etiology is unknown in half of cases. To fill this gap, use of the male genital tract color-Doppler ultrasound (MGT-CDUS) has progressively expanded. However, MGT-CDUS still suffers from lack of standardization. Hence, the European Academy of Andrology (EAA) has promoted a multicenter study ("EAA ultrasound study") to assess MGT-CDUS characteristics of healthy, fertile men to obtain normative parameters. OBJECTIVES: To report (a) the development and methodology of the "EAA ultrasound study," (b) the clinical characteristics of the cohort of healthy, fertile men, and (c) the correlations of both fertility history and seminal features with clinical parameters. METHODS: A cohort of 248 healthy, fertile men (35.3 ± 5.9 years) was studied. All subjects were asked to undergo, within the same day, clinical, biochemical, and seminal evaluation and MGT-CDUS before and after ejaculation. RESULTS: The clinical, seminal, and biochemical characteristics of the cohort have been reported here. The seminal characteristics were consistent with those reported by the WHO (2010) for the 50th and 5th centiles for fertile men. Normozoospermia was observed in 79.6% of men, while normal sperm vitality was present in almost the entire sample. Time to pregnancy (TTP) was 3.0[1.0-6.0] months. TTP was negatively correlated with sperm vitality (Adj.r =-.310, P = .011), but not with other seminal, clinical, or biochemical parameters. Sperm vitality and normal morphology were positively associated with fT3 and fT4 levels, respectively (Adj.r = .244, P < .05 and Adj.r = .232, P = .002). Sperm concentration and total count were negatively associated with FSH levels and positively, along with progressive motility, with mean testis volume (TV). Mean TV was 20.4 ± 4.0 mL, and the lower reference values for right and left testes were 15.0 and 14.0 mL. Mean TV was negatively associated with gonadotropin levels and pulse pressure. Varicocoele was found in 33% of men. CONCLUSIONS: The cohort studied confirms the WHO data for all semen parameters and represents a reference with which to assess MGT-CDUS normative parameters.

Clinical factors affecting semen improvement after microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy: which subfertile patients benefit from surgery?

BACKGROUND: The exact mechanism of varicocele-related infertility is still elusive, therefore, the current challenges for its management lie in determining which patients stand to benefit most from surgical correction. The authors aimed to assess the clinical factors affecting semen improvement after left microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MSV) in relation to patient age, ultrasound varicocele grading (USVG), and presence of a right subclinical varicocele (RSV). METHODS: From 2010 to 2017 a total of 228 infertile patients underwent left MSV for clinical varicocele. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the cohort and verify the surgical benefit in terms of semen improvement, in addition, subsets of patients were selected according to clinical covariates. Logistic regression modeling was applied to evaluate the presence of RSV, operative time, age, and USVG as explanatory variables. RESULTS: Sperm concentration (SC), progressive sperm motility (PSM), and normal sperm morphology (NSM) increased significantly after surgery (p = 0.002; p = 0.011; p = 0.024; respectively). Mean SC improved after MSV in ⩾35 year-old patients and the grade 3 USVG group (p = 0.01; p = 0.02; respectively). Logistic regression modeling showed a that the probability of SC improvement was 76% lower in subjects presenting RSV (p = 0.011). In addition, patients with a grade 3 USVG presented a three-times greater probability of SC improvement compared with patients with a lower USVG (p = 0.035). In addition, older patients showed a greater probability of SC improvement after MSV (p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: MSV is an effective varicocele-related infertility treatment that should also be offered to older patients. In addition, patients with a higher USVG benefit from surgery. In infertile men with an RSV in association with a left clinical disease, a bilateral varicocele repair should be considered.

Estado nutricional de pacientes quirúrgicos sin aparente compromiso nutricional / Nutritional status of surgical patients without apparent nutritional involvement

Se estudio el estado nutricional prequirúrgico de 80 pacientes de ambos sexos sometidos a cirugías programadas de patologías leves: hernia y litiasis vesicular simple, en los cuales no era presumible que la patología hubiera provocado un serio compromiso nutricional. El estado nutricional se evaluó mediante parámetros antropométricos y bioquímicos que arrojaron los seguientes resultados: el 77 por ciento de la población presento sobrepeso, con un 15 por ciento de obesidad. La ingesta proteica prevalente evaluada mediante el índice nitrógeno nureico/creatinina fue adecuada en el 87,5 por ciento de los pacientes; a pesar de ello el 72 por ciento presentó valores bajos de albúmina, el 52 por ciento de prealbúmina y el 50 por ciento de proteína transportadora de retinol. transferrina, alpha2-macroglobulina, ceruloplasmina y haptoglobina no mostraron deterioro. También fue evaluado el estado nutricional con respecto a vitamina A, carotenos y vitamina C; sus niveles plasmáticos permitieron detectar valores bajos de vitamina A en el 16 por ciento de carotenos en el 5 por ciento de vitamina C en el 27 por ciento de los pacientes. Con respecto al calcio el estado nutricional se halló muy comprometido con un 45 por ciento de índices calcio/creatinina por debajo de los valores de referencia. Con respecto al hierro, el estado nutricional fue en general aceptable, habiéndose identificado un número de individuos en riesgo acorde a la sensibilidad del parámetro utilizado: 5 por ciento por Hto, 11 por ciento por Hb, 5 por ciento por porcentaje de saturación de transferrina y 12,5 por ciento por protoporfirina eritrocitaria libre. Las mujeres presentaron el doble de valores compatibles con deficiencia que los hombres. A pesar de haberse detectado asociaciones puntuales, en la población estudiada las variables sexo, edad y patología no afectaron en forma relevante el estado nutricional. Aunque el análisis de cada nutriente en particular no mostró grandes deficiencias, el análisis por paciente reveló que sólo unos pocos casos (7 por ciento) presentaron un perfil bioquímico nutricional óptimo con todos los parámetros estudiados dentro de los valores de referencia.

Estado nutricional con respecto al hierro en adultos del área metropolitana de Buenos Aires / Iron nutritional status in a young adult group living at greater Buenos Aires

Se evaluó el estado nutricional con respecto al Hierro (Fe) en un grupo de adultos jóvenes de Buenos Aires. En 32 mujeres y 33 varones, clínicamente sanos, edad promedio 27,3 ñ 3,3 y 29,3 ñ 6,7 años respectivamente, se determinó: en sangre entera: Hematocrito (Hto) (micro método estándar); Hemaglobina (Hb) (método de cianometahemoglobina); Protoporfirina Eritrocitaria Libre (PE) (según Piomelli); en suero, Ferritina (FS) (Enzymun-Test Ferritina, Boehringer, Lab.). Los resultados promedio ñ SD, y los rangos fueron, para mujeres y varones, respectivamente: Hto (por ciento): 38,5 ñ 2,4 (33-43,5), 45,2 ñ 2,4 (41,0-52,5); Hb (g/L): 138 ñ 11 (120-157), 163 ñ 10 (135-190); PE (µg/dL de glóbulos rojos): 24 ñ 13 (6-50), 39 ñ 13 (7-71); FS (µg/L): 66 ñ 47 (11-196), 195 ñ 102 (34-435), p < 0,01. El 9,4 por ciento de la población femenina presentó depleción de los depósitos (FS < 12 µg/L). El 15 por ciento de varones presentó FS > 300 µg/L, indicando un exceso de Fe de depósito. El análisis conjunto de los indicadores utilizados mostró que no existió ningún caso con valores anormales en más de un indicador. Estos resultados evidencian que, aun en poblaciones de características sociales similares, existe una notable diferencia en los depósitos de Fe, según el sexo. Por lo tanto, puede resultar beneficioso aconsejar el consumo de alimentos fortificados o suplementos de Fe en los grupos más vulnerables. Sin embargo, alertan acerca del peligro de sobrecarga que puede entrañar su consumo excesivo e indiscrimado en otros casos, si no se tienen en cuenta las características de la dieta y el estado nutricional