Hypoandrogen-metabolic syndrome: a potentially common and underdiagnosed condition in men.

Recently, it has been proposed that hypoandrogenaemia (hypogonadism, hypotestosteronaemia) may be a common accompanying factor in men with the metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance, Reaven's syndrome or syndrome X). When they are present together they may be considered as a specific entity, the hypoandrogen-metabolic (HAM) syndrome. The metabolic syndrome is common and its prevalence is predicted to increase in coming years. Hypoandrogenaemia, often unrecognised, is also common and may be an aetiological factor in the development of the metabolic syndrome in men. The prevalence of both hypoandrogenaemia and the metabolic syndrome increases with age and the clinician will frequently attend to men in their middle to advanced years with obesity, low androgen levels and metabolic syndrome. These conditions place men at an increased risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes and can be simply investigated with weight, waist and blood pressure measurement and blood sample analyses. Men with HAM and symptoms of androgen deficiency may be managed by, in the absence of contraindications, testosterone replacement therapy along with weight reduction and other measures to normalise glucose, lipid and blood pressure control.

Testosterone replacement therapy for late onset hypogonadism: what is the risk of inducing prostate cancer?

Prescription sales of testosterone have risen considerably over the last decade and are likely to continue to grow as further preparations become available. Testosterone promotes existing prostate cancer; however, concern does exist as to whether or not testosterone therapy induces prostate cancer. The aim of this article is to review the evidence for such a link.

Dust mite allergens in the office environment.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the extent of dust mite infestation and its contribution to the health complaints in office settings. The methodology recommended for residential dwellings was evaluated for use in the work environment. Der p I allergen-specific ELISA was chosen as a primary method. A liquid chromatography method for guanine is suggested as a backup method to cover a few cases where other mite species may be encountered. The levels of dust mite allergens were measured in 14 offices in response to numerous health complaints. Approximately one-half of the offices investigated were identified as having a dust mite population. Four offices showed levels of Der p I in the dust greater than 1 microgram/g. In two offices, the dust mite allergens were the source of the health complaints. In the other two offices, dust mite allergens were one of the contaminants in the office environment. In all cases, the infestation of dust mites in the offices was localized to a few specific work areas. Office chairs were the primary location where dust mites thrived. The remedial measures included regular cleanup of all fabric-covered office furnishings. Steam cleaning was recommended to eliminate dust mite populations.

The actions of restriction endonucleases on lampbrush chromosomes.

Lampbrush chromosomes from oocytes of Notophthalmus viridescens were dispersed in media containing restriction endonucleases isolated from Haemophilus and E. coli. These endonucleases cleave duplex DNAs at specific palindromic sequences of nucleotides, and several sensitive sites occur per micron of DNA. The overwhelming majority of the lateral loops of lampbrush chromosomes are extensively fragmented by these endonucleases, but an occasional pair of loops is refractory. A notable example of loops showing this refractory property are the giant loops on chromosome II in the presence of Hae. These loops, whose DNA-containing axes are several hundred micra long, are sensitive to other nucleases such as EcoB, endonuclease I and pancreatic DNase I; their refractory behavior towards Hae therefore indicates that the sequence sensitive to this particular endonuclease is systematically absent. This anomalous property can be comprehended if it be assumed that the axial DNA of the giant loops consists of tandem repeats of a sequence which happens not to include the sensitive site.