Prevalence of Abnormal Semen Parameters among the Infertile Couples Seeking Infertility Treatment.

Infertility, affecting 60 to 80 million couples globally, is clinically defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual contact. Male factors contribute significantly, comprising 40.0% to 50.0% of infertility cases. While the prevalence ranges from 5.0% to 30.0% in developing countries, the exact global prevalence remains unknown. The study, conducted at CMH and Ibn Sina Hospital, Jashore from October 2020 to September 2023, utilized a cross-sectional approach; examining 4173 samples aged 21 to 41. Exclusion criteria considered known female reproductive abnormalities or medications impacting male fertility. Standardized procedures, in-depth questionnaires and SPSS software version 15.0 were employed, adhering to World Health Organization Guidelines. In a study of 4173 seeking infertility treatment, 63.0% had abnormal semen parameters, with 45.0% aged 31-40 years. Addiction patterns: 76.0% used tobacco, 14.0% reported alcohol and tobacco. Occupations: 43.0% government workers, 41.0% private workers. Marriage duration: 44.0% married 5-10 years, infertility duration: 64.0% less than 6 years. Semen analysis showed 40% with sperm count above 65 million, 46.0% with 60.0-90.0% motile sperm, and 78.0% with sperm morphology below 15.0%. The most prevalent abnormality is asthenozoospermia 59%, with oligozoospermia and azoospermia observed in 31% and 3% of cases, respectively. This study highlights the global complexity of male infertility, emphasizing genetic factors in infertile couples. Addressing sample bias and the lack of national epidemiological data underscores the ongoing need for comprehensive research to advance global infertility diagnosis and treatment.

Optical characterization and dispersion analyses of plasma polymerized methyl acrylate thin films.

This work reports the structural characteristics, surface morphology, linear and nonlinear optical properties of 110 to 225 nm thick plasma polymerized methyl acrylate (PPMA) thin films. X-ray diffraction analyses confirm the amorphous nature of the films. Field emission scanning electron micrographs of the films display cluster-based surface morphology. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the chemical structural changes in the films. The optical properties were studied based on the absorbance, transmittance, and reflectance spectra measured by an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer within the wavelength ranges from 200 to 800 nm. The direct optical band gap and Urbach values are increased from 3.66 to 3.83 eV and 0.28 to 0.45 eV, respectively with increasing film thickness. The extinction coefficient and refractive index were evaluated, and discussed a correlation between the refractive index and the optical bandgap. The real and imaginary dielectric constants, volume/surface energy loss functions and skin depth were deduced. The oscillator energies and parameters were analyzed using the concept of Wemple-DiDomenico and Sellmeier models, respectively for a single oscillator. Static linear refractive index for the studied films exhibits normal dispersion behavior with film thicknesses and satisfied Moss, Ravindra-Gupta, and Herve-Vandamme rules. The linear susceptibility, third-order nonlinear susceptibility and the non-linear refractive index are considerably reduced from 0.20, 29.5 × 10-14 esu, and 5.89 × 10-12 esu with increasing optical band gap energies. The outcomes from the analyses of PPMA demonstrated their potential for usage in electronic, optoelectronic, and non-linear device applications.

Acute hypervitaminosis A in a young lady.

Acute vitamin A toxicity from a large dose has been reported to cause pseudotumour cerebri. Usually it is common in children. Herein we present the case of a young lady of 18 years old with the complaints of headache, vomiting, back pain and diplopia after ingestion of high dose (about 10 million international units) vitamin A capsule intentionally at a time due to some family problems. She gave no history of fever, convulsion, unconsciousness, pain in eyes, difficulties in walking and jaundice or any urinary problem during this illness. On query she gave no history of taking any other drugs including oral contraceptive and tetracycline & steroids. She also gave no history of sleep disorder. There was bilateral papilloedema, pupils were a bit dilated symmetrically but reacting to light, visual acuity 6/60 on left eye and 6/18 on right eye and bilateral 6th cranial nerve palsy more marked on left side. MRI of brain and orbits showed normal study. Patient improved after giving acetazolamide.

Lanthanum carbonate vs. sevelamer hydrochloride for the reduction of serum phosphorus in hemodialysis patients: a crossover study.

AIMS: The aim of this crossover study was to compare the reduction of serum phosphorus (SP) with fixed doses of the non-calcium-containing phosphate binders lanthanum carbonate (LC) and sevelamer hydrochloride (SH) in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: Following washout (2 - 3 weeks), 182 patients with SP >or= 6.0 mg/dl and calcium >or= 8.4 mg/dl were randomized (1:1) to receive LC (2,250 to 3,000 mg/day) or SH (4,800 to 6,400 mg/day) for 4 weeks. Patients underwent a second washout (2 weeks) and switched to the alternative binder for 4 weeks. RESULTS: At the end of treatment, LC had reduced SP by 1.7 +/- 0.1 mg/dl, compared with 1.4 +/- 0.1 mg/dl for SH; the difference was not statistically significant in the primary analysis (LOCF, p = 0.133). However, the reduction with LC was significantly greater than with SH in a prespecified key secondary analysis of patients who completed 4 weeks of treatment with each binder (0.5 mg/dl difference, p = 0.007). The reduction of SP was also greater with LC than SH after 1 week of treatment (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Although the primary analysis found no difference between LC and SH in the reduction of SP, a significant difference in favor of LC was observed in patients who completed treatment. The results of this study show interesting trends with respect to onset and duration of action that warrant further investigation in longer-term studies.

Risk of type 2 diabetes among individuals with high and low glomerular filtration rates.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Metabolic abnormalities frequently develop prior to the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. However, it is not known whether GFR predicts the onset of type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Incident diabetes was ascertained in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS) (n = 864; age 40-69 years; median follow-up 5.2 years [4.5-6.6 years]; 141 incident cases of diabetes). GFR was estimated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. We assessed the relationship between GFR and incident diabetes by logistic regression analysis. Results were adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, clinic location, BMI, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive treatment, family history of diabetes, insulin sensitivity and secretion, albumin to creatinine ratio, and levels of triacylglycerols, HDL-cholesterol, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and fasting and 2 h glucose. RESULTS: The relationship between GFR and incident diabetes was not linear. This relationship was statistically significant (p = 0.039) using a restricted cubic polynomial spline for GFR as a regression modelling strategy. Participants were stratified by GFR quintiles. Mean values for GFR from the first to the fifth quintile were 60.8, 71.6, 79.8, 88.2 and 109.0 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2). Relative to the fourth quintile, the odds ratios of incident diabetes for the first, second, third and fifth quintiles were 2.32 (95% CI 1.06-5.05), 1.76 (95% CI 0.80-3.88), 1.26 (95% CI 0.56-2.84) and 2.59 (95% CI 1.18-5.65), respectively. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Individuals in the upper and lower ranges of GFR are at increased risk of future diabetes. GFR and type 2 diabetes may share common pathogenic mechanisms.

A preliminary evaluation of guideline content mark-up using GEM--an XML guideline elements model.

OBJECTIVE: To describe application of GEM to analysis and categorization of guideline content. METHOD: We examined the application of GEM constructs to the AAP guideline on neurodiagnostic evaluation of febrile seizures. Subjects at 4 sites marked-up the guideline content using a hierarchical template that includes branches for identity, developer, purpose, intended audience, method of development, knowledge components, testing, and review. The types of elements used were tabulated. Subjects were surveyed regarding the usability of the model. RESULTS: Eight subjects analyzed the guideline, using between 46 and 149 elements to model its content. There was considerable variation in the application of elements. The number of elements used correlated with time to complete the task. Subjects found application of GEM to be straightforward in 6 of 8 categories and sufficiently comprehensive to model the guideline's information content. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects found GEM constructs were able to model the content of the guideline. Improved editing tools will facilitate translation.