Effects of melatonin on testicular function in adult male mice under different photoperiods.

Photoperiod is an important environmental factor affecting animal physiological function. Melatonin is an endogenous hormone that plays an important role in circadian and seasonal (or cyclical) rhythms and seasonal reproduction in mammals. To investigate the effects of melatonin on the reproductive performance of adult male mice under different photoperiods, sixty mice were randomly allotted to six groups: control (Light Dark, 12 L:12 D), control plus melatonin (MLD, 12 L:12 D), 24-hour continuous light (LL, 24 L:0 D), 24-hour continuous light plus melatonin (MLL 24 L:0 D), constant darkness (DD, 0 L:24 D), and constant darkness plus melatonin (MDD, 0 L:24 D). Normal saline (100 µL) was injected into the LD, LL, and DD groups at noon each day; the MLD, MLL, and MDD groups were injected with melatonin (1 mg/mL; 2 mg/kg·body weigh). After 24 hours of prolonged light exposure, testis morphology decreased, convoluted seminiferous tubules became sparse, the diameter of convoluted seminiferous tubules decreased, and the level of sex hormones decreased. After the administration of exogenous melatonin, testicular morphology and sex hormone levels decreased in the MLD group under normal light conditions. In the MLL group, the testicular tissue morphology returned to normal, the diameter of convoluted tubules increased, the hormone levels of LH (Luteinizing hormone) and MTL (melatonin) significantly increased (P<0.05), and th0e gene expressions of LHß and Mtnr1A (Melatonin receptors 1A) increased. There was almost no difference in the MDD group under continuous darkness. In conclusion, melatonin can damage the reproductive performance of male mice under normal light conditions, while exogenous melatonin can alleviate and protect the testicular injury of male mice under continuous light conditions.

Effects of melatonin on testicular function in adult male mice under different photoperiods

Photoperiod is an important environmental factor affecting animal physiological function. Melatonin is an endogenous hormone that plays an important role in circadian and seasonal (or cyclical) rhythms and seasonal reproduction in mammals. To investigate the effects of melatonin on the reproductive performance of adult male mice under different photoperiods, sixty mice were randomly allotted to six groups: control (Light Dark, 12 L:12 D), control plus melatonin (MLD, 12 L:12 D), 24-hour continuous light (LL, 24 L:0 D), 24-hour continuous light plus melatonin (MLL 24 L:0 D), constant darkness (DD, 0 L:24 D), and constant darkness plus melatonin (MDD, 0 L:24 D). Normal saline (100 µL) was injected into the LD, LL, and DD groups at noon each day; the MLD, MLL, and MDD groups were injected with melatonin (1 mg/mL; 2 mg/kg·body weigh). After 24 hours of prolonged light exposure, testis morphology decreased, convoluted seminiferous tubules became sparse, the diameter of convoluted seminiferous tubules decreased, and the level of sex hormones decreased. After the administration of exogenous melatonin, testicular morphology and sex hormone levels decreased in the MLD group under normal light conditions. In the MLL group, the testicular tissue morphology returned to normal, the diameter of convoluted tubules increased, the hormone levels of LH (Luteinizing hormone) and MTL (melatonin) significantly increased (P<0.05), and th0e gene expressions of LHß and Mtnr1A (Melatonin receptors 1A) increased. There was almost no difference in the MDD group under continuous darkness. In conclusion, melatonin can damage the reproductive performance of male mice under normal light conditions, while exogenous melatonin can alleviate and protect the testicular injury of male mice under continuous light conditions.(AU)

Análisis socioeconómico del glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto y factores de riesgo ateroesclerótico / Socioeconomic analysis of primary open-angle glaucoma and atherosclerotic risk factors

Para el año 2020 se estima que existirán alrededor de 79,6 millones de personas con glaucoma y aproximadamente 5,9 millones de ciegos bilaterales por esta afección. El glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto ocupa el segundo lugar dentro de las principales causas de ceguera en el mundo, solo superado por la catarata. Entre sus factores de riesgo se encuentran: la presión intraocular elevada, la excavación papilar aumentada, la edad, el antecedente heredofamiliar, las pruebas estructurales alteradas y los campos visuales anormales. No obstante, los factores de riesgo aterosclerótico también han sido involucrados en su posible desarrollo y progresión. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar las consecuencias socioeconómicas que generan el glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto y los factores de riesgo ateroesclerótico, como hipertensión arterial, diabetes mellitus, dislipidemias, tabaquismo , sexo, color de piel y obesidad(AU)

It has been estimated that by the year 2020 there will be about 79.6 million people with glaucoma, and about 5.9 million bilaterally blind people due to this condition. Primary open-angle glaucoma is the second cause of blindness worldwide, only surpassed by cataract. Its risk factors include high intraocular pressure, increased papillary excavation, age, hereditary factors, altered structural tests, and abnormal visual fields. However, atherosclerotic risk factors have also been related to its potential development and progression. The present study is aimed at analyzing the socioeconomic consequences of primary open-angle glaucoma and atherosclerotic risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemias, smoking, sex, skin color and obesity(AU)

Producción científica publicada por autores cubanos en los últimos 35 años sobre el glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto / Scientific production published by Cuban authors on the primary open angle glaucoma in the last 35 years

Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica con el objetivo de analizar la producción científica publicada por autores cubanos sobre glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto en los últimos 35 años, para lo cual se consultaron artículos científicos de las revistas médicas que aparecen en las bases de datos Medline (PubMed), SciELO Regional, CUMED, IBECS y LILACS. En total se recuperaron 33 artículos, de los cuales 27 fueron originales, 4 revisiones bibliográficas y 1 presentación de caso. Los resultados reportados en dichos estudios evidencian los logros alcanzados por los investigadores cubanos sobre esta importante afección oftalmológica, especialmente en lo que concierne a los tratamientos antiglaucomatosos y al pesquisaje temprano de pacientes con factores de riesgo glaucomatoso. Sin embargo, no se encontró ninguno realizado con el propósito de relacionar esta enfermedad con los factores de riesgo aterosclerótico, lo que podría servir de base para la realización de nuevas investigaciones(AU)

A literature review was made to analyze the scientific production published by Cuban authors on the primary open angle glaucoma in the last 35 years. To this end, the scientific articles from the medical journals included in Medline (PubMed), Regional SciELO, CUMED, IBECS and Lilacs. Thirtty three articles were recovered in total, 27 were original manuscripts, 4 literature reviews and one case report. The reported results of such studies show the achievements attained by the Cuban researchers in the field of this important eye disease, particularly the anti-glaucoma treatments and the early screening of patients with glaucomatous risk factors. However, no paper about the relationship of this disease with atherosclerotic risk factors was found, which would have serve as a basis for the conduction of new research studies(AU)

La cardiopatía isquémica en pacientes diabéticos y no diabéticos / Ischemic heart disease in diabetic and non-diabetic patients

Introducción: La cardiopatía isquémica tiene como uno de sus factores de riesgo más importante a la Diabetes mellitus, la cual influye en el pronóstico, tratamiento, severidad, morbilidad y mortalidad de esta enfermedad. Objetivo: Caracterizar la influencia de la Diabetes mellitus en la cardiopatía isquémica. Material y Métodos: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica sobre la temática. Resultados: La Diabetes mellitus es un factor de riesgo de alta relevancia de la cardiopatía isquémica. Las personas con diabetes corren el mismo riesgo de tener un infarto de miocardio que las personas sin diabetes que ya han tenido uno. Las mujeres diabéticas son más propensas a cardiopatías isquémicas. Existe una mayor frecuencia de Diabetes mellitus en los pacientes portadores de la cardiopatía isquémica con edades entre 45 y 80 años. Conclusiones: La diabetes impone mayor riesgo de padecer cardiopatía isquémica, la hace más precoz, le impone dificultades diagnósticas y mayor riesgo de complicaciones. La diabetes y la cardiopatía isquémica son enfermedades con incidencias y prevalencias que se incrementan con la edad(AU)

Introduction:Ischemic heart disease has Diabetes mellitus as one of its most important factors, because affects the prognosis, treatment, severity, morbidity and mortality of the first one. Objective: To characterize the influence of diabetes mellitus on ischemic heart disease. Material and Methods: A literature review on the subject was conducted. Results: Diabetes mellitus is confirmed as a highly relevant risk factor for ischemic heart disease. People with diabetes are at the same risk of having a myocardial infarction as people without diabetes who have already had one. Diabetic women are more likely to have ischemic heart disease. There is a higher frequency of Diabetes mellitus in patients with ischemic heart disease aged between 45 and 80 years. Conclusions:Diabetes imposes an increased risk of suffering of ischemic heart disease, makes it more precocious, and imposes diagnostic difficulties and greater risk of complications. Diabetes and ischemic heart disease are illnesses with incidence and prevalence that increase with age(AU)

Characteristic fingerprinting based on macamides for discrimination of maca (Lepidium meyenii) by LC/MS/MS and multivariate statistical analysis.

BACKGROUND: Macamides with a benzylalkylamide nucleus are characteristic and major bioactive compounds in the functional food maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp). The aim of this study was to explore variations in macamide content among maca from China and Peru. Twenty-seven batches of maca hypocotyls with different phenotypes, sampled from different geographical origins, were extracted and profiled by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-UV/MS/MS). RESULTS: Twelve macamides were identified by MS operated in multiple scanning modes. Similarity analysis showed that maca samples differed significantly in their macamide fingerprinting. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to differentiate samples according to their geographical origin and to identify the most relevant variables in the classification model. The prediction accuracy for raw maca was 91% and five macamides were selected and considered as chemical markers for sample classification. CONCLUSION: When combined with a PLS-DA model, characteristic fingerprinting based on macamides could be recommended for labelling for the authentication of maca from different geographical origins. The results provided potential evidence for the relationships between environmental or other factors and distribution of macamides. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Extracting numerical data from published reports of pharmacokinetics investigations: method description and validation.

A method has been proposed for extracting numerical data when only graphical results are presented. Reports with both graphical and tabular data were identified and the graphs were electronically scanned. The coordinates of each point were read using the cross-hair facility of Adobe Photoshop 7.0. To improve the precision of these coordinates, each point was read at 1600% magnification. The agreement between the observers was almost perfect (R > 0.99). The proposed method makes possible use of data in meta-analyses that, would otherwise be discarded.