[Features of steroidogenesis and arterial hypertension in men in different types of "physiological" male hyperandrogenism].

AIM: To reveal the peculiarities of steroidogenesis and arterial hypertension in «physiological¼ hyperandrogenism in men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-stage simultaneous study. The groups of men with hyperandrogenism caused by increased total testosterone (n=34) and those with hyperandrogenism caused by increased dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (n=66) were compared. In determining the type of hyperandrogenism and allocating patients to groups, DHT and total testosterone levels were determined by enhanced chemiluminescence. Subgroups of men with and without arterial hypertension were compared in the group of patients with hyperandrogenism due to an increase in total testosterone. Body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse, and LH, SBHG, estradiol, blood multisteroid levels by isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, glucose, blood lipid spectrum, uric acid, creatinine, renin, potassium, sodium, and blood chloride were assessed in all patients. Patients with arterial hypertension additionally underwent daily BP monitoring, albuminuria assessment, electrocardiography, ocular fundus examination. The baseline threshold level of significance was p<0.05. For multiple comparisons, the p significance level was calculated using the Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in the levels of 17-hydroxypregnenolone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and androstenedione, which were higher in men with elevated levels of total testosterone. No statistically significant differences in other laboratory parameters were found. No cases of increased blood pressure were detected in the group of men with elevated DHT. In the group of men with elevated total testosterone, 23,5% of men with arterial hypertension without targetorgan lesions were identified, while hyperandrogenism was associated with 17,6% of cases. Arterial hypertension associated with hyperandrogenism was characterized by a rise in blood pressure in the early morning hours. Estradiol levels, while remaining within normal limits, were statistically significantly lower in patients with arterial hypertension compared with men with elevated testosterone but without hypertension. CONCLUSION: No cases of arterial hypertension were observed in «physiological¼ hyperandrogenism due to elevated DHT levels, whereas its incidence in «physiological¼ hyperandrogenism due to elevated total testosterone was 23,5%. The features of steroidogenesis were increased production of 17-hydroxypregnenolone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and androstenedione in men with testosterone hyperandrogenism and decreased estradiol production in patients with arterial hypertension compared with patients without testosterone hyperandrogenism.

[Features of hyperandrogenism in men].

BACKGROUND: Today the problem of hyperandrogenism in women is a widely studied and discussed while same issue in relation to men is barely raised. In clinical practice, hyperandrogenism can be the cause of a number of diseases. AIM: Provide characterization the variations of physiological hyperandrogenism in men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Сontinuous cross-sectional study of 100 men with hyperandrogenism. The study assessed the volume and structure of the prostate, the volume of the testicles; the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were determined with further calculation of the level of free testosterone according to Vermeullen, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Based on the results of the analysis of the hormonal status of patients with hyperandrogenism, 4 groups of patients were formed: 1-patients with increased total testosterone and SHBG levels; 2-patients with elevated total testosterone levels and normal SHBG levels; 3-patients with an increased level of total testosterone, DHT with a normal level of SHBG; 4-patients with an increased level of DHT with normal levels of total testosterone and SHBG. The difference between groups of patients was determined, a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The age and volume of the prostate in group 1 patients were statistically significantly higher than in the other groups. This group, despite the high level of total testosterone, was not characterized by complaints of acne. Group 2 patients complained of acne more often, but the prevalence of this symptom even in this group was statistically significantly lower than in group 3 patients. At the same time, the frequency of occurrence of alopecia was statistically significantly lower in group 2 than in patients of both groups 3 and 4. Patients of group 3 had the most striking clinical manifestations of hyperandrogenism. Group 4 was characterized by alopecia. CONCLUSION: An increase of androgen levels can be detected at any age. At the same time, in men of the older age group, an increase in the level of total testosterone may be due to an increase in the secretion of SHBG and not be accompanied by an increase in the level of free testosterone. In young patients, the clinical manifestations of hyperandrogenism may differ: patients with elevated DHT levels are characterized by androgenic alopecia; acne is common in men with elevated total and free testosterone levels, and increased DHT exacerbates the problem.

Strategies for Sharing Limited Resources among Children and Adolescents in Three Traditional Societies of East Africa: Sociocultural and Genetic Factors.

Egalitarianism, pursuit for equality, and altruism are the most important evolutionarily stable strategies in the human society. This study presents data on the results of economic games for sharing with a potential friend or unfamiliar peer in three ethnic groups of East Africa (Hadza, Iraqw, and Meru). The total sample was 583 children and adolescents; mean age, 13.5 ± 3.1 years. In addition, DNA analysis was carried out and the OXTR gene rs53576 single nucleotide polymorphism was genotyped for 162 Meru individuals. The pronounced individual variability in making decisions on sharing with a potential partner was established. Children and adolescents behaved altruistically towards friends significantly more frequently as compared with strangers. Carriers of the OXTR rs53576 GG variant displayed altruism significantly more frequently both to friends (U = 3376.500, p = 0.047; OR = 3.075, p = 0.032) and to strangers (U = 3478.000, p = 0.025; OR = 3.133, p = 0.007). Significant intergroup differences in egalitarianism, egoism, and altruism were also demonstrated. Data obtained suggest a positive group selection towards altruists.

The association between 2D:4D ratio and aggression in children and adolescents: Cross-cultural and gender differences.

BACKGROUND: Two recent meta-analyses have suggested the association between digit ratio (2D:4D) and aggression is weak. This conclusion has been criticised because the meta-analyses conflate forms of aggression that show strong sex differences with those that do not, and most studies have considered post-pubertal participants. AIMS: We test the influence of 2D:4D and ethnicity in the expression of aggression in children and adolescents in four ethnic groups of European and African origin. STUDY DESIGN: Buss and Perry aggression questionnaire. Direct measurement of the 2nd and 4th digits. SUBJECTS: 1296 children and adolescents from Tanzania and Russia from 4 ethnic groups - Datoga, Meru, Russians, Tatars. RESULTS: There were ethnic and gender differences in ratings on aggression with boys consistently reporting more physical aggression. In all four samples right 2D:4D was significantly lower in boys, compared to girls. With regard to our total sample of boys, the right 2D:4D was significantly and negatively associated with self-ratings on physical aggression, but no association was found for left 2D:4D. No associations between 2D:4D and physical aggression were found for girls. Hostility was negatively correlated with 2D:4D for boys, and anger was positively correlated with 2D:4D in girls. CONCLUSION: Sex differences were strongest for right 2D:4D (boysgirls). Right 2D:4D was negatively related to physical aggression in boys only, suggesting possible relationship to prenatal androgenization.

Influence of microstructural modifications induced by ultrasonic impact treatment on hardening and corrosion behavior of wrought Co-Cr-Mo biomedical alloy.

In this work, biomedical Co-28Cr-6Mo alloy is subjected to ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT). XRD, TEM and SAED analyses show that the plastic deformation induced by the UIT process results in a complex microstructural formation in surface layer of Co-28Cr-6Mo alloy. The peculiar feature observed in the alloy structure by TEM is the formation of Lomer-Cottrell locks originated by simultaneous sliding of Shockley partial dislocations in intersecting planes. At the beginning of the UIT process (till the strain extent e ≈ 0.2), dislocation pile-ups are gathered in front of the Lomer-Cottrell locks stimulating the formation of a great number of chaotic stacking faults (SFs) packets (incompletely transformed martensite), which are predominant with regard to the occurrence of ε-martensite and micro-twins. The incompletely transformed martensite hinders the shear translation through the twin boundaries and suppresses grain subdivision in surface layer of Co-28Cr-6Mo alloy at the UIT process used. On-going deformation to e ≈ 0.4 leads to further modification of microstructure in the micron-scale γ-grains, which consists of numerous Lomer-Cottrell locks, chaotic subtraction SFs, intersected nano-twins and fine lathes of ε-martensite with average size of approx. 50-100 nm. The observed structural features (at e ≈ 0.4) allow adequately explaining noticeable increase in microhardness without any cracks/cleavages in surface layer. Enhanced corrosion resistance of Co-28Cr-6Mo alloy, which manifests itself with less negative corrosion potential and lower corrosion and passivity currents in potentiodynamic curve, is promoted by the UIT induced oxide films and the following structural features: the CSL type of γ/ε interfacial boundaries, uniformly distributed fine carbides, and high fraction of the grains oriented with close packed (111)γ and (0002)ε planes parallel to the surface of the UIT-processed specimen.

[Microbial contamination of Moscow dwelling rooms].

The rise of allergic diseases warrants an investigation of various environmental factors that are able to influence man negatively. By interacting with the human organism, bacteria and their decomposition products are well-known to stimulate different immunological reactions. The 24-month study has indicated that the total bacterial contamination of dust and the typical diversity of microbes depend on the season. In winter the occurrence ofgram-negative bacteria is high. The latter is indicative of that the dust of flats may contain high levels of endotoxin and thus the less comfort of life in the individuals who are genetically predisposed to hypersensitivity.

[The impact of electrical stimulation on the functional status of cochlear nervous structures in cats with experimentally induced hearing disorders]. / Vliianie élektricheskoi stimuliatsii na funktsional'noe sostoianie nervnykh struktur ulitki koshki pri iskusstvennoi patologii slukha.

Effects of non-invasive electric stimulation on hearing were studied in cats with depressed periphery of the acoustic analyser. Experimental neurosensory hypoacusis was induced by large doses of canamycin (25-30 mg/kg). The hearing was assessed by short-latent stem and cortical long-latent evoked potentials (EP). Consideration was also given to changes in the amplitude of the wave V of short-latent EP in varying intensity of the sound stimulus. When deep suppression was reached, 8-day course of electric stimulation was started with registration of EP. It was found that canamycin elevates thresholds of identification of wave V of short-latent stem EP and thresholds of emergence of long-latent stem EP. The curve amplitude/intensity was also affected. The course of electrical stimulation returned the above parameters of the thresholds and the curve to the baseline levels. This is the evidence of therapeutic action of non-invasive electrical stimulation.

[The effect of a 5-year program of IHD prevention on the risk profile and mortality]. / Vliianie piatiletnei programmy profilaktiki IBS na profil' riska i smertnost.

Multifactorial prophylaxis on the individual basis was conducted for 5 years among the population of 2047 males aged 40-59 years with ischemic heart disease (IHD) or its risk factors. Compared to the comparison group of 2101 subjects, in the study group the investigators achieved a 37% reduction in the mean population profile of myocardial infarction risk due to less prevalence of 3 main risk factor: arterial hypertension, low physical activity, smoking. Unbalance of the groups by age and education made the effect of the prevention measures on cardiovascular mortality menostrable only at statistical Cox's model.

[The use of short-latency auditory evoked potentials in the diagnosis of acoustic neurinomas]. / Ispol'zovanie korotkolatentnykh slukhovykh vyzvannykh potentsialov v diagnostike nevrinom slukhovogo nerva.

The short-latent acoustic evoked potentials in patients with unilateral neurosensory hypoacusis due to the tumor of the acoustic nerve or other etiology were recorded. It was found that the patients had no potential in the diseased area in monaural sound stimulation, but binaural sound stimulation enabled these potentials to be recorded. With this, the short-latent acoustic evoked potentials in patients with verified neurinoma showed a reduction in the third wave to the point of its disappearance. Those in patients whose neurosensory hypoacusis were unassociated with the development of neoplasms in the area of the acoustic nerve involve the third wave whose magnitude did not differ from that recorded in the examinees with otologically normal hearing. The authors propose to measure the third wave of the short-latent acoustic evoked potential recorded in binaural sound stimulation as a possible screening of persons at a high risk for neurinoma among patients with unilateral neurosensory hypoacusis.

[Diagnosis of disorders of rheological properties of blood and central and cerebral hemodynamics in infants with complicated pneumonia]. / Diagnostika narushenii reologicheskikh svoistv krovi, tsentral'noi i mozgovoi gemodinamiki u detei grudnogo vozrasta s oslozhnennoi pnevmoniei.

A study was made of the rheological blood properties, microcirculation, central and cerebral hemodynamics in children of the first year of life with complicated pneumonia. On admission to the department of intensive care and resuscitation the patients demonstrated pronounced hemorheological and hemodynamic disorders which might in many respects determine the disease gravity. Based on an analysis of the clinical observations and hemodynamic findings 3 periods of complicated pneumonia were distinguished in such children: the critical period, stabilization and repair. Each period is characterized by different compensatory adaptive and non-adaptive erythrocytic and hemodynamic reactions.

[Risk factors in chronic noncommunicable diseases]. / Faktory riska khronicheskikh neinfektsionnykh zabolevanii.

As a result of an epidemiological survey of able-bodied population aged 20-64, serviced by the territorial polyclinic of Minsk with the help of standard methods and standardized procedures, the data on the prevalence of some chronic non-communicable diseases and their risk factors were obtained. The high incidence of ischemic heart disease, arterial hypertension, such risk factors as hypercholesteremia, excess body weight, smoking and lack of exercise, and also their increase with age, suggested the necessity to intensify preventive activities among population. A study was made of the able-bodied population awareness regarding healthy lifestyle and also of the extent to which outpatient physicians fulfil the non-drug therapy recommendations. The data obtained were needed for planning curative and preventive activities with due regard for age-and-sex peculiarities in the distribution of characteristics studied.

Increasing evidence of the rise of cancer in workers exposed to vinylchloride.

The results of a cancer mortality study among workers employed in the production of vinylchloride and polyvinylchloride between 1939 and 1977 suggest a significant increase in deaths from malignancies of the lymphatic and haemopoietic tissues. Mortality for tumours of the digestive organs, respiratory system, bone and connective tissues, brain, and skin are also greater than in the general population. There were no registered cases of liver angiosarcoma in the study cohort during the follow up period. The risk of cancer was highest among the workers exposed to concentrations of VC of 300 mg/m3 and more who had worked at the plant for 15 to 19 years. The relatively high number of leukaemias and lymphomas in the study group and the absence of liver angiosarcomas probably reflects specific carcinogenic action of different doses of vinylchloride.