Longitudinal study of antibody response following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2.

Objectives: To assess the immunity of healthcare and non-healthcare workers in the Alcoy health area (Spain) after completing three doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and how it relates with individual factors. Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational, longitudinal, analytical study to observe immunogenicity in healthcare and non-healthcare workers at Virgen de los Lirios Hospital following administration of three doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG antibody concentrations were determined, while COVID-19 infections were identified by qualitative detection of IgG against the nucleocapsid protein. Samples from volunteers were analyzed 15 days, 3 months, and 6 months after receiving the second vaccine dose, and 12 months after receiving the third (booster) dose. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, risk factors, and use of immunosuppressive drugs. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS software, and mean antibody levels over time were compared using ANOVA. Results: Participation was 99.5 % (199/200). The IgG concentration was higher in men and in obese individuals. No significant changes were noted in factors such as smoking. Conclusions: All participants developed humoral immunity, except for three subjects who were receiving immunosuppressive treatment. Participants with previous COVID-19 infection had higher antibody levels.

Two cases of Cushing's syndrome due to primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia secondary to aberrant adrenal expression of hormone receptors.

OBJECTIVES: Primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia is an uncommon cause of endogenous Cushing's syndrome characterized by the presence of aberrant adrenal expression of ectopic receptors that regulate steroidogenesis by mimicking the events triggered by ACTH receptor activation. Receptors of this type have been described for several hormones. The aim of the study is to detect these receptors in two patients with ACTH-independent hypercortisolism by means of the application of a screening protocol. DESIGN AND METHODS: A protocolized study of aberrant receptors was performed including measurements of ACTH, cortisol and other steroids and hormones. Upright posture test, mixed food and administration of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) were used as stimuli. In both patients, a stimulation test with intravenous ACTH was conducted to determinate the cortical response capacity. The study was carried out in three separate days. RESULTS: The first patient, who had a hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, presented anomalous cortisol response to the GnRH stimulation, with potential medical treatment by the use of exogenous testosterone. In the second case, the patient with clinical Cushing's syndrome presented anomalous cortisol response to standing, whose potential medical treatment would be the use of beta-blockers. CONCLUSIONS: This etiological variant of ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome leads to the use of specific pharmacologic therapies in some cases as alternatives to adrenalectomy. The studied cases show the importance of having a high degree of suspicion when diagnosing less frequent types of Cushing's syndrome.

Relación entre la edad del varón y la calidad del estudio seminal. Experiencia en el área sanitaria 14 de la Agencia Valenciana de la Salud / Relationship between male age and semen quality. Experience at the number 14 health-care area of the Valencia health-care agency

Objetivo: El recuento del número de espermatozoides y del número de formas móviles son dos parámetros muy importantes en la medición de la calidad espermática a través del espermiograma. Numerosos factores como la obesidad, el tabaquismo, la contaminación ambiental, el estrés, o la edad, actúan alterando la capacidad de fecundación del semen y por tanto interfieren en la cuantía de estas dos variables. Métodos: Se pretende estudiar la influencia sobre la calidad del semen de la edad. Se estudiaron un total de 156 pacientes. Los integrantes fueron divididos en tres grupos: 20-30 años; 31-40 años; 40-50 años. Se utilizó una cámara Mackler y un microscopio Nickon. Resultados: Se realizó un estudio estadístico no paramétrico (prueba de Kruskall-Wallis) relacionando las variables recuento espermático y movilidad con la edad. Recuento-edad: X2= 8.239 (p = 0.016). Espermatozoides inmóviles-edad: X2= 6.871 (p = 0.032). Espermatozoides móviles-edad: X2=7.378 (p = 0.025). Conclusiones: La edad del paciente está íntimamente relacionada con la disminución del número de espermatozoides, con la disminución del número de formas móviles y con el aumento de las inmóviles (AU)

Objectives: Spermatic count and number of mobile forms are two very important parameters for the measurement of spermatic quality by means of sperm analysis. Numerous factors such as obesity, smoking, environment contamination, stress, or age act modifying the sperm fecundation capacity, therefore they interfere in the numbers of this two variables. Methods: We aim to study the influence of age on semen quality. We studied 156 patients. They were divided into three groups: 20-30 years; 31-40 years; and 40-50 years. A Mackler's camera and a Nikon microscope were used for evaluation. Results: Nonparametric statistical study was performed establishing the relationship between sperm count and mobility and age. Age-count: X2: 8.239 (p = 0.016). Non mobile spermatozoids-age: X2 = 6.871 (p = 0.032). Mobile spermatozoids-age: X2 = 7.378 (p = 0.025). Conclusions: The age of the patient is intimately related to a decrease of the number of spermatozoids, with the decrease of the number of mobile forms and the increase of the non mobile (AU)