Association between pus cells and semen parameters in infertile Pakistani males

This study evaluated the association between pus cells and semen parameters in infertile Pakistani males. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the Department of Reproductive Physiology/Health, National Institute of Health, Islamabad, Pakistan, from 2004 to 2009. A total of 1,521 subjects were analysed, along with 97 proven fathers as controls. The mean of pus cells was 7.43 +/- 0.43, 4.35 +/- 0.34, and 4.26 +/- 0.17 per high field in teratozoospermic, oligoasthenozoospermic, and asthenozoospermic groups, respectively, while it was 3.25 +/- 0.26, 3.10 +/- 0.19, and 2.98 +/- 0.04 per high field in azoospermic, oligozoospermic and the proven father groups, respectively. The fewest pus cells were observed among proven fathers, which varied nonsignificantly [P >0.05] with all cases, except with teratozoospermic, oligozoospermic, and oligoasthenozoospermic cases. Pus cells showed an inverse relationship to sperm motility and count, except in azoospemia cases. Similarly, the fewest pus cells were observed among groups where normal forms where significantly more frequent [P <0.05]. More pus cells were observed in cases where motility, and concentration or morphology was compromised. Similarly, low pus cell counts were seen in cases where sperm had the fewest head and neck defects. All kinds of sperm defects varied non-significantly [P >0.05] between proven fathers and normal concentration cases. High pus cell counts were observed in various subclasses of infertile patients. Ignorance of this pyospermic factor will make pyospermic patients to be misdiagnosed as normozoospermic. Therefore, the presence of pyospermia must be considered by physicians as a male infertility factor

possible role of selenium concentration in hepatitis B and C patients

The compelling evidence reported that selenium is an essential trace mineral for human beings. Selenium plays a pivotal role in the restoration of immune functions. High rates of hepatitis B and C are present in Pakistan. Epidemiologic surveys demonstrated an inverse association between selenium [Se] level and regional cancer incidence, as well as viral infection. The present study was designed to evaluate the concentration of selenium in the serum of patients suffering from hepatitis B and C. In this cross-sectional descriptive analytical study, serum selenium concentration of 150 patients suffering from hepatitis B and C, along with 26 healthy controls, was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with hydride generation system, model Analytic Jena [Vario III]. The mean and standard deviation of serum selenium concentration observed in male and female patients with hepatitis C were 101.60 +/- 0.55 and 77.43 +/- 0.47 microg/L, respectively, whereas the mean and standard deviation of serum selenium concentration observed in male and female patients with hepatitis B were 107.58 +/- 0.44 and 137.8 +/- 036 microg/L. Analysis of t test showed significant difference between C and B [P<0.001] patients in serum selenium concentration, when compared with the control. The obtained results indicate that serum selenium concentration of hepatitis B and C patients is less than serum selenium concentration of healthy individuals. However, serum selenium decline is relative to severity of disease. Based on findings of this study, it is proposed that selenium should be supplemented in such patients in order to optimize nutritional support and to get better treatment response

San/senna Alexandrian miller [cassia senna L.] the glory of medicines

Sana/Senna Alexandrian [syn. C. senna] grew in abundance in Arabian Peninsula [Saudi Arabia] and was first used as medicine by the Holy Prophet [peace be upon him]. Since then Sana has proved to be beneficial for mankind and has continued to be used worldwide. Its description, methods of collection and preservation have been discussed in this article. The therapeutic uses of Sana provide precious formulas for digestive system, haemorrhoids [piles], circulatory system [headache, migraine, toxicity], nervous system, asthma, urinary system [calculi], urates, musculo-skeletal system [pains, backache, rheumatism, arthritis], skin and hair [pimples, eczema, allergy, cancer, leprosy] and as a tonic and rejuvenator