ABSTRACT
Inhibin B generated by Sertoli cells provides negative feedback on FSH secretion. In men, inhibin B seems to be the physiologically important form of inhibin. Serum inhibin B was measured by two-site immunoenzymatic assay in 40 normal men (27 years of age) with sperm concentrations 100 +/- 9.2 x 10(6)/mL, 51 subfertile men (31 years of age) with sperm concentrations 6.8 +/- 0.8 x 10(6)/mL, 16 men with varicocele with sperm concentrations 54.3 +/- 0.8 x 10(6)/mL (31 years of age), men with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, men with Klinefelter syndrome, and men with obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia. In men with normal sperm concentrations (>20 x 10(6) mL) serum inhibin B was 201 +/- 17 pg/mL and FSH 4 +/- 0.5 IU/L. Varicocele patients showed normal sperm concentrations > 20 x 10(6)/mL, normal serum inhibin B (173 +/- 21 pg/mL), and normal FSH levels (4.6 +/- 0.6 IU/L). In patients with sperm concentrations < 20 x 10(6)/mL the inhibin B level was 118 +/- 14 pg/mL and the FSH level was 10 +/- 1.1 IU/L. In all patients, except those with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and Klinefelter syndrome. inhibin B and FSH were inversely correlated (r = -.41, p > 0.01). There was a positive correlation between inhibin B and sperm concentrations (r = .34, p < .01). In varicocele men there was a correlation of r = .574, p < .05. Inhibin B may be a marker of exocrine testicular function and may offer an improved diagnosis of testicular dysfunction.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers , Inhibins/blood , Spermatogenesis , Adult , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Humans , Infertility, Male/blood , MaleABSTRACT
HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: A 70-year-old woman with type 2B diabetes mellitus was referred to the dermatology department because of inflammatory skin changes of unknown origin over the trunk and limbs. On admission follicular and parafollicular livid-red papulae with central crusts and reddened margins were noted over the lower legs and the lumbosacral region. INVESTIGATIONS: Further physical examination revealed no additional abnormalities. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 41/79 mm. The day-time blood-glucose profile was raised (10.2, 12.6 and 8.6 mmol/l), as was the glycosylated haemoglobin HbA1c (9.0%). Swabs from fresh lesions gave no evidence of fungal or bacterial infection. Biopsies revealed areas of widened epidermis with central ulceration filled with fibrin, granulocytes and collagen fibres. DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND COURSE: The clinical and histological findings indicated an acquired reactive perforating collagenosis (dermatosis) which should be judged in relation to the long-standing diabetes mellitus. The cutaneous changes were covered with salicylate- and steroid-containing preparations, while individual lesions were excised or removed by curettage. CONCLUSION: The condition of acquired reactive perforating collagenosis is, like Kyrle's disease (perforating follicular and parafollicular hyperkeratotic dermatosis), perforating serpiginous elastosis and perforating folliculitis classified among the perforating dermatoses. In the presence of renal failure and (or) diabetes mellitus these dermatoses must be thought of in the differential diagnosis, in addition to the more frequent pruriginous conditions, if there are corresponding skin changes.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications , Skin Diseases/etiology , Administration, Cutaneous , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/administration & dosage , Aged , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/administration & dosage , Curettage , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Salicylates/administration & dosage , Skin/pathology , Skin Diseases/pathology , Skin Diseases/surgery , Skin Diseases/therapyABSTRACT
Idiopathic scoliosis under 20 degrees were treated by physiotherapeut methods alone. At scoliosis with curves between 20 and 45 degrees a correction by means of Chêneau type orthosis; is additionally used during growing age. The over all results of this combined therapy are good.
Subject(s)
Braces , Scoliosis/therapy , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Equipment Design , Growth , Humans , Radiography , Scoliosis/diagnostic imaging , Scoliosis/physiopathologyABSTRACT
Indomethacin for prophylaxis of para-articular ossifications (PAO) after Total-Hip-Replacement We studied in a retrospective clinical trial the effect of indomethacin on the prevention of formation of heterotopic bone after total hip replacement. Compared were the grade lesions of ossification (described by Arcq) in the group of 63 patients that had received with the group of patients without indomethacin. Significantly fewer patients (p less than or equal to 0.001) who had received indomethacin had formation of heterotopic bone compared with the control group.
