Pre-exposure modulates attraction to sex pheromone in a moth.

In behavioural experiments we investigated the influence of previous short exposure to sex pheromone on subsequent response of male Spodoptera littoralis moths to sex pheromone. We found that pre-exposed males showed increased sensitivity to female sex pheromone after a single exposure to a pheromone plume compared to that found in naïve males. The increased responsiveness lasted for at least 27 h after the exposure, showing that it was not just a short-term sensitization of the males. Exposure to the odour source without upwind movement towards the source was enough to increase the responsiveness. Physical activation without exposure to odour did not affect responsiveness. The increase in responsiveness after exposure was higher when the males were pre-exposed to natural female pheromone gland extract than when they were exposed to a higher dose of the main component, even though both odour sources elicited similar upwind attraction in naïve males. Thus, the quality of the pheromone mixture to which males were exposed influenced the subsequent response.

Corporoplasty with saphenous vein graft in the surgical management of peyronie's Disease

Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of the saphenous vein in grafting the tunica albuginea defect after excision/incision of Peyronie's plaque in cases of disabling penile deformity. Patients and Methods A total of 12 patients with significant penile curvature due to Peyronie's disease interfering with their sexual activity were subjected to plaque excision/ incision and corporoplasty by saphenous vein patch grafting of the tunica albuginea. Results Penile straightening was achieved in 9 patients. One patient had a minimal residual curvature with induration at the graft site which; however; did not interfere with his sexual activity. Two patients complained of less rigid erections and are currently responding to oral measures and ICI. Penile numbness occurred in four patients with dorsal plaques; and it was self limiting within six months. We encountered no complaint of penile shortening or impotence. Conclusion The saphenous vein presents a reasonable alternative grafting material for the repair of tunica albuginea defects in patients with Peyronie's disease after plaque excision/incision. It is particularly useful in large plaque remnants and yields a satisfactory and appreciable outcome

Biomarkers of bone turnover and bone mineral density in hyperprolactinemic amenorrheic women.

We tested the hypothesis that biomarkers of bone resorption are increased in hyperprolactinemic amenorrheic patients with estrogen (E) deficiency, augmenting the possible risk of developing osteoporosis. Fifty hyperprolactinemic patients with amenorrhea of more than 12 months and with low serum E2, as well as 30 healthy fertile women (controls), matched for age and body mass index, participated in this study. Bromocriptine was administered orally to hyperprolactinemic patients and blood and urine samples were collected before and 12 weeks after treatment. Serum osteocalcin (OC) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (B-ALP), reflecting bone formation, and urinary deoxypridinoline (D-Pyr) and N-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (NTX) excretion, reflecting bone resorption, were measured using direct immunoassays. Hyperprolactinemic patients had higher (p < 0.0005) levels of all the biomarkers compared to control values: (OC, 22+/-1.2 [SE] vs. 14+/-.99 ng/ml (+57 %); B-ALP, 14.2+/-0.7 vs. 7.5+/-0.8 ng/ml (+89 %); D-Pyr, 8.8+/-0.6 vs. 3.2+/-0.3 nmol/mmol creatinine (+175%) and NTX, 65+/-5.1 vs. 25+/-3.2 nmol bone collagen equivalent (BCE)/mmol creatinine (+160%)). These results were associated with significantly decreased lumbar spine bone mineral density (LS-BMD), measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Treatment of hyperprolactinemia with bromocriptine restored normal values of bone formation and resorption markers. In conclusion, hyperprolactinemia with estrogen deficiency exhibits a significant increase of bone resorption which is associated with a significant decrease of LS-BMD. These changes may subject the patient to the possible risk of developing osteoporosis.

Questioning the efficacy of Fallopian tube sperm perfusion.

The aim of this work was to compare the efficiency of standard intrauterine insemination (IUI) and Fallopian tube sperm perfusion (FSP) in the treatment of infertility. Ninety-six consecutive patients with infertility in 100 cycles were included in the study. Those randomized to standard IUI included 48 patients in 50 cycles [25 clomiphene citrate only and 25 clomiphene citrate/human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) cycles] (group I). Patients subjected to FSP included 48 patients in 50 cycles (18 clomiphene citrate only and 32 clomiphene citrate/HMG cycles) (group II). The overall pregnancy rate per cycle (16% versus 18%) was not significantly different in the two groups. The pregnancy rates were also similar in the two groups when compared for the cause of infertility: ovulatory disorder 16.7% versus 16%, tubal impairment 10% versus 9.1%, cervical hostility (no pregnancy occurred in this group) and unexplained infertility 21.4 % versus 25 %. The overall pregnancy rate (for the two groups) appeared higher when clomiphene citrate/HMG was used for ovulation induction (21.1%) than when clomiphene citrate only was used (11.6%).

Acute cerebrovascular accidents with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Cerebrovascular complications are by far the most serious side-effects of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. We report a case in which the patient developed cerebral infarction with right sided hemiplegia as a result of severe hyperstimulation syndrome after using a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist for intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Local medical treatment of interstitial pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET): two case reports.

Two cases of interstitial pregnancy (one singleton, one heterotopic twins) were confirmed 31 and 34 days after in-vitro fertilization. Serum human chorionic gonadotrophin concentrations were 35,000 and 86,000 mlU/ml, respectively. They were treated conservatively with transvaginal ultrasonically guided intra-ovular injection of either methotrexate in the singleton pregnancy, or potassium chloride into the ectopic sac of the heterotopic twins. No complications were observed. The intra-uterine pregnancy continued and the patient delivered a 3350 g healthy baby at 39 weeks.

Serological and parasitological examination of some patients with manifestations suggestive leishmaniasis.

The present study was designed to search for visceral leishmaniasis (VL.) in adult population in the Nile Delta. For this purpose: Fifty patients with splenomegaly and/or hepatosplenomegaly were chosen upon clinical grounds with special consideration of clinical manifestations suggestive of the disease. Both indirect haemagglutination test (IHAT) and dot-Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (dot-ELISA), were positive for VL. antibodies in 3% of the patients. Bone marrow examination (smear and culture) revealed negative results in all patients who gave serological reactions. The results were discussed.