Evaluation of the effects of COVID-19 on semen parameters and male infertility.

The new coronavirus pandemic resulted in millions of deaths in Brazil and around the world, and presented substantial challenges to society. The shortand long-term clinical manifestations tied to COVID-19 are still poorly understood, and may involve several organs and systems, including the male genital tract, which may lead to impaired fertility. The present study aimed to analyze, through an integrative literature review of articles available in databases, the effects of COVID-19 on parameters related to human semen quality. The analyzed studies reported significant decreases in sperm motility and morphology related to COVID-19. Reductions in concentration and volume were also observed. Inflammatory response is one of the leading mechanisms that may potentially explain the observed changes, although others may also be involved. More studies are needed to better understand the effects, modes of action, as well as other aspects involved in this complex phenomenon.

Effect of Nutritional Supplement Enriched with Eicosapentaenoic Acid in Lean Mass of Subjects with Oral Cavity Cancer in Oncologic Pretreatment: a Clinical Trial / Efeito do Suplemento Nutricional Enriquecido com Ácido Eicosapentaenoico na Massa Magra de Indivíduos com Câncer de Cavidade Oral em Pré-Tratamento Oncológico: um Ensaio Clínico / Efecto del Suplemento Nutricional Enriquecido con Ácido Eicosapentaenoico en Massa Magra de las Personas con Cáncer de cavidad oral en el Pretratamiento Oncológico: un Ensayo Clínico

Introduction: Oral cavity cancer is considered a public health problem worldwide. Malnutrition is prevalent in this population, increasing morbidity and mortality. Supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid has been proposed to reverse protein catabolism and modulate inflammatory processes. Objective:Assess the effect of supplement with eicosapentaenoic acid in the weight and lean mass of patients with oral cavity cancer. Method: Clinical trial conducted with patients in oncologic pretreatment. The patients were randomized to receive nutritional supplement with eicosapentaenoic acid (2 g/day) or placebo. Nutritional parameters (weight, height, body composition and food intake) were assessed at baseline (T0) and after 4 weeks of supplementation (T1). The paired t-test or Wilcoxon test were used in intragroup comparisons. Associations between categorical variables were verified using the χ² or Fisher Exact test. Logistic regression was applied to identify the chance of weight loss. Differences were considered significant at p <0.05. Results:It was not observed significant difference on nutritional parameters between the groups after intervention. However, considering each group at the beginning and at the end of the study, it was observed that patients in the control group presented significant weight loss (T0: 57.2 kg x T1: 56.4 kg), reduction in the body mass index (T0: 22.6 kg/m2x T1: 22.0 kg/m2), fat mass (T0: 17.3 kg x T1: 15.3 kg) and arm circumference (T0: 27.4 cm xT1: 26.8 cm). Those who received supplement with eicosapentaenoic acid had 80% less chance of losing weight (95% CI: 0.045-0.860; OR: 0.19). Conclusion: This trial yielded data suggesting that patients with oral cavity cancer can benefit from eicosapentaenoic acid-containing nutritional supplement in oncologic pretreatment.

Introdução: O câncer de cavidade oral é considerado um problema de saúde pública no mundo. A desnutrição é prevalente nessa população, aumentando a morbimortalidade. A suplementação com ácido eicosapentaenoico tem sido proposta para reverter o catabolismo proteico e modular processos inflamatórios. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito do suplemento nutricional enriquecido com ácido eicosapentaenoico no peso corporal e massa magra de pacientes com câncer de cavidade oral. Método: Ensaio clínico realizado com pacientes em pré-tratamento oncológico. Os pacientes foram randomizados para receber suplemento nutricional com ácido eicosapentaenoico (2 g/dia) ou placebo. Os parâmetros nutricionais (peso, estatura, composição corporal e ingestão alimentar) foram avaliados no início (T0) e após quatro semanas de suplementação (T1). O teste-t pareado ou de Wilcoxon foram usados nas comparações intragrupos. As associações entre as variáveis categóricas foram verificadas por meio do teste do χ² ou Exato de Fisher. A regressão logística foi aplicada para identificar a chance de perder peso. As diferenças foram consideradas significativas quando p<0,05. Resultados: Não foi observada diferença significativa nos parâmetros nutricionais entre os grupos após a intervenção. No entanto, considerando cada grupo no início e no final do estudo, observou-se que os pacientes do grupo controle apresentaram perda de peso significativa (T0: 57,2 kg x T1: 56,4 kg), redução no índice de massa corporal (T0: 22,6 kg/m2x T1: 22,0 kg/m2), massa gorda (T0: 17,3 kg x T1: 15,3 kg) e circunferência do braço (T0: 27,4 cm xT1: 26,8 cm). Aqueles que receberam suplemento com ácido eicosapentaenoico tiveram 80% menos chance de perder peso (95% IC: 0,045-0,860; OR: 0,19). Conclusão: Este estudo produziu dados que sugerem que pacientes com câncer de cavidade oral podem se beneficiar com o uso de suplemento nutricional contendo ácido eicosapentaenoico no pré-tratamento oncológico.

Introducción: El cáncer de la cavidad oral se considera un problema de salud pública en todo el mundo. La desnutrición prevalece en esta población, lo que aumenta la morbilidad y la mortalidad. Cuando la desnutrición se asocia con la anorexia, el aumento del gasto energético y la inflamación se denomina caquexia. Se ha propuesto la suplementación con ácido eicosapentaenoico para revertir el catabolismo proteico y modular los procesos inflamatorios. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de un suplemento nutricional enriquecido con ácido eicosapentaenoico sobre el peso corporal y la masa magra de pacientes con cáncer de cavidad oral. Método: Ensayo clínico realizado con pacientes sometidos a tratamiento previo al cáncer. Los pacientes fueron asignados al azar para recibir un suplemento nutricional con ácido eicosapentaenoico (2 g/día) o placebo. Los parámetros nutricionales (peso, altura, composición corporal e ingesta alimentaria) se evaluaron al inicio del estudio (T0) y después de 4 semanas de suplementación (T1). En las comparaciones intragrupo se utilizó la prueba t pareada o de Wilcoxon. Las asociaciones entre variables categóricas se verificaron mediante la prueba de la χ² o la prueba exacta de Fisher. Se aplicó regresión logística para identificar la posibilidad de perder peso. Las diferencias se consideraron significativas en p<0,05. Resultados: No hubo diferencias significativas en los parámetros nutricionales entre los grupos después de la intervención. Sin embargo, considerando cada grupo al principio y al final del estudio, se observó que los pacientes en el grupo de control tenían una pérdida de peso significativa (T0: 57,2 kg x T1: 56,4 kg), reducción en el índice de masa corporal (T0: 22,6 kg/m2x T1: 22,0 kg/m2), masa grasa (T0: 17,3 kg x T1: 15,3 kg) y circunferencia del brazo (T0: 27,4 cm x T1: 26,8 cm). Aquellos que fueron suplementados con ácido eicosapentaenoico tenían 80% menos probabilidades de perder peso (95% IC: 0,045-0,860; OR: 0,19). Conclusión: Este estudio produjo datos que sugieren que los pacientes con cáncer de la cavidad oral pueden beneficiarse del uso de un suplemento nutricional que contenga ácido eicosapentaenoico en el tratamiento previo al cáncer.

HIV, HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis: impacts on male fertility.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are pathologies that have viruses, bacteria, protozoa and fungi as infectious agents, affecting millions of people worldwide and causing physical and psychological consequences for the carrier. Some of these infections such as HIV, HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis may present an asymptomatic phase, making the diagnosis difficult, which is often only performed when the couple looks for infertility treatment after not achieving spontaneous pregnancy. Infertility affects 15% of couples, 50% of cases are male-related, and it is estimated that STDs, which interfere with the physiology of the male reproductive system and may impair semen in parameters such as motility, concentration, morphology and number, cause 15% of male infertility cases. Since STDs treatments are increasing the expectation and quality of life of infected patients, discussing issues such as sexuality and reproduction is of great importance in clarifying unknown facts. This paper aims to discuss how the infectious processes associated with HIV, HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis can interfere with semen quality causing male infertility without apparent cause.

Three-parent babies: Mitochondrial replacement therapies.

The mitochondria are intracellular organelles, and just like the cell nucleus they have their own genome. They are extremely important for normal body functioning and are responsible for ATP production - the main energy source for the cell. Mitochondrial diseases are associated with mutations in mitochondrial DNA and are inherited exclusively from the mother. They can affect organs that depend on energy metabolism, such as skeletal muscles, the cardiac system, the central nervous system, the endocrine system, the retina and liver, causing various incurable diseases. Mitochondrial replacement techniques provide women with mitochondrial defects a chance to have normal biological children. The goal of such treatment is to reconstruct functional oocytes and zygotes, in order to avoid the inheritance of mutated genes; for this the nuclear genome is withdrawn from an oocyte or zygotes, which carries mitochondrial mutations, and is implanted in a normal anucleated cell donor. Currently, the options of a couple to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial diseases are limited, and mitochondrial donation techniques provide women with mitochondrial defects a chance to have normal children. The nuclear genome can be transferred from oocytes or zygotes using techniques such as pronuclear transfer, spindle transfer, polar body transfer and germinal vesicle transfer. This study presents a review of developed mitochondrial substitution techniques, and its ability to prevent hereditary diseases.

Análise microbiológica e físico-química de requeijão do norte comercializado em Santo Antônio de Jesus - BA / Microbiological and physical-chemical analysis of north repair market in Santo Antônio de Jesus - BA

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as características microbiológicas e físico-químicas de requeijões comercializados em Santo Antônio de Jesus-BA a partir da quantificação de Coliformes Totais, Coliformes Termotolerantes, Bactérias Aeróbias Mesófilas e avaliação dos parâmetros físico-químicos. Coletou-se um total de seis amostras, no período de setembro a outubro de 2017. Durante a análise microbiológica foram encontradas contagens elevadas de Coliformes Totais em 05 amostras analisadas (83%). Em duas amostras (33%) detectou-se Escherichia coli. Foi encontrada Bactérias Aeróbias Mesófilas em todas as amostras (100%). A temperatura de três amostras estavam fora do padrão estabelecido pelo Ministério da agricultura. Os valores de pH variaram entre 5.23 e 5.47. Os valores de acidez titulável apresentaram variação de 0,117 a 0,24.

Accuracy of a rapid molecular test for tuberculosis in sputum samples, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and tracheal aspirate obtained from patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis at a tertiary referral hospital.

Tuberculosis continues to be a major public health problem worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Xpert MTB/RIF rapid molecular test for tuberculosis, using pulmonary samples obtained from patients treated at the Júlia Kubitschek Hospital, which is operated by the Hospital Foundation of the State of Minas Gerais, in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. This was a retrospective study comparing the Xpert MTB/RIF test results with those of standard culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and phenotypic susceptibility tests. Although the Xpert MTB/RIF test showed high accuracy for the detection of M. tuberculosis and its resistance to rifampin, attention must be given to the clinical status of the patient, in relation to the test results, as well as to the limitations of molecular tests.

Accuracy of a rapid molecular test for tuberculosis in sputum samples, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and tracheal aspirate obtained from patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis at a tertiary referral hospital / Acurácia do teste rápido molecular para tuberculose em amostras de escarro, lavado broncoalveolar e aspirado traqueal obtidos de pacientes com suspeita de tuberculose pulmonar em um hospital de referência terciária

ABSTRACT Tuberculosis continues to be a major public health problem worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Xpert MTB/RIF rapid molecular test for tuberculosis, using pulmonary samples obtained from patients treated at the Júlia Kubitschek Hospital, which is operated by the Hospital Foundation of the State of Minas Gerais, in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. This was a retrospective study comparing the Xpert MTB/RIF test results with those of standard culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and phenotypic susceptibility tests. Although the Xpert MTB/RIF test showed high accuracy for the detection of M. tuberculosis and its resistance to rifampin, attention must be given to the clinical status of the patient, in relation to the test results, as well as to the limitations of molecular tests.

RESUMO A tuberculose permanece como um grave problema de saúde pública. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a acurácia do teste rápido molecular Xpert MTB/RIF em amostras pulmonares no Hospital Júlia Kubitschek, Fundação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais, localizado em Belo Horizonte (MG). Trata-se de um estudo descritivo retrospectivo, considerando-se como método padrão a cultura para o bacilo da tuberculose e o teste de sensibilidade fenotípico. O teste Xpert MTB/RIF apresentou ótima acurácia para a detecção da tuberculose e resistência à rifampicina, mas é necessária a atenção a dados clínicos do paciente em relação ao resultado do exame e às limitações dos testes moleculares.

Evaluation of the Chagas disease control program in Açucena Municipality, Rio Doce Valley, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Açucena Municipality, Rio Doce Valley, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil temporarily (2001-2005) interrupted epidemiological surveillance for Chagas disease. The objective of this work was to evaluate the Chagas Disease Control Program (CDCP) in Açucena and to offer suggestions for improving local epidemiological surveillance. METHODS: This study was conducted in three phases: I) a serological investigation of schoolchildren aged 5 to 15 years using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test performed on blood collected on filter paper followed by ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and indirect hemaglutination (IHA) on venous blood for borderline cases and those in the gray zone of reactivity; II) vector evaluation using the data obtained by local health agents during 2006-2010; and III) examination by ELISA, IIF and IHA of serum samples from the inhabitants of houses where infected Triatoma vitticeps was found and evaluation of their knowledge about Chagas disease. RESULTS: Five individuals had inconclusive results in the ELISA screening but were seronegative for Chagas disease. The triatomine evaluation revealed the presence of three species: Triatoma vitticeps, Panstrongylus megistus and Panstrongylus diasi. Triatoma vitticeps was the most prevalent and widespread, with a higher (67%) index of Trypanosoma cruzi flagellates and evidence of colonization. Most of the inhabitants of the infested houses recognized triatomines and had basic knowledge about Chagas disease. CONCLUSIONS: Although T. vitticeps is not clearly associated with Chagas disease transmission, these results highlight the importance of maintaining CDCP in endemic areas and the need for greater emphasis on epidemiological surveillance, especially in areas with important vectorial changes or that have been modified by human intervention.

Evaluation of the Chagas Disease Control Program in Açucena Municipality, Rio Doce Valley, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Introduction Açucena Municipality, Rio Doce Valley, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil temporarily (2001-2005) interrupted epidemiological surveillance for Chagas disease. The objective of this work was to evaluate the Chagas Disease Control Program (CDCP) in Açucena and to offer suggestions for improving local epidemiological surveillance. Methods This study was conducted in three phases: I) a serological investigation of schoolchildren aged 5 to 15 years using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test performed on blood collected on filter paper followed by ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and indirect hemaglutination (IHA) on venous blood for borderline cases and those in the gray zone of reactivity; II) vector evaluation using the data obtained by local health agents during 2006-2010; and III) examination by ELISA, IIF and IHA of serum samples from the inhabitants of houses where infected Triatoma vitticeps was found and evaluation of their knowledge about Chagas disease. Results Five individuals had inconclusive results in the ELISA screening but were seronegative for Chagas disease. The triatomine evaluation revealed the presence of three species: Triatoma vitticeps, Panstrongylus megistus and Panstrongylus diasi. Triatoma vitticeps was the most prevalent and widespread, with a higher (67%) index of Trypanosoma cruzi flagellates and evidence of colonization. Most of the inhabitants of the infested houses recognized triatomines and had basic knowledge about Chagas disease. Conclusions Although T. vitticeps is not clearly associated with Chagas disease transmission, these results highlight the importance of maintaining CDCP in endemic areas and the need for greater emphasis on epidemiological surveillance, especially in areas with important vectorial changes or that have been modified by human intervention. .