Effect of a Multicomponent Exercise Program (VIVIFRAIL) on Functional Capacity in Elderly Ambulatory: A Non-Randomized Clinical Trial in Mexican Women with Dynapenia.

BACKGROUND: During aging, loss of muscle strength (dynapenia) combined with unhealthy lifestyles and sedentarism can lead to functional limitations and dependency; currently there is still limited evidence about multicomponent training as a treatment for dynapenia and dependence in ambulatory older women. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a multicomponent physical exercise program (VIVIFRAIL) on physical functionality in elderly ambulatory women with dynapenia. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A non-randomized clinical trial was realized in 61 ambulatory older women (65-80 years old) with dynapenia that belonged from two Integral Gerontological Centers (IGC) of Hidalgo, Mexico, from June to December 2019. INTERVENTION: The control group (CG) received the physical daily training applied in the IGC (yoga, cardio-dance or tai chi) and the intervention group (IG) participated in a multicomponent program training (resistance, flexibility, balance and gait) called "VIVIFRAIL" for 12 weeks, minimum 3 weekly sessions of 45-60 minutes. MEASURES: All participants were evaluated at baseline (0 weeks), intermediate (6 weeks) and final (12 weeks), evaluations included glucose, blood pressure (SBP and DBP), anthropometric test, body composition evaluation and functional performance test with Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), muscle strength and a falls risk short test. RESULTS: 52 older women completed the study, mean age was 71.9 ± 4.46. According to SPPB passport classification was 1 Type A, 1 Type B+, 9 Type C, 7 Type C+ and 9 Type D. After 12 weeks of intervention, statistical analysis showed that multicomponent exercise significantly improved strength (p=<0.001), gait speed (p<0.001), standing from a chair (p<0.001) and TUGT (p<0.001). About falls risk, intervention group went from 70% to 12.5% while control group went from 52.4% to 63.6% (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Older women who completed the 12 weeks multicomponent exercise program significantly improved their functionality in muscle strength, gait speed (3mt and 6mt), standing from a chair and TUGT tests. Also, it showed a significantly decrease in falls risk, therefore, this type of intervention can reduce the risk of frailty in the elderly.

Clinical significance of nuclear matrix-estradiol receptor complex in human sperm.

Estrogen receptor levels were determined in nuclear matrix of human spermatozoa of normospermic fertile men and idiopathic infertile men. In noncapacitated sperm cells, the distribution of the estrogen receptor in normospermic fertile men was present in 50% of the cases, whereas in idiopathic infertile men was present in 19% of the cases. In capacitated sperm cells, the distribution of the estrogen receptor in normospermic fertile men was present in 80% of cases, whereas in idiopathic infertile men was present in 31% of the cases. The values of estrogen receptors in capacitated and noncapacitated sperm cells of normospermic fertile men were 91 +/- 21 and 26 +/- 7 fmol/10(8) sperm cells, respectively, whereas in capacitated and noncapacitated sperm cells of idiopathic infertile men, the estrogen receptor values were 50 +/- 17 and 22.5 +/- 9 fmol/10(8) sperm cells, respectively. The diminution of the estrogen receptor levels in the nuclear matrix could be a biochemical indicator of male factor infertility.

Effect of androgenic anabolic steroids on sperm quality and serum hormone levels in adult male bodybuilders.

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of the administration of high doses of androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) on endocrine and semen parameters. Thirty volunteering bodybuilders were studied (ages ranging between 26.6 +/- 4.1 years). A history of anabolic steroid administration was recorded for fifteen subjects, and results of semen analysis and endocrine parameters were compared with data from fifteen bodybuilders not using steroids. In those subjects using AAS, eight had sperm counts under the lower normal limit (20 x 10(6) sperm/ml), three had azoospermia, two polyzoospermia, and two had normal sperm counts. The percentage of morphologically normal sperm was significantly reduced, only 17.7% had normal spermatozoa. In the control group, only one subject had oligozoospermia. The hormonal parameters revealed reduced FSH (1.5 +/- 3.2 vs 5.0 +/- 1.6, p < 0.001) and PRL (5.1 +/- 4.9 vs 9.2 +/- 4.4, p < 0.01) levels. LH, T, E2 and DHEA levels did not vary.

Semen quality of workers occupationally exposed to hydrocarbons.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether occupational exposure of men to hydrocarbons has adverse effects on the quality of their semen. DESIGN: Comparative study. SETTING: The rubber industry in Mexico City. PATIENT(S): Forty-eight workers who were exposed to hydrocarbons for 2-24 years and 42 unexposed workers. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Environmental hydrocarbon concentrations were determined by continuous air monitoring in all areas of the factory. Analyses of semen samples were performed in accordance with World Health Organization criteria. RESULT(S): Hydrocarbon concentrations were as follows: ethylbenzene, 220.7-234 mg/m3; benzene, 31.9-47.8 mg/m3; toluene, 189.7-212.5 mg/m3; and xylene, 47-56.4 mg/m3. The number of subjects with ejaculates that had normal characteristics was greater in the unexposed group (76%) than in the exposed group (17%). More abnormal characteristics were found in the semen of exposed workers than unexposed workers, including alterations in viscosity, liquefaction capacity, sperm count, sperm motility, and the proportion of sperm with normal morphology. Some abnormal characteristics correlated with the number of years of exposure to the hydrocarbons. CONCLUSION(S): Damage to the spermatogenic process resulting from hydrocarbon exposure was demonstrated by an increased rate of abnormalities in the semen of exposed workers compared with unexposed workers. This information may be useful for conducting future analyses of reproductive risks related to exposure to high concentrations of hydrocarbons.

Effect of naloxone on serum prolactin levels in adult male rabbits.

In order to clarify the possible physiological role of endogenous opioid peptides (EOP), we studied the effect of low doses of naloxone (specific opiate antagonist) on plasma prolactin levels in male rabbits. Five groups of five male rabbits each was injected daily between 8-9 a.m., with naloxone 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 microg/kg/day. An additional group of ten animals was injected with saline solution and considered the control group. Blood samples were taken at baseline before naloxone administration and later at 90 min and 1, 2, 4, 7, 10 days after its administration. Samples were also taken 4 days after stopping naloxone administration (day 14). Plasma prolactin levels were measured by RIA. A significant constant decrease in PRL levels was seen with the 12.5 microg at 90 minutes, while with the remaining doses a progressive decrease was recorded throughout the study.

[Preventive treatment of primary dysmenorrhea with ibuprofen]. / Tratamiento profiláctico de la dismenorrea primaria con ibuprofén.

An open, prospective study, including 15 young women with primary dysmenorrhea was carried out to asses the prophylactic administration of Ibuprofen for the treatment of severe and disabling primary dysmenorrhea. The study lasted six months, representing a total of 90 cycles, the inclusion criteria were: 1) severe and disabling primary dysmenorrhea, 2) Failure with previous conventional treatments, 3) regular menstrual cycles, 4) without active sexual life, 5) voluntary participation. The treatment schedule included 400 mg of ibuprofen every 8 hours, starting 24 hours before the menstrual cycle during 4 days of menstruation for six consecutive cycles. The intensity of the pain was recorded every eight hours using a linear analogue scale from 0 to 10 where 0 was absence of pain and 10 was severe or disabling pain. Results showed that the mean of initial intensity of the menstrual cramp experienced in the cycle before the treatment (control) was 9.47 +/- 0.5. During the prophylactic treatment the means of initial intensity of the pain were significantly lower, between 7.84 +/- 0.37 and 7.21 +/- 0.52. A statistically significant progressive decrease of pain was recorded during the duration of treatment. After 48 hours of treatment the intensity of the pain was recorded as three (mild). We conclude that the prophylactic administration of ibuprofen is an effective treatment for selected women experiencing severe and disabling primary dysmenorrhea.

[Climacteric. The first level physician's approach to this phase at the Mexican Institute of Social Security]. / Climaterio. Comportamiento del médico de primer nivel del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social ante este periodo.

The objective was to know about physician's knowledge, attitude and practice toward climateric syndrome. An observational, descriptive and transversal study was realized in 520 general practitioners and family practice specialists in ten out patients clinics at the Institute of Social Security in Mexico City. A questionnaire of 22 items, which was validated by the Delphi's Technique, was applied to the selected population by one of the researchers (SM). The results were: 5.4% good, 78.9% regular and 15.7% non-acceptable about knowledge; 33.7% good, 44.2% regular and 22.1% non-acceptable for attitude; 5.4% good, 63% regular and 31.6% non-acceptable about medical practice. It was concluded that the knowledge of general practitioners and family practice doctors is reflected in their medical attitude and practice. Therefore we consider essential to train physicians in this specific problem.