Background Relatively low sperm count was reported among young Spanish men in 2013. Several potential culprits have been suggested as explanations for reported trends in sperm counts in Western men, including lifestyles. Although controversial, some studies suggest that semen parameters, such as low sperm motility or abnormal morphology, may be associated with low serum vitamin D levels. Objectives To evaluate associations between semen parameters and reproductive hormones and serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) status in young Spanish men and to examine these associations in relation to dietary intake of vitamin D. Materials and methods This cross‐sectional study includes 198 university students recruited in 2010–2011 in southern Spain, who provided samples of blood and semen and food frequencies. Semen quality was evaluated by measuring volume, concentration, sperm counts, motility, and morphology, according to the WHO guidelines. Serum samples were analyzed for total 25OHD and reproductive hormones, including FSH, LH, testosterone, inhibin B, and estradiol. Dietary vitamin D intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Associations with semen quality and reproductive hormones were examined using linear regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Results Almost all men had adequate levels of serum vitamin D ‐ only three men (1.5%) were vitamin D deficient (<30 nmol/L) and 17% were insufficient (<50 nmol/L). However, dietary vitamin D intakes were relatively low (below recommended 600 IU/day in 99% of men). Neither dietary intake nor serum vitamin D levels were associated with any sperm parameter or any reproductive hormone (all p ≥ 0.09). Discussion We did not observe an association between vitamin D status and any reproductive parameter in our study population. Conclusions Our results suggest that serum vitamin D levels are sustained in Spanish men despite low dietary intake and therefore low vitamin D does not explain the poor semen quality previously observed in these young Spanish men.

Introduction: The efficacy of nicotine dependency treatment not only depends on the method employed but also, to a large extent, on patient motivation. Our aim was to evaluate the level of motivation and to define the most motivating factor to quit smoking in patients presenting to a smoking cessation clinic. Material and methods: We investigated 111 nicotine addicts (50 men and 61 women) with a mean age of 58 years. We performed the evaluations using the N. Schneider motivation test, the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, and the smoking cessation clinic questionnaire. Results: The most common motivation to quit smoking was health reason (83%). The mean score in the Schneider motivation test was 6.93 and the mean nicotine dependence score in the Fagerström test was 5.49. Readiness to quit smoking within a month was declared by 87 subjects (with 36% within 24 hours, 23% within a week, and 28% within 4 weeks). The motivation to quit smoking was similar in men and in women. Conclusions: Health reasons are the strongest motivation to quit smoking among both male and female patients attending the smoking cessation clinic. Readiness to attempt smoking cessation, as indirectly assessed by the declared deadline for making the attempt, did not correlate with the level of motivation to quit smoking.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder caused by loss of function of genes situated within the 15q11-q13 region of chromosome 15. The disorder is characterized by central obesity, short stature, dysfunction of several hypothalamic centers. These symptoms lead to progressive metabolic, respiratory, circulatory and orthopedic complications. Because of the etiology of the disorder there is no known causal treatment. Patients should comply with dietary restrictions and behavioral modifications as it may reduce the risk of obesity related diseases. In this paper we present a case 34-years old obese patient with PWS who was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, and whom CPAP treatment was offered.

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Background: Previous population and clinical studies have confirmed the relationship between stroke and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Our previous study on the epidemiology of sleep-disordered breathing among the inhabitants of Warsaw, conducted on 676 subjects aged 56.6 ± 8.2 years in whom polysomnography was performed and OSA was confirmed in 76 cases (11.3%) with the mean apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) of 25.3 ± 16.1, revealed a low prevalence of stroke in subjects with OSA (2 subjects [2.6%]) and in subjects without OSA (20 subjects [3.4%]). The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of stroke in newly diagnosed patients with OSA qualified for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. Material and methods: We investigated 342 patients (263 men and 79 women) aged 55.4 ± 10.1 years with severe disease (AHI 39.7 ± 22.5) and considerable obesity (body mass index [BMI] 35.0 ± 6.6 kg/m2). A history of stroke was confirmed in 16 patients prior to the initiation of CPAP (4.7%; Group 1). Group 2 (subjects without a history of stroke) comprised 326 subjects (95.3%). Results: Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between stroke and the time spent in desaturation below 90% at night (T90) during polysomnography (b = –0.22, p = 0.009), diabetes mellitus (b = 0.16, p = 0.006), Epworth sleepiness score (b = 0.14, p = 0.02), and coronary artery disease (b = 0.14, p = 0.03). Conclusions: A correlation was demonstrated between stoke in patients with OSA (before CPAP treatment) and overnight and daytime oxygenation, diabetes mellitus, daytime sleepiness, and coronary artery disease. The incidence of stroke in the study population was low (4.7%) and similar to that observed in previous population studies.

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