This study suggests that central obesity, assessed by several anthropometric indicators, is associated to the presence of erectile dysfunction in men older than 60 years. Sagittal abdominal diameter, sagittal abdominal diameter-height index, maximum abdominal circumference, waist circumference and waist-hip index were useful indicators to predict the presence of erectile dysfunction.

analysis correlating DM and elevated BMI ( > 25 kg/m 2 ) and WHR ( > 1) with the presence of subnormal FT and TT levels was performed. RESULTSFT and TT serum levels were subnormal in 46% and 34% of diabetics, respectively, and in 24% and 23% of nondiabetics. Subnormal FT levels were strongly correlated with DM (odds ratio (OR) 2.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8-4.1) but not with elevated BMI (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.0-2.0). Subnormal TT levels were more strongly associated with elevated BMI and WHR (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.7-3.9 and 2.0; 1.4-2.9) than with DM (1.7; 1.1-2.6 and 2.0; 1.3-3.2). CONCLUSIONThese data strongly suggest that DM is associated with subnormal FT levels, and that TT levels are influenced more by obesity and central adiposity.

The current study shows that the low intensity pulsed radio frequency emitted by a conventional cellular telephone does not impair testicular function in adult rats.

Introduction Although Peyronie’s Disease (PD) was first described over 250 years ago, its precise etiology remains obscure. Aim Analyze a variety of potential associated factors with PD, including erectile dysfunction. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study included 83 consecutive men with PD and 252 age-matched controls. All men completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and were evaluated regarding their clinical and demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and used medications. Anthropometric measures included body mass index and waist circumference (WC). Fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, total testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate were determined. Main Outcome Measures Clinical and laboratory characteristics associated to PD. Results The mean age was 59.2 ± 10 years in the cases and 59.7 ± 12 years in the controls. Marital status, current smoking, and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages were similar between groups (P > 0.05). PD was more common among white skin color males (P = 0.001). The mean score for each IIEF domain and the androgen levels were similar in the two groups. Thiazides were the only medication associated to PD (P = 0.03). Dupuytren’s disease was more frequent among individuals with PD (P = 0.001). The distribution of all other comorbidities investigated was similar between groups (P > 0.05). The characteristics WC > 102 cm and levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) > 130 mg/dL were more prevalent in the controls (P <0.05). After multivariate analysis, white skin color (OR: 8.47, 95%CI: 1.98–36.24) and thiazide use (OR: 2.29, 95%CI: 1.07–4.90) were associated to PD, and LDL > 130 mg/dL (OR: 0.55, 95%CI: 0.32–0.92) and WC > 102 cm (OR: 0.53, 95%CI: 0.29–0.96) were inversely associated to PD. Conclusions In this study, PD was more common among white skin colored males. An inverse relationship with the presence of elevated serum levels of LDL and WC was observed. We found no association with medications other than thiazides and comorbidities other than Dupuytren’s disease. Androgen serum levels and sexual dysfunction had also no association to PD.

RESUMO -A Acacia holosericea é uma espécie leguminosa arbórea bastante utilizada na recuperação de áreas degradadas. O conhecimento dos sintomas de deficiência nutricional apresentados por esta espécie possibilita a identificação e a correção de deficiências em exemplares plantados em substratos degradados. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram caracterizar a sintomatologia visual de carências de macronutrientes e avaliar a produção de biomassa e o acúmulo de nutrientes nas raízes e na parte aérea de mudas de Acacia holosericea, submetidas a diferentes soluções nutritivas com exclusão de macronutrientes. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de sete soluções nutritivas: 1) solução completa (SC); 2) SC -N; 3) SC -P; 4) SC -K; 5) SC -Ca; 6) SC -Mg; e 7) SC -S. Os tratamentos -N e -Mg foram os que mais afetaram a produção total de biomassa. O decréscimo de produção manifestou-se na seguinte ordem: -N = -Mg > -K > -S > -Ca > SC > -P. As plantas do tratamento -N formaram nódulos no sistema radicular, exibindo teores foliares de N maiores que as plantas do tratamento SC. Com exceção dos tratamentos SC e -P, todos os outros apresentaram sintomas de deficiência. A ausência de S alterou a disposição natural dos filódios novos da A. holosericea. Palavras-chave:Leguminosas arbóreas, recuperação de áreas degradadas, nutrição de plantas e Acacia holosericea. SYMPTOMS OF NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY IN SEEDLINGS OF Acacia holosericea SUBMITTED TO ABSENCE OF MACRONUTRIENTS ABSTRACT -Acacia holosericea is a leguminous species that has been extensively used in land reclamation programs. The knowledge of its nutritional symptoms allows the identification and correction of deficiencies in

measured. The relationship between the severity of ED and serum HbA 1c levels was assessed. RESULTSOf men with HbA 1c levels of < 8%, half had mild, and 18% and 32% had moderate and severe ED, respectively ( P = 0.038); of men with HbA 1c levels of ≥ 8%, 25%, 29%, and 46% had mild, moderate and severe ED, respectively ( P = 0.008). In addition, men with HbA 1c levels of ≥ 11% had a statistically higher prevalence of severe ED ( P = 0.002). There was no difference in severity of ED in the HbA 1c subgroups when the duration of DM was £ 5 years ( P = 0.87), but most men with HbA 1c levels of ≥ 8% and a history of DM of 6-10 or > 10 years had severe ED ( P < 0.03). CONCLUSIONThis study suggests that the severity of ED is associated with increasing HbA 1c levels in diabetic men.

ResumoO presente estudo analisa a evolução da produtividade do setor de serviços focando na relação entre estrutura e crescimento. A partir das informações das Contas Nacionais e da Pesquisa Anual de Serviços e do uso de decomposições para explorar a dinâmica da produtividade, os resultados mostram que o setor de serviços é um setor com alta produtividade. No período de 2002 a 2009, a evolução da produtividade desse setor foi positiva com um desempenho superior ao da indústria de transformação desde 1996. Não há evidências favoráveis para a existência da doença de custos no Brasil e tanto na indústria como nos serviços, não se verificou uma associação positiva entre mudanças na estrutura e ganhos de produtividade, o chamado bônus estrutural.Palavras-chave: Serviços; Produtividade; Doença de custos. AbstractThis work aimed to evaluate the evolution of the service sector productivity focusing on the relationship between structure and growth. Information from the National Accounts and from the Annual Services Survey (PAS in Portuguese) was used, as well as decompositions to investigate productivity dynamics. The results show that the service sector is a sector with high productivity. Productivity growth in services was positive from 2002 to 2009 and since 1996 its performance was superior to manufacturing. There is no evidence supporting the existence of the cost disease in Brazil and neither in industry nor in services a positive relation between changes in the structure and productivity gains, known as structural bonus was found.

Aim. To investigate the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED), while considering multiple risk factors for ED, including an anthropometric evaluation of central obesity. Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 192 consecutive male subjects (Ն40 years old). Conditions clearly associated with ED, other than obesity and age, were considered exclusion criteria. Men were evaluated routinely for clinical history, received a physical examination, and were subjected to blood analysis for fasting serum glucose, lipid profile, and serum testosterone. Patients with previous known history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension were excluded. Anthropometric measures taken included body mass index (general obesity) and waist circumference, waist-hip index, and sagittal abdominal diameter (visceral obesity). Analyses were performed using bivariate and multivariate models (multiple logistic regression). Age, education, alcohol consumption, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, fasting blood glucose level, dyslipidemia, hypogonadism, general obesity, and visceral obesity were taken into account as potential confounding factors. Main Outcome Measures. All men completed the International Index of Erectile Function and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).Results. IPSS scores were low, intermediate, and high in 89 (46.4%), 76 (39.6%), and 27 (14.1%) men, respectively. Overall IPSS scores were significantly associated with ED (P = 0.002). In addition, an association between the severity of ED and LUTS was observed (P = 0.008). The mean quality of life assessment in the IPSS revealed a statistically significant difference between individuals with varying degrees of ED (P = 0.008). The logistic regression analyses showed that IPSS scores and ED remained independently associated even after the control for confounding factors (odds ratio = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.02-1.13, P = 0.01). Conclusion. This study suggests that LUTS are independently associated with ED, taking into account various risk factors for ED, including visceral obesity. Rhoden EL, Riedner CE, Fornari A, Fuchs SC, and Ribeiro EP. Evaluation of the association between lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction, considering its multiple risk factors. J Sex Med 2008;5:2662-2668.