Introduction. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) allowed visualization of retina and choroid to nearly the capillary level; however, the relationship between systemic macrovascular status and retinal microvascular changes is not yet known well. Aim. Our purpose was to assess the impact of retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters on prediction of coronary heart disease (CHD) in acute myocardial infarction (MI) and chronic three vessel disease (3VD) groups. Methods. This observational study included 184 patients—26 in 3VD, 76 in MI and 82 in healthy participants groups. Radial scans of the macula and OCTA scans of the central macula (superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) capillary plexuses) were performed on all participants. All participants underwent coronary angiography. Results. Patients in MI groups showed decreased parafoveal total retinal thickness as well as GCL+ retinal thickness. Outer circle total retinal thickness and GCL+ retinal thickness were lowest in the 3VD group. The MI group had thinner, while 3VD the thinnest, choroid. A decrease in choroidal thickness and vascular density could predict 3VD. Conclusions. A decrease in retinal and choroidal thickness as well as decreased vascular density in the central retinal region may predict coronary artery disease. OCT and OCTA could be a significant, safe, and noninvasive tool for the prediction of coronary artery disease.

Background. Recent investigations show that phacoemulsification causing an inflammatory insult to the eye has an effect not only on retina but on the choroid as well. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) after uneventful phacoemulsification using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods. This prospective study included 30 eyes of 23 patients with senile cataract undergoing uncomplicated phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. SFCT and foveal retinal thickness (FRT) measurements were made at the same time, 1-2 PM preoperatively (P), 1 month (M1) and 3 months (M3) postoperatively using 1050 nm DRI Triton SS-OCT (Topcon, Tokyo, Japan). Postoperative changes in the SFCT, FRT and correlation of SFCT change with axial length, age, baseline intraocular pressure (IOP), IOP change were assessed. Results. The mean SFCT increased statistically significantly 3 months after surgery in all sectors except the superior inner region. Of the factors affecting the SFCT, the change in the SFCT (M3/P), correlation with age and baseline IOP in almost all sectors was observed. The mean FRT increased significantly after the surgery in all sectors. Conclusions. Insignificant subclinical increase in SFCT was observed 1 month after the cataract surgery. Significant increment in SFCT was detected 3 months postoperatively, which was correlated with surgery-induced IOP and ocular perfusion pressure change in the short term.

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Background/objectives To investigate the associations between ophthalmic parameters, CYP4F2 (rs2108622) and ABCA1 (rs1883025) polymorphisms and coronary artery disease, considering the accessibility, non-invasive origin of retinal examination and its possible resemblance to coronary arteries. Subjects/methods Overall 165 participants divided into groups based on the coronary angiography results and clinical status: control group (N = 73), MI group (N = 63), 3VD (three vessel disease) (N = 24). All the participants underwent total ophthalmic examination – optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography of the macula region were performed and evaluated. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride cholesterol (Tg-C) were tested. A standard manufacturer’s protocol for CYP4F2 (rs2108622) and ABCA1 (rs1883025) was used for genotyping with TaqMan probes. Results GCL+ layer was thicker in control group vs. 3VD group (74.00; 62.67–94.67 (median; min.-max.) vs. 71.06; 51.33–78.44, p = 0.037). T allele carriers under ABCA1 rs1883025 dominant model were shown to have ticker retina and smaller foveal avascular zone in superficial capillary plexus and smaller Tg-C concentration. ABCA1 rs1883025 was associated with retinal thickness (OR = 0.575, 95% CI 0.348–0.948, p = 0.030). Univariate logistic regression showed that ABCA1 rs1883025 CT genotype is associated with decreased risk for coronary artery disease development under overdominant genetic model (OR = 0.498, 95% CI 0.254–0.976; p = 0.042) and codominant genetic model (OR = 0.468, 95% CI 0.232–0.945, p = 0.034). Conclusions Results of this study confirmed that non-invasive methods such as OCT of eye might be used for identification of patients at risk of CAD.

context. In the year 2003-2004 a circumstantial investigation of young men reproductive health parameters was performed in Nordic and Baltic countries, but sexuality remained undetermined.objective. To determine the suitability of the European Male Ageing Study -Sexual Function Questionnaire (EMAS -SFQ) for investigation of sexuality of 26-36 year aged general population and to investigate sexuality of Kaunas participants in the project "The reproductive function of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Young men (2003)(2004))" (KELLY), using EMAS -SFQ.design. Sixty one 26-36 year aged KELLY men were recaptured from the list of participants in a 2003-2004 study and completed EMAS -SFQ. Their anthropometric characteristics, scores of sexuality (22 parameters from EMAS -SFQ, 3 calculated parameters and 2 parameters consisting from answers to the only question -masturbation and erectile function-for each participant) were analysed, in conjunction with anthropometric, sperm quality and hormone levels of 2003-2004 18-25 year old general population.results. Overall sexual functioning and masturbation were higher as compared to all the published data for different age men and different testosterone concentration groups of EMAS study.conclusions. KELLY sexuality results, obtained using EMAS -SFQ, would be considered as referral values for young men in countries with generally good reproductive health.

ТЕЗИСЫ ДОКЛАДОВ 4-Й КОНФЕРЕНЦИИ ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЙ АССОЦИАЦИИ МОЛОДЫХ ЭНДОКРИНОЛОГОВ cently proposed as a performance index in male athletes. On the contrary, little is known about hormonal changes in women under physical activity and only few studies evaluated the hormonal trend in an extended period of time.Aim. To evaluate the hormonal changes during an annual volleyball female regular season.Methodology. A longitudinal, retrospective, observational clinical trial was carried out. 28 female professional volleyball players belonging to the same team were enrolled. For each subject, blood samples were collected after 36 hours of rest in four visits. Visit 1 was performed at the beginning of the training phase, visit 2 and 3 were performed during and Visit 4 were performed at the end of the regular season. GH, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, T and C were assessed by immunoenzimatic assays.Results. Both GH and IGF-1 were above the normal range at visit 1 (5.08±5.22 ng/ml; 265.88±105.85 ng/ml). In particular, 5 (17.8%) athletes had GH above the normal range. No alterations of other hormones were found at Visit 1. C signifi cantly changed during the regular season (p=0.009), with higher levels at Visit 2 (p=0.049), compared to visit 1 and the following visits. Similarly, T signifi cantly changed during the season (p=0.013), even if a clear trend was not demonstrated. The post-hoc test showed two peaks of T at Visit 2 and Visit 4 (p=0.029 and p=0.024, respectively). Accordingly, the T/C ratio signifi cantly changed during visits (p=0.009), decreasing of about 30% in the fi rst phase of the regular season, suggesting an overreaching of subjects enrolled.Conclusion. Here we found that chronic intense physical activity infl uences hormonal levels in female volleyball players.In particular, C secretion is increased at the beginning of the regular season, whereas T serum levels shows a signifi cant fl uctuation during the regular season. Moreover, we suggest that T/C ratio could be useful in the evaluation of the training overload in female athletes.Интенсивная физическая нагрузка влияет на секрецию гормонов, которые задействованы в ряде метаболических процессов. В частности, в литературе широко обсуждается повышение кортизола (К) и гормона роста (ГР). Более того, соотношение тестостерона (Т) и кортизола недавно было предложено в роли индекса физической нагрузки атлетов мужского пола. Вместе с тем мало известно о том, как меняется гормональный фон у женщин под воздействием физических нагрузок, и лишь в нескольких исследованиях обсуждаются гормональные изменения в течение продолжительного времени наблюдения.Цель исследования -оценить изменения гормонального статуса у женщин-волейболисток в течение годового игрового сезона. Материал и методы.Было проведено продольное ретроспективное клиническое исследование. Были привлечены 28 женщин -профессиональных игроков, участниц одной команды. У каждой участницы был взят анализ крови после 36 ч отдыха. Всего состоялось 4 визита к врачу. Первый анализ был взят до начала тренировочного се...

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Background/Objectives. To investigate the associations between ophthalmic parameters, CYP4F2 (rs2108622) and ABCA1 (rs1883025) polymorphisms and coronary artery disease, considering the accessibility, non-invasive origin of retinal examination and its possible resemblance to coronary arteries. Subjects/Methods. 165 participants divided into groups based on the coronary angiography results and clinical status: control group (N=73), MI group (N=63), 3VD (three vessel disease) (N=24). All the participants underwent total ophthalmic examination – optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography of the macula region were performed and evaluated. Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and triglyceride cholesterol (Tg-C) were tested. A standard manufacturer’s protocol for CYP4F2(rs2108622) and ABCA1 (rs1883025) was used for genotyping with TaqMan probes. Results. GCL+ layer was thicker in control group vs. 3VD group (74.00; 62.67-94.67 (median; min.-max.) vs. 71.06; 51.33-78.44, p=0.037). T allele carriers under ABCA1 rs1883025 dominant model were shown to have ticker retina and smaller foveal avascular zone in superficial capillary plexus and smaller Tg-C concentration. ABCA1 rs1883025 was associated with retinal thickness (OR=0.575, 95 % CI 0.348-0.948, p=0.030).Univariate logistic regression showed that ABCA1 rs1883025 CT genotype is associated with decreased risk for coronary artery disease development under overdominant genetic model (OR=0.498, 95 % CI 0.254-0.976; p=0.042) and codominant genetic model (OR=0.468, 95 % CI 0.232-0.945, p=0.034). Conclusions. Results of this study confirmed that non-invasive methods such as OCT of eye might be used for identification of patients at risk of CAD.