Background: Semen analysis measures ejaculate volume, pH, sperm count, motility, forward progression, and morphology. Although semen analysis is not a test for infertility, it is considered the most important laboratory test in the evaluation of male fertility. There are many factors affecting the seminal fluid parameters and testicular varicocele is one of them. Varicoceles are the most commonly seen and correctable male infertility factor. Varicocelectomy is a common operation performed for infertile males with clinical varicocele. The aim of study to evaluate the seminal fluid parameters changes after testicular varicocelectomy. Patients and Method: A prospective cohort study was done at the Al Sader Medical City in Najaf during the period from (March-October 2019). The study include 30 males with age between 18 and 32 years old who had a clinical varicocele. Seminal fluid analysis was done one before surgery and another one three months after surgery and compare between the two tests to evaluate the changes in the parameters was done, which include seminal fluid liquefaction, volume, color, PH, sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Results: There were 30 patients enrolled in this study with a mean age of 23.8 ± 3.36. Seminal fluid concentration was 19.1 ± 7.2 million/ml and it was significantly increased postoperatively by almost 84% than preoperative concentration to reach 35.1 ± 11.3 (P ≤ 0.001). The changes in progressive motile sperms’ percent improved after varicocelectomy but not reach the statistical significance (P≥0.935). The mean ± SD percent of normal morphology sperms percent preoperatively was 46.9 ± 22.9 %, and after operation, it elevated to 50.9 ± 18.6 (p value≥ 0.336 ).The patients is divided in to two subgroups (normospermic and oligospermic subgroup). Conclusion: There is a significant improvement in sperm concentration. While there is significant improvement in sperm concentration in oligospermic subgroup, so the infertile patient who has oligospermia with varicocele will get better outcome after varicocelectomy. Keywords: Seminal fluid, analysis changes, testicular varicocelectomy.
Background: Thiopurines are essential medications in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) treatment protocols as anti-cancer agents since long time; however, their use might result in unexpected toxicities in ALL children due to the low thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) activity, a major enzyme involved in 6-mercaptopurine metabolism, which strongly correlates to the genetic polymorphism of the TPMT gene in those patients. Objective: To identify the most common TPMT polymorphisms in children with ALL and its frequencies. Methods: A cross sectional study enrolling eighty-one ALL children receiving mercaptopurine drug during their maintenance course of treatment according to UKALL-2011 protocol, were enrolled in this study. After DNA extraction from whole blood TPMT genetic polymorphisms were detected by allele-specific multiplex-PCR analysis. Results: A total of 51 children with allele frequencies of (62.96%) were homozygous for the wildtype allele TPMT*1, 30 children with allelic frequency of (37.03%) were heterozygous for one of the two mutant alleles (TPMT*3A or TPMT*3C) with allele frequencies of 29.62% and 7.4% respectively, while no result was found homozygous for two mutant alleles or TPMT*3B allele. Conclusions: This is the first study in Iraq to identify the genetic polymorphism of TPMT in a group of ALL children being treated for ALL. The study revealed the presence of TPMT*3A and TPMT*3C genetic polymorphisms among the study sample, no TPMT*3B was identified in the study sample. Keywords Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, 6-Mercaptopurine, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, genetic polymorphisms. Introduction: Extraordinary advances in the treatment outcome of childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) rank as one of the most successful stories in the history of oncology, with the current rate of approximately 80% of children being cured [1,2]. In spite of this success, there remains place for improvement, including the development of less toxic therapy [3, 4]. Thiopurine drugs, one of the medications that plays a major role in the maintenance phase of treatment of ALL, these drugs are purine analogue drugs which are metabolized inside the human body to form thioguanine nucleotide metabolites (TGNs), which have cytotoxic and immunosuppressive properties. However, these drugs like many cytotoxic agents have a relatively narrow therapeutic index. 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) is taken orally daily for a
Back ground:-Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common forms of inflammatory polyarthritis, with a prevalence of approximately 0.8% of adults worldwide, Rheumatoid arthritis patients may become disabled within few years if untreated that may lead to permanent disability. Different biomarkers have been assessed for the improved diagnosis of Rheumatoid arthritis, including a wide range of autoantibodies. However, only rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACCP) have gained wide acceptance. Aim of the study to investigate the levels of ACCP, Leptin, and Lipoprotein (a) in females with RA to provide information on possible pathophysiologic mechanisms, and to give recommendations for determination of these parameters in diagnosis and follow up of Rheumatoid arthritis patients. Patients and methods:- The study included Forty women with RA and Thirty apparently healthy women with matching age and weight as controls.The patients were selected at the outpatient clinic of Rheumatology & Rehabilitation in Medical City/ Baghdad Teaching Hospital during the period from (May2013 ) to (December2013 ). Results:-The results showed that levels of ACCP antibodies in serum of patients with RA were significantly higher than in serum of healthy control. Also there were significant differences between mean of serum leptin level and Lp (a) in patients compared to the control group. Conclusion:- Serum biomarkers like ACCP, Leptin, & Lipoprotein (a) assays are becoming increasingly available and may help in early diagnosis and assessment of complications in Rheumatoid arthritis patients.
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