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BACKGROUND: Quarantines may exacerbate the presence of emotional symptoms or anxiety. AIM: To explore the relation between time spent in lockdown and development of depressive and anxiety symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey including the GAD anxiety and PHQ-9 depression scores was answered online by 1,488 subjects aged 36 ± 14 years (74% women), invited to participate through social networks. Both scores are validated for the Chilean population. RESULTS: Most responders had a private health insurance system. Sixty seven percent had clinically significant depressive symptoms and 39% had anxiety symptoms. Spending four or more weeks of lockdown (quarantine) was associated with 1.6 times higher risk of developing depressive symptoms and 2.9 times higher risk of developing anxiety symptoms. Difficulties in access to health care increased 3.3 times the risk of developing depression. Suffering a respiratory disease increased 2.39 times the risk of developing anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: There was a direct association between depressive and anxious symptoms, and the time spent of quarantine.
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Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Quarentena/psicologia , Depressão/etiologia , Depressão/psicologia , Depressão/epidemiologia , Ansiedade/epidemiologia , Transtornos de Ansiedade , Questionário de Saúde do PacienteRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Quarantines may exacerbate the presence of emotional symptoms or anxiety. AIM: To explore the relation between time spent in lockdown and development of depressive and anxiety symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey including the GAD anxiety and PHQ-9 depression scores was answered online by 1,488 subjects aged 36 ± 14 years (74% women), invited to participate through social networks. Both scores are validated for the Chilean population. RESULTS: Most responders had a private health insurance system. Sixty seven percent had clinically significant depressive symptoms and 39% had anxiety symptoms. Spending four or more weeks of lockdown (quarantine) was associated with 1.6 times higher risk of developing depressive symptoms and 2.9 times higher risk of developing anxiety symptoms. Difficulties in access to health care increased 3.3 times the risk of developing depression. Suffering a respiratory disease increased 2.39 times the risk of developing anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: There was a direct association between depressive and anxious symptoms, and the time spent of quarantine.
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Depressão , Quarentena , Ansiedade/epidemiologia , Transtornos de Ansiedade , Depressão/epidemiologia , Depressão/etiologia , Depressão/psicologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Questionário de Saúde do Paciente , Quarentena/psicologiaRESUMO
ABSTRACT Introduction: Osteoarticular manifestations (OAM) are frequently present in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). These OAM are related to important functional disability and a severe impact on patient's life quality, therefore, they require special attention from clinicians. Objective: Determining the frequency of reported OAM in SSc patients, the general impact of osteoarticular manifestations in patient's condition and the tools available for diagnosis and treatment. Methodology: A systematic review of the literature was performed for information published between January 1970 and December 2018 in the medical research databases of: Medline, Embase, Lilacs, Scielo, Cochrane and clinicaltrials.gov. Results and Conclusions: A total of 116 articles were included in this review. The type and prevalence of the different OAM reported in the literature were determined. In addition to the evolution of their diagnostic methods, there are more validated methods to assess the impact of OAM in patients with SSc. Randomized clinical trials are required to establish the best treatment strategy for these patients.
RESUMEN Introducción: Las manifestaciones osteoarticulares (MOA) están presentes de forma frecuente en pacientes con esclerosis sistémica (SSc). Generan gran discapacidad funcional con un impacto importante en la calidad de vida de los pacientes, por lo que requieren especial atención por parte de los clínicos. Objetivos: Determinar la frecuencia de las MOA dentro de la SSc, su impacto en la condición general de los pacientes y las diferentes herramientas disponibles de diagnóstico y tratamiento. Metodología: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura disponible desde enero de 1970 hasta diciembre de 2018 en las bases de datos de Medline, Embase, Lilacs, Scielo, Cochrane y clinicaltrials.gov. Resultados y conclusiones: Se incluyeron un total de 116 artículos en esta revisión. Se determinaron el tipo y la prevalencia de las diferentes MOA reportadas en la literatura. Además de la evolución en los métodos diagnósticos de las mismas, cada vez existen más métodos validados para evaluar el impacto de las MOA en los pacientes con SSC. Se requieren ensayos clínicos aleatorizados que permitan establecer la mejor estrategia de tratamiento para estos pacientes.
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Humanos , Escleroderma Sistêmico , Qualidade de Vida , Ensaios Clínicos Controlados Aleatórios como Assunto , Diagnóstico , ArtropatiasRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Medical curricula have historically been designed in a top-down approach, usually excluding students. While Delphi panels have been used as a tool for medical education curricula design, none have been conducted in Ecuador. In addition, no such approach has ever included students both as panelists and researchers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four Delphi panels were developed and conducted using a participatory approach that allowed medical students to take part both as expert panelists and researchers: specifically, students developed the questionnaire and conducted a qualitative synthesis. Questionnaire responses were anonymized and dispatched online to panelists. The information was organized and collected to develop the qualitative syntheses and prepare the final statements. RESULTS: Thirty-two medical students participated between February and May 2018. A total of 32 questions were developed, corresponding to five different categories. For some questions, consensus was reached; for other questions, general statements were obtained.Discussion and conclusion: Developing the questionnaire, responding to it and analyzing the answers allowed students to raise significant concerns regarding medical education topics proposing relevant policy and curricula change. Participatory Delphi panels can be an efficient tool to obtain organized feedback, improve student class involvement, and promote research skills.
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Educação de Graduação em Medicina , Educação Médica , Estudantes de Medicina , Currículo , Técnica Delphi , Equador , HumanosRESUMO
RESUMEN Las verrugas vulgares son neoformaciones cutáneas benignas causadas por el virus del papiloma humano 2 (HPV - 2), pero relacionadas también con los serotipos 1, 4, 7, 26 y 29. Aparecen en particular en la edad infantil, pueden localizarse en cualquier parte del cuerpo, más comúnmente en manos y antebrazos. Existen múltiples tratamientos para este tipo de verrugas, entre ellos: la aplicación de ácido salicílico y la crioterapia, considerados de primera línea; sin embargo, se han realizado pocos estudios que comparen la efectividad de los mismos, motivo por el que se realizó un ensayo clínico controlado abierto aleatorizado, en donde se comparó la efectividad de la aplicación de crioterapia vs la aplicación de una solución de ácido salicílico al 20% + ácido láctico al 12% (AS/AL), para el tratamiento de verrugas vulgares en niños y adolescentes. Se incluyeron en el estudio a 80 pacientes de entre 5 y 16 años, de ambos sexos, que padecían de verrugas vulgares en manos y antebrazos. Los 80 pacientes fueron divididos en dos grupos de 40 integrantes cada uno, un grupo recibió NL por un máximo de 7 sesiones, el otro recibió AS/AL por un período de 4 semanas. Los resultados demostraron que el nitrógeno líquido, es más efectivo que la combinación de ácido salicílico al 20% + ácido láctico al 12%, para el tratamiento de verrugas vulgares en niños y adolescentes. (OR 28,5; IC 6,011-135,121; p 0,000), la media de sesiones necesaria para lograr la curación fue de 2.1 sesiones. Los principales efectos adversos fueron el dolor (chi237.90; p 0,000) y la aparición de ampollas (chi268.83; p 0,000); sin embargo, fueron efectos leves que no necesitaron tratamiento posterior.
SUMMARY Common warts are benign skin neoplasms caused by HPV-2 virus, but also related serotypes 1, 4, 7, 26 and 29; they appear particularly in childhood, can be located anywhere in the body but most common in hands and forearms. There are many treatments for warts, including the application of salicylic acid and liquid nitrogen, considered as first-line treatments, however there are few studies comparing the effectiveness of salicylic acid vs liquid nitrogen, which is why we made a controlled clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of liquid nitrogen vs a solution of salicylic acid 20% + 12% lactic acid for treatment of common warts in children and adolescents. The study included 80 patients between 5 and 16 years of both sexes, who suffer of common warts on hands and forearms. The 80 patients were divided in two groups of 40 members each, one group received liquid nitrogen by a maximum of 7 sessions, and the other received a solution of salicylic acid 20% + 12% lactic acid for a period of 4 weeks. The results showed that liquid nitrogen is more effective than the combination of salicylic acid 20% + 12% lactic acid for the treatment of common warts in children and adolescents (OR28.5, CI 6.011 to 135.121, P 0.000). The mean number of sessions required to achieve healing was 2.1 sessions. The main adverse effects were pain (chi2 37.90, P 0.000) and blisters (chi2 68.83, P 0.000) never the less, the effects were mild and they did not need further treatment.
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PURPOSE: Prophylactic placement of endovascular balloon occlusion catheters has grown to be part of the surgical plans to control intraoperative hemorrhage in cases of abnormal placentation. We performed a systematic literature review to investigate the safety and effectiveness of the use of REBOA during cesarean delivery in pregnant woman with morbidly adherent placenta. METHODS: A systematic review was performed. Relevant case reports and nonrandomized studies were identified by the literature search in MEDLINE. We included studies involving pregnant woman with diagnosis of abnormal placentation who underwent cesarean delivery with REBOA placed for hemorrhage control. MINORS' criteria were used to evaluate the risk of bias of included studies. A formal meta-analysis was not performed. RESULTS: Eight studies were included in cumulative results. These studies included a total of 392 patients. Overall, REBOA was deployed in 336 patients. Six studies reported the use of REBOA as an adjunct for prophylactic hemorrhage control in pregnant woman with diagnosis of morbidly adherent placenta undergoing elective cesarean delivery. In two studies, REBOA was deployed in patients already in established hemorrhagic shock at the moment of cesarean delivery. REBOA was deployed primarily by interventional radiologists; however, one study reported a surgeon as the REBOA provider. The results from our qualitative synthesis indicate that the use of REBOA during cesarean delivery resulted in less blood loss with a low rate complications occurrence. CONCLUSION: REBOA is a feasible, safe, and effective means of prophylactic and remedial hemorrhage control in pregnant women with abnormal placentation undergoing cesarean delivery.
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Aorta , Oclusão com Balão/métodos , Perda Sanguínea Cirúrgica/prevenção & controle , Cesárea , Placenta Acreta , Hemorragia Pós-Parto/prevenção & controle , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Gravidez , Ressuscitação/métodosRESUMO
In environmental geochemistry studies it is common practice to normalize element concentrations in order to remove the effect of grain size. Linear regression with respect to a particular grain size or conservative element is a widely used method of normalization. In this paper, the utility of functional linear regression, in which the grain-size curve is the independent variable and the concentration of pollutant the dependent variable, is analyzed and applied to detrital sediment. After implementing functional linear regression and classical linear regression models to normalize and calculate enrichment factors, we concluded that the former regression technique has some advantages over the latter. First, functional linear regression directly considers the grain-size distribution of the samples as the explanatory variable. Second, as the regression coefficients are not constant values but functions depending on the grain size, it is easier to comprehend the relationship between grain size and pollutant concentration. Third, regularization can be introduced into the model in order to establish equilibrium between reliability of the data and smoothness of the solutions.
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Química/métodos , Interpretação Estatística de Dados , Ecologia/métodos , Poluição Ambiental/análise , Modelos Lineares , Modelos Teóricos , Poluentes do Solo/análise , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , EspanhaRESUMO
Sediment quality has been assessed within the Avilés estuary, an important industrial area in the NW of Spain. The study started with a geochemical characterization of the superficial sediments that revealed some anomalous metal(oid)s concentrations in sensitive areas such as beaches or dunes. These data were studied by means of multivariate statistical techniques and enrichment factors calculation to evaluate the correlations and geochemical origin within the different elements. A novel approach using the combination of enrichment factors with a sequential application of factor analysis, clustering and kriging was essential to identify the possible sources of pollution. The collected information suggested that Cd (strongly correlated with Zn and Pb) was the potentially toxic element most widely distributed and problematic. Furthermore, particulate emissions from Zn metallurgy, as well as dust generated by the mineral loading and stockpile activities in the port were identified as the most important sources of pollution.
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Poluentes Atmosféricos/análise , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Estuários , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Metais/análise , Algoritmos , Cádmio/análise , Análise por Conglomerados , Análise Discriminante , Poluentes Ambientais/análise , Geografia , Chumbo/análise , Metalurgia , Análise Multivariada , Espanha , Emissões de Veículos , Zinco/análiseRESUMO
Semen preservation and artificial insemination in South American camelids are reviewed giving emphasis to work done in Peru and by the authors. Reports on semen evaluation and the preservation process indicate that semen of alpacas and llamas can be manipulated by making it liquid first. Collagenase appears to be the best enzyme to eliminate viscosity. Tris buffer solution maintains a higher motility than egg-yolk citrate, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Triladyl, and Merck-I extenders. Cooling of semen took 1h after collected, and equilibrated with 7% glycerol presented a better motility and spermatozoa survival at 1, 7, 15 and 30days after being slowly frozen in 0.25mL plastic straws. Trials of artificial insemination with freshly diluted semen and frozen-thawed semen are encouraging and needs to be tested extensively under field conditions. Recently, fertility rates varied from 3 to 67%. Semen preservation and most important, artificial insemination appear to be a reality, and could be used to improve the genetic quality of alpacas and llamas.
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Camelídeos Americanos/fisiologia , Inseminação Artificial/veterinária , Preservação do Sêmen/veterinária , Sêmen/fisiologia , Animais , Criopreservação/métodos , Criopreservação/veterinária , Feminino , Masculino , Preservação do Sêmen/métodosRESUMO
Debido a las falencias de lo programas de detcción, el 80 porciento de los cáncers cervicales se producen en los países pobres, por lo que toda innovación que facilite las campañas aportará un benficio a las mujeres.La inspección visual directa es una técnica fácilmente aplicable, económica y con una sensibilidad aceptable en la detección de lesiones cervicales
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Feminino , Ácido Acético , Colo do Útero , Neoplasias , Neoplasias UterinasRESUMO
Debido a las falencias de lo programas de detcción, el 80 porciento de los cáncers cervicales se producen en los países pobres, por lo que toda innovación que facilite las campañas aportará un benficio a las mujeres.La inspección visual directa es una técnica fácilmente aplicable, económica y con una sensibilidad aceptable en la detección de lesiones cervicales
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Feminino , Colo do Útero , Ácido Acético , Neoplasias Uterinas , NeoplasiasRESUMO
This study assesses the levels of depression, anxiety, and delirium during admission to three adult critical care units (CCU) and the performance of CCU staff with respect to detection and treatment. During a 1-month period, 96 consecutive patients were evaluated on the first day of admission by an independent rater, using the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale and the Confusional Assessment Method. Frequency of alcohol use and demographic data were recorded. CCU teams rarely made diagnoses of anxiety, depression, or delirium. On at least one screening test, 29.2% of patients were positive. Delirium was present in 7.3%, depression in 13.7%, anxiety in 24%, and possible problem drinking in 37.9%. Although some form of psychiatric treatment was offered to 58%, there was low agreement between psychiatric diagnoses made by the independent rater and the diagnoses made and treatments used by CCU staff. This suggests that the CCU staff are using psychotropic medications without any clear documentation and perhaps clear understanding of the psychiatric diagnoses they are treating. In summary, we found high rates of psychiatric disorders in adult CCU patients but low rates of detection and only moderate rates of treatment by CCU staff.
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Ansiedade/diagnóstico , Ansiedade/tratamento farmacológico , Cuidados Críticos/normas , Delírio/diagnóstico , Delírio/tratamento farmacológico , Depressão/diagnóstico , Depressão/tratamento farmacológico , Unidades de Terapia Intensiva/normas , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Alcoolismo/diagnóstico , Ansiedade/epidemiologia , Colômbia/epidemiologia , Delírio/epidemiologia , Depressão/epidemiologia , Uso de Medicamentos/estatística & dados numéricos , Feminino , Humanos , Unidades de Terapia Intensiva/estatística & dados numéricos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Estudos Prospectivos , Psicotrópicos/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine growth of the alpaca conceptus during early gestation, using ultrasonography. ANIMALS: 40 pregnant alpacas (20 multiparous, 20 nulliparous). PROCEDURE: Transrectal ultrasonography with a 5-MHz probe was performed 3 times weekly from days 7 through 45 after copulation (day of copulation = day 0). Blood samples were collected for progesterone assay on days of ultrasonography. RESULTS: Forty embryonic vesicles and embryos were identified and measured. Embryonic vesicles were first detected on day 12 after copulation and appeared spherical. Cumulative percentage of embryonic vesicles detected was 50, 82.5, and 100% on days 12, 14, and 16, respectively. Embryos were first detected by day 22 and heartbeats by day 24. Similarly, cumulative percentage of embryos detected was 17.5, 82.5 and 100% for 22, 24, and 26 days after copulation, respectively. Embryonic vesicles occupied both uterine horns beginning on day 19. A positive correlation existed between length and width of embryonic vesicles. Size of embryonic vesicles and embryos and progesterone concentrations did not differ between multiparous and nulliparous females. Five sets of twins were detected from days 21 through 33 after copulation, but the conceptus identified in the right uterine horn became nondetectable between days 28 and 33. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ultrasonography was useful in detecting the earliest appearance of alpaca embryonic vesicles and determining the changes in growth from days 12 through 45 after copulation. Embryos were first detected by day 22. Transrectal ultrasonography was not harmful to animals and did not provoke embryonic death in this study.
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Camelídeos Americanos/embriologia , Desenvolvimento Embrionário e Fetal , Prenhez/fisiologia , Animais , Feminino , Paridade , Gravidez , Progesterona/sangue , Ultrassonografia Pré-Natal/veterináriaRESUMO
Degelification of highly viscous alpaca semen was attempted using two enzymes: trypsin and collagenase. Dilution effect on artificial insemination was determined in alpacas. Semen from 4 male alpacas was collected, degelified, diluted, and inseminated into 80 female alpacas. Degelification was achieved adding trypsin and collagenase enzymes to fresh semen samples. Semen was diluted with egg-yolk glucose citrate to give concentrations of 4, 8, and 12 million spermatozoa/mL. Females were induced to ovulate with human chorionic gonadotropin and then inseminated deep into the uterine horns. Analysis of variance was used to determine differences in the effect of trypsin and collagenase on sperm acrosome and on motility and live spermatozoa. The chi-square test was used to determine differences in pregnancy of artificially inseminated females. Semen was degelified with different concentrations of trypsin and collagenase. There were differences (p < .05) in the pregnancy rate of female alpacas inseminated with 4 million (53.3%), 8 million (66.7%), and 12 million sperm/mL (61.5%). Alpaca semen may be degelified using trypsin and/or collagenase. It seems that 8 million sperm/mL is adequate for artificial insemination in alpacas.
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Camelídeos Americanos , Inseminação Artificial/veterinária , Sêmen , Acrossomo/metabolismo , Animais , Colagenases , Feminino , Géis , Masculino , Gravidez , Sêmen/metabolismo , Tripsina , ViscosidadeRESUMO
Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are acquired mainly through sexual intercourse, being one of the most frequent groups of infectious diseases worldwide and consequently an important public health problem. The aim of this paper was to determine the current state of STD and to compare different diagnostic methods in the population studied. A total of 1060 samples from vaginal flows, endocervical material and urethral discharge were studied during 3 years. Of the total samples, 583 were positive, 493 in women and 90 in men. Microorganisms found in women were: Gardnerella vaginalis (39.3%), Candida albicans (21.1%), Trichomonas vaginalis (17.3%), Candida trachomatis (11.3%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (3.2%): Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urelyticum (6.5%) and Treponema pallidum (1.4%), the associations found were, Gardnerella vaginalis with Trichomonas vaginalis 5.5%; Gardnerella vaginalis with Candida albicans 4.9%; Trichomonas vaginalis with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (2.2%) and Gardnerella vaginalis with Chlamydia trachomatis (1.9%). In men, gonococcal urethritis (UG) represented 37.7% non UG 55.6% and Treponema pallidum 6.7%. These results indicate a decrease in sifilis and in UG when compared to previous studies showing that gonococcal cervicitis had also decreased. We found an important increase in the prevalence of urethritis and non gonococcal cervicitis in agreement with world statistics which consider these diseases as the most common venereal ones. It is necessary to increase the search for Chlamydia trachomatis in pregnant women due to vertical transmission. It should be noted that, in spite of certain fluctuations, the incidence of the STD in our area is still unacceptably high.
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Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Argentina/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/diagnósticoRESUMO
Semen characteristics of alpacas were studied after repeated collections. Twelve adult males were divided into three groups of four each for semen collection once, twice, or three times every other day. The duration of copulation; volume of ejaculate; pH; motility; sperm concentration (number of sperm/milliliter semen); total number of sperm per ejaculate; and percentages of live, normal, and abnormal spermatozoa were analyzed by regression analysis. Semen color and consistency were analyzed by the chi-square test. Between the first, second, and third ejaculations, there were differences (p < 0.05) in sperm concentration; percentages of normal spermatozoa and abnormal spermatozoa; sperm with abnormal heads and abnormal tails; and consistency (viscous, viscous, and semi-viscous). There were no differences (p > 0.05) in ejaculated volume, percentage of live spermatozoa, pH, percentage of cytoplasmic droplets, and duration of copulation. Some males from which semen was collected on the three-mating schedule ejaculated only seminal plasma during the second and third copulation starting on Day 10 of the study. There were differences between males (p < 0.05) for most of the characteristics studied. In sum, frequency of mating affected some semen characteristics that may be important determinants of the fertility of male alpacas.
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Camelídeos Americanos/fisiologia , Sêmen/citologia , Animais , Camelídeos Americanos/anatomia & histologia , Copulação , Fertilidade/fisiologia , Masculino , Valores de Referência , Contagem de Espermatozoides , Motilidade dos Espermatozoides , Espermatozoides/anormalidades , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Mouse skin was exposed to UVA radiation (320-400 nm). The in vivo chemiluminescence of the skin was measured after irradiation. Chemiluminescence showed a maximum 13-fold increase (control emission, 10 +/- 1 cps cm-2) after 45-60 min of exposure to UVA, with no further increase with 60 min additional exposure. Spectral analysis of the emitted chemiluminescence showed that the principal species emitted in the 400-500 nm range. Topical application with alpha-tocopherol (10% v/w) and beta-carotene (1 mM) greatly reduced the UVA-induced skin chemiluminescence. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels were increased by 130% in skin homogenates after 2 h of exposure to UVA (control value, 77 +/- 14 nmol malonaldehyde equivalents (g tissue)-1). The activities of antioxidant enzymes in skin homogenates were decreased after 2 h of irradiation: the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (control value, 181 +/- 10 U SOD (g tissue)-1) was decreased by 40% and the catalase activity (control value, 1.34 +/- 0.14 pmol (g tissue)-1) was decreased by 45%. In vivo chemiluminescence appears to be a suitable method for following the kinetics of the oxidative stress processes and for testing the effect of topical application with antioxidant and photoprotective agents.
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Estresse Oxidativo , Pele/efeitos da radiação , Raios Ultravioleta , Administração Tópica , Animais , Catalase/metabolismo , Feminino , Medições Luminescentes , Camundongos , Pele/efeitos dos fármacos , Pele/metabolismo , Superóxido Dismutase/metabolismo , Substâncias Reativas com Ácido Tiobarbitúrico/metabolismo , Vitamina E/administração & dosagem , Vitamina E/farmacologia , beta Caroteno/administração & dosagem , beta Caroteno/farmacologiaRESUMO
Semen collection and artificial insemination have not yet been fully developed in the alpaca. Thus, we collected semen from 7 males using a modified artificial vagina placed inside a dummy. Forty adult female alpacas, previously induced to ovulate with hCG, were artificially inseminated with fresh undiluted semen by laparoscopy or by cervix. The Chisquare test was used to determine differences in the fertility rate of the 2 insemination methods. The mean duration of copulation, semen volume, sperm concentration and the percentages of live spermatozoa and normal spermatozoa were 21.6 min, 1.9 ml. 147,500/mm(3), 69.6% and 75.9%, respectively. There were 6.7% abnormal heads, 12.3% abnormal tails and 3.8% cytoplasmic droplets. The consistency of semen was viscous and formed a coagulum. The pH was 7.2, and the semen was milky white in color. The duration of copulation was comparable to natural copulation, and semen characteristics reflected those of the natural ejaculate. The percentage of pregnancy was 68%, with no differences due to method of semen deposition (laparoscopy, 67%; cervix, 73%).
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Actinic prurigo has a high prevalence in women of child-bearing age. Its treatment has been, among others, with thalidomide. To avoid the deleterious effects of this drug on the embryo, therapeutic alternatives have been sought. Among these, tetracycline and vitamin E have been investigated as to their influence on the symptoms of actinic prurigo. Both these drugs affect superoxide radicals that are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of actinic prurigo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients (Chimila Indians with a high prevalence of actinic prurigo) received either (a) tetracycline, 500 mg three times daily, for 6 months, or (b) vitamin E, 100 IU daily, for 6 months. The patients were seen once monthly. There were eight patients in each group. RESULTS: Both drugs used were effective. Pruritus was remarkably improved by either treatment. None of the side effects were severe enough to lead to interruption of treatment, but the observation period posttreatment was relatively short, 4 months for tetracycline and 2 months for vitamin E. The improvement occurred in spite of the continuation of extensive exposure to the sun. CONCLUSIONS: Tetracycline and vitamin E are efficacious in relieving the pruritus of actinic prurigo. Preliminary trials of a combination treatment with these two drugs is a new avenue which has shown in preliminary trials to yield synergistic effects which might allow the dosage of tetracycline to be reduced.