[Anticoagulant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and reduced kidney function of diabetic and non-diabetic etiologies].

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and stages I-III chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Subjects And Methods: The cohort parallel-group study included 92 patients with AF and stages I-III diabetic and non-diabetic CKD, who were treated with DOACs (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban) and vitamin K antagonists (warfarin). The follow-up duration was 12 months.

Study in 1790 Baltic men: FSHR Asn680Ser polymorphism affects total testes volume.

Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) contains two common linked polymorphisms, Thr307Ala (rs6165) and Asn680Ser (rs6166), shown to modulate ovarian function in women. The effect on male fertility and reproductive parameters has been inconclusive. We studied FSHR Asn680Ser polymorphism in a large study group (n = 1790) from the Baltic countries.

Genetically determined dosage of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) affects male reproductive parameters.

Context: The detailed role of FSH in contributing to male testicular function and fertility has been debated. We have previously identified the association between the T-allele of the FSHB promoter polymorphism (rs10835638; G/T, -211 bp from the mRNA start) and significantly reduced male serum FSH.

Objective: In the current study, the T-allele carriers of the FSHB -211 G/T single nucleotide polymorphism represented a natural model for documenting downstream phenotypic consequences of insufficient FSH action.

[Clinical and cost effectiveness of rehabilitation programs including physical exercises for patients with ischemic heart disease under conditions of resort and outpatient clinics].

The objective of the present study was to evaluate clinical and cost effectiveness of rehabilitation programs including long-term physical training of moderate intensity intended for the management of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) who had undergone acute coronary events; the programs were adapted to the treatment under conditions of spa resorts, dispensaries, and outpatient clinics. It was shown that rehabilitation of patients presenting with CDH with the use of moderately intensive physical exercises during a long period enhances the effectiveness of application of the available funds due to improved clinical course of coronary heart disease, tolerance of physical load, and quality of life.

Evaluation of male fertility potential by Toluidine Blue test for sperm chromatin structure assessment.

Background: We have previously suggested that the Toluidine Blue (TB) test can be used for sperm chromatin structure assessment. In this study, we wished to evaluate the clinical applicability of the TB test in assessing male fertility potential using well-defined groups of fertile and infertile men.

Methods: Sixty-three fertile and 79 infertile men were tested.