Low Testosterone Levels and Metabolic Syndrome in Aging Male.

Advances in medicine and progressive improvements in the health of the general population in developed countries have led to considerable increases in life expectancy over recent years. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) affects approximately 25% of the adult population and its prevalence is increasing all over the world. Central obesity plays an important role in emergence of MetS.

Total testosterone levels are correlated to metabolic syndrome components.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of interrelated risk factors of metabolic origin. Some studies suggest a possible link between low total testosterone (TT) levels and the presence of MetS.

Aim: To analyze the strength and independence of associations between TT and MetS components in non-diabetic men.

The effects of N-acetylcysteine on spermatogenesis and degree of testicular germ cell apoptosis in an experimental model of varicocele in rats.

Introduction: The mechanism by which varicocele interferes in spermatogenesis has not been clearly defined. Germ cell apoptosis and oxidative stress appear to be involved in this process and the use of antioxidants has been proposed to counteract upon these effects. The present study evaluated the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on spermatogenesis and germ cell apoptosis in an experimental model of varicocele in rats.

Melanoma metastasis to the spleen: Laparoscopic approach.

We report a case of minimally invasive surgery in the management of metastasis to the spleen. A 67-year-old male patient with possible splenic soft tissue melanoma metastasis was referred to our hospital. He had a history of an excised soft tissue melanoma from his back eight months earlier, and the control abdominal computer tomography (CT) scan revealed a hypodense spleen lesion.

Do defense mechanisms vary according to the psychiatric disorder?

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the defense mechanisms used by depressive and anxious patients without comorbidities compared to those used by controls and to determine whether these patterns differ between diagnoses.

Method: The sample was composed of 167 psychiatric patients and 36 controls that were evaluated using the Defense Style Questionnaire 40. All subjects were evaluated through a clinical interview, and each evaluation was confirmed through the application of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, a structured psychiatric interview.