Key aspects of domestic cat spermatogenesis.

In mammals, spermatogenesis is a complex and cyclic process in which a spermatogonia turns into a highly differentiated cell: the spermatozoa. Spermatogenesis comprises proliferation of spermatogonia (spermatocytogenesis), meiosis of spermatocytes and finally differentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa (spermiogenesis). This review summarizes the current knowledge on domestic cat spermatogenesis including its physiology, development, efficiency and pathologies as well as their novel non-invasive diagnostic methods.

Association between socioeconomic status, type 2 diabetes and its chronic complications in Argentina.

Aim: To compare the socioeconomic status (SES) of people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Argentina (Córdoba) with and without major chronic complications of diabetes, with that recorded in persons without diabetes matched by age and gender.

Methods: For this descriptive and analytic case-control study, potential candidates were identified from the electronic records of one institution of the Social Security System of the city of Córdoba. We identified and recruited 387 persons each with T2DM with or without chronic complications and 774 gender- and age-matched persons without T2DM (recruitment rate, 83%).

Comparison of clinical-metabolic monitoring and outcomes and coronary risk status in people with type 2 diabetes from Australia, France and Latin America.

Aim: To compare clinical-metabolic monitoring and coronary risk status in people with type 2 diabetes from Australia, France and Latin America.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of data collected at primary care (except ANDIAB--secondary care) [corrected] matched for age, gender and disease duration. Measurements included participants' characteristics, performance frequency of clinical-metabolic process indicators, and percentage of clinical-metabolic outcomes at recommended target values.

Endocrine effects of the GnRH antagonist, acyline, in domestic dogs.

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists may have a future role in the control of canine reproductive function. In this study, the effects of a single dose of the potent GnRH antagonist, acyline, on serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone (T) were evaluated in male dogs. Blood samples were drawn before (Day -1) and after (30, 60, and 90 min, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24h, and 3, 6, 9, 14, 22, and 29 d) treatment with acyline (330 microg/kg, sc); serum concentrations of FSH, LH, and T varied throughout the study period (P<0.

Abdominal adipose tissue: early metabolic dysfunction associated to insulin resistance and oxidative stress induced by an unbalanced diet.

The possible contribution of early changes in lipid composition, function, and antioxidant status of abdominal adipose tissue (AAT) induced by a fructose-rich diet (FRD) to the development of insulin resistance (IR) and oxidative stress (OS) was studied. Wistar rats were fed with a commercial diet with (FRD) or without 10% fructose in the drinking water for 3 weeks. The glucose (G), triglyceride (TG), and insulin (I) plasma levels, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, lyposoluble antioxidants, total glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation as TBARS, fatty acid (FA) composition of AAT-TG as well as their release by incubated pieces of AAT were measured.

PRODIACOR: a patient-centered treatment program for type 2 diabetes and associated cardiovascular risk factors in the city of Corrientes, Argentina: study design and baseline data.

Objective: To implement a controlled clinical trial (PRODIACOR) in a primary care setting designed 1) to improve type 2 diabetes care and 2) to collect cost data in order to be able to measure cost-effectiveness of three system interventions (checkbook of indicated procedures, patient/provider feedback and complete coverage of medications and supplies) and physician and/or patient education to improve psychological, clinical, metabolic and therapeutic indicators. All three Argentinean health subsectors (public health, social security and the private, prepaid system) are participants in the study. Patients of participating physicians were randomly selected and assigned to one of four groups: control, provider education, patient education, and provider/patient education; the system interventions were provided to all four groups.

PROPAT: a study to improve the quality and reduce the cost of diabetes care.

Objective: In PROPAT we implemented an integrated approach to diabetes care designed to improve the quality and reduce the cost of care.

Study Design And Methods: PROPAT was a case-control study matching patients by age and gender (diabetes:control ratio 1:2) within IOMA, a public employment-based health maintenance organization (HMO) of the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Costs were evaluated using prevalence data from an HMO perspective.

Postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia-generated glycoxidative stress: its contribution to the pathogenesis of diabetes complications.

Postprandial glucose and triglyceride increments after a mixed meal are more prolonged in people with type 1 and 2 diabetes or with impaired glucose tolerance than in normal individuals. Evidence in the literature suggests that these transient increases represent an additional and independent risk for chronic hyperglycemia to induce endothelial dysfunction, an important fact for the development of diabetic vascular complications. This article presents the more relevant mechanisms by which acute postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia have been proved to determine the risk of reactive oxygen species overproduction, an increased synthesis of non enzymatic early-glycated and nitrated proteins, and a more atherogenic lipoprotein profile.

Resourcing issues.

Diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease and achieving appropriate control of glycaemia and the other associated cardiovascular risk factors is essential to prevent its long-term complications. Currently, recovery and rehabilitation from the cardiovascular complications of diabetes are the major focus of diabetes care rather than primary and secondary prevention of diabetes and its complications. This focus, coupled with limited funding and other resource issues, means that diabetes care and outcomes are generally suboptimal.

Hospitalization and re-hospitalization of people with and without diabetes in La Plata, Argentina: comparison of their clinical characteristics and costs.

Objective: To examine the prevalence, characteristics, and costs of hospitalization and re-hospitalization of diabetic and non-diabetic patients in La Plata, Argentina, and to compare the data with those of developed countries.

Research Design And Methods: We studied all in-hospital registries of diabetic patients enrolled in a health maintenance organization of the Province of Buenos Aires (IOMA, November 1996). For each diabetic patient (127 persons), the characteristics of two other hospitalized non-diabetic patients matched by age and gender were simultaneously recorded.

Tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the endocrine pancreas: changes induced by short-term dietary manipulation.

BACKGROUND: Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity and its possible participation in the control of insulin secretion were studied in pancreatic islets of adult Wistar rats fed a standard commercial diet (SD) or carbohydrates alone (CHD) for one week. TH activity, norepinephrine (NE) content, and glucose-induced insulin secretion were assessed. Blood glucose and insulin levels were measured at the time of sacrifice.

Possible modulatory effect of endogenous islet catecholamines on insulin secretion.

BACKGROUND: The possible participation of endogenous islet catecholamines (CAs) in the control of insulin secretion was tested. METHODS: Glucose-induced insulin secretion was measured in the presence of 3-Iodo-L-Tyrosine (MIT), a specific inhibitor of tyrosine-hydroxylase activity, in fresh and precultured islets isolated from normal rats. Incubated islets were also used to measure CAs release in the presence of low and high glucose, and the effect of alpha2-(yohimbine [Y] and idazoxan [I]) and alpha1-adrenergic antagonists (prazosin [P] and terazosin [T]) upon insulin secretion elicited by high glucose.