Association between occupational testicular radiation exposure and lower male sex ratio of offspring among orthopedic surgeons

Background Exposure to occupational radiation can lower the male sex ratio. However, specific radiation exposure to the testes has not been evaluated. Objective This study aimed to examine the association between testicular radiation exposure and lower male sex ratio in children. Methods A comprehensive questionnaire survey was administered to 62 full-time male doctors with children aged < 10 years at 5 hospitals. Based on the possibility of testicular radiation exposure 1 year before the child’s birth, participants were assigned to 3 groups as follows: RT (orthopedic surgery), RNT (cardiology/neurosurgery), and N (others). Intergroup differences in the proportion of female children were ascertained, and the female sex ratio (number of female/total number) of each group was compared against the standard value of 0.486. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with a generalized estimating equation was used to model the effects on the probability of female birth while controlling for the correlation among the same fathers. Results The study population included 62 fathers and 109 children, 49 were female: 19/27, 11/30, and 19/52 in the RT, RNT, and N group, respectively; the RT group had the highest proportion of females (p = 0.009). The p values for comparisons with the standard sex ratio (0.486) were 0.02, 0.19, and 0.08 for the RT, RNT, and N groups, respectively. Based on the N group, the adjusted odds ratios for the child to be female were 4.40 (95% confidence interval 1.60–2.48) and 1.03 (0.40–2.61) for the RT and RNT groups, respectively. Conclusions Our results imply an association between testicular radiation exposure and low male sex ratio of offspring. Confirmatory evidence is needed from larger studies which measure the pre-conceptional doses accumulated in various temporal periods, separating out spermatogonial and spermatid effects.

Prevalence, risk factors and clinical characteristics of renal dysfunction in Chinese outpatients with growth simple renal cysts

Background Researchers have proved that simple renal cysts (SRCs) might be correlated with renal dysfunction, but it is still controversial. Thus, we conducted clinical research study with large sample size and long-term follow-up to clarify the relationship between SRCs and renal dysfunction. Methods A total of 571 SRCs patients in outpatients of nephrology department were included, we investigated the clinical characteristics of growth SRCs compared with non-growth SRCs, evaluated the incidence of renal dysfunction in SRCs and explored the risk factors of renal dysfunction in growth SRCs. Results The mean baseline age was 51.31 ± 14.37 years in the whole cohort, ranging from 19 to 79 years, and 57.6% of them were male. The median follow-up duration was 3 years, ranging from 1 to 10 years. In addition, the final maximum diameter increased 1 mm (2.74%) per year. Patients in growth SRCs group tented to have higher percentage of hypertension, hematuria, large cyst and multiple cysts compared with non-growth SRCs group. The prevalence of renal dysfunction was 15.6% after the follow-up, and the prevalence of renal dysfunction was about 10 times higher in growth SRCs group than non-growth SRCs group (23.3% vs. 2.4%). Renal dysfunction was significantly associated with age, female, total cholesterol, diastolic blood pressure, final maximum diameter and yearly change in maximum diameter in growth SRCs. Conclusions SRCs were closely related to the decline of renal function, we recommend close follow-up for growth SRCs.

The impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity of Czech children

Introduction The pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and related restrictions (closed schools and sports centers, social isolation, masks) may have a negative impact on children’s health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of physical activity (PA) of Czech children during COVID-19 in autumn 2020. Methods Ninety-eight Czech children (mean age = 10.1 ± 1.47 years) completed the standardized Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Czech Children (PAQ-C/cz) during COVID lockdown. Data were compared with previously published norms. Thirty-five children also reported daily number of steps measured by accelerometers. Results Total PAQ-C score was 0.38 lower during COVID compared to Pre-COVID [t(302) = 5.118., p < .001]. The male PAQ-C total score was 0.37 lower [t(146) = 3.21., p = .002)] and the female total score was 0.39 lower [t(154) = 3.97., p < .001] during COVID compared to Pre-COVID. Specifically, responses of PA during spare time, before-school, physical education (PE), and recess were significantly lower during COVID. The average number of steps was 7.767 steps/day (boys = 9.255; girls = 6.982). Conclusion COVID lockdown resulted in significant reduction of PA in Czech children. Strategies to promote adequate PA of children during the pandemic need to be determined.

Age-Related Testosterone Changes and Corresponding Song Patterns in Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus Linnaeus, 1758)

We monitored total testosterone profiles and song patterns of 12 males and 2 females Red-whiskered Bulbuls (Pycnonotus jocosus), aged 5-10 months. Each bird was maintained in a cage sized of 38 × 38 × 50 cm and raised in a 22 °C-controlled room-sized of 6 × 10 × 3.5 m. The song prototype was played during 0700-11.00 h, with an amplifier-connected loudspeaker placed at the center and the song was recorded during both 1100-1200 and 1300-1500 h, and then their sonograms were analyzed with Avisoft SAS Lab Pro, version 4.3. Feces were collected monthly and immediately following recording their songs to determine male and female total testosterone levels by radioimmunoassay. The results demonstrated that an average of a frequency that the male and the female birds produced was 4.27 ± 0.13 kHz with a frequency range of 1.50 - 5.18 kHz. The males aged 8-10 months old produced songs with an average of 25.83 syllables/10 s, similar to those found in the song prototype while the females produced those with an average of 18.33 syllables/10 s. The males produced songs consisting of more syllables and fewer intervals than those of the females. The coefficient of correlations between the mean total testosterone levels with the syllables/10 s and intervals/10 s were +0.68 and -0.69, respectively. Additionally, the male Red-whiskered Bulbuls created the complicated and various song types that corresponded well with the marked increases in the total testosterone levels at the age of 8 to 10 months old.

CURB-65, HYPOXEMIA AS SEVERITY PREDICTORS AND FEMALE GENDER AS POOR OUTCOME INDICATOR IN COMMUNITY ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA (CAP)

BACKGROUND - CAP is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, so early prediction of severity and outcome is required for further management of CAP patients. OBJECTIVES - To assess the severity of CAP by using CURB-65 scoring system and status of hypoxemia in the patients who presented in emergency and outpatient department and gender specic outcome in the patients who are admitted in inpatient department. METHODOLOGY - A prospective, observational study which included all adults attending the EMD, OPD and admitted in IPD fullling the inclusion criteria. RESULTS - Out of 47 males and 23 female (total 70) patients admitted through EMD or OPD, 56 patient (80%) had low CURB score, 63 patients (90%) had hypoxemia, 53 patients (75%) presented with age of more than 65 years, 50% (7 out of 14) patients with high CURB-65 were confused. 13 out of 23 females (56%) patients had less stability and longer hospital stay as compared to 12 out of 47 male (26%) patients. CONCLUSION - CURB-65 scoring system was not adequately helpful in deciding the severity and further management while hypoxemia and age emerged as good individual predictors for severity of CAP while female gender was associated with poor outcome and longer hospital stay. Hypoxemia even with low CURB-65 score helped in severity assessment and ICU admission.

First reports of Megamouth Shark, Megachasma pelagios Taylor, Compagno & Struhsaker, 1983 (Lamniformes, Megachasmidae),& in Peru

Megamouth Shark, Megachasma pelagios Taylor, Compagno &amp; Struhsaker, 1983, is one of the least-known shark species worldwide. We report the encounters of four megamouth sharks: one caught in a driftnet off Piura (November 2016; sex indeterminate), one landed in Los Organos (July 2018; female), one stranded in El &Ntilde;uro (July 2018; sex indeterminate, ca 300 m total length), and one caught in a purse seine off Lambayeque (June 2019; female, total length ca 300 cm). These are the first records from Peru and expand the species&rsquo; known southern limit by 415 km. With the addition of M. pelagios, there are 67 species of sharks in Peru.

Total Ankylosis by Heterotopic Ossification in an Adolescent Anterior Trans-olecranon Fracture Dislocation: A Case Report

The incidence of heterotopic ossification in adolescents appears to be lower than in adults. There exist very few reports of heterotopic ossification with total bony ankylosis in child or adolescent populations. We describe a case of total bony ankylosis of the elbow secondary to heterotopic ossification, in a 14-year-old female. Total ankylosis of the elbow at 45 degrees of flexion was noted 6 months postsurgery, and complete surgical excision of the heterotopic mass was performed. After an additional one-time dose of radiation therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug medication, full range of motion was obtained without any recurrence or other complications, up to the last follow-up of 30 months.

Reproductive biology of the Brazilian blind electric ray Benthobatis kreffti (Chondrichthyes: Narcinidae)

ABSTRACT This study provides information on the reproductive biology of the Brazilian blind electric ray Benthobatis kreffti, endemic to southern and southeastern Brazil. Individuals were caught by bottom trawl carried out in 2003 and 2007, at 492-501 m depth off the São Paulo State continental slope. A total of 152 females (115-299 mm) and 144 males (91-243 mm) were sampled. Maturity was first observed at 177 and 162 mm, with total length at 50% maturity of 191 and 176 mm in females and males respectively. Uterine fecundity ranged from 1-3 and was not related to female total length. Size at birth estimated from the largest near-term observed embryos and smallest free-swimming ray was 91-100 mm. The low fecundity observed is typical of deepwater elasmobranch species, as well as late maturity in comparison with costal species. The relatively large size-at-birth suggests that this species invests more in length of each embryo than in litter size, increasing the offspring’s survival chance. In this context, these parameters highlight the vulnerability of this and other deepwater species to non-natural death, mostly caused by deep-sea fisheries.