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Background/Aim. Patients in intensive care units (ICUs) often exhibit disturbances in the concentration of thyroid hormones (THs), even if they had no previous thyroid disorders. The aim of the study was to determine whether there is a correlation between THs and the survival rate in the ICU and whether these hormones have predictive capability for mortality rate assessment. Methods. The study included 41 patients (23 women and 18 men) divided into two groups: survivors (70.7%) and non-survivors (29.3%). In peripheral blood samples taken within the first 24 hrs after ICU admission, TH levels were measured: triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free T3 (FT3), free T4 (FT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), as well as procalcitonin (PCT). The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFAS) was calculated for each patient. Results. A statistically significant difference between the study groups (survivor vs. non-survivor patients, p < 0.05) was found for PCT, SOFAS, T3, T4, and FT4. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) – (AUROC) for the SOFAS was 0.991 [95% confidence in terval (CI): 0.898–1.000, p < 0.001], for T3 was 0.727 (95% CI: 0.566–0.854, p = 0.0097), for T4 was 0.793 (95% CI: 0.638–0.903, p = 0.0008), for FT3 was 0.707 (95% CI: 0.544–0.8389, p = 0.0299), and for FT4 was 0.795 (95% CI: 0.640–0.904, p = 0.0005). Compared to other parameters, T3 had higher sensitivity (91.67%), FT4 had higher specificity (93.10%), while SOFAS had both the highest sensitivity (91.67%) and specificity (96.55%) in relation to all other tested parameters. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that FT4 and T4 were significant predictors of survival time (β = -0.362, p = 0.012 and β = -0.356, p = 0.014, respectively). Conclusion. Among all examined THs, only FT4 and T4 showed strong predictive potential for assessing mortality in ICU patients. This study has highlighted the significance of assessing THs levels in critically ill patients. This is crucial because it opens the possibility of implementing specific therapies to rectify issues stemming from hormonal deficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experience of an infertility diagnosis and treatment imposes a profound burden on affected individuals, encompassing not only physical and medical aspects but also a plethora of psychological, social, and emotional factors. By employing a multimodal assessment featuring validated self-report questionnaires, physical measurements, and clinical records, the present study aimed to explore the quality of life and psycho-emotional distress of men undergoing infertility treatment in Serbia, thereby addressing the dearth of research on the underrepresented male perspective in this domain. Findings revealed diverse semen abnormalities among participants (n = 96, average age 37.69 ± 5.72), with significant associations between longer treatment durations and reduced sperm motility. The observed rates of men surpassing predetermined DASS-42 questionnaire thresholds for depression, anxiety, and stress in the analyzed cohort were 13.54%, 11.46%, and 22.92%, respectively. Summary scores in conceptual areas comprised in the SF-36 questionnaire ranged from 49.00 ± 6.25 for the mental health dimension to 90.16 ± 17.75 obtained in the physical functioning subscale. Patients with a longer treatment duration demonstrated lower scores in the role emotional domain, indicative of a less favorable emotional state. Expectedly, inverse correlations were found between the SF-36 mental health score and DASS-42 subscales. By addressing the existing knowledge gap and highlighting the unique needs of infertile men, the finding of this study may contribute to a more inclusive and holistic approach to infertility research and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Testis cancer (TC) is the most common malignancy of young men. Current evidence from studies, alongside genetics and hormonal status, suggests a significant role of toxic metals, cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), in the origin and development of TC. Besides oxidative stress and endocrine disruption, interaction with bioelements is one of the critical mechanisms of Cd and Pb toxicity and malign transformation. This study aimed to investigate metal levels in blood, healthy, and tumor testis tissue and to reveal hormone, oxidative status, and bioelements levels in patients with TC. The study enrolled 52 patients with TC and 61 healthy volunteers. Toxic metals and bioelements levels were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) while electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) and spectrophotometry methods were used for hormone and oxidative parameters evaluation. Significantly higher blood Cd levels were depicted in TC cohort. Furthermore, blood Cd elevation was associated with a 1.98 higher probability of TC developing. However, a metal concentration between healthy and tumor testis tissue did not differ significantly. Lower levels of estradiol and testosterone, established in a cohort of TC patients, followed the significant role of hormones in TC development. At the same time, ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) has been recognized as a parameter with very good accuracy as a potential diagnostic marker for TC. The study revealed different distribution patterns of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the three compartments of the patients, as well significant correlation between essential metals Cu/Zn and toxic metals Cd/Pb indicating metal-metal interactions as pivotal mechanisms of metals toxicity. [Display omitted] • Alongside genetics and hormonal status studies suggests a significant role of Cd and Pb in TC origin and development. • Significantly higher blood Cd levels were depicted in TC cohorts. • Blood Cd elevation was associated with a 1.98 higher probability of TC developing. • IMA has been recognized as a parameter with very good accuracy as a potential TC diagnostic marker. • The study revealed lower levels of estradiol and testosterone in a cohort of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]