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Biomedical subjects

E Andreou

Publications and source records attributed to E Andreou.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Affecting factors in second language learning.

The present study investigated the influence of sex, handedness, level in second language (L2) and Faculty choice on the performance of phonological, syntactical and semantic tasks in L2. Level in L2 and sex were the most affecting factors. Subjects who achieved higher scores on L2 tasks had strong second language aptitude skills since they were those who had obtained a professional degree in the second language. Females performed better than males in syntax and semantics which is explained by the general female superiority on verbal tasks based on differences in hemispheric specialization for language functions between the sexes. Handedness and Faculty choice on the part of the participants had an impact on our results but only when combined with other factors.

Cognition↗
PubMed1997

The combination of testosterone undecanoate with tamoxifen citrate enhances the effects of each agent given independently on seminal parameters in men with idiopathic oligozoospermia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of combined tamoxifen citrate and T undecanoate treatment on seminal parameters in men with idiopathic oligozoospermia. DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical study. SETTING: A state hospital tertiary clinic. PATIENT(S): Eighty oligozoospermic men were included in the protocol. INTERVENTION(S): Patients were randomized to receive placebo, T undecanoate (40 mg three times per day), tamoxifen citrate (10 mg two times per day), or T undecanoate plus tamoxifen citrate. RESULT(S): Tamoxifen citrate plus T undecanoate treatment produced a satisfactory improvement of total sperm number, motility, and functional sperm fraction after 3 and 6 months. Comparisons with other active treatment groups showed significantly higher increment values for motility and functional fraction, whereas aniline, acrosine, and free L-carnitine also were markedly better in the combination treatment group. CONCLUSION(S): These results indicate that the combination of tamoxifen citrate with T undecanoate not only improves significantly important seminal parameters but also compares favorably with the single treatments used. Therefore, this combination deserves a place as a first line of treatment in idiopathic oligozoospermia.

Acrosin↗
PubMed1996

Seminal volume and total sperm number trends in men attending subfertility clinics in the greater Athens area during the period 1977-1993.

The trends for such important parameters of male fertility as seminal volume and total sperm number were assessed in men living permanently in the Greater Athens area over a prolonged period of time. To this end, the records of three andrological laboratories employing the same method for semen evaluation were analysed retrospectively. Out of 23,850 men examined from 1977 to 1993 (17 years) for couple subfertility, a total of 2385 (10%) were selected for evaluation by a randomization procedure. Analysis of the data included (i) estimation of mean seminal volume and total sperm number per year, (ii) assessment of percentage frequency distribution of each seminal parameter and (iii) evaluation of seminal volume and total sperm number changes in relation to the year of observation and age of the subjects. A significant decrease (P < 0.01) of total sperm number was observed over the years with a mean (+/-SEM) of 154.3 +/- 19.2 x 10(6) at the beginning (1977), dropping to 130.1 +/- 13.3 x 10(6) in the final year (1993). Mean seminal volume was lower in the final year of observation, but its difference from the initial year value was not significant. Frequency distribution analysis showed a marked decline in the 240-400 x 10(6) sub-set of the range of sperm number values from 16.9 +/- 4.5% (1977) to 10.6 +/- 1.6% in the final year (P < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis of seminal volume, total sperm number, age and year of assessment revealed a significant decline of the two seminal parameters along the years of observation (P < 0.05 and P < 0.0001 respectively). Over the same period, a marked deterioration of some air pollution indices was observed in that area. It is concluded that in this racially and ethnically homogeneous sample of men, living under the same environmental conditions, a significant decline in seminal volume and total sperm number occurred over the 17 years of observation.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of different methods for the investigation of antisperm antibodies on spermatozoa, in seminal plasma and in serum.

Since there is no gold standard for the diagnosis of immunological infertility, comparison between different methods and of their results with biological tests for the detection of antisperm antibodies must be used in defining the most reliable and clinically relevant method. We have evaluated the results of direct (n = 100) and indirect tests in serum (n = 140) and seminal plasma (n = 100) using the SpermMAR and Immunobead (IB) techniques for the detection of sperm antibodies of the immunoglobulin (Ig) classes G, A and M, and we have compared the results with those of the tray agglutination test and the adenosine triphosphate release cytotoxicity test. Results indicate the higher specificity and sensitivity of the SpermMAR results for IgG and IgA, as compared to the outcome of the IB test. It appears that the IB test for IgA may detect non-specific antibodies in serum. Little information is obtained from the tray agglutination test in seminal plasma, and the indirect SpermMar test for IgG in seminal plasma was the only independent variable associated with the outcome of the former test. Since the SpermMAR tests for IgG and IgA are more accurate and biologically relevant, as well as easier to perform than the respective IB tests, the former must be considered the method of first choice.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of the resazurin test, adenosine triphosphate in semen, and various sperm parameters.

The results of the resazurin test (RES) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration in semen, measured by two methods, were compared for their ability to predict sperm parameters of semen samples from 42 subfertile men as assessed by a semi-computerized system. The highest correlation of RES grade was with sperm concentration (r = 0.70, P < 0.001), concentration of motile spermatozoa, concentration of motile spermatozoa with normal morphology and the ATP concentration using the reference LKB method (all r = 0.65, P < 0.001). The RES test has a positive predictive value of 93% for a progressive motile sperm concentration of 20 x 10(6)/ml or more, and a negative predictive power of 90% for the same variable at a criterion value of 10 x 10(6)/ml. The results of ATP measurement using the reference LKB and FireZyme methods presented a strong correlation (r = 0.74, P < 0.001). The correlations between ATP measurements from the FireZyme method and sperm characteristics were better than those obtained using the reference LKB method for ATP determination. It is concluded that the RES test can be performed with a relatively small volume of semen; it is easy to perform and requires not technical equipment. The accuracy and predictive value of this test are similar to more sophisticated ATP measurements. In addition, the RES may identify a subgroup of subfertile men with a decreased reducing capacity of semen.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗