This is known as cryptorchidism (hidden gonads) and is thought to be caused by insufficient testosterone production during foetal life. This in turn fails to stimulate secretion of enough calcitonin gene-related peptide needed to trigger testicular descent. For some reason, the incidence of cryptorchidism has increased by 60 per cent over the last 30 years. This may be related to foetal exposure to weak environmental oestrogens.

In many cases, an undescended testicle descends on its own within a few months of birth, so that by the age of 1 year, only 2 per cent of baby boys are affected. After this time, an undescended testis is unlikely to correct itself spontaneously and surgical intervention is needed.

An undescended testis which is left in the abdomen does not develop normally.

Acne and Rosacea Getting You Down? Laser, Light and Cosmetic Treatments Give Patients a Much-needed Boost

It is estimated that approximately 50 million people in the U.S. alone are affected by acne vulgaris, and another 14 million Americans experience the redness, flushing and pronounced blood vessels associated with rosacea. While there are no cures for these persistent skin conditions, dermatologists are broadening their treatment options. .

Well, That's Done

It had been 99 percent clear Feliz wasn't going to get what he wanted from the Giants: a multiyear deal. And for many fans it has been 100 percent clear that they weren't going to get what they wanted from Feliz: A guy who was more patient at the plate.

Rail Transport 1991-2000

A fight flared up around Baltic Bank (OR owned 49.7% of the bank's shares), because Eurosib, which owned 24.5% of Baltic Bank's shares, had not repaid bank loans of $1.4 million and 55 billion rubles.

On May 14, Aleksandr Kuznetsov became head of the October Railway.

On May 27, the All-Russian Rate Convention and Conference of Railway Transport Service Users and Employees began. The "Support Agency" as railway men themselves called it, nevertheless became history: at the convention, Nikolai Aksensenko made the first announcement about the creation of private operating companies.

In July, President Yeltsin rescinded the decree " On the Creation of a High-Speed St. Petersburg-Moscow Main Passenger Line." The project departed this life, leaving Russian taxpayers with debts of $500 million.

Data Demonstrate that Obagi Medical Products' Condition & Enhance Skin ...

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Obagi Medical Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: OMPI) , a leader in topical aesthetic and therapeutic skin health systems, announced the results of a wide-ranging investigator assessment study on the effects of its Condition & Enhance System on facial rejuvenation procedures today at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in San Antonio. The data show that the unique 4% hydroquinone- based system in combination with common non-surgical and surgical facial rejuvenation procedures improved overall skin quality in up to 80 percent of subjects.

As rated by investigators, eighty-three percent of patients treated with the Condition & Enhance System and botulinum toxin type A injections (i.e., Botox(R)) experienced a 1-grade improvement (from moderate to mild or mild to none) in hyperpigmentation.