Correlation between sperm penetration into the human zona pellucida and in vitro fertilization rates

Summary.  Sperm penetration into the zona pellucida of unfertilized oocytes, and its correlation with in vitro fertilization rates of the sibling oocytes, were assessed. This was performed in order to evaluate the prediction rate of the sperm penetration test into the zona pellucida. Unfertilized oocytes ( n =1872) from 371 cycles were pipetted through a microcapillary, and the remaining sperm cells penetrating the zona pellucida were counted. The mean (±SD) number of spermatozoa that penetrated the zona pellucida of unfertilized oocytes was 12.9±16.37. A significant correlation was found between the fertilization rate and the mean number of spermatozoa that penetrated into the zona pellucida of the unfertilized sibling oocytes (r = 0.48; P < 0.001), or the percent of unpenetrated zonae pellucidae in a cohort (r= —0.43; P < 0.001). However, a distinct variation in the number of spermatozoa that penetrated into the zona pellucida was detected. A step-wise regression analysis proved the number of spermatozoa penetrating the zona pellucida to be more predictive for fertilization rates than the variable of percent of unpenetrated zonae pellucidae. The results imply that although there is interdependence between penetration into the zona pellucida and fertilization rate, the predictive value of sperm penetration test for prognosis and future management after the first in vitro fertilization attempt, is limited.     

汉坦病毒M RNA在隐性感染大鼠组织中的分布(论著)

目的：了解汉坦病毒ＭＲＮＡ在隐性感染大鼠各组织中的定位与分布情况。方法：以地高辛标记的汉坦病毒的ＭＲＮＡｃＤＮＡ为探针，与隐性感染大鼠的多种内脏组织进行原位分子杂交。结果：病毒ＭＲＮＡ主要分布在感染大鼠的肝脏，定位于受染细胞的胞浆，这与在死于流行性出血热的患者尸检组织中的分布有所不同。结论：（１）肝脏是鼠类最易受汉坦病毒侵犯与寄生的器官；（２）汉坦病毒感染大鼠与人的机理有所不同，这很可能是大鼠感染汉坦病毒后不发病的原因之一。     

The Helmholtz Total Artificial Heart Labtype

Abstract: To perform the first experimental tests for validation of a new gear unit concept, the pump chamber, diaphragm, and pusher plate design of an orthotopic electromechanical total artificial heart (TAH) (Helmholtz Labtype) was manufactured. In its early stage of development, it provides some of the most important features of the conceptual final artificial heart. The new gear unit transforms a uniform unidirectional rotational motor movement into translatory pusher plate movements, with resting phase in the end–diastolic position, and the angled pump chamber orientation determines the available space for the motor and gear unit. Furthermore, this labtype provides flexibility with regard to use of different types of structural parts for experimental investigations. The first in vitro test results, obtained with specially designed circulatory mockloops that simulate physiological preload and afterload conditions, are presented. They comprise pressure and flow generation, motor performance, efficiency, and energy consumption. The results prove the feasability of the new gear unit concept for an electromechanical artificial heart and allow a reliable determination of the necessary performance of the future brushless DC motor for the first in vivo TAH model.     

低剂量阿司匹林在辅助生育技术中的应用

目的　探讨在进行体外受精 -胚胎移植 ( IVF-ET)或卵母细胞浆内单精子注射 ( ICSI)患者口服低剂量阿司匹林对治疗结果的影响。　方法　 IVF或 ICSI治疗的 3 2 4个 ET周期 ,分为是否服用阿司匹林两组 ,分别统计患者注射人绒毛膜促性腺激素 ( h CG)时子宫内膜厚度及 ET胚胎数 ,比较两组的胚胎种植率、临床妊娠率及流产率 ,并进行统计学处理。　结果　两组在注射 h CG日内膜平均厚度、ET中优质胚胎的比率及流产率均无显著性差异 ;未服用阿司匹林组的 ET胚胎数明显多于服用组 ( P<0 .0 1 ) ,而前者的种植率、临床妊娠率却明显低于后者 ( P<0 .0 1 )。　结论　低剂量阿司匹林在 IVF-ET或ICSI的辅助生殖治疗中能有效地提高胚胎种植率 ,增加患者的临床妊娠率     

The effect of adrenalectomy on stress-induced c-fos mRNA expression in the rat brain

Previously, we determined the pattern of stress-induced c-fos mRNA expression throughout the brain in order to gain further insight into the identification of the neural circuits mediating stress-induced regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. In the present study, we determined if rapid effects of increased glucocorticoid levels after stress contribute to changes in c-fos mRNA expression. To this end, stress-induced c-fos expression was characterized in adrenalectomized (ADX) or adrenalectomized and corticosterone replaced (ADX/B) male rats. Animals were sacrificed 30 min post-onset of a 10 min swim stress, and in situ hybridization histochemistry was used to detect c-fos mRNA throughout the brain. The pattern of c-fos induction in the ADX and ADX/B animals was similar to that observed in the sham operated animals. Additionally, densitometric measurements were made to quantify the c-fos response in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and the CA1/2 region of the hippocampus. We found that ADX did not alter the magnitude of the c-fos response to stress in these areas, but there was a slight dampening of the response in ADX/B animals. In sum, these results suggest that the pattern of c-fos expression observed 30 min post-stress is independent of stress-induced increases in circulating glucocorticoid concentrations.     

氯喹敏感与抗性株恶性疟原虫对青蒿琥酯、克林霉素及其联用的体外敏感性

目的 为了解氯喹敏感和抗性株恶性疟原虫对青蒿琥酯、克林霉素及其二联用的敏感性。方法 运用Rieckmann体外微量法测定原虫对药物的敏感性。结果 氯喹敏感株恶性疟原虫对青蒿琥酯、克林霉素及青／克联用的ID50分别为2.8、3784.7及6.4/2046.6nmol/L；抗性株原虫对上述药物的ID50分别为8.1、1652.1及2.35/1409.4nmol/L。结论 抗氯喹恶性疟原虫对克林霉素无交叉抗性。青蒿琥酯与克林霉素联用在体外测定中，其抗疟作用对抗性株明显优于敏感株。     

半乳糖凝集素PPL13在人胎盘血管内皮细胞中表达的实验研究

目的：以原位杂交法检测PPL13在人胎盘组织的表达情况。方法：用DIG标记的PPL13有义RNA探针及反义RNA探针与胎盘组织切片进行原位杂交。结果：反义RNA探针杂交标本显色3h，显微镜下可见胎盘毛细血管内皮细胞中出现棕色沉淀物，滋养层细胞中未见棕色沉淀物；而有义RNA探针杂交标本显色24h仍无棕色沉淀物出现。结论：PPL13在人胎盘内皮细胞中特异性表达．提示PPL13可能与胎盘的屏障作用有关。     

Integrated plasma cortisol concentration in children with asthma receiving long-term inhaled corticosteroids.

We assessed the effect of long-term therapy with inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) on the pituitary-adrenal axis, by measuring the integrated concentration (IC) of plasma cortisol in eight children with asthma (age, 6-16 years) who regularly used inhaled BDP in doses ranging from 8 to 26.5 micrograms/kg (200-450 micrograms/day) for 6 months to 4 years. The control group included six children (age, 6-16 years) who had the IC of plasma cortisol measured as part of an endocrinological evaluation and were found to be healthy. Cortisol concentration was measured in blood samples collected continuously over a 24-hr period. Mean IC of plasma cortisol in the study group was significantly lower than in the healthy controls (mean +/- SD, 4.9 +/- 3.3 vs 9.1 +/- 1.9 micrograms/mL; P less than 0.02). Cortisol response to 0.25 mg ACTH (iv) was abnormal in one of the eight BDP-treated patients. No correlation was found between IC of plasma cortisol and the BDP dose, severity of asthma, height percentile, or the Tanner stage. We conclude that long-term therapy, even with relatively conventional doses of inhaled BDP may cause reduction in the normal physiological secretion of cortisol. The clinical relevance of low IC of plasma cortisol is not clear, but it may reflect partial suppression of the pituitary-adrenal axis.     

Activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in mice selected for left- or right-handedness

Asymmetry in brain modulation of the immune system has been previously described. In mice, paw preference has been shown to be associated with immune reactivity but the mechanisms involved in such an association are not yet known. The autonomic nervous system and the neuroendocrine system are considered as major candidates for neural influences on the immune system. In the present study, the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis of adult female mice selected for paw preference (left-handers vs. right-handers) was assessed by measuring both adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone plasma levels, as well as the in vitro responses of hypothalamus and adrenocortical cells to various hormone releasing stimuli. The results reported here showed no difference in the activity of the HPA axis between left- and right-handed mice, suggesting that this neuroendocrine axis is not implicated in the association between functional brain asymmetry and immune reactivity. However, our results do not exclude the possibility that the HPA axis could play a role in such an association under other circumstances, such as during development or stressful situations.     

Sensory deafferentation fails to modify muscarinic receptor binding in raccoon somatosensory cortex

The characteristics and distribution of muscarinic acetylcholine (mACh) receptor binding in primary somatosensory (SI) cortex and the caudate nucleus of raccoons were studied using [3H]-QNB, a muscarinic antagonist. The binding characteristics were similar to reported values in rat and cat. Autoradiographs produced from tissue sections labeled with [3H]-QNB showed the distribution of mACh receptors in the forebrain of the raccoon. [3H]-QNB binding was highest in cerebral cortex, neostriatum and hippocampus. Within SI cortex, binding was high in layers I-III and VI and relatively low in layers IV and V. Autoradiographs obtained from animals that had undergone peripheral deafferentation of part of the forepaw revealed no changes in [3H]-QNB binding in the affected cortical region during the time that physiological reorganization is known to occur.