Bovine cumulus-oocyte disconnection in vitro

Summary Cumulus-oocyte complexes were obtained from cows by aspiration of small (1–6 mm in diameter) antral follicles after slaughter. Complexes with a compact multilayered cumulus investment were cultured and processed for transmission electron microscopy after different periods of culture including a 0 h control group. In 0 h control oocytes the cumulus cells had numerous projections which penetrated the zona pellucida and established gap junctions with the oolemma. A partial loss of these junctions was noticed as an early event of oocyte maturation occurring within the first 3 h of culture. A low frequency of gap junctions was maintained until 12–18 h of culture where the junctional contact was completely disrupted. This decrease in intercellular communication was parallelled by resumption of oocyte meiosis.     

手术致肾盂输尿管交界部闭锁的再手术治疗

目的：探讨复杂性肾窦内肾盂结石取石术后肾盂输尿管交界部闭锁的原因和再手术治疗方法。方法：对于9例复杂性肾窦内肾盂结石取石术后致肾盂输尿管交界部闭锁患者行输尿管和肾下极侧侧吻合术．并采用双J管和肾造瘘管双重支撑及引流。结果：9例手术均获得成功。随访6～36个月，IVU示9例患者经再手术所重建的上尿路均引流通畅，肾盂肾盏积水明显缓解，肾功能明显改善。结论：输尿管与肾下极吻合是肾盂输尿管交界部闭锁再手术治疗的较好方法，而双J管和肾造瘘管双重支撑引流则是手术成功的关键。     

Urological emergency in neonates with congenital hydronephrosis

OBJECTIVE: It is well described that unilateral pelviureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) is a benign condition, because the dilatation resolves spontaneously and the function does not decrease in most of the kidneys. However, there is exceptional PUJO that requires emergent treatment in neonatal periods. The aim of this article is to report the urological emergency and management in neonates with PUJO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine children (seven boys and two girls) with PUJO who underwent neonatal emergent treatment during the last 13 years were reviewed. Renal function was evaluated according to decay curve of serum creatinine (SCr) levels corresponding to gestational age (GA) at delivery. Physical examination, ultrasonographic monitoring, and chest and abdominal plain radiographs were repeated in each neonate. RESULTS: Eight patients were detected prenatally. In five patients, multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) was demonstrated on the contralateral side. Three patients underwent percutaneous puncture of fetal hydronephrosis. Decrease of amniotic fluid was evident in three fetuses. Indications for emergent treatment included mass effect from hydronephrosis in three patients, renal dysfunction in five, and severe urinary tract infection in one. During neonatal periods, a percutaneous nephrostomy tube was placed in seven, and open nephrostomy in one with anorectal malformation. Repeated punctures of the dilated renal pelvis were done in one patient. Renal function after pyeloplasty was stable in eight patients, while it was moderately decreased in one who was associated with oligohydramnios in utero. CONCLUSION: Indications for emergent treatment in neonates with PUJO included mass effect from giant hydronephrosis, renal dysfunction and severe urinary tract infection. At birth, respiratory and circulatory conditions must first be stabilized. In neonates with hydronephrosis of the solitary kidney or severe bilateral PUJO, serial SCr should be monitored to evaluate renal function. Decrease of amniotic fluid suggested renal functional compromise that would not recover after urological management.     

Plasma Separator for Encapsulating Fluorescent Probe in Erythrocytes

Using a plasma separator, it is possible to wash large volumes of whole blood free of plasma proteins in short periods. The novelty, however, is that the same apparatus can be used to reversibly hemolyze and reseal the red blood cells (RBCs) using hypotonic and hypertonic dialysates, respectively. This technique was assessed using the fluorescent exogenous agent uranin (fluorescein sodium). Results indicate that the encapsulation of the RBCs can be completed in under 2 h. The encapsulation efficiency of the RBCs was approximately 80% with a RBC recovery rate of 75%.     

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), extraesophageal reflux (EER) and recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis

Chronic polypoid rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common disease, affecting approximately 16% of the adult population in the US every year. In addition to many well known predisposing factors, an association with reflux disease is hypothesized. Such an association might explain the recurrence of polyposis in the face of improved surgical techniques and postsurgical treatment of CRS. At present it is unclear whether extraesophageal reflux directly injures the sinus mucosa, whether gastroesophageal reflux leads to vagus-mediated neuroinflammatory changes, or whether both mechanisms occur separately or simultaneously. In patients suffering from recurrent CRS (n=20) and healthy volunteers (n=20), ambulatory 24 h two channel pH testing was performed. The number of reflux events, the fraction of the total time during which pH was below 4, and the reflux area index (RAI) were determined in the esophagus as well as in the hypopharynx. Patients with recurrent CRS had significantly more reflux events in the esophagus and the fraction of pH<4 and the RAI were increased up to 10-fold compared to healthy volunteers. In contrast to the esophagus, these differences were not observed in the hypopharynx. Recurrent CRS is often associated with GERD but not with EER. Recurrent disease or prolonged recovery after surgery should raise the suspicion of reflux disease as a possible triggering factor. Because GERD itself cannot be diagnosed by laryngoscopy, and because of the subjectivity of symptoms such as heartburn, the otolaryngologist should consider double-probe pH testing as the diagnostic procedure of choice.     

骨髓间充质干细胞促进骨-肌腱结合部愈合的初步观察

[目的]观察骨髓间充质干细胞对骨-肌腱结合部愈合的影响.[方法]采用骨髓穿刺、全骨髓培养法获取兔骨髓间充质干细胞.36只18周龄新西兰大白兔随机分为2组,实验组将骨髓间充质干细胞与Pluronic F-127载体材料结合后,植入兔髌骨部分切除模型,对照组只进行手术,不植入细胞.在术后6、12、18周进行X线片、大体和组织学观察评估.[结果]X线片显示术后6、12、18周实验组骨-肌腱结合部新生骨面积显著大于对照组（P＜0.01）.大体观察可见实验组骨-腱结合部愈合较早.HE染色显示实验组术后6周有大量的纤维母细胞和类软骨细胞增生,并可见新骨形成;12周,髌腱与松质骨接触面软骨细胞移行带形成;18周,纤维软骨移行带排列更有序.Safranin 0染色显示实验组术后6周,基质染色较深,部分骨-腱结合处可见相对浓染区;12周,基质染色范围明显减少,沿类软骨细胞走行分布;18周,类软骨细胞集中的区域染色较12周有所减退.组织学检查显示实验组术后6、12、18周骨-腱结合部组织愈合明显,较对照组迅速.[结论]骨髓间充质干细胞可以促进骨-肌腱结合部细胞增生,促进其早期愈合.     

Mid-infrared spectroscopy on skin using a silver halide fibre probe in vivo

Background/aim: Mid-infrared spectroscopy is a versatile method for in vivo investigation of skin after topical treatment with skin care products.
Methods: FTIR-spectrometer (Bruker Optics) with a flexible silver halide fibre probe (Infrared Fiber Sensors).
Results: Absorbance spectra from 700 to 3000 cm⁻¹ have been recorded to gain information about proteins (amide-I and amide-II vibrations at 1650 and 1550 cm⁻¹), esters (1740 cm⁻¹), carboxylic acid (1710 cm⁻¹), polyalcohols (1050 cm⁻¹) and hydrocarbons (CH _n vibrations at 2800–3000 cm⁻¹).
Conclusions: Using the particular light guide, we were able to measure for the first time the effects of lip care products on lips directly. Furthermore, water binding and glycerol content of the skin could be determined simultaneously, as well as the replenishment of lipids by lipid-enriched bath oil.