Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein expression rate in healthy spermatozoa is not correlated with ovum fertilisation rate

Our previous studies have shown that the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) was important for capacitation and fertilisation in mouse, guinea pig and human spermatozoa. However, it is unclear whether CFTR is correlated with ovum fertilisation rate. The present study was to test the possible relationship between spermatozoa CFTR protein expression rate in healthy men and ovum fertilisation rate during in vitro fertilisation. Ninety-four couples for female factor infertility for IVF-ET treatments were retrospectively studied. All the patients were divided into three groups based on the fertilisation rate of ovum in vitro. It was performed to explore whether there were differences in sperm CFTR protein expression rate among the three groups and the relevance between CFTR protein expression rate and ovum fertilisation rate. Our study showed that there was no significant differences in sperm CFTR protein expression rate among the three groups (F = 0.614, P = 0.544), and the relevance between spermatozoa CFTR protein expression rate and ovum fertilisation rate was not significantly different (r = 0.013, P = 0.904). These results further suggest that CFTR protein expression rate in healthy men spermatozoa was not associated with ovum fertilisation rate and thus we cannot predict ovum fertilisation results by sperm CFTR protein expression rate.     

Cytokine expression in the seminal plasma and its effects on fertilisation rates in an IVF cycle

Cytokines are released by various immunocompetent cell subsets in the male urogenital tract and are thought to affect sperm cell function and reproductive process. The aim of the study was to evaluate the levels and a possible role of seven seminal plasma cytokines with fertilisation rates in men attending an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) programme. A total of 36 men of couples who were undergoing traditional IVF in a regional reproductive medicine unit were recruited into this prospective study. Cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in the seminal plasma were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-11 and IFN-γ were detected in all samples. IL-12, and TNF-α were detected in most samples. Levels of IL-11 were significantly higher in the good fertiliser group (P ≤ 0.05). Positive correlation between cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-8 (P < 0.03), IL-10 and IL-11 (P < 0.001) and IFN-γ and IL-10 and IL-11 (P < 0.04 and P < 0.0001 respectively) were found. Our study confirms that the six cytokines other than IL-11 do not affect spermatozoon-oocyte interaction and fertilisation rates in IVF. IL-11 could have a role in the fertilising capacity of the spermatozoa. Significant correlation exists among these cytokines which shows that cytokines rarely act in isolation but rather in a network.     

基于临床及超声特征列线图模型诊断淋巴瘤

目的 观察基于临床及超声特征列线图模型诊断淋巴瘤的价值。方法 回顾性分析176例因浅表淋巴结肿大而疑诊淋巴瘤患者,根据病理结果将其分为淋巴瘤组（n=90,侵袭亚组40例、非侵袭亚组50例）与非淋巴瘤组（n=86）;比较组间与亚组间临床及超声资料,采用多因素logistic回归分析筛查淋巴瘤的独立危险因素并据以构建列线图;采用受试者工作特征曲线,比较常规超声、常规超声造影（C-CEUS）、高帧频超声造影（H-CEUS）及列线图评估淋巴瘤的效能。结果 多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄>59岁、淋巴结皮质条状/网状高回声及H-CEUS“离心烟花”样增强均为淋巴瘤的独立危险因素（P均<0.05）。以年龄59岁为最佳截断值,其诊断淋巴瘤的敏感度、特异度、准确率及曲线下面积（AUC）分别为67.78%、58.10%、63.06%及0.630;以皮质条状/网状高回声评估分别为73.33%、58.10%、65.91%及0.657;根据H-CEUS“离心烟花”样增强诊断时分别为77.78%、69.80%、73.86%及0.738。常规超声、C-CEUS、H-CEUS及列线图模型诊...     

Uroflowmetry: its current clinical utility for women

Uroflowmetry, the simple, non-invasive measurement of urine flow over time during micturition, has a long and interesting history, clear definitions, a clear purpose in screening for voiding difficulty and, most importantly, technical accuracy. Data interpretation is currently limiting its clinical utility, despite appropriate analysis being available in long-standing existing research. The main clinically important numerical parameters are the maximum and average urine flow rates and the voided volume. Urine flow rates are strongly dependent on voided volume. Reference to established (Liverpool) nomograms will most accurately correct for this dependency. Nomograms will also optimise the validation of uroflowmetry data and the accurate assessment of its normality, compared with fixed urine flow rates and "cutoffs" for voided volume. Abnormally slow urine flow (under the 10th centile Liverpool Nomograms) is the most clinically significant abnormality. Repeat uroflowmetry, concomitant post-void residual measurement and voiding cystometry studies are appropriate options for evaluating any abnormal uroflowmetry.     

Anti-Müllerian hormone and inhibin B levels reflect altered Sertoli cell function in men with metabolic syndrome

The aim of the present study was to investigate the Sertoli cell markers inhibin B and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in men with metabolic syndrome (MS). Twenty patients with MS according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation and 20 non obese age-matched men were investigated. The levels of testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), gonadotropins, inhibin B and AMH were measured in all of them. In obese patients with MS total testosterone (15.74 ± 6.95 versus 27.84 ± 12.80 nmol l(-1), P = 0.001), SHBG (21.71 ± 11.08 versus 38.80 ± 17.51 nmol l(-1), P = 0.001) and free testosterone (430.35 ± 237.40 versus 613.85 ± 303.65 pmol l(-1), P = 0.040) were significantly lower than in the controls. Interestingly, the inhibin B (103.64 ± 56.77 versus 149.88 ± 68.31 pg ml(-1), P = 0.025) and AMH levels (30.84 ± 13.14 versus 43.14 ± 9.66 pmol l(-1), P = 0.002) were also significantly lower in MS group in comparison to the other participants. The lowest levels of AMH were found in patients with MS and carbohydrate disturbances. The decreased concentrations of testosterone, inhibin B and AMH in patients with MS could reflect an impaired Leydig and Sertoli cell function. Further studies in men with obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes type 2 could reveal more information about the interrelations between the metabolic disturbances and reproductive function in men.     

Head-to-head comparison of two online nomograms for prostate biopsy outcome prediction

Study Type – Diagnosis (exploratory cohort)
Level of Evidence 2b What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? In recent years, several nomograms were developed in an effort to decrease the number of unnecessary prostate biopsies. The European SWOP‐PRI and the North American PCPT are among the most popular. However, evidence on the relative predictive accuracy is lacking. A head‐to‐head comparison on the diagnostic accuracy of two previously validated prostate cancer risk predictors on biopsy confirmed the superiority of these tools over PSA alone. Moreover, in the studied population, the European SWOP‐PRI proved to be more accurate than the North American PCPT‐CRC.

OBJECTIVE

? To compare the diagnostic accuracy of two previously validated prostate cancer risk predictors on biopsy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

? In total, 390 consecutive patients submitted to 10‐core systematic transrectal prostate biopsy at our institution were included in this retrospective study. ? External validation of a European (European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer derived Prostate Risk Indicator; SWOP‐PRI) and a North American (Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial Cancer Risk Calculator; PCPT‐CRC) nomogram was performed. ? The predictive accuracy of these online available nomograms was calculated based on the area under the curve derived from receiver–operator characteristic curves and then compared using the DeLong method.

RESULTS

? Both tools were confirmed to be superior to prostate‐specific antigen alone. Moreover, the SWOP‐PRI (77.9%) displays a 7.96% increase in the predictive accuracy compared to the PCPT‐CRC (69.9%) in a statistically significant fashion (P= 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

? The results obtained in the present study confirm the utility of nomograms with respect to biopsy outcome prediction in patients with suspicion of prostate cancer. ? In the current sample of patients, the European‐based nomogram appears to be more accurate than the North American nonogram, which lacks information regarding prostate volume and prostatic ultrasonographic lesions. ? To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare the accuracy of these popular risk calculators in a specific population.     

A New and Simple Predictive Formula for Non-Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis in Breast Cancer Patients with Positive Sentinel Lymph Nodes,and Validation of 3 Different Nomograms in Turkish Breast Cancer Patients

Background

Nomogram accuracies for predicting non-sentinel lymph node (SLN) involvement vary between different patient populations. Our aim is to put these nomograms to test on our patient population and determine our individual predictive parameters affecting SLN and non-SLN involvement.

Patients and Methods

Data from 932 patients was analyzed. Nomogram values were calculated for each patient utilizing MSKCC, Tenon, and MHDF models. Moreover, using our own patient- and tumor-depended parameters, we established a unique predictivity formula for SLN and non-SLN involvement.

Results

The calculated area under the curve (AUC) values for MSKCC, Tenon, and MHDF models were 0.727 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64–0.8), 0.665 (95% CI 0.59–0.73), and 0.696 (95% CI 0.59–0.79), respectively. Cerb-2 positivity (p = 0.004) and size of the metastasis in the lymph node (p = 0.006) were found to correlate with non-SLN involvement in our study group. The AUC value of the predictivity formula established using these parameters was 0.722 (95% CI 0.63–0.81).

Conclusion

The most accurate nomogram for our patient group was the MSKCC nomogram. Our unique predictivity formula proved to be as equally effective and competent as the MSKCC nomogram. However, similar to other nomograms, our predictivity formula requires future validation studies.