Calcium ionophore-induced acrosome reaction correlates with fertilization rates in vitro in patients with teratozoospermic semen

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between calcium ionophore A23187-induced acrosome reaction (AR) and sperm fertilizing ability. Semen samples remaining after preparation for standard IVF were studied in 109 patients who had sperm concentrations > or =20 x 10(6)/ml. Ionophore-induced AR was performed on motile spermatozoa selected by centrifugation on a Percoll gradient. Semen analysis was performed using standard methods. Patients with higher (>50%, n = 76) fertilization rates had significantly higher ionophore-induced AR than patients with lower (<50%, n = 33) fertilization rates (49 +/- 14 versus 38 +/- 21%, P < 0.05). When the data from all patients were analysed by logistic regression, only the percentage sperm motility in insemination medium and ionophore-induced AR were significantly related to fertilization rates. Similar results were also obtained when the data from a subgroup of patients with poor (<15% normal) sperm morphology were analysed. However, when patients with normal sperm morphology > or =15% were analysed separately, only sperm count and the percentage of spermatozoa with progressive motility in semen were significantly related to fertilization rates. In conclusion, ionophore- induced AR was significantly related to fertilization rates in vitro mainly in patients with teratozoospermic semen. Tests for ionophore- induced AR may provide additional information about sperm fertilizing ability but may not indicate specific defects of the physiological AR.      

Effects of thoracic epidural anaesthesia on microvascular gastric mucosal oxygenation in physiological and compromised circulatory conditions in dogs

Background. The effects of thoracic epidural anaesthesia (TEA)on gastric mucosal microvascular haemoglobin oxygenation (µHbO₂)are unclear. At the splanchnic level, reduction of sympathetictone may promote vasodilation and increase µHbO₂. However,these splanchnic effects are counteracted by systemic effectsof TEA (e.g., decreased cardiac output (CO) and mean arterialpressure (MAP)), thus making the net effect on µHbO₂ difficultto predict. In this respect, effects of TEA on µHbO₂ maydiffer between physiological and compromised circulatory conditions,and additionally may depend on adequate fluid resuscitation.Furthermore, TEA may alter the relationship between regionalµHbO₂ and systemic oxygen-transport (DO₂). Methods. Chronically instrumented dogs (flow probes for CO measurement)were anaesthetized, their lungs ventilated and randomly receivedTEA with lidocaine (n=6) or epidural saline (controls, n=6).Animals were studied under physiological and compromised circulatoryconditions (PEEP 10 cm H₂O), both with and without fluid resuscitation.We measured gastric mucosal µHbO₂ by reflectance spectrophotometry,systemic DO₂, and systemic haemodynamics (CO, MAP). Results. Under physiological conditions, TEA preserved µHbO₂(47 (3)% and 49 (5)%, mean (SEM)) despite significantly decreasingDO₂ (11.3 (0.8) to 10.0 (0.7) ml kg^–1 min^–1) andMAP (66 (2) to 59 (3) mm Hg). However, during compromised circulatoryconditions, TEA aggravated the reduction in µHbO₂ (to32 (1)%), DO₂ (to 6.7 (0.8) ml kg^–1 min^–1) and MAP(to 52 (4) mm Hg), compared with controls. During TEA, fluidresuscitation completely restored these variables. TEA preservedthe correlation between µHbO₂ and DO₂, compared with controls. Conclusions. TEA maintains µHbO₂ under physiological conditions,but aggravates the reduction of µHbO₂ induced by cardiocirculatorydepression, thereby preserving the relationship between gastricmucosal and systemic oxygenation. Presented in part at the German Anaesthesia Congress 2003 (April9–12, Munich, Germany) and the European Society of IntensiveCare Congress 2003 (October 5–8, Amsterdam, The Netherlands).     

Liver X receptors orchestrate osteoblast/osteoclast crosstalk and counteract pathologic bone loss

Osteoporosis is characterized by enhanced differentiation of bone‐resorbing osteoclasts, resulting in a rapid loss of functional trabecular bone. Bone‐forming osteoblasts and osteoblast‐derived osteocytes perform a key role in the regulation of osteoclast development by providing both the pro‐osteoclastogenic cytokine receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL) and its natural decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG). By regulating the RANKL/OPG ratio, osteoblasts hence determine the rate of both osteoclast differentiation and bone turnover. Here, we describe a novel role for liver X receptors (LXRs) during the crosstalk of bone‐forming osteoblasts and bone‐resorbing osteoclasts. By using a system of osteoblast/osteoclast cocultures, we identify LXRs as regulator of RANKL expression and the RANKL/OPG ratio in osteoblasts. Activation of LXRs drastically reduced the RANKL/OPG ratio and interfered with osteoblast‐mediated osteoclast differentiation in vitro. During an ovariectomy (OVX)‐induced model of postmenopausal osteoporosis, the application of an LXR agonist shifted the RANKL/OPG ratio in vivo, ameliorated the enhanced osteoclast differentiation, and provided complete protection from OVX‐induced bone loss. These results reveal an unexpected involvement of LXRs in the regulation of bone turnover and highlight a potential role for LXRs as novel targets in the treatment of osteoporosis and related diseases. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Stimulation of osteogenic differentiation in human osteoprogenitor cells by pulsed electromagnetic fields: an in vitro study

Background  

Although pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation may be clinically beneficial during fracture healing and for a wide range of bone disorders, there is still debate on its working mechanism. Mesenchymal stem cells are likely mediators facilitating the observed clinical effects of PEMF. Here, we performed in vitro experiments to investigate the effect of PEMF stimulation on human bone marrow-derived stromal cell (BMSC) metabolism and, specifically, whether PEMF can stimulate their osteogenic differentiation.     

柱前手性衍生化反相高效液相色谱法拆分地佐西平对映异构体的研究

用乙酰葡萄糖异硫氰酸酯(GITC)作柱前手性衍生化试剂,以反相高效液相色谱法成功地拆分了地佐西平对映异构体。在此基础上建立了地佐西平对映异构体纯度和血药浓度测定方法。已用于测定右旋地佐西平的光学纯度和小鼠血药浓度。     

Structured reporting in radiologic education – Potential of different PI-RADS versions in prostate MRI controlled by in-bore MR-guided biopsies

Objectives:To evaluate the efficiency of structured reporting in radiologic education – based on the example of different PI-RADS score versions for multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) of the prostate.Methods:MpMRI of 688 prostate lesions in 180 patients were retrospectively reviewed by an experienced radiologist and by a student using PI-RADS V1 and V2. Data sets were reviewed for changes according to PI-RADS V2.1. The results were correlated with results obtained by MR-guided biopsy. Diagnostic potency was evaluated by ROC analysis. Sensitivity, specificity and correct-graded samples were evaluated for different cutpoints. The agreement between radiologist and student was determined for the aggregation of the PI-RADS score in three categories. The student’s time needed for evaluation was measured.Results:The area under curve of the ROC analysis was 0.782/0.788 (V1/V2) for the student and 0.841/0.833 (V1/V2) for the radiologist. The agreement between student and radiologist showed a Cohen‘s weighted κ coefficient of 0.495 for V1 and 0.518 for V2. Median student’s time needed for score assessment was 4:34 min for PI-RADSv1 and 2:00 min for PI-RADSv2 (p < 0.001). Re-evaluation for V2.1 changed the category in 1.4% of all ratings.Conclusion:The capacity of prostate cancer detection using PI-RADS V1 and V2 is dependent on the reader‘s experience. The results from the two observers indicate that structured reporting using PI-RADS and, controlled by histopathology, can be a valuable and quantifiable tool in students‘ or residents’ education. Herein, V2 was superior to V1 in terms of inter-observer agreement and time efficacy.Advances in knowledge:Structured reporting can be a valuable and quantifiable tool in radiologic education. Structured reporting using PI-RADS can be used by a student with good performance. PI-RADS V2 is superior to V1 in terms of inter-observer agreement and time efficacy.     

Sensitivity and specificity of four assays to detect human T− lymphotropic virus type I or type I/II antibodies

BACKGROUND: Assays that detect human T-lymphotropic virus type I and type II antibody (HTLV-I/II) are widely used in the routine screening of blood donors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Four commercially available anti-HTLV-I (Fujirebio and Organon Teknika) or -HTLV-I/II assays (Murex and Ortho) were evaluated in various serum panels: A) HTLV-I-positive specimens (n = 41), confirmed by Western blot and polymerase chain reaction; B) a commercially available anti-HTLV-I/II panel; C) serial dilutions of sera from HTLV-I-positive individuals (n = 30), confirmed by immunofluorescence assay and Western blot: D) serial dilutions of HTLV-II-positive blood donors (n = 20), confirmed by Western blot and polymerase chain reaction, and E) sera from first-time blood donors (n = 1055). RESULTS: All four assays elicited reactions in all 82 HTLV-I- positive samples in Panels A, B, and C. Of 32 HTLV-II-positive specimens in Panels B and D, 31 (96.9%) reacted in the Organon Teknika assay and all 32 reacted in the remaining tests. Probit analysis of test results in Panels C and D indicated that the Fujirebio test was the most sensitive assay, followed by Organon Teknika, Ortho, and Murex. The specificities of Fujirebio, Murex, Organon Teknika, and Ortho tests in 1055 first-time blood donors were 99.9, 100, 99.6, and 99.9 percent, respectively. CONCLUSION: All four studied assays for detecting HTLV-I or HTLV-I/II antibodies are appropriate as screening tests.     

股方肌肌骨瓣植入治疗成人股骨头缺血性坏死

目的:目前成人股骨头缺血性坏死的手术方法较多,但远期疗效大多不肯定。股方肌肌骨瓣植入术可以治疗成人股骨头缺血性坏死,但需验证其近远期疗效。方法:选择2001-01/2007-01铜川市矿务局中心医院骨科收治的股方肌肌骨瓣植入治疗股骨头坏死患者15例(18髋),均知情同意。术中暴露股方肌及其在股骨近端的附着点,于附着点处凿取骨瓣,骨瓣为4cm×1.5cm×1.0cm的长方形,将骨瓣插入股骨头内,远端用可吸收骨钉固定。术后3,6,12,24个月门诊复查拍患髋正位和蛙式位X射线片,根据临床查体和X射线片表现将手术效果分为优、良、差3级。结果:全部患者均获随访,随访时间4～36个月。近期疗效满意,出院时疼痛症状均缓解,未见手术相关并发症。中远期随访结果优10髋,良6髋,差2髋,优良率88.9%。结论:股方肌肌骨瓣植入术治疗成人股骨头缺血性坏死近远期疗效确切,手术操作相对简单。