The human autosomal gene DAZLA: testis specificity and a candidate for male infertility

The DAZ (Deleted in AZoospermia) and DAZLA (DAZ-like autosomal) genes may be determinants of male infertility. The DAZ gene on the long arm of the human Y chromosome is a strong candidate for the 'azoospermia factor' (AZF). Its role in spermatogenesis is supported by its exclusive expression in testis, its deletion in a high percentage of males with azoospermia or severe oligospermia, and its homology with a Drosophila male infertility gene boule. No DAZ homologous sequences have been found on the mouse Y chromosome. Instead, a Dazla gene was isolated from mouse chromosome 17 and has been considered to be a murine homologue of DAZ. However, the homology between human DAZ and mouse Dazla is not strong, and Dazla contains only one of the seven DAZ repeats found in DAZ. We report the isolation of the human DAZLA gene by screening a human testis cDNA library with a DAZ cDNA clone. DAZLA encodes only one DAZ repeat and shares high homology with the mouse Dazla, indicating that these two genes are homologues. Using a panel of rodent-human somatic cell lines and fluorescence in situ hybridization, the DAZLA gene was mapped to 3p24, a region not known to share homology with mouse chromosome 17. The DAZLA gene may be involved in some familial cases of autosomal recessive male infertility.      

The combined contraceptive vaginal device (NuvaRing®): A comprehensive review

Objectives?The aim of this study is to review the development of NuvaRing® over the past decade to illustrate its use-effectiveness and acceptance as an alternative contraceptive option for women.

Methods?The data were extracted from the literature using computerised MEDLINE system. NuvaRing® is a new combined hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring made of ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymer, releasing 120?μg etonorgestrel and 15?μg ethinyloestradiol per day. This ring is inserted on any day from day 1 to day 5 of a menstrual cycle for 21 days, thereafter removed for 7 days ring-free period and discarded.

Results?Complete inhibition of ovulation is observed during treatment with this device. Clinical exposure to NuvaRing® for 1786 women-years has resulted in 21 pregnancies, giving a Pearl Index of 1.18. Withdrawal bleeding (4.7–5.3 days) is regular (97–99% of cycles) with rare incidence of irregular bleeding (2.6–6.4%). The cycle control is good with the use of this combined contraceptive vaginal ring. NuvaRing® is well tolerated and accepted by women as compared to oral pill.

Conclusions?NuvaRing® is an effective vaginal contraceptive option for women. However, further study is needed for monitoring its long-term effectiveness and impact on patient's quality of life since the NuvaRing^R is marketed in many countries.     

Platelets lacking functional CD36 (glycoprotein IV) show reduced adhesion to collagen in flowing whole blood

A parallel-plate perfusion chamber has been used to evaluate the contribution of the adhesive membrane glycoprotein CD36 (GPIV) to platelet adhesion on type I collagen in flowing whole blood at a shear rate of 800 s-1. In one series of experiments, reconstituted normal blood (hematocrit 0.4; platelet count 1.5 x 10(5)/microL) was prepared from washed red blood cells, plasma, and washed platelets that had been incubated with Fab fragments of a monospecific polyclonal anti-CD36 antibody (50 micrograms/mL, 30 minutes, 37 degrees C). Percent surface coverage of collagen-coated coverslips using reconstituted blood with antibody-blocked platelets, as compared with paired reconstituted controls (100%), was 50% at 2 minutes, 87% at 5 minutes, and 90% at 10 minutes. Further studies were performed by perfusion of whole blood from a healthy donor of the Naka-negative phenotype, whose platelets constitutively lack CD36, over collagen-coated coverslips. In this case, percent surface coverage was 55% of normal controls at 2 minutes, 76% of controls at 5 minutes, and 72% of controls at 10 minutes. In both preparations, platelets lacking functional CD36 had a statistically significant decrease (P < .005) in adhesion after 2 minutes and 10 minutes perfusion but not at 5 minutes. These results show that functional CD36 facilitates the rapid adhesion of platelets to collagen and that this effect is seen at the earliest time points of their interaction.     

Intestinal influenza: replication and characterization of influenza viruses in ducks.

Influenza A viruses isolated from the cloaca of naturally infected feral ducks replicate in the lungs and in the cells lining the intestinal tract of feral and domestic ducks. Despite the low pH of the gizzard, the duck influenza viruses reach the intestines via the digestive tract and are found in high concentration in the feces. The viruses retain infectivity in fecal material for at least 30 days at 4° and for 7 days at 20°. The morphology of one strain of intestinal duck influenza virus (Hav7 Neg2) that had never been passed in embryonated eggs and was isolated from the feces was roughly spherical and fairly uniform in size and shape. However, another strain of duck influenza virus studied (Hav3 Nav6) was predominantly filamentous, suggesting that the morphology of influenza viruses in their natural hosts varies from strain to strain. After passage in the chick embryo each strain retained the morphological characteristics found in the feces. In contrast to duck influenza viruses, representative human influenza viruses of the HON1, H3N2, and Hswl Nl subtypes replicate only in the upper respiratory tract of ducks. The duck influenza viruses are more stable to low pH than human strains and retain infectivity for over 30 days in nonchlorinated river water at 0° and for 4 days at 22°. The susceptibility of ducks to infection with human and avian strains of influenza virus and the possibility of transmission to animal species through the water supply suggests that ducks may be important in the ecology of influenza viruses. The possibility of “intestinal influenza” virus vaccines is considered.     

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc position in patients with TMJ pain assessed by coronal MRI

Objectives:

To assess the position of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc in patients with TMJ pain and compare it with equivalent published data of asymptomatic volunteers.

Methods:

The oblique coronal closed- and open-jaw MR images from 66 patients with TMJ pain were evaluated. Clinical examination followed the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders. In all coronal images, the transverse condylar axis and the medial and lateral edges of the disc were determined using special software. Inter-rater agreement was calculated [two raters; inter-rater correlation coefficient (ICC)]. The presence of osteoarthrosis (OA) was determined by two independent raters. The influence of OA was estimated in patients (generalized estimation equation model). The results were compared with those of healthy volunteers (t-test). Differences between closed and open jaw in patients were analysed with the Wilcoxon matched-pair test.

Results:

The ICC was good for the transverse condylar axis (0.987) and the medial edge of the disc (0.799) and fair for the lateral edge (0.355). On average, the disc projected 5.5% to the medial side; laterally, the condyle was partially uncovered by the disc (−16.6%). In the open-jaw position, both the medial and the lateral edges shifted medially (to 17.6% vs −23.6%, Wilcoxon matched-pair test, p < 0.001). OA had no significant influence (generalized estimation equation model, p = 0.952). The disc position differed significantly from asymptomatic individuals (t-test, p < 0.001) who showed a medial disc position and full coverage of the condyle.

Conclusions:

In patients with TMJ pain, the disc seems to be smaller and located less medially than in healthy volunteers. The extent of the medial shift on opening was similar.     

地西泮的肠胃循环对中枢抑制作用的影响

研究了小鼠ig不同酸度溶液和活性碳对地西泮肠胃循环的干扰,是否影响其中枢抑制作用。HPLC法测定证实,酸性液体(pH1)ig可使小鼠iv地西泮后1h胃中地西泮排泌量显著增加。以iv地西泮后睡眠持续时间、自主活动抑制及转棒试验跌落率的恢复速度和死亡率为指标,比较了酸性活性碳(2g·kg^-1)、中性活性碳和生理盐水对地西泮中枢抑制作用的影响。结果表明,酸性碳组动物其地西泮所致中枢抑制状态的恢复速度明显加快,死亡率降低。     

An overview of research on increasing indices of happiness of people with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities

Purpose: This paper was to provide an overview of research studies aimed at increasing indices of happiness of persons with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities.

Method: Computerized and manual searches were carried out to identify the studies published from 1990 to 2004 (i.e., the period during which the issues of quality of life and happiness in people with disabilities have become more prominent). Twenty-four research studies were identified. They involved the use of six different procedures, that is, structured stimulation sessions, microswitch-based stimulation sessions, leisure activities and favourite work tasks or conditions, positive environment or positive behaviour support programmes and mindful caregiving, favourite stimulation automatically delivered on exercise engagement, and snoezelen.

Results and conclusions: Data tended to be positive with increases in the participants' indices of happiness, but some failures also occurred. The outcomes were discussed in relation to (a) methodological issues, such as designs of the studies, length of the intervention, and number of participants, and (b) personal and practical implications of the procedures. Some suggestions for future research (particularly focused on extending evidence and overcoming present methodological weaknesses) were also examined.     

Microswitch clusters to enhance adaptive responses and head control: A programme extension for three children with multiple disabilities

Purpose.?We assessed the possibility of extending adaptive responding and head control in three children with multiple disabilities through the use of microswitch clusters.

Method.?The children had previously learned to perform an adaptive hand response and to control head position during that response. They were now taught one or two new adaptive responses (foot lifting, leg touching, or vocalization) and to combine such responses with appropriate head position. Microswitch clusters served to ensure that an adaptive response was followed by positive stimulation only if it was combined with appropriate head position.

Results.?The results were positive with the children learning the new adaptive responses and combining them with appropriate head position. This performance was maintained during two- or three-month post-intervention checks. During these checks, the children were also successful in using the old adaptive hand response with appropriate head position.

Conclusions.?The use of microswitch clusters was effective to extend the level of adaptive responding and enhance appropriate head position during this responding. This outcome, which indicates a successful technical replication and procedural extension of previous work in the area, has positive practical implications for educational and occupational programmes for children with multiple disabilities.