Y chromosome deletions in azoospermic and severely oligozoospermic men undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection after testicular sperm extraction

Y chromosome deletions encompassing the AZFc region have been reported in 13% of azoospermic men and 7% of severely oligozoospermic men. We examined the impact of these Y deletions on the severity of testicular defects in 51 azoospermic men undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) after testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and 30 men with severe oligozoospermia undergoing ICSI after ejaculation of spermatozoa. In addition, five azoospermic patients shown previously to have Y chromosome deletions underwent histological evaluation of their previously obtained testis biopsy specimens. A further 27 azoospermic men underwent TESE-ICSI, but not Y chromosome DNA testing. Ten of 51 azoospermic men (20%) who underwent TESE-ICSI and Y-DNA testing were found to be deleted for portions of the Y chromosome AZFc region. Of these 10, five had spermatozoa retrievable from the testis, and in two cases the wives became pregnant. Of the 41 azoospermic men with no Y chromosome deletion, 22 (54%) had spermatozoa retrievable from the testis, and in 12 cases (29%) the wives became pregnant. Four of 30 (13%) severely oligozoospermic patients were found to be deleted for AZFc and in three (75%) of these pregnancy was achieved. The other 26 severely oligozoospermic couples who had no AZFc deletions underwent ICSI, and 12 (46%) have an ongoing or delivered pregnancy. The embryo implantation rate was not significantly different for azoospermic (22%), oligozoospermic (16%), Y-deleted (14%) or Y-intact (18%) men. Of the total of 19 infertile men who had Y chromosome deletions, 14 had deletions within Y chromosome intervals 6D-6F, in the AZFc region. Twelve of those 14 had some spermatozoa (however few in number) in the ejaculate or testis. Five of the Y-deleted men had deletions that extended more proximally on the Y chromosome, and in none of these could any spermatozoa be observed in either ejaculate or testis. These results support the concept that, in azoospermic or oligozoospermic men with Y chromosome deletions limited to intervals 6D-6F (AZFc), there are generally very small numbers of testicular or ejaculated spermatozoa. Larger Y deletions, including and extending beyond the AZFc region and encompassing more Y genes, tend to be associated with a total absence of testicular spermatozoa. In those cases where spermatozoa were retrieved, the presence of Y deletions had no obvious impact on fertilization or pregnancy rate.      

In vitro erosion of 20 commercial glass ionomer cements measured using the lactic acid jet test.

The lactic acid jet test has been proposed for incorporation in international standards for dental cements, since results correlate well with in vivo erosion. In the literature, jet test results have been reported on only six glass ionomer cements. This study examines three types of glass ionomer, restorative, luting and metal reinforced, twenty materials from six manufacturers. A wide range of erosion rates was found particularly for restorative cements. The hypotheses put forward by previous workers to explain differences in erosion rates found on their limited range of glass ionomers do not apply to the wider range that we tested.     

Cryopreservation of all prezygotes in patients at risk of severe hyperstimulation does not eliminate the syndrome, but the chances of pregnancy are excellent with subsequent frozen-thaw transfers

In-vitro fertilization patients (n = 15) at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) (oestradiol > or =4500 pg/ml on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin administration and 25 or more follicles of intermediate or large size) underwent aspiration of all follicles and cryopreservation of all fertilized oocytes at the pronuclear stage. Patients were monitored for up to 2 weeks post- retrieval. Subsequent transfer of cryopreserved-thawed embryos was performed in programmed cycles using exogenous oestrogen and progesterone for endometrial preparation. Two patients (13%) developed OHSS necessitating hospitalization and vaginal aspiration of ascitic fluid. Two other patients (13%) developed moderate OHSS requiring ascitic fluid vaginal aspiration in the office setting, with dramatic improvement of the condition. Subsequent transfer of cryopreserved- thawed embryos yielded a clinical pregnancy rate of 58% per transfer and ongoing or delivery rates of 42 and 67% per transfer and per patient respectively. By eliminating pregnancy potential with cryopreservation of all prezygotes and examining the pregnancy potential with subsequent cryopreserved-thawed transfers, it is concluded that OHSS is reduced, but not eliminated for patients at risk. Subsequent transfer of cryopreserved-thawed prezygotes in a programmed cycle with exogenous steroids yields an excellent pregnancy rate.      

Improved oocyte quality is obtained with follicle stimulating hormone alone than with follicle stimulating hormone/human menopausal gonadotrophin combination

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of pure follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) with that of FSH/human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) combination in downregulated cycles. A total of 357 patients was evaluated retrospectively. Sixty percent of patients in the FSH group and 55% in the FSH/HMG group were new; the others were repeat patients. Ovulation was suppressed with leuprolide acetate in all patients, followed by either FSH (n = 218) or FSH/HMG (n = 119). There was no difference in patients' age, infertility factors, number of ampoules used, length of stimulation, oestradiol levels on day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration, number of oocytes recovered or the number of embryos transferred. Also, nuclear maturity at aspiration and fertilization rates were not different between the two groups. FSH stimulation resulted in a significantly higher percentage of mature oocytes that showed the typical 'mature' morphological characteristics (P < 0.0001). The clinical pregnancy rates per transfer were 40 and 28% in patients stimulated with pure FSH and FSH/HMG respectively (P < 0.05). The significantly higher number of immature oocytes matured in vitro in the FSH/HMG group (P = 0.001) suggests a possible effect on in-vitro maturation, due to luteinizing hormone present in HMG. The difference in mature oocyte quality may be an important determinant in the higher pregnancy rates for the FSH- stimulated patients.      

Complete nucleotide sequence of the 27-kilobase virulence related locus (vrl) of Dichelobacter nodosus: evidence for extrachromosomal origin

The vrl locus is preferentially associated with virulent isolates of the ovine footrot pathogen, Dichelobacter nodosus. The complete nucleotide sequence of this 27.1-kb region has now been determined. The data reveal that the locus has a G+C content much higher than the rest of the D. nodosus chromosome and contains 22 open reading frames (ORFs) encoding products including a putative adenine-specific methylase, two potential DEAH ATP-dependent helicases, and two products with sequence similarity to a bacteriophage resistance system. These ORFs are all in the same orientation, and most are either overlapping or separated by only a few nucleotides, suggesting that they comprise an operon and are translationally coupled. Expression vector studies have led to the identification of proteins that correspond to many of these ORFs. These data, in combination with evidence of insertion of vrl into the 3' end of an ssrA gene, are consistent with the hypothesis that the vrl locus was derived from the insertion of a bacteriophage or plasmid into the D. nodosus genome.     

Age-related changes in brain proDynorphin gene expression in the rat

Dynorphin has a well-established role in feeding and gustation. Alterations in taste perception and feeding behavior are common with age. We hypothesized that proDynorphin gene expression in brain areas involved in taste and feeding declines with age. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were housed individually with ad libitum access to food and water. Brain punches of the selected regions were dissected out in groups of rats aged 4–6, 12–14 and 18–21 months. ProDynorphin mRNA (measured using a cDNA probe) decreased significantly with age in arcuate nucleus and amygdala; increased significantly with age in hippocampus; and was not significantly affected in nucleus of the solitary tract, cortex, caudate putamen or hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. These data suggest an age-related decrease in the synthesis of dynorphin in two brain regions strongly associated with feeding behavior, and an increase in dynorphin synthesis in a brain region associated with learning and memory.     

Does hope predict adjustment to end‐stage renal failure and consequent dialysis?

Objectives Hope is important in determining positive outcomes in a range of chronic illnesses. This study examined the role of hope in adjustment to end‐stage renal failure (ESRF) and consequent dialysis. Design A cross‐sectional design examined the ability of hope to predict adjustment to ESRF over and above other relevant variables. Methods Individuals receiving dialysis at 4 units in the North‐West UK were invited to take part in the study. 103 questionnaire packs were included in the analysis. Multiple regression equations determined whether hope was able to predict significant variance in adjustment over and above that accounted for by other factors (demographic and illness‐related factors, perceived control, and social support). Measures of anxiety, depression, and quality of life constituted a multidimensional measure of adjustment to ESRF. Results Each of the regression models was significant. Hope emerged as an independent significant predictor in five of the multiple regressions: anxiety; depression; effects and symptoms of kidney disease; and mental health quality of life. Age also emerged as an important predictor of outcome. Conclusions It appears that hope is a significant predictor of adjustment to ESRF. Clinical implications of this research are discussed, along with suggestions for future research.     

Identification of MEN1 gene mutations in sporadic carcinoid tumors of the lung

Lung carcinoids occur sporadically and rarely in association with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). There are no well defined genetic abnormalities known to occur in these tumors. We studied 11 sporadic lung carcinoids for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the locus of the MEN1 gene on chromosome 11q13, and for mutations of the MEN1 gene using dideoxy fingerprinting. Additionally, a lung carcinoid from a MEN1 patient was studied. In four of 11 (36%) sporadic tumors, both copies of the MEN1 gene were inactivated. All four tumors showed the presence of a MEN1 gene mutation and loss of the other allele. Observed mutations included a 1 bp insertion, a 1 bp deletion, a 13 bp deletion and a single nucleotide substitution affecting a donor splice site. Each mutation predicts truncation or potentially complete loss of menin. The remaining seven tumors showed neither the presence of a MEN1 gene mutation nor 11q13 LOH. The tumor from the MEN1 patient showed LOH at chromosome 11q13 and a complex germline MEN1 gene mutation. The data implicate the MEN1 gene in the pathogenesis of sporadic lung carcinoids, representing the first defined genetic alteration in these tumors.      

止泻散敷脐治疗婴幼儿腹泻100例

0　引言　腹泻乃小儿最常见病 ,尤以 2岁以下婴幼儿最为常见 .年龄越小 ,发病率越高 ,且多在夏、秋季发病 .小儿患病后惧怕打针 ,服药以及输液 ,给治疗带来一些困难 . 12 a来 ,我们用自拟的止泻散敷脐治疗婴幼儿泄泻 ,效果良好 .1　对象和方法1.1　对象　 1998- 0 6 / 1999- 10婴幼儿腹泻发病高峰期门诊病例 10 0 (男 6 6 ,女 34 )例 ,年龄 2月龄～ 5岁 .肠炎 5 8例 ,单纯消化不良 42例 . 6 7例曾多次治疗 ,33例初诊 .凡接受治疗之患儿 ,一律停止用其他药物 .1.2　方法　药物组成 :川椒 12 g,干姜 12 g,小茴香 12 g,白芷 2 0 g,吴茱萸 5 g,…     

The effect of naloxone on food-motivated behavior in the obese Zucker rat

 We assessed differences in food reinforced behavior between obese and lean Zucker rats with a progressive ratio schedule 3 (PR3) in which a subject emitted three additional lever-presses each time a reinforcer was delivered. The number of responses required for a reinforcer eventually exceeded its value, termed the ”break point”, a sensitive measure of food motivated behavior. Break points were higher in obese rats than lean controls for grain pellets (27.5 versus 9.5, P=0.01) but not for sweet pellets (51.6 versus 38.5, P=0.31). We determined if naloxone (0.01–3.0 mg/kg, SC), which reduces free food intake in obese Zucker rats, affects food motivated behavior in obese Zuckers and lean controls. Naloxone reduced break points in both obese and lean rats to a similar extent when working for either grain pellets or sweet pellets. Under free-access feeding conditions, naloxone again decreased pellet intake similarly in the obese and lean Zucker rats. Naloxone appeared to decrease free-access pellet consumption to a greater extent than break point in both groups. These results show that (1) obese rats exhibit higher levels of performance for food than lean rats only when working for the less valued grain pellet, (2) naloxone reduces both break points and free-access pellet consumption independent of genotype, and (3) naloxone appears to decrease food more effectively in rats given free access to food than in rats working for food. Received: 4 April 1998 / Final version: 19 August 1998