Sperm Quality Improvement in Cryopreserved Human Semen

Purpose

We determined if separation of spermatozoa (washed) on a discontinuous colloidal suspension of silica (Percoll^†) density gradient before cryopreservation improves post-thaw motility compared to an unprocessed (raw) cryopreserved sample.

Materials and Methods

Ten normal healthy volunteers recruited into the andrology laboratory donor program were studied. Raw and washed cryopreserved spermatozoa were compared for loss of motility with time, motion characteristics, viability and membrane integrity after incubation for 1, 6 and 24 hours. Within group comparisons were made to baseline measurements (0 hours before incubation).

Results

Raw and washed cryopreserved spermatozoa showed statistically significant decreases in motility and other motion characteristics after thawing. There were significant decreases in motility and other motion characteristics after incubation periods of 1, 6 and 24 hours, and significant decreases in viability and membrane integrity at 6 and 24 hours in the unprocessed spermatozoa. Although, motility and motion characteristics of washed samples decreased significantly with longer incubation periods, loss of motility with time (longevity) was greater in raw samples. Washed samples retained greater sperm motility for up to 24 hours (p less than 0.03).

Conclusions

Specimens prepared by Percoll separation techniques before freezing offer the possibility of selecting spermatozoa that retain motility for up to 24 hours. This finding can be of benefit for couples undergoing intrauterine insemination to achieve pregnancy.     

Testicular Trauma: Potential Impact on Reproductive Function

Purpose

The long-term effects of testicular trauma on reproductive function are unknown. In an effort to define the relationship between testicular injury and fertility in humans, we identified patients with a history of testicular trauma and assessed parameters commonly associated with fertility.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed 15 patients 23 to 59 years old who underwent immediate exploration after testicular trauma between 1972 and 1991. Of the patients 11 were contacted and 8 returned for prospective followup. Reproductive and sexual histories, physical examination, measurements of serum hormones and antisperm antibodies, semen analysis and scrotal ultrasound were done.

Results

Of the 8 patients 1 (13 percent) achieved and 7 (87 percent) did not attempt conception. Hormonal status was normal in all 8 patients. Six men had objective evidence of subfertility by semen analysis only, although none had severe oligospermia or asthenospermia and only 1 had severe teratospermia. Five of 9 traumatized testes were atrophic. Interestingly, only 1 patient had antisperm antibodies, the levels of which were probably low enough to be clinically insignificant.

Conclusions

There was definite evidence of subfertility as assessed by abnormal semen analyses and atrophic testes following testicular trauma. However, the subfertility did not appear to be immune mediated nor did the patients present with infertility. Since only 1 patient had severely compromised fertility according to semen analysis we conclude that early repair can help preserve hormonal function as well as fertility.     

Identification of novel prognosticators of outcome in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to identify chromosomal aberrations associated with poor outcome in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed the global genomic composition of 82 HNSCCs from previously untreated patients with comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). The CGH data were subcategorized into individual cytogenetic bands. Only genomic aberrations occurring in more than 5% of cases were analyzed, and redundancies were eliminated. Each aberration was submitted to univariate analysis to assess its relationship with disease-specific survival (DSS). We used Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) to adjust P values for the log-rank approximate chi(2) statistics for each abnormality and further applied the Hochberg-Benjamini procedure to adjust the P values for multiple testing of the large number of abnormalities. We then submitted abnormalities whose univariate tests resulted in an adjusted P value of less than.15 together with significant demographic/clinical variables to stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression. We again verified and adjusted P values for the chi(2) approximation of the final model by MCS. RESULTS: CGH analysis revealed a recurrent pattern of chromosomal aberrations typical for HNSCC. Univariate analysis revealed 38 abnormalities that were correlated with DSS. After controlling for multiple comparisons and confounding effects of stage, five chromosomal aberrations were significantly associated with outcome, including amplification at 11q13, gain of 12q24, and losses at 5q11, 6q14, and 21q11 (MCS adjusted P =.0009 to P =.01). CONCLUSION: HNSCC contains a complex pattern of chromosomal aberrations. A sequential approach to control for multiple comparisons and effect of confounding variables allows the identification of clinically relevant aberrations. The significance of each individual abnormality merits further consideration.     

Isothermal titration calorimetry method for determination of cyclodextrin complexation thermodynamics between artemisinin and naproxen under varying environmental conditions.

A novel isothermal titration calorimetry method was used to determine the complexation thermodynamics for hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin with artemisinin and naproxen at varying temperature and pH. The new method is very useful for studying complexation reactions between cyclodextrin and drugs with poor solubility and all the thermodynamic parameters of the cyclodextrin complexation were determined. The analysis of the thermodynamic data reveals involvement of hydrophobic bonding in the cyclodextrin complexes studied. The data also reveals the presence of enthalpy-entropy compensation in the system and provide information as to the orientation of the drug molecule inside the cyclodextrin cavity. From the thermodynamic parameters for dissociation of HPBCD complexes of artemisinin and naproxen at pH 2 it is concluded that the complexation is primarily driven by enthalpy with entropic assistance at all temperatures studied. From the dissociation studies of HPBCD complexes of naproxen at pH 10 it is concluded that the complexation is predominantly driven by entropy and moderately by enthalpy at lower temperatures and by enthalpy with entropic assistance at higher temperatures.     

Survival patterns in treated cases of carcinoma larynx in north india - a 10 years followup study

Conclusion  Patients with stage I and II tumors had the best results with radical radiotherapy alone 5 years survival for patients with stage I and stage II tumors was 90-95% and 75-85% respectively Patients with advanced stage III & IV disease were treated Unoperable stage IV cancer patients had poor outcome and received only palliative treatment     

Mifepristone versus the Yuzpe regimen (PC4) for emergency contraception.

OBJECTIVE: To compare side effects, women's acceptance and satisfaction with mifepristone (100 mg) versus the Yuzpe regimen for emergency contraception (EC). METHODS: A total of 1000 women requesting EC within 72 h of unprotected intercourse were randomized to receive mifepristone 100 mg or the standard Yuzpe regimen. Outcome measures included patient acceptability and satisfaction. RESULTS: A total of 620 (62%) questionnaires were returned, 64% in the mifepristone group and 60% in the Yuzpe group. Mifepristone was better tolerated than the Yuzpe regimen. The rates of nausea (P<0.0001), abdominal pain (P=0.001), tiredness (P<0.0001), lethargy (P=0.001), hot flushes (P<0.0001) and dizziness (P<0.0001) were all significantly higher in women given the Yuzpe regimen compared to those who received mifepristone. Of these 94% and 80% in the mifepristone and Yuzpe groups, respectively, were satisfied with treatment (P<0.0001). Of women in the mifepristone group, 56% (181/321) had used the Yuzpe regimen of EC in the past and of these, 93.6% (161/172) indicated they would use mifepristone in the future. A total of four women in the Yuzpe group had mifepristone in the past and all four said they would use mifepristone in the future. CONCLUSION: Mifepristone has high patient acceptability and few side effects compared to the standard Yuzpe regimen for EC.     

Survival patterns in treated cases of carcinoma larynx in North India: A 10-year follow-up study

Carcinoma of larynx is a common disease in North Indian population. It is seen commonly in smokers and alcoholics. It poses a serious health problem due to its tendency to cause airway obstruction and to make the patient aphonic if total larynxgectomy is done for curing this cancer. We conducted a retrospective analysis in 690 cases of carcinoma larynx presenting to Nehru Hospital, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh. Various aspects of this disease like predisposing factors, patterns of spread, histological types, various treatment modalities, their complications and response of this disease to these therapeutic options were studied in detail.