Comparison between a swim-up and a Percoll gradient technique for the separation of human spermatozoa

Two methods of separating human sperm were compared using twenty-two semen samples. The sperm were separated by a swim-up technique or by self-migration on a Percoll gradient followed by medium change. After separation, the sperm obtained were assessed for progressive motility, ATP content, energy charge index ([ATP + 0.5 ADP]/[ATP + ADP + AMP]) and morphology. In general, and especially for semen samples containing less than 20 X 10(6) sperm/ml, separation by Percoll gradient selected sperm that were superior to those separated by the swim-up technique. The relatively high energy charge index (greater than 0.8) showed that the sperm tolerated the separation conditions well. It is suggested that self-migration on a Percoll gradient should prove useful for obtaining sperm of high quality.     

Effect on management mortality of a deliberate policy of early operation on supratentorial aneurysms

Of 736 patients with intracranial aneurysms seen at the University of Alberta from 1968 to 1985, 437 were admitted on the day of or the day after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from a supratentorial aneurysm. Of these, 205 were managed from 1968 through 1977 and 232 were managed from 1978 through early 1985 after a policy of early aneurysm operation had been implemented. Postoperative and management mortality and morbidity rates were related to the grade of the patient at the time of admission and the time interval before operation. Overall management mortality (and postoperative mortality) rates for patients treated before 1978 were 47% (19%) for all grades, 17% (12%) for Grades 1 and 2, 51% (25%) for Grades 3 and 4, and 100% (100%) for Grade 5. Since 1978, mortality has been reduced to 38% (11%) for all grades, 10% (5%) for Grades 1 and 2, 39% (17%) for Grades 3 and 4, and 96% (60%) for Grade 5. Management mortality for patients operated on Day 0 to 3 was lower than for those operated later after SAH both before and after 1978. Postoperative mortality was lowered in all patients operated from 1978 to 1985 regardless of the interval from SAH to operation, and management mortality was reduced overall, as well as for patients operated on day 0 to 3, in those treated from 1978 to 1985. The authors conclude that a policy of early aneurysm operation has contributed to a reduction of both postoperative and management mortality.     

Conservative open anterior acromioplasty

The records of 29 consecutive patients treated by a pure, open, anterior acromioplasty were reviewed retrospectively. Excluded from consideration were patients with the following pathologic diagnoses or histories: (1) previously attempted acromioplasty on the same shoulder; (2) intraoperatively confirmed rotator cuff tear; (3) any surgically treatable biceps tendon or acromioclavicular abnormality; (4) lost to follow-up study. Three different techniques were employed to perform the acromioplasties. The first technique required partial deltoid origin detachment with an osteotome. The second technique spared the deltoid origin, while again using an osteotome to perform the acromioplasty. The third technique also spared the deltoid origin but used a high-speed burr to perform the acromioplasty. Evaluated in terms of patient satisfaction, residual pain, length of convalescence, suboptimal results, and complications, the first technique proved to be the least effective. The second technique produced early, excellent results. The third technique, in which a burr was employed through an intact deltoid origin, was most effective; technically, the method was also relatively simple and reliable.     

Human factors in chemical containment laboratory design

A human factors engineering analysis of a chemical containment laboratory was performed to develop appropriate standards for future laboratory design. In order to perform this evaluation, a state-of-the-art facility was studied in depth. Measurements and observations were made of key operating areas. In addition, technicians were observed and interviewed as they performed various tasks. Compiled data were compared to existing ergonomic standards. The occupational implications of instituting ergonomically developed laboratory design standards are as follows: increased worker health, safety and productivity, improved work quality and reduced stress.     

Multidisciplinary evaluation of rat renal cell carcinoma

The rat renal cell carcinoma system as described by deVere White and Olsson in 1980 is used widely as a model for its human counterpart. The tumor arose spontaneously in a male Wistar Lewis rat and its behaviour has been shown to be stable during multiple passages. We have compared this tumor with the human renal cell carcinoma using a multidisciplinary approach. Light microscopy and electron microscopy showed a great resemblance of this rat tumor to a human renal cell carcinoma of the clear cell type with the ultrastructural presence of desmosomes. With the use of tissue specific antibodies against intermediate filament proteins, it could be shown that their expression is comparable to human renal cell carcinoma, i.e. coexpression of vimentin and different cytokeratins in the tumor cells. The cells could also be shown to contain cytokeratin 18. An aneuploid cell population in the tumor, expressing both vimentin and keratin, could be characterized by DNA flow cytometry in double labeling experiments. Comparison of normal and malignant rat kidney tissue by Northern blot analysis revealed increased levels of vimentin mRNA. In conclusion, this tumor model seems to have several histological and biological properties in common with the human renal tumor.