Effect of a woman's smoking status on oocyte, zygote, and day 3 pre-embryo quality in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer program

In the present study we investigated the effect of a woman's smoking status on the quality of the oocyte, zygote, and on day 3 pre-embryo, as well as the likelihood of achieving an ongoing pregnancy at 8 weeks. Smokers presented a higher number of nonfertilized oocytes than nonsmokers (20.1% vs. 10.8% of fertilization failure), by comparable clinical pregnancy rate for smokers (40.8%; 28/72) and for nonsmokers (39.2%; 23/58).     

Einzelreferate und Buchbesprechungen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Embolie und Thrombose

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Die pathologische Anatomie der Leber-Syphilis

Ohne ZusammenfassungMit 16 Textabbildungen.Bei der Fertigung dieser Arbeit erfreute ich mich der frdl. Unterstützung meines Kollegen Dr.Stephan C. Mayer, dem ich dafür bestens danken möchte.     

Investigating the Human Host—ssRNA Virus Interaction Landscape Using the SMEAGOL Toolbox

Viruses have evolved numerous mechanisms to exploit the molecular machinery of their host cells, including the broad spectrum of host RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). However, the RBP interactomes of most viruses are largely unknown. To shed light on the interaction landscape of RNA viruses with human host cell RBPs, we have analysed 197 single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) viral genome sequences and found that the majority of ssRNA virus genomes are significantly enriched or depleted in motifs for specific human RBPs, suggesting selection pressure on these interactions. To facilitate tailored investigations and the analysis of genomes sequenced in future, we have released our methodology as a fast and user-friendly computational toolbox named SMEAGOL. Our resources will contribute to future studies of specific ssRNA virus—host cell interactions and support the identification of antiviral drug targets.     

Assessment of Hageman factor activation in human plasma: quantification of activated Hageman factor-C1 inactivator complexes by an enzyme- linked differential antibody immunosorbent assay

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has been developed for the quantitation of activated Hageman factor-C1 inactivator (HF-C1 INH) complexes. Addition of increasing quantities of either of the major forms of activated Hageman factor (HFa or HFf) to normal plasma or to Hageman factor-deficient plasma leads to a dose-dependent increase in activated HF-C1 INH complexes. As little as 0.5 micrograms/mL of activated HF added to plasma can be detected, corresponding to activation of approximately 2% of plasma HF. The sensitivity of the assay is increased at least tenfold when complexes are formed in HF- deficient plasma, indicating competition between unactivated HF and activated HF-C1 INH complexes for binding to the antibody. Specificity is demonstrated in that addition of activated HF to hereditary angioedema plasma yields less than 1% of the activated HF-C1 INH complex formation obtained with normal plasma. Kaolin activation of HF- deficient plasma yields no detectable complex formation. Kaolin activation of prekallikrein-deficient plasma demonstrates a time- dependent increase in formation of activated HF-C1 INH complex consistent with the ability of HF in this plasma to autoactivate as the time of incubation with the surface is increased. Kaolin treatment of high-molecular weight (HMW) kininogen-deficient plasma yields an even more profound abnormality in the rate of formation of activated HF-C1 INH complexes reflecting the complex role of HMW kininogen in the initiation of contact activation. Although addition of corn inhibitor to plasma prevents activated HF-C1 INH complex formation, it does not inhibit activated HF sufficiently fast to prevent prekallikrein activation.     

Nucleotide sequence of the G protein gene of human respiratory syncytial virus reveals an unusual type of viral membrane protein.

The major surface glycoprotein (G) of human respiratory syncytial (RS) virus has an estimated mature Mr of 84,000-90,000. Among a library of cDNA clones prepared from RS virus mRNAs, we identified clones that hybridized to a message that encoded a Mr 36,000 polypeptide that was specifically immunoprecipitated with anti-G antiserum. The amino acid sequence of the G protein backbone was determined by nucleotide sequence analysis of several of the cDNA clones. It contains a combination of structural features that make it unique among the known viral glycoproteins. The G mRNA is 918 nucleotides long and contains a single major open reading frame that encodes a polypeptide having 298 amino acid residues with a Mr of 32,587, a finding consistent with the Mr 36,000 estimate for the in vitro translation product of the G mRNA. This suggests that greater than 50% of the molecular weight of the mature glycoprotein may be contributed by carbohydrate. Glycosylation of G is largely resistant to tunicamycin, an inhibitor of the attachment of N-linked oligosaccharides, suggesting that the majority of the carbohydrate residues are attached via O-glycosidic bonds. In accordance with this, serine and threonine residues, the acceptor sites for O-linked oligosaccharides, comprise 30.6% of the total amino acid composition. There are also four potential acceptor sites for N-linked oligosaccharides. The amino acid sequence lacks both an NH2-terminal hydrophobic signal sequence and a COOH-terminal hydrophobic region. Instead, a strongly hydrophobic region is located between amino acid residues 38 and 66. This region may serve as both the signal to insert the nascent polypeptide through the membrane and as the membrane anchor site.     

The nerve of Henle: an anatomic and immunohistochemical study.

The topography of the nerve of Henle was reviewed. Fifty-two human cadaveric upper extremities were studied. In 30 (58%) the nerve was well defined; in 22 (42%) its origin from the ulnar nerve was unidentifiable. The palmar cutaneous branch of the ulnar nerve separated from the ulnar nerve 5 to 11 cm distal to the medial epicondyle of the humerus to divide into its terminal branches in the distal forearm. Four patterns were detected: ulnar, radioulnar, vessel-related, and radial. These shared a consistent vascular branch, which sent 2 branches to the ulnar artery just proximal to the distal ulnar tunnel. Using a tyrosine hydroxylase antibody-based immunohistochemistry technique the nerve was shown to carry sympathetic fibers. Motor fibers were ruled out with Karnovsky's stain, which was used in combination with the tyrosine hydroxylase method in 10 specimens.     

Lumbar spinal fusion using recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein in the canine. A comparison of three dosages and two carriers.

STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, prospective and controlled animal study. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate lumbar spinal fusion using recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 in a canine model. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spinal fusion using autogenous bone grafting is associated with donor site morbidity and a nonunion rate of 5% to 35%. The use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 as a bone graft substitute would eliminate donor site morbidity and perhaps augment the rate of successful fusion. METHODS: Mature beagles underwent bilateral paraspinal exposure at L4-L5, followed by transverse process decortication and randomization into one of six groups using differing doses of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 implanted using either a Type I collagen carrier or a polylactic acid carrier. Two control groups were used: one group without recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 and another group using autogenous rib graft alone. RESULTS: Groups treated with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 demonstrated complete fusion in all animals. Animals treated with collagen carrier alone (no recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2) demonstrated complete absence of fusion. Successful fusion occurred in one of three canines in the autogenous bone graft group. Fusion masses in the recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 treatment groups were significantly larger in size at 3 months than in the autogenous bone graft group. The collagen carrier was more biocompatible and biodegradable because residual polylactic acid carrier was seen with adjacent multinucleated giant cells. There was no evidence of spinal canal or nerve root encroachment in the recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 implanted using a Type I collagen carrier resulted in 100% fusion without adverse effects.