Chlamydial serology in 1303 asymptomatic subfertile couples

The clinical significance of antichlamydial antibodies (Chlam Ab) was determined in a total of 1303 subfertile couples consulting for infertility investigation and treatment. Median age of the women was 30 (range 22-44) years and of the men 33 (range 21-53) years. The median duration of infertility was 4 (range 1-21) years. All patients were asymptomatic for genital tract infection. A comprehensive infertility investigation included examination of the endocrine, cervical, and tubal factor, and semen analysis, antisperm antibody (ASA) testing, sperm-mucus interaction testing in vitro using a standardized protocol, and post-coital testing (PCT). Screening for Chlam IgG Ab was performed in serum of both partners, obtained at the same time. Simultaneous microbial cultures in genital secretions of both partners included a broad spectrum of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Elevated titres of Chlam IgG Ab as seromarker for previous infection were found in 20.8% of all women, and in 12.6% of men. Chlam Ab were significantly more frequent in partners of seropositive patients (in 51.8% of women with a Chlam Ab positive partner, compared to 15.8% of the other women). Microbial screening outcome was not significantly related to results of chlamydial serology in both partners. In women, elevated titres of Chlam Ab were significantly associated with a tubal factor, but were not related to reduced quality of the endocervical mucus (CM), including the in-vitro penetrability of the CM (using partners' or donors' spermatozoa). In males, Chlam Ab were not significantly related to the outcome of semen analysis, including screening for ASA (IgG and/or IgA) in semen, and several parameters of sperm functional capacity. After exclusion of couples with tubal disease, subsequent male fertility did not significantly differ in males with or without Chlam Ab. The results suggest that during basic infertility investigation, positive chlamydial serology as an easy screening procedure indicates a higher risk for a tubal infertility factor. However, in asymptomatic patients, Chlam IgG Ab in serum are not associated with a cervical factor or with the male factor, using several determinants for evaluation of semen quality including subsequent fertilizing capacity.      

Parent food purchases as a measure of exposure and preschool-aged children's willingness to identify and taste fruit and vegetables

This study explored whether parents who purchase more fruit/vegetables have preschool-aged children who are able to identify fruit/vegetables and in turn are more likely to consume them. Sixty-two parent-child pairs were recruited during a 4-month period. The data collection included a child interview, a parent/guardian interview, a fruit/vegetable taste test for children, and a month-long food-receipt collection by the parent/guardian. As the percentage of fruit/vegetables purchased by parent increased, the child was more likely to accept all of the fruit/vegetables offered to him/her. A weak correlation was found between the child's ability to name fruit/vegetables and their willingness to try the fruit/vegetables offered. A trend was established between the child's ability to name the 10 fruits/vegetables and parent fruit/vegetable purchases. Parents who purchased the most fruit/vegetables, causing increased exposure, had children who were more willing to taste the fruit/vegetables offered to them.     

A rapid quantitative method based on motility of bull sperm cells for in vitro toxicity testing of biomaterials

A quantitative method for in vitro toxicity testing of biomaterials, based on measurements of time-dependent changes of bull sperm motility, is described. In comparison to the haemolytic and toxic effects of biomaterials such as polyurethanes, poly(vinyl chloride) tubes and bioglass ceramics on erythrocytes and the proliferation rate of human embryonic lung fibroblasts, this method is shown to be more sensitive. The simplicity, rapidity and reproducibility of the test under application of genetically identical cells are advantages that make it suitable for screening large numbers of samples. The quantification of test results allows inter-laboratory comparison.     

Nucleic acid hybridization for direct detection of Chlamydia trachomatis. Comparison of a radioactive with a non-radioactive procedure]

A total of 234 urogenital specimens were investigated with a radioactive and a nonradioactive rRNA:cDNA-hybridization test for the direct detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (Gen-Probe, San Diego, Calif.). The results were compared with those yielded by the conventional cell culture technique (McCoy cells). Using cell culture a urogenital C. trachomatis infection could be detected in 37 of 234 patients (15.8%) at two outpatient sexually transmitted disease clinics. Referred to the detection rate, cell culture sensitivity was 83.8% for the radioactive test and 86.5% for the nonradioactive DNA-hybridization test. The specificity of the radioactive test was 94.8% and that of the nonradioactive test, 93.4%.     

Über die Histotopie von NADH- und NADPH-Tetrazoliumreduktase in menschlicher Haut

Zusammenfassung Nach einer Übersicht über das Wesen der NADH- und NADPH-Tetrazoliumreduktase, die früher auch als Diaphorasen bezeichnet wurden, wird über das Vorkommen dieser Enzyme und ihre Histotopie in normaler menschlicher Haut berichtet.Dem Reaktionsausfall nach zeigt die NADH-Tetrazoliumreduktase in der Regel eine größere Aktivität als die NADPH-Tetrazoliumreduktase. Vorbehandlung der Kryostat-Hautschnitte mit kaltem Aceton führt nicht zu einem faßbaren Aktivitätsverlust; Vorbehandlung mit kaltem Formol-Calcium dagegen zu einem deutlichen Aktivitätsverlust der NADPH-Tetrazoliumreduktase.Alle lebenden epithelialen Strukturen der Haut sind durch eine histochemisch faßbare NADH- und NADPH-Tetrazoliumreduktaseaktivität ausgezeichnet. Einen sehr starken reaktionsausfall findet man in apokrinen und ekkrinen Schweißdrüsen, Talgdrüsen und in der Epidermis, einen mäßig starken Reaktionsausfall im infraseboglandulären Anteil der Haarfollikel. Endothelzellen, glatte Muskelzellen (Mm arrectores pilorum, Muskelzellen der Blutgefäße) und Fettzellen zeigen durchweg eine deutliche Enzymaktivität. Die im einzelnen recht charakteristische Histotopie wird beschrieben. Die Frage, inwieweit die Enzymaktivität anzeigenden Formazanniederschläge der intracellulären Mitochondrien-Anordnung entsprechen, wird diskutiert.In der Gesamtheit lassen die Untersuchungsergebnisse vermuten, daß — vielleicht mit Ausnahme des infraseboglandulären Haarfollikels —alle übrigen epithelialen Zellen durch eine so intensive NADH- und NADPH-Tetrazoliumreduktaseaktivität charakterisiert sind, daß diese wahrscheinlich für den Nachweis von Dehydrogenasen, soweit er unter Verwendung von Tetrazoliumsalzen geführt wird, einen reaktionsbegrenzenden Faktor nicht darstellen.Mit 13 Textabbildungen