Studies on the origin of redox enzymes in seminal plasma and their relationship with results of in-vitro fertilization

Glutathione (GSH), GSH peroxidase (GPX), GSH reductase (GRD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase-like enzyme activity were quantified in seminal plasma from normozoospermic patients, men with known distal ductal occlusion, proven fathers and male partners of couples receiving in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment for both male and female causes. Glutathione was non-detectable (< 2.5 microM) in seminal plasma. None of the enzyme activities per unit volume were lower in semen from vasectomized men, suggesting that they did not originate substantially from the testis or epididymis. The strongest relationships between enzyme activities and accessory gland markers were between zinc and GRD (r = 0.678), SOD (r = 0.602) and GPX (r = 0.548), suggesting a largely prostatic origin of these enzymes. Only weak relationships between accessory gland markers and catalase-like activity suggested a multi-glandular source of this enzyme. There was no relationship between the activity of any of the enzymes in the IVF patients with their fertilization rates in vitro or the establishment of pregnancy after IVF. Nor was there any correlation of enzyme activity with the morphology and percentage of motile spermatozoa in semen or with the percentage motility of spermatozoa immediately after swim-up or after overnight incubation. These findings suggest that the protective enzymes in the seminal plasma are contributed largely by the prostate and little by the epididymis, and that in most cases of IVF, they have no major influence on the outcome.      

The mouse Mid1 gene: implications for the pathogenesis of Opitz syndrome and the evolution of the mammalian pseudoautosomal region

We have recently reported isolation of the gene responsible for X- linked Opitz G/BBB syndrome, a defect of midline development. MID1 is located on the distal short arm of the human X chromosome (Xp22. 3) and encodes a novel member of the B box family of zinc finger proteins. We have now cloned the murine homolog of MID1 and performed preliminary expression studies during development. Mid1 expression in undifferentiated cells in the central nervous, gastrointestinal and urogenital systems suggests that abnormal cell proliferation may underlie the defect in midline development characteristic of Opitz syndrome. We have also found that Mid1 is located within the mouse pseudoautosomal region (PAR) in Mus musculus , while it seems to be X- specific in Mus spretus. Therefore, Mid1 is likely to be a recent acquisition of the M. musculus PAR. Genetic and FISH analyses also demonstrated a high frequency of unequal crossovers in the murine PAR, creating spontaneous deletion/duplication events involving Mid1. These data provide evidence for the first time that genetic instability of the PAR may affect functionally important genes. In addition, we show that MID1 is the first example of a gene subject to X-inactivation in man while escaping it in mouse. These data contribute to a better understanding of the molecular content and evolution of the rodent PAR.      

Expression of blood group antigens including HLA markers in human adult liver

The localisation of the principal blood group antigens has been studied in human liver. These blood group antigens included the erythrocyte antigens and the antigen of the major histocompatibility complex. This study was performed by the indirect immunofluorescence technique using polyclonal antibodies of human or animal origin and monoclonal antibodies from hybridomas. This study has shown that the normal hepatocyte is lacking in blood group antigens. On the contrary, the biliary cell was rich in antigenic markers: the main antigens expressed were Lewis, Pr, HLA-A and B antigens. In Kupffer cells, only i and HLA-DR antigens were clearly expressed. The endothelial cells of blood vessels mainly show A, B, H, HLA-A and B antigens; HLA-DR and Pr are slightly expressed. HLA-DR antigens were more strongly expressed on veins than on arteries. Dendritic cells have been identified in the portal space of human liver. They bore i and HLA-DR antigens.     

A psychometric comparison of military and civilian medical practices

BACKGROUND: Our purpose was to compare the psychometric properties of military and civilian ambulatory internal medicine care. METHODS: Military data came from two cohorts of patients presenting for primary care. Variables collected included mental disorders (the PRIME-MD study), previsit symptom-related concerns and expectations, functional status (Medical Outcomes Study SF-6 and SF-20 scales), postvisit unmet expectations, satisfaction with care (Medical Outcomes Study five-item survey), and physician-perceived "difficulty" (Difficult Doctor-Patient Relationship Questionnaire). This data set was compared with data abstracted from several civilian studies of ambulatory primary care. These studies used the same instruments and took place during the same period. RESULTS: Military and civilian patient populations were equally likely to have mental disorders, with no differences in the prevalence of disorders within the broad categories of mood, anxiety, somatoform, eating, or alcohol disorders. Civilian populations had a slightly higher rate of some specific diagnoses, including major depression, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. There was a similar distribution of previsit expectations of care and in the types of postvisit unmet patient expectations, with military patients having slightly lower rates of unmet expectations. Patients in both practice settings had similar self-reported ratings in the six domains of functioning (role, social, pain, emotion, physical, general health), with civilian patients reporting slightly worse overall self-rated health. Both settings had high rates of fully satisfied patients (40% "excellent" for both), with patients with unmet expectations in both groups much less likely to be fully satisfied. There was also a similar proportion of encounters rated as difficult by the clinician (military, 11%; civilian, 15%; p = 0.99). The correlates of difficulty in both groups were similar, with mental disorders and multiple symptoms increasing the likelihood of a difficult encounter. CONCLUSIONS: The psychometric properties of patient care in military and civilian internal medicine ambulatory settings are remarkably similar. These data support mutual generalizability of primary care research findings with respect to psychometric properties between military and civilian populations.     

Ewing’s肉瘤细胞X-射线照射后TNF-α和TGF-β mRNA表达的研究

 目的　研究Ewing’s肉瘤细胞系 (RM 82 )X 射线外照射后肿瘤坏死因子 (TNF α)和转化生长因子 (TGF β)mRNA表达水平的变化 ,探讨X 射线诱导内源性TNF α和TGF β产生的可能性及意义。 方法　应用实时荧光RT PCR ,检测接受不同剂量X 线照射 (2Gy ,5Gy ,10Gy ,2 0Gy ,30Gy ,4 0Gy)和受照后不同时间 (1h ,3h ,6h ,12h ,2 4h ,4 8h ,72h)。TNF α和TGF βmRNA表达水平的变化。 结果　RM 82细胞TNF αmRNA表达水平较外照射前显著升高。一方面受照后TNF αmRNA表达逐渐升高 ,照射剂量达 4 0Gy时TNF αmRNA表达水平达高峰 ,为正常对照组的 10 8倍 ;另一方面 ,照射后 3h后TNF αmRNA表达逐渐升高 ,6h达高峰 ,为正常对照组的 18倍。相反 ,TGF βmRNA表达水平X 射线照射前后无显著变化。结论　Ewing’s肉瘤细胞系 (RM 82 )接受X 线照射后TNF αmRNA表达明显升高 ,且呈现时间、剂量依赖性。放射治疗可诱导Ewing’s肉瘤细胞系 (RM 82...     

Functional impact of breast cancer by age at diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To explore changes in physical and psychosocial function before and after breast cancer by age at diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 122,969 women from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and NHS 2, ages 29 to 71 years, who responded to pre- and postfunctional status assessments were included; 1,082 women were diagnosed with breast cancer between 1992 and 1997. Functional status was measured using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36). Mean change in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores was computed across categories representing the combination of incident breast cancer (yes or no) and age at diagnosis (< or = 40, 41 to 64, or 65+ years). RESULTS: Compared with women < or = 40 years without breast cancer, women with breast cancer experienced significant functional declines. Young (age < or = 40) women who developed breast cancer experienced the largest relative declines in HRQoL (as compared with middle-aged and elderly women) in multiple domains including physical roles (-18.8 v -11.5 and -7.5 points, respectively), bodily pain (-9.0 v -2.7 and -2.7 points), social functioning (-11.3 v -4.3 and -4.4 points) and mental health (-3.1 v 0.0 and +0.4 points). Much of the decline in HRQoL among elderly (age > or = 65) women with breast cancer was age related. CONCLUSION: Young women may fare worse than middle-aged or elderly women in both physical and psychosocial dimensions after breast cancer diagnosis. The needs of women facing breast cancer may be better understood within a life stage framework.     

Erythromycin treatment for gastrointestinal dysmotility in preterm infants

To report our clinical experience on the use of oral erythromycin for the treatment of severe gastrointestinal dysmotility in preterm infants.

Methodology:

A case series study of seven preterm infants (six were very low birthweight) with severe intestinal dysmotility in a tertiary neonatal centre.

Results:

All responded favourably without adverse effects and tolerated full enteral feeding within 1–2 weeks of the commencement of the drug.

Conclusions:

As prolonged total parenteral nutrition carries significant risk of complications, this therapy could be considered in selected preterm infants who fail to establish enteral feeding after an extended period, and in whom an anatomically obstructive lesion of the gastrointestinal tract has been excluded. Meanwhile, we would caution against the widespread implementation of this therapeutic approach until formal evaluation by randomized controlled trials have established the exact role of erythromycin, or its analogues, in the treatment of intestinal dysmotility in preterm infants.