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.     

免疫组化法检测非甲-非庚型肝炎患者肝组织中输血传播病毒

目的　检测非甲-非庚型肝炎患者肝组织输血传播病毒(TTV)感染状况,TTV感染与肝组织炎症程度 及与血液学指标的相关性。方法　应用免疫组织化学法检测52例非甲-非庚型肝炎患者肝组织中TTV,并经原位 杂交证实;对TTV阳性和阴性组的血液学生化指标,诸如血清丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、血清天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、血 清总胆红素(TBIL)、白蛋白(ALB)、γ 球蛋白(γ G)、凝血酶原活动度(PTA)及组织学活动指数(HAI)进行了比较。 结果　非甲-非庚型肝炎患者肝组织中TTV抗原(TTVAg)阳性15例,检出率为28.8%;阳性物质主要定位于肝细 胞浆内,呈棕黄色细小颗粒,偶见肝细胞核内有表达;TTV阳性表达细胞呈单个、散在或片簇状分布;TTVAg阳性的 组织切片经苏木素-伊红(HE)染色后,可观察到病毒性肝炎的一些病理变化,如肝细胞胞浆疏松化、气球样变、嗜酸 样变、灶性坏死、凋亡、小叶内及汇管区炎细胞浸润;从15例TTVAg阳性病例中任选10例进行TTV DNA原位杂交 检测,结果8例阳性,二者符合率80.0%;同时对5例免疫组化TTVAg阴性肝组织进行TTV DNA原位杂交检测,结 果5例均为阴性,二者符合率100%;TTVAg阳性组ALT、AST、TBIL、γ G均值均高于TTVAg阴性组,ALB、PTA 均值均低于TTVAg阴性组,但两组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.0     

Prognostic index to identify patients who may not benefit from whole brain radiotherapy for multiple brain metastases from lung cancer

Palliative whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is often recommended in the management of multiple brain metastases. Allowing for WBRT waiting time, duration of the WBRT course and time to clinical response, it may take 6 weeks from the point of initial assessment for a benefit from WBRT to manifest. Patients who die within 6 weeks (‘early death’) may not benefit from WBRT and may instead experience a decline in quality of life. This study aimed to develop a prognostic index (PI) that identifies the subset of patients with lung cancer with multiple brain metastases who may not benefit from WBRT because of ‘early death’. The medical records of patients with lung cancer who had WBRT recommended for multiple brain metastases over a 10-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified as either having died within 6 weeks or having lived beyond 6 weeks. Potential prognostic indicators were evaluated for correlation with ‘early death’. A PI was constructed by modelling the survival classification to determine the contribution of these factors towards shortened survival. Of the 275 patients recommended WBRT, 64 (23.22%) died within 6 weeks. The main prognostic factor predicting early death was Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status >2. Patients with a high PI score (>13) were at higher risk of ‘early death’. Twenty-three per cent of patients died prior to benefit from WBRT. ECOG status was the most predictive for ‘early death’. Other factors may also contribute towards a poor outcome. With further refinement and validation, the PI could be a valuable clinical decision tool.     

The aging process and potential interventions to extend life expectancy

Aging is commonly defined as the accumulation of diverse deleterious changes occurring in cells and tissues with advancing age that are responsible for the increased risk of disease and death. The major theories of aging are all specific of a particular cause of aging, providing useful and important insights for the understanding of age-related physiological changes. However, a global view of them is needed when debating of a process which is still obscure in some of its aspects. In this context, the search for a single cause of aging has recently been replaced by the view of aging as an extremely complex, multifactorial process. Therefore, the different theories of aging should not be considered as mutually exclusive, but complementary of others in the explanation of some or all the features of the normal aging process. To date, no convincing evidence showing the administration of existing “anti-aging” remedies can slow aging or increase longevity in humans is available. Nevertheless, several studies on animal models have shown that aging rates and life expectancy can be modified. The present review provides an overlook of the most commonly accepted theories of aging, providing current evidence of those interventions aimed at modifying the aging process.     

Body mass index and age affect Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire scores in male subjects

This cross-sectional analysis evaluated the effect of age and body mass index (BMI) on Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire scores in males. Subjects (n = 60) were recruited according to BMI status. Each completed the 51-item Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire. The group was split at the median age to produce a “younger” and “older” group for statistical analysis. A 2-way between-groups analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect of BMI on disinhibition (P = .003) and hunger (P = .041) with higher levels found in overweight males compared to healthy-weight counterparts. A significant main effect of age on hunger (P = .046) demonstrated older males were less susceptible to hunger than younger males. These insights provide a better understanding of eating behavior across the male life cycle and may assist health professionals to better guide men in weight management in the light of rising overweight/obesity.     

对诊断PADAM的游离睾酮指数的评估

目的 评价诊断中老年男子部分雄激素缺乏综合征（PADAM）的游离睾酮指数（FTI）.方法 对129例45岁以上健康男性的FTI进行年龄相关分析.以推算的游离睾酮（CFT）值为依据,对FTI进行有效性检验.结果 男子在中老年期FTI与增龄呈明显的负相关.FTI敏感性97.78%,特异性58.33%.结论 计算简单的FTI可用于PADAM病人的筛选和随访,尤其对70岁以上男子是血清FT较为有效的参数.     

脂肪抽吸对中心型肥胖患者代谢指标的影响

目的 观察脂肪抽吸对中心型肥胖患者代谢指标的影响。方法 筛选中心型肥胖患者30例，采用肿胀麻醉法，脂肪抽吸量在2000～2500ml；分别检测脂肪抽吸前2d和脂肪抽吸后1周、1个月、2个月、3个月的血脂、血清胰岛素、瘦素、脂联素、抵抗素，并换算出胰岛素抵抗指数（HO-MA-IR）、胰岛素敏感指数（ISI）和血糖及胰岛素下面积。结果脂肪抽吸后1个月、2个月血糖下面积及HOMA-IR均有不同程度的降低，ISI则有所升高（术后1周：P〈0.05；术后1月：P〈0．01）；脂肪抽吸后血清瘦素较脂肪抽吸前显著降低（P〈0.01），抵抗素和脂联素较脂肪抽吸前亦有所变化，特别是在术后1个月时变化较为明显（P〈0.05），除血清瘦素、血糖下面积外，其余指标脂肪抽吸后3个月基本恢复原有水平。结论 脂肪抽吸对代谢指标在3个月内有一定的影响，特别是对糖代谢改善显著，但3个月后这种变化基本恢复到原有水平。     

幕上星形细胞肿瘤Ki-67抗原表达及其预后作用

目的 探讨Ki-67抗原在幕上星形细胞肿瘤中的表达及其预后作用。方法 使用S-P免疫组化方法检测82例原发性幕上星形细胞肿瘤标本中Ki-67抗原的表达。单因素使用Kaplan-Meier法,多因素分析使用COX比例风险模型进行预后分析。结果Ki-67 指数在组织学分级GradeⅡ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ中分别为2.86%±1.57%,6.72%±3.95%,8.16%±3.92%(P<0.01)。单因素及多因素分析均提示Ki-67指数是独立的预后因素。在GradeⅡ中,Ki-67指数>2.5%与Grade Ⅲ中Ki-67指数≤2.5%的患者生存期差异无显著性(P>0.05);在GradeⅣ中,Ki-67指数≤2.5%与>2.5%的患者生存期有显著性差异(P<0.01)。结论 Ki-67指数随着各病理级别增高而增高;Ki-67指数>2.5%提示预后较差。在同一病理级别中,Ki-67指数不同,其预后有显著性差异。而部分不同病理级别的患者,随着Ki-67指数的不同,其生存期却无显著差异。联合组织病理检查及Ki-67指数检测有助于更精确地判断预后。     

Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis in childhood

The clinical syndrome of food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) is typified by the onset of anaphylaxis during (or soon after) exercise which was preceded by the ingestion of the causal food allergen/s. In FDEIA, both the food allergen/s and exercise are independently tolerated. FDEIA is an uncommon allergic condition in childhood, but nonetheless is an important differential diagnosis to be considered when faced by a child who has experienced exercise-associated anaphylaxis. The diagnosis of FDEIA is heavily dependent on the clinical history. Allergy tests may need to be performed to a broad panel of food and food additives. Modified exercise challenges (performed with and without prior ingestion of food) are frequently required as allergy test results frequently return low-positive results. A diagnosis of FDEIA facilitates the safe independent return to exercise and reintroduction of foods for patients who otherwise may unnecessarily avoid exercise and/or restrict their diet. The natural history of FDEIA is unknown; however, a safe return is usually achieved when the ingestion of the causal food allergen/s and exercise are separated.     

Body Mass Index and Glomerular Hyperfiltration in Renal Transplant Recipients: Cross-Sectional Analysis and Long-Term Impact

Obesity is a risk factor for renal graft loss. Higher body mass index (BMI) in native kidneys is associated with glomerular hyperfiltration. Whether higher BMI in renal transplants is associated with hyperfiltration is unknown. We investigated the impact of BMI on renal hemodynamics 1 year post-transplant. We analyzed glomerular filtration rate (GFR, (125)I-iothalamate) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF, (131)I-hippurate) in 838 kidney transplants. Data were analyzed for all patients and for the subpopulation without diabetes. Long-term impact of BMI and renal hemodynamics were explored by Cox-regression. With higher BMI GFR and filtration fraction (FF) increased significantly. Multivariate analysis supported impact of BMI on GFR (adjusted r(2) of the model 0.275) and FF (adjusted r(2) of the model 0.158). This association was not explained by diabetes mellitus. On Cox-regression analysis, lower GFR and higher FF were independent determinants of overall graft loss and graft loss by patient mortality. Lower GFR and higher BMI were determinants of death-censored graft loss, with borderline contribution of higher FF. In renal transplants higher BMI is independently associated with higher GFR and FF one year posttransplant, suggesting glomerular hyperfiltration with altered afferent-efferent balance. Mechanisms underlying the long-term prognostic impact of hyperfiltration deserve further exploration.