Determination of oxidative stress parameters and DNA fragmentation on post-thawed buck semen in the presence of ram seminal plasma and fetal calf serum

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficiency of ram seminal plasma and fetal calf serum on freezing of buck semen. Twenty ejaculates were collected using an electro-ejaculator and split into six groups. While FCS additive was not used in A1, A2 and A3 groups, 10% FCS was added to B1, B2 and B3 groups. These groups were then edited according to whether the buck or ram SP was involved. The design of the groups was done as follows: Group A1 (control 1), group A2 without buck SP, group A3 containing ram SP instead of buck SP. Groups B1 (control 2), B2 and B3 were the FCS added forms of these groups. Progressive sperm motility percentages in Group A1 and Group B2 were found to be higher when compared to the lowest Group B3. There were no significant differences between the groups in neither the levels of reactive oxygen species nor the enzyme and glutathione activities. In conclusion, the lack of statistical difference between the groups suggested that despite the supplements used but only when the buck spermatozoa structure was healthy, the cell could preserve acrosome, DNA and the integrity of membrane.     

Performing Testicular or Epididymal Sperm Retrieval Prior to the Injection of hCG

Purpose: Our purpose was to determine the feasibility and efficacy of performing testicular or epididymal sperm retrieval prior to the injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Methods: This report deals with 87 sperm-positive percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA), percutaneous testicular sperm aspiration (PTSA), or testicular sperm extraction (TESE) cycles. All sperm retrieval procedures were performed prior to administration of hCG to the women. Retrieved spermatozoa were cultured in vitro in simple medium for approximately 40 hr prior to intracyto-plasmic sperm injection. Results: In all but one cycle in which TESE was performed for nonobstructive azoospermia, motile sperm were available for ICSI. The overall fertilization rate was 53%. Pregnancy rate per transfer and implantation rate per embryo were 41.2 and 15.7%, respectively. Conclusions: Satisfactory fertilization and pregnancy rates can be achieved when PESA, PTSA, or TESE is performed prior to the injection of hCG followed by in vitro culture of spermatozoa approximately 40 hr before ICSI. Scheduling of testicular or epididymal sperm retrieval cases in this way appears to ease the workload on laboratory and operating room personnel. Furthermore, withholding hCG when sperm is absent may obviate the unnecessary risk of ovarian hyperstimulation when spermatozoa cannot be retrieved.     

Poor coronary collateral circulation is associated with higher concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules in patients with single-vessel disease

OBJECTIVE: As the endothelium and inflammatory cells play a crucial role in the development of collaterals after a sudden or slowly progressing stenosis of coronary arteries, the levels of soluble endothelial adhesion molecules (CAMs) including vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and E-selectin were compared between patients with poor coronary collaterals and patients with well-developed collaterals. METHODS: In the study, 97 non-diabetic subjects with single-vessel disease were included. Collateral supply to the stenotic coronary artery was determined by angiographic grading system of 0-3 (Rentrop et al. J Am Coll Cardiol 1985; 5:587-592). Serum levels of adhesion molecules were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Patients were divided into two groups according to the collateral degree (group A: 50 patients with grade 0 and 1; group B: 47 patients with grade 2 and 3 collaterals). The groups were well matched with respect to baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics. Levels of soluble VCAM-1 (mean+/-SEM; 875+/-26.6 versus 742.7+/-35.1 ng/ml; P=0.004), ICAM-1 (322.4+/-12.4 versus 269.4+/-13.3 ng/ml; P=0.005), and E-selectin (43.6+/-2.6 versus 33+/-2.4 ng/ml; P=0.004) were found to be significantly higher in group A in comparison with group B. In addition, when patients were divided into four groups according to the collateral degree, patients with grade 0 collaterals had the highest values and those with grade 3 collaterals had the lowest values for all these molecules. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that poor collateral circulation is associated with increased levels of soluble CAMs in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the exact role of these inflammatory markers in the setting of poor collateral circulation.     

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and chronic kidney disease: a new cardiorenal risk factor

Clinical and experimental studies revealed that sleep apnea might be an insidious risk factor for the progression of kidney disease and development of cardiovascular events by exacerbating well-known risk factors, namely hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Furthermore, sleep apnea also has a negative impact on endothelial function. Therefore, sleep apnea might be defined as a new cardiorenal risk factor. In this review, we aimed to summarize the evidences supporting the complex inter-relations between sleep apnea and development and progression of chronic kidney disease.     

The Role of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicobacter pylori</Emphasis> in Upper Respiratory System Infections: Is it More Than Colonization?

Helicobacter pylori (HP) is recognized as a common chronic human bacterial infection and is the most common cause of gastritis. Recent studies suggest an increased HP prevalence in patients with various extra-digestive inflammatory diseases. Since many respiratory diseases are characterized by chronic inflammation as well as increased immune response, and HP may enter the nasopharyngeal cavity by gastroesophageal reflux, an association between respiratory disorders and HP infection has been suggested. Several studies discover HP in clinical samples from the patients with upper respiratory system infections. Even some of them revealed a relief after the treatment directed to HP eradication. However some studies do not support this theory and whether this association means a definite proof of a causal relationship between HP and respiratory diseases needs to be clarified. In this study, we aimed to review the reports about the role of HP in upper respiratory system infections.     

In vitro release and In vivo biocompatibility studies of biomimetic multilayered alginate-chitosan/β-TCP scaffold for osteochondral tissue

Biomimetic three-layered monolithic scaffold (TLS) intended for the treatment of osteocondral defects was prepared by using alginate, chitosan and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) to study drug release behavior of the alternative drug delivery system and to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of the scaffold. Dexamethasone sodium phosphate (Dex) as a model drug was incorporated into the scaffold by solvent sorption method and in vitro release studies were conducted. In addition, the scaffold was implanted into the defects formed in the trochlea of Sprague–Dawley rats to assess the healing potential of the TLS on the osteochondral defect against reference Maioregen® comparatively. The release studies showed that after an initial burst at 3rd h, dexamethasone is released slowly during a 72-h period. In vivo studies indicated that the TLS has good tissue biocompatibility and biodegradation rate and showed better results during osteochondral healing process compared to the reference. All results demonstrated that the alginate-chitosan/β-TCP scaffold could be evaluated as a good candidate for osteochondral tissue applications.     

Acute kidney injury in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

International Urology and Nephrology - Acute kidney injury (AKI) in COVID-19 patients is associated with poor prognosis. However, the incidence, risk factors and potential outcomes of AKI in...     

Neonatal Infection with Neisseria meningitidis: Analysis of a 97-Year Period Plus Case Study

Neisseria meningitidis is one of the major causes of meningitis in children and adolescents, but it is rarely found during the neonatal period. Here, we describe a neonate with meningococcal sepsis who was admitted to the hospital on postnatal day 10, and we discuss the clinical features of neonatal infection with N. meningitidis in relation to the literature (analysis of a 97-year period).     

Testicular persistence of Parvovirus B19: evidence for preferential infection of germ cell tumors

Human Parvovirus B19 has previously been implicated in the pathogenesis of testicular germ cell tumors, but this could not have been confirmed. This study was designed to investigate the testicular persistence of Parvovirus B19 and possible associations with germ cell tumors. Paraffin-embedded or fresh tissues from 36 germ cell tumors, 20 germ cell aplasias, 26 normal testicular tissues, 20 liver tissues, and 20 spleen tissues were evaluated by two different molecular assays: a nested PCR for Parvovirus B19 capsid genes and a commercial quantitative real-time PCR. Positive results were further confirmed by another commercial real-time PCR assay. Viral DNA was detected in 3 of 36 (8.3%) germ cell tumors, but not in other groups. Viral loads observed in all positive samples were less than 20 IU/reaction, suggesting very low levels of viral replication or latency. These results either directly or indirectly imply the involvement of Parvovirus B19 with testicular germ cell tumors. Viral persistence in normal testis, germ cell aplasia tissues, or hepatic/splenic tissues was not observed in this study.