Extending the viability of emu spermatozoa during in vitro storage by manipulation of temperature and diluent potassium concentration

1. Survival of emu spermatozoa during in vitro storage is not affected by increasing the extracellular [K(+)] to the point where it does not adversely affect spermatozoa function. 2. In three experiments, the effects were studied of [K(+)] in a diluent in the range 12·5-80 mM/l on emu spermatozoa survival for up to 48 h at 5, 10 or 20°C. 3. At the end of the storage period, spermatozoa viability, motility, fertilising ability and morphology were measured. 4. In Experiment 1, spermatozoa viability and morphology were adversely affected after storage (P < 0·001) only in the diluent containing 80 mM/l [K(+)] whereas spermatozoa motility decreased as [K(+)] increased from 12·5 to 80 mM/l. 5. In Experiment 2, during storage at 5°C, the spermatozoa viability was comparable among any of the diluents (standard or modified) but morphology was better (P < 0·001) in all of the modified diluents than in the standard E3 diluent. 6. In Experiment 3, after 48 h of storage in a diluent containing 40 mM/l of [K(+)], the spermatozoa functions were better preserved at 10°C than at 5 or 20°C. 7. It is concluded that a higher than physiological level of potassium can be used in a diluent without detrimental effect on emu spermatozoa survival during 48 h storage and that the best outcome was with storage at 10°C rather than 5 or 20°C.

Clinical manifestation of Hurler syndrome in a 7 year old child

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I H, Hurler syndrome) is a rare autosomal recessive inborn deficiency in the metabolism of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate, resulting from deficiency of Alpha-L-iduronidase enzyme. This condition is characterized by accumulation of incompletely degraded glycosaminoglycans into various organs of body, which leads to impairment of organs and body functions. Such children appear nearly normal at birth; however, if left untreated, show a progressive mental and physical deterioration leading to death due to cardiorespiratory failure before the second decade of life. Pedodontists have a role for early diagnosis, rendering corrective and preventive treatment to the developing dentition, and referring the patient to the concerned specialities. An interesting case of a seven year old boy with a combination of skeletal, neurological, ophthalmologic, oro-dental and radiological findings of this diverse and devastating clinical entity with MPS I-(Hurler syndrome) has been presented here in this case report.

Endoscopic excision of a fibroadenoma breast: trans axillary approach

Benign breast lumps affect 10% of females in their lifetime. Surveillance, assurance, medications and surgical excision are options available to surgeons. Avoiding scars on the breast is an inherent feminine desire. Numerous minimal invasive approaches have evolved due to this concern. The time honoured circumareolar incisions camouflages the scar to a large extent, yet the incision still remains on the breast tissue and unfortunately the scar undergoes the same old sequelae as with any other scars both aesthetically or psychosocially. The close by anatomical space; axilla provides an easy access for endoscopic breast surgery. We utilized this area and applied our expertise to remove a fibroadenoma in a teenager which spared her breast from the scar. The technique was safe and effective. It conserved aesthetics and led to a better compliance.

The role of a commercial enzyme immuno assay antigen detection system for diagnosis of C. trachomatis in genital swab samples

In the present pilot study, endocervical and urethral swabs collected from 100 patients attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics and regional centre for STD in two referral hospitals in New Delhi were analyzed by enzyme immune assay (EIA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) for detection of C. trachomatis. It was found that EIA could detect a very low number of cases (3/100) as against DFA (11/100) and PCR (9/100). Thus, in spite of the widespread availability, lower cost and ease of performance of the enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay, the present study highlights the need to employ sophisticated diagnostic tools like DFA and PCR for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in STD patients.

Gene therapy with growth factors for periodontal tissue engineering--a review

The treatment of oral and periodontal diseases and associated anomalies accounts for a significant proportion of the healthcare burden, with the manifestations of these conditions being functionally and psychologically debilitating. A challenge faced by periodontal therapy is the predictable regeneration of periodontal tissues lost as a consequence of disease. Growth factors are critical to the development, maturation, maintenance and repair of oral tissues as they establish an extra-cellular environment that is conducive to cell and tissue growth. Tissue engineering principles aim to exploit these properties in the development of biomimetic materials that can provide an appropriate microenvironment for tissue development. The aim of this paper is to review emerging periodontal therapies in the areas of materials science, growth factor biology and cell/gene therapy. Various such materials have been formulated into devices that can be used as vehicles for delivery of cells, growth factors and DNA. Different mechanisms of drug delivery are addressed in the context of novel approaches to reconstruct and engineer oral and tooth supporting structure.

Key words: Periodontal disease, gene therapy, regeneration, tissue repair, growth factors, tissue engineering.

Microbial contamination in open globe injury

INTRODUCTION

Endophthalmitis is the most dreaded complication of ocular trauma and knowledge of the microbial contaminants is essential to start empirical antibiotic therapy.

PURPOSE

To determine incidence of contamination after open globe injuries (OGI) in our setup and to identify the spectrum of microorganisms contaminating open globe injuries.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective study including 50 consecutive eyes of open globe injury over a period of two years was conducted. Intra-operatively, 4 - 5 samples were taken from the inferior conjunctival sac and anterior chamber at the beginning and end of the open globe injury repair. Any abscised tissue or foreign body was also sent for culture sensitivity. A vitreous tap was taken from eyes with posterior segment trauma with signs of endophthalmitis.

RESULTS

Microbial cultures were positive in13 eyes (26 %). The microbial spectrum included Aspergillus species in 45.6 %, Alternaria in 15.2 %, Curvularia in 15.2 %, Staphylococcus aureus in 7.6 %, Bacillus species in 7.6 %, and Streptococcus pneumoniae in 7.6 %. Of these 13 eyes, nine eyes developed clinically evident frank endophthalmitis during follow-up. Overall, endophthalmitis developed in 20 eyes (40 %). There was a significant association between the initial contamination and development of endophthalmitis (p less than 0.05). 53 % of culture positive cases achieved ambulatory vision compared to 73 % of culture-negative cases.

CONCLUSION

Initial contamination was seen in 26 % of OGI cases. Aspergillus (fungus) was the commonest contaminant. There was a strong correlation between the initial contamination and development of endophthalmitis. Culture-negative cases had a trend towards better final visual outcome than culture-positive cases. Close follow up of cases showing contamination following OGI is recommended.

The risk of recurrence in breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen: polymorphisms of CYP2D6 and ABCB1

CYP2D6 plays a major role in the metabolism of tamoxifen, and polymorphism of P-glycoprotein has been associated with resistance of many drug therapies. This study investigates the clinical impact of genetic variants of CYP2D6 and ABCB1 in breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen. Blood samples from 95 breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen were collected and genotyped for CYP2D6 and ABCB1 variants using allele-specific PCR method. Recurrence risks were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared using the log-rank test. Patients carrying CYP2D6*10/*10 and heterozygous null allele (IM) showed higher risks of developing recurrence and metastasis (OR 13.14; 95% CI 1.57-109.94; P = 0.004) than patients with CYP2D6*1/*1 and *1/*10 genotypes. Patients with homozygous CC genotypes of ABCB1 C3435T showed a shorter time to recurrence. Patients who were CYP2D6 IM and homozygous CC genotype of C3435T have statistically significant higher risks of recurrence (P = 0.002). Similarly, median time to recurrence in these patients was only 12 months (95% CI = 0.79-23.2) compared to those without this combination which was 48 months (95% CI = 14.7-81.2). Patients with CYP2D6 IM and homozygous CC genotype of ABCB1 C3435T have shorter times to recurrence. The results confirmed the findings of previous studies and support FDA recommendation to perform pre-genotyping in patients before the choice of therapy is determined in breast cancer patients.

Response of spermatozoa from the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) to rapid cooling, hyperosmotic conditions and dimethylacetamide (DMA)

Three experiments conducted to improve the survival of emu sperm during cryopreservation aimed to: (1) minimize chilling injury during the cooling phase; (2) determine the osmotic effects of dimethylacetamide (DMA), sucrose and trehalose; and (3) investigate the timing and nature of cryoprotectant toxicity. We measured sperm membrane integrity, motility, morphology and egg membrane penetration. In Experiment 1, semen diluted 1:1 with a pre-cooled diluent (5°C) prevented chilling injury. In Experiment 2, semen was diluted with DMA, trehalose or sucrose (300-2400mOsm/L) in deionized water. Only added DMA decreased the percentage of morphologically normal sperm. The percentage of motile sperm was higher with DMA than with the sugars, but membrane intact sperm were comparable amongst all cryoprotectants. As for the osmotic effects, the percentage of membrane intact sperm decreased with 2400mOsm/L and sperm motility decreased with 1200-2400mOsm/L, but sperm morphology was similar at all osmolarities. In Experiment 3, sperm membrane integrity, motility and morphology were comparable at all DMA osmolarities between sperm equilibrated for 0 and 15min, and remained unchanged after removal of DMA. We conclude that: (a) loss of sperm function during the cooling phase can be avoided by using a diluent maintained at 5°C; (b) emu spermatozoa tolerate upto 1400mOsm/L; (c) DMA results in a permanent change in sperm morphology when it is dissolved in deionized water, but does not alter sperm membrane integrity and motility; and (d) equilibration time of sperm with DMA can be less than 10min.

Three new teosintes (Zea spp., Poaceae) from México

PREMISE OF THE STUDY

Teosinte species are the closest relatives of maize and represent an important but increasingly rare genetic resource for maize improvement and the study of evolution by domestication. Three morphologically and ecologically distinct teosinte populations were recently discovered in México. The taxonomic status of these rare and endangered populations was investigated by detailed comparisons to previously characterized wild Zea species. •

METHODS

Three new teosinte populations were compared to known teosinte taxa on the basis of morphological, ecogeographic, cytological, and molecular characteristics. Phenetic and phylogenetic analyses were performed using morphological and molecular data, respectively. •

KEY RESULTS

The newly discovered populations are distinct from each other and from other Zea species to represent three new entities based on their unique combinations of morphological, ecological, ploidy, and DNA markers. A perennial diploid population from Nayarit is distinguished by early maturing plants, and having male inflorescences with few tassel branches and long spikelets. A perennial tetraploid population from Michoacán is characterized by tall and late maturing plants, and having male inflorescences with many branches. An annual diploid population from Oaxaca is characterized by having male inflorescences with fewer branches and longer spikelets than those found in the sister taxa Z. luxurians and Z. nicaraguensis, plants with high thermal requirements, and very long seed dormancy. •

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence from multiple independent sources suggests placement of the three new populations of teosinte as distinct entities within section Luxuriantes of the genus Zea. However, more extensive DNA marker or sequence data are required to resolve the taxonomy of this genus.

Burden of healthcare-associated infections in a paediatric intensive care unit of a developing country: a single centre experience using active surveillance

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality among critically ill patients of all age groups. This prospective surveillance study was performed to estimate the burden of HAIs in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a developing country. During the 12-month study, 187 patients were treated in the PICU for ≥48h, of whom 36 patients had 44 episodes of HAIs. The crude infection rate and incidence density (ID) of HAI were 19.3/100 patients and 21/1,000 patient-days, respectively. Of the 44 episodes of HAI, 27 (61%) were healthcare-associated pneumonia (HAP), 12 (27%) were bloodstream infections (HA-BSI) and four (9%) were urinary tract infections. Mean length of stay and mortality were significantly higher in patients who developed an HAI [25 vs 7 days (P<0.0001) and 50% vs 27.8% (P<0.005), respectively]. Acinetobacter spp. were the commonest infecting bacteria in both HAP and HA-BSI. For developing countries, active surveillance is essential to reduce the burden of HAIs in high risk groups.

Isolated diffusion restriction precedes the development of enhancing tumor in a subset of patients with glioblastoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Most response criteria for patients with glioblastoma rely on increases in the contrast enhancing abnormality to determine tumor progression. Our aim was to determine retrospectively in patients with glioblastoma whether diffusion restriction can predict the development of new enhancing mass lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the brain MR imaging scans (including DWI and ADC maps) of 208 patients with glioblastoma. Patients with restricted diffusion in or adjacent to the tumor were identified, with further analysis only performed on those patients with low-ADC lesions without enhancement. These patients were followed to determine if new concordant enhancement developed at the site of the low-ADC lesion. A Wilcoxon signed rank test, competing risk analysis, and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to compare the mean drop in ADC values, assess enhancement-free survival, and determine overall survival, respectively.

RESULTS

In 67 of the 208 patients (32.2%), visibly detectable restricted diffusion was seen during treatment. The study cohort was formed by the 27 patients with low-ADC lesions and no corresponding enhancement. Twenty-three (85.2%) patients developed gadolinium-enhancing tumor at the site of restricted diffusion a median of 3.0 months later (95% CI, 2.6-4.1 months). The mean decrease in ADC was 22.9% from baseline (P < .001). The 3-month enhancement-free survival probability was 0.481 (95% CI, 0.288-0.675). The 12-month overall survival probability was 0.521 (95% CI, 0.345-0.788). Restricted diffusion predicted enhancement regardless of antiangiogenic therapy with bevacizumab.

CONCLUSIONS

In a subset of patients with glioblastoma, development of a new focus of restricted diffusion during treatment may precede the development of new enhancing tumor.

Multi locus sequence type comparison of invasive and commensal Haemophilus influenzae isolates from Delhi

Haemophilus influenzae is a major public health concern in the developing world. The most virulent strain is H. influenzae Type b (Hib). Hib also constitutes a major portion of nasopharyngeal commensal flora in otherwise healthy individuals. Through dendogram based on composite gene sequences of seven multi locus sequence type genes, it was observed that invasive and commensal isolates made two completely separate clusters which are indicative of independent evolution of these two groups of H. influenzae in the Indian subcontinent.

Low vision devices

A person with low vision has some useful sight. However, low vision usually interferes with the performance of daily activities such as reading or driving. Because low vision cannot be improved by mere traditional methods (i.e., the use of eyeglasses, contact lenses, etc), persons with low vision often rely on the use of a number of different instruments, called low vision devices, and tailored equipment for improved vision. Low vision devices are described in this article.

Antioxidant effect of Triticum aestivium (wheat grass) in high-fat diet-induced oxidative stress in rabbits

Wheat grass is used as a general health tonic and is reported to be effective against several medical disorders, although detailed literature is not available. Besides drug therapy, a number of medicinal plants are effective in treating hyperlipidemia. This study examined the effects of wheat grass on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rabbits. Thirty rabbits were divided into 3 groups of 10 rabbits each, group I receiving a control diet, group II a high-fat diet and group III a high-fat diet together with wheat grass over a period of 10 weeks. Fasting serum samples from the animals were analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and vitamin C, and the results were compared. The high-fat diet resulted in hyperlipidemia and an increase in oxidative stress, indicated by a significant rise in MDA levels, whereas antioxidant levels of GSH and vitamin C were significantly reduced. Wheat grass supplementation with a high-fat diet resulted in improved lipid levels (decreased total cholesterol and increased HDL-C) together with significantly reduced MDA levels and increased GSH and vitamin C levels. These results indicate the beneficial role of wheat grass in ameliorating hyperlipidemia and the associated oxidative stress.