Correction: On the mechanism of Ni(ii)-promoted Michael-type hydroamination of acrylonitrile and its substituted derivatives

Correction for ‘On the mechanism of Ni(ii)-promoted Michael-type hydroamination of acrylonitrile and its substituted derivatives’ by S. Lapointe et al., Dalton Trans., 2016, 45, 15800–15810.

On the mechanism of Ni(ii)-promoted Michael-type hydroamination of acrylonitrile and its substituted derivatives

Monocationic Ni(ii) complexes featuring variously substituted POCOP-type pincer ligands promote the addition of primary amines to crotonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and cinnamonitrile.

Measurement of J/ψ azimuthal anisotropy in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV

The measurement of J/ψ azimuthal anisotropy is presented as a function of transverse momentum for different centralities in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV. The measured J/ψ elliptic flow is consistent with zero within errors for transverse momentum between 2 and 10 GeV/c. Our measurement suggests that J/ψ particles with relatively large transverse momenta are not dominantly produced by coalescence from thermalized charm quarks, when comparing to model calculations.

Measurement of the bottom quark contribution to nonphotonic electron production in p + p collisions at √s=200 GeV

The contribution of B meson decays to nonphotonic electrons, which are mainly produced by the semileptonic decays of heavy-flavor mesons, in p + p collisions at √s=200  GeV has been measured using azimuthal correlations between nonphotonic electrons and hadrons. The extracted B decay contribution is approximately 50% at a transverse momentum of pT≥5  GeV/c. These measurements constrain the nuclear modification factor for electrons from B and D meson decays. The result indicates that B meson production in heavy ion collisions is also suppressed at high pT.

Observation of two-source interference in the photoproduction reaction AuAu --> AuAurho0

In ultraperipheral relativistic heavy-ion collisions, a photon from the electromagnetic field of one nucleus can fluctuate to a quark-antiquark pair and scatter from the other nucleus, emerging as a rho{0}. The rho{0} production occurs in two well-separated (median impact parameters of 20 and 40 F for the cases considered here) nuclei, so the system forms a two-source interferometer. At low transverse momenta, the two amplitudes interfere destructively, suppressing rho{0} production. Since the rho{0} decays before the production amplitudes from the two sources can overlap, the two-pion system can only be described with an entangled nonlocal wave function, and is thus an example of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox. We observe this suppression in 200 GeV per nucleon-pair gold-gold collisions. The interference is 87%+/-5%(stat.)+/-8%(syst.) of the expected level. This translates into a limit on decoherence due to wave function collapse or other factors of 23% at the 90% confidence level.

Indications of conical emission of charged hadrons at the BNL relativistic heavy ion collider

Three-particle azimuthal correlation measurements with a high transverse momentum trigger particle are reported for pp, d+Au, and Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV by the STAR experiment. Dijet structures are observed in pp, d+Au and peripheral Au+Au collisions. An additional structure is observed in central Au+Au data, signaling conical emission of correlated charged hadrons. The conical emission angle is found to be theta=1.37+/-0.02(stat)-0.07+0.06(syst), independent of p_{ perpendicular}.

System-size independence of directed flow measured at the BNL relativistic heavy-ion collider

We measure directed flow (v_{1}) for charged particles in Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 and 62.4 GeV, as a function of pseudorapidity (eta), transverse momentum (p_{t}), and collision centrality, based on data from the STAR experiment. We find that the directed flow depends on the incident energy but, contrary to all available model implementations, not on the size of the colliding system at a given centrality. We extend the validity of the limiting fragmentation concept to v_{1} in different collision systems, and investigate possible explanations for the observed sign change in v_{1}(p_{t}).

Longitudinal double-spin asymmetry for inclusive jet production in p[over -->] + p[over -->] collisions at sqrt[s]=200 GeV

We report a new STAR measurement of the longitudinal double-spin asymmetry A(LL) for inclusive jet production at midrapidity in polarized p + p collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=200 GeV. The data, which cover jet transverse momenta 5<p(T)<30 GeV/c, are substantially more precise than previous measurements. They provide significant new constraints on the gluon spin contribution to the nucleon spin through the comparison to predictions derived from one global fit to polarized deep-inelastic scattering measurements.

Measurement of transverse single-spin asymmetries for Dijet production in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=200 GeV

We report the first measurement of the opening angle distribution between pairs of jets produced in high-energy collisions of transversely polarized protons. The measurement probes (Sivers) correlations between the transverse spin orientation of a proton and the transverse momentum directions of its partons. With both beams polarized, the wide pseudorapidity (-1< or = eta < or = +2) coverage for jets permits separation of Sivers functions for the valence and sea regions. The resulting asymmetries are all consistent with zero and considerably smaller than Sivers effects observed in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering. We discuss theoretical attempts to reconcile the new results with the sizable transverse spin effects seen in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering and forward hadron production in pp collisions.

Transverse momentum and centrality dependence of high-pT nonphotonic electron suppression in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s NN]=200 GeV

The STAR collaboration at the BNL Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC) reports measurements of the inclusive yield of nonphotonic electrons, which arise dominantly from semileptonic decays of heavy flavor mesons, over a broad range of transverse momenta (1.2<p(T)<10 GeV/c) in p+p, d+Au, and Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV. The nonphotonic electron yield exhibits an unexpectedly large suppression in central Au+Au collisions at high p(T), suggesting substantial heavy-quark energy loss at RHIC. The centrality and p(T) dependences of the suppression provide constraints on theoretical models of suppression.

Scaling properties of hyperon production in Au+Au collisions at square root [sNN]=200 GeV

We present the scaling properties of Lambda, Xi, and Omega in midrapidity Au+Au collisions at the Brookhaven National Laboratory Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV. The yield of multistrange baryons per participant nucleon increases from peripheral to central collisions more rapidly than that of Lambda, indicating an increase of the strange-quark density of the matter produced. The strange phase-space occupancy factor gamma_{s} approaches unity for the most central collisions. Moreover, the nuclear modification factors of p, Lambda, and Xi are consistent with each other for 2<p_{T}<5 GeV/c in agreement with a scenario of hadron formation from constituent quark degrees of freedom.

Direct observation of dijets in central Au+Au collisions at sqrt[sNN]=200 GeV

The STAR Collaboration at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider reports measurements of azimuthal correlations of high transverse momentum (pT) charged hadrons in Au+Au collisions at higher pT than reported previously. As (pT) is increased, a narrow, back-to-back peak emerges above the decreasing background, providing a clear dijet signal for all collision centralities studied. Using these correlations, we perform a systematic study of dijet production and suppression in nuclear collisions, providing new constraints on the mechanisms underlying partonic energy loss in dense matter.

Identified baryon and meson distributions at large transverse momenta from Au + Au collisions at square root sNN=200 GeV

Transverse momentum spectra of pi+/-, p, and p up to 12 GeV/c at midrapidity in centrality selected Au + Au collisions at square root sNN=200 GeV are presented. In central Au + Au collisions, both pi +/- and p(p) show significant suppression with respect to binary scaling at pT approximately >4 GeV/c. Protons and antiprotons are less suppressed than pi+/-, in the range 1.5 approximately < pT approximately < 6 GeV/c. The pi-/pi+ and p/p ratios show at most a weak pT dependence and no significant centrality dependence. The p/pi ratios in central Au + Au collisions approach the values in p + p and d + Au collisions at pT approximately >5 GeV/c. The results at high pT indicate that the partonic sources of pi+/-, p, and p have similar energy loss when traversing the nuclear medium.

Are postoperative studies justified after extravescial ureteral reimplantation?

PURPOSE

We evaluated the usefulness of postoperative imaging studies after extravesical ureteroneocystostomy and identified patient subsets in which these studies are necessary.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Records of 438 patients who had undergone extravesical ureteroneocystostomy from 1991 to 1997 were reviewed retrospectively. Study inclusion criterion was primary reflux with at least 1 year of postoperative followup. Grades I to III reflux were defined as low, and grades IV and V were defined as high. All patients were on prophylactic antibiotics. Evaluation included ultrasound and a voiding cystourethrogram 3 months postoperatively, and if reflux persisted the studies were repeated at 12 months.

RESULTS

A total of 438 patients (723 renal units) underwent extravesical ureteral reimplantation. At 3 months the procedure was successful in 93.2% of ureters (91.3% patients), and at 12 months the success rate increased to 97.9% of ureters (95.4% patients). There were 49 renal units in 38 cases that were refluxing at 3 months, 11 of which were contralateral. At 12 months reflux resolved spontaneously in 20 of 38 ipsilateral and 8 of 11 contralateral ureters. Of the remaining 18 ipsilateral units reflux was high grade preoperatively in 12 and persisted postoperatively in 4. There was a statistically significant difference in the success rate at 1 year between high (94%) versus low (99%) grade reflux (p = 0.007). Age and preoperative bladder function did not significantly affect the success rates but males had a lower success rate. Hydronephrosis was noted in 7.2% of ureters at 6 weeks and in only 0.005% at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Extravesical reimplantation is successful in treating vesicoureteral reflux. Postoperative voiding cystourethrogram should be reserved for high grade reflux. Limiting these studies will help reduce patient discomfort and the cost of treatment.

Epithelial and stromal uterine cells cultured in vitro protect bovine sperm from hydrogen peroxide

It is known that large amounts of leukocytes colonize the uterus, and that these leukocytes can produce considerable quantities of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and other reactive oxygen species that are toxic to sperm. It has been shown recently that oviductal fluid has a catalase that helps to maintain sperm motility. Therefore, the current experiment was performed to determine if a similar mechanism of protection exists against peroxides within uterine cells. Sperm motility and velocity were recorded after a 6h incubation in 1) conditioned media in the presence of endometrial cells, 2) conditioned media without endometrial cells, 3) control media (48h without cells) over endometrial cells, or 4) control media alone. All these treatments were performed in the presence or absence of added catalase. Conditioned media, endometrial cells and catalase had a significant positive effect on the maintenance of sperm motility and velocity. Addition of anti-catalase antibodies did not neutralize the beneficial effect of the conditioned media. However, the concentrations of aromatic amino acids, known substrates for sperm amino acid oxidase, were significantly lower in uterine conditioned media as compared to control medium. This reduction of aromatic amino acids was in correlation with reduced H2O2 production by sperm as estimated by chemiluminescence. These results suggest that epithelial and stromal uterine cells do not maintain sperm motility by secreting catalase in the conditioned media, but rather by reducing the levels of aromatic amino acids and thus of peroxides generated in the presence of spermatozoa.

Long term follow-up of intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin for the treatment of bladder transitional cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To review the long-term follow-up, in terms of recurrence and progression, of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder treated with intravesical BCG with the following indications: CIS, Ta and T1.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-two patients who had received complete course of BCG between 1987 and 1993 were included in the study and followed for an average of 59 months (range 12 to 102).

RESULTS

The recurrence and progression were looked at. Patients treated with BCG for Carcinoma in situ, 11 of 19 (53%) remained tumor-free after 1 or 2 courses of BCG for the duration of the follow-up (mean 4.9 years, range 1.5 to 8.5 years). For patients treated for recurring tumors, 17 of 50 (34%) had no recurrences after 1 or 2 courses of BCG with the same follow-up. When facing multiple tumors, 10 of 23 (43%) patients did not experience recurrences. Therefore, in the 92 patients treated, 38 presented no recurrences after 1 or 2 courses of BCG, for a success rate of 41%. In terms of progression, of the 19 patients treated with BCG for CIS, 4 (21%) went on to develop muscle invasive disease. Of the 50 patients treated for recurrent tumors, 2 (4%) eventually developed lamina propria invasion (initial lesion was a Ta tumor), 4 (8%) carcinoma in situ and 7 (14%) muscle invasive disease, for an overall progression rate of 26% in this group. Of the 25 patients treated for multiple tumors, 1 (4%) developed CIS and 3 (12%) presented with muscle invasive disease, for an overall progression rate of 16% for the duration of the follow-up. Therefore, 21 of 92 (23%) patients had progression of their disease following BCG therapy. No prognostic factors for recurrence or progression could be identified in these tumors.

CONCLUSION

When indications warrant its use, BCG is effective in reducing recurrences and limiting progression in TCC of the bladder. Recurrence within 2 years of treatment is, however, a sign of poor prognosis and other therapeutic options should be sought.

Urinary retention after bilateral extravesical ureteral reimplantation: does dissection distal to the ureteral orifice have a role?

PURPOSE

We evaluated the outcome and incidence of urinary retention after bilateral detrusorrhaphy using 2 modifications of the original Lich-Gregoir procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated the charts of 220 patients who underwent correction of bilateral vesicoureteral reflux using the extravesical approach from January 1991 to December 1997. Inverted Y detrusorrhaphy was performed in 154 patients and the advancing suture modification was done in 66.

RESULTS

The success rate using the advancing suture technique was 92.4 and 95.4% at 3 and 12 months, respectively. The Y detrusorrhaphy technique was successful in 91.6 and 97.4% of cases at 3 and 12 months, respectively. The difference in the techniques was not statistically significant. Urinary retention developed in 8.4% of the patients who underwent Y detrusorrhaphy compared to 15.2% of those who underwent the advancing suture technique (not statistically significant). However, patients with grades IV and V reflux, children younger than 3 years and boys had significantly (p <0.05) higher postoperative retention rates of 24.6, 35.6 and 20.3%, respectively, when all 220 patients were considered.

CONCLUSIONS

Each modification of the original Lich-Gregoir technique is highly effective for treating bilateral vesicoureteral reflux and each is associated with a low rate of temporary urinary retention. Although there seems to be a lower incidence of retention with the Y detrusorrhaphy technique, this was not statistically significant. Because of the higher incidence of urinary retention in young children, boys and/or patients with high grade reflux, we recommend that physicians consider a longer period of catheterization regardless of the technique chosen.

Urinary retention after bilateral extravesical ureteral reimplantation: does dissection distal to the ureteral orifice have a role?

PURPOSE

We evaluated the outcome and incidence of urinary retention after bilateral detrusorrhaphy using 2 modifications of the original Lich-Gregoir procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated the charts of 220 patients who underwent correction of bilateral vesicoureteral reflux using the extravesical approach from January 1991 to December 1997. Inverted Y detrusorrhaphy was performed in 154 patients and the advancing suture modification was done in 66.

RESULTS

The success rate using the advancing suture technique was 92.4 and 95.4% at 3 and 12 months, respectively. The Y detrusorrhaphy technique was successful in 91.6 and 97.4% of cases at 3 and 12 months, respectively. The difference in the techniques was not statistically significant. Urinary retention developed in 8.4% of the patients who underwent Y detrusorrhaphy compared to 15.2% of those who underwent the advancing suture technique (not statistically significant). However, patients with grades IV and V reflux, children younger than 3 years and boys had significantly (p <0.05) higher postoperative retention rates of 24.6, 35.6 and 20.3%, respectively, when all 220 patients were considered.

CONCLUSIONS

Each modification of the original Lich-Gregoir technique is highly effective for treating bilateral vesicoureteral reflux and each is associated with a low rate of temporary urinary retention. Although there seems to be a lower incidence of retention with the Y detrusorrhaphy technique, this was not statistically significant. Because of the higher incidence of urinary retention in young children, boys and/or patients with high grade reflux, we recommend that physicians consider a longer period of catheterization regardless of the technique chosen.

[FPSUND: a pan-Canadian evaluation of a clinical classification of urinary incontinence]

Historically, urinary incontinence is divided into 3 subtypes: stress, urge and mixed. This latter group, which according to many studies can account for up to 50% of the patients, is very heterogenous. For this same reason, the reports of treatments of urinary incontinence are very difficult to analyse using this simple classification. In a attempt to clarify this situation and to help the acquisition of useful clinical information relating to urinary incontinence, were have developed a clinical classification of urinary incontinence (FPSUND) in which 6 symptoms are graded in severity from 0 to 3. In this acronym, the F stands for frequency, the P for the use of protection, the S for stress-related complaints, the U for urge-related complaints, the N for nocturia and the D for the number of daily micturitions. Urologists across Canada were sent the French or English version of the classification and used it to evaluate 148 female patients aged from 18 to 70, suffering from urinary incontinence. A second, independent evaluation, was also performed on the same patients by registered nurses or urodynamic technicians. Reproducibility between observers, as assessed by the weighted Kappa score ranged from 0.47 and 0.74 (p < 0.05), was very good. Generally, the users of the classification found it very easy to use. In summary, we propose the FPSUND clinical classification of urinary incontinence as a useful and accurate tool to classify urinary incontinence and as a means to assess treatment outcome.

cDNA sequence and deduced amino acid sequence of bovine oviductal fluid catalase

A bovine oviductal fluid catalase (OFC) which preferentially binds to the acrosome surface of some mammalian spermatozoa has recently been purified. The objectives of this study were to clone the OFC, obtain the full-length cDNA and protein sequence and determine which characteristics of the proteins are associated with the binding of the enzyme to sperm surface. Northern blot analysis revealed low levels of catalase mRNA in bovine oviducts and uterus compared to the liver and kidney. Screening of a cDNA library from the cow oviduct permit to obtain a full-length cDNA of 2282 bp, with an open reading frame of 1581 bp coding for a deduced protein of 526 amino acids (59,789 Da). The deduced protein contained four potential N-glycosylation sites and many potential O-glycosylation sites. The OFC protein exhibited high identity with catalase from other bovine tissues, likewise with catalases from human fibroblast and kidney, and with rat liver catalase. The homology of amino acid sequence of OFC with bovine liver catalase was about 99%. However the OFC possess an extended carboxyl terminus of 20 amino acids not present on the liver catalase. This result is supported by a lower mobility of the OFC compared to the liver catalase when both proteins are submitted on SDS-PAGE.

Binding of a bovine oviductal fluid catalase to mammalian spermatozoa

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a reactive oxygen species that at low concentration is toxic to sperm. H2O2 inhibits not only sperm viability but also the acrosome reaction, sperm-egg binding, and oocyte penetration. Catalase activates the decomposition of H2O2 into water and oxygen, thus removing an initiator of free radical chain reactions leading to lipid peroxidation. Since the oviduct is known to enhance sperm survival, we hypothesized that it might secrete catalase. We found that oviductal fluid, harvested from washed cells collected at the slaughterhouse, possessed catalase-specific activity that varied during the estrous cycle. Catalase activity increased during the cycle and reached its maximal level just before ovulation (Days 18-20). No significant difference in activity was seen between fluid from the isthmus and that from the ampulla. Indirect immuno-staining of spermatozoa incubated in the oviductal fluid revealed the association of catalase in the region of the acrosomal cap. Addition of a commercial antibody directed against bovine liver catalase completely inhibited catalase activities from the oviductal fluid. Catalase activity was also detected in porcine oviductal fluid, human oviductal fluid, and cervical mucus. Western blots of oviductal fluid probed with the anti-catalase antibody revealed two major bands at 60 and 40 kDa. An immunoaffinity column was used to purify oviductal catalase, showing a unique band at about 60 kDa when analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The purified protein was incubated with bovine, boar, and human sperm, and Western blots of these sperm after several washes detected a band at 60 kDa, indicating that the protein was bound to sperm membranes. However, bovine liver catalase did not bind to sperm. Since H2O2 is one of the key reactants in the chain reaction of free radical production, this enzyme may play an important role in sperm survival within the female tract.

Catalase and oviductal fluid reverse the decreased motility of bovine sperm in culture medium containing specific amino acids

The motility and velocity of bovine spermatozoa incubated in TCM-199 are reduced in comparison with those incubated in a simpler media made for sperm, such as modified Tyrode (Sp-Talp). Moreover, a previous study showed that oviductal cells conditioned media prevented this decreased motility in TCM-199. Preliminary results lead us to suspect that amino acids in TCM-199 were involved in the reduced survival. Therefore, the current experiment aimed at determining which amino acids were involved and what their mechanism of action involved. Amino acids were added separately in Sp-Talp at the final concentration found in TCM-199. Frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa were washed twice by centrifugation in Sp-Talp and diluted to 25 x 10(6)/ml in the amino acid media. After 6 hours of incubation at 37 degrees C, sperm motility and velocity were recorded. The percentage of motile sperm was significantly lower in the presence of phenylalanine (6%+/-2, P < 0.05) compared with the control (46%+/-2). Sperm velocity (VAP, microm/ second) was lower in the presence of phenylalanine (50+/-4) and tyrosine (89+/-3) compared with the control (119+/-4, P < 0.05). Increased concentrations of the three aromatic amino acids (0, 0.2, 1, five times TCM-199 concentrations) decreased both sperm motility and velocity in a dose-dependent manner. Cysteine and methionine, added at 250 microg/ml, showed a negative effect on sperm motility and/or velocity, as did the three aromatic amino acids. Presence of catalase (0.01 mg/ml) in the amino acid-supplemented Sp-Talp for 6 hours kept sperm motility and velocity at control levels, suggesting that the toxic effect of amino acids acts on sperm by excess hydrogen peroxide production. Because the oviduct contains amino acids, and its role as a reservoir for sperm survival is well known, oviductal fluid was collected and tested. Oviductal fluid reversed the negative effect of amino acids, similar to the action of the catalase. Oviductal fluid also kept the peroxide concentrations of media containing phenylalanine at basal levels (<10 microM) compared with phenylalanine alone (approximately 40 microM). These results suggest the presence of catalase activity in oviductal fluid.

Modulation of postthaw motility, survival, calcium uptake, and fertility of bovine sperm by magnesium and manganese

Because Mg2+ and Mn2+ are potent stimulators of motility through the stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity, the current study was undertaken to modulate the fertilizing ability of bovine semen by incorporation of various concentrations of those two salts in extenders before freezing. Motility analysis at 6 h in vitro showed a positive effect of MgCl2 in a dose-dependent manner from 0.5 to 5 mM (31 to 50%). Manganese at the concentration of 0.1 mM also supported good sperm motility (53%) compared with that of the control (28%). Although survival was increased, no detrimental effects were seen on the number of sperm that penetrated mucus of cows in estrus. The intracellular Ca2+ concentration of sperm was very different across treatments after thawing; spermatozoa that were extended with 2 mM MgCl2 and 0.5 mM MnCl2 possessed the highest concentrations at thawing. Four hours later, in the presence of Ca, spermatozoa that were extended in 0.1 mM MnCl2 showed the highest uptake. In the presence of Ca and heparin, spermatozoa that were extended in different amounts of Mg showed Ca2+ concentrations that increased in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was negated by glucose. Functional fertilizing capacity was also evaluated by in vitro fertilization, and the different treatments did not show any detrimental effects. In summary, 5 mM MgCl2 and 0.1 mM MnCl2 both have beneficial effects for the maintenance of sperm motility without detrimental effects on mucus penetration and fertilizing ability. Furthermore, these treatments do not prevent subsequent Ca2+ uptake in response to heparin. These in vitro studies are potentially a good sorting system to predict the benefits of extender modifications.

Modulation of postthaw motility, survival, calcium uptake, and fertility of bovine sperm by female genital products

Because the different portions of the female genital tract act in many ways on sperm metabolism, the current study was undertaken to modulate the survival and fertilizing ability of bovine semen by incorporation of products from the oviduct or the follicle in extenders before freezing. Motility rates at 6 h in vitro showed a net positive effect when biological factors from total retentate or from a fraction of bovine follicular fluid (total retentate = 43%; fraction 2 = 54%), oviductal cell culture (total retentate = 43%; fraction 2 = 58%), or granulosa cell culture (total retentate = 43%; fraction 3 = 53%) were added to the extenders compared with the addition of BSA (31%). Fraction 3 of granulosa cell culture retentate also had a significant stimulatory effect on the number of sperm that penetrated mucus of cows in estrous compared with BSA (n = 205 vs. n = 159). The intracellular sperm Ca2+ concentrations were very different across treatments after thawing. Sperm from straws with BSA had the highest concentration. At 4 h, intracellular Ca2+ concentration increased for all treatments, except that for sperm treated with BSA and Ca alone, internal Ca2+ declined. Heparin plus Ca stimulated a greater internalization of Ca2+ than did Ca alone for retentate from bovine follicular fluid, oviductal cell culture, and BSA treatments: glucose consistently and significantly reduced internalization. In vitro fertilization rates were similar, and no significant differences were observed across treatments.

A six-degrees-of-freedom instrumented linkage for measuring the flexibility characteristics of the ankle joint complex

Diagnosis of ligament injuries to the ankle joint complex is a difficult clinical problem which relies primarily on manual physical examination and on radiographic evaluations. In an attempt to develop a reliable, quantitative diagnostic tool for such injuries we developed a six-degrees-of-freedom instrumented linkage (Ankle Flexibility Tester-AFT) capable of measuring the flexibility characteristics of the ankle joint complex in vivo. The unique non-serial structure of this linkage was such that these characteristics were recorded directly in an ]anatomical coordinate system which enhanced clinical interpretation. The goal of the present study was to develop this linkage and to test its accuracy and its test-retest reliability. The positional accuracy of the AFT was measured and was found to be better than 0.5 mm for translation and 1.2 degrees for rotations. The results obtained from a study conducted on two cadaveric specimens indicate negligible effect of loading rate on the flexibility characteristics within the range of possible manually applied loads. Finally, the reliability of the AFT was examined from test-retest studies conducted on a total of thirteen young healthy volunteers. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), calculated from the test-retest data, indicated a reliability higher than 0.85. It was concluded that the high reliability and accuracy of the AFT, its simplicity of operation, the easy alignment procedure, the on-line load-displacement results, and the elimination of complex data processing render this device suitable for use in the clinic as well as in the research laboratory.

Importance of calcium for the binding of oviductal fluid proteins to the membranes of bovine spermatozoa

Our laboratory has recently shown that in vitro-cultured oviductal cells secrete sperm motility maintaining factor(s). Since the binding of oviductal proteins to spermatozoa (SPZ) has been demonstrated in many species, the motility factor was postulated to bind the membranes of SPZ. Therefore, the current study was performed to evaluate which proteins from in vivo oviductal secretions bind to sperm membranes, to characterize binding conditions, and to evaluate the effect of this binding on sperm survival. Bovine oviducts were dissected, and oviductal cells and fluid were collected by pressing the oviductal tube with a glass slide. This mixture was incubated in Tris-EDTA buffer at 37 degrees C for 30 min, and the cells were washed twice by centrifugation. The supernatant containing oviductal fluid proteins (OFP) was reserved, filtered, frozen (for later motility tests), or lyophilized and labeled with 125I. Frozen-thawed SPZ were incubated either immediately, following capacitation, ionophore-induced acrosome reaction, death by heating, or flagellar removal with labeled OFP for 30 min. The resulting pellet after three washes was dissolved in SDS and submitted to 10% SDS-PAGE. An autoradiogram showed that 72, 66, 39, 38, and 36 kDa proteins bind strongly to the five types of SPZ used, and that this binding is very specific, since unlabeled OFP inhibited binding while serum proteins did not. Furthermore, for 39, 38, and 36 kDa proteins, the presence of calcium in the incubation medium was essential for dose-dependent binding, whereas magnesium was not. Preincubation of SPZ for 30 min at 37 degrees C with oviductal fluid, followed by one wash and 6 hr of incubation in control media, showed that the percentage of motile SPZ is significantly higher (52 +/- 6%) compared with SPZ not preincubated with oviductal fluid (24 +/- 6%; P < 0.01). In summary, a limited number of proteins from oviductal secretions bind to the surface of bovine SPZ only in the presence of calcium, and this binding appears to be important for subsequent sperm viability.

Capacitation in vitro of bovine spermatozoa by oviduct epithelial cell monolayer conditioned medium

The effect of the active capacitating factor secreted from oviduct epithelial cell monolayers (OECM) in different environments on in vitro fertilization was evaluated. Capacitation was determined as the ability of sperm to fertilize bovine oocytes in vitro. When the mTALP was supplemented with glucose during conditioning, the sperm penetration rate was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) compared to the control (7% +/- 1 vs. 30% +/- 4). The percentages of sperm penetrated oocytes were higher following insemination in the OECM-conditioned medium derived from the early stage (48% +/- 7) of the estrous cycle than in the OECM-conditioned medium derived from either mid (35% +/- 2) or late stages (28% +/- 3) of the estrous cycle. When the medium was supplemented with 0.1 or 0.5 microgram/ml estradiol-17 beta during medium conditioning, sperm penetration rates increased (P < 0.05) compared to the control group (55% +/- 4 vs. 40% +/- 3 and 54% +/- 2 vs. 41% +/- 3, respectively). In addition, the percentages of penetrated oocytes significantly decreased (P < 0.05) following insemination when the OECM-conditioned medium was added to 0.01%, 0.05%, and 0.1% ethanol compared to the control (25% +/- 4, 19% +/- 2, 18% +/- 3, and 45% +/- 3, respectively). Sperm penetration rates significantly (P < 0.01) decreased when the OECM-conditioned medium was heated to 100 degrees C for 5 min (10% +/- 1 vs. 40% +/- 3). These results suggest that the active capacitating factor was secreted by the OECM and that this capacitating factor in the OECM-conditioned medium was inhibited by the presence of glucose. This factor was found to be heat-sensitive and its action was affected by ethanol. The OECM derived from the three phases of the estrous cycle as well as the presence of estradiol-17 beta influenced the capacity of the OECM to secrete this capacitating factor in vitro.

Specific induction of a functional endogenous D2 short dopamine receptor in GH4C1 cells

In contrast to lactotrophs, tumoral pituitary cells like GH3 and GH4C1 lack expression of dopamine D2short and D2long receptors. In GH4C1 cells, we observed that the expression of only the short isoform of D2 receptor can be induced after transfection with a plasmid which confers resistance to neomycin (pRSVNeo). High levels of fully functional D2short receptor were obtained in GH4C1 following transfection (528fmol/mg protein). Sequence, pharmacology and coupling of the induced-D2 receptor do not show any difference with the cloned rat D2 short receptor.

Sera from patients with autoimmune disease recognize conformational determinants on the 60-kd Ro/SS-A protein

Anti-Ro antibodies are found in a large proportion of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and primary Sjögren's syndrome. These antibodies also characterize neonatal lupus, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and vasculitis associated with Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. Anti-Ro-positive sera may contain either or both of 2 sets of antibodies, recognizing either a 60-kd or a 52-kd polypeptide component of the Ro particle. We found in this study that the immune response to the 60-kd Ro antigen is heterogeneous. Some sera specifically recognize the native Ro antigen but fail to bind the corresponding denatured polypeptides. In addition, after immunodepletion using the denatured 60-kd Ro polypeptide, all anti-Ro-positive sera tested still contained high titers of antibodies recognizing conformational determinants on the Ro antigen. The frequent immunodominance of anti-Ro antibodies targeted to conformational determinants suggests that native autoantigens may directly drive the autoimmune response.

[Immediate complications of transurethral resection of the prostate: study of 1000 consecutive cases]

The authors reviewed the charts of 1000 patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate. When the 30-day postoperative period was studied, it was found that 139 patients suffered complications and 6 died. Infectious complications (urinary tract in 63 cases and septicemia in 23 cases) were the commonest followed by hemorrhage and urinary retention. The deaths were related to cardiac problems.

Stimulatory effect of synthetic progestins currently used for the treatment of prostate cancer on growth of the androgen-sensitive Shionogi tumor in mice

In order to assess the androgenic activity of synthetic progestins currently used as "antiandrogens" for the treatment of prostate cancer in men, the effect of a series of these compounds has been studied in mice on the growth of the androgen-sensitive Shionogi tumor. Female mice (DD/S strain) were inoculated subcutaneously with 10(6) viable cells and divided into groups who received, respectively, the synthetic "progestins" medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), megestrol acetate (MEG), cyproterone acetate (CPA) or chlormadinone acetate (CMA), compared with the non-steroidal antiandrogen Flutamide (Flu), each administered at the twice-daily dose of 250 micrograms. Each synthetic "progestin" exerted a marked stimulatory effect on the growth of the tumor. The most impressive effect on growth was observed with MPA. In fact, in MPA-treated mice, tumor size was 17 times larger than control at 4.92 +/- 0.36 cm2/mouse 21 days after inoculation. CPA, CMA and MEG also stimulated the growth of this androgen-sensitive tumor, the percentages of stimulation of tumor size being 3.1-, 3.2- and 11.0-fold above control, respectively, on day 21, while Flu had no significant stimulatory effect. The present data clearly show that all the above-mentioned progestins have variable levels of stimulatory activity on the growth of the androgen-sensitive Shionogi tumor and indicate that such drugs are unlikely to be recommendable for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Physiologic consequences and complications of vasectomy

Sterilization of men and women is the most popular method of contraception in Canada. The contraceptive effect of a vasectomy usually occurs within 3 months. The production of sperm, however, is not interrupted, and an increase in pressure proximal to the ligation site may cause rupture of the epididymis or the ductus deferens, with extravasation of spermatozoa and the formation of granulomas or sperm antibodies. Increased pressure may also explain the postvasectomy pain syndrome.

Assessment of prostatism: role of intravenous urography

A prospective study of 502 patients referred for assessment of symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction was performed to determine the value of routine intravenous urography (IVU). The purpose was to establish the rate at which significant occult abnormality in the upper urinary tract is detected with IVU alone; to determine to what extent these abnormalities can be predicted from routine clinical and laboratory evaluation, thus allowing better patient selection for IVU; and to recommend alternative imaging modalities. History, physical examination, and routine laboratory studies constituted the preliminary examination. Abnormalities were found in 23% of patients but significant conditions in only 10%. Occult significant abnormalities that would have been missed without IVU occurred in only 1.5% of patients. Most of these could be detected on an abdominal radiograph. Only one malignancy would have been missed without routine IVU. The authors conclude that IVU in the assessment of prostatism should be limited to patients with positive findings in the clinical work-up. An abdominal radiograph is recommended in the others. Significant cost savings can thus be achieved.

Analysis of the androgenic activity of synthetic "progestins" currently used for the treatment of prostate cancer

In order to assess the androgenic activity of synthetic "progestins" currently used as "antiandrogens" for the treatment of prostate cancer in men, the effect of a series of these compounds has been measured following 14 days of treatment of adult castrated rats on specific and sensitive parameters of androgenic activity, namely ventral prostate weight and prostatic ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is almost equipotent with 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a 49% increase in prostatic weight being observed at the low dose of 0.15 mg, twice daily (P less than 0.01). Megestrol acetate (Megace), chlormadinone acetate (CMA) and spironolactone were less potent but caused a 36-59% increase in prostatic weight at the highest dose used, namely 10 mg. At the 5 mg dose, cyproterone acetate (CPA) caused a 75% increase in prostatic weight. The androgenic activity of the compounds is even more clearly illustrated by their marked stimulatory effect on prostatic ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity. MPA, at the low dose of 0.15 mg, caused a 20-fold increase (relative to the effect of placebo) in the activity of the enzyme while the same dose of DHT caused a 15-fold stimulation of enzymatic activity. At the 10 mg dose, megestrol acetate, CMA and spironolactone caused 13.1, 11.8 and 8.6-fold stimulations of ODC activity, respectively. Flutamide, on the other hand, had no stimulatory effect on either ventral prostate weight or prostatic ODC activity. In agreement with glucocorticoid activity, MPA, megestrol acetate and CMA caused a marked inhibition (45-64%) of adrenal weight. The present data show that MPA is a highly potent androgen while megestrol acetate, CMA, CPA and spironolactone have lower but significant androgenic activity on all the parameters measured. It should be added that MPA, megestrol acetate and CMA are completely devoid of antiandrogenic activity while spironolactone shows weak antiandrogen action and CPA is a mixed agonist-antagonist. Flutamide, the compound used as reference, is the only compound devoid of any androgenic action and is thus acting as a pure antiandrogen on both ventral prostate weight and prostatic ODC activity. The present data have major implications for the choice of drug to be used for the treatment of androgen-sensitive diseases, especially prostate cancer. As shown by the present data, the synthetic "progestins" so-far available all possess variable levels of androgenic activity and are thus not recommended for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Percutaneous endoscopic fulguration of a large volume caliceal diverticulum

Currently, the optimal approach to a caliceal diverticulum appears to be direct puncture into the diverticulum with subsequent dilation and stenting of the narrow ostium with a large nephrostomy tube. However, further maneuvers might be necessary in cases of large volume caliceal diverticula. We describe a patient with a large caliceal diverticulum (7.5 cm.) in whom percutaneous endoscopic fulguration was used successfully as an additional technique to assure obliteration of the diverticulum.

Percutaneous removal of renal and ureteral calculi: experience with 400 cases

Percutaneous removal of renal and ureteral calculi was performed in 500 patients since 1979. Experience with our first 100 cases enabled us to accumulate a variety of techniques. We report our experience with the subsequent 400 cases. As judged by plain films of the kidneys, ureters and bladder, and renal tomograms without contrast medium we attained a status free of stones in 99 per cent of the patients with renal and 94.5 per cent with ureteral calculi. Intravenous-assisted local anesthesia was used in 94 per cent of the cases. There was no mortality and the incidence of complications was low. Most patients with renal and ureteral calculi can be managed successfully and safely by percutaneous methods with good patient tolerance and minimal convalescence.