Effects of Oral Administration of Lepidium meyenii on Morphology of Mice Testis and Motility of Epididymal Sperm Cells After Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure

Background: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administration is associated with testicular damage and reduced semen quality. Oral administration of Lepidium Meyenii (maca) improves spermatogenesis and sperm motility and count and reduces spermatogenic damage. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of administration of THC, maca, and their combination on testicular tissue and semen parameters. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six-week-old male mice were classified into control, THC, Maca, and THC + Maca groups. The mice were subjected to Eco Color Doppler ultrasound examination of the testicles before and after treatment. After euthanasia, the epididymis, testes, liver, and kidney were collected for histological examination. For morphometry of the testis, tubular diameters and seminiferous epithelium height were measured. Sperm concentration and sperm motilities were assessed. Differences among the groups were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's post-hoc test. Results: In all the groups, there were no significant changes in testicular morphology before and after treatment. Histological assessment of the testes showed no alterations in control, no significant alterations in Maca, mild to moderate alterations in THC, and mild alterations in THC + Maca groups. Histological examination of the other organs showed no significant differences among the groups. Tubular diameter showed significantly increased thickening for THC and THC + Maca compared with that for Maca and control. Moreover, seminiferous epithelium height decreased for THC compared with that in the control, Maca, and THC + Maca groups. No statistically significant reduction in the spermatogenic index was observed for THC compared with that for Maca and THC + Maca. Epididymal cross-sections of the groups showed no significant alterations. Sperm concentration and motility were higher for control and THC + Maca groups than in group THC and Maca. Conclusion: In vivo maca administration reduced the deleterious effect of THC on testicular parenchyma and semen production.

Comparison between a new ultrasound probe with a capacitive micromachined transducer (CMUT) and a traditional one in musculoskeletal pathology

BACKGROUND

The capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer (CMUT) is a new ultrasound (US) probe manufactured by state-of-the-art cutting-edge semi-conductor micromachined electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology.

PURPOSE

To demonstrate the peculiar characteristics of each probe and the limitations that should be improved.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study was performed from March to April 2018. The only inclusion criterion was the presence of disease, so all patients with musculoskeletal, skin, and subcutaneous pathology were included. A total of 66 patients entered this study. The exams of each patient, with both probes, were evaluated retrospectively and independently by three radiologists. Panoramicity of the images, the definition of superficial structures (<2 cm of depth), the definition of deep structures (>2 cm), and Doppler signal were assessed. A 5-point scale was used for each parameter.

RESULTS

A total of 89 pathologies were detected. The mean of score for 4G-CMUT was higher than L64 for the panoramicity of the images and the definition of the deep structures. Instead, the mean score for L64 was higher than for 4G-CMUT in the evaluation of superficial structures and Doppler signal. A statistically significant difference was found (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CMUT is a breakthrough in US technology. It allows the use of a single probe for different US examinations. The musculoskeletal, skin, and subcutaneous US can be evaluated with a piezoelectric linear transducer or CMUT. In the present study, the overall diagnostic performance was similar. Improvements in CMUT will provide even more dynamic and flexible imaging capabilities by a transducer, with a wider bandwidth.

The efferent blood flow of early hepatocellular carcinoma and borderline lesions: Demonstration by color Doppler imaging

We performed waveform analysis of the efferent signal detected within early hepatocellular carcinomas and borderline lesions, in which portal flow was demonstrated. Continuity of this flow with the surrounding vessels was also analyzed. Nine nodules in 7 patients with early hepatocellular carcinomas and borderline lesions were included in this study. Tumor diameter ranged from 1.2 to 3.5 cm; average, 2.1 cm. Waveform of the efferent flow signal from within these nodules was continuous in 5 nodules and biphasic venous in 4 nodules. Outside the nodules, the waveform of the efferent flow signal was that of a biphasic venous wave. All efferent signals were confirmed to continue in the hepatic vein. These findings thus suggest that the draining vessel in early hepatocellular carcinomas and their borderline lesions is the hepatic vein.