Determination of the cryoprotective effect of n-methylacetamide in rabbit semen

BACKGROUND

Amides are low molecular weight cryoprotectants. N-methylacetamide (MA) is one of the cryoprotectant agents in this group.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the cryoprotective effect of MA in rabbit semen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this purpose, six ejaculates from six New Zealand rabbits were collected and pooled using an artificial vagina. Pooled semen was divided into four equal parts and diluted with TCG+ egg yolk. CPA was added to form the following groups: Control with 6% DMSO; Group 1 with 1% MA; Group 2 with 2% MA; and Group 3 with 3% MA. After the addition of CPA, the semen eqilibration procedure was started. Sperm were then drawn into 0.25 mL straws, frozen by automatic semen freezing and stored in a liquid nitrogen container. Pipettes were thawed after 24 h and analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Total, progressive and rapid motility values of the Control group were higher than those of the MA groups (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference between the Control and Group 2 in terms of these parameters. While there was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of acrosome damage and mitochondrial membrane potential, the best results were observed in Control, Group 2, Group 1 and Group 3, respectively. When we compared all groups, no difference was found in terms of MDA, CAT and GSH-Px. There was a statistical difference between Group 3 and the Control in terms of GSH level (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

DMSO appeared to be more useful for the cryopreservation of rabbit semen compared to MA. Doi.org/10.54680/fr23610110812.

Characterisation of pomegranate juice effects on human corpus cavernosum

Pomegranate (POM) juice may benefit the erectile process, but the scientific evidence is lacking. This study evaluates the molecular characterisation and confirmation of POM's action on human corpus cavernosum (HCC) obtained from patients (n = 16) undergoing penile prosthesis implantation. After phenylephrine contraction, the relaxant effects of POM with various inhibitors in the presence and absence of palmitic acid (PA)-induced acute oxidative stress were investigated. Electrical field stimulation (EFS)- and acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxation were performed using organ bath preparation. Expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), endothelial (eNOS), phosphodiesterase (PDE)-5A and cGMP levels were assessed in cells from ex vivo organ cultures of HCC, using RT-PCR, ELISA and immunohistochemistry techniques. POM induced marked relaxation of HCC (maximum response: 97.0 ± 3.1%) and reversed the PA-induced decrease of EFS (20 Hz). nNOS transcription was increased by 7-fold in POM-treated cells without influencing eNOS and PDE5A expressions. We conclude that POM induced marked relaxation of HCC via: (i) nNOS stimulation, and (ii) downstream relaxation stimulated by nNOS and cGMP and bypassing the NO and PDE5. This action provides a rationale for the therapeutic or preventative use of POM in men with erectile dysfunction who do not respond well to PDE5 inhibitors.

Effect of avanafil on rat and human corpus cavernosum

We compared the activity of a new phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5i) avanafil with sildenafil and tadalafil in human and rat corpus cavernosum (CC) tissues. The effect of avanafil with several inhibitors and electrical field stimulation (EFS) was evaluated on CC after pre-contraction with phenylephrine. With the PDE5i, sildenafil and tadalafil, concentration-response curves were obtained and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels were measured in tissues. Avanafil induced relaxation with maximum response of 74 ± 5% in human CC. This response was attenuated by NOS inhibitor and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor. Avanafil potentiated relaxation responses to acetylcholine and EFS in human CC and enhanced SNP-induced relaxation and showed 3-fold increase in cGMP levels. When compared with sildenafil, avanafil and tadalafil were effective at lower concentrations in human CC. In addition, Sprague-Dawley rats underwent in vivo intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) measurements. Avanafil increased ICP/MAP that was enhanced by SNP and cavernous nerve (CN) stimulation in rat CC tissues. Also avanafil showed maximum relaxation response of 83 ± 7% in rat CC with 3-fold increase in cGMP concentration. Taken together, these results of our in vivo and in vitro studies in human and rat suggest that avanafil promotes the CC relaxation and penile erection via NO-cGMP pathway.

Acetylsalicylic acid protects erectile function in diabetic rats

We aimed to evaluate the effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) treatment on diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups as follows: (i) control (C), (ii) diabetic (D), (iii) ASA-treated control (C+ASA) and (iv) ASA-treated diabetic (D+ASA) groups. In groups 2 and 4, diabetes was induced by injection of 35 mg kg(-1) streptozotocin. ASA (100 mg kg(-1) day(-1) , orally) was administrated to rats in groups 3 and 4 for 8 weeks. Both intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were measured in in vivo studies. In organ bath, the relaxation responses to acetylcholine (ACh), electrical field stimulation (EFS) and sodium nitroprusside were tested in corpus cavernosum (CC) strips. The mRNA expression for neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) was calculated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique. In in vivo experiments, diabetic rats displayed reduced ICP/MAP values, which were normalised with ASA treatment. The relaxant response to high-dose ACh and EFS at low frequencies (1-8 Hz) in CC strips from the D+ASA group were significantly higher when compared to the D group. Treatment with ASA normalised the raised mRNA expressions of nNOS in diabetic penile tissues. ASA may be involved in mRNA of protein synthesis of NO released from nonadrenergic and noncholinergic cavernosal nerve in diabetes.

A retrospective investigation of canine adenovirus (CAV) infection in adult dogs in Turkey : article

Canine adenovirus (CAV) type 1 and 2, respectively, cause infectious canine hepatitis and infectious canine laryngotracheitis in members of the families Canidae and Ursidae worldwide. Both of these infections are acute diseases, especially in young dogs. The aim of this study was to conduct a serological investigation of canine adenovirus infection. For this purpose, serumsamples were collected from native pure-bred Kangal (n = 11), and Akbash dogs (n = 17) and Turkish Greyhounds (n=15) in Eskisehir and Konya provinces. None ofthe dogs were previously vaccinated against CAV types. Indirect ELISA detected 88.2 %, 93.3 % and 100 % prevalences in Akbash, Greyhound and Kangal dogs, respectively. The remainder of the samples (n = 51) were collected at the Afyonkarahisar Municipality Shelter. Fourty-two of these dogs (82.3 %) were detected as seropositive. In total, 82 of 94 dogs (87.2 %) were found to be positive for CAV serum antibodies.

Laparoscopic repair of Morgagni hernia

BACKGROUND

Foramen of Morgagni hernias are rare diaphragmatic hernias. They account for 3-5% of all diaphragmatic hernias and the majority of the cases are asymptomatic. They are caused by trauma, obesity or pregnancy. With the advancements of laparoscopic surgery, laparoscopic repair has become an excellent alternative to open repair for Morgagni hernias. We report five cases of Morgagni hernia repaired with the laparoscopic approach in conjunction with a review of the literature.

PATIENTS

A retrospective review comprised five patients who had a Morgagni hernia repaired with a laparoscopic approach. Data from these patients were collected for the period between February 2001 and May 2005.

RESULTS

The average age at operation was 61. The anatomic pathology was detected preoperatively using X-rays and computerized tomography (CT) scans in four of our patients. Hernia was detected incidentally in one patient during an elective cholecysectomy. Three hernias were right-sided and two were left-sided. The contents of the hernias were omentum and transverse colon in the majority of the patients. The hernia was repaired with a laparoscopic approach in all patients. Four patients had composite mesh repair and one patient had primary closure with nonabsorbable sutures. There were no postoperative complications and all patients tolerated laparoscopic repair. There were also no recurrences during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic repair is a candidate to be a standard treatment for Morgagni-type hernias. It is an effective and safe technique and can be performed by all compotent general surgeons with a certain learning curve. It has several advantages relative to the open operation.

Effects of tobacco smoking on plasma selenium, zinc, copper and iron concentrations and related antioxidative enzyme activities

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to investigate whether alterations in antioxidative enzyme activities are dependent on their cofactor concentrations in tobacco smokers.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Plasma selenium, copper, zinc and iron concentrations, and the activities of related erythrocyte antioxidative enzymes copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were measured in tobacco smokers and compared with those of nonsmokers. Plasma thiocyanate levels were measured as an index of smoking status.

RESULTS

While plasma copper concentration and erythrocyte Cu-Zn SOD activity were significantly higher, plasma selenium concentration and erythrocyte GSH-Px activities were significantly lower in tobacco smokers than in nonsmokers. There was no significant difference in plasma iron and zinc concentrations or erythrocyte CAT activity between the two groups. There were significant positive correlations between erythrocyte GSH-Px and plasma selenium levels, between Cu-Zn SOD and copper levels, and between CAT and iron levels, and a negative correlation between plasma thiocyanate and selenium content in tobacco smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that antioxidative enzyme activities change depending on their cofactor concentrations in tobacco smokers.

Homicide by schizophrenic patients in Israel

Thirty-three schizophrenic inpatients aged 45.3 +/- 13.5 years who had been found not guilty of homicide by reason of insanity were compared with 28 schizophrenic patients matched for age, sex and duration of disease who had not committed any crime. Statistical analysis revealed a high rate in the study group of individual factors associated with aggression, such as alcohol abuse, previous contact with the police, aggressive behavior and threats (P < 0.05). Significantly more of them were also immigrants (P < 0.05). There was no between-group difference in familial factors. These findings support earlier studies indicating that schizophrenic patients with the profile of alcoholism, aggressiveness and foreign country of origin are at high risk of homicidal behavior.

Mianserin, a 5-HT2a/2c and alpha 2 antagonist, in the treatment of sexual dysfunction induced by serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Sexual dysfunction is commonly encountered in patients treated with antidepressants. The exact mechanism responsible for the sexual impairment is as yet unclear, although activation of the serotonergic system has been implicated. In the present study, we examined the effect of the 5-HT2a/2c and alpha 2 antagonist mianserin in the treatment of patients with sexual dysfunction induced by serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs). Mianserin 15 mg was coadministered to 15 male subjects with new-onset sexual dysfunction who were under treatment with SRIs. Four major domains of sexual activity-desire, erection, orgasm, and satisfaction-were assessed once weekly for 4 weeks. At the end of the study, 9 of the 15 subjects reported a marked improvement in their sexual functioning, 2 reported partial improvement, and only 4 subjects showed no improvement at all. The beneficial effects were prominent in the areas of orgasm and satisfaction and were usually noted within the first and second week of mianserin treatment. The addition of mianserin to the treatment regimen was not associated with either improvement or worsening of the basic psychiatric clinical status. It appears that the coadministration of low-dose mianserin may be an additional option in the treatment of sexual dysfunction induced by SRIs.

A new method for approximation of physiological signals

A new robust method for the approximation of physiological signals is proposed. The noise must satisfy only one condition: that the probabilities for positive and negative values are equal. Our results illustrate that the proposed method provides a more accurate approximation of signals than either the least square error or the least absolute deviation method in cases that include unknown noise density.

Synthesis of complement proteins in amnion

The amnion is a metabolically active tissue that has been identified as a site of synthesis of numerous products. We report that amnion tissue explants and amnion-derived epithelial cells synthesize and secrete six proteins of the complement system, C1r, C1s, C1 inhibitor, factor B, C3, and factor H. Synthesis of C2 was minimal and variable, and C5 was not detected. The six synthesized proteins had size and subunit composition characteristic of proteins synthesized in HEp2, a long term cell line derived from malignant epithelial cells. Constitutive and regulated synthesis of five of the six proteins was similar in amnion tissue and cells. However, synthesis of factor B was different in tissue and cells; constitutive synthesis was 12-fold higher in tissue than in cells, and interleukin-1 did not alter synthesis in tissue, but increased synthesis by 11.7-fold in cells. These results indicate that amnion may be a source of complement proteins present in the amnion fluid and may contribute to local host defense along with endometrial glandular epithelial cells, which synthesize C3. Furthermore, our results suggest that amnion tissue is stimulated in vivo to synthesize factor B and cannot respond to interleukin-1 with a further increase in the synthesis rate.

Model of Coupled or Dissociated Eye-Head Coordination

Tight coupling between eye and head movements have been observed in response to a single visual target offset or a single flash. On this basis, when the visual stimulus consists of two successive steps or flashes in the same (horizontal) direction, either increasing in eccentricity or decreasing in eccentricity, gaze should be due to concomitant eye and head angular displacement. The main findings were that in response to increasing eccentricity stimulus, the majority of the gaze movement had a staircase pattern, and to decreasing eccentricity stimulus, a pulse-step pattern. Some responses were one gaze movement to the final target (or flash) offset. In all these responses, eye and head were tightly coupled. In some cases, however, in response to two flashes or two successive steps decreasing in eccentricity, the initial eye and head movements were dissociated: eye and head were directed to different offsets. Current eye-head models assume a strong coupling between the head displacement and the eye saccade. We have modified the Laurutis and Robinson model to accommodate the new findings of saccade-VOR cooperation and eye-head dissociated responses; We suggest that when gaze falls short of the target offset, the retinal error signal is not only fed to the saccadic system but also partially suppresses the VOR gain control. This allows for “corrective VOR” movements after the gaze saccade has occurred. To accommodate eye-head dissociation movements, we introduced a switch and a delay in the path to the saccadic system and in the path to the head system. The switches and the delays are controlled by higher functions, and their coordination depends on the subject's motor strategy.

Model of coupled or dissociated eye-head coordination

Tight coupling between eye and head movements have been observed in response to a single visual target offset or a single flash. On this basis, when the visual stimulus consists of two successive steps or flashes in the same (horizontal) direction, either increasing in eccentricity or decreasing in eccentricity, gaze should be due to concomitant eye and head angular displacement. The main findings were that in response to increasing eccentricity stimulus, the majority of the gaze movement had a staircase pattern, and to decreasing eccentricity stimulus, a pulse-step pattern. Some responses were one gaze movement to the final target (or flash) offset. In all these responses, eye and head were tightly coupled. In some cases, however, in response to two flashes or two successive steps decreasing in eccentricity, the initial eye and head movements were dissociated: eye and head were directed to different offsets. Current eye-head models assume a strong coupling between the head displacement and the eye saccade. We have modified the Laurutis and Robinson model to accommodate the new findings of saccade-VOR cooperation and eye-head dissociated responses. we suggest that when gaze falls short of the target offset, the retinal error signal is not only fed to the saccadic system but also partially suppresses the VOR gain control. This allows for "corrective VOR" movements after the gaze saccade has occurred.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Objective evaluation of visual fatigue in VDU workers

Prolonged work with visual display units (VDUs) may result in a wide range of subjective complaints of visual fatigue and somatic disorders. Accepted tests for measuring the physiological correlates of eye discomfort are lacking. In this study, we tested accommodation and convergence, which are most often linked experimentally with VDU work. The tests were carried out on 16 VDU and 13 control workers aged 24 to 43 years, before work at the beginning of the week (first examination) and again four days later at the end of the work day (second examination). The results in VDU workers showed that both accommodation and convergence range significantly decreased. In addition, those workers with powerful accommodative or convergence ranges at the initial examination had a higher decrease. We suggest that accommodation and convergence measurements can be used to evaluate visual fatigue objectively in VDU workers.

Manual or automatic nulling DC offset for physiological DC amplifier

An inexpensive circuit to compensate for DC offset is presented. The circuit may be connected in a straightforward manner to any currently existing DC isolation amplifier and causes no deterioration in the performance of the system. The offset voltage is measured at discrete time intervals and then subtracted from the input signal. A switch is provided to bypass the offset compensation when the latter is not required.

Response of neonates to vibroacoustic stimulation

The response to vibroacoustic stimulation was evaluated in 30 healthy full-term newborns and in five newborns with severe neurologic deficits. The stimulus was applied during a period of quite sleep and a subsequent period of quiet sleep served as the control. All 30 healthy newborns reacted by changing from a state of quite sleep to an active sleep state as determined by heart rate acceleration, irregular respiration, and the appearance of limb movements. Heart rate increased by 19.5 +/- 9.7 beats/min (mean +/- SD) for a mean duration of 21.4 +/- 11.9 seconds. The five newborns with severe neurologic deficits did not show any response to vibroacoustic stimulation, and auditory brainstem evoked responses were also absent. We conclude that this technique may be useful as a screening procedure in the evaluation of the neurologic integrity of newborn infants.

Saccade-vestibulo-ocular reflex co-operation and eye-head uncoupling during orientation to flashed target

1. Eye-head co-ordination in the horizontal plane was studied in four human subjects using two successive flashes in the same direction, either increasing in eccentricity (IE), or decreasing in eccentricity (DE). 2. Results showed that for both conditions, head movements preceded eye movements and were typically longer or followed by a slow gaze movement. This slow movement was due to a vestibulo-ocular reflex gain of less than one. Gaze accuracy was achieved by small head movement adjustments. 3. Gaze movement to an IE stimulus had a staircase pattern, and to a DE stimulus, a pulse-step pattern or one gaze saccade to the final flash eccentricity. 4. In some cases, however, in response to a DE stimulus, the eye and head movements were directed to different displacements (dissociation); i.e. the head movement started towards the first flash eccentricity with a concomitant eye saccade to the second flash eccentricity. When this occurred, gaze movement did not resemble a pulse-step pattern. 5. It is suggested that non-visually orienting gaze is driven mainly by head movement. Eye and head movements can be either tightly coupled or dissociated, depending on the stimulus pattern.

Gaze and eye movement disorders

Cortical areas were explored with regard to saccade control: the lateral intraparietal (LIP) area is involved in the spatial aspects of sensorimotor processing; the supplementary motor area in goal-directed gaze control; and from lesion studies; the posterior parietal cortex in triggering visually guided saccades. Different studies have suggested that the spatial-to-temporal transformation takes place in the superior colliculus (SC) and the cerebellum. When the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) produces inadequate eye movements, other supplementary mechanisms (e.g. non-visual, saccade) may play a role in correcting gaze. A classification of central vestibular disorders of the brainstem and VOR has been proposed, as manifested in any one of the three major planes of action (yaw, pitch and role).

Contrast sensitivity and the near point of accommodation after work with a visual display unit

After several hours of work with a visual display unit (VDU), operators become myopic for a short time. Such transient myopia may be evaluated by measuring contrast sensitivity to a modulated grating pattern. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there are any accumulative myopic effects after 1 day of VDU work. We examined grating contrast sensitivity in a group of 13 full-time workers and in 13 office employees who used VDUs only sporadically. The results, which were compared with the near point of accommodation, clearly illustrated that there is no decrease in contrast sensitivity. In the VDU group the decrease in the near point of accommodation was uniformly distributed between zero and 1.0 diopter, whereas among the non-VDU workers 77% of the decrease was between zero and 0.25 diopter. We conclude that the myopic changes in the refractive status of operators after VDU work are not evident in a decrease in contrast sensitivity. However, in VDU workers the dynamic range of accommodation was smaller, suggesting that the visual fatigue and visual stress that developed at work hindered visual activities after work.

Training in oculomotor tracking: occupational health aspects

Smooth pursuit and optokinetic nystagmus were repeatedly examined in nine patients who sustained hemilateral brain injury. The follow-up period extended over several months of the in-hospital rehabilitation phase. Five of the patients were trained for 3-10 weeks to improve tracking responses using a biofeedback technique; the remaining four patients were not trained and served as a control group. In all patients in the first group gain responses improved and the recovery time constant increased at a rate higher than that in the untrained group. We suggest that our training procedure can be extended to other types of patients with impaired smooth pursuit tracking and may also benefit workers in need of good tracking performance.

[Spinal cord injuries caused by aviation accidents]

During the past 15 years fewer than 1% of those treated in the National Spinal Cord Injury Center were injured as a result of aviation accidents. In addition to 9 such patients treated at the center since 1973, another 6 were found among the many hundreds receiving ambulatory care in our clinics. 3 patients had survived a helicopter crash, 2 were injured while ejecting from combat aircraft, 3 were injured in crashes of light aircraft, 1 fell from a hand glider and 6 were injured in parachute drops. Of the 15 reviewed, 6 use wheelchairs, 3 walk assisted by orthopedic devices, while 6 ambulate freely. Although initial hospitalization was not substantially longer than in other patients with spinal cord injuries, extended ambulatory psychological intervention was necessary.

Does work with visual display units impair visual activities after work?

It is well established that visual display unit (VDU) operators complain of visual fatigue and visual stress during after-work hours. The present study was divided into two parts. In the first part, standard eye examinations were performed on a group of VDU workers (n = 32) and a control group (n = 15); those subjects who were found to have correct vision (n = 16 and 13, respectively) participated in the second part. The eye examinations revealed that on the average, the VDU workers suffered more than twice as many visual impairments as the controls. In those with correct vision, the near point of accommodation was measured at the beginning of the workday at the start of the week, and at the end of the workday, four days later. In the VDU group, the decrease in accommodation was uniformally distributed between zero and 1.0 diopter, whereas among the non-VDU workers, 77% of the decrease was between zero and 0.25 diopter. The dynamic range of accommodation in the VDU workers on the second examination was smaller than on the first. We conclude that some of the visual stress and visual fatigue that developed at work hindered visual activities after work.

'Duplicate limbs' sensation in acute traumatic quadriplegia

A 64-year-old man sustained acute quadriplegia due to a traffic accident, while in the midst of a petit mal seizure. After recovery from the initial medical complications he developed a duplicate limb phenomenon. The patient felt that another pair of upper and lower limbs had grown from his body, parallel to the paralysed limbs. To the best of our knowledge this duplicate phenomenon in all limbs has not been described before in a traumatic quadriplegic patient. It is our impression that this phenomenon is a rare example of preoccupation with the paralytic limbs, of sensory deprivation with a (possible) unusual drug reaction.

Chorioretinitis and extrapulmonary tuberculosis

A case of tuberculous uveitis that presented 34 years after a primary articular focus is evaluated. The pathogenesis of the infection and the role of the tuberculin skin test in the diagnosis are discussed. Isoniazid was used with good therapeutic results. Fluorescein angiography was found to be essential in the follow-up of the choroidal lesions. Subretinal neovascularization was managed with argon laser photocoagulation.

Survival in marriage in the paraplegic couple: psychological study

In the study of sexual functions and marital relations in 16 couples involving a normal female and a paraplegic male, married following the injury, it was found that a major source of dissatisfaction on the part of the wives was their inability to become pregnant and bear children. Sexual relations were surprisingly of secondary importance. Common in all 16 couples was the almost total lack of knowledge on the part of the woman about the man's sexual capabilities and the effect of his injury on fertility. Premarital counselling seems to be of primary importance in assuring the survival of such marriages. It may be useful to suggest they have premarital experience. Later, counselling should include the importance and advantages of artificial insemination donor treatment as a solution to infertility.