Background: There is evidence to show that varicocele repair can improve conventional sperm parameters and sperm DNA integrity in infertile men with a clinical varicocele. Objective: To further examine the effect of varicocelectomy on sperm quality, specifically, sperm nuclear chromatin integrity, distribution of nuclear sulfhydryl groups and sperm maturation. Design, Setting and Participants: We prospectively evaluated a consecutive series of infertile men (n=29) presenting to Ovo clinic with one year or more history of infertility, a clinically palpable varicocele and abnormal semen parameters. Six sperm donors with normal sperm parameters served as controls. Surgical Procedure: Microsurgical sub-inguinal varicocelectomy. Outcome Measures: (1) Conventional sperm parameters, (2) aniline blue staining (AB is specific to histone lysines), (3) iodoacetamide fluorescein (IAF targets free protamine sulfhydryl groups) and (4) sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) with the results expressed as % DNA fragmentation index (%DFI) and percent high DNA stainability (%HDS) before and 4 months after microsurgical varicocelectomy. Results: The sperm %DFI, %HDS (a measure of chromatin compaction), % 5-IAF staining (diffuse head staining), % AB staining (dark blue) were all significantly lower in the control group compared to infertile men with varicocele (8 vs. 20%, 4.0 vs. 9.6%, 1.7 vs. 16.3%, and 2.5 vs. 13.5% respectively). The %5-IAF and %AB staining decreased significantly after surgery (from 16.3 to 5.4%, and from 13.5% to 5.4%, respectively). Similarly, the %HDS and %DFI also decreased significantly after surgery (from 10% to 6% and from 20% to 13%, respectively). The only notable relationships were between aniline blue staining and %HDS post varicocelectomy (r= 0.57, P <0.05), and both %IAF staining and %DFI were inversely correlated with motility (r=-0.44 and -0.43, respectively). Conclusion: The data show that varicocelectomy is associated with a consistent improvement in sperm DNA integrity and chromatin compaction using three different assays of sperm chromatin integrity (SCSA, IAF, Aniline Blue). / Contexte: Il y a la preuve(l'évidence) pour montrer que la réparation de varicocele peut améliorer des paramètres de sperme conventionnels et l'intégrité d'ADN de sperme dans des hommes infertiles avec varicocele clinique. Objectif: Examiner l'effet de varicocelectomy sur la qualité de sperme, spécifiquement, le sperme l'intégrité chromatin nucléaire, la distribution de groupes sulfhydryl nucléaires et la maturation de sperme. Schéma, environnement et participants : Nous avons éventuellement évalué une série consécutive d'hommes infertiles (n=29) présentant à la clinique Ovo avec un an ou plus d'histoire d'infertilité, varicocele cliniquement palpable et des paramètres de sperme anormaux. Six donneurs de sperme avec des paramètres de sperme normaux ont servi de contrôles. Intervention chirurgicale: Microchirurgie sous-inguinale varicocelectomie.Mesures des résultats: (1) Des paramètres de sperme conventionnels, (2) l'aniline bleu teintant(tachant) (d'AB est spécifique à histone lysines), (3) iodoacetamide fluorescein (libère protamine sulfhydryl des groupes) et (4) le sperme chromatin l'essai de structure (SCSA) avec les résultats (DFI) de fragmentation d'ADN de % et le pour cent haut ADN stainability (%HDS) auparavant et 4 mois après varicocelectomy microchirurgical Résultats: Le pourcentage de spermatozoïdes avec le sperme de DFI%, HDS%, positif de 5-IAF coloration, une coloration positive AB (bleu foncé) étaient significativement inférieure dans le groupe témoin par rapport aux hommes infertiles ayant une varicocèle (8 vs 20%, 4,0 vs 9,6%, 1,7 vs 16,3%, et 13,5 vs 2,5% respectivement). Le pourcentage de spermatozoïdes avec positifs 5-IAF coloration et AB nucléaire positif diminué de façon significative après la chirurgie (de 16,3 à 5,4%, et de 13,5% à 5,4%, respectivement). Les HDS% et DFI% également diminué de façon significative après la chirurgie (de 10% à 6% et de 20% à 13%, respectivement). Les seules relations entre les notables étaient coloration au bleu d'aniline et varicocélectomie après HDS (r = 0,57, P <0,05), et les deux taches IAF et DFI% ont été inversement corrélée avec la motilité (r = -0,44 et de -0,43, respectivement).Conclusion: Les données montrent que varicocélectomie est associée à une amélioration constante de l'intégrité d'ADN de sperme et compaction de la chromatine en utilisant trois différents dosages cytochimiques de l'intégrité chromatine des spermatozoïdes (SCSA, l'IAF, le bleu d'aniline).

<p> Objective: Inpatient protocols for glycemic control</p><p> Research Design and Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed the adult admissions to a Teaching Hospital from October 2010 to February 2013. The association between the protocol using insulin Glargine/Lispro vs NPH/regular and rates of hypoglycemia (glucose &le; 70 mg/dl), severe hypoglycemia (&le; 550 mg/dl), severe hyperglycemia (&ge; 300 mg/dl), and average glucose per patient-day were evaluated. The effect on these outcomes of being hospitalized on the week/weekend and the personnel shift (7-3, 3-11, 11-7) were also analyzed. </p><p> Results: The rates of hypoglycemia (severe or not) were lower in the analog insulin protocol after multivariate logistic modeling. The rate of hyperglycemia was higher on the analog insulin protocol, but this association disappeared after multivariate modeling. The outcomes were not affected by the weekend, but the rate of hypoglycemia was lower in the 3-11 shift, and the rate of hyperglycemia was lower in the 11-7 shift. </p>

No description available.

The recently developed method of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy allows for continuous monitoring of high energy phosphate compound (ATP and Phosphocreatine) and intracellular pH of tissues or whole organs. In other to better understand why ex-vivo hearts can be preserved for longer periods when perfused with oxygenated crystalloid solutions under hypothermic conditions, two groups of canine hearts were studied with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. / Group 1 = Canine hearts preserved for 4 hours by immersion into a 4$ sp circ$C saline solution. / Group 2 = Canine hearts preserved for 24 hours by continuous coronary perfusion with a modified oxygenated Krebs solution at 4$ sp circ$C. / The longer preservation of ATP and phosphocreatine, as well as the slower decrease of intracellular pH in Group II hearts are hypothesized to be the reasons why perfused hearts can be preserved for longer periods of time.

Lipid is a major fuel in trauma and sepsis. Previous in vitro studies have demonstrated an increased $ beta sb1$-adrenergic stimulated lipolysis in the adipose tissue of trauma patients. With sepsis there was a decrease in $ beta sb1$ stimulated lipolysis. Subsequent in vitro studies have shown that E. coli endotoxin decreases $ beta sb1$-stimulated lipolysis and that this effect may be occurring at the level of the G-protein, a component of the $ beta$-adrenergic receptor mechanism. The object of this study is to demonstrate the effect of E. coli endotoxin on lipid metabolism in vivo and to correlate this with in vitro receptor data obtained using adipose tissue biopsies.

No description available.

Insulin, insulin-like peptides, and EGF have all been implicated as regulators of placental growth and function. In this report, the ontogeny of receptors for insulin, ILAs (J.C.E.M. 47: 1240, 1978), and EGF was studied utilizing fractions prepared by differential centrifugation of early gesta

Differentiation between rejection and infection of lung allografts remains difficult. The effects of these two pathologic entities on the cytolytic activity of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were investigated. Left lung allotransplantation was performed on sixteen mongrel dogs of which twelve were available for complete studies. All animals received cyclosporine A, azathioprine and prednisone for 2 weeks. Four grafts developed left lower lobe Gram negative pneumonia. The eight remaining recipients progressed gradually to severe rejection following acute reduction of immunosuppression. Cytolytic activity of blood and left lung BAL lymphocytes was quantitated by the natural killer (NK) and lectin dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity (LDCMC) assays. Two additional groups serving as controls were either given a ten day course of immunosuppressants or had right lower lobe pneumonia induced by transbronchial inoculation of gram negative bacteria. Immunosuppressed control animals showed significant depression of PBL and BAL lymphocyte LDCMC and NK activity. Similarly, BAL lymphocytes expressed very low LDCMC in normal allografts (2.8 $ pm$.8%). Once rejection developed and progressed, LDCMC became significantly higher (15.6 $ pm$ 2.2% and 52.7 $ pm$ 2.8% in moderate and severe rejection respectively). There was no detectable NK activity in rejecting lung allografts. BAL lymphocytes from infected allografts, on the other hand, showed an elevation of both NK and LDCMC activity (9.1 $ pm$ 1.1% and 14.6 $ pm$ 1.0% respectively). Similarly, bacterial pneumonia in control animals manifested an increase in NK and LDCMC activity in lung and blood. Peripheral blood lymphocytes of lung allograft recipients, however, had increased NK and LDCMC activity in both rejection and infection. LDCMC/NK activity ratio (LM/NK index) of lung lymphocytes was significantly higher in rejecting allografts (11.2 $ pm$ 1.0 and 12.4 $ pm$ 1.6 for moderate and sev

The adaptability of the respiratory muscles to training and/or emphysema was investigated. The diaphragmatic (DIA) length-tension curve of the emphysematous animals shifted significantly towards the left; maximal tetanic tensions were generated at shorter absolute DIA lengths. This decrease in DIA length occurred in proportion to the hyperinflation and mainly occurred due to a loss in the number of sarcomeres. In states of acute DIA shortening, were no adaptations in length occurred, we noted marked alterations in the twitch characteristics and in the shape of the force-frequency curve; at acutely shorter DIA lengths, a disproportionately greater excitability was required in order to reach a given submaximal tension. In the chronically shortened DIA, however, the re-establishment of a new shorter length allowed for the twitch characteristics, the force frequency curve and the maximal tetanic tension to remain unchanged. Therefore, the dropping out of sarcomeres in the chronic condition appears to maintain normal DIA function. Training produced no effects on the contractile or structure properties of the DIA. / The acutely shortened DIA fatigued at a faster rate when initial tensions were comparable as to the optimal length. In emphysematous animals, however, the DIA showed a significantly greater resistance to fatigue. The mechanisms responsible for the enhanced DIA endurance were biochemical increases in the oxidative capacity with a concomitant decrease in the glycolytic capacity. Histochemically, the DIA from sedentary emphysematous animals revealed a selective fast fiber atrophy which was prevented by endurance training. The intercostal muscles revealed histochemical and biochemical evidence of adaptations consistent with a greater resistance to fatigue.

Medium chain fatty acid oxidation was investigated in riboflavin deficient and 2-octynoic acid treated rats. Urinary metabolites of deuterium labelled fatty acid substrates were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Control and experimental animals both produced labelled dicarboxylic acids. The ratio of chain length of dicarboxylates (C$ sb{ rm n+2}$/C$ sb{ rm c}$) was lowest in riboflavin deficient rats. As mitochondrial $ beta$-oxidation is inhibited, Peroxisomal $ beta$-oxidation appears to increase in response to inhibited mitochondrial oxidation in riboflavin deficiency. Administration of L-carnitine with the labelled substrates to half the rats showed that there were no differences in organic acid excretion between carnitine supplemented and unsupplemented rats. A new method to quantitate individual acylcarnitines in urine using fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry and deuterium labelled acylcarnitines as internal standards demonstrated that administration of L-carnitine did enhance excretion of free carnitine and short chain acylcarnitines along with some dicarboxylcarnitines in all groups.