Semen samples from a total 58 men were examined by routine semen analyses and the hypoosmotic swelling test. Samples were classified as normal, oligo-, astheno- or oligoasthenozoospermic on the basis of spermatogram findings. The latter three groups showed a significant decrease in the percentage of HOS positive forms in comparison to normal spermograms. All these samples were treated with the swim up technique to select motile spermatozoa, using a procedure similar to that routinely employed in clinical settings for homologous intrauterine insemination (IUI). Following swim-up, the ejaculate supernatant and residual precipitate were subjected to the hypoosmotic swelling test (HOS test), and the percentage of normal forms was determined in the three groups. The results showed greater percentages of HOS positive, normal and HOS positive-normal forms in the group of normal individuals than in any of the other three groups. The supernatant used in IUI showed a significant increase in percentage HOS positive spermatozoa, normal forms and spermatozoa which were both normal and HOS positive in comparison with the other two groups in normal and oligozoospermic samples, but not in samples which presented suboptimal motility (astheno- and oligozoospermia). In conclusion, the swim-up technique is effective in separating high-quality spermatozoa in normo- and oligozoospermic samples, although its effectiveness with astheno- and oligoasthenozoospermic samples should be questioned.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of 60-kD heat shock protein increases during carcinogenesis in the uterine exocervix.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the presence and expression of the 60-kD heat shock protein (HSP60) in the dysplasia-carcinoma sequence in the uterine exocervix and to evaluate its diagnostic and prognostic significance. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses on biopsies from 40 cases, consisting of 10 normal exocervical biopsies, 10 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (L-SIL), 10 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (H-SIL) and 10 cancerous exocervices (G2 grade). The immunohistochemical results were quantified by computer-assisted image analysis. Western blot analysis showed that HSP60 was undetectable in normal tissues and that there was a gradual increase of protein expression from L-SIL to carcinoma. Immunostaining for HSP60 was negative in normal tissue and positive in basal and parabasal layers of L-SIL epithelium; H-SIL were markedly stained in all layers of epithelium, and carcinomas showed an even stronger positivity. The increasing expression correlated with the malignancy grade. Finally, koilocytes were mostly negative in L-SIL and positive in H-SIL. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing degree of expression of HSP60 from L-SIL to carcinoma and the different intraepithelial distribution between L-SIL and H-SIL could be used as a new diagnostic tool. Moreover, HSP60 could have a role in cervical carcinogenesis.

Blotting, Western↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A hydrodynamic model of cerebrospinal fluid flow in man.

A hydrodynamic bi-compartmental model for the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in humans is presented which combines anatomical and physiological conditions in the central nervous system with results of special radioisotope diagnostic techniques. Normal and disturbed conditions, the diagnostic methods and the results are explained. A differential equation for the time behaviour of regional radioisotope concentrations is derived by applying to the model mathematical procedures which are familiar from the description of radioactive decay series, or reaction kinetics of chemical or pharmaceutical processes. The solutions are analysed and discussed with respect to findings of isotope diagnostics, and parameters for the complete and quantitative evaluation of CSF flow systems are derived. A system factor is introduced for classification purposes and, in conjunction with basic principles of hydrodynamics, is used to postulate a similarity law of CSF flow systems. The diagnostical and therapeutical value of the model for analysis and simulation of CSF flow systems is discussed. Practical applications to other disciplines are proposed.

Brain↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Contribution of post-normal science to public health and the issue of social vulnerability].

The objective of this article is to discuss the threats to public health, by taking into consideration the arguments of Funtowicz et al. (1997, 1994) about issues related to the complexity and uncertainties of the studies, evaluation and management of the threats to public health that have been observed in the relationship between public health and the vulnerability of social groups. The prevailing discourse on public health uses statistical data, which reduce illness to a biologically determined case relation, do not take into account the history of society and holds individuals responsible for their health conditions. We intend to show that, as a dynamic process, health requires a new approach to consider these issues. Socially-excluded groups have weak capacity to react and, maybe due to it, they are more likely to get sick. Consequently, discussing the complexity of the studies, evaluation and management of threats to public health would avoid any type of reductionism or determinism.

History, 21st Century↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Measurements of the diameter of the abdominal aorta using C.T.

The purpose of this study was to verify the difference between diameters of abdominal aorta obtained on corpses and on living bodies, using C.T. The Authors focused the attention on abdominal aorta, beneath kidney veins. Moreover, a linear relationship was found between height and diameter of abdominal aorta. A careful examination of the literature has shown discordance among the values of the abdominal aorta. The Authors conclude that improved techniques of radiological anatomy may offer an important support to obtain important data for clinical practice.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Effects of dietary phosphorus restriction on the production of 1,25(OH)2D3 (calcitriol) in patients with moderated renal failure].

UNLABELLED: Calcitriol deficiency and phosphate retention are two main factors in the pathogenesis of renal hyperparathyroidism. In spite of normal serum levels, phosphate may have an important role even in moderate RI. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary phosphorus restriction on serum levels of calcitriol in patients with moderate RI. We studied 21 patients (7 F/14 M); mean age 61.7 +/- 15 years old; corrected creatinine clearance 51.4 +/- 14 ml/m. Serum PTH, calcitriol 25(OH)D3, calcium, phosphorus and urinary excretion of calcium and phosphorus were measured before and after 30 days on phosphorus restricted diet (700 mg/day). RESULTS: [table: see text] CONCLUSIONS: Our patients with moderate RI have elevated serum levels of PTH while calcitriol was in the lower normal range. Dietary phosphorus restriction resulted in a significant decrease in PTH levels and a significant increase in serum calcitriol concentrations. The levels of 25(OH)D3 did not change in this study.

Calcitriol↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Study of renal osteodystrophy by bone biopsy. Age as an independent factor. Diagnostic value of bone remodeling markers].

The spectrum of bone disease in uremic patients on hemodialysis has changed in the last years. Undecalcified bone biopsy with histomorphometric measurements and tetracycline labelling remains the gold standard for diagnosis of the different forms of renal osteodystrophy. But because of its invasive nature and complicated laboratory processing a number of non-invasive biochemical parameters have been proposed. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of the different forms of renal osteodystrophy in our patients in hemodialysis. Moreover we analyse the correlation between several biochemical parameters and the histological findings and evaluate their diagnostic and predictive value. Transiliac bone biopsies were performed in seventy three uremic patients (31 males) on chronic hemodialysis and static and dynamic parameters were measured. Serum levels of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), osteocalcin (OC), total alkaline phosphatase (FAT) and bone alkaline phosphatase (FAO) were determined. High-bone remodelling (50 pts, 68.5%) predominates over low-bone remodelling (23 pts, 31.5%). The distribution of the different types of bone disease was: Mild hyperparathyroidism 8 pts, Osteitis fibrosa 37 pts, Mixed lesions 5 pts, Adynamic bone disease 21 pts and Osteomalacia 2 pts. Six of our 73 patients were diabetics and they had adynamic bone disease (4 pts), osteomalacia (1 pt) and osteitis fibrosa (1 pt). Patients older than 50 years presented lower cellular activity (osteoblast surface, ObS/BS) and lower bone formation rate (BFR/BS). iPTH showed different correlation with these parameters of bone formation in patients above and below 50 years old suggesting that older patients need higher levels of PTH to obtain a determined level of bone formation. iPTH, OC, FAT and FAO correlated with the majority of histomorphometric indices of bone formation and resorption, though the best correlations were those with iPTH. The diagnostic and predictive value of these bone markers is better with high-bone remodelling. Serum levels of FAT > 300 U/l, OC > 150 ng/ml, FAO > 40 ng/ml and iPTH > 200 pg/ml showed a positive predictive value of 1 (with a specificity of 1, but sensibility below 0.78 except for iPTH that is 0.95) in the diagnosis of high-bone remodelling. After an analysis with ROC curves the cut-off value to differentiate high from low-bone remodelling was obtained. iPTH level > 200 pg/ml combined with one of the other markers (FAT > 150 U/l, FAO > 30 ng/ml or OC > 100 ng/ml) are predictive of high-bone remodelling, while values below those figures are predictive of low-bone remodelling.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The vertebral canal and the lateral recess of the lombar tract: an anatomo-radiologic study.

To address this work, we studied the vertebral canal and the lateral recess at the L1 to L5 level. The importance of this tract of vertebral column lies in the frequent pathologies involving this anatomical region. In fact, the diagnosis of any pathological condition requires the knowledge of the normal status of that anatomical district. In particular, in this study, we suggested the presence of a relation between the diameter of vertebral canal and lateral recess. In addition, the age of the subjects did not seem related to these diameters. In conclusion, we confirmed also that the living-obtained data have a practical utility for clinical and surgical applications.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Age-related changes in skeletal muscle fiber composition in two swine muscles.

This study focuses the aging-related modification of skeletal fiber types in two skeletal muscles of different-age swine (6 and 18 month). Rectus abdominis and vastus medialis were employed. It was performed an immunohistochemical staining for slow fibers and it was made a quantitative evaluation, using an automatic interactive image analysis system. The percentage of slow fibers decreased in adult swine. Moreover, slow fibers in rectus abdominis were less numerous than in vastus medialis. Aging and muscle function are two important factors able to modify fiber types. Morphometric analyses can ascertain this modification for diagnostic or nourishmental purposes.

Aging↗