The role of sperm banking in fertility preservation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate factors that influence sperm banking before cancer therapy and assess the use and disposal of banked sperm after cancer treatment.

STUDY DESIGN

Database exploratory study combined with questionnaire survey of a cohort of 55 men who cryopreserved their sperm at an Andrology Clinic.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Rate of use, disposal and abandonment of banked sperm, current fertility, and patient satisfaction with sperm banking.

RESULTS

Using logistic regression, we analyzed the factors associated with use and disposal of banked sperm, current fertility status, reproductive outcomes and quality of life in 55 survivors of cancer therapy who cryopreserved sperm at our facility. Most (93%) of the patients undergoing sperm banking before cancer treatment did not use their samples and 33% requested sperm disposal following completion of cancer therapy. Married status and fatherhood before cancer therapy were associated with higher rates of sperm disposal. Sperm disposal was requested because the subjects remained fertile, spontaneously fathered a child, or completed their family. The families of four patients (7%) who died from their cancer also requested disposal of the stored sperm. Six (11%) patients could not be located or failed to contact the clinic and were considered to have abandoned their banked sperm. Only 7% of the patients used their cryopreserved sperm for assisted reproduction. Most of the patients that banked sperm achieved pregnancy with their partners through spontaneous conception compared to through the use of cryopreserved sperm.

CONCLUSIONS

The rates of disposal and abandonment of banked sperm were high following cancer therapy. Retention of fertility appears to contribute to the low utilization of banked sperm, which emphasizes the need for appropriate consent and directives regarding disposal of unused cryopreserved sperm.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone causes a tonic excitatory postsynaptic current and inhibits the phasic inspiratory inhibitory inputs in inspiratory-inhibited airway vagal preganglionic neurons

The airway vagal preganglionic neurons (AVPNs) in the external formation of the nucleus ambiguus (eNA), which include the inspiratory-activated AVPNs (IA-AVPNs) and inspiratory-inhibited AVPNs (II-AVPNs), predominate in the control of the trachea and bronchia. The AVPNs receive particularly dense inputs from terminals containing thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH microinjection into the nucleus ambiguus (NA) caused constriction of the tracheal smooth muscles. However, it is unknown whether TRH affects all subtypes of the AVPNs in the eNA, and as a result affects the control of all types of target tissues in the airway (smooth muscles, submucosal glands, and blood vessels). It is also unknown how TRH affects the AVPNs at neuronal and synaptic levels. In this study, the AVPNs in the eNA were retrogradely labeled from the extrathoracic trachea, the II-AVPNs were identified in rhythmically firing brainstem slices, and the effects of TRH were examined using patch-clamp. TRH (100 nmol L(-1)) enhanced both the rhythm and the intensity of the hypoglossal bursts, and caused a tonic excitatory inward current in the II-AVPNs at a holding voltage of -80 mV. The frequency of the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in the II-AVPNs, which showed no respiratory-related change in a respiratory cycle, was not significantly changed by TRH. At a holding voltage of -50 mV, the II-AVPNs showed both spontaneous and phasic inspiratory (outward) inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs). TRH had no effect on the spontaneous IPSCs but significantly attenuated the phasic inspiratory outward currents, in both the amplitude and area. After focal application of strychnine, an antagonist of glycine receptors, to the II-AVPNs, the spontaneous IPSCs were extremely scarce and the phasic inspiratory inhibitory currents were abolished; and further application of TRH had no effect on these currents. Under current clamp configuration, TRH caused a depolarization and increased the firing rate of the II-AVPNs during inspiratory intervals. These results demonstrate that TRH affects the II-AVPNs both postsynaptically via a direct excitatory current and presynaptically via attenuation of the phasic glycinergic synaptic inputs.

Pyrosequencing the midgut transcriptome of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens

The brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, is a serious pest threatening rice production across the world. To identify the main features of the gene expression and the key components of the midgut of N. lugens responsible for nutrition, xenobiotic metabolism and the immune response, we used pyrosequencing to sample the transcriptome. More than 190,000 clean sequences were generated, which led to about 30,000 unique sequences. Sequence analysis indicated that genes with abundant transcripts in the midgut of N. lugens were mainly sugar hydrolyases and transporters, proteases and detoxification-related proteins. Based on the sequence information, we cloned the candidate sucrase gene; this enzyme is likely to interact with the perimicrovillar membrane through its highly hydrophobic C-terminal region. Many proteases were identified, which supported the hypothesis that N. lugens uses the proteolysis system for digestion. Scores of detoxification genes were newly identified, including cytochrome P450s, glutathione S-transferases, caroxylesterases. A wealth of new transcripts possibly participating in the immune response were described as well. The gene encoding a peptidoglycan recognition protein was cloned. Unlike in Acyrthosiphon pisum, the immunodeficiency pathway may be present in N. lugens. This is the first global analysis of midgut transcriptome from N. lugens.

Effects of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) on preparation and characteristics of plasmid DNA-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) was used as a polymeric emulsifier to encapsulate plasmid DNA into hydrogenated castor oil (HCO)-solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) by w/o/w double emulsion and solvent evaporation techniques. The effects of PLGA on the preparation, characteristics and transfection efficiency of DNA-loaded SLN were studied. The results showed that PLGA was essential to form the primary w/o emulsion and the stability of the emulsion was enhanced with the increase of PLGA content. DNA-loaded SLN were spherical with smooth surfaces. The SLN had a negative charge in weak acid and alkaline environment but acquired a positive charge in acidic pH and the cationisation capacity of the SLN increased with the increase of PLGA/HCO ratio. Agarose gel electrophoresis demonstrated that the majority of the DNA maintained its structural integrity after preparation and being extracted or released from DNA-loaded SLN. When PLGA/HCO ratio increased from 5 to 15%, the encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity and transfection efficiency of the nanoparticles increased significantly, whereas the changes of particle size and polydispersity index were insignificant. Cytotoxicity study in cell culture demonstrated that the SLN was not toxic.

Chronic treatment with a glucagon receptor antagonist lowers glucose and moderately raises circulating glucagon and glucagon-like peptide 1 without severe alpha cell hypertrophy in diet-induced obese mice

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Antagonism of the glucagon receptor (GCGR) represents a potential approach for treating diabetes. Cpd-A, a potent and selective GCGR antagonist (GRA) was studied in preclinical models to assess its effects on alpha cells.

METHODS

Studies were conducted with Cpd-A to examine the effects on glucose-lowering efficacy, its effects in combination with a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, and the extent and reversibility of alpha cell hypertrophy associated with GCGR antagonism in mouse models.

RESULTS

Chronic treatment with Cpd-A resulted in effective and sustained glucose lowering in mouse models in which endogenous murine Gcgr was replaced with human GCGR (hGCGR). Treatment with Cpd-A also led to stable, moderate elevations in both glucagon and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) levels, which were completely reversible and not associated with a hyperglycaemic overshoot following termination of treatment. When combined with a DPP-4 inhibitor, Cpd-A led to additional improvement of glycaemic control correlated with elevated active GLP-1 levels after glucose challenge. In contrast to Gcgr-knockout mice in which alpha cell hypertrophy was detected, chronic treatment with Cpd-A in obese hGCGR mice did not result in gross morphological changes in pancreatic tissue.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

A GRA lowered glucose effectively in diabetic models without significant alpha cell hypertrophy during or following chronic treatment. Treatment with a GRA may represent an effective approach for glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, which could be further enhanced when combined with DPP-4 inhibitors.

Single spin asymmetries in charged pion production from semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering on a transversely polarized 3He Target at Q2 = 1.4-2.7 GeV2

We report the first measurement of target single spin asymmetries in the semi-inclusive (3)He(e,e'π(±))X reaction on a transversely polarized target. The experiment, conducted at Jefferson Lab using a 5.9 GeV electron beam, covers a range of 0.16 < x < 0.35 with 1.4 < Q(2) < 2.7 GeV(2). The Collins and Sivers moments were extracted from the azimuthal angular dependence of the measured asymmetries. The π(±) Collins moments for (3)He are consistent with zero, except for the π(+) moment at x = 0.35, which deviates from zero by 2.3σ. While the π(-) Sivers moments are consistent with zero, the π(+) Sivers moments favor negative values. The neutron results were extracted using the nucleon effective polarization and measured cross section ratios of proton to (3)He, and are largely consistent with the predictions of phenomenological fits and quark model calculations.

Mechanisms involved in the desflurane-induced post-conditioning of isolated human right atria from patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Desflurane triggers post-conditioning in the diabetic human myocardium. We determined whether protein kinase C (PKC), mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (mitoK(ATP)) channels, Akt, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) were involved in the in vitro desflurane-induced post-conditioning of human myocardium from patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

The isometric force of contraction (FoC) of human right atrial trabeculae obtained from patients with type 2 diabetes was recorded during 30 min of hypoxia followed by 60 min of reoxygenation. Desflurane (6%) was administered during the first 5 min of reoxygenation either alone or in the presence of calphostin C (PKC inhibitor) or 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD) (mitoK(ATP) channel antagonist). Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PKC activator) and diazoxide (a mitoK(ATP) channel opener) were superfused during early reoxygenation. The FoC at the end of the 60 min reoxygenation period was compared among treatment groups (FoC(60); mean and sd). The phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β was studied using western blotting.

RESULTS

Desflurane enhanced the recovery of force [FoC(60): 79 (3)% of baseline] after 60 min of reoxygenation when compared with the control group (P>0.0001). Calphostin C and 5-HD abolished the beneficial effect of desflurane-induced post-conditioning (both P<0.0001). Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and diazoxide enhanced the FoC(60) when compared with the control group (both P<0.0001). Desflurane increased the level of phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Desflurane-induced post-conditioning in human myocardium from patients with type 2 diabetes was mediated by the activation of PKC, the opening of the mitoK(ATP) channels, and the phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β.

CAC2634-disrupted mutant of Clostridium acetobutylicum can be electrotransformed in air

AIMS

To simplify the electrotransformation process of Clostridium acetobutylicum, which currently needs to be performed in an anaerobic chamber, thus laborious and time-consuming.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The CAC2634 gene encoding PerR is a known peroxide regulon repressor in Cl. acetobutylicum. CAC2634 in a previously constructed Restriction-Modification system deficient Cl. acetobutylicum mutant SMB009 was disrupted using ClosTron method. The resulted mutant SMB012 can be electrotransformed in air with an efficiency of 1.2-3.1 × 10(3) transformants μg(-1) DNA.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that the disruption of CAC2634 in Cl. acetobutylicum enables its electrotransformation in air.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The electrotransformation process of Cl. acetobutylicum could be significantly simplified, especially when operating multiple electrotransformations.

Continuous administration of remifentanil and sufentanil induces cardioprotection in human myocardium, in vitro

BACKGROUND

Remifentanil and sufentanil are widely used opioids during general anaesthesia for cardiac and non-cardiac surgery. This study was conducted to evaluate the hypothesis that the continuous administration of remifentanil and sufentanil, at clinically relevant concentrations, could provide protection of human myocardium, in vitro, against hypoxia-reoxygenation injury.

METHOD

Isometrically contracting isolated human right atrial trabeculae were exposed to 30 min of hypoxia and 60 min of reoxygenation. In separate groups, remifentanil at 10(-11), 10(-10), 10(-9), or sufentanil at 10(-11), 10(-10), 10(-9) M were administered 10 min before hypoxia until the end of the experiment. The force of contraction (FoC) of trabeculae was recorded continuously. Developed force was compared (mean ± standard deviation) between the groups using a variance analysis and post hoc tests.

RESULTS

At the end of the 60-min reoxygenation, remifentanil 10(-11) M (FoC: 82 ± 7% of baseline), 10(-10) M (FoC: 78 ± 5% of baseline), 10(-9) M (FoC: 80 ± 4% of baseline) and sufentanil 10(-11) M (FoC: 78 ± 8% of baseline), 10(-10) M (FoC: 83 ± 6% of baseline), 10(-9) M (FoC: 83 ± 8% of baseline) enhanced the recovery of FoC as compared with the control group (53 ± 9% of baseline, P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Remifentanil and sufentanil, at clinically relevant concentrations, confer cardioprotection of human myocardium against hypoxia reoxygenation, in vitro.

Surface self-diffusion of an organic glass

Surface self-diffusion has been measured for an organic glass for the first time. The flattening of 1000 nm surface gratings of liquid indomethacin occurs by viscous flow at 12 K or more above the glass transition temperature and by surface diffusion at lower temperatures. Surface diffusion is at least 10(6) times faster than bulk diffusion, indicating a highly mobile surface. Our data suggest that surface diffusion is the leading mechanism of surface evolution for organic glasses at micrometer to nanometer length scales.

Value of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in Grading Tumours Localized in the Fourth Ventricle Region by Visual and Quantitative Assessments

This study investigated visual and quantitative assessment of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for grading tumours localized in the fourth ventricle region. Patients were diagnosed histopathologically and classified into two groups: those with high-grade (World Health Organization [WHO] grades III and IV) and those with low-grade tumours (benign, WHO grades I and II). DWI signal intensity was described using a five-point scale. Minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were obtained from areas with the lowest signal. The mean signal intensity was significantly higher in high-grade than in low-grade tumours. The mean minimum ADC value was significantly lower in high-grade than low-grade tumours. Marked hyperintensity had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 89.7%, 100%, 100% and 94.2%, respectively, when used as a diagnostic tool for high-grade tumours compared with 96.6%, 97.9%, 96.6% and 97.9%, respectively, when using a minimum ADC of 0.9 × 10−3 mm2/s as a diagnostic marker. It was concluded that DWI is helpful in predicting the grades of tumours in the fourth ventricle region.