The influence of leukocytospermia on the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology

Background: It is not well established whether the increased number of leukocytes in the seminal fluid impairs the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). This investigation analysed the outcomes of the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) cycles in couples in which the male partner exhibited leukocytospermia.Methods: A total of 100 cycles in 100 couples were included in this study. For the ICSI or IMSI procedures, the patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of leukocytospermia and then matched by (female) age:- ICSI: Group I (n = 25): Leukocytospermia - semen samples with a leukocyte count of greater than or equal to 1 x 10(6)/mL; and Group II (n = 25): Non-leukocytospermia - semen samples with a leukocyte count < 1 x 10(6)/mL.- IMSI: Group I (n = 25): Leukocytospermia; and Group II (n = 25): Non-leukocytospermia.The endpoints included the rates of fertilisation, implantation, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, ongoing pregnancy and live birth. Student's t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests and Chi-square tests were performed, and P < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: The data from the ICSI groups showed that leukocytospermia did not have a negative influence on the rates of fertilisation (Group I: 57.9+/-30.2%, Group II: 61.9+/-27.7%; P = 0.74), implantation (Group I: 12.3%; Group II: 13.5%; P = 0.93), clinical pregnancy (Group I: 24%; Group II: 24%; P = 1.0), miscarriage ( Group I: 0, Group II: 0), ongoing pregnancy (Group I: 24%; Group II: 24%; P = 1.0), or live births (Group I: 24%; Group II: 24%; P = 1.0). Similarly, the data from the IMSI groups also showed that the leukocytospermia did not have a negative influence on the rates of fertilisation (Group I: 67.6+/-24.6%, Group II: 59.5+/-28.1%; P = 0.36), implantation (Group I: 17.5%; Group II: 16.7%; P = 0.90), clinical pregnancy (Group I: 28%; Group II: 24%; P = 1.0), miscarriage (Group I: 14.3%; Group II: 0; P = 0.33), ongoing pregnancy (Group I: 24%; Group II: 24%; P = 1.0), or live births (Group I: 24%, 6/25; Group II: 24%, 6/25; P = 1.0).Conclusions: The results indicate that the leukocytospermia may not have a negative effect on the outcomes of ICSI or IMSI cycles. Nevertheless, it seems that it is necessary to more precisely determine the effects, if any, of seminal leukocytes on fertilisation and implantation processes. Such efforts will help to establish a more reliable leukocyte threshold, which could eventually demonstrate whether there is a negative influence on the ART procedures.

Agaricus blazei (Himematsutake) does not alter the development of rat diethylnitrosamine-initiated hepatic preneoplastic foci

The modifying potential of crude extracts of the mushroom Agaricus blazei Murrill (Himematsutake) on the development and growth of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P)-positive liver foci (liver preneoplastic lesion) was investigated in adult male Wistar rats. Six groups of animals were used. Groups 2 to 5 were given a single i.p. injection of 200 mg/kg b.w. of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and groups 1 and 6 were treated with saline at the beginning of the experiment. After 2 weeks, animals of groups 3 to 6 were orally treated with three dose levels of aqueous extracts of the mushroom A. blazei (1.2, 5.6, 11.5, and 11.5 mg/ml of dry weight of solids) for 6 weeks. All animals were subjected to two-thirds partial hepatectomy at week 3 and sacrificed at week 8. Two hours before sacrifice, ten animals of each group were administered a single i.p injection of 100 mg/kg of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). Apoptotic bodies and BrdU-positive hepatocyte nuclei were quantified in liver sections stained for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) (eosinophilic foci) and simultaneously stained for GST-P expression (GST-P-positive foci), respectively. The 6-week treatment with A. blazei did not alter the development (number and size) of GST-P-positive foci and did not affect the growth kinetics of liver normal parenchyma or foci in DEN-initiated animals. Our results indicate that the treatment with aqueous extracts of the mushroom A. blazei during the post-initiation stage of rat liver carcinogenesis does not exert any protective effect against the development of GST-P-positive foci induced by DEN. (Cancer Sci 2003; 94: 188-192).

Comparison of pelvic floor muscle strength evaluations in nulliparous and primiparous women: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the pelvic floor muscle strength of nulliparous and primiparous women.METHODS: A total of 100 women were prospectively distributed into two groups: Group 1 (G1) (n = 50) included healthy nulliparous women, and Group 2 (G2) (n = 50) included healthy primiparous women. Pelvic floor muscle strength was subjectively evaluated using transvaginal digital palpation. Pelvic floor muscle strength was objectively assessed using a portable perineometer. All of the parameters were evaluated simultaneously in G1 and were evaluated in G2 during the 20(th) and 36(th) weeks of pregnancy and 45 days after delivery.RESULTS: In G2, 14 women were excluded because they left the study before the follow-up evaluation. The median age was 23 years in G1 and 22 years in G2; there was no significant difference between the groups. The average body mass index was 21.7 kg/m(2) in G1 and 25.0 kg/m(2) in G2; there was a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.0004). In G2, transvaginal digital palpation evaluation showed significant impairments of pelvic floor muscle strength at the 36(th) week of pregnancy (p = 0.0006) and 45 days after vaginal delivery (p = 0.0001) compared to G1. Objective evaluations of pelvic floor muscle strength in G2 revealed a significant decrease 45 days after vaginal delivery compared to nulliparous patients.CONCLUSION: Pregnancy and vaginal delivery may cause weakness of the pelvic floor muscles.

Genetic characterisation of Giardia duodenalis in dairy cattle in Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Incidence of Campylobacter in pigs with and without diarrhea

Um total de 200 suínos (1 - 21 semanas de idade), originários de cinco criações localizadas no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil foi dividido em dois grupos de 100 animais caracterizando-se o grupo G1 de animais com diarréia e G2, sem diarréia. Campylobacter foi isolado em 43% das amostras provenientes de G1 e 34% de G2. O microrganismo foi mais frequentemente encontrado em leitões na faixa de 0 a 4 semanas de idade. Campylobacter coli foi a espécie mais comumente observada em G1 (44,2%) e em G2 (32,4%), seguido por Campylobacter jejuni/ coli com 16,3% em G1 e 23,5% em G2. As contagens de Campylobacter foram significativamente maiores (p < 0,01) em G1 ( £ 108 UFC/g) do que em G2 (£ 104 UFC/g), fato que sugere que o microrganismo pode, pelo menos, atuar no agravamento do processo diarréico.

Comparison of efficiency between two artificial insemination methods using frozen-thawed semen in domestic cat (Felis catus) Artificial insemination in domestic cats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A novel in situ Polymerase chain reaction hybridisation assay for the direct detection of bovine herpesvirus type 5 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Photoelastic Analysis of the Influence of Platform Switching on Stress Distribution in Implants

The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution of platform switching implants using a photoelastic method. Three models were constructed of the photoelastic resin PL-2, with a single implant and a screw-retained implant-supported prosthesis. These models were Model A, platform 5.0 mm/abutment 4.1 mm; Model B, platform 4.1 mm/abutment 4.1 mm; and Model C, platform 5.00 mm/abutment 5.00 mm. Axial and oblique (45 degrees) loads of 100 N were applied using a Universal Testing Machine (EMIC DL 3000). Images were photographed with a digital camera and visualized with software (AdobePhotoshop) to facilitate the qualitative analysis. The highest stress concentrations were observed at the apical third of the 3 models. With the oblique load, the highest stress concentrations were located at the implant apex, opposite the load application. Stress concentrations decreased in the cervical region of Model A (platform switching), and Models A (platform switching) and C (conventional/wide-diameter) displayed similar stress magnitudes. Finally, Model B (conventional/regular diameter) displayed the highest stress concentrations of the models tested.

Photoelastic Analysis of Cemented or Screwed Implant-Supported Prostheses With Different Prostheses Connections

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Passivity Versus Unilateral Angular Misfit: Evaluation of Stress Distribution on Implant-Supported Single Crowns: Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of unilateral angular misfit of 100 Km on stress distribution of implant-supported single crowns with ceramic veneering and gold framework by three-dimensional finite element analysis. Two three-dimensional models representing a maxillary section of premolar region were constructed: group 1 (control)-crown completely adapted to the implant and group 2-crown with unilateral angular misfit of 100 Km. A vertical force of 100 N was applied on 2 centric points of the crown. The von Mises stress was used as an analysis criterion. The stress values and distribution in the main maps (204.4 MPa for group 1 and 205.0 MPa for group 2) and in the other structures (aesthetic veneering, framework, retention screw, implant, and bone tissue) were similar for both groups. The highest stress values were observed between the first and second threads of the retention screw. Considering the bone tissue, the highest stress values were exhibited in the peri-implant cortical bone. The unilateral angular misfit of 100 Km did not influence the stress distribution on the implant-supported prosthesis under static loading.

Comparison of stress distribution between complete denture and implant-retained overdenture-2D FEA

The aim of this study was to compare the stress distribution induced by posterior functional loads on conventional complete dentures and implant-retained overdentures with different attachment systems using a two-dimentional Finite Element Analysis (FEA-2D). Three models representative of edentulous mandible were constructed on AutoCAD software; Group A (control), a model of edentulous mandible supporting a complete denture; Group B, a model of edentulous mandible supporting an overdenture over two splinted implants connected with the bar-clip system; Group C, a model of edentuluos mandible supporting an overdenture over two unsplinted impants with the O-ring system. Evaluation was conducted on Ansys software, with a vertical force of 100 N applied on the mandibular left first molar. When the stress was evaluated in supporting tissues, groups B (51.0 MPa) and C (52.6 MPa) demonstrated higher stress values than group A (10.1 MPa). Within the limits of this study, it may be conclued that the use of an attachment system increased stress values; furthermore, the use of splinted implants associated with the bar-clip attachment system favoured a lower stress distribution over the supporting tissue than the unsplinted implants with an O-ring abutment to retain the manibular overdenture.

Evaluation of Stress Patterns Produced by Implant-Retained Overdentures and Implant-Retained Fixed Partial Denture

The purposes of this study were to photoelastically measure the biomechanical behavior of 4 implants retaining different cantilevered bar mandibular overdenture designs and to compare a fixed partial denture (FPD). A photoelastic model of a human edentulous mandible was fabricated, which contained 4 screw-type implants (3.75 x 10 mm) embedded in the parasymphyseal area. An FPD and 3 overdenture designs with the following attachments were evaluated: 3 plastic Hader clips, 1 Hader clip with 2 posterior resilient cap attachments, and 3 ball/O-ring attachments. Vertical occlusal forces of 100 N were applied between the central incisor and unilaterally to the right and left second premolars and second molars. Stresses that developed in the supporting structure were monitored photoelastically and recorded photographically. The results showed that the anterior loading, the overdenture with 3 plastic Hader clips, displayed the largest stress concentration at the medium implant. With premolar loading, the FPD and overdenture with 3 plastic Hader clips displayed the highest stresses to the ipsilateral terminal implant. With molar loading, the overdenture with 3 ball/O-ring attachments displayed the most uniform stress distribution in the posterior edentulous ridge, with less overloading in the terminal implant. It was concluded that vertical forces applied to the bar-clip overdenture and FPD created immediate stress patterns of greater magnitude and concentration on the ipsilateral implants, whereas the ball/O-ring attachments transferred minimal stress to the implants. The increased cantilever in the FPD caused the highest stresses to the terminal implant.

Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of Vertical and Angular Misfit in Implant-Supported Fixed Prostheses

Purpose: Three-dimensional finite element analysis was used to evaluate the effect of vertical and angular misfit in three-piece implant-supported screw-retained fixed prostheses on the biomechanical response in the peri-implant bone, implants, and prosthetic components. Materials and Methods: Four three-dimensional models were fabricated to represent a right posterior mandibular section with one implant in the region of the second premolar (2PM) and another in the region of the second molar (2M). The implants were splinted by a three-piece implant-supported metal-ceramic prosthesis and differed according to the type of misfit, as represented by four different models: Control = prosthesis with complete fit to the implants; UAM (unilateral angular misfit) = prosthesis presenting unilateral angular misfit of 100 pm in the mesial region of the 2M; UVM (unilateral vertical misfit) = prosthesis presenting unilateral vertical misfit of 100 pm in the mesial region of the 2M; and TVM (total vertical misfit) = prosthesis presenting total vertical misfit of 100 pm in the platform of the framework in the 2M. A vertical load of 400 N was distributed and applied on 12 centric points by the software Ansys, ie, a vertical load of 150 N was applied to each molar in the prosthesis and a vertical load of 100 N was applied at the 2PM. Results: The stress values and distribution in peri-implant bone tissue were similar for all groups. The models with misfit exhibited different distribution patterns and increased stress magnitude in comparison to the control. The highest stress values in group UAM were observed in the implant body and retention screw. The groups UVM and TVM exhibited high stress values in the platform of the framework and the implant hexagon, respectively. Conclusions: The three types of misfit influenced the magnitude and distribution of stresses. The influence of misfit on peri-implant bone tissue was modest. Each type of misfit increased the stress values in different regions of the system. INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC IMPLANTS 2011;26:788-796

Evaluation of the Effect of Retightening and Mechanical Cycling on Preload Maintenance of Retention Screws

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Photoelastic Analysis of Biomechanical Behavior of Single and Multiple Fixed Partial Prostheses With Different Prosthetic Connections

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)