During mammalian spermatogenesis, the chromatin structure undergoes substantial condensation. The key role in this process is played by protamines 1 and 2 (PRM1, PRM2). We attempted to compare the ...levels of PRM1 and PRM2 transcripts in mature spermatozoa of normospermic and asthenozoospermic men. Human ejaculates from normozoospermic (n=70) and asthenozoospermic (n=100) donors were purified by centrifugation through discontinuous Percoll density gradient. RNA was isolated from spermatozoa according to the ChomczyĂąski and Sacchi method, treated with DNase I, and reverse-transcribed into cDNA. Using reverse transcription and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, we found a reduction in the levels of PRM1 and PRM2 transcripts in spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic men, as compared to controls (P<0.001). Our findings indicate that a reduction in contents of PRM1 and PRM2 transcripts in spermatozoa may be linked with asthenozoospermia.
During mammalian spermatogenesis, the chromatin structure undergoes substantial condensation. The key role in this process is played by protamines 1 and 2 (PRM1, PRM2). We attempted to compare the ...levels of PRM1 and PRM2 transcripts in mature spermatozoa of normospermic and asthenozoospermic men. Human ejaculates from normozoospermic (n=70) and asthenozoospermic (n=100) donors were purified by centrifugation through discontinuous Percoll density gradient. RNA was isolated from spermatozoa according to the ChomczyĂąski and Sacchi method, treated with DNase I, and reverse-transcribed into cDNA. Using reverse transcription and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, we found a reduction in the levels of PRM1 and PRM2 transcripts in spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic men, as compared to controls (P<0.001). Our findings indicate that a reduction in contents of PRM1 and PRM2 transcripts in spermatozoa may be linked with asthenozoospermia.
Objective --In spite of the advances in technology and surgical techniques, cardiac surgical operations with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are still associated with pulmonary morbidity and ...mortality. The purpose of this study is to morphologically analyze the structure of air-blood barriers in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with use of CPB. Design --The investigation involved 50 patients aged 48-75 who underwent CABG with the use of extracorporeal circulation (ECC). Lung tissue specimens, which were taken before and after CPB, were observed with light and electron microscopy. Results --Both light and electron microscopic observations of pre-pump specimens did not show any pathological changes within the terminal part of the respiratory system. Morphological observations of tissue samples obtained after CPB revealed features of air-blood barrier injury and presence of surfactant within the alveolar capillaries. Conclusion --Whatever the mechanism of the aforementioned changes one should be aware that the presented results indicate that air-blood barriers become leaky after CABG is performed with the aid of ECC.
In spite of the advances in technology and surgical techniques, cardiac surgical operations with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are still associated with pulmonary morbidity and mortality. ...The purpose of this study is to morphologically analyze the structure of air-blood barriers in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with use of CPB.
The investigation involved 50 patients aged 48-75 who underwent CABG with the use of extracorporeal circulation (ECC). Lung tissue specimens, which were taken before and after CPB, were observed with light and electron microscopy.
Both light and electron microscopic observations of pre-pump specimens did not show any pathological changes within the terminal part of the respiratory system. Morphological observations of tissue samples obtained after CPB revealed features of air-blood barrier injury and presence of surfactant within the alveolar capillaries.
Whatever the mechanism of the aforementioned changes one should be aware that the presented results indicate that air-blood barriers become leaky after CABG is performed with the aid of ECC.
One-hundred twenty-nine very low-birthweight infants were treated in Newborn and Infant Care Department of Children's Memorial Health Institute between 1985 and 1994; 89 were taken to prospective ...neurodevelopmental care. The newborns were divided into two groups. Group I had 38 preterm infants born from 1985 to 1989 and followed up at 7 to 11 years of age. Group II had 51 very low-birthweight infants treated from 1990 to 1994 and followed up at 2 to 5 years of age. Complicated, multiple pregnancy, normal delivery, and extremely low birthweight were significantly more frequent in group II. Very low-birthweight infants were frequently born by cesarean section in severe asphyxia. Only four (7.8%) newborns received surfactant therapy. From 1990 to 1994, respiratory distress syndrome III and IV, and a longer respiratotherapy period were significantly more frequent. From 1985 to 1994, the frequency of sepsis, periventricular leukomalacia, and normal ultrasonography was constant. Intraventricular hemorrhage I, II, and IV were frequently present in the 1990s, and intraventricular hemorrhage III was frequent in the 1980s. Cerebral palsy was diagnosed in 11 (28.9%) children in group I and 18 (35.2%) in group II (not statistically different). Multiple and complicated pregnancy, cesarean section, severe asphyxia, and respiratory distress syndrome did not increase the risk of cerebral palsy in very low-birthweight infants. Periventricular leukomalacia has a more predictive value for cerebral palsy in these infants than did intraventricular hemorrhage. (J Child Neurol 2000;15:417-420).
The use of exogenous surfactants has been introduced into the therapy of patients of different ages. Much better results have been obtained in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome with ...surfactants enriched with surfactant proteins. In the following study we used protein-containing surfactants (survanta and curosurf). The aim of the following study was to determine the localisation of artificial surfactants in the lung tissue. Using the Immunogold Technique, biotinylated surfactant proteins were traced in the air-blood barriers. In all lungs the exogenous surfactant was present only in some alveoli. In these parts small areas of atelectasis as well as oedema and transudate accumulation were seen. These changes were less severe after biotinylated curosurf treatment. In electron microscope studies we found surfactant elements in the air-blood barrier and other structures of the alveolar septa. Immunogold studies confirm the presence of biotynylated surfactant in the elements of the air-blood barrier.
Intrauterine infections are an important cause of hearing and visual impairment in children. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the character and frequency of hearing and visual disturbances in ...children with congenital toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus infection. 38 out of 54 children with congenital toxoplasmosis as well as 34 out of 403 children with congenital human cytomegalovirus disease, with visual/auditory impairment, hospitalized in Infant Department in Children's Memorial Health Institute between 1995-2001 were enrolled in this study. Visual impairment was observed in all children with toxoplasmosis (with visual dysfunction rate of 74%), but there was no deafness found. Vision impairment had been observed in 18% of children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection compared to 35% of children with auditory impairment (bilateral deafness had been found in half of them). Neurological deficits' rate was much higher in children with toxoplasmosis (52% vs. 4%). Because of common hearing impairment in children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection and vision impairment in children with congenital toxoplasmosis, it is essential to start the prophylaxis to decrease the percentage of handicapped children.
In order to improve the quality of life of children born prematurely, who developed chronic lung disease, clinical trials of drugs of different origin are undertaken. The aim of the work was the ...evaluation of the efficacy of disodium cromoglycate in the treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in children. We retrospectively studied 15 infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) hospitalised in the Infant Care Department of Children's Health Memorial Institute from 01.01.1997 to 01.02.2000. All babies were premature (25-30 weeks of gestation) with LBW or VLBW A control group of 11 babies with BPD, matched for birth weight and gestational age, who did not have disodium cromoglycate therapy were also studied. Recurrent obturative bronchitis and bronchial hyperresponsiveness were stated in all cases in both groups. Disodium cromoglycate was administered in all babies in the study group. Inhaled corticosteroid (Budesonide mite) was given in 10 cases, for a short period of time, due to severe obturative bronchitis. Babies in the control group were treated with systemic and inhaled corticosteroids. Results of our trial compared with the log-rank and chi2 test show statistically, significant differences in the regression of obturative bronchitis (log-rank = 4.35, p < 0.0001) and normalization of capillary blood-gas examination (log-rank = 3.777, p < 0.0002) in favour of the studied group, treated with disodium cromoglycate.
