Abstract Obesity is becoming a serious problem, especially in industrialized societies. This study was designed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and semen quality. Semen ...analysis and demographic data were collected from male partners of couples undergoing fertility investigations in a referral fertility centre. Men were classified into groups according to their BMI (A, <18.5; B, 18.5–24.99; C, 25–29.99; D, ⩾30 kg/m2 ). Data from 2035 men were analysed using logistic regression. There were 18, 839, 909 and 269 men in groups A, B, C and D, respectively. Taking group B as the reference, adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) for groups A, C and D for semen volume <2 ml were 1.57 (0.49–5.01), 1.06 (0.82–1.38) and 1.69 (1.20–2.38), respectively; for sperm morphology <15%, 1.44 (0.45–4.61), 1.07 (0.86–1.33) and 1.50 (1.06–2.09); for sperm concentration <20 million/ml, 0.46 (0.10–2.07), 1.03 (0.82–1.31) and 1.00 (0.72–1.41); and for motility <50%, 2.62 (0.73–9.45), 0.96 (0.78–1.18) and 0.75 (0.56–1.01). In conclusion, obese men are more likely to have lower semen volume and fewer morphologically normal spermatozoa than men with normal BMI. Obesity is becoming a serious problem, especially in industrialized societies. We designed this study to explore the association between body weight in proportion to height, in men, as expressed by the body mass index (BMI) and semen quality. Semen analysis and demographic data were collected from male partners of couples undergoing fertility investigations in a referral fertility centre. Men were classified into groups according to their BMI: A, <18.5, underweight; B, 18.5–24.99, normal weight; C, 25–29.99, overweight; and D,3 30 kg/m2 , obese. Data from 2,035 men were analysed. There were 18, 839, 909 and 269 men in groups A, B, C and D, respectively. Compared with men from group B, normal weight, and taking into account other factors besides BMI that may affect semen quality in the analysis, the adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) for groups A, C and D to have a semen volume <2 ml were 1.57 (0.49–5.01), 1.06 (0.82–1.38) and 1.69 (1.20–2.38), respectively, for sperm morphology <15%, 1.44 (0.45–4.61), 1.07 (0.86–1.33) and 1.50 (1.06–2.09), for sperm concentration <20 million /ml, 0.46 (0.10–2.07), 1.03 (0.82–1.31) and 1.00 (0.72–1.41) and for motility <50%, 2.62 (0.73–9.45), 0.96 (0.78–1.18) and 0.75 (0.56–1.01). In conclusion, obese men are more likely to have lower semen volume and fewer morphologically normal spermatozoa than men with normal BMI.
Birth weight and ovulatory dysfunction Shayeb, AG; Harrild, K; Bhattacharya, S
BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology,
February 2014, 2014-Feb, 2014-02-00, 20140201, Volume:
121, Issue:
3
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Objective
To explore the association between birthweight and ovulatory dysfunction in adulthood.
Design
Case–control study.
Setting
Northeast of Scotland University Hospital, hosting the regional ...fertility centre and maternity unit.
Population
A total of 18 846 mother–daughter record pairs from the Aberdeen Fertility Centre Data Set and the Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank (AMND). Cases were the daughters with ovulatory dysfunction attending the Aberdeen Fertility Centre between 1992 and 2007, Control group 1 included the daughters attending the fertility centre with confirmed ovulation, and Control group 2 included all women naturally fertile who gave birth in Aberdeen during the same period.
Methods
The electronic maternity records of the mothers of women in the three groups were retrieved from AMND and compared.
Main outcome measures
Daughters' birthweight and standardised birthweight, characteristics of mothers and daughters at delivery and current daughters' characteristics.
Results
Cases, Control group 1 and Control group 2 included 466, 548 and 17 832 daughters, respectively. The mean birthweight (standard deviation) in grams was comparable between Cases 3203 (522), Control group 1, 3235 (482) P = 0.30, and Control group 2, 3226 (495) P = 0.31. The proportions of daughters born small for gestational age, large for gestational age, or preterm were comparable between the Cases group and each Control group, as was the mode of delivery and Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes. The age at delivery, body mass index, social class or pregnancy complications were comparable in the mothers of the Cases and each Control group.
Conclusions
Ovulatory dysfunction does not appear to be related to birthweight or perinatal events.
BACKGROUND The global obesity epidemic has paralleled a decrease in semen quality. Yet, the association between obesity and sperm parameters remains controversial. The purpose of this report was to ...update the evidence on the association between BMI and sperm count through a systematic review with meta-analysis. METHODS A systematic review of available literature (with no language restriction) was performed to investigate the impact of BMI on sperm count. Relevant studies published until June 2012 were identified from a Pubmed and EMBASE search. We also included unpublished data (n = 717 men) obtained from the Infertility Center of Bondy, France. Abstracts of relevant articles were examined and studies that could be included in this review were retrieved. Authors of relevant studies for the meta-analysis were contacted by email and asked to provide standardized data. RESULTS A total of 21 studies were included in the meta-analysis, resulting in a sample of 13 077 men from the general population and attending fertility clinics. Data were stratified according to the total sperm count as normozoospermia, oligozoospermia and azoospermia. Standardized weighted mean differences in sperm concentration did not differ significantly across BMI categories. There was a J-shaped relationship between BMI categories and risk of oligozoospermia or azoospermia. Compared with men of normal weight, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for oligozoospermia or azoospermia was 1.15 (0.93-1.43) for underweight, 1.11 (1.01-1.21) for overweight, 1.28 (1.06-1.55) for obese and 2.04 (1.59-2.62) for morbidly obese men. CONCLUSIONS Overweight and obesity were associated with an increased prevalence of azoospermia or oligozoospermia. The main limitation of this report is that studied populations varied, with men recruited from both the general population and infertile couples. Whether weight normalization could improve sperm parameters should be evaluated further.
Bacteriophages typically have small genomes
and depend on their bacterial hosts for replication
. Here we sequenced DNA from diverse ecosystems and found hundreds of phage genomes with lengths of ...more than 200 kilobases (kb), including a genome of 735 kb, which is-to our knowledge-the largest phage genome to be described to date. Thirty-five genomes were manually curated to completion (circular and no gaps). Expanded genetic repertoires include diverse and previously undescribed CRISPR-Cas systems, transfer RNAs (tRNAs), tRNA synthetases, tRNA-modification enzymes, translation-initiation and elongation factors, and ribosomal proteins. The CRISPR-Cas systems of phages have the capacity to silence host transcription factors and translational genes, potentially as part of a larger interaction network that intercepts translation to redirect biosynthesis to phage-encoded functions. In addition, some phages may repurpose bacterial CRISPR-Cas systems to eliminate competing phages. We phylogenetically define the major clades of huge phages from human and other animal microbiomes, as well as from oceans, lakes, sediments, soils and the built environment. We conclude that the large gene inventories of huge phages reflect a conserved biological strategy, and that the phages are distributed across a broad bacterial host range and across Earth's ecosystems.
CRISPR-Cas systems provide adaptive immunity in bacteria and archaea, beginning with integration of foreign sequences into the host CRISPR genomic locus and followed by transcription and maturation ...of CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs). In some CRISPR systems, a reverse transcriptase (RT) fusion to the Cas1 integrase and Cas6 maturase creates a single protein that enables concerted sequence integration and crRNA production. To elucidate how the RT-integrase organizes distinct enzymatic activities, we present the cryo-EM structure of a Cas6-RT-Cas1-Cas2 CRISPR integrase complex. The structure reveals a heterohexamer in which the RT directly contacts the integrase and maturase domains, suggesting functional coordination between all three active sites. Together with biochemical experiments, our data support a model of sequential enzymatic activities that enable CRISPR sequence acquisition from RNA and DNA substrates. These findings highlight an expanded capacity of some CRISPR systems to acquire diverse sequences that direct CRISPR-mediated interference.
Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal and the ability of the neurotoxin methylmercury to biomagnify in the food chain is a serious concern for both public and environmental health globally. Because ...thousands of tons of mercury are released into the environment each year, remediation strategies are urgently needed and prompted this study. To facilitate remediation of both organic and inorganic forms of mercury, Escherichia coli was engineered to harbor a subset of genes (merRTPAB) from the mercury resistance operon. Protein products of the mer operon enable transport of mercury into the cell, cleavage of organic C-Hg bonds, and subsequent reduction of ionic mercury to the less toxic elemental form, Hg(0). E. coli containing merRTPAB was then encapsulated in silica beads resulting in a biological-based filtration material. Performing encapsulation in aerated mineral oil yielded silica beads that were smooth, spherical, and similar in diameter. Following encapsulation, E. coli containing merRTPAB retained the ability to degrade methylmercury and performed similarly to non-encapsulated cells. Due to the versatility of both the engineered mercury resistant strain and silica bead technology, this study provides a strong foundation for use of the resulting biological-based filtration material for methylmercury remediation.
Rupture of the urinary tract during pregnancy can mimic many acute obstetric, surgical, and medical problems such as placental abruption, red degeneration of uterine fibroids, acute appendicitis and ...renal colic.
The aim of the present study was to measure the accuracy and reproducibility of probe forces in simulated assessments of periodontal pocket depth. The study included experienced and inexperienced ...examiners and used manual and pressure-sensitive probes.
Sixty-one participants were divided into seven groups and asked to probe selected anterior and posterior sites with three different probes (Williams 14W, Chapple UB-CF-15, and Vivacare TPS probes). The model was positioned on a digital electronic balance to measure force, which was recorded initially and after 15min. Probe preferences were recorded. Accuracy was measured by comparing to a standardized 25g force, and reproducibility was calculated for all duplicate measurements.
The Vivacare probe produced the most accurate and most reproducible forces, whereas the Williams probe produced the least accurate and least reproducible forces. Probe forces were lighter at anterior sites compared to posterior sites at baseline. Probe forces were reduced at both sites after 15min compared to baseline.
Vivacare TPS periodontal probes are more accurate and reproducible than Chapple and Williams probes. Many clinicians in this study preferred the Chapple probe.
Periodontal probing: a review Al Shayeb, Kwthar Nassar A; Turner, Wendy; Gillam, David G
Primary dental journal
3, Issue:
3
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Periodontal probes are the main instruments that are used to assess the status of the periodontium, either for screening purposes or to evaluate periodontal changes throughout the treatment process. ...With increased knowledge and understanding of periodontal disease, the probes have evolved from a unidimensional manual shape into a more sophisticated computerised instrument. This is due to the need to increase the accuracy and reproducibility of readings and to improve efficiency (time, effort, money). Each probe has characteristic features that makes it unique and, in some cases, specific and limited to use. The aim of this paper is to present a brief introduction to periodontal disease and the methodology of measuring it, followed by probing limitations. The paper will also discuss the methodology of reducing probing error, examiner calibration and probing reproducibility.
The purpose of the present in vitro study was to measure the accuracy and reproducibility of three periodontal probes. To eliminate environment- or examiner-related probing errors, two aluminum ...blocks with predrilled holes of varying depths were examined by participants who had been trained in probing before the study. This methodology improved the likelihood that any probing errors identified were generated by the probes themselves.
Three probes, Williams 14W (Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., LLC, UK), Chapple UB-CF-15 (Implantium, Shrewsbury, UK), and Vivacare TPS (Ivoclar Vivadent, Enderby, UK), were randomly distributed to 23 participants (9 males and 14 females; mean age: 31.35years). Participants measured 30 holes in two aluminum blocks, average 20days, SD=341.05. For each hole, the mean measured depth was calculated for each participant and compared to the true depth. Intra- and inter-examiner accuracy and reproducibility for each of the duplicate measurements were calculated. Data were analyzed by paired-samples t-test with the SPSS 18 software package (IBM Portsmouth, UK). A p-value <0.05 indicated statistical significance. Tables were constructed from the data.
When used by participants, the Williams 14W probe was reproducible but not necessarily accurate; Vivacare TPS was neither accurate nor reproducible; and Chapple UBCF-15 was both accurate and reproducible.
Depth measurements with the Chapple UB-CF-15 probe were more accurate and reproducible compared to measurements with the Vivacare TPS and Williams 14W probes. This in vitro model may be useful for intra-examiner calibration or clinician training prior to the clinical evaluation of patients or in longitudinal studies involving periodontal evaluation.
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