8% in F2 (362 +/- 25 P<0.05). Conclusion: We demonstrated increased serological levels of citrullinated and MMP degraded vimentin in an animal model of liver fibrosis and in early fibrosis associated with HCV and NAFLD patients. These data suggest that citrullinated and MMP degraded proteins are also present in liver fibrosis.”
“The spatial contact of immune cells is predominant machinery for the modulation of local inflammatory sites

as much as humoral regulation is for inflammation. In this study, we investigated the role of mast cells in the regulation of invariant natural killer T cells (iNKTs) functions. Co-cultivation of bone-marrow derived mouse mast cells (BMMCs) with purified and stimulated mouse iNKTs caused marked suppression of interleukin (IL)-4 but not interferon (IFN)-gamma production in iNKTs. Suppression was accompanied Selleck Alvespimycin by down-regulation of IL-4 mRNA expression. The Notch intracellular cytoplasmic domain in iNKTs was also completely diminished by co-cultivation with BMMCs. Suppressed IL-4 production was recovered when iNKTs were separately co-cultured with BMMCs using the transwell system. Furthermore, co-culture of iNKTs with activated BMMCs elicited partial suppression of IL-4 production. These findings suggest that mast cells modulate the function of iNKTs via the inhibition

of Notch signaling.”
“Purpose: To examine the state of herbal medicines research and development (R&D) outputs in universities, research institutes and pharmaceutical manufacturing firms in Nigeria.

Methods: Questionnaires https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Imatinib-Mesylate.html were administered to core researchers in the above-mentioned

research organizations using click here purposive and convenient sampling technique. The questionnaire elicited vital information on researcher’s area of specialization, academic qualifications, state of research facilities and approach to herbal medicines R&D by the organization. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools.

Results: The study revealed that the researchers were highly qualified individuals who specialized in eight distinct areas. Research facilities were in varying degrees of deterioration. Major R&D activities were incremental or modification of products/process (58 %), continuous improvement of R&D programs (23 %), radical process/product development (20 %), and creative (11 %) and duplicative (7 %) efforts. Strategies to enhance herbal medicine R&D were increased funding (36.3 %), training of researchers (28.1 %), improvement in R&D infrastructure (18.6 %) and fostering public-private partnership (17 %).

Conclusion: Herbal medicines R&D is not fully developed in Nigeria due to a myriad of fundamental challenges facing the key players.”
“Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a member of the EGF family of growth factors that bind to and activate the EGF receptor. HB-EGF is synthesized as a membrane-anchored protein (proHB-EGF), and then proteolytically cleaved, resulting in the mitogenically active soluble form.

In addition, each ARB has been clearly shown to have specific molecular effects in basic experimental studies, and these effects may be due to small differences in the molecular structure of each ARB. However, it is controversial whether ARBs have

molecular effects in a clinical setting. Although the presence of molecular effects for each ARB based on experimental studies may not directly influence the SB203580 clinical outcome, this possibility has not been adequately evaluated. This review focuses on the class effects versus molecular effects of ARBs from bench to bedside.”
“Our objectives were primarily to review the published literature on complications in neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) surgery and secondarily, by means of a meta-analysis, to determine the overall pooled rates (PR) of various complications associated with NMS surgery.

PubMed selleck chemical and Embase databases were searched for studies reporting the outcomes and complications of NMS surgery, published from 1997 to May 2011. We focused on NMS as defined by the Scoliosis Research Society’s classification. We measured the pooled estimate of the overall complication rates (PR) using a random effects meta-analytic model. This model considers both intra- and inter-study variation in calculating PR.

Systematic review and meta-analysis were performed for 68 cohort and case-control studies with a total of 15,218

NMS patients. Pulmonary complications were the most reported (PR = 22.71 %) followed by implant complications (PR = 12.51 %), infections (PR = 10.91 %), neurological complications (PR = 3.01 %) and pseudoarthrosis

(PR = 1.88 %). Revision, removal and extension of implant had highest PR (7.87 %) followed by malplacement of the pedicle screws (4.81 %). Rates of individual studies selleckchem have moderate to high variability. The studies were heterogeneous in methodology and outcome types, which are plausible explanations for the variability; sensitivity analysis with respect to age at surgery, sample size, publication year and diagnosis could also partly explain this variability. In regard to surgical complications affiliated with various surgical techniques in NMS, the level of evidence of published literature ranges between 2+ to 2-; the subsequent recommendations are level C.

NMS patients have diverse and high complication rates after scoliosis surgery. High PRs of complications warrant more attention from the surgical community. Although the PR of all complications are affected by heterogeneity, they nevertheless provide valuable insights into the impact of methodological settings (sample size), patient characteristics (age at surgery), and continual advances in patient care on complication rates.”
“Introduction. The present study was designed to determine the effects of selective antagonists of angiotensin II receptor types AT(1) and AT(2) on the flow of urine and sodium excretion induced by arginine vasopressin (AVP).

Materials and methods.

Recent findingsMSC are able to reprogram macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype capable to regulate antigraft immune response. This interaction is mediated mainly by TNF–induced-protein-6. Conversely, MSC also take on a proinflammatory phenotype and actually could worsen graft outcome. MSC in clinical transplantation is in its infancy and nobody so far has attempted to or provided evidence that this cell-based therapy is capable to promote operational tolerance.

There are, however, supporting data of the ex-vivo immunoregulatory activity of MSC in treated patients.SummaryMSC have a great potential as a tolerance-promoting cell therapy. Extensive investigations are still needed to dissect the mechanism(s) of action of MSC, particularly in the setting of a proinflammatory environment, and to establish specific assays for monitoring MSC-treated patients to define the protolerogenic potential of MSC-based AZD8186 therapy in kidney transplantation.”
“P>Telomeres AZD6738 define

the ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes and are required for genome maintenance and continued cell proliferation. The extreme ends of telomeres terminate in a single-strand protrusion, termed the G-overhang, which, in vertebrates and fission yeast, is bound by evolutionarily conserved members of the POT1 (protection of telomeres) protein family. Unlike most other model organisms, the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana encodes two divergent POT1-like proteins. Here we show that the single-strand telomeric DNA binding activity present in A. thaliana nuclear extracts is not dependent on POT1a or POT1b proteins. Furthermore, in contrast to POT1 proteins from yeast and vertebrates, recombinant find more POT1a and POT1b proteins from A. thaliana, and from two additional Brassicaceae

species, Arabidopsis lyrata and Brassica oleracea (cauliflower), fail to bind single-strand telomeric DNA in vitro under the conditions tested. Finally, although we detected four single-strand telomeric DNA binding activities in nuclear extracts from B. oleracea, partial purification and DNA cross-linking analysis of these complexes identified proteins that are smaller than the predicted sizes of BoPOT1a or BoPOT1b. Taken together, these data suggest that POT1 proteins are not the major single-strand telomeric DNA binding activities in A. thaliana and its close relatives, underscoring the remarkable functional divergence of POT1 proteins from plants and other eukaryotes.”
“Background-Genome-wide association studies have identified gene variants associated with coronary artery disease risk; however, whether they affect disease progression is largely unknown. This study investigated associations between polymorphisms at 1p13.3 (rs599839), 1q41 (rs17465637), and 3q22.3 (rs9818870) and cardiovascular outcomes in healthy volunteers and in patients with established heart disease.

“
“Objective To describe the clinical data of dogs with neurogenic Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and an ipsilateral dry nose without other

neurologic deficits. Procedure The retrospective case study included 11 dogs diagnosed with neurogenic KCS and an ipsilateral dry nose between 2006 and Tariquidar datasheet 2010. Medical records were reviewed for breed, age, sex, history, suspected cause of neurogenic KCS, clinical signs, and treatment modalities. Follow-up information was obtained by re-examination of patients or completion of a telephone survey with the referring veterinarian or the owners. Results Mean age of the dogs was 6.6 +/- 4.5 years. Neurogenic KCS was diagnosed in three females, five spayed females, one male, and two castrated males representing 10 different breeds. Ophthalmic signs of KCS (mean Schirmer tear test [STT] value of 1.9 +/- 2.9 mm/min) combined with an ipsilateral dry nose were diagnosed in seven left and four right eyes. The suspected cause of neurogenic KCS was idiopathic in nine and trauma in two cases. Systemic therapy consisted of oral pilocarpine

12% eye drops combined with case-specific learn more topical treatment with cyclosporine 0.2% and tear substitutes. Duration of systemic treatment with pilocarpine until healing was 125 days (range 84-204, median 98 days) for five dogs. One dog was lost to follow-up, and the remaining five dogs are still under systemic treatment with pilocarpine. Conclusions Neurogenic KCS with an ipsilateral dry nose seems to be a predominantly idiopathic disease of middle-aged Fludarabine female dogs without breed predisposition, which may be self-limiting in some cases.”
“During laser osteotomy surgery, plasma arises at the place of ablation. It was the aim of this study to explore whether a spectroscopic analysis of this plasma would allow identification of the type of tissue that was affected by the laser. In an experimental setup (Rofin SCx10, CO2 Slab Laser, wavelength 10.6 mu m, pulse duration 80 mu s, pulse repetition rate 200 Hz, max. output in cw-mode 100 W), the plasma spectra evoked by a pulsed laser, cutting 1-day postmortem pig and cow bones, were recorded. Spectra were compared

to the reference spectrum of bone via correlation analysis. Our measurements show a clear differentiation between the plasma spectra when cutting either a bone or a soft tissue. The spectral changes could be detected from one to the next spectrum within 200 ms. Continuous surveillance of plasma spectra allows us to differentiate whether bone or soft tissue is hit by the last laser pulse. With this information, it may be possible to stop the laser when cutting undesired soft tissue and to design an automatic control of the ablation process.”
“Introduction Mentoring programmes help to facilitate the process of continuous professional development in surgery, providing an organizational structure around a mentor-mentee relationship which helps to develop the mentee.

In addition, fat has been Mizoribine nmr recognised as a producer of B cell activating factor (BAFF) and of chemerin, an inducer at the chondrocyte level of IL1 beta, TNF alpha, IL6, IL8 and MMP13, thus possibly contributing to cartilage damage. Since fat produces inflammation, to obtain a full control of the CV risk in RA, data suggest that it is therefore mandatory to have a “”tight control”" of both RA and MetS-related inflammation, especially if RA presents MetS as a co-morbidity.”
“Background: Breast cancer is one of the oncological diseases in which health-related

quality of life (HRQL) has been most studied. This is mainly due to its high incidence and survival. This paper seeks to: review published research into HRQL among women with breast cancer in Spain; analyse the characteristics of these studies; and describe

the instruments used and main results reported.

Methods: The databases consulted were MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Dialnet, IBECS, CUIDEN, ISOC and LILACS. CT99021 cell line The inclusion criteria required studies to: 1) include Spanish patients, and a breakdown of results where other types of tumours and/or women from other countries were also included; and, 2) furnish original data and measure HRQL using a purpose-designed questionnaire. The methodological quality of studies was assessed.

Results: Spain ranked midway in the European Union in terms of the number of studies conducted on the HRQL of breast cancer patients. Of the total

of 133 papers published from 1993 to 2009, 25 met the inclusion criteria. Among them, only 12 were considered as having good or excellent quality. A total of 2236 women participated in the studies analysed. In descending order of frequency, the questionnaires used were the EORTC, FACT-B, QL-CA-Afex, SF-12, FLIC, RSCL and CCV. Five papers focused on validation or adaptation of questionnaires. Most papers examined HRQL in terms of type JQ-EZ-05 purchase of treatment. Few differences were detected by type of chemotherapy, with the single exception of worse results among younger women treated with radiotherapy. In the short term, better results were reported for all HRQL components by women undergoing conservative rather than radical surgery. Presence of lymphedema was associated with worse HRQL. Three studies assessed differences in HRQL by patients’ psychological traits. Psychosocial disorder and level of depression and anxiety, regardless of treatment or disease stage, worsened HRQL. In addition, there was a positive effect among patients who reported having a “”fighting spirit”" and using “”denial”" as a defence mechanism. One study found that breast cancer patients scored worse than did healthy women on almost all SF-12 scales.

Conclusion: Research into health-related quality of life of breast-cancer patients is a little developed field in Spain.

[DOI:

10.1063/1.3142382]“
“Our objective was to assess the effect of the selective alpha(1)-blocker alfuzosin on urodynamic parameters and quality of life in female patients with primary bladder neck obstruction (PBNO). Twenty-five women identified as having PBNO were included in the study. After the initial assessment of urodynamic parameters and bother score index, all patients were treated with alfuzosin 5 mg twice daily for 8 weeks. After this period of time, the patients were reassessed with the same methodology as pretreatment. A-1331852 molecular weight Symptoms subjectively improved, and patients’ satisfaction significantly increased in 64% of the patients (16 out of 25). Most urodynamic parameters were also significantly improved

after treatment with alfuzosin. Alfuzosin www.selleckchem.com/products/LBH-589.html significantly improved urodynamic parameters and alleviated bother score in almost two thirds of patients with PBNO and can be an effective first-line treatment of this situation.”
“Three new aconitine-type C-19-diterpenoid alkaloids, taipeinines A-C (1-3), were isolated from the roots of Aconitum taipaicum. The chemical structures of these three compounds were established as (1,6,8,14,16)-20-ethyl-8,14-dihydroxy-1,6,16-trimethoxy-4-(methoxymethyl)-aconitane (1), (1,6,8,14,16)-20-ethyl-8,14-dihydroxy-1,6,16-trimethoxy-4-(methoxymethyl)-aconitane (2) and (1,6,8,14,16)-20-ethyl-1,8,14-trihydroxy-6,16-dimethoxy-4-(methoxymethyl)-aconitane (3), respectively, on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, mainly MS, 1D and 2D NMR. The cytotoxic activities of these compounds were also assayed, and the results were quite impressive.”
“This paper aims to investigate the relevance of morphological changes in the main stabilizing structures of the craniocervical junction in persons with cervicogenic headache (CEH). A case control study of 46 consecutive persons with CEH, 22 consecutive with headache attributed to whiplash associated headache

(WLaH) and 19 consecutive persons with migraine. The criteria of the Cervicogenic Headache International Study Group (CHISG) were used for diagnosing CEH; otherwise the criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD II) were applied. All participants had a clinical interview, and physical and neurological examination. Proton weighted IKK inhibitor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the craniovertebral junction, and the alar and transverse ligaments were evaluated and blinded to clinical information. The MRI of the craniovertebral and the cervical junctions, the alar and transverse ligaments disclosed no significant differences between those with CEH, WLaH and or migraine. The site of CEH pain was not correlated with the site of signal intensity changes of the alar and transverse ligaments. In fact, very few had moderate or severe signal intensity changes in their ligaments. MRI shows no specific changes of cervical discs or craniovertebral ligaments in CEH.

Methods: An animal model of ANSD was created by

rearing mice in noise. MOCS protection was assessed by comparing the incidence of noise-induced ANSD among knockout mice lacking feedback and wild-type (WT) controls. The mice were screened for ANSD with distortion product otoacoustic emissions, auditory brainstem responses, and behavioral measures of gap detection. Single-unit recording procedures were used to link these deficits to impaired synaptic transmission in the ventral cochlear nucleus.

Results: check details ANSD manifested in noise-reared mice as intact distortion product otoacoustic emissions, abnormal auditory brainstem responses, and impaired gap detection. The phenotype was not observed among quiet-reared WT mice but was occasionally noted among noise-reared WT mice. The incidence of ANSD significantly increased among knockout mice, especially when they were reared in noise.

Conclusion: Noise promotes ANSD by altering the functional maturation of the brain’s temporal pathways. Noise-induced impairments are reduced by the sound-attenuating effects of the MOCS. Noise levels do not need to be unnaturally loud to constitute significant risk in MOCS-compromised individuals.”
“Material and Methods. aEuro integral This was a retrospective cohort study,

conducted at the Aga Khan University Karachi, Pakistan over a period of 8-year period between January Etomoxir 2000 and January 2008. We reviewed 287 medical records of all women who had intrauterine fetal demise during study time period.

Results. aEuro integral The prevalence of still births at our institution GSK923295 was 6.6 aEuroS +/-+/- aEuroS2.1 per 1000 total births. Congenital anamolies, maternal hypertension, and fetal growth restrictions were the three main causes of still births. About half of still births were among unbooked pregnant women. More than 90%% of occurred during the ante natal period while

10%% were intrapartum. Majority of stillborns were in macerated state when delivered.

Conclusion. aEuro integral Most of still births were due to known causes such as hypertension, congenital anomalies, and fetal growth restriction. Improvement in the management of hypertension and diagnosis of congenital anomalies is necessary. Results of the analysis urge on the need for antenatal care and compliance for follow-ups.”
“Delayed presentation of ventricular septal defect (VSD) is common in developing countries. Such patients often have severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which increases post-operative morbidity and mortality. To address these problems, we used our technique of unidirectional valved patch (UVP) for closure of VSD. Between January 2006 and December 2010, 17 patients (age 2-23 years, median 9 years) with a large VSD and severe PAH underwent VSD closure with UVP. Pre-operative mean indexed pulmonary vascular resistance (PVRI) was 10.9 +/- 2.

The model holds potential for the better integration of TB and ART support.”
“Two new cycloartane-type triterpenoids, 3 beta-hydroxy-21-O-acetyl-24-methylenecycloartane DZNeP order (3) and 3 beta,21-dihydroxy-24,31-epoxy-24-methylenecycloartane (4), one new flavanone, 7-hydroxy-6,8-dimethoxyflavanone (5), two new natural products, 2-hydroxybenzyl benzoate

(7) and 2-phenyl-2-acetoxyethyl benzoate (8), and ten known compounds, 3 beta-hydroxy-24-methylenecycloartane (1), 3 beta,21-dihydroxy-24-methylenecycloartane (2), desmosdumotin B (6), artabotrene (9), (-)-senepoxide (10), (+)-crotepoxide (11), (-)-1,6-desoxypipoxide (12), rotundol (13), cassipourol (14) and (+)-spathulenol (15) were isolated from the leaves of Dasymaschalon dasymaschalum. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and of the known compounds by comparison of their physical, UV, IR, H-1 and C-13 NMR data with those of published MEK inhibitor compounds. Antimycobacterial, antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of the isolates, except 8 and 10 were evaluated. Compounds 1, 4, 5, 11, 12 and 15 exhibited potent cytotoxic activities against human lung cancer cell lines (NCI-H187) with respective IC50 values of 4.67, 7.82,

1.85, 6.33, 3.07 and 6.68 mg/mL. (C) 2013 Phytochemical Society of Europe. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.”
“BACKGROUND: This quasi-experimental cohort study aimed to evaluate World Health Organization (WHO) defined tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes for patients under directly observed treatment at a health facility (clinic DOT) or at home (family DOT) in urban Pakistan.

METHODS: We enrolled 582 sputum smear-positive TB patients being selleck products treated by either clinic DOT (n = 295) or family DOT (n = 287) in 11 treatment centres. Patients and/or family members were interviewed for baseline

measurements. WHO-defined treatment outcomes were evaluated at the end of treatment. Proportions of ‘cured’ patients were computed. A log-binomial model was used to evaluate the associations of various factors with ‘cured’ status.

RESULTS: The proportion of ‘cured’ patients was respectively 66% and 34% in the clinic DOT and family DOT groups (risk difference 0.32; 95%CI 0.24-0.39). Patients on clinic DOT were more likely to achieve cure (adjusted relative risk [RR(adj)] 1.85; 95%CI 1.43-2.39) than those on family DOT, as were patients satisfied with their health care worker’s attitude (RR(adj) 5.73; 95%CI 2.54-12.96).

CONCLUSION: Clinic DOT nearly doubled the proportion of cured patients compared to family DOT. Efforts to improve care-provider attitudes to enhance patient satisfaction, and effective implementation of the WHO’s public-private mix approach, may enhance TB control in this and similar settings.

The present study used biotelemetry to provide a fine-grained analysis of the effects of GHB oil body temperature and locomotor activity in freely moving rats, and investigated interactions between GHB and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methamphetamine (METH) and various antagonist drugs. GHB (1000 mg/kg) caused profound sedation for more than 2 h and a complex triphasic effect on body temperature: an initial hypothermia (5-40 min), followed by hyperthermia (40-140 min), followed again by hypothermia (140-360 min). A

lower GHB close (500 mg/kg) also Caused sedation but Only a hypothermic effect that lasted up to 6 h. The dopamine D(1) receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (1 mg/kg), the opioid antagonist naltrexone (1 mg/kg), the benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil (10 mg/kg), and the 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor antagonist ritanserin (1 mg/kg) Napabucasin ic50 did not prevent the overall

sedative or body temperature effects of GHB (1000 mg/kg). However the GABA(B) antagonist SCH 50911 (50 mg/kg) prevented the hyperthermia induced by GHB (1000 mg/kg). Repeated daily administration of GHB (1000 mg/kg) produced tolerance to the sedative and hyperthermic effects of the drug and cross-tolerance to the sedative effects of the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen (10 mg/kg). A high ambient temperature of 28 degrees C prevented the hypothermia obtained with GHB (500 mg/kg) at 20 degrees C, while GHB (500 mg/kg) reduced the hyperthermia and hyperactivity produced by co-administered doses of MDMA (5 mg/kg) or METH (1 mg/kg) at 28 degrees C. These Vorinostat in vivo results further confirm a role for GABA(B) receptors in the hypothermic and sedative effects of

GHB and show an interaction CX-6258 molecular weight between GHB and MDMA, and GHB and METH, that may be relevant to the experience of recreational users Who mix these drugs. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“We have characterized the melt rheological behavior and the solid tensile properties of sawdust/polyethylene composites prepared in an internal mixer. Various concentrations (from 0 to 60 wt %) and three particle sizes have been tested, in presence of a coupling agent (maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene). In the molten state, for each particle size, a mastercurve of the complex viscosity as function of frequency can be plotted, using a shift factor depending oil weight fraction. We show that the shift factors can be described by a Krieger-Dougherty law, leading to a “”universal”" viscosity law of the Carreau-Yasuda type. In the solid state, the presence of sawdust increases Young modulus in uniaxial elongation, mainly for small size particles, but reduces dramatically deformation at break and tensile strength. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 112: 2559-2566, 2009″
“Background: Urticaria is a common and frequently debilitating disease.

Kiwifruit wines were analyzed for sugar content, alcohol, acidity, pH, color, total phenols and antioxidant activity by radical scavenging assay ABTS. The soluble solid content of the kiwifruit must ranged between 22 and 25% and then was fermented at 14 degrees C during 4 months. The amount of alcohol productions differed especially during the first week of fermentation. Among cultivars, ‘Haenam’ and ‘Arimold’ were relatively slower than other wines with regard to alcohol production rate. The yield of wine

production was increased from 63.35% to 66.19% in weight by using processing with pectinase.

The ‘L’ values of wine made from ‘Hayward’ and ‘Monty’ were lower and darker than those of wines prepared from other cultivars. Wine made from ‘Daeheung’ ATM inhibitor had total phenols of 790 mg L(-1), which was the highest among wines, followed by ‘Haenam’ and ‘Golden King’. ‘Daeheung’ also showed the highest antioxidant activity (22.55 Bromosporine solubility dmso mM TE L(-1)), while ‘Arimold’ showed the lowest one (10.91 mM TE L(-1)). The mean overall acceptability scores among kiwifruit wines ranged between 3.8 and 4.5. The sensory evaluations were higher in ‘Golden King’, ‘Monty’, ‘Daeheung’, ‘Arimold’. and ‘Hayward’ than those of ‘Haenam’, Jinmi’, and ‘Hyangrok’. However, for commercial kiwifruit wine production not only overall sensory acceptance, but

also functional properties such as total phenols and antioxidant activity, and fruit cultivation volume should be concerned. Therefore, three of kiwifruit cultivars which are ‘Golden King’, ‘Daeheung’, and ‘Hayward’ had the most desirable characteristics suitable for kiwifruit wine production. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Objective measurements are required for computer-aided sperm morphometric analysis (CASMA) machines to distinguish normal from abnormal sperm heads. The morphometric characteristics of spermatozoa in 72 samples of semen and of spermatozoa from 72 other semen samples after swim-up

were quantified by the semi-automated Integrated Sperm Analysis System (ISAS) computer-aided system, which measured the sperm head parameters length (L), width (W), area (A), perimeter (P), acrosomal area (Ac), and the derived values L/W and P/A. For each man a homogeneous population of distributions characterized seminal spermatozoa (7 942 cells: median values L 4.4 mu m, W 2.8 mu m, A C59 cell line 9.8 mu m(2), P 12.5 mu m, Ac 47.5%, L/W 1.57, P/A 1.27), and there was no significant difference in within-and among-individual variation. Different men could have spermatozoa of significantly different dimensions. Head dimensions for swim-up spermatozoa from different men (4 812 cells) were similar to those in semen, differing only by 2%-5%. The values of L, W and L/W fell within the limits given by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although these samples were not biologically matched, linear mixed-effects statistical analyses permitted valid comparison of the groups.