Three-dimensional high-resolution anorectal manometry: A comparative pilot study with X-ray defaecography.

Three-dimensional high-resolution anorectal manometry (3DHRAM) is a new technique that can explore anorectal disorders and provide interesting topographic data for the diagnosis of pelvic floor disorders such as paradoxical puborectalis syndrome (PPS). Our object was to evaluate whether 3DHRAM can reliably diagnose PPS already diagnosed with X-ray defaecography, which is considered to be the gold standard. All patients being tested in our department for dyschezia by 3D-HRAM and X-ray defecography were eligible for the study. The 3DHRAM results were compared with X-ray defecography. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for various 3DHRAM criteria to propose a diagnostic strategy for PPS. Twenty-three patients presented with PPS on X-ray defaecography. On 3DHRAM, according to our diagnostic strategy, the kappa value was 0.706, with a positive predictive value of 71.88% [95% CI, 53.02-85.60], a specificity of 80.43% [95% CI, 65.62-90.13], a sensibility of 95.83% [95% CI, 76.98-99.78], and area under curve value was 0.922. In this study, 3DHRAM was used to diagnose PPS with the same degree of reliability as X-ray defaecography, and we confirmed its use in the diagnosis of pelvic floor disorders. Further studies will be necessary to define classifications for these new anatomic data from 3DHRAM.

Autophagy inhibition of immature oocytes during vitrification-warming and in vitro mature activates apoptosis via caspase-9 and -12 pathway.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the role of autophagy in the immature oocytes during vitrification-warming and in vitro maturation (IVM); the correlations among autophagy, apoptosis, and the activities of caspase in the immature oocytes during vitrification-warming and IVM were also explored. STUDY DESIGN: Immature oocytes from mice were vitrified-warmed and IVM. An autophagy inhibitor (3-methyladenine) was supplemented in cryopreservation solutions and warming solutions. The expression of beclin-1 (an autophagy marker), caspase-3, -8, -9, and -12 were measured. Moreover, the viability of vitrified-warmed immature oocytes and their subsequent developmental competence were measured. RESULTS: The levels of beclin-1 expression in both mRNA and protein in oocytes experienced vitrification-warming and IVM were significantly higher than that in fresh immature oocytes experienced IVM. The levels of caspase-3, -9, -12 expression in both mRNA and protein in oocytes vitrified with 3-methyladenine were significantly higher than that vitrified without 3-methyladenine. However, the differences in the caspase-8 expression in both mRNA and protein between the oocytes vitrified with 3-methyladenine and that vitrified without 3-methyladenine were not significant. CONCLUSION: Immature oocyte cryopreservation exhibits autophagic activation. Autophagy inhibition of the immature oocytes during vitrification-warming and IVM activates apoptosis via caspase-9 and -12 pathway.

Cryopreservation of whole bovine ovaries: comparisons of different thawing protocols.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to perform a comparative investigation of several different thawing protocols and to determine an appropriate protocol for thawing whole bovine frozen ovaries. STUDY DESIGN: Bovine ovaries were slowly frozen and then thawed by applying different protocols. Ultrastructural change, follicle viability, and the hormone levels of culture supernatant were measured. RESULTS: The percentage of morphologically normal primordial follicles and the hormone levels of culture supernatant in group D (two-step, thawing in water at 39°C) were significantly higher than those in any other group. Moreover, the ultrastructural alteration of oocyte in group D (two-step, thawing in water at 39°C) was slighter than those in any other group. CONCLUSIONS: The two-step protocol involving short-term exposure to water at a moderately high temperature (39°C) proved to be a suitable for thawing bovine whole ovaries.

Nanosized gamma-Al2O3 + Nd2O3-based cataluminescence sensor for ethylene dichloride.

A gas-sensor utilizing cataluminescence (CTL) on nanosized gamma-Al2O3 + Nd2O3 for measuring low concentrations of gaseous ethylene dichloride (EDC) was developed. The results showed that gamma-Al2O3 nanoparticles as a catalyst offered high sensitivity and selectivity in the detection of EDC. The addition of a small quantity of Nd2O3 increased the intensity of CTL more than two-fold. Quantitative analysis was performed at a wavelength of 400 nm and at an optimal temperature of 279 degrees C, and the optimal flow rate of carrier gas was 320 mL/min. Under the optimized conditions, the linear range of CTL intensity vs. concentration is 6-5000 ppm (R = 0.9996; n = 7), with a detection limit of 2 ppm. The response time is <5 s. No interference or only very low levels of significant interference were observed when substances such as formaldehyde, n-hexane, methyl benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and benzene were passed through the sensor.