Reproductive outcomes predicted by phase imaging with computational specificity of spermatozoon ultrastructure.

The ability to evaluate sperm at the microscopic level, at high-throughput, would be useful for assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), as it can allow specific selection of sperm cells for in vitro fertilization (IVF). The tradeoff between intrinsic imaging and external contrast agents is particularly acute in reproductive medicine. The use of fluorescence labels has enabled new cell-sorting strategies and given new insights into developmental biology. Nevertheless, using extrinsic contrast agents is often too invasive for routine clinical operation. Raising questions about cell viability, especially for single-cell selection, clinicians prefer intrinsic contrast in the form of phase-contrast, differential-interference contrast, or Hoffman modulation contrast. While such instruments are nondestructive, the resulting image suffers from a lack of specificity. In this work, we provide a template to circumvent the tradeoff between cell viability and specificity by combining high-sensitivity phase imaging with deep learning. In order to introduce specificity to label-free images, we trained a deep-convolutional neural network to perform semantic segmentation on quantitative phase maps. This approach, a form of phase imaging with computational specificity (PICS), allowed us to efficiently analyze thousands of sperm cells and identify correlations between dry-mass content and artificial-reproduction outcomes. Specifically, we found that the dry-mass content ratios between the head, midpiece, and tail of the cells can predict the percentages of success for zygote cleavage and embryo blastocyst formation.

Assessment of semen quality and fertility in young growing beef bulls exposed to ergot alkaloids.

The objective of this study was to evaluate semen quality and fertility in beef bulls grazing the ergot alkaloid (EA) producing tall fescue cultivar, Kentucky 31 (KY31), compared to a novel endophyte (NE) cultivar lacking EA. Two studies were conducted over a 3-year period. In studies 1 (n = 10; ages ≥ 24 mo) and 2 (n = 53 over two years; ages 12-16 mo), Angus (AN) bulls were stratified by body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and scrotal circumference (SC), and then allotted to graze either KY31 or NE for 56 days. Semen samples were collected, and BW, BCS, and SC were evaluated at the start of treatment (TRT) on day (d) 0 and every 28 days to the end of each study. In addition, blood samples were collected on d 0 and every 28 days for assessment of circulating prolactin (PRL) levels in study 2. On d 56, for both studies, semen from bulls (n = 2 per treatment in study 1 and n = 4 per treatment in study 2) with similar and acceptable quality were extended, kept at 19° C, and used for timed artificial insemination (TAI) of primi- and multiparous AN and AN- crossbred females. Pregnancy was evaluated at 35 and 90 days post-TAI via transrectal ultrasonography to determine pregnancy rates. Serum PRL concentrations showed a TRT by d effect (P ≤ 0.05), with values for bulls grazing KY31 decreased on d 28 and d 56 of grazing compared to NE. In studies 1 and 2, bull BW and BCS were affected by d (P ≤ 0.05), but not by TRT. No TRT or TRT by d effect on semen quality was observed in either study; however, d impacted both velocity and concentration in study 2 (P ≤ 0.05). In study 1, TAI pregnancy rates at 35 days post-TAI were lower (P ≤ 0.05) in the group inseminated with semen from bulls grazing KY31; however, in study 2, pregnancy rates did not differ due to treatment 35 post-TAI (P > 0.05). Grazing KY31 negatively impacted serum PRL concentrations, supporting previous observations; however, consumption of KY31 had no effect on growth or semen quality of AN bulls ranging from 12 to ≥24 mo of age. Furthermore, fertility data is inconsistent between studies and requires further investigation.

The effect of supplementing rumen undegradable unsaturated fatty acids on marbling in early-weaned steers.

The objective of this study was to determine if supplementation with a rumen undegradable unsaturated fatty acids (FA) source improved marbling deposition in early-weaned steers. All steers (Angus, = 23; Angus × Hereford, = 24) were weaned at 150 ± 5 d of age. Steers were blocked by BW and breed and then randomly assigned to either control (CON; average 1.5 kg of corn gluten feed [CGF], = 23) or isocaloric supplementation containing a rumen undegradable fat source (RUF; 200 g of Megalac-R added to an average of 1.06 kg of CGF, = 24) offered 5 d/wk for 110 d. All steers had ad libitum access to pastures throughout treatment and received supplements individually. Steer BW and blood samples were collected at 0, 55, and 110 d of supplementation, and real-time ultrasound measurements were collected at d 110. Following treatment, steers were transported to Oklahoma State University for finishing and subsequent harvesting at a commercial plant. All data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS either as repeated measures or ANOVA depending on parameters. There were no significant changes in BW from the beginning of treatment to harvest due to treatment. Ultrasound data showed that RUF steers tended ( = 0.08) to have more i.m. fat than CON at d 110. Serum concentrations of FA showed a treatment × day interaction ( < 0.02) for 16:0, 18:0, 18:1-9, 18:2, 20:4, and total FA. These specific FA concentrations slightly increased in CON steers, but there was a more pronounced increase in the concentration of these FA across the supplementation period in RUF steers. Serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were increased ( < 0.01) on d 55 and 110 in RUF steers compared with those in CON steers. Serum leptin concentration in RUF steers was greater ( < 0.01) than CON steers at d 110. After harvest, RUF carcasses had greater ( = 0.01) marbling scores than those of CON carcasses. All other carcass measures were similar between treatments. The percentage of total lipids was increased ( = 0.011) in steaks from RUF compared to CON. There was a decrease ( < 0.05) in adipocyte diameter in i.m. fat depot of RUF steers compared to CON. There was also a tendency ( = 0.06) for RUF steers to have a greater percentage of 20 to 30 µm adipocytes in their i.m. depot than CON steers. This study indicates that supplementation of unsaturated FA can positively impact marbling deposition in early-weaned steers without impacting other carcass measures.

External quality assurance for image grading in the Scottish Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme.

AIMS: To develop and evaluate an image grading external quality assurance system for the Scottish Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme. METHOD: A web-based image grading system was developed which closely matches the current Scottish national screening software. Two rounds of external quality assurance were run in autumn 2008 and spring 2010, each time using the same 100 images. Graders were compared with a consensus standard derived from the top-level graders' results. After the first round, the centre lead clinicians and top-level graders reviewed the results and drew up guidance notes for the second round. RESULTS: Grader sensitivities ranged from 60.0 to 100% (median 92.5%) in 2008, and from 62.5 to 100% (median 92.5%) in 2010. Specificities ranged from 34.0 to 98.0% (median 86%) in 2008, and 54.0 to 100% (median 88%) in 2010. There was no difference in sensitivity between grader levels, but first-level graders had a significantly lower specificity than level-two and level-three graders. In 2008, one centre had a lower sensitivity but higher specificity than the majority of centres. Following the feedback from the first round, overall agreement improved in 2010 and there were no longer any significant differences between centres. CONCLUSIONS: A useful educational tool has been developed for image grading external quality assurance.

On the advantages of information sharing.

During the evolution of life, there have been several transitions in which individuals began to cooperate, forming higher levels of organization, and sometimes losing their independent reproductive identity For example, multicellularity and insect societies evolved independently multiple times. Several factors that confer evolutionary advantages on higher levels of organization have been proposed. In this paper we highlight one additional factor: the sharing of information between individuals. Information sharing is not subject to the intrinsic conservation laws that characterize the sharing of physical resources. A simple model will illustrate how information sharing can result in aggregates in which the individuals both receive more information about their environment and pay less for it. This may have played a role in the evolution of higher levels of organization.

A conservation principle and its effect on the formulation of Na-Ca exchanger current in cardiac cells.

In this paper we show the presence of a latent conservation principle in the formulation of ionic currents in cardiac cells and examine its effect on a formulation of the sodium-calcium exchange current appearing in the Noble model of the sinoatrial node cell in the mammalian heart [see Noble et al. (1989) or Winslow et al. (1991)]. Our objective is to show that this formulation, if not corrected, will result in a serious instability in this cardiac cell model. In particular, under certain initial conditions, the solutions of the model equations will blow-up in finite time. We also propose a correction to the model equation for the sodium-calcium exchange current, and we show that the modified model agrees favorably with the original model. These phenomena also occur in the other cardiac cell models, such as those modeling the Purkinje fiber, the atrial cell and the ventricular cell. The changes proposed in this paper can be applied directly to these models as well.

[Cystic degeneration of the adventitia of the popliteal artery as a possible sequela of entrapment syndrome]. / Die cystische Adventitia-Degeneration der Arteria poplitea als mögliche Folge eines Entrapment-Syndroms.

We report two cases of cystic adventitial degeneration of the popliteal artery in young sportsmen. The pathogenetic role of microtrauma is suggested by the localisation of the adventitial cysts, the clinical symptoms, as well as the immunohistochemical demonstration of foamy macrophages instead of endothelial cells in the wall of the cysts. In one case the cause of the intermittent claudication could be verified by duplex sonography and comparison of the arterial pressure of both legs with a Doppler method only after physical exercise. As expected, an angiodilatation has only a temporary effect. Therefore a surgical resection of the cyst or of the involved arterial segment had be performed.

[Proprioceptive regulation of standing in the human. An electromyography study]. / Uber die proprioceptive Regulation des Stehens beim Menschen. Eine elektromyographische Untersuchung.

Electromyographic experiments, undertaken in connection with action of standing, are here described. A short, sharp push given in an anterior or posterior direction caused an abrupt upsetting of balance, whereby adaptive reactions of the relevant muscles were found to occur after an interval of 60 to 90 msecs. These reactions, although having become automatic as a result of the early-acquired upright posture, are in fact of a voluntary nature and fully controllable by the will. It is demonstrated that these reactions are very probably due to stimulation of deep mechano- and joint-receptors. They do not have anything to do with a functional stretchreflex mechanism.

[Idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis--report of 2 cases]. / Idiopathische juvenile Osteoporose--Bericht über zwei Fälle.

Idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis appears in temporal coherence with puberty leading to a reversible generalized osteoporosis of the skeletal system, spontaneous fractures and skeletal deformities. First symptoms in a 14 years old boy occurred as muscle pareses. A lymphocytic pleocytosis could be detected in cerebrospinal fluid. The next two years more than 20 spontaneous fractures occurred. Height was reduced by 15 cm. We first saw the boy at 17 years and could find decreased serum concentrations of calcitriol. Substitution with calcitriol resulted in regression of the pareses within days. Spontaneous fractures did not develop during the next two years of therapy. Subsequently serum calcitriol level was normalized. In a 10 years old boy first symptom occurred as fractures resulting from minimal traumas. In this case also during previous calcitriol therapy no new fractures occurred.

[Stimulation of wound healing by tetrachlordecaoxide. Results of a randomized double-blind study]. / Stimulation der Wundheilung durch Tetrachlordecaoxid (TCDO). Ergebnisse einer randomisierten Doppelblindstudie.

In 38 patients with chronic therapeutically resistant wounds, which, in 25 cases, had been existing for more than one year, Tetrachlorodecaoxide ( TCDO ) in a water solution containing glycerin was analyzed for its capacity to induce wound healing and compared in this respect to the standard in moist wound treatment, physiological sodium chloride. The results of the clinical trial demonstrate that the TCDO solution is significantly superior to physiological saline in local wound treatment regarding the degree of wound smear reduction, the formation of wound granulation tissue, the stimulation of epithelisation on the wound borders and the shrinking of the wound surface. The differences in therapeutic efficiency are so large that, in spite of the relatively small patient samples (21 + 17) it was possible to verify the superiority of a method for wound treatment in a randomized double blind clinical trial.

Lower extremity fractures after spinal cord injury: a retrospective study.

Lower extremity fractures after spinal cord injury (SCI) are more common in paraplegic than in quadriplegic persons, probably due to their greater activity level. Most of the fractures are pathologic in osteoporotic bones and most occur without known trauma or are caused by trivial injury. Supracondylar or shaft fractures of the femur are most common. Although callus formation is usually fast, exuberant fracture healing may be delayed. The main management goal, maintenance of functional independence without complications of SCI, is best obtained by a nonsurgical approach with traction or well-padded cast followed by early joint mobilization.

Head-up tilt effect on glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow, and mean arterial pressure in spinal man.

Changes in glomerular filtration rate (GRF), renal plasma flow (RPF), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured in subjects tested in supine and head-up tilt positions with various levels of spinal cord lesion and thus with different degrees of supraspinal sympathetic vasomotor control. Responses of paraplegic subjects to head-up tilt were not significantly different from those of normal controls but GFR and RPF were significantly lower in quadriplegics in the supine position. With tilt, MAP and RPF decreased significantly, but the fall in GFR was not significant. In all 3 groups, the GFR during head-up tilt was similar, indicating that in spite of the great loss of supraspinal sympathetic control, quadriplegic subjects apparently equally-constrict their afferent and efferent renal arterioles during orthostatic stress and thus prevent excessive fall of GFR.

Electronic assistive devices: their impact on the quality of life of high level quadriplegic persons.

The impact of electronic assistive devices (ie, the environmental control system or ECS) on the day-to-day living of high-level quadriplegics (C3-C5) was studied. Twenty male quadriplegic persons (7 ECS users and 13 nonusers) were interviewed using the following material: Activity Pattern Indicators (APIs), Bell Adjustment Inventory, Locus of Control, Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist and McClelland's adaptation of the Thematic Apperception Test. It was found that ECS impact was most clearly demonstrated in the API results. The ECS users made greater use of a variety of adaptive devices to function relatively more independently and with minimal assistance. The users participated in more activities and spent considerably more time educating themselves than the nonusers, who more frequently participated in quiet activities and spent more time in passive recreational activities in residence. Since the ECS and other adaptive devices have a positive impact on the lives of users, patients should be exposed to them as early as possible in their rehabilitation programs to promote their acceptance. Additionally, home planning and equipment ordering should be done conjointly before discharge so that patients and their families do not become acclimated to a less safe and less efficient way of functioning. An assessment protocol consisting of both intrapsychic and behavioral measures (similar to the one presented in this article) is recommended as a comprehensive and systematic way of evaluating both the short- and long-term effects of using assistive devices.

Spinal cord injury: effect of thyrocalcitonin on calcium, magnesium and phosphorus in paraplegic rats.

Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus balances were studied in 20 paraplegic rats (T5) fed ad libitum an 18% casein diet. Ten of the paraplegic animals were treated daily with 4MRC (Medical Research Council) units of thyrocalcitonin. Ten sham-operated rats served as controls. Spinal cord transection caused an immediate increase in urinary excretion of calcium, 550 +/- 70 micrograms/24 hr, compared with controls levels, 257 +/- 85 micrograms/24 hr. Paraplegia also resulted in an elevated excretion of fecal calcium, 39 +/- 5 mg/24 hr, phosphorus, 42 +/- 7 mg/24 hr, and magnesium, 4.6 +/- 0.8 mg/24 hr, compared with that of controls, 26 +/- 6 mg/24 hr, 32 +/- 6 mg/24 hr and 2.7 +/- 0.8 mg/24 hr for calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, respectively. Administration of thyrocalcitonin to paraplegic rats further increased urinary excretion of calcium, 835 +/- 186 micrograms/24 hr. However, fecal losses of calcium, 19 +/- 5mg/24 hr, phosphorus, 31 +/- 6mg/24 hr, and magnesium, 2.6 +/- 0.4mg/24 hr, which were elevated following spinal cord transection, were markedly reduced after thyrocalcitonin treatment. As a result, balances of these compounds, which were depressed in rats following spinal cord transection, were "normalized" after treatment with thyrocalcitonin. It would seem, therefore, worthwhile to study the effect of thyrocalcitonin in spinal cord injured humans in an effort to determine whether or not it would be helpful in improving mineral balances.

Pituitary-testicular axis dysfunction in spinal cord injury.

Concentrations of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum and 17-ketosteroids (17-KS) in urine of 10 paraplegic and 10 quadriplegic subjects were measured from onset of injury and followed once a week for 4 months. Compared with age-matched normal controls, paraplegic subjects showed significantly lower serum levels of LH and FSH for 2 weeks and of testosterone for 6 weeks after spinal cord trauma, following which periods of time these hormones attained normal levels. By contrast, in quadriplegic subjects, serum testosterone concentrations remained significantly lower than those of the controls during the entire 4-month testing period. Furthermore, in another group of 10 chronic (1 to 6 years after onset of injury) paraplegic and 10 chronic quadriplegic subjects, serum testosterone and FSH concentrations were comparable to those of the normal controls. Serum LH concentrations were at control levels in chronic paraplegic but significantly depressed in chronic quadriplegic subjects. The concentrations of urinary 17-KS exhibited sharp fluctuations over the 4-month period and were below control levels in paraplegic but within control limits in quadriplegic subjects. The results indicate that the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is disturbed for at least 4 months in quadriplegic subjects.

Mineral metabolism in spinal cord injury.

In 10 paraplegic and 10 quadroplegic subjects, bone resorption was investigated by determining urinary excretion of hydroxyproline, calcium, and phosphorus. Measurements were performed weekly from the onset to 4 months after injury. During the first 7 weeks following injury, urinary excretion of calcium in paraplegic and quadriplegic subjects reached the highest level (380 +/- 180 mg/24hr). From 7 to 16 weeks after injury average urinary excretion of calcium (245 +/- 72 mg/24hr) remained significantly greater than that in controls (100 +/- 25 mg/24hr; p less than 0.05). Urinary hydroxyproline was elevated in paraplegic subjects (80 +/- 18 mg/24hr) for 8 weeks and in quadriplegic subjects (102 +/- 37 mg/24hr) for the entire 16 weeks following injury compared with that in controls (48 +/- 12 mg/24hr; p less than 0.05). Both paraplegic and quadriplegic subjects excreted more phosphorus (1.6 +/- 0.4 gm/24hr) than controls (0.85 +/- 0.2 gm/24hr; p less than 0.05) only during the first 2 weeks following spinal cord injury. During the acute phase of the injury (0-3 months), urinary excretion of calcium and magnesium was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) in subjects with complete compared with incomplete spinal cord lesions.