Development of an objective and manual technique to study the human sperm morphology.

The aim of the present paper is to present results of sperm morphology using an objective and manual technique by video image. Experiment 1:252 spermatozoa heads were measured in a microscope and in a monitor by each of three independent observers. The results allowed the calibration of an acetate overlay according to the WHO guideline and following the strict criteria. Experiment 2: 10 morphology slides from normal and abnormal patients were studied. These slides were evaluated by three independent observers, each counting at least 200 cells using the calibrate acetate overlay. In the first experiment the calculation of the regression out-put was: constant: 0.24, standard error of Yc: 0.04, R squared: 0.96, X coefficient: 0.36, and standard error of the coefficient: 0.03. In the second experiment, it can be seen that the differences among the operators are not statistically significant and therefore the experiment is independent from the operator. In conclusion, the methodology developed in this paper for the evaluation of morphology would be a good tool for the evaluation of human sperm morphology.

[Immediate breast reconstruction and oncologic criteria: our current definition]. / Reconstrução mamária imediata e critérios oncológicos: nossas atuais orientações.

After a review of the literature, the authors attempt at a definition of the oncologically safe candidate to an immediate reconstruction after modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer. The analysis of the natural history of locally recurrent breast cancer indicates that the potential for its masking is negligible. Survival curves of patients submitted to immediate breast reconstruction are similar to those reported for historical controls. The ideal candidate for an immediate reconstruction is a stage I (negative axillary nodes) patient. As immediate breast reconstruction does not alter the prognosis of breast cancer patients nor does it harm the use of adjuvant therapies, the authors believe that even a well motivated stage II (positive axillary nodes) patient should be considered as a candidate for an immediate reconstructive procedure.