Single versus double insemination: a retrospective audit of pregnancy rates with two treatment protocols in donor insemination

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of a change in treatment protocols, suggested following an inspection visit by the regulatory authority, from single to double inseminations during donor insemination treatment cycles. We therefore conducted a retrospective audit of pregnancy rates in the reproductive medicine clinic of a major teaching hospital. All patients were treated for male factor infertility by donor insemination, without ovulation induction with gonadotrophins between October 1992 and December 1995. The main outcome measures were cumulative conception and live birth rates. During the study period 250 patients underwent treatment and 650 single insemination and 277 double insemination treatment cycles were undertaken. The pregnancy rate per cycle was 0.054 and 0.119 for single and double insemination respectively. After six cycles the cumulative pregnancy rates were 0.28 and 0.47 and the take-home baby rates were 0.25 and 0.37 for single and double inseminations respectively. The change in practice from single to double insemination resulted in a doubling of the pregnancy rate per treatment cycle. Cumulative pregnancy rates after two treatment cycles of double insemination were comparable with those achieved after six cycles of single insemination. These results have significant implications for both patients and purchasers.     

Improving the outcome of bone marrow transplantation by using CD52 monoclonal antibodies to prevent graft-versus-host disease and graft rejection

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, but can be avoided by removing T lymphocytes from the donor bone marrow. However, T-cell depletion increases the risk of graft rejection. This study examined the use of CD52 monoclonal antibodies to eliminate T cells from both donor marrow and recipient to prevent both GVHD and rejection. Seventy patients receiving HLA-identical sibling transplants for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in first remission were studied. An IgM (CAMPATH-1M) was used for in vitro depletion of the graft and an IgG (CAMPATH-1G) for in vivo depletion of the recipient before graft infusion. No posttransplant immunosuppression was given. Results were compared with two control groups: (1) 50 patients who received bone marrow depleted with CAMPATH-1M, but no CAMPATH-1G in vivo; and (2) 459 patients reported to the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry (IBMTR) who received nondepleted grafts and conventional GVHD prophylaxis with cyclosporin A (CyA) and methotrexate (MTX). The incidence of acute GVHD was 4% in the treatment group compared with 35% in the CyA/MTX group (P <.001). Chronic GVHD was also exceptionally low in the treatment group (3% v 36%; P <.001). The problem of graft rejection, which had been frequent in the historic CAMPATH-1M group (31%), was largely overcome in the treatment group (6%). Thus, transplant-related mortality of the treatment group (15% at 5 years) was lower than for the CyA/MTX group (26%; P =.04). There was little difference in the risk of leukemia relapse between the treatment group (30% at 5 years) and the CyA/MTX group (29%). Survival of the treatment group at 6 months was better than the CyA/MTX group (92% v 78%), although at 5 years the difference was not significant (62% v 58%) and neither was the difference in leukemia-free survival (60% v 52%). We conclude that T-cell depletion is a useful strategy to prevent GVHD, provided that measures are taken to ensure engraftment. Using CAMPATH-1G to deplete residual host lymphocytes is a simple and practical method to do this. At least in AML, the beneficial reduction in GVHD can be achieved without an increased risk of relapse.     

Estimation of the use of dietary supplements in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey: people aged 65 years and Over. An observed paradox and a recommendation

OBJECTIVE: To compare the evidence derived from blood biochemical status indices with the evidence from a questionnaire and from a 4-day weighed dietary record of micronutrient supplement use in the British National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) of People Aged 65 Years and Over; to resolve some apparent incompatibility between nutrient intake and status estimates, and to recommend an approach towards supplement recording that should improve accuracy. DESIGN: The survey procedures described in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey Report (1998) included a health-and-lifestyle questionnaire, a 4-day weighed diet record, and fasting blood and urine sample for biochemical indices, including a wide range of micronutrients. SETTING: Eighty randomly selected postcode sectors from mainland Britain during 1994-1995. SUBJECTS: Of 2060 people interviewed, 1467 provided a blood sample and 1217 provided both a blood sample, and a complete 4-day diet record. About 20% were living in institutions such as nursing homes, and the remainder were living in private households. RESULTS: After assigning the subjects to four categories by the use of dietary supplements (A, those not taking supplements (by questionnaire or by the 4-day record); B, those taking supplements (excluding prescribed ones) by questionnaire only; C, those taking supplements by 4-day record only; and D, those taking supplements by both questionnaire and 4-day record), these categories were then compared with respect to estimated total nutrient intakes and blood biochemical indices. Those in category B had estimated (4-day) nutrient intakes (from foods and supplements) that were indistinguishable from those in category A, but had biochemical indices that indicated significantly higher dietary intakes of several vitamins. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION: The 4-day weighed intake record may not have identified all of the subjects who were regularly taking micronutrient supplements in amounts sufficient to improve their biochemical status. Because survey respondents may use supplements irregularly or change their usual patterns of supplement use during a period of intensive diet-recording, it is important to design a dietary instrument that will minimise this potential source of inaccuracy. We therefore recommend that population surveys in which an accurate estimate of micronutrient intakes is required, from supplements as well as from food, should record supplement use for a period longer than 4-days. It is likely that a better estimate of long-term intakes can be achieved by combining a 4-day weighed diet record with a structured recall or several weeks of diary records, which focus specifically on the use of supplements.     

Food intake and the menstrual cycle: a retrospective analysis, with implications for appetite research

The biological regulation of appetite is currently an important topic in nutrition, since hyperphagia has been implicated as the prime cause of obesity. Cyclical fluctuations in food intake occur in women across the menstrual cycle, with a periovulatory nadir and a peak in the luteal phase. These alterations in food intake, in response to ovarian steroid hormone changes may be more than 2.5 MJ/day, with the mean reported changes shown in 19 separate studies of 1.0 MJ/day. Hormonal induced fluctuations in food intake could, therefore, contribute to energy imbalance and consequent weight gain. Further, in nutrition studies involving women subjects where the menstrual cycle phase is not controlled, hormonally induced changes in food selection and intake may mask the often considerably smaller changes in response to experimental variables in appetite research.     

Influence of molecular weight on the fracture of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)

A model is proposed to explain the dependence of fracture parameters on the molecular weight of glassy polymers. The model assumes that the fracture event occurs in two stages; the first involves the orientation of polymer chain segments between entanglement points and the second, the fracture itself. A value has been calculated, (～0.6J m^?2), for the fracture surface energy corresponding to the lower critical molecular weight between entanglements, M=M_e. Allowing for the simplifying assumptions made in its derivation, this value is in good agreement with that found experimentally. It is proposed that, after the chain segments between entanglements crossing a plane have been fully extended, two possible mechanisms are involved; chain ‘pull-out’ up to a maximum governed by the time scale of the local fracture event, or chain scission. Using the concept of a reptating chain it is proposed that above M ～2 M_e there is a relationship between the fracture energy (γ) and the molecular weight of the form γ∝ ∝M² up to a critical value of M, above which γ is constant. It has been shown that there is some agreement with experimental relationships determined independently.     

Short communication: Efficacy of parenteral ceftiofur for treatment of systemically mild clinical mastitis in dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of intramuscular (i.m.) ceftiofur (2.2 mg/kg) on important outcomes of systemically mild clinical mastitis episodes in lactating dairy cattle. Cows with clinical mastitis were randomly assigned to a treatment group: pirlimycin intramammary (i.m.m.) (n = 35), pirlimycin i.m.m. and ceftiofur i.m.m. (n = 36), cephapirin i.m.m. (n = 40), cephapirin i.m. and ceftiofur i.m. (n = 33). Sixty-nine, 22, and 9% of initial cultures were gram-negative, gram-positive, and mixed, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed no significant associations between treatment groups and loss of quarter, recurrence, or culling. Mixed infections, positive milk culture at 7 d after leaving hospital pen, decreased rumen motility, and absence of udder firmness were associated with increased odds of mastitis recurrence. The results suggest that i.m. ceftiofur treatment has no beneficial effects on the outcome of systemically mild clinical mastitis.     

Evaluation of Functional Properties in Protein Hydrolysates from Bluewing Searobin (Prionotus punctatus) Obtained with Different Microbial Enzymes

Enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins from low commercial value fish could be produced for uses like functional ingredients in a wide and always increasing zone of application in different food products. The objective of this work was to evaluate the functional properties and the amino acid profile of enzymatic hydrolysates from Bluewing searobin (Prionotus punctatus), using two microbial enzymes, Alcalase and Flavourzyme. The enzymatic hydrolysate obtained through the addition of the enzyme Alcalase reached the maximum solubility (42%) at pH 9, water holding capacity (WHC) of 2.4 g_water  g_protein ⁻¹, 4.5 g_oil g_protein ⁻¹ of oil holding capacity (OHC) and an emulsifying activity index (EAI) of 54 m² g_solids ⁻¹ at pH 3. On the other hand, the hydrolysate obtained from Flavourzyme attained 38% of solubility at pH 9, 3.7 g_water  g_protein ⁻¹ and 5.5 g_oil g_protein ⁻¹ for the holding capacities, and an EAI of 71 m² g_solids ⁻¹ at pH 11. The hydrolysate with Flavourzyme produced best results for WHC, OHC, and EAI because it had solubility lower than the hydrolysate of Alcalase. The hydrolysate produced by Alcalase had a higher amino acid content compared with Flavourzyme’s hydrolysate. However, both showed a good essential amino acid amounts. In general, these results indicate the potential utilization of the hydrolysate from Bluewing searobin in food formulations for the direct human consumption.     

Solubility behavior and thermodynamic modeling of sodium monosulfoaluminate (“U-phase”) in cementitious systems

The “U-phase,” a sodium-containing (alumino-ferrite-monosubstituent) AFm phase, has been observed to form in sodium-enriched highly alkaline cementitious systems, for example, of relevance to nuclear waste, and saline industrial brine management. But, minimal information is available of the U-phase's (e.g., solubility or thermodynamic properties) due to its limited stability and its tendency to transform into ettringite or monosulfoaluminate. Herein, the U-phase was systematically synthesized at four temperatures (5, 15, 25, and 50°C) and fully characterized in terms of its thermochemical properties. The average composition of the synthesized U-phase (4CaO·Al₂O₃·1.85SO₃·0.85Na₂O·12H₂O) deviates slightly from typical disclosures in the literature. The solubility product of the U-phase formation was measured from conditions of oversaturation. The measured thermodynamic data accurately predicted experimental observations of U-phase formation in cementitious environments. In general, it was noted that the U-phase forms and persists (i.e., remains stable) at pH > 13.7 and [Na⁺] concentrations superior to 1 mol/L.