Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score in patients with isolated meniscus injury; Validity and reliability

Background: The aim of this study is evaluation of the validity and reliability of the Persian version of Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) in patients with isolated meniscus injury. Materials and Methods: One hundred people with isolated meniscal injury (29 females and 71 males with a mean age ± standard deviation [SD] = 32.37 ± 9.97 years) and fifty normal people with no knee problems (34 females and 16 males with a mean age ± SD = 28.42 ± 8.84 years) participated in this study. In patients, the duration of meniscus injury ranged from 1 month to 4 years. For evaluation of discriminate validity, we compared scores of KOOS questionnaire between patients and healthy people, and for concurrent validity, in addition to filling KOOS questionnaire, patients completed Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire, test–retest reliability with intraclass correlation coefficient) ICC), and internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha was calculated. Results: Mean scores of patients (49.51 ± 17.13) and healthy people (86.01 ± 13.44) were different significantly (P < 0.001). The correlation between total score of SF-36 and KOOS was significant (r = 0.77, P< 0.001). ICC was 0.80 (ranged from 0.64–0.75) and Cronbach's alpha was 0.96 (ranged from 0.72 to 0.94). Conclusion: The Iranian version of KOOS is a reliable and valid tool for patients with isolated meniscus injury, so the clinicians and investigators may use this questionnaire in clinical settings and their researches

Correlation of Sperm Nuclear Chromatin Condensation Staining Method with Semen Parameters and Sperm Functional Tests in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury, Varicocele, and Idiopathic Infertility

Introduction: Our aim was to investigate sperm nuclear chromatin condensation and its correlation with semen parameters and vitality test in infertile patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), varicocele, and idiopathic infertility.Materials and Methods: Sperm chromatin condensation was determined by aniline blue staining in 22 SCI-injured infertile men, 20 with varicocele, and 28 with idiopathic infertility. The results were compared with the semen analysis parameters and the hypo-osmotic swelling test results. Three grades of staining for sperm heads were distinguished: unstained, showing sperm maturity (G0); partially stained (G1); and completely stained, showing sperm immaturity (G2). The total score was calculated as: (G0 × 0) + (G1 × 1) + (G2 × 2).Results: In all groups, the total staining score was higher than 75%, corresponding to a high degree of immaturity of sperm. Patients with SCI had a less sperm nuclear chromatin condensation and chromatin stability than patients with idiopathic infertility and varicocele (total scores, 98% versus 89% and 88%, respectively; P Conclusion: Aniline blue staining for sperm nuclear chromatin condensation is a method independent of semen analysis and demonstrates the internal structural defects of sperm. This method may have a predictive value in assessing fertility.</p

Analysis of Y Chromosome Microdeletions and Mutation in Exon7 of the STAG3 Gene in Iranian Infertile Men with Idiopathic Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

Abstract Background: Azoospermia is defined as the absence of sperm in the semen and is divided in two types; obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia. Non-obstructive azoospermia include approximately 60% of azoospermia patients. Several genetic and environmental factors can be involved in the development of non-obstructive azoospermia. Until now, several genes have been introduced as the causing factor of the azoospermia that are involved in spermatogenesis and testicular development. These genes are located on Y and/or autosome chromosomes .The aim of the present study was to investigate Y chromosome microdeletions and STAG3 gene mutations in Iranian males with non-obstructive azoospermia. Materials and Methods: In this study, peripheral blood samples were obtained from 122 men with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia and 100 Normo-sperm men who had at least one child and DNA was extracted. Samples were investigated for the presence of Y chromosome microdeletions by Multiplex PCR. Then, existence of probable mutations in exon 7 of STAG3 gene was investigated using MSSCP (multi-temperature single-strand conformational polymorphism) method. Results: 13 patients (10.66%) had Y chromosome microdeletions, but none of the subjects showed mutation in exon 7 of STAG3 gene. The Y chromosome microdeletions were found in none of the control individuals. Conclusion: The results showed that Y chromosome microdeletions are the most important cause of non-obstructive azoospermia and should be considered as the main candidate for male infertility diagnostic tests. Mutations in the STAG3 gene are not common among non-obstructive azoospermia patients

The Effect of Cervical Canal Cleaning Before IUI in Infertile Couples

Objective: Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is known as a routine method for infertility treatment. The effectiveness of IUI is not identical in all cases. So in this study to evaluate different methods of IUI in order to increase pregnancy rate, IUI with cleaning cervical canal by swab is compared to IUI without cervical canal cleaning. Material and methods: This study was conducted from 2008/2/1 to 2008/9/30 in MirzaKochak Khan Infertility center. Totally 224 cases were selected for IUI divided into two groups. Group one (n=112) had cervical cleaning with swab before IUI and group two (n=112) was control group. Pregnancy rate were compared in two groups. Results: Two groups were matched regarding age, type of infertility and number of follicles. Pregnancy rate in cervical canal cleaning (group one) and control group (group two) was 15.1% and 9.8% respectively. The difference was not significant. Conclusion: In this study with cleaning cervical canal by swab before IUI there was a non-significant increase in pregnancy rate

Comparison of Gene Expression Profiles in Human Germinal Vesicle Before and After Cytoplasmic Transfer From Mature Oocytes in Iranian Infertile Couples

Objective: To evaluate the effect of cytoplasm transfer from mature oocytes to germinal vesicle(GV)s on promoting the maturation of cytoplasm of GV at the mRNA level. Materials and methods: Sixty six in vitro fertilization (IVF) operations between June 2012 and November 2013 were included in this study. Totally 120 GVs were obtained. Normal GVs were categorized into 3 groups (n = 40) randomly: the first comprised oocytes that did not receive the cytoplasm of mature oocytes; the second group comprised oocytes that did not receive the cytoplasm of mature oocytes but were incubated for 24 h; and the third group comprised oocytes that received 10-15% the cytoplasm of mature oocytes and were then incubated for 24 h. Each group was separately analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and the expression levels of selected genes were assessed. Results: The expression levels of genes involved in the cytoplasmic maturity, and energy-producing mitochondria were significantly higher in the pooled oocytes of 2nd control group than those of the 1st control and intervention groups (p < 0.001). The genes involved in the meiosis, spindle check point, DNA repairing and cell cycle checkpoint did not have any expression in the 1st and intervention groups; however, these genes were expressed in the 2nd group, significantly. In the 2nd group, the highest expression level was observed for genes involved in the DNA repairing and cell cycle checkpoint. In the intervention group, none of the genes were expressed except for energy-producing mitochondria gene; even in this case, the expression level of this gene in this group of oocytes was significantly lower than that in other groups (p < 0.001). After 24 h meiosis assumption was significantly higher in the third group than in the second group (95% vs. 68%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The cytoplasm transfer technique is not effective in cytoplasmic maturity of the recipient GV oocytes. In contrast, 24-hr in-vitro culture is associated with increased expression of studied genes in GVs