Sperm penetration assay and its correlation with semen analysis parameters

Background: Aim of current study was to determine whether the Sperm Penetration Assay (SPA) can be used as a test to discriminate the infertile male from fertile one. We have also correlated the SPA with semen analysis.Methods: Sperm characteristics namely Semen analysis and the sperm penetration assay were tested in 44 infertile and 10 fertile men. Sperm penetration assay was determined by using zona free hamster eggs.Results: With decreasing spermatozoa concentration in the semen there was significant decrease in percentage penetration of zona free Hamster eggs (p0.05).  Conclusions: The Sperm penetration assay could discriminate the infertile group from fertile group significantly (p<0.001). The test appeared to be highly reproducible and probably identifies a truly infertile male.

Periconceptional multiple-micronutrient supplementation and placental function in rural Gambian women: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Maternal micronutrient deficiencies are commonly associated with clinical indicators of placental dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that periconceptional multiple-micronutrient supplementation (MMS) affects placental function. DESIGN: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of MMS in 17- to 45-y-old Gambian women who were menstruating regularly and within the previous 3 mo. Eligible subjects were pre-randomly assigned to supplementation with the UNICEF/WHO/United Nations University multiple micronutrient preparation (UNIMMAP) or placebo on recruitment and until they reached their first antenatal check-up or for 1 y if they failed to conceive. Primary outcome measures were midgestational indexes of utero-placental vascular-endothelial function [ratio of plasminogen-activator inhibitor (PAI) 1 to PAI-2 and mean uterine-artery resistance index (UtARI)] and placental active transport capacity at delivery [fetal to maternal measles antibody (MMA) ratio]. RESULTS: We recruited 1156 women who yielded 415 pregnancies, of which 376 met all of the inclusion criteria. With adjustment for gestational age at sampling, there were no differences in PAI-1 to PAI-2 or MMA ratios between trial arms, but there was a 0.02-unit reduction in UtARI between 18 and 32 wk of gestation (95% CI: -0.03, -0.00; P = 0.040) in women taking UNIMMAP. CONCLUSIONS: Placental vascular function was modifiable by periconceptional micronutrient supplementation. However, the effect was small and supplementation did not further affect other variables of placental function. This trial was registered at www.controlled-trials.com as ISRCTN 13687662

Fermentation and downstream processing of lipase from Aspergillus terreus

Fermentation behaviour of Aspergillus terreus lipase was studied in a 10 l fermentor. Lipase production was enhanced to 14 200 U l<SUP>−1</SUP> in 54 h in the fermentor as against 7000 U l<SUP>−1</SUP> in 96 h in shake flasks under optimised nutritional conditions. A 2.4-fold increase in specific activity (16.2 U mg<SUP>−1</SUP> protein) was also attained. Inoculum density, dissolved oxygen levels and agitation were the major controlling factors. A two-step cost-effective downstream processing methodology comprising of an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and phosphate was devised. This procedure resulted in a 12-fold purification of the lipase with 100% yield in less than 1 h

Regular oral screening and vigilance: can it be a potential lifesaver?

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant neoplasm of myeloid series defined by the presence of immature blast cells (<30%) in peripheral circulation. Oral manifestations are the potential indicators of systemic health and disease. Oral cavity is the frequently and early involved sites in AML. Gingival overgrowth due to leukemia is one such condition encountered by periodontists. Hence, understanding, identifying, and correlating oral manifestations with systemic diseases are the ultimate responsibility of every dental clinician because of its lethal and unpredictable course. In the present case, we are discussing an undiagnosed case of AML who presented to us with oral complaints

Management of massive peripheral ossifying fibroma using diode laser

Peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) represents a non-neoplastic, reactive lesion of gingiva. The precise etiopathogenesis of POF is unclear; however, it is suggested to originate from the connective tissue of periodontal ligament. This lesion predominantly occurs in the maxillary anterior region. The standard treatment protocol involves surgical excision followed by the biopsy of lesion. The reactive nature and unpredictable course attribute to a high recurrence rate of the lesion; hence, proper postoperative monitoring and follow-up of the lesion are necessary. The present case was surgically managed using diode laser and did not show any sign of recurrence during the follow-up period of 6 months. Minimum intraoperative bleeding and postoperative pain, ease of operation, and patient's acceptance enable laser-assisted growth excision as a better treatment modality to other conventional surgical procedures, thus offering diode laser as a viable and effective treatment alternative in the management of massive overgrowth

Evaluation and comparison of oral & periodontal health status in post-menopausal females with and without xerostomia: An observational study

Background &amp; Objective - Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstrual periods, whether occurs naturally or induced by surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. It is accompanied by hormonal changes, predominantly decrease in estrogen and androgen levels. Females experience varying oral symptoms that may result from endocrine disturbances, multiple vitamin and mineral deficiencies and psychological dynamics during their menopausal years. Main oral symptoms associated during menopause include xerostomia, burning mouth and altered taste perception. Xerostomia leads to change in salivary pH thereby increasing the risk for oral diseases including periodontal diseases. Saliva contributes to maintenance of the oral pH by neutralizing acids from food and beverages, as well as from bacterial activity, thereby reducing the risk of periodontal disease. After menopause, reduced salivary flow rate and low pH may make females prone to oral health problems. Hence, the main goal of this study is toevaluate and compare the periodontal health status in post-menopausal females with and without xerostomia. Methodology-A total of 204 post-menopausal have been observed and their oral &amp; periodontal status data was analyzed &amp; interpreted.Result &amp; Conclusion- Post-menopausal females with xerostomia were observed to have poor oral hygiene and severe periodontitis in comparison to non- xerostomia group.&nbsp

Parametric optimisation of Aspergillus terreus lipase production and its potential in ester synthesis

Parametric optimisation of lipase from Aspergillus terreus yielded 7780 U/l in a medium containing corn oil (2% v/v) and casein (0.1% w/v). Maximum production was observed at pH 9.0 and at 37°C in 96 h. Secretion of lipase was increased by Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> and Mg<SUP>2+</SUP> ions. The enzyme has good potential for synthesis of fatty acid esters of sugars, sugar alcohols, aliphatic alcohols and ascorbic acid which are industrially important

Characterization of volatile components of Kangra orthodox black tea by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

To characterize Kangra tea flavour, volatile components of Kangra orthodox black tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) were isolated by two different methods viz. simultaneous distillation extraction (SDE) and hydrodistillation, and analysed by GC–MS. The composition of the volatile components extracted by the two methods differed considerably. A total of 101 compounds were tentatively identified in Kangra tea by matching EI mass spectra and retention indices with the literature data. Fifty compounds, constituting the major part of the volatiles (98.4 ± 0.4%) were detected in all the three replicates of made tea obtained by SDE. Major volatile components identified in Kangra tea were (E)-2-hexenal, 1-pentene-3-ol, and (Z)-3-hexenol among non-terpenoids and linalool, linalool oxides (furanoid), geraniol, methyl salicylate, 3,7-dimethyl-1,5,7-octatrien-3-ol, and epoxylinalol among terpenoids. The total volatile oil yield was about 0.02% by Clevenger type apparatus. SDE was found to be a more efficient technique than the other distillation processes for characterizing volatile components in terms of sample size and components extracted, and the extracted flavour was also closer to Kangra made tea

Optimization of Lipase Production from Aspergillus terreus by Response Surface Methodology and Its Potential for Synthesis of Partial Glycerides Under Solvent Free Conditions.

Aspergillus terreus produces lipase 7.01 IU/ml in 96 h after optimization by one variable at a time method. Using the significant factors i.e. corn oil (A), sodium nitrate (B), casein (C), agitation rate (D) and incubation period (E) RSM was carried out resulting in 19.65 IU/ml from the combination +1(A), -1(B), -1(C), +1(D) and 0(E). The interactions between sodium nitrate, casein and agitation with corn oil were most significant. Scale up of production from 250 ml shake flask to 30 l bioreactor resulted in increased productivity of 0.52 IU/ml/h as against 0.2 IU/ml/h obtained in shake flasks. This lipase could carryout solvent free synthesis of partial glycerides of oleic acid with 96% efficiency in 12 h