ABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To test the hypothesis that levels of sperm disomy fell significantly in six men treated by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was done on the sperm heads of six men before and during treatment by TCM.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a significant reduction in sperm disomy in all six men. This coincided with TCM treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This is the first study reporting a significant reduction in sperm disomy in men over a given time course. The fact that this coincided with TCM treatment is intriguing but no conclusions can be drawn from this until placebo-controlled clinical trials are implemented.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Aneuploidy , Chromosomes, Human, X , Genetics , Chromosomes, Human, Y , Genetics , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence , Infertility, Male , Drug Therapy , Genetics , Pathology , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Spermatozoa , Pathology , Physiology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To study whether Pseudomonas aeruginosa may directly trigger peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, since lipid peroxidation is a mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of sepsis. METHODS: Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) was administered intravenously at a dose of 25mg/kg in an infusion time of 10 minutes to seven male rabbits. Blood samples were collected from the hepatic veins and from the carotid artery at regular time intervals. One clinical isolate was ex vivo incubated with the serum derived from the latter samples and concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined during incubation in the growth medium by the thiobarbiturate assay. RESULTS: Elevated concentrations of MDA compared to their basal levels were found over the first three hours of incubation in the presence of samples collected 30 to 60 minutes after the end of the infusion of GLA. After infusion of GLA concentrations of arachidonic acid in the serum increased to concentrations comparable to those detected in sepsis. CONCLUSION: Direct triggering of lipid peroxidation by nosocomial isolates might be proposed as a pathogenetic mechanism of sepsis.
Subject(s)
Animals , Arachidonic Acid/blood , Cross Infection/blood , Lipid Peroxidation , Male , Malondialdehyde/blood , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/metabolism , Rabbits , gamma-Linolenic Acid/administration & dosageABSTRACT
A study of low birth weight deliveries in Seychelles Hospital during 1977 and 1978 was undertaken. Factors associated with low birth weight were identified to determine any avoidable causes. Many factors were considered to be a reflection of the socio-economic status of the community requiring long term solutions. Improvement of antenatal care and expansion of facilities for neonatal care should result in a lowering of perinatal mortality in the future