Dexamethasone affects the chemotaxis and phagocytic activity of neutrophils for boar spermatozoa and the quality of liquid preserved boar semen in vitro.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on chemotaxis and phagocytic activity of neutrophils for spermatozoa and semen quality of preserved boar semen. The different concentrations of dexamethasone were added to boar semen dilutions to detect its effects on the chemotaxis of neutrophils and phagocytosis of neutrophils and sperm motility sperm malformation rate, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, and spermatozoa motility parameters. The study results showed that the experimental groups of DEX significantly inhibited the phagocytosis and chemotaxis of PMNs for spermatozoa. With the increased concentration of DEX, there was an inhibition effect on PMNs activity. In addition, under 17 °C storage conditions, the addition of DEX 1 × 10-6 mol/mL concentration has the best preservation effect on boar semen, which can effectively improve the sperm motility, movement parameters, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, T-AOC activity, and significantly reduce the sperm malformation rate and H2O2 content. Therefore, the most suitable concentration of DEX to preserve boar semen at 17 °C is 1 × 10-6 mol/mL. The significant increase of conception rate of sows and litter size of piglets proved that DEX has practical application value. Thus, it is shown that the use of DEX to inhibit uterine inflammation is effective and feasible for sperm damage providing new methods for developing low-dose artificial insemination technology.

Pilot study of new diagnostic criteria for middle cerebral artery stenosis by transcranial Doppler.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Current criteria for middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis by transcranial Doppler were mainly based on the flow velocity acceleration, ignoring other useful parameters. We tested the accuracy of new criteria using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) as the confirmative method. METHODS: A compositive score for each MCA was calculated according to following parameters: Velocity Scale (score 0-6 for peak systolic velocity <140 to > or = 300 cm/second), Hemodynamic Scale (score 0-5 for diffuse or focal velocity increase; score 0-6 for differences between bilateral MCA; score 17 for damping velocity), and Spectrum Scale (score 0-2 for normal spectrum, turbulence, and musical murmurs). RESULTS: The median scores in normal-mild, moderate, and severe groups on MRA differed significantly (P < .001). The optimal cutoff score for <50% and > or = 50% stenosis was 3 with the PPV of 72.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 65.3% to 78.5%) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 89.5% (95% CI: 85.9% to 92.3%), for moderate and severe stenosis was 6 with the PPV of 85.9% (95% CI: 76.7% to 92.0%) and NPV of 61.9% (95% CI: 50.6% to 72.1%). Both scores performed better than peak systolic or mean velocity. CONCLUSIONS: This new method was feasible and reliable and showed some advantages over the velocity-only method. Further studies using digital subtraction angiography as the gold standard are needed to ameliorate the new criteria.

Prevalence and risk factors of middle cerebral artery stenosis in asymptomatic residents in Rongqi County, Guangdong.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial atherosclerosis is the commonest vascular lesion for ischemic stroke in Asians. Most research on risk factors for middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis has been conducted in symptomatic patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. The present study aimed to investigate risk factors for MCA stenosis in an asymptomatic population in Rongqi County in Southern China. METHODS: We assessed 1,068 asymptomatic subjects over 50 years of age by transcranial Doppler. Medical history documentation and investigation of biochemical markers were performed for each subject. Multivariant, unconditioned, logistic regression analyses were employed to assess the risk factors associated with MCA stenosis. RESULTS: MCA stenosis was found in 63 subjects (5.9%). Male gender, advancing age, hypertension, diabetes and systolic blood pressure were significant risk factors for MCA stenosis (p < 0.001). Based on logistic regression analyses, 4 factors emerged as independent risk factors (p < 0.001) of MCA stenosis: male gender [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.49-4.66, OR = 2.63], age (95% CI = 1.01-1.06, OR = 1.04), hypertension (95% CI = 4.57-18.35, OR = 9.16) and diabetes mellitus (95% CI = 3.09-11.29, OR = 5.9). CONCLUSION: MCA stenosis is relatively common among asymptomatic Chinese subjects. Male gender, advanced age, hypertension and diabetes mellitus are risk factors for MCA stenosis.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor of middle cerebral artery stenosis.

PURPOSE: Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is considered to be an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. We aimed to determine the relation between Hcy and cerebral artery stenosis in a large Chinese population. METHODS: We present data concerning 2,500 residents. Plasma was saved from 1,020 residents who were asymptomatic. Hcy concentration was measured by fluorescence ration biochemical assay kit, and middle cerebral artery (MCA) was assessed by Transcranial Doppler in these subjects. RESULTS: Fifty-six residents with MCA stenosis were included in this study. The remained 964 residents without stenosis were control. Analysis of the data revealed that the plasma concentration of Hcy (18.33+/-5.34 micromol/L), age (63.9+/-12.9) and systolic pressure (142.6+/-22.6 mmHg) in the stenotic group were increased (p<0.0001) compared with the control group (Hcy12.95+/-4.57 micromol/L, age 55.8+/-10.9, systolic pressure 126.3+/-20.3 mmHg). Based on logistic regression, 5 factors emerged as independent predictors of MCA stenosis: Hcy (OR=1.16, 95%confidence interval 1.14-1.26), male (OR=2.63, 95%CI 1.49-4.66), age (OR=1.04, 95%CI 1.01-1.07), hypertension (OR=9.16, 95%CI 4.57-18.35), diabetes mellitus (OR=5.90, 95%CI 3.09-11.29). CONCLUSION: Hyperhomocysteinemia might be one of the risk factors for cerebral artery stenosis. It may play a role in atherosclerosis and thrombosis.

[The analysis of plasma homocysteine among 1020 residents in community].

OBJECTIVE: To study the plasma homocysteine (Hcy) distributive characteristics in different sex and age groups of the community residents in Guangdong, and to analyze its associated factors as well as its effects on cerebral artery stenosis. METHODS: In this study, we presented data concerning 2500 residents who had undergone a systematic health checkup,including clinical and biologic examinations. Plasma was saved from 1020 residents who were asymptomatic but having TCD examination. Hcy concentration was measured by fluorescence ration biochemical assay kit. RESULTS: The average plasma Hcy levels of males (15.0 micromol/L+/-5.8 micromol/L) were significantly higher than those of females (12.4 micromol/L-I 3.9 micromol/L, P< 0.05). Hcy level increased parallel with age. The prevalence rate of hyperhomocysteinemia in males (47.2%) was higher than in females (23.2%). Hcy levels in MCA stenosis group (18.3 micromol/L+ 5.3 micromol/L) were significantly higher than that in control group (12.9 micromol/L+/- 4.6 micromol/L, P< 0.05). Based on logistic regression analysis, Hcy was only associated with sex and age, but not with blood lipids etc. CONCLUSION: Hcy levels were different in sex and age groups which emerged as independent predictors of hyperhomocysteinemia but had no association with blood lipids in the community residents, suggesting that hyperhomocysteinemia might worsen cerebral artery stenosis.

[Analysis on data gathered from transcranial Doppler among 1500 normal adults community].

OBJECTIVE: To study the rates of receiving doppler signal, flow velocity of cerebral artery and the relationship between flow velocity,age and gender in normal adults in China. METHODS: A total of 1500 normal residents at the community level in Guangdong province were examined, using transcranial doppler. Data was gathered and analyzed. RESULTS: With the increase of age, the rate of receiving signal in cerebral artery gradually decreased. Difference between males and females was noticed. Mean velocity of cerebral artery decreased in both genders but the velocity was faster in females than in males and the pulsate index increased without difference. CONCLUSION: The rates of receiving signal and the flow velocity of cerebral artery were related to age and gender and the findings from this study offered criterion for clinical transcranial doppler.