Efficacy of Photon-induced Photoacoustic Streaming in the Reduction of Enterococcus faecalis within the Root Canal: Different Settings and Different Sodium Hypochlorite Concentrations.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of laser-activated irrigation by photon-induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) in the reduction of Enterococcus faecalis in root canal disinfection, varying laser energy output, and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) concentration. For effective removal of the smear layer, the sequence and resting time of the final irrigation steps were modified compared with the standard PIPS protocol. METHODS: Eighty-six extracted single-rooted teeth were mechanically prepared, sterilized, and inoculated with E. faecalis for 4 weeks. Teeth were divided into 9 groups and treated with an Er:YAG laser using a PIPS 600/9 tip at the following parameters: 10 mJ or 20 mJ, 15 Hz, and a 50-microsecond pulse duration at 0.15 W or 0.3 W average power, respectively. Root canals were irrigated with different concentrations of NaOCl (ie, 1%, 3%, and 5% and activated using the adjusted PIPS protocol). The bacterial count was performed immediately after and 48 hours after decontamination and new incubation on an agar plate. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in bacterial counts (P < .05) was detected in all groups before and directly after the treatment and in groups treated with 5% NaOCl 48 hours after treatment. Scanning electron microscopic imaging showed an absence of bacteria and biofilm in the scanned areas after treatment with 5% NaOCl. CONCLUSIONS: Laser-activated irrigation using 5% NaOCl and a modified PIPS protocol resulted in effective eradication of the bacterial biofilm and removal of the smear layer.

Sperm DNA fragmentation and mitochondrial membrane potential combined are better for predicting natural conception than standard sperm parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether DNA fragmentation and/or mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) predict natural conception better than standard sperm parameters. DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study. SETTING: University medical center. PATIENT(S): Eighty-five infertile and 51 fertile men. INTERVENTION(S): Assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation, MMP, and standard semen parameters over a 6- to 12-month observation period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Comparison between the results of DNA fragmentation, MMP, and standard sperm parameters alone or combined and achievement of natural conception. RESULT(S): Twenty-six of the 85 (31%) men from infertile couples conceived naturally. The median values of DNA fragmentation and MMP in the men who conceived within the observation period were similar to those in the fertile controls. Optimal threshold values of DNA fragmentation and MMP were 25% as determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis (area under the curve [AUC], 0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58-0.82) and 62.5% (AUC, 0.68, 95% CI 0.56-0.80), respectively. The men in the infertile group with values of DNA fragmentation ≤25% and with MMP values ≥62.5% had significantly higher odds for conception (odds ratio [OR], 5.22; 95% CI 1.82-14.93] and OR, 4.67; 95% CI 1.74-12.5, respectively). Normal semen analysis alone had no predictive value for natural conception (OR, 1.84; 95% CI 0.67-5.07]). Both sperm function tests combined had significant odds for natural conception (OR, 8.24; 95% CI 2.91-23.33]), with a probability of 0.607 (60.7%) for both normal values and 0.158 (15.8%) for abnormal values. CONCLUSION(S): Sperm DNA fragmentation and MMP combined may be superior to standard semen parameters for the prediction of natural conception.

High HPV infection prevalence in men from infertile couples and lack of relationship between seminal HPV infection and sperm quality.

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the most frequently sexually transmitted viruses and etiological agents of several human cancers. Controversial results of the role of HPV in infertile population on sperm parameters have been published. The aim of this study was to estimate the type-specific prevalence of HPV DNA infection of the external genitalia and semen in 340 Slovenian men from infertile couples and to establish the relationship between seminal HPV DNA infection and abnormal sperm parameters. Self-taken swabs of the entire penile surface and semen samples were collected, and HPV detection and genotyping were performed. HPV DNA was detected in 37.12% of external genitalia and in 13.61% of semen samples with high HPV type concordance of both sampling sites. The most prevalent HPV types in the male external genitalia were HPV-CP6108 and HPV-84. The most prevalent HPV types in semen were HPV-53 and HPV-CP6108. The prevalence of HPV infection between normozoospermic men and men with abnormal sperm parameters did not differ significantly. Sperm quality did not differ significantly between men with seminal HPV infection and uninfected men. In conclusion, the men from infertile couples are equally susceptible to HPV infection regardless of their fertile potential; seminal HPV infection does not impair sperm quality.

Apoptotic sperm biomarkers and their correlation with conventional sperm parameters and male fertility potential.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between sperm apoptotic biomarkers and patient clinical characteristics, conventional sperm parameters and fertility potential. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sperm analysis, phospholipid asymmetry, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and DNA denaturation were assessed in 142 males of infertile couples. Seventy-three couples were allocated to the natural conception group, and 55 couples underwent IVF or ICSI. RESULTS: DNA denaturation correlated positively with age and negatively with testicular volume (TV). MMP correlated negatively with BMI and FSH and positively with TV. Normal viable sperm correlated positively with TV and negatively with age, BMI and FSH. DNA denaturation was associated with a significantly lower natural pregnancy rate (OR 5.4, 95% CI:1.3-22, p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Sperm apoptosis is related to male age, BMI, testicular volume and FSH. Among the apoptotic markers, only DNA denaturation has been found to predict natural pregnancy better than conventional sperm parameters.

Cinnamic acids as new inhibitors of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 5 (AKR1C3).

17Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 5 (AKR1C3) that is involved in the pre-receptor regulation of androgen and estrogen action in the human is an emerging therapeutic target in the treatment of hormone-dependent forms of cancer, such as prostate cancer, breast cancer and endometrial cancer. To discover novel inhibitors, we tested the effect of a series of cinnamic acids on the reductive activity of the human recombinant AKR1C3. The compounds were evaluated in a spectrophotometric assay using 9,10-phenanthrenequinone as a substrate. The best inhibitor in the series was alpha-methylcinnamic acid (IC50=6.4 microM). Also, unsubstituted cinnamic acid was a good inhibitor of AKR1C3 (IC50=50 microM). Small hydrophobic substituents of the phenyl ring did not alter the activity; however, substitution with polar groups decreased the potency of inhibition. The most active compounds in this series represent promising starting points for further structural modifications in the search for more potent inhibitors of AKR1C3.