Determination of the cryoprotective effect of n-methylacetamide in rabbit semen.

BACKGROUND: Amides are low molecular weight cryoprotectants. N-methylacetamide (MA) is one of the cryoprotectant agents in this group. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cryoprotective effect of MA in rabbit semen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this purpose, six ejaculates from six New Zealand rabbits were collected and pooled using an artificial vagina. Pooled semen was divided into four equal parts and diluted with TCG+ egg yolk. CPA was added to form the following groups: Control with 6% DMSO; Group 1 with 1% MA; Group 2 with 2% MA; and Group 3 with 3% MA. After the addition of CPA, the semen eqilibration procedure was started. Sperm were then drawn into 0.25 mL straws, frozen by automatic semen freezing and stored in a liquid nitrogen container. Pipettes were thawed after 24 h and analyses were performed. RESULTS: Total, progressive and rapid motility values of the Control group were higher than those of the MA groups (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference between the Control and Group 2 in terms of these parameters. While there was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of acrosome damage and mitochondrial membrane potential, the best results were observed in Control, Group 2, Group 1 and Group 3, respectively. When we compared all groups, no difference was found in terms of MDA, CAT and GSH-Px. There was a statistical difference between Group 3 and the Control in terms of GSH level (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: DMSO appeared to be more useful for the cryopreservation of rabbit semen compared to MA. Doi.org/10.54680/fr23610110812.

The effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on pulmonary structures: a quantitative analysis.

BACKGROUND: The effects of neoadjuvant therapy on perioperative and postoperative outcomes of patients with stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer remain controversial. We investigated histopathological changes possibly caused by neoadjuvant chemotherapy and their effect on the tensile forces of pulmonary structures. METHODS: A prospective study of 30 patients who had undergone lung resection was performed. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included those who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and Group 2 included those who underwent surgery alone. Tensile stress tests were performed on freshly excised vascular and bronchial strips after lung resection. The pulmonary artery, veins, and bronchi that had not been invaded by the tumor were histopathologically examined in both groups. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: This study showed that the tensile strength of pulmonary vessels and bronchi was less in the neoadjuvant group than in the control group. There were statistically significant differences in the tissue strips obtained from arteries, veins, and bronchi between the two groups. In the chemotherapy group, most cases exhibited extensive fibrosis. There was no statistically significant difference in complications between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy did not increase postoperative morbidity or mortality. The decreased tensile strength of pulmonary vessels and bronchi after neoadjuvant therapy should alert thoracic surgeons to possible surgical complications.

[Functional results of surgical treatment of bronchiectasis in a developing country]. / Resultados funcionales del tratamiento quirúrgico de las bronquiectasias en un país en vías de desarrollo.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of bronchiectasis has decreased significantly over recent decades in developed countries. However, resection for bronchiectasis still plays an important part in thoracic surgery practice in developing countries such as Turkey. This study was designed to evaluate the outcomes of surgical treatment for bronchiectasis, particularly in aspects related to the effects on functional well-being. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From January 1995 through December 2003, operations for bronchiectasis were performed in 81 patients. Demographic features, type of resection, and operative morbidity and mortality were evaluated. The outcomes related to overall "social" or nonpulmonary functional status were classified and compared according to a scale constructed to assess patients' well-being preoperatively and at the 6th postoperative month. RESULTS: The mean age was 24.4 years and 47 patients (58%) were male. Surgical treatment was lobectomy in 37 (45%), pneumonectomy in 10 (12%), segmentectomy in 13 (16%), and lobectomy plus segmentectomy in 22 (27%) of the operations. Complete resection of disease was achieved in 69 patients (85%). There was no operative mortality. The rate of morbidity was 18.3%. Improvement to a functional status of excellent was observed in 81.7% and improvement to a status of good was seen in 12.7% of patients; 5.6% experienced no change. The results of complete resection were significantly better than those of incomplete resection (P=.0015). CONCLUSION: Functional results of surgical treatment for bronchiectasis in this series suggest that the outcomes are favorable and promising, particularly in selected patients with sufficient pulmonary reserves and localized disease who are suitable for complete resection.