Since the early days of assisted reproductive technology (ART), the importance of sperm processing, employed to separate the motile, morphologically normal sperm from the semen, has been shown to be beneficial. The aim of the semen processing technique has been to remove seminal plasma and facilitate capacitation. Additionally, the presence of leukocytes, bacteria, and dead spermatozoa has been shown to be detrimental as it may cause oxidative stress that has an adverse effect on oocyte fertilization and embryo development. Hence, removal of leukocytes, bacteria, and dead spermatozoa is an important step of sperm processing for assisted reproduction. Currently, several sperm processing techniques have been evolved and optimized in the field of assisted reproduction. The requirements for in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and testicular sperm extraction (TESE) are different than those of intrauterine insemination (IUI). The yield of as many motile, morphologically normal sperm as possible is a prerequisite for the success of IVF insemination procedure. In ICSI, where injection of a single spermatozoon into the oocyte is performed by the embryologist, sperm selection techniques play a crucial role in the ICSI procedure. Finally, sperm retrieval in TESE samples with very low number of sperm may be challenging and requires extra care during sample processing. Additionally, sperm cryopreservation is necessary in TESE cases in order to avoid multiple biopsies.
Humans ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic/methods* ; Male ; Fertilization in Vitro/methods* ; Sperm Retrieval ; Andrology/methods* ; Cryopreservation ; Female ; Spermatozoa

Aims: Bacillus cereus is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped and spore-forming bacterium. It is a ubiquitous bacterium which is widely distributed in several environments such as soil and plants and is commonly isolated from food and its processing environment. This study was aimed to determine the genetic diversity and antibiotic resistance of B. cereus isolated from sago processing in Sarawak. Methodology and results: Out of 120 samples, 42 B. cereus isolates were detected with the presence of hly gene of B. cereus by using specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twenty B. cereus isolates were randomly selected and further characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of chromosomal DNA digested with NotI to examine the genetic diversity. The result of the PFGE analysis confirmed that the B. cereus strains in sago processing were genetically diverse. Based on the dendrogram generated, B. cereus strains were grouped into two major clusters and these clusters were grouped together based on sources of isolation. The investigation on the antibiotic resistance of B. cereus strains revealed that the B. cereus strains were uniformly highly resistant to penicillin and ampicillin and highly susceptible to imipenem and norfloxacin. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The results of this study suggest that the B. cereus isolated from sago processing derived from a mixture of sensitive and resistant strains with diverse genetic contents.

Aims: Pigments have a large and growing market in the world. Drawbacks in their production such as raw materials availability and low productivity prompt the search for fermentation routes for industrial production. A carotenoid-producing yeast identified as Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was isolated in our laboratory. The aim of this study was to investigate the growth and carotenoid production capacity of the yeast. Methodology and results: A cost-effective substrate of sago starch hydrolysate (SSH) derived from sago fiber waste was used for the fermentation. The fermentation was carried out for 96 h at 27 °C in batch mode. The biomass produced during 5 days of fermentation was 9.6 g/L, which contained a carotenoid concentration of 8.1 mg/L and a specific yield of 845.9 g/g. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The results demonstrated the capacity of R. mucilaginosa yeast to produce carotenoids and its potential for larger-scale production.

BACKGROUND. Trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) had been a modality for decades now. Its hypoalgesic, hypotensive and hypoglycemic effects have been published in several literatures. This trial aims to determine the effectiveness of the new machine Power QuickZap and Powertube QuickZap (TENS) in controlling blood pressure and glucose in a randomized controlled clinical trial.

RATIONALE. The control hypertension and diabetes requires multifaceted approach. Patient, despite professional advice seek other forms of therapy that can address their health needs. The use of TENS has been shown to be an alternative and safe modality in alleviating pain and discomfort. This trial will provide baseline information in objective outcomes as blood pressure and glucose levels in addition to patient-based subjective assessment.

DESIGN. Randomized controlled trial Category. Internal medicine, Alternative & Complementary Medicine, Neurology, Endocrinology, Vascular Medicine Setting. Malolos San Ildefonso County Hospital

PATIENTS AND METHODS. All adult patients ages 19 and above with a primary diagnosis of hypertension using the current JNC VII as well as diabetes mellitus using the American Diabetes Association criteria were randomly selected from a community based list of the said morbidities. Systematic sampling resulted into the enrolment of 104 hypertensives and 67 diabetics (total n=171) were subjected to daily TENS using the Power QuickZap and Powertube QuickZap equipment applied to forearm or hand at least 3 minutes daily for 30 days. Outcomes include comparison of mean blood pressure, lipid profile, glucose indices signs and symptoms from baseline until post-intervention.

RESULTS. A total of 104 hypertensives (61%) were randomly allocated to received medications plus trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS-Power QuickZap and Powertube QuickZap) (53 or 51%) and no medications plus TENS (51 or 49%). Among the diabetics subgroup (total n=67). 39 patients were randomized to receive medications plus TENS (58%) while 28 cases (42%) received only TENS.No drop outs were noted. Those treated with TENS showed a mean drop in SBP which was noted during 10th to the 12th day (SBP mean difference 8 mm Hg,p=.036) while DBP dropped during the first week of treatment (DBP mean difference =2.5 mm Hg, p=.022). No difference in glucose values existed between the two groups.

CONCLUSION. TENS using the Power QuickZap and Powertube QuickZap can be an adjunct therapy in the lowering of blood pressure, triglycerides and VLDL among patients with hypertension especially those not currently taking anti-hypertensive medications. Its effects on glucose levels of diabetics has to be examined in large scale studies. Diabetic neuropathy may benefit from TENS.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adult (a Person 19-44 Years Of Age) ; Hypertension