“
“Methods and Results: R-wave amplitude was determined at implantation and during follow-up. Each patient was followed after 7 days to optimize device setting and then at 1 and 3 months. The R-wave amplitude obtained with the new technique was significantly higher and

more stable than that obtained with the standard procedure. Our preliminary experience suggests that axillary access for ILR implantation is feasible, safe, well tolerated, and reliable in terms of sensing function and device performance. Moreover, it is superior aesthetically to the standard approach and carries the potential of minimizing permanent scarring after ILR extraction. (PACE 2010; 999-1002).”
“The aim of this study click here was to determine the relationship between seminal zinc concentration and spermatozoa zona pellucida (ZP) binding and the ZP-induced acrosome reaction (ZPIAR) in subfertile men. Semen analyses and seminal zinc concentration assessments were carried out according to the World Health Organization manual for 458 subfertile men. A spermatozoa-ZP interaction test was carried out by incubating 2 x 106 motile spermatozoa with a group of four unfertilized oocytes obtained from a clinical in vitro fertilization programme. After 2

h of incubation, the number of spermatozoa bound per ZP and the ZPIAR of ZP-bound spermatozoa were examined. The effect of adding 0.5 mmol L(-1) zinc to the media on the ZPIAR of spermatozoa from normozoospermic men was also tested in vitro. Seminal zinc concentration positively correlated with sperm count and duration of abstinence, but negatively learn more correlated with semen volume. On analysis of data from all participants, both spermatozoa-ZP binding and the ZPIAR were significantly correlated with sperm motility and normal morphology, but not with seminal zinc concentration. However, in men with normozoospermic semen,

the seminal zinc concentration was significantly higher in men with defective ZPIAR (< 16%) than in those with normal ZPIAR (>= 16%) (P < 0.01). The addition of 0.5 mmol L(-)1 zinc to the culture media had no effect on spermatozoa-ZP selleck screening library binding, but significantly reduced the ZPIAR in vitro (P < 0.001). In conclusion, seminal zinc concentration is correlated with sperm count and the duration of abstinence in subfertile men. In men with normozoospermic semen, high seminal zinc concentration may have an adverse effect on the ZPIAR.”
“In the present work bacteria associated with milk kefir grains from several Brazilian States, Canada and the United States of America under traditional conditions have, for the first time, been studied using a combination of pheno-and genotypic methods. Conventional culturing was performed and a total of 270 isolates were obtained from all samples. Isolates were identified using biochemical tests and partial sequence analysis of 16S rDNA.