The Far-Infrared Spectrum of Methoxymethanol (CH-O-CHOH): A Theoretical Study.

Methoxymethanol (CHOCHOH), an oxygenated volatile organic compound of low stability detected in the interstellar medium, represents an example of nonrigid organic molecules showing various interacting and inseparable large-amplitude motions. The species discloses a relevant coupling among torsional modes, strong enough to prevent complete assignments using effective Hamiltonians of reduced dimensionality. Theoretical models for rotational spectroscopy can improve if they treat three vibrational coordinates together.

Theoretical structural and spectroscopic characterization of peroxyacetic acid (CH-CO-OOH): study of the far infrared region.

Peroxyacetic acid, a non-rigid oxygenated organic molecule which acts in the atmosphere as a reservoir of HO and RO radicals, is studied using highly correlated methods with the aim of its spectroscopic characterization in the gas phase. The study focuses on the far infrared region providing reliable rovibrational parameters such as energy levels and splittings. The molecule presents three conformers that inter-convert by internal rotation, drawing a potential energy surface of 12 minima.

Relationship between sperm aneuploidy, sperm DNA integrity, chromatin packaging, traditional semen parameters, and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Objective: To study the possible relationship between sperm aneuploidy, sperm DNA integrity, chromatin packaging, traditional semen parameters, and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).

Design: Descriptive study.

Setting: University-affiliated tertiary teaching.

Meiotic segregation and sperm DNA fragmentation in Tunisian men with dysplasia of the fibrous sheath (DFS) associated with head abnormalities.

Purpose: Dysplasia of the Fibrous Sheath (DFS) is a primitive flagellar pathology for which a broad spectrum of ultrastructural flagellar abnormalities has been described responsible for a severe to total asthenozoospermia. To this phenotype other morphological abnormalities including cephalic and abnormalities in nuclear structure can be associated that could compromise embryonic development in case of use of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of DNA fragmentation and aneuploidy rate in ejaculated spermatozoa of Tunisian men presented with DFS sperm defect associated to high percentage of head abnormalities and to compare the results with those from fertile men.

DNA fragmentation status in patients with necrozoospermia.

The aim of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between the levels of sperm DNA fragmentation and necrospermia in infertile men. Semen samples obtained from 70 men consulting for infertility evaluation were analyzed according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Patients were subdivided into three groups according to the percentage of necrotic spermatozoa: normozoospermia (<30%; n = 20), moderate necrozoospermia (50-80%; n = 30), and severe necrozoospermia (>80%; n = 20).

Efficacy of the density gradient centrifugation method in eliminating sperm with aneuploidy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the PureSperm density gradient centrifugation on the selecting sperm with less chromosomal aneuploidy. Semen samples were obtained from 30 infertile men with teratozoospermia and 15 fertile men with normal semen parameters. The frequencies of numerical chromosomes aberrations were simultaneously identified in neat semen and in the different fractions of the density gradient centrifugation from the same samples.

Cytogenetic and molecular aspects of absolute teratozoospermia: comparison between polymorphic and monomorphic forms.

Objective: To compare the results of cytogenetic and molecular analysis between absolute polymorphic and monomorphic teratozoospermia.

Methods: The semen samples from patients with polymorphic teratozoospermia (n = 20), globozoospermia (n = 8), or macrocephalic sperm head syndrome (n = 12), and healthy fertile men (n = 20) were analyzed according to the World Health Organization criteria. The constitutional blood karyotype of the patients was performed on cultured lymphocytes, according to standard techniques.

Detection of aneuploidy rate for chromosomes X, Y and 8 by fluorescence in-situ hybridization in spermatozoa from patients with severe non-obstructive oligozoospermia.

Purpose: To evaluate the frequency of sperm nuclei disomy for chromosomes 8, X, and Y in patients with severe non-obstructive oligozoospermia and to assess possible correlations between sperm nuclei aneuploidy and semen parameters or a particular clinical phenotype.

Materials And Methods: The sperm aneuploidy rate for chromosomes X, Y, and 8 were assessed in 16 infertile men with severe non-obstructive oligozoospermia and 7 healthy men with normal semen parameters. The frequency of sperm aneuploidy was compared between several patients groups according to their clinical and biological factors.

Aneuploidy rate in spermatozoa of selected men with severe teratozoospermia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of spermatic aneuploidies in men with severe teratozoospermia and to determine an eventual relation between aneuploidies and a specific morphology of spermatozoa. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) using a probe cocktail containing the alpha satellite for the centromeric region of chromosome X, Y and 18 was performed on decondensed spermatozoa from fresh ejaculates of thirty patients with severe teratozoospermia (abnormal forms >80%) and 15 fertile men with normal semen profiles. The mean frequency of teratozoospermia in patients was 91 ± 6.

Semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation as causes of recurrent pregnancy loss.

Objectives: To evaluate and compare standard sperm parameters, and sperm DNA fragmentation in seminal ejaculates from men whose partners had a history of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and in a control group of men who had recently established their fertility.

Methods: Semen samples from 31 patients with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss and 20 men with proven fertility were analyzed according to World Health Organization guidelines. Sperm DNA fragmentation was detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay.

The usefulness of p57(KIP2) immunohistochemical staining and genotyping test in the diagnosis of the hydatidiform mole.

Classification of molar gestations into complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) and partial hydatidiform mole (PHM) and their differentiation from nonmolar hydropic abortions (HA) are traditionally accomplished by morphology alone. Sometimes, the process may be inaccurate or inconclusive especially in early diagnosed cases. With the availability of p57(KIP2) immunostaining (the product of a strongly paternally imprinted and maternally expressed gene), it may be possible to classify these lesions objectively.

Study of aneuploidy rate and sperm DNA fragmentation in large-headed, multiple-tailed spermatozoa.

The aim of this study was to analyse the meiotic segregation and DNA fragmentation rates in ejaculated spermatozoa of Tunisian men who presented the macrocephalic sperm head syndrome and to compare the results with those from 20 fertile men with normal semen profiles. Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluated by the terminal desoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick-end labelling assay. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation for chromosomes X, Y and 18 was performed for the study of meiotic segregation.

Semen processing by density gradient centrifugation is useful in selecting sperm with higher double-strand DNA integrity.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of density gradient centrifugation on sperm cell DNA integrity and to correlate any detected DNA damage with semen analysis parameter. A total of 40 semen samples were collected from nonazoospermic men presenting for infertility evaluation at our department. Individual samples were divided into two parts: one part of the semen was washed and the remainder was prepared using the PureSperm density gradient centrifugation.

Chromosomal segregation in spermatozoa of five Robertsonian translocation carriers t(13;14).

Purpose: To analyse the segregation of a Robertsonian translocation t(13;14) in five male carriers, and to verify a possible inter-chromosomal effect (ICE) of the Robertsonian translocation on chromosomes 18, X, and Y.

Methods: The spermatozoa of these patients (n = 5) and of 15 donors with normal semen parameters and 46,XY karyotype were analysed using triple colour FISH with locus specific probes for chromosomes 13, 14, and 21 and by triple colour FISH for chromosomes X, Y, and 18.

Results: The frequency of balanced spermatozoa resulting from alternate segregation varied between 62.

Analysis of sperm aneuploidies and DNA fragmentation in patients with globozoospermia or with abnormal acrosomes.

Objectives: To evaluate the levels of DNA fragmentation and aneuploidy rate in ejaculated sperm of men with globozoospermia and men with a predominance of abnormal acrosomes.

Methods: The semen samples obtained from 2 globozoospermic men, 8 patients with a predominance of abnormal acrosomes, and 20 fertile men were analyzed using the fluorescence in situ hybridization and the terminal desoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick-end labeling assay. Dual fluorescence in situ hybridization for chromosomes 8 and 12, and triple fluorescence in situ hybridization for chromosomes X, Y, and 18 were performed.

The effects of male aging on semen quality, sperm DNA fragmentation and chromosomal abnormalities in an infertile population.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of male aging on semen quality, DNA fragmentation and chromosomal abnormalities in the spermatozoa of infertile patients and fertile men.

Methods: Semen samples of 140 infertile patients (24-76 years) and 50 men with proven fertility (25-65 years) were analyzed according to WHO guidelines. DNA fragmentation was detected by TUNEL assay, while aneuploidy was assessed by FISH.

Detection of DNA fragmentation and meiotic segregation in human with isolated teratozoospermia.

Purpose: To evaluate levels of DNA fragmentation and chromosomal abnormalities in ejaculated sperm of males with isolated teratozoospermia and to determine if specific sperm morphological types occur simultaneously with these nuclear defects.

Methods: Sperm obtained from isolated teratozoospermic men (n = 70) and fertile men (n = 30) were analysed using fluorescence in situ hybridization and TUNEL assay.

Results: Teratozoospermic men, compared to fertile men, showed significantly higher rates of sex chromosomes disomy, and diploidy.