Basal and post-ischemic vascular compliance in children/adolescents born small for gestational age.

Background: Intrauterine growth restriction plays a powerful role in influencing later susceptibility to certain chronic diseases, such as hypertension. Endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness are early events in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We have studied vascular compliance in small for gestational age (SGA) children/adolescents in comparison with that in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) subjects.

Distribution of α- and δ-tocopherols in seminal plasma and sperm fractions of men with normal and abnormal semen parameters.

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of the different isoforms of tocopherol (T) in seminal plasma (P) and in the sperm fractions of individuals with abnormal (group 1) and normal (group 2) sperm parameters; the relationships between these isoforms and conventional sperm parameters were also explored. Two vitamin E homologues, α-T and δ-T, were identified in the semen of all participants. Although α-T and δ-T concentrations were similar in the semen of the 2 groups, group 1 showed a lower α-T ratio (S/P) (0.

Early identification of the risk for free radical-related diseases in preterm newborns.

Background: Despite recent advances in preterm newborns healthcare, perinatal pathologies and disabilities are increasing. Oxidative stress (OS) is determinant for the onset of an unbalance between free radicals (FRs) production and antioxidant systems which plays a key role in pathogenesis of pathologies such as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), grouped as 'free radical-related diseases' (FRD).

Aim: This study tests the hypothesis that OS markers levels in cord blood may predict the onset of FRD pathologies.

Infection by CagA-positive Helicobacter pylori strains may contribute to alter the sperm quality of men with fertility disorders and increase the systemic levels of TNF-alpha.

This study was aimed to address the possibility that Helicobacter pylori infection may play a detrimental role in semen quality of men with idiopathic infertility. Infection by H. pylori and by strains expressing CagA was determined in 80 male infertile patients by Western blotting and ELISA.

The presence of bacteria species in semen and sperm quality.

Purpose: To verify the prevalence of semen bacterial contamination and whether the contamination could decrease sperm quality.

Methods: Spermiogram, semen culture, and sperm transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis were performed. TEM data were elaborated using a mathematical formula that calculates a fertility index (FI)--able to define patients as fertile or infertile--and the percentage of sperm apoptosis, immaturity and necrosis.

Birefringence characteristics in sperm heads allow for the selection of reacted spermatozoa for intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Objective: To verify clinical outcome after injection of spermatozoa that have undergone the acrosome reaction (reacted spermatozoa) vs. those still having an intact acrosome (nonreacted spermatozoa).

Design: Prospective, randomized study.

Effect of emotional stress on sperm quality.

Background & Objective: Emotional stress plays a detrimental role on fertility. In this study male patients with idiopathic infertility were selected after evaluation of psychological stress to evaluate a positive effect of a stress therapy on their semen quality.

Methods: A total of 20 patients with infertility were enrolled in the study and randomly divided in two groups.

Microsurgery for recurrent lumbar disk herniation at the same level and side: do patients fare worse? Experience with 95 consecutive cases.

Background: In reviewing our experience with reoperation of RLDH, our aim was mainly to determine whether patients fared worse than after primary surgery. We found no uniform answers to this question in the literature.

Methods: The data of 95 patients (29 women and 66 men) who underwent reoperation for RLDH at the same level and side were analyzed retrospectively.

Cryptorchidism and semen quality: a TEM and molecular study.

Cryptorchidism is a pathological condition defined as the failure of the testis to descend into the scrotum, the location of the cryptorchid testis can be in the inguinal canal or in the prescrotal and abdominal area, sometimes resulting in atrophic seminiferous tubules. The aim of this study was to analyze semen quality of men who underwent orchidopexy for unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism during childhood. Semen quality was investigated by light microscopy to evaluate sperm concentration and motility.

Studies on varicocele III: ultrastructural sperm evaluation and 18, X and Y aneuploidies.

The idea that varicocele plays a detrimental role in fertility is supported by the presence of a higher frequency of affected men among the infertile population than among men with normal semen parameters. In this research we examined ejaculates from a large group of selected men affected by varicocele by light and electron microscopy. The effect of varicocele on chromosome meiotic segregation was investigated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

Infertile spermatozoa in a human carrier of robertsonian translocation 14;22.

Objective: To present the ultrastructural, functional, and chromosomal analyses of spermatozoa from an infertile man with normal phenotype and chromosomal translocation 14;22.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Regional Reference Center for Male Infertility in Siena, Italy.

Insulin-dependent diabetes in men is associated with hypothalamo-pituitary derangement and with impairment in semen quality.

Background: The objective of the study was to investigate the hypothalamo-pituitary-testicular axis and sperm structure at the transmission electron microscope (TEM) level in men affected by insulin-dependent diabetes.

Methods: Twenty-two diabetic men and 24 controls were recruited. GnRH (100 micro g) was administered and FSH- and LH-induced secretion was evaluated.