[Feasibility of the Pharmacy DOTS System in Nagasaki Prefecture].

Objective This study aimed to investigate the preparedness of pharmacies to provide DOTS in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, and to analyze the feasibility of this system with a view toward providing a basis for future administrative studies to consider its adoption.Methods A self-administered mail questionnaire survey was conducted, involving the owners (mostly pharmacists) of 533 pharmacies belonging to designated medical institutions for tuberculosis treatment in Nagasaki Prefecture, seeking information on the following: 1) respondent attributes, 2) pharmacy-related information, 3) experience of participating in tuberculosis-related academic meetings, 4) recognition of DOTS and desire to cooperate with the pharmacy DOTS system and participate in related workshops, and 5) challenges and requirements of the provision of DOTS at pharmacies. Responses were analyzed using the chi-square test, focusing on factors related to the respondents' desire to cooperate with the pharmacy DOTS system and participate in related workshops.

In vitro growth and maturation as well as fertilization of mouse preantral oocytes from vitrified ovaries.

Objective: To examine the capacity for fertilization and development of preantral oocytes in oocyte-granulosa cell complexes (OGC) originating from vitrified ovaries.

Design: Experimental animal study.

Setting: University-based research laboratory.

Birth of healthy neonates after intracytoplasmic injection of ejaculated or testicular spermatozoa from men with nonmosaic Klinefelter's syndrome: a report of 2 cases.

Background: Klinefelter's syndrome is one of the major causes of azoospermia, cryptozoospermia and severe oligozoospermia with either a nonmosaic (47,XXY) or mosaic (47,XXY/46,XY) ICSI treatment with cryopreserved testicular spermatozoa failed, but after the third attempt, 6 of 8 oocytes injected with cryopreserved sperm were fertilized and karyotype. Men with Klinefelter's syndrome generally have difficulty having children.

Cases: Patient 1 had motile spermatozoa in the ejaculate, which were injected into 3 oocytes, resulting in fertilization and cleavage.

A digital method of sperm immobilization test: comparison to the conventional method.

Antisperm antibodies have been found in infertile patients and those causing immobilization of sperm are considered to be closely related to unexplained infertility. These antibodies are usually identified by a sperm immobilization test which involves counting motile sperm under microscope. This test is subjective as it relies on the judgement of the examiner with respect to sperm motility.

Prevention of multiple pregnancies by restricting the number of transferred embryos: randomized control study.

Introduction: The high incidence of multiple pregnancies is a major concern in the treatment of infertility by in vitro fertilization (IVF). Risks and costs are associated with multiple pregnancies and it is important to find a way to decrease multiple pregnancies. The standard protocol for IVF includes the transfer of two or three embryos.

Contraceptive potential of synthetic peptides of zona pellucida protein (ZPA).

Previously, we produced a fertilization-blocking monoclonal antibody (MAb-5H4) to find a candidate peptide for a contraceptive vaccine. MAb-5H4 recognized a linear amino acid sequence of ZPA (No. 50-67) in pigs, humans and rabbits.