Articles: function.
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Pulmonary injury can occur during liver transplantation in patients with prior liver surgery, infection, or hepatocellular carcinoma treatments. Compromise of gas exchange during liver transplantation mandates rapid, multidisciplinary decision-making. ⋯ Since oxygenation and pH were stable, we proceeded with liver transplantation to minimize graft ischemic time, followed by thoracic repair. The postoperative course was notable for adequate early liver function and discharge after prolonged postoperative ventilation and tube thoracostomy drainage.
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Historical Article
Gatekeepers of Extermination: SS Camp Physicians and Their Scope of Action.
The role of camp physicians of the Waffen-SS ("Armed SS," military branch of the Nazi Party's Schutzstaffel) in the implementation of the Holocaust has been the subject of limited research, even though they occupied a key position in the extermination process. From 1943 and 1944 onward, SS camp physicians made the individual medical decisions on whether each prisoner was fit for work or was immediately subjected to extermination, not only at the Auschwitz labor and extermination camp but also in pure labor camps like Buchenwald and Dachau. This was due to a functional change in the concentration camp system during World War II, where the selection of prisoners, which had previously been carried out by nonmedical SS camp staff, became a main task of the medical camp staff. ⋯ However, there was a far-reaching scope of action within the hierarchical structures of the Waffen-SS medical service on both the macro and micro levels. But what can this teach us for medical practice today? The historical experience of the Holocaust and Nazi medicine can provide a moral compass for physicians to be sensitive to the potential for abuse of power and ethical dilemmas inherent in medicine. Thus, the lessons from the Holocaust could be a starting point for reflecting on the value of human life in the modern economized and highly hierarchical medical sector.
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The identification of markers capable of evaluating oocyte quality, its maturation, function, and embryo progression and implantation potential has frequently initiated research interest. However, to date, univocal criteria of oocyte competence do not exist. A major cause of low oocyte quality is evidently advanced maternal age. ⋯ Due to the lack of consistent data for the assessment of oocyte quality and competence, probably oocyte morphology and oocyte maturity remain important indicators to determine oocyte quality. The aim of this review was to provide spherical attributes and evidence on recent and present research on the topic by analyzing the current methods for evaluation of the oocyte quality, and the impact of oocyte quality on reproductive outcomes. Additionally, current limitations of oocyte quality evaluation are highlighted and insights on future research are provided to optimize the selection techniques of oocytes to improve ART outcomes.
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Epigenetics refers to how gene expression and function are modulated without modifying the DNA sequence but through subtle molecular changes or interactions with it. As spermatogenesis progresses, male germ cells suffer plenty of epigenetic modifications, resulting in the definitive epigenome of spermatozoa conditioning its functionality, and this process can be altered by several internal and external factors. The paternal epigenome is crucial for sperm function, fertilization, embryo development, and offspring's health, and altered epigenetic states are associated with male infertility with or without altered semen parameters, embryo quality impairment, and worse ART outcomes together with the future offspring's health risks mainly through intergenerational transmission of epigenetic marks. ⋯ In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of epigenetics in sperm and how epigenetics behave during spermatogenesis. Additionally, we elaborate on the relationship of sperm epigenetics with sperm parameters and male infertility, and highlight the impact of sperm epigenetic alterations on sperm parameters, embryo quality, ART outcomes, miscarriage rates and offspring's health. Furthermore, we provide insights into the future research of epigenetic alterations in male infertility.
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Neuronal N-type (Ca V 2.2) voltage-gated calcium channels are essential for neurotransmission from primary afferent terminals in the dorsal horn. In this study, we have used a knockin mouse containing Ca V 2.2 with an inserted extracellular hemagglutinin tag (Ca V 2.2_HA), to visualise the pattern of expression of endogenous Ca V 2.2 in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and their primary afferents in the dorsal horn. We examined the effect of partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL) and found an increase in Ca V 2.2_HA only in large and medium dorsal root ganglion neurons and also in deep dorsal horn synaptic terminals. ⋯ We also found that following PSNL, there is patchy loss of glomerular synapses immunoreactive for Ca V 2.2_HA and CGRP or IB4, restricted to the superficial layers of the dorsal horn. This reduction is not dependent on α 2 δ-1 and likely reflects partial deafferentation of C-nociceptor presynaptic terminals. Therefore, in this pain model, we can distinguish 2 different events affecting specific DRG terminals, with opposite consequences for Ca V 2.2_HA expression and function in the dorsal horn.