Correlation between Morphologic Grading and Euploidy Rates of Blastocysts, and Clinical Outcomes in In Vitro Fertilization Preimplantation Genetic Screening

BACKGROUND: The standard morphological evaluation has been widely used for embryo selection, but it has limitations. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between morphologic grading and euploidy rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) and compare the pregnancy rates in young and old ages. METHODS: This is a retrospective study using the medical records of patients who underwent IVF procedures with PGS between January 2016 and February 2017 in a single center. The embryo grades were categorized into 4 groups: excellent, good, fair, and poor. Basic characteristics, euploidy rates, clinical pregnancy (CP) rates and ongoing pregnancy rates were analyzed. RESULTS: The excellent group had significantly higher rate of euploid embryos than fair group (47.82% vs. 29.33%; P = 0.023) and poor group (47.82% vs. 29.60%; P = 0.005). When the four groups were recategorized into two groups (excellent and good vs. fair and poor), they also showed significant difference in euploidy rates (44.52% vs. 29.53%; P = 0.002). When the patients were divided into two groups by age 35, the CP rates for those under and over 35 years old were 44.74% and 47.83%, respectively, which showed no significant difference. CONCLUSION: The significant differences among the euploidy rates of different morphologic embryo grades demonstrated the positive correlations between the morphologic grading of the embryo and the euploidy rate of PGS. Additionally, there was no significant difference between the younger and older patients' CP rates. These findings emphasize the fact that old age patients might benefit from PGS whatever the indication of PGS is.

Freeze-all en reproducción asistida

Los avances en los protocolos de vitrificación y los resultados obtenidos tras la transferencia de embriones congelados han dado lugar a una versión distinta de los ciclos estándar de reproducción asistida: los ciclos freeze-all. Independientemente de su uso frente a las indicaciones más comunes (progesterona elevada, riesgo de hiperestimulación, entre otros), este nuevo concepto hoy representa una práctica habitual en muchas clínicas siendo aplicado a todas las pacientes. En este artículo analizaremos los distintos factores que pudieron haber contribuido a este cambio de política y la evidencia científica en relación al tema. Basados en esta evidencia concluiremos si las clínicas deberían cambiar su forma de trabajo pasando de transferencias de embriones frescos a solo transferencia de embriones congelados o si deberíamos mantener el protocolo estándar.

Breakthroughs in vitrification protocols and the results obtained after frozen embryo transfer have resulted in a different version of the assisted reproduction standard cycles: the "freeze-all" cycles. Regardless of their use beyond the usual indications (elevated progesterone, risk of hyperstimulation, among others), this new concept currently represents a common practice in many institutions and is applied to all patients. In this article, we will discuss the various factors that may have contributed to this change in policy and the scientific evidence for this topic. Based on this evidence, we will conclude if clinics should change their way of working from fresh embryo transfers to only transfer frozen embryos, or if we should maintain the standard protocol.

Awareness Of Body Donation And Embalming Among Medicos: Questionnaire Based Study

Background: The knowledge of the ossified ligaments in the base of the skull is of utmost important for anatomical,clinical and anthropological correlations. One such ligament extending from the lateral pterygoid plate to theunder surface of greater wing of sphenoid is named as Pterygoalar ligament and is named as Pterygoalar barafter its partial or complete ossification. This Pterygoalar bar is of great significance as it obscure the view offoramen ovale to approach it for anaesthetic , therapeutic purpose either suprazygomatic or infrazygomatic via.Also its enclosed foramen crotaphitico buccinatorius which is comparatively smaller than any other foramenmay compress the structures passing through it, probably the structures emerging out of foramen ovale may takeup a route via this foramen and get entrapped, which may lead to either neurovascular compression disorder.Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of thickened bony bar, pterygoalar bony bridgesand to analyze morphometrically the homonyms foramen in a collection of contemporary skulls and discusstheir clinical implications.Materials and Methods: The present study was performed with 90 dried adult human skulls. Base of the skull wasexamined with naked eye, on both the sides for the presence of abnormal osseous structures from the lateralpterygoid plate.Results and Discussion: In the current study, we presented only one skull with unilateral complete pterygoalar barand 11 skulls with unilateral incomplete pterygoalar bar. The pterygoalar bar and pterygoalar foramen are rareclinical features but their presence may be of clinical importance in the event of trigeminal nerve injection oranaesthesia

Incidencia y origen parental de las aneuploidias en blastocistos: comparación entre dos centros de reproducción asistida en México / Incidence and parental origin of aneuploidies in blastocysts: comparison between two centers of assisted reproduction in Mexico

Resumen: OBJETIVO: determinar la incidencia y origen de las aneuploidias en blastocistos de dos centros mexicanos de reproducción asistida. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: estudio de cohorte, retrospectivo, efectuado entre los meses de enero de 2014 a diciembre de 2015 de blastocistos de día 5 y 6 obtenidos durante tratamientos de fecundación in vitro y analizados con el tamizaje genético previo a la implantación, en su variante de microarreglos de polimorfismo de nucleótido único (SNP microarrays) con el algoritmo Parental Support (Natera, USA), que permite evaluar la ploidía de los 24 cromosomas. Comparación de variables continuas: T de Student y categóricas X2. RESULTADOS: se analizaron 450 blastocistos de 80 pacientes. En el centro A: 132 blastocistos fueron de día 5 y 108 de día 6. En el centro B: 94 blastocistos fueron de día 5 y 116 de día 6. Las pacientes del centro A tuvieron mayor edad materna (37.3 ± 3.8 vs 32.4 ± 5.6; p<0.05). La incidencia total de blastocistos con aneuploidias fue similar en ambos centros; al diferenciar entre embriones de día 5 y día 6 sí hubo diferencia. El centro A reportó aumento de blastocistos aneuploides de día 6 vs blastocistos de día 5 (61.1 vs 36.3%; p<0.05). En el centro B la incidencia de embriones aneuploides fue similar entre blastocistos de día 5 y día 6 (48.9 vs 43.1; p > 0.05). El origen de las aneuploidias fue, principalmente, materno (centro A, 68.7%; centro B, 60.75%) seguido por origen mixto (centro A, 19.65%; centro B, 28.1%) y, finalmente, origen paterno (centro A, 11.6%; centro B, 11.1%). CONCLUSIONES: la incidencia de aneuploidias embrionarias entre embriones de día 5 y día 6 fue diferente entre centros. El origen fue, principalmente, materno, seguido de mixto y finalmente paterno.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and origin of aneuploidies in blastocysts of two assisted reproduction centers in México. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. In the period from january 2014 to December 2015, we incluided blastocysts on day 5 and day 6 of developmet, analyzed with preimplantation genetic screening; in two assisted reproduction centers. Blastocysts biopsied on day 7 and embryos that did not perform genetic diagnosis made, were excluded. The comparison of continuous variables: "T of student", categorical: X2. RESULTS: Were analized 450 blastocysts obtained from 80 patients. In center A, 132 blastocysts were on day five and 108 on day six; In the center B; 94 blastocysts were on day five and 116 on day six. Maternal age was higher in center A (37.3 ± 3.8 vs 32.4 ± 5.6 years, p <0.05). The total incidence of aneuploid blastocysts was similar in both centers; By differentiating between embryos from day five and day six if there was difference. The center A presented aneuploid blastocysts increase of day 6 compared with blastocysts of day 5 (61.1 vs 36.3%, p <0.05). In Center B the incidence of aneuploid embryos was similar between blastocysts from day 5 and 6 (48.9 vs 43.1; p> 0.05). In both centers, the main origin of aneuploidies was the maternal cause (center A, 68.7%, center B, 60.75%), followed by mixed origin (center A, 19.65%, center B, 28.1%) and finally of paternal cause (center A, 11.6%, center B, 11.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of embryonic aneuploidies between embryos from day 5 and day 6 was different between centers. The origin was mainly maternal, followed by mixed and paternal.

Comparación de resultados posterior a la transferencia electiva de embrión único euploide en ciclos frescos vs criopreservados / Results after elective single embryo transfer: Fresh euploid embryo transfer versus frozen-thawed transfer cycles

Resumen OBJETIVO: analizar las tasas de implantación y embarazo en ciclos de fertilización in vitro con transferencia electiva de un solo blastocisto, con control del factor embriónico mediante transferencia de embriones euploides. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: estudio retrospectivo de pacientes atendidas entre los años 2010 a 2015 en un centro privado, en protocolo de fertilización in vitro y que tuvieron, por lo menos, un embrión euploide disponible para transferencia. Para fines de estudio las pacientes se dividieron en dos grupos: 1) transferencia de embriones frescos y 2) embriones desvitrificados. Las variables categóricas se analizaron con χ2 y prueba exacta de Fisher; las variables continuas con t de Student. Se estableció significación estadística con un valor de p < 0.05. Para el análisis estadístico se usó SAS-STAT versión 9.4. RESULTADOS: se incluyeron 637 ciclos (frescos: 243 vs criopreservados: 394). La tasa de embarazo fue de 75.5% (n = 289) vs 66.3% (n = 159), embarazo clínico 62.5% (n = 235) vs 53.1% (n = 127) que fue estadísticamente significativo a favor de los ciclos criopreservados. Las tasas de embarazo múltiple fueron bajas (1.7 vs 1.6%) en ambas cohortes. CONCLUSIONES: la transferencia de un solo embrión disminuye significativamente la incidencia de embarazos múltiples y la morbilidad materna y neonatal. El mejor pronóstico en ciclos de fertilización in vitro homólogos se consigue con la transferencia de un solo embrión genéticamente equilibrado, en un ciclo posterior de preparación endometrial sintética o natural.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To analyze the implantation and pregnancy rates in cycles of in vitro fertilization with elective transfer of a single blastocyst, with control of the embryonic factor by transfer of euploid embryos. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis who included patients that underwent IVF and had at least one euploid embryo available for transfer between 2010 and 2015 on a single academic private practice. Cohorts were segregated in fresh embryo transfers (ET) vs frozen/thawed ET. Categorical variables were analyzed with χ2 and Fisher test when appropriate. Continuous variables were analyzed with Students t test. P value < 0.5 was established as statistically significant. SAS/STAT 9.4 was used for analysis. RESULTS: Six hundred and thirty-seven euploid SETs cycles (fresh cycle: n = 243; frozen/thaw cycle: n = 394) were identified. Pregnancy (75.5% (n=289) vs 66.3% (n = 159)) and clinical pregnancy rates (PR) (62.5% (n = 235) vs 53.1% (n = 127)) were statistically higher in the frozen/thaw cycles. Low rates of multiple pregnancies (1.7 and 1.6%) were observed in both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: In one of the largest studies to date, a euploid SET during a frozen/thaw cycle showed significantly improved pregnancy and clinical PR compared to embryo transfer in fresh cycles. Single embryo transfer significantly reduces the incidence of multiple gestation and improves maternal and neonatal outcomes. An optimal outcome is achieved by the performance of a SET in FET cycles.

Escala de duelo perinatal: validación en mujeres mexicanas con pérdida gestacional / Perinatal Grief Scale: Validation in Mexican Women with Gestational Loss

La pérdida de un hijo al inicio de la vida constituye uno de los estresores emocionales más intensos que puede experimentar una mujer. La evaluación de este proceso de duelo requiere contar con instrumentos confiables y válidos. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar las características psicométricas de la Perinatal Grief Scale (Escala de Duelo Perinatal, EDP) en una muestra de mujeres mexicanas que habían experimentado pérdidas perinatales. La escala fue traducida, retraducida, piloteada y adaptada, para finalmente aplicarla a 200 mujeres que habían experimentado una o más pérdidas perinatales y que asistían a una clínica especializada. Los datos fueron sometidos a los procedimientos estadísticos usuales de validación (análisis de distribución de frecuencias, comparación de grupos extremos, análisis factorial exploratorio y análisis factorial confirmatorio, así como correlación entre subescalas) y de evaluación de consistencia interna, obteniendo índices adecuados de confiabilidad y validez. La EDP quedó conformada por 27 reactivos, agrupados en cuatro subescalas: duelo activo, depresión, culpa y aceptación. Se discute su utilización en la investigación y en la práctica clínica.

Losing a child at the beginning of life is one of the most intense emotional stressors that may experience a woman. The evaluation of this mourning process requires reliable and valid instruments. This study aimed to determine the psychometric characteristics of the Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS) in a sample of Mexican women who had experienced perinatal loss. The scale was translated, retranslated, tested and adapted to finally be applied to 200 women who had experienced one or more perinatal loss and were attending a clinic. Data were subjected to the usual statistical procedures of validation (analysis of frequency distribution, comparison of extreme groups, exploratory factor analysis and factor analysis confirming, as well as correlation between scales) and evaluation of internal consistency, obtaining appropriate indexes of reliability and validity. The Perinatal Grief Scale (EDP) was formed by 27 items, grouped in four scales: active grief, depression, guilt, and acceptance. Its use in research and clinical practice is discussed.

Relationship between analgesic effect of total alkaloids in Papaver nudicaule and prostaglandins with opium receptors / 中草药

Objective To study the relationship between analgesic effect of total alkaloids in Papaver nudicaule(TAPN) and prostaglandins(PGs) with opium receptors.Methods The analgesic effect of TAPN was studied by hot-plate, writhing,electric-evoked methods of mice.The analgesic mechanisms of TAPN and PGs with opium receptors were studied by the writhing numbers induced by different substances(Ach,AA,MgSO_4),the PGE_2 level in celiac fluid in mice after treated by AA writhing test and the antagonistic experiment of Naloxone.Results The inhibitory effect of TAPN on the writhing induced by Ach and AA in mice was stronger than that induced by MgSO_4.TAPN could also lower the PGE_2 level in celiac fluid.In the antagonistic experiment of Naloxone,no antagonism to the analgesic effect of TAPN had been found by ip or icv Naloxone.Conclusion It may be the mainly peripheral analgesic mechanism that TAPN could lower the PGE_2 level in celiac fluid.Its central analgesic mechanisms are not related to opium receptors.

EFFECTS OF GINSENOSIDES AND PANTOCRINE ON THE FUNCTION OF REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM IN MALE RATS / 中国药理学通报

In vitro experiment, results showed the that the LH secretion of adenohypophysis incubated with Ginsenosides ( G ) and Pantoc-rine ( P ) was significantly increased, similar to the exciting effect of LRH which stimulats LH secretion. By addition of G or P and Indomethacin (an inhibitor of PGs synthesis) at the same time, however, the LH secretion was significantly decreased. It appears that PGs may be involved in the regulation of the exciting effect of G and P on LH secretion. The experiment in vivo also demonstrated that in healthy young male rats injected with P by S.c.,thetestosterone content in plasma had significant increase, that the binding capacity of testicular tissue to 125I-HCG (receptor function) did not change clearly.

AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY USING INDOCIN TO INHIBIT THE OTOTOXICITY INDUCED BY FUROSEMIDE / 解放军医学杂志

We have observed the protective effects of indocin (IND), a potent inhibitor of pro-sglandins (PGs), on ototoxicity induced by furosemide (FU) using the synchronous recording technique of endocochlear potential (EP) and auditory action potential(AP) in guinea pigs. The FU group were found to have a mean decrease in EP of 65.1?5.6mV and AP amplitude 91.5?10.2%. In contrast, the animals in the FU+IND group had a much smaller reduction of EP(17.5 ?3.8mV) and AP amplitude(31.1?4.7%). The rate of return in EP and AP was much faster in the FU+IND group as compared with the other group. Our findings suggest that the ototoxicity of FU may be related to the mediation of PGs in the inner ear target tissues. IND can interrupt an increase in endogenous PGs in cochlear tissues triggered by FU injection by inhibiting the biological synthesis of PGs, thus effectively diminishing the ototoxicity induced by FU.