Obstetric and Perinatal Outcomes of Dichorionic-Diamniotic Twin Pregnancies Conceived by IVF/ICSI Compared with Those Conceived Spontaneously.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate differences in mater-nal and perinatal outcomes between dichorionic-diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancies between those conceived spontaneously and those conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Methods: This study was a single-center, retrospective cohort study. All women with DCDA twin pregnancies were considered for inclusion. Monochorionic twins and higher-order multiple pre-gnancies were excluded. All data related to maternal and perinatal outcomes were extracted from the hospital database and compared between spontaneously conceived DCDA twin pregnancies and those conceived by IVF/ICSI. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders to determine factors associated with maternal and perinatal outcomes. Results: Of 739 identified DCDA twin pregnancies, 483 (65.4%) were conceived through IVF/ICSI treatment (IVF/ICSI group), and 256 (34.6%) were spontaneously conceived (SC group). Women in the IVF/ICSI group were older and had fewer previous live births than women in the SC group. The women in the IVF/ICSI group had significantly higher risks of preeclampsia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-5.55), cesarean delivery (aOR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.27-3.17), an postpartum hemorrhage following cesarean section (aOR: 3.15; 95% CI: 1.53-6.45). The DCDA twins in the IVF/ICSI group were delivered at an earlier gestational age (36.2 vs. 36.7 weeks, p < 0.001), had slightly lower mean birth weights (2298 vs. 2367 g, p = 0.005), and required more respiratory support (aOR: 0.69; 95% Cl: 0.48-0.98) than those in the SC group. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that women with DCDA twin pregnancies conceived through IVF/ICSI experienced more complications than those with SC DCDA twin pregnancies. Newborns in the IVF/ICSI group had a slightly lower mean birth weight and required respiratory support more frequently, but no other significant differences in perinatal outcomes or perinatal mortality were observed between the two groups.

[miRNA-16 AS an Internal Control in Breast Cancer Studies: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis].

Reverse Transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) is a method of choice for quantifying micro RNAs (miRNAs). Typically, RT-qPCR data are normalized to reference genes. While miRNAs are used for diagnosing and subtyping breast cancer, various studies show their deregulation in this condition, thus, undermining miRNAs' utility as a reference. This review examines the expression pattern of miR-16 and suggests normalization approaches for breast cancer. We analyzed the data from selected peer-reviewed studies to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD) with subsequent Chi-square testing and identified the difference in miR-16 expression between breast cancer patients and healthy controls. With a negative SMD value of-0.56 and Chi-square of 62.62 (p-value = 0.05), the deregulation of miR-16 in breast cancer was confirmed. High variance in the stability value (SV) of miR-16 expression levels confirmed its inappropriateness as a control gene in breast cancer. The combination of miR-16 and miR-425 was confirmed as an accurate endogenous control.

Distance magnetic nanoparticle detection using a magnetoelectric sensor for clinical interventions.

Distance magnetic nanoparticle detections were investigated by using a magnetoelectric based magnetic sensor with a long type bilayer Metglas/PZT laminate composite. In homogeneous magnetic fields, the sensor exhibits a sensitivity of 307.4 mV/Oe, which is possible for a detection limit of 2.7 × 10-7 emu. This sensor can detect an amount of 0.31 µg of the superparamagnetic Fe3O4-chitosan fluid at 2 mm height above the sensor surface. To detect a spot with magnetic nanoparticles at a distance of about 7.6 mm, it should contain at least 50 µg of iron oxide. This approach can develop the local detection of magnetic nanoparticles at a depth of centimeters in the body during clinical interventions.

Spatial angular positioning device with three-dimensional magnetoelectric sensors.

This paper reports on the development of a novel simple three-dimensional geomagnetic device for sensing the spatial azimuth and pitch positions by using three one-dimensional magnetoelectric sensors assembled along three orthogonal axes. This sensing device combines piezoelectric transducer plates and elongated high-performance Ni-based Metglas ribbons. It allows the simultaneous detection of all three orthogonal components of the terrestrial magnetic field. Output signals from the device components are provided in form of sine and/or cosine functions of both the rotation azimuth and the pitch angles, from which the total intensity as well as the inclination angle of the Earth's magnetic field is determined in an overall field resolution of better than 10(-4) Oe and an angle precision of ±0.1°, respectively. This simple and low-cost geomagnetic-field device is promising for the automatic determination and control of the mobile transceiver antenna's orientation with respect to the position of the related geostationary satellite.

Thermophilic amylase-producing bacteria from Vietnamese soils.

Of 25 bacterial isolates from Vietnamese soils, two were identified asBacillus stearothermophilus and one asThermoactinomyces thalpophilus, both thermophilic, amylase-producing bacteria. Amylase activity was highest in the presence of cassava starch as carbon source and (NH4)2HPO4 as nitrogen source. The strains exhibit a high amylase productivity within the first 5 to 7 h of cultivation at 55°C. The crude enzyme had optima of pH 6.5 and 70°C.