RAD-TGTs: high-throughput measurement of cellular mechanotype via rupture and delivery of DNA tension probes.

Mechanical forces drive critical cellular processes that are reflected in mechanical phenotypes, or mechanotypes, of cells and their microenvironment. We present here "Rupture And Deliver" Tension Gauge Tethers (RAD-TGTs) in which flow cytometry is used to record the mechanical history of thousands of cells exerting forces on their surroundings via their propensity to rupture immobilized DNA duplex tension probes. We demonstrate that RAD-TGTs recapitulate prior DNA tension probe studies while also yielding a gain of fluorescence in the force-generating cell that is detectable by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the rupture propensity is altered following disruption of the cytoskeleton using drugs or CRISPR-knockout of mechanosensing proteins. Importantly, RAD-TGTs can differentiate distinct mechanotypes among mixed populations of cells. We also establish oligo rupture and delivery can be measured via DNA sequencing. RAD-TGTs provide a facile and powerful assay to enable high-throughput mechanotype profiling, which could find various applications, for example, in combination with CRISPR screens and -omics analysis.

Phosphorylation alters the mechanical stiffness of a model fragment of the dystrophin homologue utrophin.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a lethal muscle wasting disease caused by the absence of the protein dystrophin. Utrophin is a dystrophin homologue currently under investigation as a protein replacement therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dystrophin is hypothesized to function as a molecular shock absorber that mechanically stabilizes the sarcolemma. While utrophin is homologous with dystrophin from a molecular and biochemical perspective, we have recently shown that full-length utrophin expressed in eukaryotic cells is stiffer than what has been reported for dystrophin fragments expressed in bacteria. In this study, we show that differences in expression system impact the mechanical stiffness of a model utrophin fragment encoding the N terminus through spectrin repeat 3 (UtrN-R3). We also demonstrate that UtrN-R3 expressed in eukaryotic cells was phosphorylated while bacterial UtrN-R3 was not detectably phosphorylated. Using atomic force microscopy, we show that phosphorylated UtrN-R3 exhibited significantly higher unfolding forces compared to unphosphorylated UtrN-R3 without altering its actin-binding activity. Consistent with the effect of phosphorylation on mechanical stiffness, mutating the phosphorylated serine residues on insect eukaryotic protein to alanine decreased its stiffness to levels not different from unphosphorylated bacterial protein. Taken together, our data suggest that the mechanical properties of utrophin may be tuned by phosphorylation, with the potential to improve its efficacy as a protein replacement therapy for dystrophinopathies.

Dystrophin missense mutations alter focal adhesion tension and mechanotransduction.

Dystrophin is an essential muscle protein that contributes to cell membrane stability by mechanically linking the actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix via an adhesion complex called the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. The absence or impaired function of dystrophin causes muscular dystrophy. Focal adhesions (FAs) are also mechanosensitive adhesion complexes that connect the cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix. However, the interplay between dystrophin and FA force transmission has not been investigated. Using a vinculin-based bioluminescent tension sensor, we measured FA tension in transgenic C2C12 myoblasts expressing wild-type (WT) dystrophin, a nonpathogenic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (I232M), or two missense mutations associated with Duchenne (L54R), or Becker muscular dystrophy (L172H). Our data revealed cross talk between dystrophin and FAs, as the expression of WT or I232M dystrophin increased FA tension compared to dystrophin-less nontransgenic myoblasts. In contrast, the expression of L54R or L172H did not increase FA tension, indicating that these disease-causing mutations compromise the mechanical function of dystrophin as an FA allosteric regulator. Decreased FA tension caused by these mutations manifests as defective migration, as well as decreased Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) activation, possibly by the disruption of the ability of FAs to transmit forces between the extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton. Our results indicate that dystrophin influences FA tension and suggest that dystrophin disease-causing missense mutations may disrupt a cellular tension-sensing pathway in dystrophic skeletal muscle.

Value-Based Healthcare in Ostomies.

In order to achieve significant improvements in quality, cost, and accessibility (the health "iron triangle"), innovation in organizational and service delivery models is necessary to increase the value of healthcare. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of a model of organizational innovation based on advanced practice nurse in the care of people with ostomies (APN-O) versus usual care. An observational, exploratory, analytical, prospective study with a six-month follow-up was carried out at 12 hospitals that implemented this model in Andalusia. A total of 75 patients who had undergone a digestive elimination ostomy and/or a urinary ostomy were followed for six months. Clinical outcomes, healthcare resources, health-related quality of life, and willingness to pay (WTP) were analyzed. The economic evaluation was conducted from a societal perspective, including healthcare costs and indirect costs. The cost difference between the two models was €136.99 and the quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained was 0.05965 (€2297 per QALY gained). At six months, the mean of WTP was €69 per APN-O consultation. This model contributes to increasing the value-based healthcare in ostomies. Results of this study suggested that APN-O is an effective patient management model for improving their health status and is highly efficient.

Enhanced Molecular Tension Sensor Based on Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET).

Molecular tension sensors measure piconewton forces experienced by individual proteins in the context of the cellular microenvironment. Current genetically encoded tension sensors use FRET to report on extension of a deformable peptide encoded in a cellular protein of interest. Here, we present the development and characterization of a new type of molecular tension sensor based on bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), which exhibits more desirable spectral properties and an enhanced dynamic range compared to other molecular tension sensors. Moreover, it avoids many disadvantages of FRET measurements in cells, including autofluorescence, photobleaching, and corrections of direct acceptor excitation. We benchmark the sensor by inserting it into the canonical mechanosensing focal adhesion protein vinculin, observing highly resolved gradients of tensional changes across focal adhesions. We anticipate that the BRET tension sensor will expand the toolkit available to study mechanotransduction at a molecular level and allow potential extension to an in vivo context.

FR58P1a; a new uncoupler of OXPHOS that inhibits migration in triple-negative breast cancer cells via Sirt1/AMPK/ß1-integrin pathway.

Highly malignant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells rely mostly on glycolysis to maintain cellular homeostasis; however, mitochondria are still required for migration and metastasis. Taking advantage of the metabolic flexibility of TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells to generate subpopulations with glycolytic or oxidative phenotypes, we screened phenolic compounds containing an ortho-carbonyl group with mitochondrial activity and identified a bromoalkyl-ester of hydroquinone named FR58P1a, as a mitochondrial metabolism-affecting compound that uncouples OXPHOS through a protonophoric mechanism. In contrast to well-known protonophore uncoupler FCCP, FR58P1a does not depolarize the plasma membrane and its effect on the mitochondrial membrane potential and bioenergetics is moderate suggesting a mild uncoupling of OXPHOS. FR58P1a activates AMPK in a Sirt1-dependent fashion. Although the activation of Sirt1/AMPK axis by FR58P1a has a cyto-protective role, selectively inhibits fibronectin-dependent adhesion and migration in TNBC cells but not in non-tumoral MCF10A cells by decreasing ß1-integrin at the cell surface. Prolonged exposure to FR58P1a triggers a metabolic reprograming in TNBC cells characterized by down-regulation of OXPHOS-related genes that promote cell survival but comprise their ability to migrate. Taken together, our results show that TNBC cell migration is susceptible to mitochondrial alterations induced by small molecules as FR58P1a, which may have therapeutic implications.

Uso de test dual en ancianos institucionalizados con diferentes niveles de deterioro cognitivo. Estudio transversal / Dual tasks in institutionalized seniors with different levels of cognitive impairment. Cross-sectional study

Resumen Introducción. El envejecimiento se ha relacionado con una mayor prevalencia de deterioro cognitivo. Las personas mayores con pérdida de funciones cognitivas presentan elevadas tasas de caídas. El desarrollo de las actividades de la vida diaria engloba dos o más tareas, siendo necesarios componentes cognitivos y motores. Objetivo. Analizar el rendimiento en pruebas sencillas y duales de sujetos en entorno residencial con diferentes grados de deterioro cognitivo. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio observacional de corte transversal en ancianos institucionalizados >65 años (n=80). Se evaluó el deterioro cognitivo con el Mini-Mental State Examination y se solicitó a los participantes realizar una tarea simple y dual en las pruebas Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) y Timed Up and Go (TUG). Resultados. Se distribuyeron los participantes en tres grupos. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos con deterioro cognitivo y el grupo sin deterioro cognitivo para las pruebas 6MWT (p<0.05) y TUG (p<0.05), tanto en la tarea simple como en la tarea dual. Un peor rendimiento se asoció con una menor capacidad cognitiva. Conclusión. La severidad del deterioro cognitivo se encuentra relacionada con el desempeño en las tareas duales.

Abstract Introduction: Aging is linked to a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment. Seniors presenting with loss of cognitive functions have high fall rates. The development of activities of daily living encompasses two or more tasks that require cognitive and motor components. Objective: To analyze the performance in simple and dual tasks of subjects living in a residential environment with different degrees of cognitive impairment. Materials and methods: An observational cross-sectional study was performed in a population of institutionalized elderly >65 years (n=80). Cognitive impairment was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination and participants were asked to perform simple and dual tasks using the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and Timed Up and Go (TUG). Results: The participants were divided into three groups. Significant differences were found between the groups with cognitive impairment and the group without cognitive impairment in the 6MWT (p<0.05) and TUG (p<0.05) tests, both in simple task and dual tasks. Poorer performance was associated with lower cognitive capacity. Conclusion: The severity of cognitive impairment is correlated to performance in dual tasks.

Effect of CaCO3 Nanoparticles on the Mechanical and Photo-Degradation Properties of LDPE.

CaCO3 nanoparticles of around 60 nm were obtained by a co-precipitation method and used as filler to prepare low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composites by melt blending. The nanoparticles were also organically modified with oleic acid (O-CaCO3) in order to improve their interaction with the LDPE matrix. By adding 3 and 5 wt% of nanofillers, the mechanical properties under tensile conditions of the polymer matrix improved around 29%. The pure LDPE sample and the nanocomposites with 5 wt% CaCO3 were photoaged by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation during 35 days and the carbonyl index (CI), degree of crystallinity (χc), and Young's modulus were measured at different times. After photoaging, the LDPE/CaCO3 nanocomposites increased the percent crystallinity (χc), the CI, and Young's modulus as compared to the pure polymer. Moreover, the viscosity of the photoaged nanocomposite was lower than that of photoaged pure LDPE, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that after photoaging the nanocomposites presented cavities around the nanoparticles. These difference showed that the presence of CaCO3 nanoparticles accelerate the photo-degradation of the polymer matrix. Our results show that the addition of CaCO3 nanoparticles into an LDPE polymer matrix allows future developments of more sustainable polyethylene materials that could be applied as films in agriculture. These LDPE-CaCO3 nanocomposites open the opportunity to improve the low degradation of the LDPE without sacrificing the polymer's behavior, allowing future development of novel eco-friendly polymers.

Effects of a dance-based aquatic exercise program in obese postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a dance-based aquatic exercise program on functionality, cardiorespiratory capacity, postexercise heart rate, and fatigue in obese postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was performed. In all, 34 obese women diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis participated. Women were randomly allocated to an experimental group (n = 17) or a control group (n = 17). Participants in the experimental group were included in an 8-week dance-based aquatic exercise program conducted in community swimming pools. Those in the control group underwent a global aquatic exercise program. The primary outcome measure was functionality assessed with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Secondary outcomes were cardiorespiratory capacity evaluated with the 6-minute walk test, and postexercise heart rate and fatigue assessed using a visual analog scale. Variables were measured at baseline, after the intervention, and at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: A between-group analysis showed significant postintervention differences in functionality (aggregate postintervention WOMAC score of 37.30 ±â€Š16.61 vs 41.83 ±â€Š13.69; P = 0.048) in favor of the experimental group. In addition, significant between-group differences were found after the 8 weeks in cardiorespiratory capacity, postexercise heart rate, and fatigue. Follow-up continued to show significant differences between groups in function (aggregate WOMAC score of 38.60 ±â€Š13.61 vs 42.60 ±â€Š9.05; P = 0.038), postexercise heart rate, and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: An 8-week dance-based exercise program significantly improved function and cardiorespiratory capacity, and decreased postexercise heart rate and fatigue. Most of these improvements were maintained at 3-month follow-up in obese postmenopausal women.

Single molecule force spectroscopy reveals the effect of BiP chaperone on protein folding.

BiP (Immunoglobulin Binding Protein) is a member of the Hsp70 chaperones that participates in protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. The function of BiP relies on cycles of ATP hydrolysis driving the binding and release of its substrate proteins. It still remains unknown how BiP affects the protein folding pathway and there has been no direct demonstration showing which folding state of the substrate protein is bound by BiP, as previous work has used only peptides. Here, we employ optical tweezers for single molecule force spectroscopy experiments to investigate how BiP affects the folding mechanism of a complete protein and how this effect depends on nucleotides. Using the protein MJ0366 as the substrate for BiP, we performed pulling and relaxing cycles at constant velocity to unfold and refold the substrate. In the absence of BiP, MJ0366 unfolded and refolded in every cycle. However, when BiP was added, the frequency of folding events of MJ0366 significantly decreased, and the loss of folding always occurred after a successful unfolding event. This process was dependent on ATP and ADP, since when either ATP was decreased or ADP was added, the duration of periods without folding events increased. Our results show that the affinity of BiP for the substrate protein increased in these conditions, which correlates with previous studies in bulk. Therefore, we conclude that BiP binds to the unfolded state of MJ0366 and prevents its refolding, and that this effect is dependent on both the type and concentration of nucleotides.

Physical and Functional Impairment During and After Hospitalization in Subjects With Severe COPD Exacerbation.

BACKGROUND: COPD exacerbations are frequent events that have a negative impact on the lives of patients. The aims of this study were to analyze physical and functional impairment during hospital stay in subjects hospitalized due to COPD exacerbation and to assess the physical and functional impact of hospitalization at a 1-month follow-up in patients with severe COPD. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study on a sample of 52 subjects hospitalized due to COPD exacerbation. The assessments were performed at baseline, discharge, and 1-month follow-up. The outcome measures were dyspnea, muscle strength, functional capacity, and postural steadiness. RESULTS: Quadriceps strength [1.036 (P = .043) kg mean difference] and the one-leg stance test [1.04 (P = .02) and 0.73 (P = .032) s mean difference right and left leg] showed significant impairment during hospitalization. Dyspnea perception improved significantly (P = .004) during hospitalization. Additionally, strength in the upper and lower limbs [4.04 (P = .002) and 1.23 (P = .038) kg mean difference], functional capacity [3.0 number of steps mean difference (P = .032)], and the one-leg stance test [2.12 (P = .006) and 0.53 (P = .047) s mean difference right and left leg] showed significant impairment 1-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalization due to COPD exacerbation leads to physical and functional impairment in patients; impairment is greater at 1-month follow-up. It would be interesting to conduct physical therapy interventions to prevent the impairment.

ICT Learning by Older Adults and Their Attitudes toward Computer Use.

Information and communication technologies have proven to be an effective way of helping older adults improve independence outcomes, but such technologies are yet not widely used by this segment of the population. This paper aims to study computer use and senior citizens' attitudes toward computer technology in the context of a 20-hour course in basic skills. A questionnaire was used to conduct pre- and postcourse analyses with a sample of 191 adults over the age of 60. The findings show that direct contact with computers generates more positive attitudes toward computer use and also positive relationships with attitudes, user behavior, training expectations, and self-confidence. Results are discussed in the light of need-to-know attitudes toward computer use and training in new technologies as an opportunity for life-long learning and for improving quality of life in old age.

Cognitive impairment in COPD: a systematic review.

The objectives of this study were to characterize and clarify the relationships between the various cognitive domains affected in COPD patients and the disease itself, as well as to determine the prevalence of impairment in the various cognitive domains in such patients. To that end, we performed a systematic review using the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. We included articles that provided information on cognitive impairment in COPD patients. The review of the findings of the articles showed a significant relationship between COPD and cognitive impairment. The most widely studied cognitive domains are memory and attention. Verbal memory and learning constitute the second most commonly impaired cognitive domain in patients with COPD. The prevalence of impairment in visuospatial memory and intermediate visual memory is 26.9% and 19.2%, respectively. We found that cognitive impairment is associated with the profile of COPD severity and its comorbidities. The articles reviewed demonstrated that there is considerable impairment of the cognitive domains memory and attention in patients with COPD. Future studies should address impairments in different cognitive domains according to the disease stage in patients with COPD.

Cognitive impairment in COPD: a systematic review / Cognitive impairment in COPD: a systematic review

The objectives of this study were to characterize and clarify the relationships between the various cognitive domains affected in COPD patients and the disease itself, as well as to determine the prevalence of impairment in the various cognitive domains in such patients. To that end, we performed a systematic review using the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. We included articles that provided information on cognitive impairment in COPD patients. The review of the findings of the articles showed a significant relationship between COPD and cognitive impairment. The most widely studied cognitive domains are memory and attention. Verbal memory and learning constitute the second most commonly impaired cognitive domain in patients with COPD. The prevalence of impairment in visuospatial memory and intermediate visual memory is 26.9% and 19.2%, respectively. We found that cognitive impairment is associated with the profile of COPD severity and its comorbidities. The articles reviewed demonstrated that there is considerable impairment of the cognitive domains memory and attention in patients with COPD. Future studies should address impairments in different cognitive domains according to the disease stage in patients with COPD.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram caracterizar e esclarecer as relações entre os vários domínios cognitivos afetados em pacientes com DPOC e a doença em si, assim como determinar a prevalência de comprometimentos cognitivos em tais pacientes. Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática utilizando as seguintes bases de dados: PubMed, Scopus e ScienceDirect. Os artigos incluídos forneciam informações sobre os comprometimentos cognitivos em pacientes com DPOC. A revisão dos achados de tais artigos mostrou uma relação significativa entre DPOC e comprometimento cognitivo. Os domínios cognitivos mais estudados são a memória e a atenção. Memória verbal e aprendizagem constituem o segundo domínio cognitivo mais comumente prejudicado em pacientes com DPOC. A prevalência de comprometimento da memória visuoespacial e da memória visual intermediária é 26,9% e 19.2%, respectivamente. Observamos que o comprometimento cognitivo está associado ao perfil de gravidade da DPOC e suas comorbidades. A revisão dos artigos demonstrou que há um comprometimento considerável dos domínios memória e atenção em pacientes com DPOC. Investigações futuras devem abordar os comprometimentos em diferentes domínios cognitivos em conformidade com o estágio da doença em pacientes com DPOC.

Maltrato Infantil / Child abuse

Introducción: La prevalencia y la incidencia es variable según la definición del maltrato y el lugar donde es detectado. En Chile hay cifras de niños maltratados tan extremas como el 5 por ciento (Ministerio de Salud) y el 75 por ciento (UNICEF). Objetivo: Identificar, describir y sintetizar la evidencia disponible de los distintos aspectos del maltrato infantil. Método: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica del material disponible en bases de datos especializadas y fueron seleccionados un total de 43 artículos. Resultados: El maltrato infantil puede clasificarse en términos generales según el modo de agresión en: maltrato físico, maltrato emocional, abuso sexual y negligencia. Tiene efectos físicos, neuropsicológicos, psiquiátricos y conductuales. Existen diversos factores de riesgo, pero también existen factores protectores. El diagnóstico no debe sospecharse sólo cuando el paciente llega con evidencias claras de maltrato, sino que es necesario tener cierto grado de sospecha. La prevención es un punto crucial al enfrentarnos a este fenómeno. Para llevarla a cabo es necesario que toda la sociedad tome conciencia del fenómeno. Discusión: Deben existir condiciones mínimas de bienestar para los menores de modo que se respete su dignidad como personas. Se debe realizar más investigación acerca de los factores protectores de maltrato, ya que juegan un importante rol en mitigar los factores de riesgo.

Introduction: The prevalence and incidence varies according to the definition of abuse and where it is detected. In Chile there are numbers of abused children as extreme as 5 percent (Ministry of Health) and 75 percent (UNICEF). Objective: Identify, describe and synthesize available for different aspects of child abuse evidence. Methods: A literature review was conducted of the material available in specialized databases and were selected from a total of 43 items. Results: Child abuse can be broadly categorized by mode of aggression: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. Has physical, neuropsychological , psychiatric and behavioral effects. There are several risk factors, but there are protective factors. The diagnosis should be suspected not only when the patient arrives with clear evidence of abuse, but it is necessary to have a certain degree of suspicion. Prevention is a crucial point to face this phenomenon. To carry it out it is necessary that all the society aware of the phenomenon. Discussion: There should be minimum standards of welfare for children so that their personal dignity is respected. It should do more research on protective factors of abuse, as they play an important role in mitigating risk factors.

Influencia de la calidad embrionaria y seminal en el síndrome del embrión evanescente / Embryo and seminal quality and its influence on the vanishing embryo syndrome

Introducción. La evanescencia embrionaria consiste en la pérdida espontánea de uno o más embriones durante una gestación múltiple sin que el embarazo se interrumpa. Nuestros objetivos fueron: determinar la tasa de evanescencia en mujeres con embarazos múltiples concebidos por microinseminación espermática (ICSI: Intracytoplasmic Sperm Inyection), analizar la evolución de estos embarazos y relacionar la presencia de este fenómeno con posibles causas cuantificables en laboratorio como la calidad embrionaria y la calidad seminal, así como con la edad de la mujer. Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo de 145 embarazos múltiples de ciclos de ICSI realizados entre el 1/01/2004 y el 31/12/2008, las pacientes fueron divididas en dos grupos (112 no evanescentes y 33 con saco/s evanescentes). Se realizó seguimiento ecográfico de las embarazadas y los parámetros se recogieron de la base de datos del centro. Posteriormente realizamos un estudio de casos-controles histórico para analizar los resultados neonatales de los embarazos simples procedentes de evanescentes, comparando con un grupo control de nacimientos procedentes de embarazos simples obtenido mediante técnicas de reproducción asistida (TRA) en nuestro centro que fueron registrados en el mismo período de estudio (n=163). Resultados. La tasa de evanescencia se situó en un 22,7%, siendo de un 17,5% en embarazos gemelares y de un 50% en embarazos triples. La evanescencia en los embarazos múltiples fue significativamente menor en el grupo con dos sacos gestacionales que en el grupo con tres o más sacos gestacionales (p<0,001). Los resultados perinatales de los nacidos vivos en embarazos con evanescencia fueron similares a los obtenidos en nacidos procedentes de embarazos inicialmente simples. La tasa de embriones de buena calidad fue significativamente mayor en el grupo sin evanescentes (p<0,001). No se observaron diferencias en términos de edad y de calidad seminal entre los grupos de estudio. Conclusiones. La tasa de evanescencia embrionaria aumenta significativamente en los embarazos de más de dos sacos gestacionales, existiendo una relación entre este fenómeno y la calidad de la transferencia embrionaria (AU)

Background. The vanishing embryo phenomenon is defined as the spontaneous loss of one or more embryos in a multiple pregnancy without its interruption. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of vanishing embryo syndrome in women with multiple pregnancies conceived by Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), to analyse the evolution of these pregnancies, and to find a relationship with possible causes, such as embryo and seminal quality. Material and methods. A retrospective analysis was performed of 145 multiple pregnancies conceived by ICSI, from January 2004 to December 2008. They were divided in two groups (112 without vanishing syndrome and 33 with any embryo suffering from vanishing syndrome). We then carried out a case-control study in order to compare the neonatal results of single pregnancies with vanishing embryo syndrome. We carried out transvaginal ultrasound monitoring until 12weeks of gestation. The data were obtained from the centre data base. Results. Vanishing embryo syndrome was observed in 22.7% of our patients, with 17.5% of cases being observed in twin pregnancies, and 50% in triple pregnancies. The vanishing embryo rate in multiple pregnancies was significantly lower in the group with two gestational sacs than in the group with three or more gestational sacs (P<.001). The rate of good quality embryos was significantly higher in the group without vanishing embryos (P<.001). No differences were observed in terms of age and seminal quality among study groups. Perinatal outcomes of live births were similar in both groups. Conclusion. Vanishing embryos rate seems to increase in pregnancies with over two gestational sacs. We observed a relationship between this syndrome and embryo transfer quality (AU)