Experimental model standardizing polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel to simulate endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound-elastography.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic ultrasound elastography (EUS-E) simulation lessens the learning curve; however, models lack realism, diminishing competitiveness. AIM: To standardize the mechanical properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel for simulating organs and digestive lesions. METHODS: PVA hydrogel (Sigma Aldrich, degree of hydrolysis 99%) for simulating EUS/EUS-E lesions was investigated in Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico at Hospital General de México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga", Mexico City. We evaluated physical, contrast, elasticity and deformation coefficient characteristics in lesions, applying Kappa's concordance and satisfaction questionnaire (Likert 4-points). RESULTS: PVA hydrogel showed stable mechanical properties. Density depended on molecular weight (MW) and concentration (C). PVA bblocks with the greatest density showed lowest tensile strength (r = -0.8, P = 0.01). Lesions were EUS-graphically visible. Homogeneous and heterogeneous examples were created from PVA blocks or PVA phantoms, exceeding (MW2 = 146000-186000, C9 = 15% and C10 = 20%) with a density under (MW1 = 85000-124000, C1 = 7% and C2 = 9%). We calculated elasticity and deformation parameters of solid (blue) areas, contrasting with the norm (Kappa = 0.8; high degree of satisfaction). CONCLUSION: PVA hydrogels were appropriate for simulating organs and digestive lesions using EUS/EUS-E, facilitating practice and reducing risk. Repetition amplified skills, while reducing the learning curve.

Evaluación de la espiritualidad en pacientes con duelo utilizando la terapia de aceptación y compromiso en la Clínica de Duelo por Suicidio del Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad de Guadalajara, México / Evaluation of complicated spiritual grief in patients with loss of results in acceptance and commitment therapy at the suicide clinic of the CUCS / Avaliação da espiritualidade em pacientes enlutados em processo terapéutico de aceitação e compromisso na Clínica de luto por suicídio do Centro Universitário de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade de Guadalajara

Introducción. El apego se define como aquel vínculo significativo que se establece entre personas. Cuando este se rompe, ocurre lo que se denomi-na una pérdida significativa seguida de un proceso de duelo, el cual con-siste en una reacción de dolor natural ante el desprendimiento de algo o de alguien. Durante este proceso, la espiritualidad es una estrategia central para sobreponerse a una experiencia dolorosa; sin embargo, esta también puede verse afectada por los significados que se le atribuyen. La terapia de aceptación y compromiso se emplea en distintos desórdenes psicológicos que involucran la evitación experiencial, incluyendo el duelo.Objetivo. Evaluar el duelo complicado espiritual en pacientes tratados con terapia de aceptación y compromiso, antes y después de la intervención.Materiales y métodos. Se aplicó el cuestionario Inventory of Complicated Spiritual Grief a pacientes con duelo antes y después de ser tratados con terapia de aceptación y compromiso en la Clínica del Duelo del Cen-tro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad de Guadalaja-ra, México.Resultados y conclusiones. La terapia de aceptación y compromiso ha de-mostrado ser útil en el proceso del duelo, así como en el restablecimiento de la espiritualidad, toda vez que esta es resignificada y da sentido a las experiencias dolorosas.Palabras clave: Duelo; Apego; Espiritualidad; Terapia de aceptación y compromiso.

Introduction: Attachment refers to the significant bond we establish with a person, when this is broken, what we call a significant loss occurs, followed by a grieving process: natural pain reaction to the detachment of something or someone who had a It was worth it During this, spirituality appears as a cen-tral strategy to overcome painful experiences, but it can also be affected by the meanings attributed to it. Acceptance and commitment therapy has been used in different psychological disorders that involve experiential avoidance, including grief.Objectives: The central objective of the study is to evaluate the complicated spiritual duel. Material and methods: The Inven-tory of Complicated Spiritual Grief (ICSG) was applied in pa-tients with grief, before and after being treated with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the grief clinic of the University Center of Health Sciences.Results and Conclusions: Acceptance Therapy and commitment has proven to be useful in facilitating the elaboration of grief, as well as in restoring spirituality since it is resignified and gives meaning to painful experiences.

Introdução. O apego refere-se ao vínculo significativo estabe-lecido entre pessoas, se vier a quebrar acontece uma perda significativa, seguida de um processo de luto que envolve uma reação natural de dor ao desapego. Durante esse processo, a espiritualidade é uma estratégia central para superar uma expe-riência dolorosa, no entanto, esteja afetada pelos significados atribuídos a ela. A Terapia de aceitação e comprometimento é usada em várias circunsatâncias que envolvem evasão expe-riencial, incluindo luto.Objetivo. O principal objetivo do estudo é avaliar o luto com-plicado espiritual.Materiais e métodos. O questionário Inventory of Complicated Spiritual Grief foi aplicado em pacientes com perdas significa-tivas, antes e depois de serem tratados com a Terapia de acei-tação e compromisso na clínica de luto do Centro Universidade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade de Guadalajara.Resultados e conclusões. Terapia de aceitação e compromisso mostrou ser útil no processo de luto, bem como na restauração da espiritualidade, uma vez que é ressignificada e dá sentido à experiências dolorosas

High Aneuploidy Rates Observed in Embryos Derived from Donated Oocytes are Related to Male Aging and High Percentages of Sperm DNA Fragmentation.

CAPSULE: Male aging effects on aneuploidy rates in embryos. OBJECTIVE: Paternal age is associated with decreasing sperm quality; however, it is unknown if it influences chromosomal abnormalities in embryos. The objective of this study is to evaluate if the aneuploidy rates in embryos are affected by advanced paternal age. METHODS: A total of 286 embryos, obtained from 32 in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles with donated oocytes in conjunction with preimplantation genetic diagnosis, were allocated according to paternal age in three groups: Group A: ≤39 years (n = 44 embryos); Group B: 40-49 years (n = 154 embryos); and Group C: ≥50 years (n = 88 embryos). Fertilization rates, embryo quality at day 3, blastocyst development, and aneuploidy embryo rates were then compared. RESULTS: There was no difference in the seminal parameters (volume, concentration, and motility) in the studied groups. Fertilization rate, percentages of zygotes underwent cleavage, and good quality embryos on day 3 were similar between the three evaluated groups. The group of men ≥50 years had significantly more sperm with damaged DNA, low blastocyst development rate, and higher aneuploidy rates in embryos compared to the other two evaluated groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that advanced paternal age increases the aneuploidy rates in embryos from donated oocytes, which suggests that genetic screening is necessary in those egg donor cycles with sperm from patients >50 years old.

The IMSI Procedure Improves Laboratory and Clinical Outcomes Without Compromising the Aneuploidy Rate When Compared to the Classical ICSI Procedure.

PURPOSE: The intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) procedure has been associated with better laboratory and clinical outcomes in assisted reproduction technologies. Less information is available regarding the relationship between embryo aneuploidy rate and the IMSI procedure. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes and chromosomal status of IMSI-derived embryos with those obtained from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in order to establish a clearer view of the benefits of IMSI in infertile patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a total of 11 cycles of IMSI and 20 cycles of ICSI with preimplantation genetic diagnosis. The fertilization rate, cleavage rate, embryo quality, blastocyst development, aneuploidy rate, pregnancy rate, implantation rate, and miscarriage rate were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Similar rates of fertilization (70% and 73%), cleavage (98% and 100%), and aneuploidy (76.9% and 70.9%) were observed in the IMSI and ICSI groups, respectively. The IMSI group had significantly more good quality embryos at day 3 (95% vs 73%), higher blastocyst development rates (33% vs 19%), and greater number of hatching blastocysts (43% vs 28%), cycles with at least one blastocyst at day 5 (55% vs 35%), and blastocysts with good trophoectoderm morphology (21% vs 6%) compared with the ICSI group (P < 0.001). Significantly higher implantation rates were observed in the IMSI group compared with the ICSI group (57% vs 27%; P < 0.05). Pregnancy and miscarriage rates were similar in both groups (80% vs 50% and 0% vs 33%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The IMSI procedure significantly improves the embryo quality/development by increasing the implantation rates without affecting the chromosomal status of embryos. There is a tendency for the IMSI procedure to enhance the pregnancy rates and lower the miscarriage rates when compared with ICSI.

In Vivo Culture System Using the INVOcell Device Shows Similar Pregnancy and Implantation Rates to Those Obtained from In Vivo Culture System in ICSI Procedures.

CAPSULE: Clinical outcomes using INVOcell device with ICSI. OBJECTIVE: Intravaginal culture of oocytes (INVO) procedure is an intravaginal culture system that utilizes the INVOcell device in which the fertilization and embryo culture occur. In this procedure, the vaginal cavity serves as an incubator for oocyte fertilization and early embryonic development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of this intravaginal culture system in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHODS: A total of 24 cycles INVO-ICSI (study group) and 74 cycles of ICSI (control group) were included in the study. The cleaved oocytes at day 3/total injected oocytes, embryo quality, pregnancy rate (PR), implantation rate (IR), and miscarriage rate (MR) were compared between both groups. RESULTS: At day 3, there was no difference in the cleaved oocyte rate (78.7 and 76.1%) and embryo quality (77 and 86.8%) for the study and control groups, respectively. In the study group, more embryos were significantly transferred compared to the control group (2.63 ± 0.58 versus 1.93 ± 0.25; P < 0.05). PRs, IRs, and MRs were similar for the study group compared with the control group (PR: 54.2% versus 58.1%; IR: 31.7% versus 33.6%; MR: 7.7% versus 20.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Good PR and IR can be obtained using the INVOcell device, and the INVO-ICSI procedure can be considered as an alternative option to infertile patients.