Morphometric analysis of human oocytes using time lapse: does it predict embryo developmental outcomes?

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the relationship between morphometric parameters of metaphase II (MII) oocytes and the morphokinetic behaviour of subsequent embryos derived by intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The association between oocyte morphometry: (whole oocyte), ooplasm, width of zona pellucida (ZP) and perivitelline space (PVS) and first polar body (PB) with embryo morphokinetic variables, including time of second PB extrusion (tPB2), pronuclei appearance (tPN), pronuclei fading (tPNf), formation of two to eight cells (t2 to t8) and irregular cleavage events [uneven at two cells stage, cell fusion (Fu) and trichomonas mitoses (TM)] were assessed. tPB2, t5 and t8 timings were related to the ooplasm diameter (p?=?0.003, r?=??0.12; p?=?0.001, r?=??0.16; p?r?=??0.36, respectively); otherwise, there were no significant relationships apart from an association between the oocyte morphometry and other morphokinetic parameters, irregular cleavage embryos as well as embryo arrest which approached significance (p?>?0.05). Overall, the data showed that morphometric parameters of oocytes did not provide a tool for the prediction of embryo morphokinetic or embryo selection in ICSI cycles. However, ooplasm diameter might be useful as a marker for predicting the timing of embryo cleavage.     

Pentoxifylline Increases Antiadhesion Effect of Streptokinase on Postoperative Adhesion Formation: Involvement of Fibrinolytic Pathway

Pentoxifylline reduces peritoneal adhesions and increases peritoneal fibrinolysis in rodents. Furthermore, the activation of the fibrinolytic system by streptokinase leading to degradation of fibrin is effective in the prevention of adhesion formation. We have investigated the effects of pentoxifylline and streptokinase alone and/or coadministration on postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion formation in adult female NMRI mice. Drugs were administered from the day of surgery until 10 days after surgery. At relaparotomy 11 days after surgery, the abdomen was opened, and the adhesions were graded in a blinded fashion utilizing the classification system described. Oral gavage administration of lower doses of pentoxifylline (3.125, 6.25, and 12.5 mg/kg) had no significant effect on postsurgical adhesion formation, while the higher doses of pentoxifylline (25 and 50 mg/kg) significantly decreased postsurgical adhesion formation. Moreover, intraperitoneal injection of lower doses of streptokinase (9.375, 18.75, and 37.5 unit/kg, i.p.) had no significant effect on postsurgical adhesion formation, while the higher doses of streptokinase (75 and 150 unit/kg) significantly decreased postsurgical adhesion formation. In other series of experiments, coadministration of lower doses of pentoxifylline and streptokinase doses, which were ineffective when given alone, significantly decreased postsurgical intra-abdominal adhesion formation compared with streptokinase control group. The results suggest that pentoxifylline may interfere with streptokinase in the reduction of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion formation by enhancing local fibrinolytic activity.     

Malignant Adenomyoepithelioma of the Breast: A Review

Malignant adenomyoepithelioma (MAME) of the breast is a rare lesion characterized by dual population of epithelial and myoepithelial cells which one or both components show malignant features. We report a case of MAME of the breast in a 46‐year‐old woman diagnosed by fine‐needle aspiration with extensive review of the literature. Classification, clinical presentation, cyto‐pathologic, and immunohistochemical features are described. This lesion showed both malignant components of epithelial and myoepithelial cells in cytology and histology. The malignancy was convincingly supported by high mitotic figures, pleomorphism, and invasion in tissue sections. This review of MAMEs showed that cyto‐histologic diagnosis is difficult and should be supported by immunohistochemical study.     

Motor Developmental Status of Moderately Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants

Objective: Motor development is frequently reported to be impaired in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, but little is known about the moderately low birth weight (MLBW) infants. The aim of this study was to investigate whether MLBW preterm infants present developmental delay. Methods: In a historical cohort study, 18±2 month-old infants with a history of low birth weight (LBW) were identified. All infants with complications of LBW with negative effects on development were excluded. Healthy infants with normal birth weight (2500–4000 g) were included as controls. All infants were evaluated by the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale II (PDMS-2) test and final scores compared between the two groups. Finding: 88 infants including 58 MLBW and 30 NBW with a mean birth weight of 1900±382.4 g and 3150±473.5 g respectively, were studied. In the MLBW group, gross and fine motor skill scores were below average in 6 (6.8%) and 10 (17%) infants, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups according to gross motor quotient (102.5±5.5 in NBW vs 100.1±7.2 in MLBW; P=0.1), but MLBW infants achieved significantly lower scores in fine motor (93.3±5.4 vs 99.6±5.0; P=0.001) and total motor quotient (97.0±5.9 vs 101.53±5.0; P=0.001). Conclusion: The finding of this study show developmental defects in fine motor skills in MLBW infants. Accurate monitoring of the developmental status of this population should be emphasized for an earlier recognition and intervention.Key Words: Low Birth Weight, Peabody Developmental Motor Scale II (PDMS-2), Motor Development, Infant