Non invasive assessment of human oocytes and embryos in assisted reproduction: Review on present practices and future trends

Oocyte and embryo grading is one of the most important steps in assisted reproductive technology to identify the best among cultured embryos for transfer or vitrification. The most commonly used non-invasive method is morphological assessment of gametes and embryos using a microscope. This method despite being simple and cost-effective has interobserver and intraobserver variability and subjectivity and has little to offer about the physiological state of embryos. This review sourced research articles and reviews pertaining to other non-invasive assessment methodologies from Medline and PubMed to collate latest technologies in vogue and identify novel methodologies of the future. The review assesses the current understanding in oocyte and embryo grading and touches upon novel non-invasive techniques and potential biomarkers to identify the best embryo. The latest available literature on time-lapse imaging, hierarchical algorithms, omics (consisting of proteomics and secretomes), miRNAs, mitochondrial RNAs and artificial intelligence has been accessed to summarize the enormous information available, to identify gaps in current interpretations, to identify emerging technologies and to provide direction for future research. This review will greatly benefit anyone practicing assisted reproduction and clinical embryology.     

Dry eye signs and symptoms in aromatase inhibitor treatment and the relationship with pain

PurposeAromatase inhibitors (AIs) limit the synthesis of oestrogen in peripheral tissues thus lowering levels of oestrogen. The primary aim was to evaluate whether women treated with AIs have altered dry eye symptoms and signs. A sub-aim was to investigate whether symptoms of dry eye in postmenopausal women were associated with symptoms of non-eye pain, ocular pain and self-rated pain perception.MethodsThis cross-sectional, observational, single visit study recruited 56 postmenopausal women (mean age 64.1 + 7.9 years) and 52 undergoing AI treatment (mean age 66.6 + 9.0). Ocular symptoms (OSDI, MGD14) and pain questionnaires (PSQ, OPAS) were administered and signs of dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction were evaluated.ResultsAlmost half of each group reported dry eye symptoms, defined as OSDI>12 (48% control, 46% AI). The PSQ score was significantly higher in the AI group (p = 0.04). Neither frequency or severity of dry eye (or MGD) symptoms scores were significantly different between groups. In the AI group, meibomian gland expressibility score was worse (p = 0.003); there were no differences in any other signs. Higher OSDI scores were associated with higher OPAS eye-pain scores (r = 0.49, p < 0.001), but not OPAS non-eye pain (r = 0.09, p = 0.35). Pain perception (PSQ) showed a moderate positive association with OPAS eye-pain (r = 0.30, p = 0.003).ConclusionsIn this study elevated ocular symptoms were observed in both the AI treated and the untreated groups, with no difference between the groups. Women undergoing AI treatment for early stage breast cancer had worse meibum expressibility score and increased pain perception compared to an untreated group of women.     

Evaluation of non-invasive blood pressure measurement by the Finapres method at rest and during dynamic exercise in subjects with cardiovascular insufficiency

The accuracy and precision of the Finapres in recording rest and exercise blood pressure compared with the intra-arterial (aortic and brachial) and random-zero sphygmomanometer methods was assessed in 84 ischaemic patients in three different studies. Firstly, comparison at rest with the aortic intraarterial pressure in 50 ischaemic patients demonstrated that the Finapres systolic (136.5 ± 21.1 vs. 129.3 ± 19.0 mmHg;p < 0.001) and mean (92.4 ± 13.4 vs. 90.7 ± 11.4 mmHg;p < 0.001) arterial pressures were higher and diastolic pressures lower (70.4 ± 11.5 vs. 71.5 ± 9.8 mmHg;p < 0.001). The reproducibility of the Finapres and invasive method was similar for systolic (4.6% vs. 4.0%), diastolic (2.8% vs. 2.7%) and mean (3.3% vs. 3.0%) blood pressures. Second, in seven subjects studied twice at rest and during 4 min supine bicycle exercise, the exercise increase in blood pressure was greater on the Finapres compared with the brachial intra-arterial pressure (systolic +10.2 ± 6.3 vs. +3.6 ± 9.8 mmHg; diastolic +9.6 ± 11.1 vs. +0.2 ± 2.1 mmHg;p = 0.02 for each); however, at steady-state the peak/trough differences in pressure between the methods were similar. Thirdly, compared under rest conditions, to random zero sphygmomanometer (RZO), the Finapres systolic pressure was higher (6.8 ± 3.5 mmHg) and diastolic pressure lower (–6.0 ± 1.9 mmHg). During upright bicycle exercise, the difference between the Finapres and RZO in systolic blood pressure increased at each level of exercise (+14.3 ± 4.2, +17.9 ± 4.0 and +22.2 ± 4.1 mmHg respectively at each exercise stage:p < 0.01). For RZO, diastolic blood pressure fell as exercise workload increased whereas Finapres diastolic blood pressure increased on exercise (3.1 ± 2.6, 7.0 ± 2.1 and 8.1 ± 2.0 mmHg respectively:p < 0.01). Thus there were systematic differences between the values recorded by the Finapres and proximal blood pressure methods and limited agreement in the rest to exercise increments related to light exercise. Calibration of the Finapres values in terms of the other methods is limited by the variable relationship to these related changes in arterial distensibility.     

Development of a non-invasive treatment system for urinary incontinence using a functional continuous magnetic stimulator (FCMS)

A system composed of a functional continuous magnetic stimulator (FCMS) and a saddle-type coil has been developed for non-invasive treatment of urinary incontinence, especially stress incontinence and urge incontinence. The FCMS conditions were as follows: 2 kW maximum electrical power consumption, 800 V maximum capacitor voltage, 720 μs pulsewidth (180 μs rise time), and 5–30 Hz frequency. A frequency between 5 and 10 Hz is used to treat urge incontinence and a frequency between 25 Hz and 30 Hz is used to treat urge incontinence. The coil (120 mm long, 90 mm wide and 50 mm thick) fits the most suitable region for this treatment, the region from the anus to the perineum. The coil is cooled to maintain a coil temperature between 20 and 25°C so that it can be used efficiently and safely. In experiments with anaesthetised dogs, it was confirmed that the urethral pressure increased when the circumference of the perineum received continuous magnetic stimulation of 720 μs pulsewidth (180 μs rise time), 10Hz frequency and about 520 V capacitor voltage. This result suggests that magnetic stimulation can be effective as a urinary incontinence therapy.     

Design and application of sensor for recording sounds over human eye and nose

The recording of sounds over the oribt of the eye has been found to be useful in the detection of intracranial aneurysms. A hydrophone for auscultation over the eye has been developed and is tested under controlled conditions. The tests consist of measurement over the eyes in three healthy volunteers at rest, during voluntary breathing, during eyeball movements and during sustained orbicular muscular contractions. Furthermore, measurements are performed at the side of the nose. Major features of the hydrophonic transducer are high sensitivity to physiological sounds and a high degree of insensitivity to environmental sounds propagated through the air. It can be concluded that the hydrophone may be useful for the early detection of intracranial aneurysms and also for apnoea detection.     

利用磁共振成像实现肿瘤热疗中实时无创测温的方法

肿瘤热疗特别是高强度聚焦超声（HIFU）技术，已成为一种重要且非常具有前景的肿瘤治疗方法，温度是直接决定热疗效果的重要参数，实时准确的进行深部无创测温是目前制约肿瘤热疗进一步发展的一项关键技术。近来利用磁共振成像（MRI）进行无创测温，正受到越来越多的研究者的重视。本文简述了MRI无创测温的三种方法，比较了不同测温原理的特点和适用条件，报道了已有研究发展状况，并介绍了尚待解决的问题。     

广西地区50 975例孕妇无创产前筛查分析

目的探讨无创产前筛查(NIPS)在胎儿染色体非整倍体异常(CAA)及全基因组拷贝数变异(CNV)筛查中的临床应用价值。 方法选择2018年1月至2019年12月,广西壮族自治区60余家医疗机构采集血液样本后送至本院完成NIPS的50 975例单胎孕妇为研究对象。其分娩年龄为13~54岁,高龄孕妇(分娩时年龄≥35岁)为17 216例(33.77%),血样标本采集时,孕龄为10~36孕周。根据血清学筛查结果、孕妇年龄、妊娠史/家族史,将其分为高风险组[n＝22 852,血清学筛查结果高风险(+)、高龄孕妇(+)、不良孕产史/家族史者纳入(+),至少满足其中一项者],中风险组[n＝4 584,血清学筛查结果中风险/临界风险(+)、胎儿超声检查软指标异常(+),至少满足二者之一者]和低风险组(n＝23 539,无上述风险因素者)。对于NIPS提示高风险者,采用介入性产前诊断,进行胎儿G显带染色体核型分析及染色体微阵列分析(CMA)。本研究经广西壮族自治区妇幼保健院伦理委员会批准(审批文号：桂妇保院医伦审[2020]9-2号)。 结果①50 975例接受NIPS孕妇中,702例NIPS筛查结果显示高风险,高风险率为1.38%。其中21-、18-、13-三体高风险率分别为0.34%(175/50 975)、0.13%(67/50 975)和0.12%(63/50 975),性染色体非整倍体异常(SCA)高风险率为0.40%(205/50 975),罕见染色体数目异常(RCA)高风险率为0.19%(96/50 975),基因组拷贝数变异(CNV)高风险率为0.19%(96/50 975)。②在702例NIPS高风险者中,对555例(79.06%)孕妇进行胎儿染色体核型分析和(或)CMA,93例(16.76%)拒绝进行产前诊断,42例(7.57%)因为流产或已引产而未进行产前诊断,NIPS结果为高风险孕妇的失访率为1.71%(12/702)。555例接受介入性产前诊断的胎儿中,271例阴性胎儿的NIPS和介入性产前诊断结果基本一致,284例假阳性中,16例胎儿的介入性产前诊断结果为染色体异常,但与NIPS高风险结果不一致。③21-三体、18-三体、13-三体、SCA、RCA和CNV的阳性预测值分别为85.09%(137/161)、57.14%(28/49)、16.67%(9/54)、42.31%(66/156)、5.56%(4/72)和42.86%(27/63)。④16例经介入性产前诊断未检测到NIPS所提示的高风险结果,却检测到其他异常结果。其中,4例21-三体高风险胎儿中,3例检测到CNV,1例为21号染色体复杂的结构变异;1例18-三体高风险胎儿中,染色体核型分析结果提示为21-三体;2例13-三体高风险胎儿中,1例为染色体结构变异的嵌合体,另1例为CNV;3例SCA高风险和2例RCA高风险胎儿中,均检测到其他染色体的CNV;4例CNV高风险胎儿中,1例检测到47,XYY,3例为其他染色体的CNV异常。 结论NIPS对于21-、18-、13-三体等常见CAA的筛查具有较高临床实际应用价值。NIPS对于性染色体单体、RCA及CNV的筛查阳性预测值偏低,但是结合产前超声等相关检查,可为遗传咨询和进一步介入性产前诊断提供依据。     

A review of burn symptoms and potential novel neural targets for non-invasive brain stimulation for treatment of burn sequelae

Burn survivors experience myriad associated symptoms such as pain, pruritus, fatigue, impaired motor strength, post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. Many of these symptoms are common and remain chronic, despite current standard of care. One potential novel intervention to target these post burn symptoms is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). tDCS is a non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) technique that modulates neural excitability of a specific target or neural network. The aim of this work is to review the neural circuits of the aforementioned clinical sequelae associated with burn injuries and to provide a scientific rationale for specific NIBS targets that can potentially treat these conditions. We ran a systematic review, following the PRISMA statement, of tDCS effects on burn symptoms. Only three studies matched our criteria. One was a feasibility study assessing cortical plasticity in chronic neuropathic pain following burn injury, one looked at the effects of tDCS to reduce pain anxiety during burn wound care, and one assessed the effects of tDCS to manage pain and pruritus in burn survivors. Current literature on NIBS in burn remains limited, only a few trials have been conducted. Based on our review and results in other populations suffering from similar symptoms as patients with burn injuries, three main areas were selected: the prefrontal region, the parietal area and the motor cortex. Based on the importance of the prefrontal cortex in the emotional component of pain and its implication in various psychosocial symptoms, targeting this region may represent the most promising target. Our review of the neural circuitry involved in post burn symptoms and suggested targeted areas for stimulation provide a spring board for future study initiatives.     

微压传感式毛细血管测压仪

使用自制的微压传感式设备在显微镜下测量甲襞毛细血管压，传感器能精确测出毛细血管血流受阻时的压力，并可自动调零、自动显示和打印。临床使用证明其数据可靠，精确度高且无创，在使用中配以电子半微量天平，保证了仪器的精度、且操作简易，适于临床，优于国外使用的有创性微管插入测压法。