Fertilization problems are the major problems that may be faced in 30–55% of the patients during an intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle. A successful oocyte activation depends on factors related to both sperm and oocyte, and one of the important factors that mediates the process is Ca2+ concentration within the oocyte. Artificial oocyte activation (AOA) is a method used for fertilization problems that commonly involve the usage of Ca2+ ionophores and is usually used in problems such as total fertilization failure (TFF) and globozoospermia. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible effects of AOA for different groups of patients with fertilization failure. Four groups of patients (previous TFF, low oocyte number, severe sperm quality, and frozen sperm (FS) group) that underwent ICSI with AOA were included in the study. All groups had similar control groups with same indications except TFF, where AOA was not performed. Fertilization rates were significantly higher in the TFF group than those observed in other AOA groups. Fertilization rates and quality of embryos observed in the remaining AOA groups were higher than those of the controls, which were statistically insignificant. Prgenancy rates were higher in all AOA groups compared to the controls, although the differences were significant in FS group only. Quality of embryos and pregnancy rates were lower in the TFF group compared to the remaining AOA groups indicating possible concomitant problems. Fertilization rates, quality of embryos and pregnancy rates seemed to be increased in all indication groups suggesting that not only TFF patients but also a wide variety of patients with different indications may benefit from AOA.
Abbreviations: ICSI: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection; ARTs: Assisted reproductive techniques; Ca: Calcium; AOA: Artificial oocyte activation; TFF: Total fertilization failures; OAT: Oligoasthenoteratozoospemia; IVF: In vitro fertilization; SOAT: Severe OAT; LON: Low ooctye number; FS: Frozen sperm; hCG: human chorionic gonadotrophin; PVP: polyvinylpyrrolidone; HSA: human serum albumin 相似文献
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise on maximum QTc interval (QTcmax) and QTc dispersion (QTcd) in diabetic patients without clinically evident heart disease. METHODS: Seventy-six diabetic patients who had no coronary artery disease or hypertension (group I; mean age 48 +/- 9 years old) and 40 healthy volunteers (group II; mean age 46 +/- 13 years old) were enrolled in the study. Cases with clinically evident heart disease were excluded from the study. Resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and maximal treadmill exercise test (according to Bruce protocol) were performed in all cases. The QTcmax interval was determined at rest (RQTcmax) and during peak exercise (PQTcmax). Also, the QTcd was measured at rest (RQTcd) and during peak exercise (PQTcd). Autonomic neuropathy was assessed by measuring the heart rate variability (HRV). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between clinical characteristics of two groups. In group I, HRV parameters were significantly lower than group II. RQTcd, PQTcd, RQTcmax, and PQTcmax were significantly longer in group I (56 +/- 16 vs 34 +/- 11; P< 0.001, 62 +/- 22 vs 40 +/- 15; P < 0.001, respectively). In diabetic patients, there was no significant difference between RQTcmax and PQTcmax (428 +/- 19 vs 420 +/- 31; P > 0.05), and no significant difference was present between RQTcd and PQTcd (56 +/- 16 vs 62 +/- 22; P > 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Exercise does not affect QTcd in patients with diabetes mellitus and without clinically evident heart disease. 相似文献
European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology - This retrospective study aimed to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients who underwent biplane chevron medial... 相似文献
To describe a successful five-level cervical corpectomy and circumferential reconstruction in a patient with a plexiform neurofibroma causing a severe kyphotic deformity.
Methods
Case report.
Results
43-year-old man with history of Neurofibromatosis presented with signs and symptoms of myelopathy with spastic lower extremities and gait difficulties. Imaging studies demonstrated a severe kyphotic deformity of the cervical spine with associated cord compression secondary to an anteriorly positioned plexiform neurofibroma. Two-stage surgical procedure was designed to treat this lesion. Stage I consisted of tracheostomy placement, transmandibular, circumglossal approach to the anterior cervical spine, C2–C6 corpectomies, and C1–C7 reconstruction with a custom titanium cage/plate. Stage II consisted of suboccipital craniectomy, C1–C2 laminectomies, and occipital-cervical thoracic instrumented fusion (O-T8). There were no operative complications, but the patient did develop a small pulmonary embolism post-operatively treated with anticoagulation. Patient required two-weeks of inpatient rehabilitation following surgery. Gastrostomy tube and tracheostomy were successfully discontinued with preserved swallowing and respiratory function. Patient-reported outcome measurements revealed significant and sustained improvement post-operatively.
Conclusions
Five-level cervical corpectomy including C2 can be safely and successfully performed via a transmandibular, circumglossal approach. Circumferential reconstruction utilizing a custom anterior titanium cage and plate system manufactured from a pre-operative CT scan was utilized in this case. Long segment occipital-cervical-thoracic reconstruction is recommended in such a case. Using such a technique, improvement in myelopathy, correction of deformity, and improved quality of life can be achieved.
BackgroundIncidental durotomies occur in up to 17% of spinal operations. Controversy exists regarding the short- and long-term consequences of durotomies.PurposeThe primary aim of this study was to assess the effect of incidental durotomies on the immediate postoperative complications and patient-reported outcome measures.Study designProspective study.Patient sampleA total of 1,741 patients undergoing index lumbar spine fusion were selected from a multi-institutional prospective data registry.Outcome measuresPatient-reported outcome measures used in this study included back pain (BP-Visual Analog Scale), leg pain (LP-Visual Analog Scale), and Oswestry Disability Index.MethodsA total of 1,741 patients were selected from a multi-institutional prospective data registry, who underwent primary lumbar fusion for low back pain and/or radiculopathy between January 2003 and December 2010. We collected and analyzed data on patient demographics, postoperative complications, back pain, leg pain, and functional disability over 2 years, with risk-adjusted propensity score modeling.ResultsIncidental durotomies occurred in 70 patients (4%). Compared with the control group (n=1,671), there was no significant difference in postoperative infection (p=.32), need for reoperation (p=.85), or symptomatic neurologic damage (p=.66). At 1- and 2-year follow-up, there was no difference in patient-reported outcomes of back pain (BP-Visual Analog Scale), leg pain (LP-Visual Analog Scale), or functional disability (Oswestry Disability Index) (p>.3), with results remaining consistent in the propensity-matched cohort analysis (p>.4).ConclusionWithin the context of an on-going debate on the consequences of incidental durotomy, we found no difference in neurologic symptoms, infection, reoperation, back pain, leg pain, or functional disability over a 2-year follow-up period. 相似文献
To evaluate the potential effect of bisphosphonates on bone mineral density (BMD) in patients who are treated with anti-androgen drugs and radiotherapy for metastatic prostate cancer.
Materials and Methods
The data of 31 patients with metastatic prostate cancer who were treated with anti-androgen drugs and radiotherapy during a 1-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided in 2 groups, in which 17 patients in group 1 were treated with zoledronic acid (4 mg/month, intravenous) and 14 patients in group 2 who did not receive zoledronic acid. BMD was measured before the treatment and at the end of the 1st year by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Statistical analyses were performed with the T test.
Results
Mean age of the patients was 71.42 ± 6.7(range 59-85) years. A significant increase was noted for pelvic bone, femoral neck, and lumbar vertebrae t scores when pretreatment and 1st year measurements were compared in group 1 (p < 0.05). In group 2 a significant decrease was noted for pelvic bone and femoral neck t scores at the end of the 1st year (p < 0.05). A significant increase was noted for pelvic bone and femoral neck follow-up in BMD values at the end of the 1st year compared to initial measurements in group 1. A significant decrease was noted for lumbar vertebrae follow-up in BMD values at the end of the 1st year when compared to initial values in group 2.
Conclusion
Zoledronic acid significantly increases BMD and delays unfavorable outcomes for bones in men who are treated with anti-androgen drugs and radiotherapy for metastatic prostate cancer.Key Words: Metastatic prostate cancer, Osteoporosis, Radiotherapy, Bisphosphonate therapy相似文献
