A glance into the uterus during in vitro simulation of embryo transfer

BACKGROUND: The currently low implantation rate after embryo transfer (ET) is partially attributed to technical aspects, such as catheter type, catheter load, placement of catheter tip and physician skills. METHODS: Mock ET simulations were conducted with a transparent laboratory model of the uterine cavity. The catheter was loaded with alternating air and coloured liquid media. The transfer procedure was recorded by a digital video camcorder for later analysis. Different sequences of air and liquid volumes, as well as liquids of different viscosity were simulated. RESULTS: Injection of liquid with air into the uterus formed an air bubble which blocked the transport of the transferred liquid towards the fundus. The distribution of the transferred matter within the uterine cavity was determined by the composition of the liquid-air sequence and the viscosity ratio between the transferred liquid and the uterine fluid. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that the catheter load should contain minimal volumes of air in order to enhance the embryos' chances of reaching the site of implantation. The viscosity of the transferred liquid should be as close as possible to that of the uterine fluid in order to avoid transport of embryos towards the cervix.     

Identification of platelet proteins that bind alloantibodies and autoantibodies

We have used the techniques of radioimmunoprecipitation (RIP) and Western blot to identify the membrane proteins that bind certain alloantibodies. Anti-PlA1 sera precipitated two bands, corresponding to platelet glycoproteins IIb and III, whether or not calcium was present during the procedure. By Western blot, this antibody bound only glycoprotein III. Anti-PlA1 serum does not precipitate proteins from the platelets of a patient with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia. Two monoclonal antibodies reacting with lymphocyte HLA antigens, as well as sera from highly allosensitized patients, precipitated bands of 38,500 and 13,500 daltons. These bands correspond to the molecular weights of the two subunits of the HLA antigen, as it has been described for other cell types. The patients' sera also precipitated a protein of 72,000 daltons from some platelets. The sera of two patients with quinidine- induced thrombocytopenia precipitated a 138,000-dalton band (glycoprotein Ib-alpha) in the presence of quinidine. The purified IgG antibody from one patient did not require other plasma factors to bind to platelets in the presence of quinidine, while purified antibody from a second patient required plasma factors other than, or in addition to von Willebrand factor. Although several sera from patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were tested, only one precipitated membrane proteins by the RIP method; this serum identified binding proteins corresponding to glycoproteins IIb and III.     

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine- and 8-hydroxy-2-di-n-propylamino-tetralin-induced hypothermia: role and location of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptors

The popular drug of abuse 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has complex interactions with thermoregulatory systems, resulting in either hyperthermia or hypothermia. MDMA induces hypothermia when given to animals housed at a low ambient temperature. In this study we report that MDMA (7.5 mg/kg i.p.) given at normal ambient temperatures of 24 to 25 degrees C caused, in conscious freely moving rats, hypothermia (mean decrease from baseline of 1.1 +/- 0.06 degrees C at 40 min). Pretreating animals with a 0.5 mg/kg i.p. dose of the 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A (5-HT(1A)) antagonist N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-2-pyridinylcyclohexanecarboxamide (WAY 100635) not only prevented MDMA-induced hypothermia, but resulted in the development of hyperthermia (mean temperature increase from baseline of 0.74 +/- 0.2 degrees C at 120 min). After treatment with WAY 100635, MDMA also elicited an enhanced tachycardia (mean increases in heart rate from baseline of 110 +/- 16 beats/min at 90 min). To identify the location of 5-HT(1A) receptors responsible for hypothermia induced by MDMA, we first investigated the role of 5-HT(1A) receptors in the rostral raphe pallidus (rRP) in decreases in temperature evoked by the known 5-HT(1A) agonist 8-hydroxy-2-di-n-propylamino-tetralin (DPAT). Microinjections of 0.5 nmol of WAY 100635 into the rRP significantly attenuated DPAT (0.2 mg/kg i.p.)-elicited hypothermia. In parallel experiments, we found that microinjections of WAY 100635 into the rRP, while significantly augmenting MDMA-mediated tachycardia, did not alter body temperature. These results demonstrate that although hypothermia mediated by both MDMA and DPAT shares a common dependence on the activation of 5-HT(1A) receptors, the location of these receptors is different for each drug.     

鼻咽癌切除术后患者血浆DNA的快速变化

摘要：目的监测鼻咽癌病人于肿瘤切除手术期间和术后,其血浆DNA浓度的变化,以了解血浆DNA在体内的动态变化情况。方法静脉抗凝血分离血浆,从血浆中提取DNA,用实时定量PCR方法分别测定手术前、后鼻咽癌病人血浆DNA的浓度。结果肿瘤手术初期,病人血浆DNA的浓度会快速升高,随后其水平会迅速下降,DNA在血浆中的半衰期为126min;当血浆DNA水平降到最低时,其水平又会再次升高,至2385：min后出现第二个峰值。结论癌症病人游离DNA可以极其迅速地从血循环中被清除,第二个峰值的水平可能对评估组织损伤严重程度具有一定的临床意义,此研究为进一步研究血浆肿瘤DNA在其他肿瘤中的变化奠定了基础。     

Visual outcome and progression of retinopathy after cataract surgery in diabetic patients

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus is a major cause of visual impairment in developed countries through retinopathy and is frequently complicated by cataract formation. The present study examines the visual outcome of cataract surgery in diabetic patients.
Methods: A retrospective study was performed over a 26 month period in a general hospital eye clinic. Eighty-five consecutive diabetic patients who underwent cataract surgery were categorized according to their type of diabetes, duration and treatment, operative technique, pre-operative visual acuity (VA) and degree of retinopathy. Visual acuity and retinopathy status were recorded at a minimum of 4 months postoperatively. Factors affecting visual outcome and progression of retinopathy were then examined.
Results: Of the 107 eyes of the 85 consecutive cases, 55 were without retinopathy (NR), 21 had background retinopathy (BDR), six had background retinopathy with macular oedema (BDR/MO), four had proliferative retinopathy and 12 cases had inadequate fundal view. In the NR and BDR groups, 90 and 81% of patients, respectively, had improved VA compared with 33% of patients with BDR/MO. Retinopathy progressed in 50% of BDR/MO patients compared with progression in 9 and 19% of NR and BDR patients, respectively.
Conclusion: The present study illustrates the poor visual outcome in patients with severe, untreated retinopathy, particularly maculopathy, following cataract surgery. Larger prospective studies are needed to better define risk groups and pre-operative treatment strategies.     

Caring Contacts to Reduce Psychiatric Morbidity Following Hospitalization During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectivesCaring Contacts are an emerging intervention that aims to reduce distress and suicide risk after acute psychiatric care. This trial aimed to determine whether, during a pandemic, there was any evidence that the mental health benefits and reduction in suicidal ideation (SI) associated with delivering Caring Contacts to recently discharged psychiatric patients were greater than a control communication. The secondary objective was to identify whether the predicted benefits were greater among people living alone or those diagnosed with depression.MethodA single-site pilot randomized clinical trial (n = 100), with patients recruited from the adult Inpatient Psychiatry Unit at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada between August 2020 and May 2021. Participants were randomized (1:1) to the Caring Contact or control group. Participants received three Caring Contact or control communications via email or mail (on days 4, 21, and 56 post-discharge). Mental health symptoms were assessed using the self-report Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) scores at discharge (baseline) and when participants received each communication. Analysis of variance was used for the primary comparisons and exploratory analyses for subgroups.ResultsBoth groups experienced a significant worsening of mental health symptoms at all time points post-discharge relative to baseline. There were no significant differences between groups at any time point, however, on day 4 there was a 24.2% and 72.6% attenuated worsening in the Caring Contact group compared to the control group for total symptom severity and SI, respectively. There was no significant interaction effect for the depression subgroup or those living alone.ConclusionsWhile this pilot study was not powered to identify significant differences between groups, results are indicative of feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and provide some indication that Caring Contacts may have benefited patients in the days following discharge, supporting the need for larger-scale trials. The study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (study ID {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT04456062","term_id":"NCT04456062"}}NCT04456062).     

Contraception within six-month postpartum in rural Vietnam: Implications on family planning and maternity services

Objectives?This longitudinal study documents contraception practice and factors influencing contraception decision within the first six months postpartum, amongst women residing in the rural Northern Central region of Vietnam.

Methods?A sample of 463 rural women who gave birth during August-October 2002 were recruited and interviewed at one, 16 and 24 weeks postpartum.

Results?The proportion of contraceptive users at weeks 16 and 24 were 17% and 43% respectively. At week 24, of contraceptive users, 57% used IUD, 25% used condom, and 14% used traditional methods. Logistic regression analysis found age, sufficient knowledge on contraceptives and husband/partner opinion can significantly affect the contraception decision.

Conclusions?In order to improve the situation, health authorities should be encouraged to provide counselling on postpartum contraceptive methods during ante- and postnatal care visits. Health education on family planning and breastfeeding should also involve the husband/partner group taking into account local socio-cultural features.