Superovulation, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro development (IVD) protocols for inbred BALB/cJ mice in comparison with outbred NMRI mice

Purpose

To study assisted reproductive technology (ART) protocols including superovulation, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro development (IVD) for BALB/cJ mice in comparison with a common ART protocol for NMRI mice.

Methods

Adult NMRI and BALB/cJ mice were superovulated using a 48?h G-interval. In order to find a more suitable G-interval for the BALB/cJ strain, G-intervals including 44, 46 and 50?h were also examined. Superovulation rates were recorded in all groups. IVF rate of BALB/c oocytes in T6 and mHTF media were compared. IVD rates of BALB/cJ zygotes in mHTF, T6 and G1V₅/G2V₅ media were compared. In addition, IVF and IVD rates of BALB/cJ and NMRI oocytes were compared in T6 medium during IVF?CIVD procedures.

Results

In BALB/cJ mice the highest superovulation rates were observed with 44?C46?h G-intervals. However, with a 48?h G-interval, superovulation rates were significantly lower in BALB/cJ compared to NMRI mice (p?<?0.05). mHTF medium significantly increased in vitro fertilization of BALB/cJ oocytes compared to T6 medium (p?<?0.05). Fertilization rate of NMRI oocytes was significantly higher than BALB/cJ oocytes in T6 medium (p?<?0.05). The BALB/cJ embryo IVD was significantly higher in G1/G2 medium compared to mHTF and T6 media (p?<?0.01).

Conclusions

Superovulation with 48?h G-interval and using T6 during all in vitro procedures produces embryos more efficiently for NMRI mice than for BALB/cJ mice. For BALB/cJ mice, a protocol including superovulation with a 44?C46?h G-interval, using mHTF during IVF and G1V₅/G2V₅ medium during IVD, may improve in vitro embryo production.     

Spontaneous alternans in Brugada ST-segment morphology within minutes

Brugada syndrome is an inherited, life-threatening, cardiac channelopathy where the electrocardiogram (ECG) characteristically depicts a classic pattern of complete or incomplete right bundle-branch block with ST-segment elevation in the right precordial leads V₁ to V₃. These, almost inalienable, ECG patterns may be dynamic, where changes may resolve to baseline or one particular type may evolve into another. Such alternans has been described with fever, electrolyte imbalances, atrial pacing, glucose and/or insulin administration, psychotropic drugs, β-adrenergic blocker use, class IA and IC antiarrhythmic provocation testing, such as with ajmaline, procainamide, or flecainide, and even large meals, that is, “full stomach sign.” However, spontaneous alternans between the different types of Brugada ECG patterns (types) have not been reported within minutes, in the absence of previously described precipitating factors. We present a novel case where classic, type 2, Brugada-like ECG pattern evolved spontaneously to type 1 before returning to type 2 within minutes of presentation.     

Cost effectiveness of HIV and sexual reproductive health interventions targeting sex workers: a systematic review

Background

Sex workers have high incidences of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Although, interventions targeting sex workers have shown to be effective, evidence on which strategies are most cost-effective is limited. This study aims to systematically review evidence on the cost-effectiveness of sexual health interventions for sex workers on a global level. It also evaluates the quality of available evidence and summarizes the drivers of cost effectiveness.

Methods

A search of published articles until May 2018 was conducted. A search strategy consisted of key words, MeSH terms and other free text terms related to economic evaluation, sex workers and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) was developed to conduct literature search on Medline, Web of Science, Econlit and the NHS Economic Evaluation Database. The quality of reporting the evidence was evaluated using the CHEERS checklist and drivers of cost-effectiveness were reported.

Results

Overall, 19 studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies were based in middle-income countries and only three in low-income settings. Most of the studies were conducted in Asia and only a handful in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. The reviewed studies mainly evaluated the integrated interventions, i.e. interventions consisted a combination of biomedical, structural or behavioural components. All interventions, except for one, were highly cost-effective. The reporting quality of the evidence was relatively good. The strongest drivers of cost-effectiveness, reported in the studies, were HIV prevalence, number of partners per sex worker and commodity costs. Furthermore, interventions integrated into existing health programs were shown to be most cost-effective.

Conclusion

This review found that there is limited economic evidence on HIV and SRH interventions targeting sex workers. The available evidence indicates that the majority of the HIV and SRH interventions targeting sex workers are highly cost-effective, however, more effort should be devoted to improving the quality of conducting and reporting cost-effectiveness evidence for these interventions to make them usable in policy making. This review identified potential factors that affect the cost-effectiveness and can provide useful information for policy makers when designing and implementing such interventions.

     

In situ-forming PLGA implants loaded with leuprolide acetate/β-cyclodextrin complexes: mathematical modelling and degradation

Drug release mechanism of in situ-forming implants (ISIs) based on poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) loaded with leuprolide acetate/β-cyclodextrin (LA/β-CD) complexes via fitting with four diffusion-based semi-empirical models were studied. The release rate constants and release exponent of ISIs were calculated. The main drug release mechanism was Fickian diffusion. The LA diffusion coefficient and release constant were decreased via increasing the portion of β-CD in complexes. The release curve was parabolic, with a higher initial slope and then consistent with the exponential. All ISIs containing LA/β-CD complexes better fitted with the Korsmeyer–Peppas, Weibull and Peppas–Sahlin models rather than first-order model. Furthermore, the effect of LA/β-CD complexation on the degradation of ISIs was studied through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that hydrophilic nature of β-CD facilitated the surface erosion of PLGA chains, however after 18 d, ISI-1/10 had still a proper structural strength, due to no hydrolytic degradation of β-CD in this implant.     

Correlation between herpes zoster and stroke—A case–control study

Cerebrovascular accident is the second most common cause of death in the world. Herpes zoster (HZ) is reported to be a major trigger of the stroke syndrome. Considering the high prevalence of stroke in Iran, we carried out a study to assess the correlation between stroke and HZ. This is one of the very few studies carried out on this correlation in Asian nations. One hundred and five cases and 105 controls were included in this study. The cases had been diagnosed with stroke by a neurologist and confirmed by brain imaging. The controls had never had any type of stroke. Both groups were between 30 and 90 years of age. We looked for the HZ infection in both groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between stroke and HZ. The mean age of the cases was 63.95 ± 12.24 years and the man age of the controls was 66.99 ± 14.58 years. There was a significant difference in the HZ infection between the cases and the controls (P < .0001). Head zoster (including ophthalmic zoster) was significantly higher in the case group than the control group (P < .0001). The risk of stroke was the highest 2‐4 weeks after the onset of HZ and the incidences of ischemic stroke were higher than those of hemorrhagic stroke (P < .0001). In an analysis adjusted for the age, sex, and hypertension, HZ was found to be associated with an increased risk of stroke (odds ratio, 5.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.98‐8.23). Close monitoring is suggested for cerebrovascular diseases in patients who have had the head zoster, especially in the first month after the infection.     

Innovative intra-corneal ring-supported graft surgery for treatment of keratoconus and cornea regeneration: Surgical technique and case report

Therapeutic options for corneal ectasia are evolving, with emphasis on the intra-stromal corneal ring for delaying or eliminating the need for penetrating keratoplasty. A 33-year-old man with grade 4 keratoconus and rising intolerance of the hard contact lens underwent a combination of a new innovative ring and graft with suture in the left eye. Excellent structural support and stability of the cornea were observed immediately post-operatively and 12 months after surgery. It appears as a feasible and safe therapy option for keratoconus eyes with reference to the instability and asymmetry of the cornea. Hence, as a safe and effective technique, it can be performed easily.     

Epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 in diabetic versus non-diabetic patients

International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries - People with diabetes (PWD) are one of the high-risk groups for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, increasing the disease...