Nifedipine versus terbutaline for tocolysis in external cephalic version

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of nifedipine compared with terbutaline as a tocolytic agent in external cephalic version (ECV). METHODS: A prospective, randomized, comparative trial was carried out in a tertiary hospital. Women with singleton term breech pregnancies were randomized for nifedipine (group A) and terbutaline (group B) tocolysis for ECV in an outpatient setting. The efficacy, side effects, and complications were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: A total of 86 women were recruited with 43 women in each group. The overall success rate was 48.8% and this reduced the rate of cesarean delivery for breech presentation by 32.5% in our center. ECV was successful in 39.5% of women in group A and 58.1% in group B. Fewer side effects were experienced by the women in group A compared with group B, although this was not significant. CONCLUSION: Nifedipine can be used as an alternative for tocolysis in ECV when there are maternal contraindications to beta-sympathomimetics.     

The role of aragonite matrix surface chemistry on the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

In the present research we study the effects of surface chemistry of an aragonite crystalline biomatrix on the chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). An aragonite matrix obtained from the coral Porites lutea and a gold-coated P. lutea matrix were seeded with MSCs, with and without the addition of growth factors (GFs). Scanning electron microscopy, histochemical staining, immunofluorescence, biochemical analyses and quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that the chemistry of the matrix influenced the differentiation process of the MSCs. The calcium carbonate composition of the coral promoted osteogenesis, while impeding cell-material contact (by gold coating) altered the differentiation lineage of MSCs towards chondrogenic fate. Supplementation of the culture medium with GFs intensified the influence of the surface composition on the differentiation of MSCs, and the synergistic effect of the biomatrix surface composition and the GFs induced chondrogenesis and facilitated maintenance of the chondrocyte phenotype. Therefore, we suggest that scaffolding material candidates for tissue engineering should be examined for their effects on the MSCs differentiation process and their effect on signal transduction events in the cells.     

Zeta and hyaluronic acid assessments,novel sperm selection procedures,in animal model for male infertility

Considering varicocele (VCL)‐induced severe, progressive DNA damage, histone–protamine anomalies and low sperm production, in the current study, the experimental VCL was induced and the efficiency of hyaluronic acid (HA)‐binding method (HABM) and zeta preparation procedure (ZPP) in selection of appropriate spermatozoa was compared with those spermatozoa from intact animals. Following 2 and 4 months, the histological alterations in testicular tissue, sperm count and viability were assessed to prove the VCL condition. The spermatozoa were undergone simple wash, HABM and ZPP. The chromatin condensation, active caspase‐3 expression, DNA fragmentation and apoptosis index were analysed after applying selection techniques and compared with the spermatozoa from intact and VCL‐induced animals, which were undergone a simple wash. Observations showed that both HABM and ZPP effectively prepared the spermatozoa with higher chromatin condensation and lower DNA damage. Meanwhile, the ZPP exerted a more preferable effect by preparing the spermatozoa with higher chromatin condensation, and lower caspase‐3 expression, and DNA disintegrity versus the HABM, especially after 4 months. In conclusion, ZPP seems to exert much more reliable efficiency in selecting appropriate spermatozoa for ICSI processes, while more studies are needed to find out which one is more useful in the clinical assisted reproductive technique (ART) process.     

Deoxynivalenol reduces quality parameters and increases DNA damage in mice spermatozoa

This study was performed to investigate in vitro effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) on mice sperm quality parameters including viability, motility and DNA damages at various concentrations and exposure times. Mice spermatozoa were exposed to DON at 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 µM for 1, 3 and 6 hr, motility parameters were evaluated by computer‐assisted analysis and viability was examined by colorimetric metabolic activity assay and HOS test. DNA damage was examined by acridine orange staining, and sperm damages via lipid peroxidation pathway were determined by malondialdehyde (MDA) content measurement. DON affected sperm parameters in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner. In all test groups, the average path velocity and progressive motile spermatozoa were remarkably reduced. In comparison with the controls, after 1, 3 and 6 hr exposure to DON, viability of spermatozoa was reduced 25, 30 and 49% respectively. DON exposure at 10 µM for 6 hr resulted in 15% DNA damage and 2.5‐fold more MDA generation, when compared with nonexposed spermatozoa. Our data suggest that DON causes sperm quality parameters decline in concentration‐ and time‐dependent fashion, which attribute to the reduction in sperm metabolic activity and membrane integrity and equally to increase in lipid peroxidation rate and DNA damage.     

The effect of immature oocytes quantity on the rates of oocytes maturity and morphology, fertilization, and embryo development in ICSI cycles

Purpose

The goal was to evaluate the role of the number of retrieved immature oocytes on mature oocyte counts and morphology, and also the rates of fertilization and embryo development in ICSI cycles.

Methods

101 ICSI cycles were included in this prospective evaluation. Patients were divided into 2 groups of A (≤ 2 immature oocytes) and B (> 2 immature oocytes). In sub-analysis, the impacts of the number of GV and MI oocytes were assessed on the rates of fertilization and embryo development. Also, correlations between the numbers of immature and mature oocytes, as well as maternal age between two groups were analyzed. Assessments of oocyte morphology, fertilization, embryo quality and development were done accordingly.

Results

There was no correlation between the immature oocytes quantity with the number of mature ones. There were insignificant differences for embryo development between two groups, but fertilization rate was higher in group A (P = 0.03). In sub-analysis, insignificant differences were observed between two groups of ≤ and >2 GV and MI oocytes for rates of fertilization and embryo development. Also, the rates of clinical pregnancy and delivery were insignificant between groups. The rate of morphologically abnormal oocytes had no significant difference between two groups, except for wide perivitelline space (PVS) which was higher in group A (P = 0.03). There was no significant difference for maternal age between two groups.

Conclusions

In cases with few retrieved immature oocytes, rates of fertilization and incidence of wide PVS may increase, although immature oocytes may not have any negative impacts on early embryo development, or the rates on number of mature oocytes.     

The battle scars of pregnancy: can they be prevented?

I have feared developing stretch marks since my first pregnancy. Getting to grips with my changing shape was a big challenge, but I was safe in the knowledge that post-pregnancy I could work towards losing the weight. But stretch marks are permanent, and to me-disfiguring. I researched how stretch marks can be prevented and after finding little evidence for a particular cream or lotion: I scanned forums and asked friends what worked for them. Many people claimed that by keeping skin hydrated and supple, the dreaded stretch marks can be kept at bay or at least to a minimum. So I opted for regularly massaging oil across vulnerable areas and maintaining a balanced diet, including drinking lots of water. I was lucky the first time round; time will tell if my skincare routine will work for my second pregnancy.     

The effects of vacuumic bracing system on the patellofemoral articulation in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Patellar bracing is a component of treatment of patellofemoral joint (PFJ) problems. A new vacuumic brace was designed by the researchers that act based on an external vacuuming suction. Ten patients were undertaken for the CT scan study at both 0° and 30° knee flexion immediately pre- and post-bracing. Also they examined clinically pre, post and 1 week after using the brace. Measurements of patellofemoral joint space width (PFJSW) and patellofemoral joint area (PFJA) showed that the application of the vacuumic brace is able to create a significant patellofemoral joint distraction at both knee angles. A significant reduction in visual analog scale (VAS) and increase in kujala patellofemoral score (KPS) was found in subjects after using the brace for 1 week. In conclusion, the results conveyed that application of the vacuumic brace is able to create a joint distraction and useful changes in VAS and KPS parameters.     

Skin prick test reactivity to foods in adult Malaysians with rhinitis.

The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of food and house dust mite (HDM) allergy in patients with nasal congestion and rhinorrhea attending the Otorhinolaryngology Clinic, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. This was a prospective matched, controlled study of patients skin prick tested with commercial food and common aeroallergens. The participants were 148 Malaysian adults with symptoms of nasal congestion and rhinorrhea and 113 adult Malaysian control subjects without rhinitis symptoms. The skin prick test (SPT) was used to evaluate 11 foods common to the Malaysian diet and 3 HDM inhalants. Forty-eight percent of the patients with rhinitis had positive SPT results to foods, compared with 4.4% of control subjects (P < 0.05). The most commonly implicated foods were shrimp (48%) and rice (30%), which are common in the Malaysian diet. Seventy-two percent of rhinitis patients had positive SPT results to HDM, compared with 22.2% of control subjects (P < 0.05). Patients with rhinitis also had significantly more gastrointestinal problems than control subjects (P < 0.05). The incidences of HDM and food allergy are significantly greater in Malaysian adults with rhinitis symptoms than in control subjects without rhinitis. The effect of avoidance or immunotherapy awaits further study.