Response to controlled ovarian stimulation and oocyte quality in women with myotonic dystrophy type I

Purpose In women the relationship between myotonic dystrophy type I and fertility remains controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ovarian reserve, ovarian response to stimulation and oocyte quality in these patients. Materials and methods We compared 15 myotonic dystrophy type I patients with 39 age matched controls with isolated male factor infertility necessitating ICSI. Results All parameters of ovarian reserve (day 3 FSH and E2, antral follicle count and delta E2) were significantly better in the controls. Despite having significantly lower doses of gonadotrophin, the control group attained a higher number of retrieved oocyte–cumulus complexes (p < 0.04). Analysis of cytoplasmic and extracytoplasmic dysmorphism did not reveal any difference between the two groups. Fertilisation rate and top grade embryos on day 3 were similar in both groups. Conclusion The present study suggests that though women with myotonic dystrophy type I have a reduced ovarian reserve and respond poorly to controlled ovarian stimulation, there is no impact on oocyte and embryo quality. Hence suggesting that successful ART is feasible with appropriate selection in women with mild myotonic dystrophy. Capsule Women with myotonic dystrophy type I have reduced ovarian reserve and respond poorly to controlled ovarian stimulation, though there is no impact on oocyte quality.     

Atherosclerosis in women with endometriosis

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine whether women with endometriosis have greater subclinical atherosclerosis than the general population. STUDY DESIGN: This case-control study included 66 women with endometriosis and 66 controls matched for age and body mass index. All subjects were >or=35 years old. Exclusion criteria were obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, renal or metabolic diseases. Before laparoscopy, all patients underwent a measurement of intima-media thickness (IMT) and distensibility coefficient (DC) on the common carotid artery. In addition, blood samples were taken to determine the levels of lipids, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, fasting glycemia, antithrombin III, plasminogen, protein C, protein S, and activated protein C resistance. RESULTS: All the biochemical parameters evaluated had similar levels in the two study groups. IMT was similar in women with endometriosis and in controls both on left (p=0.330) and right (p=0.648) carotid artery. Similarly, no significant difference was observed in the DC between women with endometriosis and controls both on left (p=0.539) and right (p=0.178) carotid artery. No significant difference was observed in IMT and DC between women with mild and severe endometriosis. CONCLUSION: Women with endometriosis do not have more subclinical atherosclerosis than the general population.     

BOOST: a phase 3 trial of sorafenib vs. best supportive care in first line treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with deteriorated liver function

Aim: Only patients with good liver function {[Child-Pugh (CP)] A class} were eligible for trials testing sorafenib as first-line treatment of hepatocellular car...     

Substances of abuse consumption among patients seeking medical help for uro-andrological purposes:a sociobehavioral survey in the real-life scenario

Substances of abuse(SoA),as well as smoking and alcohol consumption,are well known for their impact on male fertility status,erectile function,and ejaculation.W...     

Buccal micronucleus cytome assay in primary school children: A descriptive analysis of the MAPEC_LIFE multicenter cohort study

Background

Recent data support the hypothesis that genetic damage occurring early in life during childhood can play an important role in the development of chronic diseases in adulthood, including cancer.

Predictors of respiratory failure after thoracic surgery: a retrospective cohort study with comparison between lobar and sub-lobar resection

ObjectiveOnly approximately 15% of patients with lung cancer are suitable for surgery and clinical postoperative outcomes vary. The aim of this study was to investigate variables associated with post-surgery respiratory failure in this patient cohort.MethodsPatients who underwent surgery for lung cancer were retrospectively studied for respiratory function. All patients had undergone lung resection by a mini-thoracotomy approach. The study population was divided into two subgroups for comparison: lobectomy group, who underwent lobar resection; and sub-lobar resection group.ResultsA total of 85 patients were included, with a prevalence of lung cancer stage IA and adenocarcinoma histotype. Lobectomy (versus sub-lobar resection), the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and a COPD assessment test (CAT) score >10, were all associated with an increased risk of respiratory failure. The partial pressure of arterial oxygen decreased more in the lobectomy group than in the sub-lobar resection group following surgery, with a significant postoperative between-group difference in values. Postoperative CAT scores were also better in the sub-lobar resection group.ConclusionsPost-surgical variations in functional parameters were greater in the group treated by lobectomy. COPD, high CAT score and surgery type were associated with postoperative development of respiratory failure.     

Neurocognitive profiles in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and gene mutation site

The presence of nonprogressive cognitive impairment is recognized as a common feature in a substantial proportion of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. To investigate the possible role of mutations along the dystrophin gene affecting different brain dystrophin isoforms and specific cognitive profiles, 42 school-age children affected with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, subdivided according to sites of mutations along the dystrophin gene, underwent a battery of tests tapping a wide range of intellectual, linguistic, and neuropsychologic functions. Full-scale intelligence quotient was approximately 1 S.D. below the population average in the whole group of dystrophic children. Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and mutations located in the distal portion of the dystrophin gene (involving the 140-kDa brain protein isoform, called Dp140) were generally more severely affected and expressed different patterns of strengths and impairments, compared with patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and mutations located in the proximal portion of the dystrophin gene (not involving Dp140). Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and distal mutations demonstrated specific impairments in visuospatial functions and visual memory (which seemed intact in proximally mutated patients) and greater impairment in syntactic processing.