Pregnancy outcome after blastocyst transfer as compared to early cleavage stage embryo transfer

BACKGROUND: Retrospective cohort study to evaluate differences in outcome when embryo transfer was performed either on day 2-3 (cleavage stage, CS-group) or on day 4-5 (blastocyst stage, BS-group). METHODS: A total of 1259 consecutive cycles yielding 500 live born babies performed at a single centre in Bregenz, Austria, were included. Main outcome measures were implantation and (multiple) pregnancy rates and neonatal outcome including birth defects. RESULTS: Total Pregnancy rate was 44% vs 28% (P < 0.001) and the total 'take home baby rate' was 37% vs 22% in the BS-group and the CS-group, respectively. Rate of multiple gestations (34% vs 17%, P = 0.001) was significantly higher among the BS-group, resulting in a higher rate of preterm deliveries < 36 weeks (26% vs 17%, P = 0.045). Female factor causing infertility (40% vs 21%, P < 0.001) was significantly higher among the BS-group. For the CS-group, rate of singleton pregnancies (83% vs 66%, P = 0.001) and idiopathic cause of infertility (34% vs 22%, P = 0.012) were significantly higher. No statistically significant differences were found in sex, Caesarean section rate, Apgar score and umbilical artery pH-values, total mean birth weight, admission rate to intensive care unit, days of hospitalization and number of minor and major birth defects. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that blastocyst transfer may lead to a higher pregnancy rate with an overall better take-home baby rate (THBR) at the cost of higher rates of multiples and preterm deliveries.     

Effect of early outdoor experience on the activity of wild and semi-domestic deermice

The gross activity of wild and semi-domestic strains of prairie deermice was measured in two kinds of novel test apparatus (tilt-cage and activity wheel). Differences in strain activity were not obtained in either apparatus. Activity was significantly decreased in both strains by early experience in the field and by rearing wild genotype subjects in large laboratory cages. It was suggested that differential early sensory experience associated with both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the early rearing environment may be responsible for the treatment effect. Whereas no daily changes in activity were noted in the tilt-cages, activity in the wheels was sipnificantly higher on day 1 for all groups. In contrast to recent literature, wheel running activity did not change with total water deprivation.     

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) Strain HSZP Host Shutoff Gene: Nucleotide Sequence and Comparison with HSV-1 Strains Differing in Early Shutoff of Host Protein Synthesis

The UL41 gene of the HSZP strain of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) defective with respect to the early shutoff of host protein synthesis was sequenced and compared with the corresponding HSV-1 strain KOS and 17 gene sequences. In comparison with strain 17, nine mutations (base changes) were HSZP specific, five KOS specific and four were common for both strains. Nine mutations caused codon changes. Three of these mapped to the nonconserved regions and the others to the conserved regions of the functional map of UL4l gene. One KOS specific mutation mapped to the region responsible for the binding of the virion host shutoff (vhs) protein to the alpha-transinducing factor (VP16). The possible relationship between mutations and host shutoff function is discussed. The nucleotide sequence data of the UL41 gene of HSZP and KOS have been submitted to the Genbank nucleotide database and have been assigned the accesion numbers Z72337 and Z72338. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Characterization of the murine interleukin 5 receptor by using a monoclonal antibody

Murine interleukin 5 (IL-5), a lymphokine produced by helper T cells, is involved in the regulation of growth and differentiation of B cells and other hematopoietic cells. The receptor for IL-5 has been identified as two cross-linked complexes on T88-M cells (a murine IL-5-dependent early B cell line). In this study the IL-5 receptor was directly characterized by utilizing an immobilized IL-5 column and a rat monoclonal antibody, designated H7, directed against the IL-5 receptor. H7 completely inhibited specific binding of 35S-labeled IL-5 to T88-M cells, and bound to IL-5-responsive cells, e.g. T88-M, BCL1-B20 (a chronic B-cell leukemia), and MOPC104E (a myeloma), whereas H7 did not bind to IL-5-non-responsive cells, e.g. X5563 (a myeloma), FDC-P1 (an IL-3-dependent line), and MTH (an IL-2-dependent CTLL). H7 could barely bind to T88-M cells in the presence of IL-5, and immunoprecipitated a major band with an Mr of approximately 60 kd from the extract of surface-radioiodinated T88-M cells. The precipitation of this 60 kd molecule was inhibited by the addition of IL-5. Analysis with immobilized IL-5 also revealed that a 60 kd molecule bound specifically to IL-5-coupled beads compared with control beads. Furthermore, no additional molecule with a higher Mr that was recognized by H7 appeared under non-reducing, compared with reducing, conditions. The 60 kd molecule recognized by H7 could be digested with N-glycanase to yield a protein band of approximately 55 kd.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The quantitative kinetic study of dengue viral antigen by flow cytometry. I. An in vitro study

A system effective in the early diagnosis of Dengue virus infection was developed. The time course kinetics of Dengue virus type 2 (D-2) antigen in vitro were analyzed by Flow Cytometry. Early profiles of D-2 were also studied quantitatively through this method of analysis. The early events of host cell and virus interaction were investigated: attachment, internalization and replication. From these early profiles, the time at which new viral synthesis was detectable differed with each individual trial. These different times were found to be dependent of the phase of the cell cycle. From these results we could detect newly synthesized viral antigen within 10 h after infection.     

Ultrastructural Changes Suggestive of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis in Atypical Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome

In an attempt to recognize early stages of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in patients with a clinical course suggesting a diagnosis other than minimal change disease (MCD) and normal histology, or minor, nondiagnostic changes on light microscopy (LM), we used a protocol for systematic and extensive electron microscopy (EM) examination of kidney biopsies obtained from such patients. By this method ultrastructural pathology was found in 8 patients. These changes were localized, involving only portions of single glomerular segments. The findings included mild to moderate increase of the mesangial matrix, focal wrinkling of the capillary basement membrane, and early obliteration of the normal architecture of individual capillary loops, as well as electron-dense deposits in a mesangial and subendothelial distribution. Of these 8 patients, 2 are at present in remission without therapy (in 1, following therapy with cyclophosphamide); 3 are in remission on steroid therapy; 1 developed massive proteinuria during pregnancy, after a spontaneous remission lasting almost 2 years; 1 patient advanced to terminal renal failure 3 1/2 years after biopsy; and 1 died of sepsis 1 month after biopsy. We believe that the ultrastructural changes found may represent early or mild FSGS and that the protocol described can add valuable information in clinically worrisome patients in whom renal histology appears normal.     

新洁尔灭对小白鼠抗早孕的病理组织学观察

本文报告用不同剂量的新洁尔灭和同体积生理盐水注入怀孕5天小白鼠的宫腔内,3天后杀死,观察其蜕膜、胚泡、宫内膜腺体和卵巢黄体病理学改变。实验表明:对照组无改变。实验组小白鼠的蜕膜细胞全部退变坏死。病变随着给药量的递增而渐趋严重;同时胚泡亦有退变和坏死。提示:新洁尔灭对早期妊娠小白鼠是有抗早孕效果的。根据实验结果,我们认为新洁尔灭对小白鼠抗早孕的机制,很可能是一个综合因素,有直接的,也有间接的。作者强调在抗早孕机制诸因素中,蜕膜退变坏死是一个重要的因素。     

Konsekutive Serie von 100 Colonresektionen mit einer modifizierten fortlaufenden Nahttechnik

Zusammenfassung Es wird anhand einer konsekutiven Serie über eine modifizierte fortlaufende Nahttechnik am Colon berichtet, die gerade bei älteren Patienten eine sichere und rasche Methode der Anastomosierung darstellt. Die klinisch relevante Insuffizienzrate sowie auch die Letalitätsrate betrugen in dieser Serie je 2%, wobei die Ursachen für die Letalität aber keine Folge der Insuffizienz waren. Die Komplikationsrate betrug 11%, die urologischen Komplikationen mit 6% standen hierbei im Vordergrund.

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A consecutive series of 100 resections of the colon using a modified technique of continuous (running away) suture

Summary Based on a consecutive series it is reported about a modified type of continuous suture on the colon, used especially in elderly patients for being a secure and prompt method of anastomosing. The rate of insufficiency and mortality, as far as the clinical relevance is concerned, turns out to be 2% each and there was no relation between mortality and insufficient anastomosis. The complication rate was 11%, whereby the urological complications predominated with 6% of the total.

     

Culture of epithelial cells derived from the oviduct of different species

This study proposes a procedure for the isolation and cultureof oviduct epithelial cells of several species. In-vitro cultureon such a feeder seems to allow full embryonic development andviability. The inner linings of Fallopian tubes from mouse,rabbit, cow and human were trypsinized and the epithelial cellswere enriched with Percoll gradient. Isolated cells, obtainedin high yield with good viability, were maintained in monolayerculture in B2-Menezo medium supplemented with serum, which alsosupports early embryonic development in vitro. The plated primarycultures reached confluence within 8 days, producting a monolayerof cohesive polygonalcells. Associated with this large epithelialcall population, ciliated cells as wellas polykaryotic cellsand few fibroblastic nestswere observed. After the first sub-culture,the ciliated cells disappeared and the epithelial cell monolayergrew rapidly to confluence with in 3 days and displayed contactinhibition. No epithelial cell growth could be obtained inculturein the absence of serum. The addition of oestrogens had no effecton any of the cultured oviductal epithelial cells. A sponotaneousalteration was observed in morphology and growth after severalpassages, the number of which depends mainly upon the species     

Antigenemia,immunoblotting, and enzyme immunoassay for early diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection in renal transplant patients

Timely and rapid diagnosis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is important for the management of transplant patients. We compared three serological assays, IgM immunoblot and IgG/IgM enzyme immunoassay (EIA), as well as the detection of CMV antigens in polymorphonuclear blood leukocytes (antigenemia), for their value in the early diagnosis of CMV infection. Thirty-one patients were monitored longitudinally for 3 months after renal transplantation. Laboratory documented CMV infection occurred in 20 patients. All of these cases showed a positive IgM immunoblot result that was confirmed by at least one of the other test assays (IgG EIA 19/20, antigenemia assay 13/20, and IgM EIA 12/20). All of the ten patients whose clinical picture was compatible with symptomatic CMV disease were positive for CMV infection according to IgM immunoblot and IgG EIA, nine were positive according to the antigenemia assay, and seven were positive according to IgM EIA. With reference to the temporal pattern, the antigenemia assay indicated CMV infection significantly earlier than the serological tests (P0.05). In symptomatic patients CMV antigen-positive leukocytes were, on the average, detected on the day of onset of symptoms, whereas detection by IgM immunoblot, IgG EIA, and IgM EIA followed 8, 13, and 14 days later, respectively. These results show that: (1) the CMV antigenemia assay is very useful for the early diagnosis of symptomatic CMV infections; (2) CMV antibodies, as an indicator of CMV infection, are detectable earlier and more frequently by IgM immunoblot than by IgG/IgM EIA; (3) compared to CMV anti-genemia, the IgM immunoblot indicated CMV infection more often but significantly later; and (4) only a combination of several diagnostic methods allows optimal detection of CMV infections in renal transplant patients.