P–001 Effect of mild α -chymotrypsin treatment of highly viscous semen samples on fertilization rates

Abstract Study question The main objective of this study was to examine the influence of mild α -chymotrypsin treatment of highly viscous semen samples on the fertilisation rate after artificial reproductive treatment (ART). Summary answer The use of mild α -chymotrypsin treatment of semen samples in case of hyperviscosity does not appear to impact negatively on the fertilization rates after ART. What is known already Highly viscous semen reduces sperm motility significantly and can contribute to infertility. When processing semen samples, few techniques exist to induce liquefaction in case of seminal hyperviscosity such as different washing steps and mechanical treatment. The use of α -chymotrypsin seems controversial due to possible negative effects on fertilisation rates after IVF. Study design, size, duration All patients were recruited at the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital of Bonn, Germany from July first 2018 till June first 2019. Anonymized data on age, number of previous pregnancies and deliveries were retrospectively collected. The study group consisted of a cohort of 52 couples meeting the inclusion criteria of highly viscous semen and were compared to a cohort control group of 88 couples. Participants/materials, setting, methods: The fertilization rate of 52 ART cycles was examined following IVF using a low dose of α -chymotrypsin to induce liquefaction of highly viscous semen and was compared to a control group of 88 ART cycles. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. A Mann Whitney U test was used to compare continuous parameters between groups. Main results and the role of chance The study group consisted of a cohort of 52 couples meeting the inclusion criteria of highly viscous semen and were compared to a cohort control group of 88 couples. The Fertilization rate between the two groups was not significant (p < 0.146, Mann-Whitney U test), with a rate of 57.95 in the study group compared to 57.53 in the control group. Our analysis showed no significant differences in male and female age, male abstinence period, semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, and total progressive sperm count between the two groups. We observed a significant difference [p = 0.025] in the progressive motility and a borderline significance in the total progressive sperm count [p = 0.052] between α -chymotrypsin treated samples and the non α -chymotrypsin treated samples. Analyzing the clinical and biochemical pregnancy parameters of the study group (n = 41) and the control group (n = 66) per fresh embryo transfer procedures (n = 107) we found no significant differences. Freeze all cycles were excluded from the study. No significant differences concerning previous pregnancies and childbirth were detected. Limitations, reasons for caution The study is a pilot study as the majority of the studies using α -chymotrypsin was conducted up to three decades ago, comparison of data must be interpreted in the light of the fact that since then, IVF has seen a rapid evolution of technology and culture techniques. Wider implications of the findings The use of mild α -chymotrypsin treatment of semen samples in case of hyperviscosity does not appear to impact negatively on the fertilization rates after ART and could be regarded as an additional method to induce liquefaction of highly viscous semen samples in IVF... Trial registration number not applicable

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A Comparative Study of Relationship between Micronutrients and Gestational Diabetes

ISRN Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.5402/2012/470419 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Farideh Akhlaghi ◽

Seyyed Majid Bagheri ◽

Omid Rajabi

Keyword(s):

Gestational Diabetes ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Control Groups ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Micronutrient Concentration ◽

And Control

In this paper, we studied the relation between the micronutrient and gestational diabetes. Therefore, we measured micronutrient concentration including Ni, Al, Cr, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Se in serum of women with gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of gestational age (study group) who had inclusion criteria and comparison with micronutrient levels in normal pregnant women with same gestational age (control group). Results showed that there was no significant difference between the serum micronutrient level (Ni, Al, Cr, Mg, Zn, Cu, Se) in study and control groups except serum level of iron which in serum of gestational diabetic women was lower than normal pregnant women and difference was significant.

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Prognostic value of mean platelet volume on tinnitus

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215115003254 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 130 (2) ◽

pp. 162-165 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

O Kemal ◽

T Müderris ◽

F Başar ◽

G Kutlar ◽

F Gül

Keyword(s):

Mean Platelet Volume ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Clinical Findings ◽

University Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Pathophysiological Mechanism ◽

Platelet Volume ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Healthy Control

AbstractObjective:This study aimed to determine whether there was any relationship between tinnitus and mean platelet volume.Methods:This retrospective study was conducted between January 2013 and January 2014 in Ankara Atatürk Hospital and Ondokuz Mayıs University Hospital, Turkey, on a study group of 86 patients with tinnitus and a control group of 84 healthy subjects. Mean platelet volume was recorded and comparisons were made between the two groups.Results:Mean (± standard deviation) platelet volume was 7.67 ± 0.83 μm3 in the study group and 7.28 ± 0.56 μm3 in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference in mean platelet volume between the tinnitus patients and the healthy subjects (p < 0.05).Conclusion:The clinical findings indicated that tinnitus patients had a higher mean platelet volume than the healthy control subjects; however, the pathophysiological mechanism remains unclear.

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Effect of designed nursing guidelines on acute anal fissure treatment outcomes

Journal of Nursing Education and Practice ◽

10.5430/jnep.v8n10p1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Esmat Sayed Abd-Elmaged ◽

Amna Abdallh Desoky ◽

Tarik Abd-Elazem Abd-Elrahem

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Anal Fissure ◽

General Surgery ◽

Rating Scale ◽

University Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Pain Level ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Nursing Guidelines

Objective: Anal fissure is a common problem through the world, it causes considerable morbidity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of designed nursing guidelines on acute anal fissure treatment outcomes.Methods: Research design: Quasi-experimental design. Setting: General Surgery Wards and Outpatient Clinics of General Surgery at Assiut University Hospital. Sample: A purposive sample of 60 male and female adult patients diagnosed of having acute anal fissure. Patients were equally divided on random basis into two equal groups (study and control) 30 patients for each. Tools: Tool I-Patient assessment sheet. Tool II-Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Tool III-Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool.Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the study and the control groups as regard demographic data. There was a statistically significant improvement in the pain level and wound healing among the study group (1.63 ± 2.08 and 11.93 ± 4.5 respectively) than in the control group (2.87 ± 2.33 and 14.43 ± 4.29 respectively). Also, there was a high statistically significant improvement in the level of knowledge of the study group than their level before applying the guidelines (p < .001).Conclusions: Designed nursing guidelines had a statistically significant effect on improving patients' knowledge, pain level, and wound healing among the study group patients than among the control group ones with acute anal fissure. Recommendations: Patients teaching should be an integral part of the nurses' duty in all hospitals. Further studies on larger sample from different geographical areas in Egypt to generalize the results.

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Tear Film Osmolarity of the Eye after Cataract Surgery. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis

10.25143/prom-rsu_2021-17_dts ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Ēriks Elksnis ◽

Keyword(s):

Cataract Surgery ◽

Postoperative Period ◽

Ocular Surface ◽

Tear Film ◽

Visual Outcome ◽

Early Postoperative Period ◽

University Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Significant Difference

Almost every cataract surgeon has encountered a situation during the postoperative period when, even though, the primary goal – improvement of visual acuity – has been achieved, yet the patient felt frustrated because of subjective discomfort in the operated eye. Sometimes this issue is more disturbing for the patient than the hope for a perfect visual outcome. Although it has been established that the ocular surface is affected during the postoperative period, there is still no generally accepted opinion about the changes in tear osmolarity after cataract surgery despite several studies dedicated to evaluation of these changes. The present study was designed to elucidate the effect of cataract surgery on the characteristic feature of ocular surface homeostasis – tear film osmolarity in the early postoperative period. Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in tear film osmolarity after a cataract surgery in a healthy ocular surface. Methods. For this purpose two examination groups were formed. The study group included voluntary patients undergoing cataract surgery not having any complaints about subjective symptoms typical of dry eye disease. In order to correspond to the criteria of healthy ocular surface, the study group excludes the following types of patients and conditions: contact lens wearers, patients with diabetes, pseudoexfoliation, pterygia and eye drop users. The eye that has not undergone the surgery was classified as the control group. This single–center, prospective study was held at Ophthalmology department of Pauls Stradins Clinical university hospital. All cataract surgeries were done by the same surgeon. The tear osmolarity tests were evaluated with TearLab Osmolarity System (TearLab Corporation, San Diego, CA, the USA) before surgery, in the next morning, one week and one month after the surgery. Results. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups before operation when comparing the mean tear osmolarity – in the study group it was 296.87 mOsm/L, and in the control group it was 297.27 mOsm/L (p = 0.84). The tear osmolarity results changed significantly during early postoperative period in the study group (p < 0.001), while in non–operated eye no significant tear film osmolarity changes were observed (p = 0.86). Significant changes were recognized on the next day after the surgery – the tears became hypoosmolar (< 275 mOsm/L). One week later the tear osmolarity increased significantly, and the tears became hyperosmolar (312.64 mOsm/L). Over the course of one month, the test values for the study and control groups equalized (297.87 in the study group and 298.93 in the control group (p = 0.66)), when compared to preoperative tear osmolarity results. Conclusion. The results achieved lead towards a more detailed understanding of the changes in the ocular surface homeostasis after a cataract surgery. The obtained data indicate that tear osmolarity changes considerably during the first postoperative month after a cataract surgery. Also, there is a huge difference in measurements between operated and non–operated eye on the next day and one week after the surgery. One month after the surgery tear osmolarity returns to preoperative test results, and there is no difference determined between the eyes.

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25 TIMED ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION ENABLES HIGH FERTILIZATION RATES IN NORMAL CYCLING AND IN SUPEROVULATED CATTLE WITH REDUCED DOSAGES OF UNSORTED SPERMATOZOA AND WITH SEXED SPERMATOZOA

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv25n1ab25 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 159

Author(s):

F. Becker ◽

W. Kanitz ◽

G. Nurnberg ◽

D. Rath

Keyword(s):

Prostaglandin F2α ◽

Fertilization Rate ◽

Ovulation Rate ◽

Control Group ◽

Fertilization Rates ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Sexed Semen ◽

The Mean ◽

High Fertilization

Different factors determine the effectiveness of the use of sires in AI. Most important factors are the number of inseminated spermatozoa, the quality of spermatozoa, and the time of insemination. Especially in superovulated animals, the insemination scheme plays in important role to cover the whole ovulation period. The influence of 3 different dosages of spermatozoa (15 × 106, 5 × 106, and 1 × 106) on fertilization rate was examined in experiment A. In experiment B, one dosage of female and male spermatozoa of 3 different bulls was used for timed AI in 31 heifers. Timed AI in normal-cycling cattle [13 h after gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) application] with detected corpus luteum (Days 8 to 13 of cycle) was carried out after induction of luteolysis and induction of ovulation [GnRH application 60 h after prostaglandin F2α (PGF2) application]. Embryos and oocytes were flushed from the oviduct of 116 hemicastrated or slaughtered heifers on Day 4 after insemination. The ovulation rate in heifers was 95.4%. Eighty percent of the oocytes or embryos were recovered. The influence of the factors sire, ejaculate, and dosage were tested by GLM analyses of SAS® (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). There was no significant difference in the fertilization rate (93.3, 96.2, and 78.8%) and in the proportion of normally developed embryos (84.6, 80.7, and 75.8%) between groups. Significant differences were found in the mean number of accessory sperms/embryo and in the proportion of embryos with >10 accessory sperms/embryo or without accessory sperms; however, the proportion of intact embryos was similar. Using sexed semen in experiment B, similar results were obtained after flushing of the oviducts on Day 4 after insemination of hemicastrated or slaughtered animals. In total, an ovulation rate of 91.7%, a recovery rate of 70%, and a fertilization rate of 86.8% were obtained. There were no differences between female- and male-sorted spermatozoa and the control group. In experiment C, altogether 13 heifers were treated 8 times with FSH for 4 days starting between Day 8 to 12 of estrous cycle. Prostaglandin F2α was given 48 and 60 h after the first FSH injection. Insemination with sexed semen (n = 5 heifers) and with unsorted semen (n = 8; 15 × 106 and 1 × 106) was done at 55 and 71 h after induction of luteolysis. Flushing of the uterus was performed on Day 7. Using the time-oriented insemination after superovulation of animals, fertilization rates varied between 65 and 85%. There was no difference between groups regarding the number of transferable embryos (5.5, 4.9, and 4.8). The results demonstrate that the application of an approved insemination schedule may accomplish high fertilization rates after insemination with sexed or reduced dosages of spermatozoa in normal-cycling as well as superovulated cattle.

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Evaluation of Clinical Pharmacist's Contribution to Sepsis and Septic Shock Management

10.22541/au.162418597.77953568/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nursel Sürmelioğlu ◽

Kutay Demirkan ◽

Emre Karakoç ◽

Murat Gündüz ◽

Dilek Özcengiz

Keyword(s):

Septic Shock ◽

Clinical Pharmacist ◽

University Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Drug Related Problems ◽

Sepsis Management ◽

Time To Initiation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Sepsis And Septic Shock

Purpose: This study aimed to identify drug-related problems at treatment in patients with sepsis and septic shock and to evaluate the contribution of the clinical pharmacist. Methods: This study was conducted at intensive care units(ICU) of a university hospital. A study group in which the clinical pharmacist participated in the treatment management of septic patients and a control group in which the clinic did not have a pharmacist was formed. In the treatment of the control group, interventions were made for drug-related problems detected by the clinical pharmacist. Study and control group were compared in terms of length of ICU stay, time to initiation of appropriate antimicrobial drug(s), appropriateness of antimicrobial dosing, and drug treatment costs. Results: Total of 65 patients were included in the study group prospectively in which the intervention of clinical pharmacist provided for the drug treatments and retrospectively 65 patients in the control group without any intervention. In the study group, 670 recommendations were made for 753 problems related to their drug therapy. Between groups, improvement in appropriateness of antimicrobials in terms of dose, time to initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy, daily antibiotic costs in all patients and antibiotic costs in patients with impaired renal function statistically significant difference were found. Conclusions: As a result of clinical pharmacist involvement in sepsis management, it has been shown to contribute to the prevention and management of drug interactions, to start antimicrobial therapies more quickly, to select the appropriate drug and dose, especially antimicrobials, and to save the costs of antimicrobial drugs.

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Effect of an Educational Intervention on Quality of Life and Sexual Function in Women with Endometriosis

International Journal of Studies in Nursing ◽

10.20849/ijsn.v3i2.452 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 127 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hend Abdallah EL Sayed ◽

Samia Abdel Hakeem Hanseen Aboud

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Sexual Function ◽

Educational Intervention ◽

University Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

The Mean

Aim of the study was to investigate the effect of an educational intervention on quality of life and sexual function in women with endometriosis. Design: Quasi experimental time series research design. Setting: obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic affiliated to Benha University Hospital and Benha teaching Hospital. Sample: A purposive sample of 138 women diagnosed with endometriosis was eligible in the study and assigned equally into study and control groups. Tools for data collection: A structured interviewing questionnaire, Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire-30 and Sexual Health Outcomes in Women Questionnaire. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding demographic and obstetrical characteristics (p ˃ 0.05). Before implementation of educational intervention, the mean scores of total EHP-30 and SHOW-Q showed impaired quality of life and sexual function in the both groups (p ˃ 0.05). After one and two months of educational intervention implementation, mean total score of EHP-30 was significantly lowered in the study group compared with the control group. The mean scores of satisfaction, orgasm, and desire subscales were significantly higher in study group compared with control group. Whereas, the mean score of the pelvic problem interference subscale was significantly lower in study group compared with control group (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The educational intervention about endometriosis has significant effect on the improvement of women's quality of life and sexual function. Recommendation: Provide health educational program for women with endometriosis to improve quality of life as well as sexual function.

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The Effect of Single and Triple Testicular Biopsy Using Biopty Gun on Spermatogenesis in Pubertal Rats

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061569 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1569

Author(s):

Tomislav Šušnjar ◽

Ivana Kuzmić Prusac ◽

Ivan Švagelj ◽

Anđela Jurišić ◽

Tomislav Šušnjar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sperm Count ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Study Groups ◽

Testicular Biopsy ◽

Male Rats ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Control Group ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

Left Testis ◽

Significant Difference

Background: The aim of this study was to compare consequences in single and triple testicular biopsy by biopty gun in pubertal rats using histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Methods: Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley male rats were used as the experimental model. The rats were randomly divided into three study groups. The rats from the first group (n = 12) received a single-biopsy of upper pole of the left testis, while the rats from the second group (n = 10) received triple-biopsy of upper and lower poles and lateral surface of left testis. The third group (n = 10) was a control group. On the eightieth day after the biopsy in all rats bilateral orchiectomy and funiculectomy were performed to obtain testicular tissue and sperm for analysis. The consequences of the puncture were observed by pathohistology, immunohistochemistry and semen analysis. Results: The results of the study showed lower percentage of sperm count (14.5 mill/mL vs. 16 mill/mL, p = 0.130), sperm motility (24.6% vs. 32.7%, p > 0.05), abnormal sperm (30% vs. 27%, p > 0.05), atrophic tubules (21% vs. 6%, p < 0.001), volume (1.7 mL vs. 2.28 mL, p < 0.01) and apoptotic index (1.56 vs. 1.19, p = 0.650) in the testes with a triple-biopsy compared to the testes with a single-biopsy. Semen analysis showed a borderline significant difference between the group with triple-biopsy where sperm count was lower than it in the control group (14.5 mill/mL vs. 17.5 mill/mL, p = 0.05). A single-biopsy has little effect on the testis, especially on overall fertility. A triple-biopsy showed higher degree of the testicular damage but without a significant impact on overall fertility. Semen analysis showed that single- and triple-biopsies did not have a significant effect on sperm count, motility and morphology. Conclusion: Biopty gun procedure is a cheap, simple and reliable method for testicular biopsy in rats without a significant effect on sperm count, motility and morphology.

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Frequency-Following Response (FFR) in Military Pilots

International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1718525 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Graziela Maria Martins-Moreira ◽

Alessandra Spada Durante

Keyword(s):

Pure Tone Audiometry ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Aircraft Accidents ◽

Frequency Following Response ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Qualitative Variables ◽

Chi Squared ◽

The Right ◽

Military Pilots

Abstract Introduction Good hearing in pilots, including central auditory skills, is critical for flight safety and the prevention of aircraft accidents. Pure tone audiometry alone may not be enough to assess hearing in the members of this population who, in addition to high noise levels, routinely face speech recognition tasks in non-ideal conditions. Objective To characterize the frequency-following response (FFR) of a group of military pilots compared with a control group. Methods Twenty military pilots in the Study Group and 20 non-pilot military personnel, not exposed to noise in their work, in the Control Group, all with normal hearing, aged between 30 and 40 years old, completed a questionnaire to assess their hearing habits, and their FFRs were measured with a /da/ syllable (duration 40 milliseconds, speed 10.9/s), at 80 dB NA in the right ear. All procedures were approved by the ethical committee of the institution. Statistical analysis was performed using the t-Student or Mann-Whitney tests for quantitative variables, and the Fisher or chi-squared tests for qualitative variables, and a value of p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results There was no significant difference between the groups regarding auditory habits. In the FFR, wave amplitudes A (p = 0.01) and C (p = 0.04) were significantly lower in the Study Group. Conclusion Working as a military pilot can be a crucial factor in determining an individual's typical FFR pattern, demonstrated in the present study by statistically significant reductions in the amplitudes of the A and C waves.

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Cytokine profiles and Lactobacillus species presence in pre-menopausal subjects with genital Mycoplasma genitalium or Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization

Women s Health ◽

10.1177/17455065211009181 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

pp. 174550652110091

Author(s):

John Garza ◽

Kushal Gandhi ◽

Sarah Choi ◽

Asley Sanchez ◽

Gary Ventolini

Keyword(s):

Ureaplasma Urealyticum ◽

Mycoplasma Genitalium ◽

Interleukin 12 ◽

Lactobacillus Species ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Species Dominance ◽

Cytokine Profiles ◽

Menopausal Women ◽

Significant Difference

Background and Purpose: Lactobacilli play a vital role in protecting the vagina against pathogens. Cytokines are vital components of defense against infections in women. The genital mycoplasmas, Mycoplasma genitalium and Ureaplasma urealyticum, are associated with various infectious diseases in adults and infants. The objective of our study is to identify differences in cytokine profile and Lactobacillus species dominance between a study group of non-pregnant pre-menopausal women with genital M. genitalium or U. urealyticum colonization and a control group of non-pregnant pre-menopausal women without genital M. genitalium or U. urealyticum colonization. Methods: A real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure Lactobacillus species in vaginal swab samples. Cytokine analysis was performed using multiplex immunoassay techniques. Analysis of variance confirmed a significant difference in cytokine profiles between patient groups, with t-tests identifying the most significantly different cytokines. Categorical data analysis identified significant patterns of relative Lactobacillus species dominance in the study group. Results: Lactobacillus iners was the predominant Lactobacillus species in the control group ( p = 0.005). There were no dominant Lactobacillus species observed in the study group. Vascular endothelial growth factor A ( p = 0.002), interleukin-8 ( p = 0.001), and interleukin-1β ( p = 0.049) were expressed significantly higher in the study group, whereas interleukin-1 receptor antagonist ( p < 0.001), interleukin-10 ( p = 0.001), interleukin-12 ( p = 0.002), and interferon-γ ( p = 0.022) were expressed higher in the control group. Association matrices for cytokines were significantly different between two groups ( p < 0.001), with mostly negative associations in the control group and mostly positive associations in the study group. Conclusion: Cytokine levels, their associations, and the patterns of Lactobacillus species dominance are observed to significantly diverge on the basis of M. genitalium and U. urealyticum colonization among non-pregnant pre-menopausal women.

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