MRI Characteristic of Cerebral White Matter Maturation Patterns in Normal Infants of Assisted Reproductive

Abstract Background Assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET) has been essential in the treatment of infertility, and the number of children born after these procedures has now passed 5 million worldwide. Children born after medically assisted reproduction are at higher risk of adverse birth outcomes than are children conceived naturally. In this study, we leveraged MRI technology to investigate whether ART pregnancy methods: intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and ET have any effect on the brain development of offspring by comparing with the NAT pregnancy method. Methods A total of 75 infants were recruited in the study from 3 conception groups: 25 children born after ICSI, 25 children born after IVF-ET and 25 children born after natural pregnancy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans provide exceptionally detailed information on how the human brain changes throughout childhood, adolescence, and old age. The use of MRI in the evaluation of the developing brain is well established. Results The results of routine brain scans on T1WI and T2WI showed that there was no significant difference among the 5-7, 11-13, and 23-25 months of infants among ET, ICSI, and NAT groups. The MRI values fluctuate at different time points indicating that they may change with the development of the brain. However, they are on a similar level for different conception groups supporting our previous statistical analysis that MRI values of ICSI and ET groups are not significantly different from NAT. Conclusions The results showed that there was no significant difference in brain development patterns between different modes of conception, which proved that ART does not affect the development of brain myelin in fetuses and infants.

Download Full-text

Predictive Model for Live Birth at 12 Months After Starting In-Vitro Fertilization Treatment

MedPharmRes ◽

10.32895/ump.mpr.2.2.5 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 5-20

Author(s):

Vu Ho ◽

Toan Pham ◽

Tuong Ho ◽

Lan Vuong

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Live Birth ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Financial Burden ◽

Oocyte Retrieval ◽

Operating Characteristics ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Significant Difference

IVF carries a considerable physical, emotional and financial burden. Therefore, it would be useful to be able to predict the likelihood of success for each couple. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to develop a prediction model to estimate the probability of a live birth at 12 months after one completed IVF cycle (all fresh and frozen embryo transfers from the same oocyte retrieval). We analyzed data collected from 2600 women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) at a single center in Vietnam between April 2014 and December 2015. All patients received gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist stimulation, followed by fresh and/or frozen embryo transfer (FET) on Day 3. Using Cox regression analysis, five predictive factors were identified: female age, total dose of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone used, type of trigger, fresh or FET during the first transfer, and number of subsequent FET after the first transfer. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for the final model was 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60‒0.65) and 0.60 (95% CI 0.57‒0.63) for the validation cohort. There was no significant difference between the predicted and observed probabilities of live birth (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, p > 0.05). The model developed had similar discrimination to existing models and could be implemented in clinical practice.

Download Full-text

Beyond Oncological Hyperthermia: Physically Drivable Magnetic Nanobubbles as Novel Multipurpose Theranostic Carriers in the Central Nervous System

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25092104 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (9) ◽

pp. 2104 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eleonora Ficiarà ◽

Shoeb Anwar Ansari ◽

Monica Argenziano ◽

Luigi Cangemi ◽

Chiara Monge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Central Nervous System ◽

Nervous System ◽

Brain Tumors ◽

Ad Hoc ◽

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide ◽

Conventional Radiotherapy ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

The Brain

Magnetic Oxygen-Loaded Nanobubbles (MOLNBs), manufactured by adding Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) on the surface of polymeric nanobubbles, are investigated as theranostic carriers for delivering oxygen and chemotherapy to brain tumors. Physicochemical and cyto-toxicological properties and in vitro internalization by human brain microvascular endothelial cells as well as the motion of MOLNBs in a static magnetic field were investigated. MOLNBs are safe oxygen-loaded vectors able to overcome the brain membranes and drivable through the Central Nervous System (CNS) to deliver their cargoes to specific sites of interest. In addition, MOLNBs are monitorable either via Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Ultrasound (US) sonography. MOLNBs can find application in targeting brain tumors since they can enhance conventional radiotherapy and deliver chemotherapy being driven by ad hoc tailored magnetic fields under MRI and/or US monitoring.

Download Full-text

Introducing intrauterine antibiotic infusion as a novel approach in effectively treating chronic endometritis and restoring reproductive dynamics: a randomized pilot study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-95072-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Konstantinos Pantos ◽

Mara Simopoulou ◽

Evangelos Maziotis ◽

Anna Rapani ◽

Sokratis Grigoriadis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fertility Restoration ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Antibiotic Administration ◽

Oral Antibiotic ◽

Treatment Rate ◽

Chronic Endometritis ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Antibiotic Infusion

AbstractThe chronic nature of Chronic Endometritis (CE) along with the challenging management and infertility entailed, call for cutting-edge therapeutic approaches. This study introduces the novel treatment of intrauterine antibiotic infusion (IAI) combined with oral antibiotic administration (OAA), and it assesses respective performance against the gold standard treatment of OAA. Data sourced herein reports on treatment efficiency and fertility restoration for both patients aiming to conceive naturally or via In Vitro fertilization. Eighty CE patients, 40 presenting with recurrent implantation failure, and 40 with recurrent pregnancy loss, were enrolled in the IVF and the natural conception arm respectively. Treatment was subjected to randomization. Effectively treated patients proceeded with either a single IVF cycle or were invited to conceive naturally over a 6-month period. Combination of IAI and OAA provided a statistically significant enhanced effectiveness treatment rate (RR 1.40; 95%CI 1.07–1.82; p = 0.01). No statistically significant difference was observed regarding the side-effects rate (RR 1.33; 95%CI 0.80–2.22; p = 0.52). No statistically significant difference was observed for either arm regarding live-birth rate. Following an intention-to-treat analysis, employment of IAI corresponds to improved clinical pregnancy rate-albeit not reaching statistical significance. In conclusion, complimentary implementation of IAI could provide a statistically significant enhanced clinical treatment outcome.

Download Full-text

A Flexible Multidose GnRH Antagonist versus a Microdose Flare-Up GnRH Agonist Combined with a Flexible Multidose GnRH Antagonist Protocol in Poor Responders to IVF

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2015/970163 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gayem İnayet Turgay Çelik ◽

Havva Kömür Sütçü ◽

Yaşam Kemal Akpak ◽

Münire Erman Akar

Keyword(s):

Gnrh Agonist ◽

Gnrh Antagonist ◽

Poor Responders ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Gnrh Antagonist Protocol ◽

Group 2 ◽

Antagonist Protocol ◽

Group 1

Objective. To compare the effectiveness of a flexible multidose gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist against the effectiveness of a microdose flare-up GnRH agonist combined with a flexible multidose GnRH antagonist protocol in poor responders to in vitro fertilization (IVF).Study Design. A retrospective study in Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF Center, for 131 poor responders in the intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (ICSI-ET) program between January 2006 and November 2012. The groups were compared to the patients’ characteristics, controlled ovarian stimulation (COH) results, and laboratory results.Results. Combination protocol was applied to 46 patients (group 1), and a single protocol was applied to 85 patients (group 2). In group 1, the duration of the treatment was longer and the dose of FSH was higher. The cycle cancellation rate was significantly higher in group 2 (26.1% versus 38.8%). A significant difference was not observed with respect to the number and quality of oocytes and embryos or to the number of embryos transferred. There were no statistically significant differences in the hCG positivity (9.5% versus 9.4%) or the clinical pregnancy rates (7.1% versus 10.6%).Conclusion. The combination protocol does not provide additional efficacy.

Download Full-text

Associations between in vitro fertilization (IVF) insurance coverage and cumulative number of children

Fertility and Sterility ◽

10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.07.354 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 98 (3) ◽

pp. S96-S97

Author(s):

E.S. Jungheim ◽

L. Pollack ◽

G.A. Macones ◽

R.R. Odem ◽

K. Omurtag ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Insurance Coverage ◽

Cumulative Number ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Number Of Children

Download Full-text

Results of modern tuboperitoneal infertility treatment

Vojnosanitetski pregled ◽

10.2298/vsp0901057t ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 57-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Drenka Turjacanin-Pantelic ◽

Dragana Bojovic-Jovic ◽

Biljana Arsic ◽

Eliana Garalejic

Keyword(s):

Statistical Analysis ◽

Surgical Treatment ◽

Infertility Treatment ◽

P Value ◽

Modern Approach ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Group I ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group Ii

Background/Aim. A modern approach to surgical treatment of tuboperitoneal infertility is based on laporascopic techniques. The aim of this study was to compare results of tuboperitoneal infertility treatment by the use of laparoscopy and classical laparotomy. Methods. A retrospectiveprospective study on 66 women treated operatively form tuboperitoneal infertility was performed. Data from patient's anamnesis and those related to the surgical treatment results, obtained by the use of an inquiry, were used in retrospective and prospective analysis, respectively. Chi-square test was used in statistical analysis. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results. Classical laparotomy was used on 34 women in a period from 1996 to 1997, while 32 women were operated laparoscopically in a period from 1999 to 2000. The results were as follows: a total number of conceived women was 16 (24%), seven in the group I (20.6%) and nine in the group II (28.1%); 13 women were with one pregnancy, six in the group I (17.6%) and seven in the group II (22%). Twice pregnant were three women, one in the group I (2.9%) and two in the group II (6.2%). The resulting pregnancies were: five women with abortion spontaneous, two in the group I (5.9%) and three in the group II (9.4%); two women with extrauterine pregnancy in the group I (5.9%); three with pretemporal birth, one in the group I (2.9%) and two in the group II (6.2%), while six women were with the temporal birth, two in the group I (5.9%) and four in the group II (12.5%). Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the results between these two groups. Conclusion. Surgical treatment of tubeperitoneal infertility, regardless of the used methods (classical laparotomy or laparoscopy) was successful in a great number of women. These methods have a great advantage over in vitro fertilization, and they should not be ignored.

Download Full-text

Generation of Vascularized Brain Organoids to Study Neurovascular Interactions

10.1101/2022.01.04.474960 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Zhen-Ge Luo ◽

Xin-Yao Sun ◽

Xiang-Chun Ju ◽

Yang Li ◽

Peng-Ming Zeng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brain Development ◽

Neural Development ◽

Immune Cells ◽

Aging Process ◽

Neural Progenitors ◽

Brain Disorders ◽

Specific Population ◽

Neurovascular Interactions ◽

The Brain

The recently developed brain organoids have been used to recapitulate the processes of brain development and related diseases. However, the lack of vasculatures, which regulate neurogenesis, brain disorders, and aging process, limits the utility of brain organoids. In this study, we induced vessel and brain organoids respectively, and then fused two types of organoids together to obtain vascularized brain organoids. The fused brain organoids were engrafted with robust vascular network-like structures, and exhibited increased number of neural progenitors, in line with the possibility that vessels regulate neural development. Fusion organoids also contained functional blood-brain-barrier (BBB)-like structures, as well as microglial cells, a specific population of immune cells in the brain. The incorporated microglia responded actively to immune stimuli to the fused brain organoids. Thus, the fusion organoids established in this study allow modeling interactions between the neuronal and non-neuronal components in vitro, in particular the vasculature and microglia niche.

Download Full-text

Effect of Nursing Guidelines on Coping of Infertile Couples Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization

Evidence-Based Nursing Research ◽

10.47104/ebnrojs3.v2i2.126 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 11

Author(s):

Gehan S. Abdelgelel ◽

Shadia H. Muhsib ◽

Mona H. Abdelaal ◽

Randa M. Ibrahim

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Unprotected Sex ◽

The Body ◽

University Hospital ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Infertile Couples ◽

Nursing Guidelines

Context: Infertility is defined as not being able to conceive after one year of unprotected sex. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a process of fertilization where an ovum is combined with sperm outside the body, in vitro. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is psychologically and emotionally stressful. Coping strategies are needed to master, tolerate, reduce, or minimize stressful events. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nursing guidelines on coping of infertile couples' undergoing In Vitro Fertilization. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized to achieve the aim of this study. This study conducted at the assisted reproductive technology unit of Ain shams Maternity University Hospital on a convenient sample of 98 couples undergoing fertility treatments. Two tools were used for data collection; the first tool was a structured interviewing questionnaire to assess the couple's socio-demographic data, obstetric history, the couple's knowledge regarding in vitro fertilization. The second tool was ways of coping scale (WQS) to assess coping strategies among the infertile couple. Results: There is no statistically significant difference between couples in both groups according to their knowledge and their coping strategies to IVF before the implementation of nursing guidelines (p> 0.05). In contrast, there is a highly statistically significant improvement in knowledge and coping strategies of couples on the study group compared to control group couples after implementation of nursing guidelines(p<0.001). Conclusion: The finding of the current study supported the hypothesis, which stated that the infertile couples who will expose to the nursing guidelines, will exhibit improved coping strategies to IVF compared to the controls. The study recommended the application of nursing guidelines at the IVF unit of Ain Shams Maternity University Hospital and other settings for IVF treatment as routine care to improve infertile couples' coping strategies.

Download Full-text

Proteomic profiling of mitochondrial-derived vesicles in brain reveals enrichment of respiratory complex sub-assemblies and small TIM chaperones

10.1101/2020.07.06.189993 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rosalind F. Roberts ◽

Andrew N. Bayne ◽

Thomas Goiran ◽

Dominique Lévesque ◽

François-Michel Boisvert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Transport ◽

Disease Genes ◽

Proteomic Profiling ◽

Cell Functions ◽

Peroxisomal Biogenesis ◽

Proteomic Approach ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Vital Cell ◽

The Brain

ABSTRACTThe generation of mitochondrial-derived vesicles (MDVs) is implicated in a plethora of vital cell functions, from mitochondrial quality control to peroxisomal biogenesis. The discovery of distinct subtypes of MDVs has revealed the selective inclusion of mitochondrial cargo in response to varying stimuli. However, the true scope and variety of MDVs is currently unclear, and unbiased approaches have yet to be used to understand their biology. Furthermore, as mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in many neurodegenerative diseases, it is essential to understand MDV pathways in the nervous system. To address this, we sought to identify the cargo in brain MDVs. We used an in vitro budding assay and proteomic approach to identify proteins selectively enriched in MDVs. 72 proteins were identified as MDV enriched, of which 31% were OXPHOS proteins. Interestingly, the OXPHOS proteins localized to specific modules of the respiratory complexes, hinting at the inclusion of sub-assemblies in MDVs. Small TIM chaperones were also highly enriched in MDVs, linking mitochondrial chaperone-mediated protein transport to MDV formation. As the two Parkinson’s disease genes PINK1 and Parkin have been previously implicated in MDV biogenesis in response to oxidative stress, we compared the MDV proteomes from the brains of wild-type mice with those of PINK1-/- and Parkin-/- mice. No significant difference was found, suggesting that PINK1- and Parkin-dependent MDVs make up a small proportion of all MDVs in the brain. Our findings demonstrate a previously uncovered landscape of MDV complexity and provide a foundation from which to discover further novel MDV functions.

Download Full-text

Comparative Study Between Mock Embryo Transfer Prior To The Treatment Cycle and Real Embryo Transfer In In Vitro Fertilization

KnE Medicine ◽

10.18502/kme.v1i1.538 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hilma Putri Lubis

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Embryo Transfer ◽

Treatment Cycle ◽

Uterine Cavity ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Clinical Pregnancy ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Clinical Pregnancy Rates

IntroductionA trial or mock embryo transfer (ET) may influence pregnancy rates and it performed prior to ET allows the clinician to assess the uterine cavity and the utero-cervical angle. The aim of this study is to compare the consistency of the type of ET in mock ET with real ET.Material & MethodsA retrospective comparative analysis of patients who underwent in vitro fertilization or ICSI cycle from January 2014 to December 2014 in Halim Fertility Center was done. The type of transfer was divided into two groups: ‘easy’ or ‘difficult’. An easy ET was defined as a transfer that occurred without the use of manipulation or other instrumentation and difficult ET was considered when additional instrumentation was required.ResultsFrom the study, 103 patients who underwent Mock-ET, we found 58 patients (56.3%) with easy ET and 45 patients (43.7%) with difficult ET, which with hard catheter ET in 17 patients (16.5%), with osfander assistance in 20 patients (19.4%) and with stylet in 8 patients (7,8%). 58 patients with Easy Mock ET group were entirely easy real ET (100%) and 45 patients with difficult Mock ET group also entirely were difficult real ET (100%). The Statistical analysis shows no significant difference between the mock ET and real ET groups (p>0,05). In easy real ET, clinical pregnancy rates were 32.8% and in difficult real ET, clinical pregnancy rates were 26.7% with no significant difference between the groups (p>0,05).Conclusion:Mock ET prior to the treatment cycle is consistent with real ET.

Download Full-text