scholarly journals Oocyte Cryopreservation at a Young Age Provides an Effective Strategy for Expanding Fertile Lifespan

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Poli ◽  
Antonio Capalbo
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Oocyte Cryopreservation ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Personal Finances ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Short Period

With an upward trend in delaying parenthood, women across the world face an increasing risk of age-related infertility and involuntary childlessness. Elective oocyte banking strategies offer women the possibility to protect part of their reproductive potential until personal finances, personal relationship, or career have stabilized. Timely collection and cryopreservation of oocytes when they are most competent and chromosomal abnormality rates have not yet escalated are crucial for achieving high live births through in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment at a later stage. To promote reproductive autonomy, women shall be informed about the decrease in fertility rates that sharply intensifies from the age of 35 years and the strategies available to maintain their reproductive potential. Together with this information, women should also recognize the limitations of available strategies including expected live birth rates, costs of the procedures, and overall approach performance, which is mainly associated with age at cryopreservation, number of oocytes banked, and age at accessing the banked oocytes. Evidence-based statistics are not yet available due to the relatively short period in which oocyte cryopreservation has been offered for elective purposes and the scarce number of patients returning for accessing their oocytes. However, to evaluate the applicability of fertility cryopreservation on a large scale, several theoretical models have been proposed to assess the expected efficacy and overall cost-effectiveness of different oocyte banking strategies. In this study, we review current oocyte cryopreservation methodologies, their applications, and outcomes. Moreover, we summarize current evidence regarding known parameters affecting oocyte banking efficacy. Finally, we discuss key points that could play a role in improving access to the service and optimization of oocyte banking frameworks.

scholarly journals A Polymorphic CYP19 TTTA Repeat Influences Aromatase Activity and Estrogen Levels in Elderly Men: Effects on Bone Metabolism

2004 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 2803-2810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Gennari ◽  
Laura Masi ◽  
Daniela Merlotti ◽  
Lucia Picariello ◽  
Alberto Falchetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dominant Role ◽  
High Body Mass Index ◽  
Nonvertebral Fracture ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Aromatase Activity ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Fracture Group ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Cyp19 Gene

Abstract Current evidence suggests that estrogen plays a dominant role in determining bone mineral density (BMD) in men, and inactivating mutations in the aromatase CYP19 gene have been associated with low bone mass in young males. We previously reported an association between a TTTA repeat polymorphism in intron 4 of the CYP19 gene and osteoporotic risk in postmenopausal females. Here we explore the role of this polymorphism as a genetic determinant of BMD in a sample of elderly males who were recruited by direct mailing and followed longitudinally for 2 (n = 300) and 4 (n = 200) yr. Six different allelic variants, containing seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, and 12 TTTA repeats, were detected. There was a bimodal distribution of alleles, with two major peaks at seven and 11 repeats and a very low distribution of the nine-repeat allele. Men with a high-repeat genotype (>nine repeats) showed higher lumbar BMD values, lower bone turnover markers, higher estradiol levels, and a lower rate of BMD change than men with a low-repeat genotype (<nine repeats). The association with BMD was not significant in the subgroup of patients with high body mass index (>25), suggesting that the effect of CYP19 genotypes on bone may be masked by the increase in fat mass. Moreover, the high-repeat genotype was less represented, although not significantly, in the vertebral fracture group with respect to the nonvertebral fracture group. Functional in vitro analysis after incubation with [3H]-androstenedione showed a higher aromatase activity in fibroblasts from subjects with a high-repeat genotype than in fibroblasts from subjects with a low-repeat genotype. In conclusion, differences in estrogen levels due to polymorphism at the aromatase CYP19 gene may predispose men to increased age-related bone loss and fracture risk.

scholarly journals Using the Past to Prepare for the Future: A 2018 Pilot Study to Improve the Hospital Response for Mass Casualties via a Multi-Dimensional Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s176-s176
Author(s):  
George W. Contreras ◽  
Kevin Pohlman ◽  
Jenna Mandel-Ricci ◽  
David Markenson ◽  
Michael Reilly
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
New York ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
New York State ◽  
Physician Assistants ◽  
Disaster Medicine ◽  
Mass Casualties ◽  
Clinical Role ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Short Period

Introduction:Recent mass shooting events remind us of the importance of hospitals’ preparedness to manage a large number of patients in a short period of time. While prehospital systems triage for field interventions and priority of transport, they were not designed to triage for the scarce resources of a hospital. Therefore, upon arrival to hospital, clinicians must then quickly determine how to best assess and provide life-saving interventions based on their limited resources.Methods:In collaboration with the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA), the Center for Disaster Medicine at New York Medical College piloted an interactive and intensive eight-hour course at four New York State hospitals that covered critical areas such as: current literature on Mass Casualty Events and Triage, review of hospital emergency management, hospital-based triage principles, a MCI exercise in the emergency department, a surge capacity tabletop exercise, and use of ultrasound. While targeted towards physicians to foster team-based care and learning, nurses, physician assistants, and hospital administrators also participated in the pilot course.Results:Sixty persons from four hospitals participated in the pilot phase. Preliminary findings post-training reveal the following: 58% of participants expressed greater confidence in distinguishing between emergency department triage and triage during disasters; 59% of participants expressed greater confidence in performing initial triage of victims; 49% of participants expressed greater confidence in describing the use of ultrasound-guided triage; and 95% of participants reported an enhancement in their ability to perform their clinical role.Discussion:Preliminary findings reiterate the ongoing need for hospitals to provide training to their staff in the unique aspects of hospital triage and surge management using tools specifically designed in order to be prepared for the rapid influx of a large number of patients. A multipronged training model is a positive approach to help hospitals prepare for large-scale disasters.

scholarly journals Why is theNew York TimesWriting so Much about Alzheimer's Disease Therapies?

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1886-1889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamas Bartfai
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Magic Bullet ◽  
Initial Population ◽  
Professional Career ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Short Period ◽  
History Of ◽  
Disease Modifying Agents

Can we go back to proving that drugs work in preventing, postponing, and ameliorating familial Alzheimer's disease (ad)? Ad is so devastating that there is a great public interest in the drug discovery process as evinced by the sheer number of articles in the serious popular press. The presently available, yet poorly performing, drugs have been approved despite their multiple peripheral side effects. The research on disease-modifying agents for the treatment of ad is largely focused on reducing amyloid plaques. However, it is now clear that companies and researchers alike are losing hope in finding an efficacious therapy rapidly that works in ad patients who are already cognitively impaired, and that people who staked their scientific and professional career on finding a cure for ad based on the amyloid hypothesis are shaken by the series of failed clinical trials within a short period of time. It is emerging that we may start to treat ad far too late to be able to make any significant slowing of the disease or postponing the onset of the symptoms of the disease. The history of drug development for other diseases should encourage us to focus on patients in whom we can identify the genetic markers associated with familial ad. Then when we have an efficacious and very safe drug, we will be able to establish its efficacy on, most importantly, cognition, but also at the level of plaques. This will provide the pharmacological evidence needed to show that it is worth fighting amyloidosis because it saves memory. We have a successful and lucrative history of preventive medicine on a large scale, all we need now is the foresight and will to switch strategy and no longer look for a magic bullet to fix ad, but to discover drugs that will delay and prevent the onset of ad, drugs that may be safely taken by symptom-free patients who are vulnerable and susceptible to ad. The initial population that might be preventatively treated against ad would indeed be those with genetic predisposition. While prevention trials are long and expensive as emphasized by the industry, the market for a safe and effective drug would be extended to the large number of patients susceptible to sporadic ad. Since the highest risk factor for sporadic ad is age, this would be an extraordinarily large market.

scholarly journals The Stimulating Effects of Imazalil and Carbendazim Fungicides on in Vitro Propagation and ex Situ conservation of the Medicinal Balkan Range-Restricted Sideritis Raeseri Boiss & Heldr. Subsp. Raeseri

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1752-1763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Sarropoulou ◽  
Eleni Maloupa
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Ex Situ Conservation ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Shoot Multiplication ◽  
Shoot Length ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Root Number ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Shoot Number

Sideritis raeseri Boiss & Heldr. subsp. raeseri, known in Greece as Mountain tea of Parnassus or Velouchi is a range restricted medicinal plant of the Balkan peninsula. Conventional propagation methods did not allow the mass production of plant material in a short period of time due to both low seed germination rate and rooting of cuttings. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish a reliable, reproducible and efficient regeneration protocol for mass and large-scale micropropagation, germplasm and ex situ conservation of S. raeseri Boiss & Heldr. using Imazalil and Carbendazim fungicides. After 9 weeks, 2.5-10 mg/l Imazalil stimulated root length by 1 cm but diminished root number and rooting percentage. Optimum shoot number (5.58), shoot length (24.91 mm), shoot multiplication (100%), root number (20.63) and rooting (66.67%) were recorded with 0.5 mg/l kinetin (KN) + 0.05 mg/l ?-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (Imazalil-free). After 4 ½ weeks, 1 mg/l Carbendazim + 0.5 mg/l 6-benzyladenine (BA) yielded 5.77 shoots/explant, 16.1 mm shoot length and 100% shoot multiplication. However, Carbendazim did not result in rooting. The ex vitro survival percentage of rooted shoot-tip explants derived from Imazalil experiment was 95%. Carbendazim proved useful in shoot proliferarion and Imazalil in root elongation of S. raeseri Boiss & Heldr. subsp. raeseri micropropagation system.  

scholarly journals Poor ovarian response to stimulation for in vitro fertilization

2015 ◽  
Vol 143 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 354-361
Author(s):  
Svetlana Spremovic-Radjenovic ◽  
Jovan Bila ◽  
Aleksandra Gudovic ◽  
Snezana Vidakovic ◽  
Milan Dokic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Gnrh Agonist ◽  
Ovarian Reserve ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Gnrh Antagonist ◽  
Poor Responders ◽  
Natural Cycle ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Short Period

The term ?poor respond (POR) patients? is used for the group of women who respond badly to usual doses of gonadotropins in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments; the consequence is low pregnancy rate. A consensus was reached on the minimal criteria needed to define POR. At least two of the following three features must be present: 1. advanced maternal age (40 years or more) 2. previous POR (3 or less oocytes with a conventional stimulation protocol) 3. abnormal ovarian reserve (AMH 0.5-1.1 ng/ml or AFC 5-7). The aim is to find better therapeutic options for these patients. Increased levels of day 3 follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2), as well as decreased levels of anti-M?llerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC), can be used to assess ovarian reserve, as indirect predictive tests. A larger number of well designed, large scale, randomized, controlled trials are needed to assess the efficacy of different management strategies for poor responders: flare up gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist protocols, modified long GnRH agonist mini-dose protocols, luteal initiation GnRH agonist stop protocol, pretreatment with estradiol - GnRH antagonist in luteal phase, natural cycle aspiration or natural cycle aspiration GnRH antagonist controlled, adjuvant therapy with growth hormone or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The results of up to now used protocols are unsatisfactory and stimulation of the ovulation in poor responders remains a challenge, especially when bearing in mind that in the majority of cases the patients will be menopausal in relatively short period of time.

scholarly journals Does dietary nitrate say NO to cardiovascular ageing? Current evidence and implications for research

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Siervo ◽  
Filippo Scialò ◽  
Oliver M. Shannon ◽  
Blossom C.M. Stephan ◽  
Ammar W. Ashor
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Chronic Kidney Failure ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Age Related ◽  
No Bioavailability

CVD are characterised by a multi-factorial pathogenesis. Key pathogenetic steps in the development of CVD are the occurrence of endothelial dysfunction and formation of atherosclerotic lesions. Reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability is a primary event in the initiation of the atherosclerotic cascade. NO is a free radical with multiple physiological functions including the regulation of vascular resistance, coagulation, immunity and oxidative metabolism. The synthesis of NO proceeds via two distinct pathways identified as enzymatic and non-enzymatic. The former involves the conversion of arginine into NO by the NO synthases, whilst the latter comprises a two-step reducing process converting inorganic nitrate $({\rm NO}_3^ - )$ into nitrite and subsequently NO.Inorganic ${\rm NO}_3^ - $ is present in water and food, particularly beetroot and green leafy vegetables. Several investigations have therefore used the non-enzymatic NO pathway as a target for nutritional supplementation (${\rm NO}_3^ - $ salts) or dietary interventions (high-${\rm NO}_3^ - $ foods) to increase NO bioavailability and impact on cardiovascular outcomes. Some studies have reported positive effects of dietary ${\rm NO}_3^ - $ on systolic blood pressure and endothelial function in patients with hypertension and chronic heart failure. Nevertheless, results have been inconsistent and the size of the effect appears to be declining in older individuals. Additionally, there is a paucity of studies for disorders such as diabetes, CHD and chronic kidney failure. Thus, whilst dietary ${\rm NO}_3^ - $ supplementation could represent an effective and viable strategy for the primary and secondary prevention of age-related cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, more large-scale, robust studies are awaited to confirm or refute this notion.

scholarly journals Effect of Larval Food Amount on in vitro Rearing of Indo-Malayan Stingless Bee Queen, Heterotrigona itama (Hymenoptera: Apidae; Meliponini)

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (10) ◽  
pp. 2859-2867
Author(s):  
Nurul Izdihar Razali ◽  
Shamsul Bahri Abd Razak ◽  
Fatimah Hashim ◽  
Nurul Wahida Othman ◽  
Wahizatul Afzan Azmi
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Stingless Bees ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Survival Curve ◽  
Stingless Bee ◽  
Larval Food ◽  
In Vitro Rearing ◽  
Short Period

The demand for stingless bee colonies in Malaysia has considerably increased due to the rapid advance of meliponiculture in using the stingless bees as agricultural pollinators, as well as the commercialization of stingless bee products (i.e. honey, bee bread and propolis). Thus, in vitro queen rearing for a large scale and rapid colony multiplication must be developed in order to fulfil the public requirements in a short period. Little is known about the in vitro rearing of native stingless bee queen, Heterotrigona itama. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the amount of larval food required by H. itama queen by comparing three different amounts of larval food, viz., 100 µL, 120 µL and 150 µL. All treatments were controlled under 100% relative humidity for the first 6 days, and 75% relative humidity for the rest of larval development until queen adult emergence, under 30 °C incubator temperature. The results showed that larvae of H. itama treated with the highest amount of larval food (150 µL) led to 78% of the queen’s emergence, whereas larvae treated with 120 µL and 100 µL of larval food resulted in 40% and 0% of queen emergence. The dynamic survival curve showed that most of the larvae died before the pupation phase and reached constant stability afterward. The queen’s body and abdominal length were significantly greater than wild workers. Microscopy analysis showed that in vitro queen had well-developed reproductive system with a huge ovary and spermatheca, whereas wild worker had much smaller ovary without spermatheca. Outcomes from this study could help increase the number of colonies on a large scale, allowing for their use both ecologically and economically, and contribute to conservation efforts in native species of stingless bees.

scholarly journals Fucoidans as Potential Therapeutics for Age-Related Macular Degeneration—Current Evidence from In Vitro Research

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 9272
Author(s):  
Philipp Dörschmann ◽  
Alexa Klettner
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Saccharina Latissima ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Laminaria Hyperborea ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Potential Therapeutics

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the major reason for blindness in the industrialized world with limited treatment options. Important pathogenic pathways in AMD include oxidative stress and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion. Due to their bioactivities, fucoidans have recently been suggested as potential therapeutics. This review gives an overview of the recent developments in this field. Recent studies have characterized several fucoidans from different species, with different molecular characteristics and different extraction methods, in regard to their ability to reduce oxidative stress and inhibit VEGF in AMD-relevant in vitro systems. As shown in these studies, fucoidans exhibit a species dependency in their bioactivity. Additionally, molecular properties such as molecular weight and fucose content are important issues. Fucoidans from Saccharina latissima and Laminaria hyperborea were identified as the most promising candidates for further development. Further research is warranted to establish fucoidans as potential therapeutics for AMD.

scholarly journals Vitamin E in Sarcopenia: Current Evidences on Its Role in Prevention and Treatment

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shy Cian Khor ◽  
Norwahidah Abdul Karim ◽  
Wan Zurinah Wan Ngah ◽  
Yasmin Anum Mohd Yusof ◽  
Suzana Makpol
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Geriatric Syndrome ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Muscle Health

Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome that is characterized by gradual loss of muscle mass and strength with increasing age. Although the underlying mechanism is still unknown, the contribution of increased oxidative stress in advanced age has been recognized as one of the risk factors of sarcopenia. Thus, eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be a strategy to combat sarcopenia. In this review, we discuss the potential role of vitamin E in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. Vitamin E is a lipid soluble vitamin, with potent antioxidant properties and current evidence suggesting a role in the modulation of signaling pathways. Previous studies have shown its possible beneficial effects on aging and age-related diseases. Although there are evidences suggesting an association between vitamin E and muscle health, they are still inconclusive compared to other more extensively studied chronic diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, we reviewed the role of vitamin E and its potential protective mechanisms on muscle health based on previous and currentin vitroandin vivostudies.

Some comments about observations and image processing of comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1

1999 ◽  
Vol 173 ◽  
pp. 243-248
Author(s):  
D. Kubáček ◽  
A. Galád ◽  
A. Pravda
Keyword(s):  
Image Processing ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Harvard College ◽  
Oak Ridge ◽  
Large Scale Structures ◽  
Short Period Comet ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Scale Structures ◽  
Harvard College Observatory ◽  
Period Comet

AbstractUnusual short-period comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 inspired many observers to explain its unpredictable outbursts. In this paper large scale structures and features from the inner part of the coma in time periods around outbursts are studied. CCD images were taken at Whipple Observatory, Mt. Hopkins, in 1989 and at Astronomical Observatory, Modra, from 1995 to 1998. Photographic plates of the comet were taken at Harvard College Observatory, Oak Ridge, from 1974 to 1982. The latter were digitized at first to apply the same techniques of image processing for optimizing the visibility of features in the coma during outbursts. Outbursts and coma structures show various shapes.

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