​Effect of Season on Quantity and Competence of Oocytes Recovered Transvaginally from Holstein Cows for In vitro Fertilization

Background: Season of the year can affect the reproductive behavior in Holstein cows, altering the competition of the oocytes, reflecting a reduced production of embryos. The objective of this study was to evaluate the average of total oocytes, competition of oocytes and embryos in the in vitro production process at different season of the year in Holstein cows. Methods: During the four seasons of the year, was performed on each of the oocyte donor cows (winter, n = 957; spring, n = 1571; summer, n = 1776; autumn, n = 1128), by in vivo transvaginal follicular aspiration technique after the collection were subjected to the embryos production in vitro. Result: The highest number of total embryos were produced in winter and autumn, compared to spring and summer (3.76±0.16 and 3.54±0.18 vs. 2.73±0.11 and 2.45±0.10; respectively, P less than 0.05). During winter, a higher percentage of oocyte competition was observed, followed by autumn and spring and less competition shown in summer (26.03±0.39, 19.08±0.29, respectively, P less than 0.05). The quantity and competence of the oocytes collected and in vitro embryo production were drastically reduced during the hottest months of the year in this area of intense heat.

Abstract 1122‐000073: Influence of Catheter Tip Position and Aspiration Technique on ADAPT Revascularization Success with Various Catheters

Introduction : Previous studies demonstrated that both the location of the distal access catheter tip and angle of aspiration have a significant impact on revascularization outcomes 1,2 . A direct aspiration First‐Pass technique (ADAPT) with large‐bore aspiration catheters has emerged as a fast, safe, and effective thrombectomy technique. Maximizing the catheter‐to‐vessel size has previously been shown to enhance distal flow control resulting in improved in‐vitro revascularization rates for aspiration thrombectomy 3 . However, physicians differ in their preference for aspiration catheter tip placement, typically either positioning the catheter tip at the ‘face’ of the clot or advancing the catheter tip into the clot to engage it. We hypothesize that sizing the aspiration catheter outer diameter (OD) to the inner diameter (ID) of the vessel and embedding the catheter tip in the clot may result in ‘pinning’ fragments of clot between the catheter and vessel wall, thereby negatively affecting revascularization outcomes. Withdrawal of the aspiration catheter under continuous aspiration may mitigate this effect. We investigate the influence of catheter tip position and aspiration technique on ADAPT revascularization success with various sizes of aspiration catheters. Methods : Two clot analogues phenotypes (RBC‐Rich and Fibrin/Platelet‐Rich) were created from human blood and used to form occlusions in an In‐vitro thrombectomy model as previously described 4 . Two catheter tip positions and three techniques were investigated; 1). Catheter tip proximal to the face of the clot followed by conventional aspiration, 2). Catheter tip ‘embedded’ into the clot followed by conventional aspiration, and 3). Catheter tip ‘embedded’ into the clot followed by conventional aspiration and aspiration on catheter withdrawal even if clot ingestion occurred. Two aspiration catheters were investigated; Millipede 088’’ (Perfuze Ltd) and SOFIA Plus (Terumo). Multiple replicates of each test were performed. Endpoints were First‐Pass Effect and procedural‐related distal emboli from 200–1000µm. Results : Maximizing the catheter‐to‐vessel size increases success of the ADAPT approach when the tip is located proximal to the clot face (Fig 1 A&B); Millipede 088 achieves a higher First‐Pass Effect rate than SOFIA Plus. Sizing the catheter‐to‐vessel and embedding the catheter tip into the clot (Figure 1C) results in ‘pinning’ of clot fragments between the catheter and vessel wall (Figure 1D) resulting in lower rates of First‐Pass Effect. Withdrawing the catheter under continuous aspiration increases the success of the embedding method by capturing ‘pinned’ fragments. Conclusions : The position of the aspiration catheter tip and aspiration technique used both influence the success of ADAPT procedures. Sizing the catheter‐to‐vessel results in improved revascularization. However, embedding the tip into the clot when the vessel is similar in ID to the catheter OD may reduce First‐Pass Effect rates. To optimize the rates of First‐Pass Effect, aspiration catheters may be positioned at the proximal face of the clot or retracted under continuous aspiration if wedged into the clot.

Mechanical Thrombectomy of Carotid Terminus Occlusion Using Direct Aspiration Technique—Video Illustration: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

Acute carotid terminus occlusion (CTO) is responsible for up to 5% of acute ischemic strokes secondary to emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) and up to 20% of acute internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusions.1 The term “CTO” has also been used to describe occlusions in the supra-clinoid segment or at the bifurcation of the ICA. Compared to other ELVOs, patients with CTO present with higher stroke severity and larger infarct volume, likely to be a result of disruption of direct Circle of Willis collaterals across the anterior communicating artery (AComA) and posterior communicating artery (PComA).2,3 Similary, CTO is usually associated with worse prognosis compared to other ELVOs in general. With regard to response to treatment, previous studies have reported significantly lower recanalization rates with intravenous alteplase with CTO compared to M1 segment occlusion. With regard to the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy, prior reports provide conflicting results with some reporting lower successful recanalization rates with CTO compared to M1 occlusion, and others reporting similar results. In our experience, we have found that successful recanalization of CTO can be achieved with a similar approach to M1 occlusions utilizing a direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT).3,4 Herein, we present a case of CTO for which we performed mechanical thrombectomy using ADAPT. This procedure was an emergent standard of care procedure for which a consent was not required and so not obtained.

DIAGNOSTIC EFFICACY OF ENDOMETRIAL ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY WITH HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION

Background: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of endometrial aspiration technique and to compare the cyto-morphology of aspirated smears with histopathology Methods: Endometrial aspiration was performed using Karman’s cannula in 100 cases who presented with abnormal uterine bleed, infertility and postmenopausal bleed. The endometrial specimens obtained by D&C were processed and evaluated histologically. The endometrial aspirated smears were reviewed for cytomorphological findings and were correlated with histopathological findings for diagnostic accuracy. Results: Aspiration cytology is more specific for diagnosing malignant lesions (100%) while it is more sensitive for the benign conditions (85.06%) as compared to borderline lesions (complex and atypical hyperplasia), cytology also has higher NPV, PPV and Accuracy for malignant conditions as compared to the benign conditions Conclusion: Endometrial aspiration technique with Karman’s cannula is simple, safe, cost effective and well tolerated outpatient procedure. Keywords: Endometrial aspiration cytology, Cyclic endometrium, Dilatation and Curettage, Endometrial malignancy, Karman’s cannula.

Ultrasound guided vacuum aspiration treatment of caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy

Summary: Objective: To describe the case of ectopic pregnancy in the scar after caesarean section and its successful treatment using the technique of sonographically controlled vacuum aspiration. Case report: The case of a 35-year-old patient with a history of two caesarean sections referred by a district gynecologist in the 6th week of pregnancy with suspected pathological localization of pregnancy in a scar after a previous caesarean section. The procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy in the scar after previous caesarean sections has been successfully resolved using sonographically controlled vaginal vacuum aspiration. Conclusion: Caesarean scar pregnancy occurs as a complication of previous caesarean section or other uterine instrumental performances. The use of the sonographically controlled vacuum aspiration technique appears to be a successful method of treating pregnancy in a scar after a caesarean section.

IL-13Rα2 Is a Biomarker of Diagnosis and Therapeutic Response in Human Pancreatic Cancer

IL-13Rα2 is a high-affinity binding protein for its ligand IL-13 and a cancer-testis antigen as it is expressed in the testis. IL-13Rα2 is highly expressed in various cancers, including pancreatic cancer, and consists of three domains: extracellular, transmembrane, and cytoplasmic. The extracellular domain binds to the ligand to form a biologically active complex, which initiates signaling through AP-1 and other pathways. IL-13Rα2 is also expressed in diseased cells such as fibroblasts that are involved in various inflammatory diseases, including cancer. We have reported that IL-13Rα2 is a prognostic biomarker for malignant glioma, adrenocortical cancer, and pancreatic cancer. In pancreatic cancer, a small sample of tissue could be examined for the expression of IL-13Rα2 by using the endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration technique (EUS-FNA). In addition, a peptide-based targeted approach using Pep-1L peptide could be used to study the biodistribution and whole-body cancer imaging for the screening of pancreatic cancer in suspected subjects.

Measuring the Anisotropy in Interfacial Tension of Nematic Liquid Crystals

Liquid crystal (LC) phases typically show anisotropic alignment-dependent properties, such as viscosity and dielectric permittivity, so it stands to reason that LCs also have anisotropic interfacial tensions. Measuring the interfacial tension γ of an LC with conventional methods, such as pendant drops, can be challenging, however, especially when we need to know γ for different LC aligning conditions, as is the case when we seek Δγ, the interfacial tension anisotropy. Here, we present measurements of Δγ of the common synthetic nematic LC compound 5CB against water using a microfluidic droplet aspiration technique. To ensure tangential and normal alignment, respectively, we add poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), respectively, as a stabilizer and measure γ for different concentrations of stabilizer. By fitting the Szyszkowski equation to the data, we can extrapolate to zero-stabilizer concentration, obtaining the γ of 5CB to pure water for each alignment. For normal alignment, we find γ⊥=31.9±0.8 mN·m−1, on the order of 1 mN·m−1 greater than γ||=30.8±5 mN·m−1 for tangential alignment. This resonates with the empirical knowledge that 5CB aligns tangentially to an interface with pure water. The main uncertainty arises from the use of polymeric PVA as tangential-promoting stabilizer. Future improvements in accuracy may be expected if PVA can be replaced by a low molar mass stabilizer that ensures tangential alignment.