What we learned from extended culture of 'rejected' day-3 cleavage stage embryos: a prospective cohort study.

Background: To test whether poor quality day-3 embryos can undergo successful blastulation and implantation.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted. Whether or not a good quality embryo was transferred on day-3, poor quality (rejected) embryos were further cultured and followed.

Time lapse microscopy is useful for elective single-embryo transfer.

The aim of our study was to evaluate time lapse microscopy (TLM) as a selection tool for single-embryo transfer (SET) on day 5, blastocyst stage. An observational cohort study was conducted. Patients who had SET were compared to patients who had double embryo transfer (DET).

Noninvasive test for the diagnosis of ovarian hormone-secreting-neoplasm in postmenopausal women.

Context: The diagnosis of ovarian hormone-secreting neoplasm in postmenopausal women is currently based on imaging modalities and selective venography. However, these diagnostic tests are not always accurate. In order to improve and simplify the diagnosis, we propose a noninvasive hormonal test.

GnRH-antagonist programming versus GnRH agonist protocol: a randomized trial.

Objective: Testing the ability to program IVF GnRH-antagonist cycles to avoid weekend oocyte retrieval.

Study Design: Preliminary randomized clinical trial. Patients presenting an indication for IVF or IVF-ICSI were assigned into either the Treatment Group - GnRH antagonist protocol, programmed to start stimulatory agents on a Friday, with oral 2mg estradiol valerate twice a day from the 2nd day of cycle until the first Friday to follow, or to the Control Group - long luteal GnRH agonist protocol.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pediatric patients: our experience in the last ten years.

Background: The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in children after cardiac surgery is well established. ECMO support is becoming an integral tool for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in specified centers.

Objectives: To review our use of ECMO over a 10 year period.

Massive pulmonary emboli in children: does fiber-optic-guided embolectomy have a role? Review of the literature and report of two cases.

Massive pulmonary emboli is a rare disease in children, with only 39 reported cases in the last 50 years. Almost 50% of the patients died suddenly without receiving medical treatment. Most of the patients who were managed medically (70% of the treated patients) underwent surgical pulmonary embolectomy with 80% survival.

Right ventricular outflow tract strategies for repair of tetralogy of Fallot: effect of monocusp valve reconstruction.

Objectives: The absence of a pulmonary valve (PV) after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair has been shown to impact postoperative right ventricular (RV) function. The purposes of this study were to (i) compare early outcomes after PV-sparing vs transannular patching (TAP) with monocusp valve reconstruction or TAP alone and (b) assess the mid-term results after polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane monocusp reconstruction.

Methods: From 2003 to 2009, 163 patients underwent TOF repair.

Efficacy of laser in situ keratomileusis in correcting anterior and non-anterior corneal astigmatism: comparative study.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of conventional laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in treating corneal astigmatism and in treating noncorneal ocular residual astigmatism.

Setting: Private practice, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Neurologic involvement in a child with systemic capillary leak syndrome.

Idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) is a rare and life-threatening disorder of unknown pathology. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of shock resulting from leakage of plasma, which is reflected by accompanying hemoconcentration, hypoalbuminemia, and edema. Since its first description (Clarkson B, Thompson D, Horwith M, Luckey A.

Long-term follow-up of postmenopausal breast cancer patients following discontinuation of tamoxifen therapy.

Background: There is a need to evaluate the extent of endometrial pathologies that might develop in postmenopausal breast cancer patients following discontinuation of tamoxifen (TAM) therapy.

Methods: The medical records of 153 postmenopausal breast cancer patients who remained untreated following discontinuation of tamoxifen therapy were evaluated for various clinical features, for endometrial thickness measurements, as detected by transvaginal ultrasonography, and for various endometrial pathologies detected. The last endometrial thickness measurement performed before discontinuation of tamoxifen was compared with endometrial thickness measured following discontinuation of tamoxifen.

Aromatase inhibitors and the endometrium.

Objective: To investigate the potential impact of aromatase inhibitors, given after stopping tamoxifen treatment, on the endometrium of postmenopausal breast cancer patients.

Methods: Review of all available literature of studies on aromatase inhibitor therapy in postmenopausal breast cancer patients previously treated with tamoxifen.

Results: (1) Endometrial thickness was found to be significantly lower in patients switched from tamoxifen treatment to aromatase inhibitor therapy, compared to those who continued tamoxifen treatment.

Mode of ventilation during cardiopulmonary bypass does not affect immediate postbypass oxygenation in pediatric cardiac patients.

Study Objective: To investigate the impact of different modes of ventilation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on immediate postbypass oxygenation in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Design: Prospective, randomized clinical trial.

Setting: University hospital.

Volumes of normal ovaries, ovaries with benign lesions, and ovaries with cancer in menopausal women: is there an optimal cut-off value to predict malignancy?

Purpose: To evaluate different ovarian volume cut-off values to distinguish between normal ovaries, benign lesions, and malignant lesions in menopausal women.

Methods: Transvaginal sonographic ovarian volume measurements were performed in 362 menopausal patients prior to gynecologic surgery. Based on the histopathologic results, a total of 466 ovaries were divided into 3 groups: normal ovary, benign lesion, and malignant tumor.

Protection of ovarian function and fertility using a combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and GnRH antagonist during cancer treatment in young females.

Cytotoxic treatment can cause early loss of ovarian function associated with loss of fertility in younger women. To investigate if co-treatment with a combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and GnRH antagonist may be useful in preserving ovarian function and fertility in younger women during chemotherapy, we prospectively observed nine young patients receiving different chemotherapies for various malignant diseases and other severe medical conditions who also received simultaneous GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist. Mean age of the patients was 26.

Fertility preservation options for women with malignancies.

Unlabelled: Cancer is not rare in younger women. There has been a remarkable improvement in the survival rates due to progress in cancer treatment. The necessary treatment for most of the common cancer types occurring in younger women implies either removal of the reproductive organs or cytotoxic treatment that could partially or definitively affect reproductive function.

Repair of articular cartilage lesions in aged chickens by allogeneic transplantation of fresh embryonic epiphyses.

Introduction: The potential of fresh whole chick epiphyses of embryonic origin to serve as implant material for cartilage defects of aged chicken was tested.

Materials And Methods: Fresh epiphyses of 11-day-old embryos were collected from 24 animals and transplanted into defects created in the weight-bearing areas of tibiotarsal joint cartilage of 2-year-old chicks. Upon sacrifice, samples were examined macroscopically and microsections were prepared for histology.

Use of a novel joint-simulating culture system to grow organized ex-vivo three-dimensional cartilage-like constructs from embryonic epiphyseal cells.

A method for growth and maintenance of vital cartilaginous tissue is necessary for cartilage repair by in-vitro produced biologic implants. A previously tested perfusion system simulating joint activity was used. Whole epiphyses collected from thirty 11-day-old chick embryos were divided into two groups.

Uterine sarcomas versus leiomyomas: gray-scale and Doppler sonographic findings.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the contribution of gray-scale sonography and Doppler flow studies in differentiating between uterine sarcomas of different histologic types and leiomyomas.

Patients And Methods: The study included 111 patients, divided retrospectively into 2 groups: 98 patients with leiomyomas and 13 with postoperative diagnosis of uterine sarcoma. This latter group was further divided into a group of 6 patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma and 7 with malignant mixed mesodermal tumor.

Colchicine inhibits heterotopic ossification: experimental study in rabbits.

Background: Heterotopic ossification is a common complication of hip surgery and musculoskeletal or brain trauma.

Objectives: To confirm by in vivo study that colchicine inhibits osteoblast cell proliferation with marked decrease in tissue mineralization.

Methods: Heterotopic ossification was induced in three groups of New Zealand white rabbits (females, 6 months old, weight 3-3.