Effects of substance exposure on gametes and pre-implantation embryos: a narrative review.

Substance use refers to the consumption of drugs that have varying degrees of impact on a persons' physical, mental and emotional well-being. While the adverse health effects of drugs have been extensively documented, further research is needed to understand their impact on fertility. Studies have indicated that substance use affects both the male and female reproductive systems.

Clinical Applications of Assisted Oocyte Activation in Couples with Various Reproductive Problems: A Systematic Review.

ICSI may face fertilization failure, prompting the use of assisted oocyte activation (AOA) techniques. While AOA is implemented in infertility clinics, its target patients and definitive application remain uncertain. This systematic review adheres to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to assess reproductive outcomes in ICSI-AOA cycles compared to conventional ICSI and evaluate AOA effectiveness in various infertility disorders.

Age-related histopathological and biochemical testicular damages were ameliorated by vitamin C administration.

Introduction And Objectives: Aging is an irreversible process associated with decreased biological functions that can lead to the reduction of reproductive organs capacities in males and females. Paternal age is a significant predictor of offspring health and development. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin C on histopathological and biochemical testicular changes following aging process with a focus on stereological methods.

Impaired spermatogenesis caused by busulfan is partially ameliorated by treatment with conditioned medium of adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Busulfan (BSU) is a chemotherapeutic drug that can cause subfertility or sterility in males. We investigated the effects of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSC) conditioned medium (CM) (AT-MSC-CM) on histopathological and molecular characteristics of mouse testes exposed to BSU using stereology. We used adult male mice divided randomly into five groups: control, Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), BSU, and BSU + CM.

A Novel De Novo Chromosomal Insertion, 46 XX, ins(7:13)(p14; q14.2q21.1) is Related to the Embryo Development Arrest Following Assisted Reproductive Technique.

Background: Infertility is a problem affecting a large number of couples in the world. One of the causes of infertility can be chromosomal rearrangements such as insertions. In this case report study, the outcome of two intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles of an infertile woman with de novo chromosomal insertion is explained.

Ameliorating effects of curcumin-loaded superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) on the mouse testis exposed to the transient hyperthermia: A molecular and stereological study.

Background: Testicular hyperthermia can have negative effects on male fertility. Despite reported therapeutic benefits of curcumin, several factors often limit its application such as low water solubility and instable structure. Curcumin-loaded superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were designed to solve its limitation of use.

The Effect of Prenatal Exposure to 2.4 GHz Radio Frequency on the Histology and Expression of the osteocalcin and RUNX2 Gene of the Forelimb in an NMRI Mouse.

Today the use of electromagnetic waves has dramatically increased in modern industrial societies. This study aimed to investigate the effect of prenatal exposure to 2.4 GHz wireless frequency on forelimb development in an NMRI mouse in vivo.

Hyperthermia versus busulfan: Finding the effective method in animal model of azoospermia induction.

Animal models of azoospermia are very applicable when evaluating new treatment methods for research purposes. The present study aimed to compare azoospermia induction in mice using busulfan or hyperthermia. To do this, about 36 adult male mice (28-30 g) were included into three experimental groups randomly (n = 12): control, busulfan (injected by a single dose of 40 mg/kg busulfan intraperitoneally) and hyperthermia (exposure to a temperature of 43°C every other day for 5 weeks).

Ulmus minor bark hydro-alcoholic extract ameliorates histological parameters and testosterone level in an experimental model of PCOS rats.

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common and multifactorial disease associated with female factor infertility. Ulmus minor bark (UMB) is one of the medicinal plants used in Persian folklore as a fertility enhancer. In the current study, we aimed to elucidate the effect of UMB hydro-alcoholic extract on histological parameters and testosterone condition in an experimental model of PCOS rats.

Vitamin C restores ovarian follicular reservation in a mouse model of aging.

Ovarian aging is related to the reduction of oocyte quality and ovarian follicles reservation leading to infertility. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant which may counteract with adverse effects of aging in the ovary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of vitamin C on NMRI mice ovarian aging according to the stereological study.

Effect of Artificial Oocyte Activation on Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection Outcomes in Patients with Lower Percentage of Sperm Containing Phospholipase Cζ: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Artificial oocyte activation (AOA) is a specialized method in assisted reproductive technique (ART). According to increasing concern about using AOA, it is necessary to evaluate sperm-borne oocyte activating factors (SOAFs) including phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ). In this study, PLCζ before AOA was evaluated first and then the impact of AOA on pre-implantation embryo development was investigated.

Evaluation of PAWP and PLC? Expression in Infertile Men with Previous ICSI Fertilization Failure.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate postacrosomal sheet WW domain binding protein (PAWP) and phospholipase C ? (PLC?) protein expression in patients with fertilization failure.

Materials And Methods: Semen samples were collected from 15 fertile men (control group) and 15 patients with previous fertilization failure following ICSI (FF group) and were analyzed according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The mean percentages of PAWP and PLC? positive sperm and the total level of PAWP and PLC? proteins were assessed using immunofluorescence staining.

In vitro development of embryos from experimentally Kerack-addicted Mice.

Background: Prenatal drug exposure, as a common public health concern, is associated with an increased risk of adverse effects on early embryo development.

Objective: To investigate the development of - embryo from experimentally Kerack-addicted mice.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-five female mice were studied in five groups: control, vehicle, and three experimental groups of Kerack-dependent mice (I, II, and III) which received different doses of Kerack for 14 days.

Phospholipase C zeta parameters in sperm from polymorphic teratozoospermic men.

Teratozoospermia is a disorder associated with high abnormal sperm morphology which affects fertility in males. In recent years, it has been described that biomarker-based sperm quality evaluation can alleviate male infertility treatment. Phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ) is a sperm-specific factor which appears to be a predicting biomarker for fertilization potential of males.

Oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) men display altered phospholipase C ζ (PLCζ) localization and a lower percentage of sperm cells expressing PLCζ and post-acrosomal sheath WW domain-binding protein (PAWP).

Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) is demonstrated to be one of the most common causes of male subfertility. Phospholipase C ζ (PLCζ), a sperm-specific protein, is considered to be one of the sperm-borne oocyte activating factors (SOAFs), which play a vital role in fertilization. The post-acrosomal sheath WW domain-binding protein (PAWP) is another candidate for SOAF.

Perspectives from Geriatric In-patients with Heart Failure, and their Caregivers, on Gaps in Care Quality.

Background: Evidence indicates that care experiences for complex HF patients could be improved by simple organizational and process changes, rather than complex clinical mechanisms. This survey identifies care gaps and recommends simple changes.

Methods: The study utilized both quantitative and qualitative methods at The Ottawa Hospital, Geriatric Medical Unit during a three-month period.

A Call for Collaboration: Improving Cardiogeriatric Care.

With the population aging, there is an exponential increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Congestive heart failure (CHF) is considered the "poster child" of the blend of CVD, multimorbidity, and frailty in the aging population. Traditionally, from the cardiologist's point of view, the top multimorbidities in CHF are hypertension, ischemic heart disease, hyperlipidemia, anemia, and diabetes.

Management of chronic heart failure in the older population.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is the leading cause of hospitalization for those over the age of 65 and represents a significant clinical and economic burden. About half of hospital re-admissions are related to co-morbidities, polypharmacy and disabilities associated with CHF. Moreover, CHF also has an enormous cost in terms of poor prognosis with an average one year mortality of 33%-35%.

Utilization of home telemonitoring in patients 75 years of age and over with complex heart failure.

We conducted a chart review on all patients who had received home telemonitoring after an admission for heart failure at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. During a 5 year period (2005-2009) a total of 645 patients had home monitoring. A total of 594 patients met the inclusion criteria for the study and were divided into two groups: Group 1 (<75 years of age) contained 350 patients and Group 2 (≥75 years of age) contained 244 patients.

Telemedicine in a rural memory disorder clinic-remote management of patients with dementia.

Background: There are many reasons to develop telemedicine clinics for assessment and management of dementia. Time constraints, location, and poor weather conditions can all impact on the ability of patients and providers to attend rural clinics. The utility of telemedicine in the diagnosis of dementia and subsequent follow-up appears promising in the literature, as it provides a viable means of assessing cognition in patients in remote areas with limited access to medical specialists.

Safety and predictors of adherence of a new rehabilitation program for older women with congestive heart failure.

Objectives: To assess the safety of a cardiac rehabilitation program for older women with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and determine if certain factors influence adherence.

Methods: Women over the age of 65 with CHF attended an exercise program supervised by a physiotherapist. Quality of life was measured by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and severity of disease by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class.

Late anti-apoptotic effect of K(ATP) channel opening in skeletal muscle.

Necrosis and apoptosis caused by ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) result in myocyte death and atrophy. ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP) ) channels activation increases tissue tolerance of IR-injury. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the effects of K(ATP) channel activation on skeletal muscle apoptosis after IR.

Nitric Oxide is Necessary for Diazoxide Protection Against Ischemic Injury in Skeletal Muscle.

Ischemia reperfusion injury (IR injury) is a common problem in clinical conditions. Researches have frequently revealed that ATP- sensitive potassium (KATP) channels and nitric oxide plays a role in protection against ischemic injury in skeletal muscle. The present study aimed at evaluating the possible link between this two pathways.