Assessment of follicular fluid leptin levels and insulin resistance as outcome predictors in women undergoing in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Objective: To analyze follicular fluid leptin (FFL) levels, abdominal obesity, and insulin resistance as predictors of in vitro fertilization (IVF)-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Academic medical center.

The paternal effect of chromosome translocation carriers observed from meiotic segregation in embryos.

Background: Human translocation carriers may present alterations in meiosis. Understanding the mechanism of meiotic segregation of reciprocal translocations is important for estimation of the risk of either pregnancy loss or birth defects. The objective of this work was to estimate meiotic segregation rates in preimplantation embryos from preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) cycles of female and male reciprocal translocation carriers.

Electrochemical valveless flow microsystems for ultra fast and accurate analysis of total isoflavones with integrated calibration.

A novel strategy integrating methodological calibration and analysis on board on a planar first-generation microfluidics system for the determination of total isoflavones in soy samples is proposed. The analytical strategy is conceptually proposed and successfully demonstrated on the basis of (i) the microchip design (with the possibility to use both reservoirs), (ii) the analytical characteristics of the developed method (statically zero intercept and excellent robustness between calibration slopes, RSDs < 5%), (iii) the irreversible electrochemical behaviour of isoflavone oxidation (no significant electrode fouling effect was observed between calibration and analysis runs) and (iv) the inherent versatility of the electrochemical end-channel configurations (possibility of use different pumping and detection media). Repeatability obtained in both standard (calibration) and real soy samples (analysis) with values of RSD less than 1% for the migration times indicated the stability of electroosmotic flow (EOF) during both integrated operations.

Outcome of fetuses in women with pregestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To investigate the effects of pregestational diabetes on pregnancy outcome.

Methods: Data of 126 women with pregestational diabetes prospectively collected and controlled in a single tertiary center. HbA(1C) levels at early pregnancy were registered.

Successful selective termination at 17 weeks' gestation in monochorionic monoamniotic twin pregnancy affected by twin-twin transfusion syndrome and discordant for hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Objectives: To report a successful selective feticide in a complicated monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA) pregnancy.

Methods: A case of MCMA pregnancy with severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome and discordant for hypoplastic left heart syndrome was diagnosed at 16 weeks' gestation. A complete ultrasound and fetoscopic surveillance was performed, ruling out cord entanglement and, thus, precluding the necessity of transecting the cord.

Intrathoracic dislodgement of pleuro-amniotic shunt. Three case reports with long -term follow-up.

Background: Intrathoracic shunt dislodgement is a rare, although significant, complication of pleuro-amniotic shunting. In a previously reported case, the abnormally located shunt caused constriction of the pulmonary hilum resulting in neonatal death.

Cases: Three cases of severe fetal pleural effusion treated by pleuro-amniotic shunting at 33, 26 and 30 weeks of gestation and complicated by dislodgement of the shunt into the fetal chest are presented.