An ultra-high-stability four-axis ultra-high-vacuum sample manipulator.

A report on a four-axis ultra-high-stability manipulator developed for use at the Veritas and Species RIXS beamlines at MAX IV Laboratory, Lund, Sweden, is presented. The manipulator consists of a compact, light-weight X-Y table with a stiffened Z tower carrying a platform with a rotary seal to which a manipulator rod holding the sample can be attached. Its design parameters have been optimized to achieve high eigen-frequencies via a light-weight yet stiff construction, to absorb forces without deformations, provide a low center of gravity, and have a compact footprint without compromising access to the manipulator rod.

Understanding the mechanical limitations of the performance of soft X-ray monochromators at MAX IV laboratory.

MAX IV is a fourth-generation, or diffraction-limited, synchrotron light source with a number of state-of-the-art beamlines. The performance of a beamline is, to a high degree, set by the energy resolution it can achieve, which in turn is governed to a large extent by the monochromator. During the design phase of a monochromator, the mechanical requirements must be fully understood and met with margin.

A five-axis parallel kinematic mirror unit for soft X-ray beamlines at MAX IV.

With the introduction of the multi-bend achromats in the new fourth-generation storage rings the emittance has decreased by an order of magnitude resulting in increased brightness. However, the higher brightness comes with smaller beam sizes and narrower radiation cones. As a consequence, the requirements on mechanical stability regarding the beamline components increases.

Overweight and obesity impair left ventricular systolic function as measured by left ventricular ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain.

Aims: Obesity is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and heart failure but it is unclear to which extent it is related to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The aim of the study was to explore the effects of overweight and obesity on left ventricular systolic function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a control group of non-diabetic persons.

Methods: We prospectively investigated 384 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and 184 controls who participated in the CARDIPP and CAREFUL studies.

The SPECIES beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory: a facility for soft X-ray RIXS and APXPS.

SPECIES is an undulator-based soft X-ray beamline that replaced the old I511 beamline at the MAX II storage ring. SPECIES is aimed at high-resolution ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS), near-edge X-ray absorption fine-structure (NEXAFS), X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) experiments. The beamline has two branches that use a common elliptically polarizing undulator and monochromator.

Using anti-Müllerian hormone to identify a good prognosis group in women of advanced reproductive age.

Background: The probability of pregnancy after in vitro fertilisation (IVF) declines with age in parallel with a reduction in the ovarian reserve. However, there is considerable variation in the ovarian reserve in women of advanced reproductive age; so to give such women accurate advice about the prospects of treatment success, factors other than age must be considered. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has been shown to be a good indicator of ovarian reserve, and its utility is explored in this paper.

Can diabetes medication be reduced in elderly patients? An observational study of diabetes drug withdrawal in nursing home patients with tight glycaemic control.

Aim: To explore the feasibility of withdrawal of diabetes medication in elderly patients with HbA1c
Methods: HbA1c was measured in 98 patients with known diabetes in 17 nursing homes in Sweden.

Metformin versus oral contraceptive pill in polycystic ovary syndrome: a Cochrane review.

Background: The object of this review was to compare metformin versus oral contraceptive pill (OCP) treatment in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis employing the principles of the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group was undertaken.

Results: Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (104 subjects) were included.

Power doppler ultrasound assessment of the relationship between age and ovarian perifollicular blood flow in women undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment.

Purpose: To examine the relationship between age and ovarian perifollicular blood flow (PFBF) in women undergoing IVF.

Methods: Serial transvaginal power Doppler ultrasound (PDU) scans to assess ovarian PFBF were performed prospectively throughout the follicular phase of ovarian stimulation in women undergoing IVF. The ultrasound assessment days were categorized according to day of hCG trigger.

Prediction of embryo developmental potential and pregnancy based on early stage morphological characteristics.

Objective: To analyze the association between morphological details at different stages of culture with blastocyst development, with an aim to improve selection for transfer.

Design: Retrospective audit of data.

Setting: Tertiary referral center and university hospital.

Power Doppler ultrasound assessment of ovarian perifollicular blood flow in women with polycystic ovaries and normal ovaries during in vitro fertilization treatment.

Objective: To evaluate whether ovarian perifollicular blood flow (PFBF) varies by ultrasound among women with polycystic and normal ovaries undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Design: Prospective observational cohort study of women undergoing IVF treatment.

Setting: Department of reproductive medicine at a university teaching hospital.

Embryo transfer is equally effective at cleavage stage and blastocyst stage: a randomized prospective study.

Objective: To compare the implantation and pregnancy rates after cleavage stage embryo transfer (ET) with transfer of blastocyst-stage (days 5-6) embryos.

Study Design: Prospective randomized trial at an assisted reproduction unit in a university hospital. Women with six or more follicles at the last ultrasound scan before oocyte aspiration were randomized for transfer of a maximum of two embryos after 2-3 days (n = 80) or after 5-6 days (n = 64) of culture.

Predictive value of mid luteal progesterone concentration before luteal support in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with intrauterine insemination.

Background: There is no published data assessing whether higher mid luteal serum progesterone (P4) levels are associated with a higher cycle pregnancy rate (CPR) in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) with intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Aims: To assess whether the mid luteal serum P4 level is predictive of pregnancy in COH with IUI.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of all women with unexplained, minimal endometriosis or mild male factor infertility who underwent COH with IUI between October 1999 and December 2000 at our department was analysed.

Hormone replacement therapy after a diagnosis of breast cancer: cancer recurrence and mortality.

Objective: To determine whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after treatment for breast cancer is associated with increased risk of recurrence and mortality.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Participants And Setting: Postmenopausal women diagnosed with breast cancer and treated by five Sydney doctors between 1964 and 1999.

No decline in semen quality among potential sperm donors in Sydney, Australia, between 1983 and 2001.

Purpose: To determine whether the quality of semen has changed over time in men screened for semen donation.

Methods: All 448 men volunteering for semen donation between 1983 and 2001 at a donor insemination clinic in Sydney, Australia, were included in this longitudinal single centre observational analysis of semen parameters. There was no selection for fertility or marital status but all volunteers had to be aged between 18 and 40 years.