Sequencing of serially passaged measles virus affirms its genomic stability and reveals a nonrandom distribution of consensus mutations.

Oncolytic virotherapy is an emerging treatment option for numerous cancers, with several virus families currently being evaluated in clinical trials. More specifically, vaccine-strain measles virus has arisen as a promising candidate for the treatment of different tumour types in several early clinical trials. Replicating viruses, and especially RNA viruses without proofreading polymerases, can rapidly adapt to varying environments by selecting quasispecies with advantageous genetic mutations.

Noninvasive embryo assessment technique based on buoyancy and its association with embryo survival after cryopreservation.

Embryo cryopreservation offers many benefits by allowing genetic preservation, genetic screening, cost reduction, global embryo transport and single embryo transfer. However, freezing of embryos decreases embryo viability, as intracellular ice crystal formation often damages embryos. Success rates of frozen embryo transfer are expected to be 15-20% less than fresh embryo transfer.

Effects of a Delphi consensus acupuncture treatment protocol on the levels of stress and vascular tone in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization: a randomized clinical trial protocol.

Background: The variability of published acupuncture protocols for patients undergoing In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) complicates the interpretation of data and hinders our understanding of acupuncture's impact. In 2012, an acupuncture treatment protocol developed by a Delphi consensus process was published to describe the parameters of best practice acupuncture for Assisted Reproductive Technology and future research. However, there has been no clinical trial utilizing this protocol to assess the effects of acupuncture.

Influence of Sex Education on Condom Knowledge and Condom Use Skills Among Texas College Students.

Condoms have proven effective when used correctly; however, few studies have examined the relationship between a student's previous sex education and his or her general condom knowledge and ability to use a condom correctly. Educational systems in Texas provide a myriad of types of sexual education to their student populations. The objective of the present study was to compare the type of previous sex education with the condom knowledge and condom use skills among students attending college.

Preliminary trials of a specific gravity technique in the determination of early embryo growth potential†.

Study Question: Can a modified specific gravity technique be used to distinguish viable from nonviable embryos?

Summary Answer: Preliminary data suggests a modified specific gravity technique can be used to determine embryo viability and potential for future development.

What Is Known Already: Single embryo transfer (SET) is fast becoming the standard of practice. However, there is currently no reliable method to ensure development of the embryo transferred.

An incremental approach to improving scholarly activity.

Background: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires scholarly activity for both faculty and residents in obstetrics and gynecology (Ob-Gyn). There is little evidence on the most effective method to train, recruit, and retain research faculty who can mentor resident researchers at small programs.

Innovation: To address this problem, we created the "Baby Steps" program for a small university-based Ob-Gyn program.

Preliminary evaluation of a unique freezing technology for bovine spermatozoa cryopreservation.

Artificial insemination (AI) and semen cryopreservation has significantly improved the breeding potential of male animals. However, current freezing techniques commonly result in reduced semen quality. Ten years ago, a unique freezing technology (UFT) was developed for the freezing of foodstuffs and other materials.

Preliminary trial: motility comparisons of a unique freezing technology (UFT) to liquid nitrogen mist methodology for cryopreservation of porcine spermatozoa.

The motility outcomes of boar semen frozen with newly developed freezing techniques using a new unique freezing technology (UFT) compared with traditional liquid nitrogen methodology were investigated with the intent of improving current fertility outcomes using semen. The UFT is an electronically controlled cooling chamber that houses an organic fluid bath that can be maintained at temperatures below 0 degrees C without solidifying to freeze samples. Four ejaculates from four different boars were collected for this trial.

Randomized trial of lidocaine ointment versus placebo for the treatment of postpartum perineal pain.

Objective: To estimate the efficacy of lidocaine ointment in relieving pain after a vaginal delivery with an episiotomy or perineal laceration.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 200 women received lidocaine ointment (n = 108) or a placebo (n = 92). Pain relief was assessed by the amount of ointment used (weight of jar before use - weight of jar after use), total number of pain pills used, and a pain questionnaire.

Differences in steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression from the luteinizing-granulosa cells of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization with embryo transfer: implications for cycle outcomes.

Objective: Previous research has suggested a correlation between the subtle rise in progesterone induced by the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and cycle outcome in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization with embryo transfer (IVF-ET). The data suggest that patients who have <2-fold increase in progesterone levels will not conceive as a result of that IVF-ET attempt (poor responders). Further, if the luteinizing-granulosa cells of poor responders are placed in culture, their steroid hormone production will be significantly less than that of the luteinizing-granulosa cells of patients with a normal response to hCG (>3-fold; normal responders).

The dosage of human chorionic gonadotropins influences the relationship between progesterone and cycle outcome during in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

Objective: To determine if the dose of hCG affects the initial rise in progesterone seen in patients undergoing IVF-ET and therefore affects it usefulness as a predictor of cycle outcome.

Design: Comparison of the rise in progesterone with cycle outcomes for IVF patients receiving 5,000 or 10,000 mIU hCG to stimulate oocyte maturation.

Setting: University-based infertility program.

Estimation of fetal weight before and after amniotomy in the laboring gravid woman.

Objective: This study was undertaken to search for differences between fetal weights estimated both ultrasonographically and clinically before and after amniotomy in laboring gravid women.

Study Design: Estimates of fetal weight (ultrasonographic and clinical) were obtained for laboring gravid women before and after amniotomy. These estimates were compared with actual birth weights determined post partum.

Regulation of DNA synthesis in Leydig cells obtained from neonatal pig testes.

Three distinct waves of Leydig cell development are found in the pig testes, which occur during fetal, perinatal, and prepubertal periods. Proliferation of Leydig cells is primarily regulated by luteinizing hormone (LH); however, effects of LH on proliferation of immature rat Leydig cells are mediated by specific growth factors and cytokines such as transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFalpha), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), steroidogenesis-inducing protein (SIP), and TGFbeta. The objective of the present study was to identify growth factors that could possibly be involved in the proliferation of Leydig cells in the neonatal pig testis.

Improved blood substitute: evaluation of its effects on human endothelial cells.

The authors have previously documented that appropriate chemical and pharmacologic modification of the hemoglobin molecule are required to attenuate certain pathophysiologic reactions of the reticuloendothelium. The current study further investigates the molecular responses of human coronary artery endothelial cells to a high concentration (0.4 mmol) of 1) unmodified bovine hemoglobin; and 2) an improved blood substitute that comprises hemoglobin cross-linked intramolecularly with o-adenosine triphosphate and intermolecularly with o-adenosine, and conjugated with reduced glutathione.

The influence of hyperestrogenism during in vitro fertilization on the fibrinolytic mechanism.

Objective: To evaluate levels of various fibrinolytic factor antigens in women during ovulation induction using controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

Methods: Plasma tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), and the plasminogen activator inhibitors (PAI-1 and PAI-2) were evaluated and compared with plasma 17 beta-estradiol levels, ranging from 20 pg/mL to > 5,000 pg/mL during the course of treatment. Sixteen patients undergoing IVF were compared prior to (Controls) and following treatment with leuprolide acetate down-regulation followed by menopausal gonadotropin-CG ovulation induction for 14 days.

Expression of adhesion molecules and von Willebrand factor in human coronary artery endothelial cells incubated with differently modified hemoglobin solutions.

Previous studies have established a linkage between free Hb molecules and the production of inflammatory mediators by the reticuloendothelial cells. An important aspect of the endothelial response to the inflammatory stimuli is the expression of adhesion molecules on the luminal surface. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of various free-Hb based oxygen carrying solutions on the intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and also von Willebrand factor (vWF) expression by human endothelium.

Modified hemoglobin solution, with desired pharmacological properties, does not activate nuclear transcription factor NF-kappa B in human vascular endothelial cells.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of hemoglobin (Hb) and the contribution of chemically modified Hb solutions on the activation of nuclear transcription factor. NF-kappa B, and propagation of oxidative stress within human vascular endothelial cells. The activation of an oxidative stress-sensitive NF-kappa B can be linked with the propagation of an inflammatory state via rapid induction of genes for several pro-inflammatory mediators.

Evidence for the direct inhibition of endothelin-1 secretion by hemoglobin in human endothelial cells.

The actual hemoglobin (Hb) contribution to endothelin-1 (ET-1) production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC) was investigated. Cells were incubated with 0.1 mmol or 0.

Hormone release from cultured luteinized-granulosa cells mimics differences seen in vivo in patients undergoing IVF-ET.

Objectives: Previous research from this laboratory has suggested that a relationship exists between the increase in circulating progesterone concentrations at the time of hCG administration and cycle outcome in patients undergoing IVF. Progesterone (P) increases of threefold or better within the 24-h period surrounding hCG administration appeared to be associated with a higher pregnancy rate. These data suggest a functional difference in the luteinized-granulosa of patients undergoing IVF.

Hyperestrogenism induced by menotropins alone or in conjunction with luprolide acetate in in vitro fertilization cycles: the impact on hemostasis.

Objective: To evaluate coagulation parameters during IVF cycles with elevated E2.

Design: Prospective clinical study.

Setting: Human volunteers in an IVF clinic.

Adhesion-promoting properties of dyes routinely used during fertility surgeries.

Purpose: With the link between peritoneal adhesions and infertility well established, it is critical that materials used in pelvic surgery be tested for their adhesion-forming properties. The current study examined the adhesion-inducing properties of two dyes routinely used for visualization during pelvic surgery.

Design: In vivo and in vitro examination of the effects of the dyes methylene blue and indigo carmine on adhesion formation in a mouse model.

Protective effect of selenium on hemoglobin mediated lipid peroxidation in vivo.

The toxicity of hemoglobin (Hb) solutions is related, at least in part, to the generation of oxygen free radicals with consequent induction of lipid peroxidation. The present study was designed to examine whether selenium (Se) may prevent the oxidative damage observed after Hb administration. Three groups of rats were compared; (I) the negative control group receiving autotransfusion; (II) the positive control group with replacement of 40% total blood volume (TBV) with modified bovine Hb solution; and (III) the experimental group which received dietary supplemented selenium (Na2SeO3) in daily doses of 5 micrograms.

Increases in progesterone after human chorionic gonadotropin administration may predict cycle outcome in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

In this study, both IVF-ET cycle and pregnancy outcome were compared with increases seen in P concentration during the 24-hour period from 12 hours before to 12 hours after hCG administration. A significantly higher PR (P < 0.001) was seen in women who had at least a threefold increase in P during this time period.

Endometritis after cesarean: the effect of age.

In this study, we compared the rate of endometritis after cesarean section in two age groups. The first group consisted of patients who were 17 years old or younger (teenage group) and the second group of patients were 35 years of age or older (advanced maternal age group). Patients in each group were matched for length of labor, length of rupture of membranes, and the use of prophylactic antibiotics.

Prostaglandin E2 gel induction of patients with a prior low transverse cesarean section.

To determine safety and efficacy of induction with prostaglandin E2 gel, we compared the outcome of 25 patients (study group) with an unfavorable cervix, a medical indication for delivery, and one prior low cervical transverse cesarean section to 56 patients (comparison group) with one prior low cervical transverse cesarean section and spontaneous labor. We placed 1 mg of prostaglandin E2 in gel intracervically in the 25 study patients. Common indications for delivery were: diabetes, post dates, and preeclampsia.