Hyperelastic models for the human zona pellucida and their implications on shear modulus estimation in the clinical practice.

It has long been speculated that the mechanical properties of the human oocyte can be an indicator for oocyte viability. Recent studies have demonstrated that embryo implantation rates, following Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) procedures, may be increased if the shear modulus value of the oocyte Zona Pellucida (ZP) is taken into consideration during embryo transfer. The shear modulus was determined by an iterative oocyte specific finite element (FE) analysis based on the clinical ICSI data.

Maternal Blood Angiogenic Factors and the Prediction of Critical Adverse Perinatal Outcomes Among Small-for-Gestational-Age Pregnancies.

Objective: Our objective was to determine whether maternal blood angiogenic factors in suspected-small-for-gestational-age (sSGA) fetuses can predict critical adverse perinatal outcomes (CAPO) and improve risk assessment.

Methods: Women with singleton pregnancies diagnosed with sSGA, between 24 and 35 weeks' gestation, were included. Clinical and sonographic comprehensive evaluations were performed at enrolment.

Prediction of embryo implantation rate using a sole parameter of timing of starting blastulation.

A time-lapse monitoring system provides a complete picture of the dynamic embryonic development process and simultaneously supplies extensive morphokinetic data. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the use of the morphokinetic parameter of time of starting blastulation (tSB) can improve the implantation rate of day-5 transferred blastocyst selected based on morphological parameters. In this retrospective study we analyzed the morphokinetics of 196 day-5 transferred blastocysts, selected solely based on morphological parameters.

Are morphokinetic parameters of embryo development associated with adverse perinatal outcomes following fresh blastocyst transfer?

Research Question: Are obstetric and perinatal complications associated with morphokinetic parameters of embryo development?

Design: This proof-of-concept pilot study included a retrospective analysis of embryo morphokinetic parameters of 85 live births following day 5 single blastocyst transfer. Kinetic variables included time interval (hours) from time of pronuclei fading (tPNf) to: time of 2 cells (tPNf-t2), 9 cells (tPNf-t9), morula (tPNf-tM), start of blastulation (tPNf-tSB), full blastocyst (tPNf-tB) and expanded blastocyst (tPNf-tEB). Multivariable logistic models were used to calculate the risk of perinatal complications after adjustment for confounders.

Zona pellucida shear modulus, a possible novel non-invasive method to assist in embryo selection during in-vitro fertilization treatment.

The present study investigated the association between oocyte zona pellucida shear modulus (ZPSM) and implantation rate (IR). Ninety-three oocytes collected from 38 in-vitro fertilization patients who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection were included in this case-control study. The ZP was modeled as an isotropic compressible hyperelastic material with parameter [Formula: see text], which represents the ZPSM.

Maternal Hypothyroidism during Pregnancy and the Risk for Infectious Morbidity of the Offspring.

Objective: Animal studies indicate a possible intrauterine immunological imprinting in pregnancies complicated by hypothyroidism. We aimed to evaluate whether exposure to maternal hypothyroidism during pregnancy increases the risk of long-term infectious morbidity of the offspring.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study compared the long-term risk of hospitalization associated with infectious morbidity in children exposed and unexposed in utero to maternal hypothyroidism.

Isolated single umbilical artery poses neonates at increased risk of long-term respiratory morbidity.

Purpose: To investigate whether children born with isolated single umbilical artery (iSUA) at term are at an increased risk for long-term pediatric hospitalizations due to respiratory morbidity.

Methods: Design: a population-based cohort study compared the incidence of long-term, pediatric hospitalizations due to respiratory morbidity in children born with and without iSUA at term.

Setting: Soroka University Medical Center.

Gestational diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for long-term ophthalmic morbidity.

Purpose: To investigate whether patients with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have an increased risk for long-term ophthalmic morbidity.

Methods: Design a population-based study compared the incidence of long-term maternal ophthalmic morbidity in a cohort of women with and without a history of GDM. Setting Soroka University Medical Center.

The effects of pravastatin on the normal human placenta: Lessons from ex-vivo models.

Introduction: Research in animal models and preliminary clinical studies in humans support the use of pravastatin for the prevention of preeclampsia. However, its use during pregnancy is still controversial due to limited data about its effect on the human placenta and fetus.

Methods: In the present study, human placental cotyledons were perfused in the absence or presence of pravastatin in the maternal reservoir (PraM).

Preeclampsia and Future Risk for Maternal Ophthalmic Complications.

Objective To investigate whether patients with a history of preeclampsia have an increased risk of long-term ophthalmic complications. Study Design A population-based study comparing the incidence of long-term maternal ophthalmic complications in a cohort of women with and without a history of preeclampsia. Results During the study period, a total of 103,183 deliveries met the inclusion criteria; 8.

Obesity during pregnancy and long-term risk for ophthalmic morbidity - a population-based study with a follow-up of more than a decade.

Objective: To investigate whether patients with a history of obesity during pregnancy have an increased risk for subsequent long-term ophthalmic complications, after controlling for diabetes and preeclampsia.

Methods: A population-based study compared the incidence of long-term maternal ophthalmic complications in a cohort of women with and without a history of obesity during pregnancy. Deliveries occurred between the years 1988 and 2013, with a mean follow-up duration of 12 years.

Placental growth factor concentration in maternal circulation decreases after fetal death: lessons from a case series study.

Purpose: Placental growth factor (PlGF) has been suggested as a possible biomarker for major placenta-related disorders such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. However, experimental findings suggest that PlGF concentrations may be influenced by other factors besides the placenta. In the present study, we examined how acute fetal injury affects PlGF concentrations in maternal circulation.

Gestational diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for long-term maternal renal disease.

Context: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was found to be an independent risk factor for recurrent long-term type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular morbidity, and vascular endothelial dysfunction. However, data on the link between GDM and future risk for long-term maternal renal disease are limited.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether GDM poses a risk for subsequent long-term maternal renal morbidity.

Detection of S100B in maternal blood before and after fetal death.

Background: S100B is a brain damage biomarker. When measured immediately after birth, it reflects neonatal brain damage following asphyxia. In this study, we used feticide as a novel model of fetal brain damage.

TGF-β signaling through SMAD2/3 induces the quiescent microglial phenotype within the CNS environment.

Microglia are myeloid-derived cells that colonize the central nervous system (CNS) at early stages of development and constitute up to 20% of the glial populations throughout life. While extensive progress has been recently made in identifying the cellular origin of microglia, the mechanism whereby the cells acquire the unique ramified and quiescent phenotype within the CNS milieu remains unknown. Here, we show that upon co-culturing of either CD117(+) /Lin(-) hematopoietic progenitors or CD11c(+) bone marrow derived cells with organotypic hippocampal slices or primary glia, the cells acquire a ramified morphology concomitant with reduced levels of CD86, MHCII, and CD11c and up-regulation of the microglial cell-surface proteins CX(3) CR1 and Iba-1.

Regulatory role of cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha in NADPH oxidase activity and in inducible nitric oxide synthase induction by aggregated Abeta1-42 in microglia.

In Alzheimer's disease, extracellular deposits of amyloid beta(1-42) (Abeta(1-42)) may induce activation of microglial cells by releasing proinflammatory factors that contribute to the neurodegeneration process. Since the activation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2)alpha (cPLA(2)alpha) has been reported in inflammatory conditions, its role in primary rat microglial cell activated by aggregated Abeta(1-42) was elucidated. The results of the present study show that activation of microglia by 5 microM aggregated Abeta(1-42) (as evident by the amoeboid morphology and increased CD68 immunofluorescence reactivity) caused an immediate activation of cPLA(2)alpha, measured by its phosphorylated form and its specific activity, followed by a gradual elevation of its expression and activity during 24 h.

Reduction of cPLA2alpha overexpression: an efficient anti-inflammatory therapy for collagen-induced arthritis.

Cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha (cPLA2) plays an important role in the development of several inflammatory diseases. The aim of the present study is to determine whether inhibition of cPLA2 expression, using specific antisense oligonucleotides against cPLA2 (antisense), is efficient in reducing inflammation after its development. Two mouse models of inflammation were included in the study: thioglicolate peritonitis and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).