FSH/LH co-stimulation in Advanced Maternal Age (AMA) and hypo-responder patients - Arabian gulf delphi consensus group.

Background: In a global effort to assess expert perspectives on the use of recombinant gonadotropins, recombinant human luteinizing hormone (r-hLH) and recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (r-hFSH), a consensus meeting was held in Dubai. The key aim was to address three critical questions: What are the factors that influence follicle response to gonadotropins? Which categories of patients are most likely to benefit from LH supplementation? And what are the optimal management strategies for these patients?

Methods: A panel of thirty-six experts reviewed and refined the initial statements and references proposed by the Scientific Coordinator. Consensus was defined as agreement or disagreement by more than two-thirds (66%) of the panel members for each statement.

Does an alteration of dialyzer design and geometry affect biocompatibility parameters?

The aim of the study was to assess the biocompatibility profile of a newly developed high-flux polysulfone dialyzer type (FX-class dialyzer). The new class of dialyzers incorporates a number of novel design features (including a new membrane) that have been developed specifically in order to enhance the removal of small- and middle-size molecules. The new FX dialyzer series was compared with the classical routinely used high-flux polysulfone F series of dialyzers.

Procalcitonin levels in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Objective: To examine whether the levels of procalcitonin (PCT), a new marker of infection and/or inflammation, differ between peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and healthy volunteers, and whether PCT is detectable in uninfected drained dialysate.

Design: Observational cross-sectional study.

Setting: PD unit, department of medicine, in a university hospital.

Recurrent miscarriage: aetiology, management and prognosis.

Recurrent miscarriage (RM) is a heterogeneous condition. A large number of studies has recently been published, yet many of them have conflicting conclusions. The various aetiological factors, management, prognostic features and outcomes of a subsequent pregnancy in women with RM are reviewed.

Fibrinolysis defect in long-term hemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its relation to metabolic disorders.

Background/aims: Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) secondary to diabetes mellitus show a high incidence of atherosclerosis with its thrombotic complications. Both CRF and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) results in fibrinolysis defects causally related to atherogenesis and thrombogenesis. It is not well known whether or not and, if so, how fibrinolysis is altered in patients with both CRF and DM2.

Embryo quality and IVF treatment outcomes may correlate with different sperm comet assay parameters.

Background: Standard semen parameters have proven poor at predicting the outcomes of IVF treatment cycles. As recent studies suggest that the male genome may play an important role in early embryogenesis, this study attempts to correlate the level of sperm DNA damage in fresh semen and prepared sperm with the outcomes of conventional IVF treatment cycles.

Methods: Forty patients embarking on IVF treatment were recruited into this prospective observational study.

Kidney transplantation and malignant diseases.

Basing on three types of questionnaires, the authors summarized the incidence of all malignant diseases in kidney transplant patients in CSFR. The total number of registered tumours was 34. Previously to the transplantation, two patients with malignancies were found, another one was transplanted for a kidney tumour and 31 patients manifested malignant diseases in various time intervals following the transplantation.

[Traumatic chylothorax and chyloperitoneum].

Traumatic chylothorax and chyloperitoneum are rare. Effusion of the chyle into the pleural cavity occurs after severe injuries of the chest wall after pretentious surgical operation in the posterior mediastinum and after operations of the cardiovascular system. The authors recorded one observation after operation of a patent ductus arteriosus and controlled the situation by a conservative procedure.

[Indications for retrosternal esophagocoloplasty].

The authors define, based on experience with 55 retrosternal oesophagocoloplasties, the indications for this operation. They divide the indications into three groups and describe them as 1. the most suitable operation, 2.