Could the presence and proportion of three/multiple pronuclei (3PN/MPN) zygotes indicate the cytoplasmic maturation state of oocyte cohort in conventional IVF patients?

Although abnormally fertilized zygotes with three or multiple pronuclei (3 PN/MPN) are commonly believed to be associated with improper maturation of the oocyte cytoplasm in conventional IVF cycles, no studies investigated the association between the proportion of MPN zygotes and the maturation state of the oocyte cohort. We compared the cytoplasmic maturity of oocytes from conventional IVF cycles with different proportions of 3 PN/MPN zygotes. A total of 1428 conventional IVF patients with ≥6 oocytes retrieved and fresh embryos transferred were divided into 4 groups according to the proportions of 3 PN/MPN zygotes.

Computerized tool and interdisciplinary care for older patients with delirium in the emergency department: a novel model in Taiwan.

Aims: A computerized tool and interdisciplinary care were implemented to develop a novel model for older patients with delirium in the emergency department (ED).

Methods: We developed a computerized tool using a delirium triage screen and brief confusion assessment in the hospital information system, performed education for the healthcare providers, and developed a continuous care protocol. Comparisons for outcomes between pre- and post-intervention periods were performed.

Prevalence of Geriatric Syndromes and the Need for Hospice Care in Older Patients of the Emergency Department: A Study in an Asian Medical Center.

Background: The prevalence of geriatric syndromes and the need for hospice care in the emergency department (ED) in Asian populations remain unclear. This study was conducted to fill the data gap.

Methods: Using a newly developed emergency geriatric assessment (EGA), we investigated the prevalence of geriatric syndromes and the need for hospice care in older ED patients of a tertiary medical center between September 1, 2016, and January 31, 2017.

Expression and potential roles of HLA-G in human spermatogenesis and early embryonic development.

As one of the non-classical major histocompatibility complex(MHC)-1 antigens, Human Leukocyte Antigen G (HLA-G), has been suggested as a prognostic marker to identify the embryo developmental potential. In the present study, we investigated the potential roles of HLA-G in human spermatogenesis and early embryonic development. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that HLA-G's expression was increased with increased Johnsen score in testicular tissues.

Stabilization of mismatch repair gene PMS2 by glycogen synthase kinase 3beta is implicated in the treatment of cervical carcinoma.

Background: PMS2 expression loss was reported in a variety of human. However, its importance has not been fully understood in cervical carcinoma. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of PMS2 in cervical carcinoma and evaluate the significance of mismatch repair gene PMS2 regulated by glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta) in chemosensitivity.

Effects of cilostamide and forskolin on the meiotic resumption and embryonic development of immature human oocytes.

Background: In an attempt to allow for acquisition of oocyte cytoplasmic maturation, PDE3 specific inhibitor, cilostamide and adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin were used to extend pre-maturation culture of immature human oocytes.

Methods: Cumulus-oocyte complexes retrieved from unstimulated ovaries were continuously cultured under 20 microM cilostamide or 50 microM forskolin, alone or in combination for 6, 12, 24 or 48 h, respectively. Levels of intercellular gap junction communication (GJC) and maturational status were examined at these designated time points.

Oridonin induces apoptosis via PI3K/Akt pathway in cervical carcinoma HeLa cell line.

Aim: To investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of oridonin, a diterpenoid isolated from Rabdosia rubescens, in the human cervical carcinoma HeLa cell line.

Methods: A morphological analysis, nuclear condensation, and fragmentation of chromatin were monitored using Hoechst 33342 staining. Cell viability was assessed using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-(2)-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

Low mitochondrial DNA and ATP contents contribute to the absence of birefringent spindle imaged with PolScope in in vitro matured human oocytes.

Background: Birefrigent meiotic spindle in live human oocytes can be visualized by the PolScope. This study investigated the relationship between birefrigent meiotic spindle and cytoplasmic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and ATP contents in in vitro matured human oocytes.

Methods: Oocytes at germinal vesicle stage were collected and cultured for 24-48 h with or without the metabolic inhibitor, carbonyl cyanide p-(tri-fluromethoxy) phenyl-hydrazone (FCCP).

Birth of healthy children after preimplantation diagnosis of beta-thalassemia.

Background: Clinical programs for preventing beta-thalassemia are presently based on prospective carrier screening and prenatal diagnosis. This paper report an achievement of a pregnancy with unaffected embryos using in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), in combination with preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), for a couple at risk of having children with beta-thalassemia.

Methods: A couple carrying different thalassemia mutations, both a codon 41 - 42 mutation and the IVS II 654 mutation, received standard IVF treatment, with intracytoplasmic sperm injection, embryo biopsiy, single cell polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA analysis.

[Outcome of repeated epididymal sperm aspiration or testicular sperm extraction in azoospermic patients].

Objective: To review the outcome of repeated percutaneous sperm aspiration (PESA) and testicular sperm extraction (TESE) for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Methods: Forty-three cycles of 31 cases of azoospermic patients which underwent at least two PESA or TESE for ICSI from January 2001 to December 2002 were collected. The sperm retrieval, fertilization, implantation and clinical pregnancy were analyzed.

[Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for beta-thalassemia using whole genome amplification].

Objective: To achieve pregnancy with unaffected embryo using in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and preimplantation genetic diagnosis(PGD) for the couples at risk of having children with beta-thalassemia.

Methods: A couple carrying different thalassemia mutations of codon 41/42 and codon IVS2 position 654 received standard IVF treatment and intracytoplasmic sperm injection, embryo biopsy, single cell polymerase chain reaction and DNA analyses, and only the unaffected or carrier embryos were transferred to uterus. Pregnancy confirmation, and prenatal diagnosis were done at 20 week's gestation.

[Clinical application of a modified pronuclear stage scoring system following conventional in-vitro fertilization].

Objective: To assess the clinical value of pronuclear stage scoring system in human conventional in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program.

Methods: A modified pronuclear scoring system was used to score zygotes 16 - 18 hours after insemination during conventional IVF.

Results: A total of 178 IVF cycles were recruited in this study.

[Successful preimplantation genetic diagnosis for beta-thalassemia using primer extension preamplification].

Objective: To achieve preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of the couples at risk of having children with beta-thalassemia, as an alternative to prenatal diagnosis.

Methods: Two couples carrying different thalassemia mutations of codon 41/42 and codon intervening sequence 2 position 654 received standard in vitro fertilization treatment and intracytoplasmic sperm injection, embryo biopsy and the whole genome was amplified by primer extension preamplification (PEP). Nested polymerase chain reaction was then used to amplify two mutation sites separately.

[Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for beta-thalassemia].

Objective: To investigate the effect of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for the couples at risk of having children with beta-thalassemia.

Methods: Four couples carrying different thalassemia mutations received standard IVF treatment. Embryo biopsy was conducted.

[Sperm retrieval methods and pregnancy outcome of 100 azoospermia patients].

Objectives: To review the retrospective treatment results of the azoospermia patients during January 2001 to January 2002 in the fertility center.

Methods: One hundred males attempted intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle for treatment of azoospermia. All patients were undergone sperm retrieval by percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) or testicular sperm extraction (TESE) while their wives received conventional ovarian hyperstimulation.