Prostaglandin E regulates the plasminogen activator pathway in human endometrial endothelial cells: a new in vitro model to investigate heavy menstrual bleeding.

Objective: To study the role of PGE in regulating plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in human primary endometrial endothelial cells (HEECs) from women with normal menstrual bleeding (NMB) and heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB).

Design: In vitro study using endometrial endothelial cells.

Setting: Research laboratory setting.

IVF outcomes following ICSI cycles using testicular sperm in obstructive (OA) vs. non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and the impact of maternal and paternal age: a SART CORS data registry.

Purpose: To assess the differences in IVF outcomes between couples with obstructive azoospermia (OA), non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), and male factor (MF).

Methods: Using the SART CORS data from 2016 to 2017, we included all initial autologous cycles with a diagnosis of male factor with ejaculated and surgically obtained sperm. We analyzed 71,121 cycles, including 3467 with a diagnosis of azoospermia and 67,654 with other non-azoospermic MF.

To curette or not to curette; efficiency of oocyte retrieval technique.

Purpose: Follicular curetting is the gentle and rapidly rotating movement of the aspiration needle in a clockwise and counterclockwise fashion. The aim of our study is to assess this retrieval technique comparing cycle and pregnancy outcomes between curetting and non-curetting.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of 817 patients that underwent oocyte retrieval at our fertility center from January 1st, 2016 until August 31st, 2019.

The effect of embryo catheter loading technique on pregnancy rate.

Embryo transfer is the most emotional part for patients during fertilization treatment. Over the last decade, the embryo transfer procedure has undergone numerous changes in the guidelines in order to increase pregnancy rates. One such procedure is the loading of the embryo into the catheter, a thin tube that helps us transfer embryo into the uterine cavity.

Assessment of uterine receptivity by endometrial and sub-endometrial blood flow using SlowflowHD in hormone prepared frozen embryo transfer cycles: a pilot study.

Purpose: Utilizing SlowflowHD as a measurement of endometrial and sub-endometrial blood flow in women with infertility undergoing frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles and correlation with pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: A prospective pilot study of 99 women undergoing hormone replacement FET cycles. Ultrasounds were performed with Voluson E8 at 3-time points: day 15, day of transfer, and 11 days post transfer (T + 11).

Drospirenone Effects on the Plasminogen Activator System in Immortalized Human Endometrial Endothelial Cells.

Drospirenone (DRSP) is a fourth-generation progestin that interacts with the progesterone receptor (PR) and androgen receptor (AR) in addition to uniquely interacting to the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). The known effects of DRSP via the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) are limited. This study seeks to determine if DRSP alters plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in human immortalized endometrial endothelial cells (HEEC) and if such changes in the plasminogen activator system (PAS) are mediated through the MR or AR.

A pilot study: estradiol/progesterone effect on cervico-vaginal cytokines in premenopause and postmenopause.

We compared cervico-vaginal cytokines in hormone therapy (HT)-treated postmenopausal women with premenopausal women and explored the association of serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) with cervico-vaginal cytokines. Postmenopausal women were treated with oral E2 1 mg/day for 28 days, with oral P4 100 mg/day added for the last 14 days. Premenopausal women were evaluated over one menstrual cycle.

Patterns of Bariatric Surgeries Among U.S. Women Diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

To examine patterns and outcomes of bariatric surgeries, including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), among women diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Retrospective cohort study using 1998-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample data. A total of 52,668 hospital discharge records met eligibility criteria among PCOS women, 18-49 years.

The role of microRNAs in human embryo implantation: a review.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as important in human embryo implantation, and we present here a review of the literature from a clinical perspective. Implantation involves complex interactions between the blastocyst and endometrium. miRNAs have been shown to be differentially expressed in implanted compared with non-implanted blastocysts and euploid compared with aneuploid blastocysts.

Clinical outcomes following ICSI cycles using surgically recovered sperm and the impact of maternal age: 2004-2015 SART CORS registry.

Purpose: The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate clinical outcomes after ICSI cycles using surgically recovered sperm and (2) to assess the influence of maternal age on those outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 24,763 IVF cycles of fresh autologous oocytes and ICSI using surgically recovered sperm reported to the SART CORS database from 2004 to 2015.

Results And Conclusions: Older women had significantly longer stimulation (p < 0.

Biomechanics and mechanical signaling in the ovary: a systematic review.

Purpose: Mammalian oogenesis and folliculogenesis share a dynamic connection that is critical for gamete development. For maintenance of quiescence or follicular activation, follicles must respond to soluble signals (growth factors and hormones) and physical stresses, including mechanical forces and osmotic shifts. Likewise, mechanical processes are involved in cortical tension and cell polarity in oocytes.

Preferable location of chromosomes 1, 29, and X in bovine spermatozoa.

Chromosome positioning in sperm nucleus may have a functional significance by influencing the sequence of post-fertilization events. In this study we present data on preferential locations of chromosomes 1, 29 and X in spermatozoa. Here we demonstrate that the position of X chromosome in the sperm nucleus is more restricted as compared to the position of chromosome 1, which is about of the same size.

A novel male 2;4;14 complex chromosomal translocation with normal semen parameters but 100% embryonic aneuploidy.

We report a case of a couple with a history of six spontaneous miscarriages in which a novel complex chromosomal rearrangement was detected in the male partner who had a totally normal semen analysis. Preimplantation genetic testing of their embryos demonstrated 100% aneuploidy.

A Lipidomics Approach to Identifying Key Lipid Species Involved in VEGF-Inhibitor Mediated Attenuation of Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Purpose: Poor molecular characterization of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has led to insufficient understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease, resulting in lack of effective therapies and poor prognosis. Particularly, the role of lipid imbalance due to impaired lipid metabolism in the pathogenesis of IPF has been poorly studied.

Experimental Design: The authors have used shotgun lipidomics in a bleomycin (BLM) mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-inhibitor CBO-P11 as a therapeutic measure, to identify a comprehensive set of lipids that contribute to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.

Heavy menstrual bleeding diagnosis and medical management.

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common gynecological problem that has a significant impact on a woman's quality of life and the activities of daily living. Due to the difficulty in accurately describing menstrual bleeding abnormalities using older terminology, the PALM-COEIN classification system of the Federation Internationale de Gynecologie et d'Obstetrique was proposed to describe and identify the etiology of abnormal endometrial bleeding. As there is no single pathway that is associated with HMB, there are several therapeutic interventions involving different molecular pathways to reduce HMB.

Alterations in expression of endometrial milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 (MFG-E8) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in patients with infertility and endometriosis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the endometrial expression of milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 (MFG-E8), its receptor integrin αvβ3, and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in patients with endometriosis and infertility and in healthy fertile patients during the window of implantation.

Methods: Five patients with peritoneal endometriosis and infertility (case group) and four healthy fertile patients (control group) were recruited. All patients were either diagnosed with or ruled out for endometriosis by laparoscopic surgery; the case group underwent surgery for infertility investigation and the control group for tubal ligation.

Psychological and emotional concomitants of infertility diagnosis in women with diminished ovarian reserve or anatomical cause of infertility.

Objective: To examine the magnitude and predictors of emotional reactions to an infertility diagnosis in two groups of women: those with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), and those clinically diagnosed with an anatomical cause of infertility (ACI).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Academic and private fertility clinics.

The Toxicology of Methadone-Related Death in Infants Under 1 Year: Three Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Methadone-related fatalities occur rarely in infants under 1 year, with five confirmed cases in the literature. The interpretation of pediatric postmortem toxicology relies on adult data; however, infants have crucial physiological differences that may impact interpretation of results. Retrospective case review included scene investigation, interviews, autopsy, and NIH/CDC Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Reporting Form.

Gynecologic Surgery: Preoperative Assessment With Ultrasound.

Ultrasonography, especially 3D, is essential in the diagnosis and preoperative evaluation of gynecologic surgeries and is important in surgical planning and counseling of patients. In addition, it is useful during hysteroscopic procedures, particularly difficult Asherman syndrome cases, resection of transverse vaginal septum, and treatment of hematometria. 3D ultrasound is especially helpful for fibroid mapping as the simultaneous visualization of the endometrium and myometrium with the coronal view is possible, it can be done by the gynecologist and at a lower cost than an magnetic resonance imaging.

MnTBAP Inhibits Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis by Regulating VEGF and Wnt Signaling.

Cellular oxidative stress is implicated not only in lung injury but also in contributing to the development of pulmonary fibrosis. We demonstrate that a cell-permeable superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic and peroxynitrite scavenger, manganese (III) tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin chloride (MnTBAP) significantly inhibited bleomycin-induced fibrogenic effects both in vitro and in vivo. Further investigation into the underlying mechanisms revealed that MnTBAP targets canonical Wnt and non-canonical Wnt/Ca2+ signaling pathways, both of which were upregulated by bleomycin treatment.

Reproductive competency and mitochondrial variation in aged Syrian hamster oocytes.

The hamster is a useful model of human reproductive biology because its oocytes are similar to those in humans in terms of size and structural stability. In the present study we evaluated fecundity rate, ovarian follicular numbers, ova production, mitochondrial number, structure and function, and cytoplasmic lamellae (CL) in young (2-4 months) and old (12-18 months) Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Young hamsters had higher fertilisation rates and larger litters than old hamsters (100 vs 50% and 9.

ICSI outcomes in men undergoing TESE for azoospermia and impact of maternal age.

This retrospective study compared clinical outcomes in men with obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia after ICSI following testicular sperm extraction and the influence of maternal age. Fertilisation rates, embryo quality, pregnancy rates, miscarriage rates and live birth rates were evaluated. Men with obstructive azoospermia (OA) had significantly higher rates of diploid fertilisation and clinical pregnancy than men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), but miscarriage rates and live birth rates were not significantly different.