Effect of L. crispatus M247 Administration on Pregnancy Outcomes in Women Undergoing IVF: A Controlled, Retrospective, Observational, and Open-Label Study

The aim of our study was to retrospectively evaluate whether the oral administration of L. crispatus (M247) could increase pregnancy and live birth rates in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology procedures. Enrolled women (N = 160) were divided into two groups: treated (N = 80) or untreated (N = 80) with the probiotic strain. The odds ratio (OR) for a treated woman to have a clinical pregnancy (CP) was 1.56. In women aged 30-40 years, M247 increased the probability of a CP in correlation with the progressive rise in BMI, reaching 47% (35% in controls) with a BMI of 35 (OR: 2.00). The CAID statistics showed that in a woman of the blastocyst subgroup, below 43 years, with a BMI over 18.6, treatment with M247 increased the chance of a CP from 28.4% to 44.5% (OR: 2.08; p < 0.05). Considering live births, the rate of the probiotic group was 12.5% versus 7.5% (OR: 1.76). Considering only the blastocyst subgroup, the treatment increased the number of live births by 200% (OR: 3.64; p = 0.05). As confirmed also by statistical indices NNT, NNH, and LHH, the use of M247 demonstrated a risk-benefit ratio to the full advantage of the benefits.

Fertility specialists' views, behavior, and attitudes towards the use of endometrial scratching in Italy

BACKGROUND

Endometrial scratching (ES) or injury is intentional damage to the endometrium performed to improve reproductive outcomes for infertile women desiring pregnancy. Moreover, recent systematic reviews with meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials demonstrated that ES is not effective, data on the safety are limited, and it should not be recommended in clinical practice. The aim of the current study was to assess the view and behavior towards ES among fertility specialists throughout infertility centers in Italy, and the relationship between these views and the attitudes towards the use of ES as an add-on in their commercial setting.

METHODS

Online survey among infertility centers, affiliated to Italian Society of Human Reproduction (SIRU), was performed using a detailed questionnaire including 45 questions with the possibility to give "closed" multi-choice answers for 41 items and "open" answers for 4 items. Online data from the websites of the infertility centers resulting in affiliation with the specialists were also recorded and analyzed. The quality of information about ES given on infertility centers websites was assessed using a scoring matrix including 10 specific questions (scored from 0 to 2 points), and the possible scores ranged from 0 to 13 points ('excellent' if the score was 9 points or more, 'moderate' if the score was between 5 and 8, and 'poor' if it was 4 points or less).

RESULTS

The response rate was of 60.6% (43 questionnaires / 71 infertility SIRU-affiliated centers). All included questionnaires were completed in their entirety. Most physicians (~ 70%) reported to offer ES to less than 10% of their patients. The procedure is mainly performed in the secretory phase (69.2%) using pipelle (61.5%), and usually in medical ambulatory (56.4%) before IVF cycles to improve implantation (71.8%) without drugs administration (e.g., pain drugs, antibiotics, anti-hemorrhagics, or others) before (76.8%) or after (64.1%) the procedure. Only a little proportion of infertility centers included in the analysis proposes formally the ES as an add-on procedure (9.3%), even if, when proposed, the full description of the indications, efficacy, safety, and costs is never addressed. However, the overall information quality of the websites was generally "poor" ranging from 3 to 8 and having a low total score (4.7 ± 1.6; mean ± standard deviation).

CONCLUSIONS

In Italy, ES is a procedure still performed among fertility specialists for improving the implantation rate in IVF patients. Moreover, they have a poor attitude in proposing ES as an add-on in the commercial setting.

Comparison Between Folic Acid and gH625 Peptide-Based Functionalization of Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanoparticles for Enhanced Cell Internalization

A versatile synthetic route based on magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticle (MNP) prefunctionalization with a phosphonic acid monolayer has been used to covalently bind the gH625 peptide on the nanoparticle surface. gH625 is a membranotropic peptide capable of easily crossing the membranes of various cells including the typical human blood-brain barrier components. A similar synthetic route was used to prepare another class of MNPs having a functional coating based on PEG, rhodamine, and folic acid, a well-known target molecule, to compare the performance of the two cell-penetrating systems (i.e., gH625 and folic acid). Our results demonstrate that the uptake of gH625-decorated MNPs in immortalized human brain microvascular endothelial cells after 24 h is more evident compared to folic acid-functionalized MNPs as evidenced by confocal laser scanning microscopy. On the other hand, both functionalized systems proved capable of being internalized in a brain tumor cell line (i.e., glioblastoma A-172). These findings indicate that the functionalization of MNPs with gH625 improves their endothelial cell internalization, suggesting a viable strategy in designing functional nanostructures capable of first crossing the BBB and, then, of reaching specific tumor brain cells.

Egg envelopes of Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille, 1804) (Crustacea, Isopoda Oniscidea): Ultrastructure and lectins binding

The ultrastructural study carried out on (a) oocytes of Armadillidium vulgare during vitellogenesis, (b) mature eggs taken from the ovaries during the parturial moult of the posterior half of the body, and (c) fertilized eggs collected within a few hours of their release into the brood pouch, has clearly demonstrated that before the fertilization the chorion is the only envelope present in the egg of oniscidean isopods. In the mature eggs, the chorion appears as a uniformly electron-dense lamina, about 0.4-0.5 µm thick, which does not show any specialized area. A second envelope, described by other authors as vitelline envelope, is formed above the oolemma only right after fertilization and appears separated from the chorion by a space full of liquid. The ways in which the genesis of this envelope is realized are not yet clear; it could be interpreted rather as a fertilization membrane. The investigations carried out with the aid of a battery of FITC-lectins have highlighted the presence at the chorion surface of unfertilized eggs of various saccharide residues distributed in uniform way. No significant change was observed in the pattern of lectins binding to the chorion of eggs taken from the brood pouch, thus demonstrating how, after the fertilization, no significant rearrangement in the distribution of saccharide residues present on the egg surface occurs in A. vulgare. The ways in which, therefore, the recognition, the binding and the entry of the peculiar sperm of oniscidean isopods into the egg occur, still remain all to be deciphered. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:792-798, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles for enhanced intracellular drug transport

New multicomponent biocompatible MNPs are designed as intracellular vectors to in situ load antitumor drugs and transport them inside cells.

Bioaccumulation of cadmium and lead and its effects on hepatopancreas morphology in three terrestrial isopod crustacean species

This study was designed to compare cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) bioaccumulation in three species of oniscidean isopods - Armadillidium granulatum Brandt, Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille) and Porcellio laevis Latreille which were exposed for three weeks to a contaminated diet, and to determine the morphological and ultrastructural changes in hepatopancreas. Metal accumulation, determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), was linearly associated with the exposed concentration and was a function of the metal and the species tested. All three species accumulated lower levels of Pb than Cd. A. vulgare accumulated the largest concentration of Pb, especially at the higher doses, whereas P. laevis showed the greatest Cd accumulation, and the highest Cd concentration was lethal for all exposed species. The highest concentrations of Pb and Cd induced significant changes both in the general morphology of tubules and in the ultrastructural organization of epithelial cells in hepatopancreas. Some Pb/Cd induced alterations include: brush border disorganization; reduction of the basal labyrinth formed by the plasma membrane; condensation of some cytoplasm areas and of chromatin; rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial alterations; increase of secondary lysosomes and of type B granules in S cells. Some of the ultrastructural changes observed overlap with those induced by prolonged starvation, whereas others can be useful biomarkers of heavy metal toxicity. This study has confirmed that in terrestrial isopods, the accumulation of the different metals occurs in a species-specific manner; therefore ecological monitoring and assessment studies should consider each species individually. The research has confirmed that in the terrestrial isopods the accumulation of the different metals occurs in a species-specific way; therefore each species should first be evaluated in view of its employ in biomonitoring programs.

Functionalization of PEGylated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles with tetraphosphonate cavitand for biomedical application

In this contribution, Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been functionalized with a tetraphosphonate cavitand receptor (Tiiii), capable of complexing N-monomethylated species with high selectivity, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) via click-chemistry. The grafting process is based on MNP pre-functionalization with a bifunctional phosphonic linker, 10-undecynylphosphonic acid, anchored on an iron surface through the phosphonic group. The Tiiii cavitand and the PEG modified with azide moieties have then been bonded to the resulting alkyne-functionalized MNPs through a "click" reaction. Each reaction step has been monitored by using X-ray photoelectron and FTIR spectroscopies. PEG and Tiiii functionalized MNPs have been able to load N-methyl ammonium salts such as the antitumor drug procarbazine hydrochloride and the neurotransmitter epinephrine hydrochloride and release them as free bases. In addition, the introduction of PEG moieties promoted biocompatibility of functionalized MNPs, thus allowing their use in biological environments.

Presence of F-actin in sperm head of Armadillidium peraccae (Isopoda, Oniscidea)

Sperm of Armadillidium peraccae have been examined with cytochemical and immunocytochemical methods for fluorescence and electron microscopic visualization of cytoskeleton components. Sperm incubation in an antibody anti-β-tubulin shows only the presence of two centrioles located in the cytoplasmic region above the nucleus; no other microtubules are present in the sperm head. Instead, fluorescence microscopy of sperm incubated in FITC-phalloidin allowed to detect the presence of a large amount of F-actin in the apical region of the sperm head. The incubation of ultrathin sections of sperm embedded in Lowicryl K4M with a phalloidin-gold complex allowed a more precise localization of F-actin in the amorphous part of the acrosome and in the cytoplasmic region between acrosome and nucleus; F-actin is also present in the thin cytoplasmic layer between plasma membrane and nuclear envelope at the apical portion of the nucleus. Although the sperm was always found completely devoid of motility, the discovery of the presence of an actin cytoskeleton leads us to hypothesize a possible acquisition of motility by the sperm at the time of its interaction with the female gamete. Such a hypothesis is supported by what is known for ostracods whose aflagellate sperm implement a type of amoeboid movement only at the time of their interaction with the female gamete.

How do biomaterials affect the biological activities and responses of cells? An in vitro study

AIM

As part of regenerative bone surgery, according to the principles of tissue engineering and GBR, the use of biomaterials aims to restore bone deficiencies by restoring both functionality and original morphology of the bone tissue. Besides being biocompatible, biofunctional and reabsorbable, the ideal scaffolding should possess an osteoinductive geometry, which depends on many physical-chemical characteristics and, in particular, on a three-dimensional morphology and the placement of molecules, which would determine pore size and interconnection between them. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to carry out an analysis with a scanning electron microscope, in order to evaluate the effect of the diameter size of the scaffold pores on the bio-molecular interaction between osteoblast-like MG63 cells and four biomaterials with different pore sizes: polylactic-co-glycolic acid, deproteinized bovine bone, equine bone, demineralized bone matrix (DBM).

METHODS

Through the observations made with SEM and X-ray microanalysis, it is possible to infer how the morphology, the proliferative ability, the modality of adhesion and the differentiation of MG63 cells are influenced in different ways by the porous structure of the various biomaterials used as a substrate for growth.

RESULTS

From among all of the biomaterials examined, DBM represented the best substrate for growth; in fact, there would be a more intense and precocious adhesion of MG-63 cells.

CONCLUSION

The strong osteoconductive effect observed in human DBM, seems to be related to the presence of the organic component, while the osteoinductive effect would be mainly attributed to the presence of BMPs.

Bone regeneration: in vitro evaluation of the behaviour of osteoblast-like MG63 cells placed in contact with polylactic-co-glycolic acid, deproteinized bovine bone and demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft

Insufficient bone density of the alveolar crests, caused by loss of the dental elements, sometimes impedes the primary stability of an integrated bone implant. The techniques of bone regeneration allow to obtain a sufficient quantity of alveolar bone to permit the implant rehabilitation of the edentulous crests. Today several grafting materials are available and they have different characteristics, according to their structure, which influence the different behaviour of the grafting materials to the bone and the implant surface. The aim of this study is to evaluate the interaction between a human osteosarcoma MG63 cell line and three different biomaterials: polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLAGA), deproteinized bovine bone and demineralised freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA). From this study a different behaviour emerges of the osteoblast-like MG63 cells in relation to the sublayer on which these cells were placed in culture. The results of the study, in fact, demonstrate that the most osteoconductive material of the three analysed is the DFDBA, followed by DPBB. On the contrary, the PLGA, because of its roughness, does not seem to represent a valid support for cell growth, and does not encourage any morphologic modification in tumor cells. Furthermore, deproteinized bovine bone shows a differentiating effect which could lead to hypothesise an osteoconductive capacity of this biomaterial. Further studies should be carried out with the aim of explaining the results obtained.

Burkholderia cepacia complex in cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis patients: identification of a cluster of epidemic lineages

This study was performed in order to compare Burkholderia cepacia complex strains from cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF patients at the genomovar, genetic and epidemiological levels. A total of 92 B. cepacia respiratory tract isolates were obtained from patients attending the following CF centres: Catania and Palermo, Sicily; Gualdo Tadino, Central Italy, and Milan, Northern Italy. A total of 23 B. cepacia isolates were obtained from blood, surgical wound, and intravenous catheter sources of patients without CF, hospitalized in Catania and Varese, Northern Italy. Genomovar status identification, clonality and genetic relatedness determination, antibiotic susceptibility pattern determination and electron microscopy were performed. Transmission of infection was shown in both CF and non-CF patients by identifying clonality of responsible strains. In total 13 clones were involved in cross-transmission episodes. No outbreak was described involving both CF and non-CF patients. The present study indicates the existence of a distinct cluster of strains responsible for epidemics in CF and non-CF patients, based on their genetic relatedness, distinct from strains associated with no or negligible transmissibility. This result suggests that transmissibility is not only associated with a specific genomovar in CF patients, but also with a group of genetically related lineages in CF and non-CF patients. A key role is shown for both segregation measures and careful surveillance of infection, based on selective culture, molecular identification and epidemiological characterization of individual isolates.

Bovine seminal RNase induces apoptosis in normal proliferating lymphocytes

Bovine seminal ribonuclease is a member of the RISBAses (ribonucleases with special biological actions) family. It exerts specific anti-tumor, embryotoxic, aspermatogenic and immunosuppressive activities. The cytotoxic effect of bovine seminal ribonuclease on tumor cells is accompanied by the induction of apoptosis. We provide ultrastructural and flow cytometry evidence of apoptotic death following bovine seminal ribonuclease treatment, in normal cells and phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy, which were fully supported by flow cytometry data, showed typical features of apoptosis, such as decreased cell size, chromatin condensation, fragmentation in micronuclei, and the presence of apoptotic bodies.

Liver disease in polyglandular autoimmune disease type one: clinicopathologic study of three patients and review of the literature

We report the findings from liver biopsies of three patients with polyglandular autoimmune disease type 1. The livers in two patients had histologic features of chronic hepatitis that eventuated in bridging fibrosis and cirrhosis over a period of several years. Nonspecific lobular and portal tract inflammation was present in the liver biopsy of the third patient. Although these patients did not have liver-specific autoantibodies, the liver disease in polyglandular autoimmune disease type 1 possibly represents an expression of autoimmune hepatitis.

[Effect of various heavy metals on the ATP content of spermatozoa from Arbacia lixula L.--activity of mercury]

This work reports the evaluation of some toxic effects induced by mercury on sea urchin sperm. Spermatozoa of the sea urchin Arbacia lixula L., were treated with 0.003, 0.03 and 0.06 mg/l of Hg. We estimated the amount of ATP of sperm cells with the luciferin-luciferase reaction, and we also observed motility, fertilizing activity and number of sperm bound to the eggs. The results clearly show that ATP levels are strongly affected by mercury concentrations, already three hours after the beginning of treatment. We propose the use of ATP determination in sea urchin sperm as a bioassay, because they, even more than eggs and developmental stages, readily suffer the environmental stresses.

Fecal fat, cyclosporine, and alpha 1-antitrypsin for assessment of small bowel function following transplantation

Many factors affect the integrity of transplanted small bowel. These include ischemic preservation and immunologic injury as well as the division of intestinal lymphatics during transplantation. This study was undertaken to evaluate the recovery of fat absorption in transplanted small bowel in syngeneic rats. Orthotopic transplantation of the total small bowel with resection of the native intestine was performed. The experimental (n = 11) and a pair-fed, sham-operated control (n = 8) groups were fed a 50% kcal corn oil semipurified diet. Studies of cyclosporine (CSA) absorption, maltose absorption, dietary fat, and fecal alpha 1-antitrypsin (FA1AT) excretion in transplanted animals were performed preoperatively and at 15, 30, and 50 days postoperatively. There was no significant difference in the weight change or fat and maltose absorption in experimental animals compared with control animals at any time point. Peak serum CSA levels were lower at day 15 in transplanted animals than in controls (P = 0.006) and improved but remained lower than those in controls at days 30 and 50 (P = 0.017). FA1AT excretion was increased on postoperative day 15 (accompanied by a decrease in body weight) and returned to control levels at days 30 and 50. Transplanted isogeneic rats had weight recovery and fat and carbohydrate absorption similar to those of controls. Transplanted animals had a protein-losing enteropathy measured by FA1AT at day 15 that resolved by 30 and 50 days, respectively. CSA absorption showed a much more gradual return to control levels and remained abnormal at 50 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Circannual rhythm of the melanin content in frog liver (Rana esculenta L.)

The melanin content of Rana esculenta L. liver varies according to a circannual statistically significant rhythm, as shown by variance and single cosinor analysis. The maximum is found in autumn-winter, the minimum in spring-summer. The linear regression analysis shown a negative correlation between the amount of melanin and the environmental temperature.

Jaundice in infancy

Jaundice in infancy may be physiologic or due to a pathologic cause. Fractionation of the serum bilirubin level is the first step in the evaluation. Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia if left untreated may reach toxic levels. Primary hepatobiliary disorders, as well as infectious, toxic, genetic, and metabolic diseases, may manifest with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. A carefully organized diagnostic evaluation in a timely fashion allows early identification of treatable disorders. Medical management of the complications of cholestatic liver disease remains a major challenge. Early surgical intervention for biliary atresia and significant advances in hepatic transplantation offer the opportunity for long-term survival for infants with previously fatal liver disorders.

Perioperative factors affecting the outcome following repair of biliary atresia

The records of all patients with biliary atresia seen at the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles during a 14-year period were reviewed. Of the 41 patients who could be evaluated, 32 were treated with trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis, five were given other agents, and four received no prophylaxis after surgery. At least one episode of cholangitis occurred in nine patients. With one exception, all patients destined to have cholangitis did so within 9 months of surgery. Of the nine patients, five were receiving prophylaxis at the time the disease developed, but two were no longer receiving any prophylaxis. The other two patients in whom cholangitis developed never received antibiotic prophylaxis. In the 24 patients who had a Kasai type of portoenterostomy, cholangitis developed in three of the five (60%) with a Roux-en-Y limb length less than 40 cm and in two of the 19 (10.5%) with limb lengths greater than 40 cm (P less than .02). When performed earlier than 61 days after birth, surgery resulted in adequate bile flow in 64.7% (11/17) of patients who could be evaluated as compared with 31.8% (7/22) for surgery at 61 days or later (P less than .05). Of the patients with adequate biliary drainage 11 had no apparent liver disease, but only two of the patients with poor drainage were free of clinical liver disease. The conclusion from this series is that a combination of timely surgery, intestinal conduit at least 40 cm in length, and subsequent long-term antibiotic prophylaxis favors the best bile flow and reduces the occurrence of cholangitis, resulting in the best outcome.

The prognostic implication of hypercholesterolemia in infants and children with hepatoblastoma

This paper reports the relationship between serum cholesterol level and hepatoblastoma in nine patients. Four of the nine patients had a high (417-544 mg%) serum cholesterol. All of these patients were less than one year of age and had tumors of the epithelial type. Three of the infants died soon after being diagnosed. Three patients had a moderately elevated serum cholesterol (206-249mg%). One underwent primary hepatic resection. Two had nonresectable tumors that became resectable after chemotherapy. One died secondary to pulmonary metastases. The remaining two patients had a normal serum cholesterol level prior to treatment. Both patients had hepatic resection after chemotherapy and had no evidence of increased cholesterol postoperatively and are alive six years after diagnosis. From these data, it is suggested that the pretreatment level of serum cholesterol may be of prognostic significance in infants and children with hepatoblastoma.

[Heavy metal concentrations in various species fished from the Gulf of Catania]

The AA report the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Hg found in fish, crustaceans and mollusca fished in a zone of the coast to the south of the city of Catania. The results obtained show that among the fish the species with the highest concentrations of all the metals investigated, but excluding mercury, is Boops boops (bogue) followed by Trachurus mediterraneus (horse mackerel), whereas the species showing least concentrations is Pagellus erythrinus (pandora). In many cases the concentrations of individual metals in our findings are higher than those given in the literature for the same species fished in other waters.

[Application of the biotic index and the diversity index to the study of macro-benthons in a river]

Using the Biotic Index and the Diversity Index the results are analysed of a study of the macrobenthic community sampled in the course of one year at three stations along he lowest-lying stretch of the River Simeto. The results obtained from applying the two different indices are not in perfect agreement one with the other. Whereas with the Biotic Index one could be led to consider the fluvial environment situation a good one, the Diversity Index shows the environment to be partially compromised by organic substances. On the basis of results of chemico-physico-microbiological analyses as well as data concerning the nutritive habits of the species found, we conclude that the Diversity Index is a more suitable instrument for measuring the biological reality of the Simeto.

[Study of factors influencing the changes in liver melanin content of amphibia. II. Effect of fasting]

Statistical examination of the data from experiments conducted on groups of Amphibians induces us to retain as plausible the hypothesis which indicates in fasting one of the preminent factors that cause an increase in the melanic content of their liver. The temperature does not act directly, but indirectly, on the process of melanosynthesis, by inducing or otherwise the semilethargous state on which alimentation depends.

Abnormalities of carbamyl phosphate synthetase and ornithine transcarbamylase in liver of patients with Reye's syndrome

Urea cycle function was evaluated in liver obtained from six patients with Reye's syndrome and from five control subjects. Reye's syndrome patients demonstrated normal activities for the extramitochondrial portion of the urea cycle, but showed marked abnormalities of the mitochondrial enzymes, i.e., carbamyl phosphate synthetase (CPS) and ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) (Tables 2,3). CPS activity was reduced to less than 15% of control values in all four patients from whom tissues was obtained during the first 72 hr after the onset of encephalopathy. Two patents from whom tissue was not obtained until after 9 days of symptoms showed no reduction in CPS activity. The OTC activity was also reduced (3-67% of control values) in the four patients from whom tissue was obtained early in the illness. In addition, greater than 60% reduction in Vmax and Km for carbamyl phosphate was noted in all four patients in whom sample size permitted kinetic analysis, including both patients in whom CPS and OTC activity were not markedly reduced. The same kinetic abnormality as well as decreased CPS activity were experimentally produced in normal rate liver incubated in the presence of 1.0 mM 4-pentenoic acid, a short chain fatty acid and known hepatic mitochondrial toxin (Table 4).