A time to look back: analysis of morphokinetic characteristics of human embryo development.

Objective To describe the times associated with the morphological changes that occur in the embryo during preimplantation development based on the largest sample size described with time lapse. Design Cohort study. Setting University-affiliated private center. Patient(s) A total of 9,530 embryos from 1,806 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Using a time-lapse system, embryo images were acquired for at least 68 hours, in some cases reaching 120–130 hours. Embryo cleavage time points up to 8-cell-stage (t2–t8) as well as morulae (tM) and blastocyst formation (tB) were registered in hours after ICSI. Additionally, duration of the cell …

Defining new morphokinetic variables for embryo selection by time-lapse

Hard Two-Photon Contribution to Elastic Lepton-Proton Scattering Determined by the OLYMPUS Experiment

The OLYMPUS collaboration reports on a precision measurement of the positron-proton to electron-proton elastic cross section ratio, $R_{2\gamma}$, a direct measure of the contribution of hard two-photon exchange to the elastic cross section. In the OLYMPUS measurement, 2.01~GeV electron and positron beams were directed through a hydrogen gas target internal to the DORIS storage ring at DESY. A toroidal magnetic spectrometer instrumented with drift chambers and time-of-flight scintillators detected elastically scattered leptons in coincidence with recoiling protons over a scattering angle range of $\approx 20\degree$ to $80\degree$. The relative luminosity between the two beam species was mo…

Archaeometric study of ceramic figurines from the Maya settlement of La Blanca (Petén, Guatemala)

Abstract In this article, analytical results will be presented and discussed regarding a selected set of figurines from the ancient Maya settlement of La Blanca in Peten, Guatemala. The objective is to characterize the ceramic material by two analytical complementary techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD) and total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF). The data obtained by means of both XRD and TXRF were compared and analyzed by multivariate statistical techniques in order to obtain sample groups according to their chemical composition. The results of this archaeometric study have been compared to those that have been obtained through macroscopic characterization by means of the traditional cl…

Prospective, randomized study of the endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA) test in the infertility work-up to guide personalized embryo transfer versus fresh transfer or deferred embryo transfer

Transmission of HIV Drug Resistance and the Predicted Effect on Current First-line Regimens in Europe

Transmitted human immunodeficiency virus drug resistance in Europe is stable at around 8%. The impact of baseline mutation patterns on susceptibility to antiretroviral drugs should be addressed using clinical guidelines. The impact on baseline susceptibility is largest for nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Continuum of Care in 11 European Union Countries at the End of 2016 Overall and by Key Population: Have We Made Progress?

Abstract Background High uptake of antiretroviral treatment (ART) is essential to reduce human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission and related mortality; however, gaps in care exist. We aimed to construct the continuum of HIV care (CoC) in 2016 in 11 European Union (EU) countries, overall and by key population and sex. To estimate progress toward the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 target, we compared 2016 to 2013 estimates for the same countries, representing 73% of the population in the region. Methods A CoC with the following 4 stages was constructed: number of people living with HIV (PLHIV); proportion of PLHIV diagnosed; proportion of those diagnosed …

A 5-year multicentre randomized controlled trial comparing personalized, frozen and fresh blastocyst transfer in IVF.

Abstract Research question Does clinical performance of personalized embryo transfer (PET) guided by endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA) differ from frozen embryo transfer (FET) or fresh embryo transfer in infertile patients undergoing IVF? Design Multicentre, open-label randomized controlled trial; 458 patients aged 37 years or younger undergoing IVF with blastocyst transfer at first appointment were randomized to PET guided by ERA, FET or fresh embryo transfer in 16 reproductive clinics. Results Clinical outcomes by intention-to-treat analysis were comparable, but cumulative pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the PET (93.6%) compared with FET (79.7%) (P = 0.0005) and fresh embr…

Mitochondrial DNA content decreases during in vitro human embryo development: insights into mitochondrial DNA variation in preimplantation embryos donated for research.

Objective To assess the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) load and variation in human oocytes and during preimplantation embryo development using specimens donated for research. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Not applicable. Patients A total of 50 in vitro fertilization patients and 11 oocyte donors whose specimens were obtained between July 2017 and July 2018. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures All specimens were separately collected. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed with SurePlex DNA Amplification System (Illumina). Primers for the adenosine triphosphate 8 mitochondrial gene and the β-actin were used. Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance wi…

Measurement of the Charge-Averaged Elastic Lepton-Proton Scattering Cross Section by the OLYMPUS Experiment

Physical review letters 126(16), 162501 (1-6) (2021). doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.162501

GnRH agonist administration at the time of implantation does not improve pregnancy outcome in intrauterine insemination cycles: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective To assess whether GnRH agonist administration in the luteal phase improves pregnancy outcome in intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles. Design Single-center, randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Setting University-affiliated infertility clinic, between February 2005 and December 2007. Patient(s) Three hundred forty-four women undergoing IUI owing to mild to moderate male factor or donor sperm indication. Intervention(s) Random administration to either a single subcutaneous injection of 0.1 mg triptorelin (group A; n = 172) 8 days after hCG administration, or solvent only (group B; n=172) at the same time. Main Outcome Measure(s) Pregnancy rate was the primary outcom…

Gene polymorphisms and HLA-G expression in spontaneous abortions

Abstract Introduction HLA-G and HLA-E are claimed to play a role in establishing maternal–fetal immune tolerance and in maintaining pregnancy. The presence of polymorphism in the HLA-G gene could cause a deficient or excessive expression of the HLA-G and HLA-E molecules. These anomalies could eventually cause pregnancy losses. Materials and methods Clinical study. A total of 90 patients were included in this study. These patients suffered spontaneous abortions between weeks 6 and 11 of pregnancy. We have analysed the most important polymorphisms of the HLA-G gene through different genetic studies and HLA-G and HLA-E expression through immunostaining in human cytotrophoblast cells from first…

F117Hystero-embryoscopic findings in early nonviable pregnancies

Background A high proportion of early pregnancy losses are associated to abnormal embryo development. However, chromosomal analysis of routine curettage samples are of limited value; and histopathological examinations of the embryos are rarely performed in clinical practice. Method A transcervical hystero-embryoscopy was performed prior to the curettage in 31 nonviable first-trimester pregnancies and a control group of 5 early terminations of pregnancy. In the study group, the estimated gestational age according to the ultrasound findings was 6.7 (4–9) menstrual weeks. Direct biopsies of different gestational structures were taken during the endoscopic procedure. Results In nonviable pregna…

Operation and characterization of a windowless gas jet target in high-intensity electron beams

Abstract A cryogenic supersonic gas jet target was developed for the MAGIX experiment at the high-intensity electron accelerator MESA. It will be operated as an internal, windowless target in the energy-recovering recirculation arc of the accelerator with different target gases, e.g., hydrogen, deuterium , helium, oxygen, argon, or xenon. Detailed studies have been carried out at the existing A1 multi-spectrometer facility at the electron accelerator MAMI. This paper focuses on the developed handling procedures and diagnostic tools, and on the performance of the gas jet target under beam conditions. Considering the special features of this type of target, it proves to be well suited for a n…

Similar endometrial development in oocyte donors treated with either high- or standard-dose GnRH antagonist compared to treatment with a GnRH agonist or in natural cycles.

Background This descriptive study evaluates the impact on endometrial development of standard and high doses of a GnRH antagonist in stimulated cycles compared with GnRH agonist and natural cycles. Methods Thirty-one oocyte donors were treated with a combination of rFSH and 0.25 mg/day ganirelix (standard dose), 2 mg/day ganirelix (high dose) or 0.6 mg/day buserelin (long protocol). Vaginal progesterone (200 mg/day) was administered in the luteal phase. Endometrial biopsies were performed 2 and 7 days after HCG administration. Additional biopsies were carried out in a subset of 12 subjects, 2 and 7 days following the LH peak of their previous natural cycle. Biopsies were evaluated histologi…

The OLYMPUS Experiment

Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research / A 741, 1 - 17 (2014). doi:10.1016/j.nima.2013.12.035

Design and Operation of a Windowless Gas Target Internal to a Solenoidal Magnet for Use with a Megawatt Electron Beam

A windowless hydrogen gas target of nominal thickness $10^{19}$ cm$^{-2}$ is an essential component of the DarkLight experiment, which is designed to utilize the megawatt electron beam at an Energy Recovery Linac (ERL). The design of such a target is challenging because the pressure drops by many orders of magnitude between the central, high-density section of the target and the surrounding beamline, resulting in laminar, transitional, and finally molecular flow regimes. The target system was assembled and operated at Jefferson Lab's Low Energy Recirculator Facility (LERF) in 2016, and subsequently underwent several revisions and calibration tests at MIT Bates in 2017. The system at dynamic…

Analysis of serum and endometrial progesterone in determining endometrial receptivity.

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Is there a relationship between serum and endometrial progesterone (P4) levels, including P4 and metabolites (oestrone, oestradiol and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone), and endometrial receptivity? SUMMARY ANSWER Serum P4 levels were not correlated with endometrial P4, nor associated with endometrial receptivity as determined by the ERA® test; however, endometrial P4 and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone levels were positively correlated and related to endometrial receptivity by ERA. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Acquisition of endometrial receptivity is governed by P4, which induces secretory transformation. A close relationship between serum P4 and pregnancy outcome is reported for hormone …