Implantation Rates Research Articles

The influence of the gingival phenotype on implant survival rate and clinical parameters: a systematic review.

The goal of this systematic review was to verify whether the gingival phenotype (thick or thin) could impact the dental implant survival rate by affecting the marginal bone. The search was carried out on PubMed/MedLine, PubMed Central, and B-On databases. The research question was: "Does gingival phenotype positively or negatively influence marginal bone loss around dental implants?" The inclusion criteria were: any clinical trial/study, comparative study, prospective or retrospective articles, systematic review that addressed at least a 1-year follow-up with an assessment of the marginal bone loss (MBL) around dental implants, articles that reported the gingival phenotype (thin or thick) and were published in the last 13 years. The exclusion criteria were narrative or other reviews, letters to the editor, and commentaries. Data extraction included the author's name, year of publication, type of study, sample size, number of implants, method used, and outcomes presented. The extracted data was summarized and presented in the results section. Critical Appraisal tool in JBI Systematic Reviews was used to determine the possibility of bias. A total of 62 articles were found, but eight articles were relevant to compose this study. After deep evaluation, it was possible to observe the implant success rate for both gingival phenotypes, thin and thick, was greater than 91% within a follow-up of up to 5 years. Therefore, it is unclear whether the thickness of the gingival tissue surrounding the implant can directly influence the marginal bone level. The gingival phenotype may be indirectly involved in the survival rate of dental implants, as it can be a risk factor for peri-implantitis, leading to marginal bone loss beyond what is expected. The thin gingival phenotype is one of the main risk factors for additional bone loss. It is crucial to know how to preserve the healthy condition. Within the results found, the gingival phenotype is indirectly related to implant survival rate and clinical parameters, which were respectively high and non-conclusive. Therefore, a higher risk of peri-implantitis is suggested when a thin phenotype is present.

Edible Bird’s Nest (EBN) Ameliorates the Effects of Indomethacin (IMC)-Induced Embryo Implantation Dysfunction in Rats

IMC has been reported to influence embryo implantation negatively in animals including rats. While EBN has been known to have a potential protective effect against reproductive toxicity, there is limited study on the effect of EBN on IMC toxicity in reproduction. This study aimed to ascertain whether pretreatment with a natural substance, Edible Bird’s Nest (EBN), will reduce IMC-induced toxicity in pregnant rats. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats divided into five equal groups were treated with EBN and IMC as follows: G1 = Control, G2 = IMC (4.33 mg/kg), G3 = IMC + EBN (4.33 mg/kg + 60 mg/kg), G4 = IMC + EBN (4.33 mg/kg + 90 mg/kg), and G5 = IMC + EBN (4.33 mg/kg +120 mg/kg). EBN was administered once daily for 8 weeks while IMC was injected subcutaneously. On day 8 after mating, all rats were sacrificed for blood sampling and embryo implantation rate (EIR) assessment; the uterine tissues were also subjected to immunohistochemical and histological analyses. G5 recorded significantly higher EIR, fertility index, and expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the uterine section, across stroma cells, the glandular epithelium, and the luminal epithelium compared to control and other groups. IMC-induced inflammatory alterations, endometrial atrophy, vacuolar degeneration, and atrophy were not detected in uterine tissue sections in G4 and G5, with the latter group demonstrating the highest EIR with protective effects on uterine tissues. Thus, EBN supplementation might be of great benefit in guarding the fertility of individuals who depend on IMC for the treatment of chronic inflammatory illness.

Global and Temporal Trends in Utilization and Outcomes of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Over the past decades, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has become a contemporary treatable disease. However, limited data exist on the global trends of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) utilization and its impact on mortality/morbidity burden reduction. Electronic databases were systematically searched up to March 2024 for studies reporting on ICD utilization rates in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A random effects model was used to pool study estimates across time-era, geographic region, and age group. Primary outcome was global trends in ICD utilization. Secondary outcomes included trends of sudden cardiac death, appropriate/inappropriate shocks, and ICD-related complications. In total, 234 studies (N=92 500, 514 748 patient-years) met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 46.2 (12.4) years and 37.49% were women. A total of 12 139 patients (16.43%) received an ICD over 429 766 person-years of follow-up, with an ICD implantation rate of 2.79%/y ([95% CI, 2.35%-3.32%] I²=97.80%). Rates of ICD implantation steadily increased over time from 1990 (1.09%) to 2021 (4.01%; P=0.002), with noticeable geographic variation (P=0.008). The overall rate of appropriate ICD discharges and ICD-related complications was 3.44%/y ([95% CI, 3.08%-3.84%] I²=88.40%) and 1.98%/y ([95% CI, 1.52%-2.59%] I²=90.44%), respectively, with no significant trend over time. The overall rate of inappropriate discharges was 3.58%/y ([95% CI, 3.08%-4.16%] I2=88.03%), and declined significantly over time (P=0.044). There was a significant decline in the rates of sudden cardiac death from 1990 (0.84%/y) to 2020 (0.31%/y). Dramatic increases in ICD utilization have occurred, representing a 3.7-fold increase, with appropriate therapies occurring in 3.44%/y. Dramatic increases in ICD utilization have occurred, representing a 3.7-fold increase, with appropriate therapies occurring in 3.44%/y, In parallel a significant reduction in sudden cardiac death was observed, but there are insufficient data to demonstrate that a causative relationship exists. Geographic disparities in ICD utilization were evident, highlighting the need to improve access to specialized care for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Geographic disparities in ICD utilization were evident, highlighting the need to improve access to specialized care for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/; Unique identifier: CRD42023407126.

Molecular and cellular regulators of embryo implantation and their application in improving the implantation potential of IVF-derived blastocysts.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET) are widely used in reproductive biology. Despite the transfer of high-quality blastocysts, the implantation rate of IVF-derived blastocysts remains low after ET. This article provides a comprehensive review of current research on embryo implantation regulators and their application to improve the implantation potential of IVF-derived blastocysts. The invivo mouse model revealed selective proteolysis immediately after expression in activated blastocysts, that is, degradation of ERα expression in activated blastocysts regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, followed by completion of blastocyst implantation. Treatment of blastocysts to induce appropriate protein expression during invitro culture prior to ET is a useful approach for improving implantation rates. This approach showed that combined treatment with PRL, EGF, and 4-OH-E2 (PEC) improved the blastocyst implantation rates. Furthermore, arginine and leucine drive reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated integrin α5β1 expression and promote blastocyst implantation. Findings based on analysis of molecular and cellular regulators are useful for improving the implantation potential of IVF-derived blastocysts. These approaches may help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the completion of the blastocyst implantation, although further investigation is required to improve the success of implantation and pregnancy.

Effects of phloroglucinol on uterine peristalsis after frozen embryo transfer in patients experiencing recurrent implantation failure: A retrospective case-control study.

To retrospectively investigate the efficacy of phloroglucinol administration after freeze-thawed embryo transfer in patients experiencing recurrent implantation failure (RIF). A total of 139 infertile couples who experienced RIF undergoing in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer were divided into the control (n=66) and the phloroglucinol (n=73) groups. Women in the phloroglucinol group received 80mg phloroglucinol 30min after transfer, then once daily up to day 3 after the embryo transfer. Those in the control group did not receive phloroglucinol. Administration of phloroglucinol was associated with significantly higher rates of positive pregnancy tests [52.1% versus (vs) 30.3%], clinical pregnancy (45.2% vs 27.3%), and live births (38.4% vs 21.2%) compared with the control group (p<0.05). Notably, patients with uterine peristalsis exceeding 3 waves/min exhibited significant improvement in positive pregnancy tests (67.6% vs 38.5%), implantation (50% vs 24.6%), and clinical pregnancy rates (58.8% vs 33.3%) following phloroglucinol intervention (p<0.05). Results suggested that the administration of phloroglucinol after frozen embryo transfer may improve pregnancy outcomes in patients who experienced RIF, primarily in those with uterine peristalsis >3 waves/min.

Aneuploidy rates and clinical pregnancy outcomes after preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy using the progestin-primed ovarian stimulation protocol or the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol.

To investigate the chromosome abnormality rates and clinical pregnancy outcomes after preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) using either the progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) protocol or the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol. The study included 431 PGT-A cycles in which controlled ovarian stimulation was performed using the PPOS protocol (n = 320 cycles) or GnRH antagonist protocol (n = 111 cycles) between January 2018 and December 2021. Frozen embryo transplantation was subsequently performed in 309 cycles with transplantable blastocysts. The number of retrieved oocytes, embryo development, next-generation sequencing results, and clinical pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two protocols. The primary outcome measure was the aneuploidy rate. Secondary outcome measures were clinical pregnancy per first frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle and cumulative live birth rates per PGT-A cycle. There were no statistically significant between-group differences in the number of retrieved oocytes, available blastocysts, and high-quality blastocyst rate. The aneuploidy rates were similar between the two groups. There was no significant difference in clinical pregnancy outcomes, including the clinical pregnancy, implantation, miscarriage, live birth, or cumulative live birth rates, after frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles (P>0.05). The study found no significant difference in the aneuploidy rate, clinical pregnancy rate and cumulative live birth rate after PGT-A cycles between those using the PPOS protocol and those using the GnRH antagonist protocol.

Horizontal Guided Bone Regeneration: L-PRF Bone-Block Vs A Mixture of Autogenous Bone with Deproteinized Bovine Bone Mineral. A Split-Mouth RCT Study with 25 Months Follow-Up.

This study aims to assess the differences between a leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) and deproteinized bovine bone mineral block and a combination of 50% autogenous bone (AB) and 50% deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) as grafting material for horizontal guided bone regeneration (GBR). This randomized double-blind split-mouth clinical trial included 13 subjects requiring bilateral horizontal bone augmentation. Each patient received both treatment modalities: one side of the jaw was treated by GBR with the L-PRF and deproteinized bovine bone mineral block, and the other side with a 50/50 mixture of AB and DBBM. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were used to evaluate horizontal bone width (HBW) and buccal bone thickness (BBT) at various time points: baseline (T0), immediately post-augmentation (T1), at implant placement (T2), and one year after abutment connection (T4). Bone sounding (BS) was also used to verify CBCT measurements. No statistically significant differences were found in HBW gain between test (L-PRF) and control (AB/DBBM) sites at any timepoint. Both sites showed significant HBW loss post-implant placement, with more bone volume lost at higher crestal levels (Sh0 > Sh2 > Sh4). At the Sh2 level, 48.8% of the HBW gain at T1 was lost by T4 in test sites, and 46.2% in control sites. Similarly, BBT at Sh2 reduced from 4.7 ± 1.0 mm to 1.3 ± 1.5 mm in test sites and from 2.1 ± 1.0 mm to 0.9 ± 0.8 mm in control sites. Both groups of sites had one complication, resulting in a 91.6% success rate for both treatments. The cumulative survival rate of implants was 100% at 16 months, with a mean interproximal bone level (IBL) loss of 0.2 ± 0.9 mm and 0.1 ± 0.6 mm for test and control sites, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between the AB/DBBM composite graft and the L-PRF and bovine bone mineral block for horizontal GBR. Significant resorption of grafted volume occurs within 25 months, continuing post-implant placement. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm these findings and optimize GBR techniques.

The effect of hyaluronic acid-enriched transfer medium on the implantation rate in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles

Background: The treatment strategy for patients with a history of multiple failures in in vitro fertilization cycles remains a subject of active research. Embryo transfer in cryocycles is known to be more successful than “fresh” embryo transfer, when ovarian stimulation, follicle puncture, fertilization, and embryo culture were performed but the overall efficiency of in vitro fertilization cycles decreases with maternal age and transfer of poor quality embryos. One of the key factors influencing the failure of high quality embryo implantation is the deficiency of the adhesive matrix, which ensures the interaction between the embryo and the endometrium. The implementation of protocols that include the use of hyaluronic acid-enriched transfer media in the process of embryo transfer is a promising direction for improving implantation outcomes. Special attention of researchers is paid to determining the indications for the use of this technique. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hyaluronic acid-enriched transfer media on the pregnancy rate in cryocycles. Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort comparative study, included 609 women who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation and frozen-thawed embryo transfer. Results: The main outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles were analyzed, taking into account the quality of the transferred embryos and the use of hyaluronic acid-enriched transfer media. The latter was not shown to be associated with an increase in biochemical and clinical pregnancy rates in women under 35 years of age with a history of repeated implantation failures or after transfer of poor quality embryos. However, in patients over 40 years of age with poor quality embryos, the use of hyaluronic acid-enriched transfer media was effective, since it increased the clinical pregnancy rate. As expected, our data showed an increase in the clinical pregnancy rate in women with high quality embryos on the day of transfer, regardless of the patient’s age. At the same time, in patients with a thin (thickness less than 7 mm) endometrium or a history of miscarriage, the use of hyaluronic acid-enriched transfer media was also associated with an increase in the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth during embryo transfer in cryocycles. Conclusions: The data obtained have shown that the use of hyaluronic acid-enriched transfer media in cryocycles may be recommended for women over 40 years of age, regardless of the quality of the transferred embryos, as well as for women of any reproductive age with a thin endometrium and a history of miscarriage when transferring good quality embryos.

The role of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in female assisted reproductive technology treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this study is to explore the impact of the use of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in female undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) on reproductive outcomes. A literature search was performed using electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang data, Geen Medical, and Cochrane Library). Risk ratio (RR), odds ratio (OR), and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for various outcomes were presented. The publication bias and heterogeneity were determined using funnel plot symmetry and I2 test separately. The combined results of the RCT studies did not reveal statistical differences between the GM-CSF group and the control group for any outcome indicators. However, our pooling of results showed that after meta-analysis of non-RCT studies, GM-CSF had a positive effect on implantation rate (OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.11-3.24), clinical pregnancy rate (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.21-1.95), live birth rate (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.04-1.98), and available embryo rate (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.10-1.46). In conclusion, these results suggest that for a subset of women undergoing ART, GM-CSF may favorably affect CPR, LBR, IR, and available embryo rate (AER). TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number CRD42022322778.

The Impact of Racial and Low Socioeconomic Status on the Implementation of Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain in the United States.

This study aims to review the societal, economic, and racial factors that impact the usage of spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain. Our working hypothesis is that patients of ethnic minority groups or of lower socioeconomic status (SES) status may have lower implantation rates and usage of spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Our study sourced publications from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library on December 21st, 2023 for SCS for the purposes of pain management. Articles were excluded from the review if the study was not USA based, did not involve SCS for the purpose of pain or did not allow for the subgroup analysis. There were 1028 reports that resulted after the initial search with 184 duplicates which were removed. Six reports met the inclusion and exclusionary criteria and were included in the review. Several trends were able to be extrapolated from the pooled reviews. Orhurhu et al. found that Black and Hispanic minorities had a higher utilization rate of SCSs than their White and Asian counterparts in the inpatient setting. Jones and Missios et al. found that in the outpatient setting, White and privately insured patients were more likely to utilize SCS. Ovrom et al. observed an increased cost associated with Hispanic ethnicity and inpatient SCS utilization. Wondwossen et al. found that in the US military system White patients were more likely to receive SCS earlier in their care than Black patients. Labaran et al. concluded the Southern US completed more SCS implants, particularly in White patients with Medicare insurance. White patients are recipients of SCS earlier and more frequently than minority patients in the outpatient setting. There is mixed evidence regarding inpatient SCS and how household income relates to SCS usage. Insurance type and coverage may be more accurately predictive than simple household income for SCS utilization.

New Artisse intrasaccular device for intracranial aneurysm treatment: short term clinical and angiographic result from the prospective registry INSPIRE-A

BackgroundIntrasaccular devices have broadened treatment options for wide necked aneurysms. This study presents the preliminary experience with the Artisse 2.0 device.MethodsInnovative NeurovaScular Product SurveIllance REgistry (INSPIRE) is a non-randomized, multicenter,...

Five-Year Results of One-Piece Zirconia Oral Implants Supporting Three-Unit Fixed Dental Prostheses.

The purpose of the present prospective case series was to investigate the clinical and radiological outcome of one-piece zirconia implants fabricated from 3Y-TZP with a moderately roughened endosseous surface (Sa = 1.24 μm) to support three-unit fixed dental prostheses (FDP) after five years in function. Twenty-seven patients received a total of 54 implants in a one-stage surgery with immediate provisionalization. Peri-implant bone loss was assessed using standardized radiographs. Additionally, soft-tissue parameters were analyzed. Statistical analyses were conducted using linear mixed regression models and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests (p < 0.05). All patients participated in an annual maintenance program. Eighteen implants were lost up to the 5-year follow-up, resulting in a cumulative survival rate of 66.67%. The mean marginal bone loss of the remaining implants amounted to 1.89 mm. Probing depth, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing increased from prosthesis insertion to the 5-year follow-up, while the plaque index showed no significant changes during the same period. The investigated one-piece zirconia implant showed low survival rates as compared to previously reported survival rates of one-piece zirconia or two-piece titanium implants. Implant failure was attributed to peri-implantitis, leading to the necessity of implant removal. The implant is not commercially available.

Advances in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells-derived extracellular vesicles and biomaterial assemblies for endometrial injury treatment.

Endometrial injury caused by repeated uterine procedures, infections, inflammation, or uterine artery dysfunction can deplete endometrial stem/progenitor cells and impair regeneration, thereby diminishing endometrial receptivity and evidently lowering the live birth, clinical pregnancy, and embryo implantation rates. Currently, safe and effective clinical treatment methods or gene-targeted therapies are unavailable, especially for severe endometrial injury. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and their extracellular vesicles are characterized by their simple collection, rapid proliferation, low immunogenicity, and tumorigenicity, along with their involvement in regulating angiogenesis, immune response, cell apoptosis and proliferation, inflammatory response, and fibrosis, Therefore, these cells and vesicles hold broad potential for application in endometrial repair. This article reviewed recent research on human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells as well as their extracellular vesicles in repairing endometrial injury.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) in Bicuspid Anatomy

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis, a common congenital condition, presents unique challenges for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI) due to anatomical variations like cusp morphology, coexisting aortopathy and calcification. TAVI offers a viable option for BAV patients with refinements in technique and technology, though ongoing research is essential to optimize patient-specific approaches and long-term results. Key considerations for TAVI in BAV include precise valve sizing, positioning, and the need for rigorous pre-procedural imaging to mitigate risks such as paravalvular leak and stroke. Early results show TAVI’s safety and efficacy are comparable to surgery, though BAV patients undergoing TAVI often are exposed to higher rates of post-procedural pacemaker implantation. Emerging data on next-generation self-expandable (SE) and balloon-expandable (BE) valves reveal that while both offer success in this complex anatomical aortic valve variation, gaps remain in the long-term durability and management of BAV-related aortopathy. This review examines the latest advancements in TAVI for BAV, emphasizing how specialized approaches and device selection address BAV’s complexities.

B cell translocation gene 2 expression levels in human granulosa cells is negatively associated with in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes: a pilot study.

This study aimed to monitor the expression of B-cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2) in granulosa cells of patients undergoing IVF/ICSI with respect blastocyst qualityoutcomes. We recruited 181 women undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles for infertility. Granulosa cells were extracted from follicular fluid. BTG2 expression level of granulosa cells were stratified into tertiles (low, middle, and high), and the patients of each tertile were compared for outcome indicators by Kruskal-Wallis analysis. Spearman's correlation analyses were used to evaluate the correlation between BTG2 mRNA levels and outcome indicators. Generalized linear models and generalized additive models with smoothing splines were used to adjust for potential confounders. Patients in the low BTG2 tertile had higher oocyte retrieval, fertilization, blastocyst formation, and high-quality blastocyst rates than those in the high BTG2 tertile. Patients in the high BTG2 tertile exhibited a downward trend in implantation and clinical pregnancy rates compared to those in the low or middle BTG2 tertiles, whereas the early pregnancy loss rate showed an upward trend, although the difference was not significant. After adjusting for confounding factors, the expression level of BTG2 was negatively correlated with oocyte retrieval, blastocyst formation, and high-quality blastocyst rates. Stratified analysis of AMH > 4ng/ml showed elevated BTG2 expression was associated with reduced oocyte retrieval, fertilization, cleavage, blastocyst formation, and high-quality blastocyst rates. No differences in these outcomes were observed in patients with AMH ≤ 4ng/ml. In women with high AMH levels (> 4ng/ml) elevated BTG2 expression in granulosa cells was associated with poor quality blastocyst outcomes.

Implant irritation and removal rates in operatively treated multiple rib fractures: a 49-month follow-up study

PurposeLittle is known about the prevalence, impact and change of the symptoms after implant removal due to irritation in multiple rib fractures. This study aims to explore these aspects to improve treatment decision-making.MethodsData was collected from two hospitals in the Netherlands and Switzerland. The study included only adults with operatively treated multiple rib fractures, regardless of whether the fractures were flail or non-flail. The primary outcome was the incidence of implant removal due to irritation. Secondary outcomes included implant irritation not leading to removal, other postoperative complications, and remission rates after implant removal. These outcomes were assessed during a follow-up phone call using a standardized questionnaire.ResultsHundred-twenty patients were identified, with 83 (69.2%) completing the final follow-up after a median of 49 months (IQR 40–59). Twenty-five (30.1%) patients experienced implant irritation, of whom four (4.8%) got their implant removed. Two (2.4%) reported significant improvement, one (1.2%) moderate, and one (1.2%) no improvement of symptoms.ConclusionImplant irritation in patients with multiple rib fractures is a common problem, even years after surgery, without guaranteed symptom improvement post-removal. These results provide an additional argument to be more selective in offering rib fixation to patients with multiple rib fractures in the first place.

The first multiple center prospective study of rhFSH CTP in patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology in China

We assessed the safety and efficacy of rhFSH-CTP, a novel long-acting FSH agent, in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for patients undergoing ART. A multi-center, open-label, randomized, positive-control, non-inferiority clinical trial was conducted. The study consisted of a phase III randomized design, with a 1:1 ratio favoring the rhFSH-CTP group over the control group. Eligible patients in the rhFSH-CTP group received a single dose of rhFSH-CTP at 100–150 µg for the first 7d of stimulation following a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol. In total, 142 and 141 patients received rhFSH-CTP and rhFSH, respectively. At a confidence interval of 95%, the difference in the number of oocytes (1.13–4.22, 2.67) suggested that rhFSH-CTP was not inferior to rhFSH. Additionally, the top-quality embryos, implantation rates, and pregnancy outcomes were similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). In the rhFSH-CTP group, no cases of severe OHSS were observed, which was a significant improvement compared to the 1.4% incidence in the rhFSH group. With regard to another safety endpoint, no patients tested positive for adenosine deaminase (ADA) in the rhFSH-CTP group. The results demonstrated that the product had a comparable safety profile to pregnancy outcomes and newborn information in the control group, indicating its suitability for use.

A randomized controlled trial comparing embryo vitrification with slush nitrogen to liquid nitrogen in women undergoing frozen embryo transfer: embryology and clinical outcomes.

Does the use of slush nitrogen (SN) for embryo vitrification improve embryo transfer outcomes compared to liquid nitrogen (LN)? SN is a safe method for embryo preservation and significantly improves post-warming survival rates during repeated vitrification-warming cycles; however, after a single freeze-thaw cycle, pregnancy outcomes are not improved when embryos are vitrified with SN compared to LN. SN is a combination of solid and LN, with a temperature lower than regular LN, and it is an alternative to conventional LN in achieving a faster cooling speed. Studies have shown that SN improves survival in non-human embryos and human oocytes. However, it is unknown whether the use of SN reduces blastocyst damage in humans during vitrification-as indicated by increased survival across multiple vitrification-warming cycles-or whether it enhances pregnancy outcomes in a single vitrification-warming cycle. Following the pre-clinical trial assessing embryo survival after repeated freeze-thaw cycles using SN and LN on 50 donated embryos per group, a randomized controlled trial was performed, where 253 patients were enrolled between September 2020 and January 2022, and 245 underwent an IVF stimulation, which resulted in at least one blastocyst for cryopreservation. Of those, 121 were allocated to the SN (study), and 124 were allocated to the LN (control) group. Randomization occurred on the day of blastocyst biopsy using a computer-generated block schema. Groups were assigned via opaque envelopes, opened by the embryologist on vitrification day. The patient, physician, and clinical team were blinded to the intervention. All couples with female aged between 18 and 42 years old undergoing IVF stimulation at one university-affiliated infertility center, with plan for preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy and subsequent single, frozen embryo transfer (FET) were eligible for inclusion in this study. The pre-clinical trial demonstrated significant improvements in blastocyst survival, with the SN group achieving a mean of 7.5 survived vitrification-warming cycles (range: 3-22), significantly surpassing the mean of 3.0 cycles (range: 0-10) in the LN group (P < 0.0001). Following the pre-clinical trial, 223 patients randomized to SN or LN underwent single FET. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, as were embryology outcomes, including the number of oocytes retrieved, mature oocytes, fertilization rate, and total blastocysts biopsied. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, sustained implantation rate, or miscarriage rate (P = 0.16, 0.80, 0.49, and 0.74, respectively, using Student's t-test). A futility analysis indicated no value in continuing recruitment and therefore the study was closed. Neonatal or birth outcomes were not assessed. Termination of the study based on futility analysis precludes a conclusion of equivalence between SN and LN. This study demonstrates that SN is a safe alternative to traditional LN for vitrification; however, it did not demonstrate improvements in the reproductive potential of vitrified embryos. The project was funded by the Foundation for Embryonic Competence. NCT04496284. 3 August 2020. 5 September 2020.

A cRGD-modified liposome for targeted delivery of artesunate to inhibit angiogenesis in endometriosis.

Currently, hormonal therapy for endometriosis faces challenges in achieving a balance between treatment and preserving the chance of pregnancy. Therefore, the development of non-hormonal therapy holds significant clinical importance. Angiogenesis is a hallmark of endometriosis, and anti-angiogenic therapies targeting the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) pathway are considered potential approaches for endometriosis. However, angiogenesis is also involved in numerous physiological processes, including pregnancy, and systemic anti-angiogenesis may lead to severe adverse effects. To address this, a cRGD-modified liposome nanodrug (cRGD-LP-ART) is synthesized, which enhances drug efficacy while reducing adverse reactions. Artesunate (ART), a non-hormonal drug used to treat malaria, has shown anti-angiogenic effects beyond its original indications in various benign and malignant diseases. With cRGD modification, cRGD-LP-ART can target ectopic lesions and inhibit local angiogenesis by suppressing the HIF-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway. Furthermore, cRGD-LP-ART exhibits better therapeutic effects than free ART, without affecting ovarian function or causing atrophy of the eutopic endometrium, making it a promising new option for non-hormonal therapy of endometriosis. As a combination of liposomes and a clinically approved drug, cRGD-LP-ART holds great potential and clinical prospects for the treatment of endometriosis.

Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Single-Unit Implant- Supported Restorations: A 12-Month Cross-Sectional Clinical Study.

This retrospective clinical study aims to analyze single-unit implant-supported restorations' clinical and radiographic outcomes comprehensively. In this retrospective study, patients who had undergone 12 months of implant-supported singleunit fixed prosthetic treatment were scanned from the archives, and a hundred patients were included in the study. Implant success and survival rates were assessed according to the consensus decisions published at the International Oral Implantology Congress in 2007. Prosthetic complications such as chipping, screw loosening, and decementation were also evaluated. In addition, success/survival rates and prosthetic compositions were associated with some surgical and prosthetic parameters. According to the success/survival criteria, 88% of the implants were successful, 10% had satisfactory survival, and 2% had compromised survival. The risk of satisfactory or compromised survival was 62.5 times higher in individuals with inadequately keratinized mucosa compared to those with adequately keratinized mucosa (p < 0.001). It was also 5.736 times greater for extractions due to periodontal disease versus endodontic reasons (p = 0.010) and 4.629 times higher for implants with diameters less than 3.75 mm compared to those between 3.75 mm and 5 mm (p = 0.037). Screw loosening was observed in 15% of the evaluated restorations, decementation in 13% and chipping in 4%, and the risk of screw loosening was 4.444 times higher for screw retention abutments compared to standard abutments (p=0.015). Insufficient keratinized mucosa, periodontal problems leading to tooth extractions, and the use of narrowdiameter implants can negatively affect the success of implant procedures. Loosening in screw-retained restorations is due solely to screw loosening, which is a high risk for screwretained restorations. Loosening in cement-retained restorations, on the other hand, is caused by the decementation of the prosthetic restoration or loosening of the abutment screw supporting the restoration.