Top Quality Research Articles

Social network analysis for optimal machining conditions in ultra-precision manufacturing

Ultra-precision machining (UPM) technology is extensively applied to manufacture top quality products with high precision level and complicated geometry. As complicated machining factors affect the surface quality of machined components in UPM, large numbers of experiments for understanding the influences from particular machining factors are needed, leading overestimate or underestimate of significance of machining factors at certain machining conditions and raising of experimental cost. For these reasons, a crucial approach is urged to adapt for providing a fast track to an optimal machining condition. In this study, social network analysis (SNA) is introduced firstly to develop UPM network, which the network shows the relationship between dominant machining factors in UPM. A complicated UPM network containing interdependencies between each machining factor is generated by SNA. The determinations of network metrics in the UPM network support the selection of optimal machining factors under various machining conditions. Furthermore, the constructed UPM network using SNA provides the complete framework of dependencies in UPM for well predicting the machining outcomes when particular machining factors are adjusted in practical situations. The study contributes to offering a detail guideline for constructing machining strategies or experimental plans to efficiently achieve desired machining outcomes.

Sustaining Healthcare: Bridging Education with Biomedical and Healthcare Challenges

Major advances and breakthroughs in Medicine and Healthcare are transforming our world. How will we manage to tackle our disease burden to improve our day-to-day well-being especially if in developed countries the global population of people over 80 will more than triple by 2050 and in the less developed ones the youth profile will escalate? Will Europeans as an example, find ways to balance budgets and restrain spending and come up with a sustainable survival strategy for Europe’s healthcare systems? This work addresses a number of challenging questions and offers “smart” solutions and a framework on how to develop and sustain new models of care and improve the public services profile with the vision to become globally leading healthcare institutions mainly in Europe and particularly in Greece. The nature of programs in biomedical and healthcare sciences, the kind of educators and healthcare professionals and how to technologically and practically support such programs is considered. How to connect Biomedical programs with Medical Centers and what kind of student internships can be developed is discussed. What it means to have patient-centered medical centers which abide by strict European and international guidelines and certifications and how to provide top quality medical services is also examined. Keywords: Education, Healthcare, Medicine, Biomedical Programs, Smart Solutions, Internships, International Certifications

Comparison Between Colorimetry and Sensory Panel in Studying Similarity Between Roman and Integration Bricks, Assisted by Multivariate Data Treatment

ABSTRACT The restoration of the Roman building of the third-fourth century CE called Minerva Medica, in Rome, highlighted a problem concerning the choice of the color of the bricks for integration. Current conservation practice in Italy favours a restoration that as much as possible is consistent with the original but leaves some visible differences to a careful observer. Color measurement is usually performed using portable spectrocolorimeters that provide the reflectance spectrum and also colorimetric parameters such as L* a* b*, h* L* C*, RGB, etc. In other sectors, such as for olive oils, for wines, and also for the colors of commercial products, sensory panels are used to provide results of difference/similarity and are known to be similar to observations made by consumers. In this study, data from a top quality spectrocolorimeter and from a sensory panel are compared. Twenty non-professional people were involved in the comparison between seven restoration bricks and three ancient Roman bricks from the studied site. Observations took place in a room with controlled lighting, and each observer filled out a sensory card using about 2000 known comparison colors. Comparison of the results was carried out with graphic methods and by means of cluster analysis. The results show that the sensory panel could be a useful alternative to colorimetry, while cluster analysis allowed a significant response to questions posed by conservation professionals, and was confirmed by other graphic-statistical methods.

Do Follicles of Obese Patients Yield Competent Oocytes/Embryos?

Aim: This study evaluated the competency of oocytes/embryos derived from follicles >15 mm in diameter from obese patients, compared with nonobese patients. Patients and Methods: A cohort study was conducted in a single tertiary medical center between July 2018 and May 2019. Before ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration, follicles were measured and those with maximal dimensional size >15 mm were tracked. Microscopic examination of the follicular aspirates was performed by an embryologist. Each follicle aspirated was evaluated for oocyte maturation, oocyte fertilization, and embryo quality. Results: 457 follicles were measured: 380 (83.2%) in nonobese and 77 (16.8%) in obese patients. No in-between group differences were observed in the causes of infertility, patients’ demographics, or ovarian stimulation characteristics. Oocytes were achieved during aspiration from 277 (72.8%) and 54 (70.0%) of the nonobese and obese groups, respectively (p = 0.67). No in-between group differences were observed in fertilization (2PN/oocyte), top quality embryo (TQE) per zygote (2PN), and TQE per follicle. Conclusion: Oocyte recovery rate from follicles >15 mm is unrelated to patients’ BMI. Moreover, the oocytes recovered from obese patients are competent yielding comparable zygote and TQE per follicle/oocyte, compared with nonobese patients. Further investigation is required to strengthen this finding.

An Exploratory Analysis of Auditors’ Perceptions of the Firms’ Tone at the Top

This study examines public accounting firms’ “tone at the top” with respect to audit quality initiatives from the perspectives of both firm leaders (those who set the tone) and engagement level auditors (non-leaders). Specifically, we (1) solicit the perceptions of audit firm culture and leadership from the perspectives of audit personnel at the partner and non-partner levels, (2) assess how firm leaders communicate tone at the top through formal and informal communications, (3) examine the firm work environment and its relation to perceived tone at the top. We interviewed audit partners and auditors below partner rank to address our research questions. Participants were from regional and local public accounting firms that audit primarily non-public entities (although some of the firms are also registered with the PCAOB). Results indicate that although most firms characterize their tone as being strongly employee- or team-focused, the way firm leaders communicate with and support employees varies across firms. In addition, firms focus on innovation or other values, such as superior client service. Our results have implications for firms, regulators and academics interested in examining the link between tone at the top and audit quality.

Transcriptomics of Mature Rice (Oryza Sativa L. Koshihikari) Seed under Hot Conditions by DNA Microarray Analyses

Higher temperature conditions during the final stages of rice seed development (seed filling and maturation) are known to cause damage to both rice yield and rice kernel quality. The western and central parts of Japan especially have seen record high temperatures during the past decade, resulting in the decrease of rice kernel quality. In this study, we looked at the rice harvested from a town in the central Kanto-plains (Japan) in 2010. The daytime temperatures were above the critical limits ranging from 34 to 38 °C at the final stages of seed development and maturity allowing us to investigate high-temperature effects in the actual field condition. Three sets of dry mature rice seeds (commercial), each with specific quality standards, were obtained from Japan Agriculture (JA Zen-Noh) branch in Ami-town of Ibaraki Prefecture in September 2010: grade 1 (top quality, labeled as Y1), grade 2 (medium quality, labeled as Y2), and grade 3 (out-of-grade or low quality, labeled as Y3). The research objective was to examine particular alterations in genome-wide gene expression in grade 2 (Y2) and grade 3 (Y3) seeds compared to grade 1 (Y1). We followed the high-temperature spike using a high-throughput omics-approach DNA microarray (Agilent 4 × 44 K rice oligo DNA chip) in conjunction with MapMan bioinformatics analysis. As expected, rice seed quality analysis revealed low quality in Y3 > Y2 over Y1 in taste, amylose, protein, and fatty acid degree, but not in water content. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis from the transcriptomic profiling data revealed that there are more than one hundred upregulated (124 and 373) and downregulated (106 and 129) genes in Y2 (grade 2 rice seed) and Y3 (grade 3 rice seed), respectively. Bioinformatic analysis of DEGs selected as highly regulated differentially expressed (HRDE) genes revealed changes in function of genes related to metabolism, defense/stress response, fatty acid biosynthesis, and hormones. This research provides, for the first time, the seed transcriptome profile for the classified low grades (grade 2, and out-of-grade; i.e., grade 3) of rice under high-temperature stress condition.

Detection of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α level in human single-blastocyst conditioned medium using ultrasensitive Single Molecule Array platform and its relationship with embryo quality and implantation: a pilot study.

The purpose was to investigate the association between embryonic development or implantation and the content of interleukin-6 and 10 (IL-6, IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in single-blastocyst conditioned medium (SBCM). Thirty-eight SBCM samples (SBCMs) were collected from blastocysts with different morphological scores. IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α concentration in 38 SBCMs was detected by Single Molecule Array and compared according to the blastocyst quality: top-quality (TQ) and non-top quality (NTQ), or blastulation time: day 5 (D5) and day 6 (D6). In another experiment, 61 SBCMs were collected from TQ blastocyst transplanted on D5, and IL-6 concentration in SBCM was compared based on whether embryos are implanted or not (implanted and non-implanted). In the first experiment, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α concentration was not significantly different between the TQ-SBCM and NTQ-SBCM. The D6-SBCM had a higher IL-6 concentration compared with the D5-SBCM, while IL-10 and TNF-α concentration was not significantly different between the D5-SBCM and D6-SBCM. The IL-6 concentration in D5-NTQ or D6-TQ SBCM was higher than that in D5-TQ or D6-NTQ SBCM (P < 0.05), respectively. Furthermore, the spearman analysis demonstrated that IL-6 concentration in SBCM was negatively correlated with the blastocyst quality on D5 and positively correlated with the blastocyst quality on D6. In the second experiment, no significant difference in IL-6 concentration was found between SBCM from implanted and non-implanted blastocyst. IL-6 concentration in SBCM was associated with embryo quality depending on the blastulation time, although it might not be associated with the blastocyst implantation.

Should we freeze it? Agreement on fate of borderline blastocysts is poor and does not improve with a modified blastocyst grading system.

What is the inter-observer agreement among embryologists for decision to freeze blastocysts of borderline morphology and can it be improved with a modified grading system? The inter-observer agreement among embryologists deciding whether to freeze blastocysts of marginal morphology was low and was not improved by a modified grading system. While previous research on inter-observer variability on the decision of which embryo to transfer from a cohort of blastocysts is good, the impact of grading variability regarding decision to freeze borderline blastocysts has not been investigated. Agreement for inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) grade is only fair, factors which contribute to the grade that influences decision to freeze. This was a prospective study involving 18 embryologists working at four different IVF clinics within a single organisation between January 2019 and July 2019. All embryologists currently practicing blastocyst grading at a multi-site organisation were invited to participate. The survey was comprised of blastocyst images in three planes and asked (i) the likelihood of freezing and (ii) whether the blastocyst would be frozen based on visual assessment. Blastocysts varied by quality and were categorised as either top (n= 20), borderline (n= 60) or non-viable/degenerate quality (n= 20). A total of 1800 freeze decisions were assessed. To assess the impact of grading criteria on inter-observer agreement for decision to freeze, the survey was taken once when the embryologists used the Gardner criteria and again 6months after transitioning to a modified Gardner criterion with four grades for ICM and TE. The fourth grade was introduced with the aim to promote higher levels of agreement for the clinical usability decision when the blastocyst was of marginal quality. The inter-observer agreement for decision to freeze was near perfect (kappa 1.0) for top and non-viable/degenerate quality blastocysts, and this was not affected by the blastocysts grading criteria used (top quality; P= 0.330 and non-viable/degenerate quality; P= 0.18). In contrast, the cohort of borderline blastocysts received a mixed freeze rate (average 52.7%) during the first survey, indicative of blastocysts that showed uncertain viability and promoting significant disagreement for decision to freeze among the embryologists (kappa 0.304). After transitioning to a modified Gardner criteria with an additional grading tier, the average freeze rate increased (64.8%; P< 0.0001); however, the inter-observer agreement for decision to freeze was unchanged (kappa 0.301). Therefore, significant disagreement for decision to freeze among embryologists is an ongoing issue not resolved by the two grading criteria assessed here. Blastocyst assessment was performed from time-lapse images in three planes, rather than with a microscope in the laboratory. The inter-observer agreement for decision to freeze may be lower for embryologists working in different clinics with different grading protocols. The decision to freeze a blastocyst with borderline morphology is a common clinical issue that has the potential to arise for any patient during blastocyst culture. Disagreement for decision to freeze these blastocysts, and therefore clinical usability in frozen embryo transfer cycles, affects consistency in patient care due to a potential impact on cumulative live birth rates, as well as financial, emotional and time costs associated with the frozen embryo transfer cycles. We demonstrate significant disagreement for decision to freeze borderline blastocysts among embryologists using the same grading scheme within a large multisite organisation, a phenomenon which was not improved with a modified grading system. Decision-making around borderline embryos is an area requiring further research, especially as studies continue to demonstrate the reduced but modest live birth rates for low quality blastocysts (Grade C). These results provide support for emerging technology for embryo assessment, such as artificial intelligence. None declared. Not applicable.

Defect detection in additive manufacturing via a toolpath overlaid melt-pool-temperature tomography

Additive manufacturing of metals has emerged as a potential technology for companies to create highly integrated and individualized products. In particular, powder-based laser metal deposition has advantages such as flexibility and multimaterial capabilities. It is possible to mix powders and create alloys inside the melt-pool during the build process. Consequently, purpose made material combinations with set or even varying thermal properties can be realized. Inherently, the process becomes increasingly challenging because of the great number of variables. Analyzation of the manufactured part ensures top quality and detects errors and defects. To accomplish this, specimens have to be x-rayed or ground and cut into microsections. In order to save time and keep the parts’ integrity, a new method uses temperature data from the process to determine irregularities. During the additive manufacturing process, a 680 W diode laser melts the substrate and the powder locally. The powder is composed of 42% nickel and 58% iron. A pyrometer samples the temperature of the molten pool at a spectral range from 1.45 to 1.85 μm. The recorded data are mapped onto the toolpath of the process head. A script converts the time dependent signal to spatially resolved temperature points. The feedrate and the laser status aid to synchronize the data throughout. As a result, the overlaid melt-pool temperature visualizes the process and creates a tomography for the produced part. Initial experiments show that errors and defects like porosities and cavities are identifiable inside the manufactured structure. Furthermore, correlations between the visualization and errors detected with microsections are possible. Overall, this technique is an addition to the repertoire of data visualization and quality control in additive manufacturing and can be transferred to other machines and laser processes.

Relationship between fiber cotton grade and some related characteristics of long and extra-long staple Egyptian cotton varieties (Gossypium barbadense. L)

The materials used in this study were four commercial varieties of Egyptian cotton; two (Giza 86 and Giza 90) belonging to the long staple class and the others (Giza 88 and Giza 92) belonging to the extra-long staple category. Within each variety, nine lint cotton grades namely: Fully Good (FG), Good/Fully Good (G/FG), Good (G), Fully Good Fair/Good (FGF/G), Fully Good Fair (FGF), Good Fair/ Fully Good Fair (GF/FGF), Good Fair (GF), Fully Fair/Good Fair (FF/GF) and Fully Fair (FF) were used. Thus Fully Good (FG) is the top quality grade and the others are progressively lower; i.e. Fully Fair (FF) is the lowest grade. Fiber properties were measured by using the Cotton Classifying System Version-5 instrument (CCS-V5). Data collected for the following characteristics were: reflectance degree (Rd %), yellowness degree (+b), trash%, dust%, fiber fragments%, total trash%, No. of neps and Micronaire value. Mean squares due to all nine grades of long and extra-long staple cotton varieties in combined analysis were highly significant over seasons for all studied characters except yellowness (+b) and fiber fragments% in Giza 92. Highly significant mean performance values of four cotton varieties and nine lint grades for each variety for all studied characters, it became clear that there were significant genetically differences between studied varieties and fiber cotton lint grades within each variety. Gradually increased for yellowness degree, trash%, dust%, fiber fragments%, total trash% (trash, dust, fiber fragments) and number of neps, while gradually decreased for reflectance degree (Rd%) and micronaire value with significant level as transfer for all tested varieties from (FG) grade down to the (FF). All studied varieties showed highly significant negative correlation between fiber cotton grade with yellowness, trash, dust, total trash% and No. of neps, while highly significant positive correlation between fiber cotton grade with reflectance degree and micronaire value. Total trash% and micronaire value as well as reflectance degree and their interactions were the most contributing and influencing of fiber cotton grades. Also these properties and their joint effects are prevailing factors which affect the personal judgment of the grader at evaluating the cotton grade.

Top Management Team Quality and Innovation in Venture-Backed Private Firms and IPO Market Rewards to Innovative Activity

Using hand-collected data on top management team human capital (“top management quality”) of a large venture-backed private firm sample, we analyze the relation between top management team quality and pre-initial public offering (IPO) innovation productivity and the relation between pre-IPO innovation productivity and IPO market valuations. We hypothesize that firms with higher quality top management teams invest more in innovative projects and select better projects, yielding higher innovation productivity; pursue explorative rather than exploitative innovation strategies; and hire more high quality inventors. Finally, we hypothesize that IPO market rewards more innovative private firms with higher IPO firm valuations. The evidence supports these hypotheses.

Assessing the practice of LuPOR for poor responders: a prospective study evaluating follicular fluid cfDNA levels during natural IVF cycles.

The aim of this study is to provide data on the practice of Luteal Phase Oocyte Retrieval (LuPOR). The authors assess cell-free DNA levels in follicular fluid (ff cfDNA) from poor responders undergoing natural cycles, and comparing it to respective data originating from follicular phase oocyte retrievals. Forty-seven women were eligible for this prospective study. Participants were classified as poor responders based on Bologna criteria while being detected with a second follicular wave. Follicular fluid was collected and prepared for cfDNA extraction. Levels of cfDNA were quantified via Q-PCR employing the ALU115 and ALU247 primers. These primers are associated with apoptotic and necrotic events. Levels of ff cfDNA resulting from follicular phase oocyte retrieval (FoPOR) and LuPOR-performed in a single menstrual cycle were associated with the number and maturation status of yielded oocytes and the number and fertilization status of resulting zygotes. Survival rate following thawing of cryopreserved zygotes, along with the resulting number of cleavage stage and blastocyst stage embryos are provided. Mean levels of ALU115 were significantly lower during FoPOR when compared to LuPOR (0.79 ± 0.72 vs 1.46 ± 1.59ng/μl, p = 0.02). Regarding the FoPOR group, a significant positive correlation of serum estradiol and ALU115 concentration (p = 0.04) was revealed. A significant negative correlation between serum estradiol and cfDNA integrity was observed both during FoPOR (p = 0.03) and LuPOR (p = 0.03). A significant lower number of retrieved (1.09 ± 0.28 vs 1.29 ± 0.58, p = 0.02) and MII oocytes (0.77 ± 0.55 vs 1.08 ± 0.61, p = 0.02) was observed when comparing the FoPOR to LuPOR groups respectively. The integrity of cfDNA was observed to be higher in FoPOR originating embryos that arrested either prior to cleavage (0.28 ± 0.13 vs 0.17± 0.10, p = 0.006) or prior to blastocyst formation (0.28 ± 0.12 vs 0.13± 0.06, p = 0.04). In the case of LuPOR originating embryos, cfDNA integrity was observed to be higher in embryos that arrested only prior to the blastocyst stage (0.27 ± 0.20 vs 0.11± 0.07, p = 0.008). Similarly, cfDNA integrity was observed to be lower in top quality blastocysts originating from FoPOR (0.07± 0.04 vs 0.17 ± 0.05, p = 0.03) and in top quality cleavage stage embryos (0.09± 0.06 vs 0.31 ± 0.22, p = 0.01) and blastocysts (0.06 ± 0.02 vs 0.14 ± 0.06, p = 0.02) originating from LuPOR. Our results indicate that ff originating from LuPOR presents with higher levels of cfDNA. The higher cfDNA levels are attributed to mainly apoptotic events, as the ALU247 levels and DNA integrity did not differ statistically significantly between FoPOR and LuPOR. The absolute mean level of ALU247 corresponding to necrotic events was higher in LuPOR. Regarding embryological data, cfDNA integrity was correlated with both number and quality of cleavage stage embryos in both FoPOR and LuPOR, along with blastocyst stage embryos in LuPOR. Necrotic events were associated with poorer blastocyst formation rate and blastocyst quality in LuPOR. As the comparison between FoPOR and LuPOR results to similar IVF laboratory data, the practice of LuPOR may stand as a promising approach for poor responders, while it merits further investigation.

Effect of Line Energy Density and Wall Thickness on the Top Surface Quality of AlSi10Mg Sample Fabricated via Selective Laser Melting

The effect of line energy density (LED) and wall thickness on the top surface quality of AlSi10Mg sample fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) has been investigated in this paper. It is observed that the surface morphology has great evolution which the molten track turns to regular and then to irregular with the increase in LED. The line roughness (Ra) and peak height (Rz) decrease first and then increase as the LED increases. The optimal LED for low Ra/Rz increases from 0.1389 J/mm to 0.30 J/mm with the wall thickness increases from 0.1 mm to 2 mm. This work can provide a guide of manufacturing complexy geometrical thin-walled parts with a fine top surface quality.

Internet data traffic analysis for identifying usage trends on each day of the week in a university

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Internet data traffic monitoring and management are important requirements for ensuring top notch quality of service in a network. Data traffic logs contain useful hidden information that can be harnessed and interpreted as a resource for making informed network management decisions. In this study, logged internet data traffic for both the upload and download traffic in a university for one year was analysed using statistics and partial least squares approach to structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Time series plots, statistical properties and trends for each day of the week over a 51-week period were developed. The result shows that the most data was downloaded on Thursdays while the most upload occurred on Mondays. A path model was developed using Smart PLS3, and the performance of the model was evaluated using the construct reliability and validity of the model. The results reveal that the weekly variance is majorly accounted for by usage variations on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. An overall model R-square value of 0.876 was observed.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

The association between follicle size and oocyte development as a function of final follicular maturation triggering.

To study the association between follicle size and oocyte/embryo quality, as a function of different triggering modes for final follicular maturation. Cohort study conducted in a single tertiary medical centre between July 2018 and May 2019. All women undergoing ovarian stimulation with triggering using human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist or dual trigger (GnRHa + HCG) were included. Before ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration, follicles were measured and divided into three groups according to maximum dimensions: large ≥16 mm, medium 13-15 mm and small <13 mm. Microscopic examination of the follicular aspirates was performed by an embryologist. Each follicle aspirated was evaluated for oocyte maturation, oocyte fertilization and embryo quality. A total of 640 follicles were measured, including 402 (62.8%) in the large, 148 (23.1%) in the medium and 90 (14.1%) in the small groups. Oocytes were obtained during aspiration from 76.3%, 70.3% and 55.6% of the large, medium and small follicle groups, respectively (P = 0.001). The mature oocyte (metaphase II) rate was significantly higher in the large (P = 0.001) and medium (P = 0.01) compared with the small follicle group. Nevertheless, no between-group differences were observed in fertilization or top quality embryo rates among mature oocytes regardless of the size of the follicle from which they originated. Triggering mode did not influence oocyte recovery rate in the different follicle size groups. A higher oocyte recovery rate was observed from follicles >13 mm, however, mature oocytes achieved similar fertilization and top quality embryo rates regardless of follicle size. Triggering mode did not influence oocyte recovery rate.

Follicular fat-soluble vitamins as markers of oocyte competency

ABSTRACTThe main aim of this prospective study was to investigate the effect of the concentration of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K in individual follicles on oocyte quality and developmental competence. The analysis was performed on 313 follicular fluid (FF) samples from 50 patients undergoing ovarian stimulation with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. We demonstrated that the mean concentration of individual vitamins in FF correlated with their level in serum (p < 0.0001). The levels of vitamin D in FF were higher than in serum, while the opposite was observed for other analyzed vitamins. We did not observe a correlation between FF vitamin D concentration with fertilization success. However, we observed its association with embryo development status on day 3. Moreover, we showed a statistically significant negative correlation between the mean day 5 embryo score and the concentration of vitamin D in serum (rS = −0.68 p = 0.01) and follicular fluid (rS = −0.71 p = 0.01). Our study showed that FF concentration of vitamin A and E was helpful in the prediction of fertilization success of each individual oocyte. Moreover, vitamin A and E concentrations in FF were associated with status of embryo development on the third day of culture. Vitamin A was also associated with the embryo quality on day 2 and the embryo development status on day 5 after fertilization. In conclusion, a combination of FF vitamin analysis and routine morphological assessment could allow for a more accurate and sensitive method of determining embryonic developmental competence and enable the selection of a better embryo to transfer and perhaps translating into an increased chance of pregnancy.Abbreviations: in vitro fertilization: IVF; anti-Mullerian hormone: AMH; follicular fluid: FF; intracytoplasmic sperm injection: ICSI; top quality: TQ; vitamin D binding globulin level: VDBP; assisted reproductive technology: ART

Chromosomal polymorphisms are associated with blastomere multinucleation in IVF/ICSI cycles

To investigate the association of chromosomal polymorphisms with multinucleated embryos in infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI). This retrospective case-control study was conducted among 1145 infertile couples undergoing their first IVF/ICSI cycles. According to their karyotype, the couples were divided into chromosomal polymorphism group and control group, and the former group was divided into 3 subgroups: inversion group, D and G genome polymorphic group and 1, 9, and 16 qh+group. The blastomere multinucleation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate were compared between the groups. Of the total of 1145 couples, 139 (6.10%) had chromosomal polymorphisms at least in one partner. No significant differences were found in female age, BMI, basal FSH level, total gonadotropin dose, E2 level on day of HCG, number of oocytes retrieved, fertilization rate, top quality embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate or live birth rate among the groups (P > 0.05). The multinuclear rate of the embryos in couples with pericentric inversion of chromosomes 1, 9, and Y chromosomes and those with D and G genome polymorphisms were 8.23% and 4.65%, respectively, significantly higher than that in the control group (2.69%; P < 0.05); the multinuclear rate of the embryos was 2.77% in 1, 9, and 16 qh+ group, similar with that in the control group (P > 0.05). Infertile couples with pericentric inversion of chromosomes 1, 9, and Y chromosomes and in those with D and G genome polymorphism are at higher risks of blastomere multinucleation in IVF- ICSI cycles; 1, 9, and 16 qh + polymorphisms do not increase the rate of blastomere multinucleation of the embryos.

Evaluation of Humoral Immunological Profile in Infertile Women after IVF Failure in Baghdad City

Background: An (in Vitro) Fertilization (IVF), means fertilizing an ovum with a spermatozoon outside the body in a culture dish under controlled culture conditions. And It was taken a principle option to treat infertility, which is define as a disease of the reproductive system can be diagnosis by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. The cause of infertility may be immunological or genetic. A progress was made an in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques, However the majority of transferred embryos fail to implant. Morphology embryo scoring is the standard procedure for most IVF centers for choosing the best embryo, but remains limited since even the embryos classified as (top quality) may not implant. The initial investigation on the cause recurrent (in vitro) fertilization failure ignites the attention on the reproductive immunology. The production of antibodies is an immunomodulatory factor that causes failure of embryo implantation, and the most commonly studied antibodies in women with implantation failure after IVF procedure , include antiphospholipid (aPL), antisperm antibodies (ASA), and antinuclear antibodies (ANA).Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the immunological aspects of patients after IVF failure, such as ; antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs), antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), and anti-sperm antibodies (ASA).Patients, Materials and Method: This prospective study was undertaken on ninety infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) programe. Their age was from 20years to 49 years. Blood specimens were collected from all women, on the day of egg pick up, and screened for all studied parameters by ELISA, and were statistically analyzed.Results: In the present study clinical pregnancy rate was 27.8%. And the present study showed a highly significant difference (P&lt;0.01) in aPL (IgM, IgG) between patients and control group.The data in the present study, demonstrated a highly significant difference (P&lt;0.01) in Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) between the studied groups. Also a highly significant difference (P&lt;0.01) in Antisperm antibodies (ASAs) between the studied groups.Conclusions: In vitro fertilization (IVF) failure, precisely failed embryo implantation, associated with produced auto-antibodies (anti-phospholipid antibodies, anti-sperm antibodies, and anti-nuclear antibodies), in the sera of the female.

ICSI in late matured oocytes, is it worth it? Study with laboratory, clinical and genetic evaluation results.

ObjectiveTo compare laboratory results of embryo development from late matured oocytes in relation to mature oocytes in D+0.MethodsWe carried out a cross-sectional study during the period from January to December 2018, in which we collected data through medical records analysis. 913 oocytes were collected and divided into 3 groups: group 1 - 643 MII oocytes; group 2 - 119 MI oocytes and; group 3 - 151 PI oocytes. These studied oocytes were from different maternal ages and infertility factors. The analyzed variables were fertilization rate, embryo cleavage, top quality embryos on the third day of development, blastocyst stage, top quality blastocysts, euploid blastocysts, top quality blastocysts and gestation. We documented the data, and performed the statistical analysis using the chi-square test (p<0.05).ResultsAll MII oocytes were injected (643); 103/119 MI oocytes and 88/151 PI oocytes that matured late in D + 1, were also injected. The fertilization rate of the three groups did not present statistical difference. The oocytes of group 1 had a statistically proven better prognosis than oocytes from groups 2 and 3 when compared, respectively, embryo cleavage (p=0.000), top quality embryos on the third day of development (p=0.000) and blastocyst formation rate (p=0.004). In the LMO group, there were no euploid embryos and, therefore, there no embryo transfer.ConclusionAlthough late matured oocytes have made blastocyst formation possible, even if in low rates, there were no viable embryos for transfer.

An Analysis of Covid-19 and Who Global Research Roadmap: Knowledge Mapping and Future Research Agenda

In the past few weeks, the world witnessed how epidemic outbreaks of COVID-19 turned into a pandemic. To synchronize the research efforts and to identify the research gaps in cutting edge priority areas, WHO (World Health Organization) has come up with a research blueprint with a substantial timeline and roadmap. To understand the background and progress of this roadmap, a comprehensive analysis of published researches on COVID-19 has become essential. With this motivation, this paper analyzes all the available literature from the Scopus database to discover the trend and unleash the pattern and nature of the studies. This study applies thematic mapping to find relationship among research topics, importance, and relevance. Keywords analysis and co-word analysis are used to build a semantic and scientific field map and Lotka’s Law to measure the productivity patterns. This study also employs Citation analysis, H-Index, and Co-author analysis to find out the top authors, their affiliations, quality, quantity, and impact of the research done. The study reveals that there is a significant surge in publications in recent times. In 2020 alone, there are 479 publications (as of March 26, 2020) indexed in Scopus. A total of 1,277 keywords have been used. Alongside COVID-19 related keywords, researchers also investigated SARS, SARS CoV 2, MERS CoV, and other diseases. The Lancet, Virology, Journal of Medical Virology and Antiviral Research are found to be among the top journals. Countrywise, China, USA, and Germany are the top publishing countries, while the universities in China, specifically in Wuhan, are leading the research by numbers. The largest share of scientific outputs during the analysis period is in the form of ‘Journal Articles’ (60.65%) and multiple-authored publications dominate (79.31%) over single-authored publications (20.69%). A lack of preventive studies and multidisciplinary social science is observed. The impacts are not properly documented through scientific publications, as evidenced by our analysis. Researchers may consider these less-studied areas in their future scientific endeavors to fulfill the gaps.