Tag: nevin manimala

Mol Biotechnol. 2023 Oct 10. doi: 10.1007/s12033-023-00916-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Plastic pollution has threatened biodiversity and human health by shrinking habitats, reducing food quality, and limiting the activities of organisms. Therefore, global interest in discovering novel enzymes capable of degrading plastics has increased considerably. Within this context, the functional metagenomic approach, which allows for unlocking the functional potential of uncultivable microbial biodiversity, was used to discover a plastic-degrading enzyme. First, metagenomic libraries derived from microplastic-associated microbiota were screened for esterases capable of degrading both tributyrin and polycaprolactone. Clone KAD01 produced esterase highly active against p-nitrophenyl esters (C2-C16). The gene corresponding to the enzyme activity showed moderate identity (≤ 55.94%) to any known esterases/cutinases. The gene was extracellularly expressed with a 6× histidine tag in E. coli BL21(DE3), extracellularly. Titer of the enzyme (CEstKAD01) was raised from 21.32 to 35.17 U/mL by the statistical optimization of expression conditions and media components. CEstKAD01 was most active at pH 7.0 and 30 °C. It was noteworthy stable over a wide pH (6.0-10.0) and temperature (20-50 °C). The enzyme was active and stable in elevated NaCl concentrations up to 12% (w/v). Pre-incubation of CEstKAD01 with Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Ca²⁺ increased the enzyme activity. CEstKAD01 displayed an excellent tolerance against various chemicals and solvents. It was determined that 1 mg of the enzyme caused the release of 5.39 ± 0.18 mM fatty acids from 1 g apple cutin in 120 min. K_m and V_max values of CEstKAD01 against p-nitrophenyl butyrate were calculated to be 1.48 mM and 20.37 µmol/min, respectively. The enzyme caused 6.94 ± 0.55, 8.71 ± 0.56, 7.47 ± 0.47, and 9.22 ± 0.18% of weight loss in polystyrene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride after 30-day incubation. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis indicated the formation of holes and pits on the plastic surfaces supporting the degradation. In addition, the change in chemical structure in plastics treated with the enzyme was determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Finally, the degradation products were found to have no genotoxic potential. To our knowledge, no cutinolytic esterase with the potential to degrade polystyrene (PS), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has been identified from metagenomes derived from microplastic-associated microbiota.

PMID:37815749 | DOI:10.1007/s12033-023-00916-7

J Neurooncol. 2023 Oct 10. doi: 10.1007/s11060-023-04476-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pachymeningeal disease (PMD) is a newly recognized pattern of brain metastasis (BrM) failure that specifically occurs following surgery with adjuvant stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and has unique prognostic implications relative to leptomeningeal disease (LMD). Here, we report its prevalence, prognostic implications, and associated risk factors.

METHODS: A literature search was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses on PUBMED and Cochrane from January 2000 to June 2023.

RESULTS: We identified 12 studies that included a total of 3992 BrM patients, 659 (16.5%) of whom developed meningeal disease (MD) following surgery plus adjuvant SRS, including either PMD or LMD. The mean prevalence of MD across studies was 20.9% (7.9-38.0%), with PMD accounting for 54.6% of this prevalence and LMD comprising the remaining 45.4%. Mean of the median overall survivals following diagnosis of PMD and LMD was 10.6 months and 3.7 months p = 0.007, respectively, a significant difference. Only 2 risk factors for PMD were reported in ≥ 2 studies and also identified as statistically significant per our meta-analysis: infratentorial location and controlled systemic disease status.

CONCLUSION: While PMD has a superior prognosis to LMD, it is nevertheless a critical oncologic event associated with significant mortality and remains poorly recognized. PMD is predominantly observed in patients with controlled systemic disease status and infratentorial location. Future treatment strategies should focus on reducing surgical seeding and sterilizing surgical cavities.

PMID:37815737 | DOI:10.1007/s11060-023-04476-3

J Assist Reprod Genet. 2023 Oct 10. doi: 10.1007/s10815-023-02956-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the obstetric and perinatal outcomes of three routine endometrial preparation protocols in women with PCOS who underwent frozen embryo transfer (FET).

METHODS: This was a retrospective study in women with PCOS who underwent FET in an academic reproductive medical center. A total of 2710 cycles were enrolled and classified into three groups according to different endometrial preparation protocols; human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG), letrozole + HMG, or hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

RESULTS: The stimulation groups had reduced risks of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), large for gestational age (LGA) infants, and cesarean delivery than the HRT group. After adjustment for different confounder combinations in the two models, the frequencies of LGA and HDP in the letrozole + HMG group and the HMG group were still significantly lower than those in the HRT group. The letrozole + HMG group exhibited a reduced risk of LGA than HMG group after adjustment of confounders. A trend toward risk reductions in HDP and LGA was observe in turns of HRT, HMG, and letrozole + HMG groups, and the trends were statistically significant (P_trend = 0.031 and 0.001).

CONCLUSION: In patients with PCOS, ovarian stimulation protocols for endometrial preparation are associated with reduced risks of HDP and LGA compared to HRT cycles. The use of letrozole could further reduce risk of LGA compared to HMG only protocol. We propose that ovarian stimulation protocols can be used widely for endometrial preparation in FET cycles in women with PCOS, especially with the use of letrozole.

PMID:37815736 | DOI:10.1007/s10815-023-02956-z

Chin J Integr Med. 2023 Oct 10. doi: 10.1007/s11655-023-3748-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Currently, more and more infertility couples are opting for combined acupuncture to improve success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, evidence from acupuncture for improving IVF pregnancy outcomes remains a matter of debate.

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively summarized the evidence of the efficacy of acupuncture among women undergoing IVF by means of systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS: Four English (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Register of Controlled Clinical Trials) and Four Chinese databases (Wanfang Databases, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, and SinoMed) were searched from database inception until July 2, 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the acupuncture’s effects for women undergoing IVF were included. The subgroup analysis was conducted with respect to the age of participants, different acupuncture types, type of control, acupuncture timing, geographical origin of the study, whether or not repeated IVF failure, and acupuncture sessions. Sensitivity analyses were predefifined to explore the robustness of results. The primary outcomes were clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR), and the secondary outcomes were ongoing pregnancy rate and miscarriage rate. Random effects model with I² statistics were used to quantify heterogeneity. Publication bias was estimated by funnel plots and Egger’s tests.

RESULTS: A total of 58 eligible RCTs representing 10,968 women undergoing IVF for pregnant success were identifified. Pooled CPR and LBR showed a signifificant difference between acupuncture and control groups [69 comparisons, relative risk (RR) 1.19, 95% confifidence intervals (CI) 1.12 to 1.25, I²=0], extremely low evidence; 23 comparisons, RR 1.11, 95%CI 1.02 to 1.21, I²=14.6, low evidence, respectively). Only transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation showed a positive effect on both CPR (16 comparisons, RR 1.17, 95%CI 1.06 to 1.29; I²=0, moderate evidence) and LBR (9 comparisons, RR 1.20, 95%CI 1.04 to 1.37; I²=8.5, extremely low evidence). Heterogeneity across studies was found and no studies were graded as high-quality evidence.

CONCLUSION: Results showed that the convincing evidence levels on the associations between acupuncture and IVF pregnant outcomes were relatively low, and the varied methodological design and heterogeneity might inflfluence the fifindings. (Registration No. PROSPERO CRD42021232430).

PMID:37815728 | DOI:10.1007/s11655-023-3748-3

Jpn J Radiol. 2023 Oct 10. doi: 10.1007/s11604-023-01492-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to retrospectively evaluate the outcomes of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for uterine fibroids (UFs), specifically submucosal UFs, according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification of UFs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients with symptomatic UFs underwent UAE with Embosphere^® between July 2016 and November 2021. MRI was performed before, at 3 and 6 months after the UAE. At each examination, the volume of UF was measured, and the percentage volume reduction rate (VRR) was calculated. The technical success rate (TSR), symptom improvement rate (SIR), regrowth rate (RR) after 6 months, and adverse events (AEs) were examined; VRR was compared between patients with submucosal UFs (FIGO types 0-2, group A), those with submucosal contacts (FIGO type 3, group B), and those without submucosal UFs (FIGO types 4-7, group C). Statistical analysis was performed on the difference in VRR between groups A, B, and C at 3 and 6 months after UAE. The relationship with hormone levels before UAE and VRR was evaluated.

RESULTS: Thirty-seven of the 42 patients were evaluated. Overall, VRR was 37.0% at 3 months and 52.1% at 6 months; TSR, SIR, and RR were 100%, 95.2%, and 5.4%, respectively; VRR at 6 months was 80.7% for group A (n = 7), 57.8% for group B (n = 13), and 37.1% for group C (n = 17). Significant differences were found between A and C (p < 0.001) and B and C (p = 0.023). Hormone levels before UAE had no effect on VRR. There was no significant AEs other than grade 3 pulmonary embolism in one patient.

CONCLUSION: UAE was effective for submucosal FIGO types 0-3. UAE was especially useful as an option for FIGO type 3 with a low protrusion rate that is difficult to treat with transcervical resection.

PMID:37815695 | DOI:10.1007/s11604-023-01492-1

Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2023 Oct 10. doi: 10.1007/s00404-023-07228-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The effects of SARS-CoV-2 infections on the outcome of assisted reproduction techniques (ART) were studied in a retrospective cohort study.

METHODS: The outcome of 1581 treatment cycles with embryo transfer at a university fertility center in Germany was compared in years before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. For 335 treatment cycles in 2022 a detailed analysis was carried out depending on infection and immunization status of both partners.

RESULTS: ART cycles did not differ in most of the parameters examined between 2018-2022. In spite of comparable clinical pregnancy rates, there was a significantly higher miscarriage rate at 34.6% (27/78) in 2022, compared to 19.7% (29/147) in the pre-pandemic years of 2018-2019 (p = 0.014). In 37.0% of the treatment cycles (124/335) 2022 at least one partner reported a SARS-CoV-2-Infection 6 months before ART, mostly with the virus variant Omicron. Clinical pregnancy rates were lower in cycles without infection. Comparing women with confirmed infection to no infection, a significantly higher risk of miscarriage was seen (62.5% vs. 26.2%, p = 0.009). In treatment cycles of partners with basic immunization against SARS-CoV-2 a statistically significant increase of pregnancy rates was seen comparing to cycles with both unvaccinated partners (p = 0.011).

CONCLUSION: The results indicate a negative impact of SARS-CoV-2-infections up to 6 months on ART treatment, in particular an increased risk of miscarriage. Vaccination was associated with a better outcome of ART treatment.

PMID:37815640 | DOI:10.1007/s00404-023-07228-w

MAGMA. 2023 Oct 10. doi: 10.1007/s10334-023-01122-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the repeatability of cartilage volume and thickness values at 1.5 T MRI using a fully automatic cartilage segmentation method and reproducibility of the method between 1.5 T and 3 T data.

METHODS: The study included 20 knee joints from 10 healthy subjects with each subject having undergone double-knee MRI. All knees were scanned at 1.5 T and 3 T MR scanners using a three-dimensional (3D) high-resolution dual-echo in steady state (DESS) sequence. Cartilage volume and thickness of 21 subregions were quantified using a fully automatic cartilage segmentation research application (MR Chondral Health, version 3.0, Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany). The volume and thickness values derived from fully automatically computed segmentation masks were analyzed for the scan-rescan data from the same volunteers. The accuracy of the automatic segmentation of the cartilage in 1.5 T images was evaluated by the dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and Hausdorff distance (HD) using the manually corrected segmentation as a reference. The volume and thickness values calculated from 1.5 T and 3 T were also compared.

RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found for cartilage thickness or volume across all subregions between the scan-rescanned data at 1.5 T (P > 0.05). The mean DSC between the fully automatic and manually corrected knee cartilage segmentation contours at 1.5 T was 0.9946. The average value of HD was 2.41 mm. Overall, there was no statistically significant difference in the cartilage volume or thickness in most-subregions between the two field strengths (P > 0.05) except for the medial region of femur and tibia. Bland-Altman plot and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) showed high consistency between results obtained based on same and different scanning sequences.

CONCLUSION: The cartilage segmentation software had high repeatability for DESS images obtained from the same device. In addition, the overall reproducibility of the images obtained from equipment of two different field strengths was satisfactory.

PMID:37815638 | DOI:10.1007/s10334-023-01122-x

Ultrasound J. 2023 Oct 10;15(1):42. doi: 10.1186/s13089-023-00335-4.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound is the current standard for central venous access due to its advantages in efficiency and safety. In-plane and out-of-plane visualization techniques are commonly used, but there is no clear evidence showing an advantage of one technique over the other. The objective of this study was to compare the success and time required for biplane visualization vs. in-plane and out-of-plane techniques in simulated models.

METHODOLOGY: Ten emergency medicine specialists participated in 60 simulated events, with randomization of the visualization technique for each event. Each event required intravenous cannulation of a simulated model for jugular venous access, with a maximum of three attempts allowed. The number of attempts required for each event, success of puncture and venous cannulation, frequency of redirection and puncture of the posterior wall, time required to obtain an optimal window, visualize the needle inside the vessel, and passage of the guidewire were recorded. The success ratios and times required for each visualization technique (biplane, in-plane, and out-of-plane) were compared.

RESULTS: Cannulation success rate was 100% for all three techniques. Success on the first attempt was 95% for biplane visualization vs. 100% for in-plane and out-of-plane. The median total time for the procedure was higher for biplane visualization (29.9 s) compared to in-plane (25.2 s) and out-of-plane (29 s), but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.999). There were no significant differences in cannulation success, needle redirection, or posterior wall puncture frequency between biplane visualization and in-plane and out-of-plane techniques.

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that biplane visualization with the use of pocket ultrasound for internal jugular cannulation in simulated models did not demonstrate significant differences when compared with in-plane and out-of-plane visualization techniques. Further research with larger sample sizes may be needed to confirm these results.

PMID:37815637 | DOI:10.1186/s13089-023-00335-4

Strahlenther Onkol. 2023 Oct 10. doi: 10.1007/s00066-023-02152-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Updated report about the randomized comparison of the effect of radiotherapy on painful osteoarthritis (OA) applying a standard dose vs. a very low dose regime after a follow-up of 1 year.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients presenting with OA of the hand/finger and knee joints were included. After randomization (every joint region was randomized separately) the following protocols were applied: (a) standard arm: total dose 3.0 Gy, single fractions of 0.5 Gy twice a week; (b) experimental arm: total dose 0.3 Gy, single fractions of 0.05 Gy twice a week. The dosage was blinded for the patients. For evaluation the scores after 1‑year visual analog scale (VAS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Short Form (KOOS-PS), Short Form Score for the Assessment and Quantification of Chronic Rheumatic Affections of the Hands (SF-SACRAH) and 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) were used (for further details: see [1]).

RESULTS: The standard dose was applied to 77 hands and 33 knees, the experimental dose was given to 81 hands and 30 knees. After 12 months, the data of 128 hands and 45 knees were available for evaluation. Even after this long time, we observed a favorable response of pain to radiotherapy in both trial arms; however, there were no reasonable statistically significant differences between both arms concerning pain, functional, and quality of life scores. Side effects did not occur. The only prognostic factor was the pain level before radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS: We found a favorable pain relief and a limited response in the functional and quality of life scores in both treatment arms. The possible effect of low doses such as 0.3 Gy on pain is widely unknown.

PMID:37815599 | DOI:10.1007/s00066-023-02152-z

Hum Reprod. 2023 Oct 10:dead205. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dead205. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

STUDY QUESTION: Can in vitro maturation (IVM) and developmental competence of human oocytes be improved by co-culture with ovarian support cells (OSCs) derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)?

SUMMARY ANSWER: OSC-IVM significantly improves the rates of metaphase II (MII) formation and euploid Day 5 or 6 blastocyst formation, when compared to a commercially available IVM system.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: IVM has historically shown highly variable performance in maturing oocytes and generating oocytes with strong developmental capacity, while limited studies have shown a positive benefit of primary granulosa cell co-culture for IVM. We recently reported the development of OSCs generated from hiPSCs that recapitulate dynamic ovarian function invitro.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: The study was designed as a basic science study, using randomized sibling oocyte specimen allocation. Using pilot study data, a prospective sample size of 20 donors or at least 65 oocytes per condition were used for subsequent experiments. A total of 67 oocyte donors were recruited to undergo abbreviated gonadotropin stimulation with or without hCG triggers and retrieved cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were allocated between the OSC-IVM or control conditions (fetal-like OSC (FOSC)-IVM or media-only IVM) in three independent experimental design formats. The total study duration was 1 April 2022 to 1 July 2023.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Oocyte donors between the ages of 19 and 37 years were recruited for retrieval after informed consent, with assessment of anti-Mullerian hormone, antral follicle count, age, BMI and ovarian pathology used for inclusion and exclusion criteria. In experiment 1, 27 oocyte donors were recruited, in experiment 2, 23 oocyte donors were recruited, and in experiment 3, 17 oocyte donors and 3 sperm donors were recruited. The OSC-IVM culture condition was composed of 100 000 OSCs in suspension culture with hCG, recombinant FSH, androstenedione, and doxycycline supplementation. IVM controls lacked OSCs and contained either the same supplementation, FSH and hCG only (a commercial IVM control), or FOSCs with the samesupplementation(Media control). Experiment 1 compared OSC-IVM, FOSC-IVM, and a Media control, while experiments 2and 3 compared OSC-IVM and a commercial IVM control. Primary endpoints in the first two experiments were the MII formation (i.e. maturation) rate and morphological quality assessment. In the third experiment, the fertilization and embryo formation rates were assessed with genetic testing for aneuploidy and epigenetic quality in blastocysts.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: We observed a statistically significant improvement (∼1.5×) in maturation outcomes for oocytes that underwent IVM with OSCs compared to control Media-IVM and FOSC-IVM in experiment 1. More specifically, the OSC-IVM group yielded a MII formation rate of 68% ± 6.83% SEM versus 46% ± 8.51% SEM in the Media control (P = 0.02592, unpaired t-test). FOSC-IVM yielded a 51% ± 9.23% SEM MII formation rate which did not significantly differ from the media control (P = 0.77 unpaired t-test). Additionally, OSC-IVM yielded a statistically significant ∼1.6× higher average MII formation rate at 68% ± 6.74% when compared to 43% ± 7.90% in the commercially available IVM control condition (P = 0.0349, paired t-test) in experiment 2. Oocyte morphological quality between OSC-IVM and the controls did not significantly differ. In experiment 3, OSC-IVM oocytes demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in Day 5 or 6 euploid blastocyst formation per COC compared to the commercial IVM control (25% ± 7.47% vs 11% ± 3.82%, P = 0.0349 logistic regression). Also in experiment 3, the OSC-treated oocytes generated blastocysts with similar global and germline differentially methylated region epigenetic profiles compared commercial IVM controls or blastocysts after either conventional ovarian stimulation.

LARGE SCALE DATA: N/A.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: While the findings of this study are compelling, the cohort size remains limited and was powered on preliminary pilot studies, and the basic research nature of the study limits generalizability compared to randomized control trials. Additionally, use of hCG-triggered cycles results in a heterogenous oocyte cohort, and potential differences in the underlying maturation state of oocytes pre-IVM may limit or bias findings. Further research is needed to clarify and characterize the precise mechanism of action of the OSC-IVM system. Further research is also needed to establish whether these embryos are capable of implantation and further development, a key indication of their clinical utility.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Together, these findings demonstrate a novel approach to IVM with broad applicability to modern ART practice. The controls used in this study are in line with and have produced similar to findings to those in the literature, and the outcome of this study supports findings from previous co-culture studies that found benefits of primary granulosa cells on IVM outcomes. The OSC-IVM system shows promise as a highly flexible IVM approach that can complement a broad range of stimulation styles and patient populations. Particularly for patients who cannot or prefer not to undergo conventional gonadotropin stimulation, OSC-IVM may present a viable path for obtaining developmentally competent, mature oocytes.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): A.D.N., A.B.F., A.G., B.P., C.A., C.C.K., F.B., G.R., K.S.P., K.W., M.M., P.C., S.P., and M.-J.F.-G. are shareholders in the for-profit biotechnology company Gameto Inc. P.R.J.F. declares paid consultancy for Gameto Inc. P.C. also declares paid consultancy for the Scientific Advisory Board for Gameto Inc. D.H.M. has received consulting services from Granata Bio, Sanford Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, Gameto, and Buffalo IVF, and travel support from the Upper Egypt Assisted Reproduction Society. C.C.K., S.P., M.M., A.G., B.P., K.S.P., G.R., and A.D.N. are listed on a patent covering the use of OSCs for IVM: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/492,210. Additionally, C.C.K. and K.W. are listed on three patents covering the use of OSCs for IVM: U.S. Patent Application No. 17/846,725, U.S Patent Application No. 17/846,845, and International Patent Application No.: PCT/US2023/026012. C.C.K., M.P.S., and P.C. additionally are listed on three patents for the transcription factor-directed production of granulosa-like cells from stem cells: International Patent Application No.: PCT/US2023/065140, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/326,640, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/444,108. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

PMID:37815487 | DOI:10.1093/humrep/dead205