Unilateral Kidney Agenesis and other Kidney Anomalies in Infertile Men with Congenital Bilateral Absence of Vas deferens: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: We aim to determine the prevalence of renal anomalies in patients with congenital vas deferens agenesis referred for infertility assessment.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on eligible infertile men from 2016 to 2019. Infertile men who were suspected of obstructive azoospermia were referred to the Ultrasound ward and they were examined by abdominal ultrasound for detecting the genital and kidney anomalies. An informed consent form was filled out by patients. Data was entered into SPSS software 21. Patients were divided into two groups in terms of congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD) or congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens (CUAVD). Using the Chi-square test kidney anomalies between groups were compared. The P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The mean age of participants was 33.05 ± 6.35. The frequency of CBAVD was 66 and the frequency of left side VD and right side VD were 23 and 21, respectively. The percentage of other comorbidities was calculated. Out of 110 cases, 12 (11%) men had coexistence of vas deferens and kidney agenesis. Other studies are in agreement with our findings. Although the percentage of CBAVD and CUAVD were 9.1% and 1.8% respectively, the difference was not significant (P=0.07).
Conclusion: Considering the fact that kidney agenesis is a remarkable congenital anomaly that coexists with the majority of vas deferens agenesis cases and could not be detected by routine laboratory tests or transrectal ultrasound
examination, it should be ruled out with transabdominal ultrasound examination after detection of vas deferens agenesis.

Pain Perception and Side Effects During Saline Infusion Sonohysterography With a Balloon Catheter: A Randomized Comparative Study of Cervical Versus Intrauterine Catheter Placement.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate whether the site of the balloon placement into either the uterine cavity or cervical canal can affect the intensity of pain during sonohysterography. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, women who underwent saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS) were randomized to intracervical or intrauterine balloon placement between May 2012 and May 2014. The examination was scheduled at the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. The primary outcome measures included the degree of pain after inflation and then after deflation of the balloon catheter. Data were analyzed on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle for each woman who underwent SIS. RESULTS: A total of 300 infertile women were assigned to the treatment groups. There were no significant differences in inflation and deflation pain and the total procedure time between the 2 groups. The total volume of required saline for adequate distention of the cavity was significantly lower in the cervical group than the intrauterine group (p = .015). Nulliparous women had insignificantly more pain after the initial inflation of the balloon compared with multiparous women (p = .069). The pain score was not associated with patients' age, the volume of the saline infused, the presence of intrauterine abnormality, and the procedure time. CONCLUSIONS: Intracervical catheter placement did not reduce pain during or after SIS. However, intracervical balloon insertion requires a less-significant volume of saline compared with intrauterine placement, leading to a reduced risk of intrauterine infection and the spread of malignant endometrial cells into the peritoneal cavity at the time of the procedure.

Contrasting effects of G1.2/G2.2 and SOF1/SOF2 embryo culture media on pre- and post-implantation development of non-transgenic and transgenic cloned goat embryos.

This study compared the efficiency of two embryo culture media (SOF1/SOF2 and G1.2/G2.2) for pre- and post-implantation development of somatic cell nuclear transfer goat embryos derived from non-transgenic and transgenic (for htPA and hrcfIX genes) fibroblasts. Despite similar cleavage rates, G1.2/G2.2 supported significantly higher blastocyst development than SOF1/SOF2 (30-35% versus 21%; P < 0.05), irrespective of cell transgenesis. However, following embryo transfer, pregnancy outcomes (establishment, full-term development and live birth) were all significantly higher (P < 0.05) for embryos developed in SOF1/SOF2 versus G1.2/G2.2. Gene expression profiling of 17 developmentally important genes revealed that: (i) SOX2, FOXD3, IFNT, FZD, FGFR4, ERK1, GCN5, PCAF, BMPR1, SMAD5, ALK4, CDC25 and LIFR were significantly induced in blastocysts developed in SOF1/SOF2 but not G1.2/G2.2; (ii) OCT4, CTNNB and CDX2 were similarly expressed in both groups; and (iii) AKT was significantly higher in G1.2/G2.2 than SOF1/SOF2 (P < 0.05). Following IVF, although blastocyst development in G1.2/G2.2 was significantly higher than SOF1/SOF2 counterparts, the majority of assessed genes were similarly expressed in blastocysts developed in both groups. It was concluded that the long-term programming effects of embryo culture medium and/or embryo production method may irreversibly affect post-implantation development of cloned embryos through defined molecular pathways.

Intra-renal arterial injection of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells ameliorates cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in a rhesus Macaque mulatta monkey model.

BACKGROUND: Clinically, acute kidney injury (AKI) is a potentially devastating condition for which no specific therapy improves efficacy of the repair process. Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) are proven to be beneficial for the renal repair process after AKI in different experimental rodent models, but their efficacy in large animals and humans remains unknown. This study aims to assess the effect of autologous rhesus Macaque mulatta monkey BM-MSC transplantation in cisplatin-induced AKI. METHODS: We chose a model of AKI induced by intravenous administration of 5 mg/kg cisplatin. BM-MSCs were transplanted through intra-arterial injection. The animals were followed for survival, biochemistry analysis and pathology. RESULTS: Transplantation of 5 × 10(6) cells/kg ameliorated renal function during the first week, as shown by significantly lower serum creatinine and urea values and higher urine creatinine and urea clearance without hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, proteinuria and polyuria up to 84 d compared with the vehicle and control groups. The superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle-labeled cells were found in both the glomeruli and tubules. BM-MSCs markedly accelerated Foxp3+ T-regulatory cells in response to cisplatin-induced damage, as revealed by higher numbers of Foxp3+ cells within the tubuli of these monkeys compared with cisplatin-treated monkeys in the control and vehicle groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that BM-MSCs in this unique large-animal model of cisplatin-induced AKI exhibited recovery and protective properties.

Hysterosalpingography finding in intra uterine adhesion (asherman' s syndrome): a pictorial essay.

Destruction of the endometrium due to trauma to the basal layer of endometrium may cause intra uterine adhesions, known as Asherman's syndrome (AS). There are various types of imaging method for diagnosis of the intra uterine adhesion such as hysterosalpingography, sonohysterography, ultrasonography, and hysteroscopy which is considered as the gold standard approach. Hysterosalpingogram may suggest the presence of intrauterine adhesions, and may reveal the extent of the scar formation. Knowing different images in each technique is helpful in detection of intra uterine adhesion.

Diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal sonography in the detection of uterine abnormalities in infertile women.

BACKGROUND: Accurate diagnosis of uterine abnormalities has become a core part of the fertility work-up. A variety of modalities can be used for the diagnosis of uterine abnormalities. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) in uterine pathologies of infertile patients using hysteroscopy as the gold standard. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the Department of Reproductive Imaging at Royan Institute from October 2007 to October 2008. In this study, the medical documents of 719 infertile women who were investigated with transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) and then hysteroscopy were reviewed. All women underwent hysteroscopy in the same cycle time after TVS. Seventy-six out of 719 patients were excluded from the study and 643 patients were studied. TVS was performed in the follicular phase after cessation of bleeding. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for TVS. Hysteroscopy served as the gold standard. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for TVS in the diagnosis of uterine abnormality was 79%, 82%, 84% and 71%, respectively. The sensitivity and PPV of TVS in detection of polyp were 88.3% and 81.6%, respectively. These indices were 89.2% and 92.5%, respectively for fibroma, 67% and 98.3%, respectively for subseptated uterus and 90.9% and 100%, respectively for septated uterus. Adhesion and unicornuated uterus have the lowest sensitivity with a sensitivity of 35% and PPV of 57.1%. CONCLUSION: TVS is a cost-effective and non-invasive method for diagnosis of intrauterine lesions such as polyps, submucosal fibroids and septum. It is a valuable adjunctive to hysteroscopy with high accuracy for identification and characterization of intrauterine abnormalities. This may lead to a more precise surgery plan and performance.

Epigenetic modification does not determine the time of POU5F1 transcription activation in cloned bovine embryos.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of epigenetic modification on pattern, time and capacity of transcription activation of POU5F1, the key marker of pluripotency, in cloned bovine embryos. METHODS: Bovine fibroblasts were stably transfected with POU5F1 promoter-driven enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). This provided a visible marker to investigate the effect of post-activation treatment of cloned bovine embryos with trichostatin A (TSA) on time and capacity of POU5F1 expression and its subsequent effect on in vitro development of cloned bovine embryos. RESULTS: Irrespective of TSA treatment, POU5F1 expression was not detected until 8-16 cell stage, but was detected in both inner cell mass and trophectoderm at the blastocyst stage. TSA treatment significantly increased POU5F1 expression, and the yield and quality of cloned embryo development compared to control. CONCLUSION: The POU5F1 expression of cloned embryos is strictly controlled by the stage of embryo development and may not be altered by TSA-mediated changes occur in DNA-methylation and histone-acetylation of the genome.

Somatic cell-induced hyperacetylation, but not hypomethylation, positively and reversibly affects the efficiency of in vitro cloned blastocyst production in cattle.

5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (AzC), trichostatin A (TSA), and its natural mimetic, sodium butyrate (NaB), are antineoplastic drugs that can modify the epigenetic status of donor cells prior to somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). In this study, we used fibroblast cells treated with these drugs to investigate the direct and indirect effects of induced changes in DNA methylation and acetylation of the lysine 9 residue of histone H3 (H3K9). Additionally, we assayed cellular characteristics (cell growth, cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis) and SCNT efficiency in response to these drugs as well as monitoring these effects 24 h after removing the drugs. We observed the following: (1) AzC, TSA, and NaB all showed dose-dependent effects on different cellular characteristics; (2) TSA and NaB induced H3K9 hyperacetylation accompanied by DNA hypermethylation, whereas AzC induced DNA hypomethylation with no effect on H3K9 hyperacetylation; (3) TSA and NaB improved cloning efficiency, whereas AzC reduced it; and (4) unlike AzC, the effects of TSA and NaB on cellular characteristics and SCNT efficiency were reversed following drug removal. Our results indicate that somatic cells treated with TSA and NaB show better survival and recovery rates following the removal of these drugs. Moreover, H3K9 hyperacetylation (induced with TSA and NaB), but not DNA hypomethylation (induced with AzC), favors cloning efficiency.

Quantum dot labeling using positive charged peptides in human hematopoetic and mesenchymal stem cells.

Quantum dots (QDs), as new and promising fluorescent probes, hold great potential in long term non-invasive bio-imaging, however there are many uncovered issues regarding their competency. In the present study, different QDs (525, 585 and 800 nm) were used to label CD133, CD34, CD14 and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) using positively charged peptides. Results demonstrated highly efficient internalization with the possible involvement of macropinocytosis. As indicated by LDH release and the TUNEL assay, no measurable effects on cell viability were detected at a concentration of 10 nM. QDs did not have any deleterious effects on normal cell functionality where both labeled CD133(+) cells and MSCs remarkably differentiated along multiple lineages with the use of the colony forming assay and adipo/osteo induction, respectively. Our results regarding QD maintenance revealed that these nano-particles are not properly stable and various excretion times have been observed depending on particle size and cell type. In vitro co-culture system and transplantation of labeled cells to an animal model showed that QDs leaked out from labeled cells and the released nano-particles were able to re-enter adjacent cells over time. These data suggest that before any utilization of QDs in bio-imaging and related applications, an efficient intra-cellular delivery technique should be considered to preserve QDs for a prolonged time as well as eliminating their leakage.

Lack of beneficial effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in patients with subacute myocardial infarction undergoing late revascularization: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Early clinical studies have suggested that administration of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) may improve the clinical condition of patients suffering from myocardial infarction (MI).This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled single-centre trial aims to assess the safety and clinical efficacy of G-CSF administration in patients with subacute MI and impaired LV function undergoing delayed primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: A total of 16 patients (13 men, mean age 51 years) with subacute ST-segment elevation MI and a left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) of less than 45% at baseline who underwent late revascularization, were included in the study. Patients were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive either G-CSF (at a dose of 10 microg/kg body weight) or placebo for five consecutive days. End points consisted of assessment of safety parameters as well as changes of global and regional myocardial function from baseline until six months following PCI. RESULTS: G-CSF administration resulted in a significant mobilization of different cell populations (four-fold increase in WBC count and a six-fold increase in CD34+ cells). G-CSF treatment was well tolerated in most patients and no major adverse cardiac events or severe G-CSF-related side effects were identified during hospitalization and at follow-up. No significant differences were observed between the G-CSF and placebo groups regarding global and regional myocardial function parameters. CONCLUSION: G-CSF administration is safe, but not effective, in improving impaired LV functional parameters in patients with subacute MI who had an impaired baseline EF of less than 45%.

De novo complex chromosomal rearrangement of 46, XY, t (3; 16; 8) (p26; q13; q21.2) in a non-obstructive azoospermic male.

Complex Chromosomal Rearrangements (CCRs) are rare structural abnormalities that are usually associated with infertility or subfertility in male carriers. We described clinical and chromosomal features of a non-obstructive azoospermic male that has been referred for infertility. Cytogenetic analysis showed three chromosomes, i.e. 3, 8 and 16, which have been involved and caused spermatogenesis failure.