Uterine peristalsis exerts control over fluid migration after mock embryo transfer.

STUDY QUESTION: What is the effect of uterine peristalsis on fluid migration after mock embryo transfer? SUMMARY ANSWER: Uterine peristaltic wave frequency was positively correlated with the distance that fluid moved after it was deposited in the uterine cavity. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Embryos have been found outside the uterine cavity after embryo transfer. It has been suggested that uterine contractions expelled these embryos. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A prospective cohort study of a total of 112 infertile women was conducted between March 2013 and May 2013. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Uterine peristaltic activity was assessed before and after a mock embryo transfer, in which 20 µl of ultrasound contrast agent was placed in the uterine lumen 3 days after ovulation in a natural cycle. The movement of this fluid was measured by ultrasound at 0, 15 and 30 min after placement. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The uterine peristaltic wave frequency was significantly higher after than before mock transfer (3.06 ± 0.99 versus 2.24 ± 0.74, P < 0.01). At the conclusion of the 30-min monitoring period, the fluid had remained in place (N = 94), leaked into the cervix (N = 5), or moved into the Fallopian tubes or the cornua of the uterus (N = 11). The fluid movement was positively correlated with uterine peristaltic wave frequencies before (r = 0.518, P < 0.01) and after embryo transfer (r = 0.371, P < 0.01) and uterine peristaltic wave frequency was significantly higher both before and after embryo transfer in cases where the fluid was extruded. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Mock embryo transfer was performed in the luteal phase of a natural cycle instead of a controlled ovarian stimulation cycle. The endometrial environment and uterine peristalsis may be different in a stimulated cycle. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Uterine peristalsis exerts control over embryo migration and could adversely affect the chances of pregnancy if the wave frequency is too high. It could be used as a predictor of uterine irritability before embryo transfer. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): The authors declare that they have not received any particular study funding and do not have competing interests in this study.

[Ultrasonographic evaluation of adrenal masses].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the diagnostic value of ultrasonography on adrenal masses. METHOD: Retrospectively analyzed the ultrasonographic features of 116 patients who suffered from adrenal masses, which were verified histologically after operation. RESULTS: Of all patients, the correct rate of localization and determination is 94.8% and 93.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography can be considered as an accurate means of scanning adrenal masses.

[Evaluation of two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasonography in diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate diagnostic value of two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasonography in peritoneal mesothelioma. METHODS: Ten cases of ultrasonograms and color Doppler ultrasonographic manifestations in 3 cases of them were analysed and compared with the outcome of surgery and pathology. RESULTS: Images of 8 cases were showed to be hypoechoic mass which some had no-echoic area; 5 to be ascites; 5 to be peritoneal thickness. With color Doppler, we saw the mass which is rich in the blood flow. CONCLUSION: Combining clinical manifestations, ultrasonography is of benefit to initial diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma.

Evaluation of nitrate tolerance in patients with coronary heart disease by vascular ultrasonography and treadmill exercise.

The aim of this study was to evaluate nitrate tolerance in patients with coronary heart diseases by vascular ultrasonography and treadmill exercise. According to the dosage interval of isosorbide dinitrate, 66 patients with coronary heart disease were divided into group A and group B in a random, control and double-blind method. Isosorbide dinitrate was given every 6 hours in group A and every 12 hours in group B for one week. Before and after the therapeutic period, the diameters of brachial arteries were measured by vascular ultrasonography at baseline and 5 min after sublingual administration of 10 mg isosorbide dinitrate, and the treadmill exercise test was performed in all subjects. The results showed that diameters of brachial arteries were increased significantly after sublingual isosorbide dinitrate in both groups before the therapeutic period. After the therapeutic period, dilation of brachial arteries induced by sublingual isosorbide dinitrate was more marked in group B than in group A. Compared with those before the therapeutic period, sigmaST segment depression decreased and treadmill walking time increased significantly in group B but not in group A after the therapeutic period. These findings suggest that less frequent doses of isosorbide dinitrate may prevent development of nitrate tolerance, which is confirmed by vascular ultrasonography combined with treadmill exercise in patients with coronary heart disease.

Pharmacokinetics of buthionine sulfoximine (NSC 326231) and its effect on melphalan-induced toxicity in mice.

Intravenous doses of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO, NSC 326231), an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, were eliminated rapidly from mouse plasma in a biexponential manner. The initial phase of the plasma concentration versus time curve had a half-life of 4.9 min and accounted for 94% of the total area under the curve. The half-life of the terminal phase of the curve was 36.7 min and the area accounted for only 6% of the total area under the curve. Plasma clearance of BSO was 28.1 ml/min/kg and the steady state volume of distribution was 280 ml/kg. The oral bioavailability of BSO, based on plasma BSO levels, was extremely low. However, comparable glutathione depletion was apparent after i.v. and p.o. doses of BSO, suggesting a rapid tissue uptake and/or metabolism of BSO. Therefore, due to the rapid elimination of BSO from mouse plasma, plasma drug levels do not directly correlate with BSO-induced tissue glutathione depletion. Administration of multiple i.v. doses of BSO to male and female mice resulted in a marked 88% depletion of liver glutathione at doses of 400-1600 mg/kg/dose. Toxicity of i.v. administered BSO was limited to a transient depression of peripheral WBC levels in female mice given six doses of 1600 mg/kg. Multiple i.v. doses of BSO of up to 800 mg/kg/dose (every 4 h for a total of six doses) did not alter the toxicity of i.v. administered melphalan. However, multiple doses of 1600 mg/kg/dose of BSO did potentiate histopathological evidence of melphalan-induced bone marrow toxicity in 30% of the mice and, additionally, the combination of BSO and melphalan produced renal tubular necrosis in 80% of the male mice. The potentiation of melphalan induced toxicity did not appear to be related to GSH depletion, since: quantitatively similar amount of GSH depletion occurred at lower dose of BSO without any increase in melphalan toxicity.