[Clinical guidelines for male infertility: controversial issues and the need to reach interdisciplinary consensus].

A review of controversial issues about the terminology on male infertility and reproductive function, which is currently used, as well as proposals for updating clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility and men in infertile couples are presented in the article. An algorithm is described, the elements of which ensure referral of patients based on the possibility and timing of restoration of reproductive function, taking into account the reproductive health of a woman, as well as increasing the likelihood of successful treatment aimed at the birth of a healthy child.

[SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE TRIBUTARIES OF INFERIOR VENA CAVA].

The results of the anatomical study of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and its tributaries on 27 fresh cadavers were analysed. It was established that in past hepatic part of IVC fall from 7 to 23 veins. The diameter of the main hepatic veins on average 12.3 mm, and back ­ 4.8 mm. In 63% of cases between the main and back hepatic veins have a free box of length 10 ­ 18 mm. Lumbar vein 2 ­ 8 pairs of branches in 92.6% of cases merge and flow into the IVC by one trunk, often closer to her left hemi circle. The diameter of the joint lumbar vein average 5.2 mm. Upper joint lumbar vein falls into the IVC at a distance of 13 ­ 23 mm from the confluence of the right renal vein. Back hepatic and joint lumbar vein may be a source of intraoperative bleeding, that is difficult to control. Identified anatomical features tributaries of IVC below the diaphragm should be borne in mind when removing blood clots from the IVC.

[PROPHYLAXIS OF THROMBOEMBOLIC COMPLICATIONS IN TRANSFASCIAL THROMBOSIS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES].

Results of examination and treatment of 339 patients, suffering an acute varicothrombophlebitis, complicated by transfascial thrombosis, were analyzed. Indications for surgical prophylaxis of pulmonary thromboembolism in transfascial thrombosis in a system of vena cava inferior were studied. After the operation in all the patients, while presence of transfascial thrombosis, not taking into account the operation radicalism, the treatment was prescribed, similar to that for the deep veins thrombosis. In the deep veins thrombosis, combined with superficial varicothrombophlebitis , an access for excision of a small subcutaneous vein of lower extremity must be differentiated, depending on spreading of thrombotic occlusion and localization of the calf veins inflowing place. Introduction of active surgical tactic in presence of floating thrombus in the ankle­popliteal venous segment secures conduction of effective prophylaxis of pulmonary thromboembolism

[FUNCTIONAL STATE OF PERIPHERAL VESSELS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES AND INTRAOSSEOUS PRESSURE IN PATIENTS, SUFFERING OBLITERATING ATHEROSCLEROSIS ON BACKGROUND OF DIABETES MELLITUS].

Results of examination of 46 patients, suffering obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities arteries solely or in combination with diabetes mellitus (DM), were analyzed. The malleolar pressure index (MPI), regional systolic pressure (RSP), velocity of the volume blood flow (VVBF), rheographic index (RI), using test with nitroglycerine, postocclusion venous pressure (POVP) and intaosseous pressure (IOP) in tibiae were studied. The RI reduction, parallel to the arterial ischemia progression, was established. The test indices with nitroglycerine in patients with obliterating atherosclerosis have reduced step by step. With coexistent DM the efficacy of nitroglycerine was practically absent. POVP is upgraded in patients of all the groups and it have lowered step by step in a laying position of the patient, and while transition into standing position--it have upgraded progressively with a progress of arterial ischemia. IOP have upgraded significantly in isolated obliterating atherosclerosis in ischemia stage 3a and have lowered--in stage 3b. In coexistent DM IOP is upgraded in ischemia stage 3b also.

[THE CHOICE OF SURGICAL TREATMENT METHOD FOR THE DEEP VEINS THROMBOSIS IN SYSTEM OF VENA CAVA INFERIOR].

There were analyzed the results of examination and treatment of 455 patients, suffering deep veins thrombosis in a system of vena cava inferior, of whom 175 (38.5%) were operated on. Inclusion of ultrasound duplex scanning, roentgencontrast phlebography, multispiral computer tomography with intravenous contrasting, radionuclide phleboscintigraphy into complex of clinic-instrumental examination of the patients gives possibility to estimate the disorders of the main trunk and collateral venous blood flow in the deep veins thrombosis, as well as to substantiate indications and choice of the operative treatment method.

[Treatment policy in critical lower limb ischaemia in patients with pronounced concomitant pathology].

The authors analyse the results of examination and treatment of 25 patients presenting with occlusive and stenotic lesions of lower-limb arteries accompanied by pronounced concomitant pathology and undergoing minimally invasive endovascular interventions. Comprehensive clinical and instrumental methods of examination (ultrasound duplex scanning, roentgen contrast angiography, multispiral computed tomography with intravenous contrasting) made it possible to work out an algorithm of surgical policy. Patency after endovascular transcutaneous balloon angioplasty and/or stenting by the end of the third year of follow up amounted to 64%, with a limb salvage rate of 68% (17 patients).

[Immediate complications of endovascular interventions in chronic ischemia of the lower extremity tissues].

The results of examination and treatment of 66 patients, suffering occlusion-stenotic affection of the lower extremities arteries, to whom transcutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty was performed, are adduced. Immediate postoperative complications after endovascular interventions have occurred in 4 (6.1%) patients. The immediate complications, causes of their occurrence, methods of treatment, ways of prophylaxis were analyzed. In 50% of patients, suffering complications of endovascular interventions in immediate postoperative period, it is possible to eliminate them, using simple prophylactic measures.

[Surgical treatment and prophylaxis of pulmonary thromboembolism for renal cancer with presence of the implantation clots of the inferior vena cava].

Surgical treatment of 91 patients, suffering the renal cell cancer (RCC), complicated by tumoral thrombosis of inferior vena cava, was analyzed. In accordance to the Mayo clinic classification, there in the patients the tumoral thrombus spreading was revealed, depending on tumoral affection of a kidney (right-sided/left-sided): level 0--in 39 (31/8); level I--in 20 (6/14); level II--in 17(12/5); level III--in 11 (11/0); level IV--in 4 (3/1). Incomplete apparatus cavaplication was performed in 32 patients. There was proved, that incomplete apparatus cavaplication constitutes an effective method of surgical prophylaxis of pulmonary thromboembolism in patients, suffering RCC.

[Treatment of venous trophic ulcers, using echoscleroobliteration of perforant veins].

In 36 patients, suffering trophic ulcers on a chronic venous insufficiency background in a decompensated stage (C6 in accordance to CEAP), echoscleroobliteration of perforant veins, using a "foam-form" method in accordance to Tessari, was performed. In 29 patients postrombophlebitic syndrome in incomplete recanalization stage was diagnosed, in 7 recurrence of varicose disease of the lower extremities. In all the patients during echoscleroobliteration there was possible to obliterate the insufficient perforant veins, in 3 patients two perforant veins were obliterated in each of them. In a one week a pathological blood flow along perforant veins, in accordance to data of ultrasound duplex scanning, was absent. This effect lasted during 6 mo in 29 (80.6%) patients. In 25 (69.4%) patients a trophic ulcers healing was achieved in 1 - 3 mo. In a one year in 30 (83.3%) patients a stable obliteration was noted, in 3 (8.3%) - partial recanalization, in 3 (8.3%) - complete recanalization of perforant veins.

Assisted reproductive technology in Europe, 2009: results generated from European registers by ESHRE.

STUDY QUESTION: The 13th European in vitro fertilization (IVF)-monitoring (EIM) report presents the results of treatments involving assisted reproductive technology (ART) initiated in Europe during 2009: are there any changes in the trends compared with previous years? SUMMARY ANSWER: Despite some fluctuations in the number of countries reporting data, the overall number of ART cycles has continued to increase year by year and, while pregnancy rates in 2009 remained similar to those reported in 2008, the number of transfers with multiple embryos (3+) and the multiple delivery rates declined. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Since 1997, ART data in Europe have been collected and reported in 12 manuscripts, published in Human Reproduction. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Retrospective data collection of European ART data by the EIM Consortium for the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE); cycles started between 1st January and 31st December are collected on a yearly basis; the data are collected by the National Registers, when existing, or on a voluntary basis. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING, METHODS: From 34 countries (-2 compared with 2008), 1005 clinics reported 537 463 treatment cycles including: IVF (135 621), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI, 266 084), frozen embryo replacement (FER, 104 153), egg donation (ED, 21 604), in vitro maturation (IVM, 1334), preimplantation genetic diagnosis/screening (PGD/PGS, 4389) and frozen oocyte replacements (FOR, 4278). European data on intrauterine insemination using husband/partner's semen (IUI-H) and donor (IUI-D) semen were reported from 21 and 18 countries, respectively. A total of 162 843 IUI-H (+12.7%) and 29 235 IUI-D (+17.3%) cycles were included. Data available from each country are presented in the tables; total values (as numbers and percentages) refer to those countries where all data have been reported. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: In 21 countries where all clinics reported to the ART register, a total of 399 020 ART cycles were performed in a population of 373.8 million, corresponding to 1067 cycles per million inhabitants. For IVF, the clinical pregnancy rates per aspiration and per transfer were 28.9 and 32.9%, respectively and for ICSI, the corresponding rates were 28.7 and 32.0%. In FER cycles, the pregnancy rate per thawing was 20.9%; in ED cycles, the pregnancy rate per transfer was 42.3%. The delivery rate after IUI-H was 8.3 and 13.4% after IUI-D. In IVF and ICSI cycles, 1, 2, 3 and 4+ embryos were transferred in 24.2, 57.7, 16.9 and 1.2%, respectively. The proportions of singleton, twin and triplet deliveries after IVF and ICSI (combined) were 79.8, 19.4 and 0.8%, respectively, resulting in a total multiple delivery rate of 20.2%, compared with 21.7% in 2008, 22.3% in 2007, 20.8% in 2006 and 21.8% in 2005. In FER cycles, the multiple delivery rate was 13.0% (12.7% twins and 0.3% triplets). Twin and triplet delivery rates associated with IUI cycles were 10.4/0.7% and 10.3/0.5%, following treatment with husband and donor semen, respectively. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The method of reporting varies among countries, and registers from a number of countries have been unable to provide some of the relevant data such as initiated cycles and deliveries. As long as data are incomplete and generated through different methods of collection, results should be interpreted with caution. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The 13th ESHRE report on ART shows a continuing expansion of the number of treatment cycles in Europe, with more than half a million of cycles reported in 2009. The use of ICSI has reached a plateau. Pregnancy and delivery rates after IVF and ICSI remained relatively stable compared with 2008 and 2007. The number of multiple embryo transfers (3+ embryos) and the multiple delivery rate have shown a clear decline.

[Radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy in patients with renal cell cancer complicated by tumoral thrombosis of the renal vein and vena cava inferior].

Surgical treatment was conducted in 81 patients, suffering renocellular cancer (RCC), complicated by a renal vein and vena cava inferior thrombosis. According to the Mayo clinic classification, the level of a tumoral thrombus spread was established: the 0 level--in 37 patients, the level I--in 19, the level II--in 17, the level III --in 6, and the level IV--in 2. There were substantiated the optimal surgical accesses and technique of radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy for RCC, complicated by a renal vein and vena cava inferior thrombosis. It is recommended to apply transabdominal accesses: the extended median laparotomic, bilateral subcostal of a "Chevron" or "Mercedes" type. There was shown, that the access choice depends on the level of the tumoral thrombus localization.

[Endovascular interventions for critical ischemia of the lower extremities].

There were analyzed the results of examination and treatment of 12 patients, suffering critical ischemia of the lower extremities tissues in the occlusion-stenotic affection of the femoro-popliteo-tibial segment vessels, to whom miniinvasive endovascular interventions were done. Complex clinico-instrumental examination of the patients (ultrasound duplex scanning, roentgenocontrast angiography, multispiral CT with intravenous contrasting) have permitted to substantiate the indications for conduction of endovascular interventions for critical ischemia of the lower extremities. The zone of reconstruction passability was confirmed after performance of endovascular transcutaneous balloon angioplasty in the follow-up terms up to 1 year in 9 (75%) patients, the lower extremities were saved in 10 (83.3%).

Assisted reproductive technology in Europe, 2007: results generated from European registers by ESHRE.

BACKGROUND: This 11th European IVF-monitoring report presents the results of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments initiated in Europe during 2007. METHODS: From 33 countries, 1029 clinics reported 493 184 treatment cycles: IVF (120 761), ICSI (256 642), frozen embryo replacement (91 145), egg donation (15 731), preimplantation genetic diagnosis/preimplantation genetic screening (4638), in vitro maturation (660) and frozen oocytes replacements (3607). Overall, this represents a 7.6% increase since 2006, mostly related to an increase in all registers. IUI using husband/partner's (IUI-H) and donor (IUI-D) semen was reported from 23 countries: 142 609 IUI-H (+6.2%) and 26 088 IUI-D (+7.2%). RESULTS: In 18 countries where all clinics reported, 376 971 ART cycles were performed in a population of 425.6 million (886 cycles per million). The clinical pregnancy rates per aspiration and per transfer were 29.1 and 32.8% for IVF, and 28.6 and 33.0% for ICSI. Delivery rate after IUI-H was 10.2% in women aged < 40 years. In IVF/ICSI cycles, 1, 2, 3 and ≥4 embryos were transferred in 21.4, 53.4, 22.7 and 2.5% of cycles, with no decline in the number of embryos per transfer since 2006. The proportion of multiple deliveries (22.3: 21.3% twin and 1.0% triplet), did not decrease compared with 2006 (20.8%) and 2005 (21.8%). In women < 40 years undergoing IUI-H, twin deliveries occurred in 11.7% and triplets in 0.5%. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with previous years, the reported number of ART cycles in Europe increased in 2007; pregnancy rates increased marginally, but the earlier decline in the number of embryos transferred and multiple births did not continue.

Assisted reproductive technology in Europe, 2008: results generated from European registers by ESHRE.

BACKGROUND: This 12th European IVF-monitoring (EIM) report presents the results of treatments involving assisted reproductive technology (ART) initiated in Europe during 2008. METHODS: From 36 countries (3 more compared with 2007), 1051 clinics reported 532 260 treatment cycles including: IVF (124 539), ICSI (280 552), frozen embryo replacements (FER, 97 120), egg donation (ED, 13 609), in vitro maturation (IVM, 562), preimplantation genetic diagnosis/screening (PGD/PGS, 2875) and frozen oocyte replacements (FOR, 4080). Overall, this represents a 7.9% increase in the activity since 2007, which is mainly related to an increase in cycles from almost all registers and only partially to the new countries entering EIM (Estonia, Kazakhstan, Moldova and Romania, 5480 cycles in total). European data on intrauterine insemination using husband/partner's (IUI-H) and donor (IUI-D) semen were reported from 27 and 21 countries, respectively. A total of 144 509 IUI-H (+1.5%) and 24 960 IUI-D (-4.3%) cycles were included. RESULTS: In 19 countries where all clinics reported to the ART register, a total of 350 143 ART cycles were performed in a population of 369.8 million, corresponding to 947 cycles per million inhabitants. For IVF, the clinical pregnancy rates per aspiration and per transfer were 28.5 and 32.5%, respectively, and for ICSI the corresponding rates were 28.7 and 31.9%. In FER cycles, the pregnancy rate per thawing was 19.3%. The delivery rate after IUI was 9.1% for IUI-H and 13.8% for IUI-D. In IVF and ICSI cycles, one, two, three and four or more embryos were transferred in 22.4, 53.2, 22.3 and 2.1%, respectively. The proportions of singleton, twin and triplet deliveries after IVF and ICSI (combined) were 78.3, 20.7 and 1.0%, respectively, resulting in a total multiple delivery rate of 21.7%, compared with 22.3% in 2007, 20.8% in 2006 and 21.8% in 2005. In FER cycles, the multiple delivery rate was 13.7% (13.4% twins and 0.3% triplets). In women undergoing IUI, twin and triplet deliveries occurred in 10.6% and 0.7% with IUI-H and in 9.4 and 0.3% with IUI-D, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with previous years, there was an increase in the reported number of ART cycles in Europe. For the first time in 5 years, the pregnancy rates failed to show a year-on-year increase. Compared with 2007, the number of transfers of multiple embryos (3+) and a multiple delivery rate showed a marginal decline.

[Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells of desquamated endometrium: isolation, characterization and use as feeder layer for maintenance of human embryonic stem cell lines].

In this study, we characterize new multipotent human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) lines derived from desquamated (shedding) endometrium in menstrual blood. The isolated endometrial MSC (eMSC) is an adhesive to plastic heterogeneous population composed mainly of endometrial glandular and stromal cells. The established cell lines meet the criteria of the International Society for Cellular Therapy for defining multipotent human MSC of any origin. The eMSCs have positive expression of CD73, CD90, CD105, CD13, CD29, CD44 markers and the absence of expression of the hematopoietic cell surface antigens CD19, CD34, CD45, CD117, CD130 and HLA-DR (class II). Multipotency of the established eMSC is confirmed by their ability to differentiate into other mesodermal cell types such as osteocytes and adipocytes. Besides, the isolated eMSC lines partially (over 50%) express the pluripotency marker SSEA-4, but do not express Oct-4. Immunofluorescent analysis of the derived cells revealed the expression of the neural precursor markers nestin and beta-III-tubulin. This suggests a neural predisposition of the established eMSC. These cells are characterized by high rate of cell proliferation (doubling time 22-23 h) and high cloning efficiency (about 60%). In vitro the eMSCs undergo more than 45 population doublings revealing normal karyotype without karyotipic abnormalilies. We demonstrate, that the mititotically inactivated eMSCs are perfect feeder cells for human embryonic stem cell lines (hESC) C612 and C910. The eMSC being a feeder culture maintain the pluripotent status of the hESC, which is revealed by the expression of Oct-4, alkaline phosphatase and SSEA-4. When co-culturing, hESC retain their morphology, proliferative rate for more than 40 passages and capability for spontaneous differentiation into embryoid bodies comprising the three embryonic germ layers. Thus, an easy and non-invasive extraction of the eMSC in menstrual blood, their multipotency and high proliferative activity in vitro without karyotypic abnormalities demonstrate the potential of use of these stem cells in regenerative medicine. Using the derived eMSCs as the feeder culture eliminates the risks associated with animal cells while transferring hESC to clinical setting.

Assisted reproductive technology in Europe, 2006: results generated from European registers by ESHRE.

BACKGROUND: In this 10th European IVF-monitoring (EIM) report, the results of assisted reproductive techniques from treatments initiated in Europe during 2006 are presented. Data were mainly collected from existing national registers. METHODS: From 32 countries, 998 clinics reported 458 759 treatment cycles including: IVF (117 318), ICSI (232 844), frozen embryo replacement (FER, 86 059), egg donation (ED, 12 685), preimplantation genetic diagnosis/screening (6561), in vitro maturation (247) and frozen oocytes replacements (3498). Overall this represents a 9.7% increase in activity since 2005, which is partly due to an increase in registers (seven more countries with complete coverage). European data on intrauterine insemination using husband/partner's (IUI-H) and donor (IUI-D) semen were reported from 22 countries. A total of 134 261 IUI-H and 24 339 IUI-D cycles were included. RESULTS: In 20 countries, where all clinics reported to the IVF register, a total of 359 110 assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles were performed in a population of 422.5 million, corresponding to 850 cycles per million inhabitants. For IVF, the clinical pregnancy rates per aspiration and per transfer were 29.0 and 32.4%, respectively. For ICSI, the corresponding rates were 29.9 and 33.0%. After IUI-H the delivery rate was 9.2% in women below 40. After IVF and ICSI the distribution of transfer of one, two, three and four or more embryos was 22.1, 57.3, 19.0 and 1.6%, respectively. Compared with 2005, fewer embryos were replaced per transfer, but significant national differences in practice were apparent. The proportion of singleton, twin and triplet deliveries after IVF and ICSI combined was 79.2, 19.9 and 0.9%, respectively. This gives a total multiple delivery rates of 20.8% compared with 21.8% in 2005 and 22.7% in 2004. IUI-H in women below 40 years of age resulted in 10.6% twin and 0.6% triplet pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with previous years, the reported number of ART cycles in Europe has increased, pregnancy rates have increased marginally, even though fewer embryos were transferred and the multiple delivery rates have declined.

Photoluminescence of self-trapped excitons in boron nitride nanotubes.

The excitation energy dependence and temperature dependence of photoluminescence from boron nitride nanotubes and hexagonal BN powder samples are reported. The results are discussed within a model attributing the broad 3.2 eV luminescence from these samples to self-trapped excitons in the low-dimensional structures of BN nanotubes and of nano-arch surface reconstructions on h-BN sheet edge faces in powder. An empirical model accounting for the unusual combination of excitation and temperature dependence of photoluminescence seen in these measurements is suggested. For the model to be consistent with the hypothesis of self-trapped excitons on BN nanotubes, it may be necessary to show that the cores of multiwall nanotubes are selectively probed by light tuned below the h-BN exciton.

[The reasons and frequency of early reocclusion origin in vessels of femoro-popliteal-tibial segment].

Main reasons and frequency of early postoperative thrombotic complications were analyzed. The frequency of early postoperative thrombosis in vessels of femoro-popliteal-tibial segment composed 19.1%. The most frequency of early reocclusion observed after the femoro-tibial reconstructive operations (in 32.4% patients), the least--after femoro-popliteal grafting at above knee level (in 14.1%). The main reason for early reocclusion is an inadequate estimation of distal arteries damage.

[Classification of arterial reocclusion of the femoro-popliteo-tibial segment for the choice of the reconstruction method].

The literature data, concerning the issues of terminology and classification of occlusion and reocclusion of the femoro-popliteo-tibial segment arteries were analyzed. Basing on analysis of the results of clinico-instrumental investigations performed, classification of the femoro-popliteo-tibial segment arteries reocclusion was proposed, which it is expedient to apply while making choice of the rereconstruction method.