Supplementation with autologous adipose stem cell-derived mitochondria can be a safe and promising strategy for improving oocyte quality.

PURPOSE: In our previous study, we confirmed that the supplementation of vitrified-warmed murine oocytes with autologous adipose stem cell (ASC)-derived mitochondria during intracytoplasmic sperm injection enhances post-fertilization developmental competence in mice. To ensure the safety of this technology, we conducted a thorough study in mice to investigate the potential presence of specific malformations in offspring developed from this approach. METHODS: A transgenerational comparative analysis was conducted on founder mice from embryos that developed after mitochondrial supplementation, and two subsequent generations. Reproductive performance, body growth rate, histopathological parameters, hematological parameters, daily activity patterns, and daily body temperature changes in male and female mice across these three generations were assessed in comparison to wild-type mice of the same age. RESULTS: Both male and female animals in all three generations showed comparable reproductive performance to the control group. Additionally, body growth rate by the age of 8 weeks were found to be comparable to controls across all three generations. Notably, no significant histopathological abnormalities were detected in vital organs, including the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, ovaries, and testes, in any individuals from the studied cohorts. The blood parameters were consistent with the control data. The continuous monitoring of activity and body temperature changes (both day and night) over a 1-week period revealed a pattern closely resembling that observed in the control animals. CONCLUSION: Injection of ASC-mitochondria into oocytes may be a promising technique to support developmental potential without causing adverse epigenetic events in the offspring in mice. However, before considering clinical application, additional safety screening using larger animals or non-human primates is essential.

Exploring the Impact of Endometrioma Aspiration and Dienogest Combination Therapy on Cyst Size, Inflammatory Cytokines in Follicular Fluid and Fertility Outcomes.

Endometriomas (chocolate cysts) are cystic lesions that can develop on ovaries, and are characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue or similar tissue. Such lesions can cause a decline in the number and quality of oocytes, and lead to implantation failure. In this study, we retrospectively assessed the efficacy of repeated endometrioma aspiration and dienogest combination therapy in patients suffering endometriosis-associated infertility with endometriomas. A comparison was made between a treated group that underwent combination therapy followed by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) (n = 30) and a control group that did not undergo treatment (n = 40), at the IVF Osaka Clinic from September 2019 to September 2021. There were no differences in patient background between the two groups. A reduction in endometrioma size continued for 12 months after treatment. The numbers of follicles that developed to 15 mm or greater in size following COH and mature oocytes were significantly lower in the treated group compared to those in the control group. The levels of inflammatory cytokines in the follicular fluid significantly decreased in the treated group (p < 0.05). In patients in the treated group who underwent a second ova retrieval, the results were compared between those in the first ova retrieval (immediately after the end of treatment) and those in the second ova retrieval (four months after the first retrieval). The numbers of follicles following COH, retrieved, mature and fertilized ova were significantly increased in the second ova retrieval.

Mitochondrial Transfer into Human Oocytes Improved Embryo Quality and Clinical Outcomes in Recurrent Pregnancy Failure Cases.

One of the most critical issues to be solved in reproductive medicine is the treatment of patients with multiple failures of assisted reproductive treatment caused by low-quality embryos. This study investigated whether mitochondrial transfer to human oocytes improves embryo quality and provides subsequent acceptable clinical results and normality to children born due to the use of this technology. We transferred autologous mitochondria extracted from oogonia stem cells to mature oocytes with sperm at the time of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in 52 patients with recurrent failures (average 5.3 times). We assessed embryo quality using the following three methods: good-quality embryo rates, transferable embryo rates, and a novel embryo-scoring system (embryo quality score; EQS) in 33 patients who meet the preset inclusion criteria for analysis. We also evaluated the clinical outcomes of the in vitro fertilization and development of children born using this technology and compared the mtDNA sequences of the children and their mothers. The good-quality embryo rates, transferable embryo rates, and EQS significantly increased after mitochondrial transfer and resulted in 13 babies born in normal conditions. The mtDNA sequences were almost identical to the respective maternal sequences at the 83 major sites examined. Mitochondrial transfer into human oocytes is an effective clinical option to enhance embryo quality in recurrent in vitro fertilization-failure cases.

Relation between semen oxidative reduction potential in initial semen examination and IVF outcomes.

Purpose: The MiOXSYS system is a new technique to analyze the semen oxidative reduction potential (ORP) that may use to classify the level of sperm DNA integrity. It does not clearly explain how the semen ORP values could help to change the IVF outcomes. We have analyzed correlations between semen ORP value and the IVF results. Methods: Four hundred and thirty couples were enrolled. The male counterparts were divided into two groups according to their semen ORP values and compared the fertilization rate, cell cleavage rate, and embryo quality, following the IVF procedures. The relations between ORP values and the clinical pregnancy, live birth, and abortion rates were analyzed. Results: The ORP values show negative and positive correlations with some conventional semen parameters. The fertilization and the cleavage rate did not show any differences in those two groups, but the transferable embryo rate was significantly high in patients with high semen ORP. However, the patients with high ORP show a tendency to lower clinical pregnancy with a low abortion rate compared to the low ORP group. Conclusion: The main purpose of measuring the ORP value in semen is still questionable and shows controversial results.

Influence of climatic conditions in the mesothermal climate area on pregnancies following elective fresh single blastocyst transfer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of climatic parameters in the mesothermal climate area on clinical pregnancy and live birth following fresh single blastocyst transfer. METHODS: This study investigated clinical pregnancies and live births that resulted from 555 ovarian stimulation cycles followed by fresh single blastocyst transfer. The samples were stratified according to climatic conditions (low T, temperature < 12.9 °C; middle T, 12.9 °C ≤ temperature < 22.6 °C; high T, temperature ≥ 22.6 °C; low H, relative humidity < 62.1%; middle H, 62.1% ≤ relative humidity < 66.5%; high H, relative humidity ≥ 66.5%; short S, sunlight duration < 5.2 h; middle S, 5.2 h ≤ sunlight duration < 6.7 h; long S, sunlight duration ≥ 6.7 h). Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates among three groups from each climatic parameter were compared. Multivariable analyses were performed to investigate the effects of climatic conditions on blastocyst development, endometrial thickness, clinical pregnancy, and live birth. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found in pregnancy rates among low T (48.8%), middle T (37.3%), and high T (36.6%) groups. Multivariable analyses revealed that temperature was associated with clinical pregnancy and live birth rates with adjustment for patient age, BMI, type of ovarian stimulation, endometrial thickness, and expansion grade of the transferred blastocyst. The association between climatic parameters and blastocyst development and endometrial thickness was not confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that lower temperatures in the mesothermal climate area could favorably affect the rates of clinical pregnancy and live birth achieved by fresh single blastocyst transfer.

Prevention of intrauterine fetal growth restriction by administrating C1q/TNF-related protein 6, a specific inhibitor of the alternative complement pathway.

PURPOSE: The latest treatments do not sufficiently prevent miscarriage and fetal growth restriction (FGR) in pregnant women. Here, we assessed the effects of a human protein, CTRP6, that specifically inhibits the activation of the alternative complement pathway on miscarriage, fetal and placental development. METHODS: Pregnant CBA/J mice mated with DBA/2 male mice as a model of spontaneous abortion and FGR were randomly divided into the control and CTRP6 groups. In the CTRP6 group, the mice were intravenously administered CTRP6 on days 4.5 and 6.5 post-conception (dpc). The abortion rate and fetal and placental weights on 14.5 dpc were examined. Remodeling of the spiral artery was also assessed. RESULTS: The abortion rate in the CTRP6 group (13%) was reduced compared to the control group (21%), but there was no statistical difference. The placental and fetal weights in the CTRP6 group were also heavier than those in the control (P < 0.05). Moreover, the thickness of the blood vessel wall in the CTRP6 group was significantly thinner than that in the control (P < 0.05) and comparable to that in the non-abortion model (CBA/J x BALB). The ratio of the inner-per-the-outer diameter of the spiral artery increased more in the CTRP6 group than that in the control (P < 0.05). As well, the Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio was significantly reduced by CTRP6 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the supplementation with a protein that regulates the alternative complement pathway in vivo improves FGR and promotes spiral artery remodeling in a mouse model of miscarriage and FGR.

Mitochondrial function of human embryo: Decline in their quality with maternal aging.

Background: Female fertility declines with age, due to increased chromosomal aneuploidy and possible reduced mitochondrial function in the embryo. Methods: This review outlines how mitochondrial function in human embryos, as predicted from oxygen consumption rate (OCR) measurements, changes in preimplantation stage, and what factors, particularly maternal age, affect mitochondrial function in embryos. Main findings: The structure of the mitochondrial inner membrane and its respiratory function developed with embryo development, while the copy number of mitochondrial DNA per specimen was transiently reduced compared with that of the oocyte. The undifferentiated state of the inner cell mass cells appears to be associated with a low OCR. In contrast, the copy number of mitochondrial DNA increased in trophoblast cells and mitochondrial aerobic metabolism increased.The OCRs at morulae stage decreased with maternal age, but there was no relationship between maternal age and the copy number of mitochondrial DNA at any stages. The higher oxygen spent at the morula stage; the shorter time was needed for development to the mid-stage blastocyst. Conclusions: The mitochondrial respiratory function of human embryos developed along with embryonic growth. Mitochondrial function at morula stage declined with their maternal age and reduced mitochondrial function decreased the rate of development from morula to blastocyst.

The novel oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist relugolix is a new option for controlled ovarian stimulation cycles.

Purpose: Relugolix is an oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRHant), which was first introduced in 2019. This study investigated the effects of the conventional injectable GnRHant formulation and this new oral GnRHant formulation on controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) cycles. Methods: Relugolix was administered in 126 cycles and conventional GnRHant injection was administered in 658 cycles (controls). The follicle stimulation was performed by an antagonist method, and for final oocyte maturation, recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (rHCG), or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), or both (dual trigger) were selected. The number of retrieved oocytes was counted and then they were evaluated for subsequent development up to cleavage stage. Results: The number of retrieved oocytes which was the primary outcome of this research was affected by the combination of GnRHant type and the final oocyte maturation agent. The combination of relugolix and a GnRHa trigger showed a significantly lower number of retrieved oocytes (p < 0.001) than the other combinations. Conclusions: Relugolix is a new option for COS cycles, but should be carefully combined with the final maturation agent. Clinical trial approval: This study was conducted after approval by the Medical Corporation Sankeikai Institutional Ethics Committee (approval number: 2019-34).

Analysis of clinical outcomes and meiotic segregation modes following preimplantation genetic testing for structural rearrangements using aCGH/NGS in couples with balanced chromosome rearrangement.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of PGT-SR by array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) or next-generation sequencing (NGS) in preventing recurrent miscarriages. Methods: Thirty one couples with balanced translocation who underwent 68 PGT-SR cycles between 2012 and 2020 were evaluated. A total of 242 blastocysts were biopsied for aCGH or NGS. The genetically transferable blastocysts were transferred in the subsequent frozen-thawed single embryo transfer cycle. Results: The genetically transferable blastocyst rate was 21.2% (51/241). Thirty five genetically transferable blastocysts were transferred into the uterine cavity. The clinical pregnancy rate was 57.1% (20/35), and the ongoing pregnancy rate was 100.0% (20/20). The incidence of interchromosomal effect (ICE) was influenced by ovarian stimulation protocol, female age, and carrier's gender, but dependent on the types of balanced translocation carriers. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in meiotic segregation modes in ovarian stimulation protocols and carrier's gender. Interestingly, the incidence of adjacent-1 segregation in ≧40 years group increased significantly compared with <35 years group. Conclusions: For the first time in Japan, we show the effectiveness of PGT-SR using aCGH or NGS, which enables comprehensive analysis of chromosomes, in the prevention of recurrent miscarriages. Furthermore, our results may support better genetic counseling of balanced translocation carriers for PGT-SR cycles.

Usefulness of combined NGS and QF-PCR analysis for product of conception karyotyping.

Purpose: Since chromosomal abnormalities can be detected in more than half of miscarriages, cytogenetic testing of the product of conception (POC) can provide important information when preparing for a subsequent pregnancy. Conventional karyotyping is the common diagnostic method for a POC but can be problematic due to the need for cell culture. Methods: We here conducted shallow whole-genome sequencing (sWGS) using next-generation sequencing (NGS) for alternative POC cytogenomic analysis. Since female euploidy samples can include 69,XXX triploidy, additional QF-PCR was performed in these cases. Results: We here analyzed POC samples from miscarriages in 300 assisted reproductive technology (ART) pregnancies and detected chromosomal abnormalities in 201 instances (67.0%). Autosomal aneuploidy (151 cases, 50.3%) was the most frequent abnormality, consistent with prior conventional karyotyping data. Mosaic aneuploidy was detected in seven cases (2.0%). Notably, the frequency of triploidy was 2.3%, 10-fold lower than the reported frequency in non-ART pregnancies. Structural rearrangements were identified in nine samples (3%), but there was no case of segmental mosaicism. Conclusions: These data suggest that NGS-based sWGS, with the aid of QF-PCR, is a viable alternative karyotyping procedure that does not require cell culture. This method could also assist with genetic counseling for couples who undergoes embryo selection based on PGT-A data.

Full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicon analysis of human gut microbiota using MinION™ nanopore sequencing confers species-level resolution.

BACKGROUND: Species-level genetic characterization of complex bacterial communities has important clinical applications in both diagnosis and treatment. Amplicon sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene has proven to be a powerful strategy for the taxonomic classification of bacteria. This study aims to improve the method for full-length 16S rRNA gene analysis using the nanopore long-read sequencer MinION™. We compared it to the conventional short-read sequencing method in both a mock bacterial community and human fecal samples. RESULTS: We modified our existing protocol for full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing by MinION™. A new strategy for library construction with an optimized primer set overcame PCR-associated bias and enabled taxonomic classification across a broad range of bacterial species. We compared the performance of full-length and short-read 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing for the characterization of human gut microbiota with a complex bacterial composition. The relative abundance of dominant bacterial genera was highly similar between full-length and short-read sequencing. At the species level, MinION™ long-read sequencing had better resolution for discriminating between members of particular taxa such as Bifidobacterium, allowing an accurate representation of the sample bacterial composition. CONCLUSIONS: Our present microbiome study, comparing the discriminatory power of full-length and short-read sequencing, clearly illustrated the analytical advantage of sequencing the full-length 16S rRNA gene.

Effects of exposure to methylglyoxal on sperm motility and embryonic development after fertilization in mice.

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a precursor for the generation of endogenous advanced glycation end-products involved in various diseases, including infertility. The present study evaluated the motility and developmental competence after in vitro fertilization of mouse sperm which were exposed to MG in the capacitation medium for 1.5 h. Sperm motility was analyzed using an SQA-V automated sperm quality analyzer. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and DNA damage were assessed using flow cytometry. The matured oocytes were inseminated with MG-exposed sperm, and subsequently, the fertilization and embryonic development in vitro were evaluated in vitro. The exposure of sperm to MG did not considerably affect the swim-up of sperm but resulted in a deteriorated sperm motility in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with a decreased mitochondrial activity. However, these effects was not accompanied by obvious ROS accumulation or DNA damage. Furthermore, MG diminished the fertilization rate and developmental competence, even after normal fertilization. Collectively, a short-term exposure to MG during sperm capacitation had a critical impact on sperm motility and subsequent embryonic development after fertilization. Considering that sperm would remain in vivo for up to 3 days until fertilization, our findings suggest that sperm can be affected by MG in the female reproductive organs, which may be associated with infertility.

Mural granulosa cells support to maintain the viability of growing porcine oocytes and its developmental competence after insemination.

PURPOSE: To enhance the in vitro growth of porcine oocytes, we studied the effect of mural granulosa cells (MGCs) on the viability of oocytes attached to granulosa cells (oocyte-granulosa cell complexes, OGCs) that were obtained from early antral follicles. METHODS AND RESULTS: When OGCs were cultured with MGCs for 12 days, there were significant improvement (P < 0.05) in the robustness of gap junctional communication between the oocyte and the granulosa cells (82% vs. 59%), the survival rate of oocytes (57% vs. 39%), and the diameter of survived oocytes (118 µm vs. 112 µm). The rate of oocyte release of OGCs cultured with MGCs on the 12th day (1.9%) was significantly lower than that of OGCs cultured without MGCs (26%). Complete meiotic arrest was maintained in the group with MGCs (100%), while partial resumption of spontaneous meiosis was noticed in the absence of MGCs (10-19%). Furthermore, the presence of MGCs increased the oocyte maturation rate after maturation culture in both 12- and 14-day culture groups (P < 0.05, 85-88%) compared to OGCs cultured without MGCs (48-60%). MGCs also significantly improved the blastocyst formation rate (day 7) after ICSI (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data of this study thus shows that the presence of MGCs during in vitro oocyte growth plays a crucial role in supporting the developmental competence of growing porcine oocytes attached to the granulosa cells via enhancement of their viability.

Effect of X-ray exposure during hysterosalpingography on capabilities of female germ cells.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the effect of X-ray exposure during hysterosalpingography (HSG) on subsequent laboratory outcomes in in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS: A total of 1458 oocytes, consisting of 990 oocytes retrieved from 70 women (89 cycles) who underwent HSG prior to IVF and 468 oocytes from 45 women (57 cycles) who underwent IVF without HSG, were evaluated for their retrieval number, maturity, fertilization, and development post fertilization. X-ray exposure during HSG was recorded as reference air kerma (RAK) (mGy). Subjects were stratified according to the amount of RAK (Nil: IVF without HSG, L-RAK: RAK < 16.23, mH-RAK: RAK ≥ 16.23). The number of oocytes retrieved, oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo development was compared among 3 groups. Further, multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the effect of X-ray exposure on laboratory outcomes in IVF. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the fertilization rate among 3 groups (Nil: 71.6%, L-RAK: 80.5%, mH-RAK: 78.3%). The good-quality blastocyst rate in mH-RAK (46.2%) was significantly higher than L-RAK (35.3%) and Nil (32.4%). Multivariate analyses revealed that X-ray exposure was associated with higher fertilization, higher blastocyst development, and higher good-quality blastocyst development rates with adjustment for patient age, BMI, ovarian stimulation types, and fertilization methods. Association between X-ray exposure and the number of oocytes retrieved, and oocyte maturation was not confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that X-ray exposure of the female reproductive organs during HSG could enhance the potential of oocytes rather than adversely.

Treatment with Laevo (L)-carnitine reverses the mitochondrial function of human embryos.

PURPOSE: Laevo (l)-carnitine plays important roles in reducing the cytotoxic effects of free fatty acids by forming acyl-carnitine and promoting beta-oxidation, leading to alleviation of cell damage. Recently, the mitochondrial functions in morula has been shown to decrease with the maternal age. Here, we assessed the effect of l-carnitine on mitochondrial function in human embryos and embryo development. METHODS: To examine the effect of L-carnitine on mitochondrial function in morulae, 38 vitrified-thawed embryos at the 6-11-cell stage on day 3 after ICSI were donated from 19 couples. Each couple donated two embryos. Two siblings from each couple were divided randomly into two groups and were cultured in medium with or without 1 mM L-carnitine. The oxygen consumption rates (OCRs) were measured at morula stage. The development of 1029 zygotes cultured in medium with or without L-carnitine was prospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Addition of L-carnitine to the culture medium significantly increased the OCRs of morulae and improved the morphologically-good blastocyst formation rate per zygote compared with sibling embryos. Twenty healthy babies were born from embryos cultured in L-carnitine-supplemented medium after single embryo transfers. CONCLUSION(S): L-carnitine is a promising culture medium supplement that might be able to counteract the decreased mitochondrial function in human morula stage embryos.

A novel embryo quality scoring system to compare groups of embryos at different developmental stages.

PURPOSE: To construct a new embryonic quality scoring system to compare groups of embryos at different developmental stages. METHODS: Based on a hypothesis that the implantation potential of any embryo in an ovum pickup (OPU) cycle remains the same at any stage of development, be it day 2, 3, or 5, a new embryo quality scoring (EQS) system was designed. It was based on the analysis of the clinical results of 1610 single embryo transfers. We validated this scoring system in the comparison of embryonic quality between groups by evaluating the mean scores calculated at day 2, day 3, and day 5 for 957 embryos (150 cycles) from 3 different groups. We then compared EQSs of patients with pregnancy favorable factors (group A) such as young age and high AMH levels, with the patients with contra features (group B). RESULTS: We confirmed that each mean EQS assessed at different stages of embryonic development within the same group was similar. The mean EQSs on day 3 and day 5 in group A were significantly higher than the mean EQSs on days 2, 3, and 5 in group B. CONCLUSION: The novel EQS system proposed by us enables embryonic quality comparison between groups of embryos at different developmental stages.

Reproductive medical providers' behaviors, considerations, and plans for fertility treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: A nationwide web-based survey.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted reproductive medical providers' behaviors and considerations, including their concerns regarding the necessity of fertility treatments. METHODS: A web-based questionnaire was distributed to Japan Society of Fertilization and Implantation (JSFI) members from May 18 through May 31, 2020 to survey their professional behaviors and concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Most survey participants reported a decrease in the number of patients and a decrease in their workload. Most also believe that the use of fertility treatments will return to the pre-pandemic levels after the COVID-19 pandemic ends. Additionally, more than half of the participants reported that they consider fertility treatment neither necessary nor unnecessary during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: At the institute where reproductive medical providers worked in Japan, the number of outpatients and the working time tended to decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, amid fears of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic, the reproductive medical providers working at fertility institutes in Japan have remained engaged in their work with a sense of mission and hope.

Mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate of human embryos declines with maternal age.

PURPOSE: The fertility of women decreases with age because of factors such as an increased incidence of aneuploidies and-possibly-decreased mitochondrial activity in oocytes. However, the relationship between maternal aging and mitochondrial function of their embryos remains unknown. Here, we assessed the relationship between maternal age and mitochondrial functions in their oocytes and embryos METHODS: The relationships between maternal age and oxygen consumption rates (OCRs), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy numbers, or blastocyst development was investigated using 81 embryos donated from 63 infertility couples. The developmental rates from morulae to blastocysts were retrospectively analyzed using data of 105 patients. RESULTS: The OCRs of morulae decreased with maternal age (r2 = 0.48, P < 0.05) although there were no relationships between maternal age and mtDNA copy number in any stages. The more oxygen consumed at the morula stage, the shorter time was required for embryo development to the mid-stage blastocyst (r2 = 0.236, P < 0.05). According to the clinical data analysis, the developmental rate from morulae to blastocysts decreased with maternal age (P < 0.05, < 37 years, 81.1%, vs. ≥ 37 years, 64.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The data of the present study revealed that mitochondrial function at the morula stage of human embryos decreased with their maternal age and a decrease of mitochondrial function led to slow-paced development and impaired developmental rate from morulae to blastocysts.

High-Speed Measurement of Shape and Vibration: Whole-Field Systems for Motion Capture and Vibration Modal Analysis by OPPA Method.

In shape measurement systems using a grating projection method, the phase analysis of a projected grating provides accurate results. The most popular phase analysis method is the phase shifting method, which requires several images for one shape analysis. Therefore, the object must not move during the measurement. The authors previously proposed a new accurate and high-speed shape measurement method, i.e., the one-pitch phase analysis (OPPA) method, which can determine the phase at every point of a single image of an object with a grating projected onto it. In the OPPA optical system, regardless of the distance of the object from the camera, the one-pitch length (number of pixels) on the imaging surface of the camera sensor is always constant. Therefore, brightness data for one pitch at any point of the image can be easily analyzed to determine phase distribution, or shape. This technology will apply to the measurement of objects in motion, including automobiles, robot arms, products on a conveyor belt, and vibrating objects. This paper describes the principle of the OPPA method and example applications for real-time human motion capture and modal analysis of free vibration of a flat cantilever plate after hammering. The results show the usefulness of the OPPA method.

Characterizing the gut microbiota in females with infertility and preliminary results of a water-soluble dietary fiber intervention study.

Despite the advances in assisted reproductive technology, approximately 8-12% of the individuals worldwide who are willing to conceive are unable to do so. Fertility depends on a receptive state of the endometrium and hormonal adaptations as well as the immune system. Local and systemic immunities are greatly influenced by the microbiota. The aim of the present study was to compare the gut microbiota in female patients with that in infertility with fertile control subjects and to evaluate the effect of prebiotic partially hydrolyzed guar gum supplementation on gut dysbiosis and the outcome of pregnancy in patients treated with assisted reproductive technology. Dietary fiber can reconstitute the host intestinal microbiota and modify the immune function; however, clinical data regarding the effect of dietary fiber treatment on the success of assisted reproductive technology is lacking. To investigate the gut microbiota in fertile and infertile females, we conducted 16S metagenomic analysis of fecal samples. In total 18 fertile female subjects and 18 patients with infertility matched by age were recruited, and fecal samples were obtained to analyze the gut microbiome using 16S rRNA V3-V4 sequencing. The unweighted and weighted principal coordinate analyses showed a trend indicating microbial structural differences in ß-diversity between these two groups. The abundance of the phylum Verrucomicrobia was higher in patients with infertility. At the genus level, a decrease in the abundance of the genera Stenotrophomonas, Streptococcus, and Roseburia and an increase in the abundance of the genera Unclassified [Barnesiellaceae] and Phascolarctobacterium was observed in patients with infertility. Twelve patients agreed to receive the combined therapy comprising embryo transfer by assisted reproductive technology and oral supplementation with partially hydrolyzed guar gum. The success of pregnancy by this combined therapy was 58.3% (7/12), and the failure was 41.7% (5/12). Predictive factors for pregnancy before treatment were characterized by a decrease in the abundance of Paraprevotella and Blautia and an increase in the abundance of Bifidobacterium. Predictive factors for pregnancy before treatment were characterized by a decrease in the abundance of Paraprevotella and Blautia and an increase tendency in the abundance of Bifidobacterium. In conclusion, the present study showed differences in the abundance of gut microbiota between fertile and infertile groups; moreover, partially hydrolyzed guar gum supplementation helped improve gut dysbiosis and the success of pregnancy in females with infertility.