Paeonia lactiflora improves ovarian function and oocyte quality in aged female mice.

Although ovarian aging is a key cause of decreased ovarian function and oocyte quality, it remains a problem in infertility treatment. Therefore, this study is aimed to investigate whether Paeonia lactiflora (PL), a herb improves ovarian function and oocyte quality using aged female mice. C57BL/6 female mice aged 8 months were treated orally every day with PL of 26.5 mg/kg (n=7) and 53 mg/kg (n=7) of body weight for 4 weeks using an oral zoned needle. The control group (n=7) was treated with normal saline. Ovaries and serum were collected for the H&E stain and the evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, respectively. In the second experiment, female mice were orally administered with PL (26.5 mg/kg: n=12, 53 mg/kg: n=12, control: n=12) and then superovulated with PMSG and hCG, and mated with male mice. Zygotes were retrieved and cultured for 4 days. Ovaries were provided for examination of expressions of genes associated with angiogenesis (VEGF and visfatin), anti-aging (Sirt1 and Sirt2), and follicular development (c-Kit, BMP-15, and GDF-9). PL significantly increased numbers of surviving follicles (primordial, primary, secondary, and antral), numbers of zygotes retrieved, embryo development rate, and ovarian expression of VEGF, visfatin, c-Kit, BMP-15, and GDF-9 at both doses. However, ovarian expression of Sirt1 and Sirt2 was increased at 53.0 mg/kg of PL. ROS levels were not affected by PL. These results suggest that PL may possess beneficial effects regarding ovarian function and oocyte quality, possibly by activation of ovarian angiogenesis and follicular development.

Paeonia lactiflora improves ovarian function and oocyte quality in aged female mice

Although ovarian aging is a key cause of decreased ovarian function and oocyte quality, it remains a problem in infertility treatment. Therefore, this study is aimed to investigate whether Paeonia lactiflora (PL), a herb improves ovarian function and oocyte quality using aged female mice. C57BL/6 female mice aged 8 months were treated orally every day with PL of 26.5 mg/kg (n=7) and 53 mg/kg (n=7) of body weight for 4 weeks using an oral zoned needle. The control group (n=7) was treated with normal saline. Ovaries and serum were collected for the H&E stain and the evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, respectively. In the second experiment, female mice were orally administered with PL (26.5 mg/kg: n=12, 53 mg/kg: n=12, control: n=12) and then superovulated with PMSG and hCG, and mated with male mice. Zygotes were retrieved and cultured for 4 days. Ovaries were provided for examination of expressions of genes associated with angiogenesis (VEGF and visfatin), anti-aging (Sirt1 and Sirt2), and follicular development (c-Kit, BMP-15, and GDF-9). PL significantly increased numbers of surviving follicles (primordial, primary, secondary, and antral), numbers of zygotes retrieved, embryo development rate, and ovarian expression of VEGF, visfatin, c-Kit, BMP-15, and GDF-9 at both doses. However, ovarian expression of Sirt1 and Sirt2 was increased at 53.0 mg/kg of PL. ROS levels were not affected by PL. These results suggest that PL may possess beneficial effects regarding ovarian function and oocyte quality, possibly by activation of ovarian angiogenesis and follicular development.(AU)

Paeonia lactiflora improves ovarian function and oocyte quality in aged female mice

Although ovarian aging is a key cause of decreased ovarian function and oocyte quality, it remains a problem in infertility treatment. Therefore, this study is aimed to investigate whether Paeonia lactiflora (PL), a herb improves ovarian function and oocyte quality using aged female mice. C57BL/6 female mice aged 8 months were treated orally every day with PL of 26.5 mg/kg (n=7) and 53 mg/kg (n=7) of body weight for 4 weeks using an oral zoned needle. The control group (n=7) was treated with normal saline. Ovaries and serum were collected for the H&E stain and the evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, respectively. In the second experiment, female mice were orally administered with PL (26.5 mg/kg: n=12, 53 mg/kg: n=12, control: n=12) and then superovulated with PMSG and hCG, and mated with male mice. Zygotes were retrieved and cultured for 4 days. Ovaries were provided for examination of expressions of genes associated with angiogenesis (VEGF and visfatin), anti-aging (Sirt1 and Sirt2), and follicular development (c-Kit, BMP-15, and GDF-9). PL significantly increased numbers of surviving follicles (primordial, primary, secondary, and antral), numbers of zygotes retrieved, embryo development rate, and ovarian expression of VEGF, visfatin, c-Kit, BMP-15, and GDF-9 at both doses. However, ovarian expression of Sirt1 and Sirt2 was increased at 53.0 mg/kg of PL. ROS levels were not affected by PL. These results suggest that PL may possess beneficial effects regarding ovarian function and oocyte quality, possibly by activation of ovarian angiogenesis and follicular development.

Do routine radiographs within the first two years following pediatric posterior spinal fusion prompt revision surgery?

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective review of 265 consecutive patients with scoliosis treated by posterior spinal fusion (PSF) and 2990 postoperative radiographs at a single institution. OBJECTIVE: To document implant-related complications on postoperative radiographs within the first 2 years after PSF and determine if these led to additional surgical procedures. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: To date, there is an absence of studies investing the utility of radiographs after pediatric PSF surgery. METHODS: The patient's average age was 14.9 years (8.2-21.8 yr). Positive radiographical findings included implant loosening, fracture, migration, or loss of fixation. We also noted which patients' required additional surgery for a radiographical finding and/or clinical finding (neurological deficit, intractable back pain, fever, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, c-reactive protein, or while blood cell count). RESULTS: At an average follow-up of 16.3 months (12-24), only 18 (0.60%) radiographs demonstrated a positive finding. Of these, only 5 (0.17%) radiographs (along with clinical presentation) prompted revision. No patient returned to the operating room purely from a radiographical finding. The remaining 13 (0.37%) abnormal plain images were not associated with a clinical abnormality and were managed nonoperatively. The timing of the second operation was in the range from 1 day to 23 months (average, 11 mo). Postoperative plain radiographs had a sensitivity of 26.5%, a specificity of 99.5%, and a positive predictive value of 25%. CONCLUSION: Only 0.60% of postoperative images (18/2990) demonstrated an implant-related complication, and in the absence of clinical indications, none of these patients required surgical intervention. Isolated postoperative radiographs did not lead to any change in management, and consideration should be given to reviewing current protocols for plain radiographs as a monitoring tool after PSF.