The sequential embryo transfer compared to blastocyst embryo transfer in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle in patients with the three repeated consecutive IVF. A randomized controlled trial.

The purpose of this study was to determine the pregnancy rate in the double sequential transfer of embryos on both day 3 and day 5 compared to day 5 alone, in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF/ET) in patients with the three repeated consecutive IVF failures. In this controlled trial, women scheduled for IVF/ET with the three repeated consecutive IVF failures were randomized to either sequential transfer of embryos on day 2 and on day 5 after ovum pick-up (group 1, n = 60) or blastocyst ET on day 5 (group 2, n = 60) as a control group. The primary outcome measures were the chemical and clinical pregnancy rate. Baseline and cycle characteristics were comparable in both groups. Chemical and clinical pregnancy rate was similar in the sequential ET group (40%) compared to the day 5 of ET group (38.3%) (p value = .85). It seems that the double ET does not increase the chance of pregnancy rate compared to blastocyst ET on day 5 in the patients with the three repeated IVF-ET failures.

Risk of obstructive sleep apnea in African American patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: It is widely known that patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) commonly experience sleep disruption. Many of these patients have the associated diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, little is known about the risk factors for developing OSA in the CRS population. OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk factors for OSA in CRS to determine who should be screened for OSA among patients with CRS. METHODS: We evaluated a large cohort of patients with confirmed diagnostic criteria for CRS. Patient medical records were reviewed to identify those with OSA confirmed by overnight polysomnography. Records were further reviewed for demographic information (age, sex, race, and ethnicity), body mass index, and medical history, including the presence of nasal polyps, asthma, aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, allergic rhinitis, and eczema. The number of endoscopic sinus operations, duration of CRS, presence of subjective smell loss, and computed tomography Lund-Mackay score were also ascertained. RESULTS: A total of 916 patients with CRS were included in the study. Implementation of a multivariable regression model for identifying adjusted risk factors revealed that African American patients had a significantly higher risk for OSA than white patients, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.98 (95% confidence interval, 1.19-3.29). Furthermore, patients with CRS without nasal polyps were at higher risk for OSA, with an odds ratio of 1.63 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-2.61) compared with patients with CRS with nasal polyps. CONCLUSION: African American patients with CRS were at higher risk for OSA compared with white patients, and this patient group needs to be screened for OSA.

Snack Food, Satiety, and Weight.

In today's society, snacking contributes close to one-third of daily energy intake, with many snacks consisting of energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods. Choices made with regard to snacking are affected by a multitude of factors on individual, social, and environmental levels. Social norms, for example, that emphasize healthful eating are likely to increase the intake of nutrient-rich snacks. In addition, satiety, the feeling of fullness that persists after eating, is an important factor in suppressing overconsumption, which can lead to overweight and obesity. Thus, eating snacks between meals has the potential to promote satiety and suppress overconsumption at the subsequent meal. Numerous studies have explored the relation between snack foods and satiety. These studies concluded that whole foods high in protein, fiber, and whole grains (e.g., nuts, yogurt, prunes, and popcorn) enhance satiety when consumed as snacks. Other foods that are processed to include protein, fiber, or complex carbohydrates might also facilitate satiety when consumed as snacks. However, studies that examined the effects of snack foods on obesity did not always account for satiety and the dietary quality and portion size of the snacks consumed. Thus, the evidence concerning the effects of snack foods on obesity has been mixed, with a number of interventional and observational studies not finding a link between snack foods and increased weight status. Although further prospective studies are warranted to conclusively determine the effects of snack foods on obesity risk, the consumption of healthful snacks likely affects satiety and promotes appetite control, which could reduce obesity.

A Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Local Endometrial Injury on the Clinical Pregnancy Rate of Frozen Embryo Transfer Cycles in Patients With Repeated Implantation Failure.

Objective: Repeated implantation failure (RIF) is a condition in which the embryos implantation decreases in the endometrium. So, our aim was to evaluate the effect of local endometrial injury on embryo transfer results. Materials and methods: In this simple randomized clinical trial (RCT), a total of 120 patients were selected. The participants were less than 40 years old, and they are in their minimum two cycles of vitro fertilization (IVF). Patients were divided randomly into two groups of LEI (Local endometrial injury) and a control group (n = 60 in each group). The first group had four small endometrial injuries from anterior, posterior, and lateral uterus walls which were obtained from people who were in 21th day of their previous IVF cycle. The second group was the patients who have not received any intervention. Results: The experimental and control patients were matched in the following factors. Regarding the clinical pregnancy rate, there was no significant difference noted between the experimental and the control group. Conclusion: Local endometrial injury in a preceding cycle does not increase the clinical pregnancy rate in the subsequent FET cycle of patients with repeated implantation failure.

Pregnancy outcome after blastocyst stage transfer comparing to early cleavage stage embryo transfer.

Blastocyst transfer has been introduced as an alternative for improving the chance for in vitro fertilizations (IVF) implantation. The present study was to evaluate pregnancy rates when embryo transfer was performed either on day 2-3 (cleavage stage) or on day 4-5 (blastocyst stage). This randomized clinical trial included 118 infertile women. All the study subjects underwent controlled ovarian stimulation using a long protocol and randomized into two groups. BS group (n = 57), the culture was extended to day 5 (blastocyst stage) and in the CS-group (n = 61), embryo culture was continued to day 3 (cleavage stage). Ongoing pregnancies, abortion, implantation rate were evaluated. No significant differences were seen in the pregnancy rate between the two groups (33.3% in the BS group versus 27.9% in the CS group; p = 0.519). Abortion, implantation rate in two groups are not significant. Despite the lack of statistical difference between the two study groups, our data suggest that blastocyst transfer may be associated with a higher pregnancy and an overall better implantation rates. However, further studies with larger sample size are mandatory to confirm these findings.

Artificial Endometrial Preparation for Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer with or without Pretreatment with Depot Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonist in Women with Regular Menses.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reproductive outcome of artificial endometrial preparation with exogenous steroids for frozen-thawed embryo transfer with and without pre-treatment with depot gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) in women with regular menses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective randomized clinical trial conducted in two ART centers on 176 women undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer. All patients received oral estradiol valerate 4 mg daily from day 2 to day 5 and 6 mg per day from day 6 to the day of the pregnancy test. In day 13 of cycle, an ultrasound examination was performed. After ultrasound confirmation of endometrial thickness (≥8 mm) and no ovarian activity, progesterone in cyclogest supp (800 mg daily) was added. The dose of estradiol would be increased to 8 mg per day if the endometrial thickness was less than 8mm. Two or 3 embryos were transferred via transcervical route 48 hours after the beginning of progesterone administration. In group A (93 patients), Difereline (3.75 mg Im), as a depot GnRH agonist was administered in the midluteal phase (day 21) of previous cycle. In the other group B (n = 83) steroid supplementation was commenced without prior pituitary suppression. Chemical and clinical pregnancy rates were compared in two groups. RESULTS: No significant differences were seen between two groups in terms of chemical pregnancy and clinical pregnancy rates. CONCLUSION: The findings support the artificial protocol without any pretreatment suppressive drugs to reduce the adverse side effects of GnRH agonists also to minimize the costs.