Comparison of embryo morphokinetics following intracytoplasmic sperm injection in smoker and non-smoker couples: Are the results different?

OBJECTIVE: To assess early embryo development via time-lapse in smokers and non-smokers. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at Novafertil IVF centers in Konya, Turkey and comprised oocytes of both smoker and non-smoker couples subjected to in vitro fertilisation / introcytoplasmic sperm injection from 2012 to 2015. Age, basal follicle-stimulating hormone, number of stimulation days, amount of gonadotropin used, number of metaphase II oocytes, number of embryos transferred and pregnancy, abortus and clinical pregnancy rates were noted. The embryos were observed for 72 hours in the time-lapse monitoring system. SPSS 22 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 257 couples, 132(51.4%) were non-smokers and 125(48.6%) were smokers. A total of 1,414 oocytes were collected from non-smokers and 1,280 oocytes from smokers. There was no significant difference in the age of patients and number of stimulation days between the smoker and non-smoker groups (p>0.05). The number of oocytes, fertilised oocytes, transferred embryos and metaphase II oocytes was significantly less in the smoker group (p<0.05). The rate of pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy was also lower in the smoker group (p<0.05). A difference was observed in time of pronuclei appearance, t8, t9+ cleavage times in time-lapse in the smoker and non-smoker groups (p<0.05). A prolongation was observed in time to pronuclear fading and t2 cleavage times in time-lapse in the non-smoker group (p<0.05). Some chromosomal number and structural defects were identified in pre-implantation genetic in some embryos with prolongation in time-lapse cleavage time in the smoker and non-smoker groups. CONCLUSIONS: The negative impacts of smoking were not observed at each cleavage phase of embryo development in time-lapse.

GnRH agonist triggering affects the kinetics of embryo development: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effects of an ovulation triggering agent, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), versus a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) on early embryo development in vitro using a time-lapse system. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database. A total of 739 embryos from 152 infertile couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. INTERVENTIONS: Embryo culture in a time-lapse incubator (EmbryoScope, Vitrolife, Göteborg, Sweden). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Embryo morphokinetic parameters. RESULTS: In the 152 women, 252 embryos were derived from GnRHa-triggered cycles compared with 487 embryos derived from hCG-triggered cycles. Time-lapse analysis revealed that embryos from cycles triggered by a GnRHa cleaved faster than embryos derived from hCG-triggered cycles. CONCLUSION: Triggering with a GnRHa in in vitro fertilization cycles affects embryo kinetics.

[Investigation of biofilm-associated antibiotic susceptibilities of methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolated from catheter-related nosocomial infections]. / Kateter ile iliskili hastane enfeksiyonlarindan izole edilen metisiline dirençli stafilokoklarda biyofilm ile iliskili antibiyotik duyarliliginin arastirilmasi

Risks for development of local and/or systemic infections are the most important complications of catheters that are widely used during hospitalization process. The aims of this study were to investigate and compare the antibiotic susceptibilities of methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolated from catheters, in planktonic and biofilm forms, and to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of antibiotics on those forms alone and in combinations. A total of 30 strains [15 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 15 methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MR-CNS)] isolated from catheter cultures of patients hospitalized in different clinics and intensive care units in Baskent University Medical School Hospital between 2006-2009, were included in the study. The antibiotic sensitivities of MRSA and MR-CNS isolates were investigated in vitro in planktonic phase and on sessile cells after biofilm was formed. Vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, rifampicin, gentamicin, meropenem, tigecycline, linezolid, ceftazidime and cephazolin were used for antibiotic susceptibility testing. The sensitivity of planktonic cells to antibiotics was primarily investigated, so that minimal inhibitor concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were determined by broth microdilution method. Afterwards, each strain was transformed to sessile cell in a biofilm environment, and MIC and MBC values were also determined for sessile cells. Double and triple antibiotic combinations were prepared, the effectiveness of combinations were studied on both planktonic and biofilm cells with multiple-combination bactericidal testing (MCBT) method. The data set obtained from planktonic and biofilm cells for each antibiotic analyzed via two proportion z test. Statistically significant decreases were found in the sensitivities of sessile cells when compared to planktonic cells (p< 0.01). The tests performed with the use of double and triple antibiotic combinations also showed the susceptibility decrease between planktonic and biofilm forms to be significant in most of the combinations (p< 0.01). The comparison of double and triple antibiotic combinations against planktonic and sessile cells as determined by the inhibition of more than 90% of the strains, revealed no significant difference . Vancomycin and tigecycline were the most effective antibiotics for all isolates in planktonic and sessile cells. Combinations containing vancomycin and rifampicin showed the best activity both double and triple antibiotic combinations against biofilm. In conclusion, our data indicated that combination therapy, especially double combinations of antibiotics seem to be a rational approach for biofilm-related infections.

[The performance of two different chromogenic media for the diagnosis of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing strains]. / Genislemis spektrumlu beta-laktamaz ureten suslarin tanisinda iki farkli kromojenik agarin performansi.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performances of 2 different chromogenic media for the detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. isolated from different clinical samples of patients who were admitted to Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Adana Application and Research Hospital between September to November 2007. A total of 365 strains [251 were ESBL positive and 114 were negative by double disc synergy (DDS) test] of which 255 were E. coli and 110 were Klebsiella spp. were included to the study. All the isolates have been inoculated onto Drigalski agar (prepared following the formula described by Stürenburg et al.) and chromID ESBL agar (bioMérieux, France) and the production of ESBL were evaluated at 4th and 24th hours for Drigalski agar, and at 24th hours for chromID ESBL agar. The strains which yielded contradictory results by DDS test and chromogenic media, were tested for the presence of TEM, SHV and CTX-M genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The number of ESBL positive strains on Drigalski agar at 4th and 24th hours were 238 and 235, respectively, while chromID ESBL agar detected 259 ESBL positive strains at 24th hours. All (100%) of the 159 ESBL positive E. coli strains by DDS test were also found positive on chromID ESBL agar, and 150 (94.3%) were found positive on Drigalski agar. These rates were detected as 100% (92/92) and 92.3% (85/92) for Klebsiella spp. isolates. Eight of the strains (2 E. coli, 6 Klebsiella spp.) which yielded negative results by DDS test but positive on chromlD ESBL agar, harboured SHV (n = 1), CTX-M (n = 6) and TEM + CTX-M (n = 1) genes detected by PCR. As a result, the consistency of the results obtained by Drigalski agar at 4th and 24th hours has indicated that this medium may provide advantages in rapid diagnosis of ESBL producing bacteria in routine laboratories. The data obtained for chromogenic media seemed to be favourable for the rapid diagnosis of ESBL production, however comparative studies with the use of standard reference methods are needed in order to determine diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of these media.

[Activity of tigecycline on planktonic and sessile cells of Acinetobacter baumannii]. / Tigesiklinin Acinetobacter baumannii planktonik ve biyofilm hücrelerine etkisi.

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important pathogen, capable of survival for very long periods on various surfaces in the hospital environment. Tigecycline is a commonly used antimicrobial agent especially for the treatment of resistant infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of tigecycline on both planktonic and sessile biofilm cells of A. baumannii strains isolated from blood cultures and to compare the efficiency in terms of biofilm synthesis. Tigecycline activity on 59 A. baumannii strains was examined by agar dilution technique. The ability of strains to form biofilm was evaluated by adherence on polystyrene surfaces in brain heart infusion broth supplemented with 0.25% glucose. Time-kill technique was used for determination of the time and concentration dependent activity of tigecycline on biofilm positive and negative strains. The planktonic cells in logarithmic growth phase were exposed to tigecycline at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, ve 8 x minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) concentrations and colony counts were evaluated after 0, 2, 4, 6, 24 and 48 hours. The effect of tigecycline on sessile cells was studied on biofilm matrix composed around plastic beads. Tigecycline susceptibility rate of planktonic cells was 89.8% and MIC50 and MIC90 values were 1 and 2 microg/ml, respectively. Biofilm formation was detected in 52.5% of isolates and no significant correlation was found between MIC values and biofilm production of the strains (p > 0.05). Tigecycline showed a potent antibacterial activity against planktonic cells regardless of biofilm forming capability of strains. Biofilm inhibitory concentrations of sessile cells were elevated significantly. As a result, tigecycline showed a potent activity on planktonic A. baumannii cells however, the effect was decreased significantly on sessile cells in biofilm environment. The results suggest that, the possibility of decreased sensitivity of cells in biofilm environment should be considered as well as antibiotic sensitivity test results during the treatment of infections caused by A. baumannii.

Synthesis and antioxidant properties of novel N-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine and 4-methyl-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thione derivatives of benzimidazole class.

Some novel 1-methyl-4-(2-(2-substitutedphenyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)acetyl)thiosemicarbazides (16a-20a), 5-[(2-(substitutedphenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)methyl]-N-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amines (17b-20b), and 5-[(2-(substitutedphenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)methyl-4-methyl-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thiones (16c-20c) were synthesized and tested for antioxidant properties by using various in vitro systems. Compounds 16a-20a were found to be a good scavenger of DPPH radical (IC(50), 26 microM; IC(50), 30 microM; IC(50), 43 microM; IC(50), 55 microM; IC(50), 74 microM, respectively) when compared to BHT (IC(50), 54 microM). Noteworthy results could not be found on superoxide radical. Compound 19b, which is the most active derivative inhibited slightly lipid peroxidation (28%) at 10(-3)M concentration. Compound 17c inhibited the microsomal ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity with an IC(50)=4.5 x 10(-4)M which is similarly better than the specific inhibitor caffeine IC(50)=5.2 x 10(-4)M.