Características clínicas e histopatológicas de melanoma subungueal en 57 pacientes mexicanos: una cohorte de 5 años / Clinical and Histopathologic Features of Subungual Melanoma in 57 Mexican Patients: A 5-Year Cohort Study

El melanoma subungueal es un tumor poco común, con peor pronóstico comparado con los de otras localizaciones. Corresponde al 1-23% de los melanomas, según la población. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las características clínicas e histopatológicas del melanoma subungueal en la población mexicana. Se incluyeron 57 pacientes con melanoma subungueal (19% de los 303 melanomas totales), con una mediana de edad de 71 años. La localización predominante fueron los miembros inferiores (52,6% de los melanomas subungueales) y el primer dedo (75,4% de los casos). El subtipo histológico más frecuente fue el acral lentiginoso (50,9%). La mediana de Breslow fue de 3mm. El estadio IA fue el más frecuente (28,1%). Se encontró una tasa de recurrencia del 19,3% y de metástasis del 8,8%. Las características clínico-patológicas fueron semejantes a lo descrito en la literatura. Es importante realizar un diagnóstico y tratamiento tempranos de cara a mejorar su pronóstico.(AU)

Although subungual melanoma is uncommon, it is associated with worse outcomes than melanomas in other locations and accounts for 1% to 23% of all melanomas, depending on the population. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and histopathologic features of subungual melanoma in a Mexican population. We identified 303 patients with melanoma, and of these, 19% (57 patients with a median age of 71 years) had subungual melanoma. The main sites affected were the lower limbs (52.6%) and the toe (75.4%). The most common histologic subtype was acral lentiginous melanoma (50.9%). Median Breslow thickness was 3 mm, and stage IA tumors were the most common (in 28.1% of patients). Recurrence and metastasis occurred in 19.3% and 8.8% of patients, respectively. The clinical and histopathologic features identified are similar to those described in the literature. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving prognosis.(AU)

[Translated article] Clinical and Histopathologic Features of Subungual Melanoma in 57 Mexican Patients: A 5-Year Cohort Study / Características clínicas e histopatológicas de melanoma subungueal en 57 pacientes mexicanos: una cohorte de 5 años

El melanoma subungueal es un tumor poco común, con peor pronóstico comparado con los de otras localizaciones. Corresponde al 1-23% de los melanomas, según la población. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las características clínicas e histopatológicas del melanoma subungueal en la población mexicana. Se incluyeron 57 pacientes con melanoma subungueal (19% de los 303 melanomas totales), con una mediana de edad de 71 años. La localización predominante fueron los miembros inferiores (52,6% de los melanomas subungueales) y el primer dedo (75,4% de los casos). El subtipo histológico más frecuente fue el acral lentiginoso (50,9%). La mediana de Breslow fue de 3mm. El estadio IA fue el más frecuente (28,1%). Se encontró una tasa de recurrencia del 19,3% y de metástasis del 8,8%. Las características clínico-patológicas fueron semejantes a lo descrito en la literatura. Es importante realizar un diagnóstico y tratamiento tempranos de cara a mejorar su pronóstico.(AU)

Although subungual melanoma is uncommon, it is associated with worse outcomes than melanomas in other locations and accounts for 1% to 23% of all melanomas, depending on the population. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and histopathologic features of subungual melanoma in a Mexican population. We identified 303 patients with melanoma, and of these, 19% (57 patients with a median age of 71 years) had subungual melanoma. The main sites affected were the lower limbs (52.6%) and the toe (75.4%). The most common histologic subtype was acral lentiginous melanoma (50.9%). Median Breslow thickness was 3 mm, and stage IA tumors were the most common (in 28.1% of patients). Recurrence and metastasis occurred in 19.3% and 8.8% of patients, respectively. The clinical and histopathologic features identified are similar to those described in the literature. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving prognosis.(AU)

[Translated article] Clinical and Histopathologic Features of Subungual Melanoma in 57 Mexican Patients: A 5-Year Cohort Study.

Although subungual melanoma is uncommon, it is associated with worse outcomes than melanomas in other locations and accounts for 1% to 23% of all melanomas, depending on the population. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and histopathologic features of subungual melanoma in a Mexican population. We identified 303 patients with melanoma, and of these, 19% (57 patients with a median age of 71 years) had subungual melanoma. The main sites affected were the lower limbs (52.6%) and the toe (75.4%). The most common histologic subtype was acral lentiginous melanoma (50.9%). Median Breslow thickness was 3 mm, and stage IA tumors were the most common (in 28.1% of patients). Recurrence and metastasis occurred in 19.3% and 8.8% of patients, respectively. The clinical and histopathologic features identified are similar to those described in the literature. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving prognosis.

Clinical and Histopathologic Features of Subungual Melanoma in 57 Mexican Patients: A 5-Year Cohort Study. / Características clínicas e histopatológicas de melanoma subungueal en 57 pacientes mexicanos: una cohorte de 5 años.

Although subungual melanoma is uncommon, it is associated with worse outcomes than melanomas in other locations and accounts for 1% to 23% of all melanomas, depending on the population. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and histopathologic features of subungual melanoma in a Mexican population. We identified 303 patients with melanoma, and of these, 19% (57 patients with a median age of 71 years) had subungual melanoma. The main sites affected were the lower limbs (52.6%) and the toe (75.4%). The most common histologic subtype was acral lentiginous melanoma (50.9%). Median Breslow thickness was 3 mm, and stage IA tumors were the most common (in 28.1% of patients). Recurrence and metastasis occurred in 19.3% and 8.8% of patients, respectively. The clinical and histopathologic features identified are similar to those described in the literature. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving prognosis.

Discrepancia anteroposterior en registro de relación céntrica con apoyo central intraoral en cubetas rodetes acrílicas (BOPAYACU) e inducción manual en adultos mayores desdentados totales / Anteroposterior discrepancy in centric relation record with intraoral central support in acylic impaction cups (BOPAYACU) and manual induction in edentulous older adults

Objetivo: Comparar la discrepancia anteroposterior medida a nivel de la platina incisiva de 2 métodos de registro intermaxilar en la misma sesión que la im-presión definitiva en adultos mayores desdentados totales. Materiales y métodos. Se incluyeron en el es-tudio 20 pacientes (n=20) con edad promedio de 70 años. En cada uno de ellos se obtuvieron registros intermaxilares con cubetas rodete de acrílico: uno con inducción manual (IM) y otro autoinducido con el sistema de cubeta rodete de acrílico y apoyo central único utilizando una superficie palatina de registro curva (BYC). Los modelos fueron montados en un ar-ticulador Whip Mix modelo 2240 al que se le adicio-nó un dispositivo de papel milimetrado, Orthodent, a nivel de la platina incisiva, para registrar las dife-rencias existentes entre las posiciones obtenidas. El análisis estadístico se llevó a cabo mediante el cálcu-lo de intervalos de confianza (95%) para las diferen-cias medias y prueba de t de student para datos apa-reados (nivel de significancia: α<0,05). Resultados. En el plano mesiodistal a nivel de la platina incisiva se encontró diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre las dos variables de registro (p<0,001). A este nivel el BYC proporcionó registros más retrusivos que IM. Media aritmética (desviaciones estándar) en milímetros: 3,82 (2,1). Conclusión. El sistema de re-gistro con cubetas rodete acrílicas y BYC incorpora-do a las mismas proporciona un registro intermaxi-lar más retrusivo que IM en adultos mayores des-dentados totales cuando se realizan dichos registros en la misma sesión que la impresión definitiva (AU)

Objective: To compare the anteroposterior discre-pancy measured at the level of the incisal plate of 2 methods of intermaxillary registration in the same session as the definitive impression in fully edentu-lous older adults. Materials and methods. Twenty pa-tients (n=20) with an average age of 70 years were included in the study. On each of them, intermaxillary recordings were obtained with acrylic rims trays: one with manual induction (MI) and the other with a self-induced system and single central support using a curved recording palatal surface (BYC). The models were mounted in a Whip Mix model 2240 articula-tor to which an Orthodent graph paper device was added, at the level of the incisal plate, to record the di-fferences between the positions obtained. Statistical analysis was carried out by calculating confidence intervals (95%) for mean differences and T-student for paired data (significance level: α<0.05). Results. On the mesiodistal plane at the level of the incisal plate, a statistically significant difference was found between the two recording variables (p<0.001). At this level the BYC provided more retrusive recordings than MI. Arithmetic mean (standard deviations) in mi-llimeters: 3.82 (2.1). Conclusions. The registration system with acrylic rim trays and BYC incorporated into them provides a more retrusive intermaxillary registration than MI in fully edentulous older adults when such registrations are made in the same ses-sion as the final impression.(AU)

Aspects Towards the Anastomotic Healing in Crohn's Disease: Clinical Approach and Current Gaps in Research.

Anastomotic leakage is a major complication in gastrointestinal and colorectal surgery and its occurrence increases morbidity and mortality. Its incidence is even higher in Crohn's disease surgeries. Several authors have identified factors involved in the pathophysiology of anastomotic leak in the literature, aiming to reduce its occurrence and, therefore, improve its surgical treatment. Surgical technique is the most discussed topic in studies on guiding the performance of side-to-side stapled anastomosis. Preoperative nutritional therapy also has been shown to reduce the risk of anastomotic leakage. Other factors remain controversial - immunomodulator use and biologic therapy, antibiotics, and gut microbiota - with studies showing a reduction in the risk of complication while other studies show no correlation. Although mesenteric adipose tissue has been related to disease recurrence, there is no evidence in the literature that it is related to a higher risk of anastomotic leakage. Further exploration on this topic is necessary, including prospective research, to support the development of techniques to prevent anastomotic leakage, in this way benefiting the inflammatory bowel disease patients who have to undergo a surgical procedure.

A decreased expression of interferon stimulated genes in peri-implantation endometrium of embryo transfer recipient sows could contribute to embryo death.

Pig pregnancy succeeds thanks to a well-coordinated system ruling both maternal immune activation and embryonic antigen tolerance. In physiological pregnancies, the maternal immune system should tolerate the presence of hemi-allogeneic conceptuses from the pre-implantation phase to term, while maintaining maternal defence against pathogens. Allogeneic pregnancies, as after embryo transfer (ET), depict high embryo mortality during the attachment phase, calling for studies of the dynamic modifications in immune processes occurring at the maternal-foetal interface, for instance, of interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes (ISGs). These ISGs are generally activated by IFN secreted by the conceptus during the process of maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) and responsible for recruiting immune cells to the site of embryo attachment, thus facilitating cell-antigen presentation and angiogenesis. We performed RNA-Seq analysis in peri-implantation (days 18 and 24) endometrial samples retrieved from artificially inseminated sows (hemi-allogeneic embryos (HAL) group) or sows subjected to ET (allogeneic embryos (AL) group) to monitor alterations of gene expression that could be jeopardising early pregnancy. Our results showed that endometrial gene expression patterns related to immune responses differed between hemi- or allogeneic embryo presence, with allogeneic embryos apparently inducing conspicuous modifications of immune-related genes and pathways. A decreased expression (P < 0.05; FC < -2) of several interferon ISGs, such as CXCL8, CXCL10, IRF1, IRF9, STAT1, and B2M, among others was detected in the endometrium of sows carrying allogeneic embryos on day 24 of pregnancy. This severe downregulation of ISGs in allogeneic pregnancies could represent a failure of ET-embryos to signal IFN to the endometrium to warrant the development of adequate immunotolerance mechanisms to facilitate embryo development, thus contributing to elevated embryo death.

Metagenomics analysis reveals universal signatures of the intestinal microbiota in colorectal cancer, regardless of regional differences.

The human gut microbiota is a complex and dynamic community of microorganisms living in our intestines and has emerged as an important factor for colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC). The purpose of our study was to investigate the microbiota composition in Brazilian CRC patients compared with a local control population (CTL) to find out which changes could be considered universal or regional features in CRC microbiota. Fecal samples were obtained from 28 CRC and 23 CTL individuals. The 16S rRNA gene was used for metagenomic analysis. In addition to the anthropometric variables, the clinical stage (TNM 2018) was considered. Patients with CRC had a significant increase in alpha diversity and a higher percentage of genus Prevotella and a decreased proportion of Megamonas and Ruminococcus. Additionally, the proportion of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was associated with a better prognosis in the first stages of CRC, and Fusobacterium nucleatum proved to be an important marker of colorectal carcinogenesis and tumor aggressiveness. Although regional differences influence the composition of the microbiota, in the case of CRC, the microhabitat created by the tumor seems to be a major factor. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the carcinogenic process, and even in different environments, some factors appear to be characteristic of the microbiota of patients with CRC.

Metagenomics analysis reveals universal signatures of the intestinal microbiota in colorectal cancer, regardless of regional differences

The human gut microbiota is a complex and dynamic community of microorganisms living in our intestines and has emerged as an important factor for colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC). The purpose of our study was to investigate the microbiota composition in Brazilian CRC patients compared with a local control population (CTL) to find out which changes could be considered universal or regional features in CRC microbiota. Fecal samples were obtained from 28 CRC and 23 CTL individuals. The 16S rRNA gene was used for metagenomic analysis. In addition to the anthropometric variables, the clinical stage (TNM 2018) was considered. Patients with CRC had a significant increase in alpha diversity and a higher percentage of genus Prevotella and a decreased proportion of Megamonas and Ruminococcus. Additionally, the proportion of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was associated with a better prognosis in the first stages of CRC, and Fusobacterium nucleatum proved to be an important marker of colorectal carcinogenesis and tumor aggressiveness. Although regional differences influence the composition of the microbiota, in the case of CRC, the microhabitat created by the tumor seems to be a major factor. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the carcinogenic process, and even in different environments, some factors appear to be characteristic of the microbiota of patients with CRC.

The most highly cited articles of the Revista de Gastroenterología de México over a 22-year period (1996-2018). / Los artículos más citados en la Revista de Gastroenterología de México en un período de 22 años (1996-2018).

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The Revista de Gastroenterología de México (RGM), founded in 1935, is one of the most influential journals of scientific dissemination in Mexico and Latin America. The aim of the present review was to characterize the RGM's most frequently cited original articles, review articles, and consensuses. METHODS: The most cited original articles, review articles, and consensuses of the RGM were identified using the Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. Their designs and topics, as well as their authors and participating institutions, were analyzed. RESULTS: The most highly cited articles of the RGM corresponded to the period from 1996 to 2018, with a mean of 16.5 citations per article. Fifty-eight percent (n = 29) of the articles belonged to the area of gastroenterology and 20% (n = 10) to surgery. The most frequent topics were functional gastrointestinal disorders, hepatitis virus, and gastric cancer. Thirty-six percent of the articles had a nonrandomized prospective design, followed by cross-sectional studies (26%) and randomized prospective studies (18%). CONCLUSION: The 50 most-cited articles included a total of 826 citations and the 10 most-cited consensuses and review articles had a total of 208 citations. Those studies encompass a diversity of disciplines related to gastroenterology that have impacted the scientific community and correspond to the work of different active research groups in Mexico and other countries.

Diagnostic agreement between video capsule endoscopy and single and double balloon enteroscopy for small bowel bleeding at a tertiary care hospital in Bogota, Colombia. / Concordancia diagnóstica entre la videocápsula endoscópica y enteroscopia mono y de doble balón en la hemorragia de intestino delgado en un hospital de alta complejidad en Bogotá, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Video capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted enteroscopy are complementary diagnostic methods in the study of small bowel bleeding, and different factors can affect their diagnostic yield. AIMS: To define the level of agreement between video capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy in small bowel bleeding, according to the type of lesion, in a cohort of patients at a tertiary care referral center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted that included 428 capsule endoscopies performed within the time frame of 2011 and 2019 at our healthcare institution. Seventy-four video capsule endoscopies, followed by enteroscopy, in 71 patients suspected of presenting with small bowel bleeding, were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 63.9 ± 13.5 years and 42 patients were women. The two diagnostic procedures were performed. Overall diagnostic yield of positive findings between video capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy was 86.5% vs. 58.1%, respectively (p = 0.0527). Agreement between video capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy for positive pathologic findings was weak (Ik = 0.17, 95% CI: -0.0097-0.3543), but according to lesion type, it was good for inflammatory lesions (Ik = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.5182-0.9119) and moderate for angiectasias (Ik = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.2469-0.6538) and tumors (Ik = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.1217-0.6794). The results between the two methods differed in 38 patients (51.3%). There was complete intestinal capsule retention in one patient (1.4%) and active bleeding in 13 (17.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that the two techniques had a similar overall detection rate for small bowel lesions, but the type of lesion was the main factor that could modify diagnostic agreement.

N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine enhances in vitro pig embryo production and reduces oxidative stress.

This study evaluated the effects of different concentrations (1, 10, 25, 50, and 100 µM) of the antioxidant N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (NMPG), during the culture of in vitro-fertilized porcine oocytes. While the highest concentrations of NMPG (50 and 100 µM) were toxic to the developing embryos during the first two days of culture, 25 µM NMPG achieved cleavage rates that were similar to those achieved by the control but did not sustain blastocyst production by Day 7 of culture. Compared to the control culture medium, the culture medium supplemented with 10 µM NMPG increased (P < 0.05) the rates of blastocyst formation, decreased (P < 0.05) the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen substances, and downregulated (P < 0.05) the expression of the oxidative stress related gene GPX1. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that supplementation of porcine embryo culture medium with 10 µM NMPG can attenuate oxidative stress and increase the yield of in vitro production of blastocysts.

The role of semen and seminal plasma in inducing large-scale genomic changes in the female porcine peri-ovulatory tract.

Semen modifies the expression of genes related to immune function along the porcine female internal genital tract. Whether other pathways are induced by the deposition of spermatozoa and/or seminal plasma (SP), is yet undocumented. Here, to determine their relative impact on the uterine and tubal transcriptomes, microarray analyses were performed on the endocervix, endometrium and endosalpinx collected from pre-ovulatory sows 24 h after either mating or artificial insemination (AI) with specific ejaculate fractions containing spermatozoa or sperm-free SP. After enrichment analysis, we found an overrepresentation of genes and pathways associated with sperm transport and binding, oxidative stress and cell-to-cell recognition, such as PI3K-Akt, FoxO signaling, glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis and cAMP-related transcripts, among others. Although semen (either after mating or AI) seemed to have the highest impact along the entire genital tract, our results demonstrate that the SP itself also modifies the transcriptome. The detected modifications of the molecular profiles of the pre/peri-ovulatory endometrium and endosalpinx suggest an interplay for the survival, transport and binding of spermatozoa through, for instance the up-regulation of the Estrogen signaling pathway associated with attachment and release from the oviductal reservoir.

Three-to-5-day weaning-to-estrus intervals do not affect neither efficiency of collection nor in vitro developmental ability of in vivo-derived pig zygotes.

An efficient system to collect large numbers of vital zygotes is a pre-requisite for application of zygote genome-editing technology, including development of efficient models for xenotransplantation using pigs. Owing to the sub-optimal in vitro production of zygotes in pigs, efficient collection of in vivo developed zygotes is required. Timing of ovulation is a key factor to sustain efficiency since the interval between pronuclear formation and the first division is very short in pigs. The weaning-to-estrus interval can, due to its inverse relation with length of estrus and time of ovulation, interfere with ovulation and make it asynchronous, which reduces the probability of obtaining zygotes. This retrospective study compared the effects of three weaning-to-estrus intervals of 3, 4 or 5 days on zygote collection efficiency in a total of 17 trials over a 3-year period including 223 sows. Donor sows in groups of 10-15 animals were super-ovulated with eCG 24 h after weaning and those in estrus at 48-72 h post-eCG were immediately treated with hCG, followed by insemination 6 and 24 h thereafter. Collected structures during laparotomy on Day 2 (Day 0: onset of estrus) were morphologically evaluated and only those with a single cell and two visible polar bodies were considered as zygotes. Zygotes were injected with CRISPR-Cas9 editor mixture and cultured for 6 days to evaluate their developmental ability against non-injected control zygotes. Of all recovered structures (N = 5,468), 67.4%, 30.8% and 1.8% were zygotes, 2-cell embryos and oocytes-degenerated embryos, respectively. The different weaning-to-estrus intervals did not affect either the percentages of collected zygotes (range: 64.1%-70.0%) or the percentages of sows with zygotes at collection time (range: 69.0%-73.3%). The weaning-to-estrus intervals did not affect the in vitro developmental ability of zygotes. After 24 h of culture, 78.1 ±â€¯2.0% and 95.1 ±â€¯0.6 (P < 0.05) of injected (N = 2,345) and non-injected (N = 335) zygotes, respectively, developed to 2-to-4-cell embryo stage. The total efficiency of the system was 64.1 ±â€¯2.2% and 85.8 ±â€¯1.5% (P < 0.05) for injected and non-injected zygotes, respectively. In conclusion, the results indicate that neither the efficiency of collecting in vivo derived porcine zygotes from superovulated sows nor the zygote ability to develop to blastocyst after cytoplasmic genome-editing injection were affected by a weaning-to-estrus interval between 3-to-5 days.

The cytokine platelet factor 4 successfully replaces bovine serum albumin for the in vitro culture of porcine embryos.

The cytokine platelet factor 4 (PF4) enhances differentiation and cell viability of different stem cells lines in vitro. This study investigated whether PF4 addition to customary pig embryo semi-defined culture media can improve their developmental outcome (Experiment 1) and ultimately replace the need for bovine serum albumin (BSA, Experiment 2). Experiment 1 added PF4 (100-1000 ng/mL, 0 = control) to NCSU-23 with 0.4 mg/mL BSA culturing 3430 presumptive zygotes. Experiment 2 added PF4 (100-1000 ng/mL, 0 = Control-PVA) to a BSA-free medium (NCSU-23 with 0.3 mg/mL PVA) culturing 3820 presumptive zygotes. Zygote culture in NCSU-23 with 0.4 mg/mL BSA was used as overall control. All groups of Experiment 1 displayed similar rates of day 2-cleavage (range: 65.0 ±â€¯10.9 to 70.0 ±â€¯5.8%); of day 7-blastocyst rates (range: 46.6 ±â€¯10.0 to 56.4 ±â€¯8.2%) and of total day 7-blastocyst efficiency (range: 32.3 ±â€¯8.3 to 37.2 ±â€¯7.3%). Addition of PF4 did not affect total cell numbers of day 7 blastocysts (range: 44.1 ±â€¯23.2 to 50.5 ±â€¯26.4). In Experiment 2, PF4 accelerated embryo development, increasing (P < 0.01) blastocyst yield compared to 0-PF4, and blastocyst formation by day 5 adding PF4 100-500 ng/mL (range: 29.9 ±â€¯7.8 to 31.8 ±â€¯5.5%; P < 0.05) compared with BSA-control (17.2 ±â€¯8.2%) and PF4 1000 ng/mL (15.5 ±â€¯7.9%); showing similar blastocyst rates (range: 42.0 ±â€¯11.5 to 49.3 ±â€¯10.0%), total efficiency (28.0 ±â€¯8.2 to 32.3 ±â€¯7.1%) total cell numbers (range: 42.6 ±â€¯19.3 to 45.7 ±â€¯23.9) as BSA-controls. In conclusion, although PF4 did not show additive improvement under usual semi-defined, BSA-supplemented embryo media, it successfully replaced BSA sustaining porcine blastocyst production in chemically defined conditions.

Porcine blastocyst viability and developmental potential is maintained for 48 h of liquid storage at 25 °C without CO2 gassing.

Short- and medium-term storage of pig embryos has become relevant for commercial application of non-surgical deep uterine embryo transfer (NsDU-ET) in the light of the strict legal and administrative requirements posed by the International Association for Air Transport (IATA) to allow shipment of liquid nitrogen (LN2) containers and the technical drawbacks when using vitrified embryos. Therefore, this study developed an efficient method for the liquid storage of in vivo-derived porcine blastocysts for a moderate duration (48 h) without controlled CO2 gassing. We evaluated two storage temperatures (25 °C and 37 °C) and three HEPES-supplemented media: the chemically defined media TL-PVA and NCSU-PVA and the semi-defined medium NCSU-BSA. We observed no differences in survival, hatching rate or final developmental stage between the two temperatures, but storage at 25 °C was more efficient to preserve zona pellucida (ZP) integrity. Blastocysts were successfully stored for 24 h in a chemically defined medium. Yet, only 48 h storage in NCSU-BSA medium supported blastocyst development. Although all storage conditions resulted in an embryonic developmental delay, blastocysts stored in NCSU-BSA at either tested temperature could hatch and attain the same final developmental stage as control blastocysts when cultured under standard conditions after storage. Moreover, blastocysts stored at 25 °C for 48 h in NCSU-BSA medium could produce pregnancies after surgical transfer. In conclusion, porcine blastocysts maintain their viability and developmental potential after storage in the semi-defined medium NCSU-BSA for at least 48 h at 25 °C.

High pre-freezing sperm dilution improves monospermy without affecting the penetration rate in porcine IVF.

The high incidence of polyspermy is still an unresolved problem for the production of in vitro-produced porcine embryos. In this work, we modified the usual sperm processing sequence for in vitro fertilization (IVF), and the spermatozoa from four boars were frozen directly at a low sperm concentration of 20 × 106 sperm/mL (high pre-freezing sperm dilution group; F20), thawed and processed for IVF in three replicates. Spermatozoa from the same boars frozen at a conventional concentration (1000 × 106 sperm/mL) were used as the control group. The post-thaw sperm quality evaluation demonstrated that despite there being no differences in the percentage of motile spermatozoa between groups, the proportion of live spermatozoa with intact acrosomes was significantly higher in the F20 group than in the control. The in vitro penetration rate was also similar between groups; however, the co-incubation of oocytes with F20 sperm increased monospermy, IVF efficiency, cleavage rate and the efficiency of blastocyst formation compared with the results for oocytes co-incubated with control spermatozoa. These results indicate, for the first time, that a high pre-freezing sperm dilution increases monospermy without affecting penetration rates, thereby increasing blastocyst formation.

Gender, hormone therapy, and HIV: what should cardiologists know?

Transgender individuals represent the fastest growing minority in the United States and are disproportionately affected by HIV. Hormone therapy is the most common treatment for gender dysphoria in transgender individuals. As HIV is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease, it is critical to further research the influence masculinising and feminising hormone therapies have on cardiovascular disease. There is a clinical need for evidence-based guidelines for cardiologists to follow to effectively care for and treat transgender patients. For this to be done, the interplay between HIV, hormone therapy, and cardiovascular disease must be better understood through collaboration between researchers and clinicians to achieve maximum benefit from recent advancements.

Exogenous ascorbic acid enhances vitrification survival of porcine in vitro-developed blastocysts but fails to improve the in vitro embryo production outcomes.

In this study, the effects of addition of the antioxidant ascorbic acid (AsA) were evaluated during porcine in vitro embryo production (IVP) and vitrification. In experiment 1, the effects of AsA supplementation during IVM, IVF and IVC were evaluated, using a total of 2744 oocytes in six replicates. The IVM, IVF and embryo IVC media were supplemented or not (control) with 50 µg/mL AsA in all possible combinations. No significant effects of AsA were detected in any of the maturation, fertilization or embryo development parameters assessed. In experiment 2, we evaluated the effects of adding AsA to vitrification-warming media on the post-warming survival and quality of blastocysts. Day-6 in vitro-produced blastocysts (N = 588) from six replicates were randomly divided in two groups, with vitrification and warming media either supplemented with 50 µg/mL AsA (VW + group) or un-supplemented (VW- control). Addition of AsA increased (P < 0.05) blastocyst survival rate after vitrification compared with that of VW- control embryos. Vitrification and warming increased (P < 0.05) the production of oxygen species (ROS) and reduced (P < 0.05) the glutathione levels in blastocysts. Although VW + blastocysts displayed higher (P < 0.05) ROS levels than those of fresh control blastocysts, the levels were lower (P < 0.05) than those found in VW- control blastocysts. In conclusion, under the experimental conditions, supplementation of IVM/IVF/IVC media with AsA did not improve the embryo production in vitro. By contrast, the addition of AsA to chemically defined vitrification and warming media increased the survival of in vitro-produced porcine blastocysts by decreasing ROS production.

Simple storage (CO2-free) of porcine morulae for up to three days maintains the in vitro viability and developmental competence.

The advancement of porcine embryo transfer (ET) technology is constrained by regulatory hurdles (liquid nitrogen transportation) or, more importantly, the technical obstacles of using vitrified embryos in combination with nonsurgical deep uterine ET technology. Maintaining embryos in culture during transport and prior ET collides with the need of CO2 gassing and the best choice of culture medium. In this work, we describe storage conditions for short-term embryo CO2-free storage that allowed for a majority of in vivo-derived porcine morulae to survive after 3 days of storage in a liquid state, and to develop to the blastocyst stage unhatched, a sanitary prerequisite for ET. The storage conditions included NCSU-23 medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin, where bicarbonate was partially replaced by HEPES to avoid the need for CO2 gassing, and a temperature of 37 °C. These conditions were able to maintain the functionality of the stored embryos (hatching capacity after exposure to conventional culture conditions) and their developmental competence after ET (normal fetuses by day 38 of pregnancy). Use of this strategy of CO2-free storage should allow the shipment of fresh embryos worldwide in the absence of liquid nitrogen.