Serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels are not associated with aneuploidy rates in human blastocysts.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is the most established biomarker for estimating ovarian reserve. No reliable marker of oocyte quality, however, is available. Is there an association between the rates of aneuploidy and the different ranges of serum AMH levels? DESIGN: Retrospective, single-centre study of 1718 patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection and preimplantation genetic testing with aneuploidy at the blastocyst stage between January 2015 and December 2019. Patients were stratified into six different categories of AMH (ng/ml) according to percentile distribution. RESULTS: Although a higher number of biopsied embryos were found for higher AMH levels (P = 0.017), a lower rate of biopsied blastocysts per metaphase II (P = 0.019) and per fertilized oocyte (0.023) was observed in this group of high AMH. A higher number of euploid embryos was found for higher AMH values (P = 0.031); however, the rate of aneuploid embryos per metaphase II or per fertilized oocyte was not significantly different across the six groups. No differences were observed in the implantation, pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy rate, or in the miscarriage and biochemical loss rate. Regression analysis did not show any significant correlation between AMH and aneuploid embryos. CONCLUSIONS: In this large series of patients, AMH was not related to embryo aneuploidy.

Actividad antimicrobiana in vitro del Camu Camu (Myrciaria Dubia) contra microorganismos orales: una revisión sistemática / Antimicrobial activity in vitro of Camu-Camu (Myrciaria Dubia) against oral microorganisms: a systematic review

RESUMEN Objetivos. Evaluar la actividad antimicrobiana de la Myrciaria dubia sobre microorganismos orales. Materiales y métodos . Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura siguiendo las recomendaciones PRISMA mediante búsquedas en Pubmed, LILACS, SciELO, ProQuest, EBSCO y Google Scholar, de estudios publicados durante 2008 y 2018. Resultados . Se recopilaron 11 estudios, in vitro, todos los estudios evidenciaron actividad antimicrobiana positiva, principalmente por cada una de las partes de sus frutos, sobre grampositivos. Sin embargo, dicha actividad fue comparada con clorhexidina en solo dos estudios y en otro resultó ser mejor que un antibiótico. Se detectó un alto riesgo de sesgo en la mayoría de estudios. Los compuestos fenólicos incluidos polifenoles y acilfloroglucinoles fueron señalados como los responsables de su actividad. Conclusiones . Existe evidencia sobre la actividad antimicrobiana de M. dubia. Su estudio como antimicrobiano contra microorganismos orales es aún incipiente, pero se advierte un gran potencial debido a los fitoquímicos potentes que posee. Además, se necesita más estudios de calidad, que comparen su actividad versus antisépticos orales y sobre más microorganismos asociados a caries dental y enfermedad periodontal.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Myrciaria dubia on oral microorganisms. Materials and Methods. A systematic review of the literature following PRISMA guidelines was conducted through searches of studies published between 2008 and 2018 in Pubmed, LILACS, SciELO, ProQuest, EBSCO, and Google Scholar. Results. Eleven (11) in vitro studies were gathered; all the studies showed positive antimicrobial activity on gram-positives, mainly by each of the parts of its fruits. However, such activity compared to chlorhexidine in only two studies, and, in another study, it was better than an antibiotic. A high risk of bias was detected in most studies. Phenolic compounds, including polyphenols and acylphloroglucinols, were identified as responsible for its activity. Conclusions. There is evidence of antimicrobial activity in M. dubia. Its study as an antimicrobial against oral microorganisms is still incipient, but there is great potential thanks to the potent phytochemicals it contains. Also, additional quality studies are required: comparing their activity versus oral antiseptics and on microorganisms associated with dental caries and periodontal disease.

[Antimicrobial activity in vitro of Camu-Camu (Myrciaria Dubia) against oral microorganisms: a systematic review]. / Actividad antimicrobiana in vitro del Camu Camu (Myrciaria Dubia) contra microorganismos orales: una revisión sistemática.

OBJECTIVES.: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Myrciaria dubia on oral microorganisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: A systematic review of the literature following PRISMA guidelines was conducted through searches of studies published between 2008 and 2018 in Pubmed, LILACS, SciELO, ProQuest, EBSCO, and Google Scholar. RESULTS.: Eleven (11) in vitro studies were gathered; all the studies showed positive antimicrobial activity on gram-positives, mainly by each of the parts of its fruits. However, such activity compared to chlorhexidine in only two studies, and, in another study, it was better than an antibiotic. A high risk of bias was detected in most studies. Phenolic compounds, including polyphenols and acylphloroglucinols, were identified as responsible for its activity. CONCLUSIONS.: There is evidence of antimicrobial activity in M. dubia. Its study as an antimicrobial against oral microorganisms is still incipient, but there is great potential thanks to the potent phytochemicals it contains. Also, additional quality studies are required: comparing their activity versus oral antiseptics and on microorganisms associated with dental caries and periodontal disease.

OBJETIVOS.: Evaluar la actividad antimicrobiana de la Myrciaria dubia sobre microorganismos orales. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: . Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura siguiendo las recomendaciones PRISMA mediante búsquedas en Pubmed, LILACS, SciELO, ProQuest, EBSCO y Google Scholar, de estudios publicados durante 2008 y 2018. RESULTADOS: . Se recopilaron 11 estudios, in vitro, todos los estudios evidenciaron actividad antimicrobiana positiva, principalmente por cada una de las partes de sus frutos, sobre grampositivos. Sin embargo, dicha actividad fue comparada con clorhexidina en solo dos estudios y en otro resultó ser mejor que un antibiótico. Se detectó un alto riesgo de sesgo en la mayoría de estudios. Los compuestos fenólicos incluidos polifenoles y acilfloroglucinoles fueron señalados como los responsables de su actividad. CONCLUSIONES: . Existe evidencia sobre la actividad antimicrobiana de M. dubia. Su estudio como antimicrobiano contra microorganismos orales es aún incipiente, pero se advierte un gran potencial debido a los fitoquímicos potentes que posee. Además, se necesita más estudios de calidad, que comparen su actividad versus antisépticos orales y sobre más microorganismos asociados a caries dental y enfermedad periodontal.

Impact of Endometrial Preparation Protocols for Frozen Embryo Transfer on Live Birth Rates.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that a natural cycle (NC) is similar to or even better than hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in patients with regular cycles who undergo frozen embryo transfer (FET). Hundreds of FETs are managed yearly in our clinic. Scheduling these cycles is critical in a busy unit like ours. This is why we have to prove if a NC really shows a better outcome than other endometrium preparation protocols. METHODS: Hence we carried out a prospective study between June 2011 and June 2012, which included 530 patients (570 FET cycles) randomly allocated to two study groups: Group 1 (n=280 cycles), artificial cycle (HRT); or group 2 (n=290 cycles), natural cycle. Natural cycles were later divided into two groups: 169 patients scheduled with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and 121 with endogenous luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. The inclusion criteria were: age <39 years, regular menstrual cycles (26-35 days), and previous IVF cycle with embryo cryopreservation. The exclusion criteria were polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis stage III/IV. RESULTS: No statistical differences were found in the baseline characteristics among groups, nor between implantation or ongoing pregnancy rates (30.8% HRT group; 32.7% hCG group; 34.5% LH surge group). However, a higher miscarriage rate was observed in the HRT group when compared to hCG or LH surge (21.2% versus 12.9% versus 11.1%, P<0.01). Live birth rates were similar among groups, as were perinatal outcomes, for rates of natural delivery and weight and length of newborns. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that scheduling FET with HRT on weekdays and avoiding work overload at weekends prove efficient and safe in cycle outcome terms. Another reason for the convenience of an HRT protocol is having fewer visits to the clinic compared to natural cycle protocols.

In vitro fertilization with preimplantation genetic diagnosis for aneuploidies in advanced maternal age: a randomized, controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical value of preimplantation genetic diagnosis for aneuploidy screening (PGD-A) in women of advanced maternal age (AMA; between 38 and 41 years). DESIGN: This was a multicenter, randomized trial with two arms: a PGD-A group with blastocyst transfer, and a control group with blastocyst transfer without PGD-A. SETTING: Private reproductive centers. PATIENT(S): A total of 326 recruited patients fit the inclusion criteria, and 205 completed the study (100 in the PGD-A group and 105 in the control group). INTERVENTION(S): Day-3 embryo biopsy, array comparative genomic hybridization, blastocyst transfer, and vitrification. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Primary outcomes were delivery and live birth rates in the first transfer and cumulative outcome rates. RESULT(S): The PGD-A group exhibited significantly fewer ETs (68.0% vs. 90.5% for control) and lower miscarriage rates (2.7% vs. 39.0% for control). Delivery rate after the first transfer attempt was significantly higher in the PGD-A group per transfer (52.9% vs 24.2%) and per patient (36.0% vs. 21.9%). No significant differences were observed in the cumulative delivery rates per patient 6 months after closing the study. However, the mean number of ETs needed per live birth was lower in the PGD-A group compared with the control group (1.8 vs. 3.7), as was the time to pregnancy (7.7 vs. 14.9 weeks). CONCLUSION(S): Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for aneuploidy screening is superior compared with controls not only in clinical outcome at the first ET but also in dramatically decreasing miscarriage rates and shortening the time to pregnancy.

Confirmation of CCR6 as a risk factor for anti-topoisomerase I antibodies in systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: The current knowledge of the influence of systemic sclerosis (SSc) risk loci in the clinical sub-phenotypes is still limited. The main limitation lies in the low frequency of some sub-phenotypes which could be solved by replication studies in independent cohorts and meta-analysis between studies. In this regard, CCR6 gene variants have been recently associated with anti-topoisomerase I positive (ATA+) production in SSc patients in a candidate gene study. This gene has been proposed to have a critical role in IL-17-driven autoimmunity in human diseases. METHODS: In order to confirm the association between CCR6 and ATA+ SSc patients, we performed an independent replication study in populations of European ancestry. We studied two CCR6 genetic variants (rs968334 and rs3093024) in a total of 901 ATA+ SSc cases, 3,258 ATA- SSc cases and 7,865 healthy controls and compared allelic frequencies for those SNPs in ATA+ SSc with healthy controls and also with ATA- SSc patients. RESULTS: The comparison performed between ATA+ SSc patients and healthy controls showed significant association with SNP rs968334 (p=4.88x10(-2), OR=1.11). When we compared ATA+ SSc cases with ATA- SSc, both SNPs, rs3093024 and rs968334, showed significant associations (p=2.89x10(-2), OR=1.13; p=1.69x10(-2), OR=1.15). Finally, in order to increase even more sample size and statistical power, we meta-analysed our study with the previous reported and found a significant association between SNP rs3093024 and ATA+ SSc patients (p=1.00x10(-4), OR=1.16) comparing with healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our work confirms the association of CCR6 gene and ATA+ SSc patients.

Detection of human leptospirosis as a cause of acute fever by capture ELISA using a Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni (M20) derived antigen.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a potentially lethal zoonosis mainly affecting low-resource tropical countries, including Peru and its neighbouring countries. Timely diagnosis of leptospirosis is critical but may be challenging in the regions where it is most prevalent. The serodiagnostic gold standard microagglutination test (MAT) may be technically prohibitive. Our objective in this study was to assess the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of an IgM antibody capture enzyme-linked immunoassay (MAC-ELISA) derived from the M20 strain of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni (M20) by comparison to MAT, which was used as the gold standard method of diagnosis. METHODS: Acute and convalescent sera from participants participating in a passive febrile surveillance study in multiple regions of Peru were tested by both IgM MAC-ELISA and MAT. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value (PPV, NPV) of the MAC-ELISA assay for acute, convalescent and paired sera by comparison to MAT were calculated. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the MAC-ELISA assay for acute sera were 92.3%, 56.0%, 35.3% and 96.6% respectively. For convalescent sera, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the MAC-ELISA assay were 93.3%, 51.5%, 63.6% and 89.5% respectively. For paired sera, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the MAC-ELISA assay were 93.6%, 37.5%, 59.2%, 85.7% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The M20 MAC-ELISA assay performed with a high sensitivity and low specificity in the acute phase of illness. Sensitivity was similar as compared with MAT in the convalescent phase and specificity remained low. Paired sera were the most sensitive but least specific by comparison to MAT serodiagnosis. NPV for acute, convalescent and paired sera was high. The limited specificity and high sensitivity of the MAC-ELISA IgM suggests that it would be most valuable to exclude leptospirosis in low-resource regions that lack immediate access to definitive reference laboratory techniques such as MAT.

[Challenges and problems in the microbiological diagnosis in diarrhea]. / Retos y Problemas en el diagnóstico microbiológico en diarrea.

Clinical microbiology laboratories in Peru have the task to diagnose the infectious agents present in the clinical samples, for this, they have different tools available; their use depends on having material and human resources. The microbiological laboratory can perform simple and complex tests, depending on the level, the geographical location and the available resources. We mention the problems found with the available laboratory procedures and their potential diagnostic aid. We emphasize the need of having standardised procedures, the continuous education and training of the staff, and the importance of the laboratory network led by the Instituto Nacional de Salud.

[Historical report: first isolation of Vibrio cholera serogroup O1 biovar El Tor serovar Inaba during the cholerae epidemic in Peru ­ 1991]. / Reporte histórico: Primer Aislamiento de Vibrio cholera serogrupo O1 biovar El Tor serovar Inaba durante la epidemia de cólera en el Perú ­ 1991.

20 years ago, a new diarrheal disease was introduced in Peru and the Enteropathogens Reference Laboratory of the Instituto Nacional de Salud had an outstanding role in the isolation and rapid and timely identification of Vibrio cholerae. Cholera had not been seen before, but during the last week of January 1991 an outbreak of acute diarrhea was detected, presenting intense dehydration and some deaths. The epidemic affected, in the beginning, many locations of the peruvian coast. Some working teams of the General Office of Epidemiology and of the Instituto Nacional de Salud obtained fecal samples from patients with acute diarrhea coming from the cities of Chancay, Chimbote, Piura and some hospitals in Lima. The collected samples were transported on Cary and Blair media and processed in the National Reference Laboratory of Enteropathogens (LANARE) of the Instituto Nacional de Salud. Vibrio cholerae serogroup 01 biovar El Tor serovar Inaba was isolated from all the samples, it was sensible to tetracyclines and other antibiotics. This research confirmed the first outbreak of cholera in Peru.

Retos y Problemas en el diagnóstico microbiológico en diarrea / Challenges and problems in the microbiological diagnosis in diarrhea

Los laboratorios de Microbiología Clínica en el Perú cumplen con la labor de diagnosticar los agentes infecciosos presentes en las muestras clínicas, para lo cual cuentan con diferentes herramientas; su utilización depende de contar con recursos materiales y humanos. El laboratorio microbiológico puede realizar pruebas simples como complejas dependiendo del nivel en que se encuentra, la ubicación geográfica y los recursos disponibles. Se mencionan los problemas encontrados con los procedimientos de laboratorio disponibles y su potencial en la ayuda diagnóstica. Se hace hincapié en contar con procedimientos estandarizados, formación y capacitación continua del personal, así como la importancia de la red de laboratorios liderada por el Instituto Nacional de Salud.

Clinical microbiology laboratories in Peru have the task to diagnose the infectious agents present in the clinical samples, for this, they have different tools available; their use depends on having material and human resources. The microbiological laboratory can perform simple and complex tests, depending on the level, the geographical location and the available resources. We mention the problems found with the available laboratory procedures and their potential diagnostic aid. We emphasize the need of having standardised procedures, the continuous education and training of the staff, and the importance of the laboratory network led by the Instituto Nacional de Salud.

Reporte histórico: Primer Aislamiento de Vibrio cholera serogrupo O1 biovar El Tor serovar Inaba durante la epidemia de cólera en el Perú ‑ 1991 / Historical report: first isolation of Vibrio cholera serogroup O1 biovar El Tor serovar Inaba during the cholerae epidemic in Perú ‑ 1991

Hace 20 años apareció una enfermedad diarreica nueva en el Perú y el Laboratorio de Referencia de Enteropatógenos del Instituto Nacional de Salud, cumplió una labor destacada en el aislamiento e identificación rápida y oportuna del Vibrio cholerae. La enfermedad del cólera no se había presentado anteriormente, pero en la última semana de enero de 1991 se detectó un brote epidémico de diarrea aguda con deshidratación intensa y algunos casos de fallecidos. La epidemia afectó, al comienzo, varias localidades del litoral peruano. Equipos de trabajo de la Oficina General de Epidemiología y de los laboratorios del Instituto Nacional de Salud obtuvieron muestras fecales de pacientes con diarrea aguda procedentes de las ciudades de Chancay, Chimbote, Piura y algunos hospitales de Lima. Las muestras colectadas en el medio de transporte de Cary y Blair fueron procesadas en el Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia de Enteropatógenos (LANARE) del Instituto Nacional de Salud. De todas las muestras se aisló e identificó Vibrio cholerae serogrupo O1 biovar El Tor serovar Inaba que mostró ser sensible a la tetraciclina y a otros antibióticos. Esta investigación confirmó el primer brote epidémico de cólera en el Perú.

20 years ago, a new diarrheal disease was introduced in Peru and the Enteropathogens Reference Laboratory of the Instituto Nacional de Salud had an outstanding role in the isolation and rapid and timely identification of Vibrio cholerae. Cholera had not been seen before, but during the last week of January 1991 an outbreak of acute diarrhea was detected, presenting intense dehydration and some deaths. The epidemic affected, in the beginning, many locations of the peruvian coast. Some working teams of the General Office of Epidemiology and of the Instituto Nacional de Salud obtained fecal samples from patients with acute diarrhea coming from the cities of Chancay, Chimbote, Piura and some hospitals in Lima. The collected samples were transported on Cary and Blair media and processed in the National Reference Laboratory of Enteropathogens (LANARE) of the Instituto Nacional de Salud. Vibrio cholerae serogroup 01 biovar El Tor serovar Inaba was isolated from all the samples, it was sensible to tetracyclines and other antibiotics. This research confirmed the first outbreak of cholera in Peru.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Brucella melitensis isolates in Peru.

Brucellosis is an important public health problem in Peru. We evaluated 48 human Brucella melitensis biotype 1 strains from Peru between 2000 and 2006. MICs of isolates to doxycycline, azithromycin, gentamicin, rifampin, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were determined by the Etest method. All isolates were sensitive to tested drugs during the periods of testing. Relapses did not appear to be related to drug resistance.

Reporte histórico: Primer Aislamiento de Vibrio cholera serogrupo O1 biovar El Tor serovar Inaba durante la epidemia de cólera en el Perú ‑ 1991 / Historical report: first isolation of Vibrio cholera serogroup O1 biovar El Tor serovar Inaba during the cholerae epidemic in Perú ‑ 1991

Hace 20 años apareció una enfermedad diarreica nueva en el Perú y el Laboratorio de Referencia de Enteropatógenos del Instituto Nacional de Salud, cumplió una labor destacada en el aislamiento e identificación rápida y oportuna del Vibrio cholerae. La enfermedad del cólera no se había presentado anteriormente, pero en la última semana de enero de 1991 se detectó un brote epidémico de diarrea aguda con deshidratación intensa y algunos casos de fallecidos. La epidemia afectó, al comienzo, varias localidades del litoral peruano. Equipos de trabajo de la Oficina General de Epidemiología y de los laboratorios del Instituto Nacional de Salud obtuvieron muestras fecales de pacientes con diarrea aguda procedentes de las ciudades de Chancay, Chimbote, Piura y algunos hospitales de Lima. Las muestras colectadas en el medio de transporte de Cary y Blair fueron procesadas en el Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia de Enteropatógenos (LANARE) del Instituto Nacional de Salud. De todas las muestras se aisló e identificó Vibrio cholerae serogrupo O1 biovar El Tor serovar Inaba que mostró ser sensible a la tetraciclina y a otros antibióticos. Esta investigación confirmó el primer brote epidémico de cólera en el Perú.(AU)

20 years ago, a new diarrheal disease was introduced in Peru and the Enteropathogens Reference Laboratory of the Instituto Nacional de Salud had an outstanding role in the isolation and rapid and timely identification of Vibrio cholerae. Cholera had not been seen before, but during the last week of January 1991 an outbreak of acute diarrhea was detected, presenting intense dehydration and some deaths. The epidemic affected, in the beginning, many locations of the peruvian coast. Some working teams of the General Office of Epidemiology and of the Instituto Nacional de Salud obtained fecal samples from patients with acute diarrhea coming from the cities of Chancay, Chimbote, Piura and some hospitals in Lima. The collected samples were transported on Cary and Blair media and processed in the National Reference Laboratory of Enteropathogens (LANARE) of the Instituto Nacional de Salud. Vibrio cholerae serogroup 01 biovar El Tor serovar Inaba was isolated from all the samples, it was sensible to tetracyclines and other antibiotics. This research confirmed the first outbreak of cholera in Peru.(AU)

Retos y Problemas en el diagnóstico microbiológico en diarrea / Challenges and problems in the microbiological diagnosis in diarrhea

Los laboratorios de Microbiología Clínica en el Perú cumplen con la labor de diagnosticar los agentes infecciosos presentes en las muestras clínicas, para lo cual cuentan con diferentes herramientas; su utilización depende de contar con recursos materiales y humanos. El laboratorio microbiológico puede realizar pruebas simples como complejas dependiendo del nivel en que se encuentra, la ubicación geográfica y los recursos disponibles. Se mencionan los problemas encontrados con los procedimientos de laboratorio disponibles y su potencial en la ayuda diagnóstica. Se hace hincapié en contar con procedimientos estandarizados, formación y capacitación continua del personal, así como la importancia de la red de laboratorios liderada por el Instituto Nacional de Salud.(AU)

Clinical microbiology laboratories in Peru have the task to diagnose the infectious agents present in the clinical samples, for this, they have different tools available; their use depends on having material and human resources. The microbiological laboratory can perform simple and complex tests, depending on the level, the geographical location and the available resources. We mention the problems found with the available laboratory procedures and their potential diagnostic aid. We emphasize the need of having standardised procedures, the continuous education and training of the staff, and the importance of the laboratory network led by the Instituto Nacional de Salud.(AU)