Resultados del tratamiento de la infertilidad con el método sintotérmico en un estudio español / Results of infertility treatment with the sinto-thermal method in a Spanish study

OBJETIVO: Describir la efectividad del método sintotérmico (MST) en parejas tratadas de infertilidad en un grupo de población española. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de parejas que buscaban un embarazo y solicitaron atención durante el periodo de estudio (1994-2009). Fueron atendidas por una matrona en un centro de la sanidad pública en Madrid. Las parejas fueron derivadas desde atención primaria y especializada. Se calcularon los porcentajes netos de gestación y recién nacidos vivos, así como el tiempo para lograr el embarazo y la morbilidad. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó un total de 224 parejas que buscaban un embarazo. La media de edad de las mujeres era de 32 años (rango: 29-35), y la de los hombres de 34 años (rango: 30-38). El porcentaje obtenido de gestación fue del 41,5% (n= 93) y el de nacimientos vivos del 40,5% (n= 92). Entre las mujeres de 35 años o más se logró un embarazo en el 40,7% (n= 91). Del total de gestaciones, el 26,3% (n= 59) se lograron dentro de las 6 visitas comprendidas en el periodo del estudio, y el 15,2% (n= 34) tras finalizar dicho periodo. Sólo 5 de los 90 nacimientos vivos se produjeron después de un intento fallido de gestación. CONCLUSIONES: La alta efectividad del MST y la ausencia de efectos secundarios para las mujeres y los recién nacidos justifican que se dé la oportunidad a las parejas infértiles de recibir formación para identificar los signos de fertilidad, antes de someterlas a técnicas invasivas. El estudio es parte de una tesis doctoral defendida en 2012 en la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos de Madrid

OBJECTIVE: To describe the effectiveness of the sinto-thermal method (MST) in couples treated with infertility with a group of Spanish population. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective descriptive study of 224 couples seeking a pregnancy, who requested care during the study period (1994-2009) attended by a midwife at a public health center in Madrid. The couples arrived from primary care and from specialized care. The net pregnancy and birth rates of live babies were calculated, as well as the time to achieve pregnancy and morbidity. RESULTS: A total of 224 couples in search of a pregnancy. The average age of the women was 32 years (29-35 years), and the average age of the men was 34 years (30-38 years). The percentage obtained during pregnancy was 41.5% (n= 93) and that of live births was 40.5% (n= 92). Among women aged 35 or over, pregnancy was achieved in 40.7% (n= 91) of the couples. Of the total gestations, 26.3 (n= 59) were achieved within the six visits included in the study period, and 15.2% (n= 34) after the end of that period. Only 5 of the 90 live births occurred after a failed attempt. CONCLUSIONS: The high effectiveness of MST and the absence of side effects for women and newborns justify the opportunity for infertile couples to receive training to identify signs of fertility, before undergoing invasive techniques.The study is part of a doctoral thesis defended in 2012 at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos of Madrid

Morphological characterization of different human cervical mucus types using light and scanning electron microscopy.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted on human cervical mucus using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The objective was the morphological characterization of the different mucus types, with samples taken from the lumen of the cervix and from the different secretory zones of the cervical mucosa. METHODS: A total of 230 samples from 195 women were spread out on slides and air dried. The phenomenon of 'ferning' was observed and assessed in these samples using both LM and SEM. Further samples from the lumen of the cervix and the different secretory crypts were spread out on cover slips and fixed with glutaraldehyde (2.5%) to be studied by SEM. RESULTS: The results show the presence of four different morphological mucus types, namely L, S, P and G, in both types of sample using dried and fixed techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Mucus from the lumen of the cervix appears to be a morphologically heterogeneous entity. It contains different types of secretions, the proportions of which vary throughout the menstrual cycle. The different mucosal types show different types of crystallization, different patterns of ultrastructure (probably related to the arrangement of the glycoprotein network) and are produced in different secretory zones of the crypts in the cervix.

[Natural family planning]. / Naturlig familjeplanering (NFP).

PIP: Natural family planning (NFP) is based on the knowledge *largely nonexistent) of a women as to whether she is in her fertile period or not. In contrast to the calendar method, the Billings method consists of observing bodily functions, whereby women learn about the fertile and infertile period during the menstrual cycle. This method is very safe as long as the woman has been instructed thoroughly. The Pearl index (the number of pregnancies/100 woman years) can be 1. In a Swedish province, 7/1000 population used this method and had an abortion rate of .5/1000, a fact contradicting the allegation of mass abortion as a result of the method. Only well-trained NFP instructors can teach women, and at the University of Umea such training has been available for some years. The biological basis of the Billings method rests on the fact that every release of an egg is preceded by a ripening process of a follicle in the ovary. This follicle secretes increasing amounts of estrogen which stimulates the cervix to produce secretions for the sperm. Right before ovulation, the follicle reduces estrogen production and noradrenaline takes over, stimulating the peak-day secretion (P-secretion) for further selection of sperm. Ovulation usually occurs on the peak day, which is the day of maximum fertility and the last day of mucous symptoms. For 3 days after peak day until menstruation, the risk of becoming pregnant diminishes successively until it is as low as after sterilization. The instructor is trained to recognize and overcome certain factors that make it more difficult to identify the mucous symptoms, such as the previous use of oral contraceptives, certain illnesses, drugs, and life styles. NFP can also be used for attaining pregnancy by identifying the peak day; women with premenstrual syndrome can calculate when their symptoms start, and sportswomen can predict the time of their menstruation. NFP is fascinating when it is compared to other methods because of its human dimension, and there is still a great deal to be learned about it.^ieng

Effects of protracted exposure to low intensity radio frequency fields on CHO cells in culture.

This study was performed in order to investigate the biological effects of chronic exposure to low intensity radio frequency fields. By using CHO cells in culture, it was possible to extend exposure to several cell generations. The RF field consisted of a 27 MHz magnetic field (6 A/m), which produces a specific absorption rate of 1 W/kg. Exposure was continued for two to five days. The cells were then studied with respect to certain cell biological parameters: vital staining, plating efficiency, growth rate, volume and physical properties of the intracellular water, as measured by NMR. Scanning electron microscopy studies were also performed. A significant difference between exposed and control cells was found only with respect to intracellular water. A 10% decrease in line width which may indicate a corresponding increase in the spin-spin relaxation time was noted after exposure. A change in the colony forming pattern was also observed in thin cultures after two days of exposure.

Cervical factors.

PIP: The cervical canal mucus is important to human fertility since conception can only occur if sperm pass through the contents of the cervical canal to reach the ovum. The biophysical properties of the cervical mucus and their relation to sperm migration are, therefore, curcial. A variety of laboratory experimentation methods have been used in studies of cervical mucus: 1) sperm migration measurements; 2) reheological studies; 3) cell countings; 4) crystallization studies; 5) NMR: 6) EPR; and 7) photoelectron spectroscopy. Cervical mucus is the end result of complicated biosynthetic processes occurring in the epithelial cells of the cervical mucosa; this biosynthesis is regulated by many factors. Type E, characteristic for estrogenic stimuli on mucus biosynthesis, and type G, for gestagenic stimulation, are the 2 main types of cervical secretions. The 2 types always occur together, in differing proportions. For example, at normal ovulation there is a 97:3 ratio of type E to type G; at normal corpus luteum, the ratio is 10:90. The string variety of type E seems to aid in conveying sperm from the vagina while the loaf variety is inactive. The very low viscosity of the string variety intermicellar fluid permits very rapid sperm swimming. Not much is known regarding cervical mucus pathology or therapy.^ieng

Effect of bromhexine and guaiphenesine on clinical state, ventilatory capacity and sputum viscosity in chronic asthma.

Thirty-four patients, 21 male and 13 female, with chronic asthma and tenacious mucoid expectoration were studied regarding clinical parameters, PEF, airway resistance and sputum viscosity measured according to the n.m.r. method (nuclear magnetic resonance); a technique for determination of the water phase viscosity. Using double-blind cross-over technique, oral treatment with the two drugs and placebo was given during three consecutive 12-day periods with 48-h intervals free of test drug. No significant improvement in clinical state, PEF or airway resistance could be demonstrated. Nor did the sputum viscosity show any significant change after treatment with the different preparations. However, regarding the patients' own preference of drug as to mucolytic effect, a significant difference in favour of bromhexine at the 0.1% level was shown.

The radiofrequency field distribution surrounding coils for intrauterine diagnostic procedures. I. Geometrical factors.

PIP: The distribution of radio frequency (RF) field intensities around coils of different geometries was measured in order to improve the method whereby endometrial pathology, especially cancer, can be diagnosed from the absorption of RF energy emitted by a small intrauterine coil. It was found that ring-shaped coils have longer axial effective fields than other coil geometries, probably allowing dia gnosis of more deeply lying processes. 2-coil systems may allow penetration of even deeper processes. The RF absorption was shown to follow the squared value of the RF field intensity.^ieng