Retraction Note to: The effect of endometrial injury on first cycle IVF/ICSI outcome: A randomized controlled trial

This article has been retracted at the request of the IJRM editorial board, based on the results of an investigation which found serious flaws in the study results. The online version of the original article can be found at http://ijrm.ir/article-1-733-en.htm

The effect of endometrial injury on first cycle IVF/ICSI outcome: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Implantation remains a limiting step in IVF/ICSI. Endometrial injury isa promising procedure aiming at improving the implantation and pregnancy rates after IVF/ICSI. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of endometrial injury induced in precedingcycle on IVF/ICSI outcome. Materials and Methods: Four hundred patients undergoing their first IVF/ICSI cycle in two IVF units in Minia, Egypt were randomly selected to undergo either endometrial injury in luteal phase of preceding cycle (intervention group) or no treatment (control group). Primary outcome wasthe implantation and live birth ratesWhile the secondary outcome was clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, multiple pregnancy rates, pain and bleeding during and after procedure. Results: Implantation and live birth rates were significantly higher in intervention compared with control group (22.4% vs. 18.7%, p=0.02 and 67% vs. 28%, p=0.03), respectively. There was also a significant reduction in miscarriage rate in intervention group (4.8% vs. 19.7%, respectively, p<0.001). Conclusion: Endometrial injury in preceding cycle improves the implantation rate and live birth rate and reduces the miscarriage rate per clinical pregnancy in patients undergoing their first IVF/ICSI cycl

The usefulness of endometrial thickness, morphology and vasculature by 2D Doppler ultrasound in prediction of pregnancy in IVF/ICSI cycles

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of endometrial thickness, morphology and vasculature using two-dimensional (2D) Doppler ultrasound on the IVF/ICSI cycle outcome. Subjects and methods: Endometrial thickness, morphology and subendometrial blood flow were assessed using transvaginal ultrasound on the day of hCG in 100 patients undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment in the period between June 2013 and January 2015. Statistical analysis was done. Results: There was no difference in the demographic features or details of ovarian stimulation between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Overall, 40 patients conceived; 23 (57.5%) of them had blood flow in zone III and 15 (37.5%) in zone II. All patients achieved pregnancy had endometrial thickness >8 mm. Using the ROC curve, the cutoff endometrial thickness for non-achieving pregnancy was 7 mm with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. There was no significant difference in Doppler indices between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Conclusion: When the endometrial thickness is <8 mm, and if there are non-triple endometrial line and non-favorable blood flow zone on day of hCG in IVF/ICSI cycles, pregnancy is unlikely and embryo transfer should be canceled with freezing of all embryos for future transfer to increase the success rate

Risk factors and outcome of patients with eclampsia at a tertiary hospital in Egypt

Abstract Background Eclampsia is a major cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in low and middle income countries. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors and maternal and perinatal outcome in patients with eclampsia in order to get reliable data that helps in reducing the incidence and improving the outcome in an area with high incidence of eclampsia. Methods Retrospective study including 250 patients diagnosed with eclampsia at Minia Maternity University Hopsital, Minia, Egypt in the period between January 2013 and December 2014.We analyzed the data obtained from medical records of these patients including patient characteristics, medical, obstetric, current pregnancy history, data on hospital admission, treatment given at hospital and maternal and perinatal outcome. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 21. Results During the study period, 21690 women gave birth in the hospital; of which 250 cases of eclampsia were diagnosed (1.2%).Four women died (case fatality rate 1.6%). The main risk factors identified were young age, nulliparity, low level of education, poor ante-natal attendance and pre-existing medical problems. The most common complication was HELLP syndrome (15.6%). Magnesium sulphate therapy was given to all patients but there was lack of parenteral anti-hypertensive therapy. Forty six cases delivered vaginally (18.4%). Assisted delivery was performed in 22 (8.8%) cases and caesarean section in 177 (70.8%) cases; 151(60.4%) primary caesarean sections and 26 (10.4%) intra-partum. Perinatal deaths occurred in 11.9% on cases. Prematurity and poor neonatal services were the main cause. Conclusion Morbidity and mortality from eclampsia are high in our setting. Improving ante-natal and emergency obstetric and neonatal care is mandatory to improve the outcome

Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist, Montelukast Ameliorates L-NAME-Induced Pre-eclampsia in Rats through Suppressing the IL-6/Jak2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway

Aims: To investigate the potential protective role of montelukast (Mont) in the pre-eclampsia rat model induced by L-NG-Nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Methods and materials: Thirty-two pregnant female albino Wistar rats were assigned to four groups: the control group: pregnant rats received vehicles; the Mont group: pregnant rats received Mont (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.) from the 6th to the 18th day of gestation; the L-NAME group: pregnant rats received L-NAME (50 mg/kg/day, i.p.) from the 9th to the 18th day of gestation; the Mont/L-NAME group: pregnant rats received Mont (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.) from the 6th to the 18th day of gestation and L-NAME (50 mg/kg/day, i.p.) from the 9th to the 18th day of gestation. Placental, hepatic, and renal malondialdehyde (MDA), total nitrites (NOx), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-&alpha; were determined. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), creatinine, urea, 24-h urinary protein, and the placental growth factor (PGF) were measured. Histopathological examinations of the placental, hepatic, and renal tissues were also performed. In addition, placental, hepatic, and renal Janus kinase 2 (Jak2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) immunoblotting were performed. Key findings: Mont improves oxidative stress, IL-6, TNF-&alpha;, ALT, AST, creatinine, urea, 24-h urinary protein, PGF, Jak2, and STAT3 which were all affected by L-NAME. Moreover, the histopathological assessment indicated that Mont restored the normal architecture that was markedly disturbed by L-NAME. Significance: Mont exerted the biochemical and histopathological amelioration of L-NAME-caused pre-eclampsia through its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant function and suppression of the IL-6/Jak2/STAT3 signaling pathway