Key milestones in the history of in vitro fertilization

Here, we discuss essential milestones in developing and establishing method in vitro fertilization (IVF). Moreover, we also outline most prominent breakthroughs and discoveries performed in diverse time, each of which brought mankind closer to emergence of the first successful results after applying IVF in human. In addition, we also consider a history of IVF introduced in Russia as well as current issues requiring to be solved in the nearest future

Archaeological evidence for two culture diverse Neanderthal populations in the North Caucasus and contacts between them

Neanderthals were widespread during the Middle Palaeolithic (MP) across Europe and Asia, including the Caucasus Mountains. Occupying the border between eastern Europe and West Asia, the Caucasus is important region regarding the Neanderthal occupation of Eurasia. On current radiometric estimates, the MP is represented in the Caucasus between about 260–210 ka and about 40 ka. Archaeological record indicates that several culture diverse MP hominin populations inhabited the Caucasus, but the region complex population history during this period remains poorly understood. In this paper, we identify for the first time the archaeological evidence indicating contacts between two culture diverse MP Neanderthal populations in the North Caucasus and discuss the nature of these contacts. Basing on the lithic assemblages that we excavated at Mezmaiskaya cave in the north-western Caucasus (Kuban River basin) and Saradj-Chuko grotto in the north-central Caucasus (Terek River basin), dating from MIS 5 to MIS 3, and comparative data from other MP sites in the Caucasus, we identify two large cultural regions that existed during the late MP in the North Caucasus. The distinctive toolkits and stone knapping technologies indicate that the MP assemblages from Mezmaiskaya cave and other sites in the west of North Caucasus represent a Caucasian variant of the Eastern Micoquian industry that was wide spread in central and eastern Europe, while the assemblages from Saradj-Chuko Grotto and other sites in the east of North Caucasus closely resemble the Zagros Mousterian industry that was wide spread in the Armenian Highlands, Lesser Caucasus and Zagros Mountains. The archaeological evidence implies that two culture diverse populations of Neanderthals settled the North Caucasus during the Late Pleistocene from two various source regions: from the Armenian Highlands and Lesser Caucasus along the Caspian Sea coast, and from Russian plain along the Sea of Azov coast

Errors of antithrombotic therapy in management of pregnancy and childbirth after in vitro fertilization and transfer of two embryos

Thrombophilia might be the essential pathogenetic mechanism of thromboembolism associated with pregnancy. Venous thromboembolism during or after assisted reproductive technologies is predicted to emerge due to increased number of women undergoing this technique. Low molecular weight heparins was effective for preventing recurrent thromboembolism and severe obstetric complications. Women with personal or family history of thromboembolism or with history of obstetric complications should be screened for thrombophilia

Tinit-1 open-air site.

The Zagros Mousterian assemblage. A. The Levallois products and retouched tools (2–5) typical of the Zagros Mousterian industry. 1 –Levallois flake; 2 –a tip fragment of Mousterian point (?); 3, 4 –side-scrapers; 5 –elongated Mousterian point with a broken tip; 6 –Levallois triangular flake (point); 7 –Levallois recurrent core. B–D. Drawings and photos of three refitting samples, representing volumetric parallel flaking (B) and Levallois recurrent flaking (C, D). Modified from [38: figs 6, 8, 9, 11].</p

Mezmaiskaya cave.

The retouched tools typical for the Eastern Micoquian (1–13) and small obsidian flakes found in layers 3 and 2B4 (14–15). 1, 2 –bifacial small handaxes; 3, 4 –Mousterian points; 5–7 –déjeté scrapers; 8 –bifacial leaf point; 9–13 –bifacial scraper-knives.</p

Saradj-Chuko grotto.

Photo of the grotto, and plan of excavation showing the discovery points of artefacts typical of the Eastern Micoquian industry in Layer 6B. 1 –bifacial small handaxe; 2 –bifacial leaf point; 3, 4 –bifacial scraper-knives.</p

Map showing distribution of the Eastern Micoquian industry in Eastern Europe and the west of North Caucasus and the Zagros Mousterian industry in the Zagros, Caucasus, and Armenian Highlands, including the east of North Caucasus.

Squares indicate open-air sites and triangles indicate cave sites. Various colors indicate: yellow–main Eastern Micoquian sites in the west of North Caucasus, red–Zagros Mousterian sites in the east of North Caucasus, green–main Zagros Mousterian sites in the Lesser Caucasus and Armenian Highlands, blue–main Zagros Mousterian sites in the Zagros. Data: Natural Earth (public domain at http://www.naturalearthdata.com). Figure produced using GRASS GIS 7.8 and Inkscape 0.97 software.</p

Mezmaiskaya cave.

Photo of the cave, and plan of excavation showing the discovery points of Levallois artefacts (1–5, 7) atypical for the Eastern Micoquian industry and a flake made from exotic raw material, probably slate or volcanic rock (6), in Layer 2B4.</p

Weasel cave.

The retouched tools typical of the Zagros Mousterian industry. 1, 2 –elongated Mousterian points; 3 –Levallois retouched point; 4–6 –thick double scrapers; 7 –truncated-faceted scraper; 8, 9 –side-scrapers; 10, 11 –side-scrapers made on Levallois blades; 12 –déjeté scraper. Modified from [8: fig 10].</p

Saradj-Chuko grotto.

2017 excavation. Layer 6B. Drawing and photo of refitting of a one-platform core and five flakes, three of which are laminar flake (1) and blades (3, 4). Numbers indicate the sequence of removals.</p