IVF/ICSI outcomes after culture of human embryos at low oxygen tension: a meta-analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Improved pregnancy, implantation, and birth rates have been reported after the use of reduced O2 concentration during embryo culture, mainly due to a reduction of the cumulative detrimental effects of reactive oxygen species. However, some studies have failed to report any positive effects. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of a low-O2 environment on IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All available published and ongoing randomised trials that compared the effects of low (~5%; OC~5) and atmospheric (~20%; OC~20) oxygen concentrations on IVF/ICSI outcomes were included. Search strategies included online surveys of databases from 1980 to 2011. The outcomes measured were fertilisation rate, implantation rate and ongoing pregnancy rates. The fixed effects model was used to calculate the odds ratio.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seven studies were included in this analysis. The pooled fertilisation rate did not differ significantly (<it>P </it>= 0.54) between the group of oocytes cultured at low O2 tension and the group at atmospheric O2 tension. Concerning all cycles, the implantation (<it>P </it>= 0.06) and ongoing pregnancy (<it>P </it>= 0.051) rates were not significantly different between the group receiving transferred sets containing only OC~5 embryos and the group receiving transferred sets with only OC~20 embryos. In a meta-analysis performed for only those trials in which embryos were transferred on day 2/3, implantation (<it>P </it>= 0.63) and ongoing pregnancy (<it>P </it>= 0.19) rates were not significantly different between the groups. In contrast, when a meta-analysis was performed using only trials in which embryos were transferred on days 5 and 6 (at the blastocyst stage), the group with transferred sets of only OC~5 embryos showed a statistically significantly higher implantation rate (<it>P </it>= 0.006) than the group receiving transferred sets with only OC~20 embryos, although the ongoing pregnancy (<it>P </it>= 0.19) rates were not significantly different between the groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Despite some promising results, it seems too early to conclude that low O2 culture has an effect on IVF outcome. Additional randomised controlled trials are necessary before evidence-based recommendations can be provided. It should be emphasised that the present meta-analysis does not provide any evidence that low oxygen concentration is unnecessary.</p

Time-space evolution of Iberian Pyrite Belt igneous activity: Volcanic and plutonic lineaments, geochronology, ore horizons and stratigraphic constraints

ABSTRACT: The volcanism in the Iberian Pyrite Belt migrated from the present day west/southwest to the east/northeast during Devonian/Carboniferous times. Evidence is here discussed based in U-Pb zircon ages of felsic volcanic and plutonic rocks, bounded by enclosed sediments and their biostratigraphic ages, together with hosted massive sulphides deposits and associated plutonic counterparts.Volcano-Sedimentary Complex rocks define several volcanic axes, or lineaments, with the general NWSE to WNW-ESE belt trending orientation. The usage of all the available data from high-resolution stratigraphy, geology and geophysics lead to establishment of eleven main volcanic axes, nine with zircon U-Pb radiometric ages (166 samples).In this research, we reinforce a previous inter-axes volcanic evolutionary trend, but we also suggest an intra-axis evolutionary trend of the IPB igneous activity with time. This means the basin igneous activity also evolved along most of the volcanic and plutonic lineaments, from west/northwest to east/southeast.Successive weighted average ages for each axis (SW to NE) and opposite end-point sample ages for each axis (NW/W to SE/E) are presented. Similar trends are found with felsic volcanic rocks, subvolcanic and plutonic rocks and even massive sulphide ages correspond to the regional trend corroborating the proposed geological framework.Siliciclastic sediments and lower VSC sequences (sediments, felsic volcanic rocks and massive sulphides) show a comparable age trending evolution although upper VSC sediments seem to be contemporaneous across the province. Older ages, from zircon U-Pb and from associated reworked palynomorph in the sediments, show a long-lasting age distribution along most Devonian times, suggesting the IPB evolved since Lochkovian times (Lower Devonian). Therefore, we propose the IPB inter-axes evolution could be related with a NE-direction plate motion (present-day location) over a heat source, while intra-axes are probably due to the collisional/compressive tectonic interaction of South Portuguese - Ossa-Morena zones tectonic setting.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Geoquímica das rochas vulcânicas associadas aos jazigos de sulfuretos maciços do setor português da Faixa Piritosa Ibérica ocidental. Considerações sobre alteração hidrotermal, petrologia e evolução tectónica

ABSTRACT: A geochemical compilation database of the main volcanic units of the Volcano-Sedimentary Complex (VSC) of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), one of the largest provinces of massive sulfides on a global scale, is presented and discussed. For this purpose, we used several mineral exploration rock geochemistry databases from six IPB areas, namely Cercal, Lagoa Salgada, Lousal, Aljustrel, Neves Corvo and Chança, regarding unaltered/hydrothermaly altered felsic volcanic units interbedded in the Famennian-Late Visean volcano sedimentary sequences of the VSC. Volcanic rocks within the Phyllite-Quartzite Formation (Givetian-Famennian) IPB basement were also considered. From this, Neves-Corvo sector rhyolites (Rhyolite type 1 and 2) present the most intense hydrothermal alteration, directly related with the age of mineralization and coeval with hosted VSC sedimentary formations. Similar cases were also observed in the volcanic units hosting Lagoa Salgada, Chança and Aljustrel Volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposits. The variety of felsic and intermediate volcanic rocks in the IPB (and within each sector) reflect different petrogenetic processes and/or distinct crustal sources. Application of Zr vs TiO2 binary diagrams allows to define three main trends of andesitic (Lagoa Salgada and Chança sectors), dacitic-rhyodacitic (Aljustrel sector) and rhyolitic (Cercal, Neves-Corvo, Aljustrel and Lousal sectors) composition. Cercal rhyolites are the most evolved felsic rocks (Zr/TiO2 ≈ 1562), followed by Neves-Corvo rhyolites (Zr/TiO2 ≈ 936), Lousal (Zr/TiO2 ≈ 845) and Aljustrel (Zr/TiO2 ≈ 840). In addition, four distinct compositional clusters can be distinguished based on Al 2O3/TiO2 vs Zr/TiO2 and Al2O3/Zr vs TiO2/Zr ratios according to its nature as, rhyolitic, rhyodacitic/dacitic and andesitic, probably reflecting differential partial melting rates. Ybn vs La/Yb(n) diagram ratio indicates that Neves-Corvo (mainly 2 types of rhyolites), Aljustrel (Tufo da Mina rhyolitic unit), as well as Lagoa Salgada sector rhyolites are projected along FIIIa and FIIIb rhyolite fields considered of higher metalliferous potential in the IPB, once their petrogenetic processes are considered ideal to trigger, sustain and host hydrothermal systems and consequently VHMS deposits. Future work, combining geochemical characterization of each volcanic unit with their stratigraphic positioning, is essential in order to achieve a correct correlation between the different sectors and, is therefore, a useful tool in IPB mineral exploration and drill-hole data correlation.Resumo: Neste trabalho são apresentadas e discutidas as interpretações resultantes de uma compilação de dados geoquímicos das principais unidades vulcânicas do Complexo Vulcano-Sedimentar (CVS) da Faixa Piritosa Ibérica (FPI), uma das maiores províncias de sulfuretos maciços à escala global. Para tal, foram utilizadas várias bases de dados de prospeção mineral relativas a análises químicas de rocha total para seis áreas: Cercal, Lagoa Salgada, Lousal, Aljustrel, Neves-Corvo e Chança (unidades vulcânicas intercaladas nas sequências vulcano-sedimentares de idade Famenniano-Viseano superior do CVS). Foram também considerados dados de rochas vulcânicas nos sedimentos basais da Formação Filito-Quartzítica (Givetiano-Famenniano). Os riólitos tipo 1 e 2 de Neves-Corvo apresentam a alteração hidrotermal mais intensa e estão diretamente relacionados com a idade da mineralização, sendo coevos com as formações sedimentares hospedeiras do CVS. Casos semelhantes são observados nas unidades vulcânicas que alojam os depósitos vulcânicos hospedeiros de sulfuretos maciços (VHMS) de Lagoa Salgada, Chança e Aljustrel. A variedade de rochas vulcânicas félsicas e intermédias na FPI (e dentro de cada setor) deve refletir diferentes processos petrogenéticos e/ou fontes crustais distintas. A aplicação do diagrama binário Zr vs TiO2 permite definir três tendências principais que correspondem aproximadamente às rochas de composição andesítica (setores da Lagoa Salgada e Chança), dacítica-riodacítica (setor de Aljustrel) e riolítica (setores do Cercal, Neves-Corvo, Aljustrel e Lousal). As rochas vulcânicas félsicas mais evoluídas são os riólitos do Cercal (Zr/TiO2 ≈ 1562), seguidos dos riólitos de Neves-Corvo (Zr/TiO2 ≈ 936), Lousal (Zr/TiO2 ≈ 845) e Aljustrel (Zr/TiO2 ≈ 840). Além disso, quatro grupos de composições distintas podem ser reconhecidos com base nas razões Al 2O3/TiO2 vs Zr/TiO2 e Al2O3/Zr vs TiO2/Zr de acordo com a sua natureza, riolítica, riodacítica/dacitica e andesítica, provavelmente refletindo diferentes taxas de fusão parcial. A aplicação do diagrama Ybn vs La/Yb(n) indica que os riólitos do setor de Neves-Corvo (principalmente dois tipos), Aljustrel (unidade riolítica Tufo da Mina) bem como as rochas vulcânicas da Lagoa Salgada são projetadas ao longo do campo dos riólitos do tipo FIIIa e FIIIb, sendo estes considerados os de maior potencial metalífero na FPI, pois os seus processos petrogenéticos são considerados ideais para desencadear, sustentar e hospedar sistemas hidrotermais e, consequentemente, depósitos de VHMS. Pretende-se, no futuro, continuar a desenvolver esta investigação envolvendo a caracterização geoquímica de cada unidade vulcânica, de acordo com o seu posicionamento estratigráfico, de forma a obter uma correlação sustentada entre os diferentes setores. Esta metodologia é assim uma ferramenta útil em prospeção mineral e na correlação de dados de diferentes sondagens.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cellulolytic and proteolytic ability of bacteria isolated from gastrointestinal tract and composting of a hippopotamus

The bioprospection for cellulase and protease producers is a promise strategy for the discovery of potential biocatalysts for use in hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials as well as proteic residues. These enzymes can increment and turn viable the production of second generation ethanol from different and alternative sources. In this context, the goal of this study was the investigation of cellulolytic and proteolytic abilities of bacteria isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of a hippopotamus as well as from its composting process. It is important to highlight that hippopotamus gastrointestinal samples were a non-typical sources of efficient hydrolytic bacteria with potential for application in biotechnological industries, like biofuel production. Looking for this, a total of 159 bacteria were isolated, which were submitted to qualitative and quantitative enzymatic assays. Proteolytic analyzes were conducted through the evaluation of fluorescent probes. Qualitative assays for cellulolytic abilities revealed 70 positive hits. After quantitative analyzes, 44 % of these positive hits were selected, but five (5) strains showed cellulolytic activity up to 11,8 FPU/mL. Regarding to proteolytic activities, six (6) strains showed activity above 10 %, which overpassed results described in the literature. Molecular analyzes based on the identification of 16S rDNA, revealed that all the selected bacterial isolates were affiliated to Bacillus genus. In summary, these results strongly indicate that the isolated bacteria from a hippopotamus can be a potential source of interesting biocatalysts with cellulolytic and proteolytic activities, with relevance for industrial applications.Brazilian research agency (FAPESP)Brazilian research agency (CAPES)Brazilian research agency (CNPq)Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biol Sci, Rua Sao Nicolau 210, BR-09913030 Sao Paulo, BrazilSao Paulo Zoo Pk Fdn, Av Miguel Estefano 4241, BR-04301905 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biophys, Rua 3 Maio,100, BR-04044020 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilFed Univ Latin Amer Integrat, Latin Amer Inst Life Sci & Nat, Av Tarquinio Joslin Santos 1000, BR-85870901 Foz Do Iguacu, Parana, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biol Sci, Rua Sao Nicolau 210, BR-09913030 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Biophys, Rua 3 Maio,100, BR-04044020 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 2010/51992-5CNPq: 475166/2013-2Web of Scienc

Efficacy of the motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) in predicting pregnancy after intrauterine insemination

Background: Although the motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) was developed merely as a selection criterion, its application as a method for classifying sperm morphology may represent an improvement in the evaluation of semen quality. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of normal sperm morphology using MSOME with regard to clinical pregnancy (CP) after intrauterine insemination (IUI).Methods: A total of 156 IUI cycles that were performed in 111 couples were prospectively analysed. Each subject received 75 IU of recombinant FSH every second day from the third day of the cycle. Beginning on the 10th day of the cycle, follicular development was monitored by vaginal ultrasound. When one or two follicles measuring at least 17 mm were observed, recombinant hCG was administered, and IUI was performed 12-14 h and 36-40 h after hCG treatment. Prior to the IUI procedure, sperm samples were analysed by MSOME at 8400x magnification using an inverted microscope that was equipped with DIC/Nomarski differential interference contrast optics. A minimum of 200 motile spermatozoa per semen sample were evaluated, and the percentage of normal spermatozoa in each sample was determined.Results: Pregnancy occurred in 34 IUI cycles (CP rate per cycle: 21.8%, per patient: 30.6%). Based on the MSOME criteria, a significantly higher percentage of normal spermatozoa was found in the group of men in which the IUI cycles resulted in pregnancy (2.6+/-3.1%) compared to the group that did not achieve pregnancy (1.2+/-1.7%; P = 0.019). Logistic regression showed that the percentage of normal cells in the MSOME was a determining factor for the likelihood of clinical pregnancy (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.51; P = 0.003). The ROC curve revealed an area under the curve of 0.63 and an optimum cut-off point of 2% of normal sperm morphology. At this cut-off threshold, using the percentage of normal sperm morphology by MSOME to predict pregnancy was 50% sensitive with a 40% positive predictive value and 79% specificity with an 85% negative predictive value. The efficacy of using the percentage of normal sperm morphology by MSOME in predicting pregnancy was 65%.Conclusions: The present findings support the use of high-magnification microscopy both for selecting spermatozoa and as a routine method for analysing semen before performing IUI

The effects of male age on sperm analysis by motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study aimed to investigate the influence of age on sperm quality, as analysed by motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Semen samples were collected from 975 men undergoing evaluation or treatment for infertility. Sperm cells were evaluated at 8400× magnification using an inverted microscope equipped with Nomarski (differential interference contrast) optics. Two forms of spermatozoa were considered: normal spermatozoa and spermatozoa with large nuclear vacuoles (LNV, defined as vacuoles occupying > 50% of the sperm nuclear area). At least 200 spermatozoa per sample were evaluated, and the percentages of normal and LNV spermatozoa were determined. The subjects were divided into three groups according to age: Group I, less than or equal to 35 years; Group II, 36-40 years; and Group III, greater than or equal to 41 years.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was no difference in the percentages of normal sperm between the two younger (I and II) groups (<it>P ></it>0.05). The percentage of normal sperm in the older group (III) was significantly lower than that in the younger (I and II) groups (<it>P </it>< 0.05). There was no difference in the percentage of LNV spermatozoa between the younger (I and II) groups (<it>P ></it>0.05). The percentage of LNV spermatozoa was significantly higher in the older group (III) than in the younger (I and II) groups (<it>P </it>< 0.05). Regression analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in the incidence of normal sperm with increasing age (<it>P </it>< 0.05; r = -0.10). However, there was a significant positive correlation between the percentage of spermatozoa with LNV and male age (<it>P </it>< 0.05, r = 0.10).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results demonstrated a consistent decline in semen quality, as reflected by morphological evaluation by MSOME, with increased age. Considering the relationship between nuclear vacuoles and DNA damage, these age-related changes predict that increased paternal age should be associated with unsuccessful or abnormal pregnancy as a consequence of fertilisation with damaged spermatozoa. Given that sperm nuclear vacuoles can be evaluated more precisely at high magnification, these results support the routine use of MSOME for ICSI as a criterion for semen analysis.</p

Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum above 4×10184{\times}10^{18} eV using inclined events detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory

A measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum for energies exceeding $4{\times}10^{18}$ eV is presented, which is based on the analysis of showers with zenith angles greater than $60^{\circ}$ detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2013. The measured spectrum confirms a flux suppression at the highest energies. Above $5.3{\times}10^{18}$ eV, the "ankle", the flux can be described by a power law $E^{-\gamma}$ with index $\gamma=2.70 \pm 0.02 \,\text{(stat)} \pm 0.1\,\text{(sys)}$ followed by a smooth suppression region. For the energy ($E_\text{s}$) at which the spectral flux has fallen to one-half of its extrapolated value in the absence of suppression, we find $E_\text{s}=(5.12\pm0.25\,\text{(stat)}^{+1.0}_{-1.2}\,\text{(sys)}){\times}10^{19}$ eV.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO