Gestational Diabetes Type 2: Variation in High-Density Lipoproteins Composition and Function

Aims: Class A2 gestational diabetes mellitus (GDMA2) has short- and long-term effects on the mother and child. These may include abnormalities of placentation, damage to endothelial cells and cardiovascular disease. This research investigated the function and composition of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) among women with GDMA2 and their fetuses. Methods: Thirty pregnant women were recruited during admission for delivery. The function and expression of HDL, paraoxonase1 (PON1) and apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) in the blood samples and the placental tissue were evaluated. The effect of HDL on migration of endothelial cells was measured in vitro. Results: Compared to normal pregnancy (NP), APOA1 in the maternal plasma of women with GDMA2 was decreased. More APOA1 and PON1 were released from HDL of women with GDMA2, compared to NP. Placental APOA1 and PON1 were decreased in GDMA2. For endothelial cells stimulated with TNFα, HDL cell migration was decreased when cells were evaluated with NP-HDL, as compared to GDMA2-HDL. Conclusions: GDMA2 affects the composition and function of HDL in plasma. Changes in HDL commonly seen in GDMA2 were observed in maternal and placental samples, but not in cord samples. These results might indicate a placental role in protecting the fetus by preserving the components and functions of HDL and require further investigation

Genome scan for non-additive heterotic trait loci reveals mainly underdominant effects in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The overdominant model of heterosis explains the superior phenotype of hybrids by synergistic allelic interaction within heterozygous loci. To map such genetic variation in yeast, we used a population doubling time dataset of Saccharomyces cerevisiae 16x16 diallel and searched for major contributing heterotic trait loci (HTL). Heterosis was observed for the majority of hybrids, as they surpassed their best parent growth rate. However, most of the local heterozygous loci identified by genome scan were surprisingly underdominant, i.e., reduced growth. We speculated that in these loci adverse effects on growth resulted from incompatible allelic interactions. To test this assumption, we eliminated these allelic interactions by creating hybrids with local hemizygosity for the underdominat HTLs, as well as for control random loci. Growth of hybrids was indeed elevated for most hemizygous to HTL genes but not for control genes, hence validating the results of our genome scan. Assessing the consequences of local heterozygosity by reciprocal hemizygosity and allele replacement assays revealed the influence of genetic background on the underdominant effects of HTLs. Overall, this genome-wide study on a multi-parental hybrid population provides a strong argument against single gene overdominance as a major contributor to heterosis, and favors the dominance complementation model.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

The possibility of integrating motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) with intracytoplasmic morphologically-selected sperm injection (IMSI) when treating couples with unexplained infertility.

PURPOSE:To examine the efficacy of motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) and intracytoplasmic morphologically-selected sperm injection (IMSI) for unexplained infertility. METHODS:This historical study, included 271 couples with primary, unexplained infertility/male subfertility, treated at an outpatient, IVF clinic, 2015-2018. These couples underwent MSOME after ≥3 failed intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles and ≥1 failed IVF-ICSI cycle. They proceeded to intracytoplasmic morphologically-selected sperm injection (IMSI) within 6 months of MSOME. IMSI is conducted on the day of oocyte pick-up with a fresh semen sample. Pregnancy and delivery rates were analyzed. RESULTS:The cohort was divided based on percentage of normal cells at MSOME: Group A included 55 with no normal cells, Group B, 184 with 0.5%≤ normal cells ≤1.5% and Group C, 32 with ≥2% normal cells. Normal spermatozoa were found in 49 (89%) of Group A after extensive search. Group A had higher pregnancy rate (62.7%) compared to B (47.2%, P = 0.05) and C (28.1%, P = 0.002). Group B had higher pregnancy rate than C (p = 0.045). Delivery rate was higher in Group A (52.1%) compared to B (34.1%, p = 0.023) and C (21.9%, p = 0.007). Pregnancy and delivery rates were higher in A compared to B+C (p = 0.018, p = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:MSOME may be useful for evaluating unexplained infertility. IMSI can be recommended for men with <2% normal spermatozoa at MSOME

Sound Lateralization Test Distinguishes Unimpaired MS Patients from Healthy Controls

There is an urgent need to develop a practical and reliable clinical measure of disease progression in early and mild MS. We hypothesized that a test of sound lateralization, which is exquisitely sensitive to transmission delays in auditory brainstem, could be more useful for detecting processing speed deficits in mildly impaired MS subjects than standard cognitive tasks. Objective. To develop a practical test of sound lateralization for the clinic and to compare performance of MS subjects with variable disability and healthy subjects on Sound Lateralization Test (SLT) and two speed-of-processing tasks. Design. 42 healthy controls and 90 subjects with clinically definite MS, divided into no, mild, and moderate disability strata, were administered the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), and 3-second Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT). Results. All of the tests showed an overall difference in performance between controls and the three MS groups, but only the SLT measured a significant difference between controls and the no disability group. Conclusion. SLT is rapidly applied, technically simple, and superior to standard processing speed tests for discriminating between healthy controls and nondisabled MS subjects. SLT should be investigated as an outcome measure in early-phase trials and for monitoring early disease progression in the clinic

The Risk of Preterm Birth in Women with Three Consecutive Deliveries—The Effect of Number and Type of Prior Preterm Births

Background: We aimed to explore the association of the number, order, gestational age and type of prior PTB and the risk of preterm birth (PTB) in the third delivery in women who had three consecutive singleton deliveries. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of all women who had three consecutive singleton births at a single medical center over a 20-year period (1994&ndash;2013). The primary outcome was PTB (&lt;37 weeks) in the third delivery. Results: 4472 women met inclusion criteria. The rate of PTB in the third delivery was 4.9%. In the adjusted analysis, the risk of PTB was 3.5% in women with no prior PTBs; 10.9% in women with prior one PTB only in the first pregnancy; 16.2% in women with prior one PTB only in the second pregnancy; and 56.5% in women with prior two PTBs. A similar trend was observed when the outcome of interest was spontaneous PTB and when the exposure was limited to prior spontaneous or indicated PTB. Conclusions: In women with a history of PTB, the risk of recurrent PTB in subsequent pregnancies is related to the number and order of prior PTBs. These factors should be taken into account when stratifying the risk of PTB

High physical activity and ovarian reserve: a prospective study of normo-ovulatory professional athletes

Abstract Background This study investigated whether high physical activity affects ovarian reserve in normo-ovulatory, reproductive-age women. Methods This prospective, observational study compared 31 professional female athletes, with 31 women who did not engage in physical activity. It was conducted 2017–2020 in a tertiary medical center. Normo-ovulatory, professional athletes, ages 20–35 years were recruited from The Wingate Institute—the Israeli National Institute for Sport Excellence. They had high International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) scores. Non-physically active women, matched by age and body mass index, were recruited from hospital staff. Women were evaluated for ovarian reserve markers on day 2–5 of the menstrual cycle, including follicular stimulating hormone, antral follicle count, anti-Mullerian hormone and Inhibin B. Results The average age of the high physical activity group was 29.9 ± 4.2 years and the nonactive group 31.6 ± 4.2 years (p = 0.062). Body mass index of both groups were similar (22.5 ± 5.0 vs. 21.4 ± 2.5, respectively; p = 0.1). No differences were observed with respect to follicle stimulating hormone (p = 0.12) and anti-Mullerian hormone (p = 0.16). A trend towards higher total antral follicle count in the high physical activity group vs. the non-active group (34.5 ± 12.9 vs. 28.1 ± 15.2, p = 0.08) and lower Inhibin B (68.1 ± 36.8 vs. 89.4 ± 46.1, p = 0.05). Menarche age correlated with anti-Mullerian hormone (r = 0.387, p = 0.003), as did total antral follicle count (r = 0.368, p = 0.004). IPAQ scores and basal follicle stimulating hormone levels were negatively correlated (r = − 0.292, p = 0.005). Conclusions Athletic, normo-ovulatory women have ovarian reserves that are at least as good as those of the general population. As this is the first study examining this issue, it could cautiously reassure women engaged in high physical activity regarding ovarian reserve

The marginal artery of Drummond revisited: A systematic review

Background: The marginal artery of Drummond (MA) is an anatomically variable blood vessel that forms a major anastomotic network between the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries. It vascularizes the transverse and descending colons and is a major contributor to the collateral circulation of left-colic structures. Purpose: To conduct a systematic review of the MA and highlight the current understanding of its anatomy and role in physiological and pathological vascularization. Methods: The major online databases (Pubmed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Web of Science) were systematically assessed to reveal all available literature pertaining to the MA. Articles judged relevant by the authors were used for the final review. Results: The MA is a key player in the collateral circulation of left-colic structures in the setting of pathological processes affecting their normal vascularization. It helps to maintain perfusion in the event of obstructions and atherosclerosis, and in the cases of obliteration or congenital absence of the mesenteric vessels, it sustains adequate vascularization of the left-colon. The MA has come into increasing prominence as surgeons have become more aware of both iatrogenic injuries to it and its value in mitigating the effects of reduced patency of the mesenteric vessels. Conclusions: The MA continues to become more important to surgeons as both an obstacle and an opportunity in abdominal procedures. Further exploration of its anatomical variability, for example through embryological and dissection studies, will further improve treatment outcomes during abdominal surgery