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Aim and objectives: The primary aim was to measure the sperm DNA damage and to study the magnitude of sperm DNA damage. Secondary objective was to study the effect of sperm DNA fragmentation on Day 5 Blastocyst expansion (graded 1-5). Results: There is an increase in sperm DNA fragmentation with an increase in age. Increased sperm DNA fragmentation is also associated with abnormal motility and morphology in semen samples. However, there is no reduction in expansion or grade of blastocyst. Conclusion: Sperm DNA fragmentation testing is a useful investigation in unexplained infertility. However, Sperm DNA fragmentation has no significant association with Day 5 embryo grade in ICSI cycles. Thesis work of Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine student: Dr. Ramya Harish

A 73-year-old female patient presented to the emergency department with a 3-day history of acute abdominal pain and diarrhea. She had also a history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia. Physical examination revealed examination a generalized abdominal tenderness with an important abdominal distension, with a body temperature of 37.5°, a pulse rate of 115 bpm and a blood pressure of 105/65 mmHg. Laboratory data showed white blood cells at 15.500/mm³, C-reactive protein at 155 mg/l, hemoglobin at 12.3 g/dl and creatinine at 105 µmol/l. Chest radiography was normal. Contrast enhanced CT of the abdomen revealed hepatic portal venous gas with diffuse gas accumulation in the branches of the superior mesenteric vein, gaseous distention of the small bowel with reduced enhancement of the bowel wall (Figure 1). Additionally, an atheromatous obstruction was observed in the superior mesenteric artery at 4cm from its origin (Figure 2). Emergency surgery was decided.

Background: Factors like emotions, lifestyle choices, and physical activities, including posture changes, have a significant impact on cardiovascular indicators like blood pressure and heart rate. The study aims to examine the cardiovascular reactions in individuals with type 2 diabetes while performing the head-down crooked kneeling (HDCK) or Sujood position, resembling poses found in hatha yoga. This position emphasizes relaxation, body awareness, and meditation. Those with type 2 diabetes who engage in yoga have reported enhancements in their management of blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. Methodology:  A cross-sectional study was conducted in different hospitals. The sample size was 312 which was calculated by using the Rao soft calculator. The participants were selected by non-probability convenience sampling technique. Inclusion Criteria were male and Female diagnosed with Type 2 DM, Subjects with a history of smoking, Cognitive Impairment, Sepsis, Cardiac pathology, Respiratory disorders, and Malignancy were excluded. Blood pressure and heart rate were monitored initially, during the Crooked Down Kneeling position, and after the Crooked Down Kneeling Position. A Digital Sphygmomanometer was used to measure blood pressure and a pulse rate-demographic Assessment form was used to collect data. Ethical consideration is maintained. Informed consent was taken from participants. Results: The result shows a significant effect of head down crooked kneeling position on cardiovascular response in type 2 diabetic patients (p < .001). Systolic, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate before, during, and after HDCK were significantly increased (p < .001) as compared to the baseline value, and after 5 min returning to the upright position it reverted to the initial value. Conclusion: This study revealed a significant increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressures and an increase in pulse rate during HDCK. Also, our findings showed no significant gender difference in the effect of HDCK on all the other cardiovascular parameters except systolic bp.

Cadmium is one of the transition metals, known by the scientific name Cd. One of its main characteristics is the high toxicity, even in very little amounts. Cadmium is often released through industrial effluents, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and the burning of fossil fuels. Since the presence of cadmium ions in the living organisms’ body, especially humans, can cause serious damage to the liver and pancreas, and also because its role in causing cancer has been proven, measuring very low amounts of this metal is of high importance. In the first step, this study has reviewed and analyzed common laboratory methods for measuring small amounts of cadmium. Then, according to economic, environmental, feasibility, speed, and accuracy factors, all available methods were evaluated using the ELECTRE technique. The results showed that the extraction methods using Dowex Optipore V-493 resin and extraction system in Triton X-114 surfactant, placed in the first and second positions.

Soft-tissue sarcomas are a rare and complex group of malignant tumors. Advanced MRI sequences such as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and perfusion-weighted imaging/dynamic contrast enhancement (PWI/DCE) can provide valuable tumor characterization and treatment response assessment. In the case of archetypical cellular tumors such as Pleomorphic Undifferentiated sarcoma (UPS), Good responders often display right-side displacement of the ADC intensity histogram, resulting in increased ADC-mean and decreased kurtosis and Skewness compared with Baseline and poor responders’ more left-sided curve. The PWI/DCE pattern most often associated with a good response is the presence of a “capsular-like” enhancement and a TIC type 2. Sarcoma hemorrhage patterns on SWI emerge during treatment, including “interstitial,” globular,” “luminal,” and incomplete and complete “peripheral ring-like” tumor wall hemosiderin impregnation. Treatment-induced bleeding is typically associated with low SWI-mean values and a left-sided intensity histogram with positive Skewness.During post-surgical surveillance, DCE MR imaging can reliably distinguish recurrent sarcoma from post-surgical scarring. TICs III, IV, and V raise the suspicion of local tumor recurrence, while TIC type II usually represents benign post-operative change such as granulation tissue. Advanced MRI is an essential tool for assessing sarcomas during and after therapy.

Information regarding the effects of the novel coronavirus on human reproduction is currently limited. The objective of our work was to assess whether, in women who have passed the disease, there was a variation in the ovarian reserve through the determination of AMH levels. During May-June 2020, women performing an Assisted Reproductive treatment and who had a positive IgG for SARS-CoV-2 were included in the study; this group of women had a previous AMH determination of no more than 6 months. Women were stratified into two groups, according to their previous AMH levels: low responders (AMH<1 ng/ml) or normal-high responders (AMH ≥ 1 ng/ml) Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 19.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA). A total of 46 patients were included in the study; 16 women were diagnosed as having low ovarian reserve (AMH < 1 ng/ml), with an average age of 38.6 years, whereas 30 were classified as having normal ovarian reserve (AMH ≥ 1 ng/ml), with an average age of 34.7 years. Generally, the data show no variation in AMH levels before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection (1.73 ng/ml vs. 1.61 ng/ml, respectively). However, when we analyzed these differences according to the study groups, the results were consistent with the patient's ovarian status. It is possible to conclude that the fact of having passed the disease does not affect the ovarian reserve status but the degree of the variation of AMH levels depending on the patient was a low or high responder.

A 44-year-old G4P2+1 presented to the emergency department on the 10th day following embryo transfer (with two fresh, day 5, blastocysts transferred in a hospital abroad) with the complaints of difficulty breathing, chest discomfort and cough for one day. These symptoms increased on lying on her side and were not related to exertion. She also mentioned having had abdominal discomfort over the preceding few days. On taking a past history, the patient revealed that all her prior pregnancies were the result of IVF treatment and she suffered OHSS with each. Her first pregnancy was a triplet gestation through IVF and complicated by OHSS; followed by her second pregnancy which was an IVF twin gestation also complicated by OHSS with ascites requiring paracentesis. With her third IVF treatment she conceived, had OHSS and miscarried spontaneously. However, these IVF treatments and pregnancies were all managed abroad and no medical records were available. 

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is a major cause of liver associated morbidity and mortality with diverse spectrum of disease. It is estimated about 15% to 40% of patients with hepatitis B virus infection progress to chronic hepatitis and about 15% to 25% die from disease complications. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the serological and virological markers of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection to determine the natural history of chronic hepatitis B infection in the Eritrean setting. Methods: A laboratory-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 305 patients with HBsAg positive who presented to Orotta National Referral Hospital, Halibet Hospital, Sembel Hospital and National Health Laboratory in Asmara, Eritrea from January 2017 to February 2019. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect hepatitis B serological markers (anti-HBc, HBsAg, anti-HBsAb, HBeAg and anti-HBeAg). Hepatitis B DNA viral loads and liver transaminase levels were determined. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25.0. Results: A total of 305 patients presented with HBsAg positive serology with a mean age of 41.3 (± 13.7) years ranging from 16 to 78 years. Males were 218 (71.5%) and females 87 (28. 5%).Anti-HBc was positive in 300 (98.4%), of which 293 (97.5%) were positive for HBsAg and 7 (2.3%) positive for anti-HBs. Among these 293 patients, 20 (6.8%) were HBeAg positive/anti-HBe positive, 242 (82.6%) HBeAg-negative/anti-HBe-positive and 31 (10.6%) were HBeAg negative/anti-HBe-positive. Detectable HBV DNA was found in 122(41.6%) of the 293 cases. Alanine transaminase was normal in 90% of HBeAg-positive and in 91.2% of HBeAg-negative patients. Hepatitis B DNA viral load was >2,000 IU/mL in 67 (22.86%) and >200,000 IU/mL level was more frequently detected in HBeAg positive (20.0%) compared to HBeAg negative (1.8%) subjects (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study shows predominance of HBeAg-negative and low replication phase of HBV infection among patients in Eritrea. It also documented that most patients had chronic infection with normal liver transaminase levels in the absence of biochemical signs of hepatitis. This study will provide a basis for therapeutic evaluation of patients and planning national treatment guidelines in the Eritrean setting.

This article presents an overview of information regarding Acanthamoeba keratitis per epidemiology, host-pathogen interactions, clinical manifestations, risk factors, environmental implications, diagnosis, treatment and management as well as COVID-19 characteristics which may be taken into cognizance for suspected infected patients, researchers and ophthalmologic practitioners. Acanthamoeba spp. is pathogenetically ubiquitous in nature. Acanthamoeba keratitis is considerably an ocular-threatening and debilitating keratitis that exhibits contumacious characteristics which hinder or impede treatment or management. At inception, Acanthamoeba generally depicts atypical clinical features which are frequently misdiagnosed as other microbial keratitis. Fundamentally, it constitutes a rare corneal infection of which the aetiologic agent is the protozoon Acanthamoeba spp. in contact lens wearers, presenting features of severe ophthalmic distress, blurred vision, blepharospasm, ocular excoriation, extraneous entity sensation and photophobia culminating in aberrant visual functionality. These are perspicuously due to retarded prompt and adequate treatment and management. Personal and environmental hygiene, especially on the hands, face and ocular areas as advised for the COVID-19 protocol could prevent contamination and dissemination of Acanthamoeba keratitis infection. The differentiating relatedness of Acanthamoeba keratitis, COVID-19 ophthalmologic infections and other ocular problems may not have been clearly elucidated.

Objective: To explore the pathologic response rate to primary progesterone treatment in patients with Endometrial Intraepithelial Neoplasia (EIN) and early-stage endometrioid-type Endometrial Adenocarcinoma (EAC).Methods: Retrospective chart data were collected for patients with either EIN or EAC receiving primary progesterone treatment between 2015 and 2022. The presence of complete or partial response, time to response, and other demographic and treatment factors were recorded to determine independent predictors of response to progestin treatment.Results: In total, 112 women who were diagnosed with EIN or EAC were treated with upfront progestin therapy, of whom 79 had sufficient follow-up to assess response. Fifty patients (63%) responded, of whom 10 (20%) ultimately relapsed. Response was more robust among patients with EIN (79%, n = 33) compared with patients who had cancer (46%, n = 17). The median time to respond was 5.8 months overall. Diagnosis of EIN, younger age at diagnosis, and any pathologic evidence of progesterone effect were all predictors of treatment response. Younger patients had a significantly shorter time to partial or complete response with a median time to response of 5.9 months in patients ≤ 45 and 13.8 months in patients > 45. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a lower overall response rate (63%) than reported in previous studies, especially for patients with cancer (46%). Younger patients had a significantly shorter time to respond than older patients. Pathologic progesterone effect observed at any time during treatment was a significant predictor of treatment response regardless of diagnosis and could serve as an early predictor of response to therapy.