Ethical considerations in the field of assisted reproductive technology.
Authors: Cobb LN, Ke RW
Abstract
Human reproduction has always generated more than its share of emotion that exceeds the life and death issues of medicine. For patients that are unable to conceive naturally, medical advances have greatly expanded treatment options. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a highly evolving, complex, and controversial field of medicine in which ethical principles play a large role in decision-making. The following highlights ethical considerations regarding ART, specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF), that practicing obstetricians and indeed all physicians may encounter...
Source: Minerva Endocrinologica - May 12, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Minerva Endocrinol Source Type: research
Fertility preservation for social and oncofertility indications.
This articles attempts to summarize the current state of the art technologies regarding fertility preservation for both social and oncofertility indications.
PMID: 28490170 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Minerva Endocrinologica)
Source: Minerva Endocrinologica - May 12, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Minerva Endocrinol Source Type: research
Ameliorating dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic patients by femoropopliteal artery plaque resection under acute inflammation response.
Authors: Guo J, Cai Z, Zhang S, Liu Y, Gu Y
PMID: 28462578 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Minerva Endocrinologica)
Source: Minerva Endocrinologica - May 5, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Minerva Endocrinol Source Type: research
Pharmacological management of obesity.
Authors: Velazquez A, Apovian CM
Abstract
Current management of obesity includes three main arms: behavioral modification, pharmacologic therapy, and bariatric surgery. Decades prior, the only pharmacological agents available to treat obesity were approved only for short-term use (≤ 12 weeks) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, in the last several years, the FDA has approved several medications for longer term treatment of obesity. This highlights the important progression that we, as a society, better appreciate now the chronicity and complexity of obesity as a disease. Also, availabilit...
Source: Minerva Endocrinologica - May 5, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Minerva Endocrinol Source Type: research
Embryo transfer: a review of timing and techniques.
Authors: Bortoletto P, Bakkensen J, Anchan RM
Abstract
Since the first successful human in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy nearly 40 years ago, remarkable progress has been made in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Improvements in oocyte retrieval, embryo culture, genetic screening, and embryo selection have contributed to dramatic improvements in IVF outcomes. A more robust understanding of embryologic development has driven innovation in not only the timing of embryo transfer but also the number of embryos to transfer. Additionally, overcoming the technical hurdle of embryo vitrification has gi...
Source: Minerva Endocrinologica - April 8, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Minerva Endocrinol Source Type: research
What is new in 2017? Update on fertility preservation in cancer patients.
Authors: Winkler-Crepaz K, Böttcher B, Toth B, Wildt L, Hofer-Tollinger S
Abstract
Prevention of fertility loss due to cancer treatment as well as non-malignant causes has gained importance during the last decades. Clinically applied modalities for fertility preservation in cancer patients include cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos, the application of GnRH agonists, ovarian tissue banking, and cryopreservation of ejaculated or surgically extracted sperm. In addition, several new possibilities to restore fertility are currently being investigated, such as the establishment of in vitro culture systems ...
Source: Minerva Endocrinologica - March 23, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Minerva Endocrinol Source Type: research
Controlled ovarian stimulation and triggers in in vitro fertilization: protocol personalization key to optimize outcomes.
Authors: Maher JY, Christianson MS
Abstract
The past four decades have delivered many advancements to improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. These include a delicate balance of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) without causing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a safe oocyte retrieval, fertilization and embryo culture, endometrial growth and receptivity to promote implantation, and luteal support to maintain the pregnancy. Contemporary IVF practice includes both the classic COH protocols as well as protocols for poor responders and those for specific patient populations. An assortmen...
Source: Minerva Endocrinologica - March 23, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Minerva Endocrinol Source Type: research
A review on ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) management strategies.
Authors: Eskew AM, Omurtag KR
Abstract
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is one of the most frequent, serious and potentially lethal iatrogenic complications of controlled ovarian stimulation. Despite extensive research, the exact pathogenesis of this syndrome remains less clear, but there appears to be a relationship of increased vascular permeability mediated by HCG and other downstream mediators. Adequate experience with ovulation induction therapy and identifying patients with known risk factors are essential in preventing OHSS. As this is a completely iatrogenic disease numerous strategies have...
Source: Minerva Endocrinologica - March 23, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Minerva Endocrinol Source Type: research
Effect of Vitamin D replacement in Primary Hyperparathyroidism with concurrent Vitamin D deficiency: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D replacement in subjects with mild PHPT and coexistent vitamin D deficiency improved serum 25(OH)D level without worsening of pre-existing hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria. Well-designed multicenter randomized controlled trials examining pre- and post- operative outcomes of vitamin D therapy in patients with different severities of PHPT and vitamin D inadequacy, are warranted to elucidate the most appropriate vitamin D treatment protocol and determine the long-term safety concerns.
PMID: 28294593 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Minerva Endocrinologica)
Source: Minerva Endocrinologica - March 18, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Minerva Endocrinol Source Type: research
The anti-inflammatory protein kallistatin is associated with carotid intima media thickness in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
CONCLUSIONS: Kallistatin levels may provide useful information regarding cardiovascular risk in women with PCOS.
PMID: 28294594 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Minerva Endocrinologica)
Source: Minerva Endocrinologica - March 18, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Minerva Endocrinol Source Type: research
Pancreatic beta cell function is preserved in the short term in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing non-urgent surgery.
CONCLUSIONS: The pancreatic beta reserve of patients with T2DM was not affected a month after the non-urgent surgery. The direct measurement of pancreatic function by dynamic assessment with glucagon did not change, nor did we find alterations in the indirect calculation of insulin secretion using the HOMA-B. None of these parameters reached statistical significance. Non-urgent surgical procedures included in our study are safe for patients with short lasting, properly controlled T2DM, from the point of view of glucose metabolism assessed by pancreatic insulin secretion. We can consider non-urgent surgical procedures safe ...
Source: Minerva Endocrinologica - March 8, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Minerva Endocrinol Source Type: research
Comparison of curative effect of 131I and antithyroid drugs in Graves' disease: a meta analysis.
CONCLUSION: Treatment with 131I was associated with better clinical outcome; it reduced side effects and reccurence rate but increased hypothyroidism in Graves' Disease.
PMID: 28252265 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Minerva Endocrinologica)
Source: Minerva Endocrinologica - March 4, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Minerva Endocrinol Source Type: research
Laparoscopic roux-en-y gastric bypass vs. laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of lipid effects at one year post-surgery.
Conclusions cannot be drawn from hypertriglyceridaemia and low HDL remission rates based on this meta-analysis.
PMID: 28206728 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Minerva Endocrinologica)
Source: Minerva Endocrinologica - February 18, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Minerva Endocrinol Source Type: research
Diagnosis, treatment, clinical course, and prognosis of childhood-onset craniopharyngioma patients.
CONCLUSIONS: As expertise has been shown to have impact on post-treatment morbidity, medical societies should establish criteria of adequate professional expertise for the treatment of craniopharyngioma.
PMID: 28181780 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Minerva Endocrinologica)
Source: Minerva Endocrinologica - February 10, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Minerva Endocrinol Source Type: research
Thyroid dysfunction and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Authors: Efstathiadou ZA, Kita MD, Polyzos SA
Abstract
Thyroid hormones are crucial for hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a very common and potentially serious disease of modern society, shares common clinical features with hypothyroidism, such as obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, in certain studies, increased prevalence of hypothyroidism was observed in patients with NAFLD. However, whether there is a linear relationship between thyroid hormone levels and NAFLD incidence and severity, including values within or in proximity to the refe...
Source: Minerva Endocrinologica - February 10, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Minerva Endocrinol Source Type: research
