No abstract

In this study, we retrospectively analysed data from 877 patients who had 1204 embryo transfer procedures following in-vitro fertilization (IVF) at Midland Fertility Services, UK, between January 1991 and December 1995 to investigate the factors contributing to failure of embryo transfer at first attempt and the impact of immediate retransfer of retained embryos on the treatment outcome. Embryos were significantly more likely to be retained when the embryo transfer catheter was contaminated with mucus (3.3 versus 17.8%, P = 0.000001) or blood (3.3 versus 12%, P = 0.00001) and when the transfer procedure was difficult compared with when it was easy (20.3 versus 0.8%, P = 0.00001). There was no significant difference in the clinical pregnancy rate between those who had all their embryos transferred at the first attempt (24.7%) and those who required more than one attempt (23.2%). The types of embryo transfer catheter used in the unit did not show any difference in terms of embryo retention. Although we recommend aspiration of cervical mucus in order to reduce the rate of retained embryos, there is no evidence from our study to suggest that pregnancy rate is compromised when embryos are retained, provided they are discovered and immediately retransferred into the uterine cavity. Immediate retransfer is more convenient to the patients and reduces the laboratory workload without compromising the treatment outcome.

No abstract

This study investigated the in-vitro antibacterial and fungicidal activities of three crude extracts of Illicium verum (absolute methanol, 50% methanol and aqueous extracts) against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes), two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella Arizona), and two fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger). The antibacterial action was measured using an agar disk diffusion test, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were determined. The fungicidal activity of the star anise extracts was assessed by the agar disk diffusion test, and poisoned food techniques, and the MICs and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) were determined. The Chinese star anise extracts showed antibacterial and antifungal activities against A. fumigatus. The results of this study suggest that alcoholic extracts are more active than aqueous extracts and that star anise could be used as a natural antimicrobial agent.

IVF using long-protocol buserelin/hMG is more successful than using clomiphene citrate stimulation. However, this advantage may not be significant in those women with a previous poor response to buserelin/hMG. It is suggested that for such poor responders, three attempts of IVF in a clomiphene citrate cycle may offer a viable therapeutic alternative before reverting to more stressful, expensive, and time-consuming treatment.