Background Until now, no previous study has addressed the menstrual patterns among female international students in China. In this present study, our objectives are to ascertain the menstrual characteristics and address the menstrual problems together with their associated risk factors among international students in China. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 500 previously piloted self-structured questionnaires which were administered to female international students enrolled in 15 universities in Zhejiang Province, China from May 2–August 31, 2016. Participants were required to provide answers to a semi-structured questionnaire which asked questions about their socio-demographics and their menstrual characteristics while in their home countries. Relevant changes in their menstrual pattern in terms of amount of flow and duration, regularity, length and suggestive symptoms for premenstrual syndrome in the months after coming to reside in China were also inquired. Respondents indicated changes in eating habits and selected stressors relevant to them from a given list. Their stress levels were assessed and further categorized with the help of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Measurements for the main outcomes included the characteristics of menstrual patterns after arrival in China, stress levels, stressors and new lifestyle patterns. Results Four hundred and nine (81.8%) out of the 500 questionnaires met the criteria and constituted the population for this study. The respondents’ mean age was 21.405 years. Almost half of our respondents (49.1%) reported varying changes in their menstrual pattern after arrival to China. Although, menstrual regularity, normal menstrual length (21-35 days) and duration of flow (3–7 days) remained fairly normal among most of the respondents, disorders like premenstrual symptoms (PMS) (33.82%); abnormal amount (17.97%) and dysmenorrhea (16.38%) were prevalent. There was a significant association between high stress (PSS > 20) and menstrual change 0R = 1.636, 95% CI 1.051–2.547, p = 0.029) and dysmenorhea ( p = 0.037). Common stressors included language barrier 81(25.88%), food 64(20.45%), and loneliness 56(17.89%). Conclusion Menstrual disorders are high among international students in China. We established premenstrual symptoms as the most common menstrual disorder. High levels of stress (PSS > 20) emanating from factors including the language barrier, diet and loneliness was significantly related to the disruptions in their menstruation.

Objective. To investigate the feasibility and clinical outcome of the all-blastocyst-culture and single blastocyst transfer strategy in women aged ≥35 years. Methods. A retrospective analysis of patients aged ≥35 years undergoing IVF/ICSI was performed from January 2017 to April 2019 in the reproductive center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. A total of 155 cases treated with ovarian hyperstimulation by prolonged protocol and implemented single (84 cases) or double (71 cases) blastocyst transfer were collected. Then, patients were further divided into <38 yr. group and ≥38 yr. group, and the laboratory and clinical outcomes were compared between the groups. Results. The double-blastocyst-transfer (DBT) group showed higher clinical pregnancy rate and multiple pregnancy rate and lower neonatal birth weight than those in the single-blastocyst-transfer (SBT) group (P<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in the embryo implantation rate, biochemical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, preterm delivery rate, and term birth rate. For patients<38 yr., SBT significantly reduced the multiple pregnancy rate and increased the neonate birth weight without significant reduction in the clinical pregnancy rate. While in the ≥38 yr. group, there are no differences in pregnancy outcomes between SBT and DBT. Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of MII oocytes was positively correlated with the live birth rate (OR=1.18) and negatively correlated with the miscarriage rate (OR=0.844), suggesting that elderly patients with relatively normal ovarian reserve would obtain better prospect in pregnancy. The number of fetal heart beat in pregnancy was negatively correlated with the live birth rate (OR=0.322) and positively correlated with the preterm birth rate (OR=7.16). Conclusion. The strategy of all-blastocyst-culture and single blastocyst transfer is feasible, safe, and effective for elderly patients with normal ovarian reserve, which would reduce the multiple pregnancy rate.

In the search for effective methods of biological control of stored products insect-pests, the essential oil of Origanum vulgaris was extracted using Clevenger apparatus and tested on reproduction and mortality of flour moth Ephestia kuehniella. Bio-insecticide works with a double action mechanism; administered by inhalation in pupae, essential oil affects their pupal development. It also disrupts the reproduction of exuviated adults by extending the preoviposition period and reducing the period of egg laying and fecundity because fecundated females cannot live more than four days compared to control group. Moreover, the essential oil administered by inhalation in adults causes a significant mortality rate compared to control group by reducing their lifespan. A repellent effect against larvae and adults of this pest was noticed in this work. This allowed us ranking this oil as "moderately repulsive".

There is accumulating evidence on the importance of micronutrients in improving fertility in couples undergoing IVF therapy. Despite this, studies reporting the relevant clinical outcomes of IVF, such as pregnancy and live birth rates, are very scarce. This review aimed to systematically summarize clinical evidence on the effect of micronutrients on primary outcome parameters of IVF treatment. The literature was searched up to February 2017 through Embase and PubMed databases for relevant studies. The quality of eligible studies was assessed with the Downs and Black checklist. A total of five studies qualified for inclusion. These studies reported outcomes on 467 participants administered micronutrient supplements alone or combined with other nutrients as part of IVF therapy. There was significant heterogeneity among the interventions and study designs. However, all the studies reported a positive impact of micronutrient supplementation on clinical outcomes of IVF therapy in terms of pregnancy rate and/or live birth rate. Within the limits of this review, micronutrients appear to influence positive outcomes in couples undergoing fertility treatment. Larger clinical studies are needed to strengthen these findings so that the benefit of micronutrients can be extended to subjects undergoing IVF therapy.

To analyze the effects of blastocysts on the 5th day (D5) and 6th day (D6) of frozen-thawed blastocyst transplantation on pregnancy outcome and provide evidence for further improvement of the strategy. This study included transfers from the Reproductive Medicine Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University during freeze-thaw cycles from January 2016 to December 2017. They were divided into D5 group (1616 cases) and D6 group (619 cases) according to blastocyst formation and development. Each group was further divided into 5 groups according to the quality of the blastocyst and the number of transplants, making a total of 10 groups. Following the frozen transplantation cycle, the transplanting rate was significantly higher for D5 (41.73%) than for D6 (23.98%) (P < 0.05); the ongoing pregnancy rate (47,40%) was also significantly higher than that of D6 (28.43%) (P < 0.05).In the frozen-thawed blastocyst resuscitation transplantation, compared to D6 blastocysts, D5 blastocysts were more conducive to blastocyst implantation and could be used to achieve better clinical pregnancy outcome. In blastocyst selection, a single D5 excellent blastocyst transplant is preferred. Only at the 6 th day of non-excellent D6, 2 blastocysts are recommended for transplantation.