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PubMed2003

Women empowerment and marital fertility in Oman.

International studies have the inverse relationship of women education and empowerment on fertility. Our aim is to study the association of women education and empowerment with some of fertility indicators or determinants namely; total number of children ever-born, age of women at her first birth and the last closed birth interval length in a community based survey (National Health Survey, 2000) A cross-sectional survey of the health status of Omani community was designed. Face to face interview to 2037 ever married women including demographic data, fertility patterns, family planning, two women empowerment indices (decision making and freedom of movement), and other reproductive health modules. About 31% of the sample was considered highly empowered in decision- making and the mean number of decisions taken in the household was 4.46 for the overall sample. For freedom of movement, 29% of the sample was highly empowered with a mean number of 3.88 for the overall sample. The mean values of both indices varied significantly according to age, residence, level of education and work status. Higher freedom of movement score women was more likely to have less number of children in the first 20 years of marriage. Women of 'higher score of decision making index were more likely to have longer closed birth interval. Those scored low in the decision making index were more likely to get a child at an earlier age. In developing countries where fertility limitation depend on "modern" methods, women's education and autonomy are considered as strong tools to make changes in demographic transition.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Comparison of gene expression in individual preimplantation bovine embryos produced by in vitro fertilisation or somatic cell nuclear transfer.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) have been implicated in a variety of developmental abnormalities. Aberrant gene expression is likely to account for much of the diminished viability and developmental abnormalities observed. In the present study, the expression of multiple genes in IVF and SCNT bovine blastocyst-stage embryos were evaluated and compared with in vivo-produced embryos. Eleven genes expressed at and following maternal-zygotic transcription transition were evaluated in individual blastocysts by real-time polymerase chain reaction following RNA amplification. A subset of those genes was also evaluated in individual IVF and SCNT eight-cell embryos. A fibroblast-specific gene, expressed by nuclear donor cells, was also evaluated in IVF and SCNT embryos. The observed gene expression pattern at the eight-cell stage was not different between IVF and SCNT embryos (P > 0.05). In vitro fertilisation and SCNT blastocyst expression was lower (P < 0.01) for all genes compared with their in vivo-produced counterparts, except for lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme A (P < 0.001). The patterns of gene expression of the IVF and SCNT blastocysts were indistinguishable. Neither SCNT eight-cell nor blastocyst-stage embryos expressed the gene used as a fibroblast marker (collagen VIalpha1). For the genes evaluated, the level of expression was influenced more by the environment than by the method used to produce the embryos. These results support the notion that if developmental differences observed in IVF- and SCNT-produced fetuses and neonates are the result of aberrant gene expression during the preimplantation stage, those differences in expression are subtle.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Expression of the angiogenic factors, basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor, in the ovary.

In adult tissues, vascular growth (angiogenesis) occurs normally during tissue repair, such as in the healing of wounds and fractures. Inappropriate vascular growth is associated with various pathological conditions. These conditions include tumor growth, retinopathies, hemangiomas, fibroses, and rheumatoid arthritis in the case of rampant vascular growth and nonhealing wounds and fractures in the case of inadequate vascular growth. The female reproductive organs exhibit dramatic, periodic growth and regression, accompanied by equally dramatic changes in their rates of blood flow. Thus, it is not surprising that they are some of the few adult tissues in which angiogenesis occurs as a normal process. Ovarian follicles and corpora lutea contain and produce angiogenic factors. These angiogenic factors bind heparin and seem to belong to the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) families of proteins. Based on our studies of the pattern of expression of FGF and its major receptors in bovine, ovine, and porcine corpora lutea, we have suggested that FGF may influence not only luteal cell proliferation but also cell death, thereby regulating cell turnover in the luteal vascular and nonvascular compartments. In addition, we recently have shown that luteal expression of VEGF is greatest during the early luteal phase, coincident with luteal vascularization. Moreover, VEGF is present exclusively in luteal connective tissue and perivascular (arteriolar smooth muscle and capillary pericyte) cells. In fact, the first thecal-derived cells to invade the granulosa-derived regions immediately after ovulation seem to be VEGF-containing pericytes. We have therefore hypothesized that ovarian pericytes play a key role in vascularization of developing follicles and corpora lutea. Further understanding of the specific physiological roles of these factors in follicular and luteal growth, development, and function will ultimately lead to improved methods of regulating fertility.

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents↗

PubMed2004

[Effects of different organic materials and their composting levels on soil microbial community].

In this paper, a pot experiment with tomato and different organic material amendment was installed in a greenhouse, and the diversity of soil microbial communities and their utilization pattern of amine, amino acid, carbohydrate, carboxylic acid, polymer and miscellaneous were assessed by Biolog method at 60 days after amendment. The results showed that organic material amendment could improve soil microbial community diversity. Fresh distiller grain amendment was a little bit better than its 10 days composting, and the composting level of cow manure had a significant positive or negative effect on the microbial diversity. Among the six carbon sources, the utilization of carbohydrate by soil microbial communities was the highest, and the microbial communities in soils amended with distiller grain had a significantly higher utilization of polymer, relative to those in soils amended with cow manure.

Carbon↗

PubMed1992

Estimation of relative fecundity in Eimeria tenella strains by a mixed infection method.

The relative fecundity of populations of Eimeria tenella was estimated by means of mixed infection using electrophoretic variation of glucose-phosphate isomerases (GPIs) as a genetic marker. A decoquinate-resistant strain with GPI-9 isozyme (DR-NIAH), a decoquinate-sensitive one with GPI-1 (DS-Iwate), and three decoquinate-resistant lines (No. 3, 4, and 5) derived from cross-fertilization between DR-NIAH and DS-Iwate, were used. The GPI phenotypes of the No. 3 and No. 4 lines are GPI-9, and that of No. 5 is GPI-1. Mixed infection experiments were performed between DR-NIAH and DS-Iwate, No. 3 and No. 5, and No. 4 and No. 5. DR-NIAH was predominant over DS-Iwate in the mixed infection, whereas, in single infections, the total oocyst output of DR-NIAH was similar to or less than that of DS-Iwate. Among three lines, No. 4 was predominant over No. 5, and No. 5 was predominant over No. 3 in the mixed infection. Relative fecundity between No. 3 and No. 5 and their patterns of oocyst output in single infections were similar to those in the mixed infection. In contrast, No. 5 produced more oocysts than No. 4 in single infections, suggesting that the oocyst production in the mixed infection may be influenced by the mutual interference or competition between the populations of E. tenella in the chicken caeca.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Embryo transfer by midwife or gynecologist: a prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Embryo transfer (ET) in assisted reproduction treatments has traditionally been performed by gynecologists in the Nordic countries. As gynecologists often have a busy schedule, midwives and nurses have become increasingly important in performing the treatment, providing subject information, ultrasound monitoring and assistance at ET. As part of the continuous development of our IVF treatment we have carried out a prospective randomized pilot study where either a midwife or a gynecologist has performed ET. The aim of this study was to see if a skilled IVF midwife could perform ET with similar results to a gynecologist. METHODS: On the day of oocyte aspiration the subjects were randomized, by means of closed envelopes, for ET to be performed either by a midwife or a gynecologist. A total of 102 subjects were included in the study, 51 for ET by a skilled midwife and 51 by a gynecologist. There were no differences in the groups in respect to ET routine and catheters used. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in subject characteristics as regards age, method of pituitary down-regulation or proportion of IVF/ICSI cycles. Similar clinical pregnancy rates between ETs performed by midwives vs. gynecologists, 31% vs. 29%, respectively, were seen. Subject experience as judged by a questionnaire also showed high acceptance of ET by a midwife. CONCLUSION: The results show that it is a feasible option to allow midwives to carry out ETs.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Tracking paternal genes with DALP markers in a pseudoarrhenotokous reproductive system: biparental transmission but haplodiploid-like inheritance in the mite Neoseiulus californicus.

The complexity of some sexual reproductive systems in arthropods still leaves both their genetic and epigenetic determinism and their evolutionary significance poorly understood. Pseudoarrhenotoky is characterized by obligate fertilization and differential inactivation and/or elimination of paternal chromosomes in embryos that develop into males. Here, we investigate how the paternal genome is transmitted in a pseudoarrhenotokous mite, Neoseiulus californicus, using codominant genetic markers detected by DALP (direct amplification of length polymorphism). Transmission patterns of parental alleles through one and two generations are reported at four or five loci corresponding to four linkage groups. Our data provide strong evidence for selective elimination of the paternal genome among male tissues. Sperm contained maternal genes exclusively, whereas some male somatic tissues retained most if not all paternal chromosomes. No recombination between parental genomes prior to paternal genome elimination from the embryonic germ line was observed. These data allow a reinterpretation of previous phenotypic and cytogenetic observations in these mites, from which we suggest some relevant mechanistic and evolutionary implications. In addition, this is the first published study using polymorphic codominant loci detected by the recently developed DALP method.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reproductive pattern in consanguineous and non-consanguineous marriages in La Cabrera, Spain.

BACKGROUND: Among determinants of the structure of human populations, consanguineous marriages can be useful in determining to what extent they influence the genetic structure of the population. This knowledge may be gained by comparing the reproductive performance of related and non-related couples. The population studied, La Cabrera, is a mountainous region in the Leon province (north-western Spain). It includes four neighbouring municipalities with similar geographic, climatic and ecological features with 37 parishes occupying an area of 784.2 km(2), of which only 1.5% is arable. The number of inhabitants remained stable from 1887 (9526 inhabitants) to 1960 (8984), when due to emigration it began to decrease. The average inbreeding coefficient (alpha) for the period 1880-1989 (up to third degree) was 4.82 x 10(-3). AIM: The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the possible factors determining the differences between consanguineous and non-consanguineous families residing in La Cabrera during the period 1880-1959. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: To study the structure and dynamics of each couple, families were reconstituted for the period 1880-1959 using demographic data corresponding to births, deaths and marriages obtained from parish registers. This procedure provided information on each couple's reproductive history through information concerning the mates' deaths as well as their offspring's births and deaths. Principal component analysis revealed the existence of three factors that together explained 57% of the reproductive pattern variability of La Cabrera. RESULTS: The first component (eigenvalue: 3.56) correlated positively with the number of live births and with the duration of the reproductive period. Component II (eigenvalue: 1.54) had a positive correlation with variables describing the beginning of the marital union, and with those indicating its ending. Finally, component III (eigenvalue: 1.13) reflected a negative association with the two variables that described neonatal and post-neonatal mortality. The above demographic variables represented the reproductive process in La Cabrera adequately. Fertility was the variable that offered the best explanation of the reproductive pattern (32%), followed by the marital structure (13%) and the infant mortality (12%). CONCLUSION: In the La Cabrera population, consanguinity appears as a socio-cultural process that affects the reproductive dynamic. Consanguinity modifies the marital structure and alters the reproductive pattern, prolonging the reproductive period, which results in a greater number of offspring. Lower infertility rates and the possible compensatory effect for infant mortality may reflect biological factors making the wife's reproductive period more efficient.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

cDNA microarray analysis of bovine embryo gene expression profiles during the pre-implantation period.

BACKGROUND: After fertilization, embryo development involves differentiation, as well as development of the fetal body and extra-embryonic tissues until the moment of implantation. During this period various cellular and molecular changes take place with a genetic origin, e.g. the elongation of embryonic tissues, cell-cell contact between the mother and the embryo and placentation. To identify genetic profiles and search for new candidate molecules involved during this period, embryonic gene expression was analyzed with a custom designed utero-placental complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray. METHODS: Bovine embryos on days 7, 14 and 21, extra-embryonic membranes on day 28 and fetuses on days 28 were collected to represent early embryo, elongating embryo, pre-implantation embryo, post-implantation extra-embryonic membrane and fetus, respectively. Gene expression at these different time points was analyzed using our cDNA microarray. Two clustering algorithms such as k-means and hierarchical clustering methods identified the expression patterns of differentially expressed genes across pre-implantation period. Novel candidate genes were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: In total, 1,773 individual genes were analyzed by complete k-means clustering. Comparison of day 7 and day 14 revealed most genes increased during this period, and a small number of genes exhibiting altered expression decreased as gestation progressed. Clustering analysis demonstrated that trophoblast-cell-specific molecules such as placental lactogens (PLs), prolactin-related proteins (PRPs), interferon-tau, and adhesion molecules apparently all play pivotal roles in the preparation needed for implantation, since their expression was remarkably enhanced during the pre-implantation period. The hierarchical clustering analysis and RT-PCR data revealed new functional roles for certain known genes (dickkopf-1, NPM, etc) as well as novel candidate genes (AW464053, AW465434, AW462349, AW485575) related to already established trophoblast-specific genes such as PLs and PRPs. CONCLUSIONS: A large number of genes in extra-embryonic membrane increased up to implantation and these profiles provide information fundamental to an understanding of extra-embryonic membrane differentiation and development. Genes in significant expression suggest novel molecules in trophoblast differentiation.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

A simple procedure for preparing substrate for Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation.

The use of wooden crates for composting a mixture of 70% grass, (Digitaria decumbens), and 30% coffee pulp, combined with 2% Ca(OH)(2), was studied as a method for preparing substrate for the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus. Crate composting considerably modified the temperature pattern of the substrate in process, as compared to pile composting, where lower temperatures and less homogeneous distributions were observed. Biological efficiencies varied between 59.79% and 93% in the two harvests. Based on statistical analysis significant differences were observed between the treatments, composting times and in the interactions between these two factors. We concluded that it is possible to produce P. ostreatus on a lignocellulosic, non-composted, non-pasteurized substrate with an initial pH of 8.7, and that composting for two to three days improves the biological efficiency.

Agriculture↗

PubMed1998

Current therapy of catamenial pneumothorax.

Catamenial pneumothorax, or monthly recurring pneumothorax associated with menstruation, has been reported with increasing frequency in recent years. A representative case illustrates the clinical syndrome, particularly the intraoperative findings. Characteristic of this disorder are a peak incidence in the late twenties or early thirties, recurrent right-sided pneumothoraces occurring at the onset of menstruation, and an association with pelvic endometriosis. Pathologically, there is a consistent pattern of intrathoracic, especially diaphragmatic, foci of ectopic endometrial tissue. There is also a strong association with diaphragmatic fenestrations, though their significance is controversial. Traditional therapy has involved treatment with estrogens, danazol, or thoracotomy with mechanical pleurodesis. These methods have proven, through a large meta-analysis, to be associated with a relatively high rate of recurrence. Subsequent advances in hormonal therapy, along with the development of minimal access surgery, have led to an evolution in management. Despite uncertainty as to the etiology of catamenial pneumothorax, diagnosis of the condition is straightforward and modern treatment is successful in preventing recurrence.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

The effects of 1-year gluten withdrawal on bone mass, bone metabolism and nutritional status in newly-diagnosed adult coeliac disease patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of a 1-year gluten-free diet on bone metabolism and nutritional status in coeliac disease. METHODS: Bone mineral density, serum indices of bone remodelling, clinical and biochemical nutritional assessment were evaluated in 86 consecutive newly-diagnosed, biopsy proven, coeliac disease patients (untreated). A complete reevaluation, including intestinal biopsy, was repeated within 1 year of dietary treatment (treated). RESULTS: Untreated: according to WHO criteria, 34% of patients had a normal bone mineral density, 40% had osteopenia and 26% osteoporosis. Between males and females there were no statistical differences in bone metabolism or in most of the nutritional indices, while, between fertile and postmenopausal women, bone mineral density and several bone metabolism markers were significantly different. Compared to subjects with a normal bone mineral density, osteopenics had higher bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and Bone-Gla-protein (BGP) values. In patients with a concomitant BAP increase and 25OH vitamin D serum level reduction, bone mineral density and several bone turnover markers were statistically different compared to patients without such a serological pattern. Treated: notwithstanding intestinal biopsy which showed a mucosal recovery in only 57%, gluten-free diet led, even in postmenopausal women, to a significant improvement in bone mineral density, bone metabolism and nutrition, except for folic acid, albumin and pre-albumin serum levels which persisted as abnormal in patients with obdurate mucosal impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Coeliac disease patients are at high risk for developing a low bone mineral density and bone turnover impairment. A gluten-free diet can improve this situation even in postmenopausal women and in patients with incomplete mucosal recovery.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Five-year, multicenter study of a triphasic, low-dose, combination oral contraceptive.

A total of 4,342 women received a triphasic oral contraceptive combination containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol (Triphasil in the United States, Trinordiol in Europe) over a 5-year period, for a total of 70,282 cycles. Medication was begun on day 1 in the first cycle, with no backup contraception, and consisted of levonorgestrel (LNg) 50 micrograms + ethinyl estradiol (EE2) 30 micrograms for 6 days, LNg 75 micrograms + EE2 40 micrograms for 5 days, and LNg 125 micrograms + EE2 30 micrograms for 10 days. Twelve pregnancies occurred during the study, resulting in a Pearl Index of 0.22. Medication was missed in an overall total of 5,067 cycles (7.2%), and 9 of the 12 pregnancies were attributed by the investigators to misuse of the drug, resulting in a corrected Pearl Index of 0.06. Cycle control was excellent, bleeding irregularities were minimal, and the incidence of adverse experiences was low (generally less than 1% of total cycles). The results indicate that this triphasic combination, given in pharmacologic doses that are patterned after normal cycles, is a predictable, efficacious, well-tolerated, and accepted means of oral contraception.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1966

An indirect method to assay for mitotic centers in sand dollar (Dendraster excentricus) eggs.

It is possible consistently to induce sea urchin and sand dollar eggs to cleave directly from one cell into four cells. This is done by exposing the fertilized eggs to benzimidazole for 20 to 30 min beginning about early metaphase. The mitotic apparatus regresses, the cells do not cleave, and shortly after they are returned to normal sea water an early-prophase-appearing nucleus is present in each cell. Each cell then organizes a tetrapolar tetrahedral mitotic apparatus de novo, instead of transforming a bipolar mitotic apparatus into a tetrapolar figure, and cleaves one-to-four. In another type of experiment, it appears that sand dollar eggs exposed to mercaptoethanol during the first period of mitotic center duplication have only half as many centers by first cleavage metaphase as the normal controls. This is consistent with an earlier report by Mazia et al (1960). Using this same experimental technique, it was demonstrated that benzimidazole, on the contrary, does not interfere with mitotic center duplication in sand dollar eggs. A labeling experiment demonstrated that benzimidazole does not interfere markedly with the normal pattern of incorporation of C(14)-thymidine into the DNA of sea urchin eggs. The data reported here suggest that judicious treatment of sand dollar eggs (and probably sea urchin eggs, too) with benzimidazole can induce the eggs to cleave into as many cells as there were mitotic centers sometime earlier, for example at early metaphase of the first cleavage division. This provides a very useful tool for studies on the process of mitotic center duplication.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Model life table fitting by maximum likelihood estimation: a procedure to reconstruct paleodemographic characteristics from skeletal age distributions.

A procedure is presented that uses the regression coefficients for the Coale and Demeny west model life tables to model selected demographic characteristics from skeletal age-at-death distributions. Model death distributions were constructed and compared to a given skeletal distribution, using methods of maximum likelihood estimation to determine the best fit. Two chi-square tests are employed to evaluate the degree of fit. The resulting model includes estimates of demographic characteristics including gross reproductive rate, crude birth rate and life expectancy. The procedure is applied to three archaeological skeletal samples as test cases: two from eastern North America and one from Mexico. These display a range of correspondence (between the best fitting model and the data) from good to poor. The proposed procedure is a potentially powerful tool for both reconstructing paleodemographic rates and illuminating differences between typical human patterns and those found in archaeological populations.

Actuarial Analysis↗

PubMed2003

Cloning cattle.

Over the past six years, hundreds of apparently normal calves have been cloned worldwide from bovine somatic donor cells. However, these surviving animals represent less than 5% of all cloned embryos transferred into recipient cows. Most of the remaining 95% die at various stages of development from a predictable pattern of placental and fetal abnormalities, collectively referred to as the "cloning-syndrome." The low efficiency seriously limits commercial applicability and ethical acceptance of somatic cloning and enforces the development of improved cloning methods. In this paper, we describe our current standard operating procedure (SOP) for cattle cloning using zona-free nuclear transfer. Following this SOP, the output of viable and healthy calves at weaning is about 9% of embryos transferred. Better standardization of cloning protocols across and within research groups is needed to separate technical from biological factors underlying low cloning efficiency.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Laboratory oviposition, fecundity and egg hatching ability of colonized Anopheles albimanus from southwestern Mexico.

Fecundity, oviposition patterns and egg hatching characteristics were studied in two colonies of Anopheles albimanus isolated from the Pacific coast of southern Mexico. Fecundity was inversely proportional to the cage space available to the female and was influenced by the bloodmeal source, feeding method and previous feeding history. The length of the gonotrophic cycle decreased with succeeding experience from a mean 6.6 in the first to 2.6 days for the fifth cycle. Oviposition timing was also dependent on availability of oviposition substrate. Hatching success of eggs increased significantly when the oviposition site was witheld until 48 hr post-bloodmeal.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Measuring contraceptive use patterns among teenage and adult women.

CONTEXT: Measures of contraceptive use at one point in time do not account for its changing nature. A measure that addresses the pattern of method use over time may better predict the cumulative risk of unintended pregnancy. METHODS: Women at risk of unintended pregnancy were selected from the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth, and their contraceptive use patterns were compared across age-groups. Survival analysis was used to validate women's long-term use pattern as an indicator of pregnancy risk, and multivariate regression analyses were used to explore potential covariates of current patterns of contraceptive use. RESULTS: More than two-thirds of women aged 15-19 report long-term uninterrupted contraceptive use, but they are more likely to report sporadic use and less likely to report uninterrupted use of a very effective method than are women aged 25-34. Compared with women aged 25-34, women aged 20-24 have higher rates of sporadic use and lower rates of effective uninterrupted use. Among teenagers, nonusers are 12 times as likely as uninterrupted effective users to experience an unintended pregnancy within 12 months at risk. Women in less stable relationships, those having more infrequent intercourse and women who have recently experienced nonvoluntary intercourse for the first time are more likely than others to have a high-risk contraceptive pattern. Women aged 17 and younger whose current partner is more than three years older are significantly less likely to practice contraception than are their peers whose partner is closer in age. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term contraceptive use pattern is a valid predictor of unintended pregnancy risk. Policies aimed at reducing unintended pregnancies should target women who do not practice contraception and those who are sporadic users. Women in unstable relationships, those having infrequent sex and women who experience sexual coercion need access to methods, such as emergency contraception, that can be used sporadically or after unprotected intercourse.

Adolescent↗