Modeling three sources of uncertainty in assisted reproductive technologies with probabilistic graphical models

Embryo selection is a critical step in assisted reproduction: good selection criteria are expected to increase the probability of inducing a pregnancy. Machine learning techniques have been applied for implantation prediction or embryo quality assessment, which embryologists can use to make a decision about embryo selection. However, this is a highly uncertain real-world problem, and current proposals do not model always all the sources of uncertainty. We present a novel probabilistic graphical model that accounts for three different sources of uncertainty, the standard embryo and cycle viability, and a third one that represents any unknown factor that can drive a treatment to a failure in otherwise perfect conditions. We derive a parametric learning method based on the Expectation-Maximization strategy, which accounts for uncertainty issues. We empirically analyze the model within a real database consisting of 604 cycles (3125 embryos) carried out at Hospital Donostia (Spain). Embryologists followed the protocol of the Spanish Association for Reproduction Biology Studies (ASEBIR), based on morphological features, for embryo selection. Our model predictions are correlated with the ASEBIR protocol, which validates our model. The benefits of accounting for the different sources of uncertainty and the importance of the cycle characteristics are shown. Considering only transferred embryos, our model does not further discriminate them as implanted or failed, suggesting that the ASEBIR protocol could be understood as a thorough summary of the available morphological features.

Stability and ocular tolerance of cyclophosphamide-loaded nanospheres

The physical and chemical stabilities of several formulations of cyclophosphamide-loaded polybutylcyanoacrylate (PBCA) nanospheres developed for an ophthalmic application as an immunosuppressive agent were studied over 6 months of storage at 4, 25 and 40 degrees C in different experimental conditions. The physical stability of nanospheres was followed by the study of morphological (visual appearance) and morphometrical properties (mean particle size and polydispersity). The pH and tonicity of the suspensions and the association efficiency of the drug to polymeric system were also analysed to evaluate their chemical stability. The behaviour of colloidal suspensions with storage conditions was also followed by differential scanning calorimetry. The degradation of PBCA was affected by temperature and pH. The average particle size of all nanospheres remained practically unchanged throughout the study, with the polydispersity index being less than 0.1, corresponding to a monodisperse system. At 40 degrees C, a loss of 25.9% of the initial association efficiency, especially in non-buffered pH 7.2 medium, was observed. The type of polymer degradation (surface erosion) was also determined by photon correlation spectroscopy. The results obtained from in vivo study of ocular tolerance indicate a good ocular tolerance for drug loaded to nanospheres.

Flurbiprofen loaded biodegradable nanoparticles for ophtalmic administration

Poly(lactic/glycolic) acid nanoparticles incorporating flurbiprofen (FB) were prepared by the solvent displacement technique using poloxamer 188 as a stabilizer to improve the availability of the drug for the prevention of the inflammation caused by ocular surgery. A 2(3) + star design was applied to investigate the influence of several factors such as the pH of the aqueous phase, the initial concentration of the stabilizer, and the drug used to prepare the nanoparticles (NPs) on the physicochemical properties (particle size analysis, zeta potential, and drug loading efficiency) of the colloidal system. The best formulations were those prepared at pH 3.5 with a concentration of 1.5 mg/mL of FB and 10 or 20 mg/mL of poloxamer 188. These formulations showed an appropriate average size for ophthalmic administration (232.8 and 277.6 nm, respectively) and a good yield of entrapment efficiency (94.60% and 93.55%, respectively). The release behavior of FB from the developed NPs was complete and exhibited a biphasic pattern. Formulations did not show toxicity on ocular tissues. In vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy was assessed in the rabbit eye after topical instillation of sodium arachidonate (SA). A higher decrease of the SA-induced inflammation was obtained for the NP formulations.

Aceclofenac-loaded poly-epsilon-caprolactone nanocapsules. Effect of coadjuvants on morphometrical properties and drug entrapment

The physicochemical properties of aceclofenac nanocapsules, prepared by interfacial precipitation of poly-e-caprolactone at the oil/water interface, have been studied. A Central Composite Design was used to investigate the influence of polymerization adjuvants on these properties on the elaboration of aceclofenac-loaded poly-e-caprolactone nanocapsules. In this way, the effect of polymer, oil and drug concentrations in organic phase on the size and encapsulation efficiency has been analyzed. The optimized nanocapsule formulation leads to use an initial concentration of drug (aceclofenac) of 0.8 mg/ml and 0.6% of oil (Miglyol 812), being the polymer and surfactant concentrations previously fixed.

[Leiomyosarcoma of the vena cava inferior. The correlation: ultrasound and fine-needle puncture biopsy]

The leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava is a non-frequent tumor, mesenchymal, that has its origin in the smooth muscular tissue of the vascular wall. Its growth is slow and expansive, more frequently found on females. The symptomatology is related to the cava segment where it is located. The diagnosis is performed by ultrasonics, computed tomography and cavography, actually magnetic resonance acquires more and more importance. The treatment is specifically surgery along with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A case of leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava is presented in which diagnosis was performed using ultrasonics, tomography and cavography confirmed before surgery by biopsy punction with thin needle. In the diagnosis of this pathology it is described the use of intro-surgery ultrasonics.

[Marginality, ethnic groups and health]

Main marginated ethnic groups in Span are to be found among gypsies and 3rd world immigrants. The first group include about 250,000 persons and the second group more tan half a million people. Their origins and their being past of the less fortunate social layers made them a group of health risk. Pediatric pathologies are those favored by socio-economic shortcomings as well as hygienic-sanitary deficiencies. Imported pediatric pathologies have a small incident.

[Duodenal duplication cyst]

The duodenal duplication cyst is an uncommon inherited anomaly. Its etiology is related to malformations of the canal in the gastrointestinal duct during the formation of the embryo. It develops in the infancy period or during childhood, it is uncommon in adults. The most frequent finding, is abdominal mass, although it might appear along with obstructive symptoms, recidivante pancreatitis and digestive bleeding. The diagnosis is based on image methods (ultrasonics, radiology, computed tomography, CPRE), nevertheless its identification through ultrasonics is of great value. Therefore we consider important the introduction of a 72-year-old woman case, whose pre-surgery diagnosis was performed with ultrasonics and reaffirmed by all other image methods. We also mention the usefulness of inner-surgery ultrasonics, in the surgery case of this pathology.

Tear pH, air pollution, and contact lenses

We analyzed the tear pH of a random sample of 100 subjects, divided into 3 groups according to the stability of their precorneal tear film (normal eyes, borderline; and dry eyes). The average pH value obtained was 7.52. The pH for borderline and dry eyes was higher than for normal eyes. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of air pollution, specifically sulfur dioxide (SO2), on the tear pH. We found that air pollution affected the lacrimal pH, which decreased when the atmospheric SO2 increased. Finally, we studied the effect of soft contact lens wear on tear pH after 7 days of contact lens adaptation by assessing the tear pH decrease. We took into account the influence of the sex and age of subjects on the results obtained.

On the binding of cinmetacin and indomethacin to human serum albumin

The binding of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, indomethacin and cinmetacin, to human serum albumin was studied by dynamic dialysis at 37 degrees C and pH 7.4. Cinmetacin is bound more than indomethacin. The affinity constant for the primary binding site is 4.28 X 10(6) M-1 for cinmetacin and 1.4 X 10(6) M-1 for indomethacin. The protein binding of indomethacin is decreased in the presence of cinmetacin.

Kinetics and mechanism of enzymatic hydrolysis of pivampicillin monolayers

A study of the enzymatic hydrolysis of pivampicillin (an insoluble penicillin) extended as a monolayer on the aqueous interface at a constant surface pressure has been performed. Penicillinase promotes intensive hydrolysis of the pivampicillin monolayers, inducing their solubility. However, no action was observed with dog liver esterase. The hydrolytic process, which was dependent on the film surface pressure and on the quantity of the injected enzyme, is of the Michaelis-Menten type in two dimensions.

Diagnosis of urinary bladder disorders in diabetic children

The occurrence of bladder disorders, such as increase in vesical volume, incomplete vesical evacuation, and increase in first morning micturition, as well as its association with certain clinical factors, such as duration of diabetes, age at onset, degree of metabolic control, and symptoms of vesical autonomic neuropathy, were studied in a group of 55 diabetic children using vesical echography. Morning diuresis and vesical volume for age were previously determined in a group of 40 non-diabetic children used as controls. The echographic measurements permitted the estimation of maximum normal vesical volume for each age group, yielding the following distribution: 6-8 years, up to 263.7 ml; 9-11 years, up to 375.7 ml; 12-14 years, up to 445.3 ml. Analyzing first morning micturition by age in the control group, we found the following maximum values: 6-8 years, up to 263.5 ml; 9-11 years, up to 380.1 ml; 12-14 years, up to 394.6 ml; 67.27% of all diabetic children had bladder disorders. It was demonstrated that routine determination of the first morning micturition in the diabetic child would be an excellent index for detecting early disorders of vesical function. The existence of a statistically significant association (p less than 0.05) of poor metabolic control to development of these disorders, as well as to symptoms referred at this level, was confirmed. No other statistically significant association was found between the occurrence of these bladder disorders and other factors such as duration and age at onset of the disease.