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Research has highlighted the significant decline in teachers' implementation of newly acquired teaching practices following professional development (PD), primarily attributed to the absence of follow-up support. Even science teachers who have participated in intensive PD programs often encounter challenges in integrating new teaching practices into their classrooms. This study investigated the impact of a follow-up PD (PD 2) on 16 rural middle and high school science teachers and their students' outcomes after their participation in an intensive PD the previous year (PD1). The findings showed that the teachers' inquiry knowledge and confidence levels in teaching science remained stable or slightly improved up until the end of year 2, comparable to the levels measured at the end of year 1. Moreover, teachers who initially showed lower levels of knowledge and confidence were more likely to revert to their initial status after reaching a certain level during PD1. Regarding student outcomes, the posttest effect sizes for middle school students were substantial and statistically significant in both year 1 and year 2, compared to their pretest scores. While the effect sizes for high school students in year 1 were small, they became larger and significant in year 2. The findings suggest the practical advantages of implementing follow-up PD to provide continued support for teachers' implementation in subsequent years. Additionally, this study presents a sustainable and cost-effective approach to deliver follow-up support to teachers, namely through a short-term PD accompanied by distance-based peer instructional coaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: This Phase I, multicenter, randomized study (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01220128) evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of recombinant Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) protein combined with the immunostimulant AS15 (WT1-immunotherapeutic) as neoadjuvant therapy administered concurrently with standard treatments in WT1-positive breast cancer patients. Methods: Patients were treated in 4 cohorts according to neoadjuvant treatment (A: post-menopausal, hormone receptor [HR]-positive patients receiving aromatase inhibitors; B: patients receiving chemotherapy; C: HER2-overexpressing patients on trastuzumab-chemotherapy combination; D: HR-positive/HER2-negative patients on chemotherapy). Patients (cohorts A-C) were randomized (2:1) to receive 6 or 8 doses of WT1-immunotherapeutic or placebo together with standard neoadjuvant treatment in a double-blind manner; cohort D patients received WT1-immunotherapeutic in an open manner. Safety was assessed throughout the study. WT1-specific antibodies were assessed pre- and post-vaccination. Results: Sixty-two patients were randomized; 60 received ≥ one dose of WT1-immunotherapeutic. Two severe toxicities were reported: diarrhea (cohort C; also reported as a grade 3 serious adverse event) and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (cohort B; also reported as a grade 2 adverse event). Post-dose 4 of WT1-immunotherapeutic, 10/10 patients from cohort A, 0/8 patients from cohort B, 6/11 patients from cohort C, and 2/3 patients from cohort D were humoral responders. The sponsor elected to close the trial prematurely. Conclusions: Concurrent administration of WT1-immunotherapeutic and standard neoadjuvant therapy was well tolerated and induced WT1-specific antibodies in patients receiving neoadjuvant aromatase inhibitors. In patients on neoadjuvant chemotherapy or trastuzumab-chemotherapy combination, the humoral response was impaired or blunted, likely due to either co-administration of corticosteroids and/or the chemotherapies themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Uterine hyperperistalsis and dysperistalsis are common phenomena in endometriosis and may be responsible for reduced fertility in cases of minimal or mild extent of disease. Since a high prevalence of adenomyosis uteri has been well documented in association with endometriosis, we designed a study to examine whether hyperperistalsis and dysperistalsis are caused by the endometriosis itself or by the adenomyotic component of the disease. Design A prospective observational study. Setting University hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecologic Endocrinology with 300 in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmatic sperm injection cycles and 350 intrauterine insemination cycles/year. Population Forty-one subjects with infertility and with laparoscopically proven endometriosis and patent fallopian tubes. Thirty-five subjects (85%) additionally showed signs of adenomyosis. Methods All subjects underwent T2-weighed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and hysterosalpingoscintigraphy (HSSG) during the subsequent menstrual cycle. MRI revealed the extent of the adenomyotic component of the disease and the integrity of uterotubal transport capacity was evaluated by HSSG. Main outcome measures Influence of adenomyosis on uterotubal transport capacity in endometriosis. Results In 35 of the 41 subjects (85%) with endometriosis, signs of adenomyosis were detected using T2-weighed MRI. Two of six (33%) subjects with no adenomyosis (group I) showed dysperistalsis and hyperperistalsis, compared with 14 of 24 (58%) women with focal adenomyosis (group II) and 10 of 11 (91%) women with diffuse adenomyosis (seven showed a failure in transport capacity and two contralateral transport). Conclusions Our data suggest that endometriosis is associated with impeded hyperperistaltic and dysperistaltic uterotubal transport capacity. However, adenomyosis is of even more importance, especially when diffuse adenomyosis is detected. Both forms of adenomyosis are commonly found in subjects with mild to moderate endometriosis. We suggest that the extent of the adenomyotic component in subjects with endometriosis explains much of the reduced fertility in subjects with intact tubo-ovarian anatomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Uterine hyperperistalsis and dysperistalsis are common phenomena in endometriosis and may be responsible for reduced fertility in cases of minimal or mild extent of disease. Since a high prevalence of adenomyosis uteri has been well documented in association with endometriosis, we designed a study to examine whether hyperperistalsis and dysperistalsis are caused by the endometriosis itself or by the adenomyotic component of the disease. Design A prospective observational study. Setting University hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecologic Endocrinology with 300 in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmatic sperm injection cycles and 350 intrauterine insemination cycles/year. Population Forty-one subjects with infertility and with laparoscopically proven endometriosis and patent fallopian tubes. Thirty-five subjects (85%) additionally showed signs of adenomyosis. Methods All subjects underwent T2-weighed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and hysterosalpingoscintigraphy (HSSG) during the subsequent menstrual cycle. MRI revealed the extent of the adenomyotic component of the disease and the integrity of uterotubal transport capacity was evaluated by HSSG. Main outcome measures Influence of adenomyosis on uterotubal transport capacity in endometriosis. Results In 35 of the 41 subjects (85%) with endometriosis, signs of adenomyosis were detected using T2-weighed MRI. Two of six (33%) subjects with no adenomyosis (group I) showed dysperistalsis and hyperperistalsis, compared with 14 of 24 (58%) women with focal adenomyosis (group II) and 10 of 11 (91%) women with diffuse adenomyosis (seven showed a failure in transport capacity and two contralateral transport). Conclusions Our data suggest that endometriosis is associated with impeded hyperperistaltic and dysperistaltic uterotubal transport capacity. However, adenomyosis is of even more importance, especially when diffuse adenomyosis is detected. Both forms of adenomyosis are commonly found in subjects with mild to moderate endometriosis. We suggest that the extent of the adenomyotic component in subjects with endometriosis explains much of the reduced fertility in subjects with intact tubo-ovarian anatomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preliminary very encouraging clinical results of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in Head Neck Cancer (HNC) are available from several large centers. Tumor control rates seem to be kept at least at the level of conventional three-dimensional radiation therapy; the benefit of normal tissue preservation with IMRT is proven for salivary function. There is still only limited experience with IMRT using simultaneously integrated boost (SIB-IMRT) in the head and neck region in terms of normal tissue response. The aim of this work was (1) to establish tumor response in HNC patients treated with SIB-IMRT, and (2) to assess tissue tolerance following different SIB-IMRT schedules. Results: Between 1/2002 and 12/2004, 115 HNC patients have been curatively treated with IMRT. 70% received definitive IMRT (dIMRT), 30% were postoperatively irradiated. In 78% concomitant chemotherapy was given. SIB radiation schedules with 5-6 × 2 Gy/week to 60-70 Gy, 5 × 2.2 Gy/week to 66-68.2 Gy (according to the RTOG protocol H-0022), or 5 × 2.11 Gy/week to 69.6 Gy were used. After mean 18 months (10-44), 77% of patients were alive with no disease. Actuarial 2-year local, nodal, and distant disease free survival was 77%, 87%, and 78%, respectively. 10% were alive with disease, 10% died of disease. 20/21 locoregional failures occurred inside the high dose area. Mean tumor volume was significantly larger in locally failed (63 cc) vs controlled tumors (32 cc, p <0.01), and in definitive (43 cc) vs postoperative IMRT (25 cc, p <0.05); the locoregional failure rate was twofold higher in definitively irradiated patients. Acute reactions were mild to moderate and limited to the boost area, the persisting grade 3/4 late toxicity rate was low with 6%. The two grade 4 reactions (dysphagia, laryngeal fibrosis) were observed following the SIB schedule with 2.2 Gy per session. Conclusion: SIB-IMRT in HNC using 2.0, 2.11 or 2.2 Gy per session is highly effective and safe with respect to tumor response and tolerance. SIB with 2.2 Gy is not recommended for large tumors involving laryngeal structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The hypothesis is tested that both adenomyotic and endometriotic lesions are derived from basal endometrium.Methods: Normal uteri and uteri with adenomyosis obtained by hysterectomy, excised endometriotic lesions and menstrual blood of women with and without endometriosis were used. Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), progesterone receptor B isoform (PR(B)) and P450 aromatase (P450A) immunohistochemistry was performed with the use of specific monoclonal antibodies.Results: With respect to the parameters studied there was a fundamental difference between the cyclical patterns of the basalis and the functionalis of the eutopic endometrium. The endometrium of endometriotic and adenomyotic lesions mimicked the cyclical pattern of the basalis. The peristromal muscular tissue of endometriotic and adenomyotic lesions displayed the same cyclical pattern of ER and PR expression as the archimyometrium. There was a significantly higher prevalence of fragments of shed basalis in menstrual blood of women with endometriosis than in healthy controls.Conclusions: These data suggest that ectopic endometrial lesions result from dislocation of basal endometrium. Dislocated basal endometrium has stem cell character resulting in the ectopic formation of all archimetrial components such as epithelial and stromal endometrium as well as peristromal muscular tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a case of seronegative patient with generalized ulcerating bullous lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. Histology of lesional skin; Identification of spirochetes through polymerase chain reaction; Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi DNA in the urine.

In women with endometriosis, the peristaltic activity of the uterus is significantly enhanced and may even become dysperistaltic at midcycle. Since uterine peristalsis is confined to the endometrium and the subendometrial myometrium with its predominantly circular arrangement of muscular fibres it was assumed that this dysfunction might be associated with structural abnormalities that could be visualized by high resolution ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Therefore, the uteri of women with and without endometriosis were subjected to endovaginal sonography (EVS) and to MRI. In EVS, women with laparoscopically proven endometriosis and infertility exhibited an infiltrative expansion of the archimetra in that the halo surrounding the uterine endometrium and representing the subendometrial myometrium was significantly enlarged compared with controls. The expansion was more pronounced in older than in younger women. There was, however, no relationship between the width of the expansion and the severity of the endometriotic disease. Similar data were obtained by MRI in that the `junctional zone' in women with endometriosis and infertility was expanded in comparison with controls. The results of this study provide further support to the notion that endometriosis is primarily a uterine disease. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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Immunocytochemistry of oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression of the whole uterine muscular wall and the endometrium was performed in order to obtain morphological and functional insights into the regulation of cyclic uterine peristalsis, which is confined to the endometrium and the subendometrial myometrium and serves functions such as rapid and sustained sperm transport. The study revealed that the subendometrial myometrium or stratum subvasculare with a predominantly circular arrangement of muscular fibres exhibits a cyclic pattern of ER and PR expression that parallels that of the endometrium, whereas the outer portion of the uterine wall composed of the stratum vasculare and supravasculare, which represents the bulk of the uterine musculature, does not exhibit a cyclic pattern of ER and PR expression. According to ontogenetic and phylogenetic data from the literature, the outer myometrium is of non-paramesonephric origin with functions confined to parturition, while the inner myometrial layer together with the glandular epithelium and the stroma of the endometrium is of paramesonephric origin with various functions during the cycle in addition to those during pregnancy and parturition. The inner quarter of the stratum vasculare adjacent to the stratum subvasculare constitutes a transitional zone in that the cyclicity of receptor staining becomes, in radial direction, gradually less expressed. Morphologically this zone corresponds to the inner part of the stratum vasculare where its muscular fibres blend with those of the stratum subvasculare. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents interesting findings concerning the influence of appearance on eating habits. Specifically, the analysis provides data showing that people participate in health-protective activities only partially for reasons of health. The article suggests that unemployed women must depend more on their appearance for bargaining power than do employed women, who have their jobs as an alternative source of influence. The study concludes that concern with health was not significant in regard to eating habits.

Endometriosis is considered primarily a disease of the endometrial-subendometrial unit or archimetra. The clinical picture of endometriosis characterises this disease as a hyperactivation of genuine archimetrial functions such as proliferation, inflammatory defence and peristalsis. While the aetiology of the disease remains to be elucidated, a key event appears to consist in the local production of extraovarian oestrogen by a pathological expression of the P450 aromatase. The starting event may consist in a hyperactivity of the endometrial inflammatory defence, a hyperactivity of the endometrial oxytocin/oxytocin receptor system or in the pathological expression of the P450 aromatase system itself. Regardless of which of these levels the starting event is localized in, they influence each other on both the level of the archimetra and the endometriotic lesions. Locally elevated oestrogen levels inevitably up-regulate the endometrial oxytocin mRNA and increased levels of oxytocin result in uterine hyper-peristalsis, increased transtubal seeding of endometrial tissue fragments and finally subfertility and infertility by impairment of the uterine mechanism of rapid and sustained sperm transport. Locally increased levels of oestrogen lead, on both the level of the endometrial-subendometrial unit and the endometriotic lesion, to processes of hyperproliferation. These processes result, on the level of the uterus, in an infiltrative growth of elements of the archimetra into the neometra and, on the level of the endometriotic lesion, in infiltrative endometriosis. There is circumstantial evidence that trauma might be an important initial event that induces the specific biochemical and cellular responses of the archimetra. This model is able to explain both the pleiomorphic appearance of endometriosis and the, up until now, enigmatic infertility associated with mild and moderate endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sperm transport from the cervix into the tube is an important uterine function within the process of reproduction. This function is exerted by uterine peristalsis and is controlled by the dominant ovarian structure via a cascade of endocrine events. The uterine peristaltic activity involves only the stratum subvasculare of the myometrium, which exhibits a predominantly circular arrangement of muscular fibres that separate at the fundal level into the fibres of the cornua and continue into the circular muscles of the respective tubes. Since spermatozoa are transported preferentially into the tube ipsilateral to the dominant follicle, this asymmetric uterine function may be controlled by the ovary via direct effects utilizing the utero-ovarian counter-current system, in addition to the systemic circulation. To test this possibility the sonographic characteristics of the uterine vascular bed were studied during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Vaginal sonography with the measurement of Doppler flow characteristics of both uterine arteries and of the arterial anastomoses of the uterine and ovarian arteries (junctional vessels) in the cornual region of both sides of the uterus during the menstrual phase of regular-cycling women demonstrated significant lower resistance indices of the junctional vessels ipsilateral to the side of the dominant ovarian structure as compared with the corresponding arteries contralaterally. By the use of the perfusion mode technique, it could be observed that vascular perfusion of the fundal myometrium was significantly increased ipsilateral to the dominant follicle during the late follicular phase of the cycle. These results show that the endocrine control of the dominant ovarian structure over uterine function is not only exerted via the systemic circulation but also directly, most probably utilizing the utero-ovarian counter-current system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uterine peristalsis, directing sustained and rapid sperm transport from the external cervical os or the cervical crypts to the isthmic part of the tube ipsilateral to the dominant follicle, changes in direction and frequency during the menstrual cycle, with lowest activity during menstruation and highest activity at mid cycle. It was therefore suggested that uterine peristalsis is under the control of the dominant follicle with the additional involvement of oxytocin. To test this hypothesis, vaginal sonography of uterine peristalsis was performed in the early, mid and late proliferative phases, respectively, of cycles of women treated with oestradiol valerate and with human menopausal gonadotrophin following pituitary downregulation, with clomiphene citrate and with intravenous oxytocin, respectively. Administration of oestradiol valerate resulted in oestradiol serum concentrations comparable with the normal cycle with a simulation of the normal frequency of peristaltic contractions. Elevated oestradiol concentrations and bolus injections of oxytocin resulted in a significant increase in the frequency of peristaltic contractions in the early and mid follicular phases, respectively. Chlomiphene tended, though insignificantly so, to suppress the frequency of peristaltic waves in the presence of elevated oestradiol concentrations. In the late follicular phase of the cycle extremely elevated oestradiol concentrations as well as the injection of oxytocin resulted only in an insignificant further increase of peristaltic frequency. In the normal cycles, as well as during extremely elevated oestradiol concentrations and following oxytocin administration, the peristaltic contractions were always confined to the subendometrial layer of the muscular wall. The results and the review of literature indicate that uterine peristalsis during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle is controlled by oestradiol released from the dominant follicle with the probable involvement of oxytocin, which is presumably stimulated together with its receptor within the endometrial-subendometrial unit and therefore acting in an autocrine/paracrine fashion. Since unphysiological stimulation with oestradiol and oxytocin did not significantly increase the frequency of uterine peristalsis in the late follicular phase of the cycle it is assumed that normal preovulatory frequency of uterine peristalsis is at a level which cannot be significantly surpassed due to phenomena of refractoriness of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaves of 12‐week‐old tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Samsun NN) were infiltrated with suspensions of Pseudomonas syringae pv, pisi (DSM 50291) to induce hypersensitive reaction (HR). Cotyledons of 2‐week‐old cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Acala 442 and Coker BR) were infiltrated with Xanthomonas campestris pv. malvacearum (race 10) to induce the disease. In tobacco, HR‐related increases in NH+4 levels started within 2 h after infection and continued up to the time of tissue decay. Increase of NH+4 and especially K+ efflux were detected in intercellular washing fluids (IWF). Antibiotics stopped and later reverted NH+4 production and K+ efflux, but only if applied within 2 h after infection. When 10 mM NH+4 was injected into leaves, it was rapidly consumed from the IWF, and also, although more slowly, within the leaf cells. The concomitant K+ efflux was strong but delayed, and most of the K+ was reabsorbed after 2 h. Bacterial cell multiplication in HR stopped before the appearance of HR symptoms and cell necrosis. In the compatible reaction in cotton cotyledons, both NH+4accumulation and K+ efflux proceeded much more slowly than in the HR with tobacco, and bacteria continued to multiply until general cell necrosis occurred. The compatible reaction developed faster in constant darkness than in a light/dark rhythm. Bacterial enzymes produced NH+4, mainly from proteins of host cells, in both light and darkness. Continuous light delayed the main peak of both NH+4 production and K+ efflux. High CO2 concentration inhibited both processes, thus indicating that photorespiration plays a role in enhancing the release of free ammonium during bacterial pathogenesis. This is supported by shifts in the pattern of amino acids. The results demonstrate the accelerating and aggravating effect of ammonium in pathogenesis and HR, though ammonium is not the primary agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A small optical device has been constructed to determine aerosol total area concentrations from angular scattering. Particles in the open sample volume are irradiated by a pulsed laser diode. Radiation scattered at angles between 15° and 35° is detected by a photodiode. The amplified signals are processed with a sample/hold circuit. This instrument has been applied for measurements on sea spray aerosol near the air-sea interface. Wave-induced fluctuations were clearly demonstrated. Other applications are indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women suffering from infertility in association with mostly mild endometriosis were subjected to vaginal sonography of uterine peristalsis during the menstrual period, the early, mid- and late follicular phases, and the mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The data obtained were compared with those of healthy controls. Women with endometriosis displayed a marked uterine hyperperistalsis that differed significantly from the peristalsis of the controls during the early and mid-follicular and mid-luteal phases. During the late follicular phase of the cycle, uterine peristalsis in women with endometriosis became dysperistaltic, arrhythmic and convulsive in character, while in controls peristalsis continued to show long and regular cervico-fundal contractions. Hysterosalpingoscintigraphy during the early, mid- and late follicular phases revealed that hyperperistalsis in the early and mid-follicular phases of patients with endometriosis resulted in a dramatic increase in the transport of inert particles from the vaginal depot, through the uterus into the tubes and also into the peritoneal cavity. During the late follicular phase of the cycle, the dysperistalsis observed in women with endometriosis resulted in a dramatic reduction of uterine transport capacity in comparison with the healthy controls. We consider uterine hyperperistalsis to be the mechanical cause of endometriosis rather than retrograde menstruation. Dysperistalsis in the late follicular phase of patients with endometriosis may compromise rapid sperm transport. Uterine hyperperistalsis and dysperistalsis are considered to be responsible for both reduced fertility and the development of endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaginal ultrasonography of uterine peristalsis during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle demonstrates an increasing frequency and intensity of subendometrial and myometrial peristaltic waves as the follicular phase progresses. During this time the numbers of contraction waves with a fundo-cervical direction decrease considerably in favour of waves of contraction with a cervico-fundal direction. There is evidence that rapid sperm transport through the female genital tract is passive and is provided by these uterine contractions. Using hysterosalpingoscintigraphy, rapid sperm transport was studied by placing technetium-labelled albumin macrospheres of sperm size at the external os of the uterine cervix and following their path through the female genital tract. Ascension of the macrospheres occurred immediately following deposition at the external os of the cervix. As early as 1 min thereafter, the macrospheres had reached the intramural and isthmical part of the tube. Quantitatively, the extent of ascension increased with progression of the follicular phase. While only a few macrospheres entered the uterine cavity and even fewer the tubes during the early follicular phase, the proportion of macrospheres that entered the uterine cavity increased dramatically during the mid-follicular phase despite continuing limited entry into the tube. During the late follicular phase there was considerable ascension of the macrospheres which was directed preferentially into the tube ipsilateral to the dominant follicle. These data indicate that rapid transport of the spermatozoa through the female genital tract is under the endocrine control of the dominant follicle, ensuring the preferential accumulation of spermatozoa at the site of fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of the duration of the serum oestradiol (E) rise before human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) injection on the outcome of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles was investigated. Two different stimulation protocols were compared. In 218 cycles, the Norfolk protocol for stimulation with human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) was used (protocol A). In 235 cycles, pituitary function was suppressed by a single injection of a long-acting GnRH analogue (‘Decapeptyl microcapsules’) before HMG stimulation was started (protocol B). The overall pregnancy rates were significantly higher with protocol B (22% per puncture, 21% per started cycle) than with protocol A (14% per puncture, 9% per started cycle). For each interval of E rise duration (5-11 days), the fertilization rates (per oocyte) and the pregnancy rates (per puncture) were evaluated. There was a clear-cut maximum of the pregnancy rates for 6 and 7 days of E rise (21 and 16% respectively) for protocol A. For protocol B, pregnancy rates were generally higher than for protocol A. There was also a maximum of the pregnancy rates for 6 (32%) and 7 (29%) days of E rise but this maximum was not as clear-cut as for protocol A. The fertilization rates showed no significant differences for each interval of E rise in both groups (between 63 and 89%). Therefore, it is concluded that endometrial maturity, and not the oocyte's ability for fertilization, is the most critical factor for success in IVF cycles. With GnRH-A/HMG stimulation, and thereby prevention of premature luteinlzatlon, most cycles can be ‘programmed’ to a cycle length of 6-7 days of E rise which is optimal for endometrial maturation and results in maximum pregnancy rates. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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A method of frozen storage of Ham's F10 medium was investigated that provides ‘ready-to-use’ culture medium for human in-vitro fertilization, without the necessity of readjusting and testing the medium after thawing. Ham's F10 medium, without bicarbonate, was adjusted to 245 mOsm/kg and stored in aliquots of 33 ml at − 20°C. Aliquots of 1 ml of a 7.5% (w/v) sodium bicarbonate solution were stored separately at the same temperature. The two components were mixed together after thawing. In the first test series, mouse embryos were cultured in media stored frozen for varying intervals between 2 weeks and 6 months and no difference in the rates of blastocyst formation was detected. Frozen-stored Ham's F10 medium was then used for human IVF in 256 cycles performed within a 16-month period in two different FVF centres. The pregnancy rates were evaluated and correlated with the duration of the frozen storage (between 1 week and 3 months) and compared to the outcome of 24 cases in which non-frozen medium was used. There was no significant difference in the pregnancy rates in the different groups (19% with non-frozen medium and between 21 and 33% with frozen-stored medium). Thus it was shown that there is no loss of quality of the frozen-stored media within the tested period of 3 months. The prolonged storage interval offers the possibility of extended quality tests and cross-tests between different FVF laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]