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This article, published in the journal Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, examines the location of the gestational sac in pregnancies conceived through assisted reproductive technology. The study, conducted at St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, observed 127 women with ongoing pregnancies after single blastocyst transfer. The researchers used 3D ultrasound to determine the location of the gestational sac in the uterine cavity. The results showed that the majority of the gestational sacs (98.5%) were implanted in the mid or upper third of the uterine cavity, with no significant difference between fresh and frozen thawed embryos. [Extracted from the article]

This article, published in the journal Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, examines variations in fetal growth during the first trimester among singleton pregnancies conceived through assisted reproductive technology (ART). The study included 127 women who underwent single embryo transfer and had ultrasound scans at different gestational weeks. The results showed variations in fetal growth, but no differences were found between pregnancies conceived with fresh or frozen thawed embryos. This information provides valuable insights into the development of pregnancies conceived through ART. [Extracted from the article]

This article, published in the journal Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, compares the size of fetuses in pregnancies conceived through assisted reproductive technology (ART) with standard reference growth curves. The study, conducted at St. Olav's Hospital in Norway, included 113 pregnancies for analysis. The results showed that fetuses conceived through ART were estimated to be 3-4mm longer in the first trimester compared to naturally conceived pregnancies. This study suggests that there may be a difference in fetal size between ART and natural conception. [Extracted from the article]

Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) has become the fastest growing dialysis modality in Europe and the United States in recent years. Freedom from daytime exchanges, flexibility of prescription, performance in recumbent position leading to enhanced treatment efficacy, and a decreased incidence of peritonitis are the main advantages of APD over CAPD. Studies on new developments of glucose-based PD fluids were performed predominantly in CAPD patients. High volumes and frequent APD cycles in patients may aggravate the adverse effects of standard CAPD fluids on the peritoneal membrane with increasing time on PD. New, glucose-based PD fluids with neutral pH, very low concentrations of glucose degradation products (GDPs), containing either lactate or bicarbonate as buffering substances have been introduced into clinical use recently. With these new fluids, various in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies could demonstrate a better preservation of peritoneal cell viability and growth, less inhibited secretory cell functions, a significant reduction in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and clinical signs for an improved preservation of peritoneal mesothelial cells indicated by an increase in effluent CA125. One has to be aware, however, that uremia per se prior to initiation of PD, as well as during PD treatment itself, directly impacts on peritoneal membrane structural changes so that new, more biocompatible PD fluids may not be completely sufficient to prevent morphologic and functional changes of the membrane. Due to a strong sodium sieving during APD, PD fluids with sodium concentrations of 125-130 mmol/L may be beneficial. Systematic calcium kinetic studies have not yet been performed in APD patients. APD fluids should offer a calcium concentration range of 1.0-1.75 mmol/L in order to enable an individualized APD prescription. For long-term APD treatment, better knowledge of peritoneal membrane physiology and PD kinetics should promote individualization of prescriptions. New, pH-neutral PD solutions with minimized amounts of GDPs may be a significant step forward to improved membrane preservation during long-term APD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight stable patients on maintenance hemodialysis were studied while undergoing (a) acetate hemodialysis with a sequential dialysate sodium concentration from 147 to 137 mEq/L (SNa-HDA) and (b) bicarbonate hemodialysis with a constant dialysate sodium concentration of 140 mEq/L (HDB). Circulatory behavior was observed during both of these methods, and both were found to allow a high volume removal. However, as a consequence of the high sodium load during SNa-HDA, volume was shifted from the extra- to the intravascular space. This stabilizing effect on the circulation disappeared with the sequential decrease of dialysate sodium concentration (despite a constant plasma sodium concentration (despite a constant plasma sodium concentration of approximately 140 mEq/L), which was concomitant with a significant decline of the mean arterial blood pressure and an inadequate compensation of the metabolic acidosis. In contrast, a better circulatory response to comparable volume removal was found during HDB, expressed by a stable mean arterial blood pressure in the presence of well-balanced arterial acid-base values.