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Thailand has implemented GNSS Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) and Network Real-Time Kinematic (NRTK) Positioning services collaborated by several government agencies and universities for various applications. This research includes 114 GNSS CORSs; providing 143 triangle loops and covering 63 provinces nationwide, to determine and analyse the obtained horizontal positioning accuracy and their ground station geometries. Triangulation networks are categorised in terms of shapes and baseline distances. Welland ill-conditioned triangles are defined in accordance with different baseline lengths. The horizontal positioning accuracy is computed using static and NRTK positioning determinations whilst static positioning results are defined as the ground truth. Student's T tests are used to ensure the significance of calculated results according to each test case. The results show obtained horizontal positioning accuracies are within the specified accuracy of less than 4 centimetres and do not show any significant differences based on the defined significant level of 0.05. This GNSS CORS triangulation network geometry scheme does not influence the computed horizontal positioning accuracy obtained from NRTK-Virtual Reference Station (VRS) GNSS positioning services; however, the positioning accuracy is still directly due to distances between nearest GNSS CORS or its triangulation network, therefore, further suggestions are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the correlation between Precipitable Water Vapor (PWV), derived from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements, and rainfall during flood events in Chanthaburi, Surat Thani, and Songkhla, Thailand. Utilizing GPS-PWV and meteorological data collected from 2007 to 2016, the study reveals a significant increase in average PWV during flood events at CHAN, SRTN, and SOKA stations, suggesting its potential as an anticipatory indicator for impending rainfall. The robust correlation between PWV and rainfall patterns underscores the pivotal role of meteorological parameters in shaping PWV distribution. Categorized by flood events, consistent correlations were observed, with Case 1 (2009) showing correlation coefficients of 0.78 for CHAN, Case 2 (2010) displaying correlation coefficients of 0.70 for SRTN and 0.27 for SOKA, and Case 3 (2011) exhibiting correlation coefficients of 0.64 for SRTN and 0.71 for SOKA. These findings contribute valuable insights for precipitation forecasting and flood management, emphasizing the utility of PWV as a reliable tool. Future studies incorporating an expanded network of GNSS CORS stations aim to refine PWV distribution understanding for enhanced monitoring and prediction of precipitation events in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research shows a new threshold for identifying the onset of southwest monsoons using Precipitable Water Vapor (PWV) obtained from GNSS Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) in Thailand by analyzing data from 2007 to 2016. It was found that PWV values for rainy days are higher than non-rainy days. The average PWV for the years 2007-2016 of CHAN station in May was used to determine the new threshold. This new threshold is met when the average value of PWV in May exceeds 58.50 mm for three consecutive days. During the ten years of the study period, the onset date calculated from this method varies by no more than 1-3 days from that calculated by the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) method, except for 2008 and 2010, when the variance is more than three days. As for other regions namely the central region, the northeast region, and the northern region, it was found that the calculation of the onset of the monsoon season typically varies by 3-5 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Thailand, a network of GNSS Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) has been operating as a Network-based Real Time Kinematic (NRTK) GNSS positioning solutions since 2008. The Department of Lands designs a Thai-NRTK system mainly for GNSS cadastral survey using the Virtual Reference Station (VRS) as its positioning concept. The current Thai-NRTK consists of 114 GNSS CORSs covering only some parts of Thailand. The CORS spacing ranges from 25.1 km to198.6 km. According to previous studies, the performance of NRTK-GPS positioning determination in Thailand is strongly depending on the dimension of the triangular CORS locations; known as a "loop". This research aims to examine the horizontal position performance of this Thai-NRTK GNSS positioning solutions as a quality indicator for GNSS cadastral surveying. The test was carried out with quite a large number of test samples (total of 2,122 points) and where every loop is separated into 4 test groups with differing the station distances starting from the loop spacing of: 30 km to 50 km, 50 km to 70 km, 70 km to 90 km and 90 km to 110 km, respectively. The positioning performance test is conducted in two main folds; namely, positioning accuracy and time to resolve its solutions. On positioning accuracy, the test results show that the spacing of every tested loop achieves the accuracy in accordance with the cadastral surveying requirements. This proves that the Thai-NRTK GNSS positioning network and technique is well-designed and suitable for cadastral positioning within its coverage areas. On time to resolve fixed solution, the test results indicate that the 'time to first fixed' and the 'rate of the horizontal position jump' increase with longer loop distance; whereby only loop length of 30 km to 50 km has 100% success 'rate of ambiguity-fixing' solutions; therefore, in order to achieve a high reliable performance positioning from the Thai-NRTK GNSS solutions for cadastral survey in Thailand, it is recommended that the reference stations shall be kept within 50 km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the success rate of manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) in surgical treatment of endometrial polyps. Materials and Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of one or two endometrial polyps without any other gross pathology under hysteroscopic view were recruited in the present study. After the first hysteroscopy, the endometrial polyps were removed using standard MVA procedure. A second hysteroscopy was performed to re-assess the result and remove any remaining polyps in the same setting. The diagnosis of the resected polyps was confirmed using histopathological examination. Results: Thirty-five women were recruited in the present study. The most common presentation of the polyps was abnormal uterine bleeding (54.3%). The complete removal of endometrial polyps after MVA was observed in 30 cases (85.7%), whereas incomplete removal was observed in five cases (14.3%). The remaining polyps were mainly located at the fundus and cornu part of the uterus. Conclusion: MVA could be an alternative treatment of endometrial polyps because of possible complete removal of polyps and low complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) in meteorology known as GNSS-Meteorology is an alternative way to estimate the PWV values, which is fewer data processing load and cost-effective. In the last two decades, several studies have shown that the estimated PWV values derived from ground-based GNSS receivers are nearly proportional to the amount of PWV from the meteorological instruments. Moreover, it has the advantages in high spatio-temporal resolution. In this study, Precise Point Positioning (PPP) technique was used to process the GNSS observation data. The CLK91 real-time orbit and clock products generated to the broadcast ephemeris based on the International GNSS Service (IGS) network were adopted in the data processing step. In order to accurately transform the zenith tropospheric delay (LTD) into the PWV, the meteorological data and the local mean tropospheric temperature model (Tm) were evaluated for this study. The results showed that the different ZTD values of most stations, about 80% of the real-time epoch solution, were within 20 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve centimeter-level GNSS positioning, an augmentation system is necessary to correct for several sources of GNSS errors, including ionospheric and tropospheric delays, satellite orbit and satellite clock errors, as well as multipath interference. The high-precision positioning systems, such as real-time kinematic (RTK) and precise point positioning (PPP), typically rely on precise satellite orbit and clock data derived from a global network of GNSS reference stations. Since the launch of the QZSS L6E signal, known as the Multi-GNSS Advanced Demonstration Tool for Orbit and Clock Analysis (MADOCA), this precise system for estimating orbit and clock has been extensively utilized in various fields, particularly in the automated vehicle operation, controlled construction, and agricultural machinery. In Thailand, the QZSS can typically be visible at elevation angles ranging from 15 to 60 degrees. As a result, the receiver can obtain real-time MADOCA messages directly from the satellite. Typically, high-precision positioning is always achieved using survey-grade equipment, which is expensive. However, it would be advantageous to develop accurate outcomes through low-cost equipment. The study focuses on evaluating the performance of MADOCA augmentation by using a low-cost GNSS receiver in both static and kinematic PPP approaches, executed in different scenarios. In a static test performed in an open-sky scenario, the results indicate that the root mean square error (RMSE) is 0.060 meters horizontally and 0.072 meters vertically. The RMSE in a multipath environment is 0.877 meters, whereas the vertical RMSE is 1.335 meters. Finally, the kinematic test provided horizontal and vertical RMSEs of 3.130 meters and 13.544 meters, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kinematic GNSS positioning mode has been widely used in many applications. There are various techniques to obtain high-precision kinematic positioning results. One such technique is relative positioning based on differential carrier phase-based positioning. This technique may produce high accuracy positioning solutions in good, obstruction free signal environments. However, in less favorable observing environments (i.e., urban areas with tall buildings or tree canopy), the remaining errors can cause bad or unreliable positioning results. The quality of the solution mainly depends on the ability to resolve the ambiguities to their correct integer values. The process is known as Ambiguity Resolution (AR). AR success relies on the removal of unreliable observations data before data processing among others. Generally, the removal is carried out manually and may be considered as a trial-and-error procedure. The user has to process over and over until he gets a satisfactory result. Obviously, the manual removal is time consuming. In addition, it requires skills of an experienced user. To avoid such challenges, an automatic procedure is recommended. This paper introduces an optimization procedure based on the genetic algorithm (GA). GA is a global optimum search algorithm based on natural evolution that has been extensively used in various fields of study. GA allows optimally selecting the best GNSS satellite combination and improving the percentage of the ambiguity-fixed solutions in kinematic positioning mode. The numerical results demonstrate the improvements in ambiguity resolution rate when GA is applied comparing to the conventional method. Overall, the proposed GA-based method can improve the ambiguity resolution rate at 48.85%, 50.08% and 36.79% for 3.8 km, 6.7 km and 23.2 km baseline lengths respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thailand established a Network-based Real Time Kinematic (NRTK) GPS system using the Virtual Reference Station (VRS) concept in 2008. Currently the Thai NRTK consists of 11 reference stations located in the central part of Thailand with average reference station spacing of about 60 km. (Charoenkalunyuta et al, 2012) suggested that the ionospheric bias is the main error source which degrades NRTK performance in Thailand since the rate of ambiguity-fixing is significantly decreased when an irregular ionospheric variation occurs. In this paper, the position performance of NRTK is tested with a large number of GPS observations (31 consecutive days) and different reference receiver spacing, 10-20, 30-50, 50-60 and 60-80 km, with the use of final Global Ionospheric Maps (GIM) from the Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE) and all available Continuous GPS (CGPS) stations in the central part of Thailand. Test results indicate that the NRTK positioning performance is improved when the final GIM was used, especially in the case of large reference receiver spacing. Thus it is concluded that the final GIM can mitigate the ionospheric bias in the NRTK mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake with Mw 9.3 magnitude, the Thai government granted a budget to the Seismological Bureau under the Thai Meteorological department for setting up the forty real-time earthquake detecting system around Thailand. Five out of these are equipped with the dual-frequency Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. The installation of the GPS stations was completed in November 2007. Bernese software version 5.0 was selected as main GPS data processing software in this project. In order to obtain the most reliable coordinate results from GPS, an investigation of the optimal parameter setting for processing of Thai GPS data with the Bernese software is needed. This paper aims to compare the daily station coordinates and their repeatabilities derived from the use of different parameter settings in the Quasi-Ionosphere Free (QIF) ambiguity resolution strategy. The preliminary results obtained from different QIF parameter settings show significant coordinate offsets in east and height components. However, there are no statistically significant differences in the daily station coordinate repeatability values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to study a distance variation of Precipitable Water Vapor (PWV) between CORS stations in Thailand using a Precise Point Positioning (PPP) technique. Nowadays, GNSS Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) is not only used to obtain precise positioning applications but also plays an important role in meteorological applications. With a recent establishment of GNSS CORS around Thai region, the PWV can be accurately derived from these GNSS CORS data using the scientific Position and Navigation Data Analyst (PANDA) GNSS processing software. One-year period of GNSS CORS data collected between 1 January and 31 December 2016 are used in this study. The GNSS CORS data used in this study are gathered from various agencies, i.e. Chulalongkorn University, Department of Lands and Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning. However, a coverage distance from each GNSS CORS station for PWV estimations is not precisely determined for Thai region. This information can help reduce expenses in an installation and maintenance of meteorology sensors at each GNSS CORS. Therefore, this paper focuses on determining the distance variation of PWV between GNSS CORS stations and the coverage distance from each CORS for PWV estimations. The result shows that the coverage distance from each CORS station at 74 km or less can provide accurate PWV in Thai region.

This paper presents the impact of the ENSO incident in Thailand based on precipitation water vapor (PWV) data obtained from GPS measurements using GPS PWV data from 2007-2016 from 11 stations of the Public Works Department and town planning to determine the relationship between PWV and Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies (SSTa). It was found that between the La Niña and El Niño events, there was a moderate to severe correlation between PWV and SSTa at all stations, respectively, but was noted for SRTN and SOKA stations located near the southern coast of Thailand. The relationship turned out to be the opposite, that is, during the La Niña events there was a high correlation, but during the El Niño event, there was no correlation. Moreover, the correlation of all stations had the exact same negative. The study results concluded that the La Niña event directly affected PWV, especially in 2011. PWV declines would result in severe flooding and storms. El Niño also affected PWV, causing the rainy season to come later with less rain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GNSS is utilized in numerous industries and applications to determine a location's (position and time). GNSS technology was quickly used for surveying because it can offer correct latitude, longitude, and height without establishing angles and distances. It's utilized worldwide in mapping and surveying. An ideal GNSS receiver for geodetic and other surveying applications must receive and monitor both code pseudo ranges and carrier phase signals, including the Y-codeless signal. Using geodetic equipment can offer the most accurate location data, but it depends on the instrument's quality. Choosing the proper equipment ensures trustworthy location data. Surveyors may pick cheap equipment caused by financial constraints. Does the data from different GNSS receiver brands have the same quality? By performing static observation on various GNSS receiver from CHC (i90, i83, i80, i73 and i70) key parameters are extracted from the data for data integrity assessment in terms of multipath, cycle slip, signal noise ratio, sky plot and others. CHC Geomatics Office 2 was used to extract the mentioned parameters for quality assessment. The two-day observation lasted from April 23 to April 25, 2022. (GPST). Data availability and data completeness are closely related criteria. For full potential analysis, receivers must be fully operating. No receiver has 100% data completeness or 24-hour data availability. Each receiver's data demonstrates that error varies by parameter. CHC i70 has the least multipath effect and CHC i80 the greatest. Overall, MP1 and MP2 multipath effects were below 0.5. CHC i70 had the lowest cycle slip ratio as it recorded the strongest signal strength while the greatest cycle slip ratio occurred to CHC i80. Each receiver's sky map exhibits the same pattern for both observation days, indicating they tracked the same satellite. Lastly, the average coordinates acquired either on various days or among the receivers indicates a maximum of 0.28m in vector displacement where it is appropriate to claim that each receiver received different coordinates since they were not locating on one place but adjacent within 1 meter radius. From the data analyzed, it is concluded that CHC i83 has best data quality among CHC models while CHC i80 obtained the worst data quality, but this does not indicate that model cannot provide good quality data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that the atmospheric effects are the most dominant spatially correlated errors in GNSS observations. The atmosphere causing the delay in GNSS observations consists of two main layers i.e. ionosphere and troposphere. The ionospheric delay can be mitigated using a linear combination of the two-frequency data. Unlike the ionospheric delay, the tropospheric delay cannot be removed using the same methodology. Compensation for the tropospheric delay is usually carried out using a standard tropospheric model. However, a standard tropospheric model cannot be used to completely remove the tropospheric delay in GNSS observations. With the use of GNSS Precise Point Positioning (PPP) technique, the tropospheric delay can be precisely obtained in a data processing step. Therefore, this paper focuses on an estimation of precise tropospheric delay using the GNSS PPP technique with the Positioning And Navigation Data Analyst (PANDA) software. Results obtained from the PPP technique are then compared with IGS tropospheric products and standard tropospheric models e.g. Saastamonien, modified Hopfield and simplified Hopfield. The obtained tropospheric delay shows a good agreement with the IGS product at millimeter level. It is found that the standard tropospheric models can only provide tropospheric corrections which are accurate at decimeter level in Thailand region. Finally, the same processing procedure is applied to produce precise tropospheric delays for all GNSS Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) in Thailand and initial tropospheric delay results are presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this cross-sectional prospective study, advanced next-generation sequencing technology was used to compare the molecular karyotyping of individual human sperm cells in infertile couples with severe oligoteratozoospermia (i.e., low sperm count and motility) to those of infertile couples with normal semen. Fourteen infertile couples who were patients at Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, were recruited from January to November 2023, and they were categorized into two groups based on semen analysis results. The study group comprised couples with severe oligoteratozoospermia, whereas the control group exhibited normal semen. Individual sperm cells from the semen samples were isolated by the micromanipulation technique for subsequent whole-genome amplification and next-generation sequencing, where the primary outcome was the aneuploidy rate. Seventy individual sperm cells were isolated with a 90% success rate for amplification. The next-generation sequencing results showed that the aneuploidy rate was 25%-75%, with a mean of 48.28% in the study group. In contrast, the control group exhibited aneuploidy rates of 0-75%, with a mean of 15.15%. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (odds ratio: 5.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.30-26.03). Sperm cells of the study group showed a threefold higher aneuploidy rate than those in the control group, even though the sperm cells were selected by micromanipulation for their normal morphology. Comprehensive counseling is recommended to address elevated aneuploidy rates that potentially surpass those of the general infertile population. Guidance on preimplantation genetic testing is also recommended to ensure the transfer of embryos with normal chromosomes., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Sassanarakkit et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Embryo morphology and morphokinetics have been studied for their association with euploid embryos. However, the results are controversial, especially in the advanced-aged women group, when the risk of aneuploidy increases significantly. This prospective cohort study evaluated the association between embryo development between day-3 cleavage and day-5 blastocyst stages and euploidy rates, determined using preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). Embryos from women aged 35 years and above who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injections and PGT-A were studied. Day-3 cleavage-stage embryos were evaluated for their cell number, and day-5 blastocyst-stage embryos were evaluated for their morphological grade. Embryo development from day 3 to day 5 was categorized as either good or poor development and evaluated for its association with the PGT-A results. We evaluated 325 embryos from 101 infertile couples. It was found that 55.17% of blastocysts with good development and 29.83% with poor development were euploid. A significant association was found between embryo development and euploidy rates in advanced-aged women ( p < 0.001). Also, there were significantly higher rates of euploid embryos with good blastocyst morphological grades, especially blastocyst expansion grades and trophectoderm grades. In conclusion, embryo morphokinetics shows promising results in predicting euploidy in advanced female age.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and explore the relationship between semen parameters and SDF between 2 and 7 days of abstinence and a short abstinence period (within 4 hours) in oligozoospermic infertile patients., Methods: Two semen samples were collected from infertile oligozoospermic men (n=34) after an abstinence period of 2 to 7 days and within 4 hours, respectively. Sperm parameters were compared between the two abstinence duration groups, including semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility, total motile sperm count (TMSC), morphology, and SDF., Results: The semen volume, concentration, and total sperm count were significantly decreased after 4 hours of abstinence than after 2 to 7 days of abstinence, with median differences of 1.2 mL (p<0.001), 2×106/mL (p=0.011), and 9.6×106/ejaculation (p<0.001), respectively. TMSC was significantly lower after a short abstinence, with a median difference of 4.24×106/ejaculate (p<0.001). However, there were no significance differences in the percentage of motility, the SDF, and the percentage of sperm with normal morphology. Interestingly, volume, concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility, and SDF, but not TMSC, exhibited significant linear correlations between the two abstinence groups in univariate regression analysis, except for TMSC., Conclusion: In oligozoospermic men, the volume, concentration, and total sperm count were significantly lower after a short abstinence period, but without adverse effects on sperm motility and SDF.

MUi028-A human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) line was generated from normal fetal skin fibroblasts using a non-integrative reprogramming method. Reprogramming factors OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, L-MYC, and LIN28, and TP53 shRNA in three episomal vectors were delivered by electroporation. The MUi028-A cell line had embryonic stem cell characteristics with consistent expression of specific pluripotency markers and the capability of in vitro differentiation into the three germ layers. This iPSC line can be used as a control to study disease mechanisms., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Progressive loss of ovarian estrogen (E2) production is a hallmark feature of, if not a driving force behind, reproductive aging and the menopause. Recent genetic studies in mice have shown that female germline or oogonial stem cells (OSCs) contribute to maintenance of adult ovarian function and fertility under physiological conditions through support of de-novo oogenesis. Here we show that mouse OSCs express E2 receptor-α (ERα). In the presence of E2, ERα interacts with the stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 ( Stra8 ) promoter to drive Stra8 expression followed by oogenesis. Treatment of mice with E2 in vivo increases Stra8 expression and oogenesis, and these effects are nullified by ERα ( Esr1 ), but not ERβ ( Esr2 ), gene disruption. Although mice lacking ERα are born with a normal quota of oocytes, ERα-deficient females develop premature ovarian insufficiency in adulthood due to impaired oogenesis. Lastly, mice treated with reversible ER antagonists show a loss of Stra8 expression and oocyte numbers; however, both endpoints rebound to control levels after ceasing drug treatment. These findings establish a key physiological role for E2-ERα signaling in promoting OSC differentiation as a potential mechanism to maintain adequate numbers of ovarian follicles during reproductive life.

Context: In controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles, 15% of oocytes have been proven to be immature. Key factors include failure in signal transmission from the cumulus cell to the oocyte, insufficient level of luteinizing hormone, and internal conditions of the oocyte itself., Aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the in vitro maturity of partially cumulus-denuded immature oocytes collected after controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF)., Settings and Design: This was a prospective, randomized controlled design at the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, university hospital., Subjects and Methods: Infertile women underwent gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist stimulated protocol for IVF with final maturation triggered by hCG, partially cumulus-denuded immature human oocytes were allocated to two groups: the first was treated with fertilization medium and the second was treated with fertilization medium and hCG. They were cultured for 24 h. Outcomes measured were the oocyte maturation rates to metaphase II (MII) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity of in vitro maturation (IVM) mature oocytes which represent the oocyte quality., Statistical Analysis Used: The Mann-Whitney U-test and One-way ANOVA were used to compare continuous variables, and Chi-square was used for categorical data., Results: In all, 250 immature stimulated oocytes were allocated (125 per group). The maturation rate was higher in the hCG supplement group (48% vs. 39.2%) without significance. The positive brilliant cresyl blue results among the MII oocytes developed from the metaphase I (MI) were significantly higher in the hCG group ( P = 0.001)., Conclusions: Rescue IVM in fertilization culture medium plus hCG was slightly better than that in the only fertilization culture. MII oocytes developed from MI in hCG supplemented medium had a higher quality based on the measured G6PD activity., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences.)

Thalassemia and hemoglobinopathy is a group of hereditary blood disorder with diverse clinical manifestation inherited by autosomal recessive manner. The Beta thalassemia/Hemoglobin E disease (HbE/βthal) causes a variable degree of hemolysis and the most severe form of HbE/βthal disease develop a lifelong transfusion-dependent anemia. Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is an established procedure of embryo genetic analysis to avoid the risk of passing on this particular condition from the carrier parents to their offspring. Preimplantation genetic testing for chromosomal aneuploidy (PGT-A) also facilitates the selection of embryos without chromosomal aberration resulting in the successful embryo implantation rate. Herein, we study the clinical outcome of using combined PGT-M and PGT-A in couples at risk of passing on HbE/βthal disease. The study was performed from January 2016 to December 2017. PGT-M was developed using short tandem repeat linkage analysis around the beta globin gene cluster and direct mutation testing using primer extension-based mini-sequencing. Thereafter, we recruited 15 couples at risk of passing on HbE/βthal disease who underwent a combined total of 22 IVF cycles. PGT was performed in 106 embryos with a 3.89% allele drop-out rate. Using combined PGT-M and PGT-A methods, 80% of women obtained satisfactory genetic testing results and were able to undergo embryo transfer within the first two cycles. The successful implantation rate was 64.29%. PGT accuracy was evaluated by prenatal and postnatal genetic confirmation and 100% had a genetic status consistent with PGT results. The overall clinical outcome of successful live birth for couples at risk of producing offspring with HbE/βthal was 53.33%. Conclusively, combined PGT-M and PGT-A is a useful technology to prevent HbE/βthal disease in the offspring of recessive carriers., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Background: A key event in human development is the establishment of erythropoietic progenitors in the bone marrow, which is accompanied by a fetal-to-adult switch in hemoglobin expression. Understanding of this event could lead to medical application, notably treatment of sickle cell disease and β -thalassemia. The changes in gene expression of erythropoietic progenitor cells as they migrate from the fetal liver and colonize the bone marrow are still rather poorly understood, as primary fetal liver (FL) tissues are difficult to obtain., Methods: We obtained human FL tissue and adult peripheral blood (AB) samples from Thai subjects. Primary CD34 + cells were cultured in vitro in a fetal bovine serum-based culture medium. After 8 days of culture, erythroid cell populations were isolated by flow cytometry. Gene expression in the FL- and AB-derived cells was studied by Affymetrix microarray and reverse-transcription quantitative PCR. The microarray data were combined with that from a previous study of human FL and AB erythroid development, and meta-analysis was performed on the combined dataset., Results: FL erythroid cells showed enhanced proliferation and elevated fetal hemoglobin relative to AB cells. A total of 1,391 fetal up-regulated and 329 adult up-regulated genes were identified from microarray data generated in this study. Five hundred ninety-nine fetal up-regulated and 284 adult up-regulated genes with reproducible patterns between this and a previous study were identified by meta-analysis of the combined dataset, which constitute a core set of genes differentially expressed between FL and AB erythroid cells. In addition to these core genes, 826 and 48 novel genes were identified only from data generated in this study to be FL up- and AB up-regulated, respectively. The in vivo relevance for some of these novel genes was demonstrated by pathway analysis, which showed novel genes functioning in pathways known to be important in proliferation and erythropoiesis, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathways., Discussion: The genes with upregulated expression in FL cells, which include many novel genes identified from data generated in this study, suggest that cellular proliferation pathways are more active in the fetal stage. Erythroid progenitor cells may thus undergo a reprogramming during ontogenesis in which proliferation is modulated by changes in expression of key regulators, primarily MYC, and others including insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3), neuropilin and tolloid-like 2 (NETO2), branched chain amino acid transaminase 1 (BCAT1), tenascin XB (TNXB) and proto-oncogene, AP-1 transcription factor subunit (JUND). This reprogramming may thus be necessary for acquisition of the adult identity and switching of hemoglobin expression., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests.

Aims: The aim is to study the relation and distribution in gene expression level of the luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) gene and regulator of G-protein signaling 2 (RGS2) gene expression with oocyte maturation., Setting and Design: This cross-sectional study was undertaken in an instruction-based tertiary care infertility unit, department of obstetrics and gynecology., Materials and Methods: After controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, cumulus granulosa cells (CCs) from 59 oocytes among 18 women being treated by in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle technique from November 2015 to January 2016 were collected on the day of oocyte retrieval. Total RNA was extracted and converted to cDNA in individual oocytes. LHR and RGS2 gene levels were measured and analyzed using digital droplet polymerase chain reaction., Statistical Analysis: Gene expression level was analyzed using software STATA, version 14.0 (College Station, TX: StataCorp LP, USA)., Results: CCs were obtained from 59 cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC), 46 COC from metaphase II (CC MII ), 13 COC from metaphase I, and GV oocyte (CC MI + GV ). The RGS2 gene expression level, when compared with the housekeeping gene in CC MII and CC MI + GV , was 0.15 (0.05-0.52) and 0.08 (0.02-0.27), respectively. The LHR gene expression when compared with the housekeeping gene in CC MII and CC MI + GV did not differ and was quite in the same value that was 0.02 (0.00-0.11) and 0.02 (0.00-0.06), respectively., Conclusion: This study showed that LHR gene expression did not differ in between oocyte groups. Even though the median of RGS2 gene expression was more in the mature oocyte group, the result was inconclusive due to scattering and overlapping of gene expression data between oocyte groups., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Multiple labs have reported that mammalian ovaries contain oogonial stem cells (OSCs), which can differentiate into oocytes that fertilize to produce offspring. However, the physiological relevance of these observations to adult ovarian function is unknown. Here we performed targeted and reversible ablation of premeiotic germ cells undergoing differentiation into oocytes in transgenic mice expressing the suicide gene, herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk), driven by the promoter of stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (Stra8), a germ cell-specific gene activated during meiotic commitment. Over a 21-day ablation phase induced by the HSVtk pro-drug, ganciclovir (GCV), oocyte numbers declined due to a disruption of new oocyte input. However, germ cell differentiation resumed after ceasing the ablation protocol, enabling complete regeneration of the oocyte pool. We next employed inducible lineage tracing to fate map, through Cre recombinase-mediated fluorescent reporter gene activation only in Stra8-expressing cells, newly-formed oocytes. Induction of the system during adulthood yielded a mosaic pool of unmarked (pre-existing) and marked (newly-formed) oocytes. Marked oocytes matured and fertilized to produce offspring, which grew normally to adulthood and transmitted the reporter to second-generation offspring. These findings establish that oocytes generated during adulthood contribute directly to ovarian function and natural fertility in mammals.

Purpose: We aim to present a case of a healthy infant born after intracytoplasmic sperm injection-in vitro fertilization (ICSI-IVF) with a preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) due to PANK2 mutation., Methods: ICSI-IVF was performed on a Thai couple, 34-year-old female and 33-year-old male, with a family history of PKAN in their first child. Following fertilization, each of the embryos were biopsied in the cleavage stage and subsequently processed for whole-genome amplification. Genetic status of the embryos was diagnosed by linkage analysis and direct mutation testing using primer extension-based mini-sequencing. Comprehensive chromosomal aneuploidy screening was performed using a next-generation sequencing-based strategy., Results: Only a single cycle of ICSI-IVF was processed. There were seven embryos from this couple-two were likely affected, three were likely carriers, one was likely unaffected, and one failed in target genome amplification. Aneuploidy screening was performed before making a decision on embryo transfer, and only one unaffected embryo passed the screening. That embryo was transferred in a frozen thawed cycle, and the pregnancy was successful. The diagnosis was confirmed by amniocentesis, which presented with a result consistent with PGD. At 38 weeks of gestational age, a healthy male baby was born. Postnatal genetic confirmation was also consistent with PGD and the prenatal results. At the age of 24 months, the baby presented with normal growth and development lacking any neurological symptoms., Conclusions: We report the first successful trial of PGD for PKAN in a developing country using linkage analysis and mini-sequencing in cleavage stage embryos.

Human iPSC line MU011.A-hiPS was generated from homozygous α-thalassemia (-(SEA)/-(SEA)) fetal skin fibroblasts using a non-integrative reprogramming method. Reprogramming factors OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4, L-MYC, LIN28, and shRNA of TP53 contained in three episomal vectors were delivered using electroporation., (Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cryopreservation of sperm is common methods to preserve male fertility. Sperm freezing, suggest slow programmable freezing caused lower change of sperm morphology than sperm freezing in vapor of liquid nitrogen. Ultra rapid freezing is easy to be worked on, less time, low cost and does not need high experience., Objective: To compare the effect on sperm motility, morphology and DNA integrity of post-thawed sperm after ultra rapid freezing and slow programmable freezing methods., Material and Method: Experimental study at laboratory of infertility unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital. Thirty-seven semen samples with normal semen analysis according to World Health Organization (WHO) 1999 [normal sperm volume ( 2 ml) and normal sperm concentration (≥ 20 x10(6)/ml) and sperm motility (≥ 50%)]. Semen samples were washed. Then each semen sample was divided into six cryovials. Two cryovials, 0.5 ml each, were cryopreserved by slow programmable freezing. Four 0.25 ml containing cryovials, were cryopreserved by ultra rapidfreezing method. After cryopreservationfor 1 month, thawedprocess was carried out at room temperature. Main outcomes are sperm motility was determined by Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA), sperm morphology was determined by eosin-methylene blue staining and sperm DNA integrity was assessed by TUNEL assay., Results: Sperm motility was reduced significantly by both methods, from 70.4 (9.0)% to 29.1 (12.3)% in slowprogrammable freezing and to 19.7 (9.8)% in ultra rapid freezing (p < 0.05). Sperm motility decreased significantly more by ultra rapid freezing (p < 0.001). The percentage of normal sperm morphology and DNA integrity were also reduced significantly by both methods. However, no significant difference between the two methods was found (p > 0.05)., Conclusion: Cryopreservation of human sperm for 1 month significantly decreased sperm motility, morphology and DNA integrity in both methods. However sperm motility was decreased more by ultra rapid freezing.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of estradiol valerate (EV) on the thickness of clomiphene citrate (CC)-stimulated endometrium., Material and Methods: Thirty-four normal ovulatory women were randomized double-blindly into two groups to receive CC 100 mg/day on day 2-6 of the treatment cycle, and either vitamin B (placebo) or EV 6 mg/day on day 10-14 of the cycle. The endometrial thickness, endometrial pattern, numbers of mature follicles, and maximal diameters of preovulatory follicles were evaluated by transvaginal sonographic examination., Results: Thirty women completed both treatment cycles. Two other participants dropped out during the treatment due to side-effects (headache). The average endometrial thickness of the group treated with CC + placebo became slightly thinner when compared to the thickness at the baseline (9.04 vs 9.52 mm; P = 0.24). The CC + placebo and the CC + EV resulted in similar endometrial pattern, ovulation day, numbers of mature follicles, and sizes of the leading follicles before ovulation. However, an addition of EV into the CC cycle significantly increased the average endometrial thickness (10.7 mm vs 9.04 mm; P < 0.001)., Conclusions: We concluded that the addition of 6 mg/day EV following the CC treatment can prevent the endometrial thinning without perturbing folliculogenesis and ovulation., (© 2013 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2013 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Through the use of parabiosis in mice, aging-related deterioration of skeletal muscle and liver has been linked to a loss of systemic factors that support adult stem or progenitor cell activity. Since aging-related ovarian failure has recently been attributed, at least in part, to a loss of de-novo oocyte-containing follicle formation associated with declining oogonial stem cell activity, herein we tested in mice if aging-related changes in systemic factors influence the size of the ovarian follicle reserve. Ovaries of young (2-month-old) females parabiotically joined with young females for 5 weeks possess comparable numbers of healthy and degenerative (atretic) oocyte-containing follicles in their ovaries as those detected in non-parabiotic young females. Joining of young females with young males significantly increases follicle atresia without a net change healthy follicle numbers. Surprisingly, young females joined with aged (24-month-old) males exhibit a significant increase in the number of primordial follicles comprising the ovarian reserve, and this occurs without changes in follicle growth activation or atresia. Blood of aged males also induces ovarian expression of the germ cell-specific meiosis gene,Stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (Stra8), in ovaries of female parabionts, further supporting the conclusion that the observed changes in the follicle reserve of females joined with aged males reflect increased oocyte formation. Thus, factors in male blood exert dramatic effects on ovarian follicle dynamics, and aging males possess a beneficial systemic factor that significantly expands the ovarian follicle reserve in females through enhanced oogenesis.