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We examined the prognostic factors for pregnancy in 210 vitrified-warmed embryo transfer (ET) cycles in 121 patients. The univariate analysis showed that age, gravida, the number of cycles associated with infertility caused by endometriosis, the number of previous assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment cycles, and the number of ICSI procedures were significantly lower in pregnant cycles compared with non-pregnant cycles. The percentages of ET using at least one intact embryo and of ET using at least one embryo that had developed further after warming were significantly higher in pregnant cycles compared with non-pregnant cycles. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that previous ART treatment cycles, ET with at least one intact embryo, and ET using at least one embryo that had developed further were independent prognostic factors for pregnancy in vitrified-warmed ET cycles. We conclude that fewer previous ART treatment cycles, ET using at least one intact embryo, and ET with embryos that have developed further after warming might be favourable prognostic factors for pregnancy in vitrified-warmed ET cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previously, we showed that fragmented Lactobacillus amylovorus CP1563 (CP1563) functions as a dual agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and ϒ in vitro and in vivo. Objective: Here, we examined the safety and effect of CP1563 ingestion on body fat in obese class I participants in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial (RCT). Design: In the RCT, 200 participants with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 - 30 kg/m² consumed test beverages with or without 200 mg of CP1563 daily for 12 weeks. In total, 197 subjects completed the study without any adverse effects. Results: Body fat percentage, whole body fat, and visceral fat were significantly decreased in the test group compared with the placebo group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). Triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and diastolic blood pressure showed significant reductions in the test group compared with the placebo group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). Additionally, significant differences in the changes in blood glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and uric acid were observed between the two groups (p < 0.001, p = 0.004, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). Improvements in anthropometric measurements and markers were observed in obese class I subjects in the test group. Conclusions: Daily consumption of beverages containing fragmented CP1563 for 12 weeks by obese class I subjects improved anthropometric measurements and markers related to lipid and glucose metabolism without any adverse effects. These results suggest that the consumption of foods containing fragmented CP1563 reduces body fat and prevents metabolic syndrom [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 (CP2305) is a strain of Lactobacillus isolated from a stool sample from a healthy adult that showed beneficial effects on health as a paraprobiotic. In a previous study, we demonstrated that CP2305-fermented heat-treated milk modified gut functions more than artificially acidified sour milk. Thus, the regulatory activity of the former beverage was attributed to the inactivated CP2305 cells. Objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate the contribution of non-viable paraprobiotic CP2305 cells to regulating human gut functions. We thus conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded parallel group trial. Design: The trial included 118 healthy participants with relatively low or high stool frequencies. The test beverage was prepared by adding 1 x 1010 washed, heat-treated, and dried CP2305 cells directly to the placebo beverage. The participants ingested a bottle of the assigned beverage daily for 3 weeks and answered daily questionnaires about defecation and quality of life. Fecal samples were collected and the fecal characteristics, microbial metabolite contents of the feces and composition of fecal microbiota were evaluated. Results: The number of evacuations and the scores for fecal odors were significantly improved in the group that consumed the CP2305-containing beverage compared with those of the group that consumed the placebo (p = 0.035 and p = 0.040, respectively). Regarding the fecal contents of microbial metabolites, the level of fecal p-cresol was significantly decreased in the CP2305 group relative to that of the placebo group (p = 0.013). The Bifidobacterium content of the intestinal microbiota was significantly increased in the CP2305 group relative to that of the placebo group (p < 0.008), whereas the content of Clostridium cluster IV was significantly decreased (p < 0.003). The parasympathetic nerve activity of the autonomic nervous system became dominant and the total power of autonomic activity was elevated in the CP2305 group (p = 0.0401 and p=0.011, respectively). Conclusions: The continuous ingestion of heat-treated CP2305 cells clearly affected intestinal functionality. This is the first report of sterilized Lactobacillus cells having a significant impact on the environment and functions of the intestinal tract. The observed effects might be due, at least in part, to the brain gut interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the clinical study on the safety and effect of D-Psicose on postprandial blood glucose levels in adult men and women, and borderline diabetes patients. The study revealed that D-psicose could suppress the elevation of postprandial blood glucose in most patients with borderline diabetes. A different randomized parallel trial was conducted, which showed neither abnormal effects nor clinical problems caused by continued ingestion of D-psicose.

The main determinant of glioblastoma (GBM) resistance to temozolomide (TMZ) is thought to be O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), which is a DNA-repair enzyme that removes alkyl groups from the O(6)-position of guanine. Previously, we reported that a MGMT-siRNA/cationic liposome complex exerted a clear synergistic antitumor effect in combination with TMZ. Translation to a clinical setting might be desirable for reinforcing the efficacy of TMZ therapy for GBM. In this study, we aim to evaluate the safety of MGMT-siRNA/cationic liposome complexes and determine whether the convection-enhanced delivery of these complexes is suitable for clinical use by undertaking preclinical testing in laboratory animals. No significant adverse events were observed in rats receiving infusions of MGMT-siRNA/cationic liposome complex directly into the brain with or without TMZ administration. A pig which received the complex administered by CED also showed no evidence of neurological dysfunction or histological abnormalities. However, the complex did not appear to achieve effective distribution by CED in either the rat or the porcine brain tissue. Considering these results together, we concluded that insufficient distribution of cationic liposomes was achieved for tumor treatment by CED.