Traductor

18 October 2011

The Effect of Obesity on Assisted Reproduction- Emerging Trends

As obesity becomes more prevalent across all demographics in the United States and worldwide, it exerts an effect on other health conditions. Research presented at the 67th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) provides an overview of the impact of excessive body weight on assisted reproduction.
In a retrospective study, doctors reviewed all fresh ART cycles conducted at Walter Reed Army Medical Center between January 2002 and 2010 and evaluated certain outcomes by patients’ body mass index (BMI). In 1,625 cycles, they found no significant differences between the different BMI groups (underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese, morbidly obese) in the number of eggs retrieved, the percentages of mature eggs retrieved, or the percentage of women who became pregnant. Pregnancy was determined by serum HCG levels.
In another retrospective study, researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Boston IVF evaluated data from 4,609 patients with documented BMI undergoing their first IVF cycle using their own eggs. After controlling for maternal and paternal age and other factors, the odds of obese patients (BMI 30 to 39.99) having a live birth were 30-61% lower than for normal weight patients and the odds of morbidly obese patients (BMI 40 and over) having a live birth were 68% lower than those for normal weight patients. The chances of obese and morbidly obese patients achieving a clinical pregnancy were also lower in this study.
A meta-analysis of controlled studies conducted by Egyptian researchers showed that obese women undergoing IVF and ICSI have significantly lower live birth and clinical pregnancy rates in addition to significantly higher cycle cancellation rates and miscarriage rates.
There is not a consistent trend connecting BMI with successful outcomes in embryo donation. At the National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC) in Knoxville, TN, a study was devised to compare the relationship of BMI to clinical pregnancy rates in patients undergoing transfer of donated embryos. Clinical pregnancy rates were calculated for 305 patients receiving donor embryo transfer between 2004 and 2009. The patients were grouped into the different BMI categories and their pregnancy rates were compared to the corresponding pregnancy rates of IVF and egg donation in a data analysis published by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). The SART data showed that women with BMIs in the obese ranges were less likely to achieve a clinical pregnancy using their own eggs and about as likely as normal weight women to become pregnant using donor eggs. For donated embryo cycles, the NEDC data showed no consistent relationship between recipient BMI and the likelihood of a clinical pregnancy.
Marcelle Cedars, MD, President of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, commented, “Most studies show that live birth rates and certain other measurements of IVF outcomes are significantly poorer in obese patients. Whether future research reveals that excess weight acts on egg quality and embryo development, the uterine environment or other mechanisms of reproductive physiology, it is clear that ART patients fare better if they are not obese.”

Hurricane Katrina Led to Increased Miscarriage and Preterm Births for ART Patients

Reviewing national statistics on the results of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) cycles from around the country, researchers have found that both miscarriage and preterm births among ART patients increased in the months following Hurricane Katrina.
Reporting their findings at the 67th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) in Orlando, the team of researchers from around the country reviewed the outcomes data compiled annually by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). They found that ART cycles initiated pre- Hurricane Katrina were 87% less likely to sustain a 1st trimester miscarriage and 63% less likely to sustain a miscarriage at less than 16 weeks, than post Katrina cycles. Singleton pregnancies were also more likely to deliver pre-term post Katrina than they had been before the storm. These variations remained even as potential confounding factors, such as age or diagnosis were controlled for using statistical methods. Perhaps most surprising is that the loss rate was the same across the entire country, not just in the areas directly affected by the storm.
“It is clear we still have a lot to learn about human reproduction. But this kind of study points out the importance that external factors can have on attempts to successfully initiate and carry a pregnancy to full term,” said R. Stan Williams, MD, President of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.

P-597 Increase in ART-Conceived Miscarriage and Preterm Birth Rates Following Hurricane Katrina: Analysis of 104,724 Cycles Reported to SARTS.K. Jindal, PhD, et al.

New report shows women don't have to suffer hot flushes, says International Menopause Society‏

Up to a quarter of women suffer a poorer quality of life because of hot flushes and night sweats associated with the menopause. Now the International Menopause Society (IMS) is marking World Menopause Day (18th October) with a new report* highlighting the problems associated with the menopause, and by calling for women and doctors to be more aware of the treatment possibilities for troubling menopausal symptoms.

The majority of women suffer from hot flushes or night sweats (also known as vasomotor symptoms or VMS) during the menopause. The exact numbers vary by culture, ethnic group, and individual health background, but on average 25% of women experience debilitating or distressing symptoms. These symptoms include depression, discomfort and embarrassment, causing real problems for women, their partners and their families. On average these symptoms may last 4 years, although some women are less troubled whereas some women have significant symptoms which are longer-lasting.

The IMS commissioned a multi-disciplinary comprehensive review of the evidence behind hot flushes and night sweats (published in the peer-reviewed journal Climacteric). As a result of the review, the IMS concludes that women should be less accepting of the problems caused by menopausal symptoms, and calls for women to be more proactive in asking for treatment.

Hot flushes are caused by dilation of the blood vessels and increased flow of blood to the trunk, head and neck. This can cause reddening of the skin, and sweating. Night sweats are hot flushes which take place during sleep, so disrupting sleep and causing fatigue and stress.

These symptoms can lead to physical discomfort, embarrassment, fatigue, and loss of confidence, often leading women to avoid social situations. The impact of hot flushes on quality of life varies with a variety of factors, including the frequency and duration of the flushes, a woman's lifestyle and how she views her symptoms. A woman may enter a 'vicious cycle', where the symptoms lead to problems in coping with her everyday life, which in turn leads to problems in coping with the symptoms.

The review concludes that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) shows the best results in treating VMS, with up to 90% of symptoms being abolished within 3 months of starting the treatment. However, not all women can take HRT, and for them there may be alternatives such as SSRIs and other non hormonal medications as well as psychological methods of treatment (e.g. using cognitive behavioural therapy).

The IMS review cautions against the use of untested or unproven methods of counteracting VMS, and singles out 'bioidentical hormones' as an area of concern. Some techniques such as acupuncture have shown mixed results. Similarly, most relaxation therapies and yoga have not shown significant benefits.

IMS President, Dr Tobie de Villiers** (Cape Town, South Africa) said
"Too often the distressing symptoms associated with the menopause are not taken seriously enough. The stresses caused by these symptoms can have a significant effect on not only a woman's life, but also the lives of those close to her, over a period of years. A woman can't just "grin and bear it" - if only it were that simple. These are troubling symptoms caused by the menopause, which lead to physical and psychological problems in everyday life. Women need to realise that they don't need to put up with this. For most women there are ways of overcoming these problems, and a woman going through a difficult menopause should make sure that she talks this over with her doctor to find the best solution for her".

In a supporting statement, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) joined the International Menopause Society to urge women as well as health professionals to take action against menopausal symptoms.

“Millions of women around the world suffer silently and unnecessarily through the extreme discomfort and often debilitating symptoms associated with menopause,” said IOF CEO Patrice McKenney. “Postmenopausal women are also the highest risk group for osteoporosis. We urge women who are experiencing hot flushes, night sweats or other menopausal symptoms to discuss the problem with their doctors. There are effective treatments available that can significantly improve quality of life.”

La Fundación Bamberg y FEFOC presentan la Campaña Gramona Contra el Cáncer de Mama



La Fundación Bamberg junto a la Fundación por la Educación y la Formación en Cáncer (FEFOC) han presentado hoy en Madrid la campaña Gramona contra el Cáncer de Mama, una iniciativa puesta en marcha con el objetivo de que las mujeres mayores sean objetivamente informadas sobre esta enfermedad.
Según Jordi Estapé, catedrático de Oncología y Director Científico de FEFOC, el riesgo de desarrollar cáncer de mama aumenta progresivamente con la edad, pero la percepción y conocimiento de este riesgo es escaso entre las mujeres mayores.
En este sentido, Estapé habló de "paradoja", ya que este grupo de riesgo tiene menos atención a los síntomas, y una baja participación en los programas de screening a partir de los 69 años: "Un 50% de mujeres de 50 a 59 años son diagnosticadas mediante las campañas, frente al 6% entre mujeres de 75 y 79 años. Esto supone que tengan estadios más avanzados, que reciban menos tratamientos y por lo tanto que tengan menos posibilidades de curación".
El Director Científico de FEFOC apuntó que uno de los principales problemas es la "desinformación", por lo que abogó por informar de forma objetiva para superar la contradicción entre la menor agresividad del cáncer de mama en las mujeres mayores y los peores resultados observados en los estudios.
Asimismo, el catedrático de Oncología destacó que el pronóstico del cáncer de mama ha mejorado mucho por el diagnóstico precoz de la enfermedad: "Gracias a las mamografías se descubren el 50% de los casos con cáncer de mama, y el otro restante por los médicos, por el nivel de concienciación social y por la labor de los medios de comunicación". Además del diagnóstico precoz, Estapé recomendó hacer ejercicio físico continuado y la dieta mediterránea para disminuir el riesgo de padecer la enfermedad.
Para conseguir que las mujeres mayores sean debidamente informadas sobre el riesgo del cáncer de mama, el Presidente de la Fundación Bamberg, Ignacio Para, explicó que uno de los objetivos de la campaña es realizar una encuesta en España para poder elaborar un Manual del Cáncer de Mama y un Código de Recomendaciones.
Ignacio Para señaló además que desde la Fundación Bamberg están trabajando para promover la transparencia sobre la actividad de los centros sanitarios y sus resultados en salud, así como garantizar la equidad en el acceso de los ciudadanos y pacientes a los mejores centros del sistema sanitario español: "Es necesario saber donde están los mejores centros o los mejores médicos de cada especialidad para que el paciente sepa y pueda elegir libremente que es lo que más le conviene para tratar su enfermedad ya que hoy depende del barrio, provincia o comunidad en que viva para que se cure o muera de cáncer o cualquier otra patología grave".
Por su parte, Tania Estapé, de la Fundación FEFOC, habló durante su intervención de los aspectos psíquicos y la percepción social que se tiene de la enfermedad: "La palabra cáncer se sigue relacionando con la muerte, las mujeres lo ven como una amenaza, y a veces no terminan nunca de sentirse curadas, sienten que continúan con las secuelas de antes". Según palabras de Estapé es lo que se conoce como el "Síndrome de la espada de Damocles", entre un 20 y un 25% tienen estrés postraumático, piensan que la enfermedad se va a repetir, de ahí la importancia de este tipo de campañas que complementen la labor de los hospitales y especialistas.






-4 euros por cada botella destinados a la investigación
El Presidente del Grupo Gramona, Xavier Gramona, explicó que se destinarán 4 euros de cada botella vendida de Rosé Brut Reserva para financiar la campaña promovida por la Fundación FEFOC y la Fundación Bamberg, al igual que participa en otros proyectos en relación con el Alzheimer, la esclerosis múltiple o el Sida.
Para ello, esta bodega de cava pondrá a la venta un total de 10.000 botellas de su cosecha de 2008 con un diseño realizado especialmente para la ocasión, rosa como tributo a la mujer y a la superación del cáncer de mama.






**EUROPA PRESS
EMISOR: Fundación Bamberg

Ansell Healthcare Receives CE Mark for GAMMEX® Powder-Free Gloves With AMT Antimicrobial Technology

Novel Gloves First to be Classified as Class III Medical Devices
Ansell Healthcare, a global leader in healthcare barrier protection, announced today that it has received the CE Mark for GAMMEX(R) Powder-Free gloves with AMT Antimicrobial Technology. Through its unique virus and bacteria-killing technology, the novel GAMMEX(R) Powder-Free with AMT provides protection against some of the most common pathogens and drug-resistant bacteria in the event of a glove breach*. Ansell will commercially launch GAMMEX(R) Powder-Free gloves with AMT across Europe in the autumn of 2011.
"We look forward to bringing a new level of protection and peace of mind to the surgical staff," said Peter Dobbelsteijn, Senior Vice President EMEA, Ansell Healthcare. "GAMMEX(R) Powder-Free with AMT has its own immune system to fight back against pathogens that migrate through the breaches that inevitably occur in actual use."
The gloves, made of natural rubber latex, provide the same feel, sensitivity, flexibility and dexterity as conventional gloves when manipulating and handling instruments. The main difference is the active antimicrobial layer which contains chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG). This proprietary technology can provide ongoing antiviral and antibacterial protection against HIV, hepatitis C and infectious bacteria.
"The new GAMMEX(R) Powder-Free with AMT is a significant technical breakthrough in terms of bringing about a change from passive protection to active protection. These new gloves respond to the demands of healthcare workers in the surgical theatre who face infection risks every day. With AMT Antimicrobial Technology, we can offer healthcare workers an extra level of security. Glove breaches happen during surgery through the use of sharp instruments and with the AMT technology, Ansell provides for a backup plan," said David Lucas, Vice President Science & Technology, Ansell Healthcare.
Receiving the CE Mark is a major milestone in the process of bringing this groundbreaking technology to the European market.
* In clinical and laboratory tests, GAMMEX(R) Powder-Free with AMT killed at least 99% of invading HIV and HCV (hepatitis C) surrogate pathogens, the two main viruses that concern surgeons. In addition, clinical testing has shown that the gloves kill over 99.7% of eight common infectious bacteria (gram-positive, gram-negative and drug-resistant bacteria) and kill over 99.99% of staphylococcus aureus.

Laboratorios Quinton organizó un Seminario del uso del Agua de Mar en terapéutica

El pasado sábado 15 de Octubre, Laboratorios Quinton organizó un seminario de formación sobre el Agua de Mar en terapéutica dirigido a los profesionales de la salud.
El acto, celebrado en sus instalaciones de Cox (Alicante), tuvo como eje central la Nutrición Genética y celular y actividad inmunológica. Allí, especialistas de la salud explicaron experiencias propias en el tratamiento de enfermedades con Quinton terapia marina.
Los asistentes pudieron conocer de primera mano el proceso de elaboración de los productos Quinton en una visita guiada por las instalaciones. Se trata de la primera jornada con opción a visita que organizan los laboratorios desde su traslado a Cox. La nueva fábrica cuenta con la última tecnología enmateria de laboratorio farmacéutico especialista en la fabricación de productos marinos.
Coordinado y moderado por el Dr. Bartolomé Beltrán, director del Servicio Médico y de Prevención de Antena 3 y Onda Cero, la jornada contó con especialistas médicos de renombre, como las doctoras Remedios Más y Querubina Meroño; el director Médico de Laboratorios Quinton, Dr. Marco Francisco Payá y su director técnico, Juan Alberola, entre otros.
El director de los Laboratoires Quinton, Francisco Javier Coll, fue el encargado de inaugurar la jornada y el primero en intervenir con su ponencia 'Agua de Mar: Información y nutrición genética. Regulador Antiaging'. En ella explicó los últimos avances obtenidos en materia de investigación sobre la Terapia Marina con Quinton, pudiendo demostrarse de manera científica las bondades que nos ofrece el agua de mar tratada con el protocolo original de René Quinton.
Francisco Javier Coll, director general de Laboratorios Quinton afirma "Este Seminario nos permite mostrar a los profesionales de la salud los beneficios y múltiples aplicaciones que el Agua de Mar puede aportar, así como presentarles casos prácticos que contribuyan a su buen hacer en sus trabajos. Además, este año nos hemos sentido muy orgullosos de presentar las nuevas instalaciones, dotadas de la última tecnología en materia de laboratorios farmacéuticos.

Cinfa, primer laboratorio en Europa que comercializa el medicamento genérico Tacrólimus

Laboratorios Cinfa es el primer laboratorio que comercializa Tacrólimus como medicamento genérico en Europa, mediante la venta de la licencia a otros laboratorios. En la actualidad, en Europa solo dos laboratorios han conseguido desarrollar este medicamento y únicamente Cinfa lo comercializa. Este fármaco genérico, un inmunosupresor empleado en pacientes trasplantados, requiere de una investigación y de un proceso de fabricación muy complejos, así como de un equipo de profesionales altamente cualificados.
“Este proyecto ha marcado un importante hito para nuestra compañía. Lanzarse al desarrollo de esta molécula en Europa ha supuesto una inversión de 3 millones de euros en I+D+i y en tecnología, todo un reto superado para el equipo de Cinfa”, afirma Enrique Ordieres, presidente de Cinfa.
El modelo de negocio se basa en la solicitud de autorización de comercialización a diversos Ministerios de Sanidad. En concreto, este producto ha sido sometido con éxito a las exigencias de desarrollo específicas de más de veinte de países y a estrictas auditorías. Actualmente, 15 laboratorios, entre los que se encuentran importantes compañías farmacéuticas, han adquirido ya la licencia para comercializarlo en Europa.
Apuesta por I+D+i en genéricos de alta especializaciónCinfa destaca por su compromiso en I+D+i, ya que es un sector clave para seguir avanzando. Concretamente, en 2010 destinó 11 millones de euros para desarrollo e innovación. Parte de esta cantidad se ha invertido en el desarrollo de los medicamentos genéricos de alta especialización indicados para tratamientos oncológicos y trasplantes, como es el caso de la molécula tacrólimus. Se estima que en 2011 la inversión en este sector alcance los 14 millones de euros. Como señala Javier del Río, director general de Cinfa, “estos fármacos genéricos permitirán un gran ahorro y contribuirán a la sostenibilidad del Sistema Nacional de Salud ".

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