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Hong-Nerng Ho

Publications and source records attributed to Hong-Nerng Ho.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Technical aspects of the piezo, laser-assisted, and conventional methods for nuclear transfer of mouse oocytes and their efficiency and efficacy: Piezo minimizes damage of the ooplasmic membrane at injection.

Assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of the piezo, laser, and conventional methods for nuclear transfer has remained elusive. Furthermore, although the piezo method had been used by some investigators for research of sperm injection and nuclear transfer for several years, many researchers have failed to operate the technique smoothly and achieve reproducible results. The procedures of nuclear transfer using piezo were ascertained and described in detail. Mouse oocytes were enucleated, and injected with cumulus cells using the piezo, laser, or conventional methods. We investigated the time needed and survival of nuclear transfer. Development was compared among the three methods and parthenogenetic control specimens. The average time of nuclear transfer for each oocyte was significantly shorter using the piezo (118 +/- 9 s) and laser methods (120 +/- 11 s) than using the conventional method (170 +/- 11 s). The damage rate was smaller for the piezo group (10%) than the laser (37%) and conventional (40%) groups. The percentages of blastocyst formation (14%, 12%, and 11%) and the number of nuclei of blastocysts (54 +/- 13, 51 +/- 11, and 52 +/- 12) were similar among the piezo, laser, and conventional groups, but significantly lower than for the control group (83%, 105 +/- 14). The piezo technique is more efficient than the conventional method for nuclear transfer. The laser method is easy to operate, but the equipment is expensive. In addition, piezo induced fewer traumas while breaking the membrane than the aspiration techniques used in the laser and conventional methods.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The role of B7 ligands (CD80 and CD86) in CD152-mediated allograft tolerance: a crosscheck hypothesis.

BACKGROUND: The regulatory mechanism by which the B7 ligands (CD80 and CD86) direct the CD28/CD152 costimulatory pathways is unclear. This study investigated the role of CD80 and CD86 in a CD152-mediated allograft tolerance model. METHODS: A low-responding cardiac transplant model (BALB/c-->B10.A) with possible long-term acceptance was used. Immunocytochemical and flow cytometric analyses of the graft-infiltrating cells were conducted to characterize this transplant model. The influence of anti-CD80 and anti-CD86 treatments on the proliferation and interleukin (IL)-2 productions of the tolerated splenocytes (SC) was analyzed. The role of CD80 and CD86 in the induction and maintenance of the graft acceptance in this transplant model were also tested. RESULTS: B10.A mice could accept the BALA/c cardiac allografts (11/22), and an anti-CD152 antibody blocked the graft acceptance (10/10). Immunocytochemical and flow cytometric analyses showed that CD152+ cells were predominant among the CD4+ cells infiltrating the 100-day grafts of the B10.A recipients (B10.A-100). Either anti-CD80 or anti-CD86 treatment significantly enhanced polyclonal proliferation and IL-2 production of the B10.A-100 SC. Blockade of either CD80 or CD86 prohibited the tolerance transmitted by adoptive transfer, and anti-CD80 or anti-CD86 plus skin grafting undermined the established allograft tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: Both CD80 and CD86 were essential for the induction and maintenance of the CD152-mediated allograft tolerance.

Adoptive Transfer↗
PubMed2004

Nitric oxide is associated with poor embryo quality and pregnancy outcome in in vitro fertilization cycles.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between follicular and serum nitric oxide (NO) levels and embryo development and outcome in IVF. DESIGN: Prospective, case-control study. SETTING: University hospital, tertiary medical center. PATIENT(S): Eighteen patients with tubal or peritoneal factor infertility and 18 female partners from couples with male factor infertility underwent controlled ovarian stimulation and IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). INTERVENTION(S): Controlled ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval followed by IVF/ICSI and embryo culture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Degree of fragmentation of embryos and pregnancy rate. RESULT(S): Higher follicular NO levels were associated with advanced fragmentation of embryos. Follicular soluble Fas could not prevent embryo fragmentation. Higher serum NO levels were found among nonpregnant patients with tubal or peritoneal factor infertility. No elevated serum NO levels were found in the female partners from couples with male factor infertility. CONCLUSION(S): Up-regulation of serum NO is associated with implantation failure in patients with tubal or peritoneal factor infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Cryopreserved sibling oocytes and intracytoplasmic sperm injection rescue unexpectedly poor fertilization in conventional in vitro fertilization.

PURPOSE: To report a successful pregnancy from cryopreserved sibling oocytes and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for an infertile couple with an unexpectedly low fertilization rate in the fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. METHODS: The woman had bilateral tubal obstruction and polycystic ovarian syndrome. The man had normal semen parameters. The couple underwent a cycle of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in that 20 oocytes were retrieved. Twelve oocytes were conventionally inseminated and eight were cryopreserved using a slow freezing method. However, only one oocyte was fertilized, and no pregnancy was achieved. In the next cycle, the frozen oocytes were thawed and ICSI was performed. RESULTS: After thawing, seven oocytes (88%) survived and one was damaged. Six were at the metaphase II stage and were injected. Five (83%) achieved normal fertilization, and all of them cleaved (100%). After replacement of the embryos, a singleton pregnancy developed. A healthy female baby was delivered at term. Karyotyping revealed 46, XX. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to well-known indications, cryopreservation of excess sibling oocytes for patients receiving IVF has a possible advantage of preventing unexpectedly low fertilization rate or fertilization failures.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Epidemiologic features of Kawasaki disease in Taiwan, 1996-2002.

OBJECTIVE: Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most common acquired heart disease in children worldwide. The incidence of KD varies among different countries, with Asian countries supposedly having higher incidences than Western countries. However, the incidence of KD in Taiwan has not been well investigated. METHODS: Since the implementation of Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) in 1995, NHI has covered health care for >96% its population. Using the NHI database from 1996 to 2002, we investigated epidemiologic features of KD (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code 446.1), the rate of coronary artery aneurysm formation (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code 414.11), and the change in incidence during the recent 7 years. We also compared the annual incidences in Taiwan with those reported by other countries. RESULTS: During the 7-year study period, KD occurred most frequently in the summer and least frequently in winter. It is interesting that the highest peak occurred in the summer of 1998 at the same time that Taiwan's enterovirus 71 epidemic was occurring. Ninety-one percent of KD cases occurred in children who were <5 years old, and the male-to-female ratio was 1.70:1. Recurrence of KD was found in 1.3% (94 of 7305) of these children, and coronary artery aneurysm was found in 7.3% (536 of 7305). The annual incidence per 100,000 children was 146 in children <1 year old, 98 in 1-year-old children, 51 in 2-year-old children, 28 in 3-year-old children, 19 in 4-year-old children, and 5.3 in 5- to 9-year-old children; the incidence of KD decreased with increased age. The overall incidence was 66 cases per 100,000 children <5 years old from 1996 to 2002 with the annual incidence not differing significantly during the 7-year study period. CONCLUSIONS: KD in Taiwan occurs more frequently in boys and in the summer months. During the 7-year study period, the annual KD incidence in Taiwan of 66/100000 in children <5 years old was the second highest in the world after Japan.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Increased expression and activation of gelatinolytic matrix metalloproteinases is associated with the progression and recurrence of human cervical cancer.

Cancer-derived matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proposed to be essential for tumor stromal invasion and subsequent metastasis. To explore the role of MMPs in cancer progression, we examined the expression of various MMPs and tissue inhibitors of MMPs in precancerous and cancerous lesions of the uterine cervix. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that MMP-2 and MMP-9 were expressed in >90% of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and 83-100% of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), but were less frequently expressed in low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and normal squamous epithelium (13%). MMP-1, MMP-14, and MMP-15 were detected in 55-81% of SCC cases, and MMP-1 was detected in 39% of HSIL. The tissue inhibitors of MMPs were weakly expressed in SCC (10-61%). By direct analysis of enzyme activities in microdissected specimens, we found that the gelatinolytic activity of MMP-9 was significantly higher in HSIL and SCC than in normal cervix (P < 0.01). The levels of active-form MMP-2 increased progressively from HSIL to SCC of stage I and more advanced stages (P < 0.01). The gelatinolytic activity of MMP-9 and active-form MMP-2 in SCC were strongly correlated with lymphovascular permeation and subsequent lymph node metastasis (P < 0.02). Moreover, the gelatinolytic activity and immunoreactive percentage of both MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly higher in SCC cases who had a recurrence than in those who remained free of disease (P < 0.001). Thus, our data demonstrate progressively up-regulated expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 with SCC progression, and significant associations among their gelatinolytic activity and stage, nodal metastasis, and recurrence.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed2003

Age is a better predictor of pregnancy potential than basal follicle-stimulating hormone levels in women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze to what extent the parameters of ovarian functional reserve including female age and basal FSH levels will affect the results of ovarian hyperstimulation and IVF outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. University hospital infertility center. PATIENT(S): One thousand forty-five women undergoing their first cycle of IVF with ovarian stimulation after pituitary desensitization. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Cycle parameters, cancellation rate, implantation rate, and pregnancy rate. RESULT(S): Both increasing age and basal FSH were associated significantly with reduced numbers of oocytes collected, oocytes fertilized, and embryos transferred. The combined use of age and basal FSH significantly improves the predictive power for these parameters. Increasing age, but not basal FSH, was associated significantly with reduced implantation rate and pregnancy rate. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, but not basal FSH, was an independent predictor of pregnancy rate. Neither age nor basal FSH had significant association with fertilization rate, miscarriage rate, or ectopic pregnancy rate. CONCLUSION(S): Both basal FSH and age contributed to the prediction of the quantitative ovarian reserve as reflected by the number of oocytes collected. However, age is a better predictor of pregnancy potential for women undergoing IVF.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Comparison of coasting and intravenous albumin in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of coasting to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) with i.v. albumin and to determine if different timing of gonadotropin coasting would affect the IVF outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital-based IVF program. PATIENT(S): One hundred sixty-two women undergoing IVF treatment cycles who were considered to be at high risk for developing OHSS. INTERVENTION(S): Gonadotropin administration was withheld in 60 patients: either coasting occurred before follicular maturation (early coasting subset, n = 28) or follicular maturity was attained before coasting (late coasting subset, n = 32). Outcomes were compared in 102 patients at risk for OHSS who received i.v. albumin on the day of oocyte retrieval. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Incidence of OHSS and outcome parameters. RESULT(S): Although the fertilization rates and the incidence of OHSS did not differ significantly between the coasting and i.v. albumin groups, the mean number of oocytes retrieved, the pregnancy rates, and implantation rates were significantly lower in the coasting group. There is no statistical difference in the entire outcome examined and the incidence of OHSS between the early and late coasting subsets. CONCLUSION(S): Coasting is as effective as i.v. albumin in preventing OHSS in high-risk patients but yields inferior pregnancy rates. Early coasting is as successful as late coasting in preventing OHSS with similar IVF outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The role of cytokines in endometriosis.

PROBLEM: To review the literature on the role of peritoneal cytokines in the pathogenesis and endometriosis-related infertility. METHODS OF STUDY: A MEDLINE search was conducted by the key words of cytokine and endometriosis in the English publications, and references identified within the identified papers were also reviewed. RESULTS: Several cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1, 6, 8, 10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were reported to be increased in the peritoneal fluid (PF) of women with endometriosis. Those cytokines may be involved in macrophage activation, inflammatory change and enhanced angiogenesis. However, some cytokines were less expressed such as IL-2, and interferon (IFN)-gamma. They reflect the impaired T- and natural killer (NK)-cell function. Endometriotic implants produce some factors, e.g. matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), Bcl-2, and affect their capacity to implant into the peritoneum. CONCLUSION: Peritoneal cytokines, which are produced by mesothelial cells, leukocytes and ectopic endometrial cells, interwork locally and systemically in women with endometriosis. More studies about the specific role and interactions of these cytokines are needed to improve the understanding of endometriosis and to develop novel therapies.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed2003

A protocol of electroejaculation and systematic assisted reproductive technology achieved high efficiency and efficacy for pregnancy for anejaculatory men with spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: To help anejaculatory men with spinal cord injury (SCI) to procreate. DESIGN: Prospective, clinical study. SETTING: A team of physiatrists, urologists, and gynecologists at a university hospital in Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: Ten infertile men with SCI seen at our hospital between 1995 and 2001. INTERVENTIONS: Electroejaculation induced their seminal emission. Depending on semen parameters, the couples were treated with intrauterine insemination (IUI), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), surgical retrieval of sperm, cryopreservation of sperm, or donor sperm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fertilization and pregnancy. RESULTS: Ten couples underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART). One couple achieved pregnancy after the second cycle of electroejaculation and IUI. Seven couples underwent 8 cycles of ICSI, 4 cycles with fresh electroejaculates, 2 with cryopreserved samples, and 2 with cryopreserved samples with addition of pentoxifylline. Seven (88%) clinical pregnancies were achieved, 2 of which ended with spontaneous abortion. One couple accomplished pregnancy by ICSI with cryopreserved sperm from vasal aspiration. The percentages of fertilization and pregnancy of ICSI cycles using sperm from men with SCI were comparable to men without SCI. One couple attained pregnancy by using donor sperm. The cumulative successful pregnancy rate per couple was 80% (8/10). CONCLUSION: Electroejaculation and systematic ART are highly efficient for achieving pregnancy with the spouses of men with SCI. The neurologic deficit and electroejaculation did not affect the outcome of ICSI. Using cryopreserved sperm for ICSI may reduce risk from electroejaculation or surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Nitric oxide synthesis is increased in the endometrial tissue of women with endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that peritoneal macrophages from women with endometriosis produce excess nitric oxide (NO). This study was designed to quantify the amount of NO and determine the expression of endothelial (eNOS) and inducible NO synthases (iNOS) in women with and without endometriosis. METHODS: An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed on endometrial tissues obtained from controls (myoma, n = 30) and on eutopic/ectopic endometrial tissues from endometriosis patients (n = 34) to evaluate eNOS and iNOS protein concentrations in these endometrial tissues. A rapid-response chemiluminescence analyser was used to measure NO directly in fresh endometrial tissues. RESULTS: Mean (+/- SEM) levels of NO were significantly increased in the endometrial tissues of women with endometriosis (13.2 +/- 7.8 versus 19.8 +/- 12.6 nmol/g tissue; P = 0.016). Apparently higher levels of NO were found in ectopic compared with eutopic endometrium (P = 0.057). Endometrial tissues of women with endometriosis appeared to contain more iNOS than those of controls (3.6 +/- 2.2 versus 8.6 +/- 12.2 pg/ microg protein; P = 0.06), but no significant difference was found in eNOS levels. CONCLUSIONS: Greater amounts of NO and NOS are present in the endometrial tissues of women with endometriosis, implying a possible role for NO in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Endometriosis↗
PubMed2002

The significance of cytokines, chemical composition, and murine embryo development in hydrosalpinx fluid for predicting the IVF outcome in women with hydrosalpinx.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether differences in cytokine concentrations, chemical composition, and murine embryogenesis in hydrosalpinx fluid could be observed between women with hydrosalpinx who achieved and did not achieve pregnancy. METHODS: Hydrosalpinx fluids were collected from 39 infertile women participating in an IVF-embryo transfer programme at a university teaching hospital. The fluids were analysed for concentrations of cytokine concentration (epidermal growth factor, interferon-gamma, leukaemia inhibitory factor, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha) and chemical composition. Mouse embryos were cultured in medium with various concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100%) of hydrosalpinx fluid. RESULTS: Logistic regression demonstrated that a murine blastocyst formation rate >or=53.3% in 50% hydrosalpinx fluid (OR = 16.6, 95% CI 2.4-116.1, P = 0.005) and patient age (OR = 0.778, 95% CI 0.61-0.99, P = 0.045) were independent predictors of IVF outcome. The diagnostic accuracy did not significantly improve when age and number of good quality embryos transferred was taken into account. The chemical composition and cytokine concentrations of hydrosalpinx fluid were not predictive of subsequent IVF outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The mouse embryo assay of hydrosalpinx fluid might potentially serve as a predictor of subsequent IVF outcome in women with hydrosalpinx. This technique may be useful in selecting appropriate treatment options for patients with hydrosalpinx undergoing IVF treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Expression of the interleukin-2 receptor alpha (CD25) is selectively decreased on decidual CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in normal pregnancies.

In a previous study, we demonstrated that the proportion of activated T cells (CD69+CD3+ and HLA-DR+CD3+) is higher in the endometrium and decidua after the luteal phase and throughout early pregnancy compared with in the peripheral blood. However, there was no difference in the proportion of CD25+CD3+ lymphocytes between the endometrium and peripheral blood. In this study, we further verify that the levels of CD25 on CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes are not increased in normal pregnancy, although the levels of CD69 and HLA-DR are markedly increased. We also elucidate that the amounts of all three activation molecules on local T lymphocytes are down-regulated in pregnancy compared with that during the luteal phase. Nevertheless, these decreases are significantly lessened in anembryonic pregnancies with both normal and abnormal karyotyping. However, in peripheral blood, the down-regulation of activation molecules levels in pregnancy is only demonstrated on CD4+ cells and for HLA-DR on CD8+ cells. Furthermore, dual activation marker analysis demonstrated that the expression of CD25 appears to be dissociated from CD69 and HLA-DR on the same decidual lymphocytes. Because IL-2Ralpha plays a pivotal role in the development and propagation of functional T cells, its depressed expression may result in maternal tolerance of the fetal allograft.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Defective production of interleukin-11 by decidua and chorionic villi in human anembryonic pregnancy.

Previous study demonstrated that IL-11 receptor alpha knockout female mice (IL-11Ralpha(-/-)) were phenotypically normal but infertile due to defective decidualization. However, the role of IL-11 signaling in human reproduction remains unclear. This study examined the expression of IL-11, IL-11Ralpha, and signal transduction factor glycoprotein 130 in different phases of endometrium (six in proliferative phase and four in secretory phase), and the decidua and villi of normal pregnancy (NP; n = 25) and anembryonic pregnancy (AP; n = 25) in the first trimester (gestational week 7-9). RT-PCR showed IL-11, IL-11Ralpha, and glycoprotein 130 mRNA expression in all samples, except the absence of IL-11 signal in the unstimulated MRC-5 cell and the proliferative phase endometrium. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the relative level of IL-11Ralpha mRNA was not significantly different among proliferative phase endometrium (relative level; mean +/- SEM, 1.4 +/- 0.5), secretory phase endometrium (1.3 +/- 0.1), or decidua from NP or AP (1.7 +/- 0.3 and 1.9 +/- 0.4, respectively), but was significantly greater in chorionic villi either from NP or AP (7.6 +/- 1.3 and 10.6 +/- 1.9, respectively; both P < 0.05, compared with decidua or endometrium). No difference of IL-11Ralpha mRNA level was found between NP and AP (1.7 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.9 +/- 0.4 in deciduas; 7.6 +/- 1.3 vs. 10.6 +/- 1.9 in villi; both P > 0.05). In situ hybridization localized IL-11Ralpha mRNA expression in proliferative phase endometrium (stroma only), secretory phase endometrium (stroma and gland), decidua (stroma and gland), and villi (trophoblast and stroma). The staining intensities were not distinctly different between different groups of samples or between different cell types in a sample. No difference in IL-11Ralpha expression was found between NP and AP when either decidua or chorionic villi was analyzed. IL-11 mRNA level was not detected in the proliferative phase (relative level, 0.0 +/- 0.0), was barely detectable in the secretory phase (0.03 +/- 0.02), and was significantly increased in decidua (1.7 +/- 0.2 and 0.1 +/- 0.1, respectively, for NP and AP) and chorionic villi (13.0 +/- 2.2 and 0.2 +/- 0.1). In addition, IL-11 mRNA level was higher in NP than in AP both in decidua (1.7 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.1 +/- 0.1; P = 0.03) and in villi (13.0 +/- 2.2 vs. 0.2 +/- 0.1; P < 0.001). Immunohistochemistry study showed that IL-11 was nearly absent in endometrium in both phases, but clearly detectable in decidua and villi. Consistent with the results of quantitative PCR, the staining intensity was stronger in villi and decidua from NP than those from AP. The spatial and temporal changes in IL-11 and its receptor observed in this study suggest that IL-11 may be produced both by the embryo (predominantly) and the decidual cells and exerts its action on chorionic villi and decidua in an autocrine or paracrine manner. In the presence of a baseline level of IL-11Ralpha, IL-11 may subsequently regulate placentation and decidualization for the maintenance of a NP. The finding of decreased IL-11 expression in the absence of any change in IL-11Ralpha in AP suggests that defective expression of IL-11 but not IL-11Ralpha may account for certain cases of AP.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Treatment of thrombotic microangiopathy in pregnancy with plasma exchange: a report of two cases.

Thrombotic microangiopathy is a rare disease that can be induced and precipitated by pregnancy, and is associated with high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. It results from abnormal intravascular platelet aggregation that leads to transient ischemia in various organs, including the central nervous system, kidneys and placenta. Plasma exchange is the most widely accepted method of treatment for this condition. Delayed diagnosis is the main reason for morbidity and mortality, and results from difficulty in differentiating thrombotic microangiopathy from other obstetric emergencies. We report two cases of thrombotic microangiopathy that occurred antepartum and postpartum, respectively. The first patient was a 33-year-old woman who had two previous episodes of intrauterine fetal death in the 13th and 28th weeks of gestation, respectively. She received early plasma exchange at the 23rd week of gestation during this pregnancy and the fetus was delivered uneventfully. The second patient was a 28-year-old woman with progressive thrombocytopenia, anemia and deterioration of renal and liver function postpartum. She received early plasma exchange and it markedly improved her thrombocytopenia without sequelae. In conclusion, early diagnosis and early initiation of plasmapheresis may improve both maternal and fetal prognosis in thrombotic microangiopathy.

Adult↗