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ObjectiveThis retrospective study compared the effect of the luteal phase ovarian stimulation protocol (LP group) with the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol (AN group) in women with poor ovarian responses.MethodsOvarian stimulation was initiated with 225 IU of human gonadotrophin (hMG) daily. When the dominant follicle diameter exceeded 13 mm, 0.25 mg of a GnRH antagonist was used daily until human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration in the AN group. A GnRH antagonist was not used in the LP group. Ovulation was induced with HCG for all patients when at least one follicle reached a diameter of 16 mm or one dominant follicle reached 18 mm. The highest quality embryos were transferred or cryopreserved for later transfer.ResultsFrom January 2013 to December 2015, 274 women with poor ovarian response were included. A total of 108 patients underwent the luteal phase ovarian stimulation protocol while 166 patients underwent the GnRH antagonist protocol. hMG was used for more total days in the LP group was than in the AN group. Oestradiol levels on the day of HCG administration in the LP group were significantly lower than those in the AN group. The mean number of oocytes retrieved in the LP and AN groups was 3.5 ± 2.5 and 3.5 ± 2.9, respectively. The mean number of embryos of the highest quality was 1.7 ± 1.2 and 1.7 ± 1.5, respectively. The clinical pregnancy and implantation rates in the LP and AN groups were 26.2% (22/84) and 25% (29/116), and 15.5% (24/155) and 16.3% (35/215), respectively.ConclusionsThe luteal phase ovarian stimulation protocol can be applied in women with poor ovarian response and attain comparable clinical pregnancy and implantation rates to those of the GnRH antagonist protocol.

BackgroundCognitive decline (e.g., memory loss), which mainly occurs in the elderly, is termed dementia. In the present study, we intended to explore the cholinesterase inhibitory activity of some novel synthesized chalcones, together with their effect on β-amyloid anti-aggregation.Material/MethodsA novel class of chalcone derivatives have been synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and mass and elemental analysis. These derivatives were later used for the determination of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory and β-amyloid anti-aggregation activity.ResultsThe results of the study showed that among the developed compounds, 8g inhibits AChE more prominently than BuChE, as suggested by a selectivity index (SI) of 2.88. Furthermore, the most potent compound, 8g, showed considerable action in inhibition of β-secretase and Aβ aggregation, but not as prominent as that of curcumin as a standard.ConclusionsIn conclusion, our study revealed a novel class of chalcone derivatives as a selective inhibitor of AChE with considerably action against β-secretase and Aβ aggregation. Our results may be useful in developing AD drug therapy and warrant further investigation to generate more advanced analogues.

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