BACKGROUND: Genetic abnormalities in embryos are responsible for most miscarriages and repeated embryo implantation failures, so a reliable preimplantation genetic screening method is urgently needed. Non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing (niPGT) is a potential method for embryo genetic diagnosis. However, the value of its application is controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate and validate the diagnostic value of niPGT in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).
METHODS: This review used the \"Preferred Reporting Items\" as a systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic test accuracy (PRISMA-DTA) statement. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Library up to May 2022 to retrieve non-invasive preimplantation gene detection studies. The eligible research quality was evaluated following the quality assessment study-2 system for diagnostic accuracy. The pooled receiver operator characteristic curve (SROC) and the area under SROC (AUC) were used to evaluate diagnostic performance quantitatively. Threshold effect, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression analysis were used to explore the source of heterogeneity. Deeks\' funnel plots and sensitivity analyses were used to test the publication bias and stability of the meta-analysis, respectively.
RESULTS: Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 0.84 (95% CI 0.72-0.91), 0.85 (95% CI 0.74-0.92), and 0.91 (95% CI 0.88-0.93), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that the spent culture medium (SCM) subgroup had higher sensitivity and lower specificity than the SCM combined with the blastocoel fluid (BF) subgroup. Subgroup analysis showed that the study sensitivity and specificity of < 100 cases were higher than those of ≥ 100. Heterogeneity (chi-square) analysis revealed that sample size might be a potential source of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis and Deeks\' funnel plots indicated that our results were relatively robust and free from publication bias.
CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis indicated that the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of niPGT in preimplantation genetic testing were 0.84, 0.85, and 0.91, respectively. niPGT may have high detection accuracy and may serve as an alternative model for embryonic analysis. Additionally, by subgroup analysis, we found that BF did not improve the accuracy of niPGT in embryos. In the future, large-scale studies are needed to determine the detection value of niPGT.

Coconut [Cocos nucifera L.] is often called \"the tree of life\" because of its many uses in the food, beverage, medicinal, and cosmetic industries. Currently, more than 50% of the palms grown throughout the world are senile and need to be replanted immediately to ensure production levels meet the present and increasing demand for coconut products. Mass replanting will not be possible using traditional propagation methods from seed. Recent studies have indicated that in vitro cloning via somatic embryogenesis is the most promising alternative for the large-scale production of new coconut palms. This paper provides a review on the status and prospects for the application of somatic embryogenesis to mass clonal propagation of coconut.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to undertake a review of the available evidence comparing the use of a single medium versus sequential media for embryo culture to the blastocyst stage in clinical IVF.
METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central, PubMed, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, Current Controlled Trials and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform to identify randomized controlled trials comparing single versus sequential media for blastocyst culture and ongoing pregnancy rate. Included studies randomized either oocytes/zygotes or women. Eligible oocyte/zygote studies were analyzed to assess the risk difference (RD) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) between the two media systems; eligible woman-based studies were analyzed to assess the risk ratio (RR) and 95 % CI for clinical pregnancy rate.
RESULTS: No differences were observed between single and sequential media for either ongoing pregnancy per randomized woman (relative risk (RR) = 0.9, 95 % CI = 0.7 to 1.3, two studies including 246 women, I 2 = 0 %) or clinical pregnancy per randomized woman (RR = 1.0, 95 % CI = 0.7 to 1.4, one study including 100 women); or miscarriage per clinical pregnancy: RR = 1.3, 95 % CI = 0.4 to 4.3, two studies including 246 participants, I 2 = 0 %). Single media use was associated with an increase blastocyst formation per randomized oocyte/zygote (relative distribution (RD) = +0.06, 95 % CI = +0.01 to +0.12, ten studies including 7455 oocytes/zygotes, I 2 = 83 %) but not top/high blastocyst formation (RD = +0.05, 95 % CI = -0.01 to +0.11, five studies including 3879 oocytes/zygotes, I 2 = 93 %). The overall quality of the evidence was very low for all these four outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Although using a single medium for extended culture has some practical advantages and blastocyst formation rates appear to be higher, there is insufficient evidence to recommend either sequential or single-step media as being superior for the culture of embryos to days 5/6. Future studies comparing these two media systems in well-designed trials should be performed.