ABSTRACT
Objective: To identify predictors of fertilization rate in patients of unexplained infertility after intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI]
Methods: Retrospective analysis of females [282] enrolled in quasi experimental design for ICSI at "Islamabad Clinic Serving Infertile Couples" was carried out from July 2013 till June 2014. Females with unexplained infertility were included, whereas well defined male and female causes of infertility were excluded. Fertilization rate [FR] was calculated as percentage transformation of micro injected oocytes into two pronuclei. Categorical variable of FR defined on the basis of 50% FR grouped females; Group I with FR ?50% and Group II with FR >50%. The groups were compared in terms of demographic variables, base line hormones and oocyte parameters. Univariate logistic regression was executed to obtain odds ratio with 95% confidence interval to quantify the association of predictors like age, duration of infertility, oocytes parameters, hormones; Estradiol, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone, prolactin and cytokines interleukin-Ibeta [IL-Ibeta] with the FR
Results: In our study out of 282 females, 19 [6.73%] were in group I and 263 [93.26%] comprised of Group II. Females with high FR[group II] had low Progesterone and FSH [p=0.04,p=0.02] respectively. Mature oocytes [OR: 0.35; 95% CI 1 - 2.56] and IL-Ibeta in follicular phase [OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.000- 1.20] were significant positive predictors of FR while peak progesterone and FSH had significant negative effect on it
Conclusion: Fertilization of oocytes in females of unexplained infertility depended on maturity of oocytes and optimal amounts of ILI- beta released by developing follicles in the follicular phase of stimulation cycles of ICSI
ABSTRACT
The present investigation was designed to formulate a natural tablet for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis in order to eliminate side effects that are caused by existing antifungal drugs. Curcumin has promising antifungal activity in comparison with the existing azole antifungal drugs. Bioadhesive curcumin vaginal tablets were prepared by direct compression with different ratios of biadhesive polymers like xanthan gum, guar gum and HPMC. Curcumin tablets were characterized by studies of friability, hardness, hydration, DSC, mucoadhesion, in vitro release and antifungal activity. DSC and FT-IR data indicate there was no interaction between the drug and the excipients and also polymer concentration has some effects on melting point of curcumin. Formulation F3 showed the best results in terms of swelling and mucoadhesion together with prolonged drug release. The antifungal activity of the Curcumin tablet has demonstrated a significant effect against Candida albicans. Hence, the study indicates the possible and effective use of curcumin bioadhesive monolithic vaginal tablet for vaginal candidiasis as a promising natural antifungal treatment
Subject(s)
Curcumin , In Vitro Techniques , Vaginal Creams, Foams, and JelliesABSTRACT
The aim of the research work was to chemically modify guar gum[GG] as a pH sensitive co-polymer and formulating intestinal targeting ESO nanoparticles [NPs] using the synthesized co-polymer. Poly acrylamide-grafted-guar gum [PAAm-g-GG] co-polymer was synthesized by free radical polymerization. Chemical modification of PAAm-g-GG by alkaline hydrolysis results in formation of a pH-sensitive co-polymer. The effect of GG and acryl amide [AAm] on grafting was studied. Esomeprazole magnesium [ESO] loaded pH sensitive NPs were prepared by nano-emulsification polymer crosslinking method and characterized. Sixteen formulations were prepared and the concentration of process variables was varied to obtain nanoparticles of 200-600nm. The NPs were found to be homogenous in size distribution. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading ranged from 33.2% to 50.1% and 12.2% to 17.2% respectively. Particle size, encapsulation efficiency and drug loading increased along with co-polymer concentration. In-vitro release studies at pH 1.2 for 2 h, followed by pH 6.8 showed that environment pH significantly affected the drug release. SEM has shown that NPs are spherical with smooth surface. The pH sensitive PAAm-g-GGNPs resisted the initial release of the drug from the drug loaded NPs in acidic pH and delayed the release process to a longer period in alkaline environment