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1.
Updates Surg ; 2024 Jul 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38958865

ABSTRACT

Studies on alterations in inflammatory markers and risk factors for perforation in hydatid cysts of the lung are rare. In our study, we planned to investigate the effect of inflammatory markers on prognosis of hydatid cyst disease. 37 patients underwent surgery for pulmonary hydatid cyst between February 2022 and October 2023 and analyzed retrospectively. Inflammatory markers were calculated from preoperative and postoperative 3rd-month peripheral blood results. Cyst size was 58.5 ± 28.0 mm, 5 patients had bilateral cysts and 11 patients had multifocal cysts. Preoperative white blood cell, white blood cell difference, preoperative and postoperative eosinophils, preoperative neutrophils, neutrophils difference, preoperative systemic immune inflammatory index, systemic immune inflammatory index difference and preoperative eosinophil lymphocyte ratio were higher in patients with perforated cysts, the cut-off value for preoperative white blood cell for perforation was 10,535, preoperative cut-off value for eosinophils was 230, preoperative cut-off value for neutrophils was 8815, the cut-off value for preoperative systemic immune inflammatory index was 1129.83 and the cut-off value for preoperative eosinophil-lymphocyte ratio was 0.09. In patients with preoperative eosinophil, neutrophil, white blood cell, eosinophil-lymphocyte ratio and systemic immune inflammatory index values above the cut-off value, the probability of perforation increased 7.5, 13.6, 6.3, 9.6, and 9.3 times, respectively.

2.
Animals (Basel) ; 14(3)2024 Feb 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38338167

ABSTRACT

A multi-method approach integrating data from four independent sources was used to describe some key features of the epidemiology and estimate the herd and within-herd incidence of fractured humeri in New Zealand dairy cattle for the period 2007-2015. The first dataset was from a national case series where cases of humeral fractures in dairy cattle were identified by veterinarians across New Zealand between the 2007/2008 and 2011/2012 lactation seasons. The second dataset was from a pet food company based in the Waikato region, which collated the number of casualty first- and second-lactation cows found to have a fractured humerus post-slaughter in the 2014/2015 lactation season, and the third dataset was a case series conducted by veterinarians employed in a Waikato veterinary business, also from the 2014/2015 lactation season. For the final dataset, 505 randomly selected New Zealand dairy farmers completed a phone survey on the incidence of non-responsive, non-weight-bearing forelimb lameness in first- and second-lactation cows in the 2014/2015 lactation season. Using the telephone survey results, the within-herd and herd-level incidence of cases for first- and second-lactation dairy animals was calculated. The national case series reported 149 cases of humeral fractures in 22 dairy herds; the pet food case series identified 61 cases from 41 farms; and the practice-based case series found 14 cases from 10 farms. Humeral fractures exclusively affected first- and second-lactation dairy cows and had a peak incidence between calving and early mating. The national telephone survey found that non-weight-bearing forelimb lameness requiring euthanasia of first- or second-lactation cows occurred in 11.7% of herds, with a mean within-herd incidence of 2.6% for first lactation cows and 2.8% for second-lactation cows for affected herds. These combined datasets demonstrate that humeral fractures in young, lactating dairy cattle are more common than previously suspected and that they occur nationally and over multiple years on some farms. Further work on this condition is urgently required in New Zealand to establish cost-effective management practices that will reduce unnecessary animal suffering and waste.

3.
Clin Lab ; 69(9)2023 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37702678

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In this case, we report multiple isolations of C. jejuni in a patient with common variable immunodeficiency between 2010 and 2018. METHODS: C. jejuni was investigated in the stool samples of the patient by classical culture method using selective media under microaerophilic atmosphere. Antibiotic susceptibilities of the strains were determined by disk diffusion method. RESULTS: Eight C. jejuni strains were isolated from the patient. All strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin. An erythromycin susceptible isolate was replaced by a resistant strain within a one- and four-month period. An erythromycin resistant isolate was replaced by a susceptible one within a year. The patient recovered all episodes by intravenous immunoglobulin replacement and antibiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged or recurrent C. jejuni infections should not be overlooked in immunosuppressed patients. The fact that antibiotic susceptibility may change should also be kept in mind.


Subject(s)
Campylobacter jejuni , Common Variable Immunodeficiency , Enteritis , Humans , Common Variable Immunodeficiency/complications , Common Variable Immunodeficiency/drug therapy , Erythromycin , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Enteritis/diagnosis , Enteritis/drug therapy
4.
Malar J ; 21(1): 237, 2022 Aug 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35974410

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The vector species in the Amazon River Basin are regionally and locally diverse, which makes it imperative to understand and compare their roles in malaria transmission to help select appropriate methods of intervention and evaluation. The major aim of this study was to measure the vectorial capacity of five Anopheles species in three neighbouring villages, for two Plasmodium parasite species affecting humans. METHODS: From 32 consecutive months of sampling in three villages, 1.5-7.0 km apart, on the Matapi River, Amapá State, Brazil, vectorial capacities (C) were estimated as time series for An. darlingi, An. marajoara, An. nuneztovari, An. triannulatus, and An. intermedius. Monthly parity measurements for each vector species were used to estimate daily survivorship and compared to estimates of survivorship from mark-release-recapture experiments. Gonotrophic cycle lengths were estimated through a time-series analysis of parity data, and durations of sporogony at study site temperatures for the two malaria parasite species were estimated from previous literature. RESULTS: The absolute abundances of five vector species were strongly tracked by the spatial variation in C among villages. Temporally, C varied between wet and dry seasons, with An. darlingi, An. marajoara and An. triannulatus exhibiting higher C in the dry season from August to December, and An. nuneztovari its highest C early in the rainy season in January and February. Anopheles intermedius exhibited higher C in the rainy season from April to June than in the dry season. Significant differences in overall survival for each independent variable, and a significant difference in C between wet and dry seasons, among villages, and among vector species for both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) analysis by village showed significant effects of vector species on C in only one village, but significant effects of parasite species in all three. Although the GLMM analysis detected no significant parasite x vector species interaction effects on C, effects on C of spline regressions of C dynamics x vector species interactions were significant in all villages. CONCLUSIONS: These detailed analyses of entomological and parasitological variables revealed hidden complexities of malaria epidemiology at local scales in neighbouring riverine villages of the Amazon Region.


Subject(s)
Anopheles , Malaria , Parasites , Plasmodium , Animals , Anopheles/parasitology , Brazil/epidemiology , Humans , Malaria/epidemiology , Mosquito Vectors/parasitology , Seasons
5.
Niger J Clin Pract ; 25(5): 677-682, 2022 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35593612

ABSTRACT

Background: Peer-assisted education (PAE) is a collaborative and active learning strategy in which another student or another student group teaches one group of students. This model is quite widely used in social and health science vocational education. Aim: This study was carried out to determine the effect of peer education on clinical skill learning and anxiety in nursing students. A quasi-experimental and a single-blinded design were used. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted using experimental (n = 45) and control groups (n = 47) in a university in the Central Anatolia Region, Turkey. A total of 92 students were included. The experimental group received peer education nursing skills. The control group also received education in the traditional model. An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) pretest and posttest were used to assess student performance. Results: It was found that the total scores of posttraining exam success in both experimental and control groups increased (35.20 ± 4.63; 36.70 ± 5.36, respectively) and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.264). The posttest scores of anxiety in the experimental group were less than the control group (30.18 ± 2.25; 41.21 ± 4.20, respectively). Conclusions: The use of the peer education model in nursing education has been found to reduce the level of learning anxiety and positively affect psycho-motor skill acquisition. It is proposed to be used as an alternative method in vocational skills training within this context in this area.


Subject(s)
Education, Nursing , Models, Educational , Students, Nursing , Anxiety , Clinical Competence , Humans , Learning , Peer Group , Students, Nursing/psychology , Turkey
6.
Asian Pac J Cancer Prev ; 22(1): 131-137, 2021 Jan 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33507690

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The present study aimed to determine the alterations in the serum levels of tumor markers used to evaluate cardiac, renal and liver function, and detect the interleukin (IL)-18 rs1946518 polymorphism in breast (BC), colorectal (CRC) and prostate cancer (PCa) patients. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 65 female BC, 116 CRC, 79 PCa and 88 myocardial infarction (MI) patients, and 110 healthy individuals to determine the concentration of tumor and cardiac markers. Furthermore, the IL-18 rs1946518 polymorphism was assessed using amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR. RESULTS: The serum levels of the tumor markers cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and total prostate-specific antigen (TPSA) were significantly increased in cancer patients compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, the activity of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and creatine kinase­myocardial band (CK-MB) was enhanced in MI patients, however, their activity was unchanged in cancer patients. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the serum concentration of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and urea were markedly elevated in CRC and PCa patients, respectively, compared with the control group. Although, no significant differences were observed in the -607 C/A polymorphism and allele frequency of IL-18 among BC, CRC patients and healthy individuals, the odds ratio (OR) was 1.75 for both C and A allele in BC patients. Therefore, the -607 C/A polymorphism could be considered as a risk factor for BC. CONCLUSION: The aforementioned results suggested that tumor markers could be considered as excellent biomarkers for the early detection of BC, CRC and PCa, whereas the concentration of liver enzymes could serve as an alternative indicator for the diagnosis of CRC and PCa. Additionally, the rs1946518 polymorphism in the IL-18 gene could be considered as a risk factor for the occurrence of BC, CRC and PCa.
.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/physiopathology , Colorectal Neoplasms/physiopathology , Heart Diseases/pathology , Interleukin-18/genetics , Kidney Diseases/pathology , Liver Diseases/pathology , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Prostatic Neoplasms/physiopathology , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Case-Control Studies , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Heart Diseases/etiology , Heart Diseases/metabolism , Humans , Kidney Diseases/etiology , Kidney Diseases/metabolism , Liver Diseases/etiology , Liver Diseases/metabolism , Male , Prognosis
7.
Diabet Med ; 38(2): e14415, 2021 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33025587

ABSTRACT

In this review, the numerous possible mechanisms that provide supportive evidence for how colonic dysbiosis denotes metabolic dysfunction, dysregulates glucose homeostasis and leads to diabetes mellitus and related metabolic disorders are defined. Information was gathered from articles identified by systematic reviews and searches using Google, PubMed and Scopus. The composition of the colonic microbiota plays an integral role in maintaining host homeostasis by affecting both metabolic activities and underlying functional gene transcription in individuals with diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Increased colonic microbiome-derived concentrations of lipopolysaccharides, also known as 'metabolic endotoxaemia', as well as alterations in bile acid metabolism, short-chain fatty acids, intestinal hormones and branched-chain amino acid secretion have been associated with the diverse production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the recruitment of inflammatory cells. It has been shown that changes to intestinal bacterial composition are significant even in early childhood and are associated with the pathogenesis of both types of diabetes. We hope that an improved understanding of related mechanisms linking the colonic microbiome with glucose metabolism might provide for innovative therapeutic approaches that would bring the ideal intestinal ecosystem to a state of optimal health, thus preventing and treating diabetes and related metabolic disorders.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism , Diet , Dysbiosis/metabolism , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology , Amino Acids, Branched-Chain/metabolism , Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism , Colon/microbiology , Cytokines/immunology , Cytokines/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/immunology , Dysbiosis/immunology , Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/immunology , Humans , Inflammation/immunology , Inflammation/metabolism , Lipopolysaccharides/metabolism
8.
Allergol. immunopatol ; 48(6): 771-788, nov.-dic. 2020. graf, tab
Article in English | IBECS | ID: ibc-199269

ABSTRACT

Allergic diseases have been a global problem over the past few decades. The effect of allergic diseases on healthcare systems and society is generally remarkable and is considered as one of the most common causes of chronic and hospitalized disease. The functional ability of probiotics to modulate the innate/acquired immune system leads to the initiation of mucosal/systemic immune responses. Gut microbiota plays a beneficial role in food digestion, development of the immune system, control/growth of the intestinal epithelial cells and their differentiation. Prescribing probiotics causes a significant change in the intestinal microflora and modulates cytokine secretion, including networks of genes, TLRs, signaling molecules and increased intestinal IgA responses. The modulation of the Th1/Th2 balance is done by probiotics, which suppress Th2 responses with shifts to Th1 and thereby prevent allergies. In general, probiotics are associated with a decrease in inflammation by increasing butyrate production and induction of tolerance with an increase in the ratio of cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10/IFN-Gamma, Treg/TGF-Beta, reducing serum eosinophil levels and the expression of metalloproteinase-9 which contribute to the improvement of the allergic disease's symptoms. Finally, it can be said that the therapeutic approach to immunotherapy and the reduction of the risk of side effects in the treatment of allergic diseases is the first priority of treatment and the final approach that completes the first priority in maintaining the condition and sustainability of the tolerance along with the recovery of the individual


No disponible


Subject(s)
Humans , Hypersensitivity/therapy , Hypersensitivity/immunology , Probiotics/therapeutic use , Desensitization, Immunologic/methods , Probiotics/pharmacology , Immune System/immunology , Treatment Outcome , Time Factors
9.
Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) ; 48(6): 771-788, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32763025

ABSTRACT

Allergic diseases have been a global problem over the past few decades. The effect of allergic diseases on healthcare systems and society is generally remarkable and is considered as one of the most common causes of chronic and hospitalized disease. The functional ability of probiotics to modulate the innate/acquired immune system leads to the initiation of mucosal/systemic immune responses. Gut microbiota plays a beneficial role in food digestion, development of the immune system, control/growth of the intestinal epithelial cells and their differentiation. Prescribing probiotics causes a significant change in the intestinal microflora and modulates cytokine secretion, including networks of genes, TLRs, signaling molecules and increased intestinal IgA responses. The modulation of the Th1/Th2 balance is done by probiotics, which suppress Th2 responses with shifts to Th1 and thereby prevent allergies. In general, probiotics are associated with a decrease in inflammation by increasing butyrate production and induction of tolerance with an increase in the ratio of cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10/IFN-γ, Treg/TGF-ß, reducing serum eosinophil levels and the expression of metalloproteinase-9 which contribute to the improvement of the allergic disease's symptoms. Finally, it can be said that the therapeutic approach to immunotherapy and the reduction of the risk of side effects in the treatment of allergic diseases is the first priority of treatment and the final approach that completes the first priority in maintaining the condition and sustainability of the tolerance along with the recovery of the individual.


Subject(s)
Desensitization, Immunologic/methods , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/immunology , Hypersensitivity/therapy , Probiotics/administration & dosage , Allergens/administration & dosage , Allergens/immunology , Dietary Supplements/adverse effects , Humans , Hypersensitivity/immunology , Hypersensitivity/microbiology , Immunity, Innate , Immunity, Mucosal , Intestinal Mucosa/microbiology , Probiotics/adverse effects , Treatment Outcome
10.
Public Health ; 164: 30-38, 2018 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30170266

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Given the increasing threats of communicable and non-communicable diseases, it is necessary for policy-makers and public health (PH) professionals to address ethical issues in health policies and plans. This study aimed to develop a practical framework for the ethical evaluation of PH programs. STUDY DESIGN: A multidisciplinary team developed an ethical framework to evaluate PH plans from 2015 to 2017. METHODS: In this study, the multi-method approach was used. First, a list of moral norms in PH policy and practice was drafted and completed in two interactive sessions. Then, the Delphi method was used for consensus about the structural components to be adopted in the framework. After developing the framework, its efficiency was assessed by evaluating Iran's Fourth Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control. RESULTS: The framework was developed in the following three sections: (i) determination of the general moral norms in PH practice and policy; (ii) five steps of evaluation; and (iii) a procedural evaluation step to ensure fair decision-making. The ratio of the ethical points of the PH plan increased by 46% after implementation of the framework, and the frequency of ethical points increased significantly after applying the framework (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The application of the framework for the ethical evaluation of various PH programs ensures a comprehensive and scientific-deliberative decision-making process, while also contributing to the development of the framework.


Subject(s)
Decision Making/ethics , Health Policy , Policy Making , Public Health/ethics , Consensus , Delphi Technique , Humans , Iran , Morals , Program Evaluation
11.
Int J Endocrinol ; 2015: 156375, 2015.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26136778

ABSTRACT

Background. Levothyroxine is commonly used in the treatment of patients with hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine is most often administered in the morning, on an empty stomach, in order to increase its oral absorption. However, many patients have difficulties taking levothyroxine in the morning. Aim. The aim of this study was evaluating the effect of changing levothyroxine administration time from before breakfast to before dinner on the serum levels of TSH and T4. Subjects and Methods. Fifty patients between 18 and 75 years old with hypothyroidism were included in the study and were randomly divided into two groups. Each group received two tablets per day (one levothyroxine tablet and one placebo tablet) 30 minutes before breakfast and 1 hour before dinner. After two months, the administration time for the tablets was changed for each group, and the new schedule was continued for a further two-month period. The serum TSH and T4 levels were measured before and after treatment in each group. Results. Changing the levothyroxine administration time resulted in 1.47 ± 0.51 µIU/mL increase in TSH level (p = 0.001) and 0.35 ± 1.05 µg/dL decrease in T4 level (p = 0.3). Conclusions. Changing the levothyroxine administration time from before breakfast to before dinner reduced the therapeutic efficacy of levothyroxine.

12.
Acta Chir Belg ; 114(2): 105-9, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25073207

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cardiac contusion (CC) is a known complication of blunt trauma to the chest. There have been debates about its true incidence and there are different reports which claim that it occurs in less than 10% to more than 70% of patients. The goal of this study is to estimate the incidence of CC in patients with severe blunt chest trauma (SBCT) using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). METHODS: After defining inclusion and exclusion criteria, all cases with clinical evidences of SBCT from February 2010 until October 2011 were included in this study. Patients were assessed using electrocardiography (ECG) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Transient echocardiographic changes, including wall motion abnormalities, valvular or papillary muscle dysfunction, pericardial effusion or tamponade, free wall rupture and interatrial/interventricular septum defects, were considered to be abnormal and trauma-related. RESULTS: A total of 210 patients were assessed for CC. Fifty-two trauma-related echocardiographic changes in 47 patients were observed, in which 34 cases had simultaneous transient ECG changes. The estimated incidence of CC in these subjects was calculated to be 23.38% and 16.19%, respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between the presence of both echocardiographic changes and ECG abnormalities, and those subjects without ECG changes (P = 0.03). As we evaluated stable patients without any cardiac-related clinical manifestations and TTE was chosen as our diagnostic modality, we claim that the true incidence must be higher. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that a comparison of our findings with those presented in the literature shows that the actual incidence of CC in blunt chest trauma is underestimated.


Subject(s)
Contusions/diagnostic imaging , Contusions/epidemiology , Heart Injuries/diagnostic imaging , Heart Injuries/epidemiology , Accidental Falls , Accidents, Traffic , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Echocardiography , Electrocardiography , Female , Humans , Incidence , Injury Severity Score , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult
13.
Drug Res (Stuttg) ; 63(5): 224-7, 2013 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23487400

ABSTRACT

The interaction of nalbuphine hydrochloride with calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid was investigated by absorption and fluorescence titration techniques. Hypochromic effect was observed in the absorption spectra of nalbuphine. The fluorescence quenching of nalbuphine by DNA was found to be static according to Stern-Volmer constant at different temperature (2.257×103 L/mol and 1.678×103 L/mol at 298 K and 308 K respectively; binding constants (K) between calf thymus DNA and nalbuphine were 2.081×103 and 8.26×101 at 298 K and 308 K respectively). The binding numbers (n) were 0.9955 and 0.6762 with the standard deviation of 0.225 at 2 different temperatures which indicates mol ratio of Nalbuphine and DNA remains unchanged at different temperatures (298 K and 308 K). The binding affinity of nalbuphine to DNA was calculated at different temperatures and the stoichiometry of binding was characterized to be about 1 nalbuphine molecule per nucleotide. Calibration for nalbuphine, based on quenching titration data, was linear in the concentration range 6.3×10-6 to 6.4×10-4 mol/L. And these binding forces also indicate the binding site of Nalbuphine to be at the minor groove of DNA.


Subject(s)
DNA/metabolism , Nalbuphine/metabolism , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Spectrometry, Fluorescence , Thermodynamics
14.
Cutan Ocul Toxicol ; 32(3): 222-7, 2013 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23368969

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare bactericidal activities of daptomycin and vancomycin in an experimental rabbit model of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) endophthalmitis. METHODS: The right eyes of 19 New Zealand rabbits weighing 2 to 2.5 kg were used. Each eye was inoculated with 1000 colony-forming units (cfu) of MRSA into the vitreous cavity. 24 h after the inoculation, the rabbits were randomly distributed into three groups: control group (n = 5) was given 0.1 ml of balanced saline solution, daptomycin group 2 (n = 7) was given 0.2 mg/0.1 ml daptomycin and vancomycin group 3 (n = 7) was given 1 mg/0.1 ml vancomycin intravitreally. Clinical examination scores were recorded and vitreous aspirates were obtained for microbiological analysis on days 2 and 3 after MRSA inoculation. Rabbits were sacrificed, and the eyes were enucleated for histopathological examination. RESULTS: There was no difference between the daptomycin group, vancomycin group and control in terms of the clinical grading of endophthalmitis 24 h after the inoculation. In all treatment groups, mean number of cfu and histopathological scores were significantly lower compared to the control group. There was no difference between the daptomycin and vancomycin group in terms of the histopathological and clinical examination scores. Culture negativity achieved on day 3 was 71.4% and 57.1% in the daptomycin treatment group and the vancomycin treatment group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although both daptomycin and vancomycin are effective in treatment of experimental MRSA endophthalmitis, daptomycin has superior bactericidal activity 72 h after inoculation.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Daptomycin/administration & dosage , Endophthalmitis/drug therapy , Staphylococcal Infections/drug therapy , Vancomycin/administration & dosage , Animals , Bacterial Load , Endophthalmitis/microbiology , Endophthalmitis/pathology , Eye/drug effects , Eye/microbiology , Eye/pathology , Intravitreal Injections , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/growth & development , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Rabbits , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology , Staphylococcal Infections/pathology
15.
Hum Reprod ; 27(2): 531-40, 2012 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22114112

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hyperandrogenemia is associated with several clinical disorders in which both reproductive dysfunction and metabolic changes may coexist [i.e. polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity and congenital adrenal hyperplasia]. Moreover, there is growing evidence that the elevated levels of circulating androgens in obese girls may lead to an increased neuroendocrine drive to the reproductive axis, similar to that associated with PCOS. METHODS: To test whether androgen exposure in the childhood and adolescent period could lead to pubertal alterations in LH secretory patterns, female rhesus monkeys received subcutaneous testosterone implants prepubertally beginning at 1 year of age, maintaining a 3.7-fold increase (P = 0.001) in circulating testosterone levels over cholesterol-implant controls (n = 6/group) into the post-pubertal period. In early adulthood, pulsatile secretion of LH was measured over 12 h during the early follicular phase of a menstrual cycle, and responsiveness of the pituitary to gonadotrophin-releasing hormone was determined. In addition, ultrasounds were performed to assess ovarian morphology and glucose tolerance testing was performed to assess insulin sensitivity. RESULTS: The timing of menarche was similar between groups. Testosterone-treated animals had a significantly greater LH pulse frequency during the early follicular phase compared with controls (P = 0.039) when measured at 5 years of age. There was a larger LH response to GnRH when testosterone-treated animals were 4 years of age (P = 0.042), but not when the animals were 5 years old (P = 0.57). No differences were seen in insulin sensitivity or ovarian morphology, and the groups showed similar rates of ovulation in early adulthood. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to increased levels of androgens over the course of pubertal development appears to trigger physiological changes in the neural drive to the reproductive axis that resemble those of obese hyperandrogenemic girls in early adulthood and are characteristic of PCOS.


Subject(s)
Disease Models, Animal , Endocrine Glands/innervation , Genitalia, Female/innervation , Hyperandrogenism/physiopathology , Neurosecretory Systems , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/etiology , Sexual Maturation , Androgens/administration & dosage , Androgens/adverse effects , Androgens/blood , Animals , Endocrine Glands/drug effects , Endocrine Glands/growth & development , Female , Genitalia, Female/drug effects , Genitalia, Female/growth & development , Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/metabolism , Insulin Resistance , Luteinizing Hormone/blood , Luteinizing Hormone/metabolism , Macaca mulatta , Menarche/drug effects , Menstrual Cycle/blood , Neurosecretory Systems/drug effects , Neurosecretory Systems/growth & development , Obesity/physiopathology , Ovary/diagnostic imaging , Ovary/growth & development , Ovulation/drug effects , Pituitary Gland/growth & development , Pituitary Gland/metabolism , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/blood , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/metabolism , Sexual Maturation/drug effects , Testosterone/administration & dosage , Testosterone/adverse effects , Testosterone/blood , Ultrasonography
16.
Org Lett ; 10(21): 4727-30, 2008 Nov 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18826234

ABSTRACT

An investigation was carried out to explore the use of sulfoxide donors as common precursors to stereoisomeric C-glycoconjugates of glycoprotein and glycolipid tumor antigens. A study focusing on the effects of reaction conditions and substrate structure on the stereoselectivity of allylation was carried out. Although conditions were realized to selectively afford alpha-allylation products in good to excellent yields, the search for conditions favoring beta-selectivity proved less successful.


Subject(s)
Allyl Compounds/chemistry , Glycosides/chemical synthesis , Antigens, Neoplasm/chemistry , Glucose/chemistry , Glycosides/chemistry , Glycosylation , Molecular Structure , Stereoisomerism
18.
Int J Gynaecol Obstet ; 99(2): 110-2, 2007 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17612544

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of elective cervical cerclage in women with twin pregnancy on gestational age at time of delivery. METHOD: In a pragmatic fashion women in Abha Maternity Hospital, Saudi Arabia with twin gestations were allocated to receive either an elective cerclage (group I) or no cerclage (group II). Elective cerclage was performed at 12 to 14 weeks of gestation after sonographic examination of the fetus to confirm gestational age and exclude major congenital anomalies. In all cases, follow up of the pregnancy was continued until delivery. RESULTS: Of the 176 twin pregnancies included, cerclage was performed in 76 women, and no cerclage in 100 women. In Group I: 12 pregnancies ended in spontaneous miscarriage, 37 in preterm labor, and 27 women reached full term. There were a total of 106 live births in 62 women. In Group II: 8 women aborted, 44 women ended in preterm labor and 48 women reached full term. There were a total of 160 live births in 89 women. The gestational age at delivery ranged from 20 to 41 weeks. Multiple regression analysis did not show association between cerclage and time of delivery, although a trend was observed (P=0.056). CONCLUSION: Elective cerclage contributes little in prolongation of gestational age at the time of delivery in women with twin pregnancy, especially in women of high parity. Those with a previous history of preterm labor may be a subgroup that could benefit from elective cerclage.


Subject(s)
Cerclage, Cervical , Pregnancy, Multiple , Premature Birth/prevention & control , Adult , Female , Humans , Parity , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Outcome , Prospective Studies
19.
J Obstet Gynaecol ; 27(2): 150-4, 2007 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17454461

ABSTRACT

A retrospective study was conducted over a 10-year period on 32,000 maternities at Abha General Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia, to estimate the contribution of eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia to maternal mortality and morbidity and also fetal wastage. It included 18 cases of eclampsia and 297 cases of severe pre-eclampsia. Multiple regression analysis revealed that only the presence of prodromal symptoms significantly affected the occurrence of eclampsia, p < 0.05, while nulliparous patients were a high risk group for eclampsia. Maternal complications including eight cases of massive ascites occurred exclusively in severe pre-eclamptics. Although no maternal deaths were reported, the perinatal mortality rate was 16.6% and 14.1% among the eclamptics and severe pre-eclamptic patients, mainly from prematurity. Regarding the eclamptic patients, 17(94.4%) had the first fit before arrival at the hospital, 13(72.2%) before labour, while 3(16.6%) had fits before and during labour and 1(5.6%) had the fits after delivery. Suggestions are proffered to reducing maternal morbidity and perinatal mortality and morbidity.


Subject(s)
Eclampsia/mortality , Pre-Eclampsia/mortality , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Hospitals, Maternity , Humans , Infant Mortality , Infant, Newborn , Maternal Mortality , Middle Aged , Pregnancy , Retrospective Studies , Saudi Arabia/epidemiology
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