Natural products for treatment of premature ovarian failure: a narrative review.

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a female reproductive system disease caused by many factors and systems, which has seriously affected the quality of life of women of childbearing age. Clinically, the disease is difficult to treat while its incidence rate shows an increasing trend. In recent years, natural products used as multi-pathway, multi-target and efficient drugs, have become the focus of many research and clinical studies in China and abroad, and the effect of phytochemicals derived from edible plants and Chinese medicine herbs on POF were investigated in several papers. Using "premature ovarian failure" or "ovary" and related natural products as keywords, we retrieved and reviewed research articles from China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang, PubMed, Web of Science and other literature databases. Up to October, 2021, natural compounds with prophylactic or interference inhibition effects on POF mainly included flavonoids, polysaccharides, saponins, and polyphenols. Their effect on POF and ovarian function was closely related to their antioxidant, antiapoptotic, antiaging, immunoregulatory and estrogen-like activities.

Frequent Genetic Mismatch between Vaccine Strains and Circulating Seasonal Influenza Viruses, Hong Kong, China, 1996-2012.

The World Health Organization selects influenza vaccine compositions biannually to cater to peaks in temperate regions. In tropical and subtropical regions, where influenza seasonality varies and epidemics can occur year-round, the choice of vaccine remains uncertain. Our 17-year molecular epidemiologic survey showed that most influenza A(H3N2) (9/11) and B (6/7) vaccine strains had circulated in East Asia >1 year before inclusion into vaccines. Northern Hemisphere vaccine strains and circulating strains in East Asia were closely matched in 7 (20.6%) of 34 seasons for H3N2 and 5 (14.7%) of 34 seasons for B. Southern Hemisphere vaccines also had a low probability of matching (H3N2, 14.7%; B, 11.1%). Strain drift among seasons was common (H3N2, 41.2%; B, 35.3%), and biannual vaccination strategy (Northern Hemisphere vaccines in November followed by Southern Hemisphere vaccines in May) did not improve matching. East Asia is an important contributor to influenza surveillance but often has mismatch between vaccine and contemporarily circulating strains.

Dissipation and translocation of saisenxin in tobacco and soil under conventional field and controlled laboratory conditions.

The aim of this investigation was to investigate the fate and translocation characteristics of saisenxin (SSX), a novel organic zinc fungicide, in the environment and tobacco plants under conventional field and laboratory conditions. A rapid and sensitive analytical technique based on high-performance liquid chromatography was used for determination of SSX, in soil samples and tobacco leaf, stem and root samples. The method had satisfactiry linearity (R2 = 0.9999) and the limits of detection and of quantitation of the target compound were 0.06 and 0.20 mg kg-1, respectively. The average recoveries were in the range of 89.74-94.24% in soil, leaf, stem and root samples, with relative standard deviations of <8%. For conventional field trials, the half-life (t1/2) of SSX was 5.9-6.5 days in soil and 4.8-5.3 days in tobacco leaves; the corresponding values under controlled laboratory conditions were extended to 7.1 and 7.6 days. The translocation factor (TF) values were in the range of 0-2.25 and 0-0.25 for foliage and root irrigation treatments, respectively. The TFs of SSX in tobacco indicated that tobacco had a high ability to transfer SSX upward.

Severe bleeding diatheses in an elderly patient with combined type autoantibody against factor XIII A subunit; novel approach to the diagnosis and classification of anti-factor XIII antibodies.

INTRODUCTION: Acquired factor XIII (FXIII) deficiency due to autoantibody is a rare, severe bleeding diathesis. Its laboratory diagnosis and classification represents a difficult task. AIM: Introduction of novel approaches into the diagnosis and characterization of anti-FXIII autoantibody and demonstration of their use in the diagnosis of a patient with autoimmune FXIII deficiency. METHODS: Factor XIII activity, FXIII antigen levels and the titre of anti-FXIII-A antibody were monitored throughout the course of the disease. FXIII activity was measured by ammonia release assay; FXIII-A2 B2 complex, total and free FXIII-B concentrations were determined by ELISAs. The binding constant for the interaction of the autoantibody with recombinant FXIII-A2 (rFXIII-A2 ) and FXIII-A2 B2 was determined by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The inhibitory capacity of IgG was expressed as the concentration exerting 50% inhibition of FXIII activation/activity (IC50). The truncation of FXIII-A by thrombin was monitored by western blotting. The inhibition of Ca2+ -induced FXIII activation and active FXIII (FXIIIa) were assessed by FXIII activity assay. RESULTS: The antibody bound to rFXIII-A2 and FXIII-A2 B2 with high affinity and accelerated the decay of supplemented FXIII concentrate. An IC50 value of 170.1 µg IgG·mL-1 indicated effective FXIII neutralization. The main neutralizing effect of the autoantibody was the inhibition of FXIIIa. After 2 months, due to combined therapeutic modalities, the autoantibody disappeared and FXIII activity significantly elevated. CONCLUSION: The anti-FXIII-A autoantibody exerted a combined effect including inhibition of FXIIIa and acceleration of FXIII decay in the plasma. IC50 and binding constant determinations added important information to the characterization of the autoantibody.

Neutralizing autoantibody against factor XIII A subunit resulted in severe bleeding diathesis with a fatal outcome - characterization of the antibody.

UNLABELLED: Essentials Autoantibody against factor XIII (FXIII) is a rare but severe acquired hemorrhagic diathesis. In an elderly patient, anti-FXIII-A antibody led to severe bleedings with fatal outcome. The neutralizing autoantibody bound to FXIII with high affinity (Ka≈10(9) m(-1) ). The dominant effect of the autoantibody was the inhibition of activated FXIII. SUMMARY: Autoantibodies may develop against the catalytic A subunit of factor XIII (FXIII-A) or the carrier B subunit (FXIII-B). Autoimmune FXIII-A deficiency was diagnosed in an elderly (75 years) patient with severe bleeding symptoms. The patient had 3% FXIII activity, and unmeasurable FXIII-A2 B2 and FXIII-A antigens in the plasma, whereas, in the platelet lysate, activity and FXIII-A antigen values were normal. As revealed by western blotting, FXIII antigen was present in the plasma, but the autoantibody interfered with the immunoassays. A mixing study indicated the presence of inhibitor with a titer of 63.2 Bethesda units (BU). The patient's IgG bound to FXIII-A2 B2 and to FXIII-A2 with equally high affinity (Ka in the range of 10(9) m(-1) ). It exerted a multiple inhibitory effect on FXIII activation/activity (IC50: 50 µg mL(-1) ). Immunosupressive therapy gradually decreased the autoantibody titer to 8.0 BU, but FXIII activity remained very low, and, owing to recurrent bleeding, the patient died.

Profile of mood states and quality of life of Chinese postmastectomy women in Hong Kong: Integrating variable- and person-centered approaches.

Understanding the mood state and its relationship with quality of life (QOL) of mastectomy recipients can serve as baseline within which a sound rehabilitation program can be developed. This study therefore was conducted to facilitate a better understanding of participants' postmastectomy mood states, identify their potential predictors, identify clusters of mood profiles, and clarify between-cluster differences in terms of QOL. Hong Kong mastectomy patients completed the Profile of Mood States and Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index. We extended the complementary strengths of the application of both variable- and person-centered approaches to clarify relationships and to identify profiles of mood states in relation to QOL in a sample of 200 women who had undergone a mastectomy in Hong Kong. Simultaneous regression identified age and educational attainment as predictors of mood states, and cluster analysis identified three distinct mood profiles that are able to explain differences in various measures of QOL after mastectomy. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Alloantibody developed in a factor XIII A subunit deficient patient during substitution therapy; characterization of the antibody.

INTRODUCTION: In factor XIII A subunit (FXIIIA) deficiency, the development of alloantibodies is extremely rare. Only four reports have been published and the antibodies were not characterized. AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical course and the laboratory diagnosis of a FXIII-A deficient patient who developed alloantibodies. METHODS: FXIII activity was assessed with an ammonia release assay. FXIII-A, FXIII B subunit (FXIII-B) and the complex plasma FXIII (FXIII-A2 B2 ) antigens were determined by ELISA. The causative mutation was detected by fluorescent DNA sequencing. The binding of alloantibody to FXIII-A2 and FXIII-A2 B2 was studied by surface plasmon resonance. The cleavage of FXIII-A by thrombin and Ca2+ -induced activation of thrombin-cleaved FXIII were followed by western blotting and activity measurement, respectively. RESULTS: FXIII activity, FXIII-A2 B2 and FXIII-A antigens were below the limit of detection in the patient's plasma. The severe FXIII-A deficiency was due to a novel homozygous mutation resulting in early stop codon (c.127C>T, p.Gln42STOP). The alloantibody bound to FXIII-A2 and FXIII-A2 B2 with equally high affinity (Kd ~10-8 ). It accelerated the elimination of administered FXIII concentrate from the circulation, interfered with thrombin and Ca2+ -induced activation and inhibited FXIII activity. Attempts to eliminate the alloantibody resulted only in transient improvement. Patient developed intracerebral haemorrhage after a minor trauma and died in spite of aggressive replacement therapy with FXIII concentrate. CONCLUSION: The anti-FXIII-A alloantibody caused an unmanageable bleeding complication. The antibody was of combined subtype which accelerated the elimination of FXIII and exerted a multiple inhibitory effect on FXIII activation/activity.

Chemotherapy-Related Amenorrhea and Menopause in Young Chinese Breast Cancer Patients: Analysis on Incidence, Risk Factors and Serum Hormone Profiles.

PURPOSE: In this prospective cross-sectional study on young premenopausal breast cancer patients, the objectives were to: determine the incidences of chemotherapy-related amenorrhea (CRA) and menopause (CRM); identify associated factors; and assess plasma levels of estradiol (E2) and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) among patients who developed menopause. METHODS: Eligibility criteria include Chinese stage I-III breast cancer patients, premenopausal, age ≤45 at breast cancer diagnosis, having received adjuvant chemotherapy, within 3-10 years after breast cancer diagnosis. Detailed menstrual history prior to and after adjuvant treatment was taken at study entry. Patients' background demographics, tumor characteristics and anti-cancer treatments were collected. The rates of CRA and CRM were determined. Analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with CRM. For postmenopausal patients, levels of E2 and FSH were analyzed. RESULTS: 286 patients were recruited; the median time from breast cancer diagnosis to study entry was 5.0 years. 255 patients (91.1%) developed CRA. Of these, 66.7% regained menstruation. At the time of study entry, 137 (48.9%) had developed CRM, amongst whom 84 were age ≤45. On multivariate analysis, age was the only associated factor. Among patients with CRM, the median FSH was 41.0 IU/L; this was significantly lower in those who were taking tamoxifen compared to those who were not (20.1 vs. 59.7 IU/L, p<0.0001). The E2 level was <40 pmol/L; there was no difference between those who were still on tamoxifen or not. CONCLUSION: After adjuvant chemotherapy, the majority of young Chinese breast cancer patients developed CRA; ~50% developed CRM, with 61% at age ≤45. Age at diagnosis is the only factor associated with CRM. FSH level may be affected by tamoxifen intake.

Serum neuron specific enolase - a novel indicator for neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus?

OBJECTIVE: Neuropsychiatric (NP) lupus, a common manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is still insufficiently understood, in part, because of the lack of specific biomarkers. Neuron specific enolase (NSE), an important neuronal glycolytic enzyme, shows increased serum levels following acute brain injury, and decreased serum levels in several chronic disorders of the nervous system, including multi infarct dementia, multiple sclerosis and depression. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum NSE levels in SLE patients with and without nervous system involvement, and in healthy controls, and to assess the correlation of NSE serum levels of patients with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) with clinical parameters. METHODS: The study comprised 47 SLE patients and 28 controls. SLE activity was assessed using the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM). A neurologist and a psychiatrist examined all patients. NP involvement was diagnosed according to strict NPSLE criteria proposed by Ainiala and coworkers, as modification to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) nomenclature and case definitions. NSE serum levels were determined by use of an immunoassay. RESULTS: Mean NSE serum concentrations in patients with NPSLE were significantly lower than in non-NPSLE patients (6.3 ± 2.6 µg/L vs. 9.7 ± 3.3 µg/L, p < 0.01) and in controls (8.8 ± 3.3 µg/L, p < 0.05). There were significant negative correlations between NSE serum levels and SLE activity (r = -0.42, p < 0.05) and the number of NPSLE manifestations diagnosed (-0.37; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Decreased serum concentrations of NSE may reflect chronic neuronal damage with declined metabolism of the nervous tissue in patients with NPSLE.

Evaluation of splinting implant impression techniques: two dimensional analyses.

This paper aims to evaluate the effect of splinting during implant impression. A master model with two fixtures at the sites of 45 and 47 was used. 20 impressions were made for all four techniques: (A) indirect; (B) direct, unsplinted; (C) direct, splinted; and (D) direct, splinted, sectioned, and re-splinted. Splinting was undertaken with autopolymerizing acrylic resin (AAR). Horizontal distance between fixtures was compared using a digital caliper. The difference in distance were analysed with one-way ANOVA. Group A showed a significantly lowest accuracy among all techniques (p < or = 0.05). There was no significant difference of accuracy among the groups using direct techniques (p > or = 0.05). Group D was more accurate compared to group B and C. We conclude that splinting of impression copings would be beneficial to obtain an accurate impression.

AVPR2 gene and weight changes during triathlons.

The arginine vasopressin receptor 2 (AVPR2) plays an important antidiuretic role in regulating water balance to maintain osmotic equilibrium. The aim of this study was to determine if there were any associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), within the AVPR2 gene, and changes in serum sodium concentrations and/or body weight (BW) in Ironman triathletes. Caucasian male triathletes who completed either the 2000, 2001 or 2006 South African Ironman Triathlons were genotyped (n=570) for at least one SNP. Pre- and post-race serum [Na+] (pre n=514; post n=423) and BWs (pre n=556; post n=552) were measured. Triathletes were divided into 3 groups according to their relative BW loss during the triathlon (BW loss of 0-3, 3-5 and >5%). There was a significant linear trend (p=0.010, x2=6.7) for the distribution of minor haplotypes GCT, GTC and GCC across the 3 BW loss groups. The >5% group had the highest percentage (4.7%) of triathletes with minor haplotypes followed by the 3-5% (3.6%) and 3-0% (0%) groups. In conclusion, the minor haplotype constructs of AVPR2 SNPs were associated with larger BW losses during the Ironman Triathlons. This finding supports a possible genetic contribution to BW loss during endurance exercise events acting through the argine vasopression system.

Evaluation of the new AJCC staging system for resectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the validity of the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system (TNM-7) for patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Partial hepatectomies performed for 879 patients from 1993 to 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathological factors, surgical outcome, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed to evaluate the predictive value of the TNM-7 staging system. RESULTS: According to the TNM-7 system, differences in five-year survival between stages I, II, and III were statistically significant. Subgroup analysis of stage III patients revealed that the difference between stages II and IIIA was not significant (OS, p = 0.246; DFS, p = 0.105). Further stratification of stages IIIA, IIIB and IIIC also did not reveal significant differences. Cox proportional hazard models of stage III analyses identified additional clinicopathological factors affecting patient survival: lack of tumor encapsulation, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values > 68 U/L, and blood loss > 500 mL affected DFS whereas lack of tumor encapsulation, AST values > 68 U/L, blood loss > 500 mL, and serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) values > 200 ng/mL were independent factors impairing OS. Stage III factors including tumor thrombus, satellite lesions, and tumor rupture did not appear to influence survival in the stage III subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of 5-year survival rates, the TNM-7 system is capable of stratifying post-hepatectomy HCC patients into stages I, II, and III but is unable to stratify stage III patients into stages IIIA, IIIB and IIIC. Lack of tumor encapsulation, AST values > 68 U/L, blood loss > 500 mL, and AFP values > 200 ng/mL are independent prognostic factors affecting long-term survival.

Beaklike SnO2 nanorods with strong photoluminescent and field-emission properties.

Beaklike SnO2 nanorods were synthesized by a vapor-liquid-solid approach using Au as a catalyst. The nanorods grow along the [10 1] direction and the beak is formed by switching the growth direction to [1 12] through controlling the growth conditions at the end of the synthesis. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the nanorods exhibits visible light emission with a peak at 602 nm. The field-emission (FE) properties of the nanorods have been measured to exhibit a turn-on field of 5.8 V microm(-1). A comparative study of FE measurements between SnO2 nanorods with uniform diameters and these beaklike nanorods suggests that the shape and curved tips are important factors in determining the FE properties.

[Gastrointestinal human myiasis caused by Eristalis tenax]. / Myiasis gastrointestinal humana por Eristalis tenax.

The myiasis observed in Bariloche are characterized and the probable conditions under which the infestations took place established. The larvae obtained from faeces of 2 patients were identified as Eristalis tenax (Diptera: Syrphidae) according to Hartley (1961) and Organización Panamericana de la Salud keys (1962). These 2 cases of human gastrointestinal myiasis were the first to be registered in Bariloche (Patagonia, Argentina) and their characteristics were similar to those described for this species in other parts of the world. The lack of specific control measures in the domestic water supply system was the most probable cause of the infestation. This event extends the distribution of E. tenax and human gastrointestinal myiasis in South America to 41 degrees 03' S.

[Distant results of putting the feeding tube through wound after laryngectomy]. / Odlegle wyniki u chorych po laryngektomii odzywianych drenem zakladanym przez rane.

Authors present their own postoperative results in nourishing the patients after laryngectomy. Their several years' observations, based on the group of 318 patients, were connected with the risk of the postoperative complications. In proposed way of nourishing (introduced by B. Latkowski) the point is in putting the nutritive drain not through the nose, but directly through the cutting during laryngectomy. The main aim of the research was presenting good points of this method and existence of no complications with the most dangerous--fistulas.

[Pathological changes of frontal sinus in the materials of the Otolaryngological Clinic of Medical Academy in Lódz (1986-1996)]. / Zmiany patologiczne zatok czolowych na materiale Kliniki Otolaryngologii AM w Lodzi (1986-1996).

Authors report 25 cases of frontal sinus diseases treated surgically at the ENT Department Medical University of Lodz. There were three groups of pathologies: 13 cases of inflammatory disease, 9 osteoma cases and 3 trauma cases. The total number of 30 surgical procedures has been performed (13 Beck's method, 6 radical method, 6 classical method, 2 Ogston-Luc method and 3 reconstructions of anterior wall of the frontal sinus using bone sutures). In each group the type of surgical method and the causes of the possible postoperative pitfalls and recurrence of the disease were analyzed.

[On keratomas on the frontal sinus]. / W sprawie perlaków zatok czolowych.

Etiopathogenesis of the frontal sinus kertomas has been discussed paying a special attention to the frequency of its occurrence reported in literature. Authors present a rare complication of frontal sinus keratoma involving a bone destruction of nearby lying structures.

[Oxidase activity in patients with laryngeal carcinoma treated by radiotherapy]. / Aktywnosc oksydazowa ceruloplazminy u chorych leczonych napromienianiem z powodu raka krtani.

According to Ravin's method an oxidative activity of ceruloplasmin was determined in the group of patients with carcinoma of larynx before and after rtg-therapy and at the control group of healthy individuals. As a result of this assay the significantly increased of oxidative activity ceruloplasmin was obtained in the individuals with the carcinoma of the larynx before rtg-therapy in comparison to the group of healthy subjects. Simultaneously a significant decrease of the oxidative activity of serum ceruloplasmin in the individuals with carcinoma of the larynx after rtg-therapy was observed.

Y chromosome microdeletions and male subfertility.

Men with azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia have been investigated by molecular probing of the long arm of the Y chromosome. We find microdeletions affecting various parts of the long arm of the Y chromosome in approximately 10% of men with non-obstructive azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia but not in a fertile comparison population. This work needs further confirmation in different countries and different racial groups but it would appear that microdeletions (and presumably genetic defects) are commonly associated with defects of spermatogenesis. These findings have implications for the management of severe male subfertility with in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

[The significance of the lymphocyte adherence inhibition test in patients with diffuse toxic goiter]. / Znachenie testa podavleniia prilipaniia limfotsitov u bol'nykh diffuznym toksicheskim zobom.

Patients with diffuse toxic goiter reveal an increased adhesive capacity of lymphocytes evidencing a reduction of lymphokine production by lymphocytes which would suppress adhesiveness. The degree of increase of adhesive properties of lymphocytes depended on the severity of the clinical picture of diffuse toxic goiter, being higher in those with a severe course. Results of the test of lymphocyte adhesion suppression reflect the state of cellular immunity, severity of the clinical course of diffuse toxic goiter and efficacy of treatment.