Customized modified therapies for ovarian cyst and persistent follicle followed with TAI in early postpartum dairy cows.

Background: Postpartum ovarian dysfunction [ovarian cyst (OC) and persistent follicle (PF)] has been an important issue. Finding effective hormonal treatments to improve reproductive performance in dairy cows has become a necessity. Aim: Improve reproductive performance and ovarian activity in postpartum cows with specific customized treatment for OC and PFs. Methods: The study included 48 cows at 14 days P.P, which received two dosages of 500 µg IM cloprostenol, 14 days apart as presynchronization protocol. Ultrasound ovarian scans 14 days after the last injection for 4 weeks. The cows were divided into three groups according to ovarian status: OC (n = 14), PF (n = 12), and NE (n = 22). In the OC group, received 500 µg IM cloprostenol and 100 µg IM cystoriline, a second dose of cloprostenol 14 days later and a second dose of cystoriline 36 hours later, and AI after 24 hours (GnRH+ PG/PG/GnRH). In the PF group, was fitted with progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (PRID) for 9 days; the same day, they received 100 µg cystoreline then 500 µg cloprostenol 7 days later, after PRID removal AI 56 hours later (PRID + GnRH/PG). In the NE group, artificial insemination was implemented until 28 days depending on estrus detection. Results: The ovarian activity was greatly affected by the customized treatments, leading to enhanced follicular and luteal activity, particularly after the PGF2α injection. The OC and PF groups showed substantial estrus responses of 71.43% and 75.02%, respectively, during AI time. While the NE group had an ovulation rate of 54.5% and a pregnancy rate of 31.8%, the treatment groups showed marked improvements in reproductive performance. The ovulation rates in the OC and PF groups were 71.43% and 75% and the pregnancy rates at the 1st artificial insemination were 64.28% and 66.7%. Conclusion: Improving reproductive performance and minimizing the time to first service are possible advantages of early case-specific treatment for postpartum cows with OC and PFs.

Impact of presynchronization and Ovsynch on early postpartum ovarian activity and fertility of dairy cows in Libya.

Background: Reproductive efficiency affects dairy cow profitability. Ovarian function in postpartum (P.P.) has been better understood using ultrasound and hormonal assays. Optimizing ovulation synchronization and carefully timing artificial insemination (TAI) can greatly enhance reproductive rates in dairy cows. Aim: This experiment was designed to investigate the reproductive performance and ovarian activity in early postpartum lactating dairy cows using the Presynch-PGF2α, Ovsynch protocol, and TAI. Methods: Randomly the cows were assigned to a control group and a treatment group, based on the chronological order of their calving date. On day 14 P.P., both groups received two cloprostenol treatments, 14 days apart. Ultrasonographic inspections were conducted on day 14 to check ovarian activity and uterine contents. On day 11, after presynchronization, cows in the treatment group were given 100 µg IM. of cystorelin, followed by a luteolytic dose of 500 µg IM., cloprostenol on day 7, and a second dose of cystorelin on day 8 (36 hours later). After the second cystorelin injection by 16-20 hours, cows were inseminated, while the control group had all cows displaying spontaneous estrus between day 0 and day 28 were artificially inseminated. Results: Ovarian activity began to improve at 82.61% on day 19 P.P., with complete recovery between days 24 and 27 P.P. The second cloprostenol injection approached, causing follicular size to reach 8.41 ± 1.04 mm. After the second injection, ovarian activity switched from follicular to luteal, with corpus luteum rates of 23.91% and 26.1%. The presynchronized PGF2α regimen significantly enhanced ovarian activity from days 19-35 P.P. Ovulation and pregnancy rates in the Ovsynch group were 54.2% and 41.7% at the first timed artificial insemination (TAI), compared to 54.5% and 31.8% in the control group. There was no significant impact between them; it was just high in the presynchronized Ovsynch group. However, the P.P. period was minimized to 47-49 days till the first AI reached a 41.7% pregnancy rate and 20.8% at the second AI, for an overall 62.5%. Conclusion: The current study concludes that presynchronization during preservice in clinically normal P.P. dairy cows reduces P.P. duration, increases ovarian activity performance, and reduces ovarian dysfunctions from day 19 to day 35 P.P., as well as improves the pregnancy rate.

SiRNA/DOX lodeded chitosan based nanoparticles: Development, Characterization and in vitro evaluation on A549 lung cancer cell line.

High-mobility group AT-hook2 (HMGA2), involved in epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, has a pivotal role in lung cancer metastasis. Lung cancer therapy with HMGA2 suppressing small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been introduced recently while doxorubicin (DOX) has been used as a frequent cancer chemotherapy agent. Both reagents have been faced with obstacles in clinic which make them ineffective. NanoParticles (NPs) provided a platform for efficient co delivery of the anticancer drugs. The aim of this study was production and in vitro characterization of different pharmacological groups (siRNA, DOX or siRNA-DOX) of carboxymethyl dextran thrimethyl chitosan nanoparticles (CMDTMChiNPs) on cytotoxicity, gene expression, apoptosis and migration of metastatic lung cancer cell line (A-549). CMDTMChiNPs were synthesized and encapsulated with siRNA, DOX or siRNA-DOX. Then the effects of HMGA2 siRNA and DOX co delivery was assessed in A549 viability and target genes (HMGA2, Ecadherin, vimentin and MMP9) by MTT and real time PCR, respectively. In addition capability of apoptosis induction and anti-migratory features of formulated NPs were analyzed by flowcytometry and wound healing assays. SiRNA-DOX-CMDTM ChiNPs approximate size were 207±5 with poly dispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential of 0.4 and 16.3±0.3, respectively. NPs loaded with DOX and siRNA were the most efficient drug formulations in A549 cell cytotoxicity, altering of EMT markers, apoptosis induction and migration inhibition. Generally our results showed that co delivery of HMGA2 siRNA and DOX by novel designed CMDTMChiNPs is a new therapeutic approach with great potential efficiency for lung cancer treatment.

Lower Oncogenic Potential of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Cord Blood Compared to Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

BACKGROUND: In regenerative medicine, use of each of the mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow, cord blood, and adipose tissue, has several cons and pros. Mesenchymal stem cells derived from cord blood have been considered the best source for precursor transplantation. Direct reprogramming of a somatic cell into induced pluripotent stem cells by over-expression of 6 transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, lin28, Nanog, and c-Myc has great potential for regenerative medicine, eliminating the ethical issues of embryonic stem cells and the rejection problems of using non-autologous cells. OBJECTIVE: To compare reprogramming and pluripotent markers OCT4, Sox-2, c-Myc, Klf4, Nanog, and lin28 in mesenchymal stem cells derived from cord blood and induced pluripotent stem cells. METHODS: We analyzed the expression level of OCT4, Sox-2, c-Myc, Klf4, Nanog and lin28 genes in human mesenchymal stem cells derived from cord blood and induced pluripotent stem cells by cell culture and RT-PCR. RESULTS: The expression level of pluripotent genes OCT4 and Sox-2, Nanog and lin28 in mesenchymal stem cells derived from cord blood were significantly higher than those in induced pluripotent stem cells. In contrast to OCT-4A and Sox-2, Nanog and lin28, the expression level of oncogenic factors c-Myc and Klf4 were significantly higher in induced pluripotent stem cells than in mesenchymal stem cells derived from cord blood. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded that mesenchymal stem cells derived from human cord blood have lower oncogenic potential compared to induced pluripotent stem cells.

Effect of Montelukast on bradykinin-induced contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle of guinea pig.

AIM: To explore the effect of montelukast on bradykinin-induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction of isolated guinea pig trachea. STUDY DESIGN: To study the effect of bradykinin in the absence and in the presence of montelukast on the isolated tracheal smooth muscle of a guinea pig pretreated with indomethacin (10(-6)M), phentolamine (10(-5)M), and propranalol (10(-6)M), to eliminate the effect of endogenous prostaglandins and catecholamines. The trachealis smooth muscle activity was recorded through the Isometric Force Displacement Transducer on a Four Channel Oscillograph. A cumulative dose-response relationship was demonstrated by adding successive doses of bradykinin on the tracheal strips, starting with 11 µg to 77 µg of 10(-4) concentration. A similar procedure was repeated in the presence of montelukast 0.5 µg/ml, which, was equal to approximate C(max) achieved in vivo with a 10 mg oral dose of montelukast, and in the presence of 1 µg/ml of montelukast. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data was expressed as mean ± standard error (SEM), and was analyzed using the SPSS version 15. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Bradykinin produced a dose-dependent, reversible contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle. Montelukast significantly reduced the bradykinin-induced tracheal smooth muscle reactivity and shifted the bradykinin curve to the right and downwards, in the presence of both concentrations of montelukast. The mean magnitude of response achieved with 77 µg of bradykinin in the absence of montelukast was 39 mm ± 6.26, in the presence of 0.5 µg/ml of montelukast it was 24.17 mm ± 4.11, and in the presence of 1 µg/ml of montelukast it was 13 mm ± 2.6. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that montelukast significantly inhibits, in a dose-dependent manner, the bradykinin-induced contraction of the guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, and alludes to an interaction between the bradykinin and leukotriene mediators.

Prescribing practices: an overview of three teaching hospitals in Pakistan.

The extent and nature of irrational prescribing of drugs has not been explored in Pakistan A pilot study was therefore undertaken in three major teaching hospitals located in the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad. Six hundred and one prescriptions from medical, paediatrics and psychiatry units of these hospitals were analyzed to study the prescribing pattern. The mean number of drugs per prescription was found to be 2.97. Only 23.6% drugs were prescribed by their generic names. About 80% of the prescribed drugs were from the National Essential Drug List of Pakistan. Use of injectable preparations was 17.1%. Antimicrobials constituted 20.4% of the drugs prescribed, frequently for cases of acute respiratory infections and gastroenteritis. The average cost of treatment per day was Rupees 26.10 in the outdoors and Rs. 88.36 in indoors. Treatment did not correlate to the diagnosis in 24.6% of the cases. Doses of drugs were inappropriate in 30.6% prescriptions. Duration of treatment was not specified on a vast majority (73.4%) of the prescriptions. The data highlights the need for educational, managerial and regulatory interventions to rationalize the drug use in Pakistan.

Transcatheter coil occlusion for treatment of left internal mammary-anterior descending artery steal phenomenon.

A 60-yr-old female with previous bypass surgery including LIMA-LAD graft presented with unstable angina due to steal phenomenon caused by a large pectoral branch of LIMA. Transcatheter coil occlusion of the pectoral branch was successfully performed. This procedure should be considered in similar cases.

Exit block: a new technique for difficult side branch angioplasty.

Angioplasty of a stenosis at the origin of a diagonal branch was initially unsuccessful because of the straight course of the anterior descending artery and a sharp bend at the diagonal branch. Therefore, in a second attempt, the anterior descending artery was blocked by inflating a balloon distal to the diagonal branch, thereby facilitating the passage of guidewire and balloon into the diagonal branch.