Metformin and troglitazone in the treatment of female infertility associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the most common cause of anovulatory infertility and causes menstrual disruption in 5-10% females, and is characterized by insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, hyperandrogenism and anovulation. Such factors are responsible for the increased miscarriage and infertility in women with PCOS. Administration of various insulin sensitizing drugs, such as metformin and troglitazone have been shown to decrease serum androgen concentrations and to increase ovulation rates, increase conception and decrease miscarriage in affected women.

Subtherapeutic dose of pioglitazone reduces expression of inflammatory adipokines in db/db mice

Agonists of the thiazolidinedione class of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma exhibit both insulin-sensitizing and anti-inflammatory effects. We hypothesized that pioglitazone might be able to exert its anti-inflammatory properties at a lower dose than that required for its insulin-sensitizing effect. In order to investigate this hypothesis, we evaluated the effects of pioglitazone on inflammatory as well as metabolic biomarkers in serum and white adipose tissue (WAT) at 2 different doses. Female db/db mice were treated orally with therapeutic (30 mg/kg) and subtherapeutic (3 mg/kg) doses of pioglitazone for 14 days followed by an oral glucose tolerance test. Other parameters measured were inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and metabolic biomarkers in serum (insulin, glucose and adiponectin). Moreover, adiponectin, fatty acid-binding protein (aP2) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA expression in WAT were determined by real-time PCR. A subtherapeutic dose of pioglitazone significantly suppresses the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA in WAT, but does not alter the serum glucose, insulin and WAT expression of adiponectin, adipocyte aP2 and LPL. A therapeutic dose of pioglitazone improves insulin sensitivity, enhances LPL, aP2 and adiponectin expression, and also suppresses TNF-alpha and IL-6 expression. In conclusion, the current study indicates that the anti-inflammatory effect of pioglitazone is produced at a subtherapeutic dose, which is considerably lower than the dose needed to produce any desired metabolic effects. Anti-inflammatory effects of pioglitazone may precede its insulin-sensitizing effects in db/db mice.

Tellurium nano-structure based NO gas sensor

Tellurium nanotubes were grown on bare and silver/gold nanoparticle (nucleation centers) deposited silicon substrates by vacuum deposition technique at a substrate temperature of 100 degrees C under high vacuum conditions. Silver and gold nanoparticles prepared on (111) oriented silicon substrates were found to act as nucleation centers for growth of Tellurium nanostructures. Density of nanotubes was found to increase while their diameter reduced when grown using metallic nanoparticle template. These Te nanostructures were investigated for their gas sensitivity. Tellurium nanotubes on Ag templates showed better response to NO in comparison to H2S and NH3 gases. Selectivity in response to NO was improved in comparison to Te thin film sensors reported earlier. The gas sensing mechanism was investigated using Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. The interaction of NO is seen to yield increased adsorption of oxygen that in turn increases hole density and conductivity in the material.

K/pi Fluctuations at relativistic energies

We report K/pi fluctuations from Au + Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]= 19.6, 62.4, 130, and 200 GeV using the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. K/pi fluctuations in central collisions show little dependence on incident energy and are on the same order as those from NA49 at the Super Proton Synchrotron in central Pb + Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=12.3 and 17.3 GeV. We report results for the collision centrality dependence of K/pi fluctuations and results for charge-separated fluctuations. We observe that the K/pi fluctuations scale with the charged particle multiplicity density.

A participatory evaluation of community-based rehabilitation programme in North Central Vietnam

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to conduct a participatory evaluation of the community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programme in North Central Vietnam to ascertain the extent of success with the World Health Organization (WHO) model. In 1992, for the first time a non-governmental organization (NGO) was formed in this region to plan and implement the CBR approach based on the WHO model for meeting the needs of persons with disabilities (PWD). The programme is currently being implemented in ten districts and has been able to affect 24.6% of PWD in this region.

METHODS

A framework of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis was used. Participatory data collection was done at the village, commune, district, provincial, and central levels using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The data were examined against the five principles of the WHO model: available resource utilization, knowledge transfer, community participation, referral services strengthening and multisectoral coordination.

RESULTS

The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats across all levels were collated and presented.

CONCLUSION

Specific strengths have been found in three out of five principles of the WHO Model. The programme would benefit by consolidating on the positive aspects in years to come.

One stop fertility clinic

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of out-patient based investigation of infertile couples using a prospective observational study based in a large undergraduate teaching hospital. We studied couples referred to secondary care for investigation of their infertility. Investigations involved pelvic ultrasound, diagnostic hysteroscopy and culdoscopy. The main outcome measures were feasibility of investigations, findings, patient views, and a management plan.

RESULTS

199 of 347 (57.3%) couples referred met our selection criteria, and 162 of this group have attended. Thirty-one (19.1%) were judged to be unsuitable for culdoscopy, and culdoscopy failed in a further 29 (17.9%). The average time for the three procedures was 41.2 (SD 17.2) minutes, and over 1/3 of patients were found to have pelvic pathology. The investigations were well tolerated and there was only one complication necessitating admission to hospital. Most patients appreciated the need for a single hospital visit and the availability of immediate results.

CONCLUSIONS

A One Stop approach to the investigation of infertility is attractive but not suitable for or desired by all infertile couples. Organisational issues were also identified.

Echinacea as an antiinflammatory agent: the influence of physiologically relevant parameters

Numerous Echinacea preparations are available on the market for the prevention and treatment of cold and 'flu symptoms and inflammatory conditions associated with infections. Most of these preparations are consumed orally in the form of aqueous or ethanol extracts and tinctures. Since the recommended consumption normally involves a brief local exposure to the diluted preparation at an unspecified time in relation to the actual infection, then it is important that experimental models for the evaluation of Echinacea reflect these limitations. A line of human bronchial epithelial cells, in which rhinoviruses stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, was used to evaluate several relevant parameters. The chemically characterized Echinacea preparation (Echinaforce) was capable of inhibiting completely the rhinovirus induced secretion of IL-6 (interleukin-6) and IL-8 (chemokine CXCL-8) in these cells, regardless of whether the Echinacea was added before or after virus infection, and in response to a range of virus doses. This inhibitory effect was also manifest under conditions resembling normal consumption with respect to the duration of exposure to Echinacea and the Echinacea dilution. It is concluded that under real life conditions of Echinacea consumption, the virus-induced stimulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines can be effectively reversed or alleviated.

Role of MRI in osteosarcoma for chemotherapy response evaluation and prediction: Correlation with histological necrosis

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Background:Histologic necrosis (HN), the current gold standard for response evaluation in osteosarcoma (OS), is accessible only after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and may get affected by confounding factors. Thus, it would be useful to have surrogate markers of response evaluation and prognostication using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to individualize therapy. Method:Thirty-one treatment naïve OS patients received 3 cycles of NACT followed by surgery during 2006–2008. All patients underwent baseline and post-NACT conventional(C), diffusion-weighted (DW) and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI. Taking ‘Huvos grading’ (good response >/= 90% HN) as reference standard, various parameters of MRI were compared with it. Tumor considered as ellipsoidal; volume (V), average tumor plane (ATP) and relative(r)-ATP (ATP/body surface area) were calculated using standard formula for ellipse. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to assess the best threshold and predictability. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated along with 95% confidence limits. After deriving thresholds for each parameter in univariable analysis, multivariable analysis was carried out. Results: Both pre-and post NACT, absolute and relative size parameters were well correlated with HN, though post NACT change in parameters did not. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), either pre-and post NACT measurements or change following chemotherapy were not correlating well. However, on adjusting for volume, significant correlation was found. Thus, we could derive a new parameter diffusion per unit volume (DV= ADC /V). Change in shape of time intensity curve did not show significant correlation. Conclusions: In OS, NACT response can be assessed and predicted by conventional and DW- MRI early in the disease course which correlates well with HN. DV seems to be a sensitive substitute for response evaluation. For DCE-MRI, more sophisticated models in future studies might be useful. [Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Selection of natural health products for clinical trials: a preclinical template

In preparation for a clinical trial on the efficacy of Echinacea products with a pediatric population, a rational method for selection of test products was developed, based on phytochemical and bioassay evaluation. Ten currently available commercial products of Echinacea angustifolia (EA) or Echinacea purpurea (EP) were selected, and 3 bottles of each of 2 different lots were purchased for each product. Investigators were blinded to product identity before phytochemical analysis. Lot-to-lot variation was small, but product variation due to species and formulation was large. Products derived from ethanol extracts had low polysaccharide content and high levels of alkamides (EA), echinacoside (EA), cynarin (EA), cichoric acid (EP), and caftaric acid (EP). These products possessed high antiviral activities that differed between EA and EP products, but limited immune activation properties. In contrast, products derived without ethanol extraction had higher polysaccharide levels, but low levels of other components. These aqueous compounds showed immunostimulant activity as measured in a mouse macrophage model and a somewhat different antiviral profile. The choice of Echinacea product for clinical trial must therefore consider the impact of immune enhancement, the specific viral infection targeted, and the potential to reduce symptoms via antiinflammatory activity. Product selection may also depend on whether the intent of the trial is prophylaxis or treatment.

Observation of two-source interference in the photoproduction reaction AuAu --> AuAurho0

In ultraperipheral relativistic heavy-ion collisions, a photon from the electromagnetic field of one nucleus can fluctuate to a quark-antiquark pair and scatter from the other nucleus, emerging as a rho{0}. The rho{0} production occurs in two well-separated (median impact parameters of 20 and 40 F for the cases considered here) nuclei, so the system forms a two-source interferometer. At low transverse momenta, the two amplitudes interfere destructively, suppressing rho{0} production. Since the rho{0} decays before the production amplitudes from the two sources can overlap, the two-pion system can only be described with an entangled nonlocal wave function, and is thus an example of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox. We observe this suppression in 200 GeV per nucleon-pair gold-gold collisions. The interference is 87%+/-5%(stat.)+/-8%(syst.) of the expected level. This translates into a limit on decoherence due to wave function collapse or other factors of 23% at the 90% confidence level.

Structural and optical investigation of semiconductor CdSe/CdS core-shell quantum dot thin films

Highly luminescent CdSe/CdS core-shell nanocrystals have been assembled on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates using a wet synthesis route. The physical properties of the quantum dots (QD) have been investigated using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and optical absorption spectroscopy techniques. These quantum dots showed a strong enhancement in the near band edge absorption. The in situ luminescence behavior has been interpreted in the light of the quantum confinement effect and induced strain in the core-shell structure.

Indications of conical emission of charged hadrons at the BNL relativistic heavy ion collider

Three-particle azimuthal correlation measurements with a high transverse momentum trigger particle are reported for pp, d+Au, and Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV by the STAR experiment. Dijet structures are observed in pp, d+Au and peripheral Au+Au collisions. An additional structure is observed in central Au+Au data, signaling conical emission of correlated charged hadrons. The conical emission angle is found to be theta=1.37+/-0.02(stat)-0.07+0.06(syst), independent of p_{ perpendicular}.