Management of the mother and child care system in the Moscow city

Survey of the current situation of the mother and child care program in Moscow city, including modern organization and medical technologies, upgrade of the public health system. As result, a very good medico-demography level in the last years.Обобщены результаты работы системы охраны здоровья матери и ребенка в городе Москве. Показано роль современных организационных и медицинских технологий, повышение качества общественного здравоохранения. В результате, в последние годы в городе значительно улучшились медико-демографические показатели

Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine Versus Chloroquine in the Treatment of Plasmodium vivax Malaria in Thailand: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The efficacy of chloroquine in the treatment of Plasmodium vivax malaria is declining on the Northwestern border of Thailand. This randomized controlled trial in 500 adults and children shows that dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine is a safe and effective alternative treatment

Primaquine in vivax malaria: an update and review on management issues

Primaquine was officially licensed as an anti-malarial drug by the FDA in 1952. It has remained the only FDA licensed drug capable of clearing the intra-hepatic schizonts and hypnozoites of Plasmodium vivax. This update and review focuses on five major aspects of primaquine use in treatment of vivax malaria, namely: a) evidence of efficacy of primaquine for its current indications; b) potential hazards of its widespread use, c) critical analysis of reported resistance against primaquine containing regimens; d) evidence for combining primaquine with artemisinins in areas of chloroquine resistance; and e) the potential for replacement of primaquine with newer drugs

Effect of lycopene on caspase-3 enzyme activation in liver of methanol-intoxicated rats: Comparison with fomepizole

Lycopene is one of the major carotenoids and is found almost exclusively in tomatoes and tomato products. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of lycopene on methanol-induced liver injury and to compare the results with those after fomepizole, which is used in treatment of methanol intoxication. Experiments were carried out with 30 female Wistar rats weighting 180-200 g. Rats were injected with a intraperitoneally dose of 3 g/kg methanol as a 50% solution in isotonic saline once for intoxication. Rats were pretreated with fomepizole (50 mg/kg) and/or lycopene (10 mg/kg) before methanol. After 24 hours all the drug-treated and intoxicated rats were sacrificed under anesthesia. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined in order to assess lipid peroxidation, and caspase-3 activity was determined by immunostaining of liver tissues to evaluate apoptosis. Methanol administration significantly increased the MDA level and caspase-3 activity in liver. Pretreatment with lycopene and/or fomepizole decreased the MDA levels significantly. Similarly, lycopene and fomepizole decreased methanol-induced caspase-3 activity. The findings of the present study demonstrate that methanol intoxication causes hepatic toxicity in rats and that this is likely a result of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis induction. Lycopene has protective effects against methanol-induced hepatic injury similar to fomepizole. It was demonstrated for the first time that both lycopene and fomepizole prevent methanol-induced hepatic injury by reducing the increase of lipid oxidation and caspase-3 activation. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc

Effects of increasing ratio of progesterone in estrogen/progesterone combination on total oxidant/antioxidant status in rat uterus and plasma

Purpose: The relationship between increasing ratio of progesterone in estrogen/progesterone combination and oxidative stress (OS) was investigated. Methods: Thirty non-pregnant Wistar Albino female rats were divided into five groups and bilaterally ovariectomized (Ovx) except sham group. Groups: Sham + 0.3 cc seaseme oil, Ovx + 0.3 cc seaseme oil, Ovx + estradiol propionate (E2) (1 µg/kg), Ovx + E2 + medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) 1 mg/kg, Ovx + E2 + MPA 20 mg/kg. Hormones were applied for three consecutive days after 28 days of ovariectomy. Their uteri and blood samples were collected and nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidative status (TOS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were determined. Results: E2 + MPA1 treatment decreased NO, MDA and TOS levels and increased TAC levels in uterus. Plasma NO levels elevated in all groups and MDA production increased due to E2 treatment when compared to ovariectomy. E2 + MPA20 treatment increased TOS levels, while TAC levels decreased when compared to ovariectomy in plasma. Conclusions: Using E2 plus low dose progesterone may prevent pathologies resourced of OS. © 2009 Springer-Verlag

Effects of statins in an indomethacin-induced gastric injury model in rats

Background/aims: Statins have additional pleiotropic effects beyond their lipid-lowering effects. In this study, the effects of statins were evaluated in an indomethacin-induced gastric injury model in rats. Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into eight groups. Distilled water (control group), omeprazole (30 mg/kg), atorvastatin (20 and 40 mg/kg), simvastatin (20 and 40 mg/kg), and rosuvastatin (20 and 40 mg/kg) were given orally (gavage). Thirty minutes later, indomethacin (25 mg/kg) was administered orally to all groups. Six hours later, the animals were sacrificed by decapitation. The mean ulcer indexes for each group were calculated, and the stomachs were evaluated histopathologically. Results: The ulcer indexes were as follows: control 1.72±0.16, omeprazole 0±0.00, and atorvastatin, simvastatin and rosuvastatin (at 20 and 40 mg/kg doses, respectively) 4.28±0.39, 4.99±0.96, 1.72±0.73, 1.90±0.48, 1.85±0.26, and 1.67±0.18. Atorvastatin significantly increased the indomethacin-induced ulcer index at both doses and the erosion score at 40 mg/kg dose. Although the 20 mg/kg dose of simvastatin inhibited mononuclear leukocyte infiltration, the 40 mg/kg dose induced hyperemia. Rosuvastatin did not decrease mononuclear leukocyte or neutrophil infiltrations at 20 mg/kg dose, and only neutrophil infiltration at the 40 mg/kg dose. Conclusions: In patients with gastric discomfort, statins must be used carefully. If statin therapy is needed, we recommend to avoid using atorvastatin and to use the other statins only in the minimum effective dose

Lycopene, an antioxidant carotenoid, attenuates testicular injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion in rats

Testicular torsion is a common syndrome that could lead to infertility. We investigated the therapeutic effects of lycopene, an antioxidant caretenoid, on testicular ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury that resembles testicular torsion. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: sham (n = 6), IR (n = 18), and ischemia/reperfusion with lycopene (IRL, n = 18). Left testicular artery and vein was occluded for 1 h, followed by reperfusion of 3 h, 24 h or 30 days in IR and IRL animals. Either corn oil (vehicle) or lycopene (4 mg/kg) was administrated once daily by gavage to IR or IRL animals, respectively, 5 min after ischemia. Sham-operated animals were treated with vehicle by gavage 5 min after the operation. IR decreased sperm motility and concentration in both ipsilateral and contralateral testes and increased abnormal sperm rate in ipsilateral testis after 30 days of reperfusion. Treatment with lycopene increased the motility in bilateral testes and decreased the rate of abnormal sperm in ipsilateral testis to the sham level, but did not increase sperm concentration in bilateral testes. IR increased the activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase and the level of reduced glutathione by 24 h of reperfusion, but malondialdehyde remained unchanged. Lycopene treatment restored the enzyme activities but not the reduced glutathione level. Lycopene treatment also ameliorated the IR-induced tissue damage in bilateral testes. In conclusion, the therapeutic antioxidant effect of lycopene on germ cells could serve as a promising intervention to oxidative stress-associated infertility problems, such as testicular torsion. © 2009 Tohoku University Medical Press

Effects of 3-aminobenzamide on unilateral testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury: What is the role of PARP inhibition?

The therapeutic effects of poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibition by 3-aminobenzamide (3- AB) were investigated in testicular ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, using sperm analysis and histopathological and biochemical examinations, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Male rats were divided into 3 groups: sham (n = 12), I/R (n = 12), and I/R with 3-AB (I/R-3-AB) (n = 12). The left testicular artery was occluded for 1 h, followed by 24 h (for biochemical and histopathological examinations) and 30 days (for sperm analysis) of reperfusion. 3-AB treatment intraperitoneally 10 min prior to and 1 h after reperfusion increased the I/R-induced decrease in sperm motility in both testes and reduced the increased abnormal sperm rates in the ipsilateral testis. However, 3-AB treatment failed to prevent the I/R-induced decrease in sperm concentration in both testes. SOD and CAT activities did not change in any group. GSH-Px activity and GSH levels were increased by I/R. 3-AB treatment reversed the I/R-induced increase in GSH-Px activity, similar to the level in sham rats, but did not alter GSH levels. 3-AB treatment significantly increased the I/R-induced decrease in histopathologic score. In conclusion, 3-AB treatment has potential biochemical and histopathological benefits beyond improving sperm quality and may have the potential to decrease damage from testicular torsion

Effect of melatonin on epididymal sperm quality after testicular ischemia/reperfusion in rats

Objective: To determine the effect of melatonin, a pineal secretory product that prevents testicular ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury through its antioxidative properties, on epididymal sperm quality in a rat testicular IR injury model. Design: Experimental study. Setting: University pharmacology laboratory. Animal(s): Fifty-six 8-week-old male Wistar albino rats. Intervention(s): Left testicular artery and vein occluded for 1 hour; before the bilateral orchiectomy, the organ was allowed to reperfuse 30 days. Melatonin (10 mg/kg IP) or vehicle (1% ethanol in saline) was administrated for 10 minutes before reperfusion and for 1 hour after reperfusion. Main Outcome Measure(s): After 24 hours of reperfusion, the rats were decapitated, and the testicular tissue samples were obtained for histologic examination. In addition, after 30 days of reperfusion, the epididymal sperm concentration, motility, and abnormal sperm rates were determined in the sperm collected from the epididymis. Result(s): A statistically significant decrease in sperm concentration resulted from IR as well as an increase in sperm abnormalities, but the sperm motility did not change. Melatonin treatment did not prevent the IR-induced reduction in sperm concentration. However, melatonin treatment statistically significantly decreased the sperm abnormalities when compared with the IR injured samples. Conclusion(s): Melatonin may improve sperm morphology for a protective effect in IR-induced testicular injury. Crown Copyright © 2010