Effects of first and second trimester vaginal bleeding on pregnancy outcome

The effects of vaginal bleeding during first and second trimester on pregnancy outcomes was assessed in a hospital-based population of 268 non-diabetic women. The group of non-bleeders comprised 173 females whereas, there were 71 females with first and 24 with second trimester bleeding. Fetal loss (abortion) occurred in 34% of first trimester and 25% of second trimester bleeders. Low birth weight and preterm delivery were significantly associated with second trimester haemorrhage. The results suggest that first and second trimester vaginal bleeding correlates with adverse infant outcomes

Human Papillomavirus and Male Infertility: What Do We Know?

: In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to understanding the causes of infertility, which is being recognized as a growing health problem affecting large numbers of couples worldwide. Male infertility is a contributing factor in approximately 30-40% of cases, and one of its etiological causes is sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Among sexually transmitted pathogens, human papillomavirus (HPV) can contribute in various ways to the failure of spontaneous and assisted reproduction, acting in the different phases of conception, especially in the early ones. In particular, HPV infection can affect sperm DNA integrity, sperm motility, count, viability, and morphology and can induce the production of anti-sperm antibodies (ASAs). In this narrative review, we aimed to provide an overview of existing research on the potential adverse effects of HPV infection on male reproductive health. Furthermore, we analyzed how limiting the spread of the infection, particularly with gender-neutral vaccination, could be a possible therapeutic tool to counteract male and female fertility problems

Impaired circadian heart rate variability in Parkinson's disease: A time-domain analysis in ambulatory setting

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) decreases in Parkinson's disease (PD) and it can be considered a marker for cardiovascular dysautonomia. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate long-term time-domain analysis of HRV of PD patients and compare the results with those of matched healthy individuals. Methods: Idiopathic PD patients without comorbidity impairing HRV, and age-matched healthy individuals were recruited in a pilot study. A long-term time domain analysis of HRV using 24-h ambulatory ECG was performed. Results: Overall, 18 PD patients fulfilling inclusion criteria completed the evaluation (mean age was 55.6 ± 8.8, disease duration: 5.0 ± 4.7). Mean SCOPA-AUT score was 10.1 ± 7.3. Patients were on Hoehn & Yahr stage 1-2 and mean Levodopa Equivalent Dose (LED) was 311 ± 239.9. Mean of the 5-min standard deviation (SD) of R-R intervals distribution (SDNN) for all 5 min segments of the entire recording (ISDNN) was significantly lower in patients compared to controls. ISDNN was significantly different between Parkinson's disease patients and healthy controls. Conclusions: In our population characterized by mild to moderate disease severity, time-domain assessment of HRV seemed to be a potential tool to characterize cardiovascular dysautonomia. Decrease of ISDNN in PD may reflect an autonomic derangement extending all day and night long

Daya Tahan Spermatozoa Dalam Semen Cair Babi Landrace Pada Metode Penyimpanan Berbeda

Tujuan dilaksanakan penelitian ini untuk melihat pengaruh metode penyimpanan preservasi yang berbeda terhadap viabilitas spermatozoa semen babi landrace dalam pengencer alami air buah lontar (AL) dengan penambahan kuning telur ayam kampung (KT).  Semen diambil dari 5 ekor pejantan landrace yang telah dewasa kelamin. Setelah itu dilakukan pemeriksaan makros-mikros dari semen segar, semen dengan kriteria  motilitas , konsentrasi dan abnormalitas spermatozoa berturt-turut: >70%, >200 juta spermatozoa/ml, <20% yang layak untuk dijadikan semen cair. Perlakuan dalam penelitian:, P1(AL 95%+5% KT), P2(AL 85%+15% KT), P3(AL 75%+25% KT) yang simpan pada metode water jacket (WJ) dan P4(AL 95%+5% KT), P5(AL 85%+15% KT), P6(AL 75%+25% KT) yang disimpan dengan metode non water jacket (NWJ),  semen dikemas dalam mikrotube 1 ml dan disimpan pada suhu preservasi. Pada penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa viabilitas spermatozooa dalam pengencer alami air buah lontar yang ditambahkan dengan kuning telur ayam kampung memperlihatkan hasil yang baik pada kombinasi AL 85% dan KT25% pada penyimpanan water jacket.  Semen cair pada pengencer kombinasi tersebut diatas mampu bertahan hingga 28 jam penyimpanan

Is asthma control more than just an absence of symptoms? An expert consensus statement

Purpose: Definitions and measures of asthma control used in clinical trials and in clinical practice vary considerably. There is also misalignment between patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in terms of understanding and managing asthma control. This study aimed to progress towards a consensus definition of asthma control, and evaluate disparities between HCP and patient perspectives. Basic procedures: A two-stage Delphi questionnaire involving asthma specialists sought to identify areas of consensus on aspects of asthma control in clinical practice. Results were compared with those of a structured literature review to assess if existing guidance and measures of asthma control used in studies correlated with practice. Eighty-two panelists took part in the Delphi questionnaire. The structured literature review included 185 manuscripts and 31 abstracts. Main findings: Panelists agreed that there was no standard definition of asthma control, confirmed by a total of 19 different composite consensus/guideline definitions and/or validated measures of control being identified across the Delphi study and literature review. Panelists agreed on the positive associations of well-controlled asthma with patient outcomes, but not on the components or thresholds of a working definition of control. Principal conclusions: A universally accepted definition and measure of asthma control that is utilized and understood by patients, HCPs, and researchers is required

QT Indexes in Cirrhotic Patients: Relationship with Clinical Variables and Potential Diagnostic Predictive Value.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A wide spectrum of cardiovascular changes characterizes cirrhosis, ranging from subclinical alterations to hyperkinetic syndrome. We looked for ECG markers of ventricular repolarization in a population of patients with cirrhosis in comparison to patients without cirrhosis and we investigated the relationship between these and other clinical and laboratory variables. METHODS: In 149 patients with cirrhosis and 152 controls, we measured QT maximum interval (QTmax), QT corrected interval (QTc), QT minimum interval (QTmin), QT dispersion (QTdisp), QT peak and T peak-to-end (TpTe). RESULTS: In subjects with cirrhosis, in comparison with controls, we observed a higher mean QTmax, mean QTc, mean QTmin, mean QTdisp and mean TpTe. At Cox regression analysis, diastolic blood pressure and beta-blocker treatment were significantly associated with mean QTmax, hypertension with mean QTmin and mean QTc, diastolic blood pressure, beta-blockers and ACE-inhibitors/ARBs with QT disp, and beta-blockers with TpTe. Analysis of ROC curves showed a significant area under curve towards cirrhosis diagnosis, respectively, for a cut-off value of >400 msec of QTmax, >360 msec of QTmin, >450 msec of QTc, >105 msec of TpTe and >55 msec of QTdisp

DAYA TAHAN SPERMATOZOA DALAM SEMEN CAIR BABI LANDRACE PADA METODE PENYIMPANAN BERBEDA

Tujuan dilaksanakan penelitian ini untuk melihat pengaruh metode penyimpanan preservasi yang berbeda terhadap viabilitas spermatozoa semen babi landrace dalam pengencer alami air buah lontar (AL) dengan penambahan kuning telur ayam kampung (KT).  Semen diambil dari 5 ekor pejantan landrace yang telah dewasa kelamin. Setelah itu dilakukan pemeriksaan makros-mikros dari semen segar, semen dengan kriteria  motilitas , konsentrasi dan abnormalitas spermatozoa berturt-turut: >70%, >200 juta spermatozoa/ml, <20% yang layak untuk dijadikan semen cair. Perlakuan dalam penelitian:, P1(AL 95%+5% KT), P2(AL 85%+15% KT), P3(AL 75%+25% KT) yang simpan pada metode water jacket (WJ) dan P4(AL 95%+5% KT), P5(AL 85%+15% KT), P6(AL 75%+25% KT) yang disimpan dengan metode non water jacket (NWJ),  semen dikemas dalam mikrotube 1 ml dan disimpan pada suhu preservasi. Pada penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa viabilitas spermatozooa dalam pengencer alami air buah lontar yang ditambahkan dengan kuning telur ayam kampung memperlihatkan hasil yang baik pada kombinasi AL 85% dan KT25% pada penyimpanan water jacket.  Semen cair pada pengencer kombinasi tersebut diatas mampu bertahan hingga 28 jam penyimpanan

Inhibition of Y1 receptor signaling improves islet transplant outcome

Failure to secrete sufficient quantities of insulin is a pathological feature of type-1 and type-2 diabetes, and also reduces the success of islet cell transplantation. Here we demonstrate that Y1 receptor signaling inhibits insulin release in β-cells, and show that this can be pharmacologically exploited to boost insulin secretion. Transplanting islets with Y1 receptor deficiency accelerates the normalization of hyperglycemia in chemically induced diabetic recipient mice, which can also be achieved by short-term pharmacological blockade of Y1 receptors in transplanted mouse and human islets. Furthermore, treatment of non-obese diabetic mice with a Y1 receptor antagonist delays the onset of diabetes. Mechanistically, Y1 receptor signaling inhibits the production of cAMP in islets, which via CREB mediated pathways results in the down-regulation of several key enzymes in glycolysis and ATP production. Thus, manipulating Y1 receptor signaling in β-cells offers a unique therapeutic opportunity for correcting insulin deficiency as it occurs in the pathological state of type-1 diabetes as well as during islet transplantation.Islet transplantation is considered one of the potential treatments for T1DM but limited islet survival and their impaired function pose limitations to this approach. Here Loh et al. show that the Y1 receptor is expressed in β- cells and inhibition of its signalling, both genetic and pharmacological, improves mouse and human islet function.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Multimodal freight transportation: sustainability challenges

Due to globalization in trade, the development of multimodal cargo shipments and the related transport needs have created a range of challenges. Interestingly, sustainability of multimodal freight transportation is still subject to minor consideration, on the grounds that economic interests are frequently positioned much higher than social or environmental objectives. This proposed research plan is needed to assess whether and to what extent the multimodal freight system is achieving the results in the sustainability dimensions: economic, social and environmental. Thus, it will carry out a critical appraisal of the multimodal freight transportation sector to provide an up-to-date knowledge on the sustainability challenges and the potential solutions through doctoral research. This paper structured to present a review of existing literature on freight transportation and multimodal freight transport highlighting the sustainability concerns with multimodal freight transport systems. It also highlights the gaps in knowledge with a justification on the need to address these gaps for the system to function optimally. It also covers the methodology that would be applied and the sources of data that would be reviewed to ensure the aim and objectives are clearly addressed. The paper concludes by discussing the significance of the expected findings in the light of sustainability in multimodal freight transport to the academia, policy makers and the freight transportation industry