Radiative Correction Effects of a Very Heavy Top

If the top is very heavy, m_t >> M_Z, the dominant radiative correction effects in all electroweak precision tests can be exactly characterized in terms of two quantities, the rho-parameter and the GIM violating Z -> b bbar coupling. These quantities can be computed using the Standard Model Lagrangian with vanishing gauge couplings. This is done here up to two loops for arbitrary values of the Higgs mass.Comment: 9 pages, report IFUP-TH 20/9

The active components of lavender use for anxiety and insomnia

Treballs Finals de Grau de Farmàcia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, 2015. Tutora: Laura Torras Claveria.[eng] Lavender essential oil has been used in folk medicine since ancient times as an anxiolytic, mood stabilizer, sedative, analgesic, anticonvulsive and a wide range of neurological disorders, therefore a recent increase in the popularity of alternative medicine and natural products has renewed interest in lavender as a potential natural remedy when normal medicine cannot be employed. Consequently, this memory briefly describes not only the oil composition of lavender, taking into account several factors such as genotype, seasons and extraction method, but also the therapeutical effects of the principal components found in this valuable substance like sedative, antimicrobial and antinoceptive effects, the mode of action of each one and the commercial products containing the oil. In order to achieve these objectives, a deep research had been carried out from several databases, web pages and books, with the aim to achieve a solid scientific base. In conclusion, this memory demonstrates that the factors studied (genotype, seasons and extraction method) have a direct impact on the chemical configuration of the essential oil of lavender. In addition, clinical evidence demonstrates the efficacy of lavender’s oil against sleeping and anxiety disorders, it’s antibacterial and antifungal activity and finally it’s antinoceptive properties. Evidence that can be seen through wide range of commercial products found nowadays in the market in order to treat the disorders mentioned above.[cat] L’oli essencial de lavanda ha estat utilitzat en la medicina tradicional des de l’antiguitat com a ansiolític, estabilitzador de l’estat d’ànim, sedant, analgèsic, anticonvulsiu i altres desordres neuronals, motiu pel qual un recent augment en la popularitat de la medicina alternativa i de productes naturals ha renovat l’interès per la lavanda com a potencial remei natural quan la medicina tradicional no pot ser utilitzada. Conseqüentment, aquesta memòria descriu breument no només la composició de l’oli essencial de la lavanda, tenint en compte variïs factors com el genotip, les estacions de l’any i el mètode d’extracció, sinó també els efectes terapèutics dels principals components que es poden trobar en aquesta apreciada substància com seria sedatius, antisèptic i antinoceptiu, el mecanisme d’acció de cadascun d’ells i els productes comercials que contenen l’oli. Per tal d’aconseguir aquests objectius, es va fer una recerca profunda a partir de bases de dades, pàgines web i llibres amb l’objectiu d’aconseguir una base científica sòlida. Per concloure, aquesta memòria demostra que els factors estudiats (genotip, estacions de l’any i mètode d’extracció) afecten la configuració química de l’oli essencial de lavanda. Adicionalment, l’evidència clínica demostra l’eficàcia de l’oli en desordres de la son i l’ansietat, el poder antibacterià i antifúngic i finalment les propietats antinoceptives. Tot això es pot veure en el gran ventall de productes comercials que es poden trobar al mercat avui en dia destinats a tractar els desordres mencionats anteriorment

Initiation of ovarian stimulation independent of the menstrual cycle (random-start) in an oocyte donation programme a large, single-center experience

Research Question Do live birth rates differ between recipients matched with donors using conventional ovarian stimulation versus those using random-start protocols? Design Retrospective analysis of 891 ovarian stimulations in egg donors (January-December 2018) and clinical outcomes in matched recipients (n=935). Donors commenced ovarian stimulation on day 1/3 of the menstrual cycle (n=223) or in the mid/late-follicular (n=388) or luteal phase (n=280) under a conventional antagonist protocol. Live birth rate of matched recipients was the main outcome. Results Duration of stimulation and total gonadotropins dose were comparable between conventional versus random-start groups. The number of collected eggs were also similar: 17.6±8.8 vs 17.2±8.5, p=0.6, respectively. Sub-group analysis showed an increased stimulation length (10.2±1.8 vs 9.8±1.7 vs 10.4±1.7, p<0.001) and gonadotropin consumption (2041.5±645.3 vs 2003.2±647.3 vs 2158.2±685.7 IU, p=0.01) in the luteal phase group vs the mid/late follicular and conventional groups; respectively. In matched recipients receiving fresh oocytes and undergoing fresh embryo transfer, the biochemical pregnancy (63.8% and 63.3%; p=0.9), clinical pregnancy (54.6% and 56.1%; p=0.8) and live birth rates (47.7% and 46.6%; p=0.7) per embryo-transfer were similar between conventional versus random groups. Similar results were obtained in recipients receiving vitrified eggs. Euploidy rate was also comparable. Conclusions There were no notable variations in clinical outcomes using oocytes obtained from random-start protocols and those proceeding from conventional ovarian stimulation in oocyte donation treatments. However, luteal-phase stimulation seems to require longer stimulation and higher FSH consumption. Our results indicate that random-start stimulation strategy does not impair the potential of the oocyte yield or clinical outcomes in oocyte donation cycles

Influence of the starting day of luteal phase stimulation on double stimulation cycles

BackgroundDouble ovarian stimulation is one of the most used strategies in poor-prognosis patients. There is a high heterogeneity between the studies regarding the execution of this stimulation protocol. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the day on which luteal phase stimulation begins after the first oocyte retrieval affects ovarian response in DuoStim cycles.MethodsThis observational and retrospective study included 541 DuoStim cycles between January 2018 and December 2021 in a private fertility clinic. Patients were assigned to 4 groups according to the timing of the onset of luteal phase stimulation after oocyte retrieval (0-2nd day, 3rd day, 4th day and 5th-6th day). The primary outcome was the number of oocytes retrieved in the luteal phase in each group.ResultsNo differences were found between groups in the number of oocytes collected (5.12 ± 3.56 vs. 5.39 ± 3.74 vs. 5.61 ± 3.94 vs. 5.89 ± 3.92; p=0,6), MII or number of follicles. An increase in the duration of stimulation was found when stimulation started on the 4th day (10.42 ± 2.31 vs. 10.68 ± 2.37 vs. 11.27 ± 2.40 vs. 10.65 ± 2.37 days, p=0,033). A lower number of fertilized oocytes was observed when stimulation began before the fourth day (3.36 ± 2.80 vs. 3.95 ± 2.53 vs. 4.03 ± 2.73 vs. 4.48 ± 3.11; p=0,036). The number of blastocysts was higher when the stimulation started 5-6 days after retrieval (1.82 ± 1.74 vs. 2.13 ± 1.61 vs. 2.33 ± 2.06 vs. 2.91 ± 2.39; p= 0,030).DiscussionThe number of oocytes retrieved does not differ depending on the day that stimulation begins. However, oocytes competence in terms of fertilized oocytes and blastulation, appears to be lower when the second stimulation starts before the fourth day after oocyte retrieval

Cervical pessary and cerclage placement for preterm birth prevention and cervicovaginal microbiome changes

Cervical length; Microbial diversity; PessaryLongitud cervical; Diversidad microbiana; PesarioLongitud cervical; Diversitat microbiana; PessariIntroduction Our objective was to compare the vaginal microbiome in low-risk and high-risk pregnant women and to explore a potential association between vaginal microbiome and preterm birth. Material and methods A pilot, consecutive, longitudinal, multicenter study was conducted in pregnant women at 18–22 weeks of gestation. Participants were assigned to one of three groups: control (normal cervix), pessary (cervical length ≤25 mm) and cerclage (cervical length ≤25 mm or history of preterm birth). Analysis and comparison of vaginal microbiota as a primary outcome was performed at inclusion and at 30 weeks of gestation, along with a follow-up of pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. We assessed the vaginal microbiome of pregnant women presenting a short cervix with that of pregnant women having a normal cervix, and compared the vaginal microbiome of women with a short cervix before and after placement of a cervical pessary or a cervical cerclage. Results The microbiome of our control cohort was dominated by Lactobacillus crispatus and inners. Five community state types were identified and microbiome diversity did not change significantly over 10 weeks in controls. On the other hand, a short cervix was associated with a lower microbial load and higher microbial richness, and was not correlated with Lactobacillus relative abundance. After intervention, the cerclage group (n = 19) had a significant increase in microbial richness and a shift towards community state types driven by various bacterial species, including Lactobacillus mulieris, unidentified Bifidobacterium or Enterococcus. These changes were not significantly observed in the pessary (n = 26) and control (n = 35) groups. The cerclage group had more threatened preterm labor episodes and poorer outcomes than the control and pessary groups. Conclusions These findings indicate that a short cervix is associated with an altered vaginal microbiome community structure. The use of a cerclage for preterm birth prevention, as compared with a pessary, was associated with a microbial community harboring a relatively low abundance of Lactobacillus, with more threatened preterm labor episodes, and with poorer clinical outcomes.This study was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III/FEDER FIS PI15/02043; Beca Dexeus Mujer 2015. Francisca Yáñez was supported by a grant from ANID, BECAS Chile, N° 72190278. Zixuan Xie received a fellowship from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action, Innovative Training Network: FunHoMic; grant number 812969

Cardioprotective Effects of Chronic Release Formulations of Subcutaneous Implants of Carvedilol in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Introducción: En nuestro laboratorio hemos desarrollado implantes subcutáneos de carvedilol capaces de mantener niveles lasmáticos sostenidos del β-bloqueante durante 3 semanas. Objetivo: Evaluación de la liberación in vivo y la eficacia cardioprotectora de implantes subcutáneos de carvedilol desarrollados con poliepsilon- caprolactona (PCL) y Soluplus (SP) en ratas espontáneamente hipertensas (REH). Materiales y métodos: Se utilizaron 12 REH macho (250-300 g), a las cuales se colocó un implante subcutáneo cada 3 semanas de PCL: SP 100:50 mg (control, n = 6) o carvedilol: PCL:SP (100mg:100mg:50mg) (carvedilol, n = 6). Se evaluó el perfil plasmático y el efecto sobre la presión arterial sistólica (PAS) durante 62 días. Al final del tratamiento, se realizaron determinaciones ecocardiográficas y la medición de la PAS y. la presión arterial media (PAM) directas. Resultados: El grupo que recibió el implante conteniendo 100 mg de carvedilol presentó concentraciones plasmáticas del fármaco en el rango de 100- 500 ng/mL a lo largo de 62 días de tratamiento, luego del cual la PAS fue 20 mmHg menor que en el grupo control (217 ± 3 mmHg vs. 237 ± 6 mmHg; p <0,05). Las PAS y PAM directas fueron significativamente menores el grupo tratado que en el control. El implante de carvedilol 100 mg redujo la variabilidad de la presión arterial (VPA) de corto plazo en comparación con el control. Parámetros ecocardiográficos como la fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI), fracción de acortamiento, y relación E/A fueron significativamente mayores en las ratas tratadas. El peso del VI fue menor en las ratas que recibieron el implante con carvedilol. Conclusión: Los implantes conteniendo CAR/PCL/SP (100:100:50) mg aportan niveles plasmáticos terapéuticos de carvedilol y estables durante el transcurso del tratamiento, los cuales se correlacionan con una disminución significativa y sostenida de los valores de PA indirecta. El tratamiento con los implantes de carvedilol logró atenuar los valores de PA directa y su variabilidad en las REH. Se demostró que el tratamiento con los implantes ejerció un efecto cardioprotector evidenciado en el ecocardiograma y por una reducción de la hipertrofia ventricular izquierda.Background: In our laboratory, we have developed subcutaneous implants of carvedilol capable of maintaining stable concentrations of the β-blocker during 3 weeks.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo release and the cardioprotective efficacy of subcutaneous implants of carvedilol developed with poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) and Soluplus (SP) polymers in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).Methods: Twelve spontaneously hypertensive male rats (250-300 g) underwent placement of subcutaneous implant of PCL:SP 100:50 mg (control group, n = 6) or carvedilol:PCL:SP (100mg:100mg:50mg) (carvedilol group, n = 6), every 3 weeks. The plasma profile of each implant and its effect on systolic blood pressure (SBP) was evaluated for 62 days. At the end of treatment, echocardiographic parameters were determined, and direct SBP and direct mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured.Results: The group that received the implant containing 100 mg of carvedilol presented plasma concentrations of the drug in the range of 100- 500 ng/mL throughout 62 days of treatment, after which the SBP was 20 mmHg lower than in the control group (217±3 mm Hg vs. 237 ± 6 mm Hg; p <0.05). Direct SBP and MAP were significantly lower in the treated group than in the controlgroup. The implant loaded with carvedilol 100 mg reduced short-term blood pressure variability (BPV) in SHR compared with the control group. Echocardiographic parameters as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), shortening fraction and E/A ratio were significantly greater in treated rats. Left ventricular weight was lower in the rats with carvedilol implant.Conclusion: Implants containing CAR/PCL/SP (100:100:50) mg provide therapeutic and stable plasma levels of carvedilol during treatment, which correlate with a significant and sustained decrease in indirect BP values. Treatment with carvedilol implants attenuated direct BP values and blood pressure variability in SHR. Treatment with implant produced cardioprotective effects evidenced in the echocardiogram by a reduction in left ventricular hypertrophy.Fil: Allo, Miguel Angel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología; ArgentinaFil: Santander Plantamura, Yanina Alejandra. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología; ArgentinaFil: Bernabeu, Ezequiel Adrian. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Tecnología Farmacéutica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Bin, Eliana Pamela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología; ArgentinaFil: Moretton, Marcela Analía. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Tecnología Farmacéutica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Carranza, Andrea. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología; ArgentinaFil: Chiappetta, Diego Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Tecnología Farmacéutica; ArgentinaFil: Höcht, Christian. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología; Argentin

Management and outcome of pregnancies in women with red cell isoimmunization: a 15-year observational study from a tertiary care university hospital

Isoimmunization; Newborn hemolytic disease; Intrauterine transfusionIsoinmunización; Enfermedad hemolítica del recién nacido; Transfusión intrauterinaIsoimmunització; Malaltia hemolítica del nounat; Transfusió intrauterinaBackground: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of the different anti-erythrocytic alloantibodies, to describe pregnancy outcomes according to a low-risk and high-risk classification for fetal anemia and to determine the factors that influence adverse perinatal outcomes. Methods: This retrospective observational study included women referred to our center following the identification of maternal anti-erythrocytic alloantibodies between 2002 and 2017. Pregnancies were classified as high risk for fetal anemia in cases with clinically significant antibodies, no fetal-maternal compatibility and titers ≥1:16 or any titration in cases of Kell system incompatibility. In high-risk pregnancies, maternal antibody titration and the fetal middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) were monitored. Low-risk pregnancies underwent routine pregnancy follow-up. Results: Maternal antibodies were found in 337 pregnancies, and 259 (76.9%) of these antibodies were clinically significant. The most frequent antibodies were anti-D (53%) and anti-K (19%). One hundred forty-three pregnancies were classified as low risk for fetal anemia, 65 (25%) cases were classified as no fetal-maternal incompatibility, 78 had clinically nonsignificant antibodies, 4 (2.8%) resulted in first-trimester pregnancy loss, and 139 (97.2%) resulted in livebirths. Of the 194 high-risk pregnancies, 38 had titers 1.5 MoM, resulting in 3 intrauterine deaths, 6 terminations and 48 livebirths. Ninety-two intrauterine transfusions were performed in 45 fetuses (87% anti-D). Adverse outcomes were related to a MCA-PSV > 1.5 MoM (p < 0.001), hydrops (p < 0.001) and early gestational age at first transfusion (p = 0.029) Conclusion: Anti-D remains the most common antibody in fetuses requiring intrauterine transfusion. A low or high-risk classification for fetal anemia based on the type of antibody, paternal phenotype and fetal antigen allows follow-up of the pregnancy accordingly, with good perinatal outcomes in the low-risk group. In the high-risk group, adverse perinatal outcomes are related to high MCA-PSV, hydrops and early gestational age at first transfusion