Comparison of plasmakinetic transurethral resection of the prostate with monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate in terms of urethral stricture rates in patients with comorbidities

PurposeTo compare urethral stricture rates in comorbid patients undergoing plasmakinetic transurethral resection of the prostate (PK-TURP) and monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (M-TURP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia.MethodsThe data of 317 patients with comorbidities undergoing either PK-TURP or M-TURP from September 2008 to December 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. Preoperative and postoperative 12-month International Prostate Symptom Score, maximal flow rate, postoperative International Index of Erectile Function scores, and urethral stricture rates were evaluated.ResultsA total of 154 patients underwent M-TURP and 163 patients underwent PK-TURP. Urethral stricture rates were 6/154 in the M-TURP treatment arm and 17/163 in the PK-TURP treatment arm (P=0.000). In the presence of hypertension and/or coronary artery disease and/or diabetes mellitus, the risk of urethral stricture complication was significantly higher in the PK-TURP group than in the M-TURP group (P=0.000).ConclusionsThe risk of urethral stricture increases with PK-TURP in elderly patients with a large prostate and concomitant hypertension and/or coronary artery disease and/or diabetes mellitus. Therefore, PK-TURP should be performed cautiously in this group of benign prostatic hyperplasia patients

Antioxidant Properties of Coffee Arabica from the Arjasari District that is Processed Naturally, Semi-Washed and Full-Washed

Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) planted in the Arjsari area has the quality of being a specialty coffee that has superior taste and quality. Post-harvest processing can affect the content of the compounds in coffee such that it will affect the quality of the coffee beans. The post-harvest process from coffee cherries to green coffee beans in a natural, semi-washed, and full-washed manner affects the physical form and taste quality of the coffee beans. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant properties of green coffee beans processed by three different post-harvest processes. The test was carried out in vitro using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl) method. Antioxidant activity can be seen from the IC50 value. Vitamin C with an IC50 value of 6.1899 ppm was used in comparison. The test results showed that the three ethanolic extracts of green coffee beans had very strong antioxidant properties when compared with the Vitamin C, with the IC50 values of natural, full-washed, and semi-washed ethanolic extract of green coffee beans, respectively being - 33.8648; 27.1245; and 26.9975 ppm. Keywords: antioxidant, arabica coffee, coffea arabica L. post-harvest proces

Magnetotransport properties of La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 with different grain sizes

The magnetotransport and magnetoresistive (MR)properties of manganese-based La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 perovskite with different grain sizes are reported. The electrical resistivity was measured as a function of temperature in magnetic fields of 0.5 and 1 T. The insulator–metal transition temperature, TIM, shifted to a higher temperature with the application of the magnetic field. In zero field, TIM is almost constant (∼271 K) for all samples except for the sample with the largest grain size, where TIM = 265 K. The temperature dependence of resistivity was fitted with several equations in the metallic (ferromagnetic) region and the insulating (paramagnetic) region. The density of states at the Fermi level, N(EF), and the activation energy of electron hopping were estimated by fitting the resistivity versus temperature curves. The ρ–T 2 curves are nearly linear in the metallic regime, but the ρ–T 2.5 curves exhibit a deviation from linearity. The variable range hopping model and small polaron hopping model fit the data well in the high-temperature region,indicating the existence of the Jahn–Teller distortion that localizes the charge carriers. MR was found to increase with an increase in the magnetic field, an effect which is attributed to the intergrain spin tunneling effect

Sound velocity in perovskite manganites La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 with different grain sizes

The longitudinal and shear sound velocities in colossal magnetoresistive material La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 sintered at 1100, 1250 and 1350 1C with average grain size 1, 3 and 5 mm, respectively, have been measured from 80 to 300K using the pulse-echo-overlap method.A pronounced increase in the longitudinal sound velocity was observed in all samples around the insulator–metal transition temperature (TIM272 K). XRD patterns showed the orthorhombic structure for all samples. The longitudinal and shear velocities showed the largest hysteresis for the sample with 3 mm grain size. A step-like shear sound velocity anomaly near 120K during cooling or warming was observed to be dependent on the grain size

Two new xanthones from Artocarpus obtusus

Two new xanthones, pyranocycloartobiloxanthone A (1) and dihydroartoindonesianin C (2), were isolated from the stem bark of Artocarpus obtusus Jarrett by chromatographic separation. Their structures were determined by using spectroscopic methods and comparison with known related compounds. Pyranocycloartobiloxanthone A (1) showed strong free radical scavenging activity by using DPPH assay as well as cytotoxicity towards K562, HL-60, and MCF7 cell lines

A novel treatment strategy for preterm birth: Intra-vaginal progesterone-loaded fibrous patches

Progesterone-loaded poly(lactic) acid fibrous polymeric patches were produced using electrospinning and pressurized gyration for intra-vaginal application to prevent preterm birth. The patches were intravaginally inserted into rats in the final week of their pregnancy, equivalent to the third trimester of human pregnancy. Maintenance tocolysis with progesterone-loaded patches was elucidated by recording the contractile response of uterine smooth muscle to noradrenaline in pregnant rats. Both progesterone-loaded patches indicated similar results from release and thermal studies, however, patches obtained by electrospinning had smaller average diameters and more uniform dispersion compared to pressurized gyration. Patches obtained by pressurized gyration had better results in production yield and tensile strength than electrospinning; thereby pressurized gyration is better suited for scaled-up production. The patches did not affect cell attachment, viability, and proliferation on Vero cells negatively. Consequently, progesterone-loaded patches are a novel and successful treatment strategy for preventing preterm birth

Genome sequence of an Australian kangaroo, Macropus eugenii, provides insight into the evolution of mammalian reproduction and development.

BACKGROUND: We present the genome sequence of the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, which is a member of the kangaroo family and the first representative of the iconic hopping mammals that symbolize Australia to be sequenced. The tammar has many unusual biological characteristics, including the longest period of embryonic diapause of any mammal, extremely synchronized seasonal breeding and prolonged and sophisticated lactation within a well-defined pouch. Like other marsupials, it gives birth to highly altricial young, and has a small number of very large chromosomes, making it a valuable model for genomics, reproduction and development. RESULTS: The genome has been sequenced to 2 × coverage using Sanger sequencing, enhanced with additional next generation sequencing and the integration of extensive physical and linkage maps to build the genome assembly. We also sequenced the tammar transcriptome across many tissues and developmental time points. Our analyses of these data shed light on mammalian reproduction, development and genome evolution: there is innovation in reproductive and lactational genes, rapid evolution of germ cell genes, and incomplete, locus-specific X inactivation. We also observe novel retrotransposons and a highly rearranged major histocompatibility complex, with many class I genes located outside the complex. Novel microRNAs in the tammar HOX clusters uncover new potential mammalian HOX regulatory elements. CONCLUSIONS: Analyses of these resources enhance our understanding of marsupial gene evolution, identify marsupial-specific conserved non-coding elements and critical genes across a range of biological systems, including reproduction, development and immunity, and provide new insight into marsupial and mammalian biology and genome evolution

Developing a Safer Conception Intervention for Men Living with HIV in South Africa

Within sexual partnerships, men make many decisions about sexual behavior, reproductive goals, and HIV prevention. There are increasing calls to involve men in reproductive health and HIV prevention. This paper describes the process of creating and evaluating the acceptability of a safer conception intervention for men living with HIV who want to have children with partners at risk for acquiring HIV in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Based on formative work conducted with men and women living with HIV, their partners, and providers, we developed an intervention based on principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy to support men in the adoption of HIV risk-reduction behaviors such as HIV-serostatus disclosure and uptake of and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Structured group discussions were used to explore intervention acceptability and feasibility. Our work demonstrates that men are eager for reproductive health services, but face unique barriers to accessing them