Diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes by the detection of thyroid hormones in vaginal secretions

Background: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and preterm PROM (PPROM) are the rupture of the fetal chorioamniotic membranes before the onset of labor contractions. Objectives: To evaluate whether detection of thyroid hormones in vaginal washouts can be used to diagnose premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Patients and Methods: Total T4 (thyroxin), total T3 (triiodothyronine), and free T4 concentrations in vaginal washouts were analyzed in 45 women with the diagnosis of PROM and compared with 45 normal pregnancies (controls). A Student�s t-test was used for comparison of thyroid hormone values and a ROC curve was used for analyzing the diagnostic accuracy Results: There were no differences between the patients with PROM and the control women regarding maternal age, gestational age, and parity. The mean concentration of total T4 in the PROM group and the control subjects were 2.1 ± 1.3 jig/mL and 1.55 ± 0.58 jig/, respectively (P = 0.01). Total T3 concentration in the PROM group was significantly higher compared to the controls (1.28 ± 0.42 ng/ vs. 0.8 ± 0.26 ng/, P < 0.0001). Also, free T4 concentration was significantly higher in the PROM group as compared with the controls (0.026 ± 0.034 ng/ vs.0.007 ± 0.004 ng/, P < 0.0001). The ROC curve analysis showed that total T4=1.685 jig/ had a sensitivity of 62, specificity of 76, positive predictive value (PPV) of 71.8, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 66.7. Total T3 = 0.82 ng/ gave a sensitivity of 91, specificity of 64, PPV of 72, and NPV of 87.8. Free T4 = 0.01 ng/ gave a sensitivity of 51, specificity of 82, PPV of 74.2, and NPV of 62.7. The best cutoff values were total T4 = 1.685 ng/, total T3 = 0.82 ng/, and free T4 = 0.01 ng/. Conclusions: Detecting total T4, total T3, and free T4 in vaginal washouts of patients suspected of PROM suspected is a simple, available, rapid, and inexpensive method for the diagnosis of PROM. However, a combination of three tests is recommended. © 2015, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Proton-Coupled Electron-Transfer Mechanism for the Radical Scavenging Activity of Cardiovascular Drug Dipyridamole

Dipyridamole (DIP) is a well-known pharmaceutical drug used as a coronary vasodilator and anti-platelet agent in clinics for treating several cardiovascular diseases. Primarily, the therapeutic effects of the drug are attributed to its antioxidant potency. In this research, we aim to declare the unknown antioxidant mechanism of DIP as well as its potent chain-breaking antioxidant activity in polar aqueous medium inside the cells, using different experimental methods and theoretical quantum calculations. Data demonstrated the higher antioxidant capacity of DIP against ROS and free radicals in polar cell's interior. DIP is capable of generating long living and noninvasive DIP• radicals in oxidant condition that leads to an effective “chain-breaking antioxidant” activity. Quantum computational data indicated that DIP antioxidant has more favorable ionization potential than trolox which means DIP has higher antioxidant activity. Also, data showed that the direct hydrogen-transfer is not a favorable process to construct DIP• because of high barrier energy, though electron-transfer process can more easily to produce DIP•+ with the lowest barrier energy. Altogether, the electron donating potency of DIP to reduce ferric ion, having the low anodic oxidation peak potential, producing long lived stable DIP• radicals and protecting myoblast cells from oxidation, proposed the excellent “chain-breaking antioxidant” potency via electron-transfer mechanism of this vasodilator DIP drug in polar aqueous medium

COVID-19, de novo seizures, and epilepsy: a systematic review

Objective: We discuss the evidence on the occurrence of de novo seizures in patients with COVID-19, the consequences of this catastrophic disease in people with epilepsy (PWE), and the electroencephalographic (EEG) findings in patients with COVID-19. Methods: This systematic review was prepared according to the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase from inception to August 15, 2020 were systematically searched. These key words were used: �COVID� AND �seizure� OR �epilepsy� OR �EEG� OR �status epilepticus� OR �electroencephalography�. Results: We could identify 62 related manuscripts. Many studies were case reports or case series of patients with COVID-19 and seizures. PWE showed more psychological distress than healthy controls. Many cases with new-onset focal seizures, serial seizures, and status epilepticus have been reported in the literature. EEG studies have been significantly ignored and underused globally. Conclusion: Many PWE perceived significant disruption in the quality of care to them, and some people reported increase in their seizure frequency since the onset of the pandemic. Telemedicine is a helpful technology that may improve access to the needed care for PWE in these difficult times. De novo seizures may occur in people with COVID-19 and they may happen in a variety of forms. In addition to prolonged EEG monitoring, performing a through metabolic investigation, electrocardiogram, brain imaging, and a careful review of all medications are necessary steps. The susceptibility of PWE to contracting COVID-19 should be investigated further. © 2020, Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia

The association between menarche age and first offspring sex ratio

Background: Offspring sex ratio (OSR) serves as an important social factor, and various other factors are hypothesized to be associated with it, such as maternal diet, time of ovulation and insemination, environmental phenomena, parental age, and infertility treatment. Objectives: This research was performed to assess the association between mothers� menarche age, first pregnancy age, and sex ratio of first offspring. Patients and Methods: In this retrospective study, 2,000 Iranian women of reproductive age were recruited to assess their menarche age, first pregnancy age, and first OSR. Results: The mean age of the participants was 29.6 ± 7.09, their mean menarche age was 13.25 ± 1.21, and the mean age of their first pregnancy was 23.9 ± 4.35. Total OSR was 0.932. The OSR (calculated as the proportion of male to female offspring) was higher when the menarche age was younger (P < 0.05). In women of younger pregnancy age, the OSR was higher (P < 0.05). First pregnancy age was younger in women with a menarche age under 13 years (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Women of younger menarche age will have younger first pregnancy ages and a greater chance of having a male first offspring. © 2016, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

A Comparative Interaction between Copper Ions with Alzheimer's β

The interaction of Cu2+ with the first 16 residues of the Alzheimer's amyliod β peptide, Aβ(1–16), and human serum albumin (HSA) were studied in vitro by isothermal titration calorimetry at pH 7.2 and 310 K in aqueous solution. The solvation parameters recovered from the extended solvation model indicate that HSA is involved in the transport of copper ion. Complexes between Aβ(1–16) and copper ions have been proposed to be an aberrant interaction in the development of Alzheimer's disease, where Cu2+ is involved in Aβ(1–16) aggregation. The indexes of stability indicate that HSA removed Cu2+ from Aβ(1–16), rapidly, decreased Cu-induced aggregation of Aβ(1–16), and reduced the toxicity of Aβ(1–16) + Cu2+ significantly

Small palladium islands embedded in palladium-tungsten bimetallic nanoparticles form catalytic hotspots for oxygen reduction

The sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode side of proton exchange membrane fuel cells is one major technical challenge for realizing sustainable solutions for the transportation sector. Finding efficient yet cheap electrocatalysts to speed up this reaction therefore motivates researchers all over the world. Here we demonstrate an efficient synthesis of palladium-tungsten bimetallic nanoparticles supported on ordered mesoporous carbon. Despite a very low percentage of noble metal (palladium: tungsten = 1:8), the hybrid catalyst material exhibits a performance equal to commercial 60% platinum/Vulcan for the oxygen reduction process. The high catalytic efficiency is explained by the formation of small palladium islands embedded at the surface of the palladium-tungsten bimetallic nanoparticles, generating catalytic hotspots. The palladium islands are similar to 1 nm in diameter, and contain 10-20 palladium atoms that are segregated at the surface. Our results may provide insight into the formation, stabilization and performance of bimetallic nanoparticles for catalytic reactions

Biological activities of fusarochromanone: a potent anti-cancer agent

Background Fusarochromanone (FC101) is a small molecule fungal metabolite with a host of interesting biological functions, including very potent anti-angiogenic and direct anti-cancer activity. Results Herein, we report that FC101 exhibits very potent in-vitro growth inhibitory effects (IC50 ranging from 10nM-2.5 μM) against HaCat (pre-malignant skin), P9-WT (malignant skin), MCF-7 (low malignant breast), MDA-231 (malignant breast), SV-HUC (premalignant bladder), UM-UC14 (malignant bladder), and PC3 (malignant prostate) in a time-course and dose-dependent manner, with the UM-UC14 cells being the most sensitive. FC101 induces apoptosis and an increase in proportion of cells in the sub-G1 phase in both HaCat and P9-WT cell lines as evidenced by cell cycle profile analysis. In a mouse xenograft SCC tumor model, FC101 was well tolerated, non-toxic, and achieved a 30% reduction in tumor size at a dose of 8 mg/kg/day. FC101 is also a potent anti-angiogenenic agent. At nanomolar doses, FC101 inhibits the vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A)-mediated proliferation of endothelial cells. Conclusions Our data presented here indicates that FC101 is an excellent lead candidate for a small molecule anti-cancer agent that simultaneously affects angiogenesis signaling, cancer signal transduction, and apoptosis. Further understanding of the underlying FC101’s molecular mechanism may lead to the design of novel targeted and selective therapeutics, both of which are pursued targets in cancer drug discovery

Acquired Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis Due to Multiple and Unusual HPV Infection Among Vertically-Infected, HIV-Positive Adolescents in Zimbabwe

We have characterized the EV-like dermatosis of acquired HIV in 4 adolescents. Multiple HPV types were isolated in skin tissue samples, including β-HPV, but also high levels of HPV 1 and 2. ARV did not improve the EV eruption

Quantitative analysis of hydroxyapatite-binding plasma proteins in genotyped individuals with late-stage age-related macular degeneration

We are also grateful to Fight for Sight for financial support (project grant to A.J.S and I.L.; grant ref.: 1586/1587). This research was also supported by “Eye-Risk” a European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant ref.: 634479), Bill Brown Charitable Trust, MEH Special Trustees and Mercer Fund (I.L). This work was also supported by the Wellcome Trust (grant ref.: 094476/Z/10/Z) for funding the purchase of the TripleTOF 5600 mass spectrometer at the BSRC Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, University of St Andrews.Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is associated with the formation of sub-retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) deposits that block circulatory exchange with the retina. The factors that contribute to deposit formation are not well understood. Recently, we identified the presence of spherular hydroxyapatite (HAP) structures within sub-RPE deposits to which several AMD-associated proteins were bound. This suggested that protein binding to HAP represents a potential mechanism for the retention of proteins in the sub-RPE space. Here we performed quantitative proteomics using Sequential Window Acquisition of all THeoretical fragment-ion spectra-Mass Spectrometry (SWATH-MS) on plasma samples from 23 patients with late-stage neovascular AMD following HAP-binding. Individuals were genotyped for the high risk CFH variant (T1277C) and binding to HAP was compared between wild type and risk variants. From a library of 242 HAP binding plasma proteins (1% false discovery rate), SWATH-MS revealed significant quantitative differences in the abundance of 32 HAP-binding proteins (p<0.05) between the two homozygous groups. The concentrations of six proteins (FHR1, FHR3, APOC4, C4A, C4B and PZP) in the HAP eluted fractions and whole plasma were further analysed using ELISA and their presence in sections from human cadaver eyes was examined using immunofluorescence. All six proteins were found to be present in the RPE/choroid interface, and four of these (FHR1, FHR3, APOC4 and PZP) were associated with spherules in sub-RPE space. This study provides qualitative and quantitative information relating to the degree by which plasma proteins may contribute to sub-RPE deposit formation through binding to HAP spherules and how genetic differences might contribute to deposit formation.PostprintPeer reviewe