Comparison of antimüllerian hormone levels and antral follicle count as predictor of ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation in good-prognosis patients at individual fertility clinics in two multicenter trials

Objective To compare antimüllerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC) as predictors of ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation at individual fertility clinics. Design Retrospective analysis of individual study center data in two multicenter trials. Centers that provided >10 patients were included in the analysis. Setting A total of 19 (n = 519 patients) and 18 study centers (n = 686 patients) participating in a long GnRH agonist trial (MERIT) and a GnRH antagonist trial (MEGASET), respectively. Patient(s) Infertile women of good prognosis. Intervention(s) Long GnRH agonist or GnRH antagonist cycles. Main Outcome Measure(s) Correlation between AMH and AFC, and oocyte yield by each study center for each trial. Results(s) Antimüllerian hormone was more strongly correlated with oocyte yield than AFC: r = 0.56 vs. r = 0.28 in the GnRH agonist cohort, and r = 0.55 vs. r = 0.33 in the GnRH antagonist cohort. The correlation was numerically higher for AMH than for AFC at a significantly higher proportion of study centers: 17 (89%) and 15 (83%) centers in the long GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist trial, respectively. Assessment of the relative capacity of AMH and AFC for predicting oocyte yield demonstrated that AMH dominated the model: AMH, R2 = 0.29 and 0.23; AFC: R2 = 0.07 and 0.07; AMH + AFC: R2 = 0.30 and 0.23 for long GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist trials, respectively. Conclusions(s) Antimüllerian hormone was a stronger predictor of ovarian response to gonadotropin therapy than AFC at the study center level in both randomized trials utilizing GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist protocols. Antral follicle count provided no added predictive value beyond AMH.</p

Poverty, Inequality, and Political Stability in Developing Countries

Provides a literature review and assessment of recent trends in poverty, inequality, and conflict in developing and post-Communist countries; their relation to economic growth; and the links between these trends

The Ursinus Weekly, October 15, 1951

Henning W. Prentis slated as speaker at Founders\u27 Day program, October 24 • Chaplain first Forum speaker on October 31 • Curtain Club adds sixty new members at annual party • New preceptress in charge of 646 Main • 300 books added to Library collection • Piano recital date moved to Nov. 8 • Cub and Key honor given to Jay Kern • Y plans weekend trip, arranges fireside chats • Date announced for civil service exam • WAA to sell socks, Christmas cards • Soph class plans year; Informal dance Nov. 3 • French Club discusses plans • Rev. Creager to speak • Juniors to sponsor G. E. House of Magic • German Club schedules trips and welcomes Inge Rudloff • 12 students become psychology majors • Spirit Committee fans campus enthusiasm • Editorials: No complaints; British voters go to polls; McCarthy vs. free speech • Letter to the editor • Dorm initiations give jokers a release • So the frosh love customs? Scribes of 1955 reveal all • Dr. Miller\u27s family hits high spots in European tour • Four teams open intradorm football • Hockey and soccer are overshadowed, but fortunately have excellent leaders • Dickinson hands Ursinus season\u27s second defeat • Dr. Roelofs keeps athletes in shape • Garnet eleven will play host to Bears Saturday • Alumnae team is undefeated; Faces Owlettes on Saturday • Harry Spangler succeeds Gerry Seeders as head coach of Ursinus court team • Bears defeated by Stevens Tech • Rittenhouse, Feldt to manage girls intramural program • Beardwood Chemical Society hears lecture on narcotics • Lit reading givenhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1523/thumbnail.jp

Sorafenib sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells to physiological apoptotic stimuli

Sorafenib increases survival rate of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The mechanism underlying this effect is not completely understood. In this work we have analyzed the effects of sorafenib on autocrine proliferation and survival of different human HCC cell lines. Our results indicate that sorafenib in vitro counteracts autocrine growth of different tumor cells (Hep3B, HepG2, PLC-PRF-5, SK-Hep1). Arrest in S/G2/M cell cycle phases were observed coincident with cyclin D1 down-regulation. However, sorafenib's main anti-tumor activity seems to occur through cell death induction which correlated with caspase activation, increase in the percentage of hypodiploid cells, activation of BAX and BAK and cytochrome c release from mitochondria to cytosol. In addition, we observed a rise in mRNA and protein levels of the pro-apoptotic BH3-domain only PUMA and BIM, as well as decreased protein levels of the anti-apoptotic MCL1 and survivin. PUMA targeting knock-down, by using specific siRNAs, inhibited sorafenib-induced apoptotic features. Moreover, we obtained evidence suggesting that sorafenib also sensitizes HCC cells to the apoptotic activity of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) through the intrinsic pathway and to tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF) through the extrinsic pathway. Interestingly, sensitization to sorafenib-induced apoptosis is characteristic of liver tumor cells, since untransformed hepatocytes did not respond to sorafenib inducing apoptosis, either alone or in combination with TGF-beta or TNF. Indeed, sorafenib effectiveness in delaying HCC late progression might be partly related to a selectively sensitization of HCC cells to apoptosis by disrupting autocrine signals that protect them from adverse conditions and pro-apoptotic physiological cytokines. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 1319-1325, 2012. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Predictors of Death among Patients Who Completed Tuberculosis Treatment: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Background: Mortality among patients who complete tuberculosis (TB) treatment is still high among vulnerable populations. The objective of the study was to identify the probability of death and its predictive factors in a cohort of successfully treated TB patients. Methods: A population-based retrospective longitudinal study was performed in Barcelona, Spain. All patients who successfully completed TB treatment with culture-confirmation and available drug susceptibility testing between 1995-1997 were retrospectively followed-up until December 31, 2005 by the Barcelona TB Control Program. Socio-demographic, clinical, microbiological and treatment variables were examined. Mortality, TB Program and AIDS registries were reviewed. Kaplan-Meier and a Cox regression methods with time-dependent covariates were used for the survival analysis, calculating the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Among the 762 included patients, the median age was 36 years, 520 (68.2%) were male, 178 (23.4%) HIV-infected, and 208 (27.3%) were alcohol abusers. Of the 134 (17.6%) injecting drug users (IDU), 123 (91.8%) were HIV-infected. A total of 30 (3.9%) recurrences and 173 deaths (22.7%) occurred (mortality rate: 3.4/100 person-years of follow-up). The predictors of death were: age between 41-60 years old (HR: 3.5; CI:2.1-5.7), age greater than 60 years (HR: 14.6; CI:8.9-24), alcohol abuse (HR: 1.7; CI:1.2-2.4) and HIV-infected IDU (HR: 7.9; CI:4.7-13.3). Conclusions: The mortality rate among TB patients who completed treatment is associated with vulnerable populations such as the elderly, alcohol abusers, and HIV-infected IDU. We therefore need to fight against poverty, and promote and develop interventions and social policies directed towards these populations to improve their survival

Individualized versus conventional ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization:a multicenter, randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded, phase 3 noninferiority trial

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of follitropin delta, a new human recombinant FSH with individualized dosing based on serum antimüllerian hormone (AMH) and body weight, with conventional follitropin alfa dosing for ovarian stimulation in women undergoing IVF. Design: Randomized, multicenter, assessor-blinded, noninferiority trial (ESTHER-1). Setting: Reproductive medicine clinics. Patient(s): A total of 1,329 women (aged 18–40 years). Intervention(s): Follitropin delta (AMH &lt;15 pmol/L: 12 μg/d; AMH ≥15 pmol/L: 0.10–0.19 μg/kg/d; maximum 12 μg/d), or follitropin alfa (150 IU/d for 5 days, potential subsequent dose adjustments; maximum 450 IU/d). Main Outcomes Measure(s): Ongoing pregnancy and ongoing implantation rates; noninferiority margins −8.0%. Result(s): Ongoing pregnancy (30.7% vs. 31.6%; difference −0.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) −5.9% to 4.1%]), ongoing implantation (35.2% vs. 35.8%; −0.6% [95% CI −6.1% to 4.8%]), and live birth (29.8% vs. 30.7%; −0.9% [95% CI −5.8% to 4.0%]) rates were similar for individualized follitropin delta and conventional follitropin alfa. Individualized follitropin delta resulted in more women with target response (8–14 oocytes) (43.3% vs. 38.4%), fewer poor responses (fewer than four oocytes in patients with AMH &lt;15 pmol/L) (11.8% vs. 17.9%), fewer excessive responses (≥15 or ≥20 oocytes in patients with AMH ≥15 pmol/L) (27.9% vs. 35.1% and 10.1% vs. 15.6%, respectively), and fewer measures taken to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (2.3% vs. 4.5%), despite similar oocyte yield (10.0 ± 5.6 vs. 10.4 ± 6.5) and similar blastocyst numbers (3.3 ± 2.8 vs. 3.5 ± 3.2), and less gonadotropin use (90.0 ± 25.3 vs. 103.7 ± 33.6 μg). Conclusion(s): Optimizing ovarian response in IVF by individualized dosing according to pretreatment patient characteristics results in similar efficacy and improved safety compared with conventional ovarian stimulation

Prevalence and attributable health burden of chronic respiratory diseases, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Previous attempts to characterise the burden of chronic respiratory diseases have focused only on specific disease conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. In this study, we aimed to characterise the burden of chronic respiratory diseases globally, providing a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis on geographical and time trends from 1990 to 2017. Methods Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017, we estimated the prevalence, morbidity, and mortality attributable to chronic respiratory diseases through an analysis of deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and years of life lost (YLL) by GBD super-region, from 1990 to 2017, stratified by age and sex. Specific diseases analysed included asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis, pneumoconiosis, and other chronic respiratory diseases. We also assessed the contribution of risk factors (smoking, second-hand smoke, ambient particulate matter and ozone pollution, household air pollution from solid fuels, and occupational risks) to chronic respiratory disease-attributable DALYs. Findings In 2017, 544·9 million people (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 506·9–584·8) worldwide had a chronic respiratory disease, representing an increase of 39·8% compared with 1990. Chronic respiratory disease prevalence showed wide variability across GBD super-regions, with the highest prevalence among both males and females in high-income regions, and the lowest prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia. The age-sex-specific prevalence of each chronic respiratory disease in 2017 was also highly variable geographically. Chronic respiratory diseases were the third leading cause of death in 2017 (7·0% [95% UI 6·8–7·2] of all deaths), behind cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms. Deaths due to chronic respiratory diseases numbered 3 914 196 (95% UI 3 790 578–4 044 819) in 2017, an increase of 18·0% since 1990, while total DALYs increased by 13·3%. However, when accounting for ageing and population growth, declines were observed in age-standardised prevalence (14·3% decrease), agestandardised death rates (42·6%), and age-standardised DALY rates (38·2%). In males and females, most chronic respiratory disease-attributable deaths and DALYs were due to COPD. In regional analyses, mortality rates from chronic respiratory diseases were greatest in south Asia and lowest in sub-Saharan Africa, also across both sexes. Notably, although absolute prevalence was lower in south Asia than in most other super-regions, YLLs due to chronic respiratory diseases across the subcontinent were the highest in the world. Death rates due to interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis were greater than those due to pneumoconiosis in all super-regions. Smoking was the leading risk factor for chronic respiratory disease-related disability across all regions for men. Among women, household air pollution from solid fuels was the predominant risk factor for chronic respiratory diseases in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, while ambient particulate matter represented the leading risk factor in southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania, and in the Middle East and north Africa super-region. Interpretation Our study shows that chronic respiratory diseases remain a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with growth in absolute numbers but sharp declines in several age-standardised estimators since 1990. Premature mortality from chronic respiratory diseases seems to be highest in regions with less-resourced health systems on a per-capita basis

The Ursinus Weekly, December 3, 1951

26 men join frats after rush week • Library used book sale begins today • Chem group lists water program • Light up the sky scores hit as first stage offering • Messiah features highly-rated soloists • Christmas plans made by WSGA; Lights needed • Private lives given as group production by new club members • English Club takes in new members • French Club plans party • Senior ball theme set for Friday • Y panel discusses army conscription • FTA to hear talk on teaching ways • Editorials: A pledge is a pledge; World discusses peace • Bob Herber describes room at University of Bristol, England • Senior prom themes remain centered about winter in past several years • Posters now made by freshmen girls for all activities • Supply Store improvements came with Navy moving to Ursinus campus during war years • Frank Merriwell saves the day • Jayvees defeat Penn; Have undefeated year • Graduating seniors vacate five positions on Ursinus soccer team • Swimming team loses one from last year\u27s squad • Eleven senior men bid farewell to college football playing careers • Albright defeats Curtis Hall team • Penn ties Belles in final contest • Miss Snell loses six hockey girls • Boyd to captain hockey squad in the 1952 season • Youth rally planned • Day students slate party • McClures to entertain • Concert listed • Students must return Ruby proofs by Fridayhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1529/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, December 3, 1951

26 men join frats after rush week • Library used book sale begins today • Chem group lists water program • Light up the sky scores hit as first stage offering • Messiah features highly-rated soloists • Christmas plans made by WSGA; Lights needed • Private lives given as group production by new club members • English Club takes in new members • French Club plans party • Senior ball theme set for Friday • Y panel discusses army conscription • FTA to hear talk on teaching ways • Editorials: A pledge is a pledge; World discusses peace • Bob Herber describes room at University of Bristol, England • Senior prom themes remain centered about winter in past several years • Posters now made by freshmen girls for all activities • Supply Store improvements came with Navy moving to Ursinus campus during war years • Frank Merriwell saves the day • Jayvees defeat Penn; Have undefeated year • Graduating seniors vacate five positions on Ursinus soccer team • Swimming team loses one from last year\u27s squad • Eleven senior men bid farewell to college football playing careers • Albright defeats Curtis Hall team • Penn ties Belles in final contest • Miss Snell loses six hockey girls • Boyd to captain hockey squad in the 1952 season • Youth rally planned • Day students slate party • McClures to entertain • Concert listed • Students must return Ruby proofs by Fridayhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1529/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, February 25, 1952

Frats begin rushing for new pledges • Sororities to start rushing March 3 • Any student urged to try out for Spring production • Freshman dance to be celestial • Group plays postponed • History of Anglo-Egyptian relations traced by speaker • Jeanne Careless chosen queen • Campaign against cutting campus begun by WSGA • Newman Club hears psychology talk • Blood donations sought again here • Piano-violin concert received favorably by Ursinus audience • Economics of marriage discussed at seminar • Fastnacht ball planned by clubs • Editorials: Needed - codified law; Is Korean War necessary? • Student Union ideas given • Five initiated into Rosicrucians society • Canterbury Club holds supper • Engagement • Forum tickets available • Former German student comes to Ursinus this semester • Dr. C. L. Chandler receives honor • Mr. Dolman gives Twain selections at English readings • Guest lecturer tells of history of aeronautics • Ursinus students glimpse preview of Mardi Gras scene • Grizzlies trounce Textile to break losing streak • Badminton squad defeats Rosemont in opening game • Beaver College basketball team deadlocks Snell\u27s Belles at 25 • Girls\u27 intramural loop is underway • Beaver hands Ursinus Mermaids first loss • Penn JVs overpower girls\u27 badminton team • Chess Club wins • Grizzlies defeated by Bucknell team • Ursinus quintet stifles Ford rally to win 71-51 • League I champs may be crowned in tonight\u27s play • Doctor speaks on psychiatry to studentshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1535/thumbnail.jp