Moral challenges of research on embryos in pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and IVF

     Purposes of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) include screening for single gene mutations for late onset disorders or susceptibility to cancer. The problematic issue is that PGD is to produce a healthy baby, causing the destruction of some embryos that have been transferred by in vitro fertilization (IVF). Some PGD embryos may be discarded because they are excess to the woman or couples’ goal for family creation, and have been diagnosed as being affected by a particular genetic condition that woman/couple wish to avoid. So, the controversial issue is the destruction of embryos as a consequence of fertility treatment that raises questions on whether the moral status of an embryo of 3 days is the same as that of a born, living adult human being

Primordial Black Hole Merger Rate in Self-Interacting Dark Matter Halo Models

We study the merger rate of primordial black holes (PBHs) in the self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) halo models. To explore a numerical description for the density profile of the SIDM halo models, we use the result of a previously performed simulation for the SIDM halo models with $\sigma/m=10~cm^{2}g^{-1}$. We also propose a concentration-mass-time relation that can explain the evolution of the halo density profile related to the SIDM models. Furthermore, we investigate the encounter condition of PBHs that may have been distributed in the medium of dark matter halos randomly. Under these assumptions, we calculate the merger rate of PBHs within each halo considering the SIDM halo models and compare the results with the one obtained for the cold dark matter (CDM) halo models. We indicate that the merger rate of PBHs for the SIDM halo models during the first epoch should be lower than the corresponding result for the CDM halo models, while by the time entering the second epoch sufficient PBH mergers in the SIDM halo models can be generated and even exceed the one resulted from the CDM halo models. By considering the spherical-collapse halo mass function, we obtain similar results for the cumulative merger rate of PBHs. Moreover, we calculate the redshift evolution of the PBH total merger rate. To determine a constraint on the PBH abundance, we study the merger rate of PBHs in terms of their fraction and masses and compare those with the black hole merger rate estimated by the Advanced LIGO (aLIGO) detectors during the third observing run. The results demonstrate that within the context of the SIDM halo models during the second epoch, the merger rate of $10~M_{\odot}-10~M_{\odot}$ events falls within the aLIGO window. We also estimate a relation between the fraction of PBHs and their masses, which is well consistent with our findings.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures, refs. adde

Human Rights Challenges in Discarding Excessive Emb ryo from Gender Selection through PGD Approach

One of new scientific innovations which increased human selection latitude is children gender selection through pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Gender selection through this approach has some proponents and opponents and according to opponents in addition to neglecting the legal dimensions of embryo gender selection, the concerns about gender imbalance, sex discrimination and preferring sons on daughter in the societies have doubled the importance of this subject. Unlikely, proponents set forth some arguments such as increase of parents autonomy, parents control increase on family composition and balance and preventing the unbridled growth of population. Regarding extirpating excessive embryo in laboratory in gender selection method, also different views are set forth which some consider the illegality of this deed for extirpating embryo after implantation in uterus not before that

In vitro assessment of Tribulus terrestris aqueous extract and Benzoxacin fraction against Helicobacter pylori isolates from biopsy samples of Iranian patients

Background & Objectives:  Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is related to gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, and mucosal carcinoma. Emergence of multidrug resistant Hp strains encouraged the researchers to find new effective drugs. Especially medicinal herbs and plants which usually shows less side effects. The aim of this study was in vitro assessment of anti Hp activity of total extract of Tribulus terrestris (T. terrestris Benzoxacin, a local Iranian medicinal plant and its fraction Benzoxacin.Methods: total aqueous extract of aerial parts of the plant was prepared and liquid extraction with petroleum ether was used to separate its components. LC/MS system proved the existence of Benzoxazine derivative in the water fraction and the third's fraction. Anti (Hp) effects of total extract and its third fraction were examined by cup plate method and using standard MacFarland. 50 biopsy samples of antrum were detected from patients who were endoscopic candidates in Milad and Fayazbakhsh  hospitals of Tehran during 2011. All samples were isolated, diagnosed based on standard methods and biochemical tests and confirmed by PCR method for ureC gene, too.  Different dilutions (250, 500,750 and 1000 mg/ml) of total extract were prepared. Clarythromycin (Clr) E-test strips and an identified Hp OC1096 was used, simultaneously.Results: Of 50 biopsy samples, 12 Hp strains were isolated. Rapid urease test were positive in all expect one biopsy sample. Existence of ureC gene in all isolates were confirmed expect one strain by PCR. By cup plate method, resistant to concentrations of 1000 and 750mg/ml were detected in 50% of Hp isolates and 66.6% of them were resistant to concentrations 250 and 500 mg/ml .Also, 83.3% of Hp strains were resistant to Benzoxacin fraction. Clarythromycin sensitivity detected in 83% of Hp isolates, simultaneously.Conclusion: This study was done as a pilot study for in vitro evaluation of antibacterial effect of total extract of T. terrestris by cup plate method. Existence of high resistant rate (≥50%) to different concentrations T. terrestris aqueous extract seems doing test on more Hp strains  in future studies is highly  recommended .  In contrast of the similarity of Benzoxazin structure to Ofloxacin, existence of 83.3% of resistance among tested isolates showed no anti Hp effectiveness of this fraction.

Comparisons between glucose analogue 2-deoxy-2-((18)F)fluoro-D-glucose and (18)F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography in breast cancer patients with bone lesions

To compare 2-deoxy-2-((18)F)fluoro-D-glucose((18)F-FDG) and (18)F-sodium ((18)F-NaF) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) accuracy in breast cancer patients with clinically/radiologically suspected or known bone metastases

Effect of Zolpidem on Sleep Quality of Professional Firefighters; a Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Clinical Trial

Professional firefighting is among the most demanding jobs. Prior studies have showed the notable prevalence of poor sleep quality among professional firefighters that may result in catastrophes. The aim of this study was in field confirmation of zolpidem usage (10 mg/PO/bed time) for short term management of poor sleeps quality among professional firefighters. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial among professional firefighters, 27 poor sleepers were assigned randomly to one of the two groups. Two 14 days experimental periods were separated by a 14-day washout phase. Sleep quality was assessed using the Persian version of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Six of the 27 enrolled voluntaries dropped out. Two rare side effects of zolpidem occurred in the study. A significant improvement of the PSQI score was detected in zolpidem period versus placebo in both groups (7.14 ± 3.02 vs 12.38 ± 2.51, PP=0.89). Zolpidem significantly improved all components of PSQI (Subjective sleep quality, Sleep latency, Sleep duration, Habitual sleep efficiency, Sleep disturbances and Daytime dysfunction) in the current study except the use of sleep medication. Sleep onset latency was the component of PSQI with the greatest degree of abnormality among firefighters in a previous study. Interestingly, sleep latency was the component of PSQI with the most treatment effect of zolpidem in the current study. Zolpidem can be used as a part of treatment regimens in short time management of poor sleep quality among professional firefighters

Papillary thyroid cancer in a struma ovarii: a report of a rare case

After removal of an ovarian mass in a 43-year-old woman, a struma ovarii was diagnosed. Within this teratoma, a papillary thyroid cancer was found. The tumor was negative for BRAF, NRAS, KRAS, PIK3CA and c-KIT mutations on molecular analysis. Thyroid function and morphology were normal. Thyroidectomy, L-T4 TSH-suppressive therapy and rhTSH-induced radioiodine ablation were performed. So far, the follow-up has been favorable. This is the first case of thyroid cancer in a struma ovarii in which mutations of PIK3CA exons 9 and 20, and c-KIT exons 9, 11 and 13 have been evaluated and the third in which ablation has been performed under rhTSH. The prognosis of patients with thyroid cancer in a struma ovarii is generally poor. In our patient, as in those who undergo ablative radioactive iodine therapy, this was not the case

The Evaluation of Perioperative Safety of Local Anesthesia with Lidocaine Containing Epinephrine in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease

The use of local anesthesia with lidocaine containing epinephrine in patients with cardiac disease is controversial in the literature. The aim of our study was determining the safety of use the local anesthesia contain epinephrine in patients with ischemic heart disease that undergoing reconstructive surgery. Thirty two patients that had known ischemic heart disease and candidate to undergo reconstructive surgery for skin tumor enrolled in this study.  All patients continued their medication for cardiac disease till morning of the operation. 10 ml lidocaine 2% containing 1:100,000 epinephrine was injected in patients for local anesthesia. The hemodynamic changes and electrocardiographic variables before injection were compared with them after injection, during surgery and till 6 hours postoperation period. A 12 lead electrocardiogram was recorded in all our cases for detection of myocardial ischemic changes. The mean age, weight and height were 58.2±10.4, 74.8.±14.4 kg and 164.5± 8 cm respectively. Twelve patients (37.5%) were diagnosed with systemic hypertension and 10 patients with diabetes (31.2%). The comparison of change of systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure between baseline, during procedure and after operation defined that our subjects did not have any significant disturbance in blood pressure in perioperative period. The comparison of baseline heart rate with heart rate after injection, during procedure and in postoperation period indicated a significant changes in this variable (P=0.044). The heart rhythm during the perioperative period also failed to exhibit alterations. The ischemic change was not recorded in our patients before injection compared to after injection. None of our patients have any early complications because of infiltration of local anesthetic containing epinephrine in our patients. The use of 10 ml 2% lidocaine with epinephrine 1:100,000 in patients with cardiac disease represent a safe anesthetic procedure. These patients experienced a more profound anesthesia with hemodynamic stability and without myocardial ischemic changes

Response to "Comment on 'A novel two-dimensional boron-carbon-nitride (BCN) monolayer: A first-principles insight [J. Appl. Phys. 2021, 130, 114301]'"

Bohayra Gohrazavi et al. comment on the results of our paper 'A novel two-dimensional boron-carbon-nitride BCN monolayer: A First-principles insight', in which we have considered different configurations of BCN. For clarification, we applied the fingerprint theory to examine the similarity between the distinct structures. The fingerprint function is a crystal structure descriptor, an 1D-function related to the pair correlation function and diffraction patterns. It does not depend on absolute atomic coordinates, but only on interatomic distances. Small deviations in atomic positions will influence the fingerprints only slightly [1-3]. Fingerprint theory allows quantification of the degree of order and complexity of a crystal structure

Giant cell arteritis: a systematic review of the qualitative and semiquantitative methods to assess vasculitis with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common vasculitis affecting medium and large vessels. It shows a close clinical association with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), a musculoskeletal inflammatory disorder, which is clinically characterized by girdles pain and stiffness. 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is an effective tool for the diagnosis, grading, and follow-up of patients affected by GCA involving the aorta and its proximal branches, but the lack of a standardized method for the assessment of vascular inflammation remains a critical issue, potentially leading to misclassification. In our systematic review, including 19 original articles for a total of 442 GCA patients (with or without PMR symptoms) and 535 healthy controls, we described the different qualitative, semiquantitative and combined methods that have been proposed throughout the literature for assessing the presence and grading the severity of GCA-related vascular inflammation on 18F-FDG PET scans, focusing on the diagnostic performance and examining their respective advantages and limitations. The majority of the included studies adopted qualitative methods of PET image analysis, which are less sensitive but more specific than semiquantitative ones. Among the semiquantitative approaches, the aortic-to-blood pool uptake ratio of the aortic arch seems to be the most accurate method