Molecular detection of Bacillus anthracis: evaluation of the efficiency of DNA extraction and a novel dry PCR

Background: Due to recent increase in mailings of anthrax spores, the detection of bioweapons has gained a great deal of interest. This study aimed to investigate the yield and purity of DNA obtained from spores and vegetative forms of Bacillus anthracis for detection by conventional (wet) and dry (lyophilized) PCR methods

Comparison of The Effectiveness of Clomiphene Citrate versus Letrozole in Mild IVF in Poor Prognosis Subfertile Women with Failed IVF Cycles.

Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of clomiphene citrate (CC) vs. letrozole (L) plus human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) in gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol in poor prognosis women with previous failed ovarian stimulation undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

The effects of resveratrol on ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a rat model.

The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of resveratrol (RSV) over ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in rat model

Elevated PAPP-A levels in lean patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the serum concentrations of PAPP-A (pregnancy associated placental protein-A), a biomarker which is associated with cardiovascular disease, in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Materials and Methods: A total of 62 women with PCOS, and 68 age and body mass index (BMI) matched controls were eligible for the study. Hirsutism scores, hormonal and metabolic profile as well as PAPP-A levels were assessed in each subject. Results: Women with PCOS and controls yielded similar median serum levels of PAPP-A (1.7 ng/ml versus 1.8 ng/ml, respectively, p = 0.328). However, when patients were compared based on BMI; subgroup analyses found that among women with BMI< 27 kg/m(2), patients with PCOS exhibited higher PAPP-A levels than controls (2.1 ng/ml versus 1.8 ng/ml, respectively, p = 0.018). When women with PCOS were evaluated in their own based on BMI, lean PCOS women showed higher levels of PAPP-A (2.1 ng/ml versus 1.5 ng/ml, p = 0.002). PAPP-A levels were negatively correlated with age (p = 0.031, r = -0.189), BMI (p = 0.002, r = -0.265) and triglyceride levels (p < 0.001, r = -0.3). Conclusion: The data of the present study suggested that PAPP-A might be a clinical indicator in PCOS, in which the risks of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular event are increased. Especially a group of young patients with BMI < 27 kg/m(2) might benefit from the cardiovascular risk evaluation using PAPP-A, supplying prognostic information for high risk in the development of cardiovascular disease. (C) 2018 Taiwan Association of Obstetrics \& Gynecology. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V

The effect of raloxifene on left ventricular hypertrophy in postmenopausal women: A prospective, randomized, and controlled study

Objective: In healthy women, there is a progressive age-related increase in myocardial mass that is not seen in their male counterparts and occurs primarily in postmenopausal women. Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that has estrogenic actions on bone and the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of raloxifene on myocardial hypertrophy in postmenopausal patients. Methods: A total of 22 postmenopausal osteoporotic women were included in this open-label, randomized, prospective, controlled study. Patients were randomized into two groups: 11 of the patients (group 1) were treated with raloxifene 60 mg/day, and the other 11 patients (group 2) were defined as the control group. Quantitative 2-dimensional and M-mode echocardiographic examination was performed in all patients at the beginning and repeated at the end of the 6-month follow-up period. Left ventricle mass (LVM) and left ventricle mass index (LVMI) were calculated for all patients. Results: The mean age of the patients was 57.2 +/- 3.9 years, and baseline clinical characteristics and echocardiographic parameters were similar between the two groups. After 6 months of raloxifene treatment, there was no difference in echocardiographic parameters of LVM and LVMI compared with the control group (201.2 +/- 25.9 gr vs. 169.7 +/- 46.2 gr, p=0.14 and 120.4 +/- 25.9 gr/m(2) vs. 105.5 +/- 26.3 gr/m(2), p=0.195, respectively). There was also no significant difference in LVM and LVMI in the within-group analysis of both groups. Conclusion: Raloxifene therapy does not affect myocardial hypertrophy in postmenopausal women after 6 months of treatment

The effect of swim-up and gradient sperm preparation techniques on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation in subfertile patients.

To compare the effect of two different sperm preparation techniques, including swim-up and gradient methods on sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation status of semen samples from unexplained and mild male factor subfertile patients undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI)

The effects of resveratrol on ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a rat model

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of resveratrol (RSV) over ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in rat model. Materials and Methods: 24 female Wistar rats (22 days old) were divided into four groups. Group 1 (control group; n = 6) received 0.1 ml intraperitoneal (IP) saline from days 22-26; group 2 (mildstimulated group; n = 6) received 10 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) on day 24 and 10 IU of hCG 48 h later (day 26); group 3 (OHSS group; n = 6) was given 10 IU of PMSG for 4 consecutive days from day 22 and 30 IU hCG on the fifth day to induce OHSS; group 4 (OHSS thorn RSV group; n = 6) was treated the same as group 3, but received 60 mg/kg RSV 2 h before PMSG injection for 4 consecutive days and 2 h before the hCG injection on the fifth day. Results: Weight gain was highest in the OHSS group. Ovarian weights were lower in the treatment group than OHSS group. Peritoneal fluid VEGF levels were lower for RSV group compared to group 2 and 3. Total VEGF immunoreactivity was higher in OHSS group than group 1, 2 and 4. Conclusion: These results indicate that RSV is beneficial for prevention of OHSS by reducing the increases in body and ovarian weight and VEGF activity. These effects may be mediated by anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-angiogenic capacity of RSV. (C) 2018 Taiwan Association of Obstetrics \& Gynecology. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V