Correlation and discordance of anti-mullerian hormone with follicle stimulating hormone in infertile women with premature ovarian insufficiency and diminished ovarian reserve

Background: The objective of the study was to explore the correlation and discordance of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the selected population of premature ovarian insuffiency and diminished ovarian reserve.Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of the data obtained from the women who presented to the Gynae Endocrine Clinic of the Infertility unit of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology from 2015 to 2017. Discordance was defined as abnormal basal FSH (>10 IU/l) with assuring AMH (>1 ng/ml). Statistical analysis was done with SPSS version 23.Results: There were 36 women with premature ovarian insufficiency and 35 women with diminished ovarian reserve. The correlations between basal FSH and AMH are not significant. AMH values are relatively higher in younger age groups. There are extreme high outliers in both POI and DOR groups, more in younger age group. The discordance between AMH and basal FSH was more in women categorized to have diminished ovarian reserve, compared to women with premature ovarian insufficiency.Conclusions: Those women who are younger than 35 years and have high FSH combined with reassuring AMH should be counseled with care regarding the prognosis of their treatment

Use of ebastine a mast cell blocker for treatment of oligozoospermia

Background: Global infertility prevalence rates are difficult to determine, due to the presence of both male and female factors which complicate any estimate which may only address the woman and an outcome of a pregnancy diagnosis or live birth. Although overall male fertility does not appear to have declined, there is evidence for decline in sperm quality. Sperm count below 15×106 sperm/ml is called oligozoospermia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ebastine on sperm count of oligospermic infertile men.Methods: This was a longitudinal clinical trial study and was conducted in the infertility unit outdoor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka. Bangladesh during the period from January 2015 to December 2015. This study was conducted among the male patients and followed purposive sampling technique. Finally, 334 cases were enrolled in this study.Results: From the total 334 patients in group I, mean sperm count was 10.32±2.71 million/ml in pretreatment and 18.87±9.56 million/ml in post treatment. The difference was statistically significant (p0.05). 63.9% oligospermic male showed improvement in sperm count in ebastin group and 18.1% in placebo group.Conclusions: Sperm count had significantly improved after three months’ treatment period with ebastin than placebo. Therefore, this study suggested that mast cell blocker ebastine can be helpful than placebo to improve the patients’ sperm count with oligospermia

Examining Relationship between Electricity Consumption and its Major Determinants in Pakistan

The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between electricity consumption and its major determinants; particularly economic growth, number of electricity customers, electricity prices and electricity shortages in Pakistan using time series data from 1972 to 2012. The study employed the Johansen cointegration test to examine relationship between electricity consumption and its determinants. Multivariate granger causality test is then applied to determine the causality direction between electricity consumption and its major determinants. The results reveal that determinants of electricity consumption function are cointegrated and economic growth, number of electricity customers are positively related to electricity consumption, while electricity price and electricity shortages are negatively related to electricity consumption in Pakistan. However, bidirectional causality found between electricity consumption, economic growth and electricity customers except electricity prices which is exogenous determined. The short run, long run elasticities and multivariate granger causality results implies that at different time frame there is need to implement different policies for Pakistan. There is need to revise electricity pricing policy and find alternative renewable sources to generate low cost electricity and  further need to enhance energy management expertise to cope with crises in an efficient way. Keywords:  Electricity consumption; Economic growth; Electricity customers; Pakistan JEL Classifications: Q4; Q4

Computed tomographic scanning measurement of skull bone thickness: a single center study

Background: Computerized tomography scan (CT scan) can be useful for the measuring the calvarial thickness in human beings. This could help in identifying the racial and the gender variations in calvarial thickness in a population. The data obtained about calvarial thickness study in human population may be useful for researchers, anatomists, anthropologists, surgeons and manufacturers of surgical screws.Methods: This was an observational study carried out on 104 subjects, with a normal computerized tomography CT scan of the head. Any subject with a skull fractures or an underlying intracranial lesion were excluded from study. A total of 52 males and 52 females who presented in the radiology department for CT head were studied in a consecutive manner. The thickness of skull bone was measured on console (Somatom, Siemens 16 slice).Results: Our study population consisted of 52 male and 52 female subjects. The mean age for males was 48.03 (Range 18-70) years and while as the mean age of females was 47.37 (Range 18-73) years. We did not find any difference in the thickness of the frontal bone at upper third, middle third and lower third between the two sexes. However, the posterior third parietal bone, the anterior and middle third occipital bone was significantly thicker in females when compared to males.Conclusions: Our study suggests that the anterior third of the parietal bone has a more calvarial thickness on the right side than on the left side in both males and females. However, the female calvarium has a significantly thicker calvarium at the posterior third parietal; anterior and middle third occipital bones when compared to male counterparts showing a sexual dimorphism in our study population

Laparoscopic ovarian drilling in clomiphene resistant polycystic ovarian syndrome: clinical response and outcome

Background: Laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) is an alternative method for ovulation induction in clomiphene citrate (CC) resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients instead of gonadotropins. Objective were to identify the changes in clinical and biochemical profiles and the ovulation and pregnancy rate following LOD in CC resistant PCOS patients.Methods: It was an interventional study infertility unit, department of obstetrics and gynecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib medical university, Dhaka, between from July 2014 to June 2015. Changes of the above-mentioned parameters were recorded during follow up of patients after LOD. The information is collected and recorded in the preset questionnaire.Results: The characteristics of study population were same before LOD and following LOD. Before LOD, infrequent menstruation was present in 83.3% patients whereas regular menstruation was found in 58.3% patients after 6 months following LOD. Endometrial thickness ≤8 was found in 100.0% in before LOD and endometrial thickness >8 was found in 70.0% after 6 month following LOD. Ovulation was found in 25.0% in after 3-month LOD and was found in 70.0% after 6 months following LOD. Pregnancy was found in 20.0% after 3 months following LOD and 50.0% in after 6 months following LOD. Ovulation and pregnancy outcome was significantly higher in after 6 months following LOD.Conclusions: LOD produces long-term improvement in menstrual regularity and reproductive performance. A sustained improvement observed in acne and BMI. Ovulation and pregnancy were found in 70% and 50.0% respectively after 6 months following LOD

Do universal critical spine dimensions exist?

The effective spinal canal diameter is the fundamental index which will determine whether a patient of any compressive cervical spine pathology will get neurological deficit or not. So we analysed this index in our subset of population. 180 subjects with normal or near normal cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging were included. Antero-posterior diameter and transverse diameter of spinal canal from C3 to C7 was measured. Similarly spinal cord antero-posterior and transverse diameters were measured. Space available for cord was calculated at each of these levels in both sexes as the difference between the antero-posterior diameter of the spinal canal and that of the spinal cord. The mean value with standard deviation of cervical spinal canal diameter antero-posterior diameter at C3, C4, C5, C6 and C7 was 13.69±1.248, 13.34±1.186, 13.15±1.233, 13.12±1.275 and 13.73±1.226 mm respectively. The spinal cord antero-posterior diameter at the same level was 7.61±0.728, 7.58±0.677, 7.40±0.653, 7.12±0.657 and 6.69±0.622 mm respectively. The mean cervical spinal canal diameter of the local population in our region is different from the rest of the country. This has two implications; first the ancestral lineage is matching with some remote races of the world for which a detailed study may be needed. Secondly the dimension at which we call çritical stenosis may be different in the region as compared with the rest of the country

2-[(1R*,4R*)-1,4-Dihy­droxy­cyclo­hex­yl]acetic acid

The title compound, C8H14O4, is an isolation product of the aerial parts of Senecio desfontanei. The acetic acid group is oriented at a dihedral angle of 48.03 (9)° with respect to the basal plane of the cyclo­hexane-1,4-diol chair. An intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bond generates an S(6) ring with an envelope conformation. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, resulting in R 3 3(20) ring motifs and C(2) O—H⋯O—H⋯O—H⋯ chains. Overall, a three-dimensional polymeric network arises. A C—H⋯O contact is also present

Association of kisspeptin in patients with poly cystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex multifactorial disorder, affecting millions of women worldwide. Kisspeptin, a hypothalamic peptide encoded by the KISS1 gene, is widely reported as a key factor in the regulation of luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion, which may be potentially involved with the development of PCOS. The aim of the study was to estimate the serum kisspeptin level in PCOS patients and evaluate the association of kisspeptin with other biochemical, and hormonal parameters in women with PCOS. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the department of reproductive endocrinology and infertility, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from August 2020 to July 2021. A total of 90 patients between age 18-30 years were enrolled in this study. Data was collected on variables of interest by using the structured questionnaire designed for interview, observation, clinical examination, and biochemical investigation of the patients and analyzed by using the t-test, non-parametric test (Mann-Whitney U test) and chi-square test as appropriate. Results: We found no significant difference between PCOS & control group, but acanthosis nigricans (AN), waist hip (W:H) ratio were statistically significant in PCOS group. We found serum LH (11.98±6.29 mIU/ml), LH: FSH (1.71±0.92), AMH (10.09±3.8 ng/ml), fasting insulin (26.53±28.34 µU/ml), ovarian volume (16.91±4.57), was significantly higher in PCOS patients. Kisspeptin value in PCOS patients was 85.92±56.59 pg/ml and control group was 63.74±43.16 pg/ml. In the PCOS group, there was a positive correlation between kisspeptin and LH, AMH, and ovarian volume. Conclusions: Serum kisspeptin levels were similar in women with or without PCOS but positively correlated with ovarian volume, serum LH and AMH in PCOS patients

Effects of an integrated intervention on the nutritional status and IYCF practices under two years of children in the southern part of Bangladesh

Objective: The significance of appropriate infant and young children feeding (IYCF) to ensure proper nutrition for children is well-documented. Although nutrition interventions with agricultural components have the potential, the evidence for this relationship is insufficient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an integrated health-based intervention on the dietary pattern and nutritional status of children under two years of age. Methodology: This study was a pre-post analysis of secondary data of the project titled "Integrated Agriculture and Health-Based Interventions for Improved Food and Nutrition Security in Selected Districts of Southern Bangladesh", which were collected from Barisal and Khulna district. We used data of 268 children aged 0-23 months from baseline and 554 children from endline which comprised the study population to assess socio-demographic, anthropometric and IYCF indicators. Further, horticulture, cooking and hygiene indices were created to analyze the effectiveness of the project interventions. Results: A significant reduction of stunting and underweight and insignificant reduction of wasting were observed from baseline to end line. Compared to baseline, the horticulture index, hygiene index and cooking index differ significantly between the baseline and end line surveys. Further, significant improvement of 6 months exclusive breastfeeding and insignificant improvement of continued breastfeeding up to 1 year were found from baseline to end line. Conclusion: This study shows that integrated agriculture and health-based interventions with nutrition components have a positive impact on stunting and underweight but exert a mixed effect on wasting and IYCF practices. Bioresearch Commu. 8(1): 1077-1087, 2022 (January

Antibacterial constituents of three Cameroonian medicinal plants : Garcinia nobilis, Oricia suaveolens and Balsamocitrus camerunensis

BACKGROUND: Multidrug resistance is a worrying cause of treatment failure in bacterial infections. The search of bioactive constituents from medicinal plants against multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria has significantly evolved in the two last decades. In the present study, twenty-two compounds (three terpenoids, eleven phenolics and eight alkaloids) isolated from three Cameroonian medicinal plants, namely Garcinia nobilis, Oricia suaveolens and Balsamocitrus camerunensis, as well as the crude extracts were tested for their antibacterial activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Gram-negative bacteria amongst which were MDR active efflux pumps expressing phenotypes. METHODS: The microplate alamar blue assay (MABA) and the broth microdilution methods were used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of the studied samples. RESULTS: The results of the MIC determinations indicate that, the best crude extract was that from G. nobilis (GNB), its inhibitory effects being noted against 12 of the 14 tested bacteria. The extract of GNB also exhibited better anti-tuberculosis (MIC of 128 μg/ml M. tuberculosis against ATCC 27294 strain) and antibacterial (MIC of 64 μg/ml against Escherichia coli ATCC10536) activities compared to the extracts of O. suaveolens and B. camerunensis. Interestingly, 4-prenyl-2-(3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl)-1,3,5,8-tetrahydroxyxanthone (2), isolated from the most active extract GNB, also showed the best activity amongst compounds, inhibiting the growth of all the fourteen tested microorganisms. The lowest MIC value obtained with compound 2 was 8 μg/ml against M. tuberculosis ATCC 27294 and M. tuberculosis clinical MTCS2 strains. Other compounds showed selective activities with 11 of the 14 tested bacteria being sensitive to the xanthone, morusignin I (5) and the alkaloid, kokusaginine (13). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present investigation provide evidence that the crude extract from G. nobilis, O. suaveolens and B. camerunensis as well as some of their compounds, and mostly compound 2 (isolated from G. nobilis,) could be considered as interesting natural antibacterial products.International Foundation for Science (IFS-Grant F/4579-2 to VK), TWAS for financial support for ICCBSTWAS fellowship at the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center of Chemical Sciences, University of Karachi, Pakistan on year 2010 (HF).http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmccomplementalternmedam201