Self-assembly and potassium ion triggered disruption of peptide-based soft structures

This report describes formation of soft vesicular structures by a tetrapeptide and its disruption triggered by potassium ions

A prospective study of metformin versus myoinositol plus d-chiroinositol combination therapy in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age. Insulin resistance and resultant hyperinsulinemia contribute to hyperandrogenism in these patients. Weight loss or pharmacologic interventions that lower insulin levels reduce androgen levels. This study was planned to evaluate efficacy of metformin versus myoinositol plus d-chiroinositol combination therapy in PCOS patients and its effects on clinical, hormonal and radio diagnostic dimensions.Methods: This was a prospective study for nine months. 50 newly diagnosed PCOS patients from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Government Medical College (GMC), Amritsar, were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group was given metformin 500 mg twice daily and another myoinositol plus d-chiroinositol 1000 mg twice daily for 9 months. Follow up was done at 3, 6, 9 months. At each visit, ultrasonography and hormone levels were evaluated. Informed consent was taken. The approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee, GMC, Amritsar was also obtained.Results: The percentage change in free testosterone levels (22.46±6.47) and insulin levels (34.24±15.02) show statistically significant decrease in group 2 (p<0.001). There was statistically significant (p<0.05) fall in AMH levels (22.41±7.78) in group 1. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in ovarian volume on ultrasonography, random blood glucose levels, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, estrogen and progesterone levels.Conclusions: It was observed that both treatments are equally effective in the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome with better tolerability in myoinositol and d-chiroinositol group

Evaluation of the immunohistochemical expression of HER2/NEU in urinary bladder neoplasms in a tertiary care hospital

Background: HER2/NEU expression in urothelial neoplasms has been reported to range from 9% to 80% on immunohistochemistry. We studied the expression of HER2/NEU in urothelial neoplasms and its variability according to histological grade along with the prognostic value. Methods: The present study was conducted on 60 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of urinary bladder neoplasms, which comprised 45 cases of high-grade urothelial carcinoma followed by 13 cases of low-grade and 2 cases of PUNLMP. These were then subjected to IHC by HER2/NEU. Membrane positivity for HER2/NEU was noted. Results: A total of 65% of cases showed positive membranous HER2/NEU expression. HER2/NEU expression was noted in 82.6% of cases of high grade while 8.4% of cases of low grade were positive for HER2/NEU expression. Conclusions: The majority of high grade invasive urothelial carcinomas showed positive HER2/NEU expression with a significant p-value &lt;0.001. Thus patients with high grade urothelial carcinoma may benefit from HER2/NEU targeted therapy

Role of bisphosphonates in management of osteoporosis and its adverse effects on the jaw

Background: The efficacy of different types of bisphosphonates has already been established in the treatment of osteoporosis and some studies have also shown some correlation to its side effects on oral health. Aim and Objective: To determine the role of different bisphosphonate drugs (inhibitor osteoclast-mediated bone resorption) in the treatment osteoporosis and their adverse effects jaw under one study over a period of 24 months. Materials and Methods: This is a longitudinal study of selected patients and the changes were studied during follow-ups that were designed at 6, 9, 12, 24 months. Four groups (16 patients in each) were formed with patients undergoing treatment for osteoporosis and were administered different bisphosphonates group medicine (Alandronate- short acting; Ibandronate- medium acting; Zoledronic acid- long acting) and effects and side-effects on jaw were studied during follow-up. Results: After 2 years, the patients receiving bisphosphonates (groups A, B, C) had significant increase in their mean (±SE) spinal bone density (4.2 ± 0.8% and 5.2 ± 0.7%, respectively; P < 0.017). The rate of new vertebral fractures was reduced by half in the bisphosphonate-treated patients as compared with the patients who only received calcium and vitamin Db (group D) (29.5 vs. 62.9 fractures per 1,000 patient-years; P = 0.043); also there were seen osteonecrosis-like symptoms in jaw more in zoledronic-acid-using patients and as compared to oral bisphosphonates. Conclusion: Bisphosphonate therapy for 2 years significantly increases spinal bone mass and reduces the incidence of new vertebral fractures in osteoporotic patients, but also has risk factor for jaw bone necrosis associated with it