Successful fertility outcome in a couple with recurrent implantation failure and testicular cancer survivor: A case report

A couple of Indo-American descent, presented to our clinic with a history of primary infertility and repeated IVF implantation failure. Male was a testicular cancer survivor who had erectile dysfunction and azoospermia. Female partner had polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOD). She had three unsuccessful attempts of embryo transfer at another fertility clinic. At our clinic, she underwent controlled ovarian stimulation, COH started from day two period with rFSH (follicle stimulating hormone) followed by HMG (human  enopausal gondadotropin) with antagonist protocol followed by preimplantation genetic screening of embryos. Subsequently, she began HRT (hormone replacement Therapy) protocol for ERA cycle from day 2, where she also underwent hysteroscopy on day 7. After five days of progesterone supplementation, she underwent endometrial biopsy for ERA (endometrial receptivity assay). Frozen embryo transfer cycle was started with the same HRT protocol used in her previous ERA cycle. Post embryo transfer,  immunotherapy with steroids and fortnightly intralipids was given. Pregnancy test was positive with a BHCG value of 290 mIU/mL. and she delivered naturally after 39 completed weeks of gestation. A stepwise personalized treatment approach maximizes the chances of a successful outcome in presence of both male and female factors. Frozen or fresh sperms for ICSI with PGS along with hysteroscopy, ERA and under cover of immune modulation yielded positive results.   Un couple d'origine indo-américaine, présenté à notre clinique avec des antécédents d'infertilité primaire et des échecs répétés d'implantation de FIV. L'homme était un survivant du cancer des testicules qui souffrait de  dysfonction érectile et d'azoospermie. La partenaire féminine avait un syndrome des ovaires polykystiques (SOPK). Elle a eu trois tentatives infructueuses de transfert d'embryons dans une autre clinique de fertilité. Dans notre clinique, elle a subi une stimulation ovarienne contrôlée, la COH a commencé à partir du deuxième jour avec la rFSH (hormone folliculostimulante) suivie de l'HMG (gondadotrophine ménopausique humaine) avec protocole antagoniste suivi d'un dépistage génétique préimplantatoire des embryons. Par la suite, elle a commencé le protocole HRT (hormonothérapie substitutive) pour le cycle ERA à partir du jour 2, où elle a également subi une hystéroscopie le jour 7. Après cinq jours de supplémentation en progestérone, elle a subi une biopsie de l'endomètre pour ERA (test de réceptivité de l'endomètre). Le cycle de transfert d'embryons congelés a commencé avec le même protocole HRT utilisé dans son précédent cycle ERA. Après le transfert d'embryon, une immunothérapie avec des stéroïdes et des intralipides bimensuels a été administrée. Le test de grossesse était positif avec une valeur de BHCG de 290 mUI/mL. et elle a accouché naturellement après 39 semaines complètes de gestation. Une approche de traitement personnalisé par étapes maximise les chances de succès en présence de facteurs masculins et féminins. Les spermatozoïdes congelés ou frais pour ICSI avec PGS avec hystéroscopie, ERA et sous couvert de modulation immunitaire ont donné des résultats positifs

Generation of strain-induced pseudo-magnetic field in a doped type-II Weyl semimetal

In Weyl semimetals, there is an intriguing possibility of realizing a pseudo-magnetic field in presence of small strain due to certain special cases of static deformations. This pseudo-magnetic field can be large enough to form quantized Landau levels and thus become observable in Weyl semimetals. In this paper, we experimentally show the emergence of a pseudo-magnetic field (~ 3 Tesla) by Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy (STS) on the doped Weyl semimetal Re-MoTe2, where distinct Landau level oscillations in the tunneling conductance are clearly resolved. The crystal lattice is intrinsically strained where large area STM imaging of the surface reveals differently strained domains where atomic scale deformations exist forming topographic ripples with varying periodicity in the real space. The effect of pseudo-magnetic field is clearly resolved in areas under maximum strain.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Disseminated Histoplasmosis in an immuno- competent Individual

Disseminated histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent individual is a rare phenomenon. The microconidia of this dimorphic fungus are transmitted through inhalational route and undergo dissemination. Cytopenias in the background of immunocompetence is an extremely rare finding in disseminated histoplasmosis. Here, we report a case of disseminated histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent patient presenting with fever, hepatosplenomegaly and bicytopenia

Barriers and facilitators to informal healthcare provider engagement in the national tuberculosis elimination program of India: An exploratory study from West Bengal

India has a high burden of Tuberculosis (TB), accounting for a significant portion of global cases. While efforts are being made to engage the formal private sector in the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) of India, there remains a significant gap in addressing the engagement of Informal Healthcare Providers (IPs), who serve as the first point of contact for healthcare in many communities. Recognizing the increasing evidence of IPs' importance in TB care, it is crucial to enhance their engagement in the NTEP. Therefore, this study explored various factors influencing the engagement of IPs in the program. A qualitative study was conducted in West Bengal, India, involving 23 IPs and 11 Formal Providers (FPs) from different levels of the formal health system. Thematic analysis of the data was conducted following a six-step approach outlined by Braun and Clarke. Three overarching themes were identified in the analysis, encompassing barriers and facilitators to IPs' engagement in the NTEP. The first theme focused on IPs' position and capacity as care providers, highlighting their role as primary care providers and the trust and acceptance extended by the community. The second theme explored policy and system-level drivers and prohibitors, revealing barriers such as role ambiguity, competing tasks, and quality of care issues. Facilitators such as growing recognition of IPs' importance in the health system, an inclusive incentive system, and willingness to collaborate were also identified. The third theme focused on the relationship between the formal and informal systems, highlighting a need to strengthen the relationship between the two. This study sheds light on factors influencing the engagement of IPs in the NTEP of India. It emphasizes the need for role clarity, knowledge enhancement, and improved relationships between formal and informal systems. By addressing these factors, policymakers and stakeholders can strengthen the engagement of IPs in the NTEP

Anti-inflammatory activity of natural coumarin compounds from plants of the Indo-Gangetic plain

Natural compounds are a repertoire of organoleptic molecules. This indicates that although they are not a significant source of nutrients, still they exhibit a wide range of medicinal properties through their plethora of anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory activities. Coumarins, found in a variety of plants from different biodiversity regions, also have been reported to be present in many plants of the Indo-Gangetic plain. Here, we would attempt to enumerate the natural coumarin compounds, their pharmaco-therapeutic potential and their occurrence as well as abundance in the flora of the aforesaid biodiversity region. Coumarins, derived their name from the French word “coumarou” for Tonka bean. First isolated in 1820, coumarin still finds its relevance in the study of implementation of natural compounds in treating neuro-degenerative and cancer-like fatal diseases. Naturally occurring benzopyrones, chemically classified as lactones and coumarin compounds need to be reviewed to develop new era drugs from natural resources. This promises an effective treatment regimen with minimal side effects and also paves the path for a sustainable future with efforts to manage our health problems from the plant products in our immediate environment

Heavy metal contamination and risk assessment on ecological and public health in a tropical estuarine river

Heavy metals contamination of water is one of the most severe environmental and public health issues. The present study was conducted to assess the levels of lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in surface water of the Pasur River estuary in Bangladesh along with their health risk through the ingestion and dermal exposure. The decreasing order of studied metals was Cr > Pb >Cu > Zn > As > Cd with the mean value of 0.050 > 0.024 > 0.021 > 0.014 > 0.012 > 0.006 mg/L respectively. Pb, Cr, Cd and Zn concentration in water samples exceeded the safe limits of drinking water and thereby not safe for drinking. The multivariate analysis identified the common anthropogenic source and existence of studied metals. Heavy metal pollution index (HPI) and heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) indicated significant contamination of water. The HQ and HI through ingestion and dermal contact were <1 except for the adult, whereas HQ (only for As) and HI value through ingestion was >1 indicating an unacceptable risk of non-carcinogenic effects on public health. Carcinogenic risk through ingestion (CRing) indicated that consumption of water from Pasur River estuary may develop cancer risk of Cd. Therefore, strict rules and regulations must be adopted to reduce water contamination of this tidal river from anthropogenic sources for improving the health of this riverine ecosystem

Raman signatures of lattice dynamics across inversion symmetry breaking phase transition in quasi-1D compound, (TaSe4_4)3_3I

Structural phase transition can occur due to complex mechanisms other than simple dynamical instability, especially when the parent and daughter structure is of low dimension. This article reports such an inversion symmetry-breaking structural phase transition in a quasi-1D compound (TaSe$_4$)$_3$I at T$_S\sim$ 141~K studied by Raman spectroscopy. Our investigation of collective lattice dynamics reveals three additional Raman active modes in the low-temperature non-centrosymmetric structure. Two vibrational modes become Raman active due to the absence of an inversion center, while the third mode is a soft phonon mode resulting from the vibration of Ta atoms along the \{-Ta-Ta-\} chains. Furthermore, the most intense Raman mode display Fano-shaped asymmetry, inferred as the signature of strong electron-phonon coupling. The group theory and symmetry analysis of Raman spectra confirm the displacive-first-order nature of the structural transition. Therefore, our results establish (TaSe$_4)_3$I as a model system with broken inversion symmetry and strong electron-phonon coupling in the quasi-1D regime.Comment: Main text - 6 figures, 11 pages, supplementary - 10 figures, 13 page

Exploration of Electrochemical Intermediates of the Anticancer Drug Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Using Cyclic Voltammetry and Simulation Studies with an Evaluation for Its Interaction with DNA

Electrochemical behavior of the anticancer drug doxorubicin hydrochloride was studied using cyclic voltammetry in aqueous medium using Hepes buffer (pH~7.4). At this pH, doxorubicin hydrochloride undergoes a reversible two-electron reduction with E1/2 value −665±5 mV (versus Ag/AgCl, saturated KCl). Depending on scan rates, processes were either quasireversible (at low scan rates) or near perfect reversible (at high scan rates). This difference in behavior of doxorubicin hydrochloride with scan rate studied over the same potential range speaks of differences in electron transfer processes in doxorubicin hydrochloride. Attempt was made to identify and understand the species involved using simulation. The information obtained was used to study the interaction of doxorubicin hydrochloride with calf thymus DNA. Cathodic peak current gradually decreased as more calf thymus DNA was added. The decrease in cathodic peak current was used to estimate the interaction of the drug with calf thymus DNA. Nonlinear curve fit analysis was applied to evaluate the intrinsic binding constant and site size of interaction that was compared with previous results on doxorubicin hydrochloride-DNA interaction monitored by cyclic voltammetry or spectroscopic techniques