Role of 3D sonohysterography in the investigation of uterine synechiae/asherman's syndrome: Pictorial assay

Several imaging methods have been applied for evaluation of suspected uterine synechiae; however, sonohysterography is yet recognised as a valid and accurate modality. Performing three‐dimensional (3D) imaging along with sonohysterography enables evaluation of the uterus in the coronal plane to detect and grade the adhesions that characterise this condition. Thus, 3D sonohysterography is a minimally invasive and cost‐effective tool for investigating suspected synechiae and is particularly useful when the transvaginal sonography findings are normal.     

Connectivity Defects and Collective Assemblies in Model Metallo‐Supramolecular Dual‐Network Hydrogels

Double network hydrogels are composed of chemical and physical bonds, whose influences on the macroscopic material properties are convoluted. To decouple these, a model dually crosslinked network with independently tunable permanent and reversible crosslinks is introduced. This is realized by interlinking linear and tetra‐arm poly(ethylenegycol) (PEG) precursors with complementary reactive terminal groups. The former also carries a terpyridine ligand at each end, which forms reversible metallo‐supramolecular bonds upon addition of metal ions. These dual networks display different types and amounts of network defects, as studied by light scattering and proton double‐quantum (DQ) NMR. Dynamic light scattering suggests that the network mesh size decreases upon introduction of metal ions, as supported by a decrease of the residual dipolar coupling constant in NMR. Static light scattering indicates larger static inhomogeneities in those networks composed of stronger ions. This is complemented by a fast solid‐like component in the DQ buildup in NMR, attributed to the formation of nanoscopic clusters of charged complexes. The DQ buildup curves also suggest that the presence of strong physical bonds increases the fraction of mobile segments, like loops and dangling ends. This combined study unveils the interplay of chemical and physical bonds toward the formation of a hierarchical structure.     

Mental and personality disorders in infertile women with polycystic ovary: a case-control study

BackgroundPolycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility in women.ObjectiveThe current study investigated mental and personality disorders in infertile women with and without PCOS.MethodsThis case-control study evaluated 400 infertile women who referred to the Infertility Center in Babol city (North of Iran). Participants were categorized into the case group (201 PCOS) and the control group (199 without PCOS). All of the participants completed the Millon Clinical Multi-axial Inventory-III (MCMI-III).ResultsThe mean scores for clinical personality patterns were significantly higher for six personality disorders (schizoid, avoidant, antisocial, depressive, sadistic, and negativistic) and for three classes of severe personality disorder patterns (schizotypal, borderline, and paranoid) in infertile women with PCOS than in women without PCOS. The mean scores for eight clinical disorders (somatoform, manic disorder, dysthymia, alcohol-dependence, drug-dependence, post-trauma stress disorder, major depression, and delusion disorder) were also higher in infertile women with PCOS than in women without PCOS.ConclusionThe scores of many mental and personality disorders are higher in infertile women with PCOS than in women without PCOS. Thus, clinicians should prioritize recognizing and treating psychological problems of infertile women with PCOS.     

Risk factors associated with diabetic foot ulcer-free survival in patients with diabetes

Aims

This study was done to assess the risk factors associated with diabetic foot ulcer-free survival in patients with diabetes.