Genetics of anthropometric asymmetry in an Indian endogamous population-Vaidyas.

To understand the genetics of Fluctuating Asymmetry (FA) and Directional Asymmetry (DA), the present study comprised 14 bilateral morphometric traits from 200 Vaidya families including 824 individuals (of two generations) from North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. The statistical analysis included: Regression analysis to remove the age effect, Familial correlation, Heritability estimation, Principal Component Analysis and Segregation Analysis (SA) using genetic model test. The obtained results revealed little effect of genetic factor and considerable amount of environmental influence on anthropometric asymmetry. The results support the idea postulated by several previous authors that FA provides a measure of developmental instability in man. The contribution of heredity on these asymmetric variables is not unimportant but that of the common environment is very substantial. The magnitude of heritability of DA traits is slightly higher than that of FA traits. Five principal factors were detected from these asymmetric traits (three factors are on asymmetry on length, head, and breadth; while last two factors represent the asymmetry of diameters). SA did not suggest any evidence of major gene contribution. But the involvement of minor genes or polygenes could not be discarded. As the study on SA of asymmetry in man is limited, similar other studies are needed to confirm the result of the present study.     

Ghosal Hematodiaphyseal Dysplasia with Myelofibrosis

Diaphyseal dysplasia with refractory anemia requiring blood transfusion is a relatively new entity having possible autosomal recessive inheritance. Prednisolone therapy alleviates the need for repeated transfusion. One such case is being reported here.     

Timing of intrauterine insemination: an attempt to unravel the enigma

Introduction  

Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) with intrauterine insemination (IUI) is an effective treatment in cases of cervical factor, unexplained infertility and mild male factor. The optimal timing of IUI after human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) after COS with clomiphene citrate is debatable and may be a factor limiting success of same. This study was designed to scientifically determine if variation in the timing of IUI could affect the cycle outcome.     

5-Aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy suppressed survival factors and activated proteases for apoptosis in human glioblastoma U87MG cells

Glioblastoma is the most common astrocytic brain tumor in humans. Current therapies for this malignancy are mostly ineffective. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), an exciting treatment strategy based on activation of a photosensitizer, has not yet been extensively explored for treating glioblastoma. We used 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) as a photosensitizer for PDT to induce apoptosis in human malignant glioblastoma U87MG cells and to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms. Trypan blue dye exclusion test showed a decrease in cell viability after exposure to increasing doses of 5-ALA for 4h followed by PDT with a broad spectrum blue light (400-550 nm) at a dose of 18J/cm(2) for 1h and then incubation at 37 degrees C for 4h. Following 0.5 and 1mM 5-ALA-based PDT (5-ALA-PDT), Wright staining and ApopTag assay showed occurrence of apoptosis morphologically and biochemically, respectively. After 5-ALA-PDT, down regulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) and baculovirus inhibitor-of-apoptosis repeat containing-3 (BIRC-3) protein indicated inhibition of survival signals. Besides, 5-ALA-PDT caused increase in Bax:Bcl-2 ratio and mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). Activation of calpain, caspase-9, and caspase-3 occurred in course of apoptosis. Calpain and caspase-3 activities cleaved alpha-spectrin at specific sites generating 145kD spectrin breakdown product (SBDP) and 120kD SBDP, respectively. The results suggested that 5-ALA-PDT induced apoptosis in U87MG cells by suppression of survival signals and activation of proteolytic pathways. Thus, 5-ALA-PDT can be an effective strategy for inducing apoptosis in glioblastoma.     

Endometrial effects of letrozole and clomiphene citrate in women with polycystic ovary syndrome using spiral artery Doppler

Objectives  To compare the effects of letrozole and clomiphene citrate (CC) on endometrial response in PCOS using subendometrial spiral artery Doppler. Methods  Fifty consecutive patients of anovulatory PCOS were recruited. Twenty-five patients (58 cycles) received 2.5–5 mg of letrozole; 25 patients (56 cycles) received 50–100 mg of CC (both orally on days 5–9 of menses). Main outcome measures: number of dominant follicles, endometrial thickness (ET), spiral artery resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) and pregnancy rate. Results  The mean number of dominant follicles in letrozole group and CC groups was 1.63 ± 1.02 and 1.62 ± 0.96, respectively (P > 0.05). The mean mid cycle ET was 6.9 ± 0.74 mm in letrozole group and 5.9 ± 0.53 mm in CC group (P < 0.05). In letrozole and CC groups, the mean RI of spiral artery were 0.63 ± 0.05 and 0.79 ± 0.09, respectively, and the mean PI of spiral artery were 1.19 ± 0.06 and 1.55 ± 0.13, respectively. Both RI and PI in the letrozole group showed significant lower impedance compared to CC group (P < 0.05). Pregnancy rate per cycle was 19% (11/58) in the letrozole group and 12.5% (7/56) in the CC group (P > 0.05). Conclusion  The effect of letrozole showed a significantly better endometrial response compared to CC.