In-vitro effect of Peganum harmala total alkaloids on spermatozoa quality and oxidative stress of epididymal ram semen

Objective: To determine the in-vitro effect of the total alkaloid extract of Peganum (P.) harmala seeds on ram epididymal sperm. Methods: Semen was divided into...     

Effect of Silicon Carbide and Tungsten Carbide on Concrete Composite

Flexural strength of concrete is an important property, especially for pavements. Concrete with higher flexural strength has fewer cracking and durability issues. Researchers use different materials, including fibers, polymers, and admixtures, to increase the flexural strength of concrete. Silicon carbide and tungsten carbide are some of the hardest materials on earth. In this research, the mechanical properties of carbide concrete composites were investigated. The silicon carbide and tungsten carbide at different percentages (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) by weight of cement along with hybrid silicon carbide and tungsten carbide (2% and 4%) were used to produce eleven mixes of concrete composites. The mechanical tests, including a compressive strength test and flexural strength test, along with the rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT), were conducted. It was concluded that mechanical properties were enhanced by increasing the percentages of both individual and hybrid carbides. The compressive strength was increased by 17% using 4% tungsten carbide, while flexural strength was increased by 39% at 4% tungsten carbide. The significant effect of carbides on flexural strength was also corroborated by ANOVA analysis. The improvement in flexural strength makes both carbides desirable for use in concrete pavement. Additionally, the permeability, the leading cause of durability issues, was reduced considerably by using tungsten carbide. It was concluded that both carbides provide promising results by enhancing the mechanical properties of concrete and are compatible with concrete to produce composites.     

DOLAVI Real-Life Study of Dolutegravir Plus Lamivudine in Naive HIV-1 Patients (48 Weeks)

Brief: Real-world data in naïve HIV-1 patients demonstrate that dolutegravir plus lamivudine in a multiple tablet regimen is effective, safe, and satisfactory; it causes moderately increasing weight and abdominal circumference and is administrable on a test-and-treat strategy. Background: Our objectives were to determine the real-life effectiveness and safety of DT with dolutegravir (50 mg/QD) plus lamivudine (300 mg/QD) in a multiple-tablet regimen (MTR) in naïve PLHIV followed up for 48 weeks and to evaluate the compliance and satisfaction of patients. Material and methods: An open, single-arm, multicenter, non-randomized clinical trial from May 2019 through September 2020 with a 48-week follow-up. Results: The study included 88 PLHIV patients (87.5% male) with a mean age of 35.9 years; 76.1% were MSM patients. The mean baseline CD4 was 516.4 cells/uL, with a viral load (VL) of 4.49 log₁₀, and 11.4% were in the AIDS stage. DT started within 7 days of first specialist consultation in all patients and the same day in 84.1%; 3.4% had baseline resistance mutations (K103N, V106I + E138A, and V108I); 12.5% were lost to follow-up. At week 48, 86.3% had VL < 50 cop/uL by intention-to-treat analysis and 98.7% by per-protocol (PP) analysis. Virological failure (VF) was recorded in 1.1%, with no resistance mutation. One blip was detected in 5.2% without VF. Three reported anxiety, dizziness, and cephalgia, respectively, at week 4 and one reported insomnia at week 24; none reported adverse events at week 48. The mean weight was 4 kg higher at 48 weeks (p = 0.0001) and abdominal circumference 3 cm larger at 24 weeks (p = 0.022). No forgetfulness occurred in 98.7% of patients. Patient satisfaction was 90/100 at 4, 24, and 48 weeks. Conclusion: Real-world data demonstrate that dolutegravir plus lamivudine in MTR is effective, safe, and satisfactory, moderately increasing weight and abdominal circumference and administrable on a test-and-treat strategy.     

New methods in mammary gland development and cancer: proteomics, epigenetics, symmetric division and metastasis

ABSTRACT: The European Network for Breast Development and Cancer (ENBDC) meeting on 'Methods in Mammary Gland Development and Cancer' has become an annual international rendezvous for scientists with interests in the normal and neoplastic breast. The fourth meeting in this series, held in April in Weggis, Switzerland, focused on proteomics, epigenetics, symmetric division, and metastasis.     

Vascular Risk Factors as Predictors of Sexual Function Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

IntroductionA strong association between cardiovascular risk factors and erectile dysfunction (ED) was suggested. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the gold standard for surgical myocardial revascularization.AimWe herein evaluate the impact of vascular risk factors on postoperative sexual functions in patients undergo CABG.Main Outcome MeasuresED severity by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and penile duplex study.MethodsThe present study included 100 patients who underwent CABG. The patients were evaluated by an abridged form of the IIEF-5 questionnaire, followed by CABG. Six months after surgery the erectile function of all patients was revaluated utilizing the IIEF-5.ResultsNumber of risk factors was significantly associated with postoperative change in IIEF-5 score (P = 0.02). A post hoc analysis of the association revealed that patients with one risk factor were significantly more likely to have increased IIEF-5 scores (N = 18), whereas those with two or more risk factors were significantly more likely to have decreased IIEF-5 scores (N = 21, P < 0.05). Furthermore, those with no risk factors were significantly more likely to be stable (N = 8) compared with those with more than two risk factors, who were more likely to have decreased scores (P < 0.05). The hierarchical logistic regression results showed that when examining all risk factors simultaneously, because of multicollinearity, only hyperlipidemia was significantly associated with postoperative ED (odds ratio [OR] = 11.33, confirdence interval [CI] = 1.25, 102.82). Frequency of intercourse was also significantly associated with postoperative ED after controlling for risk factors (OR = 0.71, CI = 0.52, 0.97).ConclusionsThis data clearly shows that the number of cardiovascular risk factors is an essential predictive factor for sexual function following surgery. Only hyperlipidemia may play a predictive role for the future sexual function of patients undergo CABG. Mohamed OA, Hamed HA, Roaiah MF, Helmy T, Mahran A, and Bennett CJ. Vascular risk factors as predictors of sexual function following coronary artery bypass graft. J Sex Med 2009;6:2017–2023.