Insulin sensitivity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

The aim of our study was to compare insulin sensitivity in lean and obese European polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women with lean healthy women. We performed the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp in 83 women with PCOS [53 lean with body mass index (BMI) of 21.5 +/- 1.8 kg/m2 and 30 obese with BMI of 29.6 +/- 3.7 kg/m2] and in 15 healthy women with BMI of 21.6 +/- 1.8 kg/m2 to determine glucose disposal (M) and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI). Statistical evaluation was done using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA followed by Kruskal-Wallis multiple-comparison z-value test. The basal blood glucose was significantly higher in lean and obese PCOS women than in controls (P < 0.02). Fasting insulin was significantly higher in both lean and obese PCOS women than in controls (P < 0.000001). Obese PCOS women were more insulin resistant than controls (P < 0.02 for M and P < 0.0008 for ISI); lean PCOS women did not differ from controls in M or ISI. Posthepatic insulin delivery was significantly higher in both lean and obese PCOS women compared with controls (P < 0.000008). We conclude that lean PCOS women are not more insulin resistant than healthy controls. Insulin hypersecretion, on the other hand, is present even in lean PCOS women.     

Evaluation of mannitol effect in patients with acute hepatic failure and acute-on-chronic liver failure using conventional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging and in-vivo proton MR spectroscopy

AIM： To evaluate the effect of an intravenous bolus of mannitol in altering brain metabolites, brain water content, brain parenchyma volume, cerebrospinal fluid （CSF） volume and clinical signs in controls and in patients with acute liver failure （ALF） and acute- on-chronic liver failure （ACLF）, by comparing changes in conventional magnetic resonance imaging （MRI）, in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy （PMRS） and diffusion tensor imaging （DTI） before and after its infusion.METHODS： Five patients each with ALF and ACLF in grade 3 or 4 hepatic encephalopathy and with clinical signs of raised intracranial pressure were studied along with five healthy volunteers. After baseline MRI, an intravenous bolus of 20% mannitol solution was given over 10 min in controls as well as in patients with ALF and ACLE Repeat MRI for the same position was acquired 30 rnin after completing the rnannitol injection. RESULTS： No statistically significant difference was observed between controls and patients with ALF and ACLF in metabolite ratios, DTI metrics and brain volume or CSF volume following 45 rain of mannitol infusion. There was no change in clinical status at the end of post-mannitol imaging. CONCLUSION： The osmotic effect of mannitol did not result in significant reduction of brain water content, alteration in metabolite ratios or any change in the clinical status of these patients during or within 45 min of mannitol infusion.     

Initial Severity and Depressive Relapse in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Antidepressant Medications: An Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis

Cognitive Therapy and Research - Baseline severity has emerged as a key predictor of acute response to treatments for depression. The goals of this individual patient data meta-analysis were to...     

Hematological and Molecular Findings in the First Case of Hb J-Norfolk [HBA2: c.173G>A (or HBA1] in an Indian Patient

Abstract

We here report a case of a 23-year-old female from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India who was detected to carry the α chain variant Hb J-Norfolk [HBA2: c.173G>A (or HBA1]. She had no clinical symptoms and was referred to us for routine investigations and screening. An abnormal peak was detected on both high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) with a fast-moving band on cellulose acetate electrophoresis. There is no detailed study on the HPLC and CE pattern of this hemoglobin (Hb) variant, and therefore, this study will help in detecting and avoiding missing these variants during routine investigations and population screening. This is the first report of this variant in the Indian population.     

Post-tuberculous broncho-esophageal fistula

Even though pulmonary tuberculosis is prevalent in India, its complications such as fistulae requiring surgical intervention have been rare in recent times. Nonsurgical treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis and its sequelae have generally yielded satisfactory result. One rare case of tuberculous esophagobronchial fistula in a young adult is reported here. The relevant literature highlighting the anesthetic and surgical management strategies of this pathology is briefly reviewed. Complimentary surgery may be necessary in multidrug resistant cases, or complications thereof and those that fail to respond to antituberculous therapy to achieve complete anatomobiological eradication of the disease.     

Effect of berberine on proliferation, biosynthesis of macromolecules, cell cycle and induction of intercalation with DNA, dsDNA damage and apoptosis in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells

Our primary aim was to study berberine, a potential anti-cancer drug, for its cytotoxic and antiproliferative activity in-vitro using Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells. Cytotoxicity was measured by the growth inhibition assay. We investigated the effect of berberine on the biosynthesis of macro-molecules (DNA, RNA, proteins), cell cycle effects and induction of dsDNA damage and apoptosis in berberine-treated EAC cells. Our results showed that berberine acts cytotoxically on EAC cells. The cytotoxicity was directly concentration and time dependent. The highest cytotoxic concentrations (100 and 50 microg mL(-1)) induced intercalation of berberine with DNA, formation of dsDNA breaks, inhibition of DNA synthesis and death of EAC cells. A concentration of 10 mug mL(-1) induced clear apoptotic cell death, which was followed by inhibition of protein synthesis.     

Haematospermia - a systematic review

Haematospermia (or haemospermia) is a distressing symptom in sexually active men. In most cases, it is caused by non-specific inflammation of the prostate and seminal vesicles. In a small percentage of men, however, it may be a manifestation of genito-urinary or systemic malignancy, in particular prostate cancer. The purpose of this review is to explain the causes and management of patients with haematospermia.     

Effects of preconceptional gamma irradiation on the development of rat brain

We investigated the influence of irradiation of rat males with sublethal dose (3 Gy) of gamma radiation 25 or 80 days before mating with control females on brain development in F1 generation progeny in prenatal and postnatal period. We found out the decrease in mitotic activity and increase in occurrence of chromosomal aberrations (chromosomal bridges) in embryos and brain (hemispheres and little brain) of youngs. Effects transferred to progeny from irradiated spermatids (by irradiation of males of F0 generation 25 days before fertilization) were more marked as effects transferred from irradiated spermatogonia (by irradiation 80 days before fertilization). During embryonic development and early postnatal period, the changes of mitotic index (MI) were gradually less expressive. The incidence of cells with unrepaired DNA damage (chromosomal bridges), however, was high until the end of experiment. These findings we consider as a manifestation of increased genome instability induced in the progeny by paternal irradiation.     

A novel Ser123Pro substitution in the MIDAS domain of integrin 3 associated with variant Glanzmann's thrombasthenia in an Indian patient

We report a novel 465T-->C (S123P) mutation in exon 3 of the GPIIIalpha gene in a patient with type III or variant Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT). Though this mutation did not affect fibrinogen binding to GPIIb-IIIalpha in activated platelets, it interfered with the platelet aggregation in a manner similar to GT.