Endothelial function,regulation of angiogenesis and embryonic central hemodynamics in ART-conceived pregnancies

Abstract

This study was undertaken to compare the concentrations of pro- and anti-angiogenic growth factors, nitric oxide (NO) stable metabolites in maternal serum and embryonic left ventricular (LV) isovolumic relaxation time (IRT, ms) during the first trimester in two groups of women: with pregnancy conceived by assisted reproductive technologies (ART, n?=?39) and normally conceived (control group, n?=?68) pregnancy. The concentration of vasoconstrictor endothelin 1 was 45.5 times more in ART than in control group. On the contrary, the concentrations of NO stable metabolites in ART were 1.9 times less than in control women. The assessment of angiogenic suppressors in ART women demonstrates the decrease in s-endoglin concentration was 1.6 times and in soluble receptor to vascular endothelial growth factor concentration was 2.0 times in comparison with control group. There was a significant increase in LV IRT in ART embryos in comparison to control ones. These data suggest significant changes in pro- anti-angiogenic factors balance and increase in vascular impedance in ART-conceived embryos.     

Deep Brain Stimulation Compared With Contingency Management for the Treatment of Cocaine Use Disorders: A Threshold and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

ObjectivesCocaine is the second most frequently used illicit drug worldwide (after cannabis), and cocaine use disorder (CUD)-related deaths increased globally by 80% from 1990 to 2013. There is yet to be a regulatory-approved treatment. Emerging preclinical evidence indicates that deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus accumbens may be a therapeutic option. Prior to expanding the costly investigation of DBS for treatment of CUD, it is important to ensure societal cost-effectiveness.AimsWe conducted a threshold and cost-effectiveness analysis to determine the success rate at which DBS would be equivalent to contingency management (CM), recently identified as the most efficacious therapy for treatments of CUDs.Materials and MethodsQuality of life, efficacy, and safety parameters for CM were obtained from previous literature. Costs were calculated from a societal perspective. Our model predicted the utility benefit based on quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and incremental-cost-effectiveness ratio resulting from two treatments on a one-, two-, and five-year timeline.ResultsOn a one-year timeline, DBS would need to impart a success rate (ie, cocaine free) of 70% for it to yield the same utility benefit (0.492 QALYs per year) as CM. At no success rate would DBS be more cost-effective (incremental-cost-effectiveness ratio <$50,000) than CM during the first year. Nevertheless, as DBS costs are front loaded, DBS would need to achieve success rates of 74% and 51% for its cost-effectiveness to exceed that of CM over a two- and five-year period, respectively.ConclusionsWe find DBS would not be cost-effective in the short term (one year) but may be cost-effective in longer timelines. Since DBS holds promise to potentially be a cost-effective treatment for CUDs, future randomized controlled trials should be performed to assess its efficacy.     

Inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes associated with type 2 diabetes and antioxidative properties of some edible seeds in vitro

This study sought to evaluate the antioxidant properties and effects of some edible wild seeds [Afzelia africana Sm. (AFZ), Cyperus esculentus L. (CYP), Eleusine coracana Gaertn. (ELE), Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O’Rorke) Baill. (IRV), Monodora myristica Dunal. (MON) and Parinari curatellifolia Planch. ex Benth. (PAR)] on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities. The phenolic content and antioxidant activities of aqueous extracts of the seeds as typified by 1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl (OH) radicals scavenging abilities and inhibition of Fe²⁺-induced malondialdehyde (MDA) production in rat’s pancreas in vitro were also assessed. ELE had significantly (p < 0.05) higher total phenol content than the other seeds; however, AFZ had the highest flavonoid content. The extracts scavenged DPPH· and OH· in a dose-dependent manner with aqueous extracts of PAR having the highest DPPH· scavenging ability, while extracts from IRV had the highest OH· scavenging ability and inhibition of Fe²⁺-induced MDA production in rat’s pancreas. Furthermore, all the extracts inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities in a dose-dependent manner. The α-amylase inhibitory effect of MON (IC₅₀ = 0.48 mg/mL) was comparable to that of acarbose (IC₅₀ = 0.40 mg/mL), while the α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of AFZ (IC₅₀ = 0.45 mg/mL) was comparable to that of acarbose (IC₅₀ = 0.39 mg/mL). The results suggest the potential use of the seeds in the dietary management of blood glucose levels associated with type 2 diabetes.

     

A comparison of head injuries in male and female lacrosse participants seen in US emergency departments from 2005 to 2016

Introduction

In the United States there has been a large increase in participation in lacrosse for both males and females. The purpose of this study was to analyze the number of head injuries, injury rates (calculated using the reported number of participants) and types of head injuries that are seen in emergency departments in the United States.