Spiraeamide,new sphingolipid from Spiraea brahuica

Spiraeamide (1), a new sphingolipid, has been isolated from the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the methanolic extract of the whole plant of Spiraea brahuica, along with marrubiin (2), 19-acetylmarrubenol (3), and 6-acetylmarruenol (4). Their structures were elucidated by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, and COSY, NOESY, HMQC, HMBC, EI-MS, and FAB-MS experiments.     

Influence of obesity on soluble endoglin and transforming growth factor β1 in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background

Chronic low-grade inflammation is a common feature of obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). There is dysregulation of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in women with PCOS, soluble endoglin (sEng) is a non-signaling coreceptor of the TGF-β modulating its responses. We aimed for the first time to investigate the impact of obesity on sEng and TGF-β1 in women with PCOS.

In vivo study of the effectiveness of quantitative percussion diagnostics as an indicator of the level of structural pathology of teeth after restoration

Statement of problem

Conventional diagnostic aids based upon imagery and patient symptoms do not indicate whether restorative treatments have eliminated structural pathology.

Cervical changes associated with progestagen-only contraceptives: a team approach

OBJECTIVES: To report clinical, cytologic and colposcopic findings among women using progestagen-only contraceptives for more than 3 years as compared to nonhormonal contraceptives; and to assess the role of nursing in increasing the women's knowledge about Pap test and risk factors for cervical cancer in a developing country set-up. DESIGN: A prospective cross-sectional comparative study. SETTING: Family-planning clinic of a tertiary care university hospital. SUBJECTS: A total of 325 current users of contraceptive methods for more than 3 years. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were divided into two groups. Group A included 200 patients using progestagen-only contraceptives. While group B comprised 125 patients wearing intrauterine devices. In both groups, the patient was asked about the risk factors and her knowledge about cancer cervix. Clinical and cytologic evaluations of the cervix were done. For each patient, two cervical smears were taken using Ayre's spatula and the endocervical brush. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical, cytologic and histopathologic cervical abnormalities after prolonged use, and the effect of health education or counseling on the patient's knowledge about preinvasive or invasive cervical cancer. RESULTS: Initial naked eye assessment of the cervix revealed statistically significant difference between both groups (p < 0.000). However, cytologic examinations revealed positive cases of low- and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) in 38 (19%) and 22 (17.6%) in the study and control groups, respectively, without any statistically significant difference. There were no statistically significant differences in both groups regarding the frequency of positive cases whether using Ayre's spatula or the endocervical brush. Women's knowledge was compared in the first and last interviews by the nursing staff involved in health education or counseling. It increased in the counseling group; however, the difference was statistically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged use of progestagen-only contraceptives is not associated with increased risk of abnormal cytologic findings. There was a marked lack of women's knowledge as regards Pap test and cervical cancer with some statistically insignificant improvement after interview and counseling. Extended training of the nursing staff on the procedure of Pap smear would help establish screening programs in the developing countries.     

Design, synthesis and preliminary antiviral screening of new N-phenylpyrazole and dihydroisoxazole derivatives

A new series of N-phenylpyrazoles and dihydroisoxazles was synthesized starting from α,β-unsaturated ketones in basic media using phenyl hydrazine and hydroxylamine HCl, respectively. Antiviral evaluation of the target compounds revealed that the dihydroisoxazole derivatives have promising antiviral activity against hepatitis A virus and herpes simplex virus type 1.