Comparison of GnRH antagonist with long GnRH agonist protocol after OCP pretreatment in PCOs patients

Purpose  

To evaluate the efficacy of GnRH antagonist in comparison with the GnRH agonist protocol in OCP pretreated polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOs) patients undergoing their first ART cycle.     

Graves' ophthalmopathy and gene polymorphisms in interleukin-1α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-1 receptor and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist

Purpose: Interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) is known to have an important role in pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). Polymorphisms in IL‐1 gene have been associated with autoimmune reactions. This study aimed to investigate the association of GO with single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL‐1 family (IL‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐1 receptor [IL‐1R] and IL‐1 receptor antagonist [IL‐1RA]). Methods: A total of 57 patients of Graves' disease without GO, 50 patients with GO and 140 healthy controls were enrolled. Patients were recruited consecutively from the outpatient endocrine clinic of a large university general hospital. Cytokine typing was performed by the polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers assay. The allele and genotype frequencies of the following polymorphisms were determined: IL‐1α (?889C/T), IL‐1β (?511C/T), IL‐1β (+3962C/T), IL‐1R (Pst‐1 1970C/T) and IL‐1RA (Mspa‐1 11100C/T). Genotype distributions among patients were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium for all polymorphisms. Results: Among the five SNPs studied, the frequencies of the T allele and the TT genotype of IL‐1α (?889C/T) were significantly higher among patients with GO than those without GO (odds ratio [OR] = 2.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25–3.74; P = 0.006 and 5.67, 95% CI = 1.66–49.34; P = 0.005, respectively). For IL‐1RA (Mspa‐1 11100C/T), the frequencies of the C allele and the CC genotype were significantly higher among patients with GO (OR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.34–4.00; P = 0.004 and 6.73 95% CI = 1.94–23.36; P = 0.004, respectively; P < 0.01). No significant association was found for other SNPs. Conclusion: This is the first study to show a positive correlation between polymorphisms in the IL‐1α and IL‐1RA genes and susceptibility to GO. These findings promote further research into genetic correlates of GO.     

Antiplatelet properties of snake venoms: a mini review

Abstract

Snake venoms contain various active compounds including pharmacological polypeptides and proteins with various molecular weights. Some of these polypeptides and proteins are enzymatic or act as proteinases and hugely impact thrombosis and hemostasis in other species including humans. Numerous active molecules with enzymatic and non-enzymatic functions in snake venoms have been identified so far. For example, phospholipase A₂ enzymes, l-amino acid oxidases, metalloproteinases, serine proteinase, disintegrins, and C-type lectin-like proteins are the main molecules. They have pro- or anti-thrombotic effects depending on various variables and may stimulate or inhibit platelet aggregation. In the present updated article, we reviewed the effects of snake venoms on platelets, and the underlying mechanisms of action will be discussed in detail.     

Characteristics and Outcomes of Individuals With Pre-existing Kidney Disease and COVID-19 Admitted to Intensive Care Units in the United States

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An overview of aldehyde oxidase: an enzyme of emerging importance in novel drug discovery

Introduction: Given the rising trend in medicinal chemistry strategy to reduce cytochrome P450-dependent metabolism, aldehyde oxidase (AOX) has recently gained increased attention in drug discovery programs and the number of drug candidates that are metabolized by AOX is steadily growing.

Areas covered: Despite the emerging importance of AOX in drug discovery, there are certain major recognized problems associated with AOX-mediated metabolism of drugs. Intra- and inter-species variations in AOX activity, the lack of reliable and predictive animal models using the common experimental animals, and failure in the predictions of in vivo metabolic activity of AOX using traditional in vitro methods are among these issues that are covered in this article. A comprehensive review of computational human AOX (hAOX) related studies are also provided.

Expert opinion: Following the recent progress in the stem cell field, the authors recommend the application of organoids technology as an effective tool to solve the fundamental problems associated with the evaluation of AOX in drug discovery. The recent success in resolving the hAOX crystal structure can too be another valuable data source for the study of AOX-catalyzed metabolism of new drug candidates, using computer-aided drug discovery methods.     

A circular planar frequency diverse array for monostatic radar applications

Frequency diverse arrays (FDAs) with scanning features have recently been of interest to radar researchers. Different frequencies with different patterns applied to the properly arranged array elements lead to the range-angle dependent beampattern. In this paper, a monostatic radar system in which the transmitter is an FDA and the receiver is a phased array is proposed, with both of which being arranged in circular planar arrays. The elements of the FDA transmitter are located at several concentric rings. The elements frequency in each ring is the same and the frequency difference between the two adjacent rings is constant. The radius of each ring is proportional to the half-wavelength of the same ring. The presented structure produces a periodic range-angle dependent beampattern. By applying a non-uniform inter-ring frequency offset, a non-periodic beampattern is radiated. In the transmitter and receiver mode, the transmitted signal to the target is re?ected back to the phased array receiver. Similar to the transmitter, the receiver is composed of several concentric rings located after the last ring of the transmitter and the radius of each ring is proportional to the half-wavelength of central frequency.     

Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam

OBJECTIVE: Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a folk remedy for anxiety. A double-blind randomized trial compared the efficacy of Passiflora incarnata extract with oxazepam in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. METHODS: The study was performed on 36 out-patients diagnosed with GAD using DSM IV criteria. Patients were allocated in a random fashion: 18 to the Passiflora extract 45 drops/day plus placebo tablet group, and 18 to oxazepam 30 mg/day plus placebo drops for a 4-week trial. RESULTS: Passiflora extract and oxazepam were effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. No significant difference was observed between the two protocols at the end of trial. Oxazepam showed a rapid onset of action. On the other hand, significantly more problems relating to impairment of job performance were encountered with subjects on oxazepam. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Passiflora extract is an effective drug for the management of generalized anxiety disorder, and the low incidence of impairment of job performance with Passiflora extract compared to oxazepam is an advantage. A large-scale trial is justified.