Effects of aurothiomalate and gold(III) complexes on spontaneous motility of isolated human oviduct.

Organic gold complexes have different biological activity, depending on their potential for interactions with key functional molecules.The aim of this study was to investigate potential of several newly synthesized organic gold complexes to influence spontaneous motility of the Fallopian tubes.The effects of [Au(bipy)Cl(2)](+) (dichloride(2,2'-bipyridyl)aurate(III)-ion), aurothiomalate, [Au(DMSO)(2)Cl(2)]Cl and DMSO on spontaneous motility of Fallopian tubes were tested on the isolated tube segments in vitro. Aurothiomalate (from 2.9 × 10(-9) to 4.9 × 10(-4) M/l), [Au(bipy)Cl(2)]Cl (from 3.3 × 10(-9) to 4.2 × 10(-5) M/l) and DMSO (from 1.9 × 10(-8) to 1.0 × 10(-5) M/l) did not affect spontaneous contractions of the isolated Fallopian tube ampulla, while [Au(DMSO)(2)Cl(2)]Cl (from 2.9 × 10(-9) to 4.2 × 10(-5) M/l) showed concentration-dependent increase (stimulation) of spontaneous contractions of the isolated Fallopian tube isthmus, and remained without effect on the isolated ampulla.The drugs designed as organic gold complexes with weaker bonds between the gold itself and organic part of a molecule could adversely affect motility of the Fallopian tubes, and theoretically fertility of women taking such drugs in their reproductive age.

Evaluation of risk by patients' and with clinicians' ratings: a CORE-OM and CORE-A investigation.

While Whewell and Bonanno reported significant relationships between therapists' ratings of risk and patients' ratings of categorized Clinical Outcome in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measures (CORE-OM) risk items, Rowsell and Stennett-Cox found that only two non-risk items of the total 34 CORE-OM items correlated significantly with reported risk behaviours. The current study of 870 patients examined the intercorrelations of the CORE-OM item matrix, including the 28 non-risk items, and their correlations with the Risk domain items. Additionally, CORE-Assessment clinicians' risk ratings were compared with the patients' risk self-ratings. The results differed from the findings of Rowsell and Stennett-Cox and provided validatory evidence supplementing that of Whewell and Bonanno. The Harm to Self items appeared to be of particular behavioural significance.

Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire anxiety items in an adult british clinical sample: one scale or two?

In seeking to establish British clinical normative data for the two anxiety scales (anxious symptoms and anxious arousal) of the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire (MASQ), the responses of 237 British National Health Service outpatients were examined. Factor analyses (exploratory and confirmatory) failed to confirm the expected structure. Data were presented and discussed, considering the 28 anxiety item pool in terms of being either two highly correlated scales of somatic anxiety versus psychological anxiety, or as a single general anxiety scale. As neither of these outcomes accorded with the test constructors' assumptions, it was concluded that the MASQ is not a suitable measure for assessing the tripartite model of adverse mood states in British clinical samples.

Effects of cisplatin and other Pt(II) complexes on spontaneous motility of isolated human oviduct.

The toxicity of platinum(II) ion could be significantly modified by coordination with some organic compounds. In our study, the cytotoxicity and the influence of platinum(II) complexes, such as cisplatin, cis-[PtCl(2)(NH(3))(2)], [PtCl(2)(SMC)] and [PtCl(2)(DMSO)(2)] (where SMC is S-methyl-l-cysteine and DMSO is dimethyl sulphoxide) on spontaneous motility of isolated human fallopian tubes were investigated. Cisplatin showed potent pro-apoptotic effects on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). However, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were substantially less sensitive to [PtCl(2)(SMC)] and [PtCl(2)(DMSO)], and these compounds showed no toxic effect on PBMC in all concentrations examined. Cisplatin showed concentration-dependent inhibition of spontaneous contractions of the isolated ampulla. (EC(50)=1.14+/-0.03 x 10(-6)M/l, r=0.714, p<0.05) while [PtCl(2)(SMC)] and [PtCl(2)(DMSO)(2)] did not affect spontaneous contractions of isolated fallopian tube ampulla.

[The ultrasonographic diagnosis of fetal encephalocele at 13th gestational week].

BACKGROUND: Encephalocele presents a rare anomaly of central nervous system, developed as a consequence of neural tube closing defect during early embrional development, and it is described by a baggy formation which prolaborates through the pores of the scull, filled with brain tissue, cerebrospinal liquor and entwined with meninges. According to literature search, until this day, the earliest it can be ultrasonically detected is the 13th gestation week, with the appliance of three-dimensional ultrasound. CASE REPORT: We presented 25 years old patient, ultrasonically diagnosed with occipital fetal encephalocela at the 13th gestation week. A gestation sack was located in the right uteral corn of the two-corned uterus with one cervix. The diagnosis was confirmed also by trippled value of alpha-fetoprotein in maternal serum: 75.98 IU/mL. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonic examination is the method of choice for prenatal detection of a fetal anomaly. It is possible to diagnose encephalocele if it prominates above the limits of the scull.

Contractile effects of endothelins on isolated ampullar segment of human oviduct in luteal phase of menstrual cycle.

Endothelin-1 induces contractions of human oviduct ampullar segment in follicular phase of menstrual cycle, acting on ET(A) receptors. The aim of our study was to investigate effects of endothelin-1, endothelin-2 and endothelin-3 on isolated ampullar segment of human oviducts, taken from the patients in luteal phase of menstrual cycle. Fallopian tubes were taken from 20 female patients (one tube from each patient) during abdominal hysterectomy with adnexectomy, due to extensive uterine fibroids. The oviduct ampulla was mounted in an organ bath longitudinally, and the tension of the isolated preparation was recorded with the isometric transducer. Endothelin-1 produced concentration-dependent tonic contraction of the isolated ampullar segment (EC(50)=6.80 +/- 1.2 x 10(-10)M), and concentration-dependent inhibition of its rhythmic contractions (EC(50)=7.86 +/- 2.3 x 10(-10)M). Endothelin-2 produced concentration-dependent tonic contraction of the isolated ampullar segment (EC(50)=4.56 +/- 0.3 x 10(-10)M), without affecting its rhythmic contractions. Endothelin-3 did not affect either tone or rhythmic contractions of the isolated preparations. Selective antagonist for ET(A) receptor subtype, BQ 123, produced inhibition of endothelin-1 effects on both tone (pA(2)=9.50) and spontaneous rhythmic contractions (pA(2)=10.73), while selective antagonist for ET(B) receptor subtype, BQ 788, produced only inhibition of endothelin-1 effects on tone (pA(2)=9.61), while the effect of endothelin-1 on spontaneous rhythmic contractions remained unaffected. The results of our study suggest that in the luteal phase both ET(A) and ET(B) receptors regulate tone, and only ET(A) receptors regulate rhythmic activity of human oviduct's ampullar segment.

[Impact of vaginal and cervical colonisation/infection on preterm delivery].

BACKGROUND/AIM: Preterm delivery together with insufficient body weight and death cases in newborns is the main issue in obstetrics. About 40% of preterm delivery is caused by infections. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and which bacterial infections of genital tract can be associated with preterm delivery, and depending on when diagnosis was made. METHOD: The study involved 216 pregnant women. According to pregnancy outcome, two groups were formed. The study group involved 29 pregnant women who had preterm delivery out of which nine were examined in I trimester, eight in II trimester and 12 in III trimester. The control group involved 187 pregnant women out of which 47 were examined in I trimester, 73 in II trimester and 67 in III trimester. Bacteriological examination of vaginal and cervical swabs was done in all pregnant women. Infection was diagnosed by finding bacterial antigen in cervical swabs or positive cultures of vaginal and/or cervical swabs followed by the presence of the increased number of polymorphonuclears in direct microscopic preparation. RESULTS: The results showed that in III trimester of pregnancy vaginal bacterial infection was statistically more common (p = 0.021) in women who had preterm delivery (66.7%) in relation to women who delivered in term (29.9%). In this period of gestation the increased number of polymorphonuclears in DMP of vaginal swabs is more common in the women of the study group (75%) than in the women of the control group (43.3%). Preterm delivery was registered in 16.1% women whose microbiological analyses were done in I trimester, 9.9% women in whom microbiological analyses were done in II trimester and in 15.2% pregnant women microbiologically tested in III trimester. CONCLUSION: Based on the obtained results it could be concluded that bacterial infections of genital tract and period of gestation when infection is diagnosed have influence on reducing perinatal morbidity and mortality caused by preterm delivery.