Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 35
Filter
Add more filters

Publication year range
1.
Ann Oncol ; 31(1): 103-114, 2020 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31912782

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Advanced prostate cancer etiology is poorly understood. Few studies have examined associations of anthropometric factors (e.g. early adulthood obesity) with advanced prostate cancer risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out pooled analyses to examine associations between body fatness, height, and prostate cancer risk. Among 830 772 men, 51 734 incident prostate cancer cases were identified, including 4762 advanced (T4/N1/M1 or prostate cancer deaths) cases, 2915 advanced restricted (same as advanced, but excluding localized cancers that resulted in death) cases, 9489 high-grade cases, and 3027 prostate cancer deaths. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate study-specific hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI); results were pooled using random effects models. RESULTS: No statistically significant associations were observed for body mass index (BMI) in early adulthood for advanced, advanced restricted, and high-grade prostate cancer, and prostate cancer mortality. Positive associations were shown for BMI at baseline with advanced prostate cancer (HR = 1.30, 95% CI = 0.95-1.78) and prostate cancer mortality (HR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.12-2.07) comparing BMI ≥35.0 kg/m2 with 21-22.9 kg/m2. When considering early adulthood and baseline BMI together, a 27% higher prostate cancer mortality risk (95% CI = 9% to 49%) was observed for men with BMI <25.0 kg/m2 in early adulthood and BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2 at baseline compared with BMI <25.0 kg/m2 in early adulthood and BMI <30.0 kg/m2 at baseline. Baseline waist circumference, comparing ≥110 cm with <90 cm, and waist-to-hip ratio, comparing ≥1.00 with <0.90, were associated with significant 14%-16% increases in high-grade prostate cancer risk and suggestive or significant 20%-39% increases in prostate cancer mortality risk. Height was associated with suggestive or significant 33%-56% risks of advanced or advanced restricted prostate cancer and prostate cancer mortality, comparing ≥1.90 m with <1.65 m. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that height and total and central adiposity in mid-to-later adulthood, but not early adulthood adiposity, are associated with risk of advanced forms of prostate cancer. Thus, maintenance of healthy weight may help prevent advanced prostate cancer.


Subject(s)
Prostatic Neoplasms , Adult , Body Height , Body Mass Index , Diet , Humans , Male , Proportional Hazards Models , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Waist Circumference
2.
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi ; 99(34): 2675-2680, 2019 Sep 10.
Article in Zh | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31505718

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) therapy for men with idiopathic dysuria. Methods: From January 2012 to December 2016, a total of 26 patients treated with SNM therapy from multi-center across the country were retrospectively studied. The age ranged from 19 to 86 years with an average age of 45.2 years. Patients suffered from one or multiple urinary symptoms such as frequency of urination, urgency, urinary retention, etc. All patients had received more than two types of conservative therapy including oral and behavioral therapy, but had poor or no improvement. The voiding diary, urgency score and the quality of life score before implantation, in stageⅠ after implantation and stage Ⅱ after permanent implantation were recorded and compared. Results: A total of 22 patients chose to receive IPG at the end of stageⅠ therapy while 4 patients refused further stage Ⅱ therapy because of dissatisfactory effect. The conversion rate of stage Ⅰ to stage Ⅱ was 84.6% (22/26). The average follow-up time was 19.2 months, ranging from 3 to 63 months. The baseline of residual urine, voiding frequency and average voiding amount and those after stage Ⅰ therapy were [5 (0, 137.5) ] ml vs [0 (0, 40) ] ml, 14.6±6.1 vs 9.1±2.8, [100 (80, 135) ] ml vs [190 (150, 210) ] ml, respectively. The differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).However, no significant differences were found in urination volume and quality of life (QoL) before and after implantation(P>0.05). During an average follow-up time of 19.2 months after the permanent implantation, over 80% patients had an improvement of residual urine volume by more than 50% after permanent implantation while the improvement was 55.6% after stage Ⅰ therapy, suggesting that the improvement of residual urine volume might be positively correlated with the duration of regulation. No significant differences were found in other parameters between stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ therapy. No adverse events like wound infection and electrode dislocation happened during our study. Conclusions: SNM is an effective and safety procedure for male patients with idiopathic dysuria, with a relatively high transfer rate. The medium-term curative effect is stable. The duration of regulation may be positively correlated with the improvement of residual urine.


Subject(s)
Dysuria , Electric Stimulation Therapy , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Dysuria/therapy , Humans , Lumbosacral Plexus , Male , Middle Aged , Quality of Life , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Young Adult
4.
J Obstet Gynaecol ; 34(4): 317-21, 2014 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24476394

ABSTRACT

This report is based on an audit of the delivery outcome of a specific care pathway for women who had made a maternal request for caesarean section (MRCS). The study took place in a UK inner city National Health Service maternity unit with 6,000 births per year. All 31 multiparous and 16 nulliparous women on the pathway were included. All of the former group had delivered vaginally, all reported having experienced their previous birth as traumatic, and all subsequently delivered vaginally. Of the 16 nulliparous women, six delivered by planned caesarean section; four delivered vaginally; four had an instrumental delivery and two had an emergency caesarean section. A designated multidisciplinary care pathway that incorporates education and support may have the potential to help more women to achieve a normal delivery. More research is needed to assess its potential for reducing unnecessary caesarean deliveries and for improving user experience.


Subject(s)
Cesarean Section/psychology , Elective Surgical Procedures/psychology , Adult , Clinical Audit , Female , Humans , Pregnancy
5.
Spinal Cord ; 51(6): 487-90, 2013 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23357928

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: The study was designed as a single-arm clinical trial. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of detrusor botulinum toxin A (BoNTA) injection on urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: The study was performed in a national rehabilitation research center of China. METHODS: Between September 2010 and May 2012, 41 male inpatients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) caused by traumatic SCI, mean age 36.0±8.8 years, duration of SCI since inclusion 21.5±17.3 months, received an injection of 300 U BoNTA into detrusor. Before and 3 months after injection, each patient kept a bladder diary, underwent video-urodynamic investigation and urine culture. All UTIs occurring in the 6 months before and the 6 months after injection were recorded. RESULTS: Before injection, the mean number of UTI over 6 months was 1.39±1.36. After injection, the mean significantly decreased to 0.78±0.96 (P=0.023). The mean maximum detrusor pressure during filling decreased significantly in the patients of detrusor overactivity (n=24) compared with patients of normo-active detrusor (n=17) after injection (35.4±12.2 vs 20.9±7.9 cmH(2)O, P=0.000), meantime, the decrease of UTI was significant in the former (1.29±1.21 vs 0.41±0.62 cmH(2)O, P=0.015) while no significant in the latter (1.46±1.47 vs 1.04±1.08, P=0.319). CONCLUSION: Detrusor BoNTA injection significantly decreased UTI in SCI patients with NDO. This effect seems to be related to the decrease of detrusor pressure.


Subject(s)
Botulinum Toxins, Type A/therapeutic use , Neuromuscular Agents/therapeutic use , Spinal Cord Injuries/complications , Urinary Bladder, Overactive/drug therapy , Urinary Tract Infections/prevention & control , Adult , Botulinum Toxins, Type A/administration & dosage , Humans , Injections, Intramuscular , Male , Neuromuscular Agents/administration & dosage , Urinary Bladder/drug effects
6.
J Obstet Gynaecol ; 33(3): 292-5, 2013 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23550862

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to gather information from service users of an African Women's Clinic for the purposes of planning service improvement and estimating research feasibility. The report is based on 17 interviews with Somali speaking women who had experienced female genital cutting in childhood. With language barriers removed, a high percentage of clinic attendees responded positively to the invitation to participate in research. They willingly discussed their experiences of FGM and expressed their negative viewpoints about the practice of FGM, suggesting that psychosocial and psychosexual research may be feasibly carried out in specialist contexts. The results also point to the need for psychological and educational input for service improvement.


Subject(s)
Circumcision, Female/psychology , Emigrants and Immigrants/psychology , Mental Recall , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Circumcision, Female/adverse effects , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Services Needs and Demand , Humans , Mental Disorders/etiology , Perception , Pilot Projects , Research , Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological/etiology , United Kingdom
7.
J Obstet Gynaecol ; 33(5): 459-62, 2013 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23815196

ABSTRACT

Despite the availability of professional guidelines for the pregnancy management of women affected by female genital mutilation (FGM), this study demonstrated major deficits in identification, management and safeguarding.


Subject(s)
Circumcision, Female/statistics & numerical data , Delivery, Obstetric/statistics & numerical data , Midwifery/standards , Obstetrics/standards , Female , Guideline Adherence , Humans , London , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Pregnancy , Retrospective Studies
8.
J Obstet Gynaecol ; 33(7): 648-50, 2013 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24127945

ABSTRACT

When a healthy woman expresses concerns about her vulva, the doctor's response should be informed by clinical knowledge. For many doctors, accumulation of such knowledge would have begun with undergraduate teaching and medical textbooks. The aim of this study is to examine the information on female genital morphology in medical textbooks. A total of 59 gynaecology and anatomy textbooks were searched for information on the dimensions of vulval constitutent parts. No textbook gave measurements for all vulval structures. Vaginal length was reported in 21/59 textbooks, clitoral size in 15/59 and labia minora in 1/59. Where measurements appear, they suggest narrower ranges than recent reports. Information of vulval morphology is scanty and inaccurate in medical textbooks. The general lack of professional resources means that doctors may consciously or non-consciously rely upon personal experiences and popular culture to form their opinions, as do their patients.


Subject(s)
Anatomy/education , Gynecology/education , Textbooks as Topic , Vulva/anatomy & histology , Female , Humans , Vulva/surgery
9.
Spinal Cord ; 50(3): 202-7, 2012 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22124344

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: There is increasing evidence that intravenously injected neural progenitor cells promote recovery of bladder function in rodents, following contusive spinal cord injury through migrating into the injured spinal cord tissue and differentiating into central nervous system cells. The present study was aimed to clarify whether intravenously transplanted bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) could improve lower urinary tract (LUT) function in rats with spinal cord transection (SCT). METHODS: A total of 22 rats underwent experimentation in three groups, including group 1-sham operation, group 2 (BMSC)-SCT plus BrdU (5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine) labeled BMSCs transplantation at day 9 after SCT, group 3-SCT control. All rats were investigated urodynamically on day 28 after transplantation. RESULTS: BMSCs identified by BrdU immunohistochemistry survived in the injured spinal cord and lumbar level 3-4 (L(3-4)). Voiding pressure, episodes of non-voiding contractions and residual urine volumes were significantly decreased in BMSC rats, compared with the controls. Bladder capacity was similar in both groups. In four out of eight BMSC rats and one out of seven controls, the tonic and bursting external urethral sphincter electromyographic activity were detected during cystometry. Silent periods during bursting were shorter and activity periods were longer in BMSC rats compared with sham rats. CONCLUSION: Intravenously transplanted BMSCs survived in the L(3-4) and had beneficial effects on the recovery of LUT function in the rats after SCT.


Subject(s)
Bone Marrow Transplantation , Spinal Cord Injuries/therapy , Urinary Bladder/physiopathology , Urinary Tract/physiopathology , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Injections, Intravenous , Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology , Male , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Recovery of Function/physiology , Spinal Cord Injuries/physiopathology , Stromal Cells/transplantation
10.
Eur J Neurol ; 18(8): 1060-6, 2011 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21244583

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Animal experiments indicate that the cerebral thrombin is associated with secondary brain damage after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This study was aimed to investigate the concentrations of thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) in hematoma fluid and plasma of the patients with ICH after surgery and analyze the correlation between TAT complex levels and severity of ICH. METHODS: Sixty patients with ICH were enrolled. Craniotomy for removal of intracranial blood clot was performed within 24h after ICH. Hematoma fluid and plasma were collected on postoperative days 1, 2, and 4. The plasma obtained from healthy subjects and cerebrospinal fluid from patients without cerebrovascular diseases served as controls, respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the concentrations of TAT complex in the patients and controls. RESULTS: TAT complex concentrations in both postoperative plasma and hematoma fluid of patients with ICH were significantly higher than those of the controls (P<0.01). In patients with ICH, hematoma fluid had a higher TAT complex level than plasma (P<0.01). The preoperative hemorrhage volume and postoperative TAT complex levels in plasma and hematoma fluid correlated positively with National Institutes of Health stroke scale and negatively with Glasgow coma score (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that TAT complex levels of plasma and hematoma fluid correlate positively with the severity of ICH. Determination of the plasma TAT complex concentration is helpful for the evaluation of the severity of post-ICH brain injury.


Subject(s)
Hematoma/blood , Intracranial Hemorrhage, Hypertensive/blood , Peptide Hydrolases/blood , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antithrombin III/cerebrospinal fluid , Female , Hematoma/surgery , Humans , Intracranial Hemorrhage, Hypertensive/surgery , Intracranial Hypertension/blood , Intracranial Hypertension/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , Peptide Hydrolases/cerebrospinal fluid , Predictive Value of Tests , Prognosis
11.
BJOG ; 118(12): 1507-10, 2011 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21883873

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical characteristics and expectations in well women requesting elective labial reduction surgery. DESIGN: Prospective study of women attending an outpatient gynaecology clinic. SETTING: General gynaecology clinic at a Central London teaching hospital. SAMPLE: Women requesting labial reduction surgery and referred by their general practitioner. METHODS: The labia minora width and length were measured for all participants for comparison with published normal values. The presenting complaint was recorded, along with demographic details, expectations of surgery and sources of information regarding appearance of the labia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Labial measurements, reported symptoms and expectations of surgery. RESULTS: The labia of all participants were within normal published limits, with a mean (SD) of 26.9 (12.8) mm (right labia), and 24.8 (13.1) mm (left labia). The majority of complaints were regarding appearance or discomfort. Expectations were to alter the appearance with surgery. CONCLUSIONS: All women seeking surgery had normal-sized labia minora. Clear guidance is needed for clinicians on how best to care for the worried well woman seeking surgery.


Subject(s)
Attitude to Health , Body Image , Cosmetic Techniques/psychology , Elective Surgical Procedures/psychology , Vulva/surgery , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology , Prospective Studies , Vulva/anatomy & histology , Young Adult
12.
Climacteric ; 14(5): 544-50, 2011 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21413865

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Estrogen is the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms. Given its potential risks, herbal preparations and nutritional supplements have been developed as alternative remedies. The main aim of this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was to assess any impact of a nutritional supplement containing 12 vitamins and nine minerals on the frequency and severity of hot flushes in postmenopausal women over a 3-month period. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ninety-one postmenopausal women were randomized to either the placebo (n = 45) or the treatment arm (n = 46). Seventy out of the 91 women completed the study (36 from the treatment group and 34 from the placebo group). At baseline and the 14-week post-intervention assessments, study participants completed questionnaires on the frequency and severity of hot flushes and night sweats, the Profile of Mood State questionnaire, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire, the National Adult Reading Test and the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test. Between assessments, the women also completed hot flush diaries. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in the number (±standard error of the mean) of hot flushes experienced per week for treatment (pre 31.3 ± 4.7; post 23.1 ± 4.8) and placebo groups (pre 28.1 ± 4.7; post 17.3 ± 4.0). A significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the number of night sweats experienced per week was also observed in the treatment (pre 6.1 ± 1.0; post 4.2 ± 0.7) and placebo groups (pre 5.9 ± 0.7; post 3.7 ± 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a significant placebo effect on hot flushes and night sweats, as consistent with other studies. The micronutrient supplement containing 21 vitamins and minerals was not superior over placebo in effects on hot flushes and night sweat experiences.


Subject(s)
Hot Flashes/drug therapy , Micronutrients/administration & dosage , Postmenopause/physiology , Adult , Aged , Dietary Supplements , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Placebos , Surveys and Questionnaires , Sweating
13.
Genet Mol Res ; 10(4): 3169-79, 2011 Dec 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22194173

ABSTRACT

We investigated in vitro antioxidant activities of 49 endophytic fungi isolated from the liverwort Scapania verrucosa. Based on morphological and molecular identification, the endophytic fungi isolated were classified into seven genera (Hypocrea, Penicillium, Tolypocladium, Chaetomium, Xylaria, Nemania, and Creosphaeria), all belonging to one family (Xylariaceae). By screening with the 2,2'-azino-di(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) decolorization assay, the ethyl acetate extracts of five endophytic fungi (T7, T21, T24, T32, and T38 strains), which exhibited remarkable Trolox equivalent (TE) antioxidant capacity (ranging from 997.06 to 1248.10 µmol TE/g extract), were selected and their antioxidant capacity was further evaluated by assays for 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, reducing power, and ferrous ion chelating. The ethyl acetate extracts of two endophytic fungi (T24 and T38) were found to have comparable scavenging abilities on both DPPH-free radicals (93.9 and 88.7%, respectively, at 50 µg/mL) and hydroxyl radicals (97.1 and 89.4%, respectively, at 2 mg/mL) when compared with those of the positive controls (ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene, respectively). Although their reducing powers were similar to that of butylated hydroxytoluene, as indicated by absorbance (0.35 and 0.30 at 50 µg/mL, respectively), only the T38 strain's ethyl acetate extract showed ferrous ion chelating ability (92.9% at 1 mg/mL) comparable to that of the EDTA-2Na control. These endophytic fungi in S. verrucosa are a potential novel source of natural antioxidants.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants/pharmacology , Endophytes/chemistry , Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology , Fungi/chemistry , Genes, Fungal , Hepatophyta/microbiology , Acetates , Antioxidants/isolation & purification , Benzothiazoles/chemistry , Benzothiazoles/metabolism , Biphenyl Compounds/antagonists & inhibitors , China , Chromans/pharmacology , Complex Mixtures/isolation & purification , Complex Mixtures/pharmacology , Endophytes/classification , Endophytes/isolation & purification , Free Radical Scavengers/isolation & purification , Free Radicals/antagonists & inhibitors , Fungi/classification , Fungi/isolation & purification , Genes, rRNA , Hydroxyl Radical/antagonists & inhibitors , Iron Chelating Agents/isolation & purification , Iron Chelating Agents/pharmacology , Oxidation-Reduction , Picrates/antagonists & inhibitors , Solvents , Sulfonic Acids/chemistry , Sulfonic Acids/metabolism
14.
Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci ; 25(3): 1225-1232, 2021 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33629292

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the biological function of miRNA-128-3p in influencing the progression of osteoporosis by inducing osteogenic differentiation of MSCs via activating the Wnt3a signaling. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dynamic expression levels of miRNA-128-3p in osteogenically differentiated MSCs at the different time points were detected by qRT-PCR. The binding sites in the seed sequence of miRNA-128-3p and Wnt3a were predicted using the bioinformatic tool, and their interaction was further confirmed by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay. Co-regulation of miRNA-128-3p and Wnt3a on relative levels of osteogenesis-associated genes, ALP activity and mineralization ability in glucocorticoid-induced MSCs were assessed. RESULTS: MiRNA-128-3p was gradually upregulated with the prolongation of osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Overexpression of miRNA-128-3p reversed the declines in glucocorticoid-induced expression levels of osteogenesis-associated genes (Bglap, RUNX2 and BMP-2), ALP activity and mineralization ability in MSCs. Wnt3a was able to bind miRNA-128-3p. Its level was positively regulated by miRNA-128-3p in MSCs. Enhanced ALP activity and mineralization ability in glucocorticoid-induced MSCs overexpressing Wnt3a were partially abolished by knockdown of miRNA-128-3p. CONCLUSIONS: By positively regulating Wnt3a, miRNA-128-3p alleviates the progression of osteoporosis through inducing osteogenic differentiation of MSCs.


Subject(s)
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Wnt3A Protein/metabolism , Cell Differentiation/genetics , Cells, Cultured , Humans , MicroRNAs/genetics , Osteogenesis/genetics , Signal Transduction , Wnt3A Protein/genetics
15.
Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj ; 1865(11): 129989, 2021 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34389467

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Here we describe a new class of cryptides (peptides encrypted within a larger protein) with antimicrobial properties, named schistocins, derived from SmKI-1, a key protein in Shistosoma mansoni survival. This is a multi-functional protein with biotechnological potential usage as a therapeutic molecule in inflammatory diseases and to control schistosomiasis. METHODS: We used our algorithm enCrypted, to perform an in silico proteolysis of SmKI-1 and a screening for potential antimicrobial activity. The selected peptides were chemically synthesized, tested in vitro and evaluated by both structural (CD, NMR) and biophysical (ITC) studies to access their structure-function relationship. RESULTS: EnCrypted was capable of predicting AMPs in SmKI-1. Our biophysical analyses described a membrane-induced conformational change from random coil-to-α-helix and a peptide-membrane equilibrium for all schistocins. Our structural data allowed us to suggest a well-known mode of peptide-membrane interaction in which electrostatic attraction between the cationic peptides and anionic membranes results in the bilayer disordering. Moreover, the NMR H/D exchange data with the higher entropic contribution observed for the peptide-membrane interaction showed that schistocins have different orientations upon the membrane. CONCLUSIONS: This work demonstrate the robustness for using the physicochemical features of predicted peptides in the identification of new bioactive cryptides. Besides, it demonstrates the relevance of combining these analyses with biophysical methods to understand the peptide-membrane affinity and improve further algorithms. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Bioprospecting cryptides can be conducted through data mining of protein databases demonstrating the success of our strategy. The peptides-based agents derived from SmKI-1 might have high impact for system-biology and biotechnology.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins/pharmacology , Schistosoma mansoni/chemistry , Animals , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemical synthesis , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Antifungal Agents/chemical synthesis , Antifungal Agents/chemistry , Candida/drug effects , Escherichia coli/drug effects , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins/chemical synthesis , Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins/chemistry , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects
16.
BJOG ; 117(1): 20-5, 2010 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19906048

ABSTRACT

This review investigates the quality and content of published reports relating to labial surgery for well women. Electronic databases were searched for relevant articles between 1950 and April 2009. Forty articles were identified, 18 of which included patient data. The specification of the study design was unavailable in 15 of the 18 papers; the remaining three were retrospective reports. No prospective, randomised or controlled studies were found. All reports claimed high levels of patient satisfaction and contained anecdotes pertaining to success. Medically nonessential surgery to the labia minora is being promoted as an effective treatment for women's complaints, but no data on clinical effectiveness exist.


Subject(s)
Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods , Vulva/surgery , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Patient Satisfaction , Plastic Surgery Procedures/adverse effects , Plastic Surgery Procedures/ethics , Young Adult
17.
BJOG ; 117(2): 193-9, 2010 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19843046

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To quantify participants' experiences of obtaining and giving information about disorders of sex development (DSD). DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey study that asked people about their current and past experiences relating to DSD disclosure. SETTING: A large tertiary referral centre for DSD management in the UK. POPULATION: One hundred of 126 people with a confirmed diagnosis of DSD who were invited to participate in the study formed the usable sample. METHODS: All people who attended clinic for follow-up during the study period and members of a patient support group whose annual meeting fell within the study period were asked to complete the Middlesex Communication Survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Middlesex Communication Survey. RESULTS: Younger participants were more likely to report having been appropriately informed about their diagnosis than older people. Nearly half of the former had been fully informed about their diagnosis by age 15 years, compared with 0% of the older age group. In terms of information sharing, mothers were most likely to be the person with whom the participant had shared (almost/all) DSD information (74%), followed by current partners (71%). Information relating to genital surgery, presence of testes and clitoral anomalies were the least likely aspects to have been unambiguously shared with even the most informed person. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that difficulties in obtaining DSD information from care providers were common, and that communication has improved for younger participants. The study also confirmed that many people with DSD continue to struggle with confiding, even in those closest to them, about aspects of their diagnosis. Care protocol needs to centralise psychological adaptation, which should also be a primary focus for future research.


Subject(s)
Attitude to Health , Disclosure/statistics & numerical data , Disorders of Sex Development/psychology , Physician-Patient Relations , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Cross-Sectional Studies , Disclosure/ethics , Disorders of Sex Development/surgery , Family Relations , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Spouses/psychology , Truth Disclosure/ethics , United Kingdom , Young Adult
18.
Spinal Cord ; 48(6): 464-9, 2010 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20010908

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: The purpose of this study was to explore the changes in pelvic floor muscle tension at different times after suprasacral spinal cord injury (SS) and sacral cord injury (SC), and learn more about pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) after spinal cord injury (SCI). METHOD: A total of 70 healthy female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, weighing between 250 and 280 g, were randomly divided into seven groups with 10 rats in each group, which included five SS groups (3 days and 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after injury), one SC group (4 weeks after injury) and one normal group. Muscle tension, including muscle compliance, and contraction activity elicited using electrostimulation under two initial lengths were measured at different time points. RESULTS: (1) Muscle compliance decreased within 4 weeks in the SS group (P>0.05), began to increase at 8 weeks (P<0.05) and reached the peak at 12 weeks, which were all lower than the normal level; (2) contraction activity under both initial lengths tended to decrease within 4 weeks, peak at 8 weeks (P<0.05) and decline again at 12 weeks , which were all lower than that of the normal group as well; and (3) the SC group showed similar compliance with the normal group (P>0.05) and less contraction activity when compared with other SS groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Measurement for the compliance and contraction activity of pubococcygeus indicates the changes from decreasing to increasing after suprasacral cord injury, and similar compliance combined with rather low contraction activity compared with the normal group after sacral cord injury, both of which are in accordance with PFD after spinal cord injury.


Subject(s)
Muscle Contraction/physiology , Muscle Tonus/physiology , Pelvic Floor/physiopathology , Spinal Cord Injuries/pathology , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Electric Stimulation/methods , Female , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Statistics, Nonparametric , Time Factors
19.
Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci ; 24(4): 1616-1623, 2020 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32141528

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the expression of Jagged1 in the rabbit tibial fracture healing, and its function and mechanism in this process via the Notch signaling pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into control group (n=30) and experimental group (n=30). Then, a rabbit tibial fracture model was established. After surgery, the rabbits in experimental group were given 10 µg/kg PTH (1-34) once a day for 5 days a week, while those in control group were given an equal volume of normal saline. Six rabbits were randomly selected from each group at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 weeks after surgery to collect right tibia specimens. Next, X-ray examination, bone mineral density (BMD) test, histological detection, and serum biochemical test were performed. Additionally, the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels of Notch1 and Jagged1 in the Notch signaling pathway were measured via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Their protein levels were detected through Western blotting analysis. RESULTS: The healing and BMD in experimental group were better than those in control group since cortical and medullary bridging was observed in the rabbits of experimental group at the 6th week after surgery. Plasma level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), P content, and the product of Ca and P significantly increased (p<0.05) in experimental group. The pathological morphology of the calluses stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) in experimental group was overtly superior to that in control group. The PCR results revealed that both mRNA and protein levels of Notch1 and Jagged1 were lower in control group than those in experimental group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PTH (1-34) promotes the rabbit tibial fracture healing by regulating Jagged1 ligand molecules in the Notch signaling pathway.


Subject(s)
Fracture Healing/drug effects , Jagged-1 Protein/metabolism , Parathyroid Hormone/pharmacology , Receptors, Notch/metabolism , Tibial Fractures/metabolism , Animals , Jagged-1 Protein/genetics , Rabbits , Receptors, Notch/genetics , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Tibia/drug effects , Tibia/metabolism , Tibia/pathology , Tibial Fractures/genetics , Tibial Fractures/pathology
20.
Poult Sci ; 98(12): 7139-7150, 2019 Dec 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31529072

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed at investigating the impact of the current growth-related abnormalities (White-Striping-WS, Wooden Breast-WB, and Spaghetti Meat-SM) affecting broilers Pectoralis major muscles on the main quality traits, the oxidative stability of both the lipid and protein fraction as well as the water mobility assessed in fresh and frozen/thawed meat. In addition, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) was applied to quantify free amino acids, histidine-containing dipeptides and metabolites involved in energy-generating pathways. Overall, the occurrence of WS, WB, and SM abnormalities remarkably affected the quality traits (pH, color, and water holding capacity) and oxidative stability of the meat, with the WB condition leading to the most detrimental effects. However, overall, freezing and subsequent thawing only partially worsened the aforementioned traits. Significant variations in free amino acids and histidine-containing dipeptides were found between abnormal muscles and their unaffected counterpart by 1H-NMR spectroscopy and, aside from the occurrence of muscular defects, their content was remarkably reduced in frozen/thawed meat. The findings obtained by analyzing the metabolites through 1H-NMR spectroscopy allowed to advance the knowledge concerning the impact of freezing and subsequent thawing on meat quality traits and provided useful information concerning the underlying mechanisms responsible for the development of WS, WB, and SM abnormalities in broilers.


Subject(s)
Freezing , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Meat/standards , Poultry Diseases/pathology , Animals , Chickens , Female , Food Storage , Humans
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL