Application of specific ELISAs for BMP15 and GDF9 to cumulus cell extracts from infertile women.

Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) are oocyte-specific paracrine factors which regulate ovarian cumulus cell (CC) functions. This study aimed to investigate if BMP15 and GDF9 bound to CCs can be characterized, quantified, and show an association with IVF outcomes in infertile women. BMP15 and GDF9 ELISAs were validated and applied to discarded CC extracts. Pooled CCs from individual patients were collected from 120 (cohort 1; BMP15 only) and 81 infertility patients (cohort 2; BMP15 and GDF9) undergoing superovulation. BMP15 and GDF9 levels expressed per CC DNA were correlated with maternal age, clinical and embryology data. Total BMP15 and GDF9 were highly correlated with each other (r = 0.9, p < 0.001). The GDF9:BMP15 ratio was unrelated to oocyte number or age. BMP15/CC DNA and GDF9/CC DNA were unaffected by the type of superovulation and were not related to oocyte/embryo outcomes.

Measurement of the Positive Muon Anomalous Magnetic Moment to 0.46 ppm.

We present the first results of the Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL) Muon g-2 Experiment for the positive muon magnetic anomaly a_{µ}≡(g_{µ}-2)/2. The anomaly is determined from the precision measurements of two angular frequencies. Intensity variation of high-energy positrons from muon decays directly encodes the difference frequency ω_{a} between the spin-precession and cyclotron frequencies for polarized muons in a magnetic storage ring. The storage ring magnetic field is measured using nuclear magnetic resonance probes calibrated in terms of the equivalent proton spin precession frequency ω[over ˜]_{p}^{'} in a spherical water sample at 34.7 °C. The ratio ω_{a}/ω[over ˜]_{p}^{'}, together with known fundamental constants, determines a_{µ}(FNAL)=116 592 040(54)×10^{-11} (0.46 ppm). The result is 3.3 standard deviations greater than the standard model prediction and is in excellent agreement with the previous Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) E821 measurement. After combination with previous measurements of both µ^{+} and µ^{-}, the new experimental average of a_{µ}(Exp)=116 592 061(41)×10^{-11} (0.35 ppm) increases the tension between experiment and theory to 4.2 standard deviations.

Induction of apoptosis in human lymphoblastoid cells by kaempferol 3-O-ß-isorhamninoside and rhamnocitrin 3-O-ß-isorhamninoside from Rhamnus alaternus L. (Rhamnaceae).

OBJECTIVE: Kaempferol 3-O-ß-isorhamninoside (K3O-ir) and rhamnocitrin 3-O-ß-isorhamninoside (R3O-ir) from Rhamnus alaternus L leaves are investigated for their ability to induce apoptosis in human lymphoblastoid cells. We have attempted to characterize apoptotic pathway activated by these two flavonoids. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Apoptosis of the human TK6 lymphoblastoid cell line was detected by DNA fragmentation, PARP cleavage and by evaluating caspase activity. RESULTS: Apoptosis was observed after 24- and 48-h incubation of the cells with the tested compounds. DNA fragmentation was observed after treatment with flavonoids; this was confirmed by demonstration of PARP cleavage. Caspase-3 and caspase-8 activities were induced by both K3O-ir and R3O-ir flavonoids showing highest activity with compound concentration of 400 µg/ml. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that K3O-ir and R3O-ir induce apoptosis in human lymphoblastoid cells by the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis.

Chemical investigation of different crude extracts from Teucrium ramosissimum leaves. Correlation with their antigenotoxic and antioxidant properties.

The effect of extracts obtained from Teucrium ramosissimum leaves on genotoxicity and SOS response induced by aflatoxin B(1) (0.5 µg/assay) as well as nitrofurantoin (5 µg/assay) was investigated in a bacterial assay system, i.e., the SOS chromotest with Escherichia coli PQ37. The T. ramosissimum tested extracts exhibited no genotoxicity either with or without the external S9 activation mixture. However, all the extracts, particularly the total oligomers flavonoids (TOF) extract significantly decreased the genotoxicity induced by aflatoxin B(1) and nitrofurantoin. Antioxidant capacity of the tested extracts was evaluated using the enzymatic (xanthine/xanthine oxidase assay) (X/XOD) and the non-enzymatic (NBT/Riboflavine assay) systems. TOF extract was the most effective one in inhibiting both xanthine oxidase activity and NBT reduction. Our findings emphasize the potential of T. ramosissimum to prevent mutations and also its antioxidant effect.

Assessment of phenolic content, free-radical-scavenging capacity genotoxic and anti-genotoxic effect of aqueous extract prepared from Moricandia arvensis leaves.

The present study was undertaken to provide a set of data on the safety of an aqueous extract (AQE) from Moricandia arvensis. For this reason, Escherichia coli tested strains PQ35 and PQ37 were used to detect induction of DNA lesions by AQE. The SOS Chromotest showed that AQE induced a marginally genotoxic effect, as expressed by the induction factor (IF) value only with E. coli PQ37 tested strain (IF=1.77 at a dose of 250 microg/assay). The measurement of the anti-genotoxic activity of the AQE was also studied by inhibition of beta-galactosidase induction. A significant anti-genotoxic effect was observed with different tested doses of AQE, which suggests that M. arvensis extract has the potential to protect DNA from the action of nitrofurantoïn (NF) and free radicals generated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In addition to anti-genotoxic activity, AQE showed a free-radical-scavenging capacity towards ABTS+* and DPPH*. Total phenolic content was also evaluated following Folin-Ciocalteu method and results indicated high correlation between total phenol content and anti-genotoxic and antioxidant activities for AQE, but the highest correlation was showed with its capacity to stabilize ABTS+* (R2=0.9944).

Antigenotoxic and antioxidant activities of Pituranthos chloranthus essential oils.

The SOS-chromotest in Escherichia coli is a widely used bacterial genotoxicity assay to test potential carcinogens. The aim of this work is to evaluate the genotoxic and antigenotoxic activities of essential oils obtained from aerial parts of Pituranthos chloranthus. The tested essential oils were not genotoxic towards both E. coli PQ37 and PQ35 strains. These essential oils reduced significantly Nifuroxazide and H(2)O(2)-induced genotoxicity. Essential oils showed a protective effect against damages induced by radicals, obtained from the photolysis of H(2)O(2), on DNA plasmid through free radical scavenging mechanisms. The scavenging capacity of these essential oils was also estimated by evaluating the inhibition of ABTS(+.) radical.

Antigenotoxic and free radical scavenging activities of extracts from Moricandia arvensis.

This study evaluates genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of extracts from leaves of Moricandia arvensis, which are used in traditional cooking and medicines. Extracts showed no genotoxicity when tested with the SOS Chromotest using E. coli PQ37 and PQ35 strains, except for the total oligomers flavonoids enriched extract. Petroleum ether and methanol extracts are the most active in reducing nitrofurantoin genotoxicity, whereas methanol and total oligomers flavonoids enriched extracts showed the most important inhibitory effect of H2O2 genotoxicity. In addition, these two extracts showed important free radical scavenging activity toward the DPPH. radical, whereas the chloroform extract exhibited the highest value of TEAC against ABTS+. radical.

Anti-genotoxic and free-radical scavenging activities of extracts from (Tunisian) Myrtus communis.

The effect of extracts from leaves of Myrtus communis on the SOS reponse induced by Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and Nifuroxazide was investigated in a bacterial assay system, i.e. the SOS chromotest with Escherichia coli PQ37. Aqueous extract, the total flavonoids oligomer fraction (TOF), hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts and essential oil obtained from M. communis significantly decreased the SOS response induced by AFB1 (10 microg/assay) and Nifuroxazide (20 microg/assay). Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed the strongest inhibition of the induction of the SOS response by the indirectly genotoxic AFB1. The methanol and aqueous extracts exhibited the highest level of protection towards the SOS-induced response by the directly genotoxic Nifuroxazide. In addition to anti-genotoxic activity, the aqueous extract, the TOF, and the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed an important free-radical scavenging activity towards the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. These results suggest the future utilization of these extracts as additives in chemoprevention studies.

Reproductive effects in German cockroaches by ecdysteroid agonist RH-0345, juvenile hormone analogue methoprene and carbamate benfuracarb.

Blatta germanica is the more prevalent cockroach species in Algeria. In the present study, we tested the effect on reproduction in B. germanica of two insect growth regulators, RH-0345, a benzoylhydrazine analogue that mimics the action of 20-hydroxyecdysone, and methoprene, one of the most commercially important juvenile hormone analogues, and a novel carbamate insecticide, benfuracarb. The compounds were applied topically (10 and 20 microg/insect for RH-0345, and 1 and 10 microg/insect for methoprene) or orally administrated (at 2% for benfuracarb) on newly emerged females and evaluated on reproductive events during the adult life (2, 4 and 6 days). Treatment with RH-0345 and benfuracarb reduced significantly the number of oocytes, the size and the volume of the basal oocyte during the experimental period. Methoprene distorted the ovarian development since it caused a significant reduction in the number of oocytes at 2, 4 and 6 days for the two tested doses, and an increase in oocyte size at 2, 4 and 6 days with 1 microg and a decrease with 10 microg. In a second series of experiments, the effects of these compounds were assayed on the ovarian proteins. Data from biochemical analysis revealed that RH-0345 and benfuracarb reduced the ovarian amounts of proteins, while treatment with methoprene increased it during the sexual maturation.

Molecular epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Israel in 1994 and in other Middle-Eastern countries in the years 1992-1994.

The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and direct sequencing were employed in the diagnosis and typing of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in samples taken during the 1994 disease outbreak in Israel. Using PCR, virus isolation and serological methods it was shown that the 1994 disease outbreak in Israel and other Middle-Eastern countries was caused by O1 type virus. Direct PCR sequencing of VP1 genes and homology analysis of the virus isolates revealed that there were two distinct outbreaks in Israel. The first originated in Jordan, moved to the West Bank territory and then to the Lower Galilee. The second outbreak, caused by another virus, was responsible for disease outbreaks in South Lebanon, Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights. When viral sequences of isolates from the 1993 outbreaks in Egypt and Lebanon were included in the analysis, they showed a high degree of VP1 sequence homology between themselves, suggesting a common origin.

[Subcapsular hematoma after ESWL]. / Hematoma subcapsular tras ESWL.

Contribution of 2 cases of post-ESWL subcapsular haematoma in patients with HBP. One of them underwent surgical drainage. In the second case a more conservative attitude was followed. Review of related literature.

[Rhabdomyosarcoma of the epididymis]. / Rabdomiosarcoma de epidídimo.

A 5-year-old boy with intrascrotal rhabdomyosarcoma arising from the epididymis is described. The patient was submitted to radical orchidectomy via the inguinal approach and high ligation of the spermatic cord. The anatomopathological examination revealed germ cell rhabdomyosarcoma of the epididymis with no testicular or spermatic cord involvement, which corresponded to stage I of the IRS classification (Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study). Its clinical and histological features and treatment are discussed.

[Colloid carcinoma of the prostate]. / Carcinoma coloide de próstata.

We report a case of colloid carcinoma of the prostate, a rare tumor type whose diagnosis is exclusively based on the anatomopathological findings. The case described herein is a primary prostatic tumor. Patient work up revealed no tumor localized to other organs. The total acid phosphatase and prostate acid phosphatase levels were elevated. Subsequent analyses revealed metastases.

[Treatment of hyperlipidaemia. A comparison of the efficacy of clofibrate and beta-pyridylcarbinol (author's transl)]. / Die Behandlung von Hyperlipidämien. Ein Vergleich der Wirksamkeit von Clofibrat und beta-Pyridylcarbinol

64 patients with hyperlipidaemia, 13 of them with pure hypercholesterolaemia, were assigned to one of three pre-determined treatment regimes over a period of seven months. Two different commercial preparations of clofibrate and one preparation of beta-pyridylcarbinol were each given for two months separated by placebo periods of two weeks. All three drugs were equally effective against increased cholesterol levels. The two clofibrate preparations lowered increased triglyceride levels more reliably than beta-pyridylcarbinol.