Does insulin-like growth factor-I level associate with pregnancy outcomes in primary and secondary infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization? A prospective cohort study.

Infertility, which affects 8%-12% of couples worldwide and 21.9% of couples in Pakistan in particular, is a major reproductive health issue. In vitro fertilization (IVF) has emerged as a prevalent therapeutic intervention.

Orientation of Cel5A and Xyn10B in a fusion construct is important in facilitating synergistic degradation of plant biomass polysaccharides.

One approach to achieve efficient and economical saccharification of plant biomass would be using thermostable and multifunctional enzymes from hyperthermophiles such as Thermotoga maritima. Thus, the bifunctional constructs, Cel5A-Xyn10B and Xyn10B-Cel5A, were produced by fusing cellulase Cel5A at the N- and C-terminals of xylanase Xyn10B, respectively. The Cel5A-Xyn10B fusion construct showed cellulase activity of 1483 U μmol against carboxymethyl cellulose, which was nearly the same as that of Cel5A in the free form.

A peptoid-based inhibitor of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) induces apoptosis and autophagy in cancer cells.

Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) are S-adenosylmethionine-dependent enzymes that transfer a methyl group to arginine residues within proteins, most notably histones. The nine characterized PRMT family members are divided into three types depending on the resulting methylated product: asymmetric dimethylarginine (Type I PRMT), symmetric dimethylarginine (Type II PRMT), or monomethylated arginine (Type III PRMT). In some cancers, the resulting product can lead to either increased or decreased transcription of cancer-related genes, suggesting PRMT family members may be valid therapeutic targets.

TAOK1 is associated with neurodevelopmental disorder and essential for neuronal maturation and cortical development.

Thousand and one amino-acid kinase 1 (TAOK1) is a MAP3K protein kinase, regulating different mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, thereby modulating a multitude of processes in the cell. Given the recent finding of TAOK1 involvement in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), we investigated the role of TAOK1 in neuronal function and collected a cohort of 23 individuals with mostly de novo variants in TAOK1 to further define the associated NDD. Here, we provide evidence for an important role for TAOK1 in neuronal function, showing that altered TAOK1 expression levels in the embryonic mouse brain affect neural migration in vivo, as well as neuronal maturation in vitro.

Elevated Soluble Galectin-3 as a Marker of Chemotherapy Efficacy in Breast Cancer Patients: A Prospective Study.

Purpose: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a glycan-binding lectin with a debated role in cancer progression due to its various functions and patterns of expression. The current study investigates the relationship between breast cancer prognosis and secreted Gal-3.

Methods: Breast cancer patients with first time cancer diagnosis and no prior treatment ( = 88) were placed in either adjuvant or neoadjuvant setting based on their treatment modality.

Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Scanning and Bone Health: The Pressing Need to Raise Awareness Amongst Pakistani Women.

Introduction The use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning is instrumental in better management of osteoporosis. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge about DEXA scanning and bone health in the women of Karachi, as well as to analyze their practices concerning the scan and increase their knowledge and awareness regarding the same. Methodology  The sample size for this cross-sectional study was 384.

GABA, γ-Aminobutyric Acid, Protects Against Severe Liver Injury.

Background: Acute liver failure (ALF) from severe acute liver injury is a critical condition associated with high mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of preemptive administration of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on hepatic injury and survival outcomes in mice with experimentally induced ALF.

Materials And Methods: To induce ALF, C57BL/6NHsd mice were administered GABA, saline, or nothing for 7 d, followed by intraperitoneal administration of 500 μg of tumor necrosis factor α and 20 mg of D-galactosamine.

Visualization of Hepatocellular Regeneration in Mice After Partial Hepatectomy.

Background: Although hepatocellular regeneration is the cornerstone of liver homeostasis, current techniques for assessing such regeneration are limited. A method for visualizing the regeneration process would provide a means for advanced studies. Therefore, we examined the possibility of using fluorescence ubiquination-based cell cycle indicator (Fucci) mice for direct visualization of hepatocellular regeneration.

Breast cancer screening practices and awareness in women admitted to a tertiary care hospital of Lahore, Pakistan.

Objective: To assess the awareness and practices of women with regard to breast cancer and its different methods of screening.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the inpatient wards of Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore. By convenience sampling, 200 female inpatients were selected.

Perceptions and practices of a pakistani population regarding cervical cancer screening.

Cervical cancer is among the three leading causes of cancers among females worldwide. It is also among the three most common causes of cancer deaths among females, about 80% of which occur in less developed countries. The present cross-sectional knowledge, attitude and practice survey was carried out to determine the perceptions and practices of a Pakistani female population regarding cervical cancer screening.

Split-drug regimens for the treatment of patients with sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis--a unique approach.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of split-drug regimens for treatment of patients with sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in south India.

Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial where eligible patients were randomly allocated to: (i) 2RE(3)HZ(3)(alt)/4RH(2) (split I): rifampicin plus ethambutol given on one day and isoniazid plus pyrazinamide the next day for first 2 months followed by rifampicin plus isoniazid twice weekly for 4 months, or (ii) 3RE(3)HZ(3)(alt)/3RH(2) (split II): similar to regimen 1, except duration was 3 months in each phase, or (iii) 2REHZ(3)/4RH(2) (control): rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol and pyrazinamide, given thrice weekly for 2 months followed by isoniazid and rifampicin twice weekly for 4 months. All patients were followed up clinically and bacteriologically every month up to 2 years and every 6 months for up to 5 years.