Assessment of early vascular changes in adult females with polycystic ovary syndrome: correlation with insulin resistance.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest endocrine disorder in females in the reproductive period with estimated prevalence of 5% to 18% [1]. It contributes to the mortality and morbidity in patients with PCOS due to the increased risk of different metabolic and cardiovascular (CV) complications [2]. Despite the presence of obesity in 40-60% of cases [3], the disease may occur in non-obese women.

Simple and Fast Microwave-Assisted Synthesis Methods of Nanocrystalline TiO and rGO Materials for Low-Cost Metal-Free DSSC Applications.

Nanocrystalline TiO and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) materials have been synthesized by a simple and low-cost microwave-assisted hydrothermal method and applied in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) as photoactive and metal-free counter electrodes, respectively. Different TiO nanocrystalline materials have been synthesized via the acid hydrolysis sol-gel method, followed by microwave hydrothermal treatment at 210 °C and 300 psi and at different microwave irradiation times (20, 30, 45, and 60 min) instead of the usual hydrothermal time of 12 h. The properties of the produced mesoporous nanocrystalline TiO are investigated in terms of their morphology, crystal structure, optical properties, and surface area behavior using relevant characterization techniques.

Implications of inappropriate prescription of oral nutritional supplements on the quality of life of cancer outpatients: a cross-sectional comparative study.

Background And Aims: Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are considered a cornerstone in the treatment plan of malnutrition in cancer patients. However, the prevalence of inappropriate prescription of ONS is high. In this study, we aim to investigate the effect of inappropriate oral nutritional supplementation (consisting of prescription of ONS without evident clinical indication, or the absence of ONS when at risk of malnutrition) on the quality of life of cancer outpatients.

Crystal Growth of Cubic and Hexagonal GaN Bulk Alloys and Their Thermal-Vacuum-Evaporated Nano-Thin Films.

In this study, we investigate a novel simple methodology to synthesize gallium nitride nanoparticles (GaN) that could be used as an active layer in light-emitting diode (LED) devices by combining the crystal growth technique with thermal vacuum evaporation. The characterizations of structural and optical properties are carried out with different techniques to investigate the main featured properties of GaN bulk alloys and their thin films. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) delivered images in bulk structures that show micro rods with an average diameter of 0.

Enhancement of the Silicon Solar Cell Efficiency by Spin-Coated Polythiophene Films Embedded with Gold or Palladium Nanoparticles on the Rear Contact.

In this article, we investigate the application of polythiophene (PT), polythiophene with embedded gold nanoparticles (PT-Au), and polythiophene with embedded palladium nanoparticles (PT-Pd) via the spin coating technique on the rear contact of single-crystalline silicon solar cells. Several layers of coating (up to four layers) were applied, followed by a simple heat treatment at 70 °C for 30 min. The morphology, particles distribution in the polymer, and crystal structure of the colloid PT, PT-Au, and PT-Pd were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Combined oral isotretinoin and Candida antigen versus either agent alone in the treatment of plane warts.

Background: Oral isotretinoin and intralesional immunotherapy by Candida antigen have shown promising efficacy and safety for the treatment of plane warts in a few studies.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combination of oral isotretinoin and Candida antigen versus either agent alone in the treatment of multiple plane warts.

Methods: The study included 108 patients who were randomly assigned to three groups, 36 in each.

Subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography and its relation to ambulatory arterial stiffness index in hypertensive patients.

Background: Increased arterial stiffness is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among hypertensive patients.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) and subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction assessed by 2-D speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE).

Methods: We enrolled 70 consecutive patients with hypertension.

Electrospun PVA Polymer Embedded with Ceria Nanoparticles as Silicon Solar Cells Rear Surface Coaters for Efficiency Improvement.

This paper introduces electrospun nanofibers embedded with ceria nanoparticles as silicon solar cells coaters, showing their influence on the solar cells efficiency. Ceria nanoparticles can be synthesized to have formed oxygen vacancies (O-vacancies), which are associated with converting cerium ions from the Ce state ions to the Ce ones. These O-vacancies follow the rule of improving silicon solar cellconductivity through the hopping mechanism.

Relationship between visceral obesity and plasma fibrinogen in obese children.

Background: The prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents has increased significantly worldwide with an alarming rise of its co-morbidities. The excess of visceral adipose tissue is associated with hypertension, prothrombotic and pro-inflammatory states. Our aim was to find a possible association between visceral obesity and plasma fibrinogen, as one of the cardiovascular risk factors, in obese children.

Autologous platelet rich plasma: topical versus intradermal after fractional ablative carbon dioxide laser treatment of atrophic acne scars.

Background: A proposal has recently been made regarding the potential adjuvant use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with fractional carbon dioxide laser (FCL) for the correction of acne scars.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of two administration modes of autologous PRP (intradermal injection (ID) and topical application) after FCL with that of FCL alone in the treatment of atrophic acne scars.

Patients And Methods: Thirty patients were randomly divided into two groups.