Measurement of K X-ray fluorescence cross-sections, fluorescence yields and intensity ratios for some elements in the atomic range 22

The Kalpha, Kbeta, and total K X-rays fluorescence cross-sections, as well as the average fluorescence yields for 24 elements with 22 View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Prevalence of polycystic ovarian changes and polycystic ovary syndrome in premenopausal women with treated type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and polycystic ovary (PCO) among premenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Design: Case-control study of women with type 2 DM.

Setting: Tertiary referral university hospital.

Copper(I/II) complexes of a bis(tetrathiafulvalene)-2,2'-bipyridine: synthesis, characterization, magnetic and electrochemical properties.

The coordination ability of the electroactive TTF-based chelating ligand 5,5'-bis(4,5-bis(thiomethyl)-4'-carbamoyltetrathiafulvalene)-2,2'-bipyridine (L) has been tested with Cu(I) and Cu(II) centres. [(L)2Cu(I)](PF6), [(L)2Cu(II)](OTf)2 and [(L)Cu(II)(DMF)3](OTf)2 have been synthesized. A single-crystal X-ray analysis was performed on [(L)Cu(II)(DMF)3](OTf)2, showing a distorted octahedral geometry around the Cu(II) centre, and the formation of dimeric units in the solid state through weak coordination in apical position of an amide oxygen atom from a neighbouring complex.

Trefoil factor expression in biliary epithelium of graft-versus-host disease of the liver after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Background: The aims of this study were to determine the presence of trefoil factor family-3 (TFF3) expression in biliary epithelial cells (BECs) of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) of the liver after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, to compare such expression in chronic liver diseases (CLD) with/without predominantly biliary disease, and to assess the effect of bile duct injury on the degree of TFF3 expression in BECs of cGVHD.

Methods: A total of 82 paraffin-embedded liver biopsy samples were reviewed. These samples were basically divided into two distinct groups according to the presence of ductal injury: group 1 with CLD and predominantly biliary disease (n=26: 17 cGVHD and 9 primary biliary cirrhosis [PBC]) and group 2 with CLD and predominantly parenchymal liver disease (n=56: 20 steatohepatitis and 36 chronic viral hepatitis).

Congenital chylothorax treated with octreotide.

Congenital chylothorax is the accumulation of lymphatic fluid within the pleural space. Cases unresponsive to conservative management usually require surgery. Octreotide has been used successfully to treat post-traumatic chylothoraces in the pediatric and adult population.

The evaluation and treatment of hirsute women.

Hirsutism in women is defined as an excess of body hair in the androgen-sensitive skin regions. The different genetic backgrounds of various populations may affect the causes of hirsutism. In fact, the most important reason for investigation is to identify those women with androgen-secreting tumors, since they require different therapy.

Recipient-derived hepatocytes in sex-mismatched liver allografts after liver transplantation: early versus late transplant biopsies.

Background: The presence of microchimerism in transplanted tissues is well defined; however, the timeframe of appearance and disappearance of engraftment in liver allograft is unknown. The aims of this study were to analyze for the presence of "recipient-derived cells" in sex-mismatched individuals after liver transplantation, comparing the frequency of "recipient-derived cell repopulation" in early versus late transplant biopsies and to evaluate the relationship between "recipient-derived cell repopulation" and the severity of graft injury.

Methods: Paraffin-embedded liver biopsy samples of 18 recipients were reviewed.

Hereditary factor VII deficiency in two siblings: two different clinical presentation.

Factor VII (FVII) deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder with a highly variable hemorrhagic predisposition. It is transmitted as an autosomal recessive and plays an important role in the initiation of blood coagulation forming a complex with tissue factor which activates FIX, FX and FVII zymogen. Prolonged prothrombin time with normal partial thromboplastin time indicates FVII deficiency.

Plasma xanthine oxidase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and uric acid levels in severe and mild pre-eclampsia.

The aim of the present study was to measure plasma uric acid (UA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities and to evaluate the relationship between these parameters and the severity of pre-eclampsia. Twenty-five pre-eclamptic, 15 healthy pregnant and 15 non-pregnant women were enrolled in this study. Increased mean plasma XO activity was found to be higher in both pre-eclampsia groups than in the healthy pregnant group.

Medical treatment regimens of hirsutism.

Hirsutism, which is a common clinical problem in women of reproductive age, is characterized by excessive growth of terminal hair in the androgen-sensitive skin regions. It is the result of either androgen excess or increased sensitivity of the hair follicles to normal levels of androgens. The management, which includes cosmetic measures and medical treatment, is far from satisfactory.

Oligomeric tetrathiafulvalenes: a new route toward conjugated TTF dimers and trimers.

The synthesis of bis-TTF 1 and tris-TTF 2, linked by an ethenyl spacer, is described using new useful Wittig-type reagents with the introduction of phosphonate functionality on 1,3-dithiole and TTF frameworks. Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies show intramolecular electronic interactions between conjugated TTF units.

The effects of metformin on insulin resistance, clomiphene-induced ovulation and pregnancy rates in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective(s): To evaluate the effects of metformin on insulin resistance, ovarian androgen production, and clomiphene-induced ovulation and pregnancy rates in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Study Design: Twenty-one infertile women with PCOS were selected in this prospective randomized clinical study. Basal steroid and gonadotropin levels were measured, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed.

Novel fused D-A dyad and A-D-A triad incorporating tetrathiafulvalene and p-benzoquinone.

Novel fused donor-acceptor dyad (TTF-Q or D-A) and acceptor-donor-acceptor triad (Q-TTF-Q or A-D-A) incorporating the donor tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and the acceptor p-benzoquinone (Q) have been synthesized. The solution UV-vis spectra of these molecules display a low-energy absorption band that is attributed to an intramolecular charge transfer between both antagonistic units. The presence of reversible oxidation and reduction waves for the donor and acceptor moieties was shown by cyclic voltammetry, in agreement with the ratio TTF/quinone(s) units.

Efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in hemodialysis patients.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is more frequent among end-stage renal failure patients than the normal population. Sildenafil citrate has been successfully used for the symptomatic treatment of erectile dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in the treatment of ED in patients on hemodialysis.

A comparison between spironolactone and spironolactone plus finasteride in the treatment of hirsutism.

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of the combination of spironolactone (100 mg/day) plus finasteride (5 mg/day) and spironolactone (100 mg/day) alone in the treatment of hirsutism.

Patients And Measurements: Sixty-five hirsute women were randomly assigned to one of these two treatment groups. Hirsutism score was measured according to the modified Ferriman-Gallwey scoring system.

Dehydroepiandrosterone improves hepatic antioxidant systems after renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits.

This study evaluated the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the oxidant [malondialdehyde (MDA)] and antioxidant [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH)] systems in liver after renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rabbits. Thirty rabbits were randomly assigned to 3 groups of 10: group I (sham operation), group II (renal IR group), and group III (DHEA, 25 mg/kg, s.c.

The effects on prognosis of surgical treatment of hypertensive putaminal hematomas through transsylvian transinsular approach.

Objective: Hypertensive putaminal hematoma (HPH) is a devastating type of stroke that mostly results in death or severe neurologic deficit. There seems to be no general agreement on the selection of treatment modality for individual patients. In this study a comparison has been made between conservative treatment and the results of surgical treatment through the transsylvian transinsular approach of HPH with 30 cc or more.

Melatonin reduces lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide during irradiation-induced oxidative injury in the rat liver.

Radiation therapy is a popular and useful tool in the treatment of cancer. Melatonin participates in the regulation of a number of important physiological and pathological processes. Melatonin, a powerful endogenous antioxidant, plays a role in the reduction of oxidative damage.

Effects of pentoxifylline in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a rabbit model.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and other cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Pentoxifylline, a methylxanthine derivative, was found to inhibit TNF-alpha synthesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of pentoxifylline would prevent the occurrence of OHSS in a rabbit model.

Comparison of the hepatic clearances of campesterol, sitosterol, and cholesterol in healthy subjects suggests that efflux transporters controlling intestinal sterol absorption also regulate biliary secretion.

Background: Recently identified ABCG5/8 transporters are responsible in part for the different absorption rates of campesterol, sitosterol, and cholesterol. These transporters are also expressed in the liver and might regulate biliary sterol secretion.

Aims: This study was therefore conducted to determine the biliary secretion rates and hepatic clearances of campesterol, sitosterol, and cholesterol.

A comparison between the effects of low dose (1 microg) and standard dose (250 microg) ACTH stimulation tests on adrenal P450c17alpha enzyme activity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: Numerous studies have found elevated androgen production by the adrenal glands in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the role and the mechanisms responsible for the adrenal androgen excess in women with PCOS are not well understood.

Design: Our aim was to compare 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and cortisol responses to a low dose (1 microg) ACTH stimulation test (LDT) with the responses to a standard dose (250 microg) ACTH stimulation test (SDT) in patients with PCOS.