Promising Perinatal Outcome after Using a Simplified Low-Cost IVF Culture System Specifically Designed for Resource-Poor Countries.

Background: Assisted reproductive techniques services are often not accessible to the majority of infertile couples in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) due to high costs. Lowering IVF laboratory costs is a crucial step to make IVF affordable for a larger part of the world population. We developed a simplified culture system (SCS) which has proven to be effective, and the next step is to prove its safety.

Sentencing offenders with mental disorders, developmental disorders or neurological impairments: what does the new mean for psychiatrists?

The new Sentencing Council Guideline on sentencing offenders with mental disorders, effective from 1 October 2020, is essential reading for all psychiatrists who give evidence in the criminal courts, revealing something of required judicial thinking, our common ground on public safety concerns but differences in focus on culpability and punishment.

Results of a randomized, double-blind phase II clinical trial of NY-ESO-1 vaccine with ISCOMATRIX adjuvant versus ISCOMATRIX alone in participants with high-risk resected melanoma.

Background: To compare the clinical efficacy of New York Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma-1 (NY-ESO-1) vaccine with ISCOMATRIX adjuvant versus ISCOMATRIX alone in a randomized, double-blind phase II study in participants with fully resected melanoma at high risk of recurrence.

Methods: Participants with resected stage IIc, IIIb, IIIc and IV melanoma expressing NY-ESO-1 were randomized to treatment with three doses of NY-ESO-1/ISCOMATRIX or ISCOMATRIX adjuvant administered intramuscularly at 4-week intervals, followed by a further dose at 6 months. Primary endpoint was the proportion free of relapse at 18 months in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population and two per-protocol populations.

Mitral valve and left ventricular features in malignant mitral valve prolapse.

Objective: Mitral valve prolapse is a benign condition, however with occasional reports of sudden cardiac death or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the absence of severe mitral regurgitation or coronary artery disease, suggesting the existence of a malignant form. The objective of our study was to contribute to the characterisation of malignant mitral valve prolapse.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of pathology findings in 68 consecutive cases of sudden cardiac death with mitral valve prolapse as lone abnormal finding, reported as cause of death.

Influence of Graft Source on Postoperative Activity and Joint Laxity in Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: To compare the clinical and functional outcomes of allograft and autograft reconstruction in patients with posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) deficiency.

Methods: The MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were used to identify all relevant articles. Clinical outcomes including International Knee Documentation Committee, Tegner, and Lysholm scores; joint laxity; and posterior tibial displacement were evaluated.

Effect of hormone replacement therapy with the anti-mineralocorticoid progestin Drospirenone compared to tibolone on endothelial function and central haemodynamics in post-menopausal women.

Drospirenone (DRSP) is an antialdosterone agent with progestogenic and antiandrogenic effects. This compound, has been recently used in combination with 17β-estradiol (E2) as hormonal therapy in postmenopausal women and has been shown to exert a significant antihypertensive effect in hypertensive post-menopausal women. Aim of the present study was to compare the effect of DRSP/E2 with those of Tibolone (T) on endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and lipid profile of early postmenopausal women naïve on post-menopausal hormonal therapy.

Final results of the US humanitarian device exemption study of the low-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) device.

Introduction: The low-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) device is a new, braided, intracranial microstent designed for stent-assisted coiling.

Objective: To present the results of a single-arm, prospective, multicenter trial of the LVIS for treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms.

Methods: 31 patients with unruptured, wide-necked (neck ≥4 mm or dome:neck ratio ≤2) intracranial aneurysms were treated with the LVIS device and bare platinum coils at six US centers (investigational device exemption G110014).

Tourette's: syndrome, disorder or spectrum? Classificatory challenges and an appraisal of the DSM criteria.

The fifth version of the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) was released in May 2013 after 14 years of development and almost two decades after the last edition DSM-IV was published in 1994. We review the DSM journey with regards to Tourette Syndrome from the original publication of DSM 1 in 1952 till date. In terms of changes in DSM 5, the major shift has come in the placement of Tourette Syndrome under the 'Neurodevelopmental Disorders' alongside other disorders with a developmental origin.

Cardiac troponin I is released following high-intensity short-duration exercise in healthy humans.

It has been previously shown that cardiac troponin (cTn) is released in response to prolonged endurance exercise. The influence of short-duration high-intensity exercise upon the release of cTn is not known. We examined cardiac troponin I (cTnI) release pre-, during and post-30 min of high-intensity running exercise in eight recreationally active males (age 29±3 years; VO2peak 53±11 ml kg min(-1)).

Effects of allergen and trigger factor avoidance advice in primary care on asthma control: a randomized-controlled trial.

Background: Allergy contributes significantly to asthma exacerbation, yet avoidance of triggers, in particular allergens, is rarely addressed in detail in regular asthma review in primary care.

Objective: To determine whether structured, individually tailored allergen and trigger avoidance advice, given as part of a primary care asthma review, improves lung function and asthma control.

Methods: In a randomized-controlled trial 214 adults with asthma in six general practices were either offered usual care during a primary care asthma review or usual care with additional allergen and trigger identification (by skin prick testing and structured allergy assessment) and avoidance advice according to a standardized protocol by trained practice nurses.

DNAReplication: a database of information and resources for the eukaryotic DNA replication community.

DNAReplication (at http://www.dnareplication.net) has been set up as a freely available single resource to facilitate access to information on eukaryotic DNA replication.

Management of cervical arterial dissection.

Background: Clinical, pathological and radiological advances in recent years have considerably advanced our understanding of the incidence and underlying mechanisms producing dissection of the cervical arteries, which should have implications for medical and, surgical therapy in the near future. This review is a summary of progress to date.

Summary Of Review: Numerous published studies, primarily over the last decade, have generated a rapidly evolving data base especially in the areas of etiology, neuroimaging and more recently, arterial pathology and its genetic basis.

The human TPR protein TTC4 is a putative Hsp90 co-chaperone which interacts with CDC6 and shows alterations in transformed cells.

Background: The human TTC4 protein is a TPR (tetratricopeptide repeat) motif-containing protein. The gene was originally identified as being localized in a genomic region linked to breast cancer and subsequent studies on melanoma cell lines revealed point mutations in the TTC4 protein that may be associated with the progression of malignant melanoma.

Methodology/principle Findings: Here we show that TTC4 is a nucleoplasmic protein which interacts with HSP90 and HSP70, and also with the replication protein CDC6.

Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of aloe vera for irritable bowel syndrome.

Aloe vera (AV) is suggested to be beneficial in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, but no scientific trials exist to confirm this. We aim to assess the efficacy of AV on IBS in refractory secondary care patients. Patients with IBS were randomised to receive AV or matching placebo for a month.

Analysis for identification in amnesty bin samples from dance venues.

The analysis of unknown substances discarded in amnesty bins, first described by Ramsey et al, from a large central London club and 7 smaller clubs in Manchester, UK are described. The contents of the bins were collected between July 2003 and March 2004. Solid dosage formulations were identified using the TICTAC database, chemical tests, and GC-MS screening.

Antiplatelet agents in secondary prevention of stroke: a perspective.

Background And Purpose: Antiplatelet agents are widely used in the secondary prevention of stroke and other vascular events. The purpose of this review is to give a perspective of the factors involved in clinical practice for selecting antiplatelet drugs appropriate to the patient population.

Summary Of Review: Aspirin remains the most popular drug, because it is modestly effective (approximately 25% risk reduction); however, it has undesirable side effects that are sometimes serious.

Ambulatory transcranial Doppler cerebral embolic signal detection in symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis.

Background And Purpose: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound can detect asymptomatic emboli in carotid stenosis. Current systems are nonportable and can only record for short durations. A novel ambulatory TCD system allows prolonged recording.

Deciphering the sinus tachycardias.

Sinus tachycardia is the most common rhythm disturbance encountered in clinical practice. Primary sinus tachycardia without an underlying secondary cause, despite often being associated with troublesome symptoms, is often neglected leading to multiple consultations and frustration on part of both the practitioner and the patient. The fact that primary sinus tachycardias are a heterogeneous group of disorders is seldom appreciated; hence, a firm diagnosis is rarely reached and management is haphazard.

Food-specific serum IgG4 and IgE titers to common food antigens in irritable bowel syndrome.

Introduction: Food hypersensitivity is a common perception among irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. Data from dietary elimination and food challenge studies support an etiopathological role of diet in IBS, but there are no well-established tests to identify food hypersensitivity.

Aim: To compare IgG4 and IgE titers to common food antigens in IBS and controls.

Emerging drugs for ovarian cancer.

Because most patients presenting with advanced ovarian cancer are not curable by surgery alone, chemotherapy represents an essential component of treatment. The disease may be considered as chemosensitive, as in around three-quarters of patients major (complete) responses are seen to initial treatment with the platinum-containing drugs cisplatin and carboplatin either used alone or in combination with the taxane, paclitaxel. However, only 15-20% of patients experience long-term remission as tumours often become resistant.

The Drosophila Cdc6/18 protein has functions in both early and late S phase in S2 cells.

The Cdc6/18 protein has been mainly characterised for its role in the initiation of DNA replication. Several studies exist, however, which suggest that it may also have a role in controlling the G2/M transition. Here we present studies on the Drosophila Cdc6 (DmCdc6) protein that support this dual function for the protein.

Phenformin and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR) activation of AMP-activated protein kinase inhibits transepithelial Na+ transport across H441 lung cells.

Active re-absorption of Na+ across the alveolar epithelium is essential to maintain lung fluid balance. Na+ entry at the luminal membrane is predominantly via the amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel (ENaC) down its electrochemical gradient. This gradient is generated and maintained by basolateral Na+ extrusion via Na+,K+-ATPase an energy-dependent process.

Effects of ventricular rate and regularity on the velocity and magnitude of left atrial appendage flow in atrial fibrillation.

Objective: To prospectively determine whether ventricular rate and regularity are significant determinants of the velocity and magnitude of left atrial appendage (LAA) flow.

Design And Patients: 12 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), high degree atrioventricular block, and indwelling permanent pacemakers were studied.

Setting: Cardiology department of a tertiary referral centre.

Overcoming the immortality of tumour cells by telomere and telomerase based cancer therapeutics--current status and future prospects.

A key property of malignant tumours is their immortality or limitless replicative potential. Cell replication is associated with the maintenance of telomeres and in the great majority of cases, through the reactivation of the reverse transcriptase telomerase. Targeting the telomere/telomerase machinery offers a novel and potentially broad-spectrum anticancer therapeutic strategy since telomerase is constitutively overexpressed in the vast majority of human cancers.

Are prophylactic antibiotics necessary with clean intermittent catheterization? A randomized controlled trial.

Background/purpose: Clean intermittent catheterization has been an established practice for more than 3 decades. The validity of antibiotic prophylaxis has been questioned although not tested.

Methods: Eighty-five patients were recruited into a randomized controlled trial.