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Biomedical subjects

M Gal

Publications and source records attributed to M Gal.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Investigation and treatment of repeated implantation failure following IVF-ET.

Pregnancy rate following one cycle of IVF and ET can be as high as 60%. But even in the very successful units, some couples fail repeatedly. The causes for repeated implantation failure (RIF) may be because of reduced endometrial receptivity, embryonic defects or multifactorial causes. Various uterine pathologies, such as thin endometrium, altered expression of adhesive molecules and immunological factors, may decrease endometrial receptivity, whereas genetic abnormalities of the male or female, sperm defects, embryonic aneuploidy or zona hardening are among the embryonic reasons for failure of implantation. Endometriosis and hydrosalpinges may adversely influence both. In this mini review, we discuss the suggested methods for evaluation and treatment of RIF: repeated hysteroscopy, myomectomy, endometrial stimulation, immunotherapy, preimplantation genetic screening (PGS), assisted hatching, zygote intra-Fallopian transfer (ZIFT), co-culture, blastocyst transfer, cytoplasmic transfer, tailoring stimulation protocols and salpingectomy for hydrosalpinges.

Embryo Implantation↗
PubMed2005

A modified pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) protocol for subtyping previously non-PFGE typeable isolates of Clostridium difficile polymerase chain reaction ribotype 001.

A modified pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) protocol was developed and applied to 50 isolates of the UK epidemic strain of Clostridium difficile, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ribotype 001, to develop a PFGE-based subtyping scheme. This protocol overcame the inherent DNA degradation problems associated with typing this strain of C. difficile by this method, and whole genomic digestion with SmaI restriction enzyme yielded seven distinct and reproducible PFGE banding patterns. Modified PFGE is an appropriate method for subtyping C. difficile PCR ribotype 001 that could be used to improve epidemiological investigations.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed2005

Subtyping of Clostridium difficile polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ribotype 001 by repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR genomic fingerprinting.

Fifty isolates of the most common UK strain of Clostridium difficile [polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ribotype 001] were analysed by three PCR-based typing methods in order to determine genomic diversity within this strain that may form the basis of a subtyping method. The three methods used were repetitive extragenic palindromic elements (REP), conserved repetitive DNA elements (BOX), and enterobacterial repetitive PCR intergenic consensus sequences (ERIC). The performance of each typing method was assessed by comparing powers of discrimination, typeability and reproducibility. All methods had satisfactory levels of typeability and reproducibility as determined by blind-coded repeats, but REP-PCR typing proved to be the most discriminatory method, yielding seven distinct amplicon profiles consisting of up to eight major bands. BOX-PCR generated between two and five major amplicons with four distinct BOX profiles. ERIC-PCR primers, however, could not discriminate between isolates. These results suggest that PCR ribotype 001 is not clonal in nature at present, and that REP-PCR subtyping methods offer promise to further our understanding of the epidemiology of C. difficile PCR ribotype 001 disease in UK hospitals.

Belgium↗
PubMed2005

Treatment of osteoporotic ovariectomized rats with 24,25(OH)2D3.

BACKGROUND: Antiresorptive therapeutic regimens are the mainstay of current management of osteoporosis. Treatments that are promoting new bone formation are less available and less affordable. Previous studies have suggested that 24,25(OH)(2)D(3) could enhance bone formation. The effect of 24,25(OH)(2)D(3) on bone formation in ovariectomized osteopenic rats (OVX) was evaluated in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mature Sabra rats were divided into two groups: sham-operated and OVX. Three months after surgery the OVX and sham-operated rats were divided into the following subgroups: (1) sham rats injected with vehicle, (2) sham rats injected with 24,25(OH)(2)D(3), (3) OVX rats injected with vehicle, and (4) OVX rats injected with 24,25(OH)(2)D(3). After 2 weeks' treatment, histomorphometry of the right tibiae was performed. RESULTS: Ovariectomy resulted in a decrease in total bone volume (TBV/TV) and in bone formation (BFR/BS), P < 0.005 and P < 0.05 respectively, when compared with the sham-operated rats. Beside the decrease in TBV and BFR, the OVX rats showed an increase in osteoclastic bone resorption (P < 0.001 vs. sham). Administration of 24,25(OH)(2)D(3) was followed by an increase in all static and dynamic bone-forming parameters. The TBV/BV (P < 0.025), osteoblast surface (Ob.S/BS) (P < 0.001), as well as the BFR/BS (P < 0.005), increased in the OVX-treated group when compared with the OVX-untreated and sham-operated rats. This increment in bone formation was associated with a decrease in bone resorption (P < 0.001 in OVX-treated vs. OVX-untreated rats). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that 24,25(OH)(2)D(3) may be of benefit in experimental osteopenia following ovariectomy, both by suppressing osteoclastic hyperactivity and by stimulating bone formation.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗
PubMed2004

Outbreak of Clostridium histolyticum infections in injecting drug users in England and Scotland.

Clostridial infections in injecting drug users in the United Kingdom are a relatively new phenomenon that came to light in 2000 when cases of serious illness and deaths due to Clostridium novyi were recorded. In the period December 2003 to April 2004, the Anaerobe Reference Laboratory received twelve referrals of an extremely rare isolate, Clostridium histolyticum, from cases of infection in injecting drug users submitted from nine different hospitals in England and Scotland. Molecular typing of these isolates by two different methods of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and PCR ribotyping revealed they are all indistinguishable, indicating a common source of the infections, most probably a batch of heroin that was recently distributed across the UK.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Antibiotic susceptibilities of Gram-positive anaerobic cocci: results of a sentinel study in England and Wales.

OBJECTIVE: A sentinel study was carried out to determine the antimicrobial susceptibilities of Gram-positive anaerobic cocci (GPAC) freshly isolated from clinical material in diagnostic laboratories in England and Wales. METHODS: A total of 113 GPAC isolates consisting predominantly of current or former members of the genus Peptostreptococcus was obtained from 17 sentinel laboratories in England and one in Wales. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 10 antimicrobial agents were determined by the Etest method. The agents tested were: penicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, cefoxitin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, imipenem, co-amoxiclav, piperacillin/tazobactam and metronidazole. MIC50 and MIC90 values for each drug-species combination were calculated whenever suitable numbers of each species were obtained. RESULTS: Excellent spectra of activity (0% resistance) against GPAC were seen for metronidazole, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefoxitin, imipenem and chloramphenicol. Low degrees of resistance to co-amoxiclav (3.5%), clindamycin (7.1%), penicillin (7.1%) and significant degrees of resistance to tetracycline (41.6%) and erythromycin (27.4%) were detected. Some examples of putative macrolide-lincosamide linked resistance were noted in seven (6.2%) isolates of GPAC. CONCLUSION: This study is one of the largest susceptibility studies specifically on GPAC carried out to date and the resulting data may be of value to those involved in the empirical treatment of infections involving Gram-positive anaerobic cocci.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2002

Serum inhibin B levels measured early during FSH administration for IVF may be of value in predicting the number of oocytes to be retrieved in normal and low responders.

BACKGROUND: In a previous study we have found that in normal ovulatory women, serum inhibin B levels on days 4-6 of FSH administration correlated with the number of oocytes retrieved. In the current study we examined the significance of earlier inhibin B measurements in predicting the oocyte number, in both normal and low responders. METHODS: Study A consisted of 19 patients undergoing their first IVF cycle (n = 10) or had a normal response ( vertical line 6 oocytes retrieved, n = 9), while study B consisted of 15 patients with a previous low ovarian response ( 16. Study B: oocyte number correlated significantly with inhibin B and inhibin A on all days of FSH treatment, even on day 2 (r = 0.90, P < 0.001 and r = 0.65, P < 0.05 for inhibin B and A respectively). No significant correlation was found with E(2) levels. In both studies, all patients with inhibin B >100 pg/ml on treatment day 2 had >6 oocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that serum inhibin B measured early during FSH stimulation may indicate whether sufficient oocytes will be retrieved, in both normal and low responders. Serum inhibin B measured during early FSH treatment may be of predictive value in monitoring ovarian stimulation treatment for IVF.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Venous malformations of the parotid in adults. Report of two cases and review of the literature].

Parotid vascular malformation in the adult is a very rare and benign tumor; only 47 cases were described in the world literature. This vascular malformation, mostly of venous origin is, on the opposite of the clinical, histological and evolution features of parotid hemangiomas in children, which are more frequent. Some clinical and radiological elements are pathognomonic allowing preoperative diagnosis. We present 2 cases of intraparotid venous malformation in adults, and based on an exhaustive study of the world literature discuss frequency, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Development of an in vitro potency test for tetanus vaccines: an immunoassay based on Hc fragment determination.

In the three Rs rule context, we have developed a method to quantify tetanus toxoid by ELISA detection of the specific Hc fragment. This fragment and several anti Hc fragment antibodies have been described as protective in mice models. By developing this assay, we have detected Hc presence in tetanus toxoid. Therefore, this functional in vitro assay could replace in vivo potency assays. We have evaluated the analytical performances of this ELISA in specificity, sensitivity, precision, and linearity tests on different combined vaccine formulations. This in vitro assay has been applied to various multi-component vaccines. Results are expressed in Lf Hc/ml with reference to a purified tetanus toxoid standard expressed in Lf/ml.

Animal Testing Alternatives↗
PubMed2001

Efficient silicon light-emitting diodes.

Considerable effort is being expended on the development of efficient silicon light-emitting devices compatible with silicon-based integrated circuit technology. Although several approaches are being explored, all presently suffer from low emission efficiencies, with values in the 0.01-0.1% range regarded as high. Here we report a large increase in silicon light-emitting diode power conversion efficiency to values above 1% near room temperature-close to the values of representative direct bandgap emitters of a little more than a decade ago. Our devices are based on normally weak one- and two-phonon assisted sub-bandgap light-emission processes. Their design takes advantage of the reciprocity between light absorption and emission by maximizing absorption at relevant sub-bandgap wavelengths while reducing the scope for parasitic non-radiative recombination within the diode. Each feature individually is shown to improve the emission efficiency by a factor of ten, which accounts for the improvement by a factor of one hundred on the efficiency of baseline devices.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

The questionable use of albumin for the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in an IVF programme: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The role of intravenous (IV) albumin administration in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and in the improvement of IVF conception outcomes was evaluated in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled double blind study. METHODS: Ninety-eight women were enrolled in the study and were consecutively assigned to either a treatment group or a control group. Eleven patients were lost to follow-up after assignment. Of the remaining 87 women, 46 received albumin on the day of oocyte retrieval, and 41 received 0.9% sodium chloride solution as a placebo control. Outcome measures included OHSS incidence rates and pregnancy rates in the two trial groups. RESULTS: Four of the 46 patients in the study group developed severe OHSS and six developed moderate OHSS. In the control group, one of the 41 developed severe OHSS and five developed moderate OHSS. The difference in OHSS incidence rates between the two groups was not statistically significant [relative risk (RR) = 1.49, 95% CI = 0.59-3.73]. Fourteen patients (30%) in the intervention group conceived, compared with 16 patients (39%) in the control group. The difference in conception rates between the two groups was not statistically significant (RR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.44-1.39). CONCLUSIONS: Albumin appears to have no positive effect on OHSS or conception rates, while its use carries the risk of undesirable side effects, including exacerbation of ascites in OHSS, nausea, vomiting, febrile reaction, allergic reaction, anaphylactic shock and risk of virus and prion transmission. We suggest that this form of treatment should not be included in the prevention of OHSS.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Attenuation of ovarian response by low-dose ketoconazole during superovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of mild inhibition of ovarian steroidogenesis by very low-dose ketoconazole during induction of ovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, cross-controlled study in consecutive cycles. SETTING: Large tertiary care center. PATIENT(S): Eighteen patients with PCOS undergoing hMG superovulation with or without ketoconazole. INTERVENTION(S): A fixed hMG dosage was initiated on cycle days 5-9 in both of the study cycles. Further hMG adjustment was done according to serum E2 levels and follicular measurements. Ketoconazole was administered in one of the cycles by two protocols. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Serum E2 and P levels, lead follicles, pregnancy rate, and development of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. RESULT(S): Although higher daily hMG doses were needed in cycles with ketoconazole compared with cycles without the drug, the peak E2 levels were substantially lower in the ketoconazole cycles. Although the number of lead follicles did not differ between treatments, the addition of ketoconazole significantly reduced the number of hyperstimulated cycles. Consequently, the cancellation rate dropped dramatically, thus yielding a higher pregnancy rate per patient in the ketoconazole protocols. CONCLUSION(S): Use of a very low dose of ketoconazole during ovulation induction effectively attenuates ovarian steroidogenesis in patients with PCOS. This effect may serve as an adjunct to better control the ovarian response in women who are prone to hyperstimulated cycles.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Jugular bulb diverticular and facial paralysis].

The authors report a case where a woman presents a right jugular bulb procidence already known and responsible of a perception deafness. Secondarily, a right facial paralysis is appeared progressively and not regressive even with medical treatment. When the computed tomography as shown an intrapetrous diverticular, the facial paralysis treatment was surgical to decompress the facial nerve. The literature study shoes the rarity of this association facial paralysis and jugular bulb procidence (only two cases), more often responsible of deafness, tinnitus, and vertigo. The diagnosis is given by computed tomography. M.R.I. has not still be evaluated. Then the authors insist on the progressive character of the facial paralysis and on the necessity of a surgical treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Comparison: tinnitus pain].

After having recalled the different physiologic hypothesis of the tinnitus and those more documented of the pain, the authors noted certain parallelious in the therapeutical approaches of these tow subjectives sensations. They put the emphasis on the necessity, like with pain, to treat the tinnitus as fast as possible in order to avoid a centralisation by actionning of neuronal autonomized circuits.

Humans↗
PubMed1997

Elevated serum progesterone levels during pituitary suppression may signify adrenal hyperandrogenism.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether elevated serum P levels after pituitary down-regulation signify adrenal enzyme defects or hyperandrogenism. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Assisted reproduction unit in a university medical center. PATIENT(S): Two hundred twenty-seven IVF patients treated by the long down-regulation protocol. INTERVENTION(S): Oral dexamethasone (DEX) administration if P level exceeded 0.8 ng/mL (conversion factor to SI unit, 3.180) after pituitary suppression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Serum concentrations of P, E2, LH, DHEAS, and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and ACTH stimulation tests. RESULT(S): In eight patients (3.5%), serum P levels exceeded 0.8 ng/mL and E2 and LH levels confirmed pituitary down-regulation. Mean DHEAS levels in the patients in this group were significantly higher than in the other patients. All eight patients demonstrated a significant decrease in serum P level after DEX administration. In five patients the ACTH stimulation test suggested an adrenal defect. Five pregnancies were achieved after the addition of DEX to the treatment protocol. CONCLUSION(S): High serum P levels after pituitary down-regulation appear to be of adrenal origin and may be the first indication of an adrenal enzyme defect. Further investigation such as an ACTH stimulation test is recommended, followed by treatment with DEX if indicated.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗