宫腔镜手术对子宫黏膜下肌瘤患者卵巢功能、免疫功能及炎症因子水平的影响

目的:探讨宫腔镜手术对子宫黏膜下肌瘤患者卵巢功能、免疫功能及炎症因子水平的影响。方法:选取2017年1月～2018年4月期间我院收治的子宫黏膜下肌瘤患者107例为研究对象。根据不同的手术治疗方式将患者分为腹腔镜组(n=55,行腹腔镜子宫肌瘤切除术)和宫腔镜组(n=52,行宫腔镜子宫肌瘤切除术),比较两组患者围术期指标;比较两组术前、术后3个月卵巢功能[促卵泡生长素(FSH)、雌二醇(E2)、黄体生成素(LH)、窦卵泡数量(AFC)]、细胞免疫指标(CD3+、CD4+、CD8+)、体液免疫指标(Ig G、Ig A、Ig M)水平;比较两组术前、术后7 d炎症因子[白介素-2(IL-2)、白介素-6(IL-6)、C反应蛋白(CRP)]指标水平;记录两组术后并发症发生情况。结果:两组患者手术时间、术中出血量比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);宫腔镜组术后下床时间、肛门排气时间、住院时间以及抗生素使用时间均短于腹腔镜组(P0.05)。两组患者术后3个月E2、LH、AFC比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);腹腔镜组术后3个月FSH水平高于术前及宫腔镜组(P0.05)。腹腔镜组患者术后3个月细胞免疫指标低于术前及宫腔镜组(P0.05),但体液免疫指标与术前比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);宫腔镜组术后3个月各项免疫指标与术前比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者术后7d IL-2、IL-6以及CRP水平均升高,但宫腔镜组低于腹腔镜组(P0.05)。腹腔镜组术后并发症发生率为10.91%(6/55),与宫腔镜组的9.62%(5/52)比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:宫腔镜子宫肌瘤切除术对子宫黏膜下肌瘤患者卵巢功能、免疫功能影响较轻,同时可降低炎性因子水平,未出现严重并发症,具有一定的临床应用价值。     

Endocrine effects of the GnRH antagonist, acyline, in domestic dogs

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists may have a future role in the control of canine reproductive function. In this study, the effects of a single dose of the potent GnRH antagonist, acyline, on serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone (T) were evaluated in male dogs. Blood samples were drawn before (Day −1) and after (30, 60, and 90 min, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 h, and 3, 6, 9, 14, 22, and 29 d) treatment with acyline (330 μg/kg, sc); serum concentrations of FSH, LH, and T varied throughout the study period (P < 0.01, <0.05, and <0.01, respectively). Gonadotrophins decreased below pretreatment concentrations 60 min after injection, whereas T took 90 min to decrease below baseline (P > 0.05). Follicle-stimulating hormone, LH and T decreased until Day 9, when they reached their nadir at 2.0 ±1.1 ng/mL (P < 0.01), 1.2 ± 0.2 ng/mL (P > 0.05), and 0.5 ± 0.2 ng/mL (P < 0.05), respectively. Both gonadotrophins and T began increasing on Day 14 after treatment, although FSH and T serum concentrations still remained below baseline on that day (P > 0.05). Follicle-stimulating hormone and T rebounded above baseline on Day 29, whereas LH reached concentrations were similar to baseline at this time (P > 0.05). No local or systemic side effects were detected in any dog following acyline treatment. In conclusion, a single acyline treatment safely and reversibly decreased serum gonadotrophin and T concentrations in dogs for 9 d.     

Spilanthes acmella ethanolic flower extract: LC-MS alkylamide profiling and its effects on sexual behavior in male rats

According to Indian Systems of Medicine, Spilanthes acmella (L.) Murr. (Family - Asteraceae), is considered effective in the treatment of sexual deficiencies especially due to ageing. In the present study, characterization of ethanolic extracts of the Spilanthes acmella flower and its effect on general mating pattern, penile erection and serum hormone levels of normal male Wistar albino rats were investigated and compared with sildenafil citrate. In vitro nitric oxide release was also investigated in human corpus cavernosum cell line. As N-alkylamides are a promising group, their profiling was performed using a gradient reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS) method on an embedded polar column. MS¹ and MS² fragmentation data were used for identification purposes. For assessment of sexual behavior, animals were divided into five groups of eight male rats. The extracts (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight/day) and sildenafil citrate (5 mg/kg body weight/day) (positive control) were administered orally for 28 days. The behavioral and sexual parameters were observed at days 0, 15, 28 and after a lapse of 7 and 14 days of discontinuance of drug treatment. Five N-isobutylamides, one 2-methylbutylamide and one 2-phenylethylamide were identified. The orally administered extract had a dose dependent positive effect on mounting frequency, intromission frequency and ejaculation frequency and the most significant effects (p < 0.05) were observed at 150 mg/kg treatment, even after a lapse of 7 and 14 days of discontinuance of drug treatment. A dose dependent effect was also observed on the FSH, LH and testosterone serum levels. With 150 mg/kg of ethanolic extract the values for FSH, LH and testosterone were 3.10 ± 0.25 mlU/ml, 6.87 ± 0.18 mlU/ml and 3.72 ± 0.12 ng/ml, respectively. In vitro nitric oxide release was 21.7 ± 2.9 μM, which was significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Sildenafil citrate exhibited also a significant effect on NO release, but no effect on hormone levels of rats was observed. The aphrodisiac potential of an ethanolic Spilanthes acmella extract was demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. N-Alkylamides might attribute to the improved sexual potential. Study lends support to the traditional utilization of S. acmella as a sexual stimulating agent.     

Factors Influencing the Recurrence Potential of Benign Endometrial Polyps after Hysteroscopic Polypectomy

Background

An endometrial polyp is a frequently encountered gynecologic disease with abnormal uterine bleeding and infertility being the two common presenting problems, and hysteroscopic polypectomy is an effective method to remove them. The postoperative polyp recurrence might result in reappearance of abnormal uterine bleeding or infertility, whereas factors influencing the postoperative recurrence potential have limited data.

Methods

This case-series report included 168 premenopausal women who suffered from endometrial polyps and underwent hysteroscopic polypectomy. All of them were awaiting a future pregnancy. Office hysteroscopy was done before and after hysteroscopic polypectomy, in which preoperative hysteroscopy examined the number, type, and location of endometrial polyps, and postoperative hysteroscopy checked the polyp recurrence. Surgical indications, either infertility or the presentation of abnormal uterine bleeding, and follow-up duration were recorded.

Results

Seventy-three out of 168 (43%) women had polyp recurrence after hysteroscopic polypectomy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that more endometrial polyps (P = 0.015) and longer duration of follow-up (P = 0.004) were significantly associated with an increased risk of postoperative polyp recurrence. The type of endometrial polyps was not correlated with polyp recurrence potential, whereas pedunculated type endometrial polyps were closely related to the presentation of abnormal uterine bleeding (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

A higher number of endometrial polyps and longer follow-up duration are associated with a greater potential of polyp recurrence after hysteroscopic polypectomy.     

Follicle suppression of circulating follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone before versus after emergence of the ovulatory wave in mares

The effect of the ovarian follicles on plasma concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) before versus after the expected emergence of the ovulatory follicular wave was studied on Days 0 to 18 (Day 0 = ovulation) in four groups of mares (n = 6/group). In addition to a control group, all follicles ≥6 mm in diameter were ablated on Days 0.5, 6.5, or 12.5 in a herd of mares with reported emergence at 6 mm of the future ovulatory follicle on mean Day 10.5. Concentrations of FSH were not different between the Day-0.5 or Day-6.5 ablation groups and the corresponding controls. However, ablation on Day 12.5 resulted in an immediate FSH increase (group-by-day interaction, P < 0.003). For LH, ablation on Day 0.5 resulted in an interaction (P < 0.02), partially from lower (P < 0.05) concentrations on each of Days 15.5 to 18.0 than that in the controls, whereas ablation on Days 6.5 or 12.5 did not result in a significant group effect or interaction. Testosterone concentration, but not progesterone or estradiol concentration, was lower (P < 0.04) on Day 2 in the Day-0.5 ablation group than that in the controls. We inferred that follicles did not contain adequate FSH suppressors on Days 0.5 and 6.5 and that they were present only in the Day-12.5 ablation group or after the expected emergence of the ovulatory wave. The hypothesis of an association between low postovulatory concentrations of an ovarian steroid and low concentrations of LH after Day 15 was supported.     

Characteristics of stimulation of gonadotropin secretion by kisspeptin-10 in female goats

The aims of the present study were to clarify the effect of kisspeptin-10 (Kp10) on the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) in goats, and compare the characteristics of any response with those of the response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). The experiments were performed using four female goats (4–5 years old) in the luteal phase of estrous cycle. A single intravenous (i.v.) injection of 1, 5 and 10 μg/kg b.w. (0.77, 3.85 and 7.69 nmol/kg b.w.) of Kp10 stimulated the release of LH. Maximum values were observed 20–30 min after the injection. On the other hand, Kp10 did not alter plasma GH and PRL concentrations significantly. Three consecutive i.v. injections of Kp10 (5 μg/kg b.w.) or GnRH (5 μg/kg b.w.: 4.23 nmol/kg b.w.) at 2-h intervals increased both plasma LH and FSH levels after each injection (P < 0.05); however, the responses to Kp10 were different from a similar level of GnRH. The rate of decrease in LH and FSH levels following the peak was attenuated in Kp10-treated compared to GnRH-treated animals. These results show that Kp10 can stimulate the release of LH and FSH but not GH and PRL in female goats and suggest that the LH- and FSH-releasing effect of the i.v. injection of Kp10 is less potent than that of GnRH.     

Efficiency of estrous synchronization in tropical sheep by combining short-interval cloprostenol-based protocols and “male effect”

This study assessed the efficacy of a protocol combining short-interval cloprostenol-based protocols and “male effect” for estrous synchronization in hair sheep. In Experiment 1, 24 ewes were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 8) and treated with cloprostenol on Days 3, 5 and 7 after ovulation, respectively. Estradiol secretion during the follicular phase was similar among groups. Onset of estrus (P < 0.001) and the timing of maximum LH concentration (P < 0.01) were earlier in group D3 than in D5 and D7 groups. During the subsequent cycle, the number and size of corpora lutea were higher (P < 0.05) in ewes of the groups D3 (1.9 ± 0.3 and 115.1 ± 14.3 mm²) and D5 (1.8 ± 0.2 and 100.2 ± 11.2 mm²) than in group D7 (1.3 ± 0.2 and 75.6 ± 6.4 mm²) group. In Experiment 2, 24 ewes were treated with two cloprostenol injections (7 days apart). Twelve ewes were exposed to “male effect” previous to an isolation period (ME group), whereas the remaining ewes were controls without male exposure (CTR group). Male effect induced earlier preovulatory LH surge (P < 0.05) and ovulation (P < 0.001) than CTR group. In Experiment 3, the estrus was synchronized in 68 ewes. Nineteen of them (group FGA) were treated using intravaginal sponges impregnated with fluorogestone acetate for 12 days and inseminated at 55 h. Forty-nine females (group ME) were treated like ME group. Twenty-four (ME48 group) and 25 ewes (ME55 group) were inseminated at 48 and 55 h after treatment, respectively. The fertility rate was numerically higher in ME48 than ME55 and FGA groups (62.5, 44.0 and 47.4%, respectively). In conclusions, the combined use of short-interval cloprostenol treatment and “male effect” may be an adequate alternative for synchronizing estrus and applying artificial insemination in hair sheep throughout the entire year.     

Estrogen therapy affects right hemisphere functioning in postmenopausal women

It has been suggested that hormone therapy (HT) in postmenopausal women differentially affects verbal and visuo-spatial abilities which mainly rely on left hemisphere (LH) and right hemisphere (RH) functioning, respectively. Thus, it seems likely that HT-related effects on cognition are driven by associated hormonal changes and their impact on functional brain organization, and functional cerebral asymmetries (FCAs) in particular. The present study investigated HT-related effects on FCAs in sixty-seven postmenopausal women who received hormone therapy either with estrogen (E) alone (n =  14), an E-gestagen combination (n =  22) or without HT (control group, n =  31). Saliva levels of free E and progesterone (P) were analyzed using chemiluminescence assays. FCAs were measured with the visual half-field (VHF) technique using a word matching and a figural comparison task. In agreement with previous results, a postmenopausal control group showed a left hemisphere (LH) advantage in the verbal task and a right hemisphere (RH) advantage in visuo-spatial processing. In contrast, both HT groups revealed significantly reduced FCAs in the figural comparison task as a result of an E-related decrease in RH performance. The findings suggest that E-therapy in postmenopausal women can affect visuo-spatial abilities by modulating the functional brain organization and RH functioning in particular.     

The practicability and surgeons' subjective experiences with vaginal danazol before an operative hysteroscopy

This randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study compared the usefulness of danazol 400mg vaginally versus 600mg orally in women as a preoperative preparation for hysteroscopic surgery. Ninety-one fertile women were randomly allocated to Group A (46 patients received 400mg of danazol placed into the posterior vaginal fornix and three oral tablets of commercially available folic acid as a placebo), and Group B [45 women treated with 600mg of danazol orally (200mg three times daily) and two vaginal tablets of Lactobacillus rhamnosus as a placebo]. The patients underwent an operative hysteroscopy, transvaginal sonography, blood tests, and a histological assay. A visual analog scale (VAS) score to compute the degree of the surgeon's satisfaction was used. The outcome measures were as follows: an evaluation of the changes in the endometrial thickness, the prevalence of endometrial atrophy, changes in the blood tests, any collateral effects, the degree of difficulty and view, the duration of the surgical procedure, any complications during the operative hysteroscopy and associated side effects, and the surgeon's satisfaction with the endometrial preparation. The vaginal administration route was associated with a more pronounced effect on the endometrial thickness. Significantly more patients receiving vaginal danazol (45/46) had a hypotrophic endometrium than those receiving oral danazol (37/45, P<0.01). In addition, the patients receiving danazol vaginally had a shorter operating time, lower infusion volume, fewer side effects, and a higher surgeon satisfaction. Vaginal danazol adequately prepares the endometrium for an operative hysteroscopy by thinning the endometrium effectively with few side effects and little impact on the metabolic parameters.     

Effect of vegetation on alpha cellulose decomposition in littoral lake sediments

The effect of vegetation cover on the decomposition of organic matter (alpha cellulose) was studied at three sediment depths (5, 15 and 25 cm) in the littoral area of a small Lake Kiruvere (Estonia). The experiment was carried out in two adjacent sites, with and without vegetation, using the litter bag method. At all sediment depths decomposition was faster at the site covered with vegetation, and was highest at 5 cm sediment depth (decomposition rate k = 0.0037 day⁻¹) and lower at 15 and 25 cm depths (k = 0.0014 day⁻¹ and k = 0.0013 day⁻¹). Higher decomposition rates coincided with higher root mass in the sediment. Decomposition rates were similar at all sediment depths in the site without a vegetation cover (k = 0.0007-0.0009 day⁻¹). The presence of a vegetation cover also affected temperatures in sediments. Temperatures were several degrees higher at all sediment depths in the area with vegetation cover, than in the area without. Mean sediment temperature differences between the two experiment areas were 1.4 °C at 5 cm sediment depth, 2.5 °C at 15 cm depth and 3.1 °C at 25 cm depth. Higher decomposition rates in the site covered with vegetation can be explained by oxygen dispersion from young roots in the higher sediment layers and by higher sediment temperatures due to the internal gas flow enhancing the microbial activity in the lower sediment layers.     

Reversible downregulation of endocrine and germinative testicular function (hormonal castration) in the dog with the GnRH-Agonist Azagly-Nafarelin as a removable implant “Gonazon”; a preclinical trial

Downregulation of anterior pituitary GnRH-receptors by application of a slow release GnRH-implant offers an effective and reversible alternative to surgical castration of the male dog.Aim of the present study was to test the efficacy and the underlying mechanisms of a new non-biodegradable controlled-release device implant (Gonazon^®, Intervet, containing 18.5 mg of the GnRH-agonist Azagly-Nafarelin). Eight male beagle dogs were implanted s.c. at the para-umbilical region. In four dogs implant removal was after 180 days (group 1), in the other four dogs after 365 days (group 2). Eleven weeks after implantation availability of LH was reduced (p < 0.0001) by 70%. After an initial increase lasting for about 4 days, testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) concentrations decreased (p < 0.0001) to basal levels within 17.5 ± 8.4 days. Size of testes was decreased by about 82% after 17 weeks, size of prostate by about 46% after 5 weeks (p < 0.0001). Five to 7 weeks after implantation all dogs were aspermic.Testosterone and estradiol concentrations, together with testicular and prostatic size remained suppressed in all dogs in group 1 and one dog of group 2 until implant removal. The other three dogs of group 2 escaped from down-regulation between 223 and 324 days.Effects on the availability of LH, T, E2 and on testicular and prostatic size were fully reversible after implant removal or escape from down-regulation. In six dogs semen quality was back to pre-treatment values after about 29 weeks, however, one dog developed oligozoospermia while another one stayed azoospermic, probably due to an obstruction within the epididymal duct.     

Age-related dynamics of follicles and hormones during an induced ovulatory follicular wave in mares

An ovulatory follicular wave was induced by ablation of follicles ≥6 mm and treatment with prostaglandin F2α (PGF) on Day 10 (ovulation = Day 0). Follicle and hormone dynamics of the induced waves were compared among three age groups: young (5-6 y, n = 14 waves), intermediate (10-14 y, n = 16), and old (≥18 y, n = 15). During the common-growth phase of the induced wave (Days 12-17), diameter of the future ovulatory follicle was not different among ages, but the young group had more (P < 0.05) follicles that reached ≥10 mm. The number was correlated (r = +0.7; P < 0.0001) within mares between consecutive interovulatory intervals, indicating repeatability. Concentrations of LH increased in all age groups during Days 12-17, but were greatest (P < 0.002) in the young group and continued to be greater (P < 0.0001) throughout the ovulatory LH surge. During several days before Day −1, there were no age-related effects on systemic estradiol concentrations, diameter of the preovulatory follicle, or B-mode echo texture or color-Doppler signals of blood flow in the follicle wall. Interpretations were: (1) greater number of follicles in the young group reflected a greater follicle reserve, (2) greater LH concentrations throughout the ovulatory surge in the young group reflected a more positive response to an extraovarian/environmental influence after removal of the negative effect of progesterone, and (3) lower LH concentrations in the older groups were adequate for the preovulatory changes in the follicle.     

Continuous culture of the microalgae Schizochytrium limacinum on biodiesel-derived crude glycerol for producing docosahexaenoic acid

Crude glycerol is a major byproduct of the biodiesel industry; previous research has proved the feasibility of producing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n − 3) through fermentation of the algae Schizochytrium limacinum on crude glycerol. The objective of this work is to investigate the cell growth kinetics, substrate utilization efficiency, and DHA production of the algae through a continuous culture. Steady-state biomass yield, biomass productivity, growth yield on glycerol, specific glycerol consumption rate, and fatty acid composition were investigated within the range of dilution rate (D) from 0.2 to 0.6 day⁻¹, and the range of feed crude glycerol concentration (S₀) from 15 to 120 g/L. The maximum specific growth rate was determined as 0.692 day⁻¹. The cells had a true growth yield of 0.283 g/g but with a relatively high maintenance coefficient (0.2216 day⁻¹). The highest biomass productivity of 3.88 g/L-day was obtained at D = 0.3 day⁻¹ and S₀ = 60 g/L, while the highest DHA productivity (0.52 g/L-day) was obtained at D = 0.3 day⁻¹ and S₀ = 90 g/L due to the higher DHA content at S₀ = 90 g/L. The biomass and DHA productivity of the continuous culture was comparable to those of batch culture, while lower than the fed-batch culture, mainly because of the lower DHA content obtained by the continuous culture. Overall, the results show that continuous culture is a powerful tool to investigate the cell growth kinetics and physiological behaviors of the algae growing on biodiesel-derived crude glycerol.     

Randomised trial of hysterectomy,endometrial laser ablation,and transcervical endometrial resection for dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of endometrial laser ablation and transcervical resection of the endometrium compared with hysterectomy in the surgical treatment of women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding. DESIGN--Prospective randomised controlled trial. SETTING--Gynaecology department of a large teaching hospital. SUBJECTS--204 women who would otherwise have been undergoing hysterectomy for menorrhagia were recruited between August 1990 and March 1992 and randomly allocated to hysterectomy (n = 99) or conservative (hysteroscopic) surgery (transcervical resection (n = 52) and laser ablation (n = 53)). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Operative complications, postoperative recovery, relief of menstrual and other symptoms, patient satisfaction with treatment after six and 12 months. RESULTS--Women treated by hysteroscopic surgery had less early morbidity and a significantly shorter recovery period than those treated by hysterectomy (median time to full recovery 2-4 weeks v 2-3 months, P < 0.001). Twelve months later 17 women in the hysteroscopy group had had a hysterectomy, 11 for continuing symptoms; 11 women had had a repeat hysteroscopic procedure; 45 were amenorrhoeic or had only a brown discharge; and 35 had light periods. Dysmenorrhoea and premenstrual symptoms improved in most women in both groups. After 12 months 89% (79/89) in the hysterectomy group and 78% (75/96) in the hysteroscopy group were very satisfied with the effect of surgery (P < 0.05); 95% (85/89) and 90% (86/96) thought that there had been an acceptable improvement in symptoms, and 72% (64/89) and 71% (68/96) would recommend the same operation to others. CONCLUSIONS--Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation was superior to hysterectomy in terms of operative complications and postoperative recovery. Satisfaction after hysterectomy was significantly higher, but between 70% and 90% of the women were satisfied with the outcome of hysteroscopic surgery. Hysteroscopic surgery can be recommended as an alternative to hysterectomy for dysfunctional uterine bleeding.     

Cascade bioreactor with submerged biofilm for aerobic treatment of Tunisian landfill leachate

A bioreactor cascade with a submerged biofilm is proposed to treat young landfill leachate of jbel chakir landfill site south west from capital Tunis, Tunisia. The prototype was run under different organic loading charges varying from 0.6 to 16.3 kg TOC m⁻³ day⁻¹. Without initial pH adjustment total organic carbon (TOC) removal rate varied between 65% and 97%. The total reduction of COD reached 92% at a hydraulic retention time of 36 h. However, the removal of total kjeldahl nitrogen for loading charges of 0.5 kg N m⁻³ day⁻¹ reached 75%. The adjustment of pH to 7.5 improved nitrogen removal to a rate of 85% for loading charge of 1 kg N m⁻³ day⁻¹. The main bacterial groups responsible for a simultaneous removal of organic carbon and nitrogen belonged to Bacillus, Actinomyces, Pseudomonas and Burkholderia genera. These selected isolates showed a great capacity of degradation at different leachate concentrations of total organic carbon.     

Nomegestrol acetate, a novel progestogen for oral contraception

Nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC) is a potent, highly selective progestogen, which is structurally similar to 19-norprogesterone and characterized as a full agonist at the progesterone receptor, with no or minimal binding to other steroid receptors, including the androgen and glucocorticoid receptors. In animal models, NOMAC demonstrated moderate antiandrogenic activity and strong antiestrogenic activity. In clinical studies, the progestogen was associated with effective suppression of gonadotropic activity and ovulation in premenopausal women, and a neutral impact on hemostasis, lipids, and carbohydrate metabolism. In normal and cancerous human breast tissue, NOMAC has shown favorable effects on estrogen metabolism, and in human breast cancer cell lines in vitro, it does not stimulate cell proliferation. The pharmacologic profile of NOMAC suggested that it would be well suited for combination with a physiologic estrogen in a combined oral contraceptive (COC), with the aim of achieving effective contraception with good cycle control and a favorable safety profile. A monophasic COC containing NOMAC 2.5 mg and 17β-estradiol (E2) 1.5 mg, administered in a 24/4-day regimen, is currently under clinical investigation. In a phase III study, NOMAC/E2 provided consistent and robust ovulation inhibition, with contraceptive effects that compared favorably with those of drospirenone 3 mg/ethinyl estradiol (EE) 30 μg. Investigators for a second phase III study reported less overall impact with NOMAC/E2 on hemostatic, lipid, inflammatory, and carbohydrate metabolism parameters than with levonorgestrel 150 μg/EE 30 μg. These clinical findings are promising; however, full publication of results from the pivotal phase III trials of NOMAC/E2 is pending.     

Hydrophobic thickness, lipid surface area and polar region hydration in monounsaturated diacylphosphatidylcholine bilayers: SANS study of effects of cholesterol and β-sitosterol in unilamellar vesicles

The influence of a mammalian sterol cholesterol and a plant sterol β-sitosterol on the structural parameters and hydration of bilayers in unilamellar vesicles made of monounsaturated diacylphosphatidylcholines (diCn:1PC, n = 14-22 is the even number of acyl chain carbons) was studied at 30 °C using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Recently published advanced model of lipid bilayer as a three-strip structure was used with a triangular shape of polar head group probability distribution (Ku?erka et al., Models to analyze small-angle neutron scattering from unilamellar lipid vesicles, Physical Review E 69 (2004) Art. No. 051903). It was found that 33 mol% of both sterols increased the thickness of diCn:1PC bilayers with n = 18-22 similarly. β-sitosterol increased the thickness of diC14:1PC and diC16:1PC bilayers a little more than cholesterol. Both sterols increased the surface area per unit cell by cca 12 Å² and the number of water molecules located in the head group region by cca 4 molecules, irrespective to the acyl chain length of diCn:1PC. The structural difference in the side chain between cholesterol and β-sitosterol plays a negligible role in influencing the structural parameters of bilayers studied.     

Temporal and spatial dynamics of macroalgal communities along an anthropogenic salinity gradient in Biscayne Bay (Florida,USA)

The seasonal and spatial dynamics of two groups of macroalgae, drift algae and rhizophytes, commonly found in tropical seagrass meadows were studied. The aim of this study was to provide insight into how freshwater discharges may be altering seagrass-dominated nearshore tropical habitats. Species composition, biomass, and percent cover of macroalgae were collected at six Thalassia testudinum König dominated sites within Biscayne Bay, Florida, representing three salinity regimes: canal-influenced, natural sheet-flow, and oceanic conditions. Mean annual salinities in these three regimes correspond to 10, 25 and 35 psu, respectively, with much greater variability in the canal and sheet-flow regimes, than in the oceanic condition. There were distinct changes in the composition of the macroalgal community along this salinity gradient. Drift algae (Chondria spp., Laurencia spp.) were most commonly found at canal-disturbed sites (10–85 g m⁻²), while rhizophytic calcareous green algae (Halimeda spp., Penicillus spp.) were most abundant at the higher salinity oceanic sites (20–105 g m⁻²). Seasonal patterns exhibited by the two groups differed also, with drift algae being more abundant in the cooler dry-season months, while rhizophytic algae were more abundant during the warmer wet-season months. These periods of higher abundance correlated with higher growth rates (drift = 2.3% day⁻¹, rhizophytes = 0.85% day⁻¹) measured in representative species for each group. Grazing rates on drift algae were found to be low for tropical habitats and did not differ much between canal (0.44% h⁻¹) and oceanic sites (0.42% h⁻¹).     

Photonic characteristics and ex vivo imaging of Escherichia coli-Xen14 within the bovine reproductive tract

The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the photonic properties of Escherichia coli-Xen14 and (2) conduct photonic imaging of E. coli-Xen14 within bovine reproductive tract segments (RTS) ex vivo (Bos indicus). E. coli-Xen14 was grown for 24 h in Luria Bertani medium (LB), with or without kanamycin (KAN). Every 24 h, for an 8-d interval, inoculums were imaged and photonic emissions (PE) collected. Inoculums were subcultured and plated daily to determine the colony forming units (CFU) and ratio of photon emitters to nonemitters. In the second objective, abattoir-derived bovine reproductive tracts (n = 9) were separated into posterior and anterior vagina, cervix, uterine body, and uterine horns. Two concentrations (3.2 × 10⁸ and 3.2 × 10⁶ CFU/200 μL for relative [High] and [Low], respectively) of E. coli-Xen14 were placed in translucent tubes for detection of PE through RTS. The CFU did not differ (P = 0.31) over time with or without KAN presence; they remained stable with 99.93% and 99.98% photon emitters, respectively. However, PE were lower (P < 0.0001) in cultures containing KAN than in those containing no KAN (629.8 ± 117.7 vs. 3012.0 ± 423.5 relative lights units per second [RLU/sec], respectively). On average, the percentage of PE between RTS, for both concentrations, was higher (P < 0.05) in the uterine body. In summary, E. coli-Xen14 remained stable with respect to the proportions of photon emitters with or without KAN (used to selectively culture E. coli-Xen14). However, KAN presence suppressed photonic activity. The ability to detect PE through various segments of the reproductive tract demonstrated the feasibility of monitoring the presence of E. coli-Xen14 in the bovine reproductive tract ex vivo.     

Effect of intracerebroventricular infusion of leptin on the secretory activity of the GnRH/LH axis in fasted prepubertal lambs

Leptin is believed to link metabolic status to reproductive processes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of exogenous leptin on the secretory activity of GnRH/LH system in acutely undernourished prepubertal, female lambs. Merino lambs were randomly divided into four groups, two standard-fed and two fasted for 72 h. One standard and one fasted groups were infused intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) with the vehicle; the remaining standard and fasted groups were infused with leptin (25 μg/120 μl/h). Leptin was administered in series of four 1-h infusions at 30-min intervals for 3 consecutive days from 08:30 to 14:00 h. Blood samples were collected on day 0 (before infusions) and on day 3 every 10 min over a 6-h period. Immediately after the experiment, the sheep were slaughtered and brains fixed in situ. Hypothalamic and pituitary tissues were prepared for further immunohistochemical and hybridization in situ analysis. In fasted sheep, increased GnRH levels in the median eminence (P < 0.001) and LHβ levels in the pituitary cells (P < 0.001) plus decreased LHβ mRNA and LH pulsatility in blood plasma were observed (P < 0.05). In leptin-infused fasted sheep, GnRH levels in the median eminence decreased (P < 0.001), LHβ mRNA hybridization signal increased, LHβ levels decreased in the pituitary cells (P < 0.001) and LH pulsatility increased (P < 0.05) in the blood plasma. These results indicate that, in prepubertal sheep, the GnRH/LH axis is sensitive to the fasting signal, that influence of which can be reversed by leptin. Leptin cancels out the suppressing effect of fasting on LH secretion by augmentation of GnRH.