Use of periodic abstinence in Bangladesh: do they really understand?

Data from a nationally representative study in Bangladesh (BDHS 1996-97) were analysed to identify significant predictors of use of periodic abstinence, in comparison with other modern contraceptive methods. The study found that women in Bangladesh mostly use modern methods during their peak reproductive years, after which some of them switch to periodic abstinence. These women tend to be more from educated and from higher socioeconomic backgrounds and with at least one living son. Another set of data from the Matlab DSS was analysed and the results were in the same direction. Focus group discussions found that women were using the periodic abstinence method incorrectly, abstaining for more days than is necessary. For Bangladeshi contraceptive users to reach a higher degree of use-effectiveness for period abstinence, more IEC materials need to be developed.     

Synthesis, structure analysis, and antibacterial activity of some novel 10-substituted 2-(4-piperidyl/phenyl)-5,5-dioxo[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-b][1,2,4]benzothiadiazine derivatives

A new series of 10-substituted 5,5-dioxo-5,10-dihydro[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-b]-[1,2,4]benzothiadiazine arylsulfonamide derivatives (10a-j and 13a-f) was synthesized. The structures of these compounds were confirmed on the basis of spectral data, elemental analysis, X-ray analysis, and quantum chemical calculations. These compounds were evaluated for their efficacy as antibacterial agents against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains of bacteria. Amongst these compounds 10f and 10i were the most active compounds against Escherichia coli and 13e against E. coli as well as Bacillus subtilis. Moreover, other compounds also showed potent inhibitory activity in comparison to the standard drugs.     

Inhibition of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase InhA by arylamides

InhA, the enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase (ENR) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is one of the key enzymes involved in the type II fatty acid biosynthesis pathway of M. tuberculosis. We report here the discovery, through high-throughput screening, of a series of arylamides as a novel class of potent InhA inhibitors. These direct InhA inhibitors require no mycobacterial enzymatic activation and thus circumvent the resistance mechanism to antitubercular prodrugs such as INH and ETA that is most commonly observed in drug-resistant clinical isolates. The crystal structure of InhA complexed with one representative inhibitor reveals the binding mode of the inhibitor within the InhA active site. Further optimization through a microtiter synthesis strategy followed by in situ activity screening led to the discovery of a potent InhA inhibitor with in vitro IC(50)=90 nM, representing a 34-fold potency improvement over the lead compound.     

Cyclic stretch induces PlGF expression in bronchial airway epithelial cells via nitric oxide release

Mechanical strain of lung tissue is an important stimulus for the production of growth factors that are critical for lung growth and development. However, excessive mechanical strain, as may occur during mechanical ventilation, may produce an increase in growth factors that may contribute to lung injury. We hypothesized that mechanical strain of primary bronchial airway epithelial cells (BAEpCs) induced the production of placental growth factor (PlGF), a member of the VEGF family. BAEpCs were cultured on a deformable silicoelastic membrane and exposed to different magnitudes of stretch. Stretch induced PlGF and nitric oxide (NO) production that increased with increasing magnitude of stretch. Stretch also induced PlGF and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) gene expression. The stretch-induced PlGF production and NO synthesis were attenuated by PD98059, a specific mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-1 and -2 inhibitor. Inhibition of NO generation by l-NAME or l-NMMA or scavenging NO by carboxy-PTIO prevented stretch-mediated erk1/2 activation. In addition, in unstretched BAEpCs, exogenous NO enhanced erk1/erk2 activation. Our data suggest that mechanical stretch of BAEpCs induces iNOS expression and induces PlGF release in an erk1/2 activation-dependent manner.     

Tenascin-C as a noninvasive biomarker of coronary artery disease

Molecular Biology Reports - Coronary artery disease (CAD), is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Tenascin-C (TNC) with high expression levels in inflammatory and cardiovascular...     

Short‐term effect of selectivity change in a trawling fishery in the Western Mediterranean

The change of mesh size or shape as a management measure to improve selectivity as proposed by the EU should be assessed using actual fishery data, despite being tested experimentally in previous studies. This work was conducted to evaluate the consequences of inserting either a 40‐mm square‐mesh or a 50‐mm diamond‐mesh (instead of the traditional 40‐mm diamond‐mesh) at codends in commercial Spanish trawlers. Landings in terms of biomass, income and catch composition were compared under commercial conditions. Four métiers were identified in the fishery: European hake (Merluccius merluccius), red mullet (Mullus barbatus), red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus). No significant differences were observed in biomass or income owing to the new mesh in either European hake or red mullet. In contrast, the total biomass of the red shrimp métier and the biomass of the Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus, were significantly higher after the selectivity change. Regarding the catch composition, only the European hake métier showed slight – but not significant – changes after using the new mesh. Considering these results, there was no short‐term effect (substantial biological or economic loss) as previous studies had expected. This could possibly be related to a higher performance of the new gear that may compensate for the lower retention of small sizes.