Relationship of Notch Signal, Surfactant Protein A, and Indomethacin in Cervix During Preterm Birth: Mast Cell and Jagged-2 May Be Key in Understanding Infection-mediated Preterm Birth

Although it is thought that there is a close relationship between Notch signal and preterm birth, the functioning of this mechanism in the cervix is unknown. The efficacy of surfactants and prostaglandin inhibitors in preterm labor is also still unclear. In this study, 48 female CD-1 mice were distributed to pregnant control (PC), Sham, PBS, indomethacin (2 mg/kg; intraperitoneally), lipopolysaccharides (LPS) (25 μg/100 μl; intrauterine), LPS + IND, and Surfactant Protein A Block (SP-A Block: SP-A B; the anti-SP-A antibody was applied 20 µg/100μl; intrauterine) groups. Tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analysis. LPS administration increased the expression of N1 Dll-1 and Jagged-2 (Jag-2). Although Toll-like receptor (Tlr)-2 significantly increased in the LPS-treated and SP-A-blocked groups, Tlr-4 significantly increased only in the LPS-exposed groups. It was observed that Jag-2 is specifically expressed by mast cells. Overall, this experimental model shows that some protein responses increase throughout the uterus, starting at a specific point on the cervix epithelium. Surfactant Protein A, which we observed to be significantly reduced by LPS, may be associated with the regulation of the epithelial response, especially during preterm delivery due to infection. On the contrary, prostaglandin inhibitors can be considered an option to delay infection-related preterm labor with their dose-dependent effects. Finally, the link between mast cells and Jag-2 could potentially be a control switch for preterm birth:

A Critical Overview on Prostaglandin Inhibitors and Their Influence on Pregnancy Results after Insemination and Embryo Transfer in Cows

Assisted reproductive techniques in cattle, such as artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET), are widely used. Despite many years of methodological improvements, the pregnancy rate (PR) in cows has not increased in direct proportion with their development. Among the possibilities to increase the PR is the use of certain steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The antiluteolytic effect of NSAIDs is achieved by blocking cyclooxygenase, which is involved in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. This article compares the PRs obtained after treatment with the commonly used NSAIDs in cattle, including flunixin meglumine, carprofen, meloxicam, ibuprofen, aspirin, and sildenafil. Studies on the effectiveness of certain steroid drugs on the PR have also been described. The results were not always consistent, and so comparisons between studies were made. In conclusion, flunixin meglumine seems to be an option, and can be recommended for improving ET results, especially in situations of high exposure or susceptibility to stress. Its administration under all circumstances, however, might be pointless and will not lead to the desired effect.

Drug-induced decreased urine output predicts PDA closure in preterm neonates

ABSTRACTObjectiveProstaglandin inhibitors (PGI) are used to treat patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) of prematurity. PGIs often cause decrease in urine output (UO), the mechanism of which is like that of PDA closure. We hypothesized that PGI-induced decrease in UO predicts PDA closure.DesignProspective, cohortSettingLevel III NICUMethodsWe prospectively enrolled 40 preterm neonates (≤34 weeks gestation) with clinical and/or echocardiographic hemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA), being treated with Ibuprofen or Paracetamol. We measured UO, weight, total fluid intake (TFI) at baseline and daily until 72 h. We performed echocardiogram at baseline and daily until PDA closure or end of treatment. We compared “PDA-closed” and “PDA-open” groups for change in UO, weight and TFI from baseline.Results“PDA-closed” and “PDA-open” groups had 28 and 12 neonates respectively. Median (Q1, Q3) percent decrease in UO was greater in “PDA-closed” vs “PDA-open” group: from baseline to 0-24 h [-44.87% (−54.79%, +0.04%) vs −15.03% (−27.91%, +49.11%)]; to 24-48 hours [-40.85% (−52.81%, +14.45%) vs. −2.57% (−24.82%, +61.73%) and to 48-72 hours [-32.77% (−49.4%, +32.22%) vs. +20.74% (−6.88%, +98.39%). “PDA closed” group had significantly greater percent decrease in weight by 72-h. Mixed linear model showed that “group” and “time” were independently associated with UO; but “group*time” interaction and covariates (echocardiographic hsPDA, weight, gestation, postnatal age) were not. Decrease in UO of 27% and 17% by 24-48 h and 48-72 h respectively, best predicted PDA closure.ConclusionsTransient decrease in UO after treating hsPDA with a PGI may predict successful closure of PDA.

Role of virechana karma in the symptoms of Udavarta yonivyapad

Apathya Sevana & Vegadharana causes vitiation of Vata & its Pratiloma Gati results into cramping type of lower abdominal pain which gets relieved with expulsion of Raja (menstrual flow).[1] Along with the Katishula is also the symptom by which many women are suffering. Patients of Udavarta Yonivyapad widely uses analgesics, antispasmodic, prostaglandin inhibitors any many more medicines which later on arises lot of adverse effects. Our treatise has mentioned Shamana & Shodhana Chikitsa to treat this. Panchakarma have ray of hope to this to treat & that Shamana & Shodhana Chikitsa in it so Virechana treatment was given [2]. Ayurveda has lot of treatments for this which are easy to take & also cost effective. Shodhana Chikitsa is always better than Shamana because it works on the root cause of the disease.

Erythropoietin does not demonstrate circadian rhythm in healthy men

The hormone erythropoietin (Epo) produced in the kidneys in response to hypoxia stimulates the production of red blood cells. We measured serum Epo levels in 26 healthy men over a 24-h period to determine whether Epo is secreted according to a circadian rhythm. Samples were collected every 2-4 h, and Epo was measured by using a radioimmunoassay (INCSTAR Epo-trac). To determine whether blood collection had any effect on Epo production, one-half of the subjects began the collection period in the morning and the other half in the evening. Exercise and the use of prostaglandin inhibitors were prohibited to eliminate fluctuations in Epo production in response to discrete stimuli. The daily Epo concentration for all subjects combined was 15.5 +/- 5.3 (SD) U/l. No significant circadian variation in serum Epo concentrations was observed in either group or when both groups were combined; however, a measure of individual variance was observed (mean deviation = 0.8 +/- 0.4 U/l).