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Oestrogen plays an important role in follicular formation and oocyte maturation via its receptor (ER). Many studies have shown association of the ER gene polymorphisms with a variety of pathological conditions. In this study we have examined the relationship of a common PvuII and a rare BstUI polymorphism in the ER gene to the mean numbers of follicles and oocytes, their mean ratios, mean number of embryos, mean oestrogen concentrations, mean size of the follicles and pregnancy rates. Analyses were carried out in 200 local Chinese patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer in three consecutive cycles. The mean follicular number, oocyte number, embryo number, follicular size and pregnancy rate were significantly smaller in patients homozygous for PvuII polymorphism (P < 0.001). These results indicate that PvuII polymorphism may be associated with ovarian follicular development and subsequently with the pregnancy rate. This study supports the view that genetic variability in the ER gene may have a role in the quality of the ovarian follicles in stimulation, which may affect implantation. However BstUI polymorphism was not found in either the IVF or control groups, suggesting that it has no role in the local Chinese population.

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Accuracy of lactate determinations in cord blood was tested for one reflectometric (Accusport) and one amperometric (Lactate Pro) microvolume test strip lactate meter. Both meters, using a whole blood sample, measure lower levels of lactate than a reflectometric device considered as a reference method, which analyses lactate in plasma. Readings were unaffected irrespective of lactate concentrations for the Lactate Pro, whilst the Accusport overestimated low lactate concentrations and underestimated high values. Both lactate meters underestimated lactate concentrations at high hematocrits, as compared with the reference method. The Lactate Pro has a fixed sample volume of 5 microliters while the Accusport uses random blood drop as sample volume. However, in analyses with less than 20 microliters sample volume considerable underestimation was found with the Accusport. Coefficient of variation was 3.8-8.9% for the Accusport and 3.1-4.0% for the Lactate Pro within lactate concentrations between 2.1 and 5.3 mmol/l. The amperometric device, the Lactate Pro, performed best in these tests dealing with fetal blood lactate concentrations. The new technique can be a useful tool in perinatal research as well as in obstetric practice.

BackgroundWork design integrates work characteristics having organizational, social and job components which influence employees’ welfare and also organizational goals. We investigated the effects of work characteristics and other predictors to job satisfaction, turnover intention, and burnout in doctors of the public primary, public secondary and private facilities of the district health system of Bangladesh.MethodsA quantitative study using a self-administered questionnaire containing mostly structured items was conducted among the public and private doctors with a sample size of 384 from 29 out of a total 64 districts of Bangladesh during October and November 2015. All variables including work characteristics and outcomes of interest were based on literature and measured on 5-point Likert scale. Multivariate analysis of variance, bivariate correlation, and multiple regression were the models operated through SPSS version-21.ResultsA total of 354 doctors responded. No significant differences were found between public primary and secondary level doctors on combined work characteristics and outcomes variables, which however differed significantly between the public and private doctors. Organizational support was the strongest predictor adversely affecting job satisfaction, turnover intention and burnout of both the public and private doctors; private doctors’ experienced more support. The effects of health-professional politics on the public doctors were alarming.ConclusionWork design of the Bangladesh’s health system is in need of ample development. Doing so, improvement in organizational supports is crucial; however, other work characteristics components are also important for enhancing doctors’ welfare and health system productivity.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-017-2369-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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