Felodipine and renal function in lung transplantation: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Calcium channel blockers may ameliorate the decline in renal function caused by calcineurin inhibitors in lung transplantation (LTX) recipients. We hypothesized that pre-operative and 12-week post-operative treatment with the calcium channel blocker felodipine would reduce the decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind trial, 39 LTX recipients were transplanted and received placebo (n = 19; GFR, 102 ml/min/1.

Long-term leukopenia in a lung transplanted patient with cystic fibrosis treated with zoledronic acid: a case report.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a serious autosomal recessive genetic disorder associated with chronic lung disease, malabsorption, malnutrition, pancreatic insufficiency and premature respiratory failure. Recent advances in medical science and technology have increased the lifespan of patients with CF, albeit with long-term consequences of the disease, such as osteoporosis, becoming of increasing significance. The medical treatment of osteoporosis in patients with CF or after organ transplantation is still being explored, and no clear guidelines regarding the best choice of bisphosphonate exist.

Meta-analysis of routine blood tests as predictors of mortality in COPD.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine whether routine blood tests can be useful in predicting mortality in COPD patients.

Methods: Eligible studies were found through a search conducted in the PubMed and Embase databases, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Knowledge. Twelve studies were included for the meta-analysis of five biochemical markers.

Acute and long-term estradiol kinetics in smoking postmenopausal women.

Aim: We aimed to study 2-h estrogen kinetics in smoking versus non-smoking postmenopausal women receiving estrogen therapy. Moreover, we wished to study estrogen concentrations over 2 years in smokers using ten or fewer cigarettes daily versus non-smokers in postmenopausal women on estrogen treatment.

Method: We used post-hoc analyses from two randomized trials.

[Sinus thrombosis in a healthy female taking oral contraceptives].

A 19 year-old female presented with sudden onset of severe headache and photophobia. Clinical examination, blood tests and lumbar puncture were unremarkable.The patient was taking drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol oral contraceptives.

[Intrathoracic goiter with differential diagnostic difficulties].

Intrathoracic goiter represents an important differential diagnosis in the examination of lung tumours. A 71-year-old healthy woman presented with dyspnoea, stridor and an inhomogeneous tumour compressing the upper part of the right lung at the level of the left atrium. Computed tomography showed bilateral pleural effusions and a pericardial effusion.

The effect of aromatase inhibitors on bone metabolism.

Aromatase inhibitors increase the disease-free survival in patients with receptor-positive breast cancer. Aromatase is a cytochrome P450 enzyme complex catalysing the conversion of androgens to oestrogens. These properties cause a significant increase in bone loss.

The influence of smoking on bone loss and response to nasal estradiol.

Objective: To investigate the influence of smoking on bone during therapy with nasally administrated estradiol in sequential combination with oral progesterone in early postmenopausal women. In addition, to observe the consequences of smoking on bone in untreated women.

Methods: Post-hoc exploratory analyses of data from 270 postmenopausal women randomized to 2 years' therapy with daily nasal administration of 17beta-estradiol or placebo sequentially combined with oral micronized progesterone in the active groups or placebo in the placebo group.

Evaluation and registration of adverse events in clinical drug trials in migraine.

Tolerability of a drug should be regarded as important as its efficacy. In all four phases of drug development evaluation of adverse events is important. Recommendations for assessment of adverse events in acute and prophylactic clinical drug trials in migraine are given.

Adverse bone effects during pharmacological breast cancer therapy.

The improved survival and cure rate of breast cancer patients leads to increased diagnosis of later occurring side effects to therapy such as osteoporosis. Conventional chemotherapies such as CMF and CEF are known to induce premature menopause, which increases bone loss but these therapies have additional detrimental effects on bone. The loss in bone mass during chemotherapy is substantial and may lead to increased fracture risk.

The influence of smoking on uterine bleeding during continuous and interrupted oral hormone therapy.

Objective: To study the influence of smoking on uterine bleeding patterns during continuous and interrupted oral hormone therapy (HT).

Methods: Using a post-hoc strategy, we included five oral HT groups from three studies. The therapies consisted of continuous estrogen (estradiol, estradiol valerate or piperazine estrone sulfate) in combination with continuous progestogen (cyproterone acetate, gestodene or norethisterone acetate) or in combination with interrupted progestogen (norethisterone) given on days 4-6, 10-12, 16-18, 22-24 and 28-30.

[Effect of aromatase inhibitors on bone metabolism].

Aromatase inhibitors (AI) increase the disease-free survival of patients with receptor-positive breast cancer. They inhibit the endogenous production of estrogen by 50-90% and, in contrast to tamoxifen, reduce bone mineral density. Placebo-controlled studies have lacked statistical power to detect changes in fracture incidence; however, AI increases the incidence of fractures in comparison with tamoxifen.

The influence of smoking on uterine bleeding during sequential oral hormone therapy.

Objective: To study the influence of smoking on uterine bleeding patterns during sequentially administered oral hormone therapy (HT).

Methods: Using a post-hoc strategy, we included four sequential oral HT groups from two studies. The therapies consisted of estradiol from days 1 to 28 (estradiol or estradiol valerate) and progestogen (levonorgestrel or gestodene) on days 17-28.

Fetal exposure to pimozide: a case report.

Background: Pimozide is an antidopaminergic, antipsychotic drug. Exposure during human pregnancy has not been reported previously, and recommendations on its use are based on extrapolation from other antipsychotics with antidopaminergic activity.

Case: A 26-year-old woman had Gilles de la Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

[Nephrotoxicity after the use of intravenous X-ray contrast media in a type 2 diabetic being treated with metformin].

Contrast media may induce nephrotoxicity, particularly in elderly patients with pre-existing renal impairment. The concomitant use of metformin may lead to lactic acidosis due to metformin accumulation. Thus, metformin should be discontinued prior to use of contrast media.

Optimizing lithium dosing in hemodialysis.

We studied a 62-year-old female hemodialysis patient during initiation and maintenance of lithium carbonate therapy. Three different methods were applied to estimate the regimen: a scenario based on volume of distribution (V(d)), a scenario based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and a scenario in which we developed an algorithm based on a 2-compartment distribution without elimination. The GFR estimate led to plasma concentrations 3-4 times lower than those anticipated.