Reasons for not completing postvasectomy semen analysis.

Objective: To identify noncompliance rates for 3-month postvasectomy semen analysis (PVSA) in men who have undergone vasectomy and to explore the self-reported reasons for not completing the 3-month PVSA.

Design: Retrospective chart review followed by semistructured telephone interviews.

Setting: Two family medicine clinics in Saskatoon, Sask.

Competitive adsorption of serum proteins at microparticles affects phagocytosis by dendritic cells.

Serum protein adsorption to the surface of particulate synthetic drug carrier systems has a major influence on their uptake by phagocytes. The influence of alpha2-human serum glycoprotein (alpha2GP) on the phagocytosis of various surface modified microparticles was studied in dendritic cells (DC) and was compared with a potent opsonin, IgG, and a dysopsonin, human serum albumin (HSA). The microparticles were administered to DC before and after the incubation with alpha2GP, IgG and HSA in single, binary or ternary protein systems and in whole blood serum.

Influence of surface-modifying surfactants on the pharmacokinetic behavior of 14C-poly (methylmethacrylate) nanoparticles in experimental tumor models.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the different pharmacokinetic behavior of surface-modified poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) nanoparticles.

Methods: The particles were 14C-labeled and coated with polysorbate 80, poloxamer 407, and poloxamine 908. Plain particles served as control particles.

Preparation of a clofazimine nanosuspension for intravenous use and evaluation of its therapeutic efficacy in murine Mycobacterium avium infection.

Clofazimine nanosuspensions were produced by high pressure homogenization and the formulation was optimized for lyophilization. Characterization of the product by photon correlation spectroscopy, laser diffraction and Coulter counter analysis showed that the clofazimine nanosuspensions were suitable for iv injection with a particle size permitting passive targeting to the reticuloendothelial system. Following iv administration to mice of either the nanocrystalline or a control liposomal formulation at a dose of 20 mg clofazimine/kg bodyweight, drug concentrations in livers, spleens and lungs reached comparably high concentrations, well in excess of the MIC for most Mycobacterium avium strains.

Photodynamic Therapy of Malignant Ovarian Tumours Cultivated on CAM.

The disappointing results with either surgery alone and/or chemotherapy in the treatment of malignant ovarian tumours have led to an increased interest in additional treatment schedules. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a modality involving the use of a photosensitising drug and activating light, is being used increasingly as a local treatment for neoplastic lesions. The synthesis and evaluation of new photosensitisers for the treatment of gynaecological lesions and malignancies continues to be an active area of investigation for proper application of the photodynamic process in the gynaecological field.