Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) inhibits ritonavir-induced endothelial dysfunction in porcine pulmonary arteries.

Background: HIV infection and treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) including HIV protease inhibitor ritonavir (RTV) have been associated with endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease including pulmonary arterial hypertension. The objective of this study was to determine if nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a natural herbal antioxidant found in the creosote bush Larrea tridentate, can protect vascular tissues against RTV-induced vascular injury.

Material/methods: Fresh porcine pulmonary artery (PA) rings were treated with a clinically relevant concentration of RTV (15 µmol/L) with or without NDGA for 24 hours, and then subjected to myograph analysis for vasomotor reactivity.

Molecular mechanisms and clinical applications of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and its derivatives: an update.

Creosote bush, Larrea tridentata, is known as chaparral or greasewood in the United States and as gobernadora or hediondilla in Mexico. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), the main metabolite of the creosote bush, has been shown to have promising applications in the treatment of multiple diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders and cancers. Creosote bush is a promising agent of North American herbal medicine, and it has extensive pharmacological effects and specific mechanisms of actions.

Interim results from the FibroAdenoma Cryoablation Treatment Registry.

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the intermediate- (6 months) and longer-term (12 months) follow-up of patients with breast fibroadenomas treated by cryoablation in community-based practice settings.

Methods: The FibroAdenoma Cryoablation Treatment (FACT) registry was created to systematically collect procedural and follow-up data for patients with fibroadenomas treated by cryoablation without subsequent excision. This report summarizes the experience from 55 different practice settings across the United States.

Surgical benefits conveyed by biopsy site marking system using ultrasound localization.

Background: With vacuum-assisted biopsy technology all, or most, of a breast lesion may be removed during the initial biopsy; in such cases a metallic marker is often inserted at the site of the biopsy for future localization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and impact of the Gel Mark Ultra biopsy site marking system (SenoRx, Aliso Viejo, CA) on the practice of needle localization breast biopsy.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the experience of 45 general surgeons across the United States in a variety of practice settings using the Gel Mark Ultra clip.

Image-guided breast surgery.

With recent advances in technology and increased use of ultrasound, breast surgery has dramatically changed its approach towards nonpalpable lesions. Several image-guided diagnostic and therapeutic procedures have been implemented for the treatment of breast disease. Some of these modalities, including percutaneous image-guided biopsy techniques, were developed for the management of nonpalpable lesions, and they have been incorporated as the current standard of practice.