Improvement of intratumor microdistribution of PEGylated liposome via tumor priming by metronomic S-1 dosing.

The efficient delivery of nanocarrier-based cancer therapeutics into tumor tissue is problematic. Structural abnormalities, tumor vasculature heterogeneity, and elevated intratumor pressure impose barriers against the preferential accumulation of nanocarrier-based cancer therapeutics within tumor tissues and, consequently, compromise their therapeutic efficacy. Recently, we have reported that metronomic S-1, orally available tegafur formulation, dosing synergistically augmented the therapeutic efficacy of oxaliplatin (l-OHP)-containing PEGylated liposome without increasing the toxicity in animal model.

Systemically Administered RNAi Molecule Sensitizes Malignant Pleural Mesotheliomal Cells to Pemetrexed Therapy.

Pemetrexed (PMX) is a key drug for the management of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). However, its therapeutic efficacy is cruelly restricted in many clinical settings by the overexpression of thymidylate synthase (TS) gene. Recently, we emphasized the efficacy of locally administered shRNA designed against TS gene in enhancing the cytotoxic effect of PMX against orthotopically implanted MPM cells in tumor xenograft tumor model.

Germline mutations and genotype-phenotype correlation in Asian Indian patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.

Background: Genetic aetiology of pheochromocytoma (PCC) and paraganglioma (PGL) is increasingly being studied; however, Asian Indian data on this aspect are scarce.

Objective: To study the prevalence of germline mutations and genotype-phenotype correlation in Asian Indian PCC/PGL patients.

Design: In this study, 150 index patients (M:F, 73:77) with PCC/PGL were evaluated.

The association of organized and unorganized physical activity and sedentary behavior with internalizing and externalizing symptoms in Hispanic adolescents.

Background: Literature suggests that physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior may be associated with adolescent mental health symptoms. A gap in the literature is whether different types of PA have unique impacts on internalizing and externalizing symptoms. This study separately assesses the association of organized PA, unorganized PA, and sedentary behavior with internalizing and externalizing symptoms.

Bilateral adrenal masses: a single-centre experience.

Background: Bilateral adrenal masses may have aetiologies like hyperplasia and infiltrative lesions, besides tumours. Hyperplastic and infiltrative lesions may have coexisting hypocortisolism. Bilateral tumours are likely to have hereditary/syndromic associations.

Comparison of 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT and contrast-enhanced CT in localisation of tumours in ectopic ACTH syndrome.

Background: Localising ectopic adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) syndrome (EAS) tumour source is challenging. Somatostatin receptor-based PET imaging has shown promising results, but the data is limited to case reports and small case series. We reviewed here the performance of (68)Ga-DOTANOC positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) in our cohort of 12 consecutive EAS patients.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome: single centre experience from western India.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome (MEN1) is a rare autosomal dominant familial cancer syndrome affecting multiple endocrine glands. Published literature on MEN1 from Indian subcontinent is scarce. We report here a case series of MEN1 patients (n = 18) from 14 unrelated families.

Downregulation of thymidylate synthase by RNAi molecules enhances the antitumor effect of pemetrexed in an orthotopic malignant mesothelioma xenograft mouse model.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an incurable cancer with an increasing incidence. Currently, pemetrexed (PMX)-based chemotherapy is the mainstay of chemotherapy for MPM, however, the outcome of PMX-based chemotherapy in patients with MPM is dismal. RNA interference (RNAi) technology has been considered as an effective tool to substantially enhance the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in many preclinical and clinical settings.

Spectrum of phenotype and genotype of congenital isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in Asian Indians.

Background: Congenital isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) is caused due to defect in GnRH neuronal development, migration and action. Although genetic aetiology of IHH is increasingly being studied, Asian Indian data on phenotypic spectrum and genetic basis are scarce.

Objective: To investigate the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of IHH in Asian Indian subjects.

Gender differences in macroprolactinomas: a single centre experience.

Macroprolactinomas are the most common functional pituitary tumours. Hypotheses proposed to explain predominance of large tumours in males are: i) diagnostic delay, as hyperprolactinaemia remains under recognised in males and ii) gender-specific difference in tumour proliferation indices. Our study objectives are to compare gender differences in clinical, biochemical, radiological features, management outcomes and cabergoline responsiveness in macroprolactinomas.

Intra-tumor distribution of PEGylated liposome upon repeated injection: No possession by prior dose.

Liposomes have proven to be a viable means for the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to solid tumors. However, significant variability has been detected in their intra-tumor accumulation and distribution, resulting in compromised therapeutic outcomes. We recently examined the intra-tumor accumulation and distribution of weekly sequentially administered oxaliplatin (l-OHP)-containing PEGylated liposomes.

HIGH-PRECISION CONFORMAL FRACTIONATED RADIOTHERAPY IS EFFECTIVE IN ACHIEVING REMISSION IN PATIENTS WITH ACROMEGALY AFTER FAILED TRANSSPHENOIDAL SURGERY.

Objective: Variable efficacy of pituitary radiotherapy in acromegaly is reported. Here we sought to assess the efficacy of high-precision conformal fractionated radiotherapy (CRT) in patients with acromegaly after failed TSS.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted a in tertiary care referral center between 1999 to 2013 on 36 acromegaly patients (M: 16, F: 20; median age: 36.

Advanced therapeutic approach for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma via the intrapleural administration of liposomal pemetrexed.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer that proliferates in the pleural cavity. Pemetrexed (PMX) in combination with cisplatin is currently the approved standard care for MPM, but a dismal response rate persists. Recently, we prepared various liposomal PMX formulations using different lipid compositions and evaluated their in vitro cytotoxicity against human mesothelioma cells (MSTO-211H).

Is it worthwhile to screen patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus for subclinical Cushing's syndrome?

Variable prevalence of subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS) has been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), making the need for screening in this population uncertain. It is unknown if this variability is solely due to study-related methodological differences or a reflection of true differences in ethnic predisposition. The objective of this study is to explore the prevalence of SCS in Asian Indian patients with T2DM.

Encapsulation in a rapid-release liposomal formulation enhances the anti-tumor efficacy of pemetrexed in a murine solid mesothelioma-xenograft model.

We recently developed a PEG-coated liposome encapsulating the anti-folate drug pemetrexed (PMX). Such liposomal formulations have shown potent cytotoxic effects against malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cells in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the pharmacokinetics, bio-distribution and in vivo anti-tumor efficacy of two liposomal PMX formulations with different drug release rates in a murine mesothelioma-xenograft model.

Tobacco Smoking Habits Among First Year Medical Students, University of Prishtina, Kosovo: Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Tobacco smoking remains the leading causes of preventable morbidity and mortality in the world, requiring intensified national and international public health response. World Health Organization (WHO) has urged health professional organizations to encourage and support their members to be models for not using tobacco products and promote tobacco-free culture. Healthcare students are the future authority of the health society, they are in a position to play a vital role and have impact on social norms related to smoking.

Clinical and genetic characterization of pituitary gigantism: an international collaborative study in 208 patients.

Despite being a classical growth disorder, pituitary gigantism has not been studied previously in a standardized way. We performed a retrospective, multicenter, international study to characterize a large series of pituitary gigantism patients. We included 208 patients (163 males; 78.

HRPT2- (CDC73) RELATED HEREDITARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM: A CASE SERIES FROM WESTERN INDIA.

Objective: To describe a case series of HRPT2- (CDC73) related hereditary primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) from western India.

Methods: We present a case series of 4 families (7 patients) with PHPT caused by CDC73 gene mutations.

Results: The mean age of presentation of the 4 index cases was 27.

Diacerein niosomal gel for topical delivery: development, in vitro and in vivo assessment.

The purpose of this study was to load diacerein (DCR) in niosomes by applying response surface methodology and incorporate these niosomes in gel base for topical delivery. Box-Behnken design was used to investigate the effect of charge-inducing agent (X1), surfactant HLB (X2) and sonication time (X3) on the vesicle size (Y1), entrapment efficiency (Y2) and cumulative drug released (Y3). DCR niosomal formulations were prepared by thin film hydration method.

OVOTESTICULAR DISORDER OF SEX DEVELOPMENT: A SINGLE-CENTER EXPERIENCE.

Objective: Ovotesticular disorder of sex development (OT DSD) is a rare disorder of sex development characterized by the presence in the same individual of both histologically proven testis and ovary. There are scant data from the Indian subcontinent regarding this disorder. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical, biochemical, imaging, cytogenetic, surgical, and histopathologic findings and outcomes of patients with OT DSD from Western India.

Relationship between the concentration of anti-polyethylene glycol (PEG) immunoglobulin M (IgM) and the intensity of the accelerated blood clearance (ABC) phenomenon against PEGylated liposomes in mice.

PEGylation, which is the surface modification of nanocarriers with polyethylene glycol (PEG), has increased the circulation time and reduced the immunogenic responses to nanocarriers. However, many reports have demonstrated that the intravenous injection of sterically stabilized PEGylated liposome (SL) causes an accelerated blood clearance (ABC) of subsequent doses via anti-PEG immunoglobulin M (IgM)-mediated complement activation. In the present study, the relationships between serum anti-PEG IgM concentration, the intensity of complement activation and the hepatic clearance of SL were quantitatively investigated for their role in the ABC phenomenon.

Comparison of 131I-MIBG, 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT scans in a patient with extra adrenal paraganglioma associated with SDH-B gene mutation.

Paragangliomas (PGLs) due to succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDH-B) mutation can be aggressive. A 40-year-old woman with normetanephrine-secreting, extra-adrenal, abdominal PGL due to SDH-B genetic mutation underwent surgical excision of primary, followed by whole-body I-MIBG scan after 6 months, which showed no abnormality. However, Ga-DOTANOC and F-FDG PET/CT scans showed primary site recurrence, hepatic and skeletal metastasis, with latter scan revealing more lesions.