Does the anti-hypertensive drug clonidine affect the short-term variation in CTG recordings?

Background: Cardiotocographic (CTG) recordings of the fetal heart remain standard obstetric practice among hypertensive women. Changes in the short-term variation (STV) in the fetal heart are often attributed to the effect of anti-hypertensive medications, regardless of the fact that this principle has never been validated.

Aim: To assess the STV of CTG recordings pre- and post- the anti-hypertensive medication, clonidine.

Primary human breast adenocarcinoma: imaging and histologic correlates of intrinsic susceptibility-weighted MR imaging before and during chemotherapy.

Purpose: To investigate the histopathologic and dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging correlates of intrinsic susceptibility-weighted (ISW) MR imaging in patients with primary human breast adenocarcinoma and to assess the relationship between baseline transverse relaxation rate (R2*) and T2* relaxivity change (ΔR2*) and the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

Materials And Methods: Institutional ethics approval and informed consent were obtained. Between September 2001 and January 2008, 83 women (median age, 46 years; age range, 26-72 years) with breast cancer were recruited to undergo dynamic contrast medium-enhanced (DCE), dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced (DSC), and ISW MR imaging before and after two cycles of NAC.

Weight and metabolic outcomes after 2 years on a low-carbohydrate versus low-fat diet: a randomized trial.

Background: Previous studies comparing low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets have not included a comprehensive behavioral treatment, resulting in suboptimal weight loss.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of 2-year treatment with a low-carbohydrate or low-fat diet, each of which was combined with a comprehensive lifestyle modification program.

Design: Randomized parallel-group trial.

Overexpression of a specific soybean GmGSTU4 isoenzyme improves diphenyl ether and chloroacetanilide herbicide tolerance of transgenic tobacco plants.

Plant glutathione transferases (GSTs) superfamily consists of multifunctional enzymes and forms a major part of the plants herbicide detoxification enzyme network. The tau class GST isoenzyme GmGSTU4 from soybean, exhibits catalytic activity towards the diphenyl ether herbicide fluorodifen and is active as glutathione-dependent peroxidase (GPOX). Transgenic tobacco plants of Basmas cultivar were generated via Agrobacterium transformation.

DNA repair signature is associated with anthracycline response in triple negative breast cancer patients.

We hypothesized that a subset of sporadic triple negative (TN) breast cancer patients whose tumors have defective DNA repair similar to BRCA1-associated tumors are more likely to exhibit up-regulation of DNA repair-related genes, anthracycline-sensitivity, and taxane-resistance. We derived a defective DNA repair gene expression signature of 334 genes by applying a previously published BRCA1-associated expression pattern to three datasets of sporadic TN breast cancers. We confirmed a subset of 69 of the most differentially expressed genes by quantitative RT-PCR, using a low density custom array (LDA).

EST analysis and annotation of transcripts derived from a trichome-specific cDNA library from Salvia fruticosa.

Greek sage (Salvia fruticosa Mill., Syn. Salvia triloba L.

Prevention of aromatase inhibitor-induced bone loss using risedronate: the SABRE trial.

PURPOSE To investigate the management of bone health in women with early breast cancer (EBC) who were scheduled to receive anastrozole. PATIENTS AND METHODS Postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive EBC were assigned to one of three strata by risk of fragility fracture. Patients with the highest risk (H) received anastrozole 1 mg/d plus risedronate 35 mg/wk orally.

Nitric oxide stimulates interleukin-6 production in skeletal myotubes.

Strenuous exercise leads to the up-regulation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) production and enhanced nitric oxide (NO) release within the contracting skeletal muscles. In this study, we investigated whether NO regulates IL-6 production in C2C12 myotubes. These cells exhibited a concentration-dependent increase in IL-6 production upon stimulation with NO donors (Z)-1-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (DETA-NONOate), (Z)-1-[N-(3-aminopropyl)-N-(n-propyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (PAPA-NONOate), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP).

Role of proteinuria in defining pre-eclampsia: clinical outcomes for women and babies.

1. The presence of proteinuria is not essential to the diagnosis of pre-eclampsia under many diagnostic consensus statements. The aim of the present study was to assess maternal and perinatal outcomes after proteinuric pre-eclampsia compared with other non-proteinuric disease presentations.

Acute pulmonary oedema as a complication of hypertension during pregnancy.

Objective: To determine rates of and potential causative factors for acute pulmonary oedema (APO) in hypertensive women.

Methods: Statistical analysis, including logistic regression, was applied to the individual patient data (IPD) of all hypertensive women who delivered in 2005 at two comparable units.

Results: Of 880 cases analysed, there were no women with APO in unit one and 19 women in unit two.

Primate maternal placental angiography.

Background: In humans, it is known that blood flow is directed to the gravid uterus from two (right and left) pelvic uterine arteries. The extent of supply from the tubo-ovarian anastomosis (joining of the ovarian and uterine arteries) is unknown. The aim of this study was to delineate the arterial blood supply to the placenta via systematic angiography in normal pregnancies in a non-human primate, the baboon (Papio hamadryas).

Update on the use of aromatase inhibitors in early-stage breast cancer.

Aromatase inhibitors are currently included in the 'optimal' management of early-stage breast cancer. Uncertainty remains, however, as to the most appropriate treatment strategy, particularly for newly diagnosed women as they seek to trade off the cost, toxicities and efficacy of the treatment options. Recent publications provide conflicting advice on the role of aromatase inhibitors in the treatment of postmenopausal patients with early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the kidney: a case report.

A solitary fibrous tumor of the kidney is a rare neoplasm that was often misdiagnosed as hemangiopericytoma, until recently. We report a case of a 35-year-old male patient with a solid, 7 cm tumor located centrally in a solitary right kidney. The patient underwent successful bench surgery and autotransplantation.

Early breast cancer.

Adoption of urbanised lifestyles together with changes in reproductive behaviour might partly underlie the continued rise in worldwide incidence of breast cancer. Widespread mammographic screening and effective systemic therapies have led to a stage shift at presentation and mortality reductions in the past two decades. Loco-regional control of the disease seems to affect long-term survival, and attention to surgical margins together with improved radiotherapy techniques could further contribute to mortality gains.

Position of the American Dietetic Association: weight management.

It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that successful weight management to improve overall health for adults requires a lifelong commitment to healthful lifestyle behaviors emphasizing sustainable and enjoyable eating practices and daily physical activity. Given the increasing incidence of overweight and obesity along with the escalating health care costs associated with weight-related illnesses, health care providers must discover how to effectively treat this complex condition. Food and nutrition professionals should stay current and skilled in weight management to assist clients in preventing weight gain, optimizing individual weight loss interventions, and achieving long-term weight loss maintenance.

Effects of anti-hypertensive drugs on production of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 and soluble endoglin from human normal and pre-eclamptic placentas in vitro.

1. Increases in soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and soluble endoglin (sEng) contribute to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Soluble Flt-1 binds to circulating free vascular endothelial growth factor and placenta growth factor and this is associated with endothelial dysfunction.

Current indications for post-mastectomy radiation.

It has been long established that post-mastectomy radiotherapy reduces the risk of locoregional failure. A survival advantage, however, has only recently been demonstrated. We here provide a review of the literature as regards to the current indications for post-mastectomy radiotherapy.

Antioxidant small molecules confer variable protection against oxidative damage in yeast mutants.

To assess the capacity of small molecules to function as antioxidants in pathologic conditions, a set of yeast assays utilizing strains deficient in the antioxidant machinery was applied with measurements of reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH/GSSG), and induction of the stress responsive proteins oye2 and oye3. Yeast strains deficient in superoxide dismutase (Delta sod1), catalase A (Delta cta1), and double-deficient in Old Yellow enzyme 2 and glutathione reductase 1 (Delta oye2 glr1) were supplemented with ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, caffeic acid, or quercetin, subjected to pro-oxidant insult, and monitored for growth recovery. Ascorbic acid and caffeic acid protected cells under most circumstances, whereas beta-carotene and quercetin protection was highly context dependent, exhibiting protection in some cases and inhibition in others.

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (Flt1) and apoptosis in the preeclamptic placenta and effects of in vivo anti-hypertensive exposure.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (Flt1) is negatively correlated with apoptosis in preeclampsia placentae, and to examine the effects of antihypertensive medication on apoptosis.

Methods: Flt1 and TUNEL immunoreactivity were quantitatively compared in the stromal decidual cells, villous trophoblasts, and endothelial cells of placentae from uncomplicated pregnancies (NP, n = 34) to those in patients with preeclampsia (PE, n = 30), and those in patients with preeclampsia with superimposed intrauterine growth restriction (PE + IUGR, n = 7). Further analyses determined any correlations with the antepartum use of the antihypertensives clonidine and hydralazine.

Early changes in functional dynamic magnetic resonance imaging predict for pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in primary breast cancer.

Purpose: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) allows noninvasive, in vivo measurements of tissue microvessel perfusion and permeability. We examined whether DCE-MRI done after two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy could predict final clinical and pathologic response in primary breast cancers.

Experimental Design: Thirty-seven patients with primary breast cancer, due to receive six cycles of neoadjuvant 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy, were examined using DCE-MRI before neoadjuvant chemotherapy and after two cycles of treatment.

Low-carbohydrate diets, obesity, and metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Given the increased prevalence of obesity in the United States (and its associated cardiovascular risk) despite reduced fat intake, there has been increasing interest in the effect of low-carbohydrate diets on obesity. Recent prospective trials have demonstrated equivalent weight loss on low-carbohydrate versus low-fat diets, but with significantly different effects on metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Low-carbohydrate diets have more favorable effects on metabolic abnormalities found in insulin resistance syndromes, including serum triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and small, dense low-density lipoprotein particles.

Endosew: new device for laparoscopic running sutures.

Purpose: In 2002, the first completely laparoscopic cystectomy and orthotopic ileal neobladder procedure was reported to take more than 10 hours, with the most time-consuming portion being suturing. Therefore, to improve the quality and reduce the time to place running sutures, we developed a new sewing device for laparoscopic use.

Materials And Methods: We compared running sutures made by hand with those made by machine in the ilea of six pigs.

Soluble Flt-1 as a diagnostic marker of pre-eclampsia.

Background: Serum levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1) increase in pre-eclampsia (PE).

Aims: To determine whether concentrations of serum sFlt-1 can differentiate PE or superimposed PE (SPE) from gestational hypertension (GH) or chronic hypertension (CH).

Methods: Blood was collected from pregnant women being investigated for hypertension (blood pressure of > 140 and/or 90 mmHg).

Recommendations from an international expert panel on the use of neoadjuvant (primary) systemic treatment of operable breast cancer: new perspectives 2006.

Neoadjuvant (primary systemic) treatment has become a standard option for primary operable disease for patients who are candidates for adjuvant systemic chemotherapy, irrespective of the size of the tumor. Because of new treatments and new understandings of breast cancer, however, recommendations published in 2006 regarding neoadjuvant treatment for operable disease required updating. Therefore, a third international panel of representatives of a number of breast cancer clinical research groups was convened in September 2006 to update these recommendations.

Hyperhomocysteinemia in women with advanced breast cancer.

Patients with malignancy have an increased risk of venous thromboembolic disease but the pathophysiology of this association has not been precisely defined. Hyperhomocysteinemia has become established as one of the commonest conditions associated with venous and arterial thrombosis. We examined the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in women with early (group A, n = 31), metastatic breast cancer (group B, n = 41) and in a group of healthy females (group C, n = 29).