Pharmacokinetic interactions between depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and combination antiretroviral therapy.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of an antiretroviral (ARV) therapy regimen containing zidovudine (AZT), lamivudine (3TC), and efavirenz (EFV) on the pharmacokinetics of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA).

Design: Open-label, nonrandomized, clinical trial.

Setting: University hospital clinic.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for prevention of HIV infection in women: a phase 2, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Objectives: The objective of this trial was to investigate the safety and preliminary effectiveness of a daily dose of 300 mg of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) versus placebo in preventing HIV infection in women.

Design: This was a phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Setting: The study was conducted between June 2004 and March 2006 in Tema, Ghana; Douala, Cameroon; and Ibadan, Nigeria.

The "sign of groove", a new cutaneous sign of internal malignancy.

A 36-year-old young male with multiple heterosexual contacts presented with bilateral inguinal bubo and the classical "sign of groove". A diagnosis of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) was made and a three-week course of doxycycline was given. Lack of response prompted us to investigate further.

Steroid hormones for contraception in men.

Background: Male hormonal contraception has been an elusive goal. Administration of sex steroids to men can shut off sperm production through effects on the pituitary and hypothalamus. However, this approach also decreases production of testosterone, so 'add-back' therapy is needed.

Design and synthesis of novel isoquinoline-3-nitriles as orally bioavailable Kv1.5 antagonists for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Novel 3-cyanoisoquinoline Kv1.5 antagonists have been prepared and evaluated in in vitro and in vivo assays for inhibition of the Kv1.5 potassium channel and its associated cardiac potassium current, IKur.

Magnesium sulfate tocolysis: time to quit.

Intravenous magnesium sulfate tocolysis remains a North American anomaly. This therapy rose to prominence based on poor science and the recommendations of authorities. However, a Cochrane systematic review concluded that magnesium sulfate is ineffective as a tocolytic.

Potent antagonists of the Kv1.5 potassium channel: synthesis and evaluation of analogous N,N-diisopropyl-2-(pyridine-3-yl)acetamides.

This letter describes the discovery of a novel series of potent Kv1.5 ion channel antagonists based on a diisopropyl amide scaffold. Structure-activity relationships of functionalized analogs are discussed.

Molecular cloning, stable expression and cellular localization of human alpha1-adrenergic receptor subtypes: effect of charcoal/dextran treated serum on expression and localization of alpha1D -adrenergic receptor.

The cDNAs encoding for three subtypes of adrenergic receptors, alpha1A-, alpha1B- and alpha1D-ARs, were cloned and expressed in HEK 293 cells. Expression of alpha1A- and alpha1B-AR subtypes in HEK 293 cells was stable even with increased passages but that of alpha1D-AR was not. Cellular localization studies using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry revealed that expression of alpha1A- and alpha1B-ARs was primarily localized on the cell membrane whereas expression of alpha1D-AR was predominantly intracellular.

Expectant care versus surgical treatment for miscarriage.

Background: Miscarriage is a common complication of early pregnancy that can have both medical and psychological consequences like depression and anxiety. The need for routine surgical evacuation with miscarriage has been questioned because of potential complications such as cervical trauma, uterine perforation, hemorrhage, or infection.

Objectives: To compare the safety and effectiveness of expectant management versus surgical treatment for early pregnancy loss.

Phenomenological predictions of cohesive energy and structural transition of nanoparticles.

In this paper, it is shown that a liquid-drop model (LDM) can predict the size-dependent cohesive energy (SDCE) of large nanoparticles and clusters (particles with few atoms) quantitatively. The cohesive energy decreases linearly with the inverse of the particle size both for large nanoparticles and clusters though the slopes are different. This indicates that there are three different regions (I-III) of SDCE in the complete size range.

WITHDRAWN: Derivatives of cis-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalimide for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia: an insight into current investigational medical therapies.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a leading disorder of the elderly male population that is characterised by a progressive enlargement of prostatic tissue, resulting in obstruction of the proximal urethra and causing urinary flow disturbances. The pathophysiology of BPH associated with lower urinary tract symptoms is characterised by increased adrenergic tone (dynamic component) leading to smooth muscle contraction and prostatic overgrowth due to androgenic stimulation (static component); therefore, the therapeutic armamentarium of BPH can be broadly divided into antiadrenergic and antiandrogenic approaches. alpha1-Adrenoceptor antagonists and 5alpha-reductase inhibitors are well-established representatives of the two categories, respectively.

Internucleotide movements during formation of 16 S rRNA-rRNA photocrosslinks and their connection to the 30 S subunit conformational dynamics.

UV light-induced RNA photocrosslinks are formed at a limited number of specific sites in the Escherichia coli and in other eubacterial 16 S rRNAs. To determine if unusually favorable internucleotide geometries could explain the restricted crosslinking patterns, parameters describing the internucleotide geometries were calculated from the Thermus thermophilus 30 S subunit X-ray structure and compared to crosslinking frequencies. Significant structural adjustments between the nucleotide pairs usually are needed for crosslinking.

Spermicide used alone for contraception.

Background: Spermicides have been used as contraceptives for thousands of years. Despite this long use, only recently have studies examined the comparative efficacy and acceptability of these vaginal medications. Spermicides contain an active ingredient (most commonly nonoxynol-9) and a formulation used to disperse the product, such as foam or vaginal suppository.

Fertility awareness-based methods for contraception: systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Context: Fertility awareness-based (FAB) methods of family planning estimate the fertile days of the menstrual cycle whether by observing fertility signs such as cervical secretions and basal body temperature or by monitoring cycle days. The efficacy and acceptability of these methods are unclear.

Methods: We retrieved and analyzed all randomized controlled trials that examined any FAB method used for contraception.

20 mcg versus >20 mcg estrogen combined oral contraceptives for contraception.

Background: Concern about estrogen-related adverse effects has led to progressive reductions in the estrogen dose in combination oral contraceptives (COCs). However, reducing the amount of estrogen to improve safety also could result in decreased contraceptive effectiveness and unacceptable changes in bleeding patterns.

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that COCs containing 20 mcg in terms of contraceptive effectiveness, bleeding patterns, discontinuation, and side effects.

Twenty micrograms vs. >20 microg estrogen oral contraceptives for contraception: systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Concern about estrogen-related adverse effects has led to progressive reductions in the estrogen dose in combination oral contraceptives (COCs). This review of randomized controlled trials tested the hypothesis that COCs containing 20 microg in terms of contraceptive effectiveness, bleeding patterns, discontinuation and side effects. Data from the 18 eligible trials conducted to date are inadequate for detecting possible differences in contraceptive effectiveness.

Steroid hormones for contraception in men: systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Male hormonal contraception has been an elusive goal. Administration of sex steroids to men can shut off sperm production through effects on the pituitary and hypothalamus. However, this approach also decreases production of testosterone, so an "add-back" therapy is needed.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in children.

Obesity has emerged as a significant new health problem in the pediatric population. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an entity in the spectrum of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) ranges from fat in the liver -- simple steatosis, NASH/ steatohepatitis -- fat with inflammation and/or fibrosis to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis when fat may no longer be present. NASH is associated with obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance (IR), and hypertriglyceridemia.

Fertility awareness-based methods for contraception.

Background: "Fertility awareness-based methods" (FAB) of family planning "involve identification of the fertile days of the menstrual cycle, whether by observing fertility signs such as cervical secretions and basal body temperature, or by monitoring cycle days. FAB methods can be used in combination with abstinence or barrier methods during the fertile time" (WHO 2000). Several names have been used to describe this approach to contraception, including "rhythm," "natural family planning" and "periodic abstinence.

Extract of Kurosu, a vinegar from unpolished rice, inhibits azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in male F344 rats.

The modifying effects of administering an ethyl acetate extract of Kurosu (EK), a vinegar made from unpolished rice, in drinking water on the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis were investigated in male F344 rats. Animals were given 2 weekly subcutaneous injections of AOM (20 mg/kg body weight). They also received drinking water containing 0%, 0.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of 1,2,3,7-tetrahydro-6h-purin-6-one and 3,7-dihydro-1h-purine-2,6-dione derivatives as corticotropin-releasing factor(1) receptor antagonists.

A growing body of evidence suggests that CRF(1) receptor antagonism offers considerable therapeutic potential in the treatment of diseases resulting from elevated levels of CRF, such as anxiety and depression. A series of novel 1,2,3,7-tetrahydro-6H-purin-6-one and 3,7-dihydro-1H-purine-2,6-dione derivatives was synthesized and evaluated as corticotropin releasing factor-1 (CRF(1)) receptor antagonists. Compounds within this series, represented by compound 12d (IC(50) = 5.

Steroid hormones for contraception in men.

Background: Male hormonal contraception has been an elusive goal. Administration of sex steroids to men can shut off sperm production through effects on the pituitary and hypothalamus. However, this approach also decreases production of testosterone, so "add-back" therapy is needed.