Does "OPTINAB" strategy ("stop-and-go") work in treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) with nab-paclitaxel-gemcitabine?

Background: MPACT demonstrated a survival benefit of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine versus gemcitabine in advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). However, sensory peripheral neuropathy is a dose-limiting toxicity and neuromodulators have shown limited, if any activity in ameliorating neuropathy. In colorectal cancer, the OPTIMOX ("stop-and-go") approach offered a strategy to reduce neuropathy.

Use of antibiotics and the prevalence of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in patients with spinal cord injuries: an international, multi-centre study.

Background: Little is known about the use of antibiotics and the extent of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCIs).

Aims: To record the use of antibiotics, establish the prevalence of AAD and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), and assess if there was any seasonal variation in antibiotic use and incidence of AAD in patients with SCIs.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in six European SCI centres between October 2014 and June 2015.

Stauffer's Syndrome in Pancreatic Cancer: First Case Report.

Stauffer's syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome classically associated with renal cell carcinoma. It presents as abnormal hepatic panel in the absence of hepatic disease, which improves with treatment of the cancer and worsens with recurrence. Here, we describe a case of hepatic panel abnormalities in a patient with pancreatic cancer with no evidence of metastatic disease to the liver, primary hepatobiliary etiology, or clear offending medications.

Bupropion-Induced Acute Dystonia with Dose Escalation and Use of Naranjo Nomogram.

Acute drug-induced dystonia is commonly associated with antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, antiemetics, and other medications. Bupropion (Wellbutrin and Zyban) is one of the most frequently prescribed antidepressants in the United States and Canada and smoking cessation aid. However, only few reported cases have been published of acute dystonia including dystonia after discontinuation of bupropion and even after a single dose of bupropion.

First Case of Foot Drop Associated with Capecitabine in a Patient with Thymidylate Synthase Polymorphism.

Capecitabine, an oral prodrug of 5-FU, has been approved by the FDA for use in patients with breast and colon cancers. In addition, capecitabine is commonly used in patients with other malignancies such as pancreatic, gastroesophageal, and hepatobiliary tract cancers. Though cerebellar toxicity is a rare but well-known side effect of intravenous 5-FU therapy, peripheral neuropathy with capecitabine has only been described in rare cases.

Therapeutic Challenges in Neuroendocrine Tumors.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a diverse set of tumors, being genetically varied. NETs can be presented with a distinct clinical picture, due to the production of various hormones, or being silent. Based on community health clinical statistics, the frequency numbers and reported occurrence of NETs are increasing.

Rapid Extracellular Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Culture Supernatant.

The development of green approaches for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is of prime significance in the field of nanotechnology research. A fast and eco-friendly protocol for the biosynthesis of extracellular AgNPs using culture supernatant (CS) from the fungus was studied in this work. This CS was proved as a potential new source for the extracellular biosynthesis of AgNPs.

Use of antibiotic and prevalence of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in-patients with spinal cord injuries: a UK national spinal injury centre experience.

Background: This was a retrospective audit, with the aims being to (1) record the use of antibiotics; (2) establish the prevalence of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD); and (3) assess if there was any seasonal variation in antibiotic use and incidence of AAD.

Methods: The study was performed at a single spinal cord injury (SCI) centre in the UK. Data were collected using a standardised questionnaire during October 2014 to June 2015.

Effective use of oral ribavirin for respiratory syncytial viral infections in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a frequent cause of respiratory viral infections, increasing the morbidity and mortality in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients. Little is known about the best management strategy in this immunocompromised group and there are very few data on oral ribavirin treatment.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of oral ribavirin in allogeneic HSCT patients with RSV infection.

Drug metabolism and pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer remains a fatal disease in the majority of patients. The era of personalized medicine is upon us: customizing therapy according to each patient's individual cancer. Potentially, therapy can be targeted at individuals who would most likely have a favorable response, making it more efficacious and cost effective.

Pharmacology and toxicology of the novel investigational agent Cantrixil (TRX-E-002-1).

Purpose: Recurrent, chemo-resistant ovarian cancer is thought to be due to a subgroup of slow-growing, drug-resistant cancer cells with stem-like properties and a high capacity for tumour repair. Cantrixil targets this sub-population of cells and is being developed as an intraperitoneal therapy to be used as first-line therapy in combination with carboplatin for epithelial ovarian cancer. The studies presented here justify further development.

Applying Computer Models to Realize Closed-Loop Neonatal Oxygen Therapy.

Background: Within the context of automating neonatal oxygen therapy, this article describes the transformation of an idea verified by a computer model into a device actuated by a computer model. Computer modeling of an entire neonatal oxygen therapy system can facilitate the development of closed-loop control algorithms by providing a verification platform and speeding up algorithm development.

Methods: In this article, we present a method of mathematically modeling the system's components: the oxygen transport within the patient, the oxygen blender, the controller, and the pulse oximeter.

Imatinib-induced Ototoxicity in a Patient with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST).

Imatinib (Gleevec) is a biological agent that is approved for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) as well as gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). The most frequently seen adverse effects in patients treated with imatinib include superficial edema, muscle cramps, musculoskeletal pain, rash, fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, and joint pain. Ototoxicity has rarely been reported except in two cases.

New Drug and Possible New Toxicity - Squamous Cell Carcinoma Following Imatinib in Patients with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.

Background: Molecularly targeted therapy has revolutionized the treatment of advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Specifically, the consistent dependence of GISTs on proto-oncogene c-KIT signaling led to the development and successful implementation of imatinib, a small-molecule c-KIT inhibitor. Imatinib induces, rapid and sustained clinical benefit by blocking the signaling via c-KIT.

Pancytopenia and Severe Gastrointestinal Toxicities Associated with 5-Fluorouracil in a Patient with Thymidylate Synthase (TYMS) Polymorphism.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is one of the most commonly used chemotherapeutic agents in solid tumors, including colon, gastric and breast cancers. The pharmacogenetic syndrome of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency leading to severe toxicity after administration of 5-flourouracil (5-FU) and capecitabine has been well-recognized. However, the data about the association of the target enzyme, thymidylate synthase (TYMS) with the toxicity of these agents is limited.

The First Case of Severe Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Associated with 5-Fluorouracil in a Patient with Abnormalities of Both Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase (DPYD) and Thymidylate Synthase (TYMS) Genes.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is the backbone of the chemotherapy regimens approved for treatment of many malignancies, especially colorectal cancer (CRC). The incidence of cardiotoxicity associated with 5-FU ranges between 1.5% to 18% and is most commonly manifested as anginal symptoms.

Incidence and implications of chemotherapy related hand-foot syndrome.

Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is a well-established cutaneous adverse event of certain chemotherapeutic agents, mainly capecitabine, continuously infused 5-fluorouracil, docetaxel and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin. Erythema, dysesthesia, pain, cracking and desquamation located on palms and soles are the most characteristic manifestations. Although HFS is a reversible and non-life-threatening clinical condition, it can often affect patient's quality of life significantly, hence necessitating therapeutic modifications or even treatment discontinuation.

Imatinib-induced hyperbilirubinemia with UGT1A1 (*28) promoter polymorphism: first case series in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Imatinib, an orally administered protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is indicated for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Severe hepatotoxicity associated with imatinib is rare, and relationship to polymorphism of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) expression and related frequency of hyperbilirubinemia or toxicity are not well known. We present a case series patients who developed hyperbilirubinemia while on oral administration imatinib for treatment of GIST.

Role of methylphenidate in the treatment of fatigue in advanced pancreatic cancer population.

Background: Fatigue is a common but devastating symptom for advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) patients. To date, no proven treatment exists. Methylphenidate (MPH) showed inconsistent results in treating other cancer related fatigue.

Genetic factors affecting patient responses to pancreatic cancer treatment.

Cancer of the exocrine pancreas is a malignancy with a high lethal rate. Surgical resection is the only possible curative mode of treatment. Metastatic pancreatic cancer is incurable with modest results from the current treatment options.

Mechanism of Axonal Contractility in Embryonic Drosophila Motor Neurons In Vivo.

Several in vitro and limited in vivo experiments have shown that neurons maintain a rest tension along their axons intrinsically. They grow in response to stretch but contract in response to loss of tension. This contraction eventually leads to the restoration of the rest tension in axons.

Complete Neuron-Astrocyte Interaction Model: Digital Multiplierless Design and Networking Mechanism.

Glial cells, also known as neuroglia or glia, are non-neuronal cells providing support and protection for neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). They also act as supportive cells in the brain. Among a variety of glial cells, the star-shaped glial cells, i.

Colon Mass as a Secondary Metastasis from Cholangiocarcinoma: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Dilemma.

Cholangiocarcinoma (bile ducts cancer) is a rare and aggressive form of cancer. It metastasizes frequently to liver, peritoneum, and lungs. Colon metastasis is extremely uncommon.