Effects of vaginal estrogens on serum estradiol levels in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors and women at risk of breast cancer taking an aromatase inhibitor or a selective estrogen receptor modulator.

Background: Intravaginal estradiols (VE) have been proposed as safe alternatives to systemic estrogen therapy in breast cancer survivors.

Patients And Methods: Postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer or at high risk for breast cancer (n = 24) who were taking an aromatase inhibitor (AI) or a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) and VE for ≥ 90 days for atrophic vaginitis and 24 controls taking AI only participated in the study. Serum samples were drawn from VE ring patients before insertion and 30 and 60 days postinsertion, from VE tablet patients the morning before insertion and approximately 12 hours postinsertion, and once from controls.

How we treat tumor lysis syndrome.

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is an oncology emergency that occurs as a result of rapid tumor cell breakdown and the consequent release of massive amounts of intracellular contents, including potassium, phosphate, and uric acid, into the systemic circulation. These metabolic disturbances lead to life-threatening conditions and may cause sudden death if not treated. TLS commonly occurs following initiation of cytotoxic treatment in patients with high-grade lymphomas or acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Tamoxifen malabsorption after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery: case series and review of the literature.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a gastric reduction duodenal switch with a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive procedures. It is the most common gastric bypass procedure performed in the United States. Malabsorption causing nutritional deficiencies does occur, yet a PubMed literature search (1955-2009) returned no reports of malabsorption of anticancer agents after gastric bypass.

Successional change in phosphorus stoichiometry explains the inverse relationship between herbivory and lupin density on Mount St. Helens.

Background: The average nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio (NratioP) of insect herbivores is less than that of leaves, suggesting that P may mediate plant-insect interactions more often than appreciated. We investigated whether succession-related heterogeneity in N and P stoichiometry influences herbivore performance on N-fixing lupin (Lupinus lepidus) colonizing primary successional volcanic surfaces, where the abundances of several specialist lepidopteran herbivores are inversely related to lupin density and are known to alter lupin colonization dynamics. We examined larval performance in response to leaf nutritional characteristics using gelechiid and pyralid leaf-tiers, and a noctuid leaf-cutter.

Familial intracranial aneurysms: an analysis of 346 multiplex Finnish families.

Background And Purpose: Genetic risk factors are considered important in the development, growth, and rupture of intracranial aneurysms; however, few have been identified. We analyzed intracranial aneurysm families with at least 2 affected persons and determined relationships between affected persons and assessed the inheritance patterns of aneurysms.

Methods: Families with > or =2 members with verified diagnoses of intracranial aneurysms were recruited from Kuopio and Helsinki, Finland.