Obstetric Outcome After Surgical Treatment of Endometriosis: A Review of the Literature.

A diagnosis of endometriosis is associated with increased risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes including placenta praevia and preterm birth. Some studies have also suggested associations with gestational hypertension, foetal growth restriction, gestational diabetes, perinatal death, and obstetric haemorrhage. This review aims to assess the impact of pre-pregnancy surgical treatment of endometriosis on future obstetric outcomes.

POMMS: Pre-operative misoprostol in myomectomy surgery: A randomised controlled pilot study.

Objective: To assess the effect of pre-operative sublingual misoprostol on intra-operative blood loss in abdominal myomectomy as compared to placebo.

Study Design: Double-blind randomised controlled pilot study. A single tertiary Gynaecology Unit in Melbourne, Australia.

Polygenic risk score for embryo selection-not ready for prime time.

Numerous chronic diseases have a substantial hereditary component. Recent advances in human genetics have allowed the extent of this to be quantified via genome-wide association studies, producing polygenic risk scores (PRS), which can then be applied to individuals to estimate their risk of developing a disease in question. This technology has recently been applied to embryo selection in the setting of IVF and preimplantation genetic testing, with limited data to support its utility.

Myofascial Pelvic Pain: An Overlooked and Treatable Cause of Chronic Pelvic Pain.

Myofascial pelvic pain is a common, nonarticular musculoskeletal disorder characterized by the presence of myofascial trigger points in the lower abdominal wall and/or pelvic floor muscles. Myofascial pelvic pain is involved in an estimated 22% to 94% of cases of chronic pelvic pain, which is one of the most common gynecologic conditions in the United States. Myofascial pelvic pain may exist independently or in conjunction with disorders such as vaginismus, dysmenorrhea, and endometriosis and is frequently a causative factor in sexual pain or dyspareunia.

Novel Iodine nanoparticles target vascular mimicry in intracerebral triple negative human MDA-MB-231 breast tumors.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), ~ 10-20% of diagnosed breast cancers, metastasizes to brain, lungs, liver. Iodine nanoparticle (INP) radioenhancers specifically localize to human TNBC MDA-MB-231 tumors growing in mouse brains after iv injection, significantly extending survival of mice after radiation therapy (RT). A prominent rim of INP contrast (MicroCT) previously seen in subcutaneous tumors but not intracerebral gliomas, provide calculated X-ray dose-enhancements up to > eightfold.

Toxicity and Toxicokinetic Study of Subcutaneously Administered RPh201 in Minipigs.

Mastic gum extracts are widely used as herbal remedies and are being tested for several clinical indications. Nevertheless, information on their safety is limited. RPh201 is an extract of the mastic gum, formulated and stabilized in a proprietary method, which is being developed as a novel drug candidate for neurological indications.

Outcome of Twin Pregnancies Complicated by a Neural Tube Defect.

Twin pregnancies discordant for neural tube defects (NTD) is a management dilemma. Risks of preterm delivery from polyhydramnios must be balanced with the risks of selective termination (ST) of the anomalous fetus. We investigated the prevalence of twin pregnancies discordant for NTD and the rate of pregnancy complications in our institution over a 10-year period.

Vehicle Systems and Excipients Used in Minipig Drug Development Studies.

Minipigs have been used for dermal drug development studies for decades, and they are currently more frequently considered as the second nonrodent species for pivotal nonclinical studies, in lieu of the dog or nonhuman primate, for compounds delivered via standard systemic routes of administration. Little is known about the tolerability of different excipients in minipigs; sharing knowledge of excipient tolerability and compositions previously used in nonclinical studies may avoid testing of inadequate formulations, thereby contributing to reduced animal usage. This article reviews vehicles employed in the Göttingen(®)minipig based on the combined experience from a number of pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations.

Does bicarbonate transfer have relevant hemodynamic consequences in standard hemodialysis?

Background: In a previous study we demonstrated that mild metabolic alkalosis resulting from standard bicarbonate hemodialysis induces hypotension. This study aimed to compare hemodynamic consequences of either a decrease in the dialysate bicarbonate from 32 to 26 mmol/l or an increase in the dialysate calcium of 0.25 mmol/l and to verify whether the calcium shift secondary to alkalemia explains the consequences on blood pressure.