Acute effects of intravenous heroin on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response: a controlled trial.

Heroin dependence is associated with a stressful environment and with dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The present study examined the acute effects of intravenous heroin versus placebo on the HPA axis response in heroin-dependent patients. Twenty-eight heroin-dependent patients in heroin-assisted treatment and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy participants were included in a controlled trial in which patients were twice administered heroin or saline in a crossover design, and healthy controls were only administered saline.

CYP2D6 phenotype indicative for optimized antiestrogen efficacy associates with outcome in early breast cancer patients.

Background: Endoxifen serum concentrations seem to correlate with outcome in breast cancer (BC) patients. Concurrently, cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) enzyme activity and dextromethorphan (DM) metabolism are deemed a surrogate marker for the formation of endoxifen. Here, we conducted a matched cohort study to determine the impact of an extensive CYP2D6 phenotype on relapse in patients with early-stage estrogen receptor (ER)-positive BC and adjuvant tamoxifen intake.

The Discriminatory Value of CYP2D6 Genotyping in Predicting the Dextromethorphan/Dextrorphan Phenotype in Women with Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The growth inhibitory effect of tamoxifen is used for the treatment of breast cancer. Tamoxifen efficacy is mediated by its biotransformation, predominantly via the cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) isoenzyme, to the active metabolite endoxifen. We investigated the relationship of CYP2D6 genotypes to the metabolism of dextromethorphan (DM), which is frequently used as a surrogate marker for the formation of endoxifen.

The impact of diacetylmorphine on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and heroin craving in heroin dependence.

Background/aim: Heroin dependence is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by the compulsion to seek and use heroin. Stress and craving are seen as key factors for heroin use. Moreover, altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function has been frequently reported.

Tumescent anaesthesia in combination with femoral nerve block for surgery of varicose veins: prilocaine 0.1% versus 0.2%.

Objective: Results of a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study about tumescent anaesthesia (TA) in combination with femoral nerve block (FNB) for surgery of varicose veins are reported. The aim is to compare two different concentrations of prilocaine in TA.

Method: With approval of the ethical committee and informed consent, FNB (nerve stimulation, 20 mL prilocaine 0.