FDG PET for imaging pericardial manifestations of Hodgkin lymphoma.

A 61-year-old man with Hodgkin lymphoma (mixed type), with lymph node manifestations and extranodal and bone marrow involvement in both supra- and infradiaphragmatic locations (stage 4), had dyspnea and tachycardia on echocardiography. There were pleural and pericardial effusions and thickening of the epicardium and pericardium. These findings and computed tomographic findings were suspicious for manifestations of Hodgkin lymphoma.

Growing up and living with cystic fibrosis: everyday life and encounters with the health care and social services--a qualitative study.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to illuminate experiences of growing up and living with cystic fibrosis (CF). The patients' and their families' encounters with health care and social services were of particular interest. Four focus groups (adults with CF and parents of children with CF) were conducted.

Development of potent monoclonal antibody auristatin conjugates for cancer therapy.

We describe the in vitro and in vivo properties of monoclonal antibody (mAb)-drug conjugates consisting of the potent synthetic dolastatin 10 analogs auristatin E (AE) and monomethylauristatin E (MMAE), linked to the chimeric mAbs cBR96 (specific to Lewis Y on carcinomas) and cAC10 (specific to CD30 on hematological malignancies). The linkers used for conjugate formation included an acid-labile hydrazone and protease-sensitive dipeptides, leading to uniformly substituted conjugates that efficiently released active drug in the lysosomes of antigen-positive (Ag+) tumor cells. The peptide-linked mAb-valine-citrulline-MMAE and mAb-phenylalanine-lysine-MMAE conjugates were much more stable in buffers and plasma than the conjugates of mAb and the hydrazone of 5-benzoylvaleric acid-AE ester (AEVB).

cAC10-vcMMAE, an anti-CD30-monomethyl auristatin E conjugate with potent and selective antitumor activity.

The chimeric monoclonal antibody cAC10, directed against CD30, induces growth arrest of CD30+ cell lines in vitro and has pronounced antitumor activity in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mouse xenograft models of Hodgkin disease. We have significantly enhanced these activities by conjugating to cAC10 the cytotoxic agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) to create the antibody-drug conjugate cAC10-vcMMAE. MMAE, a derivative of the cytotoxic tubulin modifier auristatin E, was covalently coupled to cAC10 through a valine-citrulline peptide linker.

What areas of cancer care do Norwegian nurses experience as problems?

Background: As the number of people diagnosed with cancer increases and the treatment of cancer changes and improves, the challenges and problems nurses experience in clinical practice are also changing.

Aims: To describe the problems that nurses in cancer care face in their day-to-day practice. Such information can be used to improve the quality of nursing care.

Degradation of mutant initiator protein DnaA204 by proteases ClpP, ClpQ and Lon is prevented when DNA is SeqA-free.

A mutant form of the Escherichia coli replication initiator protein, DnaA204, is unstable. At low growth rates, the dnaA204 mutant cells experience a limitation of initiator protein and grow with reduced initiation frequency and DNA concentration. The mutant DnaA protein is stabilized by the lack of SeqA protein.

The Norwegian version of the dermatology life quality index: a study of validity and reliability in psoriatics.

The aim of this study was to test the Norwegian version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI-N) for validity and reliability in psoriatic patients. The DLQI-N was administered to 230 patients with psoriasis who underwent climate therapy on Gran Canaria, with a dermatologist assessing their psoriasis severity using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index. Factor analyses resulted in a unidimensional pattern, which supports the use of a total DLQI-N score.

Coronary artery spasm and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction following intravenous ephedrine in two healthy women under spinal anaesthesia.

Vasovagal episodes occur frequently in young healthy patients undergoing venous cannulation and loco-regional anaesthesia. We report two cases of severe coronary vasospasm and non-Q-wave infarction in healthy young women after administration of ephedrine for vasovagal symptoms at the onset of spinal anaesthesia. In the light of unopposed vagal predominance pre-disposing patients to coronary vasospasm, even in young healthy patients, atrophine and not ephedrine should be the first line treatment for bradycardia with or without hypotension under spinal anaesthesia.

Living with newly diagnosed breast cancer: a qualitative study of 10 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer.

Aim: The aim of this qualitative study was to describe from the perspective of 10 women (aged 39-69 years), their experience of living with breast cancer.

Background: Although there is increasing research into a variety of aspects associated with breast cancer, there is a continuing need for research to increase nurses' understanding of how women experience living with newly diagnosed breast cancer.

Design/methods: Following ethical approval, open-ended interviews were analysed, using methods influenced by Grounded Theory.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the avian malarial parasite Plasmodium (Novyella) juxtanucleare.

Plasmodium (Novyella) juxtanucleare is a widely distributed parasite that primarily infects chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). All species of Novyella are characterized by very small schizonts, which in the case of P. juxtanucleare are always found juxtaposed to the erythrocyte nucleus, hence its name.

Nodular fasciitis, erythema migrans, and oligoarthritis: manifestations of Lyme borreliosis caused by Borrelia afzelii.

We describe a 35-year old patient with nodular fasciitis, erythema migrans, and gonarthritis four months after a bite of a Borrelia afzelii infected tick. The Borrelia afzelii infection was identified by a polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing of the amplification product. Borrelia-specific DNA was also detectable in nodular fasciitis tissue.

Breast cancer and experiences of social support. In-depth interviews of 10 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer.

The present study aimed to describe how 10 Norwegian women with newly diagnosed breast cancer experienced living with the disease. A qualitative method based on principles in Grounded Theory was used. Data were collected through in-depth interviews.

Improved quality of life among patients with psoriasis after supervised climate therapy at the Canary Islands.

A total of 559 Norwegian patients with psoriasis completed the Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire and a dermatologist assessed psoriasis severity before and after climate therapy. There was no control group. A clinically important improvement in quality of life after climate therapy is demonstrated.

Nurse educator competence: a study of Norwegian nurse educators' opinions of the importance and application of different nurse educator competence domains.

This article presents results from a study focusing on Norwegian nurse educators' opinions of the importance and application of different nurse educator competence domains. The sample consisted of all nurse educators in Norway (N = 828). The Ideal Nursing Teacher Questionnaire was used to assess nurse educator competence.

The anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody SGN-30 promotes growth arrest and DNA fragmentation in vitro and affects antitumor activity in models of Hodgkin's disease.

The leukocyte activation marker CD30 is highly expressed on the Reed Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's disease (HD). On normal tissues, CD30 has a restricted expression profile limited to activated T cells, activated B cells, and activated natural killer cells. This expression profile makes CD30 an ideal target for monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based therapies of Hodgkin's disease.

Effect of water quality on the bonding of resin to moist dentin.

Purpose: To test the effect of different water samples, used for rinsing the dentin, following acid conditioning, on the bond strength of a resin-based composite (RBC) restorative material (Z100), to dentin using a one-bottle dentin adhesive (Single Bond).

Materials And Methods: In preliminary experiments two experimental shear bond strength methods were compared, and one was selected which was deemed to permit more uniform application of the adhesive and better light curing. In the definitive experiments there were five experimental groups, according to rinsing water used (1) distilled water as control, (2) water with 3.

Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale in symptomatic patients.

Background: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) have been associated with stroke in young adults. Patients with PFO suffering from paradoxical embolism are at increased risk for recurrent events. Percutaneous PFO closure is a new treatment modality aimed at secondary prevention.

Changes in the importance of quality of life domains after cancer diagnosis.

The aim of this study was to describe what domains in quality of life were considered most or least important by patients with newly diagnosed cancer and in what way the domains of importance changed during a 9-month period. We also analysed the impact of selected demographic variables on the important domains. The Ferrans' and Powers' Quality of Life Index was used to measure quality of life.

Protease-mediated fragmentation of p-amidobenzyl ethers: a new strategy for the activation of anticancer prodrugs.

A new anticancer prodrug activation strategy based on the 1,6-elimination reaction of p-aminobenzyl ethers is described. Model studies were undertaken with the N-protected peptide benzyloxycarbonyl-valine-citrulline (Z-val-cit), which was attached to the amino groups of p-aminobenzyl ether derivatives of 1-naphthol and N-acetylnorephedrine. The amide bond that formed was designed for hydrolysis by cathepsin B, a protease associated with rapidly growing and metastatic carcinomas.

Oncostatin M in the anti-inflammatory response.

Oncostatin M (OM) is a pleiotropic cytokine of the interleukin 6 family, whose in vivo properties and physiological function remain in dispute and poorly defined. These in vivo studies strongly suggest that OM is anabolic, promoting wound healing and bone formation, and anti-inflammatory. In models of inflammation OM is produced late in the cytokine response and protects from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced toxicities, promoting the re-establishment of homoeostasis by cooperating with proinflammatory cytokines and acute phase molecules to alter and attenuate the inflammatory response.

Outcome of patients with cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale.

Objectives: The aim was to estimate the recurrence rate and to define subgroups at increased risk for recurrent cerebral ischaemia in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) and so called cryptogenic stroke due to paradoxical embolism.

Methods: Patent foramen ovale was diagnosed in 318 patients with otherwise unexplained ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). One hundred and fifty nine were treated medically (oral anticoagulation 79, platelet inhibitors 80) and represent the study population.

The bodily suffering of living with severe psoriasis: in-depth interviews with 22 hospitalized patients with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is one of the most common chronic skin diseases. The author presented results from a qualitative study focusing on patients with severe psoriasis in an acute phase and their experience of living with the disease. Twenty-two hospitalized patients with psoriasis were interviewed in depth.

Patent foramen ovale: pathophysiology and therapeutic options in symptomatic patients.

The foramen ovale, a remnant from the fetal circulation, remains patent through adulthood in approximately 1/4th of the general population, thus representing the most common persistent abnormality of fetal origin. In these individuals, the patent foramen ovale (PFO) permits interatrial right-to-left shunting during those periods of time when right atrial exceeds left atrial pressure. Recently, the pathophysiological aspects of the PFO have been increasingly appreciated, giving rise to disease manifestations such as paradoxical embolism, refractory hypoxemia in patients with right ventricular infarction or severe pulmonary disease, orthostatic desaturation in the setting of the rare platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome, neurological decompression illness in divers, and migraine headache with aura.