Dapsone hydroxylamine-mediated alterations in human red blood cells from endometriotic patients

Endometriosis, an estrogen-dependent chronic gynecological disease in women of reproductive age, is characterized by a systemic inflammation status involving also red blood cells (RBCs). In this study, we evaluated how the protein oxidative status could be involved in the worsening of RBC conditions due to dapsone intake in endometriotic women in potential treatment for skin or infection diseases. Blood samples from two groups of volunteers, control group (CG) and endometriosis patient group (PG), were analyzed for their content of band 3 tyrosine phosphorylation (Tyr-P) and high molecular weight aggregate (HMWA) in membranes, and glutathione (GSH) content and carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity in cytosol. In endometriotic patients, RBC showed the highest level of oxidative-related alterations both in membrane and cytosol. More interestingly, the addition of dapsone hydroxylamine (DDS-NHOH) could induce further increase of both membranes and cytosol markers, with an enhancement of CA activity reaching about 66% of the total cell enzyme amount. In conclusion, in PG the systemic inflammatory status leads to the inability of counteracting adjunctive oxidative stress, with a potential involvement of CA-related pathologies, such as glaucoma. Hence, the importance of the evaluation of therapeutic approaches worsening oxidative imbalance present in PG RBC is underlined.     

Combination high-dose etoposide and vincristine infusion

Following the identification of a synergistic antitumor effect in a murine model, the combination of etoposide and vincristine has been explored in the clinic. Etoposide was given at 4 dose levels (250, 500, 750 or 1,000 mg/m²) with each dose given in 3 equal fractions daily for 3 days. The dose of vincristine was fixed (two 0.75 mg infusions over 22 hours each between doses of etoposide). A total of 26 patients were entered into study and 7, 11, 10 and 5 patients were treated at the 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 mg/m² dose levels, respectively. Myelosuppressioh was the principle side effect and Grade 4 WBC toxicity (<>³) developed in 14%, 27%, 40% and 40%, respectively, of the patients treated at each of these respective dose levels. Life-threatening infections occurred in 0%, 9%, 30% and 60% of the patients at these levels, respectively. Reversal of marrow toxicity was rapid with repeat courses given at 3-week intervals. Non-hematologic toxicity, including neurotoxicity, nausea, vomiting, and mucositis was generally mild when present. Objective responses were observed in 1 patient each with refractory Hodgkin's disease and immunoblastic lymphoma. Prolonged periods of stable disease occurred in 2 patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung and one patient with Hodgkin's disease. The starting dose of etoposide recommended for further trials of this agent in combination with infusion of vincristine is 500 mg/m² given in fractionated doses; dose escalation should be possible in many patients.     

食管癌同步放化疗后营养风险因素分析

目的：探讨食管癌患者同步放化疗后营养风险增加的相关因素。方法前瞻性纳入同步放化疗食管癌患者68例,采用患者自评‐主观全面评定量表（PG‐SGA）进行营养风险评分。所有患者接受早期营养教育并对重度营养不良者进行短期营养支持,于放疗结束再次营养评估。根据入院时PG‐SGA评分将患者分为轻中度营养不良组[PG‐SGA（B）组]和重度营养不良组[PG‐SGA（C）组]。收集放化疗前后的体质量、清蛋白（Alb）、血红蛋白（Hb）、白细胞、血小板、中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞、单核细胞等客观营养指标。结果 PG‐SGA（B）组24例,PG‐SGA（C）组44例;两组性别、年龄和民族差异无统计学意义（P＞0．05）。放化疗前两组Hb和Alb差异无统计学意义（P＞0．05）,放化疗后 PG‐SGA（B）组 Hb（χ2＝2．710;P＝0．009）和 Alb（χ2＝3．743;P＝0．000）均高于PG‐SGA（C）组。两组体质量指数（BMI）在放化疗前后差异均有统计学意义（P＜0．05）,体质量下降百分比差异无统计学意义（P＝0．487）。放化疗后PG‐SGA评分与放化疗前后 Hb、Alb、BMI参数的变化及体质量下降百分比呈正相关（rs＝0．240、0．249、0．282、0．447,P＜0．05）。结论较差的营养不良认知,放化疗前后Hb、Alb、BMI参数的变化及体质量下降百分比是食管癌放化疗后营养风险增加的因素。     

Moving beyond “the Down Low”: A critical analysis of terminology guiding HIV prevention efforts for African American men who have secretive sex with men

HIV continues to affect African American populations in the United States at disproportionate levels. Recent reports have described potentially high-risk behaviors of African American men who identify as heterosexual but who engage in secretive sex with other men. These men have been referred to as being “on the Down Low,” and this terminology has been used to label subgroups of African American men and explain sexual risks for HIV infection in the African American community. In this paper, we argue that an uncritical use of this terminology for guiding public health and HIV prevention strategies can be problematic and counterproductive because it (a) stigmatizes and exoticizes secretive same-sex sexuality as a unique issue among African American men, and (b) ignores the social conditions under which HIV transmission occurs. We explore some historical roots contributing to current perspectives on African American men's sexuality, describe the use of the term “on the Down Low” and its application to same-sex behavior among African American men, and explain how this term can both clarify and potentially ambiguate efforts to address HIV risk among African American men. Recommendations for research and HIV prevention strategies are also provided.