Plasmafiltration as an effective method in the removal of circulating pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and the reduction of mucocutaneous toxicity during the treatment of advanced platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology - The present study evaluates the safety and efficacy of double-plasma filtration (PF) to remove the exceeding pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in...     

Pyridostigmine bromide and its relation to Gulf War illness

Abstract

Pyridostigmine bromide acts as a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor that is used at relatively high doses in treatment of Myasthenia gravis and in low dose regimens as prophylaxis against nerve agents poisoning during the Gulf War. The manifestation of late nonspecific symptoms commonly called Gulf War illness has led to the discussion about the role of pyridostigmine bromide in the pathogenesis of this illness. In our study, we described plasma absorption profile of pyridostigmine bromide after p.o. administration in rats; subsequently, changes in blood biochemical and oxidative stress markers were measured. Pyridostigmine bromide was applied p.o. at the dose of 5.82?mg/kg b.w. according to the previously published recommendations. The absorption of pyridostigmine was relatively fast; the C_max in plasma was 110.20?±?15.12?ng/ml at T_max of 197.12?±?17.14?min. The bioavailability expressed as AUC_total was 44,348?±?7608?min ng/ml. The prolongation of pyridostigmine in circulation is in agreement with relatively long half-life that was 179.00?±?28.54?min. Several blood biochemical markers were altered, including glucose, creatinine, creatine kinase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, interleukin-6, triglycerides, and cholesterol. However, the changes could be considered as mild. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and ferric reducing ability of plasma indicate suppression of basal metabolism. The results of blood biochemical and oxidative stress markers imply that long-term use might possibly change the basal metabolism and cause cellular damage with inflammatory changes.     

Tumor-Stroma-Interaktionen im Harnblasenkarzinom

Die Urologie - Der histopathologische Aufbau maligner Tumoren schließt zwei Kompartimente ein – das Tumorparenchym mit den transformierten Zellen selbst und jene Strukturen, die deren...     

Prognostic significance of ischemia modified albumin after percutaneous coronary intervention

Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) is a new biochemical marker of ischemia. IMA levels rise in patients who develop ischemia during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It is unclear whether IMA elevations correlate with PCI variables. The possible prognostic value of post-PCI IMA elevation has not yet to be studied. METHODS: We studied 60 patients (mean age 61 years; 51 male) who underwent successful elective single-vessel PCI for the management of stable angina pectoris. IMA levels were measured and compared with PCI variables and target lesion revascularization rate. The median post-PCI follow up is 46 months (CI 44.6 to 47.7). RESULTS: We found that the only variable related to post-PCI IMA levels was periprocedural dissection of target vessel (147.6 vs. 141.1 kU/l, p=0.035). No correlation between high and low balloon inflation pressure (143.6 vs. 141.6 kU/l, p=0.64), short and long inflation pressure (141.5 vs. 143.6 kU/l, p=0.17), with and without stent placement (143.7 vs. 141.3 kU/l, p=0.93) was found. IMA level more then 130 kU/l was associated with higher frequency of target lesion revascularization at nearly 4-years follow-up (p=0.026). CONCLUSION: Post-PCI IMA elevation is associated with higher target lesion revascularization.     

Termination of long-lasting persistent versus short-lasting persistent and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation by ablation

Background: Left atrial (LA) structures for the maintenance of different atrial fibrillation (AF) forms are not uniform. The incidence, electrophysiological patterns, and LA sites of sinus rhythm (SR) restoration during ablation of different AF forms were evaluated. Methods: One hundred patients with long‐lasting persistent AF were retrospectively compared to 35 patients with short‐lasting persistent AF and 59 patients with a sustained episode of paroxysmal AF. All patients underwent a first ablation using a stepwise ablation approach with the endpoint of SR restoration by ablation. Results: SR was restored in 38%, 83%, and 97% of patients with long‐lasting persistent, short‐lasting persistent, and paroxysmal AF, respectively (P <0.001 for long‐lasting persistent vs paroxysmal AF; P = 0.02 for long‐lasting persistent vs short‐lasting persistent AF). When modes and sites of SR restoration were evaluated among the patients with long‐lasting persistent, short‐lasting persistent, and paroxysmal AF, SR was restored via conversion into LA tachycardia in 79%, 52%, and 4% of patients (P <0.001 for long‐lasting persistent vs paroxysmal AF); by the pulmonary vein encircling in 8%, 24%, and 93% patients (P <0.001 for long‐lasting persistent vs paroxysmal AF); and by ablation at the LA anterior wall or inside the coronary sinus in 66%, 45%, and 2% patients (P <0.001 for long‐lasting persistent and paroxysmal AF). During the 31 ± 14 month follow‐up since the first ablation, of the 50 patients with long‐term SR maintenance (38 patients free of class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs), SR was restored by ablation in 29 (58%) patients versus nine (18%) patients out of 50 patients with unsuccessful clinical outcome (P = 0.009). Conclusion: Ablation of long‐lasting persistent AF was characterized by more frequent failure to restore SR, and predominant conversion into LA tachycardia prior to SR restoration, and SR restoration by ablation outside the LA posterior wall. SR restoration by ablation was associated with better clinical outcome in these patients.