Feto-maternal safety of intracervical sodium nitroprusside application in sheep

The feto-maternal safety of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) administration in the cervix of pregnant sheep is evaluated. Chronically catheterized pregnant sheep at approximately 0.9 gestation were divided into 2 groups that received 0.1 mg/kg maternal body weight of SNP gel (2%) or placebo into the internal cervical os. SNP or placebo gel was administered at 9 AM with both maternal and fetal blood gas/pH, and cardiovascular parameters were monitored for 6 hours. Except for a slight transient decrease of maternal oxygen and meta-hemoglobin content, and fetal oxygen content in the SNP group, no other significant changes were observed. However, such changes are minimal and unlikely to be of any clinical significance. Moreover, nitric oxide metabolites were unchanged in both maternal and fetal circulations.These data demonstrate few, if any, effects of intrauterine SNP administration on both cellular oxygenation and cardiovascular indexes. Thus, SNP treatment, once applied into the cervix, could be considered a safe procedure.     

Antiproliferative oleanane saponins from Meryta denhamii

Eight new oleanane saponins (1- 8) together with four know saponins (9-12) were isolated from the aerial parts of Meryta denhamii. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR experiments including 1D TOCSY, DQF-COSY, ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC spectroscopy, as well as ESIMS analysis. The antiproliferative activity of all compounds was evaluated using three murine and human cancer cell lines: J774.A1, HEK-293, and WEHI-164.     

Molecular analysis of the β-catenin gene in patients with the Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome

Purpose

To study the β-catenin gene in a group of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser patients.

Methods

Twelve patients with the Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome were included in this study. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and the region codifying β-catenin GSK-3β phosphorylation sites on exon 3 was amplified. PCR products were purified and directly sequenced.

Results

No mutations were found in the GSK-3β phosphorylation sites on exon 3 of β-catenin gene in this group of patients with the MRKH syndrome.

Conclusions

β-catenin gene mutations are an unlikely cause of the MRKH syndrome.     

BOOST: a phase 3 trial of sorafenib vs. best supportive care in first line treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with deteriorated liver function

Aim: Only patients with good liver function {[Child-Pugh (CP)] A class} were eligible for trials testing sorafenib as first-line treatment of hepatocellular car...