Late reproductive effects of cancer treatment

Gynaecologists are seeing an ever-growing population of cancer survivors who are at risk from developing a broad range of adverse outcomes relating to cancer treatment. This review discusses the most commonly observed reproductive concerns in young people who are awaiting, or have undergone treatment for cancer. We also discuss the options for maintaining fertility in both men and women, and possible subsequent pregnancy outcomes. The fertility preservation options available to any particular cancer survivor will depend on age at the time of diagnosis and treatment, the cancer type and primary site, the stage and the type of treatment.     

High-resolution SNP mapping by denaturing HPLC

With the availability of complete genome sequences, new rapid and reliable strategies for positional cloning become possible. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) permit the mapping of mutations at a resolution not amenable to classical genetics. Here we describe a SNP mapping procedure that relies on resolving polymorphisms by denaturing HPLC without the necessity of determining the nature of the SNPs. With the example of mapping mutations to the Drosophila nicastrin locus, we discuss the benefits of this method, evaluate the frequency of closely linked and potentially misleading second site mutations, and demonstrate the use of denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography to identify mutations in the candidate genes and to fine-map chromosomal breakpoints. Furthermore, we show that recombination events are not uniformly dispersed over the investigated region but rather occur at hot spots.     

SIOP working committee on psychosocial issues in pediatric oncology

Recognizing the importance of psycho-social issues in the care and cure of the child with cancer, the board of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) in 1991 constituted a Working Committee on Psychosocial Issues in Pediatric Oncology, with Giuseppe Masera as chair and John Spinetta as co-chair. This committee met for the first time in Rhodes, Greece, in October 1991. The committee discussed various psychosocial issues and developed a document on Aims and Recommendations, summarizing the experiences of major centers. This document was approved by the SIOP board, which recommended diffusion of the document to the pediatric oncology community. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Pulmonary vascular disease in a child with atrial septal defect of the secundum type and type I glycogen storage disease

A rare combination of atrial septal defect of the secundum type and type I glycogen storage disease was seen with early fatal outcome due to rapidly progressive severe pulmonary vascular disease. Possible reasons for the unexpected, rapidly progressive pulmonary vascular disease are discussed.     

5-hydroxy-chromone-7-rutinoside in Mentha longifolia Hudson (author's transl)

5-Hydroxy-chromone-7-rutinoside in Mentha longifolia Hudson A glycoside from Mentha longifolia was structurally elucidated as 5-hydroxy-chromone-7-β-O-(6-rhamnopyranosyl)-D-glucopyranoside.     

Assessment of antioxidative activity of lipid- and water-soluble vitamins in human whole blood. Comparative analysis between a biological test and chemical methods

Assessment of the antioxidant activity of vitamins and other compounds is of interest in the understanding of their in vivo effects. In this study, we have investigated the activity of several lipid and water-soluble vitamins in human whole blood. Measurements were carried out using a biological test that enables the evaluation of both red blood cells and plasma resistance against free radical activity induced by 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane)hydrochloride (AAPH). Antioxidant activity of vitamins has been determined by using the biological test versus chemical methods (chemiluminescence, DMPD radical). We have observed strong anti-oxidant potentials for vitamins B6 and B9 with biological tests, but not with chemical methods. At 10 microM, the vitamin B9 efficiency in inhibiting radical-induced red blood cell hemolysis was almost three times higher than vitamin C efficiency and two times higher than alpha-tocopherol efficiency. Antioxidant activity was not observed for vitamins B1 or B2, nor for retinol. The weak activity of beta-carotene still remains to be investigated particularly in relation to oxygen pressure. Our study demonstrated that the biological test is more useful than the chemical methods employed in this instance, for the evaluation of antioxidant capacity of lipophilic and putatively biologically active compounds.