Efficacy of vaccination with StroVac for recurrent urinary tract infections in women: a comparative single-centre study

International Urology and Nephrology - To assess the efficacy of prophylaxis for urinary tract infections (UTI) in a two-year follow-up in women with StroVac compared to a therapy with...     

Study of congenital duodenal obstruction

A study of 23 neonates with congenital duodenal obstruction is reported. Their mean gestational age was 38 weeks and mean weight was 2.2 kg. Main clinical features observed were vomiting (100%), which was bilious in 74%, and epigastric fullness with visible peristalsis (74%). Plain X-ray abdomen confirmed the diagnosis in 78%. Associated congenital malformations were seen in 39% of cases. Eleven babies had an intrinsic defect, 11 had extrinsic defect and one baby had combination of intrinsic and extrinsic defect. Malrotations along with band was seen in 39% of cases. Reported mortality was 39%.     

The Effect of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor on the Reversion of Omental Adipocytes from Lean and Obese Patients

Background: this study was designed to characterize some of the biochemical and molecular genetic changes during reversion of human fat cells. Methods: mature adipocytes were isolated from greater omental fat tissue of eight lean and 14 massively obese persons by established methodology. Results: at day 7 of adherence to Leighton tubes, there was appreciable depletion of triacylglycerol, as well as assumption of an elongated contour. Relatedly, there was an increase in the expression of β-actin mRNA and a significant decrease in the specific activity of cytosolic glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. The decrement in the specific activity of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, after 7 days in culture, was significant at p < 0.001. Basic fibroblast growth factor at 10 ngml^-1 accelerated significantly (p < 0.03) the decrease in the specific activity of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in adipose cells from lean subjects. In contrast, basic fibroblast growth factor had no significant influence on cells from massively obese persons. Conclusion: such resistance may contribute to the intractability of massive obesity.     

Physical growth of primary school children of Lucknow

Conclusion From the above consideration we conclude that the stature of the boys and girls in all the age groups grew more rapidly than the other body segments under consideration. On the other hand, the arm girth grew very slowly. The mean values were progressively higher while the rate of growth and growth velocities were different in different age groups. The mean values of the lower extremity and biacromial indices were nearly constant in all the age groups which showed relatively equal growth of the stature in relation to lower extremity and shoulder breadth. From the Department of Anthropology, Lucknow University, Lucknow-226001.     

The conduct of in vitro and in vivo drug-drug interaction studies: a Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) perspective.

Current regulatory guidances do not address specific study designs for in vitro and in vivo drug-drug interaction studies. There is a common desire by regulatory authorities and by industry sponsors to harmonize approaches, to allow for a better assessment of the significance of findings across different studies and drugs. There is also a growing consensus for the standardization of cytochrome P450 (P450) probe substrates, inhibitors and inducers and for the development of classification systems to improve the communication of risk to health care providers and to patients. While existing guidances cover mainly P450-mediated drug interactions, the importance of other mechanisms, such as transporters, has been recognized more recently, and should also be addressed. This article was prepared by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Drug Metabolism and Clinical Pharmacology Technical Working Groups and represents the current industry position. The intent is to define a minimal best practice for in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction studies targeted to development (not discovery support) and to define a data package that can be expected by regulatory agencies in compound registration dossiers.     

p53 codon 72 polymorphism and cervical neoplasia: a meta-analysis review.

The Arg/Arg genotype versus Arg/Pro or Pro/Pro at codon 72 of the p53 gene has been implicated as a risk marker in cervical neoplasia. However, research on this topic has produced controversial results. We reviewed the published literature to summarize the association and to identify methodological features that may have contributed to the heterogeneity. Information on specific methodological features of studies addressing this topic published between 1998 and 2002 were obtained. Study-specific odds ratios (ORs) were combined in a meta-analysis, assuming random effects. To identify characteristics that significantly contributed to heterogeneity, we used meta-regression analysis. We identified 50 articles, of which 45 were included in the meta-analyses and regressions. No evidence of association or heterogeneity was detected for preinvasive lesions. For invasive cervical cancer with undefined histology, the Arg/Arg genotype was not found to affect risk (OR, 1.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.9-1.3). However, a slightly increased risk was observed for squamous cell carcinoma (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-1.9) and adenocarcinoma (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.0-2.7). Meta-regression analysis identified that the most important factor contributing to heterogeneity among results for invasive lesions was departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the control group. Summary ORs for studies in equilibrium were essentially null. A possible susceptibility role by the p53 codon 72 polymorphism at a late carcinogenetic stage in cervical cancer cannot be ruled out. However, various methodological features can contribute to departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and consequently to less than ideal circumstances for the examination of this polymorphism. Future investigations require appropriate attention to design and methodological issues.     

Alcohol exposure and breast cancer: results of the women's contraceptive and reproductive experiences study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore associated biological outcomes and clarify the role of timing of exposure in the alcohol-breast cancer relationship.METHODS: In a population-based study of 4,575 women ages 35 to 64 years diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between 1994 and 1998 and 4,682 controls, we collected details of lifetime alcohol use and factors that could confound or modify the alcohol-breast cancer relationship. We used conditional logistic regression to compute the odds of breast cancer among drinkers relative to nondrinkers at all ages and at ages 35 to 49 and 50 to 64 years separately.RESULTS: Recent consumption (at reference age minus two) of >/=7 drinks per week was associated with increased risk [odds ratio (OR), 1.2; 95% CI, 1.01-1.3] and evidence of dose response was observed. Most of the excess was observed among women ages 50-64 years (OR 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.6), although the test for age interaction was not statistically significant. Exposure later in life seemed more important than early exposure. Excess breast cancer associated with recent consumption was restricted to localized disease. When outcome was examined according to tumor hormone receptor status, highest risks were observed for estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-negative tumors (OR 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.3).CONCLUSIONS: The effect of timing of alcohol exposure on breast cancer risk is complicated and will require additional study focused on this one issue. Further work is needed to explain how alcohol exposure, sex hormones, and tumor receptor status interact.