Exposure to Landfill Leachates Affects the Embryonic Development of Zebrafish,Danio rerio: A Case Study in Yucatan,Mexico

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology - We report the chemical characterisation and toxic effects of municipal solid waste landfill leachates on the embryonic development of Danio...     

Analyzing the learning curves of a novice and an experienced urologist for transrectal magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound fusion prostate biopsy

BackgroundThe aim of the current study was to evaluate and compare the learning curves of transrectal magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound fusion biopsy for two urologists with different backgrounds (Operator 1: experienced, self-trained and Operator 2: novice, trained by a mentor/MRI reading courses).MethodsA cohort of 400 patients who underwent fusion prostate biopsy in our department was analyzed. The learning curves were assessed in terms of overall and clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa) detection rates, percentage of positive biopsy cores/targeted and the percentage of PCa tissue on positive targeted cores.ResultsIncreasing trends were observed for both urologists in terms of all biopsy outcomes during the study time. For the novice urologist, a significant increase was observed for overall PCa detection rate, but not for clinically significant disease (25.44%, P=0.04/15%, P=0.145). Operator 1 showed an increasing diagnosis yield of clinically significant disease up to 104 cases. Similar cancer detection rates were observed when comparing the first and last biopsies performed by both operators. Multivariate analysis adjusted for age, PSA, prostate volume, lesion diameter and PIRADS score showed an increase of PCa detection with 51% for every 52 biopsies performed (P=0.022).ConclusionsWhen starting with magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound fusion prostate biopsy, mentoring and prostate magnetic resonance imaging reading training allow a novice urologist to demonstrate a good initial PCa detection rate. After about 52 cases, he reached a stable PCa and clinically significant PCa detection rate, that was similar to that of an experienced urologist.     

The beginning of the end of principlism

Book reviewed in this article: Principles of Biomedical Ethics . By Tom L. Beauchamp and James F. Childress.     

Chronic diarrhea: Causes,presentation, and mangement

Important inroads are being made into understanding the pathophysiology of diarrhea. Clear understanding of key mechanisms should suggest new approaches to combat disease. Exciting developments are occurring in terms of super-ORS solutions, particularly with the promise of short chained glucose polymers and glutamine. Perhaps the most important development is the prospect of a good rotavirus vaccine being available before the end of the decade. Chronic diarrhea seems to be on the increase globally, probably because of the success of ORS. The mechanisms that lead to mucosal injury are elusive, and therapy still largely supportive and empiric. Celiac disease continues to be a puzzle, because of the uncomfortable feeling that a majority of cases may be missed because of atypical presentations. The successful use of long term parenteral nutrition has allowed survival and better charaterization of cases that otherwise would have perished as ‘lethal protracted diarrhea’. Microvillus inclusion disease may be the commonest congenital secretory diarrhea. The role of the recently reported high prevalence of glucoamlase deficiency may be important. Lastly, attention to micronutrients, particularly low vitamin A and probably zinc may prove to be important in prevention and amelioration of diarrhea and growth failure.     

Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin via Sterically Stabilized Immunoliposomes: Pharmacokinetics and Biodistribution in Tumor-bearing Mice

Purpose. To evaluate benefits in tumor localization, availability, and noncancerous organ distribution of doxorubicin (DOX) delivered via small (120 nm) sterically stabilized immunoliposomes targeted against a tumor-associated antigen in fibrosarcoma-bearing mice. Methods. DOX-loaded liposomes were prepared with (i) specific monoclonal IgG₃ antibody (32/2, D-SSIL-32/2); (ii) non-specific IgG₃ (D-SSIL-IgG); or (iii) no IgG (D-SSL) on their surface. Equal DOX amounts were injected intravenously via each type of liposome into BALB/c mice carrying experimental lung metastases of a polyoma virus-induced fibrosarcoma (A9 etc 220) expressing a polyoma virus-induced tumor-associated antigen (PAA) on their surface. Metastases occurred mainly in lung. Mice were treated at 3 stages of tumor development (micrometastases, medium-size metastases, and large, necrotic metastases). Performance evaluation was based on time-dependent quantification of DOX and DOX metabolites (DOX-M) in lung tumor, noncancerous organs, and plasma. Results. (i) DOX delivered via both SSIL retained the prolonged circulation time typical of DOX delivered via D-SSL. (ii) DOX accumulation in noncancerous organs was similar for all preparations. Low levels of DOX-M were obtained for all three preparations in all organs except liver, suggesting a similar processing, (iii) Preparations differed in behavior in lung tumor depending on tumor size and microanatomy. Only at the micrometastases stage were the specifically targeted D-SSIL-32/2 superior to D-SSL and D-SSIL-IgG, delivering 2–4 times more drug into the tumor, (iv) DOX-M level in all three tumor stages was in the following order: D-SSIL-32/2 >> D-SSL >> D-SSIL-IgG, suggesting that DOX delivered as D-SSIL-32/2 is most available to tumor cells. Conclusions. The advantage of specific targeting of sterically stabilized liposomes is expressed mainly in increasing availability of DOX to tumor cells in a way which is dependent on tumor microanatomy. The impact of this advantage to therapeutic efficacy remains to be determined.     

Adjustments and Leak Detection of the Adjustable Silicone Gastric Band (ASGB) and Lap-Band™ Adjustable Gastric Band (LAGB) System

Background: The detection of a leakage in the system of the adjustable silicone gastric band (ASGB) may be difficult. Gastrografin injection into the port should be avoided because it acts like a glue and blocks the system. Methods: A syringe containing saline and a syringe containing Thallium-201 chloride is connected to the 4-way stopcock which is connected to the needle. The needle is pushed into the port. The position is confirmed by injection and aspiration of saline. 2 ml of TL-201 chloride (74 MBp) is injected to locate the leakage in the system with planar images with a gamma camera (Elscint SP 6), 30 min, 2, 3, and 24 h after injection. Results: The original ASGB was provided with an injection reservoir which, in our series, was found to be leaking in four cases (3%). Conclusions: Our technique for adjustments and leak detection appears to be simple and effective. Band-related problems such as reservoir leak should disappear with improvement of the material.     

Naloxone effects on β-endorphin,cortisol, prolactin,growth hormone,HVA and MHPG in plasma of normal volunteers

8 mg of naloxone were administered IV to 14 normal volunteers in a placebo-controlled, double-blind experiment. Plasma levels of -endorphin, cortisol, prolactin, growth hormone, HVA and MHPG were determined before and 45 min after administration. Naloxone elicited significant increases in cortisol and MHPG but did not change plasma levels of the other compounds. In an additional experiment on two subjects, 20 mg of naloxone caused elevations of -endorphin as well as of cortisol. This parallel increase indicates that the linkage between the secretion of -endorphin and ACTH/cortisol may be dose-dependent. The increase in MHPG is in agreement with the hypothesized association of noradrenergic hyperactivity and opiate withdrawal.