The neuropeptide FF analogue, 1DMe, acts as a functional opioid autoreceptor antagonist in the rat spinal cord

We assessed the possible influence of a neuropeptide FF analogue, 1DMe ([ -Tyr¹,(NMe)Phe³]neuropeptide FF), on the inhibitory action of endogenous and exogenous ∂-opioid receptor agonists on K⁺-evoked [Met⁵]-enkephalin release from superfused rat spinal cord slices. 1DMe (0.1–10 μM) dose-dependently enhanced the increase in superfusate [Met⁵]-enkephalin content due to the peptidase inhibitors thiorphan (1 μM) and bestatin (20 μM), and prevented the reduction in [Met⁵]-enkephalin release due to stimulation of ∂ receptors by 1 μM deltorphin I. Because it had the same effects as ∂-opioid receptor antagonists, 1DMe might act through the functional blockade of presynaptically located ∂-opioid autoreceptors.     

Anti-angiogenic treatment in the management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Anti-angiogenic treatments have recently been incorporated as a milestone in the management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. This retrospective study explores this new practice in 94 patients treated by sorafenib, bevacizumab or sunitinib in the department of oncology of CHU of Bordeaux in a 32 months period. The adverse effects reported are similar than those from prospective trials but for some different in frequency or severity. Efficacy of these drugs appeared more modest than expected from phase III trials. An objective response rate or stabilisation longer than six month was seen in 35% of the patients. Median overall survival was 14.1 months (IC 95%: 8.3-18.7 months). Nevertheless, the population considered in this study had a worse prognosis with more patients with an altered general status (OMS 2 or 3: 13.8%).     

Interests of applied anthropology to oncology

From now on the introduction of social and human sciences studies in the field of oncology has not always been conclusive. This article aims to analyze the bounds that border the meeting and the understanding between physicians, patients and anthropologists. It also treats the problems due to the introduction of applied anthropology in the field of oncology and points up the interests and practical contributions that this disciplinary bring and could bring.     

Matched case-control phase 2 study to evaluate the use of a frozen sock to prevent docetaxel-induced onycholysis and cutaneous toxicity of the foot

BACKGROUND: Onycholysis occurs in approximately 30% of patients treated with docetaxel. The efficacy and safety of an Elasto-Gel frozen sock (FS) was investigated for the prevention of docetaxel-induced nail and skin toxicity of the feet. METHODS: Patients receiving docetaxel at a dose of 70 to 100 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks were eligible for this matched case-control study. Each patient wore an FS for 90 minutes on the right foot. The unprotected left foot acted as control. Nail and skin toxicities were assessed using National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (version 3) and compared using a 2-sample Wilcoxon matched-pairs rank test adjusted for tied values. RESULTS: Fifty consecutive patients were included between April 2005 and January 2007. Nail toxicity was significantly lower in the FS-protected foot compared with the control foot (grade 0: 100% versus 79%; and grade 1 and 2: 0% versus 21%, respectively) (P= .002). Skin toxicity was grade 0: 98% versus 94%; and grade 1 and 2: 2% versus 6% in the FS-protected and the control feet, respectively. The median times until toxicity occurrence were not found to differ significantly between the groups. One patient experienced discomfort because of cold intolerance. CONCLUSIONS: Cold therapy using FS significantly reduced the incidence of docetaxel-induced foot nail toxicity, as previously demonstrated using frozen gloves for the hands.     

In vivo labelling of the adenosine A2A receptor in mouse brain using the selective antagonist [3H]SCH 58261

The selective A2A receptor antagonist [3H]SCH 58261 was injected intravenously in mice and the radioactivity accumulating in various brain regions was determined by tissue sampling. Radioactivity levels in regions of interest such as the striatum were highest 15 min after injection and quickly declined thereafter (30 min and 1 h postinjection) in a time-dependent manner. The amount of labelling was ranked as follows: striatum (4.6 +/- 0.3 fmol/mg protein) > cortex > hippocampus > pons = hypothalamus > cerebellum (0.5 +/- 0.05 fmol/mg protein). Specific labelling of the A2A receptor occurred in striatum and cortex because significantly less radioactivity accumulated in these areas from adenosine A2A receptor knockout mice as compared to wild-type littermates. In control outbred CD1 mice, a striatum-to-cerebellum ratio of 7.6 +/- 0.6 was found. At 30 min postinjection, the nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist caffeine reduced the radioactivity due to [3H]SCH 58261 in the striatum by 32% at 1 mg/kg i.p. and by 66% at the stimulant dose of 6.25 mg/kg i.p. Radioactivity in the striatum was lowered, respectively, by 66 and 86% 30 min after injection of 3 or 10 mg/kg i.p. doses of unlabelled SCH 58261. The present results indicate that [3H]SCH 58261 directly labels striatal A2A receptors in vivo. Thus [3H]SCH 58261 is an excellent tool for studying brain distribution and A2A receptor occupancy of various compounds ranging from xanthines, such as caffeine, to other A2A antagonists.     

Origin, clinical presentation, and diagnosis of hypomelanotic skin disorders

Hypomelanotic skin disorders are cutaneous pigmentary disorders characterized by a reduced melanin content in the skin that results in a lightening of the skin. Establishing the correct diagnosis for hypomelanotic skin disorders requires a good history, a detailed physical examination, the use of special lighting techniques, such as Wood's light, and sometimes a biopsy of the abnormally pigmented skin and the normally pigmented skin. This article focuses on the origin, clinical presentation, and diagnosis of acquired hypomelanotic skin disorders. An algorithm for the diagnostic approach to these hypomelanoses is given.     

Optomechanical response of human and monkey lenses in a lens stretcher

PURPOSE: To quantify the forces necessary to change the shape and optical power of human and monkey lenses. METHODS: Cynomolgus monkey (n = 48; age: 3.8-11 years), rhesus monkey (n = 35; age: 0.7-17 years) and human (n = 20, age 8-70 years) eyes obtained postmortem, including the lens, capsule, zonules, ciliary body, and sclera were mounted in an optomechanical lens-stretching system. Starting at zero load, the lenses were symmetrically stretched in a stepwise fashion in 0.25- or 0.5-mm steps. The load, lens diameter, inner ciliary body diameter, and lens power were measured at each step and the diameter- and power-load responses were quantified. RESULTS: The diameter- and power-load responses were found to be linear in the physiologically relevant range of stretching. The average change in cynomolgus, rhesus, and human lens diameter, respectively, was 0.094, 0.109, and 0.069 mm/g in young lenses, and 0.069, 0.067, and 0.036, mm/g in older lenses. For the same lenses, the average change in lens power was -3.73, -2.83, and -1.22 D/g in young lenses and -2.46, -2.16, and -0.49 D/g in older lenses. CONCLUSIONS: The force necessary to change the lens diameter and lens power increases with age in human and monkey lenses. The results agree with the Helmholtz theory of accommodation and with presbyopia theories that predict that the force required to disaccommodate the lens increases with age.     

Burkholderia pseudomallei infection in chronic granulomatous disease

Melioidosis is a severe illness caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a sepsis-causing bacterial pathogen that is common in East Asia. We reexamined the underlying diagnosis in a 12-year-old boy who was diagnosed in the French West Indies with melioidosis when he was 4 years old. Our investigations led to the determination of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), an inherited condition characterized by phagocytic cell dysfunction. This is the third reported case of melioidosis associated with CGD to be reported, lending support to an association between the two. The molecular determinants of the susceptibility of CGD patients to B. pseudomallei are still unknown. Our report suggests that CGD should be suspected in children with melioidosis, both in the Americas and probably in other regions world-wide.