Surgical Management of Recurrent Ureteric Endometriosis Causing Recurrent Hypertension In a Postmenopausal Woman

Endometriosis is a common condition that affects as many as 10% to 20% of women of reproductive age. Because of the subtle clinical signs and symptoms and limitations of imaging methods, the diagnosis is frequently delayed or missed, with serious consequences including hypertension, hydronephrosis, and loss of kidney function. We present an unusual case of recurrent ureteric endometriosis in a postmenopausal woman to highlight the challenges of screening for and management of endometriosis.     

The 4′-O-benzylated doxorubicin analog WP744 overcomes resistance mediated by P-glycoprotein,multidrug resistance protein and breast cancer resistance protein in cell lines and acute myeloid leukemia cells

Summary Background: The synthetic 4’-O-benzylated doxorubicin analog WP744 was designed to abrogate transport by the multidrug resistance (MDR)-associated ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and multidrug resistance protein (MRP-1). We compared its uptake and cytotoxicity with those of doxorubicin and daunorubicin in cell lines overexpressing Pgp, MRP-1 or breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Methods: Cellular uptake was studied by flow cytometry and cytotoxicity in 96-h 96-well cultures in cell lines overexpressing Pgp, MRP-1 or wild type (BCRP^R482) or mutant (BCRP^R482T, BCRP^R482G) BCRP and in pre-treatment AML marrow cells. Results: Uptake and cytotoxicity of WP744 were consistently greater than those of doxorubicin and daunorubicin at equimolar concentrations in all cell lines studied and in AML cells. Conclusion: WP744 overcomes transport by Pgp, MRP-1 and BCRP in cell lines and AML cells and is a promising agent for clinical development in AML and other malignancies with broad-spectrum multidrug resistance.     

EEG coherence and power in the discrimination of psychiatric disorders and medication effects

Electroencephalogram (EEG) coherence (COH) and power measures were included in a series of stepwise discriminant analyses to determine which variables were most sensitive in the differentiation of four psychiatric inpatient groups and two major classes of psychotropic medication. Eight channels of eyes-closed, bipolar EEG activity were recorded from 74 inpatients (paranoid schizophrenics, dysthymics, major affectives receiving tricyclics, neuroleptics, or no medication, and geriatrics). Discriminant analyses were conducted for theta, alpha, and fast beta frequency bands for power variables, COH variables, and the resultant significant power and COH discriminating variables. Without exception, COH measures, usually in the alpha band, were more sensitive than power measures in differentiating the various groups. Results suggested that COH decreases with age, is greatest in paranoid schizophrenics, decreases with neuroleptic medication, and increases with tricyclic antidepressants. Group differences were interpreted in accordance with an arousal model for COH.     

Multiple sclerosis: a survey of alternative hypotheses concerning aetiology, pathogenesis and predisposing factors

There is abundant evidence that both environmental and genetic factors play a role in the aetiology and pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Currently, a virus infection and an abnormality of T-cell function are favoured candidates for the environmental and genetic factors, respectively. However, as long as convincing evidence for a specific viral infection and for a pathogenetic role for T-cells in multiple sclerosis is lacking, it may be worthwhile to consider alternative hypotheses that have been proposed in recent years. These have been classified in this review under the headings Toxins, Dietary and Metabolic Abnormalities, Embolism, Infection, and Immunological Mechanisms.