Synthesis and Antitumour Activity of New Derivatives of Flavone-8-acetic Acid (FAA). Part 31): 2-Heteroaryl Derivatives

A range of 14 derivatives of flavone-8-acetic acid (FAA) with a heterocyclic substituent in place of the 2-phenyl group have been prepared and their anti-tumour activity evaluated in vitro against a panel of human and murine tumour cell lines and in vivo against MAC 15A. Some of the compounds, notably 2c, d and s , showed significant in vivo activity and these require further studies in order to evaluate their potential for development.     

Quel(s) impact(s) de la vie hormonale féminine dans les troubles bipolaires ?

Estrogens and progesterone are involved in many aspects of brain function (modulation of neurotransmissions, neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity). In addition, some biomarkers involved in bipolar disorder are thought to be influenced by sex hormones. The links between the different hormonal periods of women's lives (pubertal, premenstrual syndrome, perinatal period, menopause) and the evolution of bipolar disorders are explored and some new lines of research presented.     

Laparoscopic Management of an Intrauterine Fallopian Tube Incarceration After Curettage for a Non-progressing Pregnancy

Study ObjectiveTo report and demonstrate a case of a laparoscopic repair of an intrauterine fallopian tube incarceration as complication of curettage.DesignA step-by-step explanation of the surgery using video (instructive video) (Canadian Task Force classification III).SettingUniversity Hospital Estaing, Clermont-Ferrand, France.PatientA 29-year-old woman experiencing a nonevolving pregnancy at 8 weeks underwent curettage. After 9 months, she complained of abnormal vaginal discharge. Ultrasound evaluation showed a right parauterine mass. She reported a maternal medical history of ovarian cancer in a context of Lynch syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a right hydrosalpinx 12 mm in diameter, with a suspect fimbriae lesion of the tube and a 7-mm endometriosis nodule of the uterine torus.InterventionWe decided to explore the fallopian tube by laparoscopy and to perform hysteroscopy. A fallopian tube incarceration was suspected during hysteroscopy: a defect of the uterine wall was observed, through which there was protrusion of a tubal fimbriae. The laparoscopic view of the pelvis confirmed incarceration of the right fallopian tube through the uterine wall. It was carefully extracted out of the uterine defect, and the uterine wall defect was repaired with an X-point using Monocryl 1.Measurements and Main ResultsA tubal patency test was performed, which was positive on both sides. Because phimosis responsible for the hydrosalpinx had been treated, salpingectomy was not performed.ConclusionCurettage for miscarriage or undesired pregnancy is not exempt from complications, such as hemorrhage, simple perforation, and infection. Intrauterine fallopian tube incarceration is uncommon but can affect fertility. This diagnosis is important to avoid destruction of the fimbriae and necrosis of the tube and also to reduce the risk of ectopic pregnancy.     

Diffuse midline skull base meningiomas: identification of a rare and aggressive subgroup of meningiomas

Journal of Neuro-Oncology - Skull base meningiomas may present as clinically aggressive tumors despite being histologically benign. Here we describe a clinico-radiological entity of diffuse midline...     

Physicochemical and toxicological characterization of a new generic iron sucrose preparation

Intravenous iron preparations are key components in the management of anaemia of various etiologies. These iron-carbohydrate complexes permit safe systemic delivery of iron, whilst protecting from the potential toxic effects of over-saturation. This in turn permits efficient haematopoiesis following erythropoietin administration. Since the rate of release of iron is dependent upon the structure of this iron-carbohydrate complex, it is essential to ensure that an intravenous iron preparation is well characterized and its properties documented. This report describes physicochemical and toxicological studies into a new iron sucrose generic preparation, "Iron Sucrose Azad (ISA)", using the original iron sucrose product as reference. It could be demonstrated that the specifications and physicochemical characteristics of ISA reflect those of the reference product. Furthermore, in a rat model previously shown to identify possible toxicological effects of "unsimilar" iron sucrose preparations, ISA was found to have the same properties as the reference product, with both being well tolerated.     

Targeting human dendritic cell subsets for improved vaccines

Dendritic cells (DCs) were discovered in 1973 by Ralph Steinman as a previously undefined cell type in the mouse spleen and are now recognized as a group of related cell populations that induce and regulate adaptive immune responses. Studies of the past decade show that, both in mice and humans, DCs are composed of subsets that differ in their localization, phenotype, and functions. These progresses in our understanding of DC biology provide a new framework for improving human health. In this review, we discuss human DC subsets in the context of their medical applications, with a particular focus on DC targeting.     

Novel metal-based anticancer drugs: a new challenge in drug delivery

Since the serependitous discovery of the cisplatin antiproliferative activity, many efforts have focused on the design of potent metal-based drugs for oncology therapies. A large number of these complexes have been evaluated in vitro and in vivo and some have reached clinical trials. However, while metallodrug chemistry has developed to an advanced level, these emerging therapeutics have encountered new hurdles including poor water solubility and pharmacological deficiencies. Today, solutions to overcome these issues do not lie in synthesizing new anticancer drugs but in finding suitable drug delivery strategies. Over the past decades, various delivery systems have been developed including prodrug, ligand design and nanocarriers aimed at enhancing the performance profile of these novel metallodrugs.