Leptin in relation to carcinoma In situ of the breast: A study of pre‐menopausal cases and controls

Leptin reflects the amount of energy stores, regulates energy balance and is associated with circulating levels of reproductive hormones and insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I). Breast cancer has also been associated with obesity, reproductive hormones and circulating IGF‐I levels. To determine whether leptin is involved in the etiology of breast cancer, we compared serum leptin levels in 83 cases of pre‐menopausal carcinoma in situ of the breast and 69 healthy controls recruited in Massachusetts. Serum leptin levels were 13.69 + 1.3 ng/ml in cases and 16.03 + 1.7 ng/ml in controls. Data were also analyzed using multiple logistic regression with adjustment for known risk factors for the development of breast cancer as well as anthropometric, demographic and hormonal variables, including estradiol, prolactin, IGF‐I and IGF‐binding protein‐3. Odds ratios were 1.75 (95% CI, 0.73–4.21) for the second control‐defined tertile and 1.54 (0.46–5.16 ) for the third control‐defined tertile relative to the first. Thus, leptin does not appear to increase the risk of pre‐menopausal breast cancer in situ substantially. Int. J. Cancer 80:523–526, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Is Doppler planimetry a valid technique for the evaluation of postpartum urinary bladder volume?

The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the accuracy of conventional 2D ultrasound (CUS) versus doppler planimetry (DP) in the assessment of postpartum urinary bladder volume compared to a true estimate using urethral catheterisation. Fifty-two women were assessed within 24 hours of delivery. Evaluation of bladder volume was performed using CUS (1-estimate) and DP (6-estimates). CUS had a higher correlation (r=0.796) with the true volume and lower % error than DP in the postpartum group. DP readings were highly reproducible (ICC 0.81) but tended to overestimate the true value especially with smaller volumes. DP was suboptimal for the assessment of the postpartum PVR. Postpartum evaluation using CUS is more accurate in calculating the true urinary volume.     

Human Merkel cell polyomavirus infection II. MCV is a common human infection that can be detected by conformational capsid epitope immunoassays

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) is a newly‐discovered human tumor virus found in ～80% of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). The rate of MCV infection among persons without MCC is unknown. We developed a MCV virus‐like particle (VLP) enzyme‐linked immunoassay (EIA) that does not cross‐react with human BK or murine polyomaviruses. Peptide mapping of the MCV VP1 gene and immunoblotting with denatured MCV VLP are less sensitive than the MCV EIA in detecting MCV antibodies suggesting antibody reactivity in this assay primarily targets conformational but not linear epitopes. Among MCC patients, all 21 (100%) patients tested with MCV‐positive tumors had high serum MCV IgG but not high MCV IgM levels. Only 3 of 6 (50%) MCC patients with MCV‐negative tumors were positive for MCV antibodies. Sera from most adults, including 107 of 166 (64%) blood donors, 63 of 100 (63%) commercial donors and 37 of 50 (74%) systemic lupus erythematosus patients, show evidence for prior MCV exposure. Age‐specific MCV prevalence was determined by examining a cross‐sectional distribution of 150 Langerhans cell histiocytosis (an unrelated neoplasm) patient sera. MCV prevalence increases from 50% among children age 15 years or younger to 80% among persons older than 50 years. We did not find evidence for vertical transmission among infants. Although past exposure to MCV is common among all adult groups, MCC patients have a markedly elevated MCV IgG response compared with control patients. Our study demonstrates that MCV is a widespread but previously unrecognized human infection. © 2009 UICC     

A systematic review of outcome and outcome-measure reporting in randomised trials evaluating surgical interventions for anterior-compartment vaginal prolapse: a call to action to develop a core outcome set

Introduction

We assessed outcome and outcome-measure reporting in randomised controlled trials evaluating surgical interventions for anterior-compartment vaginal prolapse and explored the relationships between outcome reporting quality with journal impact factor, year of publication, and methodological quality.

Methods

We searched the bibliographical databases from inception to October 2017. Two researchers independently selected studies and assessed study characteristics, methodological quality (Jadad criteria; range 1–5), and outcome reporting quality Management of Otitis Media with Effusion in Cleft Palate (MOMENT) criteria; range 1–6], and extracted relevant data. We used a multivariate linear regression to assess associations between outcome reporting quality and other variables.

Results

Eighty publications reporting data from 10,924 participants were included. Seventeen different surgical interventions were evaluated. One hundred different outcomes and 112 outcome measures were reported. Outcomes were inconsistently reported across trials; for example, 43 trials reported anatomical treatment success rates (12 outcome measures), 25 trials reported quality of life (15 outcome measures) and eight trials reported postoperative pain (seven outcome measures). Multivariate linear regression demonstrated a relationship between outcome reporting quality with methodological quality (β?=?0.412; P?=?0.018). No relationship was demonstrated between outcome reporting quality with impact factor (β?=?0.078; P?=?0.306), year of publication (β?=?0.149; P?=?0.295), study size (β?=?0.008; P?=?0.961) and commercial funding (β?=??0.013; P?=?0.918).

Conclusions

Anterior-compartment vaginal prolapse trials report many different outcomes and outcome measures and often neglect to report important safety outcomes. Developing, disseminating and implementing a core outcome set will help address these issues.

     

The impact of fast track protocols in upper gastrointestinal surgery: A meta-analysis of observational studies

Background

Fast track surgery has been implemented in colorectal procedures during the last decade and is accompanied by significant improvement in patient outcomes during the early postoperative period. However, to date, its adoption in upper gastrointestinal surgery remains a matter of debate. In this context, we aimed to summarize the existing evidence in the international literature.

Determination of Intimate Composition of Theranostic Polyplexes Based on (Co)Polymers of Poly(vinyl benzyl trimethylammonium chloride)

Novel hybrid nanoparticulate systems that exhibit potential to combine therapeutic, diagnostic, and sensing modalities in a single nanoparticle are investigated. They are composed of a homopolymer of poly(vinyl benzyl trimethylammonium chloride) (or its copolymer with poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate]), DNA, and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Using the approach of classic dynamic and static light scattering, parameters such as molar mass, particle size, geometry and density, and intimate composition are determined, trying to establish what the theranostic polyplexes really carry. According to the analysis, the polyplex particles are composed of up to 154 DNA molecules and 1612 (co)polymer molecules at amino‐to‐phosphate groups ratio (N/P) of 0.5 and 1 DNA and up to 252 (co)polymer molecules at higher N/P ratios. The particle morphology is consistent with “hairy surface on a compact sphere” with density that is lower than the density of the familiar copolymer micelles. The introduction of AuNPs does not influence the density and structure of the carriers, which could be related to the low number fraction of polyplex particles carrying AuNPs. Additional data from transmission electron microscopy, electrophoretic light scattering, and analytical ultracentrifugation validate the morphology, structure, and molar mass of the theranostic nanoassemblies and confirm the conclusions derived from light scattering.     

Denosumab and bisphosphonates: rivals or potential "partners"? A "hybrid" molecule hypothesis

Bisphosphonates are well established as the treatment of choice for disorders of excessive bone resorption, including osteoporosis. They bind bone mineral with high affinity and through internalization by the resorbing osteoclasts, affect their function and survival. Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) is a cytokine essential for osteoclast differentiation, activation, and survival. Denosumab, a human monoclonal antibody that neutralizes RANKL, constitutes a promising antiresorptive agent for osteoporosis treatment. However, its presumable interaction with the immune system could adversely affect immune response resulting in increased risk of infections. We hypothesize that bisphosphonates could serve as a vehicle for the delivery of denosumab selectively to the skeleton. Thus, the effect on the immune system could be minimized, along with a potential increase in the antiresorptive efficacy, as a result of the combined action of denosumab and the bisphosphonate on the earlier and later stages of osteoclast life, respectively.     

Infusion-related side-effects during convection enhanced delivery for brainstem-diffuse midline glioma/diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma

Journal of Neuro-Oncology - Side-effects during convection enhanced delivery (CED) are poorly understood. We intended to determine the frequency of side-effects during brain stem infusion and...     

Progression of Rebound-Associated Vertebral Fractures Following Denosumab Discontinuation Despite Reinstitution of Treatment: Suppressing Increased Bone Turnover May Not Be Enough

Rebound-associated vertebral fractures (RAVFs) could occur in a minority of the patients who discontinue denosumab. In such patients, denosumab is often reinstituted to rapidly suppress bone turnover and avert the risk of additional fractures. Herein we report the cases of 2 patients who sustained RAVFs, and in whom resuming denosumab treatment did not avert the occurrence of new RAVFs a few months later, despite the suppression of bone turnover markers. It seems that denosumab reinstitution cannot completely eliminate the risk of new RAVFs and that the rebound of bone turnover may not be the sole mechanism to explain this phenomenon.