Both GnRH agonist and continuous oral progestin treatments reduce the expression of the tyrosine kinase receptor B and mu-opioid receptor in deep infiltrating endometriosis

BACKGROUND: Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is commonly associated with severe pain. The pain can be managed successfully with GnRH agonists or continuous progestins. The precise molecular mechanism by which DIE causes pain or why hormonal treatment is effective, however, remains unclear. We recently identified three potential candidate genes that might be involved in DIE pain pathways: tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrKB), mu-opioid receptor (MOR) and serotonin transporter (5HTT). We hypothesized that if these three genes were involved in DIE-associated pain, their expression levels would probably be modulated by GnRH agonist or progestin. In this study, we compared mRNA expression levels of TrKB, MOR and 5HTT in DIE among patients pre-operatively treated with GnRH agonist, progestin or without pre-operative medical treatments. METHODS: The expression levels of TrKB, MOR and 5HTT mRNA in DIE were determined using laser capture microdissection and real-time RT-PCR techniques. RESULTS: The expression levels of TrKB in epithelial cells and MOR in stromal cells from DIE were significantly decreased in patients with pre-operative GnRH agonist or progestin. There was no significant difference in 5HTT expression levels among untreated, GnRH agonist- and progestin-treated patients. CONCLUSION: The expression levels of TrKB and MOR genes in DIE appeared to be modulated by GnRH agonist or progestin. However, the functional roles of TrKB and MOR in DIE remain to be clarified.     

Laparoscopic management of adnexal masses: a gold standard?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review recent literature on the laparoscopic management of adnexal masses, when this approach may be considered as a gold standard. RECENT FINDINGS: Cyst rupture was recently demonstrated to be a significant prognostic factor in stage I invasive epithelial carcinoma, and it was recommended to restrict the laparoscopic approach to patients with preoperative evidence that the cyst was benign. The laparoscopic approach is still highly controversial in masses suspicious at ultrasound. The limits of the laparoscopic approach are discussed reviewing recent literature and our experience. The laparoscopic management of adnexal masses appears to be safe in most hospitals even in developing countries. This approach is being used with increasing frequency in unusual indications such as newborns, children, adolescents and pregnant women. The learning curve for endoscopic surgery appears to be longer than expected. Many patients with benign adnexal masses, such as ovarian endometrioma, are still treated by laparotomy or with an inadequate endoscopic technique. Several studies have suggested that the stripping technique is a tissue-sparing procedure. SUMMARY: The laparoscopic puncture of malignant ovarian tumours confined to the ovaries is uncommon, and should be avoided whenever possible. The teaching of endoscopy is essential to promote adequate procedures performed according to the principles of microsurgery and to preserve postoperative ovarian physiology.     

The Phage Therapy Paradigm: Prêt-à-Porter or Sur-mesure?

Pharmaceutical Research -     

B cell depletion may be more effective than switching to an alternative anti-tumor necrosis factor agent in rheumatoid arthritis patients with inadequate response to anti-tumor necrosis factor agents

OBJECTIVE: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in whom the response to anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy is inadequate have several therapeutic options, such as switching to an alternative anti-TNF agent or initiating B cell-depleting therapy with rituximab (RTX). Although both therapeutic options have been proven effective in trials, no head-to-head comparisons are available. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of RTX with that of an alternative anti-TNF agent in the management of patients with RA who had an inadequate response to anti-TNF therapy. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was nested within the Swiss Clinical Quality Management RA cohort and included all patients who had an inadequate response to at least 1 anti-TNF agent and subsequently received either 1 cycle of RTX or an alternative anti-TNF agent. The primary outcome was the evolution of RA disease activity (as measured on the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints [DAS28]), which was analyzed using multivariate regression models for longitudinal data. RESULTS: One hundred sixteen patients with RA were included; 50 patients received 1 cycle of RTX, and 66 patients were treated with a second or a third alternative anti-TNF agent. At baseline, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in age, sex, disease duration, and disease activity. Evolution of the DAS28 was more favorable in the group that received RTX compared with the group that received an alternative anti-TNF agent (P = 0.01). At 6 months, the mean decrease in the DAS28 was -1.61 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] -1.97, -1.25) among patients receiving RTX and -0.98 (95% CI -1.33, -0.62) among those receiving subsequent anti-TNF therapy. CONCLUSION: The results of this observational study suggest that treatment with RTX may be more effective than switching to an alternative anti-TNF agent in patients with RA in whom active disease persists despite anti-TNF therapy.     

Laparoscopic management of a pelvic retroperitoneal leiomyoma—case report

Leiomyomas are benign tumors frequently found in the fourth and fifth decades of life. Although the uterus is the most common site of origin of leiomyomas, they can develop at any site where there is smooth muscle cell. Extrauterine leiomyomas are not common and usually their diagnostic are more challenging. In this paper, we report one case of pelvic retroperitoneal leiomyoma associated to vulvar/perineal leiomyomas. A 47-year-old female patient presented with a 6-month history of deep dyspareunia, abdominal pain, dysuria, and pain during defecation. She had a previous history of two open myomectomies, a supracervical hysterectomy associated to the exeresis of a vulvar leiomyoma, and a left salpingo-oophorectomy. On vaginal examination, there was a tender and firm mass at the vaginal vault and along the posterior vaginal wall. There was another tumor at the left vulvar/perineal region measuring around 6 cm. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the presence of a mass at the Douglas pouch measuring 14 × 10 × 10 cm suggestive of uterine leiomyomatosis. She underwent a successful laparoscopic resection of the pelvic tumor with an operative time of 210 min. The vulvar/perineal lesions were resected by vaginal approach. She presented an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged home 3 days after surgery. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of leiomyomas. Laparoscopic approach for pelvic retroperitoneal leiomyoma is feasible. It is important to keep in mind the possibility of this entity as a differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal masses in women.     

Prescription of hypnotics and tranquilisers at the Geneva prison's outpatient service in comparison to an urban outpatient medical service

Objectives  

Examine whether an overconsumption of tranquillisers exists in prison and discuss possible reasons.