Familial prevalence of uterine fibroids is associated with distinct clinical and molecular features

BACKGROUND: Although uterine fibroids are very common, their pathogenesis and clinical behaviour are poorly understood. Since they may be prevalent in some families, we investigated whether such a prevalence was associated with distinctive clinical and molecular features. METHODS: A case-control questionnaire study of 300 multi-ethnic women with uterine fibroids at a London university hospital was undertaken, with review of case notes and immunohistochemical determination of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) in fibroids. RESULTS: When compared with families with sporadic fibroids, familial prevalence of fibroids was associated with a higher incidence of abdominal swelling (59.1% versus 41.6%; P=0.037), menorrhagia (84.4% versus 51.9%; P=0.042), dysmenorrhoea (64.4% versus 46.3%; P=0.004), dyspareunia (43.2% versus 27.9%; P=0.012) and family history of cancers (52.3% versus 32.4%; P<0.01). The fibroids were also more multiple (mean +/- SEM: 7 +/- 0.86 versus 3 +/- 0.42; P<0.011) and strong VEGF-A expression in fibroids was more common in the familial group (64% versus 28%). Racial distribution was the same in both groups (blacks 49%, whites 33.4%, others 18.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Familial prevalence of uterine fibroids is associated with distinct clinical and molecular features that differ from those found when fibroids occur sporadically in families.     

Normal values for metacarpal and phalangeal lengths in Nigerian children

Metacarpal and phalangeal lengths were measured on 1290 hand radiographs of Nigerian children, aged 3–16 years. The radiographs were obtained during a combined cross-sectional and longitudinal study of growth and development. There is a linear increase in tubular bone length with age in both sexes. The girls have higher values for all the bones up to the age of 13 years when the boys overtake them. Comparison of our data with those from North American children shows that the values amongst Nigerian children are higher than White, Black American and Mexican American children. Of particular note is the difference between Black American and Nigerian figures. It is postulated that the decreased metacarpophalangeal lengths in Black Americans compared with Nigerians may be due to gene dilution.     

Fatal meningoencephalitis due to Bacillus anthracis

Abstract: We report the first case of fatal anthrax meningoencephalitis in Hong Kong over the past 60 years. A 13 year-old boy presented with right lower quadrant pain, diarrhoea and progressive headache. Lumbar puncture yielded gram positive bacilli initially thought to be Bacillus cereus, a contaminant. He was treated with ampicillin and cefotaxime, but died 3 days after hospitalization. The organism isolated from blood and cerebrospinal fluid was later identified as Bacillus anthracis.     

正常人口服磷酸川芎嗪的药代动力学研究

本文建立了用高效液相色谱法测定人体内川芎嗪血药浓度的方法,以C18化学键合硅胶(10μgm)为固定相,以甲醇—水(58:42)为流动相,280 nm俭测,安眠酮为内标,进行定量测定,得出俭测限为3.5 ng(S/N=4),最低检测血清浓度为17.4 ng/ml,川芎嗪血药浓度在0.029～5.82μg/ml范围内,线性关系良好,方法回收率为99.84%。方法重现性好,专一性强,内源性物质、代谢产物及同时服用的药物均不干扰。用本法测定了健康人口服川芎嗪的药代动力学参数。     

β-阻滞剂塞利洛尔的合成

报道了β－阻滞剂塞利洛尔的简便制备方法，即以对乙氧基苯胺为原料，经酰胺化，傅克反应，以环氧氯丙烷取代，最后用叔丁胺直接与环氧基反应开环等４步反应制得。比文献五步反应缩短了一步，产物经元素分析、红外光谱、核磁共振谱、质谱等分析确定结构。     

Escherichia coli tetracycline efflux determinants in relation to tetracycline residues in chicken

ObjectiveTo screen for Escherichia coli (E. coli) resistant to tetracycline, followed by identification of tet efflux genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, detection of tetracycline residues in chicken livers and kidneys were conducted using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS).MethodsStrains of E. coli were isolated from samples of chicken colon and screened for tetracycline resistance. Tetracycline genes conferring resistance (Tc^r) were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Most of the isolates were resistant to tetracycline (97.9%).ResultsPCR analysis indicated that Tc^r E. coli R-plasmids contained tet(A), tet(B) and a combination of both efflux genes. None of the isolates contained other efflux tet genes tet (C, D, E and Y). High performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS), a sensitive technique, was used to detect residues of chlortetracycline (CTC), oxytetracycline (OTC), doxycycline (DC) in chicken livers and kidneys. The samples containing tetracycline residues were at 0.13-0.65 pg/μL levels.ConclusionsTetracycline and other antibiotics are commonly used in the poultry and meat production industry for prevention of microbial infections. Multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria in Oman have increased to alarming levels, threatening public health, domestic and may have adverse effect on environment.     

High-dose etoposide and cyclophosphamide without bone marrow transplantation for resistant hematologic malignancy

Seventy-five patients with resistant acute leukemia or lymphoma received high-dose cyclophosphamide and etoposide to explore the activity of this combination in resistant hematologic malignancies, and to determine the maximum doses of these drugs that can be combined without bone marrow transplantation. Etoposide was administered over 29 to 69 hours by continuous infusion corresponding to total doses of 1.8 g/m2 to 4.8 g/m2. Cyclophosphamide, 50 mg/kg/d, was administered on 3 or 4 consecutive days total 150 to 200 mg/kg ideal body weight). At all dose levels myelosuppression was severe but reversible. Mucosal toxicity was dose-limiting with the maximum tolerated dose level combining etoposide 4.2 g/m2 with cyclophosphamide 200 mg/kg. Continuous etoposide infusion produced stable plasma levels that were lower than would be achieved after administration by short intravenous infusion, and this could explain our ability to escalate etoposide above the previously reported maximum tolerated dose. There were 28 complete (35%) and 12 partial (16%) responses. Median duration of complete response (CR) was 3.5 months (range 1.1 to 20+). Seventeen of 40 patients (42%) with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) achieved CR, including 6 of 20 (30%) with high-dose cytosine arabinoside resistance. We conclude that bone marrow transplantation is not required after maximum tolerated doses of etoposide and cyclophosphamide. This regimen is active in resistant hematologic neoplasms, and the occurrence of CR in patients with high-dose cytosine arabinoside-resistant AML indicates a lack of complete cross-resistance between these regimens.