“
“A series of new bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids was partially synthesized from tetrandrine and fangchinoline and evaluated for their ability to reverse P-glycoprotein-mediated STAT inhibitor multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells. All the test compounds increased the intracellular accumulation rate of rhodamine 123 in MDR cells (Bel7402 and HCT8), and most exhibited more potent MDR-reversing
activity relative to the reference compound verapamil. Compounds 8, 10, 13, and 14 enhanced intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin in Bel7402 and HCT8 cells.”
“BackgroundMany military veterans in the United States with coronary artery disease continue to smoke despite undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Previous studies have described improved cardiovascular outcomes in smokers, the so-called smokers’ paradox. In this study, we examined the effects of smoking on cardiovascular
outcomes following PCI.
HypothesisDo patients who smoke have different post-PCI outcomes than nonsmokers?
MethodsAll patients who underwent PCI at a single US Veterans Administration hospital from 2004 to 2009 were followed. Outcomes of interest included myocardial infarction, AL3818 cost unplanned coronary intervention, unplanned cardiac hospitalization, death, and a composite of events for 6months after PCI. Changes in traditional risk factors were also assessed.
ResultsUnadjusted analysis revealed that in almost all categories, smokers had lower incidence of adverse events than nonsmokers. However, after adjusting selleckchem for the older age of the nonsmokers, no favorable statistical trend toward smokers was seen. Significant improvement in blood pressure and lipid levels were seen in both groups.
ConclusionsAfter adjusting for differences in age,
there did not appear to be any protective effect of smoking on cardiovascular outcomes following PCI. Smokers achieved similar degrees of risk factor optimization during the follow-up period as their nonsmoker counterparts. Aggressive efforts to decrease the prevalence of smoking must be maintained.”
“Purpose
The aim of this study was to describe the efficacy and safety of anti-interleukin 6 receptor antibody (tocilizumab [TCZ]) in patients with severe or refractory Takayasu arteritis (TA).
Methods
We describe 8 Colombian patients with severe and/or refractory TA treated with TCZ during a period of at least 9 months. Clinical, radiological, biological, and associated treatments were evaluated before, during, and after TCZ infusions.
Results
The median age at evaluation was 31 years (12-43 years). All patients were female and experienced clinical and biological improvement, in addition to a corticosteroid-sparing effect from a median dose of 50 mg/d at baseline (30-60 mg/d) to 6.25 mg/d (2.5-10 mg/d) at 9 months. In 4 cases, in which imaging studies were available, an improvement was observed. The median duration of TCZ infusions was 18 months (9-36 months).