A prospective study of Rivaroxaban for central venous catheter associated upper extremity deep vein thrombosis in cancer patients (Catheter 2).

INTRODUCTION: Patients with cancer are at increased risk of thrombosis, particularly those with central venous catheter (CVC) placement, which may predispose to the development of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT). Standard treatment includes low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or LMWH bridged to warfarin. The direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have become standard of care for uncomplicated venous thromboembolism (VTE), but research in patients with cancer is ongoing. OBJECTIVES: To assess rivaroxaban monotherapy in patients with cancer who develop UEDVT due to CVC for preservation of line function, and safety outcomes of VTE recurrence, bleeding risk and death. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients ≥18years of age with active malignancy and symptomatic proximal UEDVT with or without pulmonary embolism (PE), associated with a CVC, were eligible. Treatment included rivaroxaban 15mg oral twice daily for 3weeks, followed by 20mg oral daily for 9weeks. Patients were followed clinically for 12weeks to assess for line function, recurrent VTE and bleeding. RESULTS: Seventy patients (47 women) were included, with mean age 54.1years. The most common malignancy was breast cancer (41%). Preservation of line function was 100% at 12weeks. The risk of recurrent VTE at 12weeks was 1.43%, with one episode of fatal PE. 9 patients (12.9%) experienced 11 total bleeding episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Rivaroxaban showed promise in treating CVC-UEDVT in cancer patients, resulting in preserved line function. However, bleeding rates and a fatal pulmonary embolism on treatment are concerning safety outcomes necessitating further study before rivaroxaban can be recommended.

Mixture-process variable approach to optimize a microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography method for the quality control of a nutraceutical based on coenzyme Q10.

In recent years, multivariate optimization has played an increasing role in analytical method development. ICH guidelines recommend using statistical design of experiments to identify the design space, in which multivariate combinations of composition variables and process variables have been demonstrated to provide quality results. Considering a microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography method (MEEKC), the performance of the electrophoretic run depends on the proportions of mixture components (MCs) of the microemulsion and on the values of process variables (PVs). In the present work, for the first time in the literature, a mixture-process variable (MPV) approach was applied to optimize a MEEKC method for the analysis of coenzyme Q10 (Q10), ascorbic acid (AA), and folic acid (FA) contained in nutraceuticals. The MCs (buffer, surfactant-cosurfactant, oil) and the PVs (voltage, buffer concentration, buffer pH) were simultaneously changed according to a MPV experimental design. A 62-run MPV design was generated using the I-optimality criterion, assuming a 46-term MPV model allowing for special-cubic blending of the MCs, quadratic effects of the PVs, and some MC-PV interactions. The obtained data were used to develop MPV models that express the performance of an electrophoretic run (measured as peak efficiencies of Q10, AA, and FA) in terms of the MCs and PVs. Contour and perturbation plots were drawn for each of the responses. Finally, the MPV models and criteria for the peak efficiencies were used to develop the design space and an optimal subregion (i.e., the settings of the mixture MCs and PVs that satisfy the respective criteria), as well as a unique optimal combination of MCs and PVs.

Biophysical and biochemical properties of a binary lipid mixture for DNA transfection.

The phase and miscibility behavior of a triple-chain phosphatidylcholine (TPHPC) and a single-chain surfactant (CTAB) were investigated in aqueous dispersions and in monolayers at the air/water interface. CTAB can be incorporated in the TPHPC monolayer because of its complementary molecule shape and reduces the tilt angle of TPHPC. The type of phases and the phase sequence (L2 - LS) are the same in the pure TPHPC monolayer and in the TPHPC/CTAB (80:20 mol:mol) mixture. No indication of any ordering of adsorbed DNA was observed. In the aqueous dispersions, TPHPC exhibits an inverted hexagonal phase above the chain melting. The addition of 30 mol% CTAB leads to the appearance of a lamellar Lalpha phase. The binding of DNA to the mixture is obvious but this is accompanied by a separation of the two lipids what is supported by monolayer experiments. The system has no long-term stability. The main reason seems to be not only the stronger interaction of DNA with CTAB, but also especially the unexpected weak interaction between CTAB and TPHPC. The transfection efficiency is lower compared with lipofectamine. The main disadvantage of this system is the cytotoxicity of CTAB, which could not be lowered by incorporation of CTAB in the TPHPC bilayer.

[Treatment of head pediculosis. Comparative studies of a shampoo containing 0,33% Pyrethrum extract and shampoo containing 1% malathion]. / Leczenie wszawicy glowy. Badania porównawcze szamponu zawierajacego 0.33% wyciagu z chryzantem (pyretrum) i szamponu zawierajacego 1% malationu.

The insecticidal effect was tested of a shampoo with 0.33% of pyrethrum extract and a shampoo with 1% malathion. The study was carried out in 222 patients and better results were observed with the pyrethrum shampoo which required only one application.

[The pharmacology of the lipoxygenase inhibitors oxphaman (1-(2,5-dihydroxybenzylidene)aminoadamantane) and oxphalin (1-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-2,4,6-trimethylaniline]. / Zur Pharmakologie der Lipoxygenasehemmer Oxphaman, 1-(2,5-Dihydroxybenzyliden)aminoadamanten, und Oxphalin, 1-(3,4-Dihydroxybenzyliden)-2,4,6-trimethylanilin.

Oxphaman and particularly oxphalin, among other phenolic azomethines, have been proven as strong inhibitors of lipoxygenases (LOX) from reticulocytes, soybean, thrombocytes as well as of quasi-LOX (hemoglobin) with IC50 values which correspond with those of known LOX inhibitors. The 5-LOX is likewise strongly, the cyclooxygenase of sheep seminal vesicles only weakly inhibited. Nevertheless, antiinflammatory effectivity was found in some carrageenin-induced inflammatory models of the rat as well as in the arachidonic acid- and croton oil-induced ear oedema of the mouse. Adjuvant arthritis, experimental pain, skin permeability and allergy models (anaphylactic paw oedema, cutaneous anaphylaxis, asthma, picryl chloride ear oedema) were not, only weakly or irregularly influenced. In the guinea pig ileum a certain antihistaminic, anticholinergic and leukotriene antagonistic activity was found. An inflammation-induced vasodepression (anaphylactic shock, dextran paw oedema. UV irradiation) was dose-dependently prevented or even reversed, obviously on the basis of oxygen radical scavenging.

[Local PUVA therapy of patients with psoriasis]. / Lokal'naia PUVA-terapiia bol'nykh psoriazom.

Various external photosensitizers have been compared in local PUVA therapy of 280 patients with psoriasis treated in Moscow at the Central Research Institute for Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, the USSR Ministry of Health, and in Warsaw at the Dermatology Hospital. In Moscow 127 patients have been administered 0.3% ammifurin solution, 73 ones 0.1% psoralen solution; in Warsaw 50 patients have been administered 0.1% puvaderm ointment (Basan) made in Finland and 30 patients 0.1% oxoralen emulsion manufactured in Austria. A good clinical effect has been achieved in 252 patients (90%). Ammifurin 0.3% solution and puvaderm 0.1% ointment have proved to be the most effective. External photosensitizers are recommended for local or as a supplement to total PUVA therapy.

Photochemotherapy (PUVA) and psoriasis: comparison of 8-MOP and 8-MOP/5-MOP.

Twenty-eight psoriatic patients received PUVA treatment (psoralen and long ultraviolet irradiations. Two preparations were used; 8-methoxypsoralen and a mixture of 5-methoxypsoralen and 8-methoxypsoralen. Both gave considerable improvement, but in 6 cases the lesions reappeared after 2 to 8 weeks, in spite of maintenance treatment. In this report, photochemotherapy of psoriasis was compared, using a UVA emitting lamp, 8-MOP, and a mixture of 8-MOP and 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP).