Unique photoaffinity probes to study TGFß signaling and receptor fates.

A novel synthetic approach is used to prepare a diverse set of "first-in-class" dihydropyridine-based TGFß receptor degraders bearing photoaffinity labels. These probes serve as valuable tools to study TGFß receptor fates and dynamics - an important challenge in chemical biology.

Update: the "Contiform" intravaginal device in four sizes for the treatment of stress incontinence.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Contiform intravaginal device for stress incontinence after the addition of a fourth size. We offered the device to a cohort of 73 women with a main complaint of stress incontinence but no prolapse. Of the 73 women invited to participate, 65 enrolled, of whom 52 were fitted. Of these 52 women, 37 (71%) completed the study protocol. Outcome measures were the 24-h pad test, St George score, and quality of life tests. Urine loss on pad test was significantly reduced from a median 6.6 g (interquartile range [IQR] = 4.3-22.6) to 2.2 g (IQR = 0.5-8.2; P = 0.0016) after 4 weeks with significant benefit seen on the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire and Urinary Distress Inventory. The insertion technique was quickly learnt, and the device was well tolerated. The recently developed medium/large size of Contiform was used by 6/37 (16%) women.

Pilocarpine treatment of xerostomia in head and neck patients.

We studied the effect of pilocarpine hydrochloride, a parasympathicomimetic agent, on major salivary gland output and subjective responses in 40 patients with salivary hypofunction. Pilocarpine increased salivary output or gave significant symptomatic relief in 21 of the 40 patients. The women fared better than the men. Side effects were uncommon, were generally mild, and caused no treatment interruption. These results indicate that pilocarpine is effective in relieving the signs and symptoms of postradiation xerostomia.

Electron microscopy of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck carries a bad prognosis. In order to achieve cure, the most important thing to attain is local tumour control. The main therapy available is external radiotherapy, which can be supplemented when necessary, with interstitial radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery. In this paper we have evaluated specimens, taken before therapy, from 35 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses were made. With SEM, the parameters analysed were the amount and appearance of microvilli, filaments, and blood vessels. From TEM, scoring was made of the filaments, desmosomes, nuclei, nucleoli, mitochondria, and blood vessels. Scoring of the samples showed a difference between the group with recurrent disease (n = 10, Group 1) and the group with local tumor control (n = 25, Group 2) in regard to both blood vessels and intracellular filaments. No differences of the nuclei, nucleoli, or the mitochondria were observed.