Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Neurol India 2018 Nov-Dec;66(6):1795-1800

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, BL Kapur Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi, India; Epilepsy Program, Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2018 Dec 2. Epub 2018 Dec 2.

a Department of Neurology and Psychiatry , Assiut University Hospital , Assiut , Egypt.

Introduction: Uremic syndrome of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a term used to describe clinical, metabolic and hormonal abnormalities associated with progressive kidney failure. It is a rapidly growing public health problem worldwide. Nervous system complications occur in every patient with uremic syndrome of CKD. Read More

Braz J Cardiovasc Surg 2018 Sep-Oct;33(5):448-453

Department of Anesthesiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Objective: Cardiac arrhythmias are a common challenge following open-heart surgeries. Hypomagnesemia is believed to be correlated with this condition. Prophylactic intravenous magnesium supplementation has been practiced for a long time in patients undergoing CABG. Read More

Acta Clin Belg 2018 Nov 27:1-5. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

c Antwerp University Hospital and University of Antwerp , Edegem.

Objectives: Water and electrolytes disturbances often occur in renal transplant recipients. The objective is to describe the pathophysiology and the treatment of the most prevalent abnormalities.

Methods: We screened PubMed for the following words in various combination: kidney transplantation and (disturbances or abnormalities) of (electrolytes or sodium or potassium or phosphate or calcium or acid-base). Read More

J Biochem 2018 Nov 22. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Department of Cellular Regulation, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University.

Cyclin M (CNNM) family proteins are evolutionarily conserved Mg2+ transporters. They extrude Mg2+ from cells and maintain intracellular Mg2+ levels within the normal range. Moreover, they play an important role in Mg2+ (re)absorption in the intestine and kidney by mediating the directional transport of Mg2+ across epithelial tissue from the tubular lumen to the body inside. Read More

Transplant Proc 2018 Aug 9. Epub 2018 Aug 9.

Medical School of Chinese People's Liberation Army, the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China; Organ Transplant Institute of People's Liberation Army, Beijing Key Laboratory of Immunology Regulatory and Organ Transplantation, the 309th Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China. Electronic address:

Background: Posttransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a frequent metabolic complication following solid organ transplantation and was proven to be associated with adverse outcome. This study aimed to identify the incidence and risk factors of PTDM under the background of relative-living renal transplantation in China.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included 358 recipients who underwent relative-living donor kidney transplantation in the Organ Transplant Institute of 309th Hospital of People's Liberation Army between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014. Read More

Urolithiasis 2018 Nov 23. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

UOC Nefrologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.

Deciding whether to accept a donor with nephrolithiasis is a multifaceted task because of the challenge of finding enough suitable donors while at the same time ensuring the safety of both donors and recipients. Until not long ago, donors with a history of renal stones or with stones emerging during screening on imaging were not considered ideal, but recent guidelines have adopted less stringent criteria for potential donors at risk of stones. This review goes through the problems that need to be approached to arrive at a wise clinical decision, balancing the safety of donors and recipients with the need to expand the organ pool. Read More

J Pediatr 2018 Dec;203:391-399.e1

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

Objective: To determine whether multiple daily injections of parathyroid hormone (PTH) 1-34 are safe and effective as long-term therapy for children with hypoparathyroidism.

Study Design: Linear growth, bone accrual, renal function, and mineral homeostasis were studied in a long-term observational study of PTH 1-34 injection therapy in 14 children.

Methods: Subjects were 14 children with hypoparathyroidism attributable to autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 (N = 5, ages 7-12 years) or calcium receptor mutation (N = 9, ages 7-16 years). Read More

J Cell Physiol 2018 Nov 21. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan.

Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) drugs including erlotinib cause a side effect of hypomagnesemia. In lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, anticancer agents such as cisplatin and doxorubicin dose-dependently increased toxicity, but the effects were significantly suppressed by culturing the cells in low Mg -containing media. To obtain the maximum effect in cancer chemotherapy, it should be necessary to prevent the reduction of body Mg content. Read More

eNeurologicalSci 2018 Dec 2;13:24-25. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States.

Hypercalcemia from tumors has been associated with Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) but the mechanism remains unclear. In this article, we describe a case of PRES caused by hypercalcemia from lymphoma. We summarize the available scientific evidence linking hypercalcemia to failure of cerebral autoregulation and potentially PRES. Read More

Pediatr Clin North Am 2019 Feb;66(1):121-134

Department of Pediatrics, Inova Children's Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church, VA 22042, USA; Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Pediatric Specialists of Virginia, 3023 Hamaker Court, Suite 600, Fairfax, VA 22031, USA; Virginia Commonwealth School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA. Electronic address:

Bartter and Gitelman syndromes are conditions characterized by renal salt-wasting. Clinical presentations range from severe antenatal disease to asymptomatic with incidental diagnosis. Hypokalemic hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis is the common feature. Read More

An Sist Sanit Navar 2018 Nov 14;0(0):63523. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

.

Michaelis-Manz syndrome is an autosomal recessive hereditary tubulopathy associated with mutations in the tight-junction proteins claudin-16 and claudin-19, which are present in the distal convoluted tubule and the loop of Henle in the kidney. Claudin-19 is also expressed in the retinal pigmentary epithelium. The clinical picture causes hypomagnesemia, hyper-calciuria and nephrocalcinosis that can lead to renal failure, which is the condition that marks the prognosis of the disease. Read More

Pflugers Arch 2018 Nov 12. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Department of Physiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Solute carrier family 41 member A1 (SLC41A1) has been suggested to mediate magnesium (Mg) transport by several in vitro studies. However, the physiological function of SLC41A1 remains to be elucidated. In this study, cellular Mg transport assays combined with zebrafish slc41a1 knockdown experiments were performed to disclose SLC41A1 function and its physiological relevance. Read More

Case Rep Oncol Med 2018 14;2018:2059364. Epub 2018 Oct 14.

Division of Hematology and Oncology, George Washington University School of Medicine, USA.

Background: Denosumab has become the preferred agent over zolendronic acid to help prevent skeletal-related events in patients with metastatic bone disease and multiple myeloma because it is approved for use in those with kidney dysfunction. However, denosumab has been linked to cases of hypocalcemia, particularly in those with advanced kidney disease.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a patient with metastatic prostate cancer and chronic kidney disease due to obstructive nephropathy who developed severe hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia after denosumab injection, which required intensive care unit admission, aggressive calcium supplementation, and hemodialysis assistance. Read More

Rom J Anaesth Intensive Care 2018 Oct;25(2):111-116

Tampa General Hospital, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, USA.

Background And Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia seen clinically. Due to the lack of literature and guidelines on maternal AF as a postoperative complication following cesarean delivery (CD), we undertook a study to characterize parturients who developed AF following CD and to evaluate arrhythmia management and outcomes in this patient population.

Methods: After receiving ethics committee approval, a retrospective chart review was performed to determine the incidence, possible risk factors, treatment, and outcome of women who developed AF following CD performed between 2003 and 2012 at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Read More

Trends Cardiovasc Med 2018 Oct 21. Epub 2018 Oct 21.

Italian National Research Center on Aging (IRCCS INRCA), Ancona, Cosenza, Italy.

The introduction of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has been a cornerstone in the treatment of acid-related disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux and peptic ulcer, and their use has increased rapidly during the last decades. Being highly lipophilic drugs, they may potentially affect several pathophysiological pathways involved in cardiovascular and kidney morbidity, immune response and infections, absorption of selected nutrients, bone metabolism and cognitive function. Clinical epidemiology evidence coming from well-designed analyses of observational data consistently reported that long-term use of PPIs may increase the risk of cardiovascular events among patients treated with thienopyridines, tubular-interstitial nephritis and chronic kidney disease, hypomagnesemia, and fractures. Read More

Am J Hum Genet 2018 Nov;103(5):808-816

Department of General Pediatrics, University Children's Hospital, Münster 48149, Germany.

Over the last decades, a growing spectrum of monogenic disorders of human magnesium homeostasis has been clinically characterized, and genetic studies in affected individuals have identified important molecular components of cellular and epithelial magnesium transport. Here, we describe three infants who are from non-consanguineous families and who presented with a disease phenotype consisting of generalized seizures in infancy, severe hypomagnesemia, and renal magnesium wasting. Seizures persisted despite magnesium supplementation and were associated with significant intellectual disability. Read More

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho 2018 Oct;45(10):1435-1440

Dept. of Pharmacy, The Jikei University Hospital.

Hypomagnesemia caused by panitumumab can often lead to severe adverse effects, such as arrhythmia. However, the risk factors are still controversial. To clarify the risk factors and time to onset of panitumumab-induced hypomagnesemia, we retrospectively investigated the records of 30 patients who had received panitumumab. Read More

Curr Diabetes Rev 2018 Oct 25. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

University of Kufa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy. Iraq.

Background: Nowadays, there is an accumulated data about the relation between hypomagnesemia (low Serum Mg level < 0.7 mmol/l) and diabetes.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of hypomagnesemia in a carefully diagnosed diabetes patients and to show how some factors could contribute to the prevalence of low serum Mg level among the population under study. Read More

Cureus 2018 Aug 20;10(8):e3167. Epub 2018 Aug 20.

Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/Queens Hospital Center, New York, USA.

Extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma is uncommon and usually secreting nor-epinephrine. We are presenting a possible case of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma in a 68-year-old male who was admitted to Queens Hospital Center complaining of shortness of breath for two days. Physical examination was unremarkable except tachycardia. Read More

BMC Nephrol 2018 Oct 19;19(1):275. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

Department of Nephrology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Gucui Road, No.234, Hangzhou, 310012, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.

Background: Gitelman syndrome is an autosomal recessive inherited renal disorder characterized by hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalciuria. Since the symptoms are not severe and laboratory results are not always clear, Gitelman syndrome can go unnoticed by physicians. Here, we report our experiences with a patient that presented with hypokalemia and proteinuria; genetic analysis revealed a new homozygous mutation in the SLC12A3 gene. Read More

Front Med (Lausanne) 2018 2;5:261. Epub 2018 Oct 2.

Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.

Kidney transplantation is the current treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease. Innovations in transplantation and immunosuppression regimens have greatly improved the renal allograft survival. Based on recently published data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant recipients, prevalence of kidney transplants is steadily rising in the United States. Read More

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018 24;9:559. Epub 2018 Sep 24.

Department of Nephrology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Traditional clinical diagnostic criteria for Gitelman syndrome (GS) including hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria have been challenged by reports of atypical manifestations recently, as well as the development of genetic testing. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) test is a diagnostic method different from the traditional biochemical parameters, which could evaluate the function of thiazide-sensitive sodium-chloride co-transporter (NCC) by a small dose of NCC inhibitor HCT. In this retrospective study, we compared the diagnostic significance of hypomagnesemia, hypocalciuria, and the reaction of HCT test, among Chinese patients with GS confirmed by genetic test. Read More

Int Heart J 2018 Nov 10;59(6):1466-1468. Epub 2018 Oct 10.

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Ibaraki Children's Hospital.

Gitelman syndrome (GS) is an inherited renal tubular disorder characterized by hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, hypomagnesemia, and low urinary calcium excretion. While it is considered a benign disease, severe ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death related to the prolongation of the QT interval have been reported in rare cases. Herein we report a 13-year-old girl with GS who presented with persistent prolongation of the QT interval, even after being treated for hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia. Read More

J Transl Med 2018 Oct 11;16(1):278. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Fisiopatologia Renal, Centre d'Investigacions en Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular (CIBBIM), Institut de Recerca Vall d'Hebron (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain.

Background: Molecular and cellular pathophysiological events occurring in the majority of rare kidney diseases remain to be elucidated. Familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis (FHHNC) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in either CLDN16 or CLDN19 genes. This disease is characterized by massive urinary wasting of magnesium and calcium, osmosis deregulation and polyuria. Read More

J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) 2018 Nov 9;28(6):566-572. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Departments of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80525.

Objective: To evaluate the role of intravenous fluid volume and electrolyte supplementation on the development of postoperative reflux (POR) in horses undergoing celiotomy for colic.

Design: Case-control study spanning 2004-2012 for horses undergoing celiotomy for colic.

Setting: University teaching hospital. Read More

Indian J Endocrinol Metab 2018 Sep-Oct;22(5):656-660

Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka, India.

Background: Hypocalcemia is one of the most common acceptable complications in postoperative period after thyroidectomy. Hypomagnesemia has been recognized after parathyroid surgery, and it has not been studied extensively after thyroidectomy. The aim of this study was to estimate magnesium and calcium ion levels in patients undergoing thyroidectomy and to evaluate the association of hypomagnesemia with hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy. Read More

Mayo Clin Proc 2018 Oct;93(10):1530-1531

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

Mayo Clin Proc 2018 Oct;93(10):1530

San Camillo Hospital, Rome, Italy.

Asian J Neurosurg 2018 Jul-Sep;13(3):685-688

Department of Neurosurgery, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Hypomagnesemia is postulated as one of the important determinants of outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI) through its effect on secondary injuries to neurons.

Aims And Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between serum magnesium level and neurological outcome in patients admitted with severe head injury.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective study, patients admitted with severe TBI were recruited and dichotomized into low serum magnesium group and normal serum magnesium group based on the initial serum magnesium level. Read More

Indian J Nephrol 2018 Sep-Oct;28(5):382-384

Department of Pediatrics, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.

Dropped head syndrome (DHS) is a relatively rare condition, with a broad differential diagnosis. We report here a case of infantile nephrotic syndrome with DHS caused by severe hypokalemia. Electrocardiogram showed flat T- and U-waves. Read More

J Trace Elem Med Biol 2018 Dec 18;50:327-331. Epub 2018 Jul 18.

Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Department of Medical Oncology, Zaloška 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

In advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, concomitant radiotherapy with cisplatin and/or cetuximab is frequently combined with cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy, which can cause severe hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, and hypokalemia. The aim of our study was to analyze the effects of magnesium sulfate supplementation on the incidence of hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, and hypocalcemia during four cycles of TPF (docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil) induction chemotherapy followed by concomitant radiotherapy (CRT) with cisplatin and cetuximab. Twenty-five patients included in a phase II prospective study received routine magnesium sulfate infusions before each cycle of cisplatin, and additional supplementation based on laboratory findings. Read More

Bone 2018 Sep 21. Epub 2018 Sep 21.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States. Electronic address:

Hypoparathyroidism is a rare disorder of calcium metabolism which is treated with calcium and vitamin D analogs. Although conventional therapy effectively raises serum calcium, it bypasses the potent calcium reabsorption effects of PTH on the kidney which leads to hypercalciuria and an increased risk of nephrocalcinosis and renal insufficiency. Twenty-five years ago, we launched the first systematic investigation into synthetic human PTH 1-34 replacement therapy in both adults and children. Read More

Nutrients 2018 Sep 20;10(10). Epub 2018 Sep 20.

Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 501-1196, Japan.

A chronic magnesium deficiency may be one of the causes of lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Serum Mg concentration is strictly controlled by the reabsorption pathway in the renal tubules, but little is known about how Mg reabsorption is upregulated. We searched for food compounds which can increase the expression levels of Mg transport carriers including transient receptor potential melastatin 6 (TRPM6) channel and cyclin M2 (CNNM2). Read More

Isr Med Assoc J 2018 Sep;20(9):533-538

Department of Internal Medicine C, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel.

Background: Magnesium is an essential intracellular cation. Magnesium deficiency is common in the general population and its prevalence among patients with cirrhosis is even higher. Correlation between serum levels and total body content is poor because most magnesium is intracellular. Read More

Acta Clin Belg 2018 Sep 17:1-7. Epub 2018 Sep 17.

a Renal Division, Department of Internal Medicine , Ghent University Hospital , Ghent , Belgium.

Introduction: Magnesium is an essential element which also has pleiotropic effects in humans. Recent studies have altered our interpretation of a disturbed magnesium balance both leading to hypomagnesemia and hypermagnesemia.

Methods: a narrative review of their clinical relevance is presented. Read More

Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed 2018 Sep 15. Epub 2018 Sep 15.

Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.

: A 12-year-old boy, with intermittent abdominal pain from 3 years of age, presented with increased frequency of right lower quadrant pain (at least three episodes per week over the past six months) and pain during micturition affecting school attendance. His family history included referred urolithiasis. An abdominal ultrasound performed 1 year before our visit showed a small stone of 4 mm in the right renal pelvis for which he did not receive any therapy. Read More

Pediatr Nephrol 2018 Sep 14. Epub 2018 Sep 14.

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Background: Childhood cancer survivors treated with cisplatin, ifosfamide, or carboplatin are at risk for late kidney and blood pressure (BP) abnormalities. Few studies have comprehensively evaluated kidney outcomes and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) in this population. We aimed to describe chemotherapy-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) and late kidney outcomes using standardized definitions. Read More

J Fam Pract 2018 Sep;67(9):576-577

Mountain Area Health Education Center, Asheville, NC; Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.

Electron Physician 2018 Aug 25;10(8):7174-7179. Epub 2018 Aug 25.

MD., Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA.

Introduction: Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a rare and potentially lethal complication of hyperthyroidism. It is characterized by sudden onset paralysis associated with hypokalemia. Management includes prompt normalization of potassium, which results in resolution of the paralysis. Read More

J Zoo Wildl Med 2018 Sep;49(3):722-731

The aims of this study were to determine if a propofol constant rate infusion (CRI) in Speke's gazelle, Gazella spekei, would serve as an effective alternative maintenance anesthetic, result in shorter recovery times, and improve anesthetic recovery quality when compared with isoflurane. Eight adult gazelle were enrolled in this complete crossover study with a minimum 3-wk washout period. All gazelle were induced with 10 mg/kg intravenous propofol and maintained with either propofol CRI (0. Read More

Front Oncol 2018 27;8:339. Epub 2018 Aug 27.

Department of Head and Neck Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.

We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of cetuximab (Cmab) and paclitaxel (PTX) in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) who had unresectable recurrent or metastatic (R/M) disease after platinum-based chemoradiotherapy. Data on 23 patients with SCCHN who received paclitaxel and cetuximab (Cmab) for R/M disease no more than 6 months after CRT completion were retrospectively reviewed. PTX and Cmab were given in a 28-day cycle (PTX, 80 mg/m on days 1, 8, and 15; Cmab, loading dose 400 mg/m followed by a weekly 250 mg/m). Read More

Am J Kidney Dis 2018 Sep 7. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

UCL Centre for Nephrology, UCL. Electronic address:

Gitelman syndrome is caused by inactivating mutations of the gene that encodes the renal sodium/chloride cotransporter (NCC; encoded by SLC12A3), resulting in hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalciuria, and metabolic alkalosis. Renal salt wasting commonly provokes mild hypotension. The paucity of previous kidney transplants from donors with known tubulopathies suggests that such conditions may be considered contraindications to donation. Read More

BMC Pediatr 2018 Sep 7;18(1):297. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

Department of Pediatrics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.

Background: Suboptimal intake of magnesium become prevalent due to the modern diet of processed food low in magnesium. Magnesium may modulate seizure activity by antagonizing excitatory calcium influx through the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Although hyponatremia has been reported to be common in febrile seizures, the most common form of seizure, little is known about the status of serum ionized magnesium. Read More

Int J Eat Disord 2018 Sep 7;51(9):1113-1116. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

Eating Recovery Center, Denver, Colorado.

We present a novel case of a woman with coincident occurrence of auditory and visual hallucinations, electrolyte disturbances, chloride unresponsive alkalosis, and an eating disorder. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with Gitelman syndrome comorbid with schizophreniform disorder and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. Eating disorders are often associated with electrolyte abnormalities which, in turn, can cause or contribute to other neuropsychiatric symptoms. Read More

Oncology 2018 Sep 5:1-7. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

U.O.C. Oncologia, "S. Giovanni di Dio" Hospital, ASLNA2NORD Frattamaggiore, Frattamaggiore, Italy.

Objectives: This study evaluates maintenance cetuximab administered every 2 weeks (q2w) after chemotherapy plus cetuximab as first-line treatment in a series of patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer and compares the results with those obtained in a historical control group of patients receiving weekly cetuximab.

Methods: After chemotherapy plus cetuximab as first-line treatment, in Group A, 36 patients enrolled from October 2016 to November 2017, received biweekly cetuximab, administered at 500 mg/m2. Group B was a control group of patients treated at our institution from August 2015 to September 2016 and received weekly infusion of cetuximab at 250 mg/m2. Read More

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2018 Aug 3;162. Epub 2018 Aug 3.

Martini Ziekenhuis, afd. Intensive Care, Groningen.

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most widely used drugs around the globe. A growing body of literature, however, has reported numerous side effects, such as hypomagnesemia. Symptoms associated with hypomagnesaemia range from nausea, tetany and cardiac arrhythmias. Read More

Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2018 Nov 4;82(5):877-885. Epub 2018 Sep 4.

Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, Unit 455, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.

Background: We investigated hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) oxaliplatin combined with capecitabine +/- bevacizumab in advanced cancer with predominant liver involvement.

Methods: Patients received HAI oxaliplatin (140 mg/m) and escalating doses of capecitabine (500, 750, and 1000 mg/m), with (Group 1) or without (Group 2) bevacizumab (10 mg/kg IV). A 3 + 3 dose design was used, followed by an expansion phase. Read More

Physiol Rep 2018 Sep;6(17):e13843

Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovoth, Israel.

This article examines the central role of Na,K-ATPase (α1β1FXYD2) in renal Mg handling, especially in distal convoluted tubule (DCT), the segment responsible for final regulation of Mg balance. By considering effects of Na,K-ATPase on intracellular Na and K concentrations, and driving forces for Mg transport, we propose a consistent rationale explaining basal Mg reabsorption in DCT and altered Mg reabsorption in some human diseases. FXYD2 (γ subunit) is a regulatory subunit that adapts functional properties of Na,K-ATPase to cellular requirements. Read More

Aging (Albany NY) 2018 Aug;10(9):2212-2213

Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.