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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine system disorder among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have enlarged ovaries that contain small collections of fluid — called follicles — located in each ovary as seen during an ultrasound exam. Infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, and obesity can all occur in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. In adolescents, infrequent or absent menstruation may raise suspicion for the condition. The exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is unknown. Early diagnosis and treatment along with weight loss may reduce the risk of long-term complications, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Lipomas are slow-growing soft tissue tumours that rarely reach a size larger than 2 cm. Lesions larger than 5 cm, so-called giant lipomas, can occur anywhere in the body but are seldom found in the upper extremities. The authors present their experiences with eight patients having giant lipomas of the upper extremity. In addition, a review of the literature, and a discussion of the appropriate evaluation and management are included.
The pathobiology of MM is complex and the root underlying cause of myeloma is the multistep genetic changes in the postgerminal center B cell. In addition, the bone marrow microenvironment plays a crucial role.[2] The interaction between myeloma cells and the microenvironment is mediated through adhesive interactions via cell-surface receptors, paracrine loops involving several cytokines, such as IL-6, VEGF and IL-10, and suppression of cell-mediated immunity.[2–4] IMiDs modulate many of these interactions leading to decreased myeloma cell growth and survival. Thalidomide was the first IMiD introduced to treat MM. It was initially synthesized in Germany in the late 1950s to treat insomnia and morning sickness. It was withdrawn from the market in 1961 because of its teratogenic effects. Its immunomodulatory properties were realized when it was observed to improve erythema nodosum leprosum, a painful immunologic reaction of leprosy, leading to its approval by the FDA in 1998 with tight prescribing and marketing regulations. Subsequent research showed the diverse mechanism of action of thalidomide including its immunomodulatory effect by inhibition of de novo IgM antibody synthesis,[5] modulation of the T-cell subset by increasing the T-helper cells, inhibitory effects on the TNF-α and antiangiogenic activity leading to its use in MM. Significantly higher response rates in combination with dexamethasone led to its approval in the treatment of newly diagnosed MM in 2006. Lenalidomide, a second-generation IMiD, was developed from the structural backbone of the thalidomide molecule by the addition of an amino group (NH2-) at position 4 of the phthaloyl ring and removal of the carbonyl group (C = O) of the 4-amino-substituted phthaloyl ring (Table 1).[6] In addition to immunomodulatory effects, other mechanisms of action have been described such as direct cytotoxicity via induction of apoptosis, inhibition of cell adhesion molecules and inhibition of growth signals that promote bone marrow angiogenesis
A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes through an opening in the diaphragm and into the chest cavity. The diaphragm is the thin muscle wall that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen. The opening in the diaphragm is where the esophagus and stomach join.