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Single-photon emission computerized tomography for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is a non-invasive technique. MPI is performed by subjecting the patient to exercise or by using a pharmacological stress agent. Regadenoson is a selective A2A adenosine receptor agonist used when MPI with exercise is contraindicated. It binds to the A2A receptor and stimulates adenylate cyclase, resulting in increased cAMP, which phosphorylates protein kinase A thereby opening the ATP-dependant potassium channels leading to hyperpolarization in the coronary vascular smooth muscle. After a single bolus dose of regadenoson 400 μg, a peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of 13.6 ng/mL is attained in 1-4 min, with a terminal half-life of 2 h. It has a quick onset, short duration sufficient enough for hyperemic response, with comparable efficacy to adenosine, but with fewer side-effects. The adverse effects of this drug are dyspnea, headache, flushing, chest pain and atrioventricular block. Regadenoson is used for MPI in patients with co-morbid conditions like mild-to-moderate reactive airway disease, obstructive lung disease and renal impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study has been to assess the efficacy of duloxetine, a selective inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake, in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women. Materials and Methods: The study included 50 women aged above 18 years with a predominant symptom of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The case definition included a predominant symptom of SUI with a weekly incontinence episode frequency (IEF) of seven or greater and a positive cough stress test. All the patients received duloxetine 20 mg twice daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcome variables included the IEF and improvement in quality of life. Paired Student's 't' test was used to analyze changes in IEF. Results: The improvement with duloxetine treatment was found in 40 out of 50 patients. Remaining 10 patients did not show any improvement with duloxetine and discontinued the treatment. In 40 patients, the mean baseline IEF was 12.5/week. At the end of three months treatment, IEF was six/week. This shows a statistically significant reduction in the IEF. Also, there was a good improvement in quality of life with 65% of patients in the "very much better" and "much better" categories according to PGI-I scale. In the remaining 10 patients, there was no significant improvement after one month of treatment and patients underwent surgery. Conclusions: The findings support duloxetine as a potential treatment for women with stress urinary incontinence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To study the effect of nebivolol 5 mg once daily versus (S)-atenolol 25 mg once daily in patients with essential hypertension. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted at RLJH and Research Centre which included 30 patients in each group with essential hypertension. The sex, age, presenting illness, and family history of the patients were recorded. Investigations such as blood sugar, urine analysis, kidney function test, lipid profile, and ECG were performed before starting the treatment. Any adverse effects during the treatment were noted. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at baseline and during follow-up. One group received nebivolol 5 mg once daily and other group (S)atenolol 25 mg once daily. Patients were followed-up every 15 days for 3 months. Results: Nebivolol group had 18 males and 12 females with mean age 50.6 ± 9.5 years, (S)-atenolol had 16 males and 14 females with mean age 54.4 ± 9 years. Patients receiving nebivolol and (S)-atenolol showed a significant fall (P <∙0001) in systolic (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate at the end of first, second, and third month when compared to baseline. The difference in fall in SBP and DBP was insignificant between the groups, but fall in heart rate was significant (P <∙0001). Adverse effects such as headache, dizziness, and fatigue were reported with both drugs. Conclusion: Reduction of blood pressure with nebivolol and (S)atenolol was similar, but fall in blood pressure from baseline was highly significant in both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapy related AML (t- AML) accounts for 10-20% of all cases of AML. Cytotoxic agents implicated are alkylating agents, topoisomerase II inhibitors and rarely anti metabolites and anti tubulin agents. A growing incidence of therapy related acute promyelocytic leukemia (t-APL) has been reported over the last few decades in malignant and non malignant conditions. To the best of our knowledge this is the first t-APL case report to be reported in NSGCT post etoposide based therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response by G. M. Bengalorkar and colleagues to a letter to the editor about their article "Fospropofol: Clinical Pharmacology," published in the 2011 issue is presented.

This article presents several cases of patients who were given tacrolimus ointment to treat their localized vilitigo. The patients received Psoralen Ultra-Violet A (PUVA) phototherapy, cancer chemotherapy, immunosuppressants and corticosteroids. A majority of the patients showed response to the treatment. They demonstrated an improvement in their vitiligo area scoring index (VASI) scores.