Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Booth

Publications and source records attributed to A Booth.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

A phase II study of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.

Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) is an irreversible enzyme-activated inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, a key enzyme in polyamine synthesis. We have screened for potential anti-cancer activity of DFMO using a clonogenic assay, which suggested that melanoma might have sensitivity to this agent. Accordingly, we have performed a phase II trial of DFMO (2 g/m2 po q 8 h) in 24 patients, 21 of whom were evaluable for response. One patient achieved a complete response of a large subcutaneous mass for 11 months. Although stabilization is frequently difficult to measure, seven patients appeared to stabilize previously active disease, with a median duration of response of eight weeks. Toxicity was significant and DFMO was discontinued in five patients due to side effects - hearing loss alone in four and hearing loss associated with thrombocytopenia in the fifth patient. Hearing changes occurred in ten patients. Other side effects were mild. These data indicate that DFMO as a single agent may be an effective therapy for melanoma. A phase II trial of DFMO in previously untreated patients using a different schedule to decrease hearing loss is warranted. Additionally, several in vitro and animal models suggest that DFMO plus interferon are synergistic, and this combination might be used for a clinical trial as well.

Adult↗

Divorce and marital instability over the life course.

"This study uses a [U.S.] national sample of married persons under age 55, interviewed in 1980 and again in 1983, to estimate why divorce and marital instability vary by age and duration of marriage. Results indicate that the accumulation of assets substantially reduces the propensity to divorce. We also find that several important correlates of divorce and instability (age at marriage, health, social integration, and income) interact with age and duration. In general, these factors seem to operate almost exclusively among young people and young marriages."

Age Factors↗

Effect of hyperglycemia on the thermal response of murine normal and tumor tissues.

The effect of an i.p. injection of glucose on the thermal response of murine tissues was studied. Animal tumors were early generation isotransplants of a spontaneous fibrosarcoma, FSa-II. Tumors were transplanted into the foot pad, and hyperthermia was given by immersing the foot into a constant-temperature water bath. The tumor and normal tissue responses were studied by assays of the time required for half the tumors to reach 1000 cu mm from treatment day and of the treatment time required for one-half of the animals to develop a loss of one toe or greater reaction. The glucose administration enhanced tumor response more substantially than normal tissue response. The enhancement was greater for a large tumor than for a small tumor and also greater at 42.0 degrees than at 45.5 degrees. Presumably, the hyperglycemia induced acidosis which eventually enhanced thermal response. Present results suggested that the hyperglycemia is a potential method to specifically enhance tumor response at elevated temperatures.

Animals↗

Nutritional knowledge questionnaire. Part two.

An easily administered and scored test of nutritional knowledge was published in the previous issue of the Journal (December 27, 1980). The correct answers to the questionnaire are presented here. The questionnaire has been administered to 2175 subjects. The test was shown to have high reliability and criterion validity, discriminating between educational and occupational groups. There was a significant linear relationship between nutritional knowledge score and age. It is suggested that the test may be of value in the assessment of patients requiring dietetic management.

Adolescent↗

Malonaldehyde formation in intact platelets is catalysed by thromboxane synthase.

Imidazole and compound L8027 (selective inhibitors of thromboxane synthase) produced parallel inhibition of malonaldehyde and thromboxane B2 secretion induced by collagen or thrombin in gel-filtered suspensions of human platelets. Comparing the effects of these inhibitors and aspirin on secretion of granule constituents indicated that platelet degranulation depends mainly on thromboxane production; prostaglandin endoperoxides contributed little.

Blood Platelets↗